19/04/2009
NEWS STORY
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Checking out most of the regular newspaper websites, and even some of the dedicated F1 sites, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella is on pole here today ahead of his German teammate rather than Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel. We refer to the mysterious use of the words "shock" and "surprise" in the majority of the headlines following yesterday's qualifying session.
The fact is, that outside the gang of three - those three teams using double-decker diffusers from the start of the season - the Adrian Newey car has been the obvious class of the field, behind Brawn admittedly, but almost level with Toyota and certainly ahead of Williams, so why the big shock?
OK, Vettel and Webber are running light, but so are a lot of their rivals, and it comes as no surprise to see the two Milton Keynes cars at the front of the grid today, though whether they will be leading the race when the flag falls is quite another matter.
The big question-mark hanging over the Austrian team this afternoon, as ever, is reliability, though in Webber's case bad luck often seems to play a part. There was limited running yesterday morning when the Australian suffered a driveshaft problem and in the afternoon Vettel only had one run in each of the two final phases such was the concern. That said, the German youngster never looked overly concerned, despite the obvious anxiety of the BBC's commentary team.
As a reminder, following this week's hearing in Paris, McLaren have fitted an interim diffuser to both of their cars, while at Renault, only Alonso has been given a new interim unit, which was flown in overnight on Friday on Flavio Briatore's private jet. As for KERS, only the McLarens and Nick Heidfeld are running it, which appears to fly in the face of Max Mosley's quest for cost-cutting… all that money and nobody is using it. That said, Massa is calling for Ferrari to re-install the system for next week's race.
As ever, strategy will play a big part in the outcome of today's race, with fuel loads and tyre management set to play a big part.
While the super-softs are good for one or two laps there is serious concern as to how they will stand up over a longer distance, therefore we may well see some teams use them at the start of today's race just to get them out of the way. On the other hand, other teams might opt to use them for a short burst at the very end. Most teams have had issues with their tyres this weekend, especially the Ferraris, however, Brawn appears to suffering less than its rivals.
In terms of fuel, both Red Bulls are running very light, with only Alonso - surprise, surprise - running lighter. Indeed, looking at the fuel loads, and taking into account what we have already said about tyre management, today looks set to be another win for Ross Brawn and his team, but will it be Jenson or Rubens that lifts the winner's trophy?
McLaren has enjoyed a slight revival here this weekend, and Hamilton's fuel load indicates that the 2008 champion could be fighting for a podium finish, while his teammate will be happy to simply complete the first lap - not that there is any guarantee of that when you are starting from twelfth on the grid.
We expect Trulli, who has yet to score a point here at Shanghai, to be up there at the finish, though we were surprised at his unusual lack of pace in qualifying, while Glock, who starts from the back of the grid (19th) following a gearbox change penalty might be best advised to start from the pitlane filled up to the gills with fuel as the Japanese team seeks to make the best of a bad situation.
Williams really needs to start converting its obvious qualifying and practice pace into race results, while Kazuki Nakajima needs to raise his game.
Talking of the Japanese driver, like Piquet at Renault, Nakajima is on an entirely different strategy to his teammate, therefore, considering that both drivers must be looking over their shoulders in terms of retaining their seats, today is the ideal opportunity to show their mettle.
Alonso, despite that fact that he will be the first to pit, must never be written off, and though Renault has a lot of catching up to do, the old Spanish fox can be relied upon to give a good account of himself today.
For Ferrari, today will be about damage limitation, Kimi Raikkonen already having written off this season, and teammate Massa not far behind in the pessimism stakes. BMW will also be keen to get this weekend out of the way, and probably Bahrain also, in the hopes that the return to Europe will see a revival in fortunes.
Force India continues to disappoint, the Silverstone-based outfit showing no real signs of the much lauded partnership with McLaren and Mercedes in terms of results, then again…
There were whispers at the end of last year, following reports that there were key McLaren personnel to be found in various departments at Force India - even marketing - that Ron Dennis might be tempted to step in and rebuild the team… now there's an interesting thought.
As for Toro Rosso, while Sebastien Bourdais hasn't overly impressed this weekend, teammate Buemi continues to progress, the Swiss performing magnificently yesterday to get his car into the final phase, despite running an average fuel load.
As for the weather, well, with one hour to go the rain is falling, indeed, it has been raining for some time. However, this is not Malaysia, and while the rain, should it continue, will certainly add some spice to the race, it won't be anything like what we witnessed two weeks ago. Of more concern, however, is the wind, which is currently blowing at a fair rate of knots and is sure to cause problems, especially for those teams already suffering aero instability. Then again, when/if the rain eases, the wind will help to dry the track.
Thanks to the many large run offs, its rare to see the Safety Car here, indeed, the last time we saw the car deployed was back in the inaugural event. Therefore, while there is sure to be some argy-bargy at the first corner… Heikki Kovalainen take heed.
Should it continue, the rain will play into the hands of the Red Bulls, while Brawn will surely suffer, its strategy effectively going out the window. That said, it will also play into the hands of Alonso, Ferrari and BMW, not to mention Lewis Hamilton.
Under the circumstances, the weather, and his qualifying position (with penalty) it comes as no surprise to learn shortly before the start that Timo Glock will start from the pitlane. Robert Kubica will also start from the pitlane… another wise decision. Either one of these drivers could spring a big surprise today.
Sadly, as is often the case in this new emasculated era of safety-conscious F1, it is revealed that the race will begin behind the Safety Car.
With five minutes remaining, the air temperature is a cool 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 19 degrees. The rain appears to have increased in intensity.
Having learned from McLaren's Melbourne misery, Rob Smedley advises Massa that if he spins on the first lap he is not allowed to re-pass any cars that pass him at the time of the incident.
The lights go out and the field heads off behind the Safety Car. "Grip is OK," Alonso tells his crew, despite the standing water.
"Visibility is very, very bad," says Button, "there's also some aquaplaning". Replay shows Massa going wide at the last corner.
"There is water on the track," says Vettel, a masterpiece of understatement, "but we've had worse."
Massa is warned that his brake temperatures are down by 120 degrees and that he needs to raise the temperature in readiness for the race start. Elsewhere, Sutil goes off but is able to continue. Rosberg reveals that he is aquaplaning on the main straight.
Sutil pits at the end of lap 4, as Raikkonen gets out of shape at the final corner, the same corner to catch his teammate and Sutil.
Asked if he thinks it is time for the Safety Car to pull off, the Spaniard says that in his opinion if the cars are released and get up to full speed they will soon dry the track.
Rosberg pits at the end of lap 5, with Alonso pitting at the end of lap 7. It's a great call by the French team and its driver, for as the Spaniard heads down the pitlane it is announced that the Safety Car will pull off at the end of the next lap.
Sure enough, at the end of lap 8, the Safety Car pulls off, leaving the Red Bulls and Brawns to slog it out. The all get away, with no mishaps.
Hamilton makes short work of Raikkonen, with Buemi also closing in on the Finn. Out front, Vettel already has a 2.4s lead over his Red Bull teammate.
Raikkonen clings on to the back of Hamilton, with Buemi keeping a watching eye on the two of them. The Swiss driver is all over the Finn as Hamilton closes in on Trulli.
Vettel posts a new fastest lap (5.783), as Buemi goes wide at the final corner. Elsewhere, Heidfeld also runs wide.
After 10 laps, it's: Vettel, Webber, Barrichello, Button, Trulli, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Buemi, Massa, Kovalainen.
Hamilton passes Trulli, but immediately gets all out of shape at the start of the pit straight, as does Barrichello.
Buemi makes a great move on Raikkonen passing the Finn, while Massa also overtakes the Ferrari. Elsewhere, Hamilton does a 360 at Turn 10 losing a whole heap of positions. Indeed, the World Champion drops to tenth.
Buemi makes short work of Trulli, the Swiss sensation now 7s behind Barrichello. Replay shows Piquet getting into trouble as he tried to pass Fisichella. Glock and Heidfeld make contact causing the BMW driver to spin, however, both are able to continue.
Massa passes Trulli to take sixth, as Hamilton passes Kovalainen.
Webber pits at the end of lap 14, the Australian rejoining the race 9.9s later in sixth ahead of Trulli, Raikkonen and Hamilton, who are having a great scrap.
Hamilton passes Trulli, who falls into the clutch of the McLaren driver's teammate.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 15, rejoining in third, behind the two Brawns. Elsewhere, Hamilton passes Raikkonen yet again. Alonso is up to seventeenth.
After 16 laps, Button leads Barrichello by 10.1s, with Vettel a further 5s behind. The German is 1.9s ahead of Buemi, who leads Massa, Webber, Raikkonen and Hamilton. Yes, the Finn has re-passed the Englishman. Kovalainen is ninth, ahead of Bourdais, Glock, Nakajima, Alonso, Fisichella, Sutil, Piquet, Kubica, Heidfeld, Trulli and Rosberg.
Kubica runs into the back of Trulli, the German car almost mounting the Italian's Toyota. The Pole pits as does Trulli, however, it looks to be all over for the Italian. The Safety Car is deployed due to the debris on the track.
Button pits at the end of lap 19, as do Barrichello and Buemi, who needs a new nose after running into the back of Vettel. The Swiss driver appears to have been caught out when Vettel slowed, much like Kubica and Trulli a little earlier.
Behind the Safety Car, it's: Vettel, Button, Massa, Webber, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Barrichello, Kovalainen, Bourdais and Buemi. Raikkonen and Hamilton have yet to stop, as have Kovalainen and Bourdais.
Massa is parked by the side of the road on the back straight, another pointless race for the 2008 runner-up.
Race officials reveal that the Safety Car will pull off at the end of lap 22, at which point Bourdais spins.
The race back on, Hamilton continues to harry Raikkonen. The Englishman passes the Finn for the third time this afternoon in an audacious move at Turn 7 as Kovalainen has a scary moment, just about holding on to the back end of the McLaren.
Vettel posts a new fastest lap (54.646), as he extends his lead to 4.3s over Button who is now attracting the attention of Webber. Barrichello has lost several places but it is not clear why. He's 2s off the pace of his Brawn teammate.
Glock pits for a new nose and front wing, the German having an incident filled afternoon. Elsewhere, the two Force Indias are having a great scrap, but will it end in tears?
Glock and Nakajima both go cross country, as Button is told that his fuel-adjusted pace is as good as the race leader's.
Raikkonen pits at the end of lap 27, the Finn having a good race today, despite all Ferrari's other problems, which include a rough sounding engine in the F60. Elsewhere, the yellow flags come out as Nakajima makes full use of the run offs.
Piquet gets it all wrong and loses the nose off his Renault when he clouts a polystyrene bollard - as opposed to the Button version.
After 28 laps, Vettel leads Button by 9.8s with Webber just 1.3s behind the Englishman. Hamilton is fourth, ahead of Kovalainen, Barrichello, Buemi, Alonso, Bourdais and Sutil.
Button gets it wrong at the end of the main straight allowing Webber through to make it a Red Bull 1-2. "You have 10 laps to make the gap," the Australian is told, "you need five seconds".
As Bourdais pits, Alonso is all over Buemi. Having watched him for corner after corner, Alonso makes a move on the main straight but the rookie is having none of it. Elsewhere, Webber goes wide at the notorious final corner, allowing Button to re-take second.
No soon is he back on track than the Red Bull driver is all over the Brawn again, making quick work of the World Championship leader, going around the outside at Turn 7. The Aussie is a man on a mission today, and in no mood to take prisoners.
Nakajima makes his first stop of the afternoon, only Hamilton, Kovalainen and Fisichella have yet to stop.
At the end of lap 33, Hamilton finally pits, as Webber posts a new fastest lap (54.254). The 2008 champion rejoins in eighth, behind Alonso. Fisichella also pits.
Raikkonen fighting Rosberg for twelfth, the duo over minute behind the race leader.
Kovalainen pits at the end of lap 34, as Kubica's nose is hanging dangerously from his car. No jokes intended.
Webber and Vettel trading fastest laps, the German posting (53.864). Elsewhere, Alonso makes his second stop of the afternoon, rejoining in ninth. Kubica also pits, taking on a new nose.
Vettel leads his teammate by 17.5s, the two Red Bull drivers lapping around 2s quicker than anyone else. Elsewhere, Bourdais spins but keeps going.
Vettel makes his second stop at the end of lap 36, handing the lead to his Red Bull teammate. The German rejoins in third as Alonso loses the back end of his car at Turn 13.
Revelling in their superiority, the Red Bull duo trade fastest sector times.
At the end of lap 39, Webber pits, as his teammate posts a new fastest lap (2.918). The Australian rejoins in third, just ahead of fourth-placed Rubens Barrichello.
Buemi continues in fifth, ahead of Hamilton, Sutil, Kovalainen, Heidfeld, Rosberg, Glock, Raikkonen and Alonso.
On lap 41, Vettel makes his move, pulling out of Button's slipstream on the main straight at easing inside the Englishman at the hairpin. There's a slight twitch from the Red Bull but the German has it all under control.
Rosberg is the first driver to witch to Intermediates as Alonso demotes Raikkonen to twelfth.
As Vettel posts another fastest lap (52.627) as Button makes his second stop.
Barrichello goes quickest (52.592) as attention switches to Rosberg, who appears to be holding his own on the Intermediates, though not exactly setting the timesheets alight, yet.
Barrichello pits at the end of lap 43, promoting Buemi to fourth. Could we see an all Red Bull podium this afternoon?
Nakajima makes his thirds stop of the afternoon. Indeed, the Japanese driver drives into his garage where the car is jacked up. With Rosberg making no impression on the Inters, it's a rotten day for Williams.
Buemi pits at the end of lap 45, rejoining the race in tenth.
Piquet has a big spin at the final corner and clouts the barriers, he subsequently dives into the pits for yet another new nose.
Sutil is running in seventh, setting up Force India for its first ever World Championship point as Hamilton goes off and rejoins behind his teammate.
As Vettel enjoys a 13.9s lead over Webber, the McLaren close in on Barrichello, who is now 16.3s behind his Brawn teammate.
Rosberg goes cross-country, over the grass, through the gravel and depositing crap all over the track.
Buemi has closed in on Heidfeld and Glock who are scrapping for eighth place. Elsewhere, Rosberg makes his third stop, switching back to full wets.
Hamilton spins again, allowing Sutil through to take sixth. On the pit-wall, Vijay Mallya does a splendid job of maintaining his composure, inside his stomach must be churning like crazy.
A tremendous fife-way battle for sixth, which ends in tears as Sutil crashes heavily at Turn 5. The German is quickly out of the shattered Force India, with only his pride hurt. He and his team deserved more.
After 51 laps, it's Vettel, Webber, Button, Barrichello, Kovalainen, Hamilton, Glock, Buemi, Heidfeld and Alonso.
Glock has somehow passed Buemi, but the Swiss driver seems determined to reclaim seventh.
With two laps remaining, Christian Horner is a nervous wreck on the pit-wall, clearly eager to see the chequered flag and his two drivers safely taking it.
Vettel begins his final lap, just a couple of miles from a historic win, indeed, with his Australian teammate just 11.6s behind, a historic 1-2.
He's done it, they've done it, a fantastic 1-2 for the Austrian team which will surely have everyone in Milton Keynes jumping for joy. A fantastic well-deserved result.
Button takes third, ahead of his Brawn GP teammate Barrichello, with Kovalainen fifth, ahead of Hamilton, Glock and Buemi.
Alonso finishes ninth, ahead of Raikkonen, Bourdais, Heidfeld, Kubica, Fisichella and Piquet.
After the recent controversies, this is just what the sport needed, for there are probably already people getting tired of seeing Brawn winning. How quickly they forget.
Those that claimed yesterday's qualifying result was a "shock" and "surprise" will no doubt be absolutely stunned by today's result, however, as we said at the beginning of this report surely a Red Bull win this season was only a matter of when rather than if.
Vettel continues to impress, and must surely be on the shopping list of the big guns, however, while they might have the money the question remains as to whether they have the equipment.
Hard to believe that we're writing this must McLaren will surely be delighted with fifth and sixth, the Woking team surely working flat-out to ensure that there are further updates available for next weekend.
As for Ferrari, the Italian team is enjoying its worst start to a season since 1980, and in all honesty it shows no sign of improving. The fact is, the Italian team appears to be reverting to its old ways, whereby the suits are in control. Though it seems harsh, an all-Italian set-up at Maranello is not the way to go, the team having enjoyed its greatest successes under Jean Todt and Englishman Brawn. Furthermore, despite Raikkonen and Massa's obvious frustration, Ferrari would be well advised to tell the duo to 'button it', before the pessimism permeates through the entire team. When things were at their worst, Michael Schumacher always remained optimistic, even if it was only for show.
BMW too needs to improve, and like Renault it must stop bitching about the diffuser row and accept that it got caught out. The diffusers on the Brawns are legal, get over it and start focussing on how to improve your car as opposed knocking your rivals.
Had it been dry, Brawn would have walked it, but it wasn't and they didn't. however, it is hardly likely to rain next week in the desert so the Brackley outfit can no doubt look forward to another strong outing.
A bad day for Toyota, with Glock doing well to take a couple of points away from China. That said, as with Brawn, we expect it to be 'business as usual' next weekend.
A great performance from Buemi, who, like Vettel last year, appears to have the upper hand at Toro Rosso. The Faenza outfit continues to exist in Red Bull's shadow, and one has to wonder how much of this is down to the engine package.
Force India will be absolutely gutted, not for the first time, Adrian Sutil seemed destined for a points finish only to have it end in tears. It was a great drive today and the team deserved better.
Williams will be bitterly disappointed and rightly so, however, as we said earlier, the Grove outfit must find a way on carrying its practice and qualifying pace into races. Otherwise, what's the point.
Finally, other than the superb performances from the Red Bull duo today, the two enduring memories will be of those first few laps behind the Safety Car and the podium ceremony.
While having no desire to see anyone injured we still find it hard to accept the site of a 'race' getting underway behind the Safety Car. In weather such as that witnessed in Malaysia, yes, perhaps it is acceptable, but today? Surely, the drivers can be trusted to control the race themselves rather than a souped-up Mercedes doing it for them. Not for nothing were the fans whistling and jeering every time the field came past that mighty grandstand.
On the subject of 'woosies' what on earth is it with the sinister floodlighting on the podium and the need for dignitaries to wear cheap polythene plastic macs? Has the 'nanny state hit China also?
That said, a great result for Sebastian, Mark, Christian and all the guys and girls at Red Bull, a magnificent result which is thoroughly deserved… and which sets us up nicely for Bahrain.