Hamilton nurtures dead rubber to come out triumphant in Mexico City
By Abhishek Aggarwal
Mexico City, 27 Oct 2019: “Aay maan, I am so grateful for today.’’ Lewis Hamilton heaved a sigh of relief, pulling out an unexpected win out of thin air, once again nurturing his tyres . But he did not win the Championship here as teammate Valtteri Bottas came up with a third following Sebastian Vettel to the podium. So the Champ has to wait for the crown, a bit longer.
But, as is his wont, he never forgot to praise the crowd and thank the team, when Jenson Button took the initial interview. The defending World champion won more than half the races this season taking his 10th victory from 18 races and added to his overall tally making it an 83rd career victory. The Briton was in roaring form and unleashed his magic once again clocking unbelievable lap times with his aged Hard compound rubber, while Ferrari challenger and multiple world title winner, Sebastian Vettel, despite having the benefit of fresher rubber had to end up chasing the Day’s Hero.
Hamilton, delivered the victory taking the chequered flag 1.7 seconds ahead of the German as the large crowd at the Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez gave a standing applause as the Mexican Grand Prix, the 18th round of the FIA World Championship concluded here on Sunday.
In the end it was a perfect strategy by the team, stunning drive from the Briton and unwavering lap times by the seemingly-worn tyres that Hamilton could cull out, all mattered to add to the Mercedes strength as the Champion moves closer to another world title. In the post-event poser at the press meet, when asked that he won the championship here, the last two-years despite not winning the race and now in spite of winning the race, he had to wait for the Crown. Hamilton was bang on: “I love racing, man! Yeah, I don’t mind (waiting). I just take it one race at a time…’’ He went on to say that he is incredibly humbled for the op and for the car holding as it did today.’’
Earlier at the start, Hamilton did have a good push going into P2 from P3, but soon Max Verstappen of Red Bull tried to force his way and both he and Hamilton had to take an off-the-track excursion on to the grass and Hamilton ended up in fifth place. That was because, Verstappen after a good start, was involved in an aggressive car-to-car battle and after the contact with Lewis. He ended up P6 and alas, after the puncture later fighting with Bottas for P7, he wasn’t able to gain momentum. This is the fourth occasion, he finished behind his teammate Albon.
This is not just the set-back. Post the qualifying session, the mood in the paddocks for the Ferrari was surely highly as they hoped it would be a 1-2 for the Red Prancing Horse on the race-day. They did nurture hopes of the two long straights on the circuit, favoring Ferrari to the hilt.
However, Ferrari messed up their pit-stop strategy by pitting Charles so early, and leaving Sebastian too late… thereby causing two stops. Also in his second stop, the pit crew took an additional 5 seconds to set him free, and the Ferrari youngster was forced to join the race behind Bottas. Mercedes capitalized on it as Lewis perfectly controlled the race pace showing immense maturity and controlled tire wear with ease.
Amidst all the hullabullah, it was Checo the Hero of the day for the Mexicans. The local boy, Sergio Perez, fondly called Checo, finished at a handsome P7 after starting 11th on the grid as he survived a fierce battle with Daniel Ricciardo who conserved his tyres in the first leg of the race.
Vettel was leading the race, with Hamilton and Bottas in tow, all seemingly going for a one-stop strategy when the Mercedes champion pitted on Lap 23 for hard compound. It seems Ferrari lost the strategy here as they opted to keep Vettel on track and failed to cover the Briton. Finally, when Vettel pitted on Lap 37, he ended up rejoining in fourth behind Leclerc, Hamilton and Albon. Bottas had pitted a lap earlier. With both Leclerc and Albon making an additional stop, it was Vettel and Hamilton in the closing laps of the race fighting for the win. But Bottas’ third place meant that Hamilton needs four more points than the Finn, to win the Championship. COTA at Austin beckons!
Vettel tried his best and pushed the tyres but it was Hamilton, who emerged in flying colours, nurturing his hard tyres and delivering stunning lap times. Bottas took the final place on the podium. Leclerc finished fourth, ahead of Albon and Verstappen, also took a point for the fastest lap.
2019 FIA Formula One Mexican Grand Prix – Race
1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 71 1:36’48.904
2 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 71 1:36’50.670 1.766
3 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 71 1:36’52.457 3.553
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 71 1:36’55.272 6.368
5 Alexander Albon Red Bull Racing 71 1:37’10.303 21.399
6 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 71 1:37’57.711 1’08.807
7 Sergio Pérez Racing Point 71 1:38’02.723 1’13.819
8 Daniel Ricciardo Renault 71 1:38’03.828 1’14.924
9 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso 70 1:37’12.191 1 Lap
10 Nico Hülkenberg Renault 70 1:37’16.515 1 Lap
11 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso 70 1:37’19.121 1 Lap
12 Lance Stroll Racing Point 70 1:37’21.215 1 Lap
13 Carlos Sainz McLaren 70 1:37’24.231 1 Lap
14 Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo 70 1:37’45.156 1 Lap
15 Kevin Magnussen Haas 69 1:36’50.489 2 Laps
16 George Russell Williams 69 1:37’36.095 2 Laps
17 Romain Grosjean Haas 69 1:37’40.796 2 Laps
18 Robert Kubica Williams 69 1:37’50.095 2 Laps
Kimi Räikkönen Alfa Romeo 58 1:21’35.285
Lando Norris McLaren/Renault 48 1:09’26.792 .
