When Hamilton exploded on to the scene in 2007, he was instantly expected to
become not only one of the greatest British Formula One drivers, but one of
the country’s greatest sportsmen.
A mixture of underperforming cars and the odd driving lapse have left him
unable to fulfil that potential, but Mercedes current dominance has
presented him with a golden opportunity.
The Briton is not a relentless milestone chaser, or someone who keeps a keen
eye on the record books like some in the paddock, but he still seemed lost
for words when he tried to put his achievement in context.
“To be up there among the great names all the Brits, I’m very, very proud of
that, for sure,” Hamilton said. “Somebody mentioned Jim Clark’s record –
it’s unbelievable, I’m very grateful for that. I definitely feel very
blessed that I’ve had the chance to work with such great people, and have
the cars to put these laps in.”
This season has cooked up some intriguing inter-team battles, with Mercedes
grabbing most of the headlines. And while Rosberg leads by 11 points,
largely on account of Hamilton’s forced retirement in Australia, the Briton
has had the edge.
He has won every race he has been given the tools to finish, as well as taking
pole position in three out of four occasions this year, only faltering last
time out in Bahrain.
Given the intensity of their duel in Bahrain, as well as Mercedes’ admirable
rejection of team orders, it seems only a matter of time before they connect
on the road, at which point the gloves could come off in the team. In the
meantime it is to Mercedes’ considerable advantage to have the pair push
each other so hard.
Elsewhere on a misty, smoggy day in Shanghai, the emerging dynamic at Red
Bull continued to surprise many in the sport. Daniel Ricciardo once
again outqualified
Vettel to take a superb second on the grid, beating his team-mate
for the third time this season.
Few gave the Australian much of a chance against the four-time champion, but
even Vettel admitted he needs to up his game.
“Daniel is doing a very good job,” the German said. “He has not had one good
weekend, he has had [consistent] good weekends. So far he is able to get the
maximum out of the car, and on my side, maybe I am struggling a bit more.
“But at the end we have the same car so if he beats me he beats me fair and
square. That is not to my liking. Equally I know I have to do a little bit
better.”
At Ferrari Fernando Alonso got the better of Kimi Raikkonen in qualifying, and
will start the race fifth while the Finn is down in 11th.
It was not such a good day for McLaren, with neither driver making it into to
the final shootout. Jenson Button said he was hoping for a dry race, as he
looks to claw his way through the field from 12th. The other Briton on the
grid, Max Chilton, will line up 21st.
Away from the track, the dust finally appeared to settle on the case
surrounding Ricciardo’s disqualification in the opening race of the season
in Melbourne.
The FIA published the full judgement from the court of the appeal, which
stated that Red Bull had not deliberately cheated when they exceeded new
fuel flow regulations. They were also ordered to pay the costs.
“Considering the technical issues at stake and the fact that this was the
first official race under this new technology, the Court does not find that
the Appellant’s [Red Bull’s] attitude in Australia was fraudulent,” the
verdict said.
It also confirmed that on April 9 Mercedes made a submission to the appeal
which requested Red Bull be given the more severe sanction of a ban of “no
less than three races”, as well as a disqualification of six months
suspended for one year.
However, the hearing found that given this was the first race under new
technology, the punishment was “proportionate” and no further penalty was
required.