That’s the thing about sport – the winning streak ends at some point as in the case of Jamie Chadwick at WSeries Round 6 and Max Verstappen at Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the weekend. Chadwick endured her first ever retirement in WSeries Championship having claimed 5 straight wins from 6 races this season, which ultimately breaks a clear run of finishing every race – total of 20 over 2019, 2020, 2022 – in top 6.
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen battled with the Team’s miscalculation of fuel load in Q3, receiving radio message to box on final two qualifying laps, resulting in P8 on the starting grid, to finish the 2 hour race in P7. Having taken 5 consecutive 2022 F1 wins from July through to September, coupled with the additional season’s 6 wins from March to June, Verstappen has re-visited the feeling of breaking results standing top of podium.
Put in context, Jamie has realized top results in past 2 seasons, taking WSeries Title in 2019 and 2021 which ramps up anticipation that she has all capabilities to deliver top performance on track. Add to the fact that Chadwick currently leads the Series with 50 point margin over 2nd placed driver Beitske Visser – the rare mistake of crashing into track wall on Lap 12 at Formula One Singapore Grand Prix disrupts winning run.
In regard to Verstappen, the defending F1 Champion’s points lead of 104 points over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rests on continual upswing of technical, mechanical, and analytical support from his Team – Red Bull Racing. Taken into consideration running fuel load to produce fastest qualifying time requires delicate mix of how much fuel will be needed – an error resulted in boxing Max prior to securing final Q laps – placing the driver mid-field on starting grid.
Whichever way a driver deals with disappointment, a balance between victory and defeat becomes apparent for driver and Team to move forwards. Without the challenge of striving for the win there would not be elation felt amongst all who participated in driver/Team success. And without disappointment of making mistakes and errors there would not be emotions pushing each and every Team member to better their performance next time out on track.
Equally, when winner takes all comes to abrupt halt, windows of opportunity open up for those waiting on side-lines to pounce for share of the prize. In 2022 WSeries, only 2 drivers have shared the spoils of winning: Jamie Chadwick taking 6 of 7 races, and Alice Powell winning one. In 2022 Formula One, 4 winners have nudged out the rest of the 22 strong field with Max Verstappen winning 11 races, Charles Leclerc taking 3, Sergio Perez on 2, and Carlos Sainz winning one.
If a driver/rider/racer is only as good as their last result, the consequences of whichever result on track acts as the precursor for the next race. For sure, Jamie has gained a new understanding on remaining grounded at any given moment, not letting frustration prompt reaction at present and for the future. And, Verstappen knows all trust, loyalty and support lie within the tight network of Team environment – without which the Dutch driver would not be able to deliver the fine performances he has this season.
WSeries Round 7 Austin October 21-22 at Formula One United States Grand Prix. Header photo: WSeries Round 6 at Singapore.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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