09/05/2010
NEWS STORY
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Despite widespread predictions that there would be rain today, both the GP3 and GP2 events took place in bright sunshine, even if it was noticeably cooler than usual.
Therefore, assuming that the weather gods don't have any surprises up their sleeves, it would appear that there are only two things that will prevent a Red Bull whitewash this afternoon… unreliability or over enthusiasm on the part of its drivers.
In Malaysia, Webber, who had taken pole with a superb lap on the Saturday, totally let his guard fall at the start of the race, allowing his teammate through from third to take the lead and head off into the distance. Today, if he is to convert pole into a win he will need to ensure that Vettel in unable to repeat the move.
Ignoring the freakish conditions of Shanghai, in Malaysia Red Bull appeared to have sorted the unreliability that had plagued it in the two opening races. However, F1 is a sport in which nothing can ever be taken for granted, and other than watching one another, surely both Webber and Vettel will be keeping an eye out for the slightest hint of a technical problem.
With such a clear advantage over the opposition, surely this race is for Red Bull to lose, and while we may well be facing an afternoon of total monotony, as in the days of the Schumacher/Ferrari steamroller, it up to the opposition to catch up.
Despite claims that McLaren had made progress, clearly it isn't enough and Hamilton did well to get within 0.834s of Webber's pace when the rest of the big guns were nearer to a second off the pace. The 2008 world champion appears more at one with his car than his teammate, however, both have a massive fight on their hands if they are to remain in the fight for the 2010 title.
A Herculean effort from Alonso also, who will no doubt be spurred on by the partisan crowd. Slowly, but surely, the Spaniard is establishing himself at Maranello, and performances such as yesterday's will further endear him to the Italian team which has been looking decidedly lacklustre this weekend.
As Michael Schumacher makes obvious progress in the heavily updated Mercedes, it is interesting to watch the British media twist things around suggesting that the team is working in his favour and to the detriment of his teammate. The seven-time champion has made no secret of his need for a car that suits his driving style and having been given it, now that the long-haul races are out of the way, he is beginning to deliver. Having got him sorted, sort of, the team will now surely concentrate on making both drivers happier and thereby more competitive.
Robert Kubica continues to impress, the Pole pulling out all the stops to finish ahead of Rosberg and Massa. Sadly, it is unlikey that Renault will be able to match the spending of its main rivals therefore, as the season develops, he will have to dig ever deeper if he is to keep pace. That said, there is increasing speculation that he has already signed a deal with another team, in which case he should use the months ahead to hone his skills. Teammate, Vitaly Petrov, though clearly talented, continues to make things difficult for himself.
It was good to see Kamui Kobayashi get into the Top Ten, even if the Japanese youngster was running on fumes. Despite the sponsorship deal with Burger King Spain, it is unlikely that the seriously under-funded Swiss team has found true pace, far less cured its reliability issues. That said, we do wish them the best of luck and hope that Peter Sauber can resolve the many issues that his team faces.
If Force India is disappointed not to have at least one car in the Top Ten, Williams will be even more disappointed to have qualified thirteenth and eighteenth, a situation not helped by Rubens Barrichello claiming that the various updates are a waste of time.
As it drifts further away from the mother lode, Toro Rosso is finding it increasingly difficult to keep pace and as the season progresses the task is sure to become even more difficult. Both Alguersuari and Buemi are doing the best they can, under the circumstances, however, rather than worrying about keeping pace with Force India they must be looking over their shoulders at Lotus.
Of the newbies, the previously mentioned Lotus remains the most promising, however, Tony Fernandes is going to have even deeper into his pockets if the progress is to continue. Virgin, at least from where we sit, appear to be going round in circles, while Hispania is clearly struggling and well out of its depth. That said, full marks to Bruno Senna and, in particular, Karun Chandhok, for their dignity, perseverance and all-round determination, a wonderful advertisement for our sport.
As the drivers make their way to the grid the air temperature is 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35 degrees. It's nice and sunny, though the wind is clearly picking up.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm up lap, Heikki Kovalainen is pushed from the grid on a trolley and into the pitlane, a far from auspicious start for Lotus.
They're away, and rather than make a bid for the lead Vettel tucks in behind his teammate, weaving from side to side to block Hamilton and Alonso. They're are through the first sequence of corners with no problems other than Rosberg who has poor start and has to take to the grass, thereby losing a number of position, as does Kobayashi. Great starts from Sutil, Alguersuari and Barrichello.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Webber, Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, Button, Schumacher, Massa, Sutil, Alguersuari, Kubica, Rosberg and Barrichello. Buemi and de la Rosa both pit while Senna has gone off into the gravel, a major disappointment for the Brazilian.
By the end of lap 2, Webber has a 0.9s advantage while Hamilton is just 0.7s down on Vettel. Massa is all over the back of Schumacher.
On lap 4, as Webber posts a new fastest lap (27.990), all eyes are on Alguersuari who is holding off Kubica as he hold on to the rear of Sutil's Force India. Sadly, after just a few laps it is already quite processional.
Despite the obvious advantage, the Red Bulls are not pulling away. Meanwhile, Massa is told that he's 10 kph faster than Schumacher on the main straight and should therefore be able to nail the German who is 2.6 down on Button. Alonso is losing ground to Hamilton and falling into the clutches of Button.
"Mix 4, mix 4, use the overtake if you need it," Vettel is told as Webber pulls out a 2.1s advantage. Hamilton remains 1.3s down on the German as the race leader posts a new fastest lap (27.587).
Lap 9 sees another fastest lap from Webber (27.559), as Vettel falls 2.4s behind him. Hamilton remains third, ahead of Alonso, Button, Schumacher, Massa, Sutil, Alguersuari, Kubica, Rosberg, Barrichello and Hulkenberg. While most drivers are posting personal bests in various sectors, Massa is not really making an impression and is now 1.9s down on Schumacher.
At the end of lap 12, Liuzzi is the first driver to make a regular pit stop. He rejoins and appears to catch Buemi, who is battling Trulli, by surprise, the Swiss driver running wide at Turn 1.
"You're in clear air, now push," Liuzzi is told. Elsewhere, another fastest lap for Webber who crosses the line at 27.357.
At the end of lap 14, Schumacher and Massa both pit, rejoining in ninth and tenth. Meanwhile a nightmare pit stop for Rosberg, who not only has a brake fire, he is released too early and has to be pushed back into position in order that a eel nut can be tightened.
Barrichello pits at the end of lap 15, with Vettel, Alonso and Button stopping next time around. Alguersuari, Kubica, Hulkenberg and Kobayashi also pit. There's a problem with the right-rear for Button while Vettel has a problem with the right-front.
At the end of lap 17, race leader Webber finally pits, as do Hamilton and Sutil. Webber rejoins still leading while Hamilton exits the pits almost alongside Vettel. The German runs a little wide at Turn 1 and Hamilton doesn't wait for a second invitation.
Hamilton uses the radio to tell his team to tell Charlie Whiting that di Grassi is driving dangerously.
With the pit stops out of the way and 19 laps completed, Webber leads Hamilton by 8.8s with Vettel just 1.3s behind. Alonso is fourth with Schumacher fifth just 0.4s ahead of Button. The world champion makes a move but the Mercedes driver is having none of it. Massa is seventh, ahead of Sutil, Kubica and Barrichello.
Button is clearly faster than Schumacher, but the German isn't making it easy for the McLaren driver, nor should he. Meanwhile, their battle allows Massa to close in. Elsewhere, Pedro de la Rosa has retired, a sad home race for the Spanish veteran.
As Webber romps away at the front, the main battle is between Schumacher and Button for fifth. Vettel is losing ground to Hamilton and falling into the clutches of Alonso.
Buemi, currently sixteenth, gets a drive through for unsafely re-joining the track. Hardly has he been given the punishment than he serves it.
On lap 24, Webber posts yet another fastest lap (27.005) as he maintain a 9.9s lead. Massa almost comes to grief as he enters a corner far too quickly and almost hits Chandhok. Indeed, the Brazilian informs his crew that thinks he has damaged his front wing. Rob Smedley advises Massa that while he can see the wing is damaged it isn't effecting his times, indeed, a stop would cost him three positions.
Webber and Vettel are both lapping in the 1:26s, as Hamilton continues to be the meat in the Red Bull sandwich.
"You're half-a-second faster with a broken front wing," says Rob Smedley, "I think we've found the solution". Elsewhere, Chandhok pits minus a front wing. Replay shows he was involved in an incident with Alguersuari. Less than half a lap after leaving the pits the Indian pulls off to the side of the track.
At half-distance, it's: Webber, Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Schumacher, Button, Massa, Sutil, Kubica, Barrichello, Alguersuari, Petrov, Kobayashi, Hulkenberg, Liuzzi and Rosberg.
As Hulkenberg makes his second stop of the afternoon, Alguersuari gets a drive through for the incident involving Chandhok.
Alonso is told that since Schumacher is 23s down the road and "holding everybody up", there might be an opportunity for a second tyre stop. Meanwhile, another fastest lap for Webber, who crosses the line at 26.154.
The race leader is working his way through the backmarkers, a very dangerous stage of the race. Up ahead, Kobayashi and Petrov are battling for twelfth. Rosberg makes his second tyre stop of the afternoon, the German, currently second in the world championship, drops to fifteenth.
On lap 39, Webber posts 25.920 as he extends his lead to 11.7. Vettel remains 2.5s down on second-placed Hamilton. The Englishman tells his crew that he feels his lost some grip.
From out of nowhere, Alonso, currently 5.3s down on Vettel, posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 25.868.
As the battle for fifth continues, it's worth noting that Button is quickest through the speed-trap, with Schumacher not even in the Top 6. Further back, Rosberg is all over Hulkenberg but with little success.
Out front Webber is lapping at warp speed, posting a 25.134 as he extends his lead to 14s. Hamilton is helpless in the face of this bravura performance from the Australian and his team. Vettel, lapping 0.3s quicker than Hamilton, closes to within 1.9s of the McLaren driver.
With a 15.1s comfort cushion, Webber eases off, while Vettel appears to have settled for third as he drops to 2s behind Hamilton. Elsewhere, clearly frustrated of spending numerous laps stuck behind Hulkenberg, Rosberg finally makes a move and snatches fifteenth from the Williams driver.
Petrov and Kobayashi are still locked in battle for twelfth, 4.6s behind Alguersuari and 15.7s ahead of Liuzzi.
As Vettel runs wide his crew run into the pitlane. Moments later the German stops for a new set of softs. It appeared that he had a problem with a loose front-right on the previous set. He rejoins in fourth, 16.2s down on Alonso, almost setting a new fastest lap on his next lap.
On lap 57, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (24.846), the Spaniard now 7.4s behind Hamilton with 9 laps remaining. Elsewhere, Vettel is told to take it easy on braking.
"Your brakes are about to go," Vettel is warned, "be very careful". Not the sort of thing you want to hear when lapping at 128 mph. Meanwhile, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap, the McLaren driver posting 24.357 as he closes to within 11.6s of the race leader.
Rosberg battling with Liuzzi for fourteenth as Kubica closes in on eighth placed Sutil.
Replay shows Vettel running wide as he battles with his deteriorating brakes. "You need to slow down he is told," a somewhat ironic comment given the circumstances. "This is critical". Nonetheless, he is lapping only marginally off the pace and maintaining a 21s lead over Schumacher.
"Go slow mate," Vettel is told, "don't go any faster. We don't need this". However, it is Hamilton who crashes out, much to the delight of the crowd which roars its approval. Replay shows the McLaren driver suffered a puncture to his left-front. Bitter disappointment for the English driver and his team.
While Alonso is promoted to second, Schumacher has closed to within 15.7s of Vettel.
Webber takes the chequered flag, however, it is Alonso that has the crowd cheering. Vettel nurses his car home in third, the German finishing 10.8s ahead of Schumacher. As Liuzzi parks on track, Button finishes fifth, ahead of Massa, Sutil, Kubica, Barrichello and Alguersuari.
Petrov finishes eleventh, ahead of Kobayashi, Rosberg, Hamilton, Liuzzi, Hulkenberg, Trulli, Glock and di Grassi.
Many will no doubt tag today’s race with the epithet Bore-celona, and in many ways one has to agree to with them. However, this would be a great injustice to Mark Webber who has given one of the finest, most convincing performances of his career.
Determined not to make the same mistake as he made in Malaysia, the Australian made a superb made a superb start and maintained this high standard for the remainder of the afternoon. Contrary to what many of us were thinking not too long ago, it appears that Mr Vettel is going to have a real fight on his hands this season.
The record books will show that Fernando Alonso finished second today, much to the delight of the partisan crowd however, Lewis Hamilton will have every right to feel cruelly robbed. The English youngster has given some of his finest performances this year, certainly far better than his championship ranking suggests. Whether it was a tyre or wheel failure we don’t yet know, either way, the McLaren driver was robbed of points he fully deserved.
As for Alonso, another solid performance, certainly in terms of his teammate, consolidates his position in the world championship, mores the pity that Ferrari doesn’t appear to have taken a step forward this weekend.
Sebastian Vettel, like Hamilton, will feel he was robbed, and he was. Like the English driver, the German has given a number of great performances this season but these are not reflected in the championship standings. His grim determination in the final laps, especially as his crew appeared to be telling him to retire and that all was lost, was breathtaking.
Interviewed immediately after the race, Jenson Button was highly critical of Michael Schumacher, in terms of both the way he passed the McLaren driver after his pit stop and how he subsequently defended his position.
Fact is, while Schumacher has history, he also has seven titles, six more than Jenson and not always in the best car. The original move on the McLaren driver was opportunistic and brave, the subsequent defence fully legal and the work of a man who knows every trick in the book. Button made a pig’s ear of re-taking the position from the German, constantly giving advance warning of when he would pass and where.
While much is being made of the updates to the Mercedes it is clear that there is still much to be done, just ask Nico Rosberg. However, today’s result, certainly for Schumacher, is a sign that progress is being made. However, much more work is needed.
Another strong performance from Adrian Sutil who made one of the very best starts today. Had it not been for the surprisingly poor qualifying performance the German might well have finished even higher up the rankings.
Robert Kubica also gave another solid performance however, full praise must be given to Rubens Barrichello whose ninth place unfairly flatters his car.
Jaime Alguersuari takes a fine tenth place though his performance was overshadowed by a number of somewhat reckless moves, particularly that on Karun Chandhok, for which he was rightly punished.
One might say that Sauber has made progress this weekend, however, we’re not sure if Pedro de la Rosa would agree, while Virgin finally gets both its cars through to the finish, albeit over three laps down on the winner.
As we head to Monaco, where some drivers are in for a rude awakening after the generous run offs found at previous rounds, let’s savour a bravura performance from the boys from Queanbeyan.