Tuscan Grand Prix: The Hits and Misses from the Editorial Team

First of the two new circuits on this 2020 calendar alongside Portimao, Mugello made a sensational debut in Formula 1. Sensational in the literal sense of the word, with crashes galore: the Verstappen-Räikkönen-Gasly-Grosjean collision (plus Sainz’s spin) on the first lap, the monstrous pile-up on the restart of the 7th lap, involving 12 cars (!), and the spectacular accident of Lance Stroll in the ninth turn curve “Arrabiata 2” on the 44th lap.

Half-spectacular, half-dangerous, this Tuscan Grand Prix was marked by 2 red flags, 3 standing starts, and 8 retirements… enough already, the cup of incidents is full!

Finally, it was Lewis Hamilton who clinched the victory, the 90th of his career, ahead of his Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, and Alex Albon, finally on a Formula 1 podium!

1. Hamilton never disturbed

We are used to writing it, but the Mercedes driver of car #44 had an almost flawless performance. Almost, because he missed the start on Sunday, falling behind Bottas. But he secured pole position on Saturday. And after the initial start mishap, it was classic Hamilton from then on.

His overtaking on the restart after the pile-up shows who is the boss at Mercedes, even though there’s no need to prove it anymore. Controlling the gap, tired but securing the fastest lap towards the end, Hamilton delivered an excellent performance on a track that could have equalized the competition.

But no, Hamilton is too strong, speeding full throttle on the highway of history. Next toll: Michael Schumacher’s historic record of victories. A 91st win in Russia in just two weeks will put him on par with the German legend. Hamilton’s 7th title, like Schumacher’s, is also a formality: at this rate, we’ll have confirmation by the Turkish Grand Prix on November 15th.

2. Ricciardo frustrated

The Australian driver is disappointed but he matched his best performance for Renault!

Started 8th, “Dan the Man” did everything to maximize his result. He first fought with the two Racing Points and Albon’s Red Bull, moving up to 3rd on lap 25, overtaking Stroll with DRS. Good strategy too with a well-timed pit stop.

Even in 2nd place, after overtaking Bottas’s Mercedes on the last restart on lap 45, Ricciardo’s dream collapsed, overtaken by Bottas and especially by Albon.

A fourth place again, on a third different track this season, after Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. Performance in any case praised by the fans: Ricciardo received the honorary title of “Driver of the Day.” Who said we had lost the talent of the former Red Bull driver?

3. Albon rewarded

He also beat around the bush. But he achieved his first goal: finally getting on an F1 podium! Alex Albon didn’t collide with Hamilton this time. Naturally, the Brit was ahead. At Mugello, the Red Bull driver battled with Stroll, Pérez (after being overtaken by the Mexican, he got back ahead of him on the 48th lap), and especially with Ricciardo. A clean and flawless overtake on the 51st lap to get onto the podium. He also challenged Bottas immediately after, though unsuccessfully.

A podium at the best possible time to boost Albon’s confidence, after Pierre Gasly’s victory at Monza and Verstappen’s early retirement at Mugello. There is indeed a second Red Bull driver on the grid! But in any case, Albon doesn’t have to worry about his future: he is supported by Christian Horner. You can take that as irony if you wish!

Among the top performers, we could have also rewarded Kimi Räikkönen, 8th on the line, 9th in the final overall standings.

First motorized Ferrari driver, the Alfa Romeo driver, came back from afar after an issue during his tire change on the 29th lap. He also made us laugh with his very typical annoyance on the radio after his 5-second penalty for cutting the pit entry line. Iceman scores his first points of the season!

1. Vettel too hidden

Not much hope initially, but for the 1,000th Grand Prix of Scuderia Ferrari, the German lingered in the middle of the pack, even after the pile-up. Sebastian Vettel battled with George Russell’s Williams to bring home the last available point… it’s tough for a four-time world champion.

In his defense, Vettel was hit by Sainz’s McLaren after the Spaniard’s spin on the first lap. But things might have gone better if he had started higher than 14th on the grid… while Leclerc secured 5th place in Q3. Dominated by the Monegasque throughout the weekend, Vettel did not create an illusion.

The end of his adventure with Ferrari is painful to watch. His best move this Tuscan weekend will remain the timing of the announcement of his departure to Aston Martin. All this on Thursday as a surprise in the Mugello paddock, before the start of the festivities for Ferrari’s 1,000th Grand Prix. Coincidence?

2. The Honda engine weakened

We have officially reached the halfway mark of the season, and is the Japanese engine already at its limit?

Problem again for Verstappen, like in Monza a week ago. This Sunday, the Dutchman almost couldn’t start due to his power unit.

Unit that was at the end of its life, with problems revving up. Difficulty visible on the first straight, without speed, dropped from 3rd place to the middle of the pack, Verstappen found himself in the wrong place, ultimately tangled up with Räikkönen.

Annoying for Honda, especially with a driver who doesn’t mince words: “we’re doing crap,” Verstappen said over the radio. These engine problems are costing big points: perhaps the ones he’ll miss at the end to be vice-world champion ahead of Bottas.

3. Bottas annoyed

A 3rd place in our rather tough flop. The Finnish Mercedes driver was halted in his momentum at the end of Q3 on Saturday with Esteban Ocon’s Renault spin. Bottas also had a good start on Sunday, taking the lead authoritatively from Hamilton. But he was completely outpaced on the restart of the 10th lap! Without solutions, Bottas still tried a mind game with his tires via his radio.

He also requested a new Safety Car, which came after Stroll’s crash. But driver #77 did nothing on the restart and had to overtake Ricciardo’s Renault, which had moved ahead of him.

We can also talk about Bottas’s role in the carnage at the restart of the 7th lap. Leading at the time, Bottas dictated his pace with zig-zags until the start-finish line. He was within his rights, without any sudden moves, but his attitude contributed to the chaos. Ultimately, Bottas is very nice, but over time, one might wish to see someone other than him in the second Mercedes seat, to benchmark Hamilton.

With 8 retirements, it’s hard to think of another flop among the drivers. It’s difficult to assess the weekend of Verstappen or Gasly, caught in the starting collision. Unclear outcome also for Ocon, who retired due to overheating brakes.

Go ahead, the FIA regulations almost earned their place. As Romain Grosjean suggests, we really need to look into this rolling start issue after a Safety Car intervention…