11/05/2014
NEWS STORY
Whether it was a minor blip or he was cruelly playing with his teammate, much like a cat with a mouse, Lewis Hamilton's failure to make it a clean sweep in FP3 yesterday offered Nico Rosberg the slightest glimmer of hope.
Indeed, there was another minor glimpse in Q3 before the Briton once again snatched it away.
Fact is, Lewis is in one of those rare phases in a racing driver's career where he is at one with his car. On Friday he was awesome, and that continued yesterday as he put together an almost perfect lap having previously appeared to have blown it.
Whilst nobody wants to see total domination there is something special when one sees a driver fully in tune with his car, a special feeling that so many of his rivals will be envying right now.
Whilst not wishing to get drawn in to the banal media frenzy surrounding the Hamilton/Rosberg relationship and how it might develop as the season progresses, one cannot help but notice that the popular young German is looking increasingly beaten.
Then again, whilst Lewis might have dismissed the services of the team's new psychologist, perhaps Nico would benefit from a couple of morale boosting sessions.
On the other hand so might Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and a whole host of others whose season already appears doomed.
The long, dragster-style run to the first corner will be fascinating today and it will be interesting to see who takes advantage as the Mercedes teammates battle one another. Ricciardo, Bottas, the Ferrari duo and Massa springing to mind. But keep an eye on Vettel, starting from 15th, also, the German 'enjoying' the weekend from hell.
On long runs, short runs, prime tyres, medium tyres, Hamilton's pace has been unreal this weekend, and at this point the only thing we can see robbing him of victory is over enthusiasm or poor reliability, and neither has been much of a problem thus far this year. Therefore, we appear to be looking at another (groan) Mercedes 1-2.
What should be fascinating however is the battle behind, with a number of tight, very competitive groups.
McLaren continues to play down its chances, almost to the point of boredom, and while we do not believe the team's issues have been resolved, both drivers have been performing better than expected this weekend. Ditto Williams, where Valtteri Bottas deserves serious kudos for that late qualifying lap.
For once, Raikkonen has the edge at Ferrari, however, whether the partisan crowd can lift Fernando Alonso in the same way that Nigel Mansell used to benefit at Silverstone remains to be seen. At least we know that the Spaniard will give 100%.
Vettel's problems will allow the ever improving, ever impressive Daniel Ricciardo to further compound his misery, the Australian highly likely to take the third place on the podium this afternoon.
After a strong start to the season, both Force India and Toro Rosso have struggled here, though we expect Hulkenberg, Perez and Kvyat to give good accounts of themselves, while strategy might allow the hapless Vergne to put on a show.
Lotus' misery continues, the Enstone outfit seemingly being hammered from all directions. Romain Grosjean put in as superb performance in qualifying, surely he deserves to take away something from this weekend.
At the back, Sauber will find itself under pressure from two fired-up Marussia drivers, the Swiss team but a shadow of its former self. As for Caterham, one cannot help but feel that this is a team that has effectively given up, the days of Tony Fernandes grinning from the prat-perch waving his Colin Chapman cap a very distant memory.
On a different tack, as the Senna tributes continue, it was interesting to note the horrific crash at the start of yesterday's IndyCar race at Indianapolis. It is truly amazing that nobody was seriously injured.
Interestingly, one of the commentators was Eddie Cheever, who, as it happens, drove in the Canadian Grand Prix in 1982 in which Riccardo Paletti was killed in a start-line crash. The Italian's death being the last in F1 until that momentous weekend in Imola twelve years later.
Tyre options this weekend are hard and medium, the option about eight-tenths of a second faster than the prime.
According to Pirelli, the fastest way to approach the 66-lap race is with three stops, starting on the medium, changing to the medium on lap 20, medium again on lap 38, and hard on lap 54.
A two-stop strategy could also be possible. In which case: start on the medium, change to medium on lap 22, then change to hard on lap 45.
The pitlane opens and the drivers make their way to the grid. All seems OK apart from Vettel who complains that his car "feels wrong", like it did in Turkey "a couple of years ago" when the "rear bar was broken". Interviewed minutes before the start Adrian Newey is giving nothing away.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap the air temperature is 23 degrees C, while the track temperature is 37 degrees. It is bright but much more cloud than yesterday, and consequently cooler.
They head off, all on options bar Vergne who has opted for the prime rubber.
They're away and Hamilton heads the pack into T1, Rosberg covering him. Strong starts from Bottas and Gutierrez whilst a massive lock-up from Grosjean. Sutil passes Vettel. Moments later the world champion is clipped by Magnussen who runs wide as he battles his McLaren teammate.
At the end of lap 1, it's Hamilton, Rosberg, Bottas, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Raikkonen, Alonso, Massa, Hulkenberg and Perez.
After two laps Hamilton is already 1.1s clear of his teammate as Massa closes on former teammate Alonso who is harrying Raikkonen.
Ricciardo is right up the exhaust of Bottas as Grosjean is shadowed by Raikkonen. The Force Indias are running together, whilst Gutierrez heads a train that includes Kvyat, Button and Vettel. Magnussen has dropped to 15th.
Ricciardo is told that if he cannot overtake Bottas - which he can't - he must drop back otherwise risk his tyres and overheating. He is currently 0.0.281 behind the Finn. He closes in T1, courtesy of DRS, but is unable to make it stick.
Having tried again - and failed - Ricciardo confirms that he's going to drop back for a couple of laps.
A bold move sees Kvyat pass Gutierrez for 11th, Toro Rosso teammate Vergne currently up to 17th. Vettel is currently 14th, 0.265s down on Gutierrez and 1.421s ahead of Magnussen.
As Vettel passes Gutierrez for 13th, going around the outside of the Sauber, Maldonado's weekend gets worse as he is handed a stop/go for a collision with Ericsson.
"Everything looks good for Plan A," Button is told, "Plan A is good." Currently 12th, and under attack from Vettel, one wonders what Plan B might be, far less Plan C.
At the end of lap 12, Vettel is the first driver to pit, he swaps from options to prime, rejoining in 21st behind Chilton.
Ricciardo closes in on Bottas who is now 16.158s down on Rosberg.
Rosberg ups his pace having advised his team that his tyres are good with no graining.
Magnussen passes Gutierrez to take 13th.
At the end of lap 14, Ricciardo pits, the Australian rejoining in 12th just ahead of Magnussen.
As Vettel passes Kobayashi for 19th, Rosberg goes quickest in S2, though the fastest lap thus far belongs to Hamilton (1:31.776 on lap 10).
Grosjean and Massa both pit at the end of lap 15, while Maldonado serves his stop/go penalty.
On fresh prime rubber Ricciardo makes short work of Button, setting off after Kvyat.
Alonso and Vergne both pit at the end of lap 16, the Spaniard rejoining in 14th behind Sutil.
Next time around Raikkonen pits, as do Hulkenberg, Button and Sutil. It's a messy stop for the Finn but he rejoins ahead of his Ferrari teammate, but only just, Alonso having to lock-up to avoid the other red car.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 18, rejoining in second, 2.460s ahead of Bottas who has yet to stop. Perez and Kvyat also pit.
Out front Rosberg posts a new fastest lap (31.667) as he enjoys a 20.705s lead over his Mercedes teammate. Elsewhere, Magnussen pits.
As Bottas pits, rejoining behind Ricciardo, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (31.214). Having posted 31.804 surely its time for Rosberg to pit.
He does! Fitting a set of primes he rejoins just behind his teammate who is on options.
At the end of lap 22, Bianchi pits, leaving Kobayashi as the only driver yet to stop.
The order is: Hamilton, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Bottas, Grosjean, Raikkonen, Alonso, Massa, Vettel and Hulkenberg.
Hamilton is told that he needs to build a four-second gap over the next twenty laps. At the same time Rosberg is being advised what he needs to do to in order to beat his teammate, close in by 2s.
Raikkonen makes a late, late challenge on Grosjean, he out-brakes the Lotus into T1 but overdoes it and the Frenchman re-takes the position. Next time around there are no mistakes and he nails the black and gold car to take fifth.
It looks like game over for Vergne who is told to pit, his team having picked up on a problem. The Frenchman duly obeys and drives straight into his garage, the first retirement of the day.
Now Alonso closes on Grosjean, the Spaniard nailing the Frenchman in T1. Deja vu for the Lotus driver and cheers from the rafters for the Spaniard.
Rosberg is told that the 3.155s gap to Hamilton is good. "We'll get it down in about ten laps time," he is told.
Behind the leading ten, it's: Perez, Button, Kvyat, Magnussen, Gutierrez, Maldonado, Sutil, Chilton, Bianchi, Kobayashi and Ericsson.
"My rear end is everywhere," complains Hamilton.
At the end of lap 28, Massa makes his second stop of the day. He rejoins in 14th on the prime rubber.
Maldonado and Gutierrez having a great scrap for 15th.
Ricciardo having a long, lonely afternoon, 23.651s down on Rosberg and 11.250s clear of Bottas.
On lap 32 Rosberg posts a new fastest lap (30.763) as he maintains a 4.350s gap to his teammate.
Vettel makes his second stop at the end of lap 33, rejoining in 14th, 7.6s down on Massa and just ahead of Maldonado. Next time around Grosjean stops.
Kobayashi goes rallycross in T1 as Alonso pits, the Spaniard rejoining in 11th. The Japanese heads to his pits where his team appears caught by surprise. He subsequently retires his team revealing that he suffered front-left brake failure.
At the end of lap 37, Hulkenberg, Button, Kvyat and Gutierrez all pit, all swapping to the prime rubber.
Ericsson and Raikkonen are under investigation for ignoring blue flags yet the Finn was lapping the Caterham. Very odd.
"Zero to Nico last lap," Hamilton is told. "Where have you been for the last couple of laps, man?" is the reply. The gasp on the road is now down to 3.684s.
Massa passes Magnussen in T1 courtesy of DRS to take 8th.
Hamilton is told to pit but he either didn't hear the call or ignored it. Next time around he dives into the pits, rejoining on the prime rubber 23.590s later in second, 18.649s down on his teammate. Not the quickest of stops.
"I'm losing time with graining," complains Rosberg as Raikkonen and Chilton pit.
At the end of lap 45 Rosberg pits as Hamilton queries why he was brought in when his pace at the end of his previous stint was good. Ricciardo and Bottas also stop.
Hamilton is still complaining, now it's about the pace of his pit stop. He is advised that Rosberg has lost time in traffic, the German currently 4.546s behind the Briton.
Massa makes his third stop of the day as Hulkenberg and Perez continue to run together, the pair now 9th and 10th.
After 48 laps, it's: Hamilton, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Alonso, Vettel, Bottas, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Hulkenberg and Perez.
Button is eleventh, ahead of Kvyat, Magnussen, Massa, Maldonado, Sutil, Gutierrez, Bianchi, Chilton and Ericsson.
On lap 49 Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (29.759) as he maintains a 3.193s gap to his teammate. Next time around Rosberg responds with a 29.247 bringing the gap down to 2.853.
Magnussen all over Kvyat as they battle for twelfth, the Dane nailing the Russian in T1. Moments later Perez passes his Force India teammate in a similar move.
Suddenly Rosberg is right on Hamilton's tail, the German quietly but surely upping his pace.
"Make sure you look after your tyres so you an fight with Lewis at the end of the race," Rosberg is advised. Elsewhere, another stop for Vettel who rejoins in seventh. Gutierrez also pits.
At the end of lap 53 Alonso makes his final stop, rejoining in 7th behind Raikkonen and Vettel. Kvyat also pits.
On fresh rubber, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (28.942) as he closes on Raikkonen who is just 1.848s up the road.
Rosberg goes quickest in S1, taking 0.4s off his teammate in one go. "Any more I can do," asks Hamilton, "I've got left front graining". "We'll see what we can do," is the response.
A big, bold, brave move from Vettel who nails Raikkonen in T10. Meanwhile, Hamilton is told that he can adjust his brake balance "if he can live with it".
Ass the TV cameras pick up on something appear to fall from Gutierrez' car, Hamilton is clearly struggling.
Vettel is told he can catch Bottas who is 4.570s up the road.
Rosberg is told that with eight laps remaining it is time to think about his overtaking strategy. Being second, albeit in a little bit of traffic, that can only mean one thing.
Rosberg passes Grosjean which leaves him 1.215s down on his teammate with nothing in between. Meanwhile, Alonso is closing on sixth-placed Raikkonen.
As if this isn't enough, Vettel is now up with Bottas.
"Five laps to go," Vettel is told, "use your head".
The TV director doesn't know what to concentrate on, Hamilton/Rosberg, Bottas/Vettel or local hero/Raikkonen
For several corners the two Ferraris battle, finally Alonso nails his teammate in T4, much to the delight of the crowd.
As Rosberg closes to within 0.738s of Hamilton, Vettel passes Bottas to take fourth.
Rosberg is all over the leading Mercedes, as the pair laps Raikkonen, the Finn politely and sportingly pulling to one side.
They begin the final lap, the two Silver Arrows separated by just 0.648, however, it's too little too late as far as Rosberg is concerned.
Hamilton takes the win and with it the world championship lead. Rosberg is second, ahead of Ricciardo (yes he's still there), Vettel, Bottas, Alonso, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Perez and Hulkenberg.
Button is eleventh, ahead of teammate Magnussen, Massa, Kvyat, Maldonado, Gutierrez, Sutil, Bianchi, Chilton and Ericsson.
Whilst on paper it will come across as another Mercedes 1-2 - which it was - we can see from the strategy and the radio messages that there is real competition within the team and the drivers are being encouraged to battle.
Before the podium ceremony Lewis and Nico hug one another, but it is not quite as convincing as it has been in the past.
All in all a great result for Red Bull, a mature drive to third for Ricciardo and a fine performance from his world champion teammate who started fifteenth and finished fourth.
While Bottas will be hugely disappointed to have lost out to Vettel in the final stages, it was a fine performance from the Finn and nice handful of points for Williams.
Sadly, sixth and seventh is the best that Ferrari can hope for at present, though if Vettel had started higher up the grid it would probably have been seventh and eighth.
After a difficult weekend Lotus will be delighted to finally get a score on the door, courtesy of a determined, if anonymous, performance from Grosjean, while the Force India take the final points.
A very disappointing result for McLaren, likewise Toro Rosso and Sauber.
Not the epic we saw in Bahrain but wholly better than China and, based on the intra-team competitiveness, a sign that things will heat up as the season progresses.
Check out our Race gallery, here.
Chris Balfe