Vettel Takes Pole for 2010 German GP at Hockenheim
At a little over the half-way point in the 2010 Formula One season, the championship remains wide-open. The performance advantage enjoyed by Red Bull has not so far translated into superiority in the results table, and the big hitters continue to improve with Ferrari looking at their strongest since 2008. McLaren top the tables, thanks to steady work from its drivers and its unparalleled reliability but today’s race in Germany could provide the closest racing yet.
A hugely enjoyable set of 2010 races, laced with controversy over FIA stewarding decisions which could best be described as inconsistent, has managed to retain fan loyalty. Even the Tifosi – not well-served by Ferrari’s struggling performance in the first half of the season – have much to keep their interest, including the return of 7x World Champion and former prancing horse talisman, Michael Schumacher.
It is the Red Bulls of Sebatian Vettel and Mark Webber who have entertained the most. Driver rivalry has been explosively demonstrated with Vettel’s immaturity taking out his teammate in Turkey, leaving the race to the McLarens. The Milton Keynes-based (Austrian) team has dominated qualifying but has not been quite able to translate this into results. Reliability issues are fewer and they should be set fair to challenge the default leadership of the Woking boys. Ferrari too looked very strong in qualifying in Hockenheim, producing arguably the most interesting starting grid of the season so far. The German race could generate a corker of a start with the Ferraris of Alonso and Massa splitting the Red Bulls, with the McLarens sitting on the third row. Button out-qualified Hamilton but Lewis’s impatience could see him storm through the pack at the start, unsettling hard-charging Alonso looking to defend his 2nd place.
Schuie has struggled with the Mercedes package and came in for criticism for rejoining the sport but as the Brawn car improves, so will the wiley World Champion. He has perhaps suffered by comparison with teammate Rosberg which is unfair on the younger driver; one of my tips last year for success, Nico continues to demonstrate that he is a racer.
Home advantage to Vettel on pole; Webber relegated to 4th; Massa and Alonso back in the hunt. A recipe for an exciting start but the pace from qualifying suggests that again the leading pack will streak ahead of the remainder to turn the Grand Prix into 3 separate races, with the Cosworth-powered newbies playing tag at the back. The shortened track will bring traffic into play early on and, lap one incidents aside, it will be pit strategies which will decide the result in the event that a start-line shoot-out fails to materialise. There is also the weather – rain could present an opportunity to win or lose the race in tyre strategy and pit work, but otherwise should not separate the cars performance-wise.
Coverage from the BBC has matured to the point where they have excellent off-race articles, interviews and general lead-up coverage but the in-race commentary continues to drag from Legeard’s lame prose, and Martin Brundle sounding bored. Still missing a character to match Eddie Jordan’s firey pit-lane challenges (Christian Horner – Red Bull Team Principal – brushes off EJ’s jibes and pointed questions with some dignity), the Beeb must liven up the race commentary. It needs someone with the authority of Brundle who can inform the viewer, with some zesty, emotional shouting in the mold of Murray Walker, and a race awareness which helps the viewer (as opposed to leaving the viewer to understand positioning and other off-camera incidents).
So in Germany, Vettel is well placed to take his home race for Red Bull but qualified ahead of Alonso in the Ferrari but only 4 thousands of a second. The half-second lag of the McLarens appears decisive but they have proved they have the start, tactics and reliability needed to win the championship. It remains Red Bull’s to lose.
Qualifying Positions for Hockenheim :
Pos No Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps
1 5 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault
2 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
3 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari
4 6 Mark Webber RBR-Renault
5 1 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
6 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
7 11 Robert Kubica Renault
8 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
9 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP 1:16.178
10 10 Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth
11 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
12 23 Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari
13 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault
14 14 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
15 22 Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber-Ferrari
16 17 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
17 16 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
18 18 Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth
19 19 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
20 24 Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth
21 21 Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth
22 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
23 20 Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth
24 25 Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
Standing by for a little more excitement in the second Grand Prix of the 2010 championship today in Australia. Rain is forecast around 15 minutes from the start which will prompt a flurry of pit stops and perhaps a shuffling of the deck as the teams compete to get in and out of the tight Melbourne pit lane (hampered by the slower 60 km/h speed limit and 55 metre clearance required on releasing drivers back into the lane from the pit). In fact, 10 mins from the start, the rain is now spitting down intermittently and strengthening.
Lewis is languishing in 11th on the grid and clearly rattled by the performance of his team-mate, Jensen, and his own misdemeanors off-track and you have to question Hamilton’s maturity and whether he is missing his father Anthony steadying influence. Once again, Seb Vettel is on pole in the Red Bull with homeboy Mark Webber beside him. Next to Ferrari’s Alonso is Jensen Button in an excellent 4th on the grid and ahead of the Mercedes Brawn pairing of Rosberg and Schuie.
Its a wonderful season already in terms of the driver / team mixes, including a welcome return from Schumacher. The racing has been less inspiring and it can only be hoped that the weather spices up the Aussie event. Off we go…..
The Grid
1 5 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault
2 6 Mark Webber RBR-Renault
3 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
4 1 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
5 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari
6 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
7 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
8 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
9 11 Robert Kubica Renault
10 14 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
11 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
12 16 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
13 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
14 22 Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber-Ferrari
15 10 Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth
16 23 Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari
17 17 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
18 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault
19 19 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
20 18 Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth
21 24 Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth
22 25 Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
23 21 Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth
24 20 Karun Chandhok HRT-Cosworth
Britain has a new World Heavyweight Champion tonight as London boy David Haye showed great stamina to stand up to monolithic Russian, Nikolai Valuev, in Nuremberg. Not the most dazzling of bouts, Haye had to dance to keep the massive Valuev frustrated and wait for his chance to land a few punches. The points win was a slight surprise given the defensive nature of the movement in the ring. Valuev punched at air most of the night but Hayes was also pushed to land the key punches needed to convince the judges to pass on the WBA Championship belt. The final round took the fight, as the handslapping, Fred-Astaire-stuff of the first 11 rounds was blown away by a collection of blows which hurt the Russian.
There was much pre-fight trash talk from former Cruiserweight Champion, Haye who was immensely confident but had never fought 12 rounds at Heavyweight. Valuev towered over him and carried a huge 7 stone advantage but his bulk has made him the least entertaining of fighters – able to command the shape of a fight around the ring and take a huge amount of punishment. A veteran of 51 fights, there was really only one way to beat Valuev and Haye played his tactics to the max. Whilst it was touch and go that he had impressed the judges enough, the final round saw the lumbering Russian visibly sway under a sideswipe left hander from Haye that appeared to all but glance off Valuev’s noggin.
Not an exhibition of pugilism at its best, Hayes deserved the win. Disciplined, confident and stuck to a tactic that was at once both boring and effective. Valuev had to move and duck more to make things happen, spent most of the night punching at fresh air and ultimately was frustrated enough to let Haye in. David really did slay Goliath tonight. A shame Sky decided to play adverts between rounds – despite charging for the pleasure of watching the fight.
Congratulations to our newest World Champion – well fought David.
Congratulations Jenson Button – 2009 FIA World Champion
Britain has a new World Champion today after the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix from Interlagos. Despite a courageous drive by Vettel, Button demonstrated why he has made it to the pinnacle of motorsport by driving a blinder and treating the field to a masterclass in overtaking. Commiserations to Rubens Barrichello who could not hang on to his grid lead to take his home race and keep the championship race going to Abu Dhabi. Hats off to the Brawn team who succeeded against phenomenal obstacles, with a racing machine that completely outclassed the field in the first half of the season.
A sodden qualifying session in Sao Paolo this evening barely managed to get past Q1 with contender Sebastian Vettel failing to make the cut. Not much fun to sit and wait – flicking between coverage of Strictly Come Dancing – but then the Beeb’s Ted Kravitz could have avoided whinging at Red Bull boss Christian Horner about the delays. Having expected Jensen Button to drift into 6th place on the grid after Q1, he simply could not get on the pace on full wets when qualifying resumed on a drying track, tip-toeing around in Q2 to miss the cut and be plonked on the grid at 14th, only 2 places ahead of challenger Vettel.
Q3 finally proved entertaining, some 2 and half hours into qualifying. Barrichello judged the timing perfectly to ensure that he could maximise the benefit of the drying surface and lock out following cars from beating his pole position time which, it must be said, was up against considerable competition from 9 of the 10 Q3 qualifiers (Alonso doggy-paddling back to the pits at the end for 10th). Home advantage be damned as the locals have rarely given him the time before – the shouts of ‘Rubinho !’ must have been musical as he climbed out of the cockpit in the parque ferme.
Button has work to do and is in a dodgy position for that risky first corner at Interlagos – the graveyard of so many championship hopes. Wet or dry, we could see a huge pile-up at turn 1, with Barrichello sitting pretty up front. Not all plain saaling, as Red Bull might still haunt Brawn with Mark Webber in 2nd alongside Rubens. It would be a brave pundit who could call tomorrow’s race which does stand to be one of the most entertaining of a bloody good season so far. Force India look strong; Glock-stand-in Kobayashi in the Toyota drove well and may join fellow bandits and cause a stir – or a complete pile-up. Only one prediction – that Jensen is unlikely to sew-up the championship tomorrow.
So, the Interlagos grid for 2009 is
1 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes
2 Mark Webber RBR-Renault
3 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
4 Jarno Trulli Toyota
5 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari
6 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
7 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota
8 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber
9 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota
10 Fernando Alonso Renault
11 Kamui Kobayashi Toyota
12 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
13 Romain Grosjean Renault
14 Jensen Button Brawn-Mercedes
15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
16 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault
17 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes
18 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
19 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber
20 Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton drove a superb 61 laps to take the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix today and was joined on the podium by Timo Glock for Toyota and Fernando Alonso for Renault. Alonso helping to dispel the evil spirits floating round the street circuit following Renault’s torrid week as the cheating which gifted him this race last year by Pat Symmons and Nelson Piquet Jr. came out. Jensen Button ended a less-than-spectacular weekend for leaders Brawn by managing to snatch an extra point from teammate and challenger Rubens Barrichello.
By no means an easy race, all the drivers faced huge physical, technical and reliability challenges in the heat of a humid evening on the island. McLaren warned Hamilton early on that his KERS system may well be malfunctioning; the Red Bull cars – including Torro Rosso – all faced reliability issues with Mark Webber having to spin his car to a safe stop as his front brakes failed. Similar fate awaited the Brawn duo who clung on to coax their cars in for 5th and 6th with dying brake systems. Poor old Nico Rosberg, who jumped Vettel at the start to track Hamilton throughout the race in 2nd place, lost all when he jumped the white line exiting the pits to face a drive-through penalty which effectively took him out of the race. Great result for Glock who needed to do well to keep himself in the market for a drive next year.
Perhaps the most controversial incident – in a race chock full of issues including an outing for the safety car – was the penalising of Mark Webber who had to allow both Alonso and Glock past after being judged to have taken an advantage by using the off-track area to pass the Renault. Controversial in that earlier races on the same circuit had seen similar tactics used by other drivers who were not penalised. Definitely a rules infringement but with varied interpretation by the stewards and doubly harsh as he had to allow both drivers by, whereas Alonso arguably also benefited from the same drift. This probably would not have made much difference as Webber’s car ultimately failed him and there is no indication this is due to the earlier battle.
Last word for Sebastian Vettel who let Rosberg take him on the start but otherwise kept pace tactically to challenge Hamilton briefly for the race. I always saw the Red Bulls being hit by engine and/or gearbox problems as the drivers use up their allocation but the brake problems which felled Webber and challenged others were a result of the local conditions, not season-long wear and tear. Vettel penalised with a drive-through for speeding, he still managed to exit the pit lane in 7th, very much still in the race, he nabbed a point back on Button but way behind the potential shown at the start. It may not be his year – still in with a numbers-chance if the Brawns fail to score / DNF in the remaining 3 races – but the young German is very much one to watch and will doubtless be Hamilton’s main challenge for the Championship next season.
Great entertainment and a superb package again from the BBC. With the Crashgate scandal now hopefully put to bed and a real race on for the championship, if only between the Brawn pilots, it’s on to Japan next weekend.
Rubens Barrichello, with championship-leading teammate Jensen Button, romped home to take 1st and 2nd for Brawn GP at today’s Italian Grand Prix from Monza. Extended coverage from the BBC followed a strategic race which demonstrated the various technical facets of Formula One well. Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren almost caught the Brawns – leading the race from pole position but just could not keep with them following his 2 pit stops to their brave, single-stop strategy. Mystery of the day was Heikki Kovalainen, whose McLaren kicked off from 4th place on the grid and – mathematically – should have won the race based on mix of strategy, tyres and fuel load. His early laps were appalling as he got taken by Button and a host of others. The latter part of the race saw him storming up the field to take 6th and, belatedly, demonstrating his racing ability. Sadly, probably not doing enough to retain his seat for 2010 but time will tell.
Hamilton drove superbly, taking the race back to the Brawns, closing on Button in the final laps, and a shoo-in to take 3rd place. After the first stop, he was where he needed to be but both Barrichello and Button held him off admirably to make his 2 stops pay. The gap was take-able and Hamilton challenged aggressively. Pushing hard out of Lesmo, it seems the back stepped out and the McLaren shunted into the sidewall to take Lewis out of the race on the penultimate lap. Kimi Raikkonen took this gift and joined the Brawn chaps on the podium for Ferrari – a welcome result for the local tifosi. Adrian Sutil kept his Force India glued to the rear of the Ferrari as his team’s steadily improving car echoed the race in Spa where former teammate Fisichella could not quite take Raikkonen to win (and promptly joined Ferrari to temporarily fill Massa’s shoes). Possibly not the most exciting of races if all you do is watch the front but, for me, great value as the field got shaken up along the way.
This lower-downforce track seemed to favour Brawn and Force India, whilst Red Bull were well off the pace – Vettel grabbing a single point thanks only to Hamilton’s shunt. Mark Webber appeared to get pushed off by Kubica on the first lap, putting paid to any credible challenge to the Championship and leaving the final 4 races to the Brawn teammates to race each other for the title.
The BBC package remains good quality with Brundle, Coulthard and Jordan keeping the interest-factor high, amiably marshalled as they are by Jake Humphrey. Shame that Lame-duck Legard continues to commentate as if he is on radio – he really needs to go. Auntie is clearly following the criticisms from fans as they encouraged DC and Brundle to do a double-act on the pre-race grid walkabout to good effect. Lee McKenzie and Ted Kravitz continue to add credibility with strong pit-lane and interview bites during the race. The post-race F1 Forum available for digital viewers is also good viewing with a much wider look at the result, the news and the future. Good stuff.
As the paddock spats between sport regulators, owners, hangers-on, wannabes and teams die-down, another controversy has popped up at Renault, where released team driver Nelsinho Piquet is under threat of legal action from his former marque. Media comment has focused on accusations from Piquet Jr. of race fixing following Fernando Alonso’s win at last season’s Singapore Grand Prix. Nelson took a nasty spin as Alonso entered the pits, forcing out the safety car to bunch up the field and releasing the Spaniard just in time to capitalise on the slowdown, ultimately taking the race against the form book.
Team orders, subterfuge, irregularities and outright cheating in Formula One ? How unusual ! Yet any team guilty of encouraging such a dangerous high-speed crash amidst this most dangerous of activities, and on a closed street circuit, deserves serious sanctions. But is it true ? The circumstances – however fortunate for Renault and potentially suspicious to others – don’t necessarily point to a grand evil plot from Renault. Piquet Junior has struggled with his form continuously and, despite his father’s guidance and support, never really broke into the top stream of drivers last season or this. He was no doubt devastated at being dropped.
Whatever the truth of the situation, Team Owner Flavio Briatore is standing-to his legal guns and the gravity of the story and its associated innuendo will mean this will shoot straight into the media spotlight. It threatens to eclipse the drama of the remaining 5 races and the defense of his championship lead by Brit Jensen Button. The racing has certainly been as exciting as ever and it remains a brave pundit who calls the results of each race in advance of any chequered flag, team orders or not.
All part of the intrigue that is Formula One racing these days but one can only hope that ‘sport’ reigns ahead of celebrity and scandal. Regardless, Monza this weekend should prove entertaining.
Is it April 1st ? I had to check. Having told the world via an interview with the BBC that he would not return out of choice to the wheel of a Formula One car, Michael Schumacher has confirmed he will stand in for Felipe Massa at Ferrari.
The 7-times Formula One World Champion has apparently agreed to drive for the Maranello marque for as many races as required until Massa is fit enough to return.
Wonderful news – adding even more excitement to a Formula One season that has been vastly entertaining. How will the existing field fare against the German stalwart ? Not renowned for his sportsmanlike behaviour on the track, the alleged Top Gear Stig could further stir up an already volatile Grand Prix grid. Great stuff !
Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton who wins today’s Hungarian Grand Prix after a masterly and mature drive, taking advantage of pole sitter Alonso’s misfortune from a pit crew screw-up. That said, Hamilton deserved the win, taking his vastly-improved McLaren (Pit radio comment: “I love this car…”) on a steady but quick run which preserved his tyres whilst Red Bull, Brawn and Williams struggled with tyre decay and pit strategies.
Contender Vettell went out early with car trouble, leaving Championship leader Jensen Button to pick up a couple of points and maintain the gap from his closest contender. His Brawn teammate, Barrichello, could not deliver the goods and missed taking a point by not clobbering Glock and Nakajima in the closing laps.
Nico Rosberg continues to quietly follow the front order and here is a driver who will continue to challenge Vettel and the youngsters when the older guard of Button, Webber and Barrichello bow out in a year or so. The young Williams dirver is certainly one to watch.
Hamilton saluted the work of the Woking team in completely transforming the McLaren ride. Laughing boy Raikonen brought Ferrari home in 2nd to provide a more ‘traditional’ podium perhaps, with Mark Webber in 3rd. Webber’s 3rd was no gift from Vettel and the Aussie continues to perform well.
Worth doing the maths now as the championship heads for a month break before the European GP in Valencia on 21st August. Who can continue to challenge the Brawn boy in the remaining 7 races ? Certainly Hamilton did him a huge favour today.
Qualifying today was the usual buggers’ muddle from the FIA. As I write I am not entirely sure of the final grid positions for the race. It looks like Fernando Alonso has taken pole, with both Red Bulls behind, followed by Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren.
Getting in front off the start if the key to this twisting and turning circuit – “one long corner” as Jensen Button described it today on the BBC.
Contributing to the muddle was the accident involving Felipe Massa, who was struck by a flying part from Barrichello’s Brawn car in Q2. Flown to hospital for checks, the Ferrari driver is reported as fine but no word yet on whether he will take his 10th position on the grid tomorrow. A nasty strike on the helmet which was replayed on the closing coverage, Massa was very lucky. Fair play, then, to the FIA for taking it seriously and checking closely the circuit and the Brawn car before permitting Q3 to proceed.
Legard’s limping contribution for the BBC was bolstered by his pre-session VT of a Heikki Kovalainnen interview – the Finn at play back home. Confirming the McLaren driver as a thoroughly nice chap whose car and team are making a welcome return to form. Still, Brundle was not much in evidence in the coverage and its about time the Beeb woke up to Legard’s poor performance as a pundit. Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard are great assets, with Eddie’s inside tips keeping the BBC audience ahead of the pack in terms of Massa’ situation and other little titbits.
There is no way anyone can call tomorrow’s race. Alonso is back with a superb pole. McLaren are warming up the field but can Lewis keep it together to make the start worthwhile ? Red Bull continue to be the form team, with Brawn having mixed results as Jensen sits on 8th and Rubens at 13th. For sure, the difference between machines is almost non-existent – tactics, tactics, tactics will win the day.
STOP PRESS: As reported on BBC News this evening, Felipe Massa is in intensive care following today’s incident. No further news as yet but it is hoped that the surgey for his skull fractures caused by the flying debris has been successful. Best wishes, Felipe.
Congrats to Mark Webber for his career-first GP win at the Nurburgring today for Red Bull. Teammate Vettel snaffled second with Ferrari trouncing my pre-race predictions by getting Massa on the podium in 3rd. Poor old Lewis had another disastrous day, despite promising indications from qualifying, having been sent to the back of class following a turn 1 puncture.
Webber’s win is all the more fantastic given the somewhat tough drive-through penalty metered out to him by the stewards following the starting tussles. He fought back, with some assistance from Massa who held the Brawns back for 15 laps to bring Webber back into the race.
Cracking race, with Jensen and the gutted Rubens Barrichello managing 5th and 6th to keep points on the board for the championship. Assuming Lewis can get it together for Hungary then he could well build on teammate Kovalainen’s 8th place. Notable mention to Nico Rosberg who brought Williams home in 4th, continuing the steady results from the British team.
It is yet another complete mix-up in the Formula One field ahead of today’s German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. OK, so Brawn and Red Bull are likely to be duelling it out again at the top but with both Hamilton and Kovalainen behind them on the grid, McLaren are back ! It may be that the McLarens are running very light into the race today but it is probably the smart move. If they can grab position from the 2009 regulars off the start, and the rain then threatens, McLaren could upset the new boys and take the day. The fact that both drivers showed excellent form after a rapidly changing qualifying session suggest the team have really pulled something out on the cars, helped of course by the mixed weather conditions and light-footed change of tactics during the session. Congratulations to Mark Webber on a long overdue pole position; removing the home-ground advantage from teammate Vettel. Webber’s steady return from major injury could make him the man to upset Jensen Button in the second half of the season. The nice thing is that most predictions are complete WAGs – that is what is making the season so compelling.
It really does threaten to be another classic race. The pit lane ego battle continues, sadly, whilst the drivers and engineers get on with the real business of entertaining the fans. In the unlikely event that the megalomaniacs take their heads out of the collective arse that is the FIA, they might actually notice that we have a competition that the fans dearly love and which is generating fantastic value for money. Bring on the rain.
Congratulations to Ross Brawn for his recent recognition as a significant contributor to the sport – well deserved.
(er, WAGs = Wild Arse Guesses !).
Pit stops aside, Sebastian Vettel led all the way to take today’s British Grand Prix for Red Bull, followed by teammate Mark Webber, well ahead of Rubens Barrichello for Brawn who stepped up 3rd on the podium. Championship leader Jensen Button managed 6th as he struggled to get grip from a Brawn car eclipsed by the Austrians from, er, Milton Keynes. Jensen is still a comfortable 23 points ahead of Rubens in the table. McLaren’s misery continued as Lewis Hamilton put on a good show for the crowds despite sliding off and coming home in 16th, sawing at the wheel as he told his team that his car simply had no grip. Ferrari keep coming and Felippe Massa managed 5th whilst loving the drive on the British circuit, stepping into the crowds after the race to meet-and-greet.
A great crowd represented the local fanbase for the sport, including a sportsmanlike salute to the young Vettel’s win. The drivers were well in evidence after the race, mingling with the privileged pit lane crowd and freely talking to the media. Not sure if this was under team or FIA orders but suggested their collective affection for the Northamptonshire venue, now almost certain to be the home of next season’s British fixture.
Legard almost found his game commentating for the BBC but really should step aside for someone with more presence and knowledge. Good coverage otherwise with some interesting pre-race VT to fill in. Even the weather stayed good, possibly much to the non-Red Bull combatants’ ire. The off-track politics remain but one can only hope the mandarins and moguls took note of the fans’ presence to realise this is their sport (i.e. the fans) and, without them, there is no business.
A 3-week lull now until the Nurburgring hosts the German Grand Prix. Plenty of time for talk, and to kiss and make up.
A great qualifying session saw a bit of a shuffle up front as Jensen Button only managed 6th on the grid for tomorrow’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The championship leader was beaten by Brawn teammate Barrichello – who clearly enjoys the English circuit – who took 2nd slot on the grid behind Sebastian Vettel whoe flew round the track for Red Bull. Mark Webber was probably gutted with 3rd, having led throughout qualifying and another fan of Silverstone – his improving drives throughout the season mark him out as a serious contender alongside Vettel and the Brawn boys.
The cooler UK weather seemed to further challenge the Brawns, whilst Christian Horner’s Red Bull team revelled in the heavier air. Still, it could be all change at race pace as Button has shown before he can come from behind and Barrichello is loving it at Silverstone.
Warmer off the track as the petty, unprofessional squabbles amongst the sport’s management escalate towards the courts. Watching Max Mosley lose it slightly on the BBC – labelling certain unnamed individuals amongst the teams as “loonies” – and Bernie Ecclestone very much non-committal must make fans across the world worry for the future of Formula One at a time when the racing is all the more entertaining and there is much to be positive about. If Flavio Briatore is really using the arguments to divide and make a play for the commercial rights, it lends a lie to the assertion that this is not about greed. Having resolved the future of the British Grand Prix (Silverstone’s owners, the BRDC, have apparently calmed down enough to offer the circuit as the venue for 2010 should Donnington not come up to snuff), it seems sad that greed and ego might yet conspire to cripple the pinnacle of motorsport marques.
The preface to tomorrow’s race suggested more entertainment, with the possibility of the English weather upsetting the pack. Away from the race, one can only hope that someone decides to step back and stop the slide of the sport’s ownership and supervision into the barriers.
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A corking last lap saw Valentino Rossi trade 1st place with Jorge Lorenzo 3 times in a cracking race with the diminutive Italian pipping his Spanish teammate to win the 6th round of the 2009 MotoGP Championship in Catalunya today. Wonderful entertainment also saw Casey Stoner use his Ducati to useful effect, keeping Dovizioso’s Repsol Honda at bay to take 3rd.
Nice to see the heavily partisan Spanish crowd salute the Italian’s win as Rossi took a bow in front of the grandstand. Even home-boy Lorenzo managed a sporting smile for the cameras as Valentino gave him a commiserating hug. Brit James Toseland clung onto 13th on board his Monster Tech 3 Yamaha, not managing to get the setup he wanted to keep pace with the Works’ team.
The result puts Stoner, Rossi and Lorenzo tied at the top of the table, resetting the Championship race and signalling a superb next round at Assen on 27th June. Nice to see the BBC giving prime coverage slots to the MotoGP calendar and being rewarded with excellent viewing and bound to draw growing numbers, despite recent complaints on their coverage priorities. Good value from the commentary team of Steve Parrish and Matt Roberts, with Suzy Perry doing the walk-and-talk to excellent effect. Well worth the time for motorsport fans.
Despite starting 2nd on the grid, Jensen Button took advantage of a mistake on the first lap by pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel to take the lead at today’s Turkish Grand Prix. At the front for the rest of the race, that makes it 6 out of 7 wins for Button who leads the Formula One championship by 26 points. Teammate Barrichello by contrast had a dreadful start from 3rd on the grid with anti-stall and gearbox trouble which eventually took him out of the race. His bad luck (although starting has never been his forte) prompted the start of some grumbles that the team was playing favourites from the normally smiling Brazilian. Red Bull managed to get both drivers on the podium with a steady race by Mark Webber, marking a consistent improvement in form for the Aussie following injury early in the year. Vettel finished with a face like thunder, being thwarted by apparent team orders and a dodgy stopping strategy to sit behind Webber and take a step down on the podium. The post-race interviews saw him speak with good grace but some discomfort, nonetheless.
No joy yet for McLaren, taking 13th and 14th, whilst Ferrari nabbed 6th and 9th. A phlegmatic Hamilton and cheerful Massa both working the cameras well after the race to give the impression of satisfaction whilst avoiding any suggestion that their season is over. It could all change dramatically, of course – this is Formula One after all – but the odds favour Brit Button and the Brawn team for the title. Onwards to the British Grand Prix in 2 weeks where Jensen will no doubt get a warm reception from a reported sell-out crowd at Silverstone. This may be the last British Grand Prix at the venue and, unless Donnington gets its act together for 2010, the last on British soil for a few years.
The running order is a fascinating display of the big works’ teams being beaten by their customer rivals. With infield politics continuing over governance and rules for 2010, the team managers possibly remain distracted. No news as yet on a new car or significant improvements for Ferrari or McLaren.
Hot conditions at the Istanbul circuit (the “.. best circuit on the tour ..” according to Bernie Ecclestone) saw Sebastian Vettel pip the Brawns to take pole in his Red Bull Renault. McLaren’s miserable season continues with Hamilton missing the cut in Q1 to start from 16th and teammate Kovalainen at 14th. The BBC coverage clearly showed that the team has much to do to improve the car’s balance as both drivers fought oversteer.
Vettel is followed by the two Brawns although it may be that the Renault-powered car was lighter in the final session. Teammate Webber pulled off a cracking lap to pitch up at 4th position on the grid. Toyota showed fine performance but Trulli could only manage 5th with the Ferraris following on in 6th (Smiling Boy) and 7th (Massa).
BBC commentator Legard continues to louse up his job but – having criticised his irritating commentary week after week – I have finally pinned down his problem. Being a radio man, he thinks his job is to report what he sees. Hence, his stream consists entirely of stating the bleeding obvious (and even getting that wrong). When he has to actually think and inject some observations or informed comment, he craps out big style (such as completely mis-quoting Eddie Jordan’s predictions before the session). An amateur of no gift, he really needs to go.
To tomorrow’s race and the starting grid has shaped up nicely. Brawn are undoubtedly strong but have competition from Red Bull and Toyota on a circuit where the design encourages racing, speed and technique. It could well prove the most exciting of the season so far. Ferrari are down but not out; McLaren are skulking in the back rows but at least they have their pick of fuel strategy. Unlike Monaco, they could well claw their way up the field with decent strategy and some downright hard racing. One can hope, I suppose.
Jensen Button wins the 2009 Monaco Grand Prix after a stylish drive and few dramas. Teammate Rubens Barrichello keeps Ferrari at bay to join him with Prince Albert at the finish. Cheerful Kimi Raikkonen – not a smile in sight – comes third, no doubt anxious to keep his spot amid rumours of Fernando Alonso moving to the team next year and as yet no word on who he might replace.
The gloomy weekend continued for McLaren with Heikki Kovalinen drifting into the wall and out of the race, whilst Lewis Hamilton sauntered round the circuit with little purpose but finishing in 12th thanks to Nakajima stuffing his Williams into the side 2 laps from the finish.
Could it be all-change in Turkey in 2 weeks time ? Whilst no-one would have put money on the superb performance of the new boys from Brawn back in January, it is now a brave person who would bet against them. Yet Istanbul puts the cars back in the open where recent changes might shake the field up slightly. Ferrari are coming back and, whilst not quite on terms with Ross Brawn’s package, may well come back as we move into the mid-season. Qualifying did show the McLarens reasonably back on pace but cruel luck and a dodgy left foot took Hamilton to the back of the grid.
Off the track, the FIA and FOCA are walking a thin line between stamping new rules on budgets and technology, and keeping the teams in check and in the sport. Ferrari continue to mumble and moan but I suspect their decent showing this weekend will see them commit to the series for next year. One can only hope and also pray that the British Grand Prix appears in the calendar in 2010.
Even Lughead Legard’s commentary shows signs of recovery with Martin Brundle for the BBC keeping him in check. Entertaining but calmer, Formula One could well see a British Champion once again in 2009. Please let this provide the filip the sport needs to counter its internal politics and ensure a British venue in the series next year.
Big predictions of change going into this weekend’s Grand Prix in Monte Carlo and, certainly, Ferrari and McLaren appear back on the pace. Appearances can be deceptive, however, as Monaco’s street circuit presents entirely different challenges to the cars and drivers. Slow speed, continuous cornering and feathered throttles suit the McLaren equipment but the KERs systems have thrown a spanner at the form book by upsetting the balance of the cars. Lewis Hamilton illustrated this disastrously by losing the back end and knocking off his nearside rear wheel to go out of the first segment of qualifying; 7th at the time but ending up 16th on the grid.
All the more tragic for Lewis as teammate Heikki Kovalainen showed the McLarens are back (at least, here in Monaco) with the Ferraris also ascendant. Massa drove into 5th but team mate Smilin’ Kimi Raikkonen zapped his way onto pole position with a great 3rd hot lap in the final session – pipped only by an truly wonderful last-minute performance by Jensen Button. Once again, Brawn has shown his team is no flash in the pan. Birthday-boy Rubens Barrichello (37 today) couldn’t quite pip the Ferrari so tomorrow sees the former World Champion Raikkonen sandwiched between blossoming Button and Barrichello.
Nico Rosberg for Williams signalled his confidence as his fiery drive took him well up the field to clinch 6th place on the grid. However, both BMW and Toyota were well of the pace and start in a last-place train which suggests they can be discounted. Monaco is always seen as a procession with little opportunity to pass; it all comes down to race strategy in terms of fuel, tyres and stops. Hamilton considers his race winning odds as near zero. True perhaps, but there may still be chances for the field to change even if the current World Champion is out of the running.
Which leaves the abysmal commentary on the BBC by Jonathan Legard to compound the misery of Hamilton’ crash. Come on Auntie ! Use Johnny H., DC or even Murray Walker – who made a brief appearance in their qualifying build up and still seems to be able to impress with his encyclopedic knowledge of the sport. The former radio muppet continues to annoy with his stream of inane drivel which lacks information and states ‘facts’ that a 5 year old could muster simply by reading the on-screen data and shots quicker.
Oh well. Set fair then for an interesting but technical race tomorrow. The grid looks like this:
1 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes
2 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari
3 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes
4 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault
5 Felipe Massa Ferrari
6 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota
7 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes
8 Mark Webber RBR-Renault
9 Fernando Alonso Renault
10 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota
11 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
12 Nelsinho Piquet Renault
13 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India-Mercedes
14 Sebastien Bourdais STR-Ferrari
15 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
16 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
17 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber
18 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber
19 Jarno Trulli Toyota
20 Timo Glock Toyota
The Catalunya circuit hosts tomorrow Spanish Grand Prix with Jensen Button taking pole position on the grid for the Brawn team. Despite all the teams now operating from a level technical field, and supposedly most launching new designs this weekend, not too much has changed in the grid except Massa nabbing a useful 4th position for Ferrari. Teammate and smiling-boy Raikkonen is way down in 16th. Lewis Hamilton only managed 14th on the grid, suggesting McLaren are slipping further behind the smaller teams whilst Maranello may have eliminated their own glitches.
Great news for Brawn with Barrichello at 3rd, surrounding Vettel for Red Bull who was pipped narrowly for top spot. Notable mentions include Piquet who overcame his confidence problems of late to nab 12th on the grid, with local boy Alonso 8th just behind the Toyotas. Mark Webber continues to do well, albeit in Vettel’s shadow, with 5th place and hopefully his recent run of bad luck has not followed him to the Spanish air.
All set fair for a great race tomorrow, assuming the rain stays mainly away from the plain. Flying off to the sun tomorrow, I will miss the fun and will not be able to file my usual post-race musings here for a day or so. Still, at least I won’t have to suffer Legard’s appalling commentary for the BBC. I just hope I can catch the highlights on satellite.
And the Brits just keep on comin’ !!
Congrats to Jensen Button and the Brawn Team for a brilliant management of race strategy to make it 3 out of 4 race wins for the Formula One season so far. Despite Toyota favourites after their 1-2 in qualifying they fluffed the race strategy. Brawn took the win, followed by boy wonder Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull and Trulli for Toyota. McLaren must be chuffed with Lewis Hamilton‘s timely 4th place. Ferrari’s continuing performance cloud lifted slightly with 3 points garnered by Raikonnen, whilst Massa had a desperate race to arrive 14th and a lap down on the leaders.
So the Brawn formula continues to outpace the opposition, despite a lack of KERS and apparent heat problems in the 35 degree temperatures at the Sakhir circuit. Still too early to call the championship (I hope) as there are more developments, politics and fun to be had.
If only the BBC could ditch Brundle’s teammate in the commentary box – Jonathan Legard from Radio 5. His incompetent commentary is bloody annoying. Oh for the days where the wonderfully and unintentionally witty Murray Walker was kept in check by the late, great James Hunt. Legard misses everything and Martin Brundle seems far too polite to correct the guy. He struggles to determine the difference between contrasting team colours, let alone individual drivers and has a masterful command of the bleedin’ obvious. This chap is ruining otherwise fab entertainment. Perhaps I should switch to the CBBC commentary – it cannot be worse or less well informed, despite Brundle’s otherwise useful presence. I do like Martin’s chummy pre-race walkaround where his knowledge and friendship of the drivers and related players yields interesting or amusing comment coupled with gentle joshing. Perhaps DC or Eddie Jordan could join Martin in the commentary box. Even frontman Jake Humphrey – probably on an exeat weekend from boarding school – could do no worse than Legard.
The qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix ended with another shuffle of the deck in terms of performance, as the manufacturers rush to bring new diffuser technology into the field. Not much chance of rain in Bahrain, so this will be a genuine opportunity to check out the performance of the cars in a hot and dry environment although changes run apace so that nothing is stable in terms of cars, performance and drivers. Qualifying places bore this out with Toyota supreme, Red Bull battling and Brawn down but only slightly. McLaren’s comeback continues with Lewis Hamilton snaffling 5th on the grid for tomorrow’s race. Phew. Ferrari meanwhile move up but remain behind the pace and Nelson Piquet Jr’s struggle with his track confidence continues. What a shame that Mark Webber cannot join teammate Vettel at the top end of the grid – his fast run blighted by a shifting Sutil, who at least had the good grace to track Webber down for a face-to-face apology later.
For me, this remains the season which I might be able to proclaim the most entertaining ever – the greatest Formula One season might be a stretch but I find myself repeating the opinion that the FIA and FOCA must be coockahoop at the slings and arrows of shifting fortunes amongst the drivers. Despite low crowd attendance at the Sakhir circuit today, the grip of the new season should draw in crowds tomorrow.
On that note, the BBC coverage reports that the Donnington venue for the 2010 British Grand Prix is in jeopardy – raising the dreadful prospect that there could be no British race next year. Ecclestone is apparently bored with the ‘Blazer Brigade’ (the BRDC – Silverstone owners) so that kills the alternative if Donnington owners and promoters fail to sort out funding and finish the circuit. Button and Hamilton may be without a home race next year. A disaster for the sport in my view – OK so I am British – as this denies the British legacy that is international motor sport today. With a majority British influence in team locations, design, engineering and general innovation that filters into other sports (look to Lola’s dominance in IndyCar, Jaguar in GP Touring and other possibly bygone glories), the lack of a British venue next year would be a blow. If I can appeal to Ecclestone in any effective way then perhaps I might suggest that wallets might shrink with the effect on the core Formula One fanbase that this might start. Hopefully he and BRDC Chairman Damon Hill will sit down and rattle out a deal if Donnington dies.
So back to tomorrow: sit back, plug in and watch what is likely to continue the mesmerising fete that Formula One has become once more. The grid lines up as follows:
1 Jarno Trulli Toyota
2 Timo Glock Toyota
3 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault
4 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes
5 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
6 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes
7 Fernando Alonso Renault
8 Felipe Massa Ferrari
9 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota
10 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari
11 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes
12 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota
13 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber
14 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber
15 Nelsinho Piquet Renault
16 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
17 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
18 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India-Mercedes
19 Mark Webber RBR-Renault
20 Sebastien Bourdais STR-Ferrari
The revitalised entertainment that is Formula One continued today in Shanghai with a superb 1-2 from the Red Bull-Renault team. Sebastian Vettel drove a superb race in very wet conditions to take the win in a new car. Having nabbed pole position and despite a rear shunt from rookie Sebastian Buemi in the Torro Rosso, Vettel continues to show that he is a driver to watch, with blossoming talent now proved in the lake-like conditions of the Chinese circuit. Great to see Mark Webber on the podium in 2nd place, with Brawn GP completing the train of rising teams as Jensen Button and Rubens Barrichello came in 3rd and 4th respectively. Jensen maintains a useful 11 point lead in the Drivers’ Championship but it is very early in the season to be making predictions on the eventual winner.
McLaren crept back into the competition with a steady 5th from Heikki Kovalainen and a racing 6th from reigning champ Lewis Hamilton. Lewis drove a determined race considering the conditions, and recovered well from several excursions, the like of which claimed many other drivers. McLaren’s relief came across in the post-race interviews, with Martin Whitmarsh having the refreshing challenge of answering questions on the race and the car, as opposed to tricks and politics.
Ferrari are yet to score with apparent electrical failure claiming Massa, and Räikkönen out of the points due to the continued mediocre performance of this season’s chassis from Maranello. Judging from his qualifying performance, veteran Alonso cannot be discounted. Another tactical faux-pas saw him take a pit stop too late in the first of 2 safety car cycles, and left too much to do to move back up the field, whilst teammate Piquet’s lack of confidence continued in his apparent poor form.
The future of the season has to be down to technical developments of the cars. Sure – this may always be the case in the modern sport but 2009 is definitely the season for the manufacturers to win or lose the championship. Not to take too much away from Button and Vettel, conditions so far have largely eliminated any advantage due to pure skill. All the teams – including Red Bull – are developing like mad following the FIA confirmation of the legality of diffuser technology which gave the apparent advantage to Brawn.
But who cares !? Despite more water than a swim meet, the initial races have proved to be mesmerising. The dry conditions in the next round in Bahrain will be extremely interesting and may give more of a guide to who has the best chance this season. FOCA and the FIA must be very pleased with how it is all going in these cash-strapped times.
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