Soldato
I can understand Seb going for it as that was his best chance to take the win. On the other hand if that were me, knowing I was in front of Lewis, I would have taken the 2nd place to grow the gap to 2nd place a bit.
Poll: Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2018, Baku - Race 4/21
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Soldato
Remember that Bottas would have taken the championship lead had he won, and as unexpected as a Bottas WDC would be, you never know.
I understand Vettel going for the move and it looks like he easily would have made it stick if he hadn't locked up.
Yh true, will be interesting to see how that unfolds.
I'm not sure why given he was on course to win comfortably before the safety car gave Bottas the advantage of a much reduced pit loss. Anyway it doesn't really matter now. I guess it's good in a way for the overall spectacle that Ferrari (less so as a fan) haven't been able to completely convert their outright pace into wins as Vettel would be off in the distance.
Soldato
Good point, I didn't realise that was the case.
I don't think that is right unless he meant after Vettel had made his mistake as outlined below. If my calcs are correct Bottas is on 40 currently so the max he would be on is 65 assuming he won. If Vettel finished second instead of fourth he'd be on 72 and Hamilton in third would be on 60, so he would have jumped Hamilton but not Vettel in the standings.
If they had finished in their positions prior to the puncture and after Vettel dropping down to 5th then Bottas would be leading the standings with 65 vs Hamilton (63) and Vettel (64). That being said back to my earlier point I have no problem with Vettel making the move even if in hindsight it cost him the championship lead.
Caporegime
Not with Vettel in second he wouldn't.
Yeah, he had a clear opportunity. Which he blew. Right choice to go for it, but a better driver would have made it stick.
Bit of an odd comment. You make it sound like a driver that can't make it work 100% of the time doesn't have the necessary skill.
I get the argument that "he's a racer and if he doesn't go for it he's not a real racer" but on the other hand, the best racers know when the benefit outweighs the risk.
As I said at the time, it doesn't take a genius to know that a move like that with a cold car is going to result in a lockup.
If he had made it stick, no doubt we'd be hailing him as a racing master, but the fact is he didn't and the chances of him doing so were always small.
As I said at the time, it doesn't take a genius to know that a move like that with a cold car is going to result in a lockup.
If he had made it stick, no doubt we'd be hailing him as a racing master, but the fact is he didn't and the chances of him doing so were always small.
He suddenly had one great race i think that's all there is to it.
How have you worked all this out then?
Soldato
No, I got it wrong. Was thinking to another point in the race (when Bottas was leading and Vettel had already dropped to 4th). Apologies @MikeTheNative.
Yeah, none of the top drivers had a costly lock up yesterday. Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel.
He's been in good form since his mistake in Melbourne. He out-qualified Hamilton in Bahrain, comfortably outperformed Hamilton in China, and was on course to beat him yesterday, probably before the safety car and definitely afterwards.
I don't think anyone expects him to challenge for the title this year (especially after yesterday's terrible luck) but you've got to say he's been impressive recently.
Man of Honour
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People are arguing that Bottas got a preferable strategy, but my goodness he made those tyres last.
Associate
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I was quite impressed with Hamilton post-race. His celebration was subdued and he was quick to point out Vettel and Bottas were unlucky. A lot of other drivers would have been celebrating like they have secured the WDC.
Soldato
Only because Hamilton ruined his tyres by locking up, forcing him to pit earlier than intended.
Man of Honour
Plan was presumably for both Mercs to go that long but Ham made the error. Bit unfair to say Bottas got special treatment.
Caporegime
Not really, I'm just passing my usual judgement on Vettel's quality. I'm pretty sure that had Alonso, Riccardo, or Hamilton been in that car, in that position, they'd have taken the place. There's variation of course, and everyone makes mistakes but there's also overall skill level and there Vettel lags behind the best on the grid.
I think thats a bit harsh. The reason those guys were/are more prone to locking up is that they are far closer to the ragged edge than the rest of the field so they have a much smaller margin for error. (Hence why they are better and paid more.) What i would say is that Vettel is usually a clever racer so that error was a bit uncharacteristic, i.e. wait for the next lap once everythings calmed down etc.
Caporegime
Yes, Bottas deserves credit for that. He was still fast on those old tyres too.
Soldato
Same, apparently he was late to the podium as he first sought out Bottas and console him.