The Official 2017 Russian Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**

[Dr Z]

Having re-run the race live timing, I can confirm there were no on-track passes, so I take the previous post back. Merc's pure pit wall must have been erroneous. There was a nice fight developing between Magnussen, Sainz, Kvyat and Stroll but the various penalties put paid to any on-track racing between them...plus I noticed whenever the midfield was bunching up and you think some action could happen, they end up giving way to the lapping leaders and lose that moment.

Derek Smith said:

Hungrymc said:

Even when Seb was closing Bottas down, there was no chance of a pass even though he had nearly a second a lap more pace.

Didn't you allow yourself just a little bit of hope? I know what you mean, but Bottas had tyre problems with flat spots. He was under pressure and although Bottas is pretty calm, he'd obviously already taken one risk.

Just a little rise in pulse-rate?

I must admit, I was a little nervous and not sure Bottas could hold it together as Vettel was closing the gap. It just takes a slight misstep with lapping traffic and you could get into a tough position, so he did well.

I knew he'd be fine on the ultra softs, but after that massive lock up in the 2nd stint, I was not sure he could drive with all that vibration and keep the Ferrari at bay, navigating traffic. But, it would've been difficult to pass as the Merc was so fast in the 1st sector.

There wasn't much on-track dicing but I enjoyed seeing drivers pushing like hell...especially how Vettel and Bottas were trading laptimes. The Merc was not as fast as the Ferrari in the 2nd sector but man, Bottas was trying his darn hardest to match the Ferrari and succeeding over the course of the 2nd half of the race.

[Dermot O'Logical]

Cold said:

Imagine your whole career to date is building up to your long awaited first F1 win and then the next people you see are Putin and Jordan.

It's what dreams are made of.

[Jonnny]

Very surprised Putin doesn't speak English tbh.

[thegreenhell]

Jonnny said:

Very surprised Putin doesn't speak English tbh.

I wouldn't be surprised if he understands English perfectly well, but chooses to keep it to himself. All the better for catching unguarded comments in his presence in international meetings.

[Rich_W]

Gary C said:

I do hope alonso tells them to stuff it now and looks for another team.

If he wins Indy500, he might. He wont need McLaren after that.

Medium/strong rumours he's looking at Porsche WEC in 2018 as a build up to his assault on Le Mans '18 like his old mate Mark Webber

I agree with Ted Kravitz that he'll probably leave F1 at the end of the year. There wont be space in a race winning F1 car next year. A sad end to a great part of his career.

Jonnny said:

Very surprised Putin doesn't speak English tbh.

He can, which makes it odd he used a translator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiFAeluRtao

Daresay he's not super fluent though

[Derek Smith]

Dr Z said:

I must admit, I was a little nervous and not sure Bottas could hold it together as Vettel was closing the gap. It just takes a slight misstep with lapping traffic and you could get into a tough position, so he did well.

I knew he'd be fine on the ultra softs, but after that massive lock up in the 2nd stint, I was not sure he could drive with all that vibration and keep the Ferrari at bay, navigating traffic. But, it would've been difficult to pass as the Merc was so fast in the 1st sector.

There wasn't much on-track dicing but I enjoyed seeing drivers pushing like hell...especially how Vettel and Bottas were trading laptimes. The Merc was not as fast as the Ferrari in the 2nd sector but man, Bottas was trying his darn hardest to match the Ferrari and succeeding over the course of the 2nd half of the race.

The Ferrari had over half a second on the Mercs in sector 3 at times, it seeming to run around 4/10ths as the norm. I thought Vettel might have had enough to be right behind Bottas near the end as they came onto the straight. All it would take would be the back end sliding on the Merc and Vettel'd be through. I was looking for them going through turn 2 with the Merc just starting to overlap.

As you say, Bottas did well. Towards the end he must have been getting a bit keyed up. Not that you'd notice it immediately post race. He dropped his head for his national anthem. The only bit of emotion we saw I think.

Rubbish circuit.

I don't want to get into anti Ecclestone arguments but Jordan's eulogy, pointing to the circuit as a tribute to him, fell a bit flat with me.

I'll be more than happy to get into arguments about Jordan.

Edited by Derek Smith on Sunday 30th April 19:51

[Vaud]

Just watched the race. Awesome from Bottas; reminds me of Mika.

Still early season, but I have no idea on WDC or WCC yet, which makes a nice change.

[cuprabob]

Vaud said:

...reminds me of Mika.
.

Loved his Grace Kells song...:-)

[Hub]

Dull race apart from the race to the flag. Great racing by Bottas and Vettel. Merc and Ferrari in a different league to the rest. I'm glad we have some competition, but still would prefer more of a level field.

Poor weekend for Hamilton.

And as for Jolyon Face-Palmer! Oh dear.

[MitchT]

ash73 said:

I think this win could be a big stepping stone for Valtteri, he's got the first victory in the bag, silenced his critics and he won it in style thrashing his teammate rather than benefiting from the misfortune of others. It's a monkey off his back; let's see what it does to his confidence.

Indeed, great effort. Beat three guys in equal machinery with eight world championships between them!

[LDN]

I'm not sure why people doubted Bottas... I, for one, never did. Those 'in the know' have always rated him; Frank Williams being one of them. He is a genuine contender for the title this year. Simple as that. Anyone that doubted him; where did you get that view from??

[Stedman]

Dr Z said:

I must admit, I was a little nervous and not sure Bottas could hold it together as Vettel was closing the gap. It just takes a slight misstep with lapping traffic and you could get into a tough position, so he did well.

Just like Vettel did in Canada in 2011

[Vaud]

LDN said:

I'm not sure why people doubted Bottas... I, for one, never did. Those 'in the know' have always rated him; Frank Williams being one of them. He is a genuine contender for the title this year. Simple as that. Anyone that doubted him; where did you get that view from??

WDC contender, maybe - a very, very impressive drive regardless.

[Rich_W]

LDN said:

I'm not sure why people doubted Bottas... I, for one, never did. Those 'in the know' have always rated him; Frank Williams being one of them. He is a genuine contender for the title this year. Simple as that. Anyone that doubted him; where did you get that view from??

Prior to this year. (F1)

0 wins
0 Poles
0 Fastest Laps
9 podiums (in 4 years)

Massa at Williams in the same time (14-16)

1 Pole
1 Fastest lap
So the car wasn't a bucket


When he won GP3 title he only won 4 of the 16 races

He raced Euro F3 with A.R.T (who are no mugs) and won 1 of 18 races.

He's never looked like Kimi or a Seb or a Lewis (or any other top top driver) he's never had that utter raw speed or talent or domination of a series that the top 2-3% have.

That's where I got my view from

Stedman said:

Dr Z said:

I must admit, I was a little nervous and not sure Bottas could hold it together as Vettel was closing the gap. It just takes a slight misstep with lapping traffic and you could get into a tough position, so he did well.

Just like Vettel did in Canada in 2011

I thought that was rain related more than lapping traffic

edited. not eurof1

Edited by Rich_W on Sunday 30th April 23:04

[hairyben]

Vaud said:

reminds me of Mika.

Oh please... in what way, they both have the same blue cross on white flag? no downer on the kid, fair do's for his result, but if you're gonna compare and judge against greats maybe wait for a race where people can actually pass!?

[LDN]

Rich_W said:

LDN said:

I'm not sure why people doubted Bottas... I, for one, never did. Those 'in the know' have always rated him; Frank Williams being one of them. He is a genuine contender for the title this year. Simple as that. Anyone that doubted him; where did you get that view from??

Prior to this year. (F1)

0 wins
0 Poles
0 Fastest Laps
9 podiums (in 4 years)

Massa at Williams in the same time (14-16)

1 Pole
1 Fastest lap
So the car wasn't a bucket


When he won GP3 title he only won 4 of the 16 races

He raced Euro F3 with A.R.T (who are no mugs) and won 1 of 18 races.

He's never looked like Kimi or a Seb or a Lewis (or any other top top driver) he's never had that utter raw speed or talent or domination of a series that the top 2-3% have.

That's where I got my view from

Stedman said:

Dr Z said:

I must admit, I was a little nervous and not sure Bottas could hold it together as Vettel was closing the gap. It just takes a slight misstep with lapping traffic and you could get into a tough position, so he did well.

Just like Vettel did in Canada in 2011

I thought that was rain related more than lapping traffic

edited. not eurof1

Edited by Rich_W on Sunday 30th April 23:04

Yes despite those stats... he is highly rated by everyone in F1... and has been for some time. Shows what we know eh?

[paulw123]

The only interesting bit was the race to the first corner. Glad I started an hour later so I could skip through most of it.

[Nigel_O]

I dozed off at about lap 10. Woke up and assumed I'd been asleep for a few minutes, as the race order was the same as I remembered it.

It was lap 42....

As already mentioned - great 1st lap and last four or five laps, but the rest was a proper snooze-fest

Worth it to see Valterri take a win though - judging by the warm congratulations from the other drivers, he's a popular winner

[thegreenhell]

Rich_W said:

Prior to this year. (F1)

0 wins
0 Poles
0 Fastest Laps
9 podiums (in 4 years)

Massa at Williams in the same time (14-16)

1 Pole
1 Fastest lap
So the car wasn't a bucket

Selective stats don't tell the whole story.

Bottas (2014-16)

0 wins
0 Poles
2 front row starts
0 Fastest Laps
9 podiums
407 points

Massa at Williams in the same time (14-16)

0 wins
1 Pole
1 Fastest lap
5 podiums
308 points

Qualifying head-to-head:

Bottas 41-17 Massa

[Ahonen]

Rich_W said:

Rosberg is markedly better than Bottas!

Merc replaced a solid number 1 slash 2, with a number 4 driver. I have no doubt that this will not springboard VB to a championship attempt

There are only two drivers in an F1 team, so you must be mistaken there by saying he's a number four. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the sport.

Your theory is an interesting one, but as Bottas and Hamilton are two all so far in Qualifying (including a Pole for Bottas) and he's taken victory in only his fourth race in a brand new team I'd say your assertion is somewhat wide of the mark.

I was a fraction worried for Bottas when he struggled to keep Massa at bay at times during the last few years, but he appears to be able to up his game to suit his surroundings. Hopefully Tony didn't whoop and holler on the radio when he crossed the line today - I get the feeling VB isn't a whoopin' and hollerin' kind of fellow.

The Finns have a word that sums their general demeanour up pretty well: "sisu". I've got a feeling Hamilton will learn to understand that sisu is not just a small truck company during this season...