Cutting Corners

The radar detector clocked Michael at 187 km/h going through the apex of Turn 4. That’s where he gained time- in corners. That’s how he gained time- by making sure no one went through them quicker. He’d brake late, turn in later , and would almost slide the car through a turn. Sure, lots of drivers did this. What baffled people, though, was how he did it. See, throughout the whole exercise of taking a corner, he’d constantly be on the throttle. He never lifted completely. During braking and downshifting, his right foot would be teetering on the pedal- giving only as much power as the car could handle. And, well before he has the apex in his sights, he’d be starting to accelerate. This dance of car and driver showed its most beautiful movements as he hit the apex hard on the power, used all the tarmac available on the exit, and disappeared into the distance.