Closely fought F1 Championships of the past have been decided by a single point, at the 2018 French Grand Prix Sebastian Vettel gave 14 points away to rival Lewis Hamilton as the Ferrari driver stumbled into a first corner shunt with an unforced error that also cost Valtteri Bottas during the race more than it did Vettel. But Vettel a lot more in the championship standings.

Indeed Mercedes looked unbeatable all weekend at the French Grand Prix, an engine upgrade seems to have shifted the balance of power back into the path of Mercedes, just as it id did in the last quarter of 2017. When that happened Vettel, in an attempt to make up the performance deficit, made desperate attempts that ultimately cost him the championship.

But it wasn’t desperation that cost Vettel this time out, the Ferrari was expected to perform better and take the fight to Mercedes during the race. Vettel made an excellent start, moved alongside second placed Botttas but locked his brakes going into the first corner and collided into Bottas’s Mercedes.

The Ferrari and Mercedes were punted out of the race, both limped back to the pits, Bottas with a puncture and Vettel with a damaged front wing. Behind them, another shunt unintentionally instigated by Pierre Gasly eliminated the Torro Rosso and Force India of Ocon.

So Vettel and Bottas dropped to the bottom of the field, however, both the Ferrari and Mercedes have superior pace and Vettel drove determinedly back to finish the race in 5th position.

Bottas didn’t fare as well, the drive back to the pits with a rear puncture damaged the floor of his Mercedes which caused aerodynamic instabilities, he could only manage a 7th place finish.

Meanwhile, having started in pole position, Lewis Hamilton cruised to an easy victory, easily able to hold off 2nd placed Max Verstappen who finished ahead of Kimi Raikkonen.

Daniel Ricciardo and championship contender could only manage third having sustained damaged to his front wing which caused massive understeer throughout out the race.

For Hamilton, victory at the French Grand Prix meant he regained the lead of the championship, crucially the engine upgrade may well spell a new period of dominance.

It will be a worry for Ferrari because the Mercedes engine upgrade shifts the balance of power firmly into Hamilton’s hands.

French Grand Prix, 2018 Results, Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet

Note – Sirotkin had 5 seconds added to his race time for driving unnecessarily slowly behind the Safety Car.