F1 | Gp England, THE POINT by Gian Carlo Minardi “Mercedes overpowering”

We must recognize that Mercedes is overpowering, starting on Saturday with Lewis Hamilton’s stupendous pole position and continued on to the double in the race. The team showed once more all its strengths and supremacy in both the motor and the chassis. It was seen particularly in Valtteri Bottas’ come back from ninth position and finishing just behind his team mate.

Ferrari in trouble defended itself, above all with Kimi Raikonnen (in form compared to Vettel) who with a fine move managed to put his SF17H on the front row of the grid. Trying to keep the pace of their rivals the cars in red lacked breath and in the end the ladder was overrun due to a double puncture.

The race at Silverstone was favourable for Mercedes and the predictions were proved totally right even if there were hopes for a less painful “defeat” on the part of the team from Maranello. There was an improvement compared to last year thanks to the Finn’s podium finish. With his seventh place Vettel saw his lead over the British champion practically zeroed as Hamilton brought himself back to a sole point from the Ferrari driver. Ferrari also lost further ground on the constructor’s ladder.

In two weeks we will be in Budapest, a track which could play in Ferrari’s favour, even though faced with such a competitive Mercedes nothing can be taken for granted. Ferrari must be wary of Red Bull which is ready the spoil its plans. Max Verstappen, exempted due to technical problems, is once more the battle hardened warrior while Ricciardo has made himself a protagonist of a great come back finishing in fifth place, just behind the Dutchman.

Gian Carlo Minardi