Tuesday, 11 April 2017

CHINA GRAND PRIX - LEWIS HAMILTON HAMMERED IT! HAIL THE CHAMP!



Another big Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes Team for having won the China Formula 1 Grand Prix race on Sunday.

Winning it was indeed on the cards for Hamilton and his Team, but, as I have said on that and other occasions, it is not done until the end of the race. 

And neither is a race lost or won until it is done, or, for reasons beyond the racer and his team. 

His mean machine gives up the ghost before the guy with the Checkered Flag waves it on the completion of the last lap of the race.

Lewis and his Team had the start which they need to set them in good stead to convert their Pole position into a race win. And they duly capitalised on it. 



With the great man leading all the 56 laps of the race, and being the first to across the line on the last lap.

And so, it is fitting that we who have been blessed to experience the event, should say, Hail to the Champ. As he and his Team win their first Grand Prix in the 2017 Formula 1 season.

Of course, Seb Vettel has already won the first of the 20 races due to be held this season, having done so in the Australian Grand Prix. 

And, just to demonstrated how competitive he and his Ferrari Team will be this season, he came in at P2. After having suffered some not exceptional misfortune by what seemed to have been a tactical error. 

Apparent because of something somewhat similar to that which led to Lewis having had to settle for P2.  Instead of fighting foot, hands and head to make P1 in the Australian Grand Prix.

So, after the first 2 races, Lewis and Seb are equal at 43 points per racer. And, with 18 races to go, there is everything to fight for, to see who will be - because we already know that both of these contenders are capable of being - the 2017 Formula 1 World Champion. 

As Lewis noted on the Podium, he will not have to contend with Seb, but also the other competent and very competitive racers. 

The likes of Max Verstappen, who would dearly like Lewis to call him by his name, Max, and not 'this guy.' 



Which I can understand, considering that Max did an excellent job holding off Ricciardo to take P3. The likes of Ricciardo himself, and Kimi. 

But, probably above all of these, Valtteri Bottas, who, due to an error of his, unfortunately, was not able to convert his P3 position in Qualifying.  Into a similar position in the race, and is now 20 points adrift of the joint leaders.

And now, as we look forward to the Bahrain Grand Prix, it is clear for all to see. That it is the racers and teams who are able to graft and craft best, in very competitive racing conditions, who are going to be the most successful in the 2017 season.

It only takes a racer or his team to lose a race, but it requires a racer and his team to efficiently and consistently work in unison, before a race can, and will be won this 2017 season.

Effective and consistent teamwork, between racer and team, will be the sine qua non of the season.





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