The current crop of F1 drivers has not improved since the previous outing in Azerbaijan. The simple lesson that you don’t win the race on the first lap – you only lose the race on the first lap, has yet to be learned. Remember too, that these drivers (the ‘best’ in the world) have come through the ranks of Go-Karts to lesser formulae and then won their places on the F1 grid. That journey takes about 10+ years, so you would imagine they have learned the lesson by now. Grosjean in the Haas has not, taking out Gasly (Toro Rosso) and Hulkenberg (Renault) with his ineptness. This is one driver who was suspended a few years ago for his ability to crash on the first lap. He should stick to authoring cook books with his wife. You will not see him in F1 next year.
The remaining 17 drivers were there only to show just how good is Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), as he was never challenged over the remaining 65 laps. His team mate Veltteri Bottas has confirmed his talent as a capable journeyman and nothing else. Second place while driving the best car.
Third was ‘Mad Max Crashstappen’ in the Red Bull, who (almost) got through a complete race without hitting anybody, but did manage to lose half his front wing on the way to the checkered flag by tapping Stroll in the Williams. Come back Maldonado, all is forgiven.
After jumping Bottas, Vettel (Ferrari) gave the impression that he would take the fight to Hamilton. He did not and despite changing tyres under a Virtual Reality Safety Car he could not even get close enough to Max to be in the position of a challenge.
Ricciardo (Red Bull), despite setting a new lap record, was not his usual exciting self and a lonely fifth did nothing for his previously lauded reputation. Out of contract at year’s end he will have to smarten up and defeat Max or he may find that nobody needs him.
Magnussen (Haas), Sainz (Renault), Alonso (McLaren, Perez (FIndia) and Leclerc (Sauber) enlivened the mid-field, but it was not enough to elevate the overall race to a bit more than soporific.
Driver of the day was again Leclerc despite this being his first season in F1, beating Stroll (Williams and Daddy’s money), Hartley (Toro Rosso), Ericsson (Sauber and his team mate), Sirotkin Williams and a sack of Rubles).
The next GP is at Monaco, 27 May.
Results:
1 L Hamilton Mercedes 1:35.29.972 – 192.945 km/h
2 V Bottas Mercedes 1:35.50.565 – 20.593
3 M Verstappen Red Bull 1:35.56.845 – 26.873
4 S Vettel Ferrari 1:35.57.556 – 27.584
5 D Ricciardo Red Bull 1:36.20.030 – 50.058
6 K Magnussen Haas – 65 laps
7 C Sainz Renault – 65 laps
8 F Alonso McLaren – 65 laps
9 S Perez Force India – 64 laps
10 C Leclerc Sauber – 64 laps
11 L Stroll Williams – 64 laps
12 B Hartley Toro Rosso – 64 laps
13 M Ericsson Sauber – 64 laps
14 S Sirotkin Williams – 63 laps
Non Finishers:
R S Vandoorne McLaren Gearbox – 45 laps
R E Ocon Force India Oil pressure – 38 laps
R K Raikkonen Ferrari Mechanical – 25 laps
R R Grosjean Haas Accident – 0 laps
R P Gasly Toro Rosso Accident – 0 laps
R N Hulkenberg Renault Accident
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