F1 Race Recap: Silver Arrows Score Second in Spa

By
Mac Jaehnert
-
2018 Großer Preis von Belgien, Samstag - Wolfgang Wilhelm
Reading Time: < 1 minute

After four weeks of fun in the sun over summer break, it was time for TIBCO partner Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport to take to the track and fire up the second half of the 2018 Formula One season. Carrying a comfortable lead in first place for both the team in the Constructors’ Championship and Lewis Hamilton leading the Drivers’ Championship, the Silver Arrows headed into the Belgian Grand Prix with all eyes on them.

Hamilton turned in a lightning-fast qualifying performance, earning pole position.

Meanwhile an engine penalty caused Valtteri Bottas to start his day from the back of the grid.

On race day, the heat was on!

After a swift start, Hamilton found himself fighting for first with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.

Other drivers didn’t make it around turn one so easily, including Bottas, who sustained some nose damage requiring an early stop.

With fresh tires and a patched-up front end, Bottas began his methodical march to the front of the herd, one after another.

And another…

And another…

With Bottas and Hamilton turning in one fastest lap after another, it looked like anybody’s race.

Finally, after 44 laps of all-out effort, Vettel and Ferrari were first across the finish line with Hamilton close behind. Finishing fourth, Bottas managed to pull off an astonishing bounce back from his starting position.

While Vettel and the Ferraris were able to close the gap in the standings with their performance in Spa, Hamilton and company are still holding the lead and eager to add to it. But how will they fare on Ferrari’s home turf? We’ll find out next weekend at the Italian Grand Prix on September 2!

Learn more about TIBCO’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport that provides the team with a data-driven competitive edge.

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