2015 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WILLIAMS REVIEW
After the short test in Austria and free practice during Silverstone, Williams looked to have closed the gap and usurped Ferrari. Indeed, both cars out-qualified them and looked to have the better race pace as well in what turned out to be quite a intriguing weekend for the Grove team.
No. 19 Felipe Massa
Form: 4/6/5/10/6/15/6/3/4
An excellent qualifying saw the Brazilian line up third on the grid just behind the two Mercedes with Bottas tucked in behind in fourth. A blistering start off the line saw Massa clear both Mercedes drivers and build a gap to Hamilton in second. It stayed that way for a while and after a Virtual Safety Car (VSC), Massa fended off a desperate Hamilton who ended up cutting across the curb, enabling Bottas to come through to second. Subsequently, both drivers were told not to race, although Massa found himself defending more than he would have wanted to from his team-mate, despite being slower, until his first stop. After this, he found himself behind Hamilton and then as the rain came down, Rosberg found a way through and before long, Vettel was in third, demoting Massa to fourth.
No. 77 Valtteri Bottas
Form: DNS/5/6/4/4/14/3/5/5
The Finn won’t be too happy about being out-qualified again by his team-mate. However, he too got a great start and slotted in just behind Hamilton. A few laps later, after the VSC, Bottas found his way to second after Hamilton’s blunder. Then, despite the furious calls for him not to race Massa, Bottas tried his utmost to pass him. However, it looked as if Massa had upped his pace. Ironic then that the engineers on the pit wall then said he could pass Massa. Bottas had a slow get away from his pitstop allowing him to be passed by Rosberg and from there it was down hill and he could only manage fifth.
Despite the heroic effort of the British team, it looked like poor strategy management lost them perhaps not a race win, but certainly a double podium finish. The good news is they have caught up with Ferrari and look to be possible challengers again if Mercedes find themselves in trouble.
