Another week, another scorching hot race. I remember when Spain wasn't at all interested in F1 but now it's a huge event. They have two drivers participating with massive support, with that in mind, Alonso took a new engine and had to start at the back of the grid. Most teams turn up the wick at their home track.
It was predicted as a two or three stop race with tire degradation being a major issue and the drivers who can best manage their tires being in the best situation.
An exciting start off the grid; Perez got an excellent take-off and was briefly third before being overtaken by Russell. Behind them, Hamilton also made a good start but was then tagged by Magnussen, who went off into the gravel. Magnussen made it back to the pits and eventually came back out. Hamilton had a puncture and pitted to get new tires. Just when a red flag or safety car would have helped them out immensely, none was forthcoming. I believe it's a different rotation of race director this weekend...
Alonso was being heartily cheered on as he progressed up the grid. By the time he reached 14th, Sainz was caught by a gust of wind at turn 4 and spun off, luckily he was able to get back on the track. A couple of laps later, Verstappen was caught out by the same (???) gust of wind at turn 4, spinning off the track and coming back on. During this incident though, Russell and Perez went passed him. Red Bull had to solve the headache of whether to leave Perez ahead or ask him to move over. It didn't take long before the latter was acted out.
Hamilton was on the radio asking to retire the car and save the engine. He was told to keep going as he might get 8th place. How the mighty have fallen. Still he rises. Talking of ignominy, Ricciardo was overtaken by Norris.
Red Bull faced their own mechanical problems, with the DRS flap not always opening. A long and angry team radio conversation ensued, with Verstappen being told he had closed the DRS flap at one point and the reply being that he has to press it 50 times to get it to work. During this Verstappen is in a long and intense battle with Russell for second place. Verstappen briefly took the lead but Russell regained his position immediately. Perez arrived at the back of this tussle and got on his radio demanding to be let past Verstappen as he had fresher tires. Meanwhile, LeClerc is miles out ahead and enjoying a calm race before we see him going slowly and hear a noise akin to a Dyson switching off and a space being cleared in the garage for his car. The first retirement. Heartbreaking.
Stroll helped Hamilton gain a place closer to his race-leading team mate by spinning off. It felt like he might just trundle about at the back to prove his point to his team. Then he shook off his fug and made his way up to 4th position.
Red Bull pitted Verstappen, solving the dilemma of which of their drivers should be in front of the other. This also put Bottas in a podium position. Half way through the race, Perez sailed passed Russell to take the lead. Verstappen was able to overtake Bottas for third place easily. Another Ferrari powered engine, that of Zho, then failed. The reliability gremlins have left the sinking ship of Red Bull for the sweeter pastures at Ferrari.
Red Bull positions were again changed two thirds through the race when Verstappen took a third pitstop. He later thanked Perez on the radio for being a "good team mate". Read "biddable". The Mexican did take the point for fastest lap though and commented on the radio that: "We need to speak later."
With one lap to go both Mercedes were told to "lift and coast" as much as possible and this was a DNF risk. Sainz was straight passed. Bizarrely it was water leak on the power unit. Unusual and even more unusual that it occurred on both cars.
The Spanish GP was notable in that there were no red flags and no safety cars. Lots of overtaking, DRS and otherwise. Lots of action albeit with stretches of order maintained. Russell was overjoyed to be on the podium. Verstappen looked happy but used to these circumstances. Perez looked fed up but pulled out a smile for the Spanish crowd and diplomatic comments. It didn't help that De La Rosa also called his a "great team player."
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