Lewis Hamilton takes a dramatic victory in a race involving red flags, safety cars and a bizarre collision between the title protagonists. Numerous times duing the race the FIA bundled many decisions and are potentially at blame for the impact.
A clean start?
Unlike every previous race at this track, all the cars got away cleanly. Hamilton stormed off the line and Bottas was able file in behind. Despite a bit of a look, Leclerc was unable to make it past Verstappen, but held off from Perez.
Initially, there wasn’t too much on track action. 3s separated the top 3 for most of the beginning of the race.
However, the expected safety car was released on lap 10 after a huge smash from Schumacher. The German lost it completely by himself and destroyed the back of his Haas. This caused all the cars to blink for their first pitstops. Hamilton went first, being followed by Bottas, however Verstappen stayed out, by surprise. This gave the Dutchman track position, but the two Mercedes, now on the Hard compound, could theoretically go on until the end.
However, the safety car was upgraded to a full red flag, This provided a huge benefit to Verstappen as now he had track position and a free pitstop.
Red Flag
The red flag period lasted for around 30 minutes and the majority of cars had bolted on the hard compound tyre, planning to go to the end. Perez however was the highest car on the mediums, in 8th place.
Of course, a standing start follows a red flag.
Verstappen lost the place to Hamilton off the line, he attempted to take the place back but went off track. As he came back on, he took the lead and Ocon filed into 2nd ahead of Hamilton. But, as the cars attempted to complete the rest of S1 there was multiple moments of contact behind. Leclerc was squeezed and turned Perez into the barrier, whilst avoiding this contact, Russell was rear ended by Mazepin. 3 cars were out and another red flag was waved.
There was confusion in the off time as Verstappen, who would have to return the place to Hamilton, but in turn gift 1st place to Ocon for the restart. After many messages between the FIA, Mercedes and Red Bull, the order for the standing restart was finally sorted. But another twist in the tale was yet to unfold as Verstappen was switched back on to the medium compound tyre.
Lap 17 would provide the 3rd standing start.
3rd and final start
Ocon’s start wasn’t supreme and it was three wide between Hamilton and Verstappen into turn 1. Verstappen launched it down the inside and took the lead. Ocon went off track, but was able to rejoin infront of Hamilton.
Hamilton wasn’t behind for long and took 2nd as soon as the cars reached the back straight. Now, the race was on and both cars immediately started by trading fastest laps.
This rythmn was soon interupped as the VSC was called for an incident between Tsunoda and Vettel. The Alpha Tauri went off at turn 1 and tapped the rear of the Aston Martin. Vettel rejoined after his spin, but Tsunoda had to limp around an enture lap without his front wing. By the time he reached the pits, the VSC ended. Tsunoda received a 5s penalty. A few laps later, Vettel’s car came under duress a few laps later side by side impact with Raikkonen caused bodywork to fly off his Aston Martin.
There was a lengthy VSC to clear even more debris. When the VSC ended there were only 18 laps to go and no idea as to the strategy of the duelling title protagonists.
Behind, Ocon remained in 3rd just ahead of Ricciardo and Bottas. Gasly and Giovinazzi were maintaining 6th and 7th in a solid performance from them both.
Impact
But, the biggest drama was yet to unfold. After a side by side moment with Hamilton and Verstappen, the Red Bull driver was deemed to have gained an advantage. Whilst letting Hamilton past, he slowed a bit too much and Hamilton, who slowed too, went straight into the back of him. Despite it being a hefty hit, both cars gained very little damage.
The drama wasn’t over yet, Verstappen gave the place back and immediately made the place back, whilst recieving a 5s penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Hamilton did eventually find his way past, but there was mass confusion at the hands of the FIA.
While Hamilton and Verstappen separated, the battle for 3rd started to heat up. Ocon was having to defend hard from a hard charging Bottas. Ocon appeared to have it under wraps, but Bottas took the place literally on the line, by 0.1s.
Full race results:
- Hamilton
- Verstappen + 11.825
- Bottas +27.531
- Ocon +27.633
- Ricciardo + 40.121
- Gasly + 41.613
- Leclerc + 44.475
- Sainz +46.606
- Giovinazzi +58.505
- Norris +61.358
- Stroll +77.212
- Latifi +83.249
- Alonso + 1Lap
- Tsunoda +1Lap
- Raikkonen +1Lap
- Vettel RET
- Perez RET
- Mazepin RET
- Russell RET
- Schumacher RET
So, it’s the finale that fans have been looking for. The title protagonists are equal on points with one race to go. One week, one historic finale.
Featured Image Credit: @F1 Official Twitter.
