Chinese torment for Renault
Red Bull achieved its worst result since the team's double retirement at Monza in 2012. Seventeenth after completely missing his start, Daniel Ricciardo progressed all the way to ninth place. The V6 power plant in the Australian's car had been replaced the day before after qualifying, while Daniil Kvyat's engine broke during the race as did Max Verstappen's unit. Three Renault engines (out of four) expired over a day and a half, which implies that there is still some serious work to do a Viry-Châtillon. But that is also the case for my former colleagues at Honda back at Sakura in Japan. In the early stages of the race, the Red Bulls and the McLarens were 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago...
That said, as in Malaysia, and in spite of a poor qualifying performance, Toro Rosso did better that Red Bull, and Verstappen was faster than Ricciardo in the race. The young Belgo-Dutchman, who enjoyed a few spectacular overtakes moves over both Saubers and the Australian, would have once again scored some points but for the demise of his engine four laps from the end of the race. Undoubtedly, that teenager has the stuff champions are made of !
Hats off also to Romain Grosjean who had a great run and finished seventh. I'm sure Lotus will have a say in the battle behind Mercedes, Ferrai and Williams.
