18/03/2012
NEWS STORY
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While yesterday answered most of the questions on everyone's lips, today should hopefully answer a lot more.
If nothing else, we know that Ferrari is in trouble, the picture of the two drivers in the team garage, helmets on, heads bowed, encapsulating the mood of the Maranello team and its millions of fans.
In contrast, the mood at McLaren, having locked-out the front row, is ecstatic, though all concerned refuse to get carried away. Last year, the Woking outfit gave Red Bull a run for its money following a difficult start to the season, this year the silver cars have hit the ground running.
As for Red Bull, don't even think of dismissing them, Saturday's result was a million miles away from 2011, but the Milton Keynes outfit is hardly on the back foot.
The big talking point, other than Ferrari's problems, is the obvious step forward taken by Mercedes, even if some believe this is more about 'devices'. It should not be forgotten that the Brackley team was always a work in progress, and with the hiring of the likes of Aldo Costa, Geoff Willis and Bob Bell, the team clearly signalled its intent to move up the grid.
It was mixed emotions at Lotus, Kimi Raikkonen failing to make it to Q2, while teammate Romain Grosjean qualified on the front row, albeit for just a couple of seconds. The Enstone outfit should be good fun to watch today, not only to see the youngster's progress but to watch how 'The Iceman' fares in the opening laps as he deals with the likes of di Resta, Massa and Perez ahead of him, and Kovalainen and Petrov to his rear.
Indeed, the opening lap(s) should be fun and games all around, what with Alonso trying to escape the clutches of Kobayashi and Senna as he battles the Toro Rossos, Hulkenberg and Maldonado.
If emotions are mixed at Lotus, then what of Force India, Williams and Sauber, each of whose drivers enjoyed a day of varying emotion, unlike Toro Rosso where Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne qualified tenth and eleventh.
While Caterham has made the step forward expected, as yet it isn't enough, and though clear of Marussia and HRT, the Anglo-Malaysian squad still has some work to do to reach the tail end of the midfield far less mix it with them.
While Marussia made the 107% cut, a worthy achievement under the circumstances, HRT failed, and will therefore watch the race along with the rest of us.
While there is little or no chance of the weather having an impact today, the very nature of the tight and twisty Albert Park track could. The last fifteen Australian Grands Prix have witnessed at least one safety car period, and the merest glimpse of today's grid suggests that 2012 should see that infamous record continue.
As in 2012 we have DRS, however, while there is one detection zone, just before Turn 14, part of the sequence of corners that leads on to the main straight, there are two activation zones, one on the main straight, the other shortly after Turn 2. However, as we saw last year, two activation zones can mean a driver losing in the second what he gained in the first.
Tyre options are medium and soft, with the leading ten all starting on the softer rubber today. This year however, in addition to there being a lot less degradation, it is widely accepted that there is little difference between the two options - another masterstroke from the sport's powers that be. While it is expected that the track will change greatly during the course of the race, especially as temperatures drop, this being a 17:00 start, Pirelli is expecting two stops to be the norm.
Martin Whitmarsh has admitted that McLaren desperately, hungrily want to win both championships this year, and as many races as possible. However, the Woking squad is fully aware that this is the long game and that one race win does not constitute a title.
While Hamilton took pole, teammate Button was right up there, and if the MP4-27 is as good as it appears, and the 2008 champ really does have his act together, this battle alone could be worth the price of admission - or your Sky package.
No disrespect to Grosjean, far from it, but we really don't think too much should be read into his starting position. It was a bold, brave effort, but in our humble opinion the Lotus is not in a position to challenge the like of McLaren or Red Bull.
The form of the Mercedes should be intriguing today, and make no mistake, Schumacher is fully fired up, while teammate Rosberg will be itching to make up for yesterday. This might be the Silver Arrows best chance yet for glory since it joined the grid in 2010.
As for Red Bull, let's not forget that Webber's lap, which saw the Australian take fourth, was set without the aid of KERS, a mighty impressive effort. And then there's Vettel. While some still believe he only won his two titles because he had the best car and was therefore always able to start from pole, others know different. Behind the cheeky grin and casual manner lies a racer every bit as determined, calculating and ruthless as Schumacher at his most formidable.
As the cars make their way to the grid, a tweet from Ferrari pretty much sums up the mood in the Italian camp - "today the main target is bringing both cars in the top 10 positions" - it reads.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm up lap, the air temperature is 22 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees.
The field heads off on the warm-up lap, watched by Lenny Kravitz who has the best seat in the house. All get away cleanly, everyone except Perez, Vergne and Petrov on softs.
They're away, Button has the edge into the first corner, while Senna spins and a Toro Rosso runs wide. Both Mercedes make great starts unlike Grosjean and Webber who appeared to clout somebody.
At the end of the first lap it's Button, Hamilton, Schumacher, Rosberg, Vettel, Grosjean, Maldonado, Alonso, Webber and Massa. Ricciardo, Senna and Hulkenberg all pit, the Australian having hit the Brazilian in the first corner. It was teammate Vergne who ran wide.
Vettel makes a great move on Rosberg, and immediately sets off after his hero, Schumacher. Grosjean goes off as he gets tangled up in Alonso's battle with Maldonado. The race is over for the Frenchman.
As he extends his lead to 2.4s, after 3 laps, Button heads Hamilton who has a 3s advantage over Schumacher who has Vettel all over his gearbox. Rosberg is just 1.6s behind the Red Bull but under attack from Alonso and Maldonado.
Hulkenberg is out of the race, a casualty of that first lap incident, while Raikkonen is up to twelfth.
Maldonado runs wide in Turn 6 which allows Webber and Massa through and also allows Perez to close in.
Out front, Button continues to set a blistering pace, he's now 3.1s clear of his teammate. Meanwhile Vettel, who continues to pressurise Schumacher, runs wide at Turn 1 and as he rejoins is immediately attacked by Rosberg who has Alonso in tow.
Phew! After that frenzied start, it all calms down just a little. After 7 laps, it's Button, Hamilton, Schumacher, Vettel, Rosberg, Alonso, Webber, Massa, Maldonado and Perez. The biggest battle, as such, is the fight for fifth, with Rosberg under intense pressure from Alonso and Webber. That said, Raikkonen is all over Kobayashi, and Vergne is shadowing di Resta. Kovalainen and Petrov also running nose to tail.
3.8s down on Button, Hamilton is advised that he's losing Schumacher and the rest at a rate of 0.8s a lap. Vettel, clearly faster than Schumacher, goes quickest in S2, crossing the line at 33.500 for a PB.
Great scrap between South Americans Maldonado and Massa for eighth, the Brazilian complaining that he's losing his rear tyres.
Under pressure from Vettel, Schumacher runs wide and then slows, as teammate Rosberg looks doomed to lose out to Alonso. Replay suggests Schumacher's off was more about a technical problem than driver error.
As Massa struggles for grip, Maldonado, Perez, Kobayashi, Raikkonen, di Resta and Vergne are in a queue behind.
As Schumacher complains of a gearbox issue, Massa is the first to pit, the Ferrari stopping for softs at the end of lap 11. Next time around, Rosberg also pits.
After 12 laps, Button leads his McLaren teammate by 3.4s with Vettel a further 9.6s down the road. Alonso is fourth, 5.7s behind, under pressure from Webber.
At the end of lap 13, Alonso, Kobayashi and di Resta all pit, the Japanese driver lucky not to be hit by his Sauber teammate as he slows at the pitlane entrance.
In clear air, 10s down on Maldonado, Raikkonen goes quickest in S1, as Rosberg goes purple in S2.
Webber pits at the end of lap 14, the Australian rejoining in tenth on the harder rubber, behind Rosberg. Kovalainen also pits, the Finn switching to mediums.
On lap 16, Button is told that he's in good shape, on a good pace. He's also advised that his rivals are pitting. At which point the race leader dives into the pits, followed by Vettel and Maldonado. Button is on mediums and Vettel softs as Webber posts a new fastest lap (32.355).
Next time around, it is Hamilton who stops, taking on mediums, rejoining in fourth behind Perez who has yet to stop.
Button now leads from Raikkonen, Perez, Hamilton, Vettel, Vergne, Alonso, Rosberg, Webber and Maldonado.
Under intense pressure, Vergne is unable to keep Vettel at bay, with Alonso sweeping past moments later. As if to rub his nose in it, Webber also passes the Frenchman who is struggling for grip.
At the end of lap 19, Raikkonen and Vergne both pit, as Hamilton continues to harry second-placed Perez who is 9.4s behind Button.
Perez is unable to do much about it when Hamilton makes a move in Turn 1 at the start of lap 21, Vettel tries to follow through but the Mexican isn't having it.
As Vettel finally nails Perez, Button is told that he is 11s clear of his McLaren teammate but that he is now in clear air. Elsewhere, birthday boy Glock pits.
Now it is Alonso who lines up Perez, as Rosberg and Webber keep a watching eye.
Behind Maldonado in eighth, it's Massa, Kobayashi, Raikkonen, di Resta, Vergne, Senna, Petrov, Kovalainen, Ricciardo, Glock and Pic.
No sooner has Alonso nailed Perez than Rosberg and Webber also leave the Sauber driver for dead, the Mexican, as in 2011, performing miracles having gone 22 laps on one set of tyres. Elsewhere, Ricciardo makes his second stop of the afternoon.
As Vergne goes quickest (31.978), Button complains of a vibration with the rear tyres. The Englishman posts a PB (32.701) but Hamilton's 31.740 is a new fastest lap.
At the end of lap 24, Perez finally pits, rejoining in thirteenth, behind Vergne.
Raikkonen and Kobayashi make contact as they battle with Massa, the Japanese driver losing out.
Lap 26 sees another fastest lap from Hamilton (31.593) as the Englishman closes to within 9.6s of his teammate. Vettel is now 2s behind but 6.1s clear of Alonso.
A typically brave move sees Raikkonen pass Massa with Kobayashi adding to the Ferrari driver's frustration just moments later. From the outside there was nothing Felipe could do about it, the Brazilian clearly struggling for grip.
Unsurprisingly, at the end of lap 28, Massa makes his second stop of the day, as Webber hunts down Rosberg. The Ferrari driver rejoins in fourteenth.
Asking why he's being given blue flags, Raikkonen is told that they are not for him. The Finn, 12.2s down on Maldonado, is now 3.9s clear of Kobayashi.
Talking of Maldonado, the Williams driver has closed right up on the Rosberg/Webber battle. As Button posts a new fastest lap (31.565), Rosberg, in the midst of his battle, uses the escape road at Turn 11 and subsequently dives into the pits very late, causing problems for Webber and Maldonado behind.
As Rosberg rejoins in eleventh, Perez posts a new fastest lap. Moments later, however, this is eclipsed by Webber (31.098). Hamilton complains that his tyres are going off.
The gap between Button and Hamilton has levelled at 10.8s, while Vettel is just 2.2s behind the second McLaren. Alonso is a further 12.2s behind.
Di Resta makes his second stop at the end of lap 33, the Scot rejoining in twelfth. Alonso pits a lap later, rejoining in eighth behind Kobayashi. Kovalainen also pits, rejoining in seventeenth.
"Push, push, push," Vettel is told, as Button and Hamilton both pit. A very brave move by the Woking team and it works.
As the Woking duo rejoin in second and third, both on medium tyres, Petrov stops on the main straight by the pit-wall, brake dust pouring from his car. The safety car is deployed.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 37, under the safety car, as do Webber, Maldonado, Raikkonen, Vergne, Glock and Pic.
Button asks about the pace of the Red Bull, particularly Vettel, and is informed that he has the edge. The Englishman leads the race, but Vettel is now second, courtesy of the safety car. Hamilton is third, ahead of Webber, Alonso, Maldonado, Perez, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Kobayashi, di Resta, Vergne, Massa, Senna, Ricciardo, Kovalainen, Glock and Pic.
As a pick-up truck heads down the straight to remove Petrov's stricken Caterham, Webber is told that up until now his pace was very good, he's also reminded that at the re-start it will be two laps before he can use DRS again.
At the end of lap 40, with 18 laps to the end, and the race about to resume, everyone bar the Toro Rossos and Perez is on mediums. Kovalainen drives into his garage as Caterham's race falls apart.
The field is tightly bunched as the safety car pulls into the pits, Button leads the field on to the main straight and through Turn 1, no incidents. Vettel is almost caught off guard, Button leaving the Red Bull for dead - he's on the pace quicker than Mark Kleinman can pull a story from his blog.
Replay shows a brave and cheeky move from Kobayashi on Raikkonen, that sees the Sauber driver snatch ninth.
Button posts a new fastest lap (30.587) as he extends his lead to 3.4 in just one lap, as Raikkonen warns that the rear wing on Kobayashi's car is broken and shedding bits.
Another hot lap from Button (30.232) as Hamilton closes in on Vettel with Webber just 0.8s behind. Fourth placed Alonso is now 2.8s down on the second Red Bull, shadowed by Maldonado, Perez and Rosberg.
As he extends his lead to 3.8s, Button posts another fastest lap (30.014), but this is soon beaten by his teammate's 29.865.
Massa has a right-rear puncture after a curious coming together with Senna. There appeared to be two separate incidents, Massa picking up the puncture and then colliding with Senna, the two running wide and into the run off in tandem. While Senna subsequently pits, Massa retires.
With 10 laps remaining, it's: Button, Vettel, Hamilton, Webber, Alonso, Maldonado, Perez, Rosberg, Kobayashi and Raikkonen.
The stewards, who include Johnny Herbert, are to investigate the Massa/Senna incident.
As Button heads off into the distance, fourth placed Webber posts a new fastest lap (29.810), the Australian maintaining a 0.9s gap to Hamilton. Less than a second covers these two and Vettel.
A 29.690 from Vettel, as the German opens a 1.1s gap to Hamilton. Elsewhere, Kobayashi, under serious braking, tried to nail Rosberg but fails, he locks up allowing Raikkonen to close in.
Another fastest lap from Vettel (29.587) as we await a final desperate battle for second place between the Red Bull duo and Hamilton. Elsewhere, Senna makes his fourth stop of the afternoon.
Maldonado is all over Alonso, the Williams driver sensing a massive coup. A brilliant performance from the Venezuelan.
Not to be left out, Button posts a 29.187 on lap 56, if Vettel had any ideas about a late charge he can forget all about it now.
Perez is clearly struggling, the seventh placed Mexican in danger of losing out to Rosberg, Kobayashi and Raikkonen. The Finn makes a challenge on the Japanese but it doesn't work. Behind them a great in-team battle between the Toro Rossos.
It's all over for Maldonado who loses the car, hits the Astroturf and goes into the barriers. The Williams is badly damaged but Pastor is OK.
As Button takes the flag, Rosberg slows dramatically, losing a whole heap of positions as he drops back through the field.
Kobayashi and Raikkonen both pass Perez on the last lap but the Mexican can take consolation from the fact that he finishes eighth. That and the fact that he'll probably be in a Ferrari in the not too distant future.
A disastrous last lap for Vergne, who is not only passed by his teammate but by di Resta also. Meanwhile, replay suggests that Rosberg and Perez clashed.
Behind Button, its Vettel, Hamilton, Webber, Alonso, Kobayashi, Raikkonen, Perez, Ricciardo and di Resta.
Vergne takes eleventh, ahead of Rosberg, Maldonado, Glock, Pic and Senna.
While Button laps up the applause, congratulated by a smiling Vettel, it is noticeable that Hamilton looks more than a little peeved. Not wanting to go down the route of some other sections of the media, might one be seeing the start of something here? Hamilton certainly looks far from happy.
Whilst we do our best to avoid hyperbole - perish the thought - that was a cracking start to the season, with plenty going on throughout the race and throughout the field.
Furthermore, and with no disrespect intended, the last thing we needed today was another victory for Mr Vettel, the suggestion that it was going to be title number three. Instead it appears that from the very outset we have a real battle for supremacy, in terms of drivers and teams.
What with the performances of the Saubers, Lotus', Toro Rossos, Force Indias and Williams in the midfield, all that's needed is for Ferrari to sort its handling and Mercedes to get on top of its tyre management and reliability.
A great start to the season, and the good news is that the next chapter unfolds in just seven days.
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