France GP Race Report

In response to an Insta Story between races, Ricciardo had lined up a long interview with Sky to explain that the problem with his performance is not him but the car.  Apparently, he cannot dance with this partner.  Some would say that the best dancers can perform with anyone - as the Strictly pros will tell you any day of the week.  And I'm sure his will tell us this next year.

LeClerc made a textbook start and held his position from Verstappen to lead the race.  Alonso also made an excellent start and made up 2 places.  Zhou dropped back to the end of the grid.  Ocon spun and hit Tusnoda and sending him off and right to the back (and earning the home boy a 5 second penalty).  Sainz only made up a couple of places on the first lap with Magnussen shooting up 7 places.  How did all these drivers jump forwards?  It seems Bottas lost 6 places somehow.   Choosing the harder tyres certainly cost those drivers.

The race plodded on and nothing much happened, Verstappen seemed to give up on the idea of overtaking on track.  Lap 18 our of 53 and a Yellow Flag came up, who was it?  Was it just the red and black stripes on the track making me think it was a Ferrari?  No, it was a Ferrari, LeClerc Ferraried up his own race, possibly due to old tyres or another throttle pedal problem?  No, he later admitted a mistake. We heard his radio back to the team, breathing heavily and furiously ending with a roar.  Unlike last year, Verstappen did check in to see if his rival was okay.  Many cars pitted under the ensuing Safety Car, Hamilton briefly taking the lead before pitting and losing it to Verstappen who had pitted a couple of laps earlier.  To even things out, Ferrari sent Sainz out of the pit box straight into Albon's Williams and we awaited his penalty.

Upon the restart, Sainz carved his way up the grid, past Ricciardo, Norris and Alonso almost in the same lap.  And so the race went on.  Sainz overtook Russell.  Hamilton went very wide off track.  Latifi took  his newly upgraded car for a wee spin.  

Finally, with 10 laps to go, Sainz goes for the podium place by overtaking Perez, who had a dull, dull race.  It was a maneuver that took several corners, during which Ferrari told him to box over the radio.  Russell, buoyed up by the move, went to take Perez too and nearly caused a collision.  Sainz then pitted and came out 9th, not sure why, how bad were the tyres?  Ferrari believe this was the safest option.

Russell is told that he will be able to hunt Perez down.  Sainz passes Ricciardo (as does Ocon), Ocon and Norris. then Alonso, setting fastest laps as he goes.  Following a Virtual Safety Car brought on by Zhou retiring at the side of the track, Russell caught Perez sleeping and passed him.

Merecedes were "freestyling" their set up this weekend and probably did not expect two podium places.  Hamilton finished by exhorting his team to "keep pushing".   Verstappen was very happy with his 25 points.  LeClerc was very harsh on himself and his mistake.  Fans need the battle, Rachael Brooks, for Sky, seem to be suggesting we should all club together to get him a sports psychologist or mentor.  We all want the fight.

Unusually, for a race with only one short Safety Car, an even briefer Virtual Safety Car and not much action, 6 cars didn't finish.  One week to go until the next race and we'll get to see what else Ferrari have in their arsenal to scupper their own races.  Fishes in the tank?  Choosing square tyres?  Forgetting to fuel the cars?  The mind boggles.