Shoooooooeeeyyyy's for Days

 

The return of Formula 1 to Imola was something nobody expected at the start of the 2020 season. But it ended out as a return worth remembering. 

Imola has been regarded as one of the greatest races that Formula 1 has been able to race at. However, its significance does not come from the twisty high-speed corners and narrow roads but rather the shock that hit the F1 world in 1994. The year which saw a devastating crash leading to the death of arguably the greatest Formula 1 driver ever, Ayrton Senna. 

A looming sense of sadness filled the paddock I would assume as memories of that day were reprinted into the heads of the F1 community, many of which witnessed the horrific accident live. Nonetheless, the weekend ended off with smiles and jubilation as a Grand Prix of 2 radically different stages saw Lewis Hamilton extend his win record to 93 races and Mercedes AMG Petronas claiming a 7th straight constructors title - another new world record. 

Overshadowing all of this though it seemed was a podium that nobody saw coming. The resounding resurgence of the Honey Badger and his shoey. It wasn't all easy though it must be said as at one point 4 different drivers could have taken that final step. 

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix produced a storyline that resembled a movie like the Joker: a subdued, monotonous start and a fiery, eventful end. A clean getaway from Valtteri Bottas saw him take the lead ahead of Max Verstappen who pipped Hamilton at the get-go. The Brit was unable to gain speed in the second phase of the start which saw him under pressure from young Frenchman Pierre Gasly and Danny Ric. A spin at the start for Kevin Magnussen and damage to Lance Stroll resulted in their races being ruined only for Gasly to suffer a terminal mechanical failure which saw him having to retire the car. Looking at the result of the race, Gasly would have definitely been in contention for that podium place given his race pace and driving instincts. Soon after, Esteban Ocon also suffered a failure to his clutch resulting in the 2nd retirement of the race at the time. 

Ocon's retirement would prove to be a key factor contributing to Lewis Hamilton's win. The Brit did not pit early unlike his competitors Bottas and Verstappen. The clean air in front of him meant that he was able to put in fastest lap after fastest lap and with Ocon retiring resulting in a virtual safety car being brought out, it was a no brainer to pit him and release him back into the lead. A huge touch of luck for Lewis it must be said. The same however cannot be said for Valtteri or Max. The Flying Finn picked up damage at the start of the race after running over Lance Stroll's broken front wing piece, costing him a great deal of downforce, only to be overtaken by the Dutchman who had been trailing him for the majority of the race. Soon after Max "SENT IT", his right rear tyre exploded bringing out not only a safety car but his race to an end. 

The safety car marked a pivotal moment in the race. A ton of pit lane action saw teams scrambling to get fresh sets of soft tyres on their cars for optimal performance, one of which was the Pink boys down at Force India. Rather than maintaining track position, they brought Sergio Perez in from P3, put a set of new softs, and released him into P6 which is where he eventually would finish. A clumsy move from his team it must be said on a track that is incredibly difficult to pass on. The poor call from Otmar Szafnauer's boys gifted Danny Ric the podium and was costly for their battle for 3rd place in the constructor's championship. 

Meanwhile, Daniil Kvyat, who at one point was contesting Ricciardo for that final podium place, came home in 4th to cap off a brilliant weekend for Alpha Tauri once again. They outdid their sister team - Red Bull - who finished the Grand Prix with 0 points due to Albon's spin after the safety car restart. If it was up to me, I'd be signing Nico Hulkenberg or Sergio Perez right about now for that coveted 2nd Red Bull seat after a streak of poor performances has seen Alex Albon suffer. 

In direct contrast, a man who has not had a terrible streak is the Monegasque himself, Charles Leclerc. The twitch streamer finished a very respectable 5th position, just pipping Perez who was on his tail for what must have felt like an eternity. Nonetheless, a proud moment for the Prancing Horses. Following him and Perez, the two McLaren's and Alpha Romeo's completed the top 10. A huge disappointment however for George Russel who was set for his first points finish but in an attempt to warm up his tyres sent his car into the barrier. A young, talented driver who I'm sure will learn from this. 

Imola once again was the centre of action and drama as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix took place. A special mention to the boys at Brackley and Brixworth for powering Mercedes to their 7th straight constructor's title. Since 2014 there has been nobody to compete with them. 100 Wins in 134 Races, 200 podiums, 107 poles. A dynasty that has evolved and has been unbeatable. Congratulations once again to them. 

4 Grand Prix remain in the 2020 calendar - a year that has been full of plot twists, to say the least. We return to Turkey in 2 weeks' time where Hamilton could clinch his 7th Drivers Title. I'm sure Bottas will have other thoughts on his mind. Till then, Ciao Ciao :)