16/07/2017
NEWS STORY
Whatever one might think of Silverstone, it is hard to comprehend that this afternoon's Grand Prix might be one of the last held here.
On a purely personal level, were there some sort of magic pill, we would always have preferred Brands Hatch or Donington, especially after the BRDC's ludicrous decision to almost totally emasculate the track, not to mention the dreaded Wing.
Then there is the unbelievable fact that on a totally flat circuit - it was an RAF airfield previously remember - much of the pitlane cannot be seen by the fans opposite as the BRDC, in its infinite wisdom - chose to erect the pits on a lower level.
With their own unique charm, the undulations, the great viewing areas, Brands Hatch and Donington would both have made better homes for the British round of the world championship... and don't get us started on London, it won't happen.
Because Silverstone is entirely, naturally flat, it's ironic that the weekend thus far has been something of a roller-coaster, both in terms of the weather and form.
Friday's sunshine gave way to cloud, rain and cool temperatures yesterday, and God only knows what to expect this afternoon. Rain is expected, but it is not currently due to arrive until just after the race.
Then again, this is England.
While Mercedes blitzkrieged the opposition on Friday, there was a strong revival from Ferrari in FP3, only for Lewis Hamilton to turn up the heat in qualifying and leave his closest rival over half-a-second behind.
Ferrari and Mercedes both have upgrades this weekend, and while the Maranello outfit's showed real promise yesterday morning, it was left for dust later in the afternoon.
On home crowd, in front of his adoring fans, Hamilton has to be favourite to convert today's win into a fourth successive home win, unless the weather gods, Sebastian Vettel, Lady Luck or the Briton himself have other ideas.
In successive races the Mercedes drivers have taken penalties for gearboxes changes, could this be the chink in Mercedes, and thereby Hamilton's armour. In light of the issue, Mercedes has opted to switch to an older spec gearbox on both cars today.
While Kimi Raikkonen was second quickest in qualifying, Vettel is convinced that had he been sent out earlier he could have challenged not only his teammate but Hamilton.
With Bottas demoted to ninth following that penalty, Max Verstappen is promoted to fourth. Having failed to finish five of the last seven races, the teenager would surely be happy merely to finish in the points, but there's no doubt that the youngster will want more than just a few points here.
However, with his reliability issues and bad luck, the Dutch racer would do will not only to heed the Turbocharger issue suffered by his teammate - which means Ricciardo will start from the back of the grid - but also the old adage about 'to finish first, first you have to finish'.
A typically bravura performance, not to mention a number of updates, including a new floor, diffuser and bargeboards, see Nico Hulkenberg start fifth, though the German is concerned that reliability could once again prove an issue. On the other hand, what better location for Jolyon Palmer to finally open his 2017 points account.
Next up come the Pink Panthers who really do appear to be permanently tied together with string. Despite the best efforts of the team to put a brave face on, the fact is that these two racers are waging war on one another, and one cannot help but feel that today will witness more fireworks.
For the first time, Stoffel Vandoorne has out-qualified teammate Fernando Alonso, and while all credit to the Belgian youngster, what a performance from the Spaniard yesterday. Know he was to start the race from the back of the grid, the two-time champ still gave it his all and had the crowd cheering when he went quickest in Q1.
Last night he admitted that he hoped for a chaotic race today, hoping that ever changing conditions will see his rivals making 25 pit stops while he makes just 23.
Sadly, despite the fact that Honda is confident its latest update will solve the MGU-H issues, it's a case of 'we'll believe it when we see it'.
Both Toro Rosso drivers were off the pace yesterday, the Faenza outfit appearing to make a habit of starting the season well only to fall away by summer.
Like Renault, which introduced the Turbocharger to F1 40 years ago at this circuit, Williams is celebrating a fortieth anniversary, and what better location to spring a surprise than the very venue where the British outfit was to claim its first win.
It was mixed fortunes for the Haas duo yesterday, Kevin Magnussen suffering a real loss of form this weekend while Romain Grosjean, who qualified tenth, took a verbal battering from Toto Wolff following his comments about Hamilton's actions in Q3 and the Stewards subsequent failure to punish the Briton.
As for Sauber, well like the legendary timepieces of its homeland, the Swiss will tick over, Pascal Wehrlein and Marcus Ericsson, though both over 5s off the pace, seeking any opportunity to grab something.
The start will be vital, Hamilton, no doubt seeking to repeat his teammate's Spielberg stunner, while Ferrari would dearly love to have both its car get ahead.
First corner incidents are not usually an issue here, especially since circuit revamp, while there is only a 50% chance of a Safety Car. The wide run-off areas give the marshals plenty of room to deal with stricken cars, but at the same time, accidents are usually high-speed, thereby producing lots of debris.
And then there's tyres.
Here's the lowdown from Pirelli.
The best race strategy with low degradation on supersoft (less than 0.15s per lap) is a 2-stopper. 2 stints on supersoft (15 laps each) and 1 stint on soft. Another good strategy with low degradation on supersofts is a 1-stopper: 1 stint on supersoft for 21 laps then 1 stint on soft.
If degradation on supersoft is high (more than 0.15s per lap) a 2-stopper is best: 1 supersoft stint of 14 laps then 2 soft stints of 19 laps each. Alternatively, another good strategy for high supersoft deg is a 1-stopper: 1 stint on soft of 20 laps then 1 stint on medium to the flag (52 laps total).
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin heading out. Air temperature is currently 21 degrees C, while the track temperature - according to the app - 0 degrees, which should make degradation interesting. What the app cannot get wrong is the fact that as well as being cool it is also overcast, with some very dark clouds in the distance. However Race Control insists the race will be dry.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone, here.
At the back of the grid, Alonso admits he hopes the weather 'experts' have got it wrong. The Spaniard claims he is going to follow Ricciardo.
As Race Control reveals that the track temperature is 28 degrees, it also reveals that there is now a 60 chance of rain. As Homer would say: "Woo-Hoo!"
Ahead of the warm-up lap, Vandoorne is advised that "showers could build up during the race".
Of the leading ten on the grid all are on supersofts bar Bottas who starts on the softs. The yellow-banded tyres is also the tyre of choice for Massa, Stroll, Magnussen, Wehrlein and Ericsson, the rest plumping for the supers.
They head off on the warm-up lap, all getting away cleanly.
Palmer warns of a "long brake pedal". "I've got a problem," he adds as he slows at Stowe. He is told to park the car. Out of his home race before it has even started... rotten luck for the Renault driver.
The start is aborted as Palmer's car is removed from the track, a number of cars clearly suffering overheating brakes. In the Red Bull garage Christian Horner looks concerned.
The grid forms... again.
As they await the start there is smoke coming from the rear of Vettel's car. "Sebastian's brake drum is on fire," reports Verstappen.
They're away... and despite his issue Vettel gets away, as do Hamilton, Raikkonen and Verstappen, who edges ahead of Vettel into T1. However, the German retakes position on the inside in T2, but subsequently loses out to the Red Bull in T5 as Verstappen takes advantage of the fact the Ferrari driver is stuck behind his teammate.
Strong starts for Bottas, who is already up to seventh, Ocon, Ricciardo and Alonso.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Hamilton, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Vettel, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Perez, Vandoorne and Grosjean. Sainz is off at Chapel.
A brilliant move sees Hulkenberg pass Ocon as Sainz climbs from his car.
The Safety Car is deployed.
Replay shows Kvyat run wide at Becketts, he rejoins the track but hits his teammate who is off and out of the race.
"Tell Danny great job," sighs Sainz. "He just turned into me," claims the Russian.
Needless to say, the incident is under investigation.
Behind the Safety Car, Ricciardo is up to 14th and Alonso 16th. Kvyat pits for a new nose and rejoins in 18th (last).
At the end of lap 3 Wehrlein pits, switching to the softs.
The Safety Car withdraws at the end of lap 4. No major moves and Hamilton maintains his lead, Vettel all over Verstappen. Ricciardo passes Stroll for 12th.
Ricciardo runs wide and through the gravel at Luffield, the Red Bull driver dropping to last in the process.
Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (33.079) as he builds a 1.7s lead. Elsewhere, Bottas passes Ocon for sixth. Alonso is up to 13th.
Hamilton and Raikkonen both reports engine concerns, while Ericsson complains about his teammate's antics.
Bottas picks off Hulkenberg with ease, setting off to close the 3.3s gap to Vettel.
Kvyat is told to lok after his car, the team reporting floor damage following the Sainz clash.
Vettel is all over Verstappen, as Ricciardo passes Magnussen for 14th.
To add to his woes, Kvyat is handed a drive-through penalty for "re-joining the track unsafely".
Having sliced his way through the field like butter - twice - Ricciardo is having trouble finding a way around Alonso.
Kvyat serves his penalty at the end of lap 10.
2.7s clear of Raikkonen, Hamilton goes quickest in S1. He loses a little pace in S2, and again in S3, but maintains the gap nonetheless.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone, here.
Ricciardo finally nails Alonso down the inside at Stowe, setting off after Stroll.
Lap 12 sees Hamilton posts 32.985 as he extends his lead to 3.4s. Meanwhile, Vettel is still unable to make a dent (no pun intended) on Verstappen.
Ricciardo passes Stroll at Brooklands as Vettel takes on Verstappen. The German and Dutchman are at it hammer and tongs, side by side, each running wide as they battle for corner after corner the fight beginning when the Ferrari driver makes a move at Stowe.
Both drivers complain about the others' tactics, but it all appeared to be hard racing.
As the two prepare for round two, Bottas has the best seat in the house.
However, Vettel subsequently runs wide as he suffers understeer, the German losing a lot of ground in the process.
Ricciardo is now up to 11th and hunting down Massa.
"Keep it up Kimi, keep squeezing him," Raikkonen is told.
Battle resumes. Vettel closes up on Verstappen at Stowe but the Red Bull driver is fully prepared.
Vettel suggests that the Red Bull driver is moving under braking while teammate Raikkonen reports rain at T4.
At the end of lap 18, as Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (32.360), Vettel pits, going for the undercut. He rejoins in 6th on softs.
A nice dummy sees Ricciardo fool Massa and thereby claim 10th.
"Box and confirm," Verstappen is told, "you will be racing Sebastian."
The Red Bull driver rejoins... 2.2s behind the German. The Red Bull driver shakes his head.
Now up to third, Bottas is told that this is his chance and that his pace is good.
Lap 20 sees another fastest lap for Hamilton (32.286).
"What happened with the stop," asks Verstappen. "A problem with the wheel nut," he is told.
Ocon and Alonso both pits at the end of lap 20, rejoining in 16th and 18th.
On fresh soft rubber, Vettel goes quickest (32.225), making short work of countryman Hulkenberg to take 4th.
On his old softs, Bottas goes quickest in S2 as Hamilton goes quickest overall (32.190).
Ricciardo passes Vandoorne as teammate Verstappen passes Hulkenberg.
"Critical stage," Bottas is told, "anything you can do will benefit us later."
Perez and Grosjean both pit at the end of lap 23, rejoining in 13th and 15th. Elsewhere, a new fastest lap from Bottas (32.166).
Next time around Raikkonen pits. He rejoins in 3rd, ahead of his teammate, as Hulkenberg pits.
"Box, box, box, box," Hamilton is told, at the end of lap 25 he duly obliges. A switch to softs and 27.7s later he rejoins still leading, albeit just 0.444s ahead of his teammate. Massa also stops.
As Vandoorne pits, Perez closes on fellow Pink Panther Ocon. Elsewhere, Alonso is up to 16th.
As Hamilton posts 31.529, Raikkonen complains of "something in his left pedal box".
Kvyat pits but it appears to be terminal as it's a long stop. "Feels like the suspension is broken or something," he previously reported. "However, after checking the car the Russian is sent out again. He immediately gets blue-flagged as he is lapped by Hamilton.
After 30 laps (of 51), it's: Hamilton, Bottas, Raikkonen, Vettel, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Ocon and Perez. That said, Bottas, Ricciardo and Magnussen have yet to stop.
"Give it everything," you've got Ricciardo is told, as Bottas is told to "box, box, box". The Finn pits, switches to supers, and rejoins in 4th, behind the Ferraris but ahead of Verstappen. Ricciardo also stops, rejoining in 10th behind the Pink Panthers.
"No power," warns Alonso, the Spaniard immediately told to stop.
On fresh rubber, Bottas goes quickest in the first two sectors, crossing the line at 31.112.
Meanwhile, in what appears to be another strategic mistake by Force India - though no disrespect to Ricciardo - the Australian passes Perez (Brooklands) and Ocon (Stowe) in quick succession. The Red Bull driver, who started from the last row, now back up to 8th.
Passing Magnussen on the run to Stowe, Ricciardo takes 7th. "Who's next?" jokes the Australian. In fact it's Hulkenberg.
While Raikkonen is 11.7s down on Hamilton, Vettel is 4.6s down on his Ferrari teammate with Bottas 3s behind. Verstappen is now 8s down on the second Mercedes.
It's Canada all over again, as the Force Indias scrap, Massa closes in.
Magnussen finally pits at the end of lap 37, the Dane rejoining in 13th.
"I feel like these tyres are blistered," reports Hamilton.
"My front tyres are giving up," reports Verstappen who is having a lonely afternoon in 5th.
Meanwhile, Bottas is now within 0.844s of Vettel.
Bottas goes around the outside of Vettel at Stowe but the German is having none of it. The two battle for corner after corner and despite a lock-up the Ferrari driver holds off. However, on the fresher, softer rubber surely the outcome is inevitable.
Next time around the Finn is closer and is able to make the move earlier and thereby stick. As he sweeps by to take third, the crowd roars. Bad news for Vettel and his title ambitions.
"Great job," Bottas is told. "Copy, minimal talking," the Finn replies.
"I have no more fronts," says Vettel, "they've been blistering for twenty laps."
Verstappen is told that Vettel - 8.8s up the road - is struggling.
Replay shows Grosjean ding a bit of cross-country at Brooklands after tripping up over a Sauber (Ericsson).
Bottas posts a new fastest lap (31.007). Next time around the Finn posts another fastest lap (30.905) as he closes to within 5.3s of Raikkonen.
"You will catch him, with two laps to go," Ricciardo is told of sixth-placed Hulkenberg.
"We have a problem," Hulkenberg is told, "we need to keep pushing". The German having reported an issue with the D-rate.
Race Control reports slippery surface at T5.
Raikkonen has a front-left puncture. "****, my left broke tyre is broke," says the Finn. Bitter luck for the Ferrari driver.
He pits, as does Verstappen (puncture?). The Finn rejoins in 4th and the Red Bull driver 5th.
A front-left puncture for Vettel also, the German running wide as he is passed by Raikkonen.
Disaster for Ferrari on successive laps.
As Hamilton begins his final lap, Vettel heads back to the pits his front-left tyre flailing. He pits and rejoins in 7th, ahead of the Force Indias.
Well, we did say roller-coaster, a somewhat processional race turned on its head in a few laps at the end, with punctures costing Raikkonen second and then Vettel a podium position, eventually leaving the German with just a one point lead in the championship.
At the same time, a late move sees Ricciardo take fifth, leaving the Australian wondering what might have been.
Then there's Force India, which yet again appears to have lost out over a failure to invoke team orders.
Raikkonen is clearly unhappy, like Vettel, Ferrari took a tyre gamble that failed.
"What happened to Vettel is exactly why we pitted you mate," Verstappen is told, and while the Red Bull driver will be disappointed, he must surely be glad to finally see the chequered flag.
In the ante room, having spent quite some time waving to the fans and savouring the moment, Hamilton admits that he's been busting all afternoon for the toilet.
For the fourth successive year, and fifth time in total, Hamilton gets his hands on that fabulous British Grand Prix trophy.
While the win was pretty much expected, the 1-2 wasn't, nor was the thought of the title rivals heading to Hungary separated by just one point.
As circuits go we still prefer Brands and Donington, but once again Silverstone has proved entertaining.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone, here.