Lewis Hamilton wins - Valtteri Bottas doesn't

2018 Russian Grand Prix, Sunday - Wolfgang Wilhelm

So what is all the fuss about? Faux-fairness is screaming out of every newspaper headline and media outlet this morning.

The fact is that team orders have been a part of Formula One since its beginning in 1950, so yesterday's team orders for Valtteri to let Lewis into the lead of the Russian Grand Prix was not unique, it was not even uncommon, and is the reality of the business of F1.

As fans we all get excited about the Drivers' Championship, and, yes Lewis will probably now win it, BUT, for the teams, the Constructors' Championship, and the prize money and kudos it brings with it, is far more important. 

Ask Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, Honda, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin. All are in the business of selling themselves, their brand, their cars. For all of them the Drivers' Championship is of secondary importance, despite paying the drivers millions of dollars.

Yesterday, Mercedes' was not the only example of team orders, it was simply the most evident ... and influential on the race result. 

Toto clearly took the decision reluctantly, and was contrite afterwards, but he simply had to make the correct "team boss" decision.

Valtteri could have won the race with Lewis second, but Lewis, as the major contributor to the constructor's tally all season, with eight wins so far, could have failed to finish the race if he had become entangled with Vettel, then a close third.

It became an essential strategy call that Valtteri let him through and then keep Vettel at bay so that Mercedes could maximise its points haul... its Constructors' points haul.

2018 Russian Grand Prix, Sunday - Steve Etherington

Was it a popular decision? NO. Even Lewis was uncomfortable with it! Notice the conversations off mic in parc ferme, and on the podium between the team mates?

Ask Coulthard, Webber, any of Michael Schumacher's team mates ... ask Stirling Moss ... ask ALL the other drivers with team order clauses in their contracts!

Even when the FIA banned team orders it still happened, a coded message was all it took. "Fernando is faster than you" ring any bells?

It sticks in the craw, BUT each understood the importance of their role within the team.

It's simply business. We don't have to like it, we just have to understand why it happens.

Graham Benge

Lewis Hamilton talks 2018 Formula One

Lewis Hamilton looks forward to the 2018 Formula One season, the new Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 W09, and the challenges the other teams and drivers will bring him...

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 W09 launch

Revealed to the world on Thursday 22nd February 2018, at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK, the F1 W09 is the car that Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will campaign throughout the 2018 Formula One season.

Here is some of the spectacular unveiling, and a few moments from Lewis' first couple of laps on track in the new car.

Another Flying Finn hits the Hill - Valtteri Bottas

For a relatively small nation, Finland has always proved herself capable of punching well above her weight.

From giving the Soviet Union more than a bloodied nose at the outset of World War Two to being the home of what was - until the dominance of Apple and Samsung - the most successful mobile phone manufacturer ever, this small Nordic country has exerted an influence on the world which is somewhat at odds with her physical proportions.

Some say that this is due to the harsh winters experienced up there resulting in the population being imbued with a grit, determination and resourcefulness required to survive in such inclement and challenging conditions. Others say that it's because they're fuelled by industrial strength Vodka and indeed there is certainly convincing evidence to support both theories..

But Finland's relation to fuel of a different variety - the distillates used to power racing cars rather than the hardy souls who reside there - has played its own part in another area in which Finland has exerted such a seemingly disproportionate influence, namely that of motor sport.

Indeed, if asked to name a rally or Formula One driver of the last few decades who has partied hard yet driven even harder I can pretty much guarantee that at least 2 or 3 of the names proferred will be Finnish.

Stagger forward then Kimi Räikkönen and form an orderly line - in no particular order - alongside Mika Häkkinen, Mika Salo, Juha Kankkunen, Hannu Mikkola, JJ Lehto, Keke Rosberg...

All exemplars in their field and all brought up to learn to drive in the unforgiving Winter conditions of Finland. If you can drive there, then you can probably drive anywhere and indeed, whether it's on the gravel and ice-strewn special stages of the rally circus or the glittering circuits of the Formula One world the Moniker of 'Flying Finn'  is an oft-used and generally well-deserved one.

This season in Formula One there are two Finns vying not just for the coveted World Championship Driver crown, but also for the unofficial right to call themselves the current "Flying Finn" and it's arguably an extremely-talented 27 year old who's keeping his illustrious team mate honest  at the pointy end of the grid who can lay claim to this cherished title.

For it is Valtteri Bottas sitting in 3rd position in the 2017 Driver's Championship in the Mercedes W08  - a full 2 places and 38 points ahead of his countryman, the Ferrari-driving vodka-enthusiast Kimi Räikkönen - who is doing the business this year.

After having been poached from Williams in the off-season to replace the retiring World Champ (and Finn(ish) himself) Nico Rosberg, Valtteri has been putting in some stunning performances this year already and is in with of shout of the Driver's Title in his debut year with Mercedes - a prospect that must be giving Lewis Hamilton some sleepless nights..

Graham caught up with Valtteri as he got ready to take a previous example of his company car up to the top of the Hill..

UKMotorTalk - Valtteri Bottas at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed