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World champion Lewis Hamilton achieved victory in the inaugural Formula 1 race in Bahrain after an impressive performance. The Mercedes driver had to fight very hard for this and was even overtaken by Max Verstappen shortly before the end.
However, as he left the track during the overtaking maneuver and the FIA had changed the rules during the race, the Red Bull driver had to get back behind Hamilton shortly thereafter. (All the news of Formula 1)
This scene sparked an argument after the race. Both Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner want consistent rules. Wolff also revealed the reason why he was told why the record world champion was allowed to overtake Hamilton again.
All about Formula 1 and the weekend of motorsport at AvD Motor & Sport Magazin: Sunday from 9:45 p.m. LIVE on TV and STREAM on SPORT1
Sebastian Vettel meanwhile ran out of points. On his Aston Martin debut, he even hit the rear of Esteban Ocon in the second half of the race. After the race, he described the slight collision from his point of view. Mick Schumacher analyzed his eventful debut.
SPORT1 summarizes the votes for the race in Bahrain Sky, from the pit lane and the press conference.
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 1st place:
“But we knew it was going to be tough. In the last period we had to find the balance between pushing and keeping the tires alive. Max really sat on my neck, but I managed to keep him behind me. All of me, we have to. get everything out of us. I love the challenge. “
… about career difficulties: “It was so hard in the car. But what a great start for us. We thought we’d be six to eight-tenths of a second behind. For us to come back like this is really spectacular. You said it on the radio that Max had me in ten laps. I know. I was getting closer and closer and had the speed and the freshest tires to overtake me. Just one lap before the finish line I believed in victory. Bono told me the laps and I replied: but Bono, I can count too. “
… on Verstappen’s overtaking maneuver: “I was not surprised that he then had to let me pass again. At turn four there is the white line behind the curb and we were not allowed to pass there. He went over during the overtaking maneuver and therefore had to give me back the place “. (SERVICE: drivers positions)
… on the duel with Red Bull: “In the winter test I saw that the Red Bull Racing car is incredibly fast. We have no chance of qualifying at the moment. In the race we were ahead, but I did not get the impression that I had the best car. The question will be : What will it be like on another race track? No one can say that right now, including me. “
Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Platz 2:
“It’s a shame, but we also have to look at the positives. We really got to fight them and it’s great to start the year like that. It’s a shame, of course, but they told me on the radio to let Lewis pass.” “After that, I had no more grip on the tires. Even with the wind it was not easy. In the end it was still a good result. I wanted to win, but the season is still long.”
… about car problems: “I felt it in the corners throughout the race. We have to look at it. However, we were able to finish the race at the end and get good points.
… about the moment he surpassed Hamilton: “I immediately felt that I was going off the track, and it was also clear that I had to return the position. I have no problem with that in itself.”
… through the option of letting Hamilton pass on the start / finish straight to be able to attack him again directly from the wake: “That would be unfair, because then you line up again and you can easily attack again, that didn’t seem right to me. I got the radio message at Turn 8, I let it go at Turn 10. Then I tried everything, but it wasn’t enough “.
… on the confusion of the rules regarding the limits of the track: “In qualifying, you will lose a lap if you let the car drift too far out. In the race it seemed like it was allowed for a while, but again not. I strictly follow the instructions of my guys. But I already have it. rule does not always apply in the same way. “
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Toto Wolff (Director of Mercedes Motorsport):
“When you think about where we were two and a half weeks ago. There was really almost a crisis. Now we have worked slowly to get out. There is still a lap left. We were relatively even in the race. With the first stop we received a brave decision, and then a second one. because we feared the cut that would probably have won them the race.
… on the edge of the track: “The rules were suddenly changed during the race. All of a sudden, you had to abide by the limits of the track, even though ‘No’ was said beforehand. That ultimately cost Max the race. Michael explained to me at the radio (Masi, FIA Race Director): If you get a head start, it’s not okay. I think he had an advantage. You have to take it sporty. The rules have been changed in the race. And after that there was no more temperature in the tires. “
.. about going back and forth with the limit of the track: “At the end of the day, it’s all about action. I think you need consistent rules. Ultimately, drivers need to know what they can and can’t do.”
Christian Horner (Red-Bull-Teamchef):
“It is very difficult to lose a race like this. Max drove very well, Sergio also returned very well. Congratulations to Mercedes, they had a very strong car. Lewis also had an excellent race. It is very positive for us to have been able to challenge Mercedes on a track like this. “
… to the edge of the track: “That was a disadvantage for us. It’s not good if the rules are changed in the middle. Maybe, maybe not. We have to be more careful with things like that, there should be no inconsistencies. You asked Max to give him back the place. He did, and sadly, it was enough for Lewis. “
Timo Glock (ex racing driver and Sky expert):
… on Red Bull’s possible consideration of not allowing Hamilton to overtake: “The risk was too great that you would have received a greater penalty. The instruction was clear from the direction of the race and you have to follow it. It would have been stupid if they had not done it and it had a duration of 20 seconds. It is given a penalty or even a bigger one. The smart variant is to listen to the race director here and implement it. “
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), 3rd place:
“It’s good that we scored a lot of points. For my part, we were more on the defensive, which is not normal. Then we had a long pit stop that robbed me of all opportunities. The pace was good, but in the end everything was disappointing. We had two cars and each had a different tire strategy, but it didn’t work out in the end. “
Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), 15th place:
“I don’t feel at home in the car, a lot of things are fighting against me, so I can’t focus on driving. There are a lot of things we have to take care of. The other times it was two seconds.” faster.”
“We learned a lot, but it was very difficult. We tried to stop, but that involved us in many duels that cost us a lot of time. After the stop it did not look so bad, but we are in the back we ran out of air. But we had to take the risk “.
“I thought he would stay to the right, but then he came back to the left and when I was right behind him he had no more downforce and I hit him.”
Mick Schumacher (Haas), Retired:
“The conditions were not ideal. It was very windy. So it was difficult to keep the car on the track. Unfortunately, we had the spin right at the beginning, which took us away from the other drivers. On cold wheels too early.” . I stepped on the gas and lost the rear end immediately. But it’s good that I was able to finish the race. Keeping the tires alive, especially with all those blue flags, was extremely difficult. “
… above its beginning: “I didn’t have the best start and I had a lot of skating. But as they all come together again at Turn 1, I was there again and was able to overtake my teammate on the outside at Turn 2, who unfortunately turned at Turn 3. “
… on the impression of the first race weekend: “Many positive things, I have learned a lot. I had a lot of fun and I am looking forward to the next race.”
Nikita Mazepin (Haas), retired:
“It was completely my fault. My start was really good, but that’s the only positive I can take with me.”
