C4 seem to have actually allocated a long enough program slot to do post race press and chat about race. Well done C4.
Good race. Back to proper formula one where the result pretty much turns out around where expected but its the journey to that point where the excitement is. 2017 is great so far (barring Australia)
Expected Ferrari to be further ahead but I guess we don't know how much Vettel was pushing. This season is really setting up for a Vettel Hamilton battle.
Sooner or later the wheel-wheel will come between them, in the mean-time we'll just have to watch wheel-wheel racing somewhere else down the grid, even if it's not for points.
Great stuff from Vettel and Hamilton today. I think Mercedes had the pace edge but Bottas's poor driving and Hamiltons penalty cost then dear.
Merc reporting that Bottas first set of tyres were at wrong pressure. Toto just said problem with generator so couldnt bleed off over pressure on grid. He also seemed to be saying issue with steering but misses talked over it so missed it. Lewis messed up by not knowing rules, pity as might have been great battle with Vettel at end without the 5 sec penalty.
Is it any wonder why Lewis is so happy, I assume no baggage between teammates id clear No2 status? It's disappointing that Merc are unable to challenge this perception. Lewis asked for Bottas to be moved and said he would give the place back if he didn't catch Seb. I don't think the 5 sec penalty was enough, it wasn't a question of breaching the slow rule, it was a deliberate intent to disadvantage a competitor- big difference. Merc were lucky as well I think, a mechanic touched the car inside the 5 sec then removed his hand, not allowed as far as I'm aware. Going back to the Bottas debate, Lewis pace was storming, which probably shows how good Nico was? I think Merc list this one like Aus
I saw this too. Not a good show for the merc team who are probably away from camaras finding it hard to not be the dominant force they once we're. Also it's pretty much confirmed Bottas and Raikkonen are #2.
I think you are right about Lewis and new team mate not being Nico and a clear no2. Riccy was talking and said that slowing down as much as you like on pit approach is allowed even if impeeding a competitor but too slow after pit line is a nono. So 5 sec is okish, I thing he gained maybe 2 sec so he did suffer due to penalty. If a Merc mechanic did touch the car as you say they were very lucky but it would have been an end to any chance of a final battle. But rules are rules and they should be applied equally to all. Great race though.
Wonder if the tossers of the British press will make a hoo haa about team orders so early in the season like they did 15 years ago.
There is a minimum time (39.5) and a maximum of 10 car lengths (39.7), which he breached both separate regulations. As you say, he compromised himself, but for me the 5 sec penalty is for minor infringements (i.e. Unintentional mistakes) not for deliberately trying to impede a competitor. It is meant to prevent teams blocking other teams in scenarios like this, so the penalty has to be significant IMO.