Formula 1: Heaven Made In Russia For Mercedes
By Christopher Emenyonu
Despite a not too good practice session and a tough pole qualification, Mercedes still found a way on race day to remain undefeated in Sochi at the Russian Grand Prix. Coming to the grand prix undefeated in the seven races dating back to 1913, Mercedes had a lot to do in Russia after having not won since summer break.
Even with the pressure from Ferrari, Mercedes got things right on race day and eventually got the much needed win since summer break. The silver arrows not only won the race but also got the fourth one-two podium finish of the season after Valterri Bottas edged Charles Lerclerc to second.
Dominate Mercedes
The silver arrows for the first time got things right since summer break to keep the dominance in Russia after opting for medium tyres rather than the soft tyres in Sochi. Lewis Hamilton not only won the race but also won bonus point as the fastest lap award winner of the race.
The win takes Lewis closer to his sixth World title and Mercedes to yet another season triumph as constructors.
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Indecisive Ferrari
Despite having momentum lying with them after consecutive wins for the first time since 2008, Ferrari‘s Russia plan did not come through as Vettel refused to fulfill his side of the plan to give the team a good lead ahead trailing Hamilton.
Wrong pitting decisions and a hybrid system engine problem to Vettel gave away the team and could not keep up with race leaders, Hamilton and Bottas with Lerclerc only having to finish third behind them.
Impressive Red Bull
Red Bull suffered a grid penalty after changing engines which meant they started 5 places down from what they finished with in pole qualification.
Despite the penalty and Alexander Albon starting from pit lane, the team pulled off a brilliant performance to finish 4th and 5threspectively, with Max Verstappen starting form pit 9.
This result shows Red Bull are still a force to reckon with in seasons to come.
Vettel was voted driver of the day despite disobeying orders from his team to allow teammate, Lerclerc re-take the lead before having engine problems in the hybrid system which saw the deployment of safety car.
Formula 1 heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix in a fort night.
