As we look to the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi this coming weekend it’s a time to reflect on the last race in China, where the young Russian Driver Daniil Kvyat caused the main talking point of the race and left us once again wondering what might have been for Ferrari.
At this point in the season I am a little concerned for the first corner at Monza given that we are yet to have a full grid make it cleanly through an Grand Prix opening lap. China was the latest scene where Red Bulls Kiviat lived up to the Senna motto of if I see a gap I’ll take it, as he dove on the inside of turn one in an attempt to undercut Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.
Unfortunately for Vettel this played out with Kimi Raikkonen’s motto of, if in slightly off track I’ll get back on the track and I don’t care who may be coming down the road. Having nowhere to go after correcting to avoid hitting the Russian, Vettel ended up in the side of his teammate severely damaging his front wing and fortunately not causing both cars out of the race.
Really it was nose cones that suffered the most in the Chinese Grand Prix as the ripple effect from this collision at the front even saw Lewis Hamilton completely lose his front wing in the pile up. He too was luck that that was not the end of his race.
The only car not effected from the first corner mishaps was current leader of the pack Nico Rosberg who, after a fairly good start, was clean and clear to race unchallenged for the remainder of the Grand Prix. This firms up his championship contention for some time with Hamilton left to pray for mechanical failures if he has any hope of retaining his championship for the fourth time.
For the fans, we are again left not having realised the potential of what Ferrari can deliver against the might of the Mercedes F1 team. With a second damages wing keeping Vettel from fighting for the top spot on the podium and Kimi simply not fighting past the Red Bulls
In fact Red Bull are easily the dark horse of this championship with Daniel Ricciardo holding on to third place in the drivers points behind Lewis Hamilton despite having a terrible race in China. Sebastian Vettel is easily on the back foot after not starting in Bahrain and struggling in China.
The question is whether the Russian circuit will provide Ferrari with a chance to shine or if the feisty Russians Red Bull will remain on the charge in front of his home fans? But let’s not forget about Hamilton who still has a lot to prove this season having been out performed by his team mate at every session this year. Will we get to see Hammer Time any time soon?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Roger Baillie (@RustyRoj)
Images:Crash.net
Driver Championship Points
| POSITION | DRIVER | TEAM | POINTS |
| 1 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 75 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 39 |
| 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull Racing | 36 |
| 4 | Kimi Raikkonen | Scuderia Ferrari | 28 |
| 5 | Sebastian Vettel | Scuderia Ferrari | 33 |
| 6 | Felipe Massa | Williams Martini Racing | 22 |
| 7 | Daniil Kvyat | Red Bull Racing | 21 |
| 8 | Romain Grosjean | Haas F1 Team | 18 |
| 9 | Max Verstappen | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 13 |
| 10 | Valtteri Bottas | Williams Martini Racing | 7 |
| 9 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sahara Force India | 6 |
| 12 | Carlos Sainz | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 4 |
| 13 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren-Honda | 0 |
| 14 | Jenson Button | McLaren-Honda | 0 |