The Overview IV

Sebastian Vettel had started ninth on the grid and had advanced into the lead when the frontrunners had pitted for tires. His supersofts were now 26 laps old, and Rosberg and Hamilton were closing the gap rapidly. Just after he started 27th lap, his right-rear tyre burst violently on the pit straight, raining large pieces of the carcass down on the chasing Rosberg. He avoided some pieces, but not all; his Mercedes’ bargeboard and sidepod deflector were severed, and his suspension and lower slipper were shrouded with tire cords until he pitted for his final stop on lap 55.

The crippled Ferrari slammed into the pit wall and then deflected back across the track, just missing Manor’s Pascal Werhlein.

Rosberg remained in control of the gap to Hamilton. When the three-time world champion pitted on lap 54, he experienced another slow pitstop; Rosberg came in one lap later and rejoined with an even larger lead.