09/10/2011
NEWS STORY
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Murray Walker used to consistently tell us (incorrectly) that F1 is If backwards, whilst Pitpass has always warned its readers that F1 is a sport where anything can, and usually does, happen.
Weeks after Monza, we are at another circuit with corners that have legendary names as opposed to numbers, corners that have seen reputations made and destroyed, titles won and lost.
In theory, we are on the verge of witnessing history being made, Sebastian Vettel becoming the youngest ever double-world champion, the latest in a series of records set by the German. And while it would take an upset of mammoth proportions, or the involvement of a major betting syndicate, it could just happen that the Red Bull driver is forced to wait until Korea, maybe even India, before he secures that second crown.
Ignoring the fact that Lewis Hamilton starts from the second row, alongside Felipe Massa, it was entertaining to watch the British media at work following yesterday's Q3 debacle. Some blaming Michael Schumacher for the McLaren driver's failure to complete a final qualifying lap, others Mark Webber. Then the Englishman admitted that while his team did send him out late it was his fault he screwed up. The media, eager to see another twist in the 2008 champ's annus horribilis, will be keenly watching today, and every other driver out there would be advised to be on the lookout for the Stevenage Rocket.
Back to Vettel, and as we know from experience, titles have been won and lost here. Though the German insists he is not under pressure and isn't even thinking about the title, what he must remember is that it is already his, all he can do now is lose it. He doesn't need to win, but knowing him that is exactly what he wants. On the other hand he is up against two very determined and very strong McLaren drivers.
Though Hamilton screwed up in Q3, teammate Button has looked strong all weekend, and while we were surprised not to see one of the Woking duo take pole yesterday it wouldn't be a shock to see one of them claim victory this afternoon. They need this more than Vettel and the German would be well advised to remember this.
Hopefully, there will be no silliness from Felipe Massa indeed, bearing in mind the world's media will be watching events closely the little Brazilian would be well advised to give Hamilton the widest berth possible. Instead, he should concentrate on his own race and aim to take home as many points as possible.
Fernando Alonso is one of several drivers targeting the 2011 runner-up spot, therefore it should be good to watch the Spaniard's progress, particularly compared to Mark Webber who starts just behind. That said, Ferrari has made no secret of the fact that is now switching its focus to its 2012 car.
If Webber wants to finish runner-up to his teammate in the driver standings he's going to need to take every opportunity available which means he can't afford a tardy start this afternoon.
With the FIA having checked out the rules, Kamui Kobayashi starts from seventh this afternoon, ahead of Schumacher and the Renault duo. Despite the support of the partisan crowd the Japanese driver can only hope for a strong points finish today, possibly courtesy of clever tyre strategy.
While some focus on the fight for the drivers' title and runner-up spot, others are focussing on the battle between the teams especially that between Renault and Force India for fifth, not forgetting Sauber and Toro Rosso. Then there's poor old Williams who desperately need to add to their pathetic tally of just 5 points.
Talking of tyres, those four bits of rubber could be the deciding factor in today's race. Performance drop off is fairly high, particularly with the softs, hence the shambles that was Q3 yesterday, with drivers opting not to run in an effort to save tyres for today.
It's probably best to let Paul Hembery explain the situation. "With quite a significant lap time difference between the soft (option) and medium (prime) tyres, the possibilities for interesting strategies are wide open," he admits. "The trade-off for this extra performance of the soft tyre is the fact that the crossover point, where the medium tyre becomes quicker, might come after only five or six laps. So it's going to be interesting to see what the teams all opt for."
Other than the title fight, that for the runner-up spot and the intense battle in the Constructors' Championship - where points mean money - let's not forget that some drivers are racing for their F1 careers today and over the next few races, so there remains plenty to fight for.
Also, keep an eye on Nico Rosberg who starts from the back row after sitting out Q1 due to a technical problem. It's worth noting that Norbert Haug was keen to remind the youngster that in Belgium teammate Schumacher started from last and worked his way up to a fifth place finish. So plenty of incentive there then.
The pitlane opens and closes fifteen minutes later, there are no issues. As the field prepares for the warm-up lap the air temperature is 24 degrees C and the track temperature 31 degrees. As on Friday and Saturday it is bright and sunny.
The field heads off on the warm-up lap, everyone gets away with no stragglers.
The grid forms behind Vettel.
They're away, Vettel moves across to block Button which allows Hamilton through to overtake his McLaren teammate. All cleanly away through the first series of corners.
As they begin the second lap Button complains that Vettel deserves a penalty. The McLaren driver remains third, ahead of Massa, Alonso, Webber, Schumacher, di Resta, Sutil and Petrov. Kobayashi has dropped back to twelfth after a poor start.
The stewards, who include 1980 world champion Alan Jones, announce they are investigating the incident at the start.
After two laps, Vettel leads Hamilton by 1.5s with Button a fourth 2s down the road. Replay shows that following his poor getaway, Kobayashi lost further places when he was stuck behind Senna who ran wide in the first series of corners.
Bad starts for Kobayashi, Senna, Barrichello and Alguersuari, while di Resta, Buemi and Kovalainen made great starts. Rosberg is up to nineteenth and challenging Perez who is behind Trulli.
At the start of lap 6, Alonso nails Massa going into the first corner, the Brazilian caught totally on the hop or responding to team orders. Elsewhere, Liuzzi's nightmare weekend continues, the Italian running wide in the Esses.
Barrichello uses his DRS to pass his teammate and take thirteenth, the Brazilian setting off after Kobayashi.
At the end of lap 7, the stewards reveal that no further action is to be taken over Vettel's move at the start.
Massa is told to "think to do the thing with the rear wing", whatever that is. The Brazilian is now under pressure from Webber.
Button passes his teammate in Spoon, Hamilton appearing to have a problem. Indeed, the Englishman is subsequently passed by Alonso before pitting. Sutil pits also. It's confirmed that the McLaren driver had a right-rear puncture.
Enjoying a 5.2s lead over Button, Vettel warns that he is losing his rear tyres. Indeed, at the end of lap 9 he pits as does Schumacher.
Button now leads but Alonso is setting a blistering pace, Vettel having rejoined in sixth.
At the end of lap 10, Button and Alonso both pit, handing the lead to Massa. Webber and di Resta also stop, as does Kobayashi.
Next time around Massa pits, like his rivals he fits another set of softs. Buemi also pits.
The Brazilian rejoins in fifth, behind Vettel, Button, Alonso and Hamilton. Elsewhere, Buemi pulls off to the side of the track his right-front wheel clearly not having been fitted properly.
Di Resta has lost out badly in the stops and is now running in fourteenth battling Maldonado and Rosberg.
On lap 12, Button posts a new fastest lap (39.187) as he closes to within 2.5s of Vettel, Alonso is now 1.3s down on the McLaren driver and 1.5 ahead of Hamilton.
After 14 laps, it's: Vettel, Button, Alonso, Hamilton, Massa, Webber, Petrov, Schumacher, Perez and Sutil, though the Russian and Mexican have yet to stop.
Schumacher is told he needs to look after his front tyres, his first set having been found to be heavily blistered. Elsewhere, Senna pits from twelfth position, leaving Maldonado, Alguersuari and Kobayashi locked in a bitter fight for the place.
Kobayashi makes a great move on Alguersuari, Maldonado pits and Barrichello joins in the fun and games.
Once again, Hamilton is struggling with his tyres, the McLaren driver very scrappy as he struggles to hold off Massa. Petrov and Perez - running in eighth and ninth - are the only drivers yet to pit.
At the end of lap 18 Petrov finally pits, the Russian rejoining in fourteenth, three places ahead of his Renault teammate. Perez, currently almost 2s off the pace, will need to stop soon.
At the end of lap 19, both Red Bulls pit, Vettel rejoining in fifth and Webber in seventh. Both drivers stick with softs. Great work by the Red Bull crew.
Button pits next time around, as do Glock and Perez, while Webber goes quickest in S2 and S3. The McLaren driver, after a great stop, rejoins ahead of Vettel.
As Massa battles Hamilton, Alonso pits, as does the Englishman. Vettel posts a new fastest lap (39.041) but this is immediately beaten by Webber (39.026).
Replay shows that Hamilton and Massa touched at the chicane, the McLaren driver not appearing to know the Brazilian was as close as he was.
Massa pits at the end of lap 22 as Button posts a new fastest lap (38.498), the Englishman now leading the race ahead of Vettel, Alonso, Webber, Massa, Schumacher and Hamilton.
Several laps after the incident, the Safety Car is deployed so that debris from the Hamilton/Massa clash can be removed from the track. Why did it take so long? There is also some debris at Turn 7.
Schumacher, di Resta, Kobayashi, Barrichello, Rosberg, Trulli and Liuzzi all pit. Rosberg and Barrichello race one another down the pitlane, the German winning out.
The Race Stewards announce that they are investigating the Hamilton/Massa incident.
After 26 laps, and with the Safety Car still on track, Button leads Vettel, Alonso, Webber, Massa, Hamilton, Schumacher, Petrov, Perez and di Resta.
Replay shows Webber damaging his front wing in an incident with Schumacher behind the Safety Car.
It's worth noting that at half-distance, all the leaders have used up their allocation of soft tyres.
As Race Control announces that the Safety Car is pulling off, at the end of lap 27, the stewards conform that no further action is to be taken regarding the Hamilton/Massa incident.
Hamilton complains of understeer, concerned that his front wing is damaged, his team insist that this is not the case. Out front Button posts a new fastest lap (37.576).
It's revealed that the Schumacher/Webber clash occurred before the Safety Car period, just that the TV director was late picking up on it.
Behind the leaders, Sutil is eleventh, under pressure from Rosberg and Kobayashi. Barrichello is fourteenth, ahead of Alguersuari, Maldonado, Kovalainen, Trulli, Senna, d'Ambrosio, Glock, Ricciardo and Liuzzi.
Sutil takes tenth from Petrov, going around the outside in Turn 1, and sets off after his Force India teammate who is 2.5s up the road. Moments later Rosberg passes the Russian who is struggling on older medium tyres.
As Button maintains a 2.8s lead over Vettel and Alonso closes to with in 2s of the German, the cameras focus on Massa and Hamilton who are battling for fifth. "We may be a little bit close with Hamilton," warns Rob Smedley.
At the end of lap 33 Vettel pits for the third time this afternoon, the German switching to the (slower) medium rubber. He rejoins in eleventh behind Sutil and ahead of Rosberg.
Next time around it is Webber who pits, the Australian rejoining the race in eleventh behind Rosberg.
At the end of lap 35 Hamilton pits, as does di Resta, while Vettel has to use his DRS in order to pass Sutil for sixth. Hamilton rejoins in tenth behind Webber.
Next time around, as Vettel goes quickest in S1, Button and Massa both pit, the Englishman rejoining in third, crucially ahead of Vettel who is told that he needs to make his tyres last until the end.
Race leader Alonso pits at the end of lap 37, as do Perez and Sutil, as Vettel posts a new fastest lap (37.449). Alonso rejoins ahead of Vettel as Hamilton, using his DRS, makes short - and clean work - of Massa.
Schumacher leads, but needs to stop, ahead of Button, who posts a new fastest lap (37.317). Alonso is third ahead of Vettel, Webber, Rosberg, Hamilton and Massa.
Clearly frustrated, Vettel is all over Alonso, he doesn't need to win or even finish on the podium, but he clearly isn't satisfied. Elsewhere, Petrov and Ricciardo pit.
On lap 39, Perez posts a new fastest lap (36.569) as he battles Maldonado for eleventh, the Mexican subsequently winning the fight.
Using his DRS to dispose of Rosberg, man on a mission Hamilton sets off after Webber. Schumacher pits at the end of lap 41, handing the lead to Button as Alonso and Vettel continue their epic battle. Rosberg and Maldonado also pit.
Schumacher rejoins in sixth, behind Hamilton, but on fresher rubber. Massa is 1.1s behind his former Ferrari teammate.
After 43 laps, Button leads Alonso by 5.4s with Vettel right on the Spaniard's tail. Webber is fourth, 5.2s down on his Red Bull teammate, but 7.9s ahead of Hamilton who is under pressure from Schumacher. Massa is seventh, ahead of Perez, Kobayashi and di Resta. Just 0.8s behind the Scot, Sutil heads a train of cars that includes Petrov and Rosberg.
Sutil passes his teammate, as Vettel vents his obvious frustration at a Virgin driver.
Sutil breaks the crowd's heart as he passes Kobayashi to take ninth, the German determined not to give up his seat without a fight.
Di Resta clearly has a problem, having been passed by the feuding Petrov and Rosberg.
Out front, Alonso, now 1.4s clear of Vettel, is closing in on Button, the Englishman's lead now down to 3.7s.
As Schumacher loses a little ground to Hamilton, Massa closes in. Webber posts a PB (36.828).
Webber is told that he and Vettel are not to take any risks. The comment is supposedly in reference to Alonso, however, the underlying message is clear, 'don't attempt to make a move on your teammate'.
With four laps remaining, Alonso continues to reel in the race leader, the gap now down to 1.6s.
On the pit-wall Christian Horner is clearly a nervous wreck, however, nerves must be frayed at McLaren also as Alonso moves to within 1s of the leader.
On lap 51, Button goes quickest in S2, the Briton posting a PB (36.574), 0.3s quicker than his Spanish rival. "This pace is good, this pace is good," the McLaren driver is told.
On the penultimate lap the Englishman posts a new fastest lap (36.568) and with it serves notice that this is his race. Alonso is now running 1.7s behind the McLaren driver.
Phew, the race leader comes up behind a very slow Liuzzi. However, there are no problems and the Briton takes the flag, two seconds later Vettel takes the flag also and with it the 2011 world championship.
Stopping shortly after the pitlane exit the Englishman stops and climbs on to his car, waving to the crowd. Although Vettel has won the title, his crew sound a little downbeat over the radio, admitting that it would have been nice to win the race.
A clearly emotional Vettel thanks his team, "thank you, thank you," he sobs, "we took nothing for granted".
Behind Button, Alonso and Vettel, Webber finishes fourth, ahead of Hamilton, Schumacher, Massa, Perez, Petrov and Rosberg.
Sutil finishes eleventh, ahead of di Resta, Kobayashi, Maldonado, Alguersuari, Senna, Barrichello, Kovalainen, Trulli, Glock, d'Ambrosio, Ricciardo and Liuzzi, with Sebastien Buemi being the only driver not to finish.
A pretty, pretty, pretty good race as Larry David would say. Button taking a thoroughly well deserved win and Vettel putting us all out of our misery in terms of the title.
A superb performance from Alonso, while kudos also to Schumacher, Perez and Rosberg.
While the championship is now over, at least in terms of drivers, there is still much to fight for, indeed, we can now focus on some of the other outstanding issues.
An entertaining race, with each of the three guys on the podium there completely on merit. Pretty much a perfect result.
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