23/07/2023
NEWS STORY
While the drivers remain divided over the qualifying format being trialled yesterday - and again at Monza - it has provided us with a slightly mixed up grid, though the lack of running in FP1 helped.
Watching Sainz and Russell attempt to carve their way through the field on a track notorious for its lack of overtaking possibilities is going to be just one of the anticipated highlights this afternoon.
From the outset Liberty has been determined to "level the playing field" and "spice" things up and is clearly leaving no stone unturned, and though Ross Brawn's reverse grid proposal was widely (and rightly) condemned this appears to be the latest attempt.
Furthermore, as Carlos Sainz questions why the teams even bothered running on Friday, what with the need to save the limited tyres available, what better way to introduce the two-day weekend.
Of course, the big question today is whether pole-man Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen can get through the first corner, indeed the remainder of the opening lap, unscathed, or whether old (2021) hostilities might be resumed from the outset.
Neither has the comfort of a back-up, and with the McLaren duo breathing down their necks both the Briton and his Dutch rival will be best served by playing the long game.
Right in the mix also are the Alfa Romeo pair, who have been looking good all weekend, add in Fernando, Sergio and Nico and you have some of the spice Stefano Domenicali and his pals are always looking for.
Hamilton has been playing down his chances, insisting that the Red Bull has an 0.5s advantage on long run pace, and while the Briton and his team always like to play the underdog it must be said that the Red Bull is pretty special, even if Max doesn't always agree.
The weather Gods are unlikely to play a part in terms of rain, but the warmer conditions could definitely have some bearing.
Underpinning all this however is the tyres, with no two teams appearing to perform similarly while on the same compounds - qualifying being a good example. Indeed, Friday's restricted running combined with the revised format has sen all manner of strategies played out, sometimes between a team's two drivers, all of which adds to the uncertainty.
The most likely strategy is for two stops, starting on the C4 and running two further stints on the C3. A single stop (hard to medium) is possible but it's very much on the limit, both in terms of performance drop-off and tread life.
The pitlane opens and shortly after Norris admits to running over a kerb and calls on his team to check the floor.
Ahead of the formation lap the air temperature is 28 degrees C, while the track temperature is 49 degrees.
"Honestly, it doesn't matter," says Max of the start. "It's a long race, a lot of things can happen. It's not a one-stop, so even with strategy a lot of things can play out."
All are starting on mediums bar Sainz, Stroll, Gasly and Tsunoda who are on softs, while Perez and Russell are on hards. Norris, Sainz, Stroll, Gasly, Albon, Tsunoda, Russell, Magnussen and Sargeant are all on fresh rubber.
Tsunoda believes Plan A to be the best idea once appraised of the starting tyres.
They head off on the formation lap.
The grid forms.
They're away!
Hamilton gets away well as does Norris and Bottas. As they approach Turn 1, Verstappen is on the inside with Hamilton to his left and Norris further out on the outside. Just behind Verstappen and Hamilton is Piastri with Leclerc to his left.
With the inside line Verstappen has the advantage, but Hamilton doesn't back off, and as the Dutchman forces the Mercedes driver wide Piastri comes though on the inside.
Verstappen leads Piastri and as the round Turn 2 Norris is on the outside of Hamilton there by giving the inside line for Turn 3. In no time at all the seven-time champ has lipped from pole to fourth.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the field, Zhou was involved in a clash with Ricciardo going into Turn 1, causing the Australian to hit Ocon who subsequently hit his Alpine teammate. Another disaster for the French team.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Hulkenberg and Stroll. Russell is up to 14th while Ocon and Gasly are 19th and 20th. Indeed, Gasly pits, the Frenchman having lost the tyre from his right-rear and thereby damaged his suspension.
As Verstappen builds a 1.1s lead, Sainz is all over his Ferrari teammate.
At the end of Lap 2, Ocon pits, his race also appearing to be at an end.
"Sorry about that guys," says Hamilton of his start.
Alonso is under pressure from Perez as Leclerc falls 2s behind Hamilton.
With the aid of DRS, Perez makes a move on Alonso, but the wily old Spaniard is having none of it.
"Any advice to get these temps down," asks Russell, while Hamilton is told: "Front right brake that is running hot, see what you can do."
The first lap incident is under investigation.
At the start of Lap 8, Perez finally nails Alonso into Turn 1. The Spaniard tries to fight back but realises that it is a fruitless task. "I need to let this guy go," says the two-time champ, why waste thirty seconds battling?"
"It looks like Alonso at the head of this queue is playing the long game, he's managing his tyres," Magnussen is told.
Zhou is given a 5s time penalty for causing a collision.
Albon pits at the end of Lap 8, the Williams driver switching to hards.
Stroll, Tsunoda and Bottas all pit at the end of Lap 9. It's a particularly long stop for the Japanese.
Told to switch positions, Sainz claims that it is too early. Not entirely what was meant by positions.
Zhou pits at the end of Lap 10 and serves his penalty. He rejoins in 18th (last).
Magnussen reports that Russell is using DRS without there being another car in front of him.
Lap 11 sees a new fastest lap from Bottas who is on hards.
Verstappen has a 4.7s lead over Piastri with the next 10 cars each separated by around 2s.
Zhou posts a new fastest lap (23.743), as Hamilton and Hulkenberg have their times deleted.
"Maximum pace to target lap, maximum pace to target lap," Piastri is told.
Sargeant pits from 13th at the end of Lap 13, the American rejoining in 18th.
Next time around Magnussen pits.
"If I see Checo trying is going to pass me I'll box," says Sainz, "but not yet."
At which pint the Spaniard pits without Perez having made a move. He rejoins in 11th, 5.9s down on Ricciardo.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 16, as does Hulkenberg. The rejoin in 8th, ahead of Ricciardo, and 15th respectively.
Norris responds to the Hamilton undercut, as does Leclerc. While the McLaren driver rejoins in 5th, a poor stop sees the Monegasque drop to 11th where he is immediately involved in a battle with Bottas.
Piastri pits at the end of Lap 18, the Australian rejoining in fourth, but going into Turn 1 he is passed by his McLaren teammate.
"It's Hammer-time," you know who is advised. "How have they got nine seconds all of a sudden," asks the Briton of the McLarens, "that's a crazy amount!"
Because they're "rocket ships Lewis, because they're rocket ships.
Alonso pits at the end of Lap 20, the Spaniard rejoining in 11th, behind Bottas.
"What do you want me to do here?" asks Piastri. "For the moment look after the tyre, priority target lap. We want to get to Plan A, target lap."
Meanwhile, teammate Norris posts a new fastest lap (23.499), as Alonso passes Bottas for 10th.
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 23, 2.3s later he's heading down the pitlane to rejoin still leading. Perez is second but has yet to stop.
"Lance is 2.4s ahead, he'll let us pass once we're within DRS," Alonso is told.
Next time around the Mexican pits, switching to mediums he rejoins in 7th, ahead of Leclerc.
"Where am I losing all the time, the car is slow," says Hamilton. "A lot of it is straight-line, then Turn 11 and Turn 14." He is told.
After 25 laps, the only driver still to stop is Russell who is currently 5th.
A feisty Perez makes a move on Sainz in Turn 1 at the start of Lap 27, the Mexican in no mood to take no for an answer.
Just ahead of the battling pair, Russell had a grandstand view in his mirrors.
As Sainz falls away, teammate Leclerc closes in.
Perez makes short work of Russell to claim 5th, though the Mercedes driver doesn't make it easy.
Russell subsequently pits, dropping from 6th to 14th.
Perez and Stroll both have times deleted as Alonso sweeps past his Aston Martin teammate for 8th.
As Perez posts a new fastest lap (23.195), Ricciardo pits for the second time this afternoon and Russell passes Hulkenberg for 13th.
"Just reel him in," Perez is told of Hamilton ahead.
Verstappen is asked his thoughts about his current tyre. As ever, he sits on the fence.
Albon makes his second stop at the end of Lap 32, as Norris has his time deleted.
A 23.014 sees Russell go quickest as he closes on Bottas who is 2.9s up the road.
"You're a tenth or two quicker than the Ferraris," Alonso is told as Leclerc and Piastri have times deleted.
Stroll makes his second stop at the end of Lap 35, rejoining in 15th.
"Gap 7 seconds, podium is on," Perez is told as Hamilton is advised to "lift and coast".
That 7 seconds refers to Piastri, in the meantime there's the little matter of Hamilton.
At 'half-time', it's: Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton, Perez, Sainz, Leclerc, Alonso, Russell and Bottas.
As Albon passes Magnussen for 15th, Norris is asked his thoughts of Plan A as opposed to Plan C. "It depends on what everyone else is doing," he admits.
Hulkenberg and Zhou both pits at the end of Lap 39, as Perez closes on Hamilton.
As Bottas pits, Leclerc is arguing with his engineer over strategy.
"It doesn't make sense," he shouts, "are we doing it or not?" Whereas earlier in the race he was holding up his teammate, now the opposite appears to be true.
Perez is all over the back of Hamilton.
Perez and Piastri both pit at the end of Lap 42, they are stationary for 1.9s and 2.8 seconds respectively, the pair rejoining in 6th (Piastri) and 7th (Perez) separated by 1.6s.
Next time around it is Leclerc who pits, the Monegasque rejoining in 8th, just ahead Alonso who also pitted.
Norris pits from second rejoining in third as Sainz also stops. The Spaniard rejoins in 8th behind his teammate.
After 45 laps, Verstappen leads Hamilton by 32s.
Perez is hard on the heels of Piastri as Leclerc is under investigation for speeding in the pitlane.
"We'll pick the pace up, keep the pace up," Hamilton is told. " "I'm going as fast as I can, this is as fast as it goes" he replies.
Piastri is shown the black and white for track limits moments after going wheel to wheel with Perez through several corners, the Mexican coming out best.
Asked if Perez pushed him off, Piastri replies: "He didn't leave me much space."
Meanwhile, Leclerc gets a 5s time penalty.
Russell posts a new fastest lap (22.158) as the stewards deem that no investigation is necessary of the Piastri/Perez incident.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 49. He rejoins in 5th, 6.2s ahead of Leclerc.
Verstappen makes his second stop at the end of Lap 51, the world champion rejoining still in the lead.
On his fresh rubber, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap, the Dutchman stopping the clock at 20.504.
Bottas is hard on the heels of Albon, which is basically the only current battle.
Verstappen complains about the marbles in Turn 1 as Hamilton closes on Piastri.
"Gap to Perez 6.6," Norris is told. "I know, I know," he replies. "I'm pushing mate!"
Hamilton is now just 0.418s down on Piastri and closing. Indeed, at the start of Lap 57 he eases past the Australian heading into Turn 1.
As Perez closes to within 4s, Norris has a number of backmarkers to negotiate.
"They have to get out the way," he says. "He's had so many blue flags... we're not racing them."
After 60 laps (of 70), it's: Verstappen, Norris (+ 19.4s), Perez (+ 3.4s), Hamilton (+ 10.6s), Piastri (+ 6.7s), Leclerc (+ 4.9s), Sainz (+ 5.2s), Russell (+ 2.1s), Alonso (+ 6.2s) and Stroll (+ 13.7s).
"Everything OK, just checking in," Verstappen is asked.
"I'd seriously like to consider boxing," says Russell, "it's dropping big time." "Guaranteed to lose position if we do that," he is told.
Sainz has dropped 6s behind his teammate - who has that 5s penalty - and is now under attack from Russell. Possibly another strategic gaffe from Ferrari.
Like a slingshot, Russell sweeps past the Ferrari on the main straight to claim 7th. "Yeh baby!" he cries.
Rather than taking second from Norris, Perez now finds himself under attack from Hamilton.
A spin for Sargeant in Turn 6 momentarily brings out the double yellows. He subsequently pits and retires.
As Verstappen begins his final lap - 32s clear of Norris - Hamilton is just 1.7s down on Perez.
The Dutchman takes the flag, ahead of Norris, Perez, Hamilton, Piastri, Russell, Leclerc, Sainz, Alonso and Stroll.
Albon is eleventh, ahead of Bottas, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Zhou and Magnussen.
All those who were claiming that Red Bull had lost its advantage will have cause to think again, Verstappen having delivered another crushing blow as he records his ninth win of the year and a record 12th consecutive win for Red Bull.
Yet another convincing performance from McLaren, while Mercedes also did well, even though the German team could have done better had Russell not been eliminated in Q1.
As for Ferrari another very disappointing performance, though at least the Maranello outfit was able to fend off the Aston Martins. Nonetheless, another strategic disaster for the Italian team.
All in all however, today was all about Verstappen and Red Bull reinforcing themselves as the dominant force of 2023.
"We got close to P2," says Perez, "unfortunately we had to go through a lot of backmarkers. The track was dirty off line so I had some pick up, but in the end, a great strategy from the team and a great result.
"I look forward to being on the podium every weekend," he adds. "Let's keep it up."
"A tough race, not an easy one," admits Norris, "especially with Checo catching up at the end. Another podium for us and McLaren, which is amazing.
"At the minute the Red Bulls are too quick, but we are happy with the progress we have made, a few races ago, struggling to get out of Q1 to fighting for poles and podiums."
"Over one lap, it was a bit of a struggle," says Verstappen, "but today we had a car that was good on any tyre, we could look after the tyre wear and that's what made the difference.
"For the team, 12 wins in a row is just incredible, the last two years have been unbelievable. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going for a long time."
In just a few days time we get to do it all again, with a sprint thrown in. However, based on the current form, a Max/Red Bull double appears to be a formality.