Pick the Podium- F-1- Rolex Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne, 2017

[Retroram52]

Hamilton is now fifth and the halfway point in the race. Many drivers ahead still have to pit or so goes the conventional wisdom.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel is in the pits.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel gets out ahead of Hamilton and Verstappen is holding up Hamilton.

 

[Retroram52]

Erickkson is out.

 

[Retroram52]

Bottas takes over the lead followed by Raikkonen, Vettel, Verstappen, and Hamilton.

 

[Retroram52]

Verstappen is in and out of the pits with new tires.

 

[Retroram52]

Raikkonen is the pits.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel has now opened up a 6 second lead over Hamilton.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel now leads Hamilton by over 6 seconds followed by Bottas and Raikkonen.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel is now up to 7 seconds in the lead and Hamilton is being over-taken by Bottas.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel is now 8 full seconds ahead of Hamilton followed by Bottas.

 

[Retroram52]

Kevin Magnusson is out of the race and it is a double retirement for Haas.

 

[Retroram52]

Hamilton is trying to catch him but I think Vettel has too big a lead.

 

[Retroram52]

Looks like it is going to be Vettel for the win followed by Hamilton, Bottas, and Raikkonen. WOW. Ferrari may have finally caught the Mercs! It was pit strategy that got Vettel ahead of Hamilton. Ten long years since a win by Ferrari in Australia. Scuderia-Ferrari is back and the church bells in Marinello are ringing!!

 

[Retroram52]

Here is how we did:

Hank Kingsley: 1 point- Correctly selected Raikkonen for fourth.
Retroram52: 1 point - Correctly selected Raikkonen for fourth.

Nobody else showed-up.


Next up: Chinese Grand Prix, April 4, 2017.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

At least we didn't build an insurmountable lead....

 

[Retroram52]

Yep Hank. Tie ballgame going into China for the only two players this year, it looks like.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

There will be others.....

Maybe send those who played last year a gentle reminder????

 

[Retroram52]

Maybe.