Would Sergio Perez be “Dominating” Formula 1, if Max left? 

Like the video please, and IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ⚒⚒⚒

The Slow pay driver version of Max Verstappen should clearly have been called Minimum Verstappen

The difference between the two is when Max qualified 9th in Miami we knew the max is gonna win the GP. But when Checo qualified 11 in Spanish GP we don't even imagine the Checo can win when he qualified out of position.

In my opinion the car is definitely the best, but a driver like Max or Lewis will always make a difference. They're just built different when you look at these guys over an entire season

Would need an updated version of this video at the end of the season. That's gonna be awesome

Max his consistency is the scariest thing about him, if he has no issues he finishes on the podium for any spot on the grid, if he has issues he somehow still ends up in the points.

Adding silvers and bronzes for the podiums as well as golds for the win would’ve been good. It’s not just that Verstappen is taking most of the wins, he’s taking a step on every podium

I can’t believe Max Verstappen actually left Red Bull 😢

It is not just Max has lot of speed in him, what is scary is the mad level of consistency he has which is far more difficult to achieve. He also puts so much simulator work, feedback and wants the same from his engineering department. His presence alone pushes people to their absolute capacity cause he pushes himself.

The difference between Max and Checo is really simmilar to difference between Seb and Webber

Great use of data to explain this mate. You should consider doing a follow-up comparing Checo's performance to other number 2 drivers in dominant cars like Valtteri or even Mark Webber to see who's the true "number one among the number twos"

Sergio would be actually worst because he would no longer have Max's data to improve his performances

Short answer: no Long answer: hell no

Imo this is quite similar to 2013 You would not call that Redbull dominant looking at just Weber who didn't even finish the season in 2nd But the best car should be judged by the driver who can extract the most out of it

10:28 Fernando definitely wouldn't have stayed behind Lance in this alternate universe where he's 5 points the championship lead at the time Edit: nevermind you address this 11:35 In Miami where Checo was pushing flat out because he was racing Max, he only finished 20 seconds ahead of Alonso who let off at the end like he normally does since Russell in P4 wasn't a threat. But still a 10-20 second gap is pretty significant although I consider 20+ seconds to be dominant.

An Aston Martin for WDC would be absolutely bonkers

Long life to Vax Merslowpen. He deserves a season simulation in another video.

Even if this season would have been more exiting without max verstappen, we still have to be exited to see history in the making

Tommo ain’t ever had a day better than yesterday that’s for sure 😂

Could you do one on red bull 2013 and merc 2020, cause I would be curious how dominant they were

Max's pace at Miami was the issue that knocked Checo's confidence and saw the introduction of his mistakes. In this version of reality, he would have come out of Miami with a big lead and be even further ahead without the mistakes at Monaco and Spain.

You know you’re dominant when they make video’s contemplating about how things would look if you weren’t there. 😅

I think the scary thing though is that while Checo can pull those 20 second gaps by the end of the race, he's doing that by pushing like a stabbed rat whereas Max seems to cruise to those gaps. The RB19 is a monster of a machine, but Max is a monster driver where Checo is just a great driver. It isn't really out of the question that Max could lap the majority of the field, if not everyone bar Checo at some races, if he pushes 100% through the entire race distance.

This video proves that it's not just the car and those drivers who dominated in their time were truly special.

cool concept, great design...this VOD stuff is where you truly shine, tommo.

Continue this throughout the season, would be interesting to track as the Max dominance goes on

I'm not sure if I'd call Checo top-tier though, I'm 100% confident in saying that Leclerc, Russel, Lewis, Lando, Nando and Max are all better than him, which already means hes not in the top 30% of the current grid, and I can't say with complete confidence that Checo is better than Ocon or Gasly either, or even Sainz for that matter. Hell, even Bottas fared better against Hamilton than Checo does against Max.

Really loving the Gran Turismo 4 soundtrack in the back of the more recent videos I've seen!

Yeah he's top tier but Max is God Tier.

Gonna throw another variable into it and say that Checo wouldn't be making as many mistakes if he didn't have the pressure of a Max Verstappen as a team mate. He's under a lot of pressure with Max there. I don't think he'd make as many with an awful teammate.

Fantastic video keep it up you're doing amazing things 😁👍

Classic Tommo W video right here, easy concept but hard to perfect like you did here.

Merc would probably take the constructors, which when considering the difference in car performance, is insane!

Stuff like this clearly shows drivers like max, fernando and Lewis are just a cut above the rest. Being able to perform at 99% all season makes them such a formidable opponent. I’d like to see 2022, 2017/18 done like this.

Great video, new subscriber because of it. I think the ONLY x factor in an analysis like this would be if they were able to develop the car the same way without Max. His driving style warrants changes that may not have happened, but are very important. However, checo's style could end up doing the same thing in a different way.

Tommo, you absolute beauty Such a well presented thought experiment, nicely done!

You should make an update during the summer break and at the end of the season, as if it was a full season review😂 super entertaining!!!

Great video 👍

Awesome video idea!!! Thank you!!! 🎉🎉🎉❤

That definitely sounds like Gran Turismo 4 music in the background

Tbf I dont think that checo would make as many mistakes if max wasnt there. So realistically he doesnt mess up monaco and spain and is probably winning those

All of Red Bull's drivers have been very capable operators (Webber, Ricciardo, Perez, Gasly, Kvyat, Albon), some even legendary over their tenure in the sport (Vettel, Verstappen, Coulthard), but I think there's very good reasons for why Red Bull have never had a 1-2 finish in the driver's championship. And I think that trend will continue this year.

This would almost be like a 2010 season if this was a maxless championship and if checo continues to be inconsistent a fernando or lewis can capitalise btw great videos

Them Gran Turismo background tunes 💯

4:26 That music tho!!!! 🔥🔥🔥

It's not super realistic, but it delivers the pont. Checo is not in the level of a top team. We all know it. If Max wasn't there, he probably would still fail to get the title. the Red bull would not be dominant. It would be a free for all. RB is dominant cause of Max, and he needs a better team mate, cause they won't always have this advantage even on the hands of Max. RB needs a consistent second top driver. Checo will cost them a constructors if it's closer.

This is GREAT materiał to watch! Please do the same when season will end!)

I'm not sure if he could. Up to this point it would've been still fairly close but he would likely continue increasing his lead. But he may run into trouble if later in the season maybe Aston Martin and Mercedes start catching up to Red Bull in performance.

I think i’ve been subconsciously watching the season this way and that’s why I’ve been enjoying it so much

this man honestly makes my day when he drops videos 😅😂, City or Inter who are we backing

I really like this idea, fun video!

Great question Tommo!

Undoubtedly. What gets Perez "distracted" and forces him to make mistakes is trying to beat Max. His mechanics already said in both Monaco and Spain he was trying different driving styles to see if he could stay on Max's level. Tall order. On pace, Perez hasn't been that far behind, but mistakes prove it takes a lot of effort from him to match what Max does as second nature. The difference between being bred to race since 2yo and getting into a car later in life in a developing country with close to zero opportunities, training and facilities. Those early years are so crucial.

So, just to throw a spanner in the works… the RedBull number two (even if it was Vax Merslowpen) WOULD take points from Alonso and Hamilton, as the car, team and media pressure would ensure that the RedBull #2 would be in the mix, if not troubling Checo

This season wouldve been sooooo good if red bull had the pace of the other top 4, wouldve been early 2010's vibes

Please do a part 2 at the end of the year :D !!!

This was a fun video

Given the fact PER has to rely on Max to find the best car set-up for the last 2,5 years, those "results" would differ a lot.........

Checo is good enough to just eek out a championship with a RB19 under him and a Lance Stroll tier teammate. But only just. I don't think it would be a domination over a whole season. I would love to see what Charles, Lando, and George could do in that car. And for that matter Fernando and Lewis too. I bet any of them would be magnificent. But I still think Max just might be the only living human who can truly maximize results in the RB19.

Gt4 soundtrack is pure class

0:47 The Spanish GP was the 7th race of the season It was originally round 8 but imola got cancelled 😅

Idk if Checo would win the championship if Max didn’t exist. I mean if he’s cracking under pressure now, can you imagine the pressure against Alonso & Hamilton? Although I’m sure it’s an entirely different kind of pressure and it’s most likely greater against your own teammate, *especially* if that teammate is Max Verstappen. Would the support of the entire team backing him be enough to take away the intimidation that comes with going against two teams like Mercedes & Aston Martin + the media and shitstorm that comes with a championship battle involving Lewis Hamilton & Fernando Alonso. (Think of the pressure cooker environment & all that tension in 2021, but a 3-way battle) Media and fans around the world would be losing their minds. That’s an entirely different type of added pressure, but at the same time it’s not so gut wrenching as having to beat Max in equal machinery.

That "Crikey" added to George, wow!

Race gaps mean something different today because it used to be basically impossible to get past anyone before they pitted. Now, they just let you by so they don’t compromise your tires / lap times / race. But Max would usually have twice the race gap if he was constantly pushing. I say this as someone who despises Max.

Bringing back the Sakhir semi-oval would be incredible!

8:42 by the way, victory 33 on 28/5, just as he hinted on socials kkkk

My take: Checo is a top tier driver, but he lacks consistency and his teammate is a racing legend

I think Checo would be more dominant in a Max-less team as well, because if he was the first driver the car would be more designed to fit his driving style. I’m very biased as a Checo fan, and I’m curious where you think he stacks up compared to other 2nd drivers of the past?

Managed to have both checo stans and team LH coming at you with flames and pitchforks right at the end there 😂

Mercedes fan here. F1 NEEDS Verstappen. I can’t stand the guy, but F1 without him is a Batman movie without a villain. Seriously, this has to be wrong. I can’t find any mainstream news articles on this and this would be major news. Max has earned his position and I only want my guys to legitimately beat him. He’s at the top of his game. Why leave now? This cannot be right.

I would say that Checo would be better than rn because the car is clearly built for max (with that crazy oversteer which helps maxes stile so much and makes him so unbeatable) and with max out the picture checo would do better. At least a doilies amount

@TommoF1 Would you be able to do the same kind of video but this time it's an alternative Vetteless universe for the 2011 and or 2013 seasons?

Also curious as to how Checo would be running with a car that was completely geared to him...

We expect a part 2 at the 2/3 point of the season. Without Max a lot more changes for Checo, most of all the pressure. I think it is pretty easy to say the Monaco disaster had pressure written all over it. If Checo is leading the WDC, he is likely to be more relaxed than if he was fighting to stay within range of Max.

Damn it would be such a fun championship

If Checo were on his own he can have a shot at winning the title no doubt about it, but it's a massive unknown on whether or not Checo can hold to pressure of competing for a title. If he were the one in place of Max fighting Lewis in 2021, can he get the same level of consistency Max got that year? Right now he's (supposed to be) in a fight with Max for a title, but even then there are times he would bin it like in Austrailia and Monaco or in Spain where he was stuck in Q2. So that would suggest he does not have the level of consistency that Fernando or Lewis have (both of which so far haven't DNFed in a race yet), and that's what ultimately going to undo his chances. If he's that close in terms of points to Lewis and Fernando because he would have some good performances and a few bad ones, all it takes is 1 DNF to turn things upside down. And since he's not as speedy as Max, then the likelihood of him say crashing into another car at the start of the race or being pressured by another car to make a mistake and then falling backwards or crashing is higher.

There's also fastest laps to consider. Then again, Min Verstoppen would have been replaced by Danny Ric already.

You don’t only need a dominant car or an excellent driver. You also need them to get along perfectly, to fit like a glove.

Well, atleast the championship for both Driver's and Constructor's title would have been lot more interesting and engaging.

good lad, keep this alternative championship going till the end and lets see who wins the championship, Lewis or Alonso,... I'm keeping an eye on this space,... this is an creative idea,..

Damn, this would be such an exciting title fight if only it were real 😭

I think Checo would have the pace to keep up with Max, but beating max would be difficult. What Checo needs to improve on 1. Quali- very bad performance, considering its the best car on the grid 2. Race start- Ive always noticed Max making up places in the start. He's so good at making up places/ pulling away at front. Checo however mostly has lost places during race starts

It's a really tough one, I definitely think Checo would probably be doing a slightly better job if he was not up against Max, but it's hard to say if that would be enough to beat Hamilton and Alonso. Also who knows who the other driver would be, they might be good enough to make it harder for any challengers. I'd say probably yes, Checo would be dominating, but probably not in the same way as Max.

Always makes me think what if Bottas had been the lead Mercedes driver in 2017 - 2020 or Barrichello the lead Ferrari driver in their golden era (though we did get a clue when it was Irvine/Salo in 1999)?

Nah, then season 2023 would probably have been Fernando vs Lewis. I mean, the start of this season would have been similar for sure. However, RB would definitely have been surpassed later in the year after some upgrades of their opponents (seeing Checo is currently already having trouble to pass the AM/MB cars and the occasional ferrari's). We also have to keep in mind that Red bull still has the costcap penalty this year, which will also heavily affect 2024's car. So they cant upgrade 2023's car as much as aston and merc can this year, and i think it will probably be even more visible after the summerbreak. That is why it is so important for RB right now that Max and Checo farm as much points as possible while they have the advantage, because it gives them a pointsbuffer to still secure the championship if AM and MB manage to catch up soon. Because the less of the budget they have to spend on upgrades for 2023's car, the more of the penaltied budget can be put in 2024's car, making them less behind on development at the start of next year. That is also why Helmut is having more serious talks with Checo about his performance after bad races this early in the season already, compared to previous years where he used to tell the media "The season is still very long, he will be fine". If Max didnt exist at this moment then they would have been extremely behind on the development schedule already, and probably thinking the 2023 car would currently already be in dire need of upgrades.. Also, dont underestimate the amount of times perez doesnt get the sweet spot of his own setup going during practises and has to take over and build on max's ( aka the real reason why people still think the entire car is "build in favor of max", no peeps, the setup is crucial in order to feel the confidence to push the car to its limit. If its off you either go slower than the cars potential, or take the high risk of binning it in the wall when you push.) Without max there, checo wouldnt have setups to copy either as his teammate would probably be worse than him.

Imagine Alex winning the 2024 titile

Checo is good enough to be able to beat Max once or twice a year, but he is not good enough to dominate like Max. Max is going into his prime and Checo is on the downhill portion of his career. If I were him, I'd accept my position and do whatever I can to squeeze out a few more years in F1. I know he wants to win a championship, but he needs to be realistic here. Finishing P4 or P5 in a car Max is winning races by 30 seconds in does not make him look good.

I tend to believe they would develop the car more to Perez's preferences, which would allow him to extract a little more out of the car. It wouldn't be as dominant as Max, for sure.

These scenarios always make me laugh bro

He would dominate on street circuits, but it would be even on normal circuits

yes but the fact that its a question in a car that has had as much as a second a lap to the field means that he probably shouldn't be in that seat

This is why fanfiction is a thing

Heck u could do one for Bottas leading the Mercs w'out SLH!

Assuming this was sorted before last night, how's the head Tommo 🤣

I would love to watch this alternative season of F1!

The difference would be that Max is a thoroughbred racer, he could win in a worst car a few years ago. Now he has a good car, the combination makes it dominant. Checo is a good driver, in a good car the results will be good, but good enough? I doubt it.

we only see checo as not dominant because there can only be one winner

You forget that a second Red Bull driver would score points also. So Perez having more wins would mean more points also compared to Alonso and Hamilton. So a pretty solid margin.

Thanks for giving a more detailed perspective and analysis of how far the season has been for Checo. People tend to focus mostly on the last race. He has made mistakes but with no question, he is the best partner MV has had.

I'm going to see Vax Merslowpen in my nightmares, man 😂