How the hell did Bottas beat Russell? Expert clear view of why jumbots surprised: “Benefits even more”

Alfa Romeon Valtteri Bottas shook the surprise in the opening weekend of Bahrain in time to wedge to sixth. Bottas missed Ferrari after taking the pole position Charles Leclerc seconds away.

Bottas’ former teammate, Mercedes Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, was barely three tenths of Finns ahead. Instead, Bottas hit him with a Mercedes to replace him George Russellin with a clear difference. Sports Expert Jukka Mildhin according to Bottas, the performance was a real surprise.

– It was a real surprise at how successful the preparations for the season have been. In general, getting into the third section is a tough thing for Alfa Romeo compared to previous years, but at the same time, the past years have been completely wiped out with new cars. Bottas took full advantage of this, Mildh commented.

What was left of the first time trial of the season? Jukka Mildh next raises two essential themes.

According to expert Mildh, Bottas’ success is based on the Ferrari engine used by Alfa Romeo and the changes to the F1 rules for this season.

Ferrari has traditionally focused on engines. According to Mildh, this year’s investments in the stable will be visible especially during the early part of the season. Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz was the third of the time trials.

– A few years ago they complained that the engine did not quite comply with the rules and now they are back for it. After all, they were completely superior to the speed that came from the power of the engine. Now they have found new tricks, Mildh says.

The position of previously weaker stables like Alfa Romeo has been improved by a rule change that limits car testing. Simply put, the best-performing teams are less likely to test and develop the car’s aerodynamics than the less successful teams.

– It’s sure to show. Ferrari has also benefited from it over Red Bull and Mercedes, for example. Stables like Alfa Romeo benefit quite a lot more, Mildh emphasizes.

One of these teams is Haas, the second surprise team in the time trial, who was last in the entire series last season. Returned to the stable after a year’s driving break Kevin Magnussen reached seventh in the wake of Bottas.

Alfa Romeo and Haas are both strongly linked to Ferrari. Haas also uses Ferrari’s power source. In addition, numerous former Ferrari employees work in the stable.

Alfa Romeo and Haas focused entirely on this year’s car last season. The investment of scarce resources can already be said to have succeeded.

– This is a long-term job and it says that Alfa Romeo is the team manager Frederic Vasseur with its troops is serious about this matter. Alfa Romeo, as the main sponsor, has also invested a lot for the next three years, Mildh describes.

Many F1 followers were almost certain that Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes drew spectators as they spoke that the team would not necessarily fight for victory early in the season. In previous years, Mercedes has often kept its momentum hidden before the start of the season, but this time the team really fell farther away from the top fight.

Hamilton was almost seven-tenths behind Leclerc and was Fifth before Bota. Russell was ninth, as many as six and a half tenths of Finns.

Mildh believes the collapse of Mercedes is due to a much smaller number of tests.

– Hamilton was honest when he spoke before the start of the season that they would not make it to the beginning of the season. Mercedes have received perhaps the most backseat because they haven’t been able to test aerodynamics as well and as much as they should have.

However, Mildh recalls that this was only the first time trial after the new rule changes. Anything can happen in the long run.

– Of course, it seems that Ferrari and Red Bull have got off to a good start this season and have been able to prepare in a perfect way.