Sky Sports activities F1’s Damon Hill believes Pink Bull are “in reverse” because the chase for the Drivers’ Championship begins to scorching up, and he additionally reckons they may even end third within the Constructors’ Championship.
McLaren now lead the Constructors’ Championship, whereas Max Verstappen heads the Drivers’ Championship by 59 factors with seven races remaining.
Pink Bull should not on the high of the Constructors’ Championship for the primary time in 55 races, relationship again to the 2022 Miami Grand Prix. McLaren are 20 factors in entrance of Pink Bull and presently have the quicker automotive.
Now, Lando Norris is chasing down Verstappen for the person honours too and, for Hill, it’s on Pink Bull to “manage the decline” to allow them to sneak over the road come the tip of the season.
“The value of a win is everything. It is almost like the old saying, the first loser is the guy who comes second,” Hill informed the Sky Sports activities F1 podcast.
“You by no means wish to be second. If you find yourself within the sharp finish it is just good to win.
“Clearly, you may win a championship by ending usually within the factors and ending second, however it simply makes it far more intense.
“Pink Bull are in reverse. It’s like gravity is pulling them again down because the championship goes on.
“They are literally losing performance because everybody is accelerating their development and finding gains that Red Bull simply can’t.
“They’re having to handle the decline in case you like as a result of they should cross the road on the finish of the championship with only one level and it appears to be like like it’ll be very, very shut on the charge at which Ferrari and McLaren are catching them.
“I think Red Bull will be thinking that they have probably lost the Constructors’ Championship, especially with Checo’s (Sergio Perez) continued bad fortune.
“I do not see how they will take a look at luggage of factors going ahead in comparison with Ferrari and McLaren.”
Although Pink Bull are the group being “pulled back down”, Hill would nonetheless want to be in Verstappen’s place in comparison with Norris’ and says simply protecting possession of high spot is essential.
Certainly, he believes if Verstappen can go as quick as he can “without dropping the baby” then he may maintain off the risk-takers over his shoulder.
“I think possession is nine-tenths of all of it. He has got the points already, Max, but they are sitting there and just watching it be eaten away,” Hill added.
“It is a question of how fast the rats are eating the cheese.
“They’re sitting there anxiously however they’re the individuals within the lead. In case you see it as a race, it’s actually what number of tenths of a second are they taking out of you per lap earlier than you cross the road.
“It is better to be in the position with the points. You can find something and turn it around and find a solution to the problem they have got and find some gains.
“They’re taking part in out the benefit they’ve.
“When you are chasing you have nothing to lose. That is the beauty of chasing positions, hunting down the people in front is, ‘I am second anyway so I can take all the risks’.
“I used to think about it like main the race was like an egg and spoon race. Or, let’s examine you holding the newborn – you can’t drop the newborn. Go as quick as you may however don’t drop the newborn.
“When you are chasing, you are not holding the baby, you are just like a wolf chasing the guy in front.
“If you find yourself within the lead, that’s the valuable factor that everyone is after, you’ve got it, and you should not drop it.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Singapore GP schedule
Thursday September 19
12pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday September 20
8.15am: F1 Academy Practice
10am: Singapore GP Practice One (session starts 10.30am)
11.55am: F1 Academy Qualifying
1.45pm: Singapore GP Practice Two (session starts 2pm)
3.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday September 21
8am: F1 Academy Race One
10.15am: Singapore GP Practice Three (session starts 10.30am)
1pm: Singapore GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: SINGAPORE GP QUALIFYING*
4pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday September 22
8.30am: F1 Academy Race Two
11:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up
1pm: The SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP reaction
4pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1’s thrilling 2024 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend with more stunning street circuit action, this time under the lights at the Singapore Grand Prix. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime