A frustrated Lewis Hamilton lost further ground to Nico Rosberg in the championship race after he finished only fifth on Formula One’s inaugural visit to Azerbaijan for Sunday’s European Grand Prix.
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Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took the second place while teammate Kimi Raikkonen was fourth, ahead of Force India’s Sergio Perez, Williams F1’s Felipe Massa, Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat.
Mercedes stated that both cars, Rosberg’s and Hamilton’s, presented a problem with the engine settings in different moments.
Just when it looked like Rosberg’s lead at the top of the championship table was faltering, he has pulled out yet another faultless week end to re-establish himself at the head of the pack with a lead of 24 points.
“There was no risk of making mistakes or anything”.
And Hamilton faced more embarrassment when it turned out Rosberg had the same problem – and corrected it much faster.
He said he felt the team radio rules should be revisited.
The problem eventually resolved itself.
“Today, it would’ve added to the spectacle if I would have had full power because I would’ve been more in the race, fighting with the guys up ahead”.
“Right now we don’t know how much it affected his race overall”, he admitted, “we will analyse it when we are back in the factory, but from what we have seen I would estimate it at 0.2 seconds a lap”.
“I might not finish this race as I’m going to try and change everything”, he continued.
Former Formula One driver and current Porsche sports-car ace Mark Webber thinks reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton can bounce back and secure his third consecutive title this year.
“It felt really, really special and I’m very, very happy”. “No, that’s not allowed”.
However Mercedes later clarified that, saying the situation was more complicated.
Rosberg looked as cool and calm as he has been all season long at the front of the race, dominating proceedings with little challenge.
“I am looking at every single switch thinking ‘am I being an idiot here?’ ‘Have I done something wrong?’ Have I done something wrong?’ I hadn’t”, said the Briton, who said the distraction had been risky.
Sergio Perez claimed a brilliant podium position in third with a late move on Raikkonen – although it wasn’t essential as the Finn had a post-race time penalty of five seconds to serve after he crossed the pitlane entry line with all four wheels. It is the same for everybody and I think Ferrari had a similar issue. “Thanks to the team”, said Vettel.
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Red Bull struggled to make an impression as the race ebbed away; both Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were hampered for pace and position as they fell down the order.
