2021 Portuguese GP Race Discussion

Coming off a great start to the 2021 Season of F1, we come to this undulating track of the Algarve International Circuit which hosted the 2021 Portuguese GP. Though not living up to the high standards set by the first two races, this was nonetheless action packed and exciting throughout. Visit us at f1fanfiction.comIn this Episode we discuss: Race Start - BOT HAM VERRocking RicciardoKimi snoozing in the carRace Restart - BOT VER HAMMercedes Fastest?BOT HAM VER - wait what?!HAM BOT VER - Wait! WTF is happening?Mazepin the GREAT!Perez racing aloneAnd HAM VER BOT it is..Curse of the 2nd Red Bull seat.Battle for P18Alonso - The man on a missionUnderperforming GaslyWhat is Vettle doing?Mick and Vettle's bromanceBattle for P17Battle of the fastest lap.Race End - HAM VER BOT! (the only consistent thing in life) Join us at Socials:Twitter: @f1fanfictionInstagram: @f1fanfictionMusic:Intro: Howling (Sting) - Gunnar OlsenOutro: Your Intro by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Artist: http://audionautix.com/FanFiction By Anirudh Mendiratta @MontanaDesi on Twitter

* **Race Start:** No major changes in positions among the leaders, except for Perez losing a position. Kimi Raikkonen crashed into his teammate Antonio Giovinazzi due to a distraction, causing a safety car period.


* **Race Restart:** Max Verstappen made a good start, briefly challenging Lewis Hamilton for the lead before settling into second place. Sergio Perez struggled with his tires and lost positions. Lando Norris overtook Perez, leading to a radio outburst from Perez.


* **Mercedes Dominance:** Mercedes appeared to have the faster car, with Hamilton eventually overtaking Bottas for the lead. Verstappen fell back and started complaining about his car's performance.


* **Midfield Battles:** Intense battles occurred throughout the midfield, with drivers like Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, and Daniel Ricciardo making impressive overtakes. George Russell also had a strong race, finishing in the points.


* **Perez's Lonely Race:** Sergio Perez found himself isolated in the midfield, unable to challenge the leaders or defend against the chasing pack. He eventually finished in fifth place.


* **Hamilton's Victory:** Hamilton cruised to victory, extending his lead in the championship standings. Bottas finished second, followed by Verstappen.


* **Curse of the Second Red Bull Seat:** The podcast discusses the ongoing struggles of drivers occupying the second Red Bull seat, with Perez being the latest example.


* **Alonso's Resurgence:** Fernando Alonso had a strong race, making several overtakes and moving up the order. He finished in eighth place, earning praise for his performance.


* **Gasly's Struggles:** Pierre Gasly had a disappointing race, struggling with his car's pace and making several mistakes. He finished outside the points.


* **Vettel and Mick's Bromance:** Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher were seen having a friendly moment during the race, with Vettel giving Schumacher some advice.


* **Battle for 18th:** The podcast highlights the battle for 18th position between the two Williams drivers, Nicholas Latifi and George Russell.


* **Fastest Lap Battle:** Hamilton set the fastest lap of the race, further demonstrating Mercedes' dominance.


* **Race End:** Hamilton, Bottas, and Verstappen finished in the top three positions, with the rest of the field maintaining their positions.


**Race Overview:**

- The Portuguese Grand Prix at the undulating Algarve International Circuit provided plenty of excitement despite falling short of the high standards set by the first two races of the 2021 Formula One season.

- The track's challenging layout, with its ups and downs and limited visibility, made for a thrilling spectacle, with numerous overtaking opportunities.

- While the race lacked a captivating battle for the lead, there was plenty of action in the midfield, with drivers from various teams engaging in close battles.

**Key Moments and Observations:**

- **Rocking Ricciardo:** Daniel Ricciardo continued his impressive start to the season, delivering a strong performance in his McLaren, showcasing his ability to adapt to the new car and team.

- **Kimi's Slumber:** Kimi Raikkonen provided a moment of amusement when he was caught on camera seemingly dozing off in his Alfa Romeo during a red flag period.

- **Mercedes Dominance:** Mercedes maintained its dominance, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas securing a 1-2 finish, extending their lead in the Constructors' Championship.

- **Red Bull's Pit Stop Blunder:** Red Bull Racing suffered a strategic error during Max Verstappen's pit stop, resulting in a lost opportunity to challenge Mercedes for the lead.

- **Alonso's Mission:** Fernando Alonso displayed his determination and skill, making several impressive overtakes in his Alpine, demonstrating his ability to challenge for points.

- **Vettel's Struggles:** Sebastian Vettel's struggles continued, with the four-time world champion failing to make a significant impact in his Aston Martin, raising questions about his comfort level in the car.

- **Mick and Vettel's Bromance:** A heartwarming moment occurred during the cool-down lap when Mick Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel exchanged thumbs up, symbolizing their mutual respect and the passing of the torch from mentor to protégé.

- **Battle for Fastest Lap:** Bottas and Verstappen engaged in a late-race battle for the fastest lap, adding an extra layer of excitement to the closing stages of the race.

**Conclusion:**

- The Portuguese Grand Prix provided a mix of entertainment and strategic intrigue, showcasing the strengths and weaknesses of various teams and drivers.

- While the race lacked a captivating battle for the lead, the midfield battles and individual performances made it an enjoyable spectacle for Formula One fans.

- The upcoming Spanish Grand Prix promises to deliver more thrilling action, with drivers looking to capitalize on the lessons learned in Portugal.