Showing posts with label Formula 1 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Formula 1 2010. Show all posts
November 10, 2011
Abu Dhabi 2010: Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Last year, Yas Marina saw Fernando Alonso's championship dreams die behind Vitaly Petrov's Renault. Before DRS, nobody did much passing and when Ferrari made a silly strategy error, Alonso was doomed and Sebastian Vettel completed his comeback to win the 2010 drivers championship.
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December 13, 2010
2010 Formula 1 Season Highlights Film
Epic or preposterous will depend on your view of Formula 1 but this 10 minute clip, from this years FIA gala dinner and prize ceremony in Monaco and celebrating not just the 2010 season but 60 years of F1, may be the best yet produced by the Bernie boys.
Check out those unseen moments of tension between Vettel and Webber. Smile at the opera music for Germany... check out the babes in Monaco (caution a certain hotel heiress makes an appearance).
(Eurosport)
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November 16, 2010
Numbers
I love it when readers help out. The galactically named Zarniwoop put together some interesting statistics which you are free to interpret as you wish....
Check these out full screen, I did a good job in Monaco if I don't say so myself :)
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HAM BUT VET WEB ALO
Wins 3 2 5 4 5
Poles 1 0 10 5 2
Fault incidents 2 0 4 3 1
Non-fault incidents 3 2 4 0 0
DNF 3 2 3 2 1
Maintained pos quali->race 4 4 4 3 3
Improved pos quali->race 11 12 4 5 10
Worse pos quali->race 4 3 11 11 6
Fast laps 5 1 3 3 5
Points 240 214 256 242 252
Check these out full screen, I did a good job in Monaco if I don't say so myself :)
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November 14, 2010
Weltmeister Vettel, Ferrari snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.
Congratulation to Sebastian Vettel, the fastest driver in the fastest car and now the youngest ever F1 Champion. Nobody gave him much of a chance but the stars aligned and the 2010 F1 championship script could not have been better if it had been written in Hollywood, all that was missing was Vettel and Webber picking up quarters with their tires on the streets of Abu Dhabi.
Really, it should never have been so close: while Alonso made a remarkable comeback towards the end of the season he would be the first to admit luck helped, Red Bull's various problems with crashes and mechanicals handing points over to Ferrari. Today though it was Ferrari who returned the favor.
Interesting that this championship was in some ways decided because of a safety car. That SLS was a good investment for Mercedes, we saw a lot of it this past season and in the final race it set up the crucial decision point for Ferrari and Red Bull.
Ferrari fell right into Red Bull's trap when they chose to shadow Webber who stopped after only 12 laps. Maybe I'm giving Horner and Co. too much credit but whatever the case, the Ferrari pit wall made a colossal, incredible mistake giving up track position to cars that had already made their tire stop under the safety car and putting Alonso behind Petrov, who put in his best drive of the season, for 40 laps.
The Yas Marina track may be pretty to look at and very wide but nobody can pass. Kubica, one of the few who actually passed another car, stayed in front of Hamilton for laps on end with the Mclaren able to move up only when the Renault stopped for tires. Alonso was pretty frustrated with Petrov on the cool down lap but, as he had to admit after he himself cooled down, that's racing.
Great season from Red Bull, well deserved championship win for Vettel who never gave up, never gave an inch and showed why the team is built around him. Vettel has been driving since he was three years old and was put under contract by RedBull at age nine, a fourteen year investment by a company that fourteen years ago was not even in F1. Red Bull steered Sebastian through junior formulas including that great formula 1 petri dish that was Formula BMW. A massive investment that has paid out big in 2010, well done.
A shame for Webber, a bit like Massa two years ago, this year was likely his best shot.
In the short window between the hype for "the best season ever" and the beginning of the next, I would hope F1 thinks long and hard as to why we still have races won and lost in qualifying, you have mandatory tire stops but soft tires that can last almost a whole race and brand new tracks where two of the best passers in the game, Hamilton and Alonso, can't make a move on a car slowing them down. Food for thought.
A final jeer to the commentators at SpeedTV who trotted out that offensive accusation of FIA steward Emanuele Pirro being there ready to cheat for Ferrari. I think it's time for new blood there, as evidenced by the great job newcomer Will Buxton did all season long.
(BBC, RTL, SKY)
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November 13, 2010
Stage is set for F1 finale
Nightmare scenario for Webber who will be starting not just behind Alonso but Button as well. While Alonso just needs to shadow Webber to win the title, Vettel and Hamilton both need to win and hope others have problems so expect fireworks from those two if they get close.
Webber was the only only one of the contenders who did not better his time on the last try. Alonso, who was fifth as he began his final lap with 3 seconds to spare, managed to find a crucial 3/10ths that put him ahead of Button and on the "clean" side of the grid, right behind Vettel.
Tomorrow should be great fun.
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Pos Driver Car Q1 Q2 Q3
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m40.318s 1m39.874s 1m39.394s
2. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m40.335s 1m40.119s 1m39.425s
3. Alonso Ferrari 1m40.170s 1m40.311s 1m39.792s
4. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m40.877s 1m40.014s 1m39.823s
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m40.690s 1m40.074s 1m39.925s
6. Massa Ferrari 1m40.942s 1m40.323s 1m40.202s
7. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m40.904s 1m40.476s 1m40.203s
8. Schumacher Mercedes 1m41.222s 1m40.452s 1m40.516s
9. Rosberg Mercedes 1m40.231s 1m40.060s 1m40.589s
10. Petrov Renault 1m41.018s 1m40.658s 1m40.901s
11. Kubica Renault 1m41.336s 1m40.780s
12. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.045s 1m40.783s
13. Sutil Force India-Ferrari 1m41.473s 1m40.914s
14. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.409s 1m41.113s
15. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1m41.015s 1m41.418s
16. Liuzzi Force India-Ferrari 1m41.681s 1m41.642s
17. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.707s 1m41.738s
18. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m41.824s
19. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1m43.516s
20. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1m43.712s
21. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m44.095s
22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1m44.510s
23. Senna Hispania-Cosworth 1m45.085s
24. Klien Hispania-Cosworth 1m45.296s
All timing unofficial
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November 12, 2010
Desert Floods
This was the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi Friday morning. That Benie can arrange anything!
Didn't last long but you can't say it could never happen...
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Didn't last long but you can't say it could never happen...
Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m42.760s 18
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.369s + 0.609s 16
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.785s + 1.025s 19
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m43.840s + 1.080s 19
5. Robert Kubica Renault 1m44.080s + 1.320s 19
6. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m44.121s + 1.361s 17
7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m44.199s + 1.439s 19
8. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m44.604s + 1.844s 18
9. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m44.718s + 1.958s 19
10. Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1m44.737s + 1.977s 19
11. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m45.160s + 2.400s 18
12. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m45.445s + 2.685s 21
13. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m45.474s + 2.714s 15
14. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m45.552s + 2.792s 20
15. Tonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1m45.585s + 2.825s 14
16. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m46.003s + 3.243s 20
17. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1m46.644s + 3.884s 19
18. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m47.105s + 4.345s 22
19. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m48.450s + 5.690s 19
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1m48.472s + 5.712s 17
21. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1m49.375s + 6.615s 13
22. Bruno Senna Hispania-Cosworth 1m49.590s + 6.830s 18
23. Christian Klien Hispania-Cosworth 1m50.274s + 7.514s 17
24. Fairuz Fauzy Lotus-Cosworth 1m51.705s + 8.945s 18
All timing unofficial
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November 7, 2010
2010 Brazilian GP Executive Summary
Some discussion points out after the Brazilian GP:
1. Red Bull wins the constructors title, it was a great, no effort spared, attack from f1 clowns to clear #1 team. But something happened on the way to the dream, the wrong guy ended up with more points. Red Bull does not want Webber to be their first World Champion.
2. Webber, who now has not won for seven races, needs to win the final race and hope Alonso does not come in second. It's not that big of a gamble to think there will be a Red Bull 1-2 in the final race, yet... If Vettel is ahead and Alonso is fourth or better, Red Bull will have to get off their high horse and
3. What happened to Mclaren? Hamilton tried hard as usual but he kept complaining about lack of grip. Button advanced once more through clever strategy but the british team has been going backwards in the final part of the season with the drivers seem unable to nail setups for the race. Very un-Mclaren.
4. Alonso, what a second part of the season. Love him or hate him, you cannot fault his driving and determination.
An interesting tidbit came out about his Saturday practice crash in Monaco which prevented him from qualifying and was clearly his lowest point of his season, with the world press wondering if Ferrari had made a big mistake. Alonso, as reported by "Gazzetta dello Sport", personally delivered a handwritten note of apology to all the members of the team, from mechanics to management, (ok, presumably he made copies.. grin) apologizing for his mistake and promising a comeback and a fight for the title. Not exactly the whining complaining pest, some corners of the media like to paint him as and he certainly galvanized the team.
5. What is it with Barrichello and Interlagos? Macumba?
6. Safety car: c'mon what would you have given to have had Vettel, Webber and Alonso all lined up behind the SLS for a final sprint rather than be separated by lapped cars who refused to get out of the way?
The race itself was not the best ever, Red Bulls were just too good especially on tire wear, but the backmarkers did do some entertaining suspension arms be damned racing here and there.
Great season finale though, 4 years running now.
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5. What is it with Barrichello and Interlagos? Macumba?
6. Safety car: c'mon what would you have given to have had Vettel, Webber and Alonso all lined up behind the SLS for a final sprint rather than be separated by lapped cars who refused to get out of the way?
The race itself was not the best ever, Red Bulls were just too good especially on tire wear, but the backmarkers did do some entertaining suspension arms be damned racing here and there.
Great season finale though, 4 years running now.
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November 5, 2010
The good, the bad and the ugly.
Interlagos track facts:
Lap time: around 1'12"
Time on brakes: :9.2 Seconds
Number of brake zones: 7
Gearshifts per lap : 37
Time spent at full throttle" 68%
Fuel consumption: 2.9 Liters per lap
That great old 1970s footage reminded me that F1 back then was more fun to watchmostly because you could actually see things happening. Current cars are so quick that as a spectator you have no chance to physically see anything but what looks like a blur on rails. So it's useful to see the bad to appreciate the good.
Have a look at how quickly Vitaly Petrov's car snaps from under him. Braking events average about 1 second, is it any wonder there is no passing? What is surprising is that there are not more errors with such a small window to hit lap after lap.
After the jump, compare Bruno Senna fighting the HRT all around the track compared to Alonso's totally smooth experience. Even given the different tires and unknown fuel loads, you have to feel for Bruno, check out how much time he has to spend on partial throttle compared to the Ferrari.
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Lap time: around 1'12"
Time on brakes: :9.2 Seconds
Number of brake zones: 7
Gearshifts per lap : 37
Time spent at full throttle" 68%
Fuel consumption: 2.9 Liters per lap
That great old 1970s footage reminded me that F1 back then was more fun to watchmostly because you could actually see things happening. Current cars are so quick that as a spectator you have no chance to physically see anything but what looks like a blur on rails. So it's useful to see the bad to appreciate the good.
Have a look at how quickly Vitaly Petrov's car snaps from under him. Braking events average about 1 second, is it any wonder there is no passing? What is surprising is that there are not more errors with such a small window to hit lap after lap.
After the jump, compare Bruno Senna fighting the HRT all around the track compared to Alonso's totally smooth experience. Even given the different tires and unknown fuel loads, you have to feel for Bruno, check out how much time he has to spend on partial throttle compared to the Ferrari.
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November 4, 2010
Brazilian Magistrate Threatens to Arrest Massa...
...if he allows Alonso to pass him again as he did in Germany!
That's the treat expressed by prosecutor Paulo Castilho who invoked Brazil's "Sporting Statute" which includes a two to six year jail sentence for those found guilty of "Sporting Fraud". Good luck with that.
Meanwhile Massa was more humorous in a TV interview. When asked what it is that Alonso has to make him a the number one at Ferrari, Felipe said: "Fleas". We figure he was partly mesmerized by his interviewer, the beautiful and brilliant Gianne Albertoni!
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October 24, 2010
The Korean Wars
Wow, good thing for the track organization and for Formula 1 that it rained, that way nobody saw how dismal a place that circuit is ( at least in its present form) and how if it were dry there would have been zero passing opportunities. It even ended in the dark so nobody saw what kind of shape that swamp was. As it was though, it turned out to be quite and exciting race after all, once they actually got to race, seventeen laps and two safety car starts into the fifty five lap contest.
Key to the race was Alonso's and Ferrari's ability to manage tires while keeping a good pace and reliability. Red Bulls are faster but more fragile and Vettel paid a high price for that in Korea. Webber is probably the luckies driver out there, after a very bad unforced error he finds himself still ahead of Vettel in points and with the team that will, you would think, finally forced to get fully behind him. After watching his off over and over, I keep wondering why he did not lock his wheels to stop rolling across the track, did his brakes totally fail or was it just an "oh crap" moment? Too bad for Rosberg's race being ruined.
Mclaren are in the same boat and Red Bull now with Button having, for whatever reason made a complete mess of his race and being effectively out of the championship running, they need to get fully behind Hamilton for the last two races.
Hamilton will seriously regret his silly mistake on the restart from the second safety car period. He was gifted a second place because of an errant wheel nut in the Ferrari pit stop, a second place he might have easily nursed home, as it turned out, for a win. Instead he blew the very first braking zone after the restart and let Alonso back through. Hamilton also continued to have, along with Mclaren, an issue degrading tires under these conditions, shades of corded tires passed.
Alonso really did not put a wheel wrong all race, he kept the pressure on just enough and in the later stages set a pace Hamilton could not cope with. Brilliant, for a guy who was almost written off after Spa.
Best of all, with two races to go, it's still all quite open at least for the top three. Very cool.
(it's a big file, if it's slow, let it load!)
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October 23, 2010
Korean GP Qualifying
I'm not sure who exactly is who is "heaping praise" on the Korean circuit, to my eyes it looks like a race in a wasteland, like Valencia with two really long straights added. The Red Bulls are superior on the technical sections 2 and 3 while giving up raw speed to Mclaren and Ferrari in section 1, I get the feeling here will be no passing after turn 1 and that Red Bulls, if they get through the first lap will just run away with it.
If on the other hand Alonso or maybe Hamilton get in front, things might get interesting. Of course it can always rain...
Here are some moments from Practice and qualifying
Hamilton almost crashes again
Turn 16 was re-profiled but still has a weird bump
A full lap onboard with Lewis Hamilton
Last moments of Qualifying
Home
If on the other hand Alonso or maybe Hamilton get in front, things might get interesting. Of course it can always rain...
Here are some moments from Practice and qualifying
Hamilton almost crashes again
Turn 16 was re-profiled but still has a weird bump
A full lap onboard with Lewis Hamilton
Last moments of Qualifying
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:37.123 1:36.074 1:35.585
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:37.373 1:36.039 1:35.659
3. Alonso Ferrari 1:37.144 1:36.287 1:35.766
4. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:37.113 1:36.197 1:36.062
5. Rosberg Mercedes 1:37.708 1:36.791 1:36.535
6. Massa Ferrari 1:37.515 1:36.169 1:36.571
7. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.123 1:37.064 1:36.731
8. Kubica Renault 1:37.703 1:37.179 1:36.824
9. Schumacher Mercedes 1:37.980 1:37.077 1:36.950
10. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:38.257 1:37.511 1:36.998
11. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:38.115 1:37.620
12. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:38.429 1:37.643
13. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1:38.171 1:37.715
14. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:38.572 1:37.783
15. Petrov Renault 1:38.174 1:37.799 *
16. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:38.583 1:37.853
17. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:38.621 1:38.594
18. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:38.955
19. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:40.521
20. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:40.748
21. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:41.768
22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:42.325
23. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:42.444
24. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:43.283
* Drops five places for Japan penalty
All Timing Unofficial
Home
October 22, 2010
Dusty, Bumpy Korea
Looks to me like Valencia...minus the city. Weird.
Free Practice 2 results:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:37.942 23
2. Alonso Ferrari 1:38.132 + 0.190 30
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.279 + 0.337 29
4. Kubica Renault 1:38.718 + 0.776 29
5. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.726 + 0.784 19
6. Massa Ferrari 1:38.820 + 0.878 32
7. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:39.204 + 1.262 22
8. Petrov Renault 1:39.267 + 1.325 28
9. Rosberg Mercedes 1:39.268 + 1.326 29
10. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:39.564 + 1.622 26
11. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1:39.588 + 1.646 25
12. Schumacher Mercedes 1:39.598 + 1.656 26
13. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:39.812 + 1.870 35
14. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:39.881 + 1.939 27
15. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:39.971 + 2.029 22
16. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:40.478 + 2.536 30
17. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:40.578 + 2.636 29
18. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:40.896 + 2.954 32
19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:42.773 + 4.831 29
20. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:42.801 + 4.859 19
21. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:43.115 + 5.173 26
22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:44.039 + 6.097 29
23. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:45.166 + 7.224 19
24. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:46.649 + 8.707 3
All Timing Unofficial
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October 11, 2010
2010 Japanese Grand Prix Executive Summary
Not very much to say about the Japanese Grand Prix, aside from the first lap carnage and the various odd failures, it was a Red Bull domination and a set piece. I think it was clear Webber was not attacking Vettel, probably an understanding between the two drivers and a good strategic move by Red Bull for once.
Damage limitation for Alonso, Massa's future seriously in question. Mclaren not up to speed and still not sure who made the call on Button's tire strategy. Disaster for Hamilton whose brand new gearbox broke,
Schumacher showed some of the old form with a great, clean pass on Barrichello at the "Senna-Prost" chicane. Kubica and Rosberg's races ruined by wheels coming off their cars.
The highlight of the race, undoubtedly Kamui Kobayashi's hairpin haikus, which were brief moments of awesomeness in between boredom and silly crashes. Suzuka is still a great track though I think 130R might have to be renamed 130ZZZ if the guys can keep going through it flat and with only one hand on the wheel!
Championship now looks more like a three way fight, though Hamilton and Button are not out out of it by any means.
PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1h30:27.323
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 0.905
3. Alonso Ferrari + 2.721
4. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 13.522
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 39.595
6. Schumacher Mercedes + 59.933
7. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1:04:038
8. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari + 1:09.648
9. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1:10.846
10. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:12.806
11. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
12. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth + 1 lap
13. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth + 2 laps
14. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
15. Senna HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps
16. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth + 3 laps
17. Rosberg Mercedes + 5 laps
Fastest lap: Webber, 1:33.474
World Championship standings, round 16:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. Webber 220 1. Red Bull-Renault 426
2. Alonso 206 2. McLaren-Mercedes 381
3. Vettel 206 3. Ferrari 334
4. Hamilton 192 4. Mercedes 176
5. Button 189 5. Renault 133
6. Massa 128 6. Force India-Mercedes 60
7. Rosberg 122 7. Williams-Cosworth 58
8. Kubica 114 8. Sauber-Ferrari 37
9. Schumacher 54 9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 11
10. Sutil 47
11. Barrichello 41
12. Kobayashi 27
13. Petrov 19
14. Hulkenberg 17
15. Liuzzi 13
16. Buemi 8
17. De la Rosa 6
18. Heidfeld 4
19. Alguersuari 3
October 9, 2010
Hamilton takes a five spot grid penalty in Japan!
Week end going from bad to worse for Mclaren and Lewis Hamilton. BBC reports the team was forced to change the gearbox on Hamiltons car which will result in a five spot penalty after today's delayed qualifying. Qualifying will take place at 11PM ET, not sure yet if SpeedTV will carry it live before the race.Another hard blow for Lewis' championship chase.
"In P3 (final practice) we noticed abnormal gearbox oil pressure on Lewis's car which we believed we had corrected ahead of this afternoon's qualifying session," said a McLaren team statement.
"This afternoon, as we fired up Lewis's car several times in preparation for qualifying, we became aware that the symptoms were worse than we'd originally diagnosed.
"A decision was later taken to change the gearbox ahead of tomorrow's qualifying session and the grand prix. As a result, Lewis will receive a five-place grid penalty for tomorrow's race."
(BBC)
October 8, 2010
"Guys, it's impossible to drive out here!"
That was Lewis Hamilton during the final practice session at Suzuka. Look at the Mclaren barely staying on the road despite "monsoon" tires. Only two cars put in timed laps and I have to wonder what will happen if the weather stays like that for qualifying... They may have to be run tomorrow morning before the race!
Hamilton wet practice lap @ Suzuka 2010
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Hamilton wet practice lap @ Suzuka 2010
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Japanese GP Practice: RedBulls Fly, Hamilton Turns in Early
Wow, that's three crashes in three racing week ends for Lewis Hamilton. This one, in the the first Friday practice session, was especially strange: he just turned in too early and went straight off on exit. Brain fade which cost him a lot of track time, only ran his Mclaren nine laps in the first practice and eight in the second.
Red Bulls dominated, seven tenths to the next fastest car, Renault. Almost nine tenths to Alonso' Ferrari! However, there is a good chance qualifying will to be in the wet.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:31.465 31
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:31.860 + 0.395 29
3. Kubica Renault 1:32.200 + 0.735 32
4. Alonso Ferrari 1:32.362 + 0.897 34
5. Massa Ferrari 1:32.519 + 1.054 35
6. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:32.533 + 1.068 28
7. Petrov Renault 1:32.703 + 1.238 32
8. Schumacher Mercedes 1:32.831 + 1.366 27
9. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:32.842 + 1.377 26
10. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:32.851 + 1.386 26
11. Rosberg Mercedes 1:32.880 + 1.415 26
12. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:33.471 + 2.006 31
13. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:33.481 + 2.016 8
14. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:33.564 + 2.099 16
15. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1:33.697 + 2.232 33
16. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:34.005 + 2.540 32
17. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:34.055 + 2.590 37
18. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:34.310 + 2.845 33
19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:36.095 + 4.630 37
20. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:36.333 + 4.868 33
21. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:36.630 + 5.165 28
22. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:36.834 + 5.369 28
23. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:37.352 + 5.887 33
24. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:37.831 + 6.366 34
All Timing Unofficial
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September 27, 2010
War of Nerves: Fernando Alonso Wins in Singapore
(Photo: RichSeow)
Fernando won another battle in Singapore but is he also winning a larger, psychological war?
Certainly he took the fight to Red Bull and Mclaren all week end, being very aggressive even in practice while playing the underdog with the press. He repeated that it's the leaders who are under pressure not to make mistakes.
I wonder if his first victim was not Lewis Hamilton, I have never heard him sounding so depressed and defeatist as he was after his retirement. Interviewed, Lewis really sounded like he meant it when he despaired about his chances in the championship and somewhat melodramatically added a wish for Button's success. Snap out of it dude! Hamilton is only 21 points out of the lead with 100 still in play, anything can happen.So he had a couple of bad races, big deal. Alonso was in much worse shape, with everyone giving him grief about his mistakes, he kept his head down, his optimism up and his mouth shut and look what happened...
As far as the incident with Webber, I'll be interested in your comments. I saw it as a racing incident. Watching the replays, Hamilton will wish he had given a few extra inches to Webber as Kubica did when he pulled off the same move on Sutil, in the same corner. There was no absolute need to shut the door like that as the following turn was a right.
Lewis' explanation that he did not know Webber would be there doesn't really cut it, he really should have figured Webber, who would not even yield for his team mate, would very much "be there". Did Hamilton really think Webber would be a pushover like Button was at the start, when he had easilly passed Lewis only to back down under braking and getting passed on the outside? I don't think so.
In the end it was the two championship championship leaders fighting for supremacy on track, what more can anyone want?
Webber was very lucky, not just that his suspension did not break and his tire did not burst but that the Red Bull strategy risk paid off thanks to a second Safety Car period. Third after being uncompetitive for most of the week end is very good for him. Meanwhile with Vettel Red Bull had its hand forced by Ferrari when they pitted on the same lap as Alonso. Vettel also made an error in his pit stop when he tried to pull out in second gear and almost stalled.
Four to go, five still in play, the story line of the 2010 championship is getting better and better, I think the winner will need to be not just fast but cool as a cucumber.
if it's slow, let it load...
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September 12, 2010
Monza Pit Lane Incident
There was a scary incident where a HRT radio tech who had come onto the hot pit are to check faulty equipment on Sakon Yamamoto's car and was not able to get out of the way of the car as it left. The pit lane was closed as he was taken to the hospital for a check up.
(how long before this one gets pulled?)
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(how long before this one gets pulled?)
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Matador! Alonso and Ferrari Dominate Monza.
Race win, pole and fast lap: Fernando Alonso showed why he gets paid the big bucks this week end but if anyone had any doubts about Formula being a team sport, today's race should change your mind.Ferrari had the measure of Mclaren on speed but it was strategy that played the key role. Alonso and his engineers did well to bide their time, pressuring Button but saving tires just enough for a quick in lap. On lap 37 Ferrari's crew made what has to be the pit stop of the year, 8/10th faster than Mclaren's one lap earlier, allowing Fernando to come out just ahead of Jenson.
Over at Red Bull, Vettel's crew gambled on what seems like an insane strategy gamble, going 52 of 53 laps on the soft tires. It worked.
Now team orders, many wondered why teams fight for every single point, Alonso who seemed to be out of the running for the championship after Spa is now third, one point ahead of Jenson Button. Red Bull probably used team orders today and ended up salvaging precious championship points for Webber who had a lousy start, 4th to 9th on the first lap.
Yesterday we wondered if Lewis Hamilton would choose to defend his championship lead or try to win it on the first lap. Ironically, interviewed before the race in a segment about Sebastian Vettel's supposed immaturity, he opined the German is still young and has some learning to do before he can be champion... I'll leave it at that.
The Italian Grand Prix
Autodromo di Monza, Italy;
53 laps; 306.720km;
Weather: Sunny.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Alonso Ferrari 1h16:24.572
2. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 2.938
3. Massa Ferrari + 4.223
4. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 28.193
5. Rosberg Mercedes + 29.942
6. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 31.276
7. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth + 32.812
8. Kubica Renault + 34.028
9. Schumacher Mercedes + 44.948
10. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1:04.200
11. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:05.00
12. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes + 1:06.100
13. Petrov Renault + 1:18.900
14. De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap
15. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
16. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
17. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
18. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth + 2 laps
19. Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
20. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps
Fastest lap: Alonso, 1:24.139
World Championship standings, round 14:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. Webber 187 1. Red Bull-Renault 350
2. Hamilton 182 2. McLaren-Mercedes 347
3. Alonso 166 3. Ferrari 290
4. Button 165 4. Mercedes 158
5. Vettel 163 5. Renault 127
6. Massa 124 6. Force India-Mercedes 58
7. Rosberg 112 7. Williams-Cosworth 47
8. Kubica 108 8. Sauber-Ferrari 27
9. Schumacher 46 9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 10
10. Sutil 45
11. Barrichello 31
12. Kobayashi 21
13. Petrov 19
14. Hulkenberg 16
15. Liuzzi 13
16. Buemi 7
17. De la Rosa 6
18. Alguersuari 3
September 11, 2010
¡Olé! Alonso's got the beans but will he make a fabada tomorrow?
Alonso and Massa will be starting from the "right" side of the track tomorrow while the "wrong" Mclaren is on the "wrong" side.
Hamilton is back two rows but on the racing line, it will be interesting to see if he tries a first corner move or if he might decide for a cautious race calculated to preserve his points lead. I imagine he will want to get ahead of Webber at least.
Alonso really put together an incredible lap yet, looking at the onboard I was surprised by the big oversteer moment at the first Lesmo. In his post qualifying comments Alonso mentioned how it's easy to try too hard at Monza, check out how he negotiates Ascari, so clean on exit, a
Great job by Jenson Button to come up with the right setup at a point in the season where the team and the fans attention balance had shifted to the other side of the garage.
Great Job by Webber to dig out a 4th from a fairly lousy week end so far. Red Bull chose not to change Mark's engine and he has issues tomorrow many nasty questions will be asked.
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q3 Q3
1. Alonso Ferrari 1:22.646 1:22.297 1:21.962
2. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.085 1:22.354 1:22.084
3. Massa Ferrari 1:22.421 1:22.610 1:22.293
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:23.431 1:22.706 1:22.433
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.830 1:22.394 1:22.623
6. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:23.235 1:22.701 1:22.675
7. Rosberg Mercedes 1:23.529 1:23.055 1:23.027
8. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:23.516 1:22.989 1:23.037
9. Kubica Renault 1:23.234 1:22.880 1:23.039
10. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:23.695 1:23.142 1:23.328
11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:23.493 1:23.199
12. Schumacher Mercedes 1:23.840 1:23.388
13. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:24.273 1:23.659
14. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:23.744 1:23.681
15. Petrov Renault 1:24.086 1:23.819
16. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:24.083 1:23.919
17. de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1:24.442 1:24.044
18. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:25.540
19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:25.742
20. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:25.774
21. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:25.934
22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:25.974
23. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:26.847
24. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:27.020
All Timing Unofficial
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