Ferrari and the alpha animals: How long until it crashes?

SEBASTIAN VETTEL: Sebastian Vettel had dug his own hole often enough this season, and he also made life difficult for himself in Sochi. The poor performances in training and qualifying did not give any encouragement; Charles Leclerc once again seemed untouchable. On race Sunday, however, he pulled himself out of this hole with his own hands - at least he did everything he could to achieve it. Vettel delivered a great start and a great first half of the race and was clearly the fastest man in the field during this phase. It finally seemed as if he was no longer inhibited by the strong competition in his own team. But as if he accepted the fight. And in the end you could almost feel sorry for Vettel. The team's poor handling of the double lead slowed him down, and then a drive failure ended this promising race. The year 2019 has endless setbacks in store for Vettel.

Charles Leclerc at the Russian GP. © AP / Luca Bruno

CHARLES LECLERC: The young Monegasque always leaves a good impression. At the wheel anyway, but even before and after the races, Leclerc always analyzes the situation charmingly, confidently and carefully, in English, Italian and French. But twice in a row he also showed a less cool face. In Singapore and Sochi, Leclerc not only complained once over the radio about alleged unequal treatment by the team, he discussed and complained persistently - and showed that perhaps he is not (yet) that mature driver. Leclerc is without a doubt an exceptional talent, but in these situations he got in his own way.

FERRARI: Things haven't really crashed at Ferrari yet, at least not visible to the outside world. But the tensions arising from the duel between Vettel and Leclerc are visible. Vettel felt disadvantaged by his rival in Monza, Leclerc is still hanging over the victory in Singapore that he lost due to a team decision. In Sochi there was now an agreement that was supposed to make the double victory possible. The tactics at the start worked brilliantly - but then both pilots insisted that they had a right to the lead. The team moderated this disagreement only hesitantly and no authority was spoken. Since Ferrari now really has the best package, it should also be about victories between the two alpha animals in the coming weeks. And then the first loud bang is probably only a matter of time. This is what joy looks like: Lewis Hamilton celebrates his victory in Sochi. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

LEWIS HAMILTON: Since the summer break, the world champion has been a case in the category “What is actually happening...?” He drove around almost unnoticed in the shadow of the suddenly stronger Ferraris, getting closer and closer to his sixth world title. And almost as unnoticed he drove to victory in Sochi, because everyone on Sunday was watching how Ferrari did itself - Hamilton won't care. Mercedes could only win in Russia, and that's exactly what the Silver Arrows did with their double victory. After almost two months without success, the factory team is now going into the last five races of the season much more relaxed. Hamilton's renewed title win is no longer in question anyway.

SAYING OF THE WEEKEND: “Bring back the damn V12 engines.” Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel on the pit radio immediately after his exit in Sochi. The hybrid system on his drive was defective - and Vettel is a fan of pure combustion engines anyway.

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Ferrari and the alpha animals: How long until it crashes?

Ferrari has regained its strength, but got in its own way in Sochi. Because both drivers have the right to be number one, it's probably only a matter of time before things crash. The school leaving certificate from Sochi.

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