F1 Analysis: The comparison between teammates

In Formula 1 we know that the first of the opponents is one's teammate, the only driver in the group with whom it is possible to compete on equal terms and test one's worth: in fact he is the first of the opponents and each driver must first win the internal duel with it and then focus on the others. Throughout history, many confrontations between teammates have resulted in something much more than a healthy rivalry, giving fans no-holds-barred duels, especially when the world title is at stake in the clash.

After four races it may be useful and interesting to make an initial assessment regarding the challenge inside the garages of the various teams, especially because already in this initial phase of the championship some drivers are dominating their team-rivals in the double comparison in qualifying and in competition.

In home Mercedes after the very close fight for the championship last year between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, we are witnessing a total domination of the Englishman against the German, with the former always finishing ahead of the latter in all four qualifying sessions and has always crossed the finish line in front of it in the races run so far. Thanks to the world championship won last year, Lewis Hamilton has acquired a strength and mental security that have made him practically unbeatable this year, with Nico Rosberg who seems incapable of troubling him both on and off the track and is increasingly destined to take on the role second driver within the team.

Similar situation to Mercedes at home too Ferrari, with Vettel leading the qualifying match with Raikkonen with a clear 4-0, while in the race he managed to finish in front of the Finn three times out of four. In this case, however, the rivalry has a "friendly" connotation due to the good relations that the two have, while the difference in performances between the two is actually more balanced and the partial in favor of the German is partly also due to bad luck and mistakes by Kimi Raikkonen in the first two races; certainly the two standard bearers will only be able to stimulate themselves to improve by helping the team accumulate significant points.

More balance at home Williams where, thanks to a difficult start to the season for Valtteri Bottas due to back problems, Felipe Massa is leading the comparison in qualifying, while in the race, due to bad luck, the Brazilian ended up twice behind his teammate and only once in front. We'll see if the situation changes with the races to come, even if it's strange to see Felipe Massa in a role other than that of second driver after such a long time.

Even at home Red Bull, despite the technical crisis at the start of the season, the comparison between the drivers clearly leans in favor of Daniel Ricciardo, who has so far dominated in qualifying against Daniil Kvyat and has finished only once behind his teammate in competition. This highlights, as well as the qualities of the Australian, the great settling-in difficulties that the young Russian promoted this year by Toro Rosso is facing; we will have to see if he will be able to reverse the trend or remain behind his teammate for the rest of the season.

Even at home Clean e Lotus the hierarchies seem well defined after the first four races: rookie Felipe Nasr is dominating the match in the race with his teammate Marcus Ericsson and is ahead 3-1 in qualifying; Romain Grosjean, on the other hand, always placed himself behind Pastor Maldonado in all the qualifying sessions and always crossed the finish line ahead of the Venezuelan who has already been the protagonist of some "maldonadades" this season too.

In home Force India we have a mirror situation regarding the comparison in qualifying and the race between Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg. If on Saturday it was the Mexican who was ahead, leading the match 3-1, in the match the German returned the favour, this time leading the match 3-1, a result also due to the misfortunes of Perez who until now he seemed more on the ball than his teammate.

The comparison between the rookies was balanced Max Verstappen e Carlos Sainz jr, with the latter leading the qualifying match by 2-1, while the race balance sees them tied, although it must be said that this start of the season has been heavily influenced by the reliability problems suffered by the Renault power unit .