On Sunday, September 30, 2018, at the Sochi Autodrom, the Russian Grand Prix will take place, marking the sixteenth round of the Formula 1 World Championship. In his four participations in the Russian Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel has not yet managed to secure a victory, finishing second twice, in 2017 and 2015. The German acknowledges that a win in Sochi could be the starting point for his comeback in the championship, following the disappointing fourth place in Monza and the third place in Singapore. In the usual Thursday afternoon press briefing preceding the Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver expresses his belief in his chances despite the significant gap:
"It's very simple from our position: we have points to recover, and we will do our best to get them. Our goal is this, and the best way to do it is to finish ahead of them, and ideally, finish ahead of everyone. So our plan doesn't change. At this point, we'll try to give everything we have, and I'm still convinced that we have a chance. I think we have a good chance. We've had races in the past that we could have won and didn't. And others that we won that we didn't expect. You never know what can happen, but everything is possible. I'm not aiming to win all six races. I aim to win here; after that, I'll think about the next race and the one after. I don't think it serves any purpose to look at what might happen in five or six races; you have to seize the moment and what is in front of you".
With only one pole position in the last seven Grand Prix and some difficulties in managing the tires during the race, Ferrari is aware that improvements are necessary.
"I think last year our competitiveness here was a bit of a surprise, while now we expect to be competitive. That said, in the last two races, we struggled with the race pace for several reasons. We must not be distracted by the results, but we must focus on the work to be done, concentrate on every session, and we'll see where we end up in the end".
In Sochi, much is talked about the announcement made by Sauber on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, regarding the signing of Antonio Giovinazzi for the 2019 season.
"I'm really excited to join Alfa Romeo Sauber. F1 is a dream come true, and it's a great pleasure to have the opportunity to race for this team. As an Italian, it's also an honor to represent an iconic and successful brand like Alfa Romeo. I want to thank Scuderia Ferrari and the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team for giving me this great opportunity. I am very motivated and look forward to starting to work with the goal of achieving great results together with the team".
Said the Italian driver. These words are accompanied by those of the team principal, Frederic Vasseur:
"We are very happy to finally reveal the complete lineup for the 2019 season. We first signed Kimi Raikkonen, an extremely experienced driver who will help develop our car, accelerating progress. Together with our Alfa Romeo partners, we are now pleased to welcome Antonio Giovinazzi, who will take Charles Leclerc's place. We have already had the opportunity to work together in the past, and he has already shown great potential. We are very determined and motivated; the goal is to continue growing to fight together for positions that matter".
In Sochi, in the paddock, Kimi Raikkonen is asked for his opinion on his future teammate, but the Finn deflects the question:
"I'm not worried. I only think about finishing the season in the best possible way, then I'll think about 2019. I don't care who will drive alongside me".
The Finn is determined to do his best for Ferrari in the remaining six races:
"There are some rules, but it's clear that if we want to win the world championship, we need to be at the top with both cars. The procedure is always the same, try to get the best out of every race".
Raikkonen in Russia is coming off two third places and hopes to extend his podium streak for this season, currently at nine after the fifth place in Singapore:
"In recent years, we've had quite boring races here in Sochi because the circuit's asphalt doesn't pose problems to the tires, which last a long time. If the tires don't degrade, everyone has the same speed, and conditions for overtaking are not created".
Final remarks on the first DRS zone, advanced and extended:
"I'm curious to see the impact of the extended DRS zone. It's a particular track; you have to drive carefully and find a good rhythm. If you attack too much, you pay. But I like the circuit".
Red Bull arrives in Sochi aware that they face a challenging weekend. Both Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen will likely be penalized on the starting grid for the Russian Grand Prix as the team plans to install a new power unit on both cars to better exploit the RB14's potential on more favorable tracks like Mexico. Max Verstappen admits:
"I don't expect to battle with Seb and Lewis here in Sochi. Maybe in Mexico, we can be competitive, but we can't be sure from now".
The Dutch driver also explains the reason for the power unit replacement:
"Our C spec is not capable of handling the high altitudes of Mexico and Brazil, so we knew that at some point, we would be called to install the B spec again. And I think this is the best place to replace it. Spec C has a bit more power in qualifying, while in the race, it goes the same way, if not a bit slower".
Daniel Ricciardo adds:
"I hope to be able to get in the fight between Ferrari and Mercedes, but it will be difficult, especially here. Right now, Lewis has a 40-point advantage, and he's driving very well. For Sebastian, it will be more difficult at this moment, while I need at least a podium since I've only had two this year, and I'm a bit sad about that".
On Friday, October 28, 2018, during the first free practice session, Sebastian Vettel sets the fastest time, clocking 1'34"488; the German leads Max Verstappen by 0.05s and the two Mercedes. Vettel's car features technical modifications, which will later be mounted on Kimi Räikkönen's car as well. The German sets his best time on Hypersoft tires, while the Mercedes drivers opt for Soft tires. Hamilton also makes some driving errors. Daniel Ricciardo records the fifth-best time but is forced to end the session early due to an issue with his car. In the first free practice session, Lando Norris replaces Fernando Alonso at McLaren, Antonio Giovinazzi replaces Marcus Ericsson at Sauber, Nicholas Latifi replaces Sergio Pérez at Force India, and local driver Artëm Markelov replaces Carlos Sainz Jr. at Renault.
For the latter, it's his debut during an F1 weekend. Artëm Markelov is fined for not respecting the speed limit in the pit lane. During the second free practice session, Lewis Hamilton sets, in qualifying configuration with Hypersoft tires, a time of 1'33"385, just a few tenths off the track record. The British driver leads Valtteri Bottas by 0.2s, while Max Verstappen, who finishes third, is more than 0.4s behind. Daniel Ricciardo follows, who, in turn, precedes the two Ferraris. The Maranello cars focus on working with Ultrasoft and Soft tires. Carlos Sainz Jr. returns to the wheel of the Renault, but he suffers from an eye infection, which should not compromise the rest of his commitment in the weekend. On the Friday in Sochi, Lewis Hamilton seems to continue in his magical moment, managing to finish ahead of everyone in the first day of free practice in Russia.
"Sochi has been one of the most challenging circuits for me in the past, especially last year. So, I've done a lot of work to understand the car's balance and identify areas for improvement. In that sense, things have gone well. We always learn more from each race, and the recent ones have allowed us to start the weekend even better. We brought additional updates here, the factory is working hard, and it's encouraging to come to the circuit with car upgrades, knowing that we are already working for next year. All of this motivates me a lot. It was a good day for us, and we hope to continue like this tomorrow".
Valtteri Bottas also seems confident about his chances on the circuit where he secured his first career victory:
"It's been a good day for us. On paper, it looks like we'll be competitive, but it's only Friday. The initial feeling with the car was good, but there's still work to be done. Getting a different setup for each corner is challenging here because the balance changes a lot within a single lap".
The Finn is satisfied with the work done at the factory:
"We brought aerodynamic updates that worked well and improved grip: we'll see if it's enough for the weekend. Probably Ferrari hasn't revealed all its potential, and I think they will be stronger tomorrow. I believe it will be a very close fight, so we'll continue to push".
At the end of the first day of free practice for the Russian Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel is quite dissatisfied with the performance of his Ferrari on the Sochi circuit. The gap incurred by the German driver in FP2 is quite substantial, over 0.5s from Lewis Hamilton:
"There's a lot of work to do to improve. Today wasn't a great day. We had difficulties both in the single lap and with a higher fuel load in the race simulation. However, we hope the situation can improve tomorrow and Sunday".
Vettel looks positively towards Saturday and Sunday:
"Obviously, we want to secure the front row with both cars. The pole position is always the best starting position. Tomorrow, tire degradation won't be as important for the quick lap. For Sunday, we'll find something to address the issues. As I said, today didn't go well for us, especially with the tires, particularly the front left".
And Ferrari's team principal, Maurizio Arrivabene, adds:
"We haven't hidden, it was a Friday like many other Fridays we have, where we used the first practice session to test some materials, and then in the second, we adjusted the car settings, especially thinking about the race. After that, on Friday, we work and prepare the car for FP3 and qualifying. It's a race program; on other occasions, there were fewer problems, but this time, having a lot of material to test, a lot of time was lost, and therefore, apparently, there were more problems".
The Ferrari team indeed tested a new front wing, modified on the upper flaps, and innovative turning vanes. Following Max Verstappen's criticism of the Spec-C, one of Renault's engine evolutions, Renault's Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul, responds to the Dutch driver, reminding him of the positive aspects of that specification and clarifying that the replacement of Red Bull's engines in Sochi is the result of an agreement between the Austrian team and the French manufacturer.
"We had drivability issues in Singapore in FP1 and over the weekend, of minor importance in qualifying. I think Max is a rather demanding and somewhat agitated driver. I believe the team has done an excellent job, clearly, to allow Verstappen to have a good weekend in Singapore. The Spec-C, I believe, is a good step forward, especially in terms of power. It was planned to introduce another Spec-B later, it's unusual, but we decided on the specific request of Red Bull. We had sealing issues, so it was clear that Max couldn't complete the season. Hence the obvious choice to use another specification. I repeat that it's part of the choices made with the engineering department and not with the drivers".
Max Verstappen, of course, doesn't miss the opportunity to respond, saying:
"If he focused more on his own team instead of talking about me, we would already be world champions. Yes, I am very demanding about the material at my disposal. I'm not here to finish seventh, and deep down, he knows it".
During the day, Haas announces the confirmation of Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen for the 2019 season. Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner says:
"Since the beginning of our Formula 1 adventure, we have always aimed for experienced drivers to accelerate the development of our car and team, focusing on two professionals like Romain and Kevin. This year we have shown a significant step forward from 2017; consequently, confirming both our drivers was a rather easy decision to make. We are aiming for the 100-point milestone, and I believe we will achieve it with our drivers. They are pushing each other, constantly improving their on-track performance and their feedback within the team. It's not a coincidence that in their second year as teammates, the Haas F1 Team is having its best season. By confirming this pair, we aim to take another step forward in 2019".
He adds:
"It's impressive to see what this team has achieved in a relatively short period, and being with this team since the beginning of the project, I am very proud of the efforts and sacrifices we have made to bring the team to its current level of competitiveness. I am obviously very happy to continue with this adventure. Gene Haas has created something very special, and now it's up to us to make it even better".
Kevin Magnussen is also pleased, having found a period of stability after years of last-minute confirmations.
"I've never been in a better situation than what I'm experiencing in this team. There's no bureaucracy; everything is straightforward. Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner have created a very efficient environment, putting the staff in a position to give their best. It's a great context to live in all roles, and as a driver, I'm also happy and stimulated to give my best to continue growing".
On Saturday, October 29, 2018, during the third and final free practice session, Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time, beating his teammate Valtteri Bottas by 0.25s. The British driver, with a time of 1'33"067, set a new track record. The two Ferraris took the third and fourth positions, with Vettel (who had adjusted the setup of his car with a different rear bar) trailing Hamilton by 0.6s. Behind the Italian cars were the two Red Bulls. Surprisingly, Sauber's Charles Leclerc climbed to seventh place. After homologating the C version of the Honda power unit, Scuderia Toro Rosso decided to revert to the old B version. A few hours later, in Q1, Kevin Magnussen was the first to set a valid time, soon surpassed by Kimi Räikkönen. The Ferrari driver's time was then lowered by his teammate Sebastian Vettel and later by compatriot Valtteri Bottas. Lewis Hamilton, after an error in his first attempt, managed to improve the best time twice. The Williams and McLaren drivers, along with Brendon Hartley, were eliminated. In Q2, Mercedes and Ferrari drivers chose to use Ultrasoft tires, which they would also use for the race; other drivers opted for Hypersoft tires. Hamilton was again the fastest, followed by Bottas, who, in turn, led the two Ferraris. The Red Bull Racing drivers and Pierre Gasly chose not to participate in the session due to penalties, starting from the back. The two Renault drivers also did not set valid times, as they would have to use Hypersoft tires to advance, which was not the preferred option for the race. Thus, only ten cars remained on the track, all automatically qualifying for the decisive phase. In the final minutes, both Mercedes and Ferrari drivers decided to test Hypersoft tires for Q3 without setting faster times than those achieved with Ultrasofts, to avoid changing the mandatory starting tire choice. In Q3, Lewis Hamilton set a time of 1'31"532, only to be beaten by 0.004s by his teammate Valtteri Bottas. The two Ferraris followed, too far behind to challenge the Mercedes duo, who battled for pole position in the last attempt. Bottas improved in the second attempt, while Hamilton made a driving error and couldn't threaten the Finn, who secured his sixth career pole position.
"It was a good lap on the last one we did. I could have done a bit better, but I'm happy with that. This pole position is well-deserved for sure. I don't look excited, but inside, I'm very, very happy. It's just the first step; there's a lot to do tomorrow. We need to start well and maintain the first position".
The second row belonged to Ferrari, while Kevin Magnussen and Esteban Ocon would start from the third row. Leclerc, in seventh, achieved his best qualifying performance. After the qualifying session, Max Verstappen, already penalized for technical component changes, received an additional three-grid penalty for not respecting yellow flags in Q1 and lost two points on his Super License. It's a Mercedes in dominant mode that showed up in Sochi. So far, there hasn't been any room for the expected Ferrari comeback, which continues to struggle not only in terms of results but also in performance. It's easy to understand why Lewis Hamilton is quite cheerful and relaxed, despite missing pole position.
"We did a great job, and so far, it's been a great weekend. We had some difficulties in the first sector, so we had to change some settings, but the car is great on the rest of the track. However, there's still the whole race tomorrow to face. Unfortunately, I lost the pole in the last two laps where I made a couple of mistakes. I had a good rhythm; I believe I did a great job, and I'm grateful for what I managed to do. You can't always be perfect".
Sebastian Vettel will start from the third position, but it's worth remembering that last year, the two Ferraris started from the front row but were overtaken by Bottas, who started third and made the most of the slipstream from the cars ahead.
In the press conference, Vettel recalls that episode:
"We maximized the result. Regarding tomorrow's race, we don't know what might happen, just think about last year when we started from pole, and then what happened happened".
Despite Mercedes appearing better than Ferrari so far, Vettel sees an SF71H on the rise and still hopes to gain positions in the race:
"At the beginning of the weekend, we weren't very fast, but then we managed to improve. Tomorrow we'll do everything to take the leading positions".
Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari seemed to struggle in Sochi with the choice of the best setup, especially in the third sector where they faced a significant gap from the Mercedes.
"Problems with the setup? There are none; it's just a period where things go like this. The third sector doesn't seem to be a big problem, except in qualifying".
During the day, Scuderia Toro Rosso announced the return of Russian driver Daniil Kvyat as an official driver for the 2019 season. The driver had previously raced for the Italian team in 2014 and, after a stint with Red Bull between 2016 and 2017, had been hired as a development driver by Ferrari in 2018.
"First of all, I would like to thank Red Bull and Toro Rosso for offering me this opportunity to be back in Formula 1, and I am particularly happy to return to a team that I know very well. In Toro Rosso, I always felt at home, and I am sure it will be the same next season. I would also like to thank Ferrari for the trust they have given me, allowing me to stay in touch with Formula 1 by becoming part of the development program in Maranello. Although my tasks were mainly based on simulator work, I have learned a lot, and I feel ready to start this new adventure with Toro Rosso. I never stopped hoping for another chance. I am still young, and I have kept myself in shape to be always ready if an opportunity came".
Franz Tost welcomes Kvyat's return as good news, especially after Gasly's planned departure at the end of this season:
"Pierre's impressive performances have earned him a chance at Red Bull Racing. I am glad that once again, a driver from Helmut Marko's Red Bull Junior program has reached his goal; for us, it means mission accomplished. Regarding Daniil's return, I believe he deserves another chance in Formula 1. He is an experienced driver with excellent natural speed, a quality he has demonstrated several times in his career. There have been some difficult situations he had to face in the past, but I am convinced that the time spent away from the race tracks has been useful for understanding and maturing. We will push hard to provide him with a good technical package, and I feel that his best is yet to come".
On Sunday, October 30, 2018, at the start of the Russian Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas secured the first position, while Lewis Hamilton had to defend against Sebastian Vettel's attack. Following them was the other Ferrari driver, Kimi Räikkönen, ahead of Kevin Magnussen, Charles Leclerc, the two Force India cars, followed by Romain Grosjean and Marcus Ericsson.
Charles Leclerc overtook Kevin Magnussen, while the two Red Bull Racing drivers, starting from the back, were engaged in a powerful comeback. Max Verstappen, who started second to last, was already 13th at the end of the first lap. The Dutch driver climbed to 11th position on the second lap and was sixth after 6 laps. Also, Daniel Ricciardo, starting 18th, quickly rose to 12th place. On the eighth lap, Grosjean pitted to switch to Soft tires, and a lap later, Kevin Magnussen did the same, resisting the attack from the two Force India cars. Max Verstappen, still on the eighth lap, overtook Charles Leclerc and secured the fifth position. Leclerc and Ocon also pitted on lap 10. Valtteri Bottas, in second place, and Sergio Pérez stopped on lap 12. During the 11th lap, Sebastian Vettel also made a pit stop and switched to Soft tires. On the 14th lap, Lewis Hamilton made a pit stop, rejoining the track behind Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton immediately attacked Vettel and passed him at turn 4. Now, Kimi Räikkönen led the race, followed by Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel. Räikkönen pitted on lap 18, allowing Max Verstappen to take the lead. The Finn returned to the track in fifth place, ahead of Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hülkenberg. On lap 25, Valtteri Bottas slowed down significantly to let Lewis Hamilton take second place. The top positions remained unchanged until lap 36 when Nico Hülkenberg, starting on Soft tires, switched to Ultrasoft tires. Three laps later, Daniel Ricciardo also pitted, changing the nose of his car, and maintained sixth place. Lewis Hamilton tried to overtake Max Verstappen on the track, knowing that Verstappen would eventually have to pit. The attempt was unsuccessful, and Hamilton took the lead on lap 43 when Verstappen made his pit stop. Verstappen returned to the track in fifth place, behind Kimi Räikkönen. Lewis Hamilton won the Russian Grand Prix, followed by Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, Charles Leclerc, Kevin Magnussen, Esteban Ocon, and Sergio Perez.
"It was a tough day. We did a fantastic job throughout the weekend, Bottas let me through, and this should be considered within the team's work. I understand how difficult it is to manage such dynamics, but the day was fantastic, it's a victory. As a team, we try to do our best for the outcome of the world championship, and today we scored a lot of points. It was tough for everyone, I know it wasn't a spectacular race. Vettel tried to get in tight; he also tried later, and I managed to stay ahead. It was about who would brake later. I tried to use the tires and the car better; racing here was beautiful. I am proud of the team's achievements".
Twelve weeks, 84 days to overturn a World Championship and virtually win it. This is the time Mercedes took to overcome Ferrari and its efforts. It was July 8, and at Silverstone, only Sebastian Vettel's shout via radio electrified the team in Italian: "We won at their home." The Ferrari overtook, with the German back in the lead by 8 points (171 versus 163) and a potentially joyful future. Instead, in less than three months, here's the state of affairs: Hamilton 306, Vettel 256. The German is 50 points behind, Ferrari 53 in the Constructors' World Championship. Sochi rewarded Mercedes, marking their fifth victory in five editions. But it wasn't Russia that Ferrari aimed for. Sochi merely confirmed the superiority of the Anglo-German team, a fact acknowledged even by the people in Maranello. Just think that Hamilton only needs to finish second consistently to secure his fifth world title. Yet, the SF71H was deemed the best car in the paddock in the summer, capable of winning in Britain, and the victory at Silverstone not only symbolizes but confirms the technical excellence of the car. So how did it happen? How was the advantage squandered? The answer is manifold: first, driver errors. Second, team strategy errors. Third, developments worse than rivals. In hindsight, this championship was decided (remember that mathematics doesn't rule anyone out yet) by episodes. Without them, there would be complete balance. Let's remember them: in Baku, at the restart of a safety car, Vettel attempted an impossible overtake on Bottas for the lead, ending up going wide, surpassed even by Hamilton. He went from second to fourth (12 points) with Hamilton winning (25). A double blow, but the driver also made mistakes in Austria and Germany: in Spielberg, he disrupted Perez in qualifying and had to drop back three positions on a track where overtaking is taboo, finishing in third place. In Germany, betrayed by rain, he crashed, throwing away a sure victory. Weighty points, coupled with Monza, where accusations pointed at the team and Raikkonen's role, ended up damaging the German, causing him to lose more points. Bernie Ecclestone said the reasons for this latest flop are that Ferrari is too Italian, but it's not exactly the case, and that's the aspect that has won the world over.
The point is that Lewis Hamilton has shown new aspects of his personality: when Vettel and Ferrari were at their peak, he humbly tried to withstand the blow, also showing rationality. Then, when the trend was reversed by his team, he returned to aggressive mode. He made no mistakes and didn't have to relinquish points due to mechanical or hydraulic failures. Finally, the last factor: the role of the other driver. Bottas, for Mercedes, made himself available, willingly or unwillingly, and contributed to the team. The other Finn, Kimi Raikkonen, less so. Even the dismissal he received on the eve of the Italian Grand Prix (couldn't they wait?) might have influenced communication strategy that weekend. The last mistake, while Mercedes demonstrated better teamwork, as confirmed by Sochi. Valtteri Bottas says:
"The start? Vettel tried to get in tight, and then I saw that he tried a bit later, but fortunately, I managed to hold on and stay ahead. Anyway, I tried to use tires and the car to the best. It was a tough day, but we got a good result as a team. We took the maximum points. Helping Lewis? We are fighting for the World Championship and also to win the Constructors' World Championship. We are on the right track. It's always challenging to predict how the race will go and implement certain strategies. I repeat: it was a complicated day".
And he adds:
"At the end of the race, I didn't expect to be able to pass Lewis again; I just asked what the team's plans were to understand what we needed to do. Obviously, everyone wants to win, and I wanted to win today as well. I didn't manage it; it's a shame, but it happens".
The celebrations at the finish line were understandably subdued. The embarrassment of both drivers on the podium was palpable, to the extent that Hamilton brought Bottas with him onto the top step. In the press conference, Lewis explains:
"It's not a great feeling. I don't think I could have won, and that's the feeling I have now. It's a conflicting feeling because, of course, there's a desire to extend the lead in the standings, as we are a team fighting in both championships".
Hamilton specifies that he didn't push the team to gift him the victory:
"Valtteri did an exceptional job throughout the entire weekend, and you saw how happy I was for him after yesterday's qualifying. I assured Valtteri that I didn't ask for team orders, but it was something the team deemed right to do. It's a very embarrassing situation. There aren't many teammates who would do something like this".
And he tells the journalists in the paddock about the moment he received the team order:
"When I received the call from the pit saying that Valtteri would let me pass, I wanted to tell him to go faster because I had a threatening Sebastian behind me. Passing him wasn't nice, and I didn't know what the plan was at the end of the race; I was waiting for news, but it didn't come. I knew the team would have wanted my victory. I would never have wanted to win a race like this in my entire life; it's hard to find the right words. In the last 12 laps of the race, I thought a lot about what was happening; I didn't feel well, certainly not happy. However, I also thought about what the team was telling me and that it would be a shame to lose the championship by three points. The team's strategy was very bold because they knew it would be criticized by all observers. They did a great job and supported me a lot on Friday and Saturday. I believe that morally, we absolutely deserved this victory as a team. I've already spoken to Valtteri; obviously, we will talk about what happened in the future. There is respect between us, and that's the most important thing".
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff explains it all:
"We decided to swap positions between Bottas and Hamilton because we made a mistake in the strategy. At the pit stop, we lost Hamilton's position to Vettel, and then Lewis behind the Ferrari damaged his tires. I prefer to take some criticism but gain the points".
For his part, Sebastian Vettel takes the blame:
"It's a good third place, but it's not the result we wanted. I made a mistake probably in the first lap because I had overtaken Hamilton, then I lost a bit on the brakes, and he passed inside. It was challenging to fight with Mercedes. I tried in turn 1, but I didn't have the space and probably not the engine either".
The German driver then passed Hamilton with the pit strategy but was overtaken again by the Briton:
"In the second turn, I lost him, I made a mistake in braking that way, and he passed ahead. We remained more or less on the same pace; I'm not satisfied with my race pace".
And Kimi Raikkonen is also disheartened:
"Honestly, I spent most of the race alone, and I was getting a bit bored, but that's what I expected from a day like this".
Vettel didn't give up, but the third place was the best achievable for Ferrari, which was also favored by Red Bull's penalties. Max Verstappen would have made life difficult for everyone in Sochi. Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene admits:
"Sochi, starting from Friday, was a rather difficult weekend for us. Despite the work done to find the ideal setups, neither on Saturday nor in the race were we competitive enough to worry our direct opponents. Compared to other circuits, something was missing here, which didn't allow us to reduce the points gap. The next race, in Japan, on paper presents characteristics very similar to Silverstone; therefore, at Suzuka, we will have more precise indications of the potential of our car; if they are positive, we will know, despite the difficult championship situation, that we have the weapons to fight until the end".
Lewis Hamilton has no doubts and, at this point, sees the fifth world title in five races with a 50-point advantage over Sebastian Vettel. The Anglo-Caribbean driver of Mercedes can only be happy with his performance in 2018, which, in his view, is the most exciting of his career.
"I believe that 2018 has been my best year so far. Last season, I was happy with what I was doing, but if we analyze each year, none has been perfect, and every time I always wonder how to step up because there are always opportunities to raise the bar. And I think that, although I didn't start perfectly, this has been one of my most complete seasons so far, which will be even more satisfying if everything goes according to my plans. And I hope it does".
Since July, from the British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has won five victories and two second places in seven races.
"I've never had this much confidence in my abilities. When I get up and leave home, my self-confidence is a million times higher than it was in 2007. Back then, there was insecurity, sadness, a pressure I didn't understand that came from all sides; I couldn't find my balance".
Hamilton then sends a thought to McLaren and Williams, two big teams in enormous difficulty:
"I've never hidden that it's sad to see what's happening at McLaren, and the same goes for Williams, a team I grew up watching on TV. It's incredible to think of Williams at the bottom of the grid after having people like Mansell or Damon Hill winning the title. And also McLaren, which is a family for me, has been struggling for a long time. I hope that for both teams, there is light at the end of the tunnel".