F1 2021 – spoilers here

I’m calling that as mainly Russell’s fault. Bottas was following the racing line and Russell dropped it slightly on the grass then speared into him.

Hopefully it’s just a big tidy up rather than damaged barriers causing the delay.

Wouldn’t like to be either driver in Toto’s office later. Remember that Merc no 2 and the upcoming Merc hopeful have collided and appear to be throwing ****s at one another. Bottas clearly isn’t having a great race, to be battling a Williams for ninth is not where he needed to be.

It’s also worth noting that Russell staying on the racing line is why Hamilton ended up in the wall. That’s going to make the meeting without biscuits in Toto’s office later extra uncomfortable.

another track not quite up to spec for these cars

It’s a tough one for me to call, Russell does indeed appear to have the line and the trajectory to pull of a hell of an unlikely move. Bottas appeared to react late, remember that the very last person that Bottas would want to pass him is Russell in the third slowest car on the grid.

Both driver will be called before the stewards too, I expect that there will be a lot of bollockings before the day is out.

another track not quite up to spec for these cars

Drive to the conditions then, if that is indeed the case.

another track not quite up to spec for these cars

The track meets the spec for a grade 1 circuit, they may need to look at the spec but the track currently meets it. The drivers have to keep it between the white lines.

expect that there will be a lot of bollockings before the day is out.

doubt it, they’re racing, these things happen

another track not quite up to spec for these cars

Track is fine. We’ve just become used to racing in car-parks full of run-off.

Looked to me that Bottas was moving into position for the next corner.

Track is fine.

it’s a tad on the narrow side for these cars

it as tad on the narrow side for these cars

So we’ve become used to racing in car-parks with loads and run-off and wide enough for 7 cars abreast! 🙂

rolling start ?

Rolling start, Norris passes Leclerc!

Oh man, Perez spins!

blimey

mercs looking at p2!

Yup, P2 is indeed pretty realistic for Hamilton, despite having an off and being lapped at one point. Eighteen laps to go and already Hamilton has pulled eight seconds on Ricciardo, who it has to be said is having a less than stellar race today.

getting close to drs for lewis on Sainz

Perez’s fillings have all been knocked out

That 2nd Red Bull seat is jinxed!

animal

Hamilton passes Sainz, looks handy to pass Leclerc within a handful of laps. Norris starting to struggle with the soft tyres which are past their best.

You’d be silly to bet against Lewis getting that P2. Third place is very much up for grabs, I reckon Leclerc will take the final podium place.

that merc is a brute

But only when Lewis is at the wheel.

Eight laps left. Verstappen has had an imperious drive, no mistakes and no drama. Lewis now past Leclerc with Norris a few tenths in front.

err norris there’s a merc on your tail

How the hell has Hamilton managed to get 2nd out of this???

Two laps left, Hamilton has climbed from ninth place to second. Norris’s tyres are knackered and he has a Ferrari just behind him.

not bad for an old mam

Last lap. Vettel’s gearbox has died, can Norris hang onto third?

This kind of drive, despite his errors, is why Merc pay him the £££ and why he’s a 7 time world champion.

Even when he has a bad day at the office, he limits the damage.

funny that the rules change to slow down the merc now make it a beast in traffic (he was catching Max hand over fist before his cheeky pass on the williams).

Looking back at the Bottas / Russell incident – Bottas’s front right tyre was over the pit lane exit line. On nearly every other pass down there, the one being overtaken was to the left of the exit line. A car’s width at the fastest point of the track probably isn’t quite cricket!…

…a head on angle would be nice to see though.

Another great race. Loving these first two races.

Lando may have the official award but for me Lewis is driver of the day. Watching the onboard, the commitment and pace is incredible, and demonstrates why he’s 7 x world champ. I’m not sure Vertsappen has that tbh.

Fair play to Max, he nailed that. Amazing recovery drive from Lewis. I think Bottas is to blame for the big smash but agree the camera angles that caught it aren’t great.. However the best part of the race for me was:

“We’ve got a yellow flag”
“Mazepin’s in that area”

Howling 😂

Great race from Verstappen, fairly danced off into the distance and controlled it properly well (like a good championship contender should). Good drive from both Hamilton and Norris, and good to see the Ferraris back in the game as well. Tremendous race, really enjoyed it.

The collision between Bottas and Russell is nowt in the final analysis I think, fighting for position on a narrow track with two drivers not willing to back down…Hard racing, but racing just the same.

Bottas and Russell both contributed to the crash, Bottas panicked that he was about to be overtaken made a move to block, realised it was too late and pulled out of the block. Russell seeing the initial move, also moved over and went onto the grass, he had been given enough room but anticipated a greater movement from Bottas. Just an unfortunate racing incident for me.

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/f1/12279632/russell-bottas-crash-analysed

60/40 blame