Red Bull's not-so-secret weapon: Up and down at the Dutch GP

The 2022 Dutch GP provided all the drama and intrigue a Sunday afternoon needs, yet the outcome was still predictable.

Mercedes put up more of a credible threat to Red Bull in one race than Ferrari has managed all season, actually worrying the the championship leaders for half a second.

Max had it all boxed at the end of the day though, thanks to Red Bull’s apparent secret weapon.

Meanwhile feathered friends brought the entertainment, F1 did its usual scintillating PR job when it comes to acknowledging other forms of motor sport and the keyboard conspiracists were at it again.

Here’s what was going up and down at the Dutch GP:

Goin’ Up

All about Schmitz

Making all the right strategy decisions at all the right times – strategist Hannah Schmitz has become one of Milton Keynes’ key personnel.

Catch the pigeon

The world's bravest pigeon 🐦😂#DutchGP #F2 pic.twitter.com/zF9AuBBM1q

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) September 4, 2022

The birds of Zandvoort pulled off some of the most daring moves seen all season.

Money in the bank

The outside being the favourable line into the banked Turn 1 provided great entertainment, helped by that extra juicy DRS zone out of the final corner.

Refreshingly different to other tracks on the calendar, it was masterminded by Jarno Zaffelli’s Dromo, which also helped Spa improve its racing this year.

Sleeping winner

Ocon hasn’t looked on the pace of Alonso so far this season, but his higher place in the championship owes to his stunning consistency, helping Alpine sneak ahead of McLaren in the constructors’ battle.

The Frenchman has finished in the top 10 in 12 of the 15 races so far, again doing what was asked of him in Zandvoort by executing pit strategy and bringing home more points.

Goin’ down

Jumping the pit gun

At least it’s consistent: just when you think Ferrari have explored every way to ruin its own race weekend, the Scuderia finds a new way to implode.

After a mechanic brought out the wrong tyre, a stray wheel gun was then left in Sergio Perez’s path as he exited the pits, then Sainz was released straight into Ocon later in the race, copping. a 5sec penalty. Even Binotto described is as a “mess”. Desperate stuff.

A shambolic 12.7 second pitstop for Carlos Sainz after issues with the rear left tyre, and Sergio Perez running over a wheel gun! 🛞 pic.twitter.com/ANHqlH0VZk

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 4, 2022

Seatbelt gate

Yuki being sent out in an ailing AlphaTauri and causing a VSC, semi-foiling Mercedes, had all the conspiracy theorists wagging their tongues once more – isn’t it all getting slightly tiresome now?

Easy to see how it is tempting to indulge in paranoid parlance though, it was almost too perfect…

Schumi on the slide

Another day where it all slipped away for Mick, just when he really needed a good performance to save his F1 bacon.

P8 in quali seems to show the pace is there, but P13 indicates in the races he just can’t harness it most of the time.

Superlicence points

For all F1’s plays of inclusivity, its elitism and pomposity has shone through again by its stance taken on hot prospect Colton Herta potentially being denied a grand prix shot with AlphaTauri, due to not having enough Super Licence points.

“The sport needs to respect the rules,” CEO Stefano Domenicali said to Motorsport.com.

“There is a ladder to follow, there is a protocol to respect, and that is the situation. So it’s really what I believe is right to do.”

Online reaction shows you that many fans desperately want an exciting, gun-slinging Yank like Herta to come over and ruffle some feathers, but FOM seems intent on making sure that’s not the case by giving so little recognition to IndyCar success.