2021 Race 5 - Monaco

[Fortitude]

Good start by Max.

Bottas apparently locked up before the first corner, which may affect his tyres later.

[Fortitude]

IMHO, at this point, Lewis Hamilton seems to be saving and managing his tyres, by being around 2 seconds behind Pierre Gasly.

[Fortitude]

Could it be that Bottas is pushing Verstappen, so that his tyres don't last as well, so that Hamilton is the beneficiary?

[Fortitude]

LAP 26, Bottas has not managed his tyres well, when pushing Verstappen.

Hamilton is 15 seconds behind Verstappen. Verstappen is in first position.

[Fortitude]

Bottas out with a bad wheel nut.

Vettel leap frogs Hamilton.

Bad day at the office for Lewis Hamilton so far.

[Fortitude]

Hamilton is in seventh on lap 37.

On the radio Lewis has said;

"I don't understand this guys!"

[truefan72]

Pathetic by mercedes. Nothing more needs to be said. Oh well. Off to Baku

[Fortitude]

Investigation by Mercedes into getting a nut off a thread!

Hamilton managed his tyres for a long stint on the tyres and then is called in early... ...questioning of that change in strategy ongoing....

On lap 46 Verstappen leading the way in 3.436 seconds on Sainz (Ferrari), is in second.

Lando Norris is in the third at 10.468 seconds.

[Fortitude]

Good start by Max.

Bottas apparently locked up before the first corner, which may affect his tyres later.

Could it be that 'lock up' on the first corner, caused the problem with the wheel nut, which then when the pit stop occurred, meant that Bottas had to retire?

[Fortitude]

Discussion arising on the problem with the tyres. When following closely, the tyres over heat. That means it is more difficult to over take.

Counter discussion, with regards to down force affecting the chance to overtake. This is from the radio.