28/07/2013
NEWS STORY
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If Lewis Hamilton was surprised to take pole position yesterday, spare a thought for Sebastian Vettel. At the post-qualifying weigh-in, the German stared at the timesheets as though expecting someone to shout out “April fool in July!”
Having set the pace for much of the weekend, the world champion was odds-on to take pole, yet it was not to be.
As for Lewis, it’s been a peculiar weekend, the F1 side of the Englishman’s life as much of a rollercoaster as his personal life – if we are to believe the tabloids.
On Friday he as good as threw in the towel, proclaiming that the revised tyres had ended his, and his team’s season, while on Saturday afternoon it appeared the title fight was back on.
Although we’ve been proven wrong a couple of times of late, one cannot help but feel that the Mercedes duo is in for a frustrating afternoon, and that yesterday afternoon was merely a false start as the German team pretty much heads back to square one in terms of its tyre management, especially at the rear of the car.
Of course, Red Bull’s hopes took a knock not only with Vettel losing out on pole but also the KERS problem which left Mark Webber unable to post a time and therefore starting from the fifth row.
Romain Grosjean suffered a late scare last night when his car failed post-qualifying scrutineering however, the stewards eventually gave the Frenchman the benefit of the doubt and consequently he’s on course to score another podium finish if not his maiden win.
Strangely, Kimi Raikkonen has suffered here, though one suspects that he’ll come alive this afternoon when the chips are really down. Indeed, one cannot help but feel that the Finn has a lot more in reserve and that some of his struggles yesterday were more about making a statement. Either way, the Lotus duo will be very strong in these super-hot conditions.
Ferrari needs a strong result here not only to prevent the order going out that attention should switch to 2014 but also because another poor season will surely lead to calls for a management shake-up.
Rounding out the top ten, Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez both did well to make it into Q3, the Mexican looking to turn tyre strategy to his advantage, what with him being the leading driver to start on the (more durable) medium (prime) rubber.
The battle behind the leading ten should be fun to watch with Sutil, Hulkenberg, Button and Vergne all under pressure from a Williams duo keen to secure the first points of 2013, while di Resta, starting from eighteenth, will be gagging at the bit.
While the silly season traditionally started at Monza, the news that Mark Webber is off to Sports Cars at season end means that a number of drivers are already in the spotlight and what better time to make an impression – or destroy a reputation – than before the holidays.
While most of the attention is on the ‘battle’ between Ricciardo and Raikkonen for the second seat at Red Bull, there is likely to be a vacancy at Ferrari and maybe even Lotus.
The one thing we absolutely know we can be sure of this afternoon is that the weather gods are not going to have an influence, certainly in terms of rain. However, as the mercury rises threatening to make this the ‘hottest’ race in the history of the sport it raises speculation as to what might wilt first in the intense heat, man, machinery or rubber. That said, what better time to be an Iceman.
As far as tyre strategy is concerned, Pirelli is expecting two or three stops, claiming that starting on the medium (prime) is actually just as fast as starting on the softs (option). For a two-stop strategy, drivers would need to start on the soft tyre, change to the medium on lap 14, change to the medium again on lap 42.
An alternative three-stop strategy is to start on the soft tyre, change to the soft again on lap 13, change to medium on lap 26, and finally medium again on lap 48. For those starting on the medium, the best option is to start on medium, change to medium again on lap 28, then change to soft on lap 56 of the 70 lap race.
There are two DRS zones - one on the main pit straight, the other from Turn 1 to Turn 2 - but just one detection point, at the entrance to Turn 14, the final corner.
While we can’t count on the weather gods this afternoon, we might well see overenthusiasm get the better of a couple of the drivers, especially in the tense heat and especially at the start.
Last to arrive on the grid indeed, just three minutes before the pitlane closes, are Rosberg and Alonso.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 34 degrees C and the track temperature is 51 degrees. Bernie Ecclestone is on the grid having a chin-wag with Charlie Whiting.
Along with Perez, Webber, Sutil, Button, Gutierrez, Bianchi and Chilton are starting on the prime rubber.
The grid forms slowly behind Hamilton.
They’re away. As Vettel focusses on Grosjean he almost loses out to Rosberg. In T3 Rosberg and Massa clash after Alonso has passed the Mercedes, the German runs wide and as he rejoins the track he appears to have some damage at the rear of his car. Dropping to twelfth he is under pressure from di Resta and looking doomed.
At the end of lap 1, it’s Hamilton, Vettel, Grosjean, Alonso, Massa, Raikkonen, Webber, Button, Ricciardo and Perez.
Hamilton posts a string of fast laps but on lap 4 it is Grosjean who goes quickest as he maintains a 4.6s gap over fourth placed Alonso.
Webber (seventh) is told that he is the leading car on prime tyres but that Button, just behind, is also on the harder rubber. Grosjean is all over Vettel.
As Alonso loses further ground to Grosjean, Raikkonen is just 0.7s down on fifth-placed Massa with Webber also closing in.
Massa is asked if he can feel understeer, his front wing having been damaged in the first lap clash with Rosberg.
At the end of lap 8, Vergne and Van der Garde are the first to pit, both switch from soft to medium.
Next time around Hamilton pits, the Mercedes driver rejoining in eighth behind his former teammate, Button. Maldonado and di Resta also pit.
Ricciardo, Rosberg and Bottas pit at the end of lap 10, as Hamilton passes Button and Grosjean closes right in on Vettel.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 11, handing the lead to Grosjean. The German rejoins in seventh behind Hamilton and Button. Massa and Hulkenberg also pit.
As Alonso pits, Sutil goes quickest in S1, the German, who started on primes, currently tenth and shadowing Massa. Alonso rejoins in seventh behind Vettel.
Hamilton is advised that Grosjean could be on a two-stop strategy and therefore the Mercedes driver must look after his tyres. At which point both Lotus drivers pit, rejoining in fifth and tenth.
After 15 laps, it’s: Webber, Hamilton, Button, Vettel, Grosjean, Alonso, Perez, Sutil, Massa and Raikkonen. Vettel, who is unable to find a way past Button, is warned that he needs to drop back in order to prevent his car overheating. Meanwhile, Grosjean closes in.
A fantastic scrap between Button and Vettel, the German passing the McLaren driver but then losing out again at the next corner (T3). Meanwhile, Grosjean snaps at Vettel’s heels.
Told that he needs to drop back, Vettel asks the team to check his front wing, the German having touched Button during the earlier battle. The world champion is under real pressure as Alonso closes in to join in the fun.
With less downforce at the front Vettel loses ground to Button and now has to fend off Grosjean who is all over him. All the while, Webber maintains a 5.2s lead over Hamilton.
As Sutil pits, at the end of lap 19, Raikkonen makes short work of Massa to take eighth, immediately setting about Perez who has yet to stop. Sadly, Sutil, in his 100th GP, is out following a hydraulics leak.
Raikkonen posts the fastest lap of the race (27.453) as he closes to within 3.9s of Perez. The Mexican, along with Webber, Button, Gutierrez and Chilton on the same tyres on which he started the race.
A big lock-up in T1 as Rosberg, in twelfth, attempts to pass Maldonado who is having none of it.
Raikkonen is told that his team is thinking of ‘target plus ten’, suggesting the team is to switch him to a two stop strategy. Meanwhile, at the end of lap 23, Webber, Perez and Gutierrez all pit. The Australian rejoins in sixth as Vettel finally nails Button.
Shortly after Grosjean attempts to pass the McLaren but they touch causing the Frenchman to run wide and miss the chicane. “I’ve got front wing damage,” declares Button as he heads to the pits, clearly unhappy at Grosjean’s move.
At the end of lap 25, Grosjean makes his second stop taking on a set of primes. He rejoins in seventh – just ahead of Button.
With 26 laps completed, and with everyone having made at least one stop, it’s: Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Webber, Raikkonen, Massa, Grosjean, Button, Rosberg and Maldonado. Button confirms his pace, and determination, with a 26.994.
The stewards announce that they are investigating the incident involving Grosjean and Button. Di Resta makes his second stop.
Vettel goes quickest, the German now 12.3s down on Hamilton after those dozen laps behind Button.
It’s heart in the mouth stuff as Grosjean battles Massa, the Frenchman going around the outside at the infamous T11. Kudos to the Lotus driver on an afternoon in which we are seeing the very best and worst of him.
As Gutierrez climbs from his Sauber, Rosberg makes his second stop of the day.
Having made a couple of feints, Button finally makes his move on Massa to take seventh. Meanwhile Hamilton makes his second stop, rejoining in fourth behind Webber. Massa also pits, as does Vergne.
As Button goes quickest (26.540), Hamilton is told that he must pass Webber and Alonso. Meanwhile, Grosjean is also under investigation for leaving the track at T4 – during his battle with Massa.
Webber appears totally unaware that Hamilton is behind him as the Mercedes almost runs into him in T1. In T3 the Englishman nails the Red Bull driver as he appears to be sizing up Alonso. Hamilton is a man on a mission.
As Vettel and Alonso pit at the end of lap 34, Raikkonen closes in on Webber. The German rejoins right behind his old mate Button, the pair immediately locked in battle.
On fresh rubber, and at half-distance, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (26.194) as he maintains a 1.2s lead over Webber.
As Vettel harries Button (again), Grosjean is handed a drive-through for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Meanwhile, the incident involving the Lotus driver and Button will be investigated after the race.
Vettel, making use of DRS, nails Button into T1, setting off after Grosjean who subsequently dives into the pits to serve his penalty. Button also pits.
Hulkenberg is handed a drive-through for speeding in the pitlane. Elsewhere, Ricciardo and Perez both pit.
Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (26.035) as he maintains a 2s gap to Webber.
“Can you give me run down on what’s going on,” pleads Button. The McLaren driver is currently seventh, 15.3s down on Grosjean and 4s ahead of Massa.
As Hamilton posts another fastest lap (25.798), there’s action in the Lotus garage as the crew rushes out for a pit stop which never actually happens. Next time around however, third placed Raikkonen makes his second stop, sticking to primes, and rejoining in sixth.
Webber pits at the end of lap 43, the Australian sticking with the prime rubber which means he will definitely have to stop again.
Back on track (in third) Webber is advised that Alonso will also need to stop again. Meanwhile, Bottas pulls to the side of the track at the start of the main straight, his race over, his first retirement of the season.
Grosjean visits the pits (again) at the end of lap 47, the Frenchman taking on more primes as he slips to seventh right behind Button.
As Alonso pits from fourth, at the end of lap 48, Webber posts a new fastest lap (25.109). Massa and Rosberg also pit. The Spaniard rejoins in fifth.
Again, Grosjean makes a move around the outside at T4, but this time eases off rather than run wide.
After 49 laps, Hamilton leads Vettel by 15.4s with Webber a further 6s behind. Raikkonen is fourth, 104s down on Webber and 16.7s clear of Alonso.
As Hamilton pits again, at the end of lap 50, Grosjean and Button continue their titanic battle. Hamilton rejoins just behind Webber, they fight and the Australian stands his ground, but in T3 the Mercedes driver makes another move, the Red Bull runs wide and Hamilton is already disappearing up the road.
Raikkonen, 7.4s down on Webber, is told that the Australian has to make one more stop for the option rubber. Thing is, can the Finn make his tyres last the distance?
It’s: Vettel, Hamilton, Webber, Raikkonen, Alonso, Grosjean, Button, Massa, Rosberg and Perez. Maldonado is eleventh, ahead of Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, di Resta, Vergne, Van der Garde, Pic, Bianchi and Chilton.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 55, the world champion rejoining in fourth, just behind Ricciardo who is a lap down. The Australian smartly moves aside for his (possible) future teammate.
Vettel is told the Raikkonen is going to the end but that his (the German’s) tyres are 13 laps fresher. Just three seconds separates the two.
A 24.553 sees Vettel go quickest, as Hamilton is told to make an adjustment to his differential. “Hey man, I’m trying to focus here,” is the response.
Webber makes his final stop at the end of lap 59, the Australian rejoining in fourth, as teammate Vettel closes right in on (second-placed) Raikkonen.
“These tyres will get you to the end,” Webber is told, “should be able to push Raikkonen and Vettel to the end.” Surely the ultimate in terms of motivation… with a 12s gap one can almost hear a Dick Dastardly chuckle from the Australian within his helmet.
Fact is, Vettel appears unable to mount a real challenge to Raikkonen, the Finn, on older rubber, easing out a 1.5s advantage.
Replay shows di Resta struggling for grip down in fourteenth, a miserable weekend for the bubbly Scot.
Rosberg’s race is over, the German pulling off track after an engine failure and subsequent fire. On the pit-wall Ross Brawn looks suitably anxious.
One man’s misery is another man’s joy as Rosberg’s demise promotes Maldonado into the points.
Raikkonen runs wide allowing Vettel to close in, the German attempts to go around the outside in T4, a la Grosjean, but the Finn is having absolutely none of it. Elsewhere, di Resta drives into his garage to retire.
On his penultimate lap, and despite the overheating fears, Hamilton posts a PB (24.647).
Hungarian heads off into the summer break with his first win for Mercedes, whilst Raikkonen holds off Vettel to take a superb second, the Finn parking up just yards after the finishing line.
Webber takes a well-deserved fourth, ahead of Alonso, Grosjean, Button, Massa, Perez and Maldonado who gives Williams its first point of 2013.
One of the first to pay tribute to Hamilton is Niki Lauda: “He did this today, he won the race because he drove sensationally. All the passing he did was his job. He was the best today, the best I have seen in my life. The way he passed people, the way he really got going.” High praise from one of the greatest the sport has known.
And so, F1 heads into the summer break with a grin on its face. With Vettel failing to win the championship is kept alive, and thereby a couple of teams will now delay the switch of attention to 2014. Indeed, we now appear to have a possible fight on our hands with Lotus and Mercedes clearly a threat to the might of Red Bull.
So, although we face a four week break until Spa, it looks as the though we could have a genuine championship fight on our hands. Which is surely what we all want, even Sebastian.
Check out our race day gallery, here.