Another race dominated by tyre strategy and wet weather, Turkey maintained the trend of a fascinating race, with no opportunity to make a move to the dry compound tyre arising during Sunday’s events. With the gap in both standings yet again proving to be minimal, let’s analyse what took place as we move into the final phase of the season.
A Perfect 10 for Valtteri Bottas…
In what could very well be his final time on the top step, Finn Valtteri Bottas claimed his tenth Formula 1 win from a wet Turkish Grand Prix. He looked a different man to the one who finished outside the points at this venue last season, when he span multiple times. He drove excellently and never really looked in doubt. You could almost say, it was comfortable. He was never intimidated by Max Verstappen behind him, nor a charge from Lewis Hamilton. Helped by Lewis’ grid penalty after qualifying, the Finn did his bit and lead for nearly the entire race. Although this win is surely too late to be a part of any challenge for the world championship, it was good points for Mercedes who still narrowly lead Red Bull in the constructor’s championship. These points were especially handy on this weekend in particular, considering the fate of his championship contending teammate.
Why did Lewis stop?
The gap behind Lewis Hamilton to Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez was over ten seconds when Mercedes decided to bring the British driver in. It was an astounding call, only justified by the expectation of further rain, which failed to materialise. The reigning world champion seemed calm with the decision at the time, possibly failing to realise he would re-emerge two places lower in fifth. He went from a sure-fire podium to being challenged by Gasly for his ten points. He understandably vented his frustrations over the coms, when he realised his predicament. It was an unnecessary call, but even more into context when the success of Estaban Ocon racing a non-stop race. More points dropped for the Silver Arrows and for Hamilton this time. How important could these extra few points dropped prove to be, in six races time? Only time will tell.
Red Bull achieve double podium to remain competitive…
It was a rather more successful day for the other championship challenger Red Bull, where a solid second place for Max Verstappen meant he reclaimed his place, back on top, in the driver’s championship standings. The Dutchman once again showed the experience and maturity that has shone this season more than any prior. Moreover, with Sergio Perez also showing excellent craftsmanship to finish on the podium, Red Bull will be happy with their points haul from this weekend. The Mexican was responsible for some impressive overtaking maneuvers and despite the fact he couldn’t match the pace of his teammate, it was still a mighty result to finish in third. With tracks coming up, such as Austin, that favour Mercedes, and others, like Mexico, that favour the charging bulls historically, the twists and turns of this season are sure to continue. This will be even more true if the weather continues to be as unpredictable as it has been, since the summer break.
Smoothly operating through the field…
Carlos Sainz put in one of the drives of the season so far, in Turkey. The Spaniard’s performance didn’t go unrecognised with fans voting for Chilli as their driver of the day. Starting from the back, he was overtaking from the first lap and ended up close behind Lando Norris battling for seventh. Whereas Charles Leclerc, who led the race at one point on Sunday, may get more of the headlines for his fantastic fourth place effort, it shouldn’t be dismissed how much Sainz achieved on Sunday. With the two Ferrari drivers being separated by half a point in their personal battle in the driver’s championship, the Italian team is sure to be happy with how both their young men are performing. This is even more the case when the battle with McLaren was made even tighter, following this weekend’s results. Ferrari closing the gap after two outstanding performances whereas Norris and Ricciardo struggled immensely in comparison.
Ocon and Vettel both take a gamble…
These two driver’s efforts this weekend epitomise the saying; “you win some, you lose some.” Both drivers took risks, and it paid off in one case, and failed miserably in the other. Firstly, Estaban Ocon just about held on to claim a point from a quicker Antonio Giovinazzi behind, racing on the same Intermediate tyre for the entirety of Sunday’s race. Pictures of his Alpine car afterwards show just how difficult that car, must have been to drive, with his rubber designed for wet weather racing, worn away to almost an unbelievable degree. On the other hand, there is Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel. A mid-race move to the dry compound medium tyre could have been inspired, with that tyre easily 15 seconds a lap quicker than the green stripped intermediate. Alas, on this occasion, it was not meant to be. The German lasted one lap before aborting the plan, slipping and sliding all over the place, including on entry back into the pit lane. With his car comfortably out of the points at the time, there is certainly the argument that the former four time world champion had nothing to lose by taking such a risk. However, with the circuit visibly too wet, maybe it just has to go down as one of this bold calls that was just a tad premature.
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