There were slight changes to the grid since Qualifying, Albon's disqualification putting him last and next to his team mate, as his upgraded floor was too wide. Hamilton lost three places from an already disappointing Qualifying position, having impeded Perez. Magnussen started from the pit lane after changing his engine. However, it was a dry if very windy start to the race, with the potential for it to catch some drivers out, the out lap would be a very important information-gathering exercise.
Verstappen made an excellent start and Norris didn't get a look in, with the Red Bull being over a second ahead by lap 3. Piastri struggled off the line and lost a place to Russell. The cars are very evenly matched at the top and there is no room for mistakes. Norris did reel him in over the next 18 laps and was able to get past easily and cleanly.
The pit stops were spread about, with some choosing to undercut or cover off competitors but there were no direct head-to-heads. Norris was out ahead of Verstappen after the pit stops, luckily he had built up a 5 second plus gap which allowed for the McLaren mechanics to make a slight error in the stop. During Gasly's stop, he clipped his mechanic's hand as he left the box, which the stewards investigated. Surely it is up to the team whether they choose to sacrifice staff not the FIA?
Piastri fell away during the race and could not chase LeClerc in the inferior Ferrari for third position. Russell, who had looked racy couldn't challenge Piastri though. He was pitted for an extra stop and fresh tyres but came out behind Sainz and Perez, he may as well have stayed out to see what would have happened. Albon had fought his way into the points but then kept losing places lap after lap.
Norris took the win and was able to grab the point for Fastest Lap on his final time around the track. Vestappen and LeClerc completed the podium, with the Ferrari driver bewildered how he got there. It was then Piastri, Sainz, Perez (holding up quite well and needed), Russell, Hamilton, Gasly (a good result for Alpine) and Alonso.
Hulkenberg finished just outside the points, having made an usual early one stop. He would be leaving the track but the Haas motor homes would be staying behind as the team haven't paid the Russians money owed. Ricciardo finished 12th, 5 places ahead of his team mate, which is a result he needed.
Both Saubers finished last, it makes you wonder what Audi see in the team. Have they discovered an oil reservoir under the factory?
Very unusually for Zandevoort, there were no Safety Cars, not even a Yellow Flag - we were all relying on Sargeant to spice things up a bit but, as always, he didn't deliver.
No comments:
Post a Comment