The F1 circus’ second time in Sochi was remarkable for the number of retirements, with seven drivers not making it to the checkered flag. It was not remarkable, however, that Championship leader Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) was out front all on his own after his team mate Nico Rosberg had his go pedal break underfoot.
In Japan, Hamilton complained that he did not get enough television exposure, and Sochi was the same with much activity mid-field which was far more interesting than Hamilton’s solo drive. However, we did get plenty of Hamilton’s contrived adoration of his car in the parc ferme.
Realistically Rosberg cannot take the lead in the title chase. He has a ‘mathematical’ chance which has as much likelihood of happening as I am of being visited by the tooth fairy. Hamilton has the championship in the bag and will celebrate by buying a rope of gold so heavy he will need assistance to get it over his head. (I was going to write “swollen” head, but changed my mind after thinking about the legions of Hamilton fans out there.)
Second, but a long way back, was Ferrari number 1 Sebastian Vettel who drove another faultless race. The same could not be said about Ferrari number 2 Kimi Raikkonen who indulged in a biff and bash attempt at passing Valtteri Bottas (Williams) on the last lap. Kimi claimed, “It’s an unfortunate thing for us and for them, nobody wants to have an accident even if it’s part of racing. It’s really a shame, but my move was based on a good chance and not something completely crazy.” No, Kimi, only 99 percent crazy, for which the stewards gave you a 30 second penalty dropping you down to 8th.
The lucky ‘winner’ from the Finnish fisticuffs was Perez in the second FIndia who skirted past the Raikkonen nonsense to claim the final podium position.
Coming from way down in the boonies, Felipe Massa (Williams) did a good job to be 4th, moving up in the order after Bottas’ forcible removal.
Home town hero Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull) kept his nose out of trouble for a well deserved 5th place, whilst his team mate Daniel Ricciardo chalked up another DNF for the troubled Red Bull team. However, this was a suspension failure for a change from the Renault power plant.
Other teams in trouble included “Lotus” with Romain Grosjean who effectively destroyed his car with a solid whack on the fences, but amazingly, his team mate Mayhem Maldonado completed another race without hitting anything, fixed or mobile.
The Honda McLarens both finished (nowhere)! Another red letter day!
It seems that every Grand Prix I point out that you don’t win the race at the first corner – you only lose the race at the first corner. This time they got as far as the second corner with Hulkenberg (FIndia) spinning and being collected by Ericsson (Sauber). I expect better from Hulkenberg, to be honest. These days he is a very well experienced driver. He should know better.
Crash of the weekend was that of Carlos Sainz who walked away from a 46G impact on the Saturday that showed just how safe the cars and barriers are these days.
The next GP is from America on October 25.
