11/09/2011
NEWS STORY
Lewis Hamilton believes that he and his teammate, Jenson Button, have a good chance of scoring their team's first 1-2 of the season today.
Now, while one might be tempted to say, 'I'll have some of whatever he's on', the fact is that barring that mistake in Ascari on his final run in Q3 yesterday, the 2008 world champion would have been a lot closer to pole-man Vettel.
And while the pole-sitter, certainly in recent history, has a habit of winning here, and Vettel is clearly on very good form this weekend, would anyone risk serious money on Hamilton being wrong?
With virtually no chance of raining, barring a major tangle on the first lap necessitating the presence of the Safety Car, in round about seventy-six minutes all will be revealed.
Nobody gave Red Bull much hope this weekend, even the Austrian outfit downplayed its chances on a track where it has rarely managed to shine. However, from the second session onwards, it was pretty much business as usual, Vettel, in particular, looking to have everything under control.
Teammate Mark Webber did himself no favours when he chose to go his own way in terms of strategy in Q3, and his run of poor starts of late will be costly if continued today. Indeed, with the McLarens up ahead, Ferraris either side and the Renaults and Mercedes right behind, the Australian will have his hands full in the opening moments, right about the time his teammate sails off into the distance.
Hamilton has looked good all weekend, all that remains is for the Englishman to stay out of trouble, keep his car on the black stuff and drive with his head as opposed to his heart. Teammate Button, providing his car doesn't let him down and providing he doesn't suffer another bout of bad luck, should be right up there at the finish.
It is highly unlikely that Fernando Alonso will repeat his 2010 achievement, indeed it will be a surprise to see the Spaniard, or his teammate, on the podium. That said, the partisan crowd does give Ferrari drivers a real boost here so who knows what might happen.
Vitaly Petrov will be keen to continue where he left off at Spa, while (new) teammate Bruno Senna will be equally eager to score his first ever F1 points, especially in light of the debacle at La Source two weeks ago. As we have said before, much could be decided on the very first lap, at the first or second chicane.
On the back of his excellent performance at Spa - his living room - Michael Schumacher has been looking good all weekend here at what some might consider to be his cucina. A five-time winner here, the German would dearly love another high-points finish, and would it be too much to ask of Lady Luck to see him on the lowest step of the podium later this afternoon. Teammate Nico Rosberg has had problems for much of the weekend, however, we expect him to add to his tally.
It is behind them that things get really interesting, the Force India duo starting ahead of the Williams duo followed by the Toro Rossos and Saubers.
Having shown promise on Friday, the Swiss team has been alarmingly off the pace ever since, even team boss Peter Sauber now extremely concerned that Force India has taken 18 points from it in the last three races.
With the second best reliability thus far this season, the Force India duo must be confident of scoring more points today, thereby leap-frogging Sauber to take sixth in the championship.
While Toro Rosso has struggled here all weekend, one has to wonder what magic Williams has weaved in order to have Rubens Barrichello and Pastor Maldonado starting ahead of the Italian team and Sauber. Whether the Grove outfit can add a few more points to its tally and at least try to close the gap to its Italian rivals remains to be seen.
Tony Fernandes, clearly stung by Eddie Jordan's comments yesterday has warned that heads will be on the block next season if there isn't a marked improvement, citing qualifying positions of 14th/15th as the target. On the day that Jarno Trulli committed to another season with the Malaysian outfit now is as good a time as any to begin that long climb up the grid. Could the green cars benefit from some first lap mayhem?
Despite the emasculation, despite the constant tinkering with the rules, Monza remains one of those very special tracks that touches all those who visit it. Though its true glory days are long gone, it still has the ability to surprise, while passion, history and drama ooze from every pore. As we head to some of the more sterile venues on the calendar, take the time to soak in one of the tracks that first enticed many to this sport… not least our esteemed editor.
Tyre choices today are medium (prime) and option (soft). The softer rubber, though not significantly quicker than the prime is good for a couple of hot laps. While the leading eight will start on softs, Rosberg will start on medium while Senna, who is free to choose, opts for mediums also.
Also, note that there are two distinctly separate DRS zones, one coming out of the second Lesmo on the run to Ascari, while the other is on the main straight.
As the cars assemble on the grid, it is noticeable that the rear wings on the McLarens have been slightly modified - the Woking team having made much of the fact that it was different (more pronounced and therefore more downforce) up until now.
Also much is being made of the fact that Red Bull has opted for short gearing on Vettel's car, thereby giving him better acceleration but reducing the top flat-out speed of the car. Which, though it didn't appear to cause him any problems in qualifying could leave him wide open to attack in the DRS zones.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 41 degrees C. It is bright and hot.
As they arrive on the grid the drivers work their wheels furiously, trying to generate more heat into their tyres.
They're away, brilliant start from Alonso as Vettel moves over on Hamilton, the three side by side. At the first chicane there's a clash involving a number of cars including Ricciardo, Barrichello, Liuzzi, Rosberg, Petrov. As the leaders head into the second chicane the Safety Car is deployed.
An amazing start from Alonso, the Spaniard being forced onto the grass as Vettel moved in on Hamilton.
Behind the Safety Car, it's: Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, Schumacher, Massa, Button, Webber, di Resta, Maldonado and d'Ambrosio. Kobayashi and Barrichello pit.
The replay shows Liuzzi went on to the grass and lost control and subsequently spinning into the pack at the first chicane.
At the end of lap 2, Senna pits, as Alonso continues to lead the field behind the Safety Car.
At the end of lap 3 the Safety Car pulls off, as the field heads into the Parabolica Vettel couldn't be closer to Alonso. Hamilton, who seems to have fallen asleep, is passed by Schumacher who doesn't wait for a formal invite.
At the end of lap 4, Vettel gets a good tow from Alonso but is unable to make it stick. However, there's no mistake at the second chicane, the German making a bold, bold move on the Spaniard who won't give him an inch. Further back Webber has clouted Massa at the first chicane. The Ferrari spins as the Red Bull loses its front wing. A short while after, with no front grip, the Australian heads off track into the barriers at the Parabolica.
Out front, Alonso, Schumacher and Hamilton are involved in the mother of all battles for second. Fantastic stuff. Hamilton makes full use of his DRS but the Mercedes has great straight line speed.
A great fight back from Massa after his spin, the Brazilian now fighting di Resta for eighth.
After 7 laps, Vettel has a 3.5s advantage, while Alonso has 1.2s over the Schumacher/Hamilton battle. Button, 2.1s behind his McLaren teammate, has 5.8s over Maldonado.
Schumacher continues to frustrate Hamilton, the McLaren driver uses his DRS but the German responds with his KERS.
Vettel posts a string of fast laps the latest being a 25.456, as Hamilton continues to harry Schumacher and Massa passes Maldonado for sixth. A great fight back from the Ferrari driver.
Schumacher uses every trick in the book to frustrate Hamilton, the wily old fox versus the young pretender. Elsewhere, Sutil pulls off to the side of the track, the eighth retirement of the afternoon.
After 11 laps, Vettel leads by 6.8s as all eyes focus on the titanic scrap for third. Button is fifth, ahead of Massa, Maldonado, Perez, di Resta and Alguersuari. Lots of points for the smaller teams on offer this afternoon.
At the start of lap 13, Hamilton draws alongside the Mercedes on the main straight and nails Schumacher into the first chicane. However, the seven-time champ is having none of it and quickly re-takes the position on the run up to the second chicane. Button closes in as McLaren become frustrated.
Rob Smedley informs Massa that Schumacher is holding up the two McLarens. Elsewhere, di Resta pits.
Hamilton draws alongside Schumacher again at the start of lap 15 but the German digs deep and brakes later. Inside his helmet Schumacher will be grinning from ear to ear.
Watching the two McLarens line up the Mercedes on the main straight on lap 16 it's like watching two kittens with a mouse. The German moves across and Hamilton is forced onto the grass losing position to Button. "I have no grip," the Mercedes driver tells his crew. Moments later Button make his move and passes his McLaren teammate.
Passed by Button, Schumacher immediately pits, rejoining in seventh. Next time around it is Button who stops, rejoining in fifth.
At the end of lap 18, as Vettel extends his lead to 10.9s, Hamilton pits, rejoining in sixth… right behind Schumacher. Kobayashi also pits.
Another great battle shaping up between Maldonado, Perez and Alguersuari for seventh.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 19, the Spaniard rejoining in third. Maldonado and Senna also pit.
Vettel finally pits at the end of lap 20, as battle is rejoined between Schumacher and Hamilton. The German, in his attempt to hold off the McLaren, moves from one side of the track to the other. This could end in tears, if not the stewards office. Indeed, as Hamilton complains that Schumacher is weaving his crew inform him that the FIA is aware.
Kobayashi bounces across the kerbs at the first chicane as Massa pits, the Japanese driver losing out to Senna. Elsewhere, Button posts a new fastest lap (28.194).
After 22 laps, all but Perez have pitted, the order being: Vettel, Alonso, Button, Schumacher, Hamilton, Perez, Massa, di Resta, Alguersuari and Maldonado.
As Kobayashi pulls off track, Ross Brawn comes on the radio to tell Schumacher to leave room at Ascari. Meanwhile, Button closes to within 1.3s of Alonso.
Despite having nobody to play with, Vettel bangs in a new fastest lap (27.689) as he extends his lead over Alonso to 12.2s. Moments later Button posts 27.689 and Buemi goes around the outside of Maldonado at the first chicane to tenth.
Ross Brawn is back on the radio telling Schumacher to ensure that he leaves room for Hamilton, the Mercedes boss concerned that the Stewards might get involved in the not too distant future.
On lap 28, on the run Ascari, Hamilton passes Schumacher almost with ease, the German, his tyres clearly shot, offers no resistance. As Hamilton sets off after his McLaren teammate - 7.9s up the road - Schumacher sets about preserving his 12.8s advantage over Massa.
As Button closes in on Alonso and Senna passes Maldonado for eleventh, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (27.233).
Despite having eased off earlier, Schumacher goes quickest in S1, the German maintaining a 13s cushion over sixth placed Massa. Di Resta pits from tenth, thereby promoting Senna back into the points.
Barrichello makes a very later decision to pit, thereby getting in the way of Button, the Brazilian continuing to hamper the McLaren driver as the head down the pitlane. This is good news for Alonso who now has a 10s advantage over Hamilton.
At the end of the next lap (34) Alonso and Hamilton both pit promoting Schumacher to second. They rejoin in third (Alonso) and sixth (Hamilton).
Vettel makes his second stop at the end of lap 35, the Red Bull driver rejoining still leading and well clear of Schumacher who has yet to stop.
Button passes Alonso with apparent ease in the Curva Grande to take third. The Spaniard tried to fight back approaching the second chicane but there is nothing in reserve. Elsewhere, Kovalainen pits from twelfth.
At the end of lap 37, Schumacher makes his second stop of the afternoon, rejoining in sixth right behind Hamilton. The Englishman out-brakes himself going into the first chicane but holds on to fifth position.
After 40 laps, and with Massa still to stop, it's: Vettel, Button, Alonso, Massa, Hamilton, Schumacher, Alguersuari, Buemi, Senna and di Resta. Hamilton posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 26.941.
Buemi and Senna both pits at the end of lap 41, promoting di Resta and Maldonado into the points.
Massa finally pits at the end of lap 42, the Ferrari driver rejoining in sixth. Alguersuari also stops. Still lots to play for in terms of points, as far as seventh to tenth is concerned. Then again, Kovalainen and Trulli are thirteenth and fourteenth.
Mindful that points make prizes - and secure seats - Senna is involved in great scrap with Buemi for ninth. The Brazilian, who is on softs, unable to really use them to their best against the Swiss who is on the harder rubber.
"Eight laps to go, forget about Buemi, you can have di Resta as well," Senna is told, the Scot a further 4.3s up the road.
Hamilton closes to within 5.1s of Alonso who remains 3.3s shy of Button, the Englishman unable to do anything about Vettel's 15s lead.
On lap 48, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (26.655) but with 5 laps remaining the gap to Alonso remains almost static.
Di Resta is warned that Senna has passed Buemi and is on the softer rubber. However, the Scot has a 5.7s advantage.
Hamilton appears totally caught out when Buemi slows at the first chicane to allow him through, the McLaren driver lucky not to clout the back of the Toro Rosso.
With 2 laps remaining, Hamilton is 2.1s down on Alonso as Button goes quickest in S1. The 2009 champion posts a new fastest lap (26.207) but this is soon beaten by his teammate (26.187).
As Hamilton closes to within 1s of Alonso, Senna is only 1.9s down on di Resta.
Conjuring up memories of those great slipstreaming battles of the sixties and seventies, Hamilton closes in on Alonso on the approach to Parabolica but it's just not on.
Vettel takes the flag, with Button taking a very strong second and Alonso making a surprise trip to the podium.
Hamilton takes fourth, ahead of Schumacher, Massa, Alguersuari, di Resta, Senna and Buemi.
Maldonado finishes eleventh, ahead of Barrichello, Kovalainen, Trulli, Glock and Ricciardo.
Though we didn't expect that much today, certainly in the absence of the rain gods, we were served up a real thriller with battles throughout the field for much of the 53 laps.
Vettel extends his lead to 112 points, taking another giant step towards that second title, while his team enjoys a 126 point advantage over McLaren.
A number of excellent performances today, also a number of mature performances. Be it Vettel's pass on Alonso for the lead or various Schumacher/Hamilton battle(s) there was so much to applaud today.
Force India leapfrogs Sauber in the Constructors' Championship while Toro Rosso closes in on the Swiss outfit.
Furthermore, considering the role that history play here, interesting to note that the Senna name scores F1 points for the first time since Australia 1993.
Vettel virtually has the 2011 title in his cabinet, but, as we saw today, that doesn't mean we can't have some great racing.
Check out our Italian GP gallery, here.