Sunday, 29 April 2018

BAKU GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING - SEBASTIAN 'VETTELLISES POLE, WHILE HAMILTON IS LESS BUT STILL DELAYED AT P.2







Probably even more than Monaco's, the Baku Grand Prix has near zero tolerance for racers who lose their concentration, nerve of steel, or make the proverbial silly mistakes. 

Those who fall foul of the rigid disciplined and expert driving which the torrid gauntlet which is the Baku Grand Prix circuit. 

Are more often than not doomed to feel the full force of the barriers around the track. 

Which are intended to protect them and their cars from being smashed against the unyielding and sometimes towering buildings surrounding the circuit.

And so it might seem, that the drivers who are likely to succeed, to safely ride and overcome the challenges which are integral to BGP circuit, then he - at present their is no she - must drive fearlessly, but not recklessly.




Which is what  both Ferrari's drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, amongst others, have done during Saturday's Qualifying session. 

It was Sebastian Vettel who drove the fastest lap, without making any material mistakes, and, not surprisingly, it was he who make it safely to Pole position. 

Kimi was adjudged to have been driving even faster than Vettel, but, unlike Vettel. He made a material mistake, which led or contributed, - since oftentimes, it is a combination of events which place a racer in a winning or losing position - towards him coming in only at P.6.

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, did much better, with the former coming in at P.2 and the latter at P.3.




It might seem a bit ironic, but, with the two Mercedes' drivers on the Podium for what seems to be the first time in a long time, even though this is only the 4th race in the 2018 season. 

The though that this could be the beginning of Hamilton's assertion of himself as an equal match and competitor to Vettel, Raikkonen, Verstappen and Ricciardo, and Mercedes asserting themselves as equal to Ferrari and Red Bull, does come to mind.

If it is now the time for Team Mercedes to assume their previous inclination to be leader of the 'pack.' Then there are those among us who would be thinking that it is about time, and welcoming them again laying down the marker. 

However, not even the gods might know what lies ahead, so, we shall have to be await today's, Sunday's race to see what will transpires.




In the meantime, a Very Big Congratulations to Vettel for having, once again, demonstrated his mastery, when the conditions are favourable, and he has been given the car and team support to get the job done. 

And to Hamilton and Bottas, a Big Congratulations for having placed your cars on P.2 and P.3 positions, and, in so doing. 

Demonstrating that Team Mercedes, although still delayed, is making progress towards delivering the cars, support and reliable performances which have previously become their trademark.
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It is now up to Hamilton, Vettel and Team Mercedes to deliver the performance and outcomes at Baku, which has so far, been eluding them.



That as it may, the Baku Grand Prix, as can be expected, should provide both the racers and spectators with an exciting and thrilling race, with neither drivers or the audience being able to keep their eyes off the chase.

So, as I tend to say, let not the gods interfere maliciously to confound the racers, as each man, with the expert support of his team. 

Seek to transcend himself into becoming as one with the positive energies composing and flowing through the alluring but hazardous circuit, in his endeavour to be the first to greet the Checkered Flag on the final lap.







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