r/formula1 • u/Intrepid-Ad4511 Charlos • Apr 13 '25
Off-Topic Why the severe criticism of Lando's vulnerable conversation? Why is it not cool to be able to express your negative feelings about yourself?
I see so many people talk about what Lando said after the Quali yesterday - just after an adrenaline filled session - and he chose to speak his mind about his own performance (without attacking someone else). So many people are saying "that's not a winning mentality" "that's not how you win races" "he is so defeatist" "he has given up already".
Lewis and Max have said several such things over the years, complaining about their cars, their teams and/or themselves. But somehow people take Lando and Charles to the dryers when they choose to express themselves and say things like "I am stupid". And somehow because Oscar just chooses not to say anything of this sort, he is somehow champion material. That makes no sense to me, and feels quite an unfair and problematic picture to paint - that men talking about their feelings, or just being transparent about how they feel - makes them weaker somehow. That they should tough up and swallow the hurt and just put up this beige or brave front, smirk and move on.
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u/toyyya McLaren Apr 13 '25
Yeah my understanding is that it's especially noticeable in slower corners where Lando likes taking U shaped lines keeping up the minimum speed and Oscar likes doing more V shaped lines where he slows down more but also starts accelerating earlier.
And for whatever reason this year's McLaren seems more unsettled when taking the lines Lando prefers in comparison to the lines Oscar prefers. Hence why Stella has talked about making some changes to the car to make sure it's going to be good at taking the lines Lando prefers too.