Losail Laps 26-57
I am providing full commentary here, because this race was wild
Russell, motivated by his pit wall, makes stunning progress on the soft tyres, even passing the much faster Harvey car of Vettel. Piastri pits, and is stuck behind the Jawz car of Bottas. Perez pits a bit later, but has a slow stop. Hulkenberg pits and makes quick work of the traffic around him, and is chasing the leading trio.
Piastri manages to pass Bottas, Alonso pits and he too passes Bottas on his outlap. Stroll becomes the second retirement, as Russell is starting to hold up Vettel, causing Hulkenberg to catch up to the pair.
Russell appears to make a small error, costing him positions to both Vettel and Hulkenberg, who is clearly being held up by Vettel on the slower tyre.
Hulkenberg is released, but not for long as Vettel becomes the third retirement, and Harvey can start packing their motorhome. Ricciardo pits and rejoins behind the 2 Jawz cars.
Hulkenberg pits from the lead, however will inherit second place once the cars ahead pit, with just Perez going to the end. Hightech opted to keep Leclerc out on worn tyres for this stint, as he struggles and loses a lot of places. Magnussen and Ricciardo are making good progress against the Jawz duo.
Hulkenberg catches, and passes Perez to take the lead. Russell was following his laptimes, but is unable to make a pass as he reports an issue with his battery charging.
Leclerc is flying on fresh soft tyres, Norris also passes Russell who will have to settle for fourth this race.
Ricciardo and Magnussen have a small scrap, but Ricciardo takes the upper hand, with Magnussen dropping behind Leclerc too. Piastri only just holds on to his P5, while Perez defends from Norris for P2.
I am in the process of updating the budgets, soon
I am providing full commentary here, because this race was wild
Russell, motivated by his pit wall, makes stunning progress on the soft tyres, even passing the much faster Harvey car of Vettel. Piastri pits, and is stuck behind the Jawz car of Bottas. Perez pits a bit later, but has a slow stop. Hulkenberg pits and makes quick work of the traffic around him, and is chasing the leading trio.
Piastri manages to pass Bottas, Alonso pits and he too passes Bottas on his outlap. Stroll becomes the second retirement, as Russell is starting to hold up Vettel, causing Hulkenberg to catch up to the pair.
Russell appears to make a small error, costing him positions to both Vettel and Hulkenberg, who is clearly being held up by Vettel on the slower tyre.
Hulkenberg is released, but not for long as Vettel becomes the third retirement, and Harvey can start packing their motorhome. Ricciardo pits and rejoins behind the 2 Jawz cars.
Hulkenberg pits from the lead, however will inherit second place once the cars ahead pit, with just Perez going to the end. Hightech opted to keep Leclerc out on worn tyres for this stint, as he struggles and loses a lot of places. Magnussen and Ricciardo are making good progress against the Jawz duo.
Hulkenberg catches, and passes Perez to take the lead. Russell was following his laptimes, but is unable to make a pass as he reports an issue with his battery charging.
Leclerc is flying on fresh soft tyres, Norris also passes Russell who will have to settle for fourth this race.
Ricciardo and Magnussen have a small scrap, but Ricciardo takes the upper hand, with Magnussen dropping behind Leclerc too. Piastri only just holds on to his P5, while Perez defends from Norris for P2.
I am in the process of updating the budgets, soon