France: post-race analysis 2019
Well, that wasn’t a
classic. But it was green, ending the green-red alternating sequence
of the first seven races. Only mildly green, but that’s still nice.
Off the line the
McLarens had a flying start but got a bit squeezed and it was mostly
in formation after the first few corners. However, Albon had a
horrendous start, dropping half a dozen places and ruining his race.
Hamilton cruised off
into the sunset. A dramatic spectacle this victory was not.
Further back, Vettel
struggled more than expected to pass the quick McLarens, but
nevertheless managed to do so, eventually. He was closing the gap to
Verstappen (4th, behind Leclerc), but after the pit stops
it was the same as before.
Although some way off
the top five, the McLarens were retaining their best-of-the-rest
position and looking quite handy, their only problem being Norris
(behind Sainz, who had a better start) nagging to be let through or
for the Spaniard to drive faster. The nagging stopped when it became
apparent his car had a problem that was compromising various aspects,
including making the steering heavy. The Briton, in his first season,
we should remember, did well to keep more experienced drivers behind
him until the last lap but was unable to stay in his position. He
did, however, manage to claim 10th, with Sainz 6th,
making it a very good result for the team and a creditable
performance by Norris and Sainz.
Late on, Leclerc closed
rapidly on Bottas and was within DRS range on the final lap. He
wasn’t quite able to pass, and only had the one lap to try. Bit
tantalising, but he’s driven well all weekend (Bottas got 2nd
but has looked half a yard behind Hamilton at this event). Verstappen
kept 4th and Vettel got 5th.
Behind Sainz and ahead
of Norris we had Ricciardo, Raikkonen, and Hulkenberg. The Finn kept
the German behind him for almost the whole race, with some good
defensive driving. Had Albon, who started one place ahead of
Raikkonen, not buggered up his start, he could easily had ended up in
the points.
Gasly was only 11th.
He qualified badly and went backwards in the race. Ok, he was on the
soft tyre, but he’s also in the third fastest car. Vettel started
two places higher and finished six places higher. I don’t know if
it’ll be in-season but I can’t see Gasly staying at Red Bull next
year.
Grosjean was the sole
retirement, pitting to retire from his home race.
Vettel, having a huge
gap to Sainz, pitted late on and duly got the fastest lap.
The Car Park de la
France was not very exciting this year. The high point was a brief
VSC that appeared to enable a marshal to clear a bollard from the
track.
After the race there
was the ancient F1 tradition of an investigation into a car
apparently going off-track and gaining an advantage (Ricciardo).
We’ll see if he’s penalised.
Drivers:
Hamilton 187
Bottas 151
Vettel 111
Verstappen 100
Leclerc 87
The contest for third
would be even tighter if Leclerc hadn’t suffered woe in Bahrain,
but there we are. I can see that going on all season long. At the
sharp end, Bottas needs to put some extra sugar on his porridge if
he’s going to stop this being a Hamilton procession.
Constructors:
Mercedes
338
Ferrari
198
Red
Bull 136
McLaren
39
Renault
36
Racing
Points 19
Alfa
Romeo 17
Toro
Rosso 17
Haas
16
Williams
0
If Red Bull had a
faster second driver they might be causing Ferrari some problems. But
they don’t. McLaren should’ve extended their advantage over
Renault more but for Norris’ misfortune, with both teams breaking
away from the very tight quartet behind them (covered by just three
points). But the title race is over already. It’s just a matter of
time.
The next race is in
Austria, in just a week. Rain is possible. Let’s hope excitement is
too.
Morris Dancer
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