12/07/2009
NEWS STORY
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While yesterday's GP2 race wasn't hit with the same sort of weather that turned the F1 qualifying into a lottery, this morning's race was. Following heavy overnight rain the track was already damp, but a further shower ensured that the race took place in difficult conditions.
More worrying however, was the heavy fog in the distance, bringing back memories of Jackie Stewart's epic drive on the Nordschleife - the real Nurburgring - back in 1968.
Much praise has been handed out to Mark Weber for his qualifying performance yesterday - and rightly so - however, given the difficult circumstances, not to mention the fuel loads - the performances of Sutil, Kovalainen and Piquet should be applauded, for each punched well above his weight.
It's going to be difficult making predictions because it is clear that conditions this afternoon will be changeable, indeed, we could be in for one of those very odd races that F1 throws up from time to time, the sort of race that helps us to forget all the political bull.
Red Bull have to be favourites, and while it would be great to see Webber convert his maiden pole into a maiden win, Vettel, who has scored two of his three victories in the wet, also has home advantage.
Barrichello outshone Button in qualifying, and with the Brazilian eager for a win, not to mention the opportunity to stake his claim on a seat for next season, we could be in for an interesting battle between the two Brawn drivers also.
As we have previously said, as the title fight heads to Abu Dhabi, financially Brawn cannot compete with Red Bull and its billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Consequently, the Brackley team will have to rely on a certain amount of luck - such as weather affected events that level the playing field - and the ability of Button and Barrichello to ensure they pick up every available point they can.
McLaren has shown definite signs of improvement this weekend, with Hamilton topping the timesheets in two of the three practice sessions. However, despite the lottery that was qualifying, let's not forget that Kovalainen, who starts alongside his teammate, has none of the numerous updates available to the World Champion.
As we said, one of the undoubted stars of qualifying was Adrian Sutil, the German putting the Force India seventh on the grid, ahead of the Ferraris, a truly remarkable performance. Like Webber, it would be great to see Sutil convert his qualifying success into a decent race result.
As for the rest, keep an eye on Massa, Raikkonen, Alonso and Trulli, while Piquet and Bourdais both need to perform today if paddock speculation is to be believed.
At a time when our sport is bogged down with political bull and in the headlines due to the arrogance of one man and the politically incorrect naivety of another, F1 needs something to show the world that when it really matters it can put on a show. We don't expect the drama of 1999, but something a little better than the yawn-fest that was Silverstone would be very much appreciated by everyone.
One hour before the race, the sun is shining, but there are ominous clouds in the distance. Much like Monaco, the Nurburgring enjoys its own micro-climate, here, nothing can be taken for granted. When weather conditions change here, they do so rapidly, without warning.
That said, the warmer temperatures will play into the hands of Brawn, the Brackley team clearly suffering in the cold on Friday and Saturday.
Tyre options today are medium and super-soft, while only Ferrari and KERS are running Mosley's Folly, aka KERS.
As the field prepares to head off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 18 degrees, while the track temperature is 32 degrees.
While the majority of the field is starting the race on super-softs, Sutil is on mediums, as are the Williams.
The field heads off on the parade lap, all bar Glock who is starting from the pitlane following his moment of naughtiness in Q1 yesterday. Button, in particular, weaves from side to side in an effort to generate as much heat into his tyres as possible.
Alonso spins on the warm-up lap and as a result needs to overtake several other cars on his way to the grid.
They're away, and Barrichello makes a great start, however, Webber moves across the track and appears to clout the Brawn. A Great start also for Hamilton, however, the McLaren driver runs wide at the first corner and appears to have a problem on rejoining the track. Indeed, he has a puncture and has to make his way back to the pits.
At the end of lap 1, it's Barrichello, Webber, Kovalainen, Massa, Button and Vettel.
At the end of the pit straight Button makes a great move on Massa, with Vettel also climbing all over the Brazilian.
Button closes in on Kovalainen as Hamilton finally makes it back to the pits. Sutil running in eighth.
The replay shows that Hamilton might have picked up his puncture after clouting the left front wheel on Webbers car at the entry to Turn 1.
After 3 laps, Webber is 1s down on Barrichello but 5.3s clear of Kovalainen who has Button right up his exhaust pipes. Massa is fifth, ahead of Vettel, Raikkonen, Sutil, Rosberg and Kubica.
Webber posts the fastest lap, crossing the line at 4.602, as he and Barrichello lap Hamilton, the Englishman's race virtually over.
"Think about looking after these tyres," Webber is told, mindful of the fact that he'll need them in good shape when Barrichello - on a lighter fuel load - makes his first stop.
Kovalainen leads a train of four cars, with Raikkonen also closing in. The McLaren driver lost time behind Hamilton, who appeared to delay the train for longer than necessary. All of which is bad news for Button who is stuck behind Kovalainen.
Hamilton is now on the harder compound, suggesting he will only be making one more stop. Massa is told to look after his rears, not easy when you're fending off Vettel.
Fisichella makes a great move on Heidfeld to take twelfth, while Hamilton - running last - has a grandstand view of the move.
Vettel makes a move on Massa but is unable to make it stick, indeed, he cuts the chicane.
The Race Stewards announce that Webber and Barrichello are both under investigation, most likely for that clash on the run to the first corner. Certainly, it did look as though the Australian was overly aggressive.
Kovalainen is now running 14s behind Webber, while ninth placed Rosberg heads his own train, which includes Kubica, Alonso and Fisichella.
Webber is handed a drive-through by the Race Stewards for causing a collision, the Australian's race now virtually at an end.
It's worth noting that there was an equally contentious decision made during this morning's GP2 race, which effectively killed it, Vitaly Petrov given a similar penalty for a collision that never actually happened.
Button has a problem with his tyres, "do you want to stop me early". The Englishman, is told that teammate Barrichello has a similar problem. He pits, rejoining in fourteenth on another set of super-softs.
At the end of lap 14, Webber and Barrichello both pit, however, the Australia is serving his drive through. He rejoins right ahead of Kovalainen, a strategic move by Red Bull no doubt aimed at assisting Vettel.
Barrichello, who rejoined in fourth, makes a move on Massa, however, he is unable to make it stick.
Kovalainen pits at the end of lap 15, the Finn taking on a set of mediums. He rejoins in fifteenth but is immediately involved in a scrap with Glock and Nakajima.
Webber leads Massa by 9.5s with Barrichello all over the Ferrari. Vettel is fourth, .5s down on the Brawn and just 0.7s ahead of Raikkonen. Sutil now up to sixth, ahead of Rosberg and Kubica.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 17, as Button passes Buemi to take twelfth. A great move by the World Championship leader who sets off after Heidfeld.
As Fisichella (ninth) pits, Button makes his move on Heidfeld and charges off after the other BMW driver. The coverage switches to FIA presidency hopeful Ari Vatanen, who is all over the place this weekend.
Webber pits at the end of lap 19, fitting a set of mediums. He rejoins in seventh, but effectively second, when one takes into account those who haven't yet stopped, including the new race leader, Massa.
Hamilton tells the team he feels he needs to save his engine and gearbox. "You concentrate on the driving," he is told, the team adding that it is keeping an eye on the weather.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 21, fitting a set of mediums, as Bourdais becomes the first retirement of the afternoon, the Frenchman driving straight into his garage, possibly for the last time. Buemi and Trulli, running way down the field in last position, also pit.
Button closes right in on Webber, who is stuck behind Kubica. As the Englishman fills the Australian's mirrors, the Pole dives into the pits.
At the end of lap 23, Raikkonen pits, as Massa continues to thwart Barrichello. Elsewhere, Webber is lapping 2s quicker than the race-leader. Barrichello's frustration is obvious.
The race leader pits at the end of lap 24, thereby releasing Barrichello who now leads Sutil by 1.2s. Amazing performance from the German, though he still has to pit. Rosberg, who is up to third, also has to stop.
"These next laps really matter," Barrichello is told, "come on boy!" In clear air, the Brazilian is already lapping 2s quicker than when he was stuck behind the Ferrari.
Heidfeld and Piquet both pit at the end of lap 26. Only, Sutil, Rosberg, Kovalainen and Glock haven't stopped.
Sutil pits at the end of lap 27, sticking on another set of mediums. He rejoins and is immediately embroiled in a battle with Raikkonen. The two clash and Sutil loses a large chunk of his left-front wing. Once again, the hapless German suffers an appalling dose of bad luck, and once again, Kimi Raikkonen is involved.
Sutil pits for a new front wing and rejoins in seventeenth.
"Just to confirm, you are asking me to confirm the other tyre at the next stop?" "Yes," replied the race-leader, Barrichello. Elsewhere, Rosberg finally pits, rejoining in sixth.
At half-distance, Barrichello leads Webber by 2.8s, with Button a further 4.7s down the road in third. Vettel is fourth, 12.9s down on the World Championship leader, ahead of Massa, Rosberg, Raikkonen and Kovalainen.
The Race Stewards announce that Raikkonen and Sutil are under investigation.
Button makes his second stop at the end of lap 31, as Nakajima makes his first. The Englishman rejoins in seventh, behind Raikkonen and ahead of Kovalainen.
Next time around Barrichello pits, handing the lead to Webber. The Brazilian rejoins in fifth just ahead of Raikkonen.
Button passes Raikkonen in the final corner, as a puff of blue smoke wisps from the Finn's Ferrari. Kovalainen, sensing a chance, closes in on his fellow-Finn.
Barrichello is advised that there was a problem with the refuelling rig during his previous stop and that he needs to stop again. At the end of lap 35 the Brawn driver heads back to the pits, his race effectively at an end.
Webber is maintaining a strong pace, posting a new fastest lap (34.425) as he extends his lead over his teammate to 19.9s. Elsewhere, Raikkonen drives into his garage, his race over.
As Webber posts another fastest lap, Massa closes to within 0.9s of Vettel. "You need to pull away from Massa," the German is warned.
Rosberg is currently fourth, ahead of Barrichello, Button, Kovalainen, Alonso, Glock and Kubica. That said, at the end of lap 37, Glock makes his sole stop of the race.
Buemi and Hamilton pit, the Englishman advising his team that he thinks the weather is about to change. "Fingers crossed," is the response. Certainly, it has suddenly clouded over. That said, Race Officials claim there will be no rain within the next thirty minutes.
A typically bullish performance sees Alonso close right up on Kovalainen, who is currently running seventh. The Finn pits and the Renault driver immediately picks up his pace, setting off after Button who is 12s up the road.
Having posted a couple of 'slow' laps, Webber ups his pace, though he still enjoys a 20s lead over his teammate. Button is still clearly having problems with his tyres, weaving from side to side on the straights in an attempt to generate more heat into them.
Webber pits at the end of lap 43, rejoining in second 7.1s later, behind his teammate but ahead of Massa. The Australian and his team have really turned the race around considering that drive-through penalty.
Next time around, Vettel pits, handing the lead straight back to his Red Bull teammate. The German rejoins in sixth, 5.2s down on Button.
Massa pits at the end of lap 45, as Button closes in on Barrichello. In terms of the World Championship the Englishman needs to pass his Brawn teammate. Elsewhere, Alonso pits as does the hapless Sutil.
With regards the earlier incident involving Raikkonen, the Race Stewards have announced that it will be investigated after today's race.
Rosberg, now up to second, pits at the end of lap 47. Piquet and Heidfeld also stop.
Alonso, now up to seventh again, posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 33.744. The Spaniard now 10.6s behind Rosberg. Next time around the two-time champion posts 33.365.
The Brawns continue to run together as though tied together with a length of string. Button continues to weave from side to side whenever possible.
Barrichello dives into the pits at the end of lap 50, the Brazilian rejoining in sixth 5.8s later. Next time around it is Button's turn, the Englishman, now on super-softs, leap-frogging his Brawn teammate in the process.
With 8 laps remaining, Webber leads Vettel by 15.6s, with Massa a further 5.8s behind. Rosberg is fourth, 5.2s down on the Ferrari and only 3.4s ahead of Button. Barrichello is fifth, ahead of Alonso, Kovalainen, Glock and Heidfeld.
Glock is over Kovalainen like a rash, as Button is closing in on Rosberg and Alonso is harrying Barrichello.
As Button loses ground to Rosberg, Barrichello closes right in on the championship leader. The Brazilian has his mirrors full of Alonso. The Englishman's rears are dreadfully grained. As opposed to nicely grained.
"Just five laps to go," Button is advised, and they will be the longest five laps of his life.
Sensing a sixth place, maybe even fifth, Alonso is all over Barrichello, and why shouldn't he. Rosberg in fourth appears safe, certainly from the Brawns.
Out front, Webber appears to be cruising to victory, the Australian on the verge of a remarkable victory. Elsewhere, Barrichello is warned that Alonso is "having a look at Turn 13".
The composure of yesterday is replace by a total outpouring of emotion as Webber takes a remarkable win, the Australian is ecstatic.
Just a short while ago it looked as though Lady Luck was once again going to desert the Red Bull driver, though it has to be said his start was very, very aggressive.
However, a determined drive and superb strategy saw the popular Aussie turn it all around for a superb, thoroughly deserved win.
While it's a much needed 1-2 for Red Bull, Vettel will have to be disappointed with his race, and it remains to be seen why his race fell apart.
Though we saw little of him this afternoon, full credit to Massa and Ferrari, the Brazilian's best result since that infamous race in Brazil last year. That said, there remains the small matter of Raikkonen's suspected engine problem, not to mention a possible grid penalty for the Finn in Hungary.
An excellent performance from Rosberg and Williams, the German's fifth successive points scoring finish.
Brawn will be absolutely gutted it was a race that promised much and delivered little, allowing Red Bull to close to within 19.5 points. While Button had his own problems, Barrichello suffered a real dose of bad luck with that fuel rig problem.
Kudos to Kovalainen who built upon that excellent qualifying performance, while McLaren will rue Hamilton's puncture, which ended the Englishman's race before it had really begun.
A typical bullish performance from Alonso, the Spaniard never giving up, and had there been just a couple more laps we have no doubt that he would have nailed at least one of the Brawns, but it was not to be.
A popular win for a popular driver, and while the headlines will play up the fact that this was Webber's maiden win, the circumstances of that win must not be forgotten, for when the Australian was handed that drive-through it should have killed off any hope of a points finish, far less a win, but Mark had other ideas.
It's a pity the weather gods didn't deliver a last minute surprise, but it wasn't a bad race nonetheless, certainly compared to Silverstone, and Webber's maiden F1 victory ensures that we should still have a fight all the way to Abu Dhabi, even if Brawn appears to be losing its previous advantage.