14/05/2017
NEWS STORY
It's not often that you see Sebastian Vettel lost for words however, amidst the smiles and banter on the track ahead of yesterday's post-qualifying presentation front of the main grandstand that is exactly what happened.
"I see you've changed your start sequence," said Lewis Hamilton, putting his hand on the German's shoulder.
"Er, um," mouthed Vettel.
"Ah, yeh..." smiled the Briton as he squeezed the German's shoulder, before turning away.
While Mercedes and, to a lesser extent Red Bull, have been pretty open about their updates this weekend, Ferrari has remained low-key.
And while, other than the much appreciated nod to its past with its driver numbers, little seems different about the SF70H, Vettel has continually hinted that the significant changes cannot be seen.
Consequently, one has to wonder has Ferrari something special planned for the start of this afternoon's race.
At 0.454 miles the run to the first corner is the longest of the season, therefore when better to make the perfect getaway. And let's not forget the incident in the first couple of corners that cost Mercedes so dearly last year.
Despite the lengthening of the pit straight DRS zone, Barcelona remains notorious for its lack of overtaking opportunities, consequently the start - and surviving the first sequence of corners - will be crucial this afternoon.
Indeed, much has been made, including by Vettel himself, that Bottas could repeat his Sochi surprise, the Finn starting from third - as he does today - taking the lead at the start and never relinquishing it.
Ignoring Ferrari, such a move today would be unthinkable, particularly for the British media, as it would place even further pressure on Hamilton.
What's really amazing, is that despite the numerous updates, we are pretty much back where we started, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull even if the gaps have changed just a little. One shudders to think what all those 'improvements' have cost and for so little outward reward.
While Hamilton has looked good for most of the weekend, he appears to not yet have fully recovered from the misery of Sochi, though appearances could be deceptive.
Both Bottas and Vettel have suffered reliability issues, both needing engine changes - in the Finn's case twice.
Kimi Raikkonen blames himself for failing to qualify higher than fourth, the Finn insisting that he needs to drive better. Nonetheless, we have a sneaky feeling that today could be Kimi's day, in fact we are tipping him for the win.
Behind the Mercedes and Ferraris we have the Red Bull duo, and once again Max Verstappen - who famously won here 12 months ago - once again appears to have the upper hand.
While the Austrian team appears to have closed the gap it is not a substantial step forward and consequently it looks as though it will be later in the year before we see the Bulls taken as a serious and sustained threat.
Behind these six it really is anyone's guess as the midfield hierarchy appears to change lap by lap. Over the course of the practice sessions and qualifying we have seen Haas and Renault look strong, only to face away, while Force India, invisible for much of the weekend, finally came good in Q3.
The form of Williams and Toro Rosso is also up and down, while surely nobody begrudges Fernando Alonso seventh place on the grid today.
While the Spaniard has said that he will wait until September/October before making any decisions, teams should be kicking his door down in order to get his signature on a contract. Ignoring the chances of further titles and wins, the fact is the Spaniard is a sure-fire points winner and there are a number of teams right now that need both drivers scoring points. Remember, it is the team standings that decide the prize money.
Furthermore, let's not forget that whatever happens today, Alonso is on duty at Indianapolis tomorrow as practice for the Indy 500 gets underway.
However, while Alonso, quite rightly, gets the plaudits for his magnificent effort, spare a thought for Stoffel Vandoorne who gets a ten-place grid penalty after McLaren changed two power unit components on his car. Then again, he was due to start 20th.
Other than reliability, over enthusiasm in the first sequence of corners or an Act of God, the other significant factor today will be tyres and tyre strategy.
With the hard consigned to the bin until Suzuka, drivers today are left with the medium and softs, and the fact is nobody will want to be on the white-banded rubber any longer than they have to.
Consequently, following the monotony of one-stop Sochi, today we will be witnessing two or three stops, the situation further complicated by the (almost) 2s a lap difference between the mediums and softs.
According to Pirelli the best strategy today is a three-stopper comprising three 20-lap stints on softs and one on mediums. On the other hand, drivers might opt for two 25-lap stints on softs and one stint on mediums at the end.
The pitlane opens and one by one drivers head out. The air temperature is currently 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is 43 degrees. Though hot it is also very windy. There is said to be a 10% chance of rain.
All are starting on the soft tyres bar Palmer, Kvyat and Vandoorne who have opted for the mediums.
As they head off on the warm-up lap, Alonso is a little slow getting away. Let's hope he hasn't already booked an early flight to Indianapolis.
They're away, and Vettel has a great start edging ahead of Hamilton on the long, long run to T1. The German has the inside line and hold station, while behind Hamilton Raikkonen is caught between Bottas and Verstappen.
The Sochi winner clips the Ferrari which in turn hits the Red Bull, both running wide in the aftermath. As they rejoin it is clear that Raikkonen's suspension is badly damaged. Indeed both cars appear to have sustained damage.
As the field weaves through T1 and the dust kicked up by the Ferrari and Red Bull, Alonso runs wide after appearing to have been tagged by Massa who suffers a puncture for his trouble.
As Verstappen reports suspension damage he is asked if he can get it home, he says he can. At the end of lap 1, Kvyat and Massa pit while Raikkonen parks up at T10. Verstappen finally gets back to the pits.
At the end of lap 1, Vettel leads Hamilton, Bottas, Ricciardo, Perez, Massa, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Sainz and Grosjean.
After 2 laps Vettel leads by 2.6s while Verstappen is pushed back into his garage his race clearly over.
As Vettel posts a new fastest lap (26.210), a forlorn Raikkonen watches from the side of the track.
A nice battle for 8th between Sainz and Magnussen while Grosjean and Alonso keep a watching eye.
Officials announce that no further action will be taken over the Raikkonen/Verstappen clash.
Lap 4 sees Hamilton go quickest as officials announce they are investigating Alonso and Massa for a first lap incident, essentially the Brazilian forcing the McLaren driver off track.
While Hamilton maintains a 2.5s gap to the leader, Bottas has fallen 5.5s behind his teammate.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Barcelona, here.
Palmer and Kvyat have pitted to lose their mediums, leaving Vandoorne as the only driver with the white-banded tyres.
"It's not easy to keep up with him" complains Hamilton.
Alonso is asked how much he is being held up by Grosjean. "A lot," comes the reply. Will McLaren go for the undercut?
Two weeks after a lights to flag win in Sochi, Bottas, now 6.9s down on Hamilton, is told to up his pace. "Valtteri, the most important thing at the moment is if we can pick the pace up," is the message.
No further action to be taken over the Alonso/Massa incident.
Back in the paddock, Raikkonen is in civvies.
"This is a critical time," Hamilton is told, "give it everything you have."
Now the stewards are investigating Bottas' involvement in the first corner clash that eliminated Raikkonen and Verstappen.
At then end of lap 12, Alonso pits, as do Stroll and Vandoorne. The Spaniard rejoins in 14th in clear air on fresh rubber.
As Magnussen and Sainz pit, anticipating his own stop Hamilton goes quickest in S1. As they leave the pits Sainz and Magnussen are side by side, the Spaniard taking to the grass.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 14, the German rejoining in fourth behind Ricciardo.
Out front Hamilton posts a 25.701 as he build a 10.3s lead over Bottas and 21.3s over Vettel who has passed Ricciardo.
"This is the opportunity," Hamilton is told, give it everything you've got."
Hulkenberg pits at the end of lap 15.
No further action over the first lap clash involving Bottas.
On fresh rubber Vettel goes quickest (24.901).
Magnussen, still seething from that pitlane clash with Sainz, is told to calm down.
As Alonso is all over Kvyat, Vettel is 2s quicker than Hamilton.
As Perez pits at the end of lap 18, Hamilton sounds as though he's really under pressure. "I can give it more if you need it," he says, almost breathlessly. With Vettel seemingly on a three-stopper is Mercedes looking at two?
Grosjean pits at the end of lap 19, as the stewards reveal they are investigating Sainz and Magnussen.
""We're trying to create opportunities later in the race," Hamilton is assured once again.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 21, now on mediums he rejoins in third as Ricciardo dives into the pitlane.
Bottas now leads but Vettel is closing in at a rate of knots. The Finn is riding shotgun for his Mercedes teammate and ding a good job of it.
Hamilton asks how far ahead Vettel is. He is appraised of the 7s gap and told, again, that there will be opportunities at the end.
On lap 24 Vettel, with the aid of DRS, makes his move in T1 but Bottas has him covered. The Finn totally frustrating the German.
Vettel continues to pressurise the Finn and even though the Mercedes locks-up in T10 he is able to keep the Ferrari at bay.
At the start of lap 25, Vettel sells Bottas a beautiful dummy going into T1, even taking to the grass in the process, finally making it stick.
Next time around the Finn is passed by Hamilton who is now 4s down on the race leader.
After 25 laps, it's: Vettel, Hamilton, Bottas, Ricciardo, Perez, Ocon, Wehrlein, Hulkenberg, Magnussen and Sainz.
Bottas pits at the end of lap 26, rejoining still in third on the mediums.
Hamilton is told that tyre degradation will keep him in touch with Vettel who will still need to pit again for the medium rubber.
Ericsson sweep by Alonso to take 13th, as yesterday's qualifying euphoria becomes a distant memory.
After a number of laps off Vettel's pace, Hamilton is suddenly lapping at the same pace as the German. "We need to be matching Vettel's time and then closing the gap," the Briton is told, minded that at the end of the race the Ferrari driver will be on the harder rubber.
Alonso makes his second stop at the end of lap 31, rejoining in 17th (of 18).
At 'half-time', it's: Vettel, Hamilton, Bottas, Ricciardo, Perez, Ocon, Wehrlein, Hulkenberg, Magnussen and Sainz.
Vandoorne is off and in the gravel at T1 after clashing with Massa, the McLaren driver seemingly unaware the Williams was there. "Unbelievable, he put the car over me," complains the Brazilian.
The VSC is deployed.
Hulkenberg, Wehrlein, Magnussen, Kvyat and Stroll all pit. Massa also pits.
Next time around, still behind the VSC, Perez, Ocon, Sainz and Grosjean pit.
The stewards are investigating the Vandoorne incident and also Wehrlein's pit entry.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Barcelona, here.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 36 just as the VSC is withdrawn. The Briton is now on softs again.
At the end of lap 37 it is Vettel that pits, rejoining alongside Hamilton. They head into T1 side by side, the German holding position as the two touch sending the Mercedes wide. "That was dangerous," complains the Briton.
Hamilton closes on the German but Vettel is having none of it.
Elsewhere, it's all over for Bottas who has pulled to the side of the track at T6 smoke and flames pouring from the back of the Mercedes.
As the feuding leaders weave their way through the backmarkers, the gap widens then closes.
On lap 40, third placed Ricciardo posts the fastest lap of the race thus far (23.686). He has two Force Indias in hot pursuit.
Fully focussed on the Ferrari, tells his team not to talk to him as he and Vettel continue to tackle the backmarkers.
Sainz follows Hamilton's example and asks to be left alone as he battles Magnussen and Kvyat while attempting to hold on to the exhaust of Wehrlein.
At the start of lap 44, Vettel has nothing to offer when Hamilton, with the aid of DRS, mounts his attack in T1. "No chance, no chance" says the German. "Don't give up," he is told, "he will struggle with the tyres."
A slightly more positive message over Hamilton's radio. "Go on Lewis, get in there!"
With Vettel 1.3s behind, Hamilton is concerned at the temperature of his rear tyres.
Bitter disappointment for Sauber and Wehrlein as the German is given a 5s penalty for failing to stay to the right of the pit entry bollard. Seems harsh when compared to some of the other incidents we've witnessed this afternoon.
As Hamilton claims he needs to "get a distance away from him, he's going to be quicker," Vettel is appraised of the Briton's rear tyre situation. "That could have happened from a few laps ago when he was behind me," says the Ferrari driver.
Told he'll could be switching to Plan C, Vettel sighs and admits: "I don't know... He doesn't seem to using his tyres all out." After a pause he adds: "I guess we've got nothing to lose".
Meanwhile, a young boy who was seen earlier crying in the crowd following Raikkonen's retirement, has been taken to meet his hero in Ferrari's hospitality unit. F1 appears to have found the human touch.
At the end of lap 52, Alonso makes his third stop of the day.
Ericsson, in the 2016 Ferrari powered Sauber, makes short work of the Mercedes powered Williams of Stroll to take 12th. With Massa 14th this is a poor day for the Grove outfit.
Wehrlein under intense pressure from Sainz as they battle for 7th, while Kvyat is all over Magnussen in the struggle for ninth.
He might be heading for a podium, but Ricciardo will be disappointed to be 64s down on the race leader, basically losing a second a lap to Hamilton and Vettel.
Both Toro Rossos under pressure, Kvyat asking to be left alone, while Sainz has a big, big slide in T4. "As soon as I push one lap, the tyres go away," he complains.
As in Sochi, Vettel loses time behind Massa, causing the German to run wide. Why does it have to be Massa all the time?" sighs the German.
Alonso makes short work of both Williams drivers, first Massa and then Stroll, he's down in 13th but he's giving it everything.
With a couple of laps remaining ad Vettel 4.1s behind, Hamilton relieves his boredom by posting a new fastest lap (23.593).
Shortly after a mistake at T10, Stroll is passed by his teammate.
A late puncture for Magnussen who was looking good for 11th. He appears to sustain the damage in a clash with Kvyat, who is delighted to hear the news.
Hamilton takes the flag, thereby closing the title gap to Vettel to just six points. The German is second, over 70 seconds ahead of Ricciardo, who is followed by Perez, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Wehrlein, Sainz, Kvyat and Grosjean.
Ericsson is eleventh, ahead of Alonso, Massa, Magnussen, Palmer and Stroll.
In the ante room, it is clear that the race took a lot out of Hamilton, he slumps on to a sofa.
"I was surprised as you came alongside," jokes Vettel, "No way!"
On the podium, having paid the (now) traditional compliment to the crowd and his team, Hamilton admits: "That's how racing should be... as close as it can be! Sebastian was incredibly close, incredibly fast. The team did a great job with the tyres.
Asked about the start, he laughs. "I don't know what went wrong, I'll have to speak to my guys. It wasn't good enough, I know. I thought I'd done everything I was supposed to do but I got a bit of wheel-spin.
Asked about "the squeeze", later in the race, he admits: "I don't know, it's difficult to see from the outside. I felt like I'd run out of road but I was alongside. That's how racing should be, I loved it.
Asked if he should have pushed harder, Vettel laughs. "I was pushing!" he says. "I had a really good start, I gained on him and managed to stay ahead and then settle into a nice rhythm.
"I knew the end would be crucial," he continues, "and he came out so close. I tried to brake as late as possible in Turn 1, locked up, I don't know if we touched, but I managed to stay ahead. The laps after I tried everything to stay in front but as soon as I was alone he just flew past. Which was a shame."
"It feels good," admits Ricciardo, reflecting on his first visit of the year. "We had a bit of fortune today, but for now we take all we can. It's nice to be up on the podium and to spray some champagne."
"It was one of the hardest races," says Hamilton. "I lost nearly 2 kilos, it was draining... but it's a real privilege to race against someone like him"
Not a great race, far from it, but it certainly had its moments. Sadly however, the issues that befell Raikkonen and Bottas are probably going to see a return of the calls for team orders. Then again, we now head to Monaco where anything can, and usually does, happen.
No fairytale ending for Indy bound Alonso, though surely Pascal Wehrlein and Sauber might feel blessed following a result that not only puts them in the prize money but ahead of McLaren in the standings.
Furthermore, another double points finish sees Force India further close the gap to Force India.
And so to Monaco.