Formula 1 Update (2015 - 2016)
It has been a while since I have provided an update on Formula 1. Actually 2 years!
At the end of 2015 Lewis Hamilton became a 3 time Formula 1 World Drivers Champion.
(Picture 1: Lewis Hamilton wins his 3rd F1 Drivers World Championship in 2015 - International Business Times)
The 2016 season starts out with Nico Rosberg winning the first 4 races of the year; I believe there is a statistic which usually is a driver who wins 4 in a row goes on to win the championship. I have tried researching this however I cannot find it anywhere. It could be because Hamilton also won 4 races consecutively and unfortunately did not win the title, this could be a new, weird and wonderful statistic. Rosberg was dominate throughout the season ensuring he won races and took points home if it was a bad day.
However the 2016 season will be remembered for one thing, the Spanish Grand Prix. If you were not watching, you missed a race that will be forever in the record books.
The weekend did not start as normal, there were rumours and then confirmation. Danil Kyvat had been demoted from Red Bull Racing to the sister team Toro Rosso; Max Verstappen was the lucky driver to be promoted. Apart from this swap everything was as normal as an F1 weekend can start. The Merc duo dominated qualifying, only being the others competition for Pole. Hamilton acquired his 52nd pole of his F1 career, besting Rosberg time which had been set earlier in the session.
(Picture 2: Spanish GP Qualifying Top 3: Nico Rosberg 2nd, Lewis Hamilton 1st, Daniel Ricciardo 3rd - Daily Mail)
Sunday 15th May 2016, the formation lap, the intense feeling all fans get when they know the countdown to the lights is only about a minute away. As the cars start to line up on the grid, the gut of nervous, the excitement of unknowing. As the 5 lights light up, the intense sickness and excitement all rolled into one as the revs roar, the lights go out. The cars skate off the line to try and gain as many places as possible. Turn 1, Rosberg goes round the outside of Hamilton. The biggest thing of the year:
Out of turn 3, Hamilton tries to overtake Rosberg; the gap closes and he is on the grass.
Losing control of W07, he spins out of control.
Straight into his team mate.
Both Mercedes Are Out Of The Race.
(Picture 3: Mercedes crash at the Spanish Grand Prix 2016 - The Guardian)
Daniel Ricciardo takes over 1st place, however he would not go on to the win the race. Lap 30, Verstappen was leading due to Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel pitting, the former 2 laps before the other. Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen were on different strategies to their team mates, this is how they eventually became the front runs for the win. Raikkonen tried everything for the youngest to make a mistake and be able to pounce and take the win; however this would not be the case.
When Max Verstappen crossed the line, he gained two records:
Youngest Ever Formula 1 Race Winner
First Dutch Formula 1 race Winner
(Picture 4: Max Verstappen with his 1st place trophy at the age of 18 years, 228 days - Sky Sports)
Want to know more about Formula 1? I will try to do more articles about this. Check out the next article 2016 part 2.
Message me, if you want a specific article about a subject.
