01/07/2007
NEWS STORY
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Just three weeks after Robert Kubica's horrific accident at Montreal, motor racing's powers that be had further cause to give themselves a pat on back yesterday when GP2 racer Ernersto Viso - in his first race of the 2007 season having been brought in to replace Sergio Jimenez at Racing Engineering - escaped virtually unscathed from an accident that we thought would prove to be fatal.
It was one of those accidents that makes one sick to the pit of one's stomach, one of those accidents that makes one wonder why one follows such a sport.
Thankfully, however, the young Venezuelan escaped with a few bruises and mild concussion, and there is every reason to believe that he will be back in action at Silverstone next week. Not for nothing does it say on the back of all passes and tickets; 'motor racing is dangerous'.
There were plenty of other incidents during yesterday's race, and on reflection perhaps Formula One has outgrown Magny-Cours.
Of course, the reason Bernie Ecclestone is seeking pastures new is more about money and the comfort of his corporate guests. However, in much the same way as we in Britain should not become complacent following three failed terrorist attacks in two days, motor sport must too remain on its toes, for as we learned at Imola in 1994 when it does go wrong it goes wrong with catastrophic consequences.
It looks as though the weathermen have got it right and that we will see some rain during this afternoon's race, indeed we could see a lot of it. Heavy overnight rain left that track damp for this morning's GP2 race, while the Porsche Supercup took place in pouring rain which made the track extremely difficult.
This will be good news not only for Fernando Alonso, who starts from tenth on the grid following gearbox problems in qualifying, but also for race fans who haven't had a wet race since China last year. We all know that rain is the great leveller, which means we could see a freak podium later this afternoon. Then again, it often brings out the best, and indeed worst, in drivers.
A wet Grand Prix would also give us the opportunity to see how Lewis Hamilton shapes up when things aren't running totally according to plan, and a good result might silence the few remaining sceptics.
Putting the weather aside for now, it is clear that Ferrari has discovered its early season form, having dominate almost every practice session, and taken first and third on the grid. Last week Luca di Montezemolo called for the real Kimi Raikkonen to step forward, and though the Finn has trailed his Brazilian teammate for much of the weekend thus far, there does appear to be a little more hunger in the eyes.
Robert Kubica looks to have fully recovered from his Canada accident, and the subsequent rest hasn't dulled his skills, fourth on the grid is his best F1 qualifying position to date. In all honesty, Heidfeld hasn't looked to good this weekend, and it appears he may still not have shaken off that back pain. We would not be surprised to see him take an early bath today, leaving his Polish teammate to increase BMW's points tally.
Renault too appears to have made a step forward, though not as big as Ferrari. Team boss Flavio Briatore has said that he is targeting third place in the constructors' Championship, having clearly given up any hope of challenging McLaren and Ferrari.
Toyota and Williams are both looking good for points, though Alexander Wurz continues to disappoint in qualifying.
Despite claims that it has found as much a second a lap, Honda still doesn't convince, and though both drivers are talking up the RA107 following the recent private test, neither Button nor Barrichello look convinced or happy.
Despite its obvious pace, Red Bull is still suffering reliability issues, while Toro Rosso appears to have made a slight improvement. Super Aguri remains one of the most reliable cars, and therefore it is not impossible that in the right conditions the Japanese team could add another point or two to its tally.
As for freak results, well it would need one of those and then some if we are to see Spyker take its first point of the season, the Dutch team now focussing on the 'new' car, which is scheduled to make its debut at Istanbul in late August.
As the cars head off to take their place on the grid, it is overcast but dry. However, there are worrying, dark clouds in the distance.
For reasons unknown, just fifteen minutes before the race id due to start, brown cement dust is laid down at corners 11 and 12. Must be some oil from an earlier race.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm up lap, the air temperature is 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is 39 degrees. It remains overcast… very much so.
Problems on the grid for Sutil who is told that the team is having problems starting his car and that he needs to be prepared to jump out and use the spare. Sure enough, the German gets out of his car as the field heads off on the warm up lap and runs back to his garage.
They're away, and Raikkonen passes Hamilton to take second. Further back Alonso makes a run on one of the Toyota but there's an incident which leaves Kovalainen facing in the wrong direction. Elsewhere, Liuzzi has gone off.
At the end of lap one, Davidson and Kovalainen both pit, as does Trulli.
While Massa leads Raikkonen and Hamilton, all eyes are on Alonso who is up to seventh and all over Heidfeld. The replay shows that it was Davidson who caused the incident which has now eliminate him and Liuzzi. Some silliness from Trulli also, who appears to have been responsible for Kovalainen's spin. That said, it is the Italian whose race is over.
Hamilton is right on Raikkonen's tail, but attention is focussed on Alonso who is really badgering Heidfeld.
Heidfeld locks up, but Alonso is unable to do anything about it. At the next corner the Spaniard passes the German but goes too deep and allows the BMW driver back through again.
Out front, it's Massa 2.9s ahead of Raikkonen, who leads Hamilton by 0.9s. Kubica third ahead of Fisichella, Heidfeld, Alonso, Rosberg, Button and Barrichello.
Massa sets a string of fast laps, as he extends his lead to 3.6s. Barrichello, in tenth, has Schumacher, Webber and Coulthard running in his wake.
With Heidfeld now 19s behind the race leader, that earlier mistake is costing Alonso… not to mention the gearbox problem in qualifying.
At the beginning of lap twelve, Massa looks set to post another fastest lap, going quickest in the first sector. Despite losing time as he laps Kovalainen he posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 16.398. Elsewhere, Coulthard is complaining of a lack of front grip, he asks for more front wing when he makes his first stop.
Another lap, another fastest lap from Massa, who posts 16.229.
At the end of lap 17, Hamilton is the first to pit, rejoining in seventh. Teammate Alonso also pits, he rejoins in ninth.
Second placed Raikkonen enjoys a 14s advantage over Kubica, as Hamilton is unable to get past Rosberg. Elsewhere, Sato pits.
At the end of lap 19 it is Massa who pits, as do Kubica and Fisichella.
The new race leader, Raikkonen, responds with a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 16.207. Nico Rosberg pits, which releases Hamilton, who is now running fourth.
After 21 laps, it's: Raikkonen, Mass, Heidfeld, Hamilton, Rosberg, Kubica and Button.
Alonso attempts to pass Fisichella but is unable to make it stick. Elsewhere, race leader Raikkonen pits.
Next time around Alonso passes Fisichella and sets off after Button, who has yet to stop.
Therefore, after 24 laps Massa leads Raikkonen, who is followed by Hamilton and Kubica. In other words, we're back where we started.
Barrichello continues to lead a train of cars which now includes Schumacher, Webber, Coulthard, Wurz and Speed. While Hamilton is now almost 9s down on Raikkonen, the Finn is a mere 1.9s behind the race leader.
Alonso is back where he begun, battling it out with Nick Heidfeld, who refuses to yield. The German is now 31s behind Massa.
The German and the Spaniard are going at it hammer and tongs, and more than once it appears that it will end in tears. All the while, the World Champion is losing out to the race leaders. It's a hard fight, but fair. Elsewhere, Wurz, Sutil and Albers all pit.
It's all over for Albers who pulls to the side of the track with the fuel hose still attached to the back of the car. Nasty.
Raikkonen turns up the heat on his teammate, closing to within 1.7s, as Alonso brakes at the last possible moment in an attempt to beat his German foe.
At the end of lap 32 Button and Coulthard both pit, which means that Barrichello is the only driver still to stop. Meanwhile, Alonso makes an ultra-brave move on Heidfeld, a move for which the German has no answer. Brilliant stuff from the World Champion.
As Barrichello finally pits, teammate Jenson Button is running ninth behind Rosberg.
Hamilton gains when Raikkonen appears to have problems passing one of the Hondas, however, the Englishman remains over 6s behind the Finn.
In 'clear air', Alonso goes quickest in the final sector, however, he remains 6s behind Kubica, who is 30s down on Hamilton.
At the end of lap 37, Hamilton pits. He rejoins alongside Kubica who takes him all the way, refusing to yield. The Englishman eases off but then makes his move under braking for the hairpin… there is nothing the BMW driver can do about it. Great stuff.
Hamilton posts a 16.587, his best lap of the race. However, Massa responds by going quickest in the first sector. Alonso makes his second stop.
After 40 laps: Massa, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Kubica, Heidfeld, Fisichella, Rosberg, Button, Alonso and Schumacher.
A new fastest lap (16.099) for Massa as he extends his lead over his Ferrari teammate to 3.3s. The remainder of the field is strung out fairly evenly, except for the train behind Barrichello.
At the end of lap 43 Massa stops for what appears to be the last time. He is now on the softer compound.
Raikkonen leads by 21.6s, which suggests we could be in for grandstand finish from the Ferrari drivers.
At the end of lap 45 Kubica pits. Like Massa he rejoins on the soft compound.
Next time around it is Raikkonen who stops, 7.8s later he's heading down the pitlane, rejoining in front of his Brazilian teammate. Indeed, the Finn is 1.592s ahead of Massa. Elsewhere, Rosberg pits.
At the end of lap 47 Heidfeld, Webber and Sutil all pit. Somehow, Heidfeld has got back ahead of Alonso, much to the Spaniard's frustration.
At the end of lap 50, Button and Fisichella both pit, followed by Hamilton and Wurz a lap later.
Therefore, with 18 laps remaining, and a clear run to the finish, Raikkonen leads Massa by 2.9s, with Hamilton a further 24s behind in third. Kubica is fourth, ahead of Heidfeld, Fisichella, Alonso, Button, Rosberg and Schumacher. That said, Schumacher and speed both pit.
Kovalainen goes very wide as he battles for fourteenth with Wurz. Indeed, the Austrian also goes off, but holds position. They are joined by Speed who has just pitted.
At the end of lap 55, Kovalainen pits, which gives Wurz a breather.
Hamilton appears to be settling for third, as Scott speed goes off into the gravel, bringing his race to an end.
The question now is whether Button can maintain position and bring his Honda home in eighth, thereby giving his team its first point of the year.
It's Déjà vu as Alonso and Fisichella go head-to-head in the battle for sixth. Fact is, the Spaniard needs every point he can get.
As Alonso continues to hassle Fisichella, it's interesting to note that Jenson Button is lapping at almost exactly the same pace.
While this is good news for the Brackley team, it's a disappointing race for Red Bull, with Webber and Coulthard running twelfth and thirteenth.
Raikkonen looks to heading to certain victory, the Finn now 2s clear of his teammate. While he is 28s behind Massa, Lewis Hamilton looks to have third place sewn up as he enjoys a 10s advantage of Kubica. Heidfeld is fifth, ahead of Fisichella, Alonso, Button, Rosberg and Schumacher.
With 6 laps remaining, everyone appears to have eased off and effectively settled for position. Even Alonso seems to have eased up the pressure on Fisichella. The team's strategy really hasn't done the Spaniard any favours today.
Just to make sure, Fisichella posts his fastest lap of the race (16.962), extending his advantage over Alonso to 1.7s.
Kimi Raikkonen takes his second win of the season, allowing his many fans to breath a huge sigh of relief. A strong second place from Felipe Massa is clear proof that Ferrari is back and that we have a two-horse race for the Constructors' Championship once again.
Lewis Hamilton will be delighted to have secured a podium position, and even more delighted that his main championship challenger (at present), who also happens to be his teammate, had a difficult afternoon.
A tremendous performance from Robert Kubica, especially when one considers that a few weeks ago, as he crashed into the concrete walls in Montreal, we feared the very worst. Fifth place for Nick Heidfeld means that BMW can celebrate the best result in F1 in its own right.
Renault will be disappointed, for although Fisichella adds three points to the French team's tally, they must surely have been hoping for more. But for the first lap incident surely both of the Enstone outfit's cars would have been in the points.
It is far too early to say that Honda has turned the corner, however, by scoring the team's first point of the season, Jenson Button has helped the Brackley boys climb the first hurdle. That said, there is a long way to go before the Japanese outfit is going to worry the likes or Renault, far less BMW.
A disappointing day for Williams, Renault and Toyota and with Silverstone just a week away we cannot expect for too much in the British Grand Prix.
The rain didn't fall, and more's the pity, for though the race had it moments, fact is the finishing order is exactly the same as it was at the end of lap one.
Now it's on to Silverstone, where McLaren will want to make up for today's defeat.
In the meantime it's au revoir to Magny Cours.
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