Motorsport Week takes a look back at some of the primary talking points from the Chinese Grand Prix, a race that could have been won by Ferrari, might have been won by Mercedes, but was won by Red Bull.
Ricciardo proves his worth to potential suitors
Daniel Ricciardo is box-office for Formula 1: the irresistibly funny joker off-track and its stand-out pass-master on-track. Ricciardo’s jovial personality belies his utter determination to become a World Champion, and in Sunday’s race he displayed the traits of an all-time great with his precise and well-timed overtakes to net a stunning victory. His move on Lewis Hamilton was reminiscent of his pass on Kimi Raikkonen at last year’s Italian Grand Prix: seemingly impossibly late, perfectly judged, and without unfairly forcing his opponent wide or off. The pass on Valtteri Bottas was more aggressive – aiming for a shallowing gap – but equally as impressive. It is one thing to have a tyre advantage, but another to execute manoeuvres clinically and spectacularly. Ricciardo’s win also acted as a reminder to potential suitors – namely those in red and silver – that he is quick, marketable, and in the prime of his career. That probably wasn’t lost on him as he sat alongside fellow out-of-contract drivers Bottas and Raikkonen in the press conference.
Vettel, Ferrari left to lament decisions, luck
Sebastian Vettel could do nothing to avoid the contact with Max Verstappen that left him in a spin and relegated him from a potential third or fourth to a wounded eighth, but the earlier phases of the race were also costly. Vettel’s chop at the start was aggressive – and within what he is entitled to do – but in terms of team tactics it had a negative effect, with Bottas able to cruise around the compromised Raikkonen. Bottas’ stunning out-lap, Mercedes’ rapid stop, and Vettel’s own scruffy in-lap and slower stop (the last understandable after Ferrari’s Bahrain problem) and it allowed the Finn to jump his opponent – a turnaround that may have been out of reach had Raikkonen remained second. And, in extending Raikkonen’s first stint for a bafflingly long period, Ferrari cemented a sixth-place that only became a podium through unforeseen circumstance and misfortune for others.
Clumsy Verstappen facing a crossroads
Max Verstappen’s aggression and swashbuckling style catapulted him into Formula 1, assisted his rapid rise to Red Bull, and earned him a legion of fans and acerbic comments from rivals in equal measure. His approach triggered a clarification of the regulations and a nonchalant teenage shrug of the shoulders for those who felt put out. This year, though, has been different. Verstappen’s actions have been clumsy, rather than malicious, born of impatience, not recklessness. Given his car advantage, Verstappen’s attempt on Hamilton, while not without merit, was short-sighted, and his half-hearted move on Vettel a pure misjudgement. Verstappen’s post-race contrition and introspection was welcome, as he acknowledged on F1’s paddock pass programme that he was maybe “wanting too much” and that the setback can be a “life lesson”. Red Bull’s pace in China proved it is in with its best title chance so far in the hybrid era – Verstappen cannot afford to squander more ground this season.
Subdued Hamilton, Mercedes need to work
For the first time in the hybrid era Mercedes has failed to win three races on the bounce – a testament to its previous staggering success, the improvements made by its rivals, as well as its own shortcomings. Mercedes is not staring down the barrel of disaster – it should have won in Australia, and could have triumphed in Bahrain and China – but there is work to do. While Valtteri Bottas put in a fine performance – one that merited victory without the Safety Car’s interference – Hamilton was off the pace at a circuit where he usually thrives. Hamilton was firmly fourth-best in qualifying, and considering the manner in which the race unfolded fourth place was a fine damage limitation job. “Saturday and Sunday felt like a disaster from my side,” said Hamilton. “We need to work hard to understand why we have been struggling.” It drew parallels with parts of 2017, when Hamilton performed better when Mercedes was at its best, but was shaded by Bottas when it was off the pace.
Hulkenberg a standout in the midfield
Several drivers have already had stellar performances in 2018 but Nico Hulkenberg has continued to demonstrate his importance to Renault. Now 30, Hulkenberg’s prospects of moving into a top-three team are slim to none, with his best hope being that Renault has the nous and financial backing to re-emerge as a title-winning force in the medium-term. Pairing Hulkenberg with Carlos Sainz Jr. created a potentially spicy mid-grid scrap but so far Hulkenberg has kept his younger team-mate at bay, once more superb in both qualifying and race trim. Hulkenberg has been flawless in 2018 and it was difficult to envisage how he could have performed better in China. Hulkenberg’s total of 22 points is already proving vital for Renault’s championship tally in what is shaping up to be a season-long battle with McLaren, because…
Alonso gets an inch, takes a mile
…McLaren has a fired-up Alonso enjoying being able to scrap once more. Trading Honda for Renault has not been the magic bullet – nor did anyone expect such a scenario – but the early race results have been promising, the team’s points bolstered by the tenacious Alonso. McLaren expects upcoming upgrades to lift its prospects (as, naturally, does any team), but its start to the year in terms of points is encouraging. The MCL33 has proved to be reliable – a positive, in light of pre-season strife – and in race trim Alonso has extracted the maximum available. Three straight Q2 exits have been followed by a fifth and two sevenths, the foundations of which were built upon battling starts – his sharp move on both Force Indias through Turn 7/8 just wonderful. Alonso’s pass on Vettel was more robust than perhaps required, but nonetheless acted as a reminder to his rival of his presence.
Force India better than its sole point
The close nature of Formula 1’s midfield has so far disadvantaged Force India, which has bagged just one point from three races, its worst return in the hybrid era. But it has not been that bad. First lap woe has compromised Sergio Perez in two of the three Grands Prix, ending his top 10 prospects early on, while Esteban Ocon was also delayed in the midfield scraps in China. With McLaren and Renault having improved, the gap Force India enjoyed in 2017 has been eradicated, while the tight nature of the midfield means it can be difficult to escape once stuck in the train. It doesn’t take much for the P7/8s it enjoyed in 2017 to become P11/12s – the spaces it has occupied in Australia and China. A haul of 14 points per race suddenly becomes zero, accentuating the notion of a decline. Ninth does not fairly reflect the team’s ability.
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