planetf1.com

Now the assumptions or accusations or presumptions etc etc has started. Lewis has stated clearly that he feels Ferrari has already favoured Vettel.

By this I believe he has taken the first pot shot. Till this time it was all " oh we love racing each other" between him and Vettel. By this he has now very cleverly done two things

1. Undermine Vettel and also worsen the already tensed relations between Vettel and Kimi
2. He has given a subtle hint to Merc that they should think of the same. (albeit he has said to the media that he is averse to the favouritism) That is make him No 1.

(point 2 is conveniently my take on things)

I believe things will go south further between him and Vettel, between Vettel and Kimi and between Lewis and Bottas. Exciting days ahead. I was missing this kind of action for many years.

Valterri Bottas is the only driver of the top 4 who has been asked to move over for his team-mate.

GingerFurball wrote:Valterri Bottas is the only driver of the top 4 who has been asked to move over for his team-mate.

And to hold up the rivals for his team-mate.

Lewis is sitting in a glass-house.

robins13 wrote:

GingerFurball wrote:Valterri Bottas is the only driver of the top 4 who has been asked to move over for his team-mate.

And to hold up the rivals for his team-mate.

Not that I think there was any team orders yesterday and if there was I don't blame Ferrari but what Mercedes did was far from anything like swapping drivers mid race to gift another a win like in the past.

Any team in the same situation would do the same and I hope Mercedes would do the same thing if it was the other way round.

Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

You do realise Mercedes asked Bottas to move out the way so the team had a better chance to win the race. In fact Mercedes asked Bottas to move over sooner but Hamilton said he will follow if Bottas has the pace. Hamilton would have passed on track or in the pits anyway but what's the point if his 20 seconds down the track and it's to late, just common sense.
It's very similar to Monaco last year, do you let one driver stop 2 drivers have any chance of the race win or at least one driver have a chance.

I don't know what one thing in particular did it for me, but I think Hamilton will retire at the end of the year.

He seems to be losing interest. Having said that, Monaco is probably as low it it can get for a driver. The weekend is over on Saturday. There is little point turning up on Sunday if you have an uncompetitive car, or even a good car which is not in the right place.

There is a different mind set to watching your opponent sail off into the distance with 6 or 8 cars between you, and next to no chance of passing them, and being in a place to do something about it.

F1_Ernie wrote:

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

You do realise Mercedes asked Bottas to move out the way so the team had a better chance to win the race. In fact Mercedes asked Bottas to move over sooner but Hamilton said he will follow if Bottas has the pace. Hamilton would have passed on track or in the pits anyway but what's the point if his 20 seconds down the track and it's to late, just common sense.
It's very similar to Monaco last year, do you let one driver stop 2 drivers have any chance of the race win or at least one driver have a chance.

If I remember correctly, there was that proposal from Hamilton that Bottas lets him pass so to have a try on Vettel, and if not successful then Bottas gets the place back. Of course, the situation was more complex than that and the return of the place was never actual. But regardless of what I remember, this is what Bottas said:

“As a racing driver it's the worst thing you want to hear, but that’s life,” said Bottas after coming home third. “I understand the team completely on that. They had the opportunity at the end of the day to get some extra points for the team and fight for the victory."
“So yes I see the point, but still it’s tough when you’re on pole and trying to win a race. But I’m definitely a team player so I wouldn’t say no to that [team order].”

So the only TO that we know was issued, and beyond any doubt, was that one. In Hamilton's favor.

What would've happened if the situation was reversed?

If Bottas was leading & Hamilton was second, would Mercedes (now considering the points table before the Monaco race) let Bottas win?

Yes. It's possible Kimi will now only drive for himself and ignore team orders, perhaps even strategy.

You rarely see Kimi show his anger. Yesterday was a first. And I think Lewis' words will sink even deeper into Kimi.

Prema wrote:

F1_Ernie wrote:

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

You do realise Mercedes asked Bottas to move out the way so the team had a better chance to win the race. In fact Mercedes asked Bottas to move over sooner but Hamilton said he will follow if Bottas has the pace. Hamilton would have passed on track or in the pits anyway but what's the point if his 20 seconds down the track and it's to late, just common sense.
It's very similar to Monaco last year, do you let one driver stop 2 drivers have any chance of the race win or at least one driver have a chance.

If I remember correctly, there was that proposal from Hamilton that Bottas lets him pass so to have a try on Vettel, and if not successful then Bottas gets the place back. Of course, the situation was more complex than that and the return of the place was never actual. But regardless of what I remember, this is what Bottas said:

“As a racing driver it's the worst thing you want to hear, but that’s life,” said Bottas after coming home third. “I understand the team completely on that. They had the opportunity at the end of the day to get some extra points for the team and fight for the victory."
“So yes I see the point, but still it’s tough when you’re on pole and trying to win a race. But I’m definitely a team player so I wouldn’t say no to that [team order].”

So the only TO that we know was issued, and beyond any doubt, was that one. In Hamilton's favor.

Of course it was in Hamiltons favour because he was the faster driver in Bahrain and Spain. Mercedes got both calls spot on and any team would do the same.
Bottas pace in both races was poor. He would have ended 3rd whatever in both races. Why let one drivers poor race effect both drivers chance for the race win, you simply wouldn't. Its the best thing for the team whatever driver is faster. I don't have any problem with this and it's nothing like swapping positions just so one driver can gain more points like Alonso and Massa.

A team wouldn't sit there thinking we will wait till the pitstops and by then it's race over.
I would fully understand if it got mentoned in a bigger scale if the roles were reversed and Hamilton wasn't asked to move over or hold another driver up because of poor pace. Which this season Bottas is matching Hamilton in quali and has beaten him twice in races clearly on pace so there's a chance it could happen.

UnlikeUday wrote:What would've happened if the situation was reversed?

If Bottas was leading & Hamilton was second, would Mercedes (now considering the points table before the Monaco race) let Bottas win?

To many "what ifs".

F1_Ernie wrote:

Prema wrote:

F1_Ernie wrote:

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

You do realise Mercedes asked Bottas to move out the way so the team had a better chance to win the race. In fact Mercedes asked Bottas to move over sooner but Hamilton said he will follow if Bottas has the pace. Hamilton would have passed on track or in the pits anyway but what's the point if his 20 seconds down the track and it's to late, just common sense.
It's very similar to Monaco last year, do you let one driver stop 2 drivers have any chance of the race win or at least one driver have a chance.

If I remember correctly, there was that proposal from Hamilton that Bottas lets him pass so to have a try on Vettel, and if not successful then Bottas gets the place back. Of course, the situation was more complex than that and the return of the place was never actual. But regardless of what I remember, this is what Bottas said:

“As a racing driver it's the worst thing you want to hear, but that’s life,” said Bottas after coming home third. “I understand the team completely on that. They had the opportunity at the end of the day to get some extra points for the team and fight for the victory."
“So yes I see the point, but still it’s tough when you’re on pole and trying to win a race. But I’m definitely a team player so I wouldn’t say no to that [team order].”

So the only TO that we know was issued, and beyond any doubt, was that one. In Hamilton's favor.

Of course it was in Hamiltons favour because he was the faster driver in Bahrain and Spain. Mercedes got both calls spot on and any team would do the same.
Bottas pace in both races was poor. He would have ended 3rd whatever in both races. Why let one drivers poor race effect both drivers chance for the race win, you simply wouldn't. Its the best thing for the team whatever driver is faster. I don't have any problem with this and it's nothing like swapping positions just so one driver can gain more points like Alonso and Massa.

A team wouldn't sit there thinking we will wait till the pitstops and by then it's race over.
I would fully understand if it got mentoned in a bigger scale if the roles were reversed and Hamilton wasn't asked to move over or hold another driver up because of poor pace. Which this season Bottas is matching Hamilton in quali and has beaten him twice in races clearly on pace so there's a chance it could happen.

Yes, of course it was in the favor of Hamilton because he was the faster driver at the time. I am not challenging the technical correctness behind it, just like Bottas did not. I am simply stating the fact. The fact that it was the TO. Issued. In Mercedes. In favor to Hamilton.
And that is what I mean with that Hamilton is sitting in a glass house. He is not to start throwing stones at Vettel/Ferrari direction where actually no TO has been issued yet.

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

was bottas leading the race and on course for the race win when he was told to move over.

That's fair enough, I was just trying to show the bigger picture. Like I have said though I don't think team orders happened yesterday so I'm not just defending Hamilton if thats what people think.

Prema wrote:

F1_Ernie wrote:

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

You do realise Mercedes asked Bottas to move out the way so the team had a better chance to win the race. In fact Mercedes asked Bottas to move over sooner but Hamilton said he will follow if Bottas has the pace. Hamilton would have passed on track or in the pits anyway but what's the point if his 20 seconds down the track and it's to late, just common sense.
It's very similar to Monaco last year, do you let one driver stop 2 drivers have any chance of the race win or at least one driver have a chance.

If I remember correctly, there was that proposal from Hamilton that Bottas lets him pass so to have a try on Vettel, and if not successful then Bottas gets the place back. Of course, the situation was more complex than that and the return of the place was never actual. But regardless of what I remember, this is what Bottas said:

“As a racing driver it's the worst thing you want to hear, but that’s life,” said Bottas after coming home third. “I understand the team completely on that. They had the opportunity at the end of the day to get some extra points for the team and fight for the victory."
“So yes I see the point, but still it’s tough when you’re on pole and trying to win a race. But I’m definitely a team player so I wouldn’t say no to that [team order].”

So the only TO that we know was issued, and beyond any doubt, was that one. In Hamilton's favor.

if the place wasn't given back then how did Hamilton get behind bottas a second time.bottas got his place back though indirectly.

I have only heard about Hamilton giving the place back on here. When I check the transcripts I can't see it.

F1_Ernie wrote:

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

You do realise Mercedes asked Bottas to move out the way so the team had a better chance to win the race. In fact Mercedes asked Bottas to move over sooner but Hamilton said he will follow if Bottas has the pace. Hamilton would have passed on track or in the pits anyway but what's the point if his 20 seconds down the track and it's to late, just common sense.
It's very similar to Monaco last year, do you let one driver stop 2 drivers have any chance of the race win or at least one driver have a chance.

I only realize that the "team" you are referring to has only one more driver, who happened to be Lewsi Hamilton. All they did in Spain, was in his favor. Lewis Hamilton having better chance? Surely. Team orders? Oh, yes!

lucifers wrote:

Prema wrote:

F1_Ernie wrote:

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

You do realise Mercedes asked Bottas to move out the way so the team had a better chance to win the race. In fact Mercedes asked Bottas to move over sooner but Hamilton said he will follow if Bottas has the pace. Hamilton would have passed on track or in the pits anyway but what's the point if his 20 seconds down the track and it's to late, just common sense.
It's very similar to Monaco last year, do you let one driver stop 2 drivers have any chance of the race win or at least one driver have a chance.

If I remember correctly, there was that proposal from Hamilton that Bottas lets him pass so to have a try on Vettel, and if not successful then Bottas gets the place back. Of course, the situation was more complex than that and the return of the place was never actual. But regardless of what I remember, this is what Bottas said:

“As a racing driver it's the worst thing you want to hear, but that’s life,” said Bottas after coming home third. “I understand the team completely on that. They had the opportunity at the end of the day to get some extra points for the team and fight for the victory."
“So yes I see the point, but still it’s tough when you’re on pole and trying to win a race. But I’m definitely a team player so I wouldn’t say no to that [team order].”

So the only TO that we know was issued, and beyond any doubt, was that one. In Hamilton's favor.

if the place wasn't given back then how did Hamilton get behind bottas a second time.bottas got his place back though indirectly.

In the same way that Vettel got behind Bottas too, and Bottas was "leading" the race then. Guess, Ferrari was giving Vettel's place back to Bottas?

They kept Bottas long out just to obstruct Vettel as long as possible while Lewis, who pitted on the end of the VSC, was closing the gap, then to be let by Bottas without any obstructing)

What was so bad about what he said? Doesn't seem like mindgames to me, he just shared his observation. The same one that many fans have.

Lt. Drebin wrote:

F1_Ernie wrote:

Lt. Drebin wrote:Desperate mind games, trying to unsettle the Ferrari after some dispute within that team. Both Toto Wolf (his chief) and Christian Horner said oppositely and they know a thing or two more than Hamilton how the team is run.

What I find funny is that Hamilton also said that he will not ask preferential status, while he already benefited from it the race before, where Bottas was driving only in his favor because Mercedes team asked so.

You do realise Mercedes asked Bottas to move out the way so the team had a better chance to win the race. In fact Mercedes asked Bottas to move over sooner but Hamilton said he will follow if Bottas has the pace. Hamilton would have passed on track or in the pits anyway but what's the point if his 20 seconds down the track and it's to late, just common sense.
It's very similar to Monaco last year, do you let one driver stop 2 drivers have any chance of the race win or at least one driver have a chance.

I only realize that the "team" you are referring to has only one more driver, who happened to be Lewsi Hamilton. All they did in Spain, was in his favor. Lewis Hamilton having better chance? Surely. Team orders? Oh, yes!

When a driver is to far back to challenge for the the top two and to far in front of fourth it is common sense if the opportunity happens to hold Vettel up to use it. It's called thinking on your toes and it wouldn't have happened if Bottas was fast enough or if Kimi was still in the race.

Just get fed up reading the same rubbish and people not looking at the bigger picture or just because it's the name Hamilton. It's not like Bottas was asked to move aside to lose a win? That is totally different to what happened in Spain and Bahrain.

Hamilton was just better off passing Bottas on track or in the pits and after that being 20-30 seconds down the road and race over. Hamilton didn't even gain anything from Bahrain because he would of got 2nd whatever.

I don't even see them as team orders but more common sense and apart of racing. I don't even begrudge the Alonso and Massa scenarios but that is more like team orders when your costing your team mate a win.

Like I say if roles reversed and Mercedes don't ask Hamilton to move over then it's obvious who's number one.

trento wrote:Yes. It's possible Kimi will now only drive for himself and ignore team orders, perhaps even strategy.

You rarely see Kimi show his anger. Yesterday was a first. And I think Lewis' words will sink even deeper into Kimi.

I simply don't see it being an issue. I also saw an article on Sky which said the relationship would likely go the way of Rosberg & Hamilton, thing is, Kimi isn't as competitive.

Even this weekend the only time he was on Vettel's pace was Q2 and Q3, through all of practice and in the race we was well off, as he has been all season really. I don't see Ferrari having a problem with team orders much this season as I can't see Kimi being in a position to require them. He needs to step his game up.

Warheart01 wrote:What was so bad about what he said? Doesn't seem like mindgames to me, he just shared his observation. The same one that many fans have.

And a differing one to his team boss and to many other fans.

And Hamilton has a bit to gain here: unsettling the good spirits at the team for which his direct competitor for the WDC is driving, and at the same time trying to rally the Mercedes troops more behind himself.
I don't know what Toto has to gain in saying that he doesn't think the result was engineered.

Warheart01 wrote:What was so bad about what he said? Doesn't seem like mindgames to me, he just shared his observation. The same one that many fans have.

Reading what he said on skysports I can't see anything bad but some see it as "desperate mind games"

Lets all be honest and everyone knew Vettel was number 1 the day he signed for Ferrari but no ones going to bang on about the obvious everyday. Kimi just isn't quick enough so that's convient aswell.

F1_Ernie wrote:

Warheart01 wrote:What was so bad about what he said? Doesn't seem like mindgames to me, he just shared his observation. The same one that many fans have.

Reading what he said on skysports I can't see anything bad but some see it as "desperate mind games"

Lets all be honest and everyone knew Vettel was number 1 the day he signed for Ferrari but no ones going to bang on about the obvious everyday. Kimi just isn't quick enough so that's convient aswell.

Yes, very much so. I don't care who beats the other but since Vettel is obviously the better of the two anyway, the few times Kimi has the upperhand it would be nice if they can let them battle it out fair and square. Maybe they did and Vettel was just better, he was atleast faster in the race but surely Ferrari could have found a gap for Kimi after his pitstop.

Whether or not Ferrari actually applied team orders to the detriment of Raikkonen, or that Hamilton actually cares, in my opinion all of his noise-making is not targeted at Ferrari or Vettel, but a campaign to convince his team bosses to switch to designating him number one driver and strategize all races to his personal benefit. Maybe it's his lack of belief he can win the title without a massive assist from the team, or an attempt to keep Bottas down is debatable, but either way, it's shameful to see such a talented driver resort to such childish antics.

The guy is already laying the groundwork for his excuses if he doesn't win the title this year.

Yeah I'm getting the popcorn out now.

What surprises me this year is how close Bottas is to Hamilton. Yes, it is a 29 point gap betwen them but remember Bottas lost at leased 15 points in Spain. So that would mean if it wasn't for that, they would be 14 points apart. That isn't bad at all for a new driver to the team against Hamilton is it? Currently, Bottas has 75 and Hamilton 104. If Hamilton retires next race and Bottas wins, he will be just 4 points behind Hamilton when they've had equal reliability. The next 2 races could well change the gap more if Hamilton has a repeat of his dreadful form in Baku. Bottas is also really strong in Canada and decent too in Baku from what we have seen. I do wonder what people would be thinking now if Hamilton had retired in Spain and not Bottas. Hamilton would then now have 79 points and Bottas would have 93. Retirements really do chance results don't they? But if both drivers didn't retire at all this year, there would as I said be just 14 points between them which makes me think Bottas has been a little under rated this year. He isn't out of the fight with Hamilton yet.

mds wrote:

Warheart01 wrote:What was so bad about what he said? Doesn't seem like mindgames to me, he just shared his observation. The same one that many fans have.

And a differing one to his team boss and to many other fans.

And Hamilton has a bit to gain here: unsettling the good spirits at the team for which his direct competitor for the WDC is driving, and at the same time trying to rally the Mercedes troops more behind himself.
I don't know what Toto has to gain in saying that he doesn't think the result was engineered.

How about: "If they did engineer it, it simply means they have indeed done what Lewis said. If they didn't, they simply look very silly indeed."

I'm not sure myself what the case actually was.

You just got to feel for some Hamilton fans, the length they go to justify BS, same as they have been going on about team orders considering only Hamilton has benefited from them.

If I were a fan of his I'd be more worried about him not turning up at some GP's, he's racing against a guy with robot like consistency, 3 wins and 3 2nd place finishes its looking more like 2011 for Vettel, Hamilton can not afford another race like Sochi and Monaco!

I get what you say but ''justify BS'' is a bit much. What he said wasn't out of line, just his opinion. Sure he might try to wiggle the team around him but isn't there better ways to do that than say something in an interview? Also Hamilton is the only driver on the grid that I know of that doesn't care who he is teamed up with and who doesn't ask for favouritism.

Hamilton is the driver I root for and I will always have a slight bias towards him weather I want to or not. I don't think Hamilton fans are the only ones going the length to justify BS.
Also, the banter between fans are part of sports but might be difficult to get a good spirit on a forum.

Warheart01 wrote: Also Hamilton is the only driver on the grid that I know of that doesn't care who he is teamed up with and who doesn't ask for favouritism.

You're saying that as if it were a fact.

Warheart01 wrote:I get what you say but ''justify BS'' is a bit much. What he said wasn't out of line, just his opinion. Sure he might try to wiggle the team around him but isn't there better ways to do that than say something in an interview? Also Hamilton is the only driver on the grid that I know of that doesn't care who he is teamed up with and who doesn't ask for favouritism.

Hamilton is the driver I root for and I will always have a slight bias towards him weather I want to or not. I don't think Hamilton fans are the only ones going the length to justify BS.
Also, the banter between fans are part of sports but might be difficult to get a good spirit on a forum.

What evidence is there that any of the drivers care who they team up with? Or ask for favouritism?

Rockie wrote:You just got to feel for some Hamilton fans, the length they go to justify BS, same as they have been going on about team orders considering only Hamilton has benefited from them.

If I were a fan of his I'd be more worried about him not turning up at some GP's, he's racing against a guy with robot like consistency, 3 wins and 3 2nd place finishes its looking more like 2011 for Vettel, Hamilton can not afford another race like Sochi and Monaco!

Which Hamilton fans have been going on about team orders for Vettel? What BS are you talking about? Hamilton said Vettel was number 1 driver? Is that not true then?

I like the line some people come out which is "Hamilton doesn't want preferential treatment but look at Spain and Bahrain" Talk about reaching much. All I heard on the radio was that naughty Hamilton making sure the number 2 was blocking Vettel for him, oh how he would have been upset with the team if he found out differently. The way some people make it out he has been given two wins.

How did Hamilton benefit in Bahrain? He would of finished 2nd whatever.

Blinky McSquinty wrote:Whether or not Ferrari actually applied team orders to the detriment of Raikkonen, or that Hamilton actually cares, in my opinion all of his noise-making is not targeted at Ferrari or Vettel, but a campaign to convince his team bosses to switch to designating him number one driver and strategize all races to his personal benefit. Maybe it's his lack of belief he can win the title without a massive assist from the team, or an attempt to keep Bottas down is debatable, but either way, it's shameful to see such a talented driver resort to such childish antics.

The guy is already laying the groundwork for his excuses if he doesn't win the title this year.

Did you even read the article? You start of ok then you just can't resist with the digs oh such shameful behaviour haha.

Vettel & Kimi probably won't get much affected by his remarks as they're aware of the team environment & the policies that govern the Ferrari F1 team.

Kimi no doubt would be upset but am sure his cool nature will get the better of him.

Hamilton is surely the unofficial no 1 driver at Mercedes. Had Bottas been leading instead (hypothetical) & had Hamilton been 2nd, would they've finished in the same order?

UnlikeUday wrote:Vettel & Kimi probably won't get much affected by his remarks as they're aware of the team environment & the policies that govern the Ferrari F1 team.

Kimi no doubt would be upset but am sure his cool nature will get the better of him.

Hamilton is surely the unofficial no 1 driver at Mercedes. Had Bottas been leading instead (hypothetical) & had Hamilton been 2nd, would they've finished in the same order?

Depends if Bottas wanted to pit first, also depends on the gap. I'm guessing Bottas would have pit first and then Hamilton a lap later. I don't think if Hamilton started putting in fastest sectors they would have kept him out 5 laps longer.

F1_Ernie wrote:I have only heard about Hamilton giving the place back on here. When I check the transcripts I can't see it.

He definitely mentioned it; the context was that Lewis felt he was being held up by Bottas and wanted to be let past, if it turned out that Hamilton wasn't any quicker than Bottas he'd give the place back.

GingerFurball wrote:

F1_Ernie wrote:I have only heard about Hamilton giving the place back on here. When I check the transcripts I can't see it.

He definitely mentioned it; the context was that Lewis felt he was being held up by Bottas and wanted to be let past, if it turned out that Hamilton wasn't any quicker than Bottas he'd give the place back.

Fair enough if Hamilton said that but I did only read it on here during the race and didn't hear it myself or see it on the transcripts. TBH it doesn't matter much because Hamilton was clearly faster even on the slower tyre.