Belgium: post-race analysis
In racing terms, not a
classic, though there were a few interesting moments. Of the three
bets I contemplated, only the one I actually backed ended up coming
off, so that was pleasing (short odds, mind).
The start took a while
to get going. Hulkenberg was giving a hokey-cokey instruction by his
team (pit/do not pit) and ended up signalling from the grid that his
car had failed, necessitating a second formation lap. At the end of
that lap Sainz also went into the pits (he didn’t start, but did
later emerge only to be retired as he was two laps down).
There had been much
talk of how the revised start procedure might affect things. Hamilton
started well but Rosberg (and, further down the field, Raikkonen)
started badly, getting passed by perhaps 3 cars early on. Perez had a
storming start, was up to 2nd immediately and very nearly
passed Hamilton on lap 1, although subsequently the Briton simply
drove off.
Early on Maldonado
retired. No exciting crash or comedy cock-up, his engine just died.
And lo, did I fluke a green bet.
The Mercedes pitted a
bit later for the initial stop (standard strategy was 2 stops) than
other cars, and Rosberg emerged 2nd to his team mate, and
not too far behind. The pit stops had also enabled Ricciardo to
leapfrog Perez.
However, Ricciardo’s
delight must have been short-lived, because his car also dropped
dead.
Bottas’ race was
compromised by the spectacle of his team managing to fit three soft
and one medium tyres to his car (sets must be uniform) and earning
him a drive-through penalty.
Meanwhile, the old
Mercedes 1-2 was leading the way. Vettel was 3rd, but on
old medium tyres (the only chap trying a 1 stop) and being hunted
down by the surprisingly fast Lotus of Grosjean. With a lap or two to
go the German’s right rear tyre burst to pieces and he ended up a
paltry 12th. Bad luck for the German (and more questions
will be raised following two such tyre incidents this race weekend),
but a great first podium for Grosjean since America 2013.
So, Hamilton, Rosberg
and Grosjean comprised the podium. Kvyat follows up his great 2nd
in Hungary with 4th here, Perez got a good 5th
for Force India, and Massa was 6th (Williams have been a
bit lacklustre this weekend).
Raikkonen rose to 7th,
and Verstappen got 8th (it could’ve been the other way
around, the Dutchman passed the Finn late on but was over-ambitious
on the brake and lost it again). Bottas and Ericsson were the final
points scorers.
As for McLaren, whose engine supplier Honda had claimed would have ‘Ferrari’ levels of power: both were lapped and finished behind Vettel, out of the points.
Drivers’ title:
Hamilton 227
Rosberg 199
Not over, but heading
that way.
Constructors’ (3rd
downwards):
Williams 161
Red Bull 108
Lotus 50
Force India 49
Toro Rosso 35
I was surprised Lotus
passed Force India, but suspect the latter team will nab 5th
in the end. If William don’t improve then Red Bull might be able to
catch them.
After the race, Vettel
gave an interview in which he was quite furious with Pirelli. It’ll
be interesting to see if changes are made in the light of the two
tyre failures this weekend. Eddie Jordan said that Pirelli had
claimed a 1 stop was impossible (or words to that effect), and that
it was therefore Ferrari’s fault.
The next race is Italy
(for the last time?), in a fortnight. Power is the order of the day
around Monza.
Morris Dancer
I thought it was a fairly good and interesting race. The tyre issues could not have occurred at a worse time for Pirelli.
ReplyDeleteOn a side issue: It's interesting that Ferrari were interested in Bottas before they finally signed Raik for a year. There's only one emerging driver who's proven to have the capability for greatness, and that is Ricciardo.
I can only assume that the reason why Ferrari tried to buy the good, but relatively unproven Bottas from Williams rather than Ricciardo, was the fact that the latter made Vettel look rather second-rate last year.
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ReplyDeleteThe problem with 'proven' is that you need a top car, of which there's a limited number. It's a bit like job ads that only want people with experience. If you don't have the job (or similar) already, you don't have experience.
ReplyDeleteI'd argue that Hulkenberg's performance in Brazil (sticking a Williams on pole and contesting for victory around 2012 or so) makes him more than deserving of a top seat.
Bottas has put in some good performances too, although it was interesting to read that he's apparently damaged his relationship with Williams. Bit surprised as, unlike Kovalainen when he might've moved up-grid from Caterham, I didn't think Bottas would get big for his boots.
Ricciardo may also have a watertight contract. I know that's always negotiable, to a degree, but my understanding is it's pretty tight.