Zielstrich becomes Botta's doom

Zielstrich becomes Botta's doom

Lewis Hamilton wins the China GP against Valtteri Bottas in the first few meters. Curious: The Finn is the start-finish line to fatal.

Mercedes celebrates the third double win in the third race of the season. This was in Formula 1 last 1992 for the then superior Williams team. However, one of the Silver Arrows is still not happy on Sunday in Shanghai: Valtteri Bottas. The Pole man quarrels with his botched start.

This is how the race went:

"For me, it was disappointing today, the problem started in the warm-up lap, before my starting box was a thick white line (the start and finish line, d. Red), already at the pre-start I had their spin wheels," explains Bottas. The hopes of the Finn that it gets better with the tires warmed up at the start of the race are not fulfilled. "I had Wheelspin again, so I lost too much time and decisive meters, so Lewis got me."

Bitter for Bottas: His strong Pole of Saturday is his fate. A chance to counter is no longer offered to the former World Cup leader. "In the first stint our pace was the same, but with the dirty air behind Lewis I could not follow him," says Bottas.

Hamilton, who is now leading the championship six points ahead of his team-mate after the win, admits: "The start made the difference today, after that the race was actually history, and when I was in the lead, I was in control."

Extra lot is there for ex-rival Nico Rosberg. "In training, he is a bit demotivated, but when it comes down to it, Lewis comes back and blows you out," said the German impressed.

Also Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff Hamilton rolls out the red carpet, says on RTL: "Lewis is currently hanging fully in, is also the last in the meetings, wants to understand how the tires work." In Shanghai, Hamilton always makes a confident and confident appearance in the race. Wolff himself cannot fully explain Mercedes' general superiority in China.

"Especially our pace on Friday in the Long runs was not so intoxicating because I would not have put money on it that we dictate the pace on Sunday so much," says the Viennese. Alone: "I'm still convinced that Ferrari has the better car in the combination of engine power and aerodynamic drag", Wolff emphasizes - and demands: "Especially at the power front, we must not leave a stone unturned."

Silver Arrow Party in Shanghai:

But Wolff also knows that a lot of power and less downforce is not everything: "In the race Ferrari's top speed may not be an advantage because you slip more." Expert Johnny Herbert explains: "Everyone came here and thought Ferrari wet the competition with their top speed, but that did not happen, they have to gain speed - they have the speed, but they also have to make the aerodynamics work, like Mercedes. "