TAG wrote: ↑30 Sep 2017, 21:52
But the whole point is they weren't 5th, they figured out how to make it work, at least Lewis did.
They did? Didn't look like it - looked exactly as what was described in my post. The car either works flawless or it doesn't. Lauda described it that their car has a tiny operating window (smaller than their strongest opponents). When you hit it, it's brilliantly quick, but it can easily move out of that window based on how the car acts on the rubber, the temperature, the surface and of course the layout of the track.
As far as permutations go, ironically, Vettel lost less points to Hamilton today coming 4th to Hamilton 2nd than if Hamilton had won the race and Vettel came 2nd. Assuming many thought this was going to be a Mercedes track, this result should be quite worrying. Ferrari had fantastic pace, Mercedes did not. This was a good day for Vettel/Ferrari, against all odds.
Again: Mercedes by their own assessment (reported by AMuS) will face a difficult task in the last 3 GPs. Mexico will be high altitude and maximum downforce. Brazil could be tricky as well, as could be Abu Dhabi. We will see if Mercedes can solve their issues and hit the operating window. If they don't, Malaysia FP1, FP2, heck even FP3 and the race could show how quickly such a race could turn bad for them.
If both Vettel and Kimi had started from the front (instead of 20th and not at all), I dare say, Hamilton would have been lucky to finish 4th. This race was a bit like Christmas for Hamilton and despite coming 2nd, it counts like a win vs Vettel 2nd (similar point increase).
