24/08/2014
NEWS STORY
Not for the first time, all the talk at Spa-Francorchamps revolves around the weather.
Following the threat on Friday, yesterday we witnessed downfalls of almost Biblical proportions, complete with hailstones. Today, as one might expect, the circuit is bathed in bright sunshine, furthermore the temperatures are higher... albeit marginally.
Consequently this afternoon should in many ways be a bit of a lottery, however the facts is that barring a major upset Mercedes will score its tenth win of the season.
The German team's advantage in the dry is well documented, but yesterday's tour-de-force, whereby both Silver Arrows drivers were over 2s clear of their nearest rivals was frightening.
While Red Bull was able to capitalise on the conditions, Sebastian Vettel taking an impressive third, today looks to be another matter entirely with the Mercedes-powered teams likely to be the biggest challenge to the works outfit.
Having played its card close to its chest on Friday, Williams revealed a little in FP3, Valtteri Bottas leading the way, and while he starts today's race from sixth he must be a good bet for a podium.
McLaren has looked good all weekend and barring a late mistake in Q3 Jenson Button could have been nearer the front, the Briton a major fan of the Ardennes track.
One must never write-off Ferrari, particularly in the case of Fernando Alonso, while Kimi Raikkonen is also looking strong this weekend. However, in terms of grunt the Italian team will be on its back foot compared to its German rivals.
Other than McLaren and Williams, the other Mercedes team that could shine today is force India, though problems in qualifying mean that both drivers, particularly Nico Hulkenberg, have their work cut out.
Despite Esteban Gutierrez' "battery pack" issue, Sauber has been looking stronger here, whilst Toro Rosso should take away a few points, Jean-Eric Vergne keen to make a good impression on rival teams still to confirm their 2015 driver line-ups.
Lotus faces another difficult afternoon, and at this point looks unlikely to add to its tally, whilst a strong qualifying performance from Jules Bianchi could, in the right circumstances, see the Frenchman add to the team's tally.
At Caterham, Marcus Ericsson really does need to assert himself over (temporary?) teammate Andre Lotterer today, the German having been a real inspiration this weekend considering the circumstances.
The fact is, today is all about the Mercedes duo. Even in the dry we have witnessed calamities here, so no need for the weather gods to add to the excitement. Yes, Nico and Lewis have known one another since they were kids and were great buddies. However, the fact is that they are ultra-competitive and rivals and the closer they get to the title, the more it becomes within reach, so that rivalry will become more intense.
With the Constructors' Championship almost secured, soon Mercedes will be able to let its two hounds off the leash, until then, and only then, certain rules must be obeyed. The first of these is, 'thou shall not eliminate thine teammate', and at this circuit, particularly on the first lap, such a thing is entirely possible. Nobody want to see the title decided in a first lap moment of madness... rather a last lap gasp as in Brazil all those years ago.
Assuming they get through La Source unscathed, there is the run down the hill to Eau rouge and then the long climb up Kemmel where last year Hamilton was powerless to prevent Vettel nailing him, going on to score the first of that sequence of nine victories which so utterly decimated the opposition.
Admitting yesterday that he wants to slipstream his teammate Hamilton admitted that "strategy will be key" seeing as this is such a long race.
Forty-five minutes before the start there is a brief rain shower wehile, in the distance the sun is shining. Ah, Spa.
By the time pitlane has opened, the sun is shining, the track mostly dry.
The race is likely to feature two pit stops in the normal course of events, if conditions stay dry. This also means that the teams are likely to have a complete stock of slick tyres. There is one clear fastest way to go: start on the soft tyres, change again to the soft on lap 15 and then the medium on lap 29. A one-stop or a three-stop is theoretically possible, but it's not the quickest approach.
However, if the rain resumes...
Indeed, as he heads to the grid Vettel is warned that spots of rain are beginning to fall.
As the National anthem plays, fans can be seen zipping up their windcheaters. A few hold umbrellas aloft.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap the air temperature is 13 degrees C, whilst the track temperature is 21 degrees.
Tyres are medium and soft and thanks to yesterday's weather there are plenty of both compounds available.
There are two DRS zones, the detection point for the first is 240m before Turn 2, with the activation point 310m after Turn 4 on the Kemmel Straight. The second detection point is 160m before Turn 18, with the activation point 30m after Turn 19, the final chicane.
Bad news for Alonso, as the grid prepares to head off on the warm-up lap mechanics are still working on Alonso's car. He gets away before the final cars pass him, consequently he will face an early drive-through. The mechanics being on the grid at that stage is another matter entirely, as the Stewards announce that they will investigate the incident.
Magnussen reports light rain on the circuit.
The grid forms. All but Sutil on the options, the German on the medium rubber.
They're away. Hamilton leads into La Source as Rosberg also loses out to Vettel who makes a superb start.
It's almost Déjà vu as Vettel almost passes Hamilton on the run to Les Combes, unable to make it stick the German having out-braked himself also loses out to Rosberg.
Problems for Bianchi who is heading to the pits with a right-rear puncture after a moment with Grosjean at La Source.
Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel, Alonso, Ricciardo, Bottas, Raikkonen and Maqgnussen.
On the second lap it happens, Hamilton and Rosberg touch as they take Les Combes, the Briton picking up a left-rear puncture in the process as he is clipped by his teammate's front wing.
As Rosberg leads Vettel by 0.7s, Hamilton pits, taking on mediums, having shed bits of tyre debris around the track. Maldonado has stopped on track (Turn 4).
"I've lost a lot of front grip," complains Rosberg, who is told to stick with it.
Having posted a new fastest lap, Alonso is hit with a five-second stop and go. Elsewhere, Lotterer has stopped near the pitlane.
Ricciardo nails Alonso to take third at Les Combes, the Spaniard yet to serve his penalty.
Hamilton is now running 19th, 19.3s down on Grosjean and almost a minute down on his Mercedes teammate.
Clearly struggling, Rosberg heads Vettel and Ricciardo, the Red Bulls sensing Mercedes blood. Alonso remains fourth, ahead of Bottas, Raikkonen, Magnussen, Button, Massa and Perez.
Hamilton posts 55.346 as he hunts down Grosjean and the rest.
"We need to achieve 15 laps with a target time of 55.7," Hamilton is told as the team seeks to limit the damage and manage his recovery.
A twitch from Vettel at Pouhon allows Ricciardo through to take third. The Australian now 0.520s down on Rosberg. Could this be back-to-back wins for the Red Bull driver?
On lap 8, Bottas nails Alonso on the approach to Les Combes
At the end of lap 8 Rosberg pits for a new front wing which will cost him dearly. Raikkonen also pits. The German rejoins in 15th, just a few places ahead of his teammate, but actually around 30s.
So, it's a Red Bull 1-2, Ricciardo leading Vettel with Bottas third.
Next time around Perez and Massa pit, like Hamilton and Rosberg they switch to mediums.
On board with Rosberg who appears to have a piece of carcass from Hamilton's car stuck on his telemetry antennae.
Vettel, Kvyat and Hulkenberg all pit at the end of lap 10.
Jeez! Replay shows Rosberg take one hand off his steering wheel on the Kemmel Straight and try, without success, to remove the offending debris.
As Raikkonen goes quickest (54.333), Ricciardo, Magnussen, Sutil and Ericsson all pit.
After 11 laps, Bottas leads Alonso with Button third ahead of Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Vettel, Rosberg, Vergne, Magnussen and Gutierrez. Looking good, at present, for the Iceman.
Alonso pits, as does Bottas, as Hamilton, now up to 16th, is advised that his pace is good. Perez passes Alonso as the Spaniard exits the pits, the Ferrari driver attempts to slipstream the Force India on the run up the hill but fails. However, he passes the Mexican shortly after, the Spaniard clearly on a mission.
With Ricciardo now back in the lead, Button pits whilst Vergne and Magnussen enjoy a great scrap for seventh, the Dane barging his way past the Frenchman.
After 14 laps, with the first round of stops out of the way, Ricciardo leads Raikkonen, Vettel, Rosberg, Bottas, Magnussen, Alonso, Vergne, Perez and Button. That said, Vergne has yet to stop.
Currently fourth, 7.9s behind the leader, Rosberg is told that he must pass Vettel if he is to win. The German is currently 0.4s behind the German.
As Vergne finally pits, at the end of lap 15, Ricciardo posts a new fastest lap (54.226) as he extends his lead to 4.7s.
A massive lock-up for Rosberg as he attempts to pass Vettel at the hairpin, allowing Bottas to close in. That will not have done his tyres any favours. Indeed, Bottas sweeps past the Mercedes on the run up the hill to Les Combes.
As Bottas lines up Vettel, Williams teammate Massa is down in 12th, 8s down on Hulkenberg.
Under intense pressure from Bottas, indeed calling for help with his defence, Vettel is told to observe the track limits at T15.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 17, having completed 14 (not 15) laps on that set of tyres, rejoining in 19th, 1.2s behind Chilton. The damage to the floor on the Mercedes is obvious.
Ricciardo is now 6.5s ahead of Raikkonen as Rosberg is advised that the vibration from his front tyres is "on the limit". The German responds by pitting, thereby causing the team to change strategy. He rejoins in 10th.
Hamilton's mood is clearly down, suggesting that he should retire and save his engine, the Briton is advised to stick with it, that anything could still happen. He's down in 17th, but there's still everything, including a title, to be fought before.
Alonso, now sixth, is all over Magnussen as Raikkonen continues to lose ground to race leader Ricciardo. His tyres shot, the Finn is told to "box" at the end of lap 21 for mediums. He duly obeys and returns to the track in eighth.
A big wobble in Eau rouge for Alonso as he pursues Magnussen. Elsewhere, a new fastest lap for Rosberg (51.898) as he closes to within 0.859s of Button.
"Torque 1 and box," Vettel is told. Fitting a set of primes he rejoins in eighth, 4s down on Raikkonen.
Rosberg passes Button and closes in on the Magnussen/Alonso battle.
Not clear why but Rosberg hands the position back to Button before finally re-taking the position around half-a-lap later at Les Combes. On the pit-wall Toto Wolff shakes his head. Magnussen pits.
Raikkonen passes Button at the chicane to take fifth, as Rosberg sweeps past Alonso on the run to Les Combes.
After 25 laps, Ricciardo leads Bottas by 14.7s, with Rosberg third, ahead of Raikkonen and Vettel who makes a great move on Button at the chicane.
Rosberg is told that he needs to push as hard as he can in order to force Ricciardo to pit. The German team really having to think on its feet. That said, one wonders whose benefit this public discussion on strategy is really aimed at.
Magnussen passes Hulkenberg at La Source to take seventh, just behind his McLaren teammate. However, the German doesn't make it easy for the Dane and sticks with him.
Hamilton is still clearly unhappy and wants to stop. "I don't know how I'm going to catch the guys in front, I have no downforce," he moans. The team tells him to keep "plugging away", reminding him that anything could still happen.
Bottas makes his second stop at the end of lap 38, switch from soft to medium. The stop sees Rosberg back in third, 3.625s down on Ricciardo.
As Ricciardo asks about his, and Rosberg's tyres, the German is advised that he's "safe P2". Elsewhere, Button pits from 6th, rejoining in 10th. Vergne also pits.
"We're still able to win this race, Rosberg is told, "you just need to close the gap to Ricciardo."
Bottas is all over Vettel who is 2.673s down on Raikkonen who is 16s behind Rosberg.
A round of applause in the Williams garage as Bottas goes around the outside of Vettel at Les Combes.
What's going on," enquires Hamilton. "We're just talking through the options now," comes the response.
After 31 laps, it's: Ricciardo, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Bottas, Vettel, Magnussen, Alonso, Perez, Button and Kvyat. Massa is eleventh, ahead of Hulkenberg, Sutil, Vergne and Gutierrez.
Hamilton pits and swaps his softs for a set of mediums. He rejoins in 16th, 16.3s down on Gutierrez.
Asked if he thinks his tyres will last the distance, with ten laps remaining, he is not particularly convinced.
Grosjean is told that he need to pit and retire, another dreadful point-less weekend for the Enstone team.
Bottas closes in on Raikkonen, as Rosberg makes a late pit stop, switching to the soft rubber. He rejoins in the middle of the Bottas/Raikkonen battle. Passed by the Williams the German subsequently re-takes the position with a brave pass in Blanchimont.
Making short work of Raikkonen on the run up the hill, Rosberg is back in second, 21.2s down on race-leader Ricciardo.
With 8 laps remaining Ricciardo has to make his tyres last the distance, as Rosberg – now the fastest man on the track – closes down the gap to 19.1s.
Alonso is all over Magnussen as they battle for fifth. He tried to pass on the outside at Malmedy but the Dane is having none of it.
Again, Hamilton advises that he should stop and save his engine. Again he is told to stick with it.
"You are due to catch Ricciardo right at the end, Rosberg is told, the German now 16.7s down on the race leader. Replay shows a big twitch for the Mercedes driver in Paul Frere.
Bottas continues to hound Raikkonen as Hamilton is told to box at the end of the lap, the team advising him of "aero degradation" and that he should cool the car. Fact is, it's not the car that needs to cool.
As the Briton storms off to the back of the garage, Bottas nails Raikkonen on the run to Les Combes and Rosberg closes to within 11.7s of Ricciardo.
Magnussen heads a train of four cars, Alonso, Button and Vettel snapping at his heels.
Chilton, battling with Ericsson for 16th, slows to a halt in order to allow the 'Magnussen train' through.
Fantastic battle between Alonso and Button as they in turn attempt to pass Magnussen. Button passes the Spaniard but then loses out only to re-take the position before losing out again and also being passed by Vettel. Alonso and Magnussen using all the track and then some. Phew!
Meanwhile, with two laps remaining, Rosberg is 5.7s down on Ricciardo.
Alonso runs wide which allows Vettel through. Button also has another nip at the Ferrari.
The Stewards are investigating the earlier incident involving Alonso and Magnussen.
As they begin the final lap Ricciardo is 3.7s ahead of Rosberg but attention is focussed on the battle fifth which is getting silly as cars almost touch and others go off track.
Ricciardo takes the flag, his second successive win, ahead of Rosberg, Bottas and Raikkonen.
Vettel holds on to fifth, ahead of Magnussen, Button and Alonso, while Perez and Kvyat complete the top ten.
Hulkenberg is eleventh, ahead of Vergne, Massa, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton, Ericsson and Bianchi.
As Rosberg heads off to join Ricciardo and Bottas on the podium, Niki Lauda makes it clear that he is far from happy with what happened at the start of the race, clearly blaming the German.
What was a pretty good race, with action throughout, is going to be remembered for that very incident with fans and the media seeing it the way they want to. Whilst we are going to see and hear some real nonsense over the days ahead this shouldn't take away from what was a good race and a championship that remains very much alive.
Hamilton had talked of inflicting pain on his teammate this weekend however, it is the Briton who leaves here clearly hurting. It remains to be seen whether Mercedes has a remedy.
Meanwhile kudos, to Daniel and Valtteri, but also to those battling behind them, even if the Stewards, and certain team bosses, see it differently.
Check out our race gallery, here.
Chris Balfe