F1 Race Recap: A Silver Finish for the Silver Arrows in Shanghai

Blog: The Tibco Blog

On Sunday, we witnessed another white-knuckle Formula One performance by TIBCO partner Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas returned to the Shanghai International Circuit with their sights set on victory, as well as the pair of Ferraris just ahead of them in the front row of the grid.

After turning in his third Grand Slam performance during last year’s 2017 Chinese Grand Prix, expectations were high for Hamilton.

Excited for @lewishamilton, @valtteribottas and @mercedesamgf1 to make their thunderous return to the #ChineseGP circuit this weekend! Will Hamilton turn in another grand slam performance? #LH44 #VB77 #DrivenByEachOther #F1 #TIBCOfast pic.twitter.com/ZnKNb1rLO1

— TIBCO Software (@TIBCO) April 13, 2018

As Bottas took up third position on the grid, he prepared to start his 100th career professional F1 race.

Congrats to @ValtteriBottas on his 100th #F1 start!#ChineseGP #VB77 @MercedesAMGF1 #DrivenByEachOther https://t.co/pzY7ZTCMn8

— TIBCO Software (@TIBCO) April 15, 2018

The race started with a fantastic first lap, shuffling positions and advancing Bottas to P2 and dropping Hamilton back to P5.

LIGHTS OUT!!!The Ferraris get close on the run down to Turn 1! Valtteri into P2, Lewis slips down to fifth! #DrivenByEachOther #ChineseGP

— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) April 15, 2018

As the race continued, a collision between Scuderia Torro Rosso teammates required a Safety Car, allowing only Renault and Red Bull the chance to stop into the pit for a fresh set of tires.

LAP 31/56: Debris from the Toro Rosso collision brings out the Safety Car and both Renault and Red Bull drivers pit for a fresh set of soft tyres #ChineseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/eTRszbuI5k

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 15, 2018

While Bottas and Hamilton were able to hang on to their position for several laps, the unexpected pit stop gave Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo the extra traction needed to pull ahead.

LAP 46/56: @danielricciardo TAKES THE LEAD! #ChineseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/cupKVZ3k56

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 15, 2018

And while it was a tough fight to the finish…

THREE LAPS TO GO! Valtteri hanging on in P2! Lewis just 5s off VER #DrivenByEachOther #ChineseGP

— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) April 15, 2018

Bottas crossed the line in second place, with Hamilton in fourth.

2nd today

The team did amazing job today, but today was not for us. We won’t give up #VB100 #VB77 #F1 #ChineseGP @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/IkTJkG77mI

— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) April 15, 2018

Lots of learnings from this weekend. I am so grateful to the fans for their incredible support out here, #TeamLHChina, thank you so much . The full focus is now on Baku and to push for the top result there. @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/RAZowf3A5b

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 15, 2018

With many elements of the race to be happy about, and opportunities to analyze data and make improvements, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport will undoubtedly continue to make 2018 a Formula One season to remember!

“We will stick our heads together, stay calm, get the head down, and come up with solutions. I have huge confidence in our people.”

It’s time for Toto’s #ChineseGP debrief https://t.co/yjW6E9hTi6 #F1 #DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/Tt3sfTfNwQ

— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) April 16, 2018