America: post-race analysis

A thoroughly entertaining race, albeit another red one. It really didn’t go at all as I expected, but was fun to watch. The second half has become a little redder, but there are still two races to go to turn that around (and the profit, either way, of the title bets).

I’m writing this the morning after the night before, so if I forget something, that’s why.

Off the line Bottas started badly and Ricciardo left the hand brake on. Massa passed his team mate and a quarter of the field (or ‘four cars’ to be technical) passed the Aussie. Otherwise it was largely plain sailing.

Very early on Perez attempted to defy the laws of physics and crashed into Sutil, which must’ve gutted both him and Sauber as they desperately need points for both morale and money. It also earnt Perez a penalty for the next race.

To round off a terrible weekend for Force India, Hulkenberg was forced to retire due to a reliability failure.

This brought out the safety car and many cars dove into the pits. Weirdly, Vettel (who started on medium tyres from the pit lane) pitted twice, going soft then medium.

The race resumed and station was more or less held by all and sundry. At each subsequent pit stop Ricciardo passed the Williams, who seemed to lack pace compared to what I’d expected. Massa also beat Bottas. Perhaps the Finn simply dislikes the circuit, but it was definitely one of his weaker performances (mind you, 5^th isn’t appalling).

The fight at the front was pretty tedious. Rosberg held the lead, Hamilton passed him fairly easily, Rosberg never challenged for it again. The Briton has his number. Rosberg can best him in qualifying and sometimes on pace in the race, but wheel-to-wheel he’s a clear second best.

Ricciardo, Massa and Bottas were fairly well-spaced out behind (although Massa and Bottas were faster right at the end it was too late and they finished in that order) but there was some great racing behind.

Vettel’s first proper stint on medium tyres (post double pit stop) was weirdly slow. A few seconds off the pace, in fact, to his confusion. Later on, pace seemed better, but he pitted late on from seventh, and I thought that was a major mistake as he came out around thirteenth. Shows what I know. His final pace was very strong, as he caught Raikkonen and then passed numerous cars, battling with Alonso (but failing to pass the Spaniard) to eventually reclaim 7^th, which he may well have lost ultimately due to tyre degradation had he not pitted.

Button’s strategy failed him. He drove a great defensive race, holding off Alonso, Vergne and others for a long time but his tyres gave up and he ended up 12^th. Magnussen was a bit anonymous but got 8^th.

There was a great tussle between Vergne and the Lotuses (Loti?) for the final points positions. Grosjean was on the verge of passing Button at the first corner when Vergne steamed up the inside, passing not only the other Frenchman but the Briton shortly thereafter as well.

Maldonado also had a good race, aided by the fact the Lotus actually appeared to be driveable this weekend. Vergne and Maldonado got the final points positions, which means Maldonado gets his first point of the season. Grosjean was 11^th.

Raikkonen’s 13^th is just not good enough. His team mate was 6^th.

So, it was an entertaining race, albeit a red one. I underestimated the Red Bull or overestimated the Williams, as you like. Short of mechanical woe it’s hard to see Hamilton failing to take the title, which is a slight shame as I’d make more money if Rosberg got it, but I’m green either way for the title.

Hamilton has a 24 point lead.

Constructors’:

Mercedes 608 – title won

Red Bull 363

Williams 238

Ferrari 196

McLaren 147

Force India 123

I’d be somewhat surprised if any of the teams changed places. Double points could mean a mechanical failure in Abu Dhabi leading to a surprise shift, but even so I think that will remain the order until the end.

Great race to look forward to in Brazil in just a few days’ time. Unfortunately, as per the US race, it’ll be radio only unless you’ve got Sky. Interlagos is perhaps my favourite circuit, and I’m expecting it to be very exciting. Make sure you check the weather forecast, if you’re thinking of betting.

Morris Dancer