France 2021 was another instalment of the exhilarating 2021 Formula 1 season. It once again witnessed the intense battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen for the 2021 World Drivers Championship.
The strategists predicted a one-stop race in France, but Red Bull gambled after Verstappen’s lap 1 mistake by pitting for a second time. It was then a question of whether he had the pace to get close and then pass Hamilton, who opted to stay out on a one-stop. In the end he did – though he only pulled it off two laps before the chequered flag, leaving racing fans in suspense!
The race captivated fans up and down the grid with drivers fighting for vital championship points. On lap 11, Alonso, Ricciardo, and Norris battles it out for 8th, 9th, and 10th place. Strategy played a huge part from the start of the race with drivers starting their first round of pitstops on lap 17. For many, it was a question of a successful undercut in the pits or a two-stop strategy.
Lap 20 saw Hamilton pit and Verstappen pull of his undercut, taking the lead of the race. Lap 32 saw Verstappen pit for the second time, giving up the race lead to Hamilton. Norris pulled off several impressive overtakes to get himself into the points scoring places.
Lap 42 was the start of Verstappen’s charge on Hamilton needing to pass the other Mercedes of Bottas, who on lap 44 made a mistake, going wide in a corner and allowing Verstappen to go sailing through. With the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez also passing Bottas a couple of laps later, both Mercedes drivers began complaining on the radio about the strategy calls the team had made by only stopping once as their tyres were not up to racing the Red Bulls on fresh tires.
Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the penultimate lap of the race, and it finished with Verstappen in 1st, Hamilton in 2nd, and Perez in 3rd.
What did you make of the 2021 French GP?
Written by Cesca.
About The Author
Leave a Reply