The Polesitter

  Last time out the record for race wins was equalled in Germany. This time out history was created.  The F1 world were convinced that the great Michael Schumacher's insane record of 91 race wins was never going to be beaten but yesterday the boy from Stevenage proved them wrong.  In front of a grandstand that was finally packed with fans, the first ever race to be held in Portimao got underway in slippery conditions. With a light drizzle and the track being resurfaced just a month ago, there was plenty of action as the lights went out. Carlos Sainz in the lead, Lewis Hamilton falling to 3rd, Kimi Raikonnen making 11 places on his opening lap and Perez at the back of the grid were just a number of significant events that created a certain level of organized chaos around the track.  As the drivers settled into their groove and tyres began warming up to temperature, Sainz was soon overtaken by both Mercs as Bottas took the lead of the grand prix following a brilliant m...

  "Records are created so that they can be broken." Wise words from arguably the greatest racer in all of F1, Michael Schumacher. And on Sunday his tally of 91 Grand Prix victories was finally equalled by none other than Lewis Hamilton as Formula 1 returned once again to the Nurburgring - host of some of the most incredible racing the world has ever seen.  Firstly, I would like to apologise for missing my review of the Russian Grand Prix 2 weeks back. Being an avid F1 fan, there's simply no excuse for me not writing about the sport that I love. Having said that, congratulations to Valtteri Bottas on a brilliant drive to bring home a 1-3 for the Mercs with Max Verstappen yet again splitting the two Silver Arrows.  Fast forward a couple weeks and Sochi's winner failed to complete a race that saw the Hulk return, a surprise podium, and 9 different teams in the points - the first time this has happened since 2010.  A clean getaway from the grid saw Bottas lead Hamilton f...

  It has been 2 weeks since the Tuscan Grand Prix and only now has the chaos in my head finally cooled down. A race with ups and downs from start to finish resulted in many firsts: Mercedes finally clinching their first 1-2 of the season, Alex Albon coming home to finish P3 - his first ever podium and Mugello hosting an F1 race for the very first time.  Looking back, this race had moments that would remind one of the Italian Grand Prix that took place a week earlier - a crazy tussle for the points, an unlikely sequence of events and not one but 2 red flags.  Within the first few laps of the race, last week's Italian Grand Prix winner Pierre Gasly and runner up Carlos Sainz were both out of the race along with a whole list of drivers. The twisty high speed nature of the Mugello circuit proved all to fierce for them to fight as later in the race Lance Stroll who completed the podium positions in Monza was also out.  A race to forget for the Scarlet Prancing Horses who ...

  A childhood dream, a once in a lifetime experience, a race like no other. Monza may have not had the Tifosi in their thousands this year, but that sure did not take away from the absolute banger of a race we witnessed.  A quick message before I continue. I apologize to my readers for the lack of posts these past few weeks. Being a university student and a national athlete, work does pile up and I know that is no excuse for some exclusive content but unfortunately, that is the current situation I'm in.  The 2020 season has followed a very similar pattern to that of the previous years. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes develop the best car, win the most races and do the double double over and over again. A testament to their incredible hard work and dedication, but let's be honest. That's not what we want. I'm sure for the boys from Brackley its ideal but at the pinnacle of motorsport, you do want some spice - a break from the norm.  And that very spice came in a solid Nan...

                                    A surprise victory? A change in strategy? A perfect execution?  Formula 1's 70th Anniversary Grand Prix did not fail in delivering another blockbuster of a race. Surely had it been a film, IMDB and rotten tomatoes would be filled with highly acclaimed reviews highlighting the topsy turvy nature of a race that celebrated 70 years of elite motorsport and sheer driving skill.   A race that was expected to follow a similar pattern to what we have grown accustomed to took a slight deviation. That slight change being a non-Mercedes driver winning a Grand Prix this season. And who else would it be but young Max Verstappen.  Putting pressure early on and keeping in close contact with Lewis, Red Bull forced Mercedes' hand as they had to pit early to remove their medium tyres which had severe blistering. Red Bull's package allows them to operate far mor...

Sunday saw a race that some thought was going to be an inter-squad battle at Silverstone between none other than the Silver Arrows (not sure if that's the term being used now). And whilst it was for the majority of the Grand Prix, Silverstone failed to disappoint us as there was yet another twist in the tail - a common theme to every Grand Prix thus far in what has been the most unique season of Formula 1 we have ever witnessed.  A stunning ending to the British Grand Prix saw Lewis Hamilton clinch victory from the jaws of defeat as youngster Max Verstappen made up 30 seconds on him in the final lap to take second, with Charles Leclerc rounding up the podium positions with a very respectable third - something Ferrari could have only dreamed of. Just like in Austria, they managed to pull the Houdini act to keep up with the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull (many believed would be impossible).  Whilst the Ferrari garage may have been filled with elation, two drivers deserved nothin...

2020 has arguably been a year to both forget and remember for a lifetime.   The coronavirus pandemic dawned on us and hit the world incredibly hard. A reality check to a certain extent not only for individuals in the health sector but to all 7.5 billion of us - including F1 fans like myself (and hopefully those of you reading this).  Amidst all the panic and global spread of a flu we are still yet to combat, Formula 1 was forced to take a break from regular service. This prompted a thorough reflection of what has happened, what is happening, and what is yet to come.  The last 6 years have seen the rise of a powerhouse like no other in the form of Mercedes Petronas AMG. Led by Toto Wolff, their success has been a result of patience and playing the long game. Investing millions into research and development for the turbo-hybrid era that began in 2014, they emerged as major title contenders following the supremacy brought forward by Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel who had...