When will anyone catch up with Red Bull? | Nico Rosberg: Max Verstappen is extraordinary!

Matt Baker is joined this week by 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg and Broadcaster Liam MacDevitt to speak about (03:39) Red Bull’s ‘legendary’ record-breaking season so far, (10:28) and how Sergio Perez can deal with an 'unbeatable teammate'.

The panel also debate if (23:20) McLaren could finish second in the Constructor’s Championship, (24:40) Mercedes’ confidence boost after Lewis Hamilton qualified for pole at the Hungarian GP, and (34:14) review Daniel Riccardo’s return to the grid after his first race back with AlphaTauri.

Finally, (43:38) Nico Rosberg addresses his ‘curse’ and explains why he won't be posting any more photos from the pit lane in future races!

- This week's episode of the Sky Sports F1 podcast features host Matt Baker, 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg, and broadcaster Liam McDevitt.

- The panel discusses Red Bull's record-breaking season, Sergio Perez's struggles as Max Verstappen's teammate, McLaren's resurgence, Mercedes' mixed fortunes, and Daniel Ricciardo's return to the grid.

**Key Points:**

- Red Bull's dominance continues with 12 consecutive race wins, breaking McLaren's historic record.

- Max Verstappen's driving is described as "legendary" and compared to the greats like Senna, Schumacher, and Hamilton.

- Sergio Perez faces challenges as Verstappen's teammate, with a significant gap in qualifying and race results.

- McLaren's turnaround is impressive, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivering strong performances.

- Mercedes shows signs of improvement with Lewis Hamilton's pole position in Hungary, but the team's overall pace remains behind Red Bull.

- Daniel Ricciardo's return to AlphaTauri is analyzed, with discussions about his adaptation to the car and his overall performance.

**Insights from Nico Rosberg:**

- Rosberg reflects on his own experience of winning seven consecutive races, acknowledging the difficulty and expressing respect for Verstappen's achievements.

- He highlights the importance of staying focused and avoiding complacency, especially when dominating a season.

- Rosberg compares Verstappen and Red Bull's partnership to legendary pairings like Schumacher and Ferrari, suggesting it could become one of the most iconic in F1 history.

**Analysis of Sergio Perez's Situation:**

- Rosberg emphasizes the mental toll of being Verstappen's teammate, with the constant pressure and media scrutiny.

- He suggests that Perez needs to switch off from social media and external distractions to focus on his own performance.

- Rosberg advises Perez to take a race-by-race approach, rebuilding his confidence and momentum without worrying about the championship battle.

**McLaren's Resurgence and Potential:**

- McLaren's significant improvement is attributed to technical developments, particularly in aerodynamics.

- Rosberg praises Lando Norris as a world-class driver and highlights the team's potential to challenge for race wins.

- Oscar Piastri's solid performances are acknowledged, with discussions about his tyre management and race pace.

**Mercedes' Mixed Fortunes and Future Prospects:**

- Mercedes' qualifying performance in Hungary is seen as a positive sign, but the team's overall pace is still lacking compared to Red Bull.

- Rosberg suggests that Mercedes may struggle to catch up to Red Bull this season, given the significant gap in points.

- The panel discusses the possibility of McLaren finishing second in the Constructors' Championship, but acknowledges that it would be challenging.

**Daniel Ricciardo's Return to Formula One:**

- Ricciardo's adaptation to the AlphaTauri car is analyzed, with observations about his driving style and comfort level.

- His performance in Hungary is evaluated, noting his struggles in qualifying but a solid recovery in the race.

- The panel discusses Ricciardo's future prospects and whether he can regain his previous form.


## Key Points and Main Arguments

- Red Bull's dominance continued with another legendary win in Hungary, extending their record-breaking streak.

- Sergio Perez faced challenges as a teammate to the unbeatable Max Verstappen, highlighting the difficulty of competing against an exceptional driver.

- McLaren's impressive performance raised questions about their potential to finish second in the Constructor's Championship.

- Lewis Hamilton's pole position in Hungary provided a much-needed confidence boost for Mercedes, sparking hope for a resurgence in their performance.

- Daniel Ricciardo's return to Formula One with AlphaTauri was met with enthusiasm, and his strong qualifying pace indicated his potential for a successful comeback.

- Nico Rosberg addressed his perceived "curse" of jinxing teams and drivers with his social media posts, announcing that he would refrain from posting pit lane photos in the future.

## Detailed Summary

### Red Bull's Dominance and Sergio Perez's Struggles

Red Bull's remarkable season continued in Hungary, with Max Verstappen securing another dominant victory, further extending their lead in the Constructor's Championship. The team's success was attributed to their exceptional car performance and Verstappen's unmatched driving skills. However, Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate, faced difficulties in keeping up with the Dutchman's pace, highlighting the challenge of competing against such an extraordinary driver.

### McLaren's Rise and Mercedes' Revival

McLaren's impressive performance in Hungary raised questions about their potential to finish second in the Constructor's Championship. The team's strong showing throughout the season, including Lando Norris's podium finish in Hungary, suggested that they could challenge Ferrari for the runner-up position. Meanwhile, Mercedes' resurgence was evident with Lewis Hamilton securing pole position in Hungary, providing a confidence boost for the team and sparking hope for a turnaround in their fortunes.

### Daniel Ricciardo's Return and Nico Rosberg's "Curse"

Daniel Ricciardo's return to Formula One with AlphaTauri was met with excitement and anticipation. Despite not having tested the car prior to the race, Ricciardo displayed impressive qualifying pace, indicating his potential for a successful comeback. The focus now shifted to his ability to adapt to the car and deliver strong race performances. Nico Rosberg, a former Formula One world champion, addressed his perceived "curse" of jinxing teams and drivers with his social media posts. After several instances where teams or drivers performed poorly after he posted photos of them, Rosberg announced that he would refrain from posting pit lane photos in the future.

### Overall Message

The Hungarian Grand Prix showcased the continued dominance of Red Bull, the potential rise of McLaren, and the resurgence of Mercedes. Daniel Ricciardo's return to Formula One added excitement to the grid, while Nico Rosberg's "curse" provided a humorous twist to the weekend's events. As the Formula One season heads into the summer break, fans eagerly await the Belgian Grand Prix, the final race before the break, for more thrilling action and unexpected twists.