F1 – Russian Gp – THE POINT

The spectacular nature of this Grand Prix has surprised us. In a way this Russian week-end has been one of the best of the entire season thanks to all the vicissitudes that have occurred, starting from the fuel on track during free practice and bad weather till the extraordinary crash of Sainz during FP3 (luckily without consequences). The race itself has been rich in overtakings, coup de théatre till the last lap with the contact between Raikkonen and Bottas who were fighting for the third place along with Perez.

Dismissed from hospital, Carlos Sainz Jr, has came back in the cockpit of his Toro Rosso in time for the race becoming the protagonist of an unbelievable race as long as his car has worked. Unfortunately the brake system has failed. What a pity Max Verstappen’s race that has been affected by a collision (inculpable) during the first lap that has forced him to close the race outside zone points.

It has been a very unlucky day for Nico Rosberg who could have kept open the final result of the World Championship. After his good pole position he has been forced to retire because of the breakdown of the accelerator pedal just few laps from the start.Once again, Hamilton has managed the race to his liking achieving a new victory, but he did not seem at his best as the better lap signed by Vettel (his 51^th lap) demonstrates.

Thanks to his second place, the German at Ferrari oversteps the other German at Mercedes in overall standings and opens a good challenge in view of the upcoming four events.Ferrari confirms itself as the second power of the World Championship, at ease with Soft and Supersoft tyres despite quite low temperatures. A good race also for Kimi Raikonnen, maker of numerous over-takings, also at the limit of rules.

What a pity the collision that has annihilated his compatriot at Williams delivering the third place directly to Sergio Perez. This accident has been under investigation. After having questioned both drivers, Commissioners have inflicted a penalization of 30” to the driver of Ferrari who has fallen in eighth.

Excellent performance for the Mexican driver and Force India with their risky strategy that consisted in a sole change of tyre at the 13^th lap. Perez has been great in managing his car despite tyre complications donating an important podium to his team after his team-mate Hulkenberg had been forced to leave the track due to a contact with Ericsson’s Sauber. The Swiss team, anyway, has gained some points thanks to the sixth place of Nasz who closed behind Kvyat and ahead of Maldonado, Raikonen and the couple of McLaren Button-Alosno who close the top ten and the point zone.

With the penalty to Kimi, Mercedes mathematically wins his scond Constructors’ World Championship. In fifteen days we’ll come back on track with the Us Gp.