Post Race Analysis: Korean GP

With so many different race strategies, we have analysed lap times to get a better picture of the raw pace of each car. We have compared the best lap time for each driver when on the same tyre compound and broken down the race into ‘stints’ to compare cars on similar fuel loads.

Stint 1

It was more of the same at the front of the grid as Sebastian Vettel led from lights to flag. The young German won his fourth race in a row and is on the verge of his fourth drivers’ championship. There’s nothing in the lap times to suggest he is anything but the quickest driver in F1.

Stint 2

The second stint times exposed the fascinating subplot to the race in Korea with Romain Grosjean finding his progress blocked by Kimi Raikkonen. After the race a frustrated Grosjean said, “I was quicker today but then we have rules not to fight” and he was 50% right.

Lotus insist both drivers are free to race but the Frenchman was patently the quicker of the two. He outperformed Raikkonen in every stint and deserved second spot on the podium. Grosjean is 8/1 (Ladbrokes) to win the Japanese GP in the ‘without Vettel’ market.

Stint 3

Nico Hulkenberg finished in fourth place, his best result of the season, but he was right when he said the Sauber was punching above its weight. The German posted the 8th fastest lap in the second stint and the 12th fastest lap in the third stint of the race.

A fourth place finish was impressive but he was only 11 seconds ahead of Sergio Perez in tenth place. Another top-6 finish at 11/2 (Ladbrokes) looks unlikely.

Summary
The major honours are all but decided and barring any mechanical problems Sebastian Vettel looks unbeatable. Battles down the field ensure there is still some interest left in the season with Romain Grosjean looking to establish himself at Lotus after a difficult year.