Tough job for the first years

“Blessed is he who expects nothing,” wrote the poet Alexander Pope, “for he shall never be disappointed.”

Two of the three drivers to make their Formula 1 debuts this season came freighted with high expectations: Yuki Tsunoda, anointed as F1’s next big thing by no less an eminence than Red Bull’s driver advisor Helmut Marko; and Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael, discreetly supported by Ferrari and surrounded by much of dad’s protective entourage. It’s fair to say neither of them have made an immediate impact you could describe as Ayrton Senna-like, Lewis Hamilton-like or, dare we say it, Schumacher-like.

Given the substantial powertrain technology step between F2 and F1 in the hybrid era, beyond even the difference in downforce levels, was it fair to expect the outcome to be any different?

YUKI TSUNODA

Can do better 14th (32 points)

There were those who thought that Marko was edging out on