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Red Bull Racing-Honda had the fastest car in Bahrain with Max Verstappen, but Lewis Hamilton won the first world championship with Mercedes. Toto Wolff: “I am confused by the behavior of the race leadership.”
For Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, the final minutes of the Bahrain GP turned into hours. The Viennese sat on pins and needles, while on the court Lewis Hamilton had to dig into his bag of tricks to keep strong Verstappen behind him.
Let’s be honest: Isn’t Toto Wolff a bit surprised that Mercedes won despite all expectations? Toto: “If someone had told me before the weekend that we would be in first and third place, I would hardly have believed them. But we got out of the driving test difficulties. With the exception that we are quite behind, especially in qualifying speed. But we were competitive in the race. “
“I guess it was first a strategic victory and second a brilliant performance by Lewis Hamilton and third the goodwill of the racing god. We decided to take the brave approach to stop early and take the lead, knowing full well how difficult it is to overtake on this track. “
“Now we have to find out why we lose so much time in qualifying, but we have a really good car in the race. And considerably better than endurance racing in training. “
Staying on the slopes is one of the hottest topics after the start of the season. In qualifying, the situation was clear: if you overshoot at Turn 4 and drive off the track on all four wheels, the time will be canceled and voila.
During the race you could see some drivers drawing the ideal line in Turn 4 very, let’s say generously, but suddenly there seemed to be a warning from the race direction, that Mercedes passed Lewis Hamilton. He grumbled on the radio, “But I’ve been driving like this all the time.” With which the English had secured a not inconsiderable time advantage.
When Max Verstappen attacked Hamilton and his car wandered too far into Turn 4, the Dutchman had to resign his position.
Toto Wolff admits: “I am confused. Because before the race it was said that there would be no penalties if the car was carried out in Turn 4. Then all of a sudden, during the World Championship, the message came: if that was done further, it would be considered to get a unauthorized advantage and would be punished. We discussed this with the race leadership, but we had to bow. Of course, we do not have the last word. But in the end it was that decision that brought us victory. Because Max had to give up the job after his attack. I think we need clear announcements in the future and not a Shakespearean novel. “
Toto Wolff conclusion: “Red Bull Racing was not the strongest team at the start of the season in recent years and they often had a hard time in Bahrain. Now they have the best car. I am convinced that it will be very difficult for us to fight them for a whole season. “
Bahrain-GP, Sakhir
01. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes W12, 1:32:03.897 h
02. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing RB16B-Honda, +0.745 seconds
03. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Mercedes W12, +37,383
04. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren MCL35M-Mercedes, +46,466
05. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing RB16B-Honda, +52,047
06. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari SF21, +59,090
07. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren MCL35M-Mercedes, +1: 06.004 min
08. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari SF21, +1: 07,100
09. Yuki Tsotaka (J), AlphaTauri AT02-Honda, +1: 25,692
10. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin AMR21-Mercedes, +1: 26,713
11. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN), Alfa Romeo C41-Ferrari, +1: 28,864
12. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Alfa Romeo C41-Ferrari, +1 round
13. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine A521-Renault, +1 Runde
14. George Russell (GB), Williams FW43B-Mercedes, +1 Runde
15. Sebastian Vettel (R), Aston Martin AMR21-Mercedes, +1 Runde
16. Mick Schumacher (R), Haas VF-21-Ferrari, +1 lap
Outside
Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri AT02-Honda
Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams FW43B-Mercedes
Fernando Alonso (E), Alpine A521-Renault
Nikita Mazepin (RUS), Haas VF-21-Ferrari
