Max Verstappen did what many believed was impossible and beat both Mercedes fair and square. With a different strategy and aggresive driving, he emerged in front, finishing comfortably ahead of Hamilton and Bottas.
A little bit late, but nonetheless :
1. In qualy HAM has had BS1 & BS3 and BOT only BS2 that is just opposite what was 1 week ago ... more focused on 2 stop strategy?
2. Merc and Renault were the only two cars that didn`t improve on soft tyres ... they optimized their car for the medium tyre?
3. Merc was 7 tenths slower from 1 week ago on similar conditions (track temp only 4 degrees Celsius lower) ... so they were setting their cars more towards the race?
Weather getting warmer as the race progresses, rain extremely unlikely. Cross wind through Copse, tailwind through Becketts and in to Stowe although it's only about 10mph. Expect it to get gustier as the race goes on and the temperature increases.
If you are more fortunate than others, build a larger table not a taller fence.
Max has this one in the bag. Bottas is too slow at the front having to nurse his tyres. By the time the Mercs pit, Max will be able to keep pushing on. Indeed, Max might even have a crack at the Mercs before then.
If you are more fortunate than others, build a larger table not a taller fence.