Yes, details matter. The VSC cametoo early for himto suit his strategy.
Giants have exactly the type of game style that bothers us the most - slingshot footy with big run off halfback. We will need some significant plans for Whitfield and Ash, and hopefully Weiters is back to take care of Hogan.
I don't want to sound pessimistic, but this week is a big ask......
He was catching at 1.5 seconds a lap for most of it.Detail matters, the last few laps before Russell and Antonelli pitted, which they did just before the VSC, Hamilton had stopped gaining ground and was only able to hold station.
Some might argue that was a tactic, but I doubt Hamilton would voluntarily cease the chase for anyone!
I'd assert Mercedes had already decided the Ferrari strategy was going to win the day, because they were telling Russell and Antonelli to race Norris who had already pitted and was 25 second behind Hamilton. But make no mistake, the VSC made a huge difference because without it those laps that saw Hamilton build a lead would have been instead laps helping him close a gap to the leaders. He would have had Russell, Antonelli and Norris to pass as after the pit stops only 5 second separated all three.
Giants have exactly the type of game style that bothers us the most - slingshot footy with big run off halfback. We will need some significant plans for Whitfield and Ash, and hopefully Weiters is back to take care of Hogan.
I don't want to sound pessimistic, but this week is a big ask......
He was catching at 1.5 seconds a lap for most of it.Detail matters, the last few laps before Russell and Antonelli pitted, which they did just before the VSC, Hamilton had stopped gaining ground and was only able to hold station.
Some might argue that was a tactic, but I doubt Hamilton would voluntarily cease the chase for anyone!
I'd assert Mercedes had already decided the Ferrari strategy was going to win the day, because they were telling Russell and Antonelli to race Norris who had already pitted and was 25 second behind Hamilton. But make no mistake, the VSC made a huge difference because without it those laps that saw Hamilton build a lead would have been instead laps helping him close a gap to the leaders.
He was catching at 1.5 seconds a lap for most of it.
Hamilton had the race in hand and the VSC helped, but wasn't needed.The VSC let him pit and retain the lead, so of course it made a difference!
If there was no VSC he would have surrendered the lead returning a full 10 seconds behind Russell and Antonelli.
The Ferrari looks to be quite good in turbulence and when the track suits, most cars suffer when following but they are able to hold and close without too much trouble, as long as they don't crash or break.
Hamilton had the race in hand and the VSC helped, but wasn't needed.The VSC let him pit and retain the lead, so of course it made a difference!
If there was no VSC he would have surrendered the lead returning a full 10 seconds behind Russell and Antonelli.
The Ferrari looks to be quite good in turbulence and when the track suits, most cars suffer when following but they are able to hold and close without too much trouble, as long as they don't crash or break.
Hamilton had the race in hand and the VSC helped, but wasn't needed.