Track Torque: Silver Arrows strike while Ferraris fade
Hamilton notched up his 65th pole on Saturday, equalling the great Ayrton Senna's record.
LEWIS Hamilton was untouchable on Sunday when he stormed to victory for his sixth time in Canada with teammate Valtteri Bottas in close line astern. It was Mercedes’ day while Ferrari has some bad luck for a change, although Sebastian Vettel fought back valiantly to end up fourth, just off the podium.
The Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo were both very quick after Verstappen made a stunning start into second place but, try as he might, he could not hold on to Hamilton’s flying Mercedes and later his car succumbed to engine failure.
Behind Verstappen, teammate Ricciardo continued at a blistering pace and beat the Ferraris into third place on the podium. Kimi Raikkonen also suffered mechanical problems.
It was a great weekend for Lewis Hamilton who, with pole position, notched up his 65th pole on Saturday, equalling the great Ayrton Senna’s record. The Senna family had foreseen this and, in tribute to Hamilton, they presented him with one of Senna’s famous green and yellow helmets. He was very touched! Lewis’ 56th win, in Canada, brings him to within 12 points of Vettel’s lead in the World Championship.
In fifth and sixth places were the two very quick Force Indias, driven by Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon. The two drivers had given an excellent display of high speed driving and overtaking throughout the event and really deserved their positions.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : Track Torque: Vettel and the ‘lady in red’
Poor Kimi Raikkonen was next man up in seventh place, after brake and gearbox problems in his problematical Prancing Horse, while the top 10 places were filled by Nico Hulkenberg in the Renault, Lance Stroll in his Williams and Romaine Grosjean in the Haas. The last two were a lap behind. It had been a very interesting race with one or two tyre stops and a couple of interventions by the safety car.
The performance gap at the top appears to have narrowed and Mercedes are right back in a formidable position.
This weekend sees the running of the Le Mans 24-hour race in France with Porsche, Toyota and Audi as the three top team favourites for a win. It should be a very interesting long-distance endurance test of man and machine, where weather and unforeseen dramas can play their part. The whole race will be covered on DStv so that you can keep checking every few hours for the leader’s positions. May the best team win!
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
