Let's begin this report with a review of the four big swaps. Sainz has had no problem fitting in with Ferrari. Vettel scored a podium for Aston Martin last race. Alonso was up in Q3 this weekend and seems to be heading in the right direction. Ricciardo however is grinning but not smiling. It's getting critical that he starts challenging his team mate.
Speaking of critical, with ever-increasing speculation about his seat, Bottas needs to start going forwards in races not backwards. He seems to have Qualifying pace over one lap but is unable to challenge in the races. The strategy plays don't pay off for him either.
Sainz was one of my picks for surprise podium contender (along with Gasly) but he went off the track on his lap to the grid and flat-spotted his left rear tire. Although not his race tires. He finished 10th for one point.
At the start of the race the French army dropped the trophy in from a helicopter with two soldiers. It is a cool trophy though, artist-designed and depicting a triumphant gorilla.
After a good start off the line, Verstappen didn't get round the second corner and gave the race lead to Hamilton. With world champion style Raikkonen made up three places on the first lap. By lap 2, Hamilton started commenting about his tires and lack of grip, which would be a theme of the race. Confirming that Aston Martin really are Force India no more, Stroll was quick to start making up places from the back of the grid following his disastrous Qualifying.
Everyone began to lose grip and by lap 14, Alonso commented that everyone is struggling with their tires. Well not the McLarens as they head up and through the pack It was predicted that this would be a one-stop race as the pit straight is very long. Verstappen and Red Bull managed to undercut Hamilton out of the pits and took the lead. Unfortunately with Hamilton and Bottas right behind him. Bottas, having been written off during the first stint of the race, had actually been managing his tires which gave him fresher boots in this critical stage. Vestappen was told by the team to calm down and he gave a strong retort. Keeping a clear head, he slowly started pulling away from Hamilton and out of the one second DRS window. Bottas however continued to keep within one second to Hamilton, thus having the DRS overtaking advantage and being encouraged by his team. How would the team play this?
Vestappen bit the bullet and went for a second pit stop. In the closing laps the question was then whether Hamilton could keep his tires running...well Bottas could always hold off Verstappen on his fresher tires, what a wingman! Bottas fumed on the radio: "Why didn't anyone listen to me when I said it was going to be two stopper!" I've omitted the swears. At the end of the race Hamilton also blamed the team over the radio.
The leader of this race was always under pressure, with Hamilton feeling it he hit a curb as Verstappen chased him down. As Perez took Bottas, the Red Bulls proved their strategy can be strong. Finally, with those newer tires, Verstappen got into the DRS window and with one lap to go retook the lead.
There were a number of nominees for Driver of the Day. Hamilton for getting the lead and managing his tires to keep it almost to the end. Verstappen for his resilience. Norris or Ricciardo for a race spent overtaking. Russell finished a commendable 12th and Tsunoda finished 13th starting from the pit lane. Clearly they ran good races but with so much going on at the front, not a bit of coverage on this action.
Bottas finished a miserable 4th, as his strategy let him down as he predicted. How long can he continue in this team and maintain his self-belief, self-esteem and general sanity?
No comments:
Post a Comment