Quote:
Originally Posted by peebee2
Merc were always going to instruct for VB to be ahead. The only way they could finish 1-2 in the WDC
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I doubt the team had any instructions whatsoever. There was no need to as Vettel had to finish 9th or lower if Bottas wins. Highly unlikely SV was going to finish 9th or lower. VB and LH were free to race.
My thinking is LH was playing mind games with Bottas. Let VB get pole, and make sure his P2. Aim for P1 at the first corner and control the race. That was plan A.
But VB got a very good start this time (unlike Brazil), and was P1 at the first corner. So plan B for LH was to put as much pressure on VB and force a mistake from VB. It almost worked as VB did lock up and/or ran wide a couple of times. A few opportunities to pass were there, but LH seemed to back off. He was trying to force VB to make a big mistake and not risk an 50/50 overtake. I reckon if it was anyone other than VB, LH would have definitely made the pass on them.