26/09/2021
NEWS STORY
As if the Russian Grand Prix wasn't already shaping up to be entertaining, fans, the media and much of the paddock awoke to a curve ball from Mercedes this morning, as the German team revealed that overnight Valtteri Bottas had received a number of new power unit elements.
This means that the Finn drops 15 places to 16th on the grid.
With Toto Wolff having admitted yesterday that Mercedes was "still thinking about possible strategic decisions" for Bottas - who qualified seventh - and "what the best and quickest race strategy could be for him", it's not too much a stretch of the imagination to conclude that what the German team was really thinking about was what was best for Lewis Hamilton.
Already up against it in starting at the very back, what with Charles Leclerc and Nicolas Latifi to contend with - not to mention the ever squabbling Haas duo - Max now has the added hassle of a Mercedes... a Mercedes driven by a man who, only on Thursday, admitted that he was ready to "take one for the team".
All those convinced that now essentially a 'free man' ahead of his move to Alfa Romeo, Bottas might go for it and mount his own title challenge may have to think again, as the Finn gives up an almost certain podium in order to cause problems for his team's title rivals for every lap that Bottas can keep Verstappen at bay gives Hamilton a massive advantage.
Sadly, it is not as though Sergio Perez can play a part for once again the Mexican is well down the order due to his lack of single lap pace.
While we anticipate Max's potential fight back, the fact is that Mercedes strategic move has made his job that much harder.
As far as Hamilton is concerned, the pressure is off somewhat, for the Briton merely has to bring the car home with a decent haul of points. He does not need to take any unnecessary risks by going for the win.
However, thus far it has not been the easiest of weekends for the Briton, having knocked over his front jack-man on Friday, the world champion made two needless, and costly mistakes during Q3. Indeed, Hamilton admitted that it was a poor performance.
As ever, the start will be crucial, and though there is talk of a gentleman's agreement between pole-man Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, this will not extend to the mob behind.
2022 teammate George Russell will no doubt move aside for Hamilton, but Ricciardo, Alonso, Stroll and Perez will be keen to claim position from the get-go.
In the wake of recent controversies, we're talking Silverstone, Hungary and Monza, what the sport doesn't need is another (racing) incident, and should it involve Bottas it would be hard for Mercedes to prove lack of intent.
Having had some fun yesterday, don't rule out the Weather Gods making an appearance this afternoon, for depending on who you trust there is every likelihood of some rain.
As the wet-weather tyres were used during Q2, the drivers will have a free choice of starting tyre.
If it's dry, it should be one-stop race, unless there's a safety car or any other anomaly.
The pit lane time loss is quite big at around 25 seconds: another factor that drives teams towards a one-stopper.
Mediums to hards is set to be the preferred strategy because this allows the greatest degree of flexibility, with a wide pit stop window that maximises opportunities to take advantage of safety cars or other race circumstances. Softs to hards is also a viable possibility, while softs to medium is marginal in terms of wear.
As always, there's the option to do something completely different and start on the hard compound before switching to a softer compound much later in the race, but that is more of an unknown quantity. This might be a good option for those starting lower down the grid, to carry out a longer first stint. With three of the frontrunners starting at the back due to engine changes, it will be interesting to see which tactics they choose.
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin to head out.
Air temperature is 19.1 degrees C, while the track temperature is 22.3 degrees. However, there are dark clouds in the distance. Indeed, race control confirms there is a 70% chance of rain.
As Alonso locks-up and takes to the escape road, Mazepin complains of an issue with his steering rack.
Mediums for Norris, Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Stroll, Ocon, Vettel, Tsunoda, Raikkonen, Schumacher, Mazepin and Latifi, while the rest are on hards.
They head off on the formation lap as Norris is warned that light rain is anticipated within the next 5 minutes and will last 15 minutes at most.
"My battery is draining, I don't know what's going on," reports Verstappen, before adding: "All good now".
The grid forms.
They're away! Norris gets away well, as does Russell, and heading towards the kink that is Turn 1 the Williams edges ahead of the Ferrari. On the run to Turn 2, Sainz, benefitting from a tow from the leading McLaren, edges out Russell, then nips out and around Norris into the corner.
Meanwhile, Hamilton attempts to go down the inside, while Stroll, following a brilliant getaway, holds fourth, ahead of the Mercedes.
Alonso takes to escape road at Turn 2 - confirming that his earlier off was a rehearsal.
As Sainz leads Norris and Russell, Hamilton, Ricciardo Alonso and Stroll battle for fourth. As Hamilton battles Ricciardo, Stroll and Alonso are through.
The Australian harries Alonso, with Hamilton keeping a watching brief, with Perez just behind. The McLaren out-brakes the Alpine in Turn 13 to take 5th.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Sainz, Norris, Russell, Stroll, Ricciardo, Alonso, Hamilton, Perez, Ocon and Raikkonen. Verstappen is up to 17th, while Leclerc is 12th and Bottas 15th.
Hamilton make a bold move on Alonso at T3 to take 6th as Tsunoda spins and drops to last.
As Verstappen passes Latifi for 16th, at the other end of the field Hamilton posts fastest lap (42.034).
Next up for Verstappen is... Bottas. However, the Finn passes Mazepin to give himself some breathing space.
After 3 laps, Sainz leads Norris by 1.5s with Russell a further 4s behind. The Briton leads a train of cars that includes Stroll, Ricciardo and Hamilton, who has Perez hard on his tail.
Lap 4 sees Bottas post a new fastest lap (41.437) as Verstappen closes to within 0.8s.
Verstappen makes quick work of Bottas as he passes the Finn - with surprising ease - at Turn 13 to take 14th.
While there is a train of cars behind Russell, so there is another behind Raikkonen in 10th.
Verstappen is advised that Hamilton is sixth with Perez right behind.
"Try to stay close to Verstappen," Bottas is told, "Gasly might move out of the way." Moments later the Dutchman passes the AlphaTauri on the back straight courtesy of DRS.
After 8 laps, Norris has closed to within 0.8s of Sainz.
Hamilton complains of graining with his left-front.
Leclerc makes a move on Vettel but his former teammate isn't having it. However, an opportunistic Verstappen catches the Ferrari driver on the hop, he's through to take 12th.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sochi, here.
Ricciardo gives an update on his tyres and those of the drivers ahead. Meanwhile, teammate Norris is all over Sainz.
"My front-left is completely gone," warns Norris.
Stroll pits at the end of lap 12, the first driver to do so. Switching to hards he rejoins in 15th behind Bottas who has yet to pass Gasly.
A great move sees Norris pass Sainz into Turn 13, as Verstappen passes Vettel at the same corner shortly after.
Russell pits at the end of lap 13 rejoining behind Stroll.
Sainz pits at the end of lap 14 as does Mazepin. The Spaniard rejoins in 13th behind Bottas.
Hamilton is a second behind Russell who has fallen 7.7s behind the leader, Norris.
Ocon and Raikkonen both pit at the end of lap 15, which sees Verstappen move up to 6th, just 7s behind Hamilton.
"Let's see what we've got now," replies Verstappen when appraised of his rivals' pit stops.
Lap 16 sees Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (40.295).
Hamilton is all over Ricciardo as Verstappen posts another fastest lap, the Dutchman now 6s down on his title rival.
Out front, Norris insists that his pace is still good and the deg is manageable.
It is getting dark and mist is now covering the mountains in the distance. The Weather Gods appear ready to come out to play.
"We're going to go for that target, plus 8," Hamilton is told.
"Get ready to undercut him," says Hamilton, the Briton having been told that those that pitted earlier are now showing a discernible difference in pace.
Perez has a definite look at Hamilton as the Briton shadows Ricciardo.
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 22, however it's a poor stop. The Australian rejoins in 14th behind Ocon. A disaster for McLaren.
"We want to extend if we can, but no risk," Norris is told.
The Briton currently leads Hamilton by 12.5s, with Perez, Alonso, Verstappen and Leclerc hard on the tail of the Mercedes.
In clear air, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (39.908), only for Ricciardo to respond with a 39.124.
From out of nowhere, Bottas goes quickest in S2.
Nobody in the leading nine wants to be the first to blink, their situation not helped by uncertainty over the weather.
Hamilton does an Alonso by missing Turn 2 and using the escape road.
"You're doing a good job, you will have P5," Sainz is told. However, the Spaniard isn't happy feeling he was pitted too early.
Hamilton and Verstappen both pit at the end of lap 26. As does Vettel. The title rivals rejoin in 9th (Hamilton) and 12th Verstappen.
Asked how many more laps he can manage on his tyres, Norris replies that all is fine.
As Hamilton goes quickest in the final two sectors, Verstappen passes Russell for 11th.
Norris pits at the end of lap 27. No repeats of Ricciardo's disaster means that the Briton rejoins in 4th. Moments later Bottas pits, the Finn rejoining in 16th.
As Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (38.396), teammate Perez leads, with Alonso second 4s behind.
Hamilton passes Sainz for sixth. "Lewis you can win this race," the Mercedes driver is told by his team boss.
The world champion makes similarly short work of Gasly to take 5th. Meanwhile, Verstappen is still tenth, stuck behind Ricciardo.
As Sainz looks for a way past Gasly, Ricciardo passes Stroll for 8th.
A new fastest lap for Hamilton (38.809) as Verstappen passes Stroll.
"We have to box, we have to retire the car, it's a decaying situation," Schumacher is told.
As Gasly pits, Ricciardo is all over Sainz as they battle for sixth.
"Valtteri, get both guys in front of you for points," Bottas is told by Toto. The Finn is currently 14th.
Hamilton passes Leclerc on the back straight to take fourth. The Ferrari driver subsequently pits. He rejoins in 13th, ahead of Bottas.
"Pretty good pace, huh?" says Hamilton. Indeed it is, he is told.
Perez and Alonso both pit at the end of lap 36. It's a dreadful stop for the Mexican who rejoins in 5th, just ahead of his teammate.
So, after 36 laps, Norris leads Hamilton by 2.7s, with Sainz a further 18s down the road. Ricciardo is fourth, 1.5s behind, just 0.8s ahead of Verstappen.
Alonso passes Verstappen for 6th, which is a disaster for the Dutchman and his team.
As Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (37.689), Verstappen is unhappy with his tyres, particularly his front-left.
"Expecting lights drops in around ten laps," Leclerc is told.
Lap 39 (of 53) sees Norris post a new fastest lap (37.423).
As Perez hassles Ricciardo, Verstappen has fallen over a second behind Alonso.
Leclerc passes Russell for ninth as Hamilton is warned that there is still a chance of rain at the end of the race.
Now Bottas is warned of rain within 5 - 10 minutes, however, it will only affect Turns 5, 6 and 7.
However, Russell warns of spots of rain at Turn 10.
As Hamilton continues to shadow Norris, Leclerc passes Stroll for 8th. Next up for the Monegasque is Verstappen.
Hamilton warned of imminent rain at Turn 5. At which, umbrellas are raised in the grandstands.
"It's spitting quite a bit," says Norris.
"Get ready with Inters," says Sainz.
Norris runs wide at Turn 5 but holds on to the lead. Elsewhere, Perez passes Sainz for third.
The rain increases in intensity. Norris runs wide again as he struggles for grip.
Russell, Bottas, Raikkonen and Mazepin all pit.
Told to box for Inters, Hamilton stays out, replay shows the two Aston Martins colliding... twice!
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sochi, here.
"Track very slippery," Norris is told. "I saw that, shut up," he relies.
Verstappen, Sainz and Ricciardo all pit.
"No!" shouts Norris when asked about Inters. However, Hamilton opts to pit.
Though Hamilton insists it has stopped raining, he is told that there is more to come.
The Briton rejoins in second, 25s down on Norris. However, moments later the McLaren driver is passed by Mazepin who un-laps himself.
Stroll has gone off and clouted the barriers as mayhem ensues.
"If Norris hangs this out, he's going to be in trouble," Hamilton is told.
"Heavy rain mate, heavy rain,2 Says Verstappen who is up to sixth.
Disaster for Norris who slides off the track thereby handing the lead to Hamilton.
"Full wets boys, I can't do this," admits Norris.
However, Verstappen is up to third and when Norris pits will claim second. "P2 is on here," he is told.
Alonso, Raikkonen, Perez and Vettel are among the last to pit.
A total passenger, Leclerc is off at Turn 5. "I couldn't stop the car guys," he sighs.
Norris pits at the end of the penultimate lap, he rejoins in 8th. To add to his woes, he is sure to incur a penalty after making a late decision to pit and crossing the white line.
Hamilton takes the flag, his 100th win.
Verstappen takes a totally unexpected second, ahead of Sainz, Ricciardo, Bottas, Alonso, Raikkonen, Norris, Perez and Russell.
Stroll is eleventh, ahead of Vettel, Gasly, Ocon, Leclerc, Giovinazzi, Tsunoda and Mazepin.
However, there are a number of incidents under investigation - not least Norris' pit entry - so that could well change,
"That was hard work," admits Hamilton.
Well, well, well, not for the first time those pesky Weather Gods have caused havoc, and while the likes of Norris will be cursing them, others, like Hamilton, Verstappen and Raikkonen will be more than thankful.
Another crazy race, and one which will see a number of drivers breathe huge sighs of relief.
Though Lando will be kicking himself for not pitting earlier, Lewis will be glad he ultimately listened to his team.
Second is not what Max expected, while Valtteri must have used up all his get out of jail cards, the Finn claiming fifth despite a far from impressive performance.
Fernando deserves his points for that Turn 2 move alone, while Kimi brushes off COVID to add another couple of points to an already impressive tally.
"It's taken a long time to get to 100 and at times, I wasn't sure it would come," says Hamilton. "Lando did such an amazing job, he had incredible pace. It was bittersweet to see my old team ahead.
"The team made a great call right at the end," he adds, "I didn't want to let Lando go but again I didn't know what the weather was doing."
"It was pretty tricky on the in-lap to make the call for Inters, it was really slippery," says Verstappen. "If we'd have gone one lap earlier you'd have destroyed the Inters.
"The race itself was not very easy, luckily with the rain, it helped us to make that last jump.
"With the penalty we had, to lose only one spot basically... when i woke up, I definitely didn't expect this result," he admits.
"I got round Lando into Turn 2, but then graining came and we had to go early onto the hard," says Sainz.
"The rain came at the right time as my hard tyres were going away. We boxed at exactly the right time and managed to get back onto the podium."
We appear to have learned two things today.
One is that experience counts, the most obvious example being race winner - indeed one hundred time race winner - Lewis Hamilton, while the other is that despite the endless gimmicks emanating from the offices of Ross Brawn and his pals, it is unforeseen, natural circumstances that bring about the surprises and thereby the best races.
A crazy, thoroughly entertaining race that will have people talking about the sport for all the right reasons.