16/03/2014
NEWS STORY
While it was always on the cards that a Mercedes would be starting today's race from pole position, who honestly would have predicted - based on pre-season evidence - that a Red Bull would also be starting from the front row, and 'new boy' Daniel Ricciardo to boot?
It was a superb performance from the youngster - one of several yesterday - but it remains to be seen how his car will stand up over a full race distance, something it hasn't done up until now.
The Brackley team clearly has the edge, while Mercedes engines power six of the ten cars at the front of the grid - even with Bottas' grid penalty.
While Renault appears to have taken a step forward, certainly as far as Red Bull is concerned, there remain issues, as Grosjean and Maldonado will readily tell you.
Therefore expect Mercedes teams to do well today, even if some will find the going a little tougher once the Renault teams - and Ferrari - get their acts together later in the year.
If nothing else, the disappointing new sound of F1 allows us to hear things we'd previously missed, little things like tyres squealing and the roar of the crowd.
Yesterday's crowd reaction had all the makings of pantomime, especially the roar of delight when Vettel failed to improve and thereby missed the cut at the end of Q2. There was another roar when Ricciardo appeared to take pole, but this soon turned to a collective groan when Hamilton banged in his 44.231. The sound of the crowd really humanises the sport, giving it some of the atmosphere of a football match. What's next, chants?
Ahead of today's race, it is surprising - or maybe not - the amount of negative coverage Hamilton is getting in the British press. Already under close scrutiny for his on/off relationship with his pop star girlfriend, the Mercedes driver is under added pressure as journos who should know better question whether his friendship with teammate Nico Rosberg would survive a strong, competitive season.
More worrying however, is the way comments made by him regarding Michael Schumacher appear to have been taken out of context and then magnified. We know from experience that the youngster wears his heart on his sleeve, he needs the British media on his side not working against him.
Someone who really doesn't give a toss what anyone thinks is The Iceman, however, are we alone in thinking that Raikkonen doesn't look comfortable at present. His radio comments were particularly tetchy yesterday, not to mention his reaction on returning to the pits after crashing out in Q2. Not a wise move if he is to take on and beat old 'Poker Face' Alonso.
Other than Ricciardo, Kevin Magnussen Daniil Kvyat, Jean-Eric Vergne and Nico Hulkenberg deserve credit for their performances, particularly the Russian who seemed out of his depth on Friday. Kudos to the Caterham duo also.
With an eye on the fact that the next two races are back-to-back, albeit a fortnight away, nobody will want to take any unnecessary risks today, indeed, some teams (Lotus) look likely to use the race as a glorified test session.
We do not believe for a moment that the poor form and reliability some teams showed in testing has been miraculously resolved, therefore we are expecting lots of retirements. Indeed, with Button, Raikkonen and Vettel starting from the middle of the pack we can expect fireworks from the very start.
Though we (naively) still see F1 as a sport as opposed to entertainment, it must put on a show this weekend, and the performance of the rookies, not to mention the likes of Ricciardo, can make all the difference.
Then again there the new rules, and at Pitpass we still believe that not only are they too far ranging and, for many casual fans, too complicated, but that certain safety issues have not been thought out.
With an eye on fuel conservation some - another knife through the heart of those who want flat-out racing - drivers are having to be far more conservative on their approach. Indeed, some will be attempting to save fuel from the very start. We have already seen a number of occasions where drivers appear to be 'racing' at entirely different speeds on the same piece of tarmac - this is very worrying. Then again, so is the whole issue of the batteries being stored beneath fuel tanks.
We don't want to sensationalise like some media outlets, but we have to admit we are concerned. When the likes of Fernando Alonso, arguably the best driver out there, complains that he has too much to do and isn't able to focus one hundred percent, somewhere alarm bells should be ringing.
Due to the huge question mark over the race in terms of reliability, don't be surprised not only by the number of drivers who fail to make the finish, but also some of the drivers who leave here with points. Will Kevin Magnussen join that elite club of drivers to score on their F1 debut, could Marussia finally score its first point?
Then again, other than reliability there is the question mark over brake systems that appear to have a mind of their own - think Toro Rosso - tyre wear and the inevitable mistakes that rookies are bound to make.
All in all there is the prospect of an interesting race, even if some - no names - are trying just a little too hard to tell us how good it's going to be.
We are not expecting rain, though it remains cool, overcast and windy, blustery even, something that was causing problems yesterday.
The pitlane opens and one by one the drivers start to emerge. Grosjean, it has been revealed, is starting the race from the pitlane… he'd be better starting the race in a Marussia.
There are two DRS zones this weekend, the first on the main pit straight and the second between Turns 2 and 3. The detection zone is before Turn 14.
Strategy is going to depend heavily on the weather. If it stays dry, which looks likely, we expect drivers to start on the softs, change to the soft again on lap 23, then change to the medium for the final short stint on lap 51.
Wise words from Ron Dennis - great to have him back by the way - as he admits that it is the intelligent, thinking drivers who will master the demands of tyre and fuel management. Though, ominously, he warns that fans should not judge the 'new F1' on this race alone, indicating that he too fears there will be lots of issues.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 19 degrees C, while the track temperature is 28 degrees. It is 17:00 local time.
Vettel and Gutierrez are the only drivers on medium, the rest of the field is on the options.
They head off on the warm-up lap, everyone bar Chilton that is, the Marussia left stranded on the track.
Adding insult to injury, Grosjean is handed a drive though for leaving his garage before the 15 minute signal.
They're away... or rather they're not. A problem with Bianchi's car means the start is aborted and the cars are sent off on another warm-up lap. What was it we said about starting Grosjean in a Marussia?
As Hamilton leads the field back to the grid, Grosjean waits at the end of the pitlane, ahead of the Marussia duo.
"Is it normal that I have no power," complains Vettel. "Torque 2 is OK," is the reply.
They're away! A slow start from Hamilton but not Rosberg who leads Ricciardo into T1. However, there's chaos further back with a number of cars going off into the gravel. Elsewhere, Magnussen passes Hamilton and Alonso loses out to Hulkenberg who nails the Spaniard.
As Vettel continues complaining, Grosjean serves his drive-through. Perez and Gutierrez also pit while Massa and Kobayashi were the other casualties in the first corner, there race over.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Rosberg, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Vergne, Raikkonen, Kvyat and Bottas.
"Lewis, we have to retire, we have to save the engine." However, the Mercedes driver continues. "OK Lewis, stay out, stay out." Meanwhile, Vettel has dropped to 16th.
Bottas passes Kvyat to take 9th, and Raikkonen takes 6th from Vergne, whilst Hamilton heads into the pits at the end of lap 3. Bianchi has also retired.
In 6th, Alonso leads a train of cars which includes Vergne, Bottas, Kvyat and Button. Vettel pits and is pushed straight into his garage... the crowd cheers.
Behind Raikkonen, Vergne and Bottas are having an epic battle. Out front, Rosberg leads Ricciardo by 4s.
Replay shows Kobayashi going into the first corner of the race Kamikaze style, taking out Massa and causing al manner of mayhem. Indeed, he touched Raikkonen. Unclear if it was brain fade, over enthusiasm or a brake problem. Looks as though it might be the latter.
Bottas posts a new fastest lap (34.925) as Kobayashi admits that the first corner accident was "all my fault" revealing that he had "no brakes".
Bottas makes short work of fellow-Finn Raikkonen, much to the delight of the Williams garage. Martinis all round?
After 7 laps we have already lost five drivers, Bianchi, Massa, Kobayashi, Hamilton and Vettel. It's understood that a KERS issue was the cause of the world champion's demise.
As Rosberg builds a 5s lead, posting a new fastest lap in the process, Vettel, already in civvies, heads into the paddock to meet the press.
Bottas is now challenging Alonso for fifth, however, is the Finn digging too deep into his fuel. Game over for the Finn, in his enthusiasm he clouts the wall and a short while after his rear-right tyre falls from the rim. He heads to the pits where Claire Williams looks despondent. The Finn rejoins the race in 16th.
The Safety Car is deployed as a piece of Bottas' wheel is removed from the track. Button is quick to pit as the field lines up behind the silver Mercedes... not the one driven by Rosberg. Former teammate Perez also pits.
At the end of the lap Rosberg leads Ricciardo and the rest into the pitlane.
After 12 laps, with the Safety Car on track, it's: Rosberg, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Button, Vergne, Raikkonen, Kvyat, Sutil, Maldonado and Ericsson.
"Almost in the points by lap 10," tweets Lotus. "Naturally we expected that... Err!"
Replay shows Button made a very, very, very late decision to pit earlier. Elsewhere, Mercedes confirms that Hamilton's retirement was down to a misfire.
As if all this isn't enough, Ricciardo is warned that there could be "light rain at turn three", but nothing special, "only a few drops".
The Safety Car pulls off at the end of lap 15, Hamilton is now in his civvies and heading off to meet the media. This is not what he - or we - were expecting.
The race resumes, Rosberg keeping things under control. As Bianchi (we thought he had retired too but he's actually six laps down) sizes up his Marussia teammate, Bottas passes Gutierrez to take 15th.
On his first lap following the withdrawal of the Safety Car, Rosberg posts a new fastest lap (33.976). Magnussen is stuck on the tail of Ricciardo.
As Rosberg posts another fastest lap (33.195), Bottas is slicing his way through the field, the Finn now up to 11th and hunting down Sutil.
"Sorry for messed up it's just my mistake sorry to Felipe and @CaterhamF1 all member!" tweets the ever wonderful Kobayashi.
Now 4.4s down on the leader and under pressure from Magnussen, Ricciardo is told that he does not need to save fuel.
In fourth, Hulkenberg is now under pressure from Alonso who has Button, Vergne and Raikkonen in hot pursuit.
As Perez passes Grosjean for twelfth, Bottas is told that there is told to be careful with his DRS as there is a "problem with the hardware". We can all sympathise Valtteri, we can all sympathise.
Under increasing pressure from behind, Hulkenberg locks of his front-right in T7.
Grosjean nails teammate Maldonado on the pit straight to take 13th. In the background, over the 'noise' of the engines, you can hear trackside commentator Bob Constanduros.
As Ericsson makes his first ever F1 race pit stop, it's interesting to note that Sutil has yet to stop. Same goes for Maldonado and Chilton.
Bottas nails Kvyat to take ninth, much to the delight of his team which is having a rollercoaster race.
Out front, Rosberg now leads Ricciardo by 10.1s. Four of the leading six powered by Mercedes.
Raikkonen runs wide, the Finn - currently eighth - still struggling as he hunts down Vergne.
Massa suggests that the first lap incident was similar to Grosjean's madness at Spa in 2012, hinting that Kobayashi should face a race ban.
At 'half-time', Bianchi makes his first stop of the race. Grosjean pits shortly after. Elsewhere, Ericsson has stopped on track having been told to shut his (Renault) engine down.
As Maldonado pits there's another big lock-up for Hulkenberg, the German now 5.9s down on Magnussen and under increasing pressure from Alonso who is 1.1s behind.
"Magnussen is starting to struggle," Ricciardo is told, "you're doing a good job at the moment." A masterpiece of understatement.
Shortly after his pit stop, Maldonado pulls off track just after T12. Elsewhere, Rosberg is told that his team is aiming to stretch his current stint. He is now 12.8s clear of Ricciardo.
Button pits at the end of lap 32, the McLaren driver switching to the mediums. Perez also stops, the Force India staying with the option tyres.
Hulkenberg and Vergne both pit at the end of lap 33, as the cameras reveal that Button has lost the tip of his nose.
Button goes quickest in S2 as Button seeks to make the most of his fresh, albeit medium, tyres. The Englishman going on to post a PB (33.515).
A mistake sees Raikkonen run wide in T3, thereby allowing Bottas through to take fifth. Which begs the question where would the Williams driver be if not for that clash with the wall?
Alonso pits at the end of lap 35, rejoining behind Button but just ahead of Hulkenberg. The German makes a bid to pass but the two-time world champion is having none of it.
Next time around, as Rosberg is warner of possible light rain, Ricciardo pits, as do Bottas, Raikkonen and Kvyat.
Magnussen is told to "box" next time around, the end of lap 37. He duly obliges, rejoining in third.
Mercedes responds by pitting Rosberg, the German rejoining the race still in the lead. Replay shows a little bit of damage being done as the front-left wheel was fitted.
With the second round of stops out of the way, Rosberg leads Ricciardo by 16.1s, with Magnussen third, ahead of Button, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Vergne, Bottas, Raikkonen and Kvyat.
Kvyat is all over Raikkonen and such is the Finn's lack of confidence in his car the outcome seems inevitable.
Behind the leading ten, it's: Perez, Grosjean, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton and Bianchi, who is still running, six laps down, but not showing as classified at this time.
Magnussen has closed right in on Ricciardo, the Dane just 0.8s down on the Red Bull. The Australian responds with a PB (33.251). Elsewhere, Chilton pits.
Alonso is told to "look after everything and see what happens". The Spaniard is currently fifth.
As Ricciardo stretches the gap to Magnussen, Bottas battles Vergne for seventh and Kvyat continues to hound Raikkonen.
Grosjean is finally put out of his misery, the Frenchman pulling off track in S3.
As he and his teammate close on Ricciardo, Button asks if the Australian has a reliability issue. "We don't think so," is the response. "Protect rear tyres," Magnussen is told, "we maybe be racing Jenson at the end of the race".
Vergne gets horribly out of shape in the final corner, and Bottas takes full advantage, passing the Toro Rosso to take sixth.
Hulkenberg is told that he can expect to come under attack from Bottas "some time soon". You'd better believe it.
"Ricciardo is struggling," Button is advised. The Englishman is now just 3.6s down on his teammate who is 1.2s shy of the Australian.
Alonso is also told that Ricciardo is struggling. Indeed, the Spaniard is told that he is quicker than the three cars ahead of him.
Bottas is all over Hulkenberg, pushing the Force India driver all the way.
"Use overtake button," Magnussen is told as he closes in on Ricciardo with seven laps remaining.
"You're doing a good job," Ricciardo is told, "fuel is good, fuel is good."
Bottas nails Hulkenberg in T1 to take sixth, fifth-placed Alonso, a further 12s up the road, seems a massive ask.
"We need to keep up the pace," Ricciardo is told, "Magnussen is saving fuel but he'll attack later." Indeed, there is currently a gap of 1.6s.
Raikkonen takes eighth from Vergne, as Magnussen is given the all-clear to attack Ricciardo.
Meanwhile, out front, it's a quiet Sunday afternoon drive for Rosberg who has done an exemplary job today.
As they begin the last lap, Magnussen is 1.7s down on Ricciardo, while Kvyat is just 0.7s down on his Toro Rosso teammate.
"Brilliant stuff, what a car you've given me," shouts Rosberg as he takes the flag, "brilliant stuff, fantastic."
"Thanks guys," says Ricciardo, "it's all a bit of a blur."
There are no last lap heroics, but why should there, after all the championship cannot be won here, but it could be lost. Anyway, the likes of Magnussen, Bottas and Kvyat have already proven themselves.
Rosberg wins, ahead of Ricciardo, with Magnussen third, ahead of Button, Alonso, Bottas, Hulkenberg, Raikkonen, Vergne, Kvyat, Perez, Sutil, Gutierrez, Chilton and Bianchi.
As pretty much expected, Mercedes wins but McLaren leads the Constructors' Championship.
Despite the early elimination of Vettel and Hamilton, not to mention the misfortunes of Lotus, this wasn't the feast of attrition we expected. However, are we alone in worrying about the increasing way in which the race is being driven not by the guys in the cockpits but by the geeks and techies on the pit wall and back at the factories.
That said, it's a good way to get the season underway, and a podium that should delight pretty much every F1 fan.
Check out our race gallery, here.
Chris Balfe