'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Just before the race Force India were ready to raise the colours, and they did so with a 3rd consecutive double-point finish, which is particularly impressive considering the fact that no other team has had such consistency except for Mercedes, who are flying with pace, at least in qualification. But this time, it was the race day pace for Hamilton and some luck for Roseberg that brought them success.
With the front grid locked by the two Mercs, it seemed tough for any of the Red Bulls to win the race, even with the race pace everyone knows they have.
Vettel made a great start and Grosjean was involved in yet another accident, but this time he was not the culprit. Webber had a slow start, although he made a great recovery later in the race. Till the 8th lap, Hamilton had a 2 second advantage over Vettel, but then he had a tyre puncture, which was heartbreaking considering the way he out-qualified Vettel in qualification and also the fact this was his as well as his team’s home race.
Then there was a series of tyre explosions – four of them in total – which further questions the Pirelli tyres that are already under tremendous pressure. It is worth noting here that Pirelli wanted to make changes to its tyres. But it was Lotus and Force India who wanted to stick with the tyres, which they feel were to their advantage over other teams because of their better understanding of the tyres. So finally, they had to stay with the present tyres, with the addition of a Kevlar belt.
The teams then opted for hard tyres with high pressure. Almost every team made pit stops, which made it quite clear that it was going to be a 3-stop strategy by most teams so as to minimize the risk of another tyre malfunction. Also, drivers were instructed to take it easy at high speed corners. The safety car was deployed for the first time (of two) at lap 16, till lap 21. By then, Vettel was in front with Roseberg not giving much competition. And when it seemed it was all over for Vettel, he had a terrible transmission failure just 11 laps before the finish. It was calamitous for him and the team. Adding salt to the wound was a big roar by British fans as his car started to slow down just near the pit lane entry.
The heartbreaking failure of Red Bull was to the enjoyment of none other than Nico, who was now leading the race, but there was consistent pressure from Webber till the very end. Webber and team were confident that a lap or two more would have given them the win but in the end, Nico Rosberg won one of the most thrilling and epic British GPs ever.
It was a British GP that saw:
- Hamilton make a great recovery (who deserved podium as much as anyone else did);
- Webber take important points for himself, for the team and most importantly for Vettel, as he took important points away from Alonso and Kimi;
- Another impressive weekend for Force India;
- Hard luck for Vettel;
- A win for Nico Rosberg to lift the hopes of Mercedes with race day pace; and
- Ultimately, this turned out to be one of the most thrilling races in recent memory.
