Chinese Grand Prix 2011: Raceday - Formula One Highlights (Part 16)
Welcome back to the action from the Shanghai circuit.
The race headed into its final 6 laps. Nico Rosberg, on a 3-pit-stop strategy was making full use of his relatively fresh tyres as opposed to the wearing out Pirellis of the Scuderia in front bearing Felipe Massa. The soon to be 30-year-old Brazilian, Felipe
Massa, was employing every ounce of experience he had to keep the young German behind.
At the front of the pack, Lewis Hamilton, after a series of fast laps was finally close enough to Sebastian Vettel to make a challenge for track position – The McLaren Mercedes and Red Bull were wheel to wheel as the duo headed into turn 14 and 15, but the
latter held on.
Turning our attention back to the Rosberg – Massa battle, the Ferrari seemed to wilt under pressure as it ran wide at the last turn of the lap; thereby allowing the Mercedes driver to move ahead and snatch 4th position.
Lewis Hamilton appeared to be losing patience. His car was in a good shape but Vettel was holding on thanks to some inspired driving. The McLaren driver ran wide heading into turn 6 but was able to prevent the MP4 – 26 from going off track. He was instantly
able to make up the amount of ground lost on the car ahead as both cars headed into turn 14 and 15. The Briton tried to make a move but was blocked off yet again – Patience was the key. Both drivers had done extremely well to get into such a promising position
at the end of 51 laps and neither wanted to throw it away impulsively.
The race headed into lap 52 and the cameras seemed to be firmly glued on the McLaren – Red Bull duel for the race lead. As the two cars headed into turn 6 and 7, Hamilton was finally able to achieve a feat no driver has been able to pull off this season
– Overtaking Sebastian Vettel on the race track for the top position. The Red Bull driver has hardly put a wheel wrong this campaign but perhaps having to nurse his old tyres, he stood little chance of competing against Hamilton’s relatively fresh ones.
There were still 4 more laps left in the race – Could Vettel stage a comeback?
To be continued in part 17...
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