Formula 1 Post Race: Sakhir GP

The Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain provided some incredible racing today. Valtteri Bottas started from pole alongside George Russell, who substituted for the COVID-19 positive Lewis Hamilton. Jack Aitken filled Russell’s spot in the Williams machine while Pietro Fittipaldi made the start for the injured Romain Grosjean in the Haas.

The Start

Action started early as Russell was able to overtake Bottas. Kimi Räikkönen spun on lap one, followed shortly by a multi-car accident involving Charles Leclerc, Sergio Pérez, and Max Verstappen. Leclerc got into Pérez, sending him around. Verstappen took to the outside apron to avoid the spinning Pérez only to be unable to slow on the dirty pavement. Verstappen and Leclerc suffered race ending damage while Pérez fell to last but was able to continue.

After a safety car the race resumed and a close battle between Carlos Sainz and Bottas ensued. Sainz got the spot but was forced to relinquish it after going off track. The laps ticked off quickly as the field completed sub minute lap times around the circuit. On the first stint Russell drove a steady pace while Bottas had some lock ups. The lone remaining Red Bull, Alexander Albon, complained of a lack of straight line speed.

Pit Stops

A majority of the field came in to pit between laps 28-30 as they removed soft tires. Daniel Ricciardo was called in too late as a result Daniil Kvyat was able to leapfrog him in the pit cycle. Lance Stroll extended the life of his soft tires to lap 43, pitting immediately after Esteban Ocon. Ocon, with hard tires, passed Stroll, on mediums, shortly after he rejoined the race.

Russell pitted on lap 45. Despite a brief scare involving sensor issues with the power unit, he managed to pull out to a 8.5 second lead over Bottas after he pitted on lap 50.

Nicholas Latifi had issues with his Williams on lap 55, bringing out the virtual safety car. Some teams pitted, including Sainz and Ricciardo who entered pit lane just late as green flag racing resumed. The unfortunate timing lost them track position.

Everything Changes

Bottas was slowly reeling in Russell when Jack Aitken spun around on lap 62, knocking off his front wing when he barely clipped a barrier. A safety car eventually had to be deployed so a marshal could safely pick up the wing as there wasn’t a big enough gap in traffic to do so under a virtual one.

The race took a sharp turn from here for Mercedes as they had disastrous pit stops while double pitting both their drivers during the safety car. The team sent Russell out on the wrong tires and only noticed when putting on the tires for Bottas. They were forced to send Bottas out on old tires and had to bring Russell back in to put the correct set on. The mishap put them in 4th and 5th respectively.

Racing resumed on lap 70 and Russell made quick work of the field, taking his Mercedes up to second place within 4 laps time. However, a slow leaking puncture forced him to pit on lap 78, ending his chances at a victory or podium.

Victory for Pérez and Racing Point

Pérez came all the way back to win the race, notching the first victory for both himself and Racing Point. Ocon finished second, his first career podium. Third place was taken by Stroll, giving a double podium to Racing Point.

Russell did manage to get his first career points, finishing in 9th. This hardly had to be of consolation though, considering he was well on his way to claiming his first victory. He also gained a point for having the fastest lap.

The scene at Racing Point was of pure joy as the team jumped up and down in celebration. Pérez is the first Mexican winner in Formula 1 since 1970. He is currently without a contract for next season, though the win today certainly makes a statement that he is deserving of a top ride.

Standings and Penalties

The win moves Pérez up to 4th in the driver standings, passing Ricciardo. Racing Point also reclaimed the third spot in the constructor standings over McLaren and Renault.

Leclerc was given a three place grid penalty for next weekend for his role in the lap 1 crash. Mercedes was fined €20,000 for their tire mix-up with Russell.