Track Torque: Handsome win for Hamilton
The championship lead has changed hands again, with Hamilton now ahead.
Lewis Hamilton drove a fabulous race to win the French Grand Prix in style last Sunday.
However, Max Verstappen kept him on his toes and was only seven seconds behind at the finish.
Third place went to a fresh and talkative Kimi Raikkonen.
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He even looked a bit excited for a change after passing his teammate who was running out of tyres.
I hope he has more success in what must be his last year. There is already talk that either Charles Leclerc or Daniel Ricciardo will take his seat at Ferrari next year.
A lot is being said about Red Bull’s move to Honda next year.
I think it is a good decision. Christian Horner and Adrian Newey will handle the challenge well and probably realise Honda’s huge potential.
In fourth spot came Ricciardo in his problematical Red Bull, which had damage to the front wing which caused understeer.
Next came the man that we had expected so much of but who caused the first lap accident, Sebastian Vettel.
Unfortunately, despite a terrific drive from the back to a final fifth position, which was very worthy of the man, it was not really his day.
In sixth spot was Kevin Magnussen in his racy Haas Ferrari.
In a disappointing seventh place was Valtteri Bottas, who, after the first lap incident, also had to drive his way back into contention.
He had done so well in qualifying; it was a shame.
In eighth position was Carlos Sainz followed by teammate Nico Hulkenberg in the two works Renaults.
They did well dealing with a lot of passing cars during the race and survived some close encounters.
The final points position went to talented youngster Charles Leclerc who knows how to get the best out of his Sauber Alfa Romeo.
The two McLarens had another bad run and finished 12th (Stoffel Van Doorne) and 16th (Fernando Alonso).
Esteban Ocon (Force India Mercedes) and Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso Honda) were knocked out in Vettel’s first lap accident.
It was great to return to the Le Castellet circuit; just a shame that we should have to have a chicane in the middle of the famous Masta Straight.
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Next race is this Sunday (1st) and takes place in Austria.
Times will again be late – 4pm for qualifying and the race – due to the World Cup soccer.
Expect a close tussle between Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari. I expect a big fight back from Vettel.
Drivers: 1 Hamilton 145 pts; 2 Vettel 131 pts; 3 Ricciardo 96 pts.
Team: 1 Mercedes 237 pts; 2 Ferrari 214 pts; 3 Red Bull 164 pts.
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