I keep hearing that Checo Isn’t performing well.
I see it this way: so far this year, he has had 2 wins, 5 podiums, 2 pole positions, 2 fastest laps, and a 1st and 2nd in sprint races.
With the exception of Monaco, he has finished in the top 6.
Sure, he’s no Max Verstappen, and the team knows that, but he is putting his Red Bull towards the top pretty consistently. He gets screwed sometimes in qualifying, but he makes it up and scores good points for the team.
He’s second in the driver’s championship pretty handily as well.
Maybe I’m missing some context, so I’d like to know what the rest of you think about it.
I think you’re trying extra hard to be generous but it’s undeserved. Checo is a good driver but he seems to need near-optimal conditions to qualify well - the right circuit, the right track conditions, the right weather. The problem is that you’re often not afforded that much stability on a race weekend and the last few races have demonstrated his inability to adapt. Until he finds a way to handle difficult conditions he’s gonna continue to get creamed by Max.
As for him doing a good job - he’s not even achieving the bare minimum, which should be a podium every weekend at the very least. The only reason why his performances haven’t caused major concern at Red Bull yet is because the pace of the RB19 means that Max doesn’t need a wing man this season.