While not wishing to do a Murray Walker and tempt fate, one has to look ahead to today's Grand Prix and ask, can he do it?
Not George, not Lando not Oscar, but Max.
As much as we try to be unbiased, the fact is that a two-horse race becoming a three-horse race is an exciting prospect, especially when one of those horses is the Dutchman.
As has become the norm for much of the past two years, Max is alone in taking on the McLaren and Mercedes duos, though at least in terms of the Papaya pair both have an individual point to prove.
A good start is vital, and we know the Dutchman is good at getaways.
However, even if he leads the pack into Turn 1 and beyond the deal is far from done for as we know from experience - this weekend alone - stoppages and Safety Cars are almost inevitable.
Nonetheless, a strong start would lay a good marker for the Dutchman as those behind sort themselves out.
It's been something of a disjointed weekend thus far - admit it, who expected George to be on pole - and consequently it is hard to pick a true pecking order. However, the McLarens have not really impressed this weekend, unlike the Mercedes.
The Ferraris are up there but inconsistent, while Isack, Oliver and Fernando can merely watch on in the hopes of taking advantage.
Pirelli is anticipating a one-stop race, although the increase in pit-lane speed, from 60 to 80 km/h, makes a two-stop slightly more appealing, especially if there is a Safety Car or the opening of a clean-air window.
All three compounds could be used and while everyone has one set of mediums and one of hards, the softs could also play a role, either at the start or at the end of the race. The greater grip offered by the C5 could be exploited at the start to gain vital positions on a track where overtaking is always difficult, although now less so than in the past.
Those starting on mediums would likely pit around Lap 26 - 32, those on the hards between Laps 32 and 38. Those starting on soft would pit around Lap 13 - 19, while the two-stoppers would pit around Lap 13 to 19 and then again between Laps 34 and 40.
As previously reported, both Williams were disqualified from qualifying over a rear wing infringement and were set to start from the back of the grid, with Carlos starting 19th and Alex 20th. However, overnight work on Alex's car means he will start from the pitlane, as will poor Pierre, both having had changes made to the suspension set-ups of their cars.
As if there wasn't enough excitement, about an hour before the start it begins to rain. It stops shortly after but there is the prospect of more.
The pitlane opens and the drivers head out, there remain a few damp patches and consequently there is some spray.
"Wets or slicks," Verstappen is asked, the Dutchman having a major wobble at he's about to answer.
As if things weren't bad enough for him, Albon has been noted for a practice start infringement.
Air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 38 degrees. Humidity is 74%.
As Bearman suggests that Inters might be best at the start, Fred Vasseur confirms that it is particularly wet in Turns 2 and 3. Albon also says that it is very wet in Turn 3.
Race Control claims there is a 30% chance of further rain.
Ahead of the start work in going on at the front of both Mercedes.
Most are starting on mediums bar Verstappen, Hadjar, Alonso, Tsunoda, Stroll and Colapinto who are on softs and Albon who is on hards. Verstappen, Hadjar and Alonso are on used rubber.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly, Russell leading the pack.
A number of drivers lock-up at Turn 13.
The grid forms, albeit very, very slowly.
They're away! A great start from Russell while Verstappen is somewhat tardy off the line allowing Piastri to get alongside on the run to Turn 1.
Howev er, the Dutchman has the line and behind him Piastri has problems of his own as Norris closes in.
Through Turn 2 the Papaya pair appear to touch, Norris forcing his teammate wide and almost into the barrier in Turn 3.
Behind, Leclerc makes up positions passing Hamilton and Antonelli into Turn 1, while Hadjar Hadjar passes Alonso.
"I had contact," says Norris. Not with Piastri but with the rear of Verstappen's car according to the replay.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Antonelli. Hamilton, Hadjar, Alonso and Bearman.
Norris does indeed have damage to his front wing, while Piastri complains: "That wasn't very team like."
Hadjar and Bearman have been noted for causing a collision, the pair touching amidst the mayhem that was the opening couple of corners.
"Are we cool with Lando barging me out of the way?" asks Piastri. "A small amount of front wing damage, nothing to worry about," Norris is told.
Norris and Piastri have also been noted for causing a collision.
2s clear of Verstappen, Russell posts a new fastest lap (38.035).
No further action on either of those incidents, but McLaren is carrying out its own review.
Alonso reclaims eighth from Hadjar.
Another fastest lap from Russell on Lap 4 as he builds a 2.6s lead.
Piastri is told that Norris was avoiding Verstappen. "That's not fair," insists the Australian. "If he was to avoid another car by crashing into his teammate..." he adds.
After 8 laps Russell is 4.1s clear of Verstappen who is just 1.8s ahead of Norris, with Piastri a further 2.9s behind.
Antonelli is all over Leclerc as they battle for fifth, while Ocon reports a brake issue.
"It's really ****," replies Verstappen when asked about his downshifts.
Norris is lapping around 0.3s faster than his teammate as Russell posts another fastest lap (36.485).
Bortoleto and Tsunoda both pit at the end of Lap 13, the Sauber with a front wing endplate that looks ready to fall off following contact at the start.
After 14 laps Russell enjoys a 7.8s lead as Colapinto pits in order to shed his softs.
TV reveals that Antonelli's steering wheel is clearly biased to the right.
Norris is told to think about the undercut on Verstappen.
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