29/09/2019
NEWS STORY
As much is rightly made of Charles Leclerc becoming the first Ferrari driver to score four successive poles since Michael Schumacher, it's worth remembering that that legendary partnership's reign eventually came to an end... as all reigns must do.
Mercedes has had a momentous run of success, its achievements quite the match of Ferrari at its peak, and who is to say that the German team and its star driver won't equal Schumacher's record in terms of titles and surpass the Italian team in terms of successive titles.
While we have grown tired of Toto Wolff's constant claims of being the underdog, in recent weeks it has had more than a hint of truth about it.
Though he dug deep and produced a sensational lap yesterday, wasn't it telling when Lewis, told the gap to Leclerc, expressed doubt that he could significantly close it.
With six races remaining it would take not only a gargantuan effort from Leclerc and Ferrari to claim the title, but a major turn-around in fortune for Mercedes and Hamilton to lose it.
Still smarting from last year's team orders, Valtteri Bottas will have to be the team player today, and possibly in all the remaining races, if Hamilton is to maintain his lead, though isn't that why the Finn was retained.
Other than starting on the medium rubber, a move which will allow him to run longer in its opening stint, Hamilton will be relying on the mother of all tows from Leclerc as the field heads through the kink that is Turn 1 and on towards Turn 2 at the start of today's race.
And then, it will be 'fingers crossed' that there is no silliness going on behind.
While all Leclerc has to do it got off the line well and get on with it, teammate Vettel will be seeking to follow up his Singapore win with another.
Though Bottas will be required to play ball in teams of aiding his teammate, there will be no such requirements of the German.
With many still questioning his Singapore win, Vettel will be keen to prove the sceptics (and himself) wrong, and what better way than to score back-to-back victories.
One couldn't help but feel for him yesterday, as every time he produced a good lap, his talented young teammate responded with another blistering lap that defied belief.
Despite the various plot twists in terms of Ferrari and Mercedes, as ever, it is the battle going on behind that will witness the real action.
While we have McLaren and Renault involved in their own duel, with Romain Grosjean adding some extra spice, courtesy of his grid penalty, Max Verstappen starts from ninth, and his efforts alone should be worth the price of admission.
And further back, all three contenders for the second Red Bull seat in 2020 have the chance to set out their stall for Mr Marko, though any early impatience or over eagerness could see them blot their copybooks once and for all.
One man who one must feel total sympathy for is Daniil Kvyat - and his many supporters. Even before arriving here the Russian knew he would be starting from the back of the grid, and since then things have literally gone from bad to worse.
Here's hoping he can give a typically spirited performance today.
As we have said so many times, races cannot be won at the first corner, but they can be lost... and also at the second corner. And that long, long run to Turn 2, as it positively invites drivers to push ever-harder, is always an accident waiting to happen.
As we know, the Mercedes pair are starting on the mediums, which will allow them to go for a longer first stint, but that will count for nothing if the Ferraris use their obvious power advantage to get away at the start. Though the Silver Arrows have superior race pace, that counts for nothing if they are stuck behind the SF90s.
In terms of tyre strategy, the fastest option is to start on the softs for 15 to 19 laps and then go to the hards. In practice, there might be an advantage to start on the mediums instead for 14 to 22 laps and subsequently switch to the hards. This strategy also offers more flexibility in the event of a safety car, for example.
A slightly slower one-stopper is to start on the softs for 22 to 26 laps and then switch to the mediums for the rest of the race: this would probably require some degree of pace management.
Finally, a two-stopper will always be slower under normal circumstances, but the fastest two-stopper on paper is: start on the softs for 16 to 18 laps, move on to the softs again for another 16 to 18 laps, then mediums to the end.
The pitlane opens, and one by one the drivers head out. Air temperature is 22 degrees C, while the track temperature is 33.9 degrees. It is bright and sunny with a few large white, fluffy clouds.
On the grid, there appears to be an issue with the left-rear corner of Sainz' car.
"Get me the clutch thing," asks Grosjean, "I really struggled with the start."
Hamilton makes his way to the grid on his scooter, while Vettel runs.
Stroll warned of a tail-wind "out of 5 and into 7".
Other than the top ten, - excluding the Mercedes pair - Perez, Giovinazzi and Magnussen start on softs, while Stroll, Raikkonen, Gasly, Russell and Kubica, like Hamilton and Bottas, start on mediums. Kvyat and Albon are on hards.
The field heads off on the parade lap.
Leclerc and Vettel both very aggressive in terms of generating heat into their tyres.
They're away. Strong starts from both Ferraris, and as they head towards Turn 1, Vettel is alongside Hamilton, the German getting ahead. Through the kink that is Turn 1, Vettel slingshots Leclerc and they head into Turn 2. Vettel has the inside line and is ahead of his teammate, while Hamilton is under attack from Sainz and Bottas from Norris.
Further back, the Haas pair run wide as does Ricciardo.
Leclerc is all over the rear of his teammate, but Vettel holds position. In clear air, the German soon builds an early comfort cushion.
The safety car is deployed halfway through the opening lap. Ricciardo has a left-rear puncture while Grosjean is in the barriers after colliding with the Australian in Turn 4. Climbing from his damaged car, the Frenchman shakes his head in disbelief.
Replay shows the Haas driver being hit by the Renault in Turn 2, send Grosjean spinning off into the barrier.
Replay shows that initially Stroll clouts Giovinazzi, while up ahead Hulkenberg is caught between Perez and Verstappen. Ricciardo bangs rear wheels with Stroll and subsequently is in a three-into-one situation with Giovinazzi and Grosjean. You can guess the rest.
Behind the safety car, it's: Vettel, Leclerc, Hamilton, Sainz, Bottas, Norris, Perez, Verstappen, Hulkenberg and Magnussen.
Kubica pits and switches to the hards, while Ricciardo slowly makes his way back to the pits. The Australian eventually gets back to the pits, where he is joined by Giovinazzi who gets a new front wing.
At the end of lap 2, Kubica pits again, now switching to the mediums.
The safety car is withdrawn at the end of lap 3, Vettel maintains his lead, as he did in Singapore. Magnussen passes Hulkenberg for 9th.
Out front, a new fastest lap from Vettel (39.750) as he builds a 0.993s lead over his teammate. Hamilton is 1.9s down on Leclerc.
In 5th, Bottas is sandwiched by the McLaren pair.
Verstappen is currently 8th, with Gasly 11th, Kvyat 12th and Albon 15th.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sochi, here.
"Sebastian will let you by," Leclerc is told. A move that will not go down well with many... including those that take a punt on F1.
Unsurprisingly, Vettel queries the order, insisting that he made a good start.
Courtesy of DRS, Bottas passes Sainz for 4th.
Told again to let Leclerc by, Vettel says he is too far behind. Meanwhile, Hamilton keeps a watching eye.
"You put me behind, I respected everything," says Leclerc, "we will speak later, this is not fair."
"He must close the gap," says Vettel.
Verstappen makes short work of Perez, going around the outside in T3 to take 7th.
Another fastest lap from Vettel (39.221) who now has a 1.646s lead, while Hamilton is 2.911s down on Hamilton.
As Raikkonen gets a drive-through for a falser start, Vettel is told to keep his head down. "You're doing well," the German is assured.
"We're looking to Plan C," Vettel is told.
"We will do the swap later on, just focus on your race," Leclerc is told. From the youngster's car there is silence.
That said, Hamilton is lapping quicker than Leclerc.
Leclerc insists that he aided his teammate by giving him a tow. However, the fact is the German made a great start, and appeared to have things well under control by his own doing.
"I completely understand, it's no problem," says Leclerc. "I know the situation."
As Verstappen closes in on Norris, Vettel posts another fastest lap (38.844).
The Dutchman passes the McLaren and sets about closing the 3.8s gap to Sainz.
After 11 laps, Vettel leads by 3s.
As Vettel posts another fastest lap (38.820), Hamilton goes quickest in S1, posting another purple in the final sector.
His car damaged, Ricciardo admits that he struggling to "hang on to Russell".
Great move in Turn 3, sees Hulkenberg pass Perez for 8th.
Lap 14 sees a new fastest lap from Hamilton (38.533) as he maintains a 3s gap to Leclerc.
"These guys have got some serious pace," says Hamilton of the red cars ahead.
As the Briton posts another fastest lap (38.319), Leclerc responds with a PB (38.525).
Vettel and his teammate trade fastest sectors, as Leclerc is told "you can push now". He is currently 4s down on Vettel.
Hulkenberg is the first driver to make a scheduled stop, pitting at the end of lap 16. He rejoins in 17th, ahead of Raikkonen who has served his penalty. It's a poor stop for the German.
"Degradation is low, we're going to go for target plus 15," Hamilton is told. "I'm feeling some deg," he responds.
Albon passes Kvyat to take 12th, his next target is Gasly who is 0.877s ahead. This should be interesting.
Albon reports brake issues. "I'm smashing the pedal," he reports.
As Hamilton closes to within 2.8s of Leclerc, Vettel builds a 4.3s comfort cushion.
Hulkenberg barges his way past Giovinazzi for 16th, as Norris pits. The Briton rejoins in 13th on mediums.
On lap 22, Vettel laps Kubica, as the back markers enter the equation.
Sainz pits on lap 22, the Spaniard rejoining in 11th, ahead of Kvyat.
Leclerc pits at the end of lap 22. It's a slowish stop but he rejoins in 4th.
"My head is down, tyres are good," says Hamilton, who is now second, 6.3s down on Vettel.
"My rears are falling off now," says Vettel. Meanwhile, Perez pits.
Albon and Gasly side-by-side in Turn 3, neither giving any quarter. And why should they.
Lap 24 sees a new fastest lap from Leclerc (37.705), as he laps a second quicker than his teammate.
Ferrari is in no rush to pit Vettel, advising him that his times are still competitive.
As Ricciardo pits, seemingly to retire, Verstappen says his tyres are "OK".
One can't help but feel that Vettel is being hung out to dry by Ferrari.
Another fastest lap from Leclerc (37.354), as Vettel pits at the end of lap 26.
Vettel rejoins just behind his teammate, who is told to push. The Monegasque posts a new fastest lap in the process (37.321).
"I've got no K," says Vettel, and moments later he slows and parks the Ferrari. It's the German's first DNF of the year.
"Bring back the ******* V12," he sighs.
The VSC is deployed, and while Magnussen, Stroll, and Kvyat pit, Hamilton stays out.
Next time around Hamilton pits, as do a whole load of others including Bottas.
Verstappen and Albon, who are fourth and fifth stay out, though the Dutchman stops next time around.
The full safety car (?!?) is deployed when Russell goes off into the barriers just moments after his pit stop. Shortly after, Kubica drives into his garage to retire. A miserable day for Williams, which suffered its first DNF of the season last week.
Albon pits at the end of 30 Leclerc pits, the Ferrari driver rejoining in third.
Behind the safety car, it's: Hamilton, Bottas. Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Magnussen, Norris, Perez, Stroll and Albon, with all having stopped.
"Is the Ferrari still behind us," asks Hamilton. Indeed it is Lewis.
The safety car is withdrawn at the end of lap 33, and as Hamilton prepares to unleash the hounds of hell, Bottas must keep Leclerc behind.
Verstappen appears to be caught on the hop and loses ground to Leclerc, while Albon passes Perez for 8th. Good move.
PBs for both Mercedes drivers as Leclerc is frustrated behind.
Leclerc goes quickest in S1, but he is unable to make his mark on Bottas. Meanwhile, Hamilton has a 2.045s lead as he posts a new fastest lap (37.150).
Leclerc attacks at the chicane, but Bottas slams the door firmly shut.
Albon and Perez both pass Norris who appears to have a problem.
Another fastest lap from Hamilton (37.118), as Bottas continues to frustrate Leclerc.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sochi, here.
A titanic battle between Kvyat and Gasly almost sees the Frenchman take out his teammate in Turn 2, as Hulkenberg passes Stroll for 10th.
"Keep this pace up Max, it's really solid."
The Dutchman is currently 2.278s down on Leclerc. He is on mediums, while the three ahead are on softs.
Sainz is fifth, ahead of Magnussen, Albon, Perez, Norris and Hulkenberg.
Hamilton is asking about the gap to Leclerc and how many laps remains. Signs of urgency from the world champion.
Leclerc continues to posts fastest times in the opening two sectors, but loses ground in S3.
"You're doing a great job," Magnussen is told. And so he is. As he hounds Sainz, he has Albon all over his own rear end.
In his pursuit of Magnussen, Albon runs wide, losing precious ground.
"Just hold this pace, I'll let you know if Leclerc passes Valtteri," Hamilton is told.
As the world champion posts a new fastest lap (36.467), Albon passes Magnussen for 6th. His next target is Sainz, 4.4s up the road.
"You can do this Nico, you can do this," Hulkenberg is told, as he closes to within 0.730s of Norris.
A mistake sees Magnussen lose out to Perez, the Dane now down to 8th.
"He's struggling," Norris is told of Magnussen, "let's go get him."
"We're losing an abnormal amount of time in Turn 13," Verstappen is told, "is there any way we can help you?"
Meanwhile, Bottas posts a new PB (36.777), as he maintains a 1.465s gap.
As Magnussen is given a 5s time penalty for leaving the track during his battle with Perez, Leclerc asks to be given "everything" Ferrari has got.
"We think Verstappen may get a free stop at the end and do the fastest lap," Hamilton is told.
Albon passes Sainz for 5th, the Spaniard offering little resistance. A strong recovery from the Thai driver following yesterday's mistake.
Lap 51 sees a mistake from Leclerc in the final corner, the youngster showing his obvious frustration.
With 2 laps remaining, Leclerc, now 2.1s down on Bottas, targets fastest lap. At which point Hamilton posts a 35.761, despite previous team orders.
Quickest in the first sector, Leclerc can only manage PBs in the final sectors, and thereby fails to beat Hamilton's best.
They begin the final lap and Hamilton appears to have victory and fastest lap in the bag.
Hamilton takes the flag and moments later teammate Bottas makes it a Silver Arrows 1-2.
Leclerc finishes third, ahead of Verstappen, Albon, Sainz, Perez, Norris, Magnussen and Hulkenberg.
Stroll is eleventh, ahead of Kvyat, Raikkonen, Gasly and Giovinazzi.
As if to prove the point, having taken the flag, the Mercedes pair run side-by-side.
Whatever the thinking behind Ferrari's strategy, and whatever that strategy might have been, Ferrari only has itself to blame. Not for the first time the Prancing Horse has shot itself firmly in the hoof.
A typically solid drive from Verstappen, while teammate Albon drove a well measured race.
Another good point haul for Sainz, while Renault has to be content with just one point for tenth.
As was the case in Singapore, this is a race mired in controversy, and like Singapore, it comes from within the Scuderia.
This was Ferrari's race to lose... and they lost it, and Hamilton and Mercedes were only too happy to show how it should be done.
At a time we're talking how Mercedes reign might be coming to an end, Ferrari comes along and almost gifts the German team victory, no disrespect to Lewis Hamilton.
Whatever agreements the Scuderia is entering with its drivers ahead of each race need to stop and the pair must be free to race without all this "you said", "he said" bullsh**.