While Lewis Hamilton’s magnificent victory took the headlines at the Chinese Grand Prix, his Mercedes team received kudos on social media too thanks to a perfectly executed pit stop.
With both Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas looking to pit, the Mercedes team took a risk in double-stacking the pair, but managed to pull it off without either car needing to slow their momentum.
Pay rise for the pit lane guys, @MercedesAMGF1 😉 👨🔧 💰#Race1000 🇨🇳 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/53g7gFz79o
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 14, 2019
The teamwork shown by Mercedes helped deliver the team’s third consecutive one-two finish as Bottas came second.
The double-stack proved a hit on Twitter, both from fans and with Mercedes’ official account.
This pit crew. This double-stack! 🔥🔥
THIS TEAM!! 💙
🎥: @F1 pic.twitter.com/uh6Uh3OScw
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) April 14, 2019
Just wow
— Nick Heidfeld (@NickHeidfeld) April 14, 2019
“Even as a Ferrari fan, it was perfectly executed,” tweeted user @SkyZiiHD. “With Ferrari, (Sebastian) Vettel would’ve had (Charles) Leclerc tyres and opposite…”
Even as a ferrari fan,it was perfectly executed. With ferrari,vettel would've had leclerc tyres and opposite..
— QVR_Mister (@SkyZiiHD) April 14, 2019
Say what you will, but they do everything perfectly. They deliver and win even if it means making tough decisions.
— liberal lenin (@LeninLiberal) April 14, 2019
The podium was completed by Ferrari’s Vettel, with Max Verstappen fourth for Red Bull, and fellow Ferrari Leclerc fifth.
Out front, a peerless Hamilton was never challenged, and on a weekend dominated by numbers, the five-time champion became the second driver in history after Michael Schumacher to lead 4,000 laps.
UPDATED DRIVER STANDINGS 🏆
Three races in 2019
Three 1-2s for @MercedesAMGF1
The last time that happened? 1992 (@WilliamsRacing)#ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #Race1000 pic.twitter.com/Kx86KrT8lR
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 14, 2019
The victory means after three races Hamilton is top of the standings with 68 points with his teammate Bottas just six points behind in second.