10/07/2011
NEWS STORY
We only need to look at the recent redesign of our website to appreciate that many people do not like change. Perhaps that explains why we at Pitpass still can't get used to the new look Silverstone.
We're not sure why, but the Buckinghamshire track seems to have lost some of its unique charm, in many ways becoming just another one of those shiny new circuits, though one is positive that the public toilets are as dire and slippery as ever.
While the Maggots complex is as challenging as ever, other parts seem emasculated, the track appears to have lost its flow.
Nonetheless, since the first World Championship Formula One Grand Prix here in 1950 the circuit has produced some memorable moments and it is hoped that today it will serve up another.
Looking at the front row - a Red Bull lock-out - one would be forgiven for thinking that this could be another one of those long afternoons where we watch the Austrian outfit disappear into the distance. However, the presence of an all Ferrari second row, not to mention chargers like Kobayashi, Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton starting further back should assure us of some fun and games. And then there's the weather.
While the temperatures are up on Saturday, and it has been fairly bright all morning, an hour before the race is due to begin the first dark clouds appear in the distance. There are a few spots of rain - not enough to dampen the track or the enthusiasm of the many thousands of fans that line the circuit - but enough to remind us that this is Britain where we can sometimes experience all four season in one day.
Ignoring the weather - never easy in a country where it appears to be the starting point for almost every conversation - the Red Bulls do look to be favourites today, showing no ill effects of the ongoing row over blown diffusers.
While Ferrari continues to insist that it has turned a corner, we feel that there is still a long way to go, though the Maranello outfit can at least take comfort from the fact that Mercedes is in a similar situation. Then again, the Italian team could use the ban on off-throttle exhaust blowing - behind which it has reportedly been a prime mover - to its advantage.
Other than the battles between the usual suspects, today it will be worth watching Paul di Resta, the Scot, on his home F1 debut, rising to the occasion magnificently. Already, he is being inked with a number of teams and while the mainstream media busies itself with the likes of Hamilton and Webber it is the motorhomes that the West Lothian youngster visits that should really be of interest.
While Kobayashi continues to be one of the true finds of recent times, full credit also to Maldonado who is finally making an impact - though not in the Monaco sense.
We are told that no matter the weather there is the possibility of mayhem on the first lap, particularly into Village (Turn 3), and, other than the leaders, any midfield pack which includes Schumacher, Perez, Petrov, Barrichello and Heidfeld is sure to be worth watching, while the Toro Rosso duo will be keen to make up for its qualifying nightmare. Then, a little further back, keep an eye on F1 debutant Daniel Ricciardo who has really stepped up to the plate this weekend.
Being Round 9, we are essentially at the halfway stage in the season, indeed, a number of teams and drivers have already declared that if the gap to Red Bull (and Vettel) isn't closed today the season is virtually over. Ironically, it was here last year that Fernando Alonso declared that he would win the title, a claim that raised eyebrows both within and without the paddock. However, a resurrection of Hollywood proportions saw the Spaniard go into the final race at Abu Dhabi as red hot favourite. Can Alonso, Ferrari, anyone pull off a similar miracle this year?
As the drivers make their way to the grid, a few more drops of rain begin to fall. Unsurprisingly, most drivers are on inters.
Asked on the grid if he'll start on slicks Button reveals that conditions vary depending where you are on the circuit. "Some of it needs full wets," he says, "other parts you'll get away with slicks". The rain has stopped but there are some ominous clouds in the distance. Paul di Resta confirms Button's verdict on the state of the track.
Replay shows Perez (inters) hitting a damp patch on his out lap and heading off across the grass into an advertising hoarding. Having damaged his nose he returns to the pits for a new one.
As the field prepares to head off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 22 degrees. No rain on any part of the circuit for the last ten minutes but it remains damp on the far side of the track.
The leading ten drivers are on inters. On the back end of the circuit the spray from the damp track is clearly visible.
They're away, with Vettel getting the jump on Webber and Alonso all over the Australian. Strong starts from Button and Schumacher also, no clashes. It's hard to believe the difference in conditions from one side of the circuit to the other. Hamilton passes di Resta going into Stowe, the Force India driver left for dead.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Vettel, Webber, Alonso, Button, Massa, Hamilton, di Resta, Kobayashi, Schumacher and Maldonado.
Button is struggling, passed by Massa he is subsequently overtaken by Hamilton also. The 2008 world champion immediately pulls away.
At the end of lap 2, Vettel has a 2.3s lead as Hamilton closes in on fourth placed Massa. Kovalainen pits but not sure why. Indeed, the Finn's race is over having suffered a gearbox problem.
"You're doing a fantastic job," Hamilton is told, "next target is Massa." As he pursues the Brazilian who is just a second up the road he runs wide in Turn 6 losing precious ground.
As they begin lap 5, Schumacher is told that he'll be switching to dry tyres in 3 - 4 laps. He argues that the track is not yet dry enough. Elsewhere, Rosberg, who had a nightmare start and has dropped to twelfth, is being reeled in by Perez, at one stage the two are side by side.
On lap 6, race control gives the all clear for DRS enabling. Buemi and Petrov having a great scrap for fifteenth. The Swiss finally nails the Russian with Alguersuari also sweeping by as if to rub salt into the wound.
Since his earlier mistake, Hamilton has failed to recover the gap to Massa, the McLaren driver now 2.5s shy of the second Ferrari.
As Rosberg and Perez continue to battle for eleventh place, Hamilton goes quickest in S1. Although 2.1s behind Massa he is 5.9s clear of his McLaren teammate.
Button is struggling and could be the first to switch tyres, however, as if to warn him Kobayashi spins on a damp patch.
As Vettel posts a new fastest lap (51.510) on lap 9, Alonso closes to within 0.7s of Webber. Schumacher pits from ninth the German having damages his nose. Hamilton has closed right in on Massa, running on the Ferrari's rear wing.
Replay shows that Schumacher clouted Kobayashi which accounts for the Sauber driver's 'spin' and the German's new nose.
As Webber posts a new fastest lap (49.988), Heidfeld pits. The stewards are investigating the Kobayashi/Schumacher incident. Now on slicks, Schumacher goes quickest in S1. He's 1.1s quicker than the front runners.
At the end of lap 11, Button, Sutil, Kobayashi, Maldonado, Buemi, Petrov and Barrichello all pit. Back on track Massa has absolutely no grip left in his tyres. Replay shows the Ferrari being passed by Hamilton who subsequently outbrakes himself and runs wide.
Next time around Webber, Alonso, Hamilton and di Resta all pit, as do Rosberg and Perez. Massa couldn't pit because his teammate was already being serviced. Replay shows Kobayashi and Maldonado almost colliding during their pit stops. The Sauber was released into the path of the Williams and moved towards the Force India pit to avoid him, running over a wheel gun air-line in the process.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 13, as does Massa, the German rejoins still leading, as Button posts a new fastest lap (46.073).
Button is all over Massa but the Ferrari driver isn't making things easy. He tries around the outside of the Brazilian going into Stowe but the Brazilian holds his line. However, the McLaren drivers nails the Ferrari going into Club.
Schumacher gets a stop and go for the clash with Kobayashi, as Hamilton nails Alonso on the old pit straight to take third, much to the crowd's delight. A brave move from the Englishman.
At the end of lap 15, Webber is just 1.2s behind Vettel with Hamilton 6.1s down the road. Alonso, just 0.8s behind the McLaren, has a 4s advantage over Button.
Having spotted Webber in his mirrors, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (41.672) but this is soon beaten by Button (41.475). Schumacher serves his drive through, rejoining the race in seventeenth - his finishing position in Valencia.
So, after 18 laps, it's: Vettel, Webber, Hamilton, Alonso, Button, Massa, di Resta, Sutil, Rosberg and Perez.
"Your pace on the last was fantastic," Hamilton is told, "you were 1.4s quicker than Webber on the last lap". The McLaren driver is currently 4.4s down on the Red Bull.
Vettel posts a 40.102 extending his lead to 3.2s. Elsewhere, eleventh placed Kobayashi heads a train of four cars, Heidfeld, Alguersuari, Maldonado and Buemi. In one move, the Sauber driver is passed by the German and Spaniard. Moments later, Maldonado goes around the outside of the Japanese in Vale but immediately re-takes the position. Fantastic stuff from both former GP2 stars.
To add to his misery, Kobayashi is hit with a stop and go for the pitlane incident. He serves the penalty almost immediately rejoining in eighteenth.
On lap 22, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (38.761) as Schumacher nails Petrov to take fifteenth. The German immediately sets off after Maldonado.
"What would you do with the front wing," Webber is asked as Hamilton and Alonso close in. The McLaren driver is unable to hold off the Ferrari, Alonso making great us of his DRS.
The Englishman subsequently pits as the Spaniard posts a new fastest lap (38.456). Hamilton rejoins in sixth. Di Resta and Maldonado also stop.
It's all over for Kobayashi, plumes of blue smoke rising from the back of the Sauber.
In free air, Alonso posts another fastest lap (38.450) as Sutil and Buemi pit. Disaster for di Resta as he learns that the team was waiting on his teammate's and therefore had his tyres available. Sure enough, moments later Sutil pits.
Buemi heads back to the pits on three tyres, his left-rear delaminated after contact with di Resta.
At the end of lap 27, Vettel and Alonso both pit, however, there's a problem with the left-rear wheel gun for the German, allowing the Ferrari to take the lead and Hamilton second. A disaster for the world champion and Red Bull.
Therefore, after 28 laps, Alonso leads Hamilton by 0.8s, with Vettel 1.9s behind, just 1.4s clear of Webber. Button is fifth 4.8s down the road.
As Alonso pulls away, Vettel is told to be patient, advised that the Spaniard is being hard on his tyres. In response, the Ferrari driver posts a new fastest lap (35.551). Elsewhere, Rosberg, now up to seventh, pits, as do Heidfeld and Ricciardo.
Those who claim that Vettel can only win from the point now have the prospect of being proved right or wrong as the German closes to within 0.5s of Hamilton, with Webber in hot pursuit. Alguersuari, Schumacher, Barrichello and Glock all pit.
With Alonso now enjoying a 6.8s advantage, Hamilton needs to overhaul Hamilton if he is to have a serious chance of taking his seventh win of the season. He makes a move going into Copse on lap 33 but the McLaren driver is having none of it.
As Webber runs wide at the start of the Hangar Straight, losing a second in the process, Schumacher goes quickest in S1. The German is currently twelfth, 1.1s down on Heidfeld.
Hamilton continues to frustrate the Red Bulls as Alonso extends his lead to 9.4s. The Ferrari driver leads the British Grand Prix almost sixty year to the day after Froilan Gonzalez scored the Scuderia's first world championship win, coincidentally at this very circuit.
Vettel and Hamilton up close and very personal on the old pit straight, but still the Red Bull is unable to make anything stick. Unsurprisingly, the German pits next time around (lap 36), as does Maldonado, rejoining in sixth.
At the end of lap 37 Hamilton pits, the Englishman rejoining behind his German rival much to the frustration of the partisan crowd.
As Webber pits, Massa is the man who can frustrate Vettel and Hamilton, whilst assisting his Ferrari teammate.
As Webber rejoins in sixth, Vettel posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 35.565. The German makes short work of Massa as Alonso pits from first place and Button second. The Ferrari rejoins still leading while the McLaren pulls off track at the exit to the pitlane his right-front wheel having not been secured. Button's response to this disaster is remarkably calm.
Replay shows Hamilton passing Massa to take third with Webber also sizing up the Ferrari. The Brazilian subsequently pits.
So, after 41 laps, it's: Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, Webber, Massa, Rosberg, Perez, Heidfeld, Schumacher and Alguersuari.
"Current level of fuel saving is not enough," Hamilton is told, he's going to have to save fuel. The worst possible news a driver could be given. The Englishman, now 3s down on Vettel, is just 2.6s clear of Webber who is advised of the McLaren driver's predicament. Alonso leads by 14.3s lapping 0.4s quicker than Vettel.
"Hamilton going slowly now," Webber is told, "but he could be bluffing in order to get you to wear your tyres."
"Don't make it easy for him," Hamilton is told, "but we do have to get to the end of the race."
With 6 laps remaining, Webber closes right in, using his DRS on the Wellington Straight to nail the McLaren. Hamilton attempts to fight back but he has nothing left in his armoury.
With 5 laps remaining, it's: Alonso, Vettel, Webber, Hamilton, Massa, Rosberg, Perez, Heidfeld, Schumacher and Alguersuari.
Massa, 11.4 behind Hamilton, is told that Hamilton has been advised that he cannot finish the race. A little bit of misinformation from the Ferrari pit-wall in order to spur on its driver.
"Has the guy behind me got better tyres," asks Rosberg as Perez closes in. Meanwhile his Mercedes teammate is all over Heidfeld.
Spurred, which was the intention, Massa closes to within 7.3s of Hamilton who asks for more information from his team. The Brazilian is taking 2.5s a lap from the McLaren driver. Meanwhile, Webber is just 2s behind Vettel.
Massa takes another 3s from Hamilton, closing to within 4.3s of the McLaren. Meanwhile Vettel has just a 1s advantage over his Red Bull teammate. The German has to go off line in order to cool his tyres.
Webber is all over Vettel but the German holds station. A the two battle for position memories of Turkey 2010 spring to mind.
The TV director doesn't know whether to watch the Red Bull battle or Massa's scrap with Hamilton. As Webber is told to "hold station", Massa and Hamilton touch, the Brazilian making a final corner lunge which sees him run wide on to the tarmac run off, the McLaren holding station. Fantastic stuff, but will the stewards agree?
"Well done guys," Hamilton tell his crew, "enthusiasm, courage, let's keep it up."
Not the epic we witnessed in Canada, but a pretty fantastic race all the same, as Ferrari pulls off a win that surely few would have expected. Then again, there are sure to be claims that the off-throttle exhaust ban has benefited the Maranello team, if only for this race.
Other than the battle up front, there were great scraps throughout the field, a legendary circuit, albeit in a new guise, once again delivering some first class entertainment.
While Vettel will be happy to have taken second, the "hold station" directive will surely add to Webber's frustration and media speculation.
A great result for Hamilton, especially under the circumstances, and considering yesterday's result, but one wonders if the stewards might still have some input considering that last lap clash with Massa.
Talking of the Brazilian, a nice result and a few more points in the bag, while Rosberg, Perez, Heidfeld, Schumacher and Alguersuari also did well.
Bitter disappointment for di Resta who can at least draw some comfort from his magnificent performance yesterday while Daniel Ricciardo did a superb job just to finish his maiden Grand Prix, especially given the equipment at his disposal.
Kudos to Jenson Button also for his diplomatic reaction following his retirement.
So, as we look forward to the double-header which precedes the summer break, we have a new (for 2011) winner, even though that man Vettel continues to add to his tally.
All in all, like race winner Fernando said after taking the flag, a fantastic day.
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