13/10/2013
NEWS STORY
The last two races have been enlivened by the appearance of the Safety Car, a move which kicked new life into what had become processions. Though Sebastian Vettel went on to win both races, it (temporarily) offered the promise of someone giving him a fight for the lead even if that threat never materialised.
Behind him however, in both races, there was some excellent dicing throughout the field, with tyre strategy adding extra spice.
Since the Grand Prix returned to Suzuka in 2009 the Safety Car has made at least one appearance each year so it is quite possible that we will see it make an appearance here today... not that races at this classic circuit usually need such artificial enlivening.
That said, all eyes will be focussed on the front of the grid where Mark Webber sits on pole for the first time since Korea 2012, just a few feet ahead of his teammate.
The 'usual suspects' have run headlines that the Australian will not “help” his teammate today but why should he. At the same time, 'Aussie Grit' - who admitted that taking pole was somewhat hollow - due to the fact that Vettel had a KERS issue - would not want to be handed a token win before he heads off to Sports Cars.
While everyone will be hoping that something happens, if only to hold off the inevitable - Vettel winning the title - for another couple of weeks.
Asked light not if he would like to wrap things up this weekend, Christian Horner told the BBC, "well I'm sure Bernie would like us to spin it out to Brazil..." Never a truer word was spoken.
While Red Bull has locked-out the front row, Mercedes and Lotus have been threatening all weekend, even though, once again, Kimi Raikkonen leaves himself with it all to do this afternoon.
Since the opening session we have seen drivers caught out by this fabulous track, with others really pushing their luck. Though there are plenty of over generous run-offs here, the circuit is unforgiving to those that don't show it the fullest respect, as Adrian Sutil, Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Perez and Kimi Raikkonen will tell you.
While, as in Korea, the threatened storm never arrived, the wind has caused problems, especially yesterday, while the difference in temperate on Friday and Saturday led to a much grippier track, even Jenson Button was happy.
Though some insist on pushing the various permutations that might yet see Fernando Alonso take the title, other than something drastic it is not got going to happen. However, despite the equipment at his disposal, like Raikkonen, we can probably look forward to another strong performance today.
It is the fight behind that really excites, as those drivers yet to secure a seat for 2014 - currently about 15 or 16 of them - do their best to retain their current drive or find an alternative. We're talking the likes of Massa, Hulkenberg, Perez, di Resta, Sutil and Maldonado.
On the other hand, after four successive DNFs, the Scot will be happy to see the chequered flag this afternoon.
Tyres are the hard (prime) and medium (option), with around 0.5s between them. Also, unlike previous tracks there is no significant "drop-off".
As two-stop strategy is theoretically the quickest way to go. The fastest strategy should be to start on the medium, change to medium again on lap 20 and then change to the hard on lap 37. An alternative could be: start on the medium, switch to hard on lap 20, and hard tyre again on lap 37.
As in 2012 there is one DRS zone, albeit a little bit longer than last year.
While it would be good to see Webber take a/the win, and under his own steam, one cannot help but feel that Vettel has already made space for the trophy in his cabinet. What the Australian really needs to do today is control the race from the word go, and that means leading into the first corner. However, as we know from experience starts are not Mark's strong point.
Behind them it will be fascinating to see the battle Hamilton, Grosjean and Co, the Frenchman, in many respects, a changed man since Raikkonen's departure was announced. Then again, Suzuka is a circuit that has been known to induce the red mist in the best of them.
Nico Rosberg has been a little off the boil of late so it would be great to see him re-establish himself, while we can no doubt expect another strong performance from the other Nico coming off the back of strong performance in the last three races, particularly Korea last week.
Alonso will be as strong as ever, though he can expect no quarter from his teammate even though the Brazilian was extremely disappointing last week. Then there's McLaren, where we just might see another one of those epic duels between Jenson and Sergio, the Mexican another driver who has something to prove.
While the title is out of reach, the runner-up spot is worth a lot of money so we can expect the Ferrari and Mercedes drivers under strict instructions to bring their cars home with as many points as possible, while Force India, having lost out to McLaren since the tyres were changed, is now under threat from an ever-improving Sauber... even if all the Swiss outfit's points have been scored by one driver.
Unless there is a disaster of biblical proportions we are not going to see a Caterham or Marussia in the points today however that particular battle continues, given added spice by the opportunity of leapfrogging the (once) mighty Williams.
Talking of Marussia, ahead of today's driver parade, the sport paid tribute to Maria de Villota who passed away on Friday. It was a poignant moment as the F1 'family' remembered one of its own. Indeed, a number of drivers will feature the 'star logo' on their cars today.
A number of penalties were dished out yesterday - most notably a drive through for Charles Pic, which has to be served within the opening five laps - but these were all at the back of the grid including Adrian Sutil who was knocked back five places after his team changed his gearbox following his crash in FP3.
Red Bull has replaced Vettel's problematic KERS overnight, good news for the world champion but bad news for those not wanting to see 'the finger' later this afternoon.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 37 degrees.
All start on the option other than Ricciardo and Pic who start on the prime.
The warm-up lap completed, Webber leads the field to the grid. Behind him everyone furiously working heat into their tyres. The crowd applauds.
Concentrating on Vettel and Hamilton, Webber loses out to Grosjean who heads the field into T1. Further back Van der Garde and Bianchi are off, the Dutchman going into the barriers.
Hamilton has lost his right-rear tyre and drops down through the field, whilst Vettel is told that everything is OK after appearing to have made contact with the Englishman's wheel. The Mercedes driver pits to change to the hards, his car appearing to have suffered damage to its floor.
At the end of lap one, it's: Grosjean, Webber, Vettel, Rosberg, Massa, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Perez, Gutierrez and Button. The incident involving Bianchi and Van der Garde will be investigated after the race.
Replay shows that Hamilton clouted Vettel's front wing on the run to the first corner, the tyre on the Mercedes puncturing instantly.
Out front, Grosjean posts a new fastest lap (38.651) as he maintains a 1s lead to Webber who is 1.4s ahead of Vettel. Sutil, who started from the back, is up to sixteenth.
As Vettel is told to drop back to save his tyres, Raikkonen is all over Button for tenth. Indeed, the Finn nails the McLaren driver into Turn 1 as, behind, Ricciardo passes Bottas for 13th.
Alonso is losing time behind Massa, how long before the Brazilian gets 'the call'. Webber is told that he needs to save his tyres.
"Multi-function strategy A," Massa is told, could this be Ferrari's version of the infamous Multi-21?
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 8, however, the pace at which he pulls in suggests that his day's work is at an end. Button, Bottas and Sutil also pit... but return to the track.
Mercedes day gets a little worse as Rosberg, over 5sd behind Vettel, runs very wide in the Esses. In the pits Hamilton is out of his car.
Gutierrez and Maldonado both pit at the end of lap 9, as Grosjean extends his lead to 2.1s. Next time around Hulkenberg pits, as does di Resta.
Webber pits at the end of lap 11, thereby releasing Vettel. Massa and Raikkonen also stop. Grosjean posts 38.835 and Vettel 39.065. Button, however, now on primes, posts a new fastest lap (38.459).
Grosjean pits at the end of lap 12, as do Rosberg and Perez. The Frenchman rejoins in third, behind Vettel and Alonso but, importantly, ahead of Webber. An unsafe release for Rosberg - right into the path of Perez - which is sure to attract the attention of the stewards.
As the stewards reveal that they are investigating Rosberg's release, Alonso pits, rejoining in 8th. Elsewhere, Perez passes Button for 11th. This could be interesting.
Vettel finally pits at the end of lap 14, as Grosjean posts a new fastest lap (37.691). The German rejoins in third. Replay shows him locking up on his in lap and also as he entered the pits.
Rosberg is handed a drive-through for his unsafe release, Mercedes weekend going from bad to worse.
After 15 laps, with all but Ricciardo having pitted, Grosjean leads Webber by 1.8s with Vettel a further 4s down the road. Ricciardo is fourth, ahead of Rosberg, Hulkenberg, Massa, Alonso, Gutierrez and Raikkonen.
On his first lap on the primes Vettel posts 37.445, taking almost a second off his teammate. Elsewhere, Rosberg serves his drive-through. He rejoins in twelfth.
"You're minus three to Webber," Vettel is told, "so you can just sit there for a while".
Behind Ricciardo a queue of cars is building, as Pic, in 18th, makes his second visit to the pits of the afternoon. Sutil complains of understeer.
Cameras pick up on a great battle between Maldonado and Sutil for 15th, the two getting worryingly close. Elsewhere, Hulkenberg is all over Ricciardo who refuses to yield. The German under attack from the two Ferraris.
As Hulkenberg sizes up Ricciardo on the pit straight, Alonso nails Massa, the Spaniard, making full use of DRS, moving up to sixth. Just behind, Raikkonen is right on the tail of Gutierrez.
Wow! Hulkenberg nails Ricciardo in 130R, whilst Massa battles Gutierrez. Alonso passes Ricciardo the Australian subsequently pitting.
As they battle Massa runs wide at Degner allowing Gutierrez to close right in, however the Sauber driver subsequently gets it all wrong, not only giving the Ferrari driver breathing space but Allowing Raikkonen through. Tremendous stuff.
As Grosjean maintains a 1.4s lead over Webber, who posts a new fastest lap (37.430), Hulkenberg and Massa battle for fourth, the two over twenty seconds behind third-placed Vettel.
Button pits at the end of lap 23 however there's a problem with his right rear. He drops from 11th to 16th as a result.
"That's good pace," Vettel is told, "but don't go bananas". Meanwhile, Rosberg pits and Vergne posts a new fastest lap (37.134).
Webber pits at the end of lap 25, the Australian rejoining in third. Elsewhere, a big lock-up for teammate Vettel at the chicane.
As Raikkonen shadows Massa, Vettel posts a new fastest lap, the German stopping the clock at 36.971. He closes to within 2.5s of the leader.
"We are not racing Mark, we are racing Grosjean," Vettel is told. Elsewhere, di Resta pits from 12th.
Ricciardo runs very wide at 130R in his efforts to pass di Resta. Bottas and Sutil pit.
As Webber posts 36.012, Vettel is told to "put pressure on Grosjean".
Massa pits at the end of lap 28, as Ricciardo, clearly on a charge, battles with Maldonado, the Williams driver subsequently pitting.
Grosjean pits at the end of lap 29, Lotus appearing to have been forced to change strategy in reaction to Red Bull. He rejoins behind Webber. Hulkenberg also pits.
Ricciardo is under investigation for the incident at 130R, leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 30, as do Gutierrez and Perez. Vettel stays out.
Replay shows that, like Button, Perez has a problem with his right-rear during his stop.
As Raikkonen pits from fourth, Ricciardo is handed a drive-through for his earlier misdemeanour.
After 32 laps, with Vettel still to stop, Webber is second, ahead of Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Massa, Raikkonen, Rosberg, Button and Vergne. After serving his penalty Ricciardo drops to thirteenth.
Massa receives a drive-through for speeding in the pitlane.
Still to stop, Vettel is 9.9s ahead of Webber as the cat and mouse game with Grosjean continues. The strategy employed by Red Bull and Lotus could see this fight go to the very last lap.
As Massa serves his drive-through, Vettel locks-up, the latest of many for the German.
"Your pace is good," Grosjean is told, "just look after your rears."
"It's not all over mate," Webber is told, "it's not all over, keep pushing." Meanwhile, a new fastest lap for Raikkonen (35.516).
Such is the pace of the leaders, fourth placed Hulkenberg is 31.4s behind Grosjean, 50.9s behind Vettel. As he closes to within 0.9s of his 2014 teammate, Raikkonen posts another fastest lap.
At the end of lap 37, Vettel makes his second stop, rejoining in third. "That's Grosjean in front of you," he is told, "go get him!"
Gutierrez passes Vergne for ninth in a very brave move, both Saubers in the points. Vergne subsequently pits.
Unsurprisingly, Vettel posts a new fastest lap, the German crossing the line at 35.317. He is told that towards the end of the race he will come under pressure from Webber so he needs to watch his tyres.
Vettel closes right in on Grosjean on the run to 130R, maintaining the fight into the chicane. Finally, on the pit straight, even though he doesn't use DRS until the very last moment, he nails the Frenchman for second. Elsewhere, Rosberg and Button have pitted.
After 41 laps, Webber leads Vettel by 14.5s. At the end of the next lap the Australian pits. He rejoins, on options, in third.
Vettel, Grosjean, Webber, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Raikkonen, Gutierrez, Massa, Rosberg and Ricciardo.
Perez pits with a puncture after contact with Rosberg at the chicane. Elsewhere, Alonso and Raikkonen close in on Hulkenberg. On fresh rubber Webber posts a new fastest lap (34.597) as he closes to within 2.6s of Grosjean.
"He needs to keep out of the way, even if he has got new tyres," warns Vettel. A move that will not endear him to fans, especially in Australia.
As Alonso nails Hulkenberg into Turn 1, Grosjean runs wide, the Frenchman now under pressure from a closing Webber.
Webber closes on Grosjean at the start of lap 47, but the Frenchman isn't in a mood to surrender. All of which plays into Vettel's hands.
Rosberg passes Massa at the chicane to take 8th.
Again, Webber fails to nail Grosjean, the Red Bull driver unable to get the most out of his DRS. Vettel is now 6.9s up the road.
A PB for Grosjean as he soaks up the pressure, Webber unable to get traction out of the chicane on to the pit straight. Raikkonen is all over fifth placed Hulkenberg, whilst Rosberg, despite 4 stops, harries Gutierrez.
As they battle, Grosjean and Webber close on the gaggle of cars fighting for 13th. The Lotus driver weaves through the back-markers, Webber in hot pursuit.
Finally, on lap 52, Webber, courtesy of DRS and the back markers, nails Grosjean into T1 in a brave, brave move. However, with Vettel 8.4s up the road it's too late for the win.
As the Red Bull crew applaud, Raikkonen nails Hulkenberg, the Finn going around the outside at the chicane.
Vettel takes the flag, his ninth win of the season. He hasn't wrapped yup the title but it will have been a satisfying day.
Webber takes second ahead of Webber, both men fully deserving of their places on the podium.
Alonso is fourth, thereby taking the title 'fight' onto India, ahead of Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Gutierrez - scoring his world championship points - Rosberg, Button and Massa.
Di Resta is eleventh, ahead of Vergne, Ricciardo, Sutil, Perez, Maldonado, Bottas, Pic and Chilton.
The Cameras pick up on a late sneaky move which sees Button snatch 9th from Massa, whilst Maldonado went cross country in the chicane as he battled his Williams teammate.
While it's going to be another couple of weeks before Vettel finally puts the 2013 title fight out of its misery, you can be sure that Mark Webber and romain Grosjean will be leaving here wondering what might have been.
It is going to be interesting to see what the media makes of Vettel's warning to keep Webber away from him, while at Lotus Grosjean continues to stamp his new found authority.
Great to see Sauber get both cars home in the points, the Swiss team finding a whole new lease of life in recent weeks, whilst one cannot help but notice the tension already building between Alonso and Raikkonen.
Some great strategy today, but one wonders if that's what the fans really want to see. Indeed, do we really want to hear drivers forever being to told to conserve their tyres.
While it was a disappointing day from Hamilton and Mercedes, what an impressive performance from Nico Rosberg, three stops and a drive through.
Finally, a word about the fans here. We talk about the passion at circuits like Silverstone and Monza but here they take it to a whole new level, giving the race a real sense of occasion.
As we head to some of the more soulless circuits on the calendar, how wonderful to see racing on a real circuit in front of thousands of real fans.