Well, after the one, two at Hockenheim there has been no other talk apart from the question of team orders. As we armchair viewers there was no question Felipe slowed to let Fernando through after a call from his engineer Rob Smedley advising him Fernando was quicker than he was. Rob then followed it up with a further radio call apologising for the situation.
Rule 39.1 of the FIA Rule Book is quite clear that "there are no team orders in Formula 1" and there are of course three schools of thought. The teams are looking after the interests of their massive financial investment in the sport and accumulating points towards the manufacturers championship, the drivers wish to do the same thing towards the drivers championship and the fans want to see great racing.
It is fair to suggest Ferrari were going to finish with a one, two no what the driver was in front. Both Ferrari drivers drove brilliantly and definitely deserved their result. However, Ferrari did break the rules and it must now to be left to WMSC to decide what will happen in the best interest of the sport.
The stewards on the day decided Ferrari had broken rule 39.1 and fined them $100,000 and it must be left to Jean Todt and the WMSC to make the final decision. There has been much talk in the press and on the radio about how Ferrari have brought the sport into disrepute.
Personally I think that is rubbish as the fighting was over and Ferrari were one and two anyway. The Ferrari switch at Hockenheim has no reflection on the sport and this year is as competitive a season as we have had, Formula 1 is a team sport and always will be.
Let's turn our thoughts back to what we all enjoy, Formula 1 Motor Racing. We now have a six way fight at the front now Ferrari have finally got their act together. The controversy over the Red Bull flexible front wing goes onward and the teams are wishing the FIA to investigate it and Christian Horner is adamant that the car meets scrutineering and that should be the end of it.
Mercedes are still struggling and even after abandoning the new floor the car still doesn't seem to t0 be on the pace. Williams are ever competitive and Rubens particularly is showing the merit of the car. Hopefully they will get back to the results of Clay Regazzoni followed by Alan Jones, Ayrton Senna and our Nige, great times and we keep our fingers crossed for them.
Red Bull seem to be on fire for the weekend but Mclaren are struggling with both Lewis and Jenson in damage limitation mode this weekend. It always seems to be inevitable this year that Red Bull will be on pole with one of their drivers and we wait with anticipation to see if Fernando particularly can break Red Bull's stranglehold on the front row of the grid.
Felipe is also driving with more grit and this is of course the place of his accident during 2009 and we all wish him well for the weekend. Hopefully the two of them can start fighting consistently at the sharp end if Mclaren can't. Mclaren are lacking downforce and without doubt Lewis is having to punch the car and track into submission.
The usual protagonists are in the first drop out group and we lost Kamui, Timo, Heikki, Yarno, Lucas, Bruno and Yamomoto still in the car in place of Karun Chandock. The mid pack are getting tighter and tighter with each race with Force India, Sauber, Williams, Mercedes, Renault fighting for honours.
As they all move into Q2 Red Bull seem to be in a class of their own and it is obviously not a favourite Mclaren circuit as the F Duct doesn't work as well here as it is a more twisty circuit than say Silverstone. Both Renault's are after all working well here running in fourth and fifth with only a couple of minutes to go in Q2.
So we have lost Jenson, Rubens, Adrian, Michael, Sebastien, Vitantonio and Jamie bringing up the rear. So we lost two world champions in Q2 with both Jenson and Michael not going into the top ten shoot out. Q3 is going to be classic as there is only a tenth of a second between the top eight.
The pole shoot out will be tremendous as we watch with anticipation but Sebastian and Mark are so much quicker it is unbelievable. Both Red Bull's are one and two followed by Fernando, Felipe and Lewis ringing the neck of the Mclaren and only eight one thousands of a second slower than Felipe.
So pole went to Sebastian followed by Mark, Fernando, Felipe, Lewis, Nico, Vitaly, Robert, Pedro and Nico H in his Williams finishing tenth. So a great grand prix in prospect tomorrow and if the Ferrari's and Lewis can get off the line and fight at the front this could be exciting. Good drivers from both Vitaly and Robert in the Renault's and Nico in his Williams.
The big question is can Red Bull run from pole to the finish which they haven't done yet. Their cars are perfectly suited to the downforce levels required at Hungary and hopefully they don't run away from the front albeit it seems likely.
Martin Whitmarsh has brought a new term to Formula 1 "the best of the flxed wing cars" relating to the eighty five mm limit from the floor during racing.
Bring on the Hungarian Grand Prix tomorrow.
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Saturday, 31 July 2010
Sunday, 25 July 2010
F1 German Grand Prix
Welcome to the German Grand Prix from Hockenheim deep in the forest South of Manheim. Obviously with Sebastian on pole is great for the German crowd and with the six fastest cars in the top six we are set for a great race, hopefully. The weather is good and all the top ten are on the super soft tyres.
As the cars leave the grid for the warm up lap with the track temperature in the mid thirties there is the usual rush for the pits by the host of mechanics and team principals. A great start from both Ferrari's albeit they swopped from their grid positions as Sebastian moved to block Fernando allowing Felipe to into the lead. Lewis also passed both Jenson and Mark into fourth.
Both Ferrari's were doing fastest lap afetr fastest lap and slowly pulling away from Sebastian. The Green walled tyres seem to be holding out well on lap ten as the track temperature dropped to around 28 degrees.
On lap eleven Both Mercedes were running in eighth and ninth with Michael running ahead of his younger team mate. Sebastian then came in for a tyre change on lap thirteen and it will be interesting to see whether that assists Sebastian to keep him in contact with the Ferraris' after their stop.
Ferrari then responded with a tyre change for Fernando followed by Mark who also changed tyres but that put him down in ninth. Then came in Felipe followed by Lewis who then came out in front of Michael which all put Jenson out in front prior to his tyre change.
Felipe was still ahead of Fernando and it will be interesting to see when or if Fernando can make the jump on Felipe as he is locking wheels in the corners allowing Fernando to close the gap. Jenson is still out in front on lap seventeen he is putting in some ha=ot laps prior to his tyre change onto the harder compound.
Michael became locked in combat with Robert after his tyre change as Sebastian started to close the gap on the Ferrari's. The Ferrari's were now locked in battle as Fernando went on the radio to complain he was faster than Felipe and expects him to move over. Jenson then stopped and came out behind Lewis in fifth and now the two Mclarens are also locked in battle which will be interesting to watch.
Ferrari were having discussions about how they get Fernando in front of Felipe but yet Felipe was all of a sudden pulling away from Fernando on lap twenty seven. Obviously a lot of disquiet on the Ferrari pit wall and as usual Fernando expects Felipe to back off and let him pass.
Rob Smedley, Felipe's engineer came on the radio telling Felipe to get on with it which he is certainly doing and pulling away from Fernando. So, on lap 33 the positions were Felipe, Fernando, Sebastian, Lewis, Jenson and Mark at the sharp end with only fifteen seconds covering them the top six.
Both Mclaren's are playing a staying game to keep Mark behind them as they cannot get close to the front three. Lewis was asked to go into fuel saving mode as the call came from the pits that Lewis would have to run in G8 (fuel saving mode) at the end of the race.
Williams are not having a good run today and running thirteenth and fourteenth which is unusual for at least one of them not to be running in the top ten. Fernando is closing all the time on Felipe from three seconds down to less than a second on lap forty seven. Sebastian now started to close a little on the two Ferrari's and any fight between tem could bring Sebastian in range.
Rob Smedley then came on the radio advising Felipe that Fernando was quicker, in other words let him past. Rob obviously didn't want to pass on the message and obviously Ferrari want Fernando in front and on lap forty nine it happened and they all say there are no team orders. Rob then apologised to Felipe a lap later and the whole thing seems wrong to me.
Sebastian then started to close in much more on Felipe all of a sudden after the instruction basically to let Fernando through. Sebastian then through in a mid 1.16 and closed to two seconds on the Ferrari in second place.
There was no real fight at the end albeit a little tension as to whether Sebastian was to catch Felipe. So at the flag it was Fernando and Felipe and a one two for Ferrari followed by Sebastian, Lewis, Jenson and Mark making the top six.
As the cars leave the grid for the warm up lap with the track temperature in the mid thirties there is the usual rush for the pits by the host of mechanics and team principals. A great start from both Ferrari's albeit they swopped from their grid positions as Sebastian moved to block Fernando allowing Felipe to into the lead. Lewis also passed both Jenson and Mark into fourth.
Both Ferrari's were doing fastest lap afetr fastest lap and slowly pulling away from Sebastian. The Green walled tyres seem to be holding out well on lap ten as the track temperature dropped to around 28 degrees.
On lap eleven Both Mercedes were running in eighth and ninth with Michael running ahead of his younger team mate. Sebastian then came in for a tyre change on lap thirteen and it will be interesting to see whether that assists Sebastian to keep him in contact with the Ferraris' after their stop.
Ferrari then responded with a tyre change for Fernando followed by Mark who also changed tyres but that put him down in ninth. Then came in Felipe followed by Lewis who then came out in front of Michael which all put Jenson out in front prior to his tyre change.
Felipe was still ahead of Fernando and it will be interesting to see when or if Fernando can make the jump on Felipe as he is locking wheels in the corners allowing Fernando to close the gap. Jenson is still out in front on lap seventeen he is putting in some ha=ot laps prior to his tyre change onto the harder compound.
Michael became locked in combat with Robert after his tyre change as Sebastian started to close the gap on the Ferrari's. The Ferrari's were now locked in battle as Fernando went on the radio to complain he was faster than Felipe and expects him to move over. Jenson then stopped and came out behind Lewis in fifth and now the two Mclarens are also locked in battle which will be interesting to watch.
Ferrari were having discussions about how they get Fernando in front of Felipe but yet Felipe was all of a sudden pulling away from Fernando on lap twenty seven. Obviously a lot of disquiet on the Ferrari pit wall and as usual Fernando expects Felipe to back off and let him pass.
Rob Smedley, Felipe's engineer came on the radio telling Felipe to get on with it which he is certainly doing and pulling away from Fernando. So, on lap 33 the positions were Felipe, Fernando, Sebastian, Lewis, Jenson and Mark at the sharp end with only fifteen seconds covering them the top six.
Both Mclaren's are playing a staying game to keep Mark behind them as they cannot get close to the front three. Lewis was asked to go into fuel saving mode as the call came from the pits that Lewis would have to run in G8 (fuel saving mode) at the end of the race.
Williams are not having a good run today and running thirteenth and fourteenth which is unusual for at least one of them not to be running in the top ten. Fernando is closing all the time on Felipe from three seconds down to less than a second on lap forty seven. Sebastian now started to close a little on the two Ferrari's and any fight between tem could bring Sebastian in range.
Rob Smedley then came on the radio advising Felipe that Fernando was quicker, in other words let him past. Rob obviously didn't want to pass on the message and obviously Ferrari want Fernando in front and on lap forty nine it happened and they all say there are no team orders. Rob then apologised to Felipe a lap later and the whole thing seems wrong to me.
Sebastian then started to close in much more on Felipe all of a sudden after the instruction basically to let Fernando through. Sebastian then through in a mid 1.16 and closed to two seconds on the Ferrari in second place.
There was no real fight at the end albeit a little tension as to whether Sebastian was to catch Felipe. So at the flag it was Fernando and Felipe and a one two for Ferrari followed by Sebastian, Lewis, Jenson and Mark making the top six.
Saturday, 24 July 2010
F1 - German GP Quali
After the thrills for the British crowd of Silverstone and the eventual win by Mark Webber after his trials and tribulations with his team mate Sebastian Vettel the F1 circus moves onward to the Hockenheim circuit in Germany, twenty km South of Mannheim.
Obviously the German drivers are what the crowd have come to see and there are 6 of them, Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Adrian Sutil, Timo Glock, Nico Hulkenberg and of course the darling of the German crowd Michael Schumacher.
The weather is changeable albeit the forecast has been unreliable since they started running on Friday. Lewis put his Mclaren into the barriers during Friday and they have had to rebuild his car which reduced his running time in practice which could affect his weekend. Sebastian headed the time sheets on Friday but Fernando wasn't far behind.
A lot of the cars were straight out as soon as the flag dropped due to the unreliable nature of the weather. After only ten minutes running yesterday Lewis seems to have forgotten yesterdays woes as he ran fourth early on behind the two Ferrari's and Jenson.
Vitantonio then put his Force India into the wall on the pit straight and the session was immediately Red flagged as his car lost the left hand front corner. The stopping of the session can have a detrimental effect for some of the teams as tyres are so quick to go off in quali.
The usual protagonists were fighting at the front of the pack and now they were down in the 1.15's which is the minimum time they need to be up at the front of the pack. The pole time is expected to be in the 1.14's as Fernando through in a 1.14.6. The usual teams were in the drop out zone with Virgin this time ahead of Lotus for a change.
This is going to be a mighty battle between the major three which will add spice to the weekend and we all need Ferrari to do well to make the numbers up at the sharp end. So out went Timo, Jarno, Heikki, Vitantonio, Bruno, Yamamoto replacing Karun for the weekend for contractual reasons and bringing up the rear Lucas.
At the sharp end the timings are headed by Fernando after Q1 as the times heat up followed by Felipe, the two Red Bull's and both Mclaren's. Out they all went into Q2 and things were now to hot up.
Ruben's is driving well again and the times from some of the drivers could mix up the grid as Ruben's and Robert were up there early in the session but the two Mercedes cars are not lighting up the timing screens and running way down out of the top ten.
With seven minutes to go a mere six tenths covered the top ten. Those not making the top ten were Michael, Kamui, Nico, Vitaly, Adrian, Pedro, Jamie and Sebastian Buemi bringing up the rear. So Michael didn't make the top ten to the dismay of the crowd I have no doubt.
Fernando was fastest again in Q2 followed by Sebastian, Mark, Lewis and the rest as the chips are down for Q3 and the shoot out for pole as the rain started to spit but shouldn't affect them on slicks.
Out they went immediately the flag dropped trying to get a banker lap in should the rain come down albeit the sun then came out. Mark put in the first time at 1.14.2 but was almost immediately usurped by Fernando as he went into the 1.13's. With the last six minutes this will be a mighty dash for pole as Fernando, Sebastian, Mark, Lewis and Felipe battle at the sharp end.
It was going to be a battle and that what we had. Sebastian out qualified Fernando followed by Felipe, Mark, Jenson, Lewis, Robert, Rubens, Nico and Nico H. Now we have a slightly mixed up grid for tomorrow and the German crowd were ecstatic about Sebastian topping the field. Bring on the Grand Prix.
Obviously the German drivers are what the crowd have come to see and there are 6 of them, Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Adrian Sutil, Timo Glock, Nico Hulkenberg and of course the darling of the German crowd Michael Schumacher.
The weather is changeable albeit the forecast has been unreliable since they started running on Friday. Lewis put his Mclaren into the barriers during Friday and they have had to rebuild his car which reduced his running time in practice which could affect his weekend. Sebastian headed the time sheets on Friday but Fernando wasn't far behind.
A lot of the cars were straight out as soon as the flag dropped due to the unreliable nature of the weather. After only ten minutes running yesterday Lewis seems to have forgotten yesterdays woes as he ran fourth early on behind the two Ferrari's and Jenson.
Vitantonio then put his Force India into the wall on the pit straight and the session was immediately Red flagged as his car lost the left hand front corner. The stopping of the session can have a detrimental effect for some of the teams as tyres are so quick to go off in quali.
The usual protagonists were fighting at the front of the pack and now they were down in the 1.15's which is the minimum time they need to be up at the front of the pack. The pole time is expected to be in the 1.14's as Fernando through in a 1.14.6. The usual teams were in the drop out zone with Virgin this time ahead of Lotus for a change.
This is going to be a mighty battle between the major three which will add spice to the weekend and we all need Ferrari to do well to make the numbers up at the sharp end. So out went Timo, Jarno, Heikki, Vitantonio, Bruno, Yamamoto replacing Karun for the weekend for contractual reasons and bringing up the rear Lucas.
At the sharp end the timings are headed by Fernando after Q1 as the times heat up followed by Felipe, the two Red Bull's and both Mclaren's. Out they all went into Q2 and things were now to hot up.
Ruben's is driving well again and the times from some of the drivers could mix up the grid as Ruben's and Robert were up there early in the session but the two Mercedes cars are not lighting up the timing screens and running way down out of the top ten.
With seven minutes to go a mere six tenths covered the top ten. Those not making the top ten were Michael, Kamui, Nico, Vitaly, Adrian, Pedro, Jamie and Sebastian Buemi bringing up the rear. So Michael didn't make the top ten to the dismay of the crowd I have no doubt.
Fernando was fastest again in Q2 followed by Sebastian, Mark, Lewis and the rest as the chips are down for Q3 and the shoot out for pole as the rain started to spit but shouldn't affect them on slicks.
Out they went immediately the flag dropped trying to get a banker lap in should the rain come down albeit the sun then came out. Mark put in the first time at 1.14.2 but was almost immediately usurped by Fernando as he went into the 1.13's. With the last six minutes this will be a mighty dash for pole as Fernando, Sebastian, Mark, Lewis and Felipe battle at the sharp end.
It was going to be a battle and that what we had. Sebastian out qualified Fernando followed by Felipe, Mark, Jenson, Lewis, Robert, Rubens, Nico and Nico H. Now we have a slightly mixed up grid for tomorrow and the German crowd were ecstatic about Sebastian topping the field. Bring on the Grand Prix.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
F1 Silverstone Race
Welcome to race day at the home of the British Grand Prix. In glorious weather this is going to be a hot day and we Brits must be a little disappointed with Lewis in fourth and Jenson a lowly fourteenth after commenting his Mclaren was undriveable during qualifying.
It was great to see Sir Stirling being interviewed by the BBC team and wonderful to see his recovery after falling down the lift shaft at his home. The fans came out in force and it is a feature of the British GP and the drivers were in awe of their presence. It was also nice to see Lewis with his Dad and that there is no animosity between them.
The new look Silverstone will add to the challenge for the drivers and this weekend Nigel Mansell is on the FIA Stewards panel in case of queries or problems. Silverstone is a wonderful spectacle and has never looked better and a compliment to Damon Hill and his development team.
After the problems in Friday pre qualifying Mclaren removed the blown diffuser as it didn't work which made it difficult for Lewis and Jenson as they didn't get the running time in the changed trim.
A lot of controversy again at Red Bull after they came with only two new front wings and after Sebastian's broke they took Mark's off and put it onto Sebastian's car. That would suggest Red Bull have made a decision to support Sebastian which has caused condemnation in the pits.
Nobody seems to be giving anyone a chance against the Red Bull's but I think Lewis will have something to say about that and obviously ring the neck of his Mclaren at his home grand prix. The season suggests the red Bull's have had reliability problems for one or both of the cars and nothing can be taken for granted.
We have an interesting start to look forward to with conflict between Sebastian and Mark on row one after the spoiler issue, needle between Fernando and Lewis after they didn't hit it off as team mates on row two and Jenson staring fourteenth. Michael had a good qualifying session and is close to Nico compared to recent results and accepting one wants to first beat your team mate that could add a little spice. Throw in Robert in the Renault and Rubens in the Williams and all is set for a great race.
The tyre blankets come off and the warm up lap starts as the fans in the grandstands are flying a mix of flags flying around in the somewhat breezy conditions. Back to the grid all cars managed the warm up lap without hitch and we are ready for the start.
Charlie Whiting has a fantastic view over the pack and off they go. What a start, Sebastian went off with a puncture, Lewis moved into P2 as he launched past Fernando who went backwards after a bad start and when the two Ferrari's came together Felipe finished up with a puncture, Jenson came up to eighth at the end of lap one and Robert up into P3.
Mark then stabilised the position between himself and Lewis up in front and what else can happen as Sebastian is now dead last after this tyre change from the soft to the premium tyre, will that play out through the race.
After ten laps it was Mark out at the front and moving two and a half seconds away from Lewis, Robert comes next but one and a half seconds off the pace and in front of Nico, Fernando, Rubens, Michael, Jenson and Kamui in ninth.
Then we had the first round of tyre stops which benefited Jenson up to fifth whilst Mark and Lewis retained their positions out front with now five seconds between them. Now we had Nico in third followed by Fernando who then received a drive through penalty for an overtaking move on Robert who subsequently had to retire with a broken diff.
Then we had a safety car period to pick up debris from the circuit and this will negate any gaps between the field. When the safety car came in Lewis set off behind Mark and as Fernando went in to serve his penalty it brought Jenson up to fourth and accepting Nico has a barge board missing Jenson could finish up on the podium, we keep our fingers crossed.
Adrian passed Michael who obviously didn't like it and he lost a front wing end plate in the process of trying to stop him. Sebastian was now up to twelfth place after he was helped by the safety car.
After his penalty Fernando was not out to take prisoners from his now lonely sixteenth and sent an instruction to the pits he didn't want any more radio communication as he was to run his own race to the finish. On new tyres he put in some stunning laps and managed the fastest lap of the day on the now rubbered in track.
Mark managed his pace out front with a five second difference between him and Lewis albeit they are trading fastest lap after fastest lap in the mid 1.32's. Sebastian is still coming but his move forward was slightly held up by Adrian in his Force India.
Rubens was still driving well and running in fifth behind Mark, Lewis, Nico and Jenson and in front of Kamui, Adrian and Sebastian. The Mclaren team then confirmed Jenson is running short on fuel and hence the reason he wasn't able to close in on Nico.
So at the chequered flag Mark had driven from pole to finish and we didn't see a great deal of either him or Lewis finishing in second and a great result after all for Mclaren. Some great drives throughout the field including Jenson going from fourteenth to fourth, Sebastian who went from last after lap one to seventh but a bad day for Ferrari who weren't in the points for all sorts of reasons.
When Christian Horner spoke to Mark on his slowing down lap after the flag Mark commented not bad for a number two driver as he just proved a point. As the drivers met prior to going onto the podium they donned their promotional hats and watches and chatted happily after a great grand prix. So it was a win for Australia, a second for Great Britain and a third for Germany albeit all the cars are built in the UK.
The winners trophy was presented by the Duke of Kent who always officiates at the British Grand Prix and Sir Stirling presented the trophy to Lewis to the sounds of tumultuous applause from the crowd, presumably for both of them.
Whilst it was little processional at the front there were some great drives behind them. Well done Mark and poetic justice after the insult of the spoiler change yesterday.
Fernando is not well pleased again after his penalty and latter puncture even to a point he was furious enough not to talk to anyone after the race. All he needs now is for Spain to lose the World Cup Final tonight and his day will be complete!
After a great British GP the drivers left with Lewis still heading the chart on 145, Jenson 133, Mark 128, Sebastian 121, Fernando 96, Nico 89, Robert 83, Felipe 67, Michael 36, Adrian 35, Rubens 29, Kamui 15, Vitantonio 12, Sebastian B 9, Vitaly 6, Jamie 3, Nico H 3 and finally Pedro 1.
In the constructors championship Mclaren left Silverstone with 278 points followed by Red Bull 249, Ferrari 163, Mercedes 125, Renault 89, Force India 47, Williams 32, BMW 16, Toro Rosso 12 and Lotus, HRT and Virgin still left without a single point.
So not a lot changed at the front of the drivers and constructors and only Mark moving ahead of Sebastian was of any consequence. The battle at the top still rages with all the teams trying to match the pace of the Red Bull's and when they get it right they are pretty unstoppable. It was only Lewis who offered spirited resistance today and one feels he is the only one who can maybe apart from Jenson.
Now we are off to Hockenheim and the German Grand Prix in two weeks and "if" Mclaren can get the blown diffuser working properly we may see them approach the speed of the Red Bull's. What is unusual is that Red Bull always seem to have something that affects one or both of their drivers and I suppose that is a blessing or it could become boring at the front of the field.
Bye for now and enjoy the great spell of weather we are experiencing.
It was great to see Sir Stirling being interviewed by the BBC team and wonderful to see his recovery after falling down the lift shaft at his home. The fans came out in force and it is a feature of the British GP and the drivers were in awe of their presence. It was also nice to see Lewis with his Dad and that there is no animosity between them.
The new look Silverstone will add to the challenge for the drivers and this weekend Nigel Mansell is on the FIA Stewards panel in case of queries or problems. Silverstone is a wonderful spectacle and has never looked better and a compliment to Damon Hill and his development team.
After the problems in Friday pre qualifying Mclaren removed the blown diffuser as it didn't work which made it difficult for Lewis and Jenson as they didn't get the running time in the changed trim.
A lot of controversy again at Red Bull after they came with only two new front wings and after Sebastian's broke they took Mark's off and put it onto Sebastian's car. That would suggest Red Bull have made a decision to support Sebastian which has caused condemnation in the pits.
Nobody seems to be giving anyone a chance against the Red Bull's but I think Lewis will have something to say about that and obviously ring the neck of his Mclaren at his home grand prix. The season suggests the red Bull's have had reliability problems for one or both of the cars and nothing can be taken for granted.
We have an interesting start to look forward to with conflict between Sebastian and Mark on row one after the spoiler issue, needle between Fernando and Lewis after they didn't hit it off as team mates on row two and Jenson staring fourteenth. Michael had a good qualifying session and is close to Nico compared to recent results and accepting one wants to first beat your team mate that could add a little spice. Throw in Robert in the Renault and Rubens in the Williams and all is set for a great race.
The tyre blankets come off and the warm up lap starts as the fans in the grandstands are flying a mix of flags flying around in the somewhat breezy conditions. Back to the grid all cars managed the warm up lap without hitch and we are ready for the start.
Charlie Whiting has a fantastic view over the pack and off they go. What a start, Sebastian went off with a puncture, Lewis moved into P2 as he launched past Fernando who went backwards after a bad start and when the two Ferrari's came together Felipe finished up with a puncture, Jenson came up to eighth at the end of lap one and Robert up into P3.
Mark then stabilised the position between himself and Lewis up in front and what else can happen as Sebastian is now dead last after this tyre change from the soft to the premium tyre, will that play out through the race.
After ten laps it was Mark out at the front and moving two and a half seconds away from Lewis, Robert comes next but one and a half seconds off the pace and in front of Nico, Fernando, Rubens, Michael, Jenson and Kamui in ninth.
Then we had the first round of tyre stops which benefited Jenson up to fifth whilst Mark and Lewis retained their positions out front with now five seconds between them. Now we had Nico in third followed by Fernando who then received a drive through penalty for an overtaking move on Robert who subsequently had to retire with a broken diff.
Then we had a safety car period to pick up debris from the circuit and this will negate any gaps between the field. When the safety car came in Lewis set off behind Mark and as Fernando went in to serve his penalty it brought Jenson up to fourth and accepting Nico has a barge board missing Jenson could finish up on the podium, we keep our fingers crossed.
Adrian passed Michael who obviously didn't like it and he lost a front wing end plate in the process of trying to stop him. Sebastian was now up to twelfth place after he was helped by the safety car.
After his penalty Fernando was not out to take prisoners from his now lonely sixteenth and sent an instruction to the pits he didn't want any more radio communication as he was to run his own race to the finish. On new tyres he put in some stunning laps and managed the fastest lap of the day on the now rubbered in track.
Mark managed his pace out front with a five second difference between him and Lewis albeit they are trading fastest lap after fastest lap in the mid 1.32's. Sebastian is still coming but his move forward was slightly held up by Adrian in his Force India.
Rubens was still driving well and running in fifth behind Mark, Lewis, Nico and Jenson and in front of Kamui, Adrian and Sebastian. The Mclaren team then confirmed Jenson is running short on fuel and hence the reason he wasn't able to close in on Nico.
So at the chequered flag Mark had driven from pole to finish and we didn't see a great deal of either him or Lewis finishing in second and a great result after all for Mclaren. Some great drives throughout the field including Jenson going from fourteenth to fourth, Sebastian who went from last after lap one to seventh but a bad day for Ferrari who weren't in the points for all sorts of reasons.
When Christian Horner spoke to Mark on his slowing down lap after the flag Mark commented not bad for a number two driver as he just proved a point. As the drivers met prior to going onto the podium they donned their promotional hats and watches and chatted happily after a great grand prix. So it was a win for Australia, a second for Great Britain and a third for Germany albeit all the cars are built in the UK.
The winners trophy was presented by the Duke of Kent who always officiates at the British Grand Prix and Sir Stirling presented the trophy to Lewis to the sounds of tumultuous applause from the crowd, presumably for both of them.
Whilst it was little processional at the front there were some great drives behind them. Well done Mark and poetic justice after the insult of the spoiler change yesterday.
Fernando is not well pleased again after his penalty and latter puncture even to a point he was furious enough not to talk to anyone after the race. All he needs now is for Spain to lose the World Cup Final tonight and his day will be complete!
After a great British GP the drivers left with Lewis still heading the chart on 145, Jenson 133, Mark 128, Sebastian 121, Fernando 96, Nico 89, Robert 83, Felipe 67, Michael 36, Adrian 35, Rubens 29, Kamui 15, Vitantonio 12, Sebastian B 9, Vitaly 6, Jamie 3, Nico H 3 and finally Pedro 1.
In the constructors championship Mclaren left Silverstone with 278 points followed by Red Bull 249, Ferrari 163, Mercedes 125, Renault 89, Force India 47, Williams 32, BMW 16, Toro Rosso 12 and Lotus, HRT and Virgin still left without a single point.
So not a lot changed at the front of the drivers and constructors and only Mark moving ahead of Sebastian was of any consequence. The battle at the top still rages with all the teams trying to match the pace of the Red Bull's and when they get it right they are pretty unstoppable. It was only Lewis who offered spirited resistance today and one feels he is the only one who can maybe apart from Jenson.
Now we are off to Hockenheim and the German Grand Prix in two weeks and "if" Mclaren can get the blown diffuser working properly we may see them approach the speed of the Red Bull's. What is unusual is that Red Bull always seem to have something that affects one or both of their drivers and I suppose that is a blessing or it could become boring at the front of the field.
Bye for now and enjoy the great spell of weather we are experiencing.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
F1 Silverstone Quali
Welcome to the new look Silverstone and the now long term home of the British Grand Prix after all the talk about it moving to Donnington during 2009. The battle up front is building as Red Bull, Mclaren, Ferrari and Renault all seem to be closing up.
The new Loop section will have the effect of bunching the cars up during the race which should be more exciting during the race. The usual protagonists are up at the sharp end as usual headed by Sebastian in Q1 but there is a long time to go yet during through Q2 & 3.
So we lost the usual cars after Q1 with Jaime in seventeenth followed by Heikki, Timo, Jarno, Pedro, Karun and newcomer for this race only Sanho Yamamoto replacing Bruno Senna in the second .
Into the second fifteen minutes of Q2 Michael was down in fifteenth and just on the bubble so we will have to see whether the Mercedes is any better as the weekend develops. I still think we are all expecting maybe too much in his comeback after three years away as the development of the cars is so much further advanced.
A lot of the cars have the new blown diffuser including Williams, Mclaren and it will be interesting to see whether Mercedes have mastered the concept after the problems it caused them in Valencia. One has to say the Red Bull's look might quick at this stage during Q2 and as Martin comments it is their race to lose.
Jenson seems to be struggling with rear grip which is a disaster at Silverstone and even Lewis is eight tenths off the pace of Mark. A lot of the cars are being affected by gusting side winds which shows just how much the cars performance can be changed.
Williams are doing well with particularly Rubens who is currently running in sixth. The big surprise is Jenson hasn't made Q3 and finished only fourteenth. So out went Adrian, Jamui, Nico H, Jenson, Vitantonio, Sebastien B and finally Vitaly.
So we have the main cars up at the sharp end but Mclaren are not performing as they should albeit Lewis is in the top few. Jenson said his car is undriveable even without the blown diffuser and they have taken off the upgrades as they are simply not working even though Gary Paffit spent all night on the simulator back at Woking.
Into Q3 they all launched and Lewis went out on the softer Green walled tyres. On his first run Mark became the first driver into the 1.29's only to be usurped by Sebastian only a few tenths quicker. Fernando took third, Lewis fourth after the first run followed by Nico, Rubens and Felipe.
Renault are still struggling with only Robert in Q3 while Sebastian once again took pole beating Mark and another Red Bull lock out on the front row followed by Fernando, Lewis, Nico, Robert who did a better lap in Q3, Felipe, Rubens, Pedro and in tenth Michael in the second Michael.
So an interesting qualifying and it looks well set up for tomorrow but the Red Bull's are mighty.
The new Loop section will have the effect of bunching the cars up during the race which should be more exciting during the race. The usual protagonists are up at the sharp end as usual headed by Sebastian in Q1 but there is a long time to go yet during through Q2 & 3.
So we lost the usual cars after Q1 with Jaime in seventeenth followed by Heikki, Timo, Jarno, Pedro, Karun and newcomer for this race only Sanho Yamamoto replacing Bruno Senna in the second .
Into the second fifteen minutes of Q2 Michael was down in fifteenth and just on the bubble so we will have to see whether the Mercedes is any better as the weekend develops. I still think we are all expecting maybe too much in his comeback after three years away as the development of the cars is so much further advanced.
A lot of the cars have the new blown diffuser including Williams, Mclaren and it will be interesting to see whether Mercedes have mastered the concept after the problems it caused them in Valencia. One has to say the Red Bull's look might quick at this stage during Q2 and as Martin comments it is their race to lose.
Jenson seems to be struggling with rear grip which is a disaster at Silverstone and even Lewis is eight tenths off the pace of Mark. A lot of the cars are being affected by gusting side winds which shows just how much the cars performance can be changed.
Williams are doing well with particularly Rubens who is currently running in sixth. The big surprise is Jenson hasn't made Q3 and finished only fourteenth. So out went Adrian, Jamui, Nico H, Jenson, Vitantonio, Sebastien B and finally Vitaly.
So we have the main cars up at the sharp end but Mclaren are not performing as they should albeit Lewis is in the top few. Jenson said his car is undriveable even without the blown diffuser and they have taken off the upgrades as they are simply not working even though Gary Paffit spent all night on the simulator back at Woking.
Into Q3 they all launched and Lewis went out on the softer Green walled tyres. On his first run Mark became the first driver into the 1.29's only to be usurped by Sebastian only a few tenths quicker. Fernando took third, Lewis fourth after the first run followed by Nico, Rubens and Felipe.
Renault are still struggling with only Robert in Q3 while Sebastian once again took pole beating Mark and another Red Bull lock out on the front row followed by Fernando, Lewis, Nico, Robert who did a better lap in Q3, Felipe, Rubens, Pedro and in tenth Michael in the second Michael.
So an interesting qualifying and it looks well set up for tomorrow but the Red Bull's are mighty.
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