09/05/2021
NEWS STORY
Having had our hopes cruelly dashed last weekend, we're heading into today's race with understandable caution.
Everything in Portimao was shaping up to be a classic, and while Lewis delivered yet another masterclass, on the whole it was a pretty processional afternoon.
Consequently, at a circuit where overtaking is difficult at the best of times we don't expect much different.
That said... it has been remarkably close this weekend, the 0.036s gap between Lewis and his title rival Max pretty much telling you all you need to know.
The run to the first corner is always important here, but then again, it's equally vital that you get through Turns 2, 3 and 4 safely - 2016 anyone?
Once again, Max finds himself up against two Mercedes, teammate Sergio starting from 8th.
If he fails to be quickest off the line, Max can still make an early move on his title rival, but if that fails we are re likely to be looking at tyre strategy once again.
For both drivers it's a historic weekend as they each celebrate 100. In Lewis' case it's pole positions, while for Max it is his 100th start with Red Bull.
You'll remember that it was here, at Barcelona, that he made his Red Bull debut back in 2016, and what better way to celebrate than to bookmark those 100 races with another win.
Then again, it was the clash of the Mercedes duo that set him up for the win that day, so Lewis will no doubt be looking for pay back of some kind.
As ever, it is the battle behind these two that really excites, and though this weekend has been somewhat topsy-turvy in terms of the pecking order, Ferrari, McLaren and Alpine are likely to be the main players, along with Sergio who really does need a good day today.
Charles continues to flatter an admittedly improving Ferrari, while Carlos continues to keep him honest. After a difficult time in Portugal, Daniel is looking a little more settled, while Lando continues to impress. Then there's Alpine, where Fernando has clearly fired a rocket up Esteban's backside as the French outfit continues to make progress.
Aston Martin is likely to be caught in the netherworld between the back of the midfield and Alfa Romeo, Kimi unlucky not to make it into Q2 - if not higher - yesterday.
The Finnish veteran was twice quickest in the opening sector in qualifying only to lose pace when he closed in on another car and lost downforce, a common problem in contemporary F1 and one that is usually more of an issue here.
Pierre will do his best to break free of the Aston Martin/Alfa Romeo battle but in all honesty he hasn't had the best of luck so far this year.
And then there's Yuki.
The Japanese youngster might be very, very talented, but he really should stop reading his reviews.
Yes, he did well in Bahrain, he did very well, but in no time at all he was throwing his weight around like a seasoned veteran, effing and blinding at rivals, questioning team strategy and now suggesting that his teammate has different equipment.
If there is one (OK, two) team where you do not want to be questioning the management, it is AlphaTauri. From here on in, Yuki would be well advised to keep his head down and do his apprenticeship.
Ditto for Nikita.
Indeed, both could learn a lesson from young Mick. Despite the fact that he is in a crap car, with absolutely no prospects, he keeps his head down and gets on with the job, never complaining, always smiling and clearly eager to learn.
Finally there's Williams, and while Nicholas continues to improve, George will be hard-pressed to get into the points, however, any first lap silliness could play into the youngster's hands.
All the top ten qualifiers did so on the softs so no surprises there today. However, those starting behind on the mediums could throw a surprise.
To add to the fun, both Mercedes drivers have a set of spanking new mediums, while Max has a brand new set of softs.
Unusually, today's race is likely to be a two-stopper, especially if it's warm as was the case in qualifying.
This is down to the relatively high levels of tyre wear and degradation here, with its abrasive asphalt, high-energy corners and the fact that Pirelli has brought its hardest compounds.
Another reason is the fact that not so much time is lost in the pits, which makes a two-stopper much more viable, as well as the fact that the hard tyre is slower here.
As we know, overtaking can be tricky - one of the reasons why qualifying is so important - so race strategy has to prioritise track position above all. As usual, the exact strategy will also be influenced by track temperatures.
The pitlane opens and Norris reports a few spots of rain in Turns 4, 5 and 6. Now that would be a turn up for the books, for while rain is forecast for tonight, today was expected to be dry.
It is certainly overcast and windy, a turnaround from yesterday. Air temperature is 21.9 degrees C, while the track temperature is 32.9 degrees. The wind is across the main straight, with a strong headwind into Turn 10. However, it slowly becomes a tailwind down the main straight.
Race control reveals that there is a 20% chance of rain.
Hamilton reports that there is a lot of rubber on Verstappen's side of the grid. The team assures him that it doesn't make much difference.
Ahead of the warm-up lap all are starting on softs bar Raikkonen who is on the mediums.
They head off on the warm-up lap, all getting away. As they head back on to the main straight, Verstappen is almost alongside Hamilton.
The grid forms.
They're away!
Hamilton and Verstappen are both quick off the line, while Lelcerc has a better start than Bottas.
Verstappen nips through on the entry to Turn 1, while Leclerc goes around the outside of Bottas in Turn 3, despite almost losing out to a fast starting Ricciardo in Turn 2, the Australian having already passes Sainz and Ocon.
Indeed, Perez has also made a good start and having passes Sainz and Ocon tucks up behind Ricciardo. The field gets through the first series of corners with no incidents.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Bottas, Ricciardo, Perez, Ocon, Sainz, Norris and Alonso.
By the end of the second lap, Verstappen is 1.7s ahead of Hamilton who is 2.9s clear of Leclerc.
Gasly in under investigation for being out of position at the start.
Bottas is all over the back of Leclerc, while further back Perez is hounding Ricciardo, likewise Vettel on Stroll and Schumacher shadowing Tsunoda.
On his mediums, Raikkonen is currently 14th.
With Leclerc lapping around a second slower than the leaders, this is a nightmare for Bottas.
Out come the yellows on lap 9 as Tsunoda reports his engine has stopped on the outside of Turn 10.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Barcelona, here.
The safety car is deployed as Tsunoda climbs from his stricken AlphaTauri.
Giovinazzi takes advantage of the safety car to pit. However, it's a disastrous stop for the Italian as one of the new tyres is punctured.
Next time around both Williams drivers pit, however there's an issue with Russell's stop.
"Think what was can do differently to the cars ahead," asks Bottas.
The safety car is withdrawn at the end of lap 10.
With Hamilton just 0.3s behind, as they come out of the final turn, Verstappen puts his foot to the floor, the Dutchman keen to break any possible tow.
A great move sees Stroll pass Alonso on the outside of Turn 4 to take 10th.
Gasly is handed a 5s penalty for being out of position at the start. Not a good day for AlphaTauri.
Alonso has his time deleted for exceeding the limits at Turn 2.
After 14 laps, Bottas appears to be struggling for grip as he slides in a number of corners. He is now 1.1s down on Leclerc.
As Sainz is told he is "still on Plan C", Hamilton goes quickest in S1.
Though he is within DRS ranges of the leader, Hamilton is suffering the age old problem of following in dirty air.
"Plan B, Plan B," Leclerc is told.
Slow-mo replay shows the right-rears of the two leads cars to be blistered.
The tyres are starting to go," says Hamilton on lap 19. He also wants some front wing adjustment at his stop.
Gasly pits and serves his penalty. Rejoining in last, on mediums, he immediately goes quickest in the final two sectors.
"Tyres are OK, but struggling with front-left," reports Vettel.
At the end of lap 21, Alonso and Vettel pit, rejoining in 17th and 19th respectively. Gasly is the meat in the sandwich.
Next time around, Sainz and Stroll pit, rejoining in 13th and 15th.
Bottas pits at the end of lap 23, as do Ocon and Norris. Bottas rejoins in 6th, Ocon 11th and Norris 12th.
Meanwhile, Hamilton is suddenly within 0.5s of Verstappen. However, the Dutchman pits.
A slight issue with the rear-left, sees Verstappen rejoins in fifth, behind Perez, 21.5s down on Hamilton.
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 25, and while Perez has moved aside for his teammate, the McLaren getting out of the way aids his bid to return to the front.
With Hamilton stuck behind Mazepin, Toto Wolff urges the stewards to take action as the Russian appears to ignore the blue flags.
(Heads to Twitter to check the response.)
Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (22.171) as he closes to within 6s of Leclerc.
Perez pits at the end of lap 27, the Mexican rejoining in 8th. Latifi also pits.
"Box, box - box, box," Hamilton is told, and at the end of lap 28 he duly obliges. He rejoins in second - Leclerc also having stopped - 6s down on Verstappen.
"Engine misfiring," reports Alonso. "We're managing an issue," he is told.
With everyone bar Raikkonen having stopped, everyone is on the yellow-banded rubber.
After 30 laps, it's: Verstappen, Hamilton, Bottas, Leclerc, Ricciardo, Perez, Raikkonen, Sainz, Ocon and Norris.
Giovinazzi, Vettel and Gasly are battling for 13th.
A new fastest lap for Hamilton (21.276).
As Bottas is told to "follow Lewis and catch Verstappen" - well, D'uh - Sainz passes Raikkonen for 7th.
Setting a blistering pace, Hamilton is 2.6s down on the leader... and closing. As Perez closes in on Ricciardo.
As he once again becomes the subject of blue flags, Mazepin sensibly moves aside. The Russian revealing that his losing the rears.
Bottas is told he will catch Verstappen on the last lap.
Hamilton continues to reel in the leader. The gap fluctuates between 0.3 and 0.8s however, catching up is one thing, passing quite another. Especially here.
Currently 14th, Gasly is far from happy with the handling of his car.
Vettel makes his second stop of the afternoon at the end of lap 39. He rejoins in 17th. Stroll also pits, as does Giovinazzi.
As Hamilton's charge appears to ebb, one wonders if he's taken the best out of his tyres.
"We need to change the state of our race," Norris is told as he loses ground to Ocon.
As he closes right in on Ricciardo, Perez has absolutely no grip and runs wide losing around 1.5s in one go.
At the end of lap 42, Hamilton pits again, for another set of mediums, just moments after Verstappen expressed concern at his tyres and surprise at the grip the Mercedes enjoys.
Surprisingly, Verstappen doesn't pit, as Christian Horner minds him that it "could be Hungary (2019) all over again", a reference to the time a late stop for the German team totally caught Red Bull totally off guard, leaving it unable to respond.
"Front brakes are really hot," warns Hamilton who is 19.8s down on Verstappen.
Despite those hot brakes, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (20.728).
Perez passes Ricciardo heading into Turn 1 at the start of lap 47. The king of the late brakers passed by a very, very, very late bit of applying the anchors.
The Australian subsequently pits, as does Sainz. Rejoining in 8th and 9th.
"I don't see how we're going to make it to the end," urges Verstappen.
Gasly makes his second stop of the afternoon, rejoining in 16th.
Bottas lapping a second quicker than Verstappen, while Hamilton is around 1.5s quicker.
Bottas is told to "concentrate on pace" in order that he can "push Leclerc out". Clearly, with the Ferrari around 20s behind, Mercedes is looking to pit the Finn again.
Sainz makes short work on Norris in Turn 1 to take 8th.
Norris is shown the black and white flag, not doubt for track limit violations, or possibly a late move when being passed by Sainz.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Barcelona, here.
Bottas is told not to hold up his teammate. However, hold him up is what he does, for corner after corner until an impatient Hamilton is forced to make a move on the Finn. In the Mercedes garage, Toto is not impressed.
Told Perez is finding time, Max lets rip a string of expletives. "What am I meant to do," he asks. "I'm ******* racing with Lewis behind me, I'm ******* my tyres."
Bottas pits at the end of lap 53, rejoining in fourth, 5s down on Leclerc.
Ricciardo passes Sainz for 6th.
Lap 54 sees a new fastest lap from Hamilton (20.665), as Perez complains of "crazy" vibrations.
On fresh rubber, Bottas goes quickest (20.091).
With 10 laps remaining, Hamilton is 5.2s down on Verstappen.
Leclerc is third, 0.42s ahead of Bottas, Perez, Ricciardo, Sainz, Ocon,, Alonso and Norris.
Bottas sweeps by Leclerc heading into Turn 1 to take third.
At the end of lap 57, Perez pits. The Mexican rejoins in 5th.
Meanwhile, Hamilton is just 1.5s down on Max. "I might not have any tyres left at the end," he warns. "He'll have less," he is told.
Leclerc pits at the end of lap 58.
Hamilton is now within DRS range.
At the start of lap 60, Hamilton sweeps around the outside of Verstappen as they head into Turn 1, the Dutchman is powerless to respond.
With a 29s gap to Bottas, Red Bull will no doubt pit Verstappen and go for fastest lap.
Indeed, that is exactly what the Austrian team does. Taking on softs, he heads out 23s down on the leader, but 6s clear of Bottas.
Alonso and Stroll have a big moments as a train of four cars form behind in the battle for 10th.
Stroll passes Alonso, with Gasly subsequently also getting g ahead of the Alpine.
The stewards are to investigate the incident involving Stroll and Alonso.
Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (18.149), though he remains 22s down on the leader.
Gasly passes Stroll for tenth, as Raikkonen closes in on the Canadian.
"Going well mate," sixth-placed Ricciardo is told, "well done."
On the penultimate lap, Bottas goes quickest in S1, could he steal fastest lap back from Verstappen, much as he did last week.
Hamilton begins his final lap, as Bottas fails to improve on Verstappen's time.
Hamilton crosses the line and takes the flag, with Verstappen 15.8s behind, ahead of Verstappen, Bottas, Leclerc, Perez, Ricciardo, Sainz, Norris, Ocon and Gasly.
Stroll is eleventh, ahead of Raikkonen, Vettel, Russell, Giovinazzi, Latifi, Alonso, Schumacher and Mazepin, Tsunoda being the only retirement.
We've said it before and we'll say it again, another masterclass from Hamilton and Mercedes, and while Verstappen gave his all his team once again let him down in terms of strategy.
While Christian Horner insists the championship will be decided on small margins the fact is that mistake are likely to play a big part, and while Verstappen was faultless today, Horner encapsulated it best when he mentioned Hungary 2019.
Having eulogised Bottas ahead of the weekend, it will be interesting to see how Toto and Lewis feel about the Finn after today's performance, particularly the period when he failed to yield to his teammate.
Great performances from Leclerc, while, had he qualified better, Perez could have been vital in his teammate's battle with the Mercedes pair.
McLaren and Ferrari can hardly be called the midfield any longer as they have build a comfortable lead over the likes of Alpine and AlphaTauri, whilst losing further ground to Mercedes and Red Bull.
Not an epic by any stretch of the imagination, but a masterclass from Lewis and his team and a costly wake-up call for Red Bull.
Indeed, the Austrian outfit would be well advised to heed the words of the often misquoted George Santayana, who wisely advised that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".