Imola is an historic F1 venue and holds many memories, both good and bad for F1 fans and at the weekend it was a pleasure to see modern F1 cars in competitive action around the track once again. Great corner names like Tosa, Aqua Minerali and Rivazza were providing challenges for the best drivers in the world and, the only change being the absense of the Traguado final chicane, other than that the venue is barley changed.
I loved seeing the cars there, Imola was one of the circuits I listed in an earlier post about tracks that should make a comeback and while it is probably unlikely the track will make a full time return, especially as Saudi Arabia was announced today as a race venue for next season, last Sunday was a race to savour for old times sake.
It was also a good race and proved to be the scene of an historic seventh consecutive Constructors championship victory for Mercedes. Bottas had taken a well deserved pole on Saturday, his second in a row and got away at the start to lead the way. Hamilton gave himself some work to do as he fell to third but after staying out alot longer at the stops and getting lucky with a virtual safety car which allowed him to lose less time and grab the lead from his team mate. In the end that didnt matter though as Bottas lacked the pace of his team mate as a result of sustaining damage early on after running over and collecting some Ferrari debris which cost him downforce. Duly cars 44 and 77 brought it home for another 1-2 and more silverware for the factory in Brackley.
Seven constructors titles on the bounce is unprecedented and even Merc themselves probably couldn’t have hoped for that back in 2014, they have been dominant and seen off every challenge since and that is credit to everyone in the team and their philosophy of always striving for perfection. They are without doubt one of the very best teams ever in the sport.
Other wise the race was entertaining down the field with some great drives by the likes of Rakkienon, Perez and Ricciardo. Perez could have had Racing Point’s first podium of the season if the team hadn’t bizarrely called him in for a late pitstop as the safetly car cam out late on, it is difficult to fathom the teams thinking on that one. Ricciardo and Renault gladly took advantage of that podium number 2 in the last three races. Renaualt is really starting to come good now, Alonso must be licking his lips as he prepares for his return.
One person who definitely didn’t leave Imola with a smile on his face was George Russel who went of behind the aforementioned safety car and threw away his first points finish. He was understandably distraught afterwards and as he always does put his hand up and accepted full responsibility. His time will come and making errors like this now will only make him stronger for the future.
Next up we go to Turkey to welcome another great former track back to the championship and where we may see Hamilton crowned as a seven time champion. Personally I cant wait for next weekend.
My F1 talk 