08/09/2013
NEWS STORY
After two days of bright sunshine and glorious temperatures, today, as predicted, it is overcast. Following rain overnight there was a little more just ahead of the GP2 race but nothing significant.
However, it remains overcast and the general opinion is that there will be some heavy rain over the course of the afternoon. When it rain in Monza it really rains, and though this is one of the shortest - in terms of race length - races on the calendar, even a short downpour could turn the race on its head. After all, even when it has stopped raining the track remains damp courtesy of the oak trees overhanging the track and dripping rain water.
A change in the weather is the best hope that many have of stopping the Sebastian Vettel steamroller in its tracks, especially as we now head to a series of 'Red Bull friendly' tracks.
The British drivers, notably, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, will take heart from the fact that both the GP3 and GP2 events this morning were won by Britons, Jack Harvey in GP3 and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs in GP2.
Following yesterday's controversial qualifying session there was further controversy. Adrian Sutil was penalised for impeding Lewis Hamilton, who, in turned, said he drove like an idiot and apologised to his Mercedes team.
However, the big story was the question of whether Fernando Alonso called his team idiots or genius', the Spaniard insisting it was the latter.
With Ferrari already under intense scrutiny from the Italian media, and with Luca di Montezemolo and Piero Ferrari in attendance this is not what was needed, especially as the two drivers will start from fourth and fifth, the Spaniard out-qualified by his teammate.
Of course, Alonso has history, remember Hungary 2007 and what followed? With the Spaniard and his team still smarting from the spat over the summer break one has to wonder whether Kimi Raikkonen might be being lined up not to replace Massa but Alonso himself.
In another move that is sure to cause unrest, Red Bull has been allowed to change some of the gear ratios (5th, 6th and 7th) and associated dog rings, while Ferrari changed the 2nd gear ration on Massa's car.
However of more importance is the revelation that Red Bull is heading to Barcelona for a tyre test for Pirelli. The Austrian team will use its 2011 car which will be driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastien Buemi.
Finally, ahead of today's race, Charlie Whiting has warned that any driver going straight on at the second chicane (who misses the black and yellow speed bump placed before the apex kerb of turn 5) must stay to the right of the red and white polystyrene block (or in its absence, the yellow line) and may re-join the track at the far end of the asphalt run-off area.
Forty-fine minutes before the start of the race, around fifteen before the pitlane opens, mechanics are working on Button's car, which is thought to have a fuel system related issue.
Meanwhile, rain has begun to fall, not a lot but enough for some in the crowd to raise their umbrellas.
Of course, if it continues, intensifies or, even better, stops and then starts again, it will indeed turn everything on its head.
Looking at the grid, the cynic in us feels that Hulkenberg's third in qualifying was a little smoke and mirrors. No disrespect to the talented German but something doesn't feel right. Then again, if it is wet, we know 'The Hulk' is superb in the wet.
Ferrari will be charge up, Alonso, in particular needing to earn some brownie points, while Massa know that his job is probably on the line. Or maybe not.
Rosberg has a great opportunity to step back into the spotlight, though he'll be under pressure from a group behind that includes Perez, Button, Raikkonen, Hamilton and Grosjean.
The two Toro Rosso drivers did well in Q3, and could certainly leave the Autodromo with a decent points haul tonight.
The pitlane opens and one by one the drivers emerge and make their way to the grid all are sporting Inters.
The drivers are late arriving on the grid, and by the time they do arrive Hulkenberg is confident that the track is "mostly dry", though the cloud overhead suggests that it won't be for long.
One of the last to arrive is Button, who will no doubt have been doing a rain dance. Then again, remember 2008 and a certain German in a Toro Rosso.
An even later arrival on the grid is Alonso, who is still zipping up his overalls as he storms - yes storms - down the pitlane.
Ahead of the warm-up lap the air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees. Believe it or not, the sun has broken through the (previously) thick cloud cover and is now shining down on the grid.
All are starting on options other than Raikkonen, Hamilton and Gutierrez who all start on primes. Hamilton is advised that the hard tyres is Mercedes best this weekend.
They're away. As the two Red Bulls battle so too do the Ferraris. As Vettel leads the field through the first chicane there is contact behind, Perez missing the chicane while di Resta has gone into the barriers at the second chicane, his race already over.
Raikkonen who has lost part of his front wing in the first corner incident is passed by Hamilton and is then under pressure from Button. He pits.
At the end of lap one, it's: Vettel, Massa, Webber, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Perez, Vergne and Hamilton.
Having already lost out at the start as he battled with his teammate, Webber is absolutely nailed by Alonso at the second chicane, the Spaniard pulling off the overtake of the season.
As Raikkonen posts a new fastest lap in his pursuit of Bianchi, replay shows the Finn running into the back of Perez going into the first chicane. Meanwhile, di Resta came to grief after locking up as be pursued Grosjean, running into the back of the Lotus. Elsewhere, teammate Sutil has had a great start, starting 17th he is already up to 13th.
After 4 laps, Vettel leads Massa by 2.3s with Alonso a further 1.6s down the road but under pressure from Webber. Hulkenberg is right up with the Red Bull heading a train that includes Rosberg, ricciardo, Perez, Vergne, Hamilton, Button and Grosjean.
Vettel posts another fastest lap (29.119), as Alonso passes Massa - with suspicious ease - heading into the first chicane.
As Hamilton battles with Vergne for ninth, Button, ever the opportunist, passes the pair of them.
The stewards announce that they are investigating the di Resta/Grosjean collision.
Vettel is told that his team is monitoring his front-right, the German warned that it "doesn't look good".
Back in 19th, Raikkonen setting a blistering pace, as he posts another fastest lap (28.953) he hunts down Van der Garde.
On lap 12, Hamilton is told to pit, or rather "box, box, box", warned that he has a right-front slow puncture. However, the Mercedes driver has a problem with his radio and it is unclear whether he is aware of the message.
"Box, box, box," he is told, "pit confirm," the Englishman also being shown a pit board bearing a similar message.
At the end of lap 13, having dropped to 14th, he pits, rejoining in 19th on a set of options.
Alonso now trails Vettel by 6s, with Massa keeping a watching eye on the situation, though under pressure from Webber.
Vergne pulls to the side of the track on the approach to the Lesmos, his retirement releasing Button to pursue his McLaren teammate. Smoke from the back of the Toro Rosso suggests an engine problem.
Out front, it's a Sunday drive in the (Monza) park for Vettel, the German and his car seemingly on cruise control. In 15th, Raikkonen posts another fastest lap as he closes on Bottas.
In fifth, Hulkenberg is doing a sterling job, 2.2s down on Webber whilst maintaining a 1.1s gap to Rosberg. Teammate Gutierrez is currently twelfth, shadowing Sutil.
"In the fight now," Hulkenberg is told, "push like hell!"
Ricciardo complains of understeer and that his car is "very nervous".
At the end of lap 20, Grosjean pits, the Frenchman rejoining in sixteenth behind Hamilton after a poor pit stop. Next time around Button pits, the McLaren driver rejoining behind Hamilton but ahead of Grosjean who he was previously fighting.
Ricciardo and Perez, running seventh and eight, both pit at the end of lap 22, the Mexican losing out after problems with his front-right. He rejoins behind his McLaren teammate in fifteenth.
Vettel and Webber both pit at the end of lap 23, a bold move by the Austrian team. They rejoin in fifth and ninth respectively, the Australian just ahead of Raikkonen.
As Massa pits - at the end of lap 24 - so too do Hulkenberg, Sutil and Maldonado. Massa rejoins behind Webber as Hulkenberg locks-up big time at the first chicane.
On fresh rubber (primes), Vettel posts a new fastest lap (27.599). He is currently third, 17.9s behind race leader Alonso. Rosberg, who has yet to stop, is second.
Rosberg pits at the end of lap 26, leaving Alonso and Gutierrez as the only drivers still to stop. The German rejoins in eighth.
By staying out, Alonso is not only losing time to Vettel but also Webber and Massa.
The Spaniard finally pits at the end of lap 27, as does Gutierrez. The Ferrari driver rejoins in second, just ahead of Webber.
So, after 27 laps, with all the stops completed, Vettel leads Alonso by 10.3s, with Webber third, ahead of Massa, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Rosberg, Hamilton, Ricciardo and Button.
As the Mercedes duo battle, Webber is warned that his tyres must last until the end. Hamilton passes Rosberg with suspicious ease - at the first chicane where Alonso passed Massa - to take seventh.
As Hamilton goes quickest (27.339), Raikkonen pits for a set of options. The Finn rejoins in 14th, 7.5s behind Sutil.
After a couple of nibbles, Hamilton finally takes a bite at Hulkenberg, passing the Sauber on the inside in the Curva Grande for fifth, a brave move by the Mercedes driver.
Not for the first time, the McLaren duo find themselves battling, Perez right up Button's exhaust as they fight for ninth. Elsewhere, a similarly fraught battle between Hulkenberg and Rosberg for sixth.
In his (over)enthusiasm, Rosberg gets it all wrong at the first chicane and has to take to the escape road, when he rejoins he is 1.5s down Hulkenberg.
As Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (27.192), once again Hamilton is either experiencing radio problems or is ignoring a call to pit. Elsewhere, Grosjean somehow squeezes past Perez going into the first chicane.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 38, the Mercedes driver rejoining in 14th, behind Raikkonen.
While Vettel has an 11.8s advantage over Alonso, the Spaniard is under increasing pressure from Webber who is just 0.8s down the road. Massa is a further 2.5s behind.
A 27.010 sees Raikkonen go quickest as Webber closes right in on Alonso. Shortly after however, the Australian is warned that he has a problem and is told to "short shift in Turn 2". Elsewhere, Van der Garde appears to catch him team completely unawares when he pits.
Sutil and Gutierrez have a great battle which doesn't even stop as they lap a Caterham. Shortly after Raikkonen passes the startled Mexican to take twelfth.
No sooner has Webber been told to short shift in second and third, Vettel is told to short shift in fifth and sixth. Could be a fuel problem but let's not forget the changes made to the gearboxes on both cars overnight.
Hamilton is all over his old mate Sutil, and despite the best efforts of the German the Mercedes is through going in the second chicane. Ahead of Hamilton, Raikkonen is also on a charge (as ever) hunting down Perez.
Again, Webber is told to short-shift, warned that it must be done if he wants to finish. He remains just 0.7s sown on Alonso. Grosjean passes Button to take eighth.
As Raikkonen battle Hamilton the Finn is told not to use his overtake button coming out of the Parabolica or risk flattening his battery.
The Mercedes driver, making full use of slipstreaming, passes Raikkonen on the pit straight, but the Finn has the position and re-takes the position in the first chicane. Elsewhere, Massa is told that he can challenge Webber. "Come on boy," urges Rob Smedley.
Again Hamilton passes Raikkonen and again the Finn re-takes the position, however, coming out of the chicane the Mercedes has better grip and passes the Lotus ion the Curva Grande.
On the subsequent lap Hamilton leaves Perez for dead, immediately setting off after Button.
With 3 laps remaining, it's: Vettel, Alonso, Webber, Massa, Hulkenberg, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Button and Hamilton.
"Protect your fronts under braking," Vettel is warned.
Sweeping past his former teammate, Button, Hamilton sets off after Grosjean who is 1.29s up the road. Raikkonen closes in on Button as Perez climbs all over the back of the Lotus.
"Last lap, bring it home," Vettel is told. "We've got enough issues, just bring it home."
As Sutil pits, Hamilton closes in on Grosjean and Ricciardo. He attacks at the second chicane but overdoes it and rides over the speed bumps.
Vettel takes the win but on the other side of the circuit Hamilton is still fighting Grosjean, albeit to no avail.
Webber and Raikkonen stop just yards after the finish line, both clearly marginal on fuel.
Alonso takes second, ahead of Webber, Massa, Hulkenberg, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Hamilton and Button.
Raikkonen is eleventh, ahead of Perez, Gutierrez, Maldonado, Bottas, Sutil, Pic, Van der Garde, Bianchi and Chilton.
Despite the nail-biting warnings for Vettel, it was essentially a Sunday afternoon stroll, the German taking another step towards his fourth successive title.
As we leave Europe however, the big question is what might have been in terms of Hamilton and Raikkonen qualifying further up the grid, and the Finn not having encountered that first lap damage.
That said, the fact is that though the pair may well have battled the Ferraris, and maybe Webber, Vettel looked pretty comfortable all weekend.
That said, as with much of the weekend, if you discount Vettel and look at what was happening behind him it was incredibly tight. Just 0.8s separating Alonso and Webber, 1.5 covering Massa, Hulkenberg and Rosberg, 1.1 covering Ricciardo, Grosjean and Hamilton, while Button, Raikkonen, Perez and Gutierrez were separated by 2.4s. And that was without the need of a Safety Car to bunch them up.
Now for Singapore.