22/07/2007
NEWS STORY
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It's an annoying expression, but nonetheless, it has to be admitted that, thus far, Lewis Hamilton has managed to tick nearly all the boxes.
He's consistent, he's a proven winner and he is not easily intimidated, far from it.
That said, there are still a couple of boxes that need ticking, and one of those might not be empty by the end of the afternoon.
Sine 'Lewis-mania' first really took a grip, the sceptics have been asking two obvious questions. Firstly, how would the English rookie perform in as lesser car, and, secondly, how he will react following a 'big one'.
Of course, it might be some time before we see the youngster in 'inferior' equipment, then again, with each race the Ferrari F2007 appears to be the class of the field.
However, as for the second question, ignoring the fact that Lewis has already had a 'big one' this year - we refer to his crash at Valencia in January - today he should be able to tick one more box.
Back in January he wrecked one of the team's only MP4-22s seriously compromising the Woking outfit's first test with the car, but returned a week later to top the timesheets. This is time it's different however, this is no private test but round ten of the Formula One world Championship. A championship that he leads and as result stands centre stage.
Will he return to work today and pick up where he left off just five minutes before the end of yesterday's qualifying session - having set the quickest time in the first sector - we'll soon know. However, we are pretty confident that he will. With the Woking team having repaired his car, Lewis will start from tenth on the grid, behind Jarno Trulli and alongside Ralf Schumacher.
Surely only a fool would bet against the Ferraris today, and in particular Kimi Raikkonen, who appears to be on a role. For once, the presence of Michael Schumacher doesn't seem to be affecting him, and the back-to-back victories in France and Britain have rekindled a championship bid that just a month ago appeared to be falling apart.
That said, Felipe Massa has been no slouch this weekend and he too is very much in the championship hunt, while Fernando Alonso will be seeking to make the most of his teammate's misfortune, since it gives the Spaniard an opportunity to close the points gap.
Other than the 'gang of four', or it that 'gang of three' today, we can expect a solid showing from the BMWs, though the World Motor sport Council should surely hold an extraordinary meeting to discover why Nick Heidfeld has named his new baby son Joda. Points should be deducted.
A magnificent qualifying performance from Mark Webber, however, it remains to be seen whether the Red Bull will go the distance, the Australian having suffered appalling reliability this year.
While Toyota has shown an improvement this weekend, Renault hasn't, and it is highly unlikely that the French team will be taking the fight to BMW this afternoon.
The Williams' will start behind Hamilton today, however, it is unlikely that he will have them on his tail for long, the Grove team appearing to have lost its way in the last couple of races.
After a strong performance in qualifying, we wouldn't be surprised to see Super Aguri beat Honda again this afternoon, the Brackley outfit appearing to concentrate its efforts on 2008 and beyond.
As ever, there is the question of fuel loads, tyre strategy, and that all-important first corner… and even the couple that follow.
Although there has been talk of rain, it looks as though the race won't be affected. Then again, this is a peculiar region weather-wise and we know from experience to expect the unexpected. Consequently, when some teams claim that the rain is over two hours away we'll take it with a pinch of salt.
As they prepare to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is a cool 19 degrees C, while the track temperature is 31 degrees.
Most of the front runners are on the harder compound, and as the field heads off on the warm-up lap the stewards warn that rain is expected within the next three minutes. As if to prove them correct a sinister dark cloud appears from nowhere… and it's heading this way.
As the grid forms, minue Markus Winkelhock, who is starting from the pitlane, there a distinct spots of rain on some of the on-board cameras.
They're away, and a slight mistake at the first corner sees Massa take the lead. However, behind them the BMWs clash with Hamilton seemingly involved. Indeed, the Englishman has a puncture. Further round the lap Rosberg and Barrichello clash, the rain is now falling.
At the end of the fist lap Raikkonen dives into the pits, but slide across the pitlane entry and back onto the track. Massa, Alonso, Webber, Button, Hamilton and a whole of others all pit. Heidfeld gets a new nose.
The rain is now falling hard, as Raikkonen slithers his way around the track, passed by Markus Winkelhock who is leading his debut GP.
At the end of the second lap Raikkonen pits, as the rain continues to fall. Winkelhock leads Massa and Alonso as Button spins off, followed by Lewis Hamilton.
It's utter carnage as one by one cars aquaplane off the track forming a multi-million dollar car park in the gravel at Turn 1.
As the safety car comes out Liuzzi spins off and (lightly) clouts a tractor, an incident eerily similar to one which almost cost Martin Brundle his life a few years back.
Hamilton's car is lifted by crane from the gravel, with the driver in place and the engine still running. The youngster is back in the race, which would appear to indicate that he's ticked another box.
So anyway, after 3 laps, Winkelhock leads from Massa, Alonso, Webber, Coulthard, Kovalainen, Raikkonen, Barrichello, Wurz and Schumacher. We've 'lost' Liuzzi, Speed, Rosberg, Sutil and Button.
After 4 laps the race is red-flagged, and rightly so.
Spyker's Ian Phillips reveals that Winkelhock started from the pitlane because the team was confident that there would be rain at the start, and consequently started the German on wet. A brave move which clearly paid off.
A 'new' grid is formed however, many of the cars are in the wrong positions. The race will re-start behind the safety car and it will effectively be a rolling start.
The 'grid' is as follows: Winkelhock, Massa, Alonso, Webber, Coulthard, Kovalainen, Wurz, Barrichello, Fisichella, Kubica, Schumacher, Sato, Trulli, Heidfeld, Davidson and Hamilton.
The sun is shining, but as the safety car prepares to lead the field away we are advised that there will be further rain in twelve minutes.
Believe it or not, in the midst of all this, McLaren is disputing the fact that the timing screens indicate that Hamilton is a lap down. The replay of the start shows the Englishman did well to avoid the BMWs, which appear to have clashed twice.
Spyker's Mike Gascoyne reveals that with further rain predicted in the next few minutes Winkelhock will start on full wets. Another brave gamble.
The field heads away behind the safety car. However, rather than pulling off at the end of the lap it continues around for another lap. Heidfeld dives into the pits for Intermediates. Only Winkelhock and Trulli are on full wets.
Since he is a lap down, Hamilton is allowed to un-lap himself. Therefore he passes the field, including the safety car, and attempts to make up the deficit. If he can do it before the safety car pulls off he'll be seventeenth but on the same lap.
However, to further confuse matter, the Englishman pits for dry tyres, an adjustment to his front wing and some fuel.
The race is back on and Massa leads Alonso as Winkelhock makes room for them. The Red Bulls also pass the Spyker. Elsewhere, Hamilton has spun off but is able to continue, again. The McLaren has no grip and it isn't long before he's overtaken, and therefore lapped again, by the field, including Winkelhock.
As Massa leads Alonso, the Red Bulls are scrapping and Raikkonen is all over Kovalainen in the fight for fifth.
Massa posts a fastest lap (44.513), as Kovalainen loses position to Raikkonen then immediately re-takes it. A great scrap between Fisichella, Schumacher, Barrichello, Kubica and Heidfeld for eighth.
As Massa sets another fastest lap (44.124), Hamilton goes quickest in the third sector, which signifies his tyres are coming into their own.
Webber gets the upper hand in the battle of the Red Bulls, as Raikkonen pits along with Wurz.
A new fastest lap for Hamilton (44.057), who is now a lap behind the leader with a whole load of work to do.
At the end of lap 12, Massa, Alonso, Webber, Kovalainen, Fisichella, Schumacher, Kubica, Barrichello, Sato and Trulli all pit.
Another fastest lap from Hamilton, only this is around 3s quicker than his previous.
Coulthard leads but not for long as the Scot pits next time around. Heidfeld, who was running second, also stops.
Consequently, Massa leads from Alonso, Raikkonen, Webber and Wurz, Kovalainen, Coulthard and Kubica.
Another lap another fastest lap from Hamilton (35.911) as Winkelhock pulls off track with smoke coming from the back of his car. A brave debut for the German. How amazing if Spyker's gamble had paid off.
Massa posts a new fastest lap (35.342) as he extends his lead over Alonso to 2.4s. However, Raikkonen, a further 2.4s down the road, goes quicker (35.129).
Kovalainen gets a 'gee up' as he shadows Wurz; "come on mate, he's ruining out race, get a move on!" the Finn is told.
In sixth place, Coulthard heads a 'train' that includes Kubica, Schumacher, Heidfeld and Fisichella.
The leading three, and Hamilton, are the only drivers lapping in the 1:34s. The Englishman is 26s behind fifteenth placed Trulli.
Kovalainen makes his move on Wurz at Turn 1. The Austrian makes a half-hearted attempt to defend but we're not convinced, and neither is the Renault driver who moves up to fifth.
As Schumacher is clouted by Heidfeld, Trulli gets the radio message from hell: "Hamilton is twenty-fours seconds behind you… but he's three seconds a lap quicker!" Schumacher's race is over, and the replay shows the Toyota driver to have been at fault.
As Kovalainen closes right in on Webber, Hamilton posts new fastest lap (33.765). Moments later Massa goes quicker (33.732), as he extends his lead to 3.4s.
The stewards announce that they are investigating the Heidfeld/Schumacher incident.
Webber is told that since everyone is now on a similar strategy he is really only racing Kovalainen. The Red Bull driver is 14.7s behind third-placed Raikkonen.
In all the excitement we appear to have lost Takuma Sato, who has pulled off to the side of the track. The Japanese driver is the eighth 'retirement' today.
Another fastest lap from Hamilton (33.607) he closes the gap to Trulli to 13.7s. Meanwhile, the BMWs, along with Fisichella, continues to follow David Coulthard.
At the end of lap 27, Kovalainen pits, which gives Webber a little breathing space. That said, battle will be resumed since the Australian still needs to stop.
While Massa extends his lead to 5.9s, Raikkonen has closed right in on Alonso, the gap down to 1.9s.
"This rubber is in good condition," Kovalainen is told, "let's use it mate!"
Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (33.401) but this is almost instantly topped by Massa (33.351). Elsewhere, Fisichella pits.
Funny enough, Trulli is setting a good pace, lapping in the mid 34s while the next few cars ahead of him are running in the 36s.
Raikkonen is actually losing ground to Alonso, while Hamilton has caught up with Fisichella who is in thirteenth following his pit stop. The McLaren driver is keen to continue his pursuit of Trulli but Fisichella has no intention of moving over. That said, Hamilton doesn't take no for an answer, running two wheels on to the grass the youngster passes the Renault.
Meanwhile, further drama, Raikkonen clearly has a problem, the car appearing to have an intermittent problem with is power. Elsewhere, Hamilton pits.
It's all over for Raikkonen, the Finn's car grinding to a halt at the pitlane entrance.
This, of course, is fantastic news for Webber, who is promoted to third. However, the Australian has Williams' Alex Wurz climbing all over him.
Hamilton is now 1.9s behind Trulli, as Raikkonen walks down the pitlane still wearing his helmet.
At the end of lap 37 Alonso pits, as Hamilton disposes of Trulli. Next time around it's race leader Massa who stops. As the Ferrari driver emerges from the pits he is passed by Hamilton who un-laps himself.
Davidson and Kubica make their final stops as Hamilton is all over Barrichello, who has also pitted and emerged just ahead of the McLaren driver. As the Englishman nails the Honda driver under braking at Turn 1, Webber makes his final stop. The Australian rejoins in fourth just behind his Red Bull teammate, who still has to stop.
Alonso takes almost a second out of Massa's lead, closing to within 6s of the Ferrari.
At the end of lap 43 Coulthard pits, which hands third place back to his Red Bull teammate. The Scot rejoins in sixth ahead of the two BMWs.
Hamilton gets a waved blue flag as Massa closes right in on the McLaren. The Englishman eases off and allow the race leader through.
Both drivers do well to avoid a piece of debris (a wheel cover?) that is lying in the middle of the track on the pit straight. Meanwhile, Alonso has closed to within 4.9s.
Will there be further drama? The stewards advise that there will be another rain shower in seven minutes - with around seventeen minutes remaining.
The fans in the stands don their raincoats as Kovalainen pits, the Finn taking on Intermediates. Another brave move or a reckless gamble? Time will tell.
"It's one hell of a gamble," the Finn is told, "but we're expecting rain now!"
As the Finn is passed by his teammate, indicating that the French outfit might have jumped the gun, the Finn reports that is it beginning to spit. Sure enough, moments later it begins to fall. On the pitwall Flavio Briatore allows himself a wry smile.
Davidson pits at the end of lap 52, followed, moments later by Coulthard and Kubica.
Next time around Massa pits, as do Alonso and Fisichella. The McLaren and Renault almost collide as they leave their garages. There could well be repercussions regarding that incident.
With Hamilton now up to eighth his crew have tyres ready for him, but will he stop?
Massa and Alonso are really scrapping the two now running as one. The Spaniard is all over the Ferrari but the Brazilian holds his line. Webber continues in third, ahead of Wurz, Coulthard, Kubica and Heidfeld.
Brilliant stuff, Alonso is alongside the Ferrari on the main straight, but Massa shuts the door. A few corners later they bang wheels and the McLaren is through. Elsewhere, Hamilton has pitted.
Five laps remaining, and the big question is, can Massa re-take his lead?
The rain stops but Alonso already has a 2.4s advantage, while Wurz and Coulthard are closing in on Webber. Kubica and Heidfeld are fighting for sixth, while Kovalainen looks set to take the final point. Following that final pit stop Hamilton has slipped down to tenth. That said he is almost 3s a lap faster than the two Renaults that lie between him and a points finish.
The Englishman gets past Fisichella and sets off after Kovalainen, while his teammate heads towards almost certain victory.
Massa takes a disappointing second, while Webber takes a well deserved podium, despite a slip at the final corner that allows Wurz to get alongside. Coulthard finishes fifth, ahead of Heidfeld, Kubica and Kovalainen, who holds off the charging Hamilton.
Fisichella takes tenth, ahead of Barrichello, Davidson and Trulli.
It feels like four or five hours since we started, but what a race a race… a race of Turk Thrust proportions.
Some brave driving and even braver strategic gambles, some paying off, some not.
Alonso takes his third win of the season, and the eighteenth of his career. However, more importantly, he closes to within two pints of the championship lead.
Ahead of the podium ceremony there is a confrontation, with Massa clearly unhappy at the way Alonso passed him. However, as they say, 'that's racing'.
At a time when attention is focussed on events that will take place in Paris later this week, it is good to see Formula One - courtesy of the weather gods - providing some drama on track.
On an afternoon of high theatrics, we are even treated to a sting in the tail, not in the sense that Alonso took a last gasp win, but that seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher presents the winning constructor trophy to Ron Dennis, who fully appreciates the irony.
All in all an absolutely crazy race, but good fun.
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