I mean getting stuck in the gravel during qualifying was his fault. I understand the conditions were traitorous but Max proved that it was entirely possible to not do a 180 but pass through the gravel pit.

With such a bad result the team needed to gamble to get a meaningful result.

I mean, sure, he might have been screwed by the strategy but it was an easy call for the team to gamble at that point because he was still stuck at what, 16th? It's not like he was making up positions and soaring up the field. His pace was just weak all weekend (again). Just look at his attempt to deny Sainz fastest lap and reclaim it for Red Bull at the end. He was just slow.