Sebastian Vettel rejected the criticism over the Mercedes’ move to exploit team order to benefit their title contender Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes trick to put Hamilton ahead of Valteri Bottas at Russian Grand Prix was a “no brainer” for the German.
Mercedes Formula 1 team at Sochi reeked victory for Hamilton, when Bottas was asked to follow the team order. The Finnish was leading the race toward his first victory of the season.
The Finnish was asked to contain Vettel and let Hamilton pass because the team could not risk Hamilton’s fragile tire to fight the Ferrari on its tail. The strategy provided an opportunity for the manufacturer to increase the difference by 50 points.
Vettel said: “Well done to both of them, they played together as a team very well.
“In their defence, all the questions – I know you guys love controversy so therefore ask naughty questions to them as individuals, but I think in the position they are it’s a no-brainer what they did today.
“Maybe not all the questions are justified.”
Team order was placed before the raced had taken a decisive moment. Bottas was slowed down to avoid losing Hamilton’s position to Vettel during a pit a stop.
Hamilton took pit stop a lap later than Vettel, but team’s attempt to stay ahead failed. However, Hamilton made his way ahead of Vettel marking his eighth victory this season.
Remaining season with five races has 125 points to offer, but the gap is the largest.
“I’m clever enough, I wasn’t a genius in maths but I was clever enough to pay attention to make out for myself that it’s not getting easier if we lose points,” said Vettel.
“We have to be happy with third, and settle with that for today.
“I still believe in our chance yes. Obviously it’s not getting bigger if you finish behind but who knows.
“It takes one DNF and all of a sudden things look different. Ideally two! Which I’m not wishing to Lewis, but you never know what happens.
“We need to stay on top of our game, which maybe we haven’t been completely this weekend, and make sure from where we are now we focus on winning the last races.”
