F1's Version of Double-Secret Probation Hands Aussie Grand Prix to Vettel

Published on 25-Mar-2018 by J Square Humboldt

Motorsports    Motorsports Daily Update

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F1's Version of Double-Secret Probation Hands Aussie Grand Prix to Vettel

Lewis Hamilton might still be wondering what hit him.

There he was, going round and round the Albert Park track in Melbourne, never being passed.

And yet, all he saw was Sebastian Vettel rolling into the winner's circle.

What in the name of Jackie Stewart is going on, here?

 

Odds are that'll be the strategist behind Vettel's run.

Hamilton led for 20 of the Australian Grand Prix's 58 laps, but Vettel took the lead when he pitted under the virtual safety car and emerged in front.

Look for Romain Grosjean’s breakdown on Lap 26, which mandated the virtual safety car's appearance and caused the key sequence:

 

In short, Hamilton's Mercedes team blew it.

Ostensibly, their timing software that projects lead times miscalculated what it'd take for Hamilton to stay ahead of Vettel after a pit stop.

 

Toss in the fact that the team didn't totally account for Vettel pitting while the virtual safety car had slowed the field, and all the German needed to do was stay outta trouble.

 

Mercedes had been faster than Vettel's Ferrari all week, to the point that Hamilton was joking about wiping Vettel's smile off his face.

Seems like Vettel didn't appreciate the joke.

But dude's still smiling. Broadly.