20/06/2021
NEWS STORY
Coming into today's race we had promised ourselves - in light of the other evening's woeful performance by the England football team against Scotland - that even if all twenty drivers finished in the exact order they started, with not a single overtake over the course of the whole afternoon, we would not describe the race as boring.
And then the Weather Gods decided to intervene.
There had been talk of thunderstorms in the days leading up to the weekend, but after two days of sunshine it looks as though the weather is finally turning.
Which effectively means that all bets are off.
Though the morning rain eventually subsided, the warm air soon drying the track, there is the threat of further rain over the course of the afternoon.
Consequently, a race that was likely to depend on who made the best start, strategy, keeping it on the black stuff and ensuring there are no mistakes looks likely to be a race dependent on a good start, strategy, keeping it on the black stuff and avoiding trouble.
As we saw in Baku, winning isn't everything, for as a certain British TV gameshow host used to remind us every week, "points make prizes".
With Verstappen and Hamilton starting on the front row, the stage is set, while the presence of teammates Bottas and Perez just behind only adds to the sense of anticipation.
While we might dread the thought of a one-stopper - a situation not helped by the fact that the leading ten all start on mediums - the Weather Gods might yet throw a spanner in the works.
Though it is clear Red Bull Honda is now almost a match for Mercedes, the German team has a reputation for making better strategic calls. In the best of conditions this could be a game-changer, with the uncertainty over today's weather and the possibility of constantly changing conditions, the strategists will need to be on the ball throughout.
The title fight aside, the midfield should once again provide the real 'meat and veg' of the afternoon, with Sainz leading the pack.
Adding to the spice is the fact that due to various incidents a number of drivers are starting out of position and will therefore be keen to make up places as soon as possible, drivers like Stroll and Raikkonen.
Yuki Tsunoda, who failed to post a timer in qualifying after spinning off, will start from the pitlane after AlphaTauri opted to change a number of components including his gearbox.
With the Weather Gods letting us down already at least once this season, tantalising us with a few warning drops, only to bring on the sun again, we're not going to get too excited... however, another factor that could play a part today is track limits, not just the deletion of lap times but the fact that the kerbs and run-offs are capable of doing serious damage should you err.
With all the top ten choosing to start on the medium tyre, a medium to hard one-stopper is the logical way forward should it remain a dry race - and this could be the case even for those outside the top ten. In fact, for those further down the field, starting on the hard could be another option as well, before switching to the medium or soft later in the race.
A one-stopper from soft to medium is too demanding, especially if it's warm, so the only other obvious choice will be soft to hard (although that will require a bit of tyre management on the soft).
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin to head out. Despite the uncertainty over the rain, it is decidedly cooler than yesterday.
There's an early off for Sainz, while Hamilton feels his 'brake magic' is "trimmed down just a little too much", the errant button having been covered with a shroud since Baku's non-mistake.
Air temperature is 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is 31 degrees.
The tricolours in the grandstands are evidence that despite the cooler conditions it is much more blustery today. Race control advises that there is a 10% chance of rain. Damn!
Other than the leading ten, Russell, Schumacher, Latifi and Tsunoda start on mediums, the rest are on hards.
They head off on the formation lap, Hamilton getting away before Verstappen. As the cloud lifts, the temperature is already rising.
The grid forms.
They're away! Verstappen leads into Turn 1, but makes a mistake at Turn 2 and has to use the escape road, thereby handing the lead to his title rival.
"I couldn't keep the car under control, I couldn't turn right," sighs the Dutchman.
As Sainz looks at Perez, Gasly is all over the Ferrari with Alonso in hot pursuit.
Indeed both Alpine drivers have made strong starts, unlike their McLaren counterparts
At the end of lap 1, it's: Hamilton, Verstappen, Bottas, Perez, Sainz, Gasly, Leclerc, Alonso, Ricciardo and Norris.
Poor starts from both McLaren drivers.
"Check my left-rear, there's no grip," complains Hamilton.
Vettel makes a great move on Ocon as Alonso is all over Leclerc.
Despite starting from the pitlane, Tsunoda is already up to 17th.
Lap 3 sees Verstappen post fastest lap (39.571) as he seeks to close the 1.5s gap to Hamilton.
Replay shows another close encounter between the Haas drivers, though maybe it's our interpretation of it.
Ricciardo also complains of low grip, no doubt due to the rise in temperatures.
While Tsunoda is up to 16th, his next target is Stroll who has also made up four places thus far.
While Bottas maintains a 1.051s gap to Verstappen, Perez has dropped 3.9s behind the Finn.
While Leclerc harries Gasly, Alonso drops back a little into the clutches of Ricciardo.
Lap 6 sees Bottas post a new fastest lap (38.604). "Great job, anything is possible," the Finn is told.
"Tyres are getting hot," reports Hamilton as he maintains a 1.9s lead.
As Perez drops 4.4s behind Bottas, Sainz is now 7.3s down on the Mexican.
"Graining on the front," reports Hamilton as Stroll passes Raikkonen for 14th.
Advised of his teammate's graining, Bottas responds: "For me also".
On lap 11, Ricciardo finally makes his move on Alonso at the chicane and makes it stick, to add insult to injury for the Spaniard, Norris follows his teammate through.
"Front graining," reports Alonso as Hamilton is now struggling with his left-rear.
In clear air, the McLaren pair close in on Leclerc as Vettel is the latest to pass the struggling Alonso.
Bottas runs wide in Turn 4 as Alonso reports that "everyone is struggling".
Ricciardo makes short work of Leclerc and sets off after Gasly. The Monegasque subsequently pits, switching to hards. He rejoins in 18th.
"Keep pushing hard and try to avoid the kerbs with your front-left," Bottas is told.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Paul Ricard, here.
Tsunoda pits on lap 15, rejoining in 19th as Schumacher also pits.
Out front, after 16 laps, Hamilton leads by 3.1s.
"Box to overtake Gasly," Ricciardo is told, the Australian obliges. Switching to hards the McLaren driver rejoins in 17th, behind Leclerc.
Next time around it is Bottas that pits. 2.5s later he rejoins in 4th. "Out lap will be critical," he is told.
Sainz and Gasly also pit, as does Russell. Sainz rejoins in 15th, ahead of Gasly, but behind Ricciardo.
At the end of lap 17, Verstappen pits. 2.3s later he rejoins in third, ahead of Bottas.
"It's Hammer-time," you know who is told. Alonso and Latifi also stop.
Sure enough, next time around Hamilton stops, a 2.2s stop seeing the world champion rejoin in third, behind Perez... and Verstappen.
In the Mercedes garage, Toto Wolff looks at his monitor in disbelief.
Bottas posts a new fastest lap (39.960).
"Not sure what happened there mate," Hamilton is told.
The Mercedes pair run in tandem as they hunt down Verstappen who appears to have the speed advantage.
"F******* hell," declares Verstappen, clearly as surprised as the rest of us. The Dutchman is told to calm down.
As we have seen so often before, whenever he closes on Verstappen, Hamilton struggles for grip.
Elsewhere, Raikkonen, who has yet to stop, passes Ricciardo for 11th.
Perez pits at the end of lap 24, the Mexican rejoining in 4th as Norris also pits. The Briton seemingly unhappy at being left out for so long.
Ricciardo passes Giovinazzi - who has yet to stop - for 9th.
In fourth, and in clear air, Perez is lapping around 1 - 1.5s quicker than the leading three.
Meanwhile, in quick succession, Ricciardo passes Ocon and Gasly to claim 8th.
After 27 laps, and still to stop, the Aston Martins are running 5th (Vettel) and 6th.
"We cannot keep this up until the end of the race, that's for sure," warns Verstappen.
A very close encounter involving Norris and Gasly as Ocon finally pits. As does Giovinazzi.
As Norris and Gasly battle, the pair attempt to pass Leclerc.
Hamilton is told about Verstappen's concern over his tyres, but the Briton feels that his tyres also won't go the distance.
Meanwhile, Leclerc, who was the first to switch to the hards, is clearly struggling.
Behind the Aston Martins, Ricciardo is 7th, 2.5s ahead of Sainz who has Norris all over his tail. Indeed, on lap 32, courtesy of DRS, the Briton passes the Spaniard.
"I cannot push any more with these tyres," reports Bottas.
Alonso passes the struggling Leclerc for 11th, as Verstappen makes his second stop of the afternoon.
The Dutchman switches to mediums and rejoins in fourth, as Mazepin also stops.
"We've got 21 laps remaining, what do you think," Hamilton is asked. "These tyres are messed up," he replies.
Elsewhere, on fresher rubber, Norris changes places with his McLaren teammate.
Raikkonen pits at the end of lap 34, leaving the Aston Martin pair as the only drivers still to stop.
Lap 34 sees a new fastest lap from Verstappen (36.743).
Stroll finally pits, the Canadian rejoining in 14th, as Verstappen passes Perez for third.
"Thank him for that," says the Dutchman. "OK to push, let's get them," says Perez.
Gasly finally nails Sainz, as Alonso also lines up his countryman.
Vettel finally pits at the end of lap 37 as Verstappen encounters radio issues.
Vettel rejoins in 11th, on mediums, 3.7s down on Leclerc.
Hamilton is also suffering radio issues, which all adds to the tension.
"Verstappen's times are dropping off, Hamilton is advised, "though there will be pain in the final laps."
Reporting that his tyres are "not feeling great", Hamilton enquires whether Bottas is also suffering vibrations.
"The last four laps will be very difficult," Bottas is also advised.
After 42 (of 53) laps, Hamilton is 4.2s ahead of Bottas who is 1.8s clear of Verstappen. Perez is a further 5s down on the Dutchman.
Fifth placed Norris is 47s down on Perez, ahead of Ricciardo, Gasly, Alonso, Sainz and Vettel.
On-board shows the first signs of a struggle for Verstappen as he closes on Bottas.
Verstappen closes on Bottas on the Mistral straight, however, a mistake by the Finn is all the Dutchman needs, with 8 laps remaining Hamilton leads by 4.7s.
Vettel passes Sainz for 9th.
"Why the **** don't you listen to me when I say it's going to be a two-stopper," complains Bottas as Perez closes to within 0.897s.
The Mercedes crew gather in the pitlane, suggesting a late stop for Bottas and a consolation point for fastest lap. His plight isn't helped by a lock-up at Turn 1.
Out front, Hamilton maintains 4.5s lead over Verstappen.
Alonso and Vettel are battling for 8th.
Suddenly, Hamilton has dropped a second, the Briton reporting that he "hit a big kerb".
On lap 49, Perez sweeps by Bottas on the second half of the Mistral Straight.
Meanwhile, Hamilton's lead is down to 2.5s.
"OK Max, that's your man ahead, four laps remaining."
Russell passes Tsunoda for 12th.
As they begin the penultimate lap, Hamilton leads Verstappen by 0.8s as the steward note an earlier incident at Turn 11 involving Bottas and Perez.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Paul Ricard, here.
Verstappen sweeps by Hamilton with surprising ease, on the run to the chicane. The crowd cheers, as does the Red Bull crew.
In no time at all, Verstappen is 2.8s clear of his title rival, taking the extra point for fastest lap to add insult to injury.
Perez finishes third, ahead of Bottas, Norris, Ricciardo, Gasly, Alonso, Vettel and Stroll.
Sainz is eleventh, ahead of Russell, Tsunoda, Ocon, Giovinazzi, Leclerc, Raikkonen, Latifi, Schumacher and Mazepin.
While sections of the media go into raptures declaring this one of the greatest races ever, the fact is that it was merely intense.
Verstappen made a mistake at the start and subsequently made up for it with the undercut.
Red Bull then threw the dice again, gambling on a two stop strategy, while Mercedes, despite the 'anxious' radio messages, opted to hold station in the hopes that it would pay off. It didn't.
Masterful drives from both Hamilton and Verstappen, but once again it was outside elements that actually decided the fate of the race, strategists, tyres and aero.
Nonetheless, it gives Red Bull a third successive win, and on a track where Mercedes has ruled ever since the sport returned here.
Heading to back-to-backs at its home circuit, the Austrian team will be feeling understandably confident.
Other than Mercedes obvious strategic error, the big question has to be 'what happened to Ferrari?'. Though Leclerc warned not to expect the sort of form witnessed in the previous two races, the Maranello outfit leaves here with nothing.
Meanwhile, their main rivals, McLaren, pick up a decent haul of points and even Aston Martin grabs a couple, as Alonso continues to rediscover his form. Another good performance from Gasly also.
Not a great race, whatever the pundits might tell you, but certainly one that kept you in your seat, and one that promises further fun and games over the months ahead.
While it will be interesting to see how Mercedes reacts, the team admitting that today was down to them, one wonders what element of Red Bull's approach Sherlock Hamilton might have picked up on today.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Paul Ricard, here.