17/04/2011
NEWS STORY
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Let's take it as read that with a 0.7s advantage over his nearest rival, barring the mother of all upsets, Sebastian Vettel already has his name on today's trophy and the twenty-five points in the bag.
This leaves us free to dismiss the German and concentrate what should be an entertaining battle behind him.
Both McLarens look good however, Hamilton is still having difficulty getting used to tyre management of the Pirellis and also allowing his frustration to get the better of him too often already. Therefore, we suggest Button will ultimately have the edge today, a situation eased by the fact that his teammate has used (and wasted) one full set of softs.
Mercedes has clearly improved this weekend and only a recurring problem with his rear wing - not helped by the red flag period at the end of Q2 - prevented Schumacher from making it through to Q3. Rosberg's performance in Q3 was sensational and even Ferrari admits that the German team has made progress. After the nightmare of Melbourne, when neither of the silver cars finished, it's entirely possible that there will be another double points finish today, possibly with Nico repeating his podium result from last year.
We know from the previous two rounds that Ferrari has far better race pace than qualifying. Therefore, we could see one of the red cars take a podium, otherwise, like Mercedes, the Maranello team will be happy to settle for a double points finish ahead of the three week break which will see some furious activity back at HQ.
Both Force Indias have looked good this weekend as di Resta continues to make his mark on the team. We are not expecting the sort of drama we witnessed in Spa/Monza in 2009 but we do believe both drivers look good for points today, with Sutil almost odds-on to continue his impressive rookie run.
The Toro Rosso duo did well in qualifying, no doubt spurred on by the looming presence of Daniel Ricciardo. Like Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Force India and Renault, the Italian has a 100% finishing record thus far this season, all it has to do now is keep out of trouble and try to benefit from others mistakes.
Qualifying was disaster for Renault, both in terms of strategy and the technical failure on Petrov's car. However, while we don't expect to see the black and gold team to take its third successive podium we do expect to see it up there battling for points. Indeed, if Heidfeld and Petrov can repeat their Sepang starts anything is possible, especially given the obvious pace of the R31.
Sauber also had an unusually disappointing qualifying however, we also expect the Swiss team to be far more competitive today. As in the first two races we expect tyre management to be essential to the team's performance, with both drivers proving themselves to be very adept at this. Also, considering some of the surprises in qualifying - such as Webber failing to make it to Q3 - expect to see more drama from Kobayashi - bet the Australian, Schumacher and the Renaults can't wait.
It's a major weekend for Williams. The Grove outfit might as well forget all bout points and instead concentrate on bringing both - or at least one - of its cars home. From four starts Williams has yet to complete a race, the worst start ever for the British team.
Lotus continues to be the best of the rest, though the Malaysian outfit is still some way off the pace of the main pack, far less the leaders. Little by little the Norfolk based team is improving but there's still a long way to go.
While Hispania has also shown a stark improvement, Liuzzi suggesting that the team no longer has to worry about the 107% rule, Virgin, at times, appears to be moving backwards. Today, merely getting both cars to the chequered flag will be an achievement.
At the start, we suggested that we forget about Vettel, for such is the German's pace and new found maturity (noticed that?) that he seems untouchable. Teammate Webber however, is hurting, and the Australian needs a good performance today if he is to rediscover his self-confidence. The Australian was hampered by electrical issues all day yesterday - read KERS - as the Austrian team struggled to get used to the system. Speaking on the grid, when asked if he will be using KERS today, he replies; "we're going to try".
With the weather looking settled, other than a major coming together on the first lap, tyre wear once again seems to be the key to today's race.
While the soft (option) rubber is around a second faster than the hard (prime), drop off continues to be a concern, Hamilton complaining that his softs were going off after just one lap on Friday.
At one stage Pirelli claimed that most drivers might be able to get away with just one stop today however, we don't expect this to be the case. While we don't expect the frenzied activity witnessed in Sepang, when there were 59 pit stops for tyres, we do expect most drivers to make at least two stops.
To add a little more spice, various teams' strategy, combined with the red flag period at the end of Q2, means that some drivers have an unused set of softs at their disposal.
To add to the fun, following yesterday's unseasonably cool temperatures - the air temperature 10 degrees down on Friday - it is altogether warmer today. Consequently, much of the data gathered on Saturday, particularly with regards tyres, can go out the window.
Twenty minutes before the start, and just five minutes before the pitlane closes, the McLaren team is working on Hamilton's car in his garage. The Englishman waits patiently in his cockpit as the crew works on what appears to be an engine problem - the removal of the airbox not being a good sign at such a late stage.
The McLaren crew are working franticly to get Hamilton out on track, the problem now found to be down to fuel feed. With 0.41 on the clock the Englishman's car is lowered to the ground and he leaves the garage. Great work under intense pressure from the Woking team.
Once on the grid, the team continues to work on car. Hamilton walks back to the garage. 9:58 on the clock. Jonathan Neale explains that the problem was down to the engine being flooded.
As the field prepares to head off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 22 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees.
While there are plenty of empty stands - most of them cunningly disguised as advertising hoardings - the main stand is surprisingly full. Also lots of fans sitting on the grass in the public areas.
As the field heads off on the parade lap, the leading ten are on soft tyres. Webber - in eighteenth - is, surprisingly, on hards. Ahead of him, Schumacher, Barrichello, Maldonado and Kovalainen are all starting on softs he is told.
They're away, Button making a fantastic start and Vettel unable to hold off Hamilton. Behind Vettel, it's Rosberg who pushes his countryman all the way. However, both Ferraris are all over the Mercedes. No incidents worth talking about.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Button by 1.3s from Hamilton, Vettel, Rosberg, Massa, Alonso, di Resta, Sutil, Alguersuari and Schumacher. Webber is up to seventeenth and Liuzzi ahead of both Virgins.
"Let's put some gap between us and the field before DRS kicks in," Button is told, "then we can settle down." Elsewhere, Schumacher passes Alguersuari for ninth.
On lap 2 Hamilton posts a new fastest lap, however, Vettel is just 0.7s behind now 1.1s clear of Rosberg.
Kobayashi in a typically banzai move on Alguersuari, as the Japanese driver now sets off after Schumacher.
Vettel goes quickest on lap 3 (44.636) as Glock and D'Ambrosio get past Liuzzi.
Button responds on lap 4 with a new fastest lap (44.013) as the stewards announce that they are investigating Liuzzi for a jump start. So now we know how he passed the Virgins.
The Force Indias are running nose-to-tail in seventh and eighth, Sutil having made a particularly good start.
Another fastest lap from Button (43.955) as Kobayashi is all over Schumacher. Di Resta complains of problems with the rear of his car. A clear 4s gap now between sixth placed Alonso and the Scot.
Alguersuari continues to fall backwards, Petrov passing the Toro Rosso to take eleventh. Webber now running in fifteenth 0.6s behind Heidfeld.
On lap 7, Hamilton goes quickest (43.928), the McLaren driver 1.2s down on his teammate. Liuzzi is handed a drive-through.
Heidfeld has the best seat in the house as the Toro Rosso duo battle for twelfth. These two now 3.6s down on Petrov and causing a train to build up behind. Perez makes a great move on Barrichello to take sixteenth. Amazingly, the Mexican subsequently makes short work of Webber who is then attacked by Barrichello.
At the end of lap 9, Alguersuari is the first driver to pit. The Spaniard clearly on a three-stop strategy. Liuzzi serves his drive through.
The right-rear wheel falls from Alguersuari's car, the Spaniard heading back to the pits in true Gilles Villeneuve style.
Next time around Schumacher and Webber both pit, as does Maldonado. The German rejoins in sixteenth and Webber twentieth, the Australian almost suffering the indignity of being passed by Karthikeyan's Hispania.
Di Resta pits at the end of lap 11, as Hamilton remains 1.1s down on his McLaren teammate. Vettel still third, 0.7s down on Hamilton but 4.2s clear of Rosberg.
Rosberg pits at the end of lap 12, his teammate having passed di Resta during the stops. Buemi also pits.
On lap 12, Webber posts a new fastest lap (43.468), as he hunts down Trulli who is 12s ahead. The top three are covered by just 0.9s.
As Rosberg passes Heidfeld for ninth, teammate Schumacher posts a new fastest lap (43.327). Moments later however, Webber posts 43.313.
Vettel passes Hamilton to take second then follows Button into the pitlane. As Kobayashi also pits, Button slows and almost stops at the Red Bull slot. As they rejoin, Vettel is ahead of him.
At the end of lap 15, Hamilton, Massa and Sutil all pit, the Englishman having been passed by the Ferrari driver just before the stop as they both tried to pass Heidfeld.
So - deep breath - Alonso leads but then stops next time around (lap 16), handing the lead to Rosberg who heads Petrov, Vettel, Button, Massa, Hamilton, Heidfeld, Schumacher and Perez.
Petrov pits at the end of lap 17, as Schumacher, under pressure from Alonso, makes a text book move on Heidfeld to take sixth.
After 18 laps, Rosberg leads Vettel by 5.5s. Button is third, 1.1s down on the Red Bull and just 0.7s ahead of Massa. Hamilton is fifth, 0.5s down on the Ferrari, ahead of Schumacher, Alonso, di Resta, Sutil, and Kobayashi - Heidfeld having pitted.
Alonso applies the pressure on Schumacher, Mercedes strategy guys having done a great job thus far. Webber is now running in eleventh, albeit 25.4s behind the race leader.
As Schumacher and Alonso continue to battle for sixth, Heidfeld posts a new fastest lap (42.414). Rosberg maintains his 5s lead, much to the obvious delight of the Mercedes crew and Norbert Haug.
Rosberg is advised to lift off early to cool his brakes - there appears to be damage to his left bargeboard. The German's lead to Vettel drops to 4.6s.
After 22 laps, Alguersuari is the only retirement.
Schumacher really looking good today, a reminder of the good old days. If Alonso is going to get past the German he's going to have to do something brave. Elsewhere, Webber is told that there's "no KERS for now".
At the end of lap 24 Button pits for another set of softs. He rejoins in eighth. Karthikeyan also pits. The Englishman immediately goes quickest in S2.
Next time around Rosberg pits as does Hamilton. The German rejoining in fifth while the McLaren driver is eighth. Webber also pits.
Alonso finally nails Schumacher at Turn 14. The German tries to fight back but the Ferrari driver has track position. The Mercedes driver subsequently pits.
So - another deep breath - after 26 laps, Vettel leads Massa with Alonso third. Rosberg is fourth ahead of Button and di Resta.
On lap 27, Rosberg, fourth and 1.9s down on Alonso posts a new fastest lap (41.548) but this is immediately beaten by Webber (41.200).
Rosberg makes a great move on Alonso to take third, the German now 15.8s down on Vettel who has a radio problem.
Button makes short work of Alonso, passing the Spaniard in the Esses, a move which clearly demonstrates the superiority of the MP4-26 chassis. Elsewhere, another fastest lap from Webber (40.849) who is now fourteenth, 4.8s down on Heidfeld.
From out of nowhere, Hamilton, who has passed Alonso, produces a 40.736 as Sutil, Kobayashi and Heidfeld pit.
At the end of lap 31, with Massa closing in rapidly, Vettel pits. He rejoins in sixth after a total pitlane excursion of 21.533s. The German has switched to hard rubber, which must last him until the end of the race.
"You're doing a great job," Lewis is told, "but we still have a way to go on this stint so be careful".
After 32 laps, Massa leads Rosberg by 6.2s with Button a further 2s down the road. Hamilton is fourth ahead of Vettel while Alonso and di Resta pit. Schumacher and Petrov hound seventh placed Petrov.
The German makes short work of the Russian, going around the outside at Turn 6, Webber is unable to follow through, the Australian losing ground on the marbles.
At the end of lap 33, Massa pits, re-joining in fifth. Consequently, Rosberg leads once again.
Webber finally nails Heidfeld, though the overhead shot suggests the Renault driver didn't put up too much of a fight.
It's Rosberg, Button, Hamilton, Vettel, Massa, Schumacher, Webber, Petrov, Alonso and Perez.
Barrichello is eleventh, ahead of di Resta, Kobayashi, Sutil, Heidfeld, Kovalainen, Maldonado, Trulli, Buemi, D'Ambrosio, Glock, Karthikeyan and Liuzzi.
The two McLarens are battling for second, Hamilton making a brave move on his teammate at Turn 1 that appeared to catch Button by surprise. Elsewhere, another fastest lap from Webber (40.717).
Perez makes his second stop on lap 36 as Alonso does what he couldn't do in Abu Dhabi - pass Petrov.
At the end of lap 37, Button pits for hards as Webber tries an audacious move on Schumacher. Button rejoins in fifth ahead of the Schumacher/Webber scrap. Petrov also pits.
Next time around it is Hamilton who pits, the Englishman rejoining (on hards) in fourth ahead of his McLaren teammate. Webber passes Schumacher having sold the German veteran a great dummy.
Race leader Rosberg finally pits at the end of lap 39, the German switching to the hard rubber. The Mercedes driver rejoins in third just ahead of Hamilton who immediately applies the pressure.
Webber pits at the end of lap 40, his teammate now enjoying a 3.6s lead over Massa. Hamilton locks up as he continues to harass Rosberg, the German refusing to give way. However, the Mercedes driver is subsequently told that "fuel is critical".
The battling duo close in on eighteenth place Maldonado, Hamilton taking full advantage and passing the Mercedes to take third. However, we know that the Englishman's tyre wear is marginal, will there be a price to pay later in the day?
Currently running seventh, 4.8s behind Alonso but well clear of Schumacher, Webber posts a new fastest lap (38.993). The Renault duo having a great scrap for twelfth, Heidfeld subsequently being clouted by Perez.
"Best time to attack the guys ahead of you is at the end of the race," Hamilton is told. "Their tyres are old." The Englishman, whose tyres are six lap fresher, responds by passing Massa to take second.
Vettel leads by 4.6s, but with twelve laps remaining he's lapping almost a second slower than the McLaren. Elsewhere, Button has passed Rosberg to take fourth after the German runs too deep into Turn 14. Ironically, the German had just passed Massa for third.
As Hamilton closes to within 3.3s, Vettel posts his best lap of the race (41.373) however, it is still around 0.4s off the McLaren driver's pace. Perez, who is under investigation for the clash with Heidfeld, now makes contact with Sutil, both heading off into the gravel.
"Keep looking after your tyres," Hamilton is told, "Vettel will come back to you". Meanwhile, Perez gets a drive-through for the Heidfeld incident.
With 8 laps remaining, Hamilton closes to within 1.6s of Vettel. Will the Grman move aside and settle for second, or will he fight knowing his rival's reputation for tyre aggression.
The Red Bull crew, still unable to hear what Vettel is saying, tell the German that he must stay out. Massa is all over Button for third with Rosberg right up the tail of the Ferrari. Webber in sixth, is just 6s behind this group.
Hamilton closes right in on Vettel and gets alongside the Red Bull, but the German is having none of it. His tyres are clearly shot to pieces but he refuses to yield. Elsewhere, Massa runs wide and Rosberg takes fourth.
Despite KERS, despite DRS, Hamilton is unable to pass Vettel who makes his car as wide as possible. Meanwhile, Webber passes Massa to take fifth.
Hamilton makes another move, this time making it stick, the McLaren sweeping past the Red Bull on the exit to Turn 6. Celebrations in the McLaren garage.
Webber is now 0.4s down on Rosberg, the Australian giving the performance of his life.
Out front, Hamilton is already 2.8s clear of Vettel, as Webber makes a fantastic move on Rosberg in Turn 1, the Red Bull taking fourth and immediately setting off after Button who is 3.6s up the road.
"Webber is close behind," Button is told, "he is going to attack you, he is on fresher tyres."
On the penultimate lap, Webber makes it stick, the Australian taking Button going into Turn 14. Fantastic stuff. Elsewhere, di Resta is passed by Kobayashi, thereby dropping out of the points. There's further trouble for the Scot when he is clouted and sent wide by Heidfeld.
So, against all odds, Lewis Hamilton takes a fantastic win quite rightly described as "magnificent" by Martin Whitmarsh.
The Englishman is followed over the line by Vettel, Webber, Button, Rosberg, Massa, Alonso, Schumacher, Petrov and Kobayashi.
Di Resta finishes eleventh, ahead of Heidfeld, Barrichello, Buemi, Sutil, Kovalainen, Perez, Maldonado, Trulli, D'Ambrosio, Glock, Liuzzi and Karthikeyan.
In all honesty, words fail us, that was definitely one of the best races we've had for a long time. Yes, there are till claims that the racing is being manipulated, what with KERS, DRS and custom made tyres. However, this should not reflect from the fact that the drivers have to make use of what is made available to them.
We asked for overtaking and excitement and we've got it. Furthermore, there is what we have been calling for for as long as we can remember, uncertainty. Nobody could have really predicted that Lewis Hamilton would beat Sebastian Vettel today, far less that Mark Webber would finish third.
Great performances throughout the field today with only the occasional outbreak of silliness.
We've been all to quick to criticise in he past, therefore it is only right that we give full praise when it is due. A great race, with numerous superb performances, fantastic strategy, brave overtakes and plenty of drama. Absolutely brilliant.
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