Chapter 1273 - 478: Victory Within Reach
Despite the anxiety lingering in Verstappen’s heart, at least the team’s instructions gave him a target at this moment.
Sometimes people are like this; when there’s no clear goal in mind, they become confused and overthink. But once a clear goal is established, their spirit changes instantly.
So, in the following lap, Verstappen pushed forward with full strength and no reservations.
It also marked Verstappen’s fastest lap time in the past eight laps.
Considering that Verstappen’s soft tires have been used for quite some time, even with full effort, his lap speed was only 0.5 seconds faster per lap than Qin Miao.
But at least it was faster than Hamilton, who just came out of the pit lane.
Currently, the Red Bull Racing team is essentially in a desperate state.
For Verstappen to still have a shot at the championship, not only must he win today’s race, but Qin Miao must also finish beyond fifth place.
Such conditions are almost impossible for Qin Miao, who is currently leading the race.
Hence, many Red Bull team staff members felt internally before the race began that Verstappen had again missed the hope of competing for the world championship this season.
However, the strategy team and tire changers at Red Bull are inherently very professional.
Although many internally doubt Verstappen can achieve it, once Verstappen entered the pit lane, their tire-changing speed still maintained Red Bull Racing’s high level.
In fact, compared to the past, the tire changers from Red Bull Racing demonstrated extraordinary speed this time.
Executing a tire change in 2.0 seconds.
This tire change undoubtedly became the fastest one in the main race phase of this Grand Prix weekend.
Due to this excellent tire change, Verstappen came out of the pit lane precisely 0.1 seconds ahead of Hamilton.
He was not successfully undercut by Hamilton.
Actually, Mercedes had given Hamilton instructions; after leaving the pit lane, Hamilton really pushed to the limit, earning himself quite some time. But the tire changers at Red Bull are uniquely capable in the paddock.
And after that lap, Red Bull Racing also obtained Hamilton’s lap speed data.
Hamilton, using medium tires, could drive 0.8 seconds faster per lap than Verstappen, who was using old soft tires.
That means if Verstappen hadn’t gone for a pit stop, he would inevitably be undercut by Hamilton in the following lap.
Even though he went for a pit stop, it was only through Red Bull Racing’s tire changers’ extraordinary performance that Verstappen successfully blocked Hamilton’s undercut.
While Red Bull breathed a sigh of relief, Hamilton began cursing on his team radio.
There’s no choice; for Hamilton, the attempt to undercut Verstappen, if he were 0.2 seconds or more behind, wouldn’t have agitated him. But for 0.1 seconds, Hamilton is indeed a little overwhelmed.
If the team had been 0.2 seconds quicker during Hamilton’s tire change, he would have been confident to surpass Verstappen, but alas, he was just 0.1 seconds short.
This minor difference often causes the most frustration and despair.
Nevertheless, both drivers who have a chance at the championship have completed their pit stops on the track; henceforth, they are likely to compete until the race ends.
Having put on new medium tires as they exited the pit lane, they began pursuing the front-runner Qin Miao at a speed of 0.4 seconds per lap, and this chase speed is increasing as the race progresses.
Despite a steady reduction in the time gap with Qin Miao, as they are on medium tires, ultimately, Qin Miao’s set of soft tires has already gone nearly thirty laps on the track.
Compared to current appearances, what truly perplexes the Red Bull Racing strategy team is why, after almost 30 laps, Qin Miao’s soft tires only let Verstappen and Hamilton catch up by 0.4 seconds per lap?
On the track, Qin Miao’s speed has remained stable all day, and his lap times have been a steady decline with the reduction in tire grip but always within the team’s pre-race calculations.
Finally, in the 33rd lap, when Qin Miao was actually 3 seconds ahead of second-place Verstappen, he chose to enter the pit lane for a tire change.
Qin Miao provided the team with considerable leeway; even considering a 2.5-second tire change, he has a 3-second margin of error, which is more than the comfort margin Hamilton has.
That means as long as the team’s tire change doesn’t take over 5.5 seconds, Qin Miao, after exiting the pit lane, can remain in first place.
And given Qin Miao’s demonstrated tire management skills on the track, once he’s out, unless a safety car or red flag appears, there’s absolutely no need for Qin Miao to undergo another tire change.
It also signifies that unless any incidents occur, Qin Miao’s path to the second world champion title in his career is already 99% complete; the remaining 38 laps represent the remaining 1%.
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"Alright, we see that Qin Miao has also entered the pit lane." The three commentators at Five-Star Sports are notably relaxed at this moment.
It’s unsurprising, considering Qin Miao is practically assured victory in today’s race; he doesn’t even need to win today’s race to claim the championship, finishing in the top five could secure it prematurely. Truly, the three commentators at Five-Star Sports can’t fathom how Qin Miao could lose in this situation.