06/08/2006
NEWS STORY
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A few years back, when running a certain other F1 website, whose name will we will not mention, Pitpass editor, Chris Balfe, had a bit of a falling out with the marketing people.
They insisted that the most important race of the Formula One season, in terms of website traffic, was the British Grand Prix - the site's home race - whereas Mr Balfe said it was the opening race of the season that attracts most fans, as they log in to get a gauge on how the season might develop.
The fact that the former website has since changed hands a couple of times, while Pitpass remains fully independent, and among the most respected of F1 websites, is a possible pointer as to who got it right.
At the start of the season, devoted race fans, casual fans and even those who have nothing more than a slight passing interest to see what is happening, who is driving for who, and who looks likely to lead the title fight.
As the season progresses, especially in a season like 2004, or the beginning of 2006, when it appeared we had a one horse race, many fans fall by the wayside… even serious race fans.
Consequently, as Renault scored three successive wins, traffic began to tail off. Then came the Ferrari fight back.
The Bahrain Grand Prix, being the season opener, and at a Euro-friendly time, remains the busiest GP weekend of the year, thus far, however, it was given a close run by the Monaco Grand Prix, two months later.
This, of course, was due to the controversy surrounding Michael Schumacher's choice of parking space during qualifying, a move which had race fans logging on, almost bringing our site to a halt.
The fact is, an notorious as the incident was, it's great for F1 - certainly for websites - as it has everyone talking, even 'man down the pub' gets in on the act.
And so it is that the Hungarian Grand Prix - a race that is consistently one of the most excruciating yawn-fests on the calendar, is bringing back the fans. We're not sure (exactly) how they did it, but between them, the FIA, its race stewards, Renault, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and Flavio Briatore are getting people talking about F1 again, even if some of those now looking at F1 are the sort that were previously discussing the Italian match fixing scandal or the Landis testosterone shock.
Fact is, scandal is big business… and big business means money, ask Kate Moss.
Consequently, what would have been a one-hundred-minute afternoon snooze fest, is shaping up to be one of the best races of the year, if not the decade.
Thanks to the banning of the mass dampers, a few well-chosen time penalties for the title protagonists, open warfare between various team bosses and the FIA, not to mention a couple of rain showers before today's race and the threat of further downpours during the event, and we could have a humdinger of a race this afternoon.
Out front we have Kimi and Felipe… yeah, yeah, yeah… but starting in eleventh we have Michael Schumacher, behind the two BMWs and Jarno Trulli. While in fifteenth, two rows behind the German, we have Fernando Alonso. Two men who both have a point or two to prove, not to mention a title to win.
Michael was incandescent yesterday afternoon, after being given a 2s penalty for overtaking two cars under red flags in free practice. The German repeatedly told reporters to check out the TV evidence - which appeared to show Fernando Alonso deliberately slowing, 'forcing' the German to overtake he and Kubica.
We've said it before, Turk Thrust and the Formula One Script Unit could not have come up with a better scenario… everything is in place, all we need is for the performers to do play their parts.
Ignoring all the other factors - and there are so many - it is worth remembering that in 1989, Nigel Mansell, driving for Ferrari, scored one of the finest victories of his career. Making a sensational move on Ayrton Senna, for which the brilliant Brazilian had no reply. Is it possible, on this most notorious of circuits - in terms of overtaking - that we might see similar levels of genius today?
With twenty minutes to go it still wet out there, as Massa proves, the Brazilian spinning off on one of his parade laps. It's not raining, but there's a lot of standing water.
As for tyres, there's a lot of confusion, drivers don't know whether to opt for intermediates or full wets.. With ten minutes to go, its stopped raining and there's a strong breeze, which will dry the track. However, there's the threat of more rain.
The cars prepare to head off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 18 degrees, while the track temperature is 20 degrees. It is unseasonably cool.
Christian Klien is starting from the pitlane, following a fuel leak problem. This means that there is clear air between Michael and Alonso. It's thought that Barrichello is one of the only drivers, other than Michael, starting on full wets, the rest opting for inters.
Pedro de la Rosa spins on the parade lap, but is able to continue… a sign of what's to come?
A dreadful start by Massa, who attempts to fend off de la Rosa, however, making an amazing start right up the outside is Michael Schumacher. Yamamoto goes off, as Michael gets up to fourth before the end of the first lap. Alonso has also made a great start, running in sixth, behind his teammate.
Order at the end of lap one: Raikkonen, Barrichello, de la Rosa, Michael, Fisichella, Alonso, Massa, Kubica, Coulthard and Heidfeld.
Kubica spins, but is able to continue, which is more than can be said for Webber, who has pulled off track.
Alonso passes Fisichella to take fifth, as Michael chases de la Rosa.
Schumacher and Alonso are really 'at it', the master versus the young upstart.
Out front, Raikkonen leads by 4.2s, however, all eyes are on the Schumacher/Alonso battle. The Spaniard goes round the outside of the German, nailing him, to take fourth. The Renault clearly had more grip, nonetheless, it was a brave move.
Behind Kimi, de la Rosa takes Barrichello to take second, at which point it appears to start raining again.
At the end of lap 5 Barrichello pits, as Alonso posts a new fastest lap (34.407), just under 3s quicker than Michael. Elsewhere, Monteiro goes off, but is able to continue. Another spin for Kubica.
Another fastest lap for Alonso (34.105), as Button moves up to fifth, just 0.1s down on Michael, who is 8s behind Alonso. The Englishman passes Schumacher, who is clearly struggling.
As Klien spin off into the barriers at Turn 3, Kimi hits back with a new fastest lap (33.690). Michael is lapping around 3s a lap slower than the leaders.
After 8 laps, Raikkonen leads de la Rosa by 10s, with Alonso third, ahead of Button, Michael, Fisichella, Coulthard, Massa, Heidfeld and Barrichello. Trulli, in twelfth, is performing his usual role, that of mobile chicane, Speed, Kubica and Liuzzi are stuck behind.
Massa goes wide, losing a place to Heidfeld. Meanwhile, the Brazilian's teammate is under serious pressure from Fisichella, and ever thought we'd be saying that?
As Alonso closes in on de la Rosa, Button posts a new fastest lap (33.664). Meanwhile, Michael's times are now a little closer to those of the leaders.
A strong performance from Kubica, who passes Trulli to take thirteenth, as Felipe Massa pits. The Brazilian, who started on inters, has full wets fitted.
Liuzzi is having a great scrap with Trulli, who is clearly struggling for grip. Elsewhere, Barrichello goes very, very wide.
Fisichella and Michael are having a fantastic scrap, but the Italian cannot repeat the success of his Spanish teammate.
At the end of lap 16, de la Rosa pits, rejoining the track as Fisi and Michael pass the pits side-by-side. Clearly there has been a coming together, the German has a front wing missing, consequently the Renault passes the Ferrari with ease.
At the end of lap 17, Button and race leader Raikkonen both pit, as does Michael. Consequently, Alonso leads, from Raikkonen.
Fisichella goes off, and appears to hit the barriers, however, he is able to continue. Elsewhere, Kubica has had another spin - no disrespect to the Pole, conditions are atrocious.
Over the radio, Alonso is told to "take it easy", and informed of his teammate's off.
Alonso, who has yet to stop, is leading, from Raikkonen, de la Rosa, Button, Coulthard, Barrichello, Heidfeld, Michael, Ralf and Speed. Like Alonso, Coulthard, Heidfeld, Ralf and Speed all have to pit. It stops raining.
Giancarlo Fisichella has stopped on track, his race is over. Meanwhile, more misery for WilliamsF1, as the second car is lifted to safety, with Rosberg still sitting in it.
Alonso posts a personal best time (33.766), as de la Rosa laps Jarno Trulli. The race leader is lapping almost 3s a lap quicker than his rivals, and almost 7s faster than the Ferraris!
At the end of lap 24, Ralf pits, as Alonso prepares to lap Michael - not what many race fans had expected this afternoon. As the Spaniard passes him and roars off into the distance, one cannot imagination the Ferrari driver's frustration. On that particular lap, Fernando was 5s faster than the German.
The McLarens are running astern, as they close in on Massa, who is running a disappointing eleventh.
Calamity, Raikkonen goes into the back of Liuzzi, who appeared to slow. It's all over for the Finn, but not for us, for the safety car is brought out. The replay indicates that Liuzzi was slowing to allow Raikkonen past.
This is the signal for Alonso and many others to pit - de la Rosa, Coulthard, Barrichello, Heidfeld, Speed and Sato, one by one they stop. Liuzzi also pits, but climbs out of his car.
Therefore, after 28 laps, and with the safety car on board, Alonso leads Button by 6.5s, with de la Rosa a further 33s down the road. Barrichello is fourth, ahead of Heidfeld, Coulthard, Michael, Ralf, Massa and Kubica. These gaps will soon close with the safety car on track.
At the end of lap 31, the safety car pulls off, Michael Schumacher (seventh) now running 16.8s behind the race leader. "Your car is heavier before," Alonso is told, over the radio, "and remember your rear tyres".
At the re-start, there's a little argy-bargy, with Massa sending Ralf into a spin. Further up ahead, Michael spins, dropping the German further down the field.
Button is having a hard time passing Massa, even though the Brazilian is a lap down. Naughty stuff from the Ferrari driver. All of which helps Alonso.
Alonso posts a new fastest lap (33.242), as he extends his lead over Button to 9.1s. Meanwhile, there are more and more dry patches appearing, which means we will soon be seeing drivers stopping for drys.
Alonso slows right down, but for no apparent reason. He loses 3s, while Button posts a new fastest lap (32.954), closing to within 5.5s of the race leader.
Next time around, Alonso re-establishes the status quo, posting a new fastest lap (32.470). Elsewhere, Kubica closes in on Massa for eighth, the last point scoring position. The Pole, despite his off, is having a fantastic race, showing a clean pair of his heels to his German teammate.
Kubica passes Massa, as Nick Heidfeld gets the hapless Brazilian in his sights.
Button posts a 1:31.928, as Speed is asked whether he needs dry tyres, "yes we do" shouts the American.
However, and it's a bloody big however, Michael Schumacher has gone quickest, crossing the line at 31.787. The German takes a whole 4s out of David Coulthard in one lap.
Sure enough, the German passes the Scot, who is unable to resist. Question is where has the pace suddenly come from?
Button posts a new fastest lap (31.489), as Speed is the first driver to pit for dry tyres. The Englishman is now 3.6s behind Alonso.
As the teams watch to see Speed's progress, the American spins - now is clearly not the time for drys, not yet.
Another fastest lap for Michael, who posts 1:29.053.
In the pitlane the Ferrari crew is ready, as Button closes to within 1.9s of the race leader. Meanwhile, Michael is all over fifth-placed Heidfeld. The Ferrari driver makes a move at the end of the pit straight, but it doesn't work.
Next time around the seven-time World Champion passes the BMW driver, who is clearly unable to respond. Meanwhile, Speed pits and changes to inters.
As Michael goes quickest in the first sector, Ralf - another Bridgestone runner - goes quickest in the second. It's Michael that posts the new fastest lap however, the German posting 1:28.985.
Up front, Button is 0.4s behind Alonso, third-placed de la Rosa a further 25s down the road.
Another lap, another fastest lap for Michael (28.548), as the German closes in on Barrichello.
At the end of lap 46, Button pits, opting to stay with the set of tyres he is already has on the car. Michael also pits, rejoining in sixth, behind Heidfeld.
After 48 laps, it's Alonso, from, Button, de la Rosa, Barrichello, Heidfeld, Michael, Coulthard and Ralf. However, there is a massive great black cloud overhead.
Button posts another fastest lap (28.077), as Trulli pits, opting for dry tyres, as does Ralf, a lap later.
Barrichello stops at the end of lap 50, switching to drys, as his teammate posts a new fastest lap (27.884).
At the end of lap 51, race leader, Fernando Alonso, pits, he also switches to drys. However, as he leaves the pits the Spaniard has a bit of a moment as a wheel nut flies off his car. It's all over for Fernando and Renault.
Therefore, Jenson Button is leading the Hungarian Grand Prix - with Heidfeld 29s down the road. However, Michael is running third, just 3s behind the BMW driver, who still has to stop.
At the end of lap 54, Button pits, this time switching to dry tyres. He rejoins, still leading, as de la Rosa posts a new fastest lap (27.540). Next time around it is Heidfeld that pits, as Pedro posts another fastest lap (25.614).
With 14 laps remaining, Button leads Michael by 10.7s, with de la Rosa third, 10.3s down the road. Heidfeld is fourth, ahead of Barrichello, Coulthard and Kubica.
Button posts a new fastest lap (25.143), as he extends his lead to 13.3s, however that rain cloud is still hanging ominously overhead.
Michael is clearly struggling on his inters, and de la Rosa is closing in, the Spaniard just 8.6s behind the Ferrari.
If it remains 'as is', Michael will take a further 8 points from Alonso, which means the championship gap is down to 3.
At the end of lap 60, Massa pits, the Brazilian having a lousy race.
With eight laps remaining, de la Rosa goes quickest in the second sector, closing right up on Schumacher. He makes a move at the end of the main straight, but is unable to make it stick. That said, it appears that it is only a matter of time, the German's tyres are shot.
Next time around the McLaren driver tries it again, but again, Schumacher is having absolutely none of it. Meanwhile, Button is cruising to a famous victory.
Behind these three, Heidfeld is fourth, ahead of Barrichello, Coulthard, Kubica and Ralf. Trulli is ninth, ahead of Massa, who posts a new fastest lap.
Michael goes wide in his attempts to prevent de la Rosa passing, indeed, the German cuts the chicane. The German gains advantage, he has to allow the McLaren driver past.
Next time around, the Spaniard passes the German, though the Ferrari driver clearly does his best to resist. It's clearly a 'red mist' moment, the German doesn't want to capitulate to anyone, but rules are rules. Elsewhere, another fastest lap from Massa (23.516).
As Heidfeld passes Michael, the German clearly has a problem, his tyres are gone. He drives into the pits and the scarlet car is pushed into its garage. Elsewhere, Trulli has pulled off track, his Toyota powerplant blowing big time.
Button takes a famous victory, and the British media has a collective orgasm, a new hero is born at a time when all other English sporting heroes are struggling.
So ends one of the strangest races we have ever witnessed, a race we still believe Turk Thrust and his Formula One Script Unit has had a hand in.
All credit to Jenson, who drove a perfect race, while Pedro and Nick Heidfeld take the other spots on the podium, both drivers scoring the best results of their F1 careers.
Honda's joy is complete as Rubens Barrichello takes fourth, ahead of Coulthard, Ralf, Kubica and Massa.
It would be wrong to take anything away from Jenson, for what was a faultless drive, however, the retirements of Raikkonen, Alonso and Michael certainly helped.
This has been a strange weekend from the very start, and there remains a rather bitter taste. From the penalties meted out to Alonso and Michael, to the mysterious circumstances surrounding the retirements of both Alonso and Michael. The Spaniard might say that he suffered a driveshaft failure, but that was a wheel nut we clearly saw flying off his fight-rear, shades of Nigel Mansell in 1987.
As for Michael, it will be interesting to see what Jean Todt has to say regarding the tyres. However, Michael had clearly committed the cardinal error of gaining an advantage by cutting the chicane, and even if lost in the 'red mist', his team should have been telling him to give way to the Spaniard. Then a couple of minutes later he's at it again, this time with Heidfeld. However, perhaps that the way the script was written.
Formula One leaves Hungary, a track notorious for tedious parades, with a new race winner, two other drivers enjoying the best results of their F1 careers, and the title fight(s) pretty much they were when we left Germany. If it was a movie script, you'd dismiss it as too far fetched.
A great result from Jenson, an even better result for FOSU and Turk Thrust.
To check out our Hungary GP picture gallery, click here