SPANISH GRAND PRIX - WON BY RED BULL AND MAX AND SERGIO, BUT CRUCIALLY, IT SAYS TEAM MERCEDES'S BACK!!! PART 1.

 

So, having endured the Miami 'Americanesque' Grand Prix, it was time to return to authentic Formula 1 grand prix territory, in the form of the Spanish Grand Prix of the 2022 Season. 

And probably needless to say; it did not disappoint. 

It was a race which was filled with  the right amount, if not exceeded the levels of adrenaline, unpredictability, gladiatorial challenges and excitement we should or could expect from the best of Formula 1 races. 

Probably the biggest missing ingredient we could have hoped for - even though it was, arguably, not needed - was the absence of any VSC or Safety Car episodes. 

Yes, it would have been helpful, probably mostly Team Mercedes and more specifically, Lewis Hamilton.  

Who, having gotten caught up in a wheel-to-wheel involuntary embrace with Magnussen in the first half of the first lap, found himself trailing at the pack of the convoy, with atleast a wee bit of damage to Car 44. 

As the race evolved, however, the incident provided Hamilton and Team Mercedes with both the challenge and the opportunity to demonstrate how much progress they have now achieved. 

In these so far  6 very 'unMercedesesque' races of the 2022 Formula 1 season.

Quite simply, with George Russell having demonstrated that his car could is now nearly as competitive as his its Ferrari and Red Bull rivals. By mixing it up with them at the front of the race for its duration.

And with Hamilton having similarly demonstrated that his has what it takes to be raced from the back of the caravan to a P.5 finish, as he was just pipped by the relentless Carlos Sainz for P.4. 

There is probably every indication that, Team Mercedes is Back to Competitive Racing. 

This especially being so, when we consider the still ongoing unreliability of both Ferrari and Red Bull; notwithstanding their undeniable winning pace. 

To be continued!