The Austrian Grand Prix has just ended, with Lewis Hamilton having converted his Pole position into winning the race. It was a very eventful and spectacular race, providing probably the right balance between good and misfortune fortune for many of the teams, including Mercedes.
It was a race that saw Sebastian Vettel, once again this season, having a promising race ended, spectacularly, in this case, with one of his rear tyres exploding pyrotechnically, and bringing out the Safety Car. Kvyat also saw his race coming to a very premature ending as well.
And, although Lewis Hamilton won the race, after driving beautifully, including having a good start, it was only after some very pulsating driving to overtake his team mate, Nico Rosberg, in the last lap of the race. This was not without incident, as, following what later transpired, Nico had a brake problem which compromise his car's management, and contributed to his and Hamilton's cars colliding at one of the turns. Rosberg could only make it to 4th place at the end of the race.
Never have I seen Toto Wolff presenting as being so mad, that he could hardly conceal it, and described the 'second coming together' of his drivers, while driving, as "brainless." Not sure whether Toto was referring to one or both of his drivers, but we all say and do insensitive and silly things, when we are losing control of our emotions/passions. Niki Lauda was also clearly upset, but, on this occasion, he seemed to have been in more control of his diplomatic ability.
Rosberg, in his initial comment, voiced his disappointment, although his appearance of being very contained and reserved, could suggest that he is aware of his own responsibility for collision.
I can understand Toto Wolff feeling exasperated and angry, but, guess what, it is a different day and a different incident this time, and each incident should be considered on its merits, in a calm, cool and collected manner. This is not something which Toto has done with his team yet, so, it is to be hoped that, when he does so, he might want to revisit and remove from 'the table' his intimation of putting 'team orders' back onto the table; 'if talking to his drivers is not having the desired effect.'
It seems that the gods love play with us humans, and that they will not allow the fans to have fun, unless they, the gods, are also allowed to inflict some tragedies on the competitors as well. Lewis had his race compromised by the strategy or one of the racing strategies which Mercedes employed during the race. He was also compromised by problem during his pit stop, and he made an error after he got back on the track, according to the commentators.
If, after all of that, Lewis Hamilton was going to win the Austrian Grand Prix, he would have had to make 'his own luck' and 'drive to win', in the final lap. This is what was required and it is what he did. The chances are that, even with Rosberg's brake problem, had he not been minded to keep his team mate behind him, at nearly all cost, the result would have been, Hamilton, First, Rosberg, Second.
So, congratulations to Lewis Hamilton for having fought hard and driven masterfully to win the grand prix. Commiserations to Vetel, Danii and Rosberg
To Toto Wolff, I would say, roll back on your intemperate comments, and, however difficult it might be at times, endeavour to keep the drama on the track and let peace and calm prevail in Team Mercedes.
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