After interminable speculation, rumour and counter-rumour, it has at last been confirmed by Ferrari that Kimi Raikkonen has signed a two-year deal to drive for them from the 2014 season. Thus comes to pass one of the more unlikely tales in recent F1 history - Raikkonen's restoration to the very top table, after a period in exile.
This is certainly a signal of some intent by the Scuderia, possibly heralding an uncompromising aim to return to the pinnacle of the sport, but also carrying with it risks and imponderables. The most glaringly obvious is how the drivers will handle the situation. Raikkonen is not renowned for being overtly political, and much of the uncertainty will centre on Fernando Alonso's attitude towards the arrangement.
In my opinion Alonso, such a brilliant all-round driver, should let his performances on the track do the talking, but as we know, human beings (and particularly racing drivers) are complex creatures, and we can expect at least some friction, real or imagined. It is in the nature of the beast. If the tensions are positively channeled, they could benefit the team, but this is easier said than done.
Despite getting together the most formidable driver line-up on the Formula 1 grid, Ferrari face other pressing challenges. In the past couple of seasons, the performance of their cars has been uneven, and if they do not adapt successfully to the new turbo regulations, the problems inherent in the "joint number one" set-up may be aggravated . Having said that, both drivers are capable of flattering mediocre cars, and the presence of two bona-fide superstars in the red projectiles will doubtless galvanize the team's personnel.
Raikkonen's return to the Prancing Horse will of course have knock-on effects throughout the grid. It can be hoped that the Finn's vacated place at Lotus will be occupied by Nico Hulkenberg, so deserving of further advancement, and more consistently competitive machinery. The reshuffle may yet enable Felipe Massa to continue his F1 career.
Today's announcement certainly adds an intriguing sub-plot to the 2014 season....
Showing posts with label felipe massa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label felipe massa. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Sunday, 12 May 2013
2013 Spanish Grand Prix
Well, the misgivings of the Mercedes drivers, and the suspicions of this correspondent, were borne out in no uncertain terms in Barcelona, as Rosberg and Hamilton's qualifying pre-eminence gave way to frustration and mediocrity in the race itself. They were by no means alone in having to contend with the vagaries of tyre wear and performance, but detractors may point out that Mercedes seem, for a team aspiring to consistent success, to be disproportionately affected by such things.
The championship challenge posed by Ferrari is looking more solid and genuine by the race, and their confidence will be bolstered by the knowledge that this particular venue is seen as a reliable barometer of general form and performance. In overall terms, they looked as consistent as anybody else out there. It was nice to see Felipe Massa on the podium again.
Doubtless the debate about tyre degradation will rage with renewed vigour after Spain. I share some of the disquiet about the way it is affecting the racing, but if it is deemed that matters need to be addressed then this is for the powers-that-be. In the meantime, the competitors have to manage the situation as it presents itself, and adapt to the circumstances in which they find themselves. The winner is still the chap who crosses the line before anybody else. Of more concern is the recent batch of tyre failures....
Sebastian Vettel began to tread water, metaphorically speaking, around half-distance, unable to match the Ferraris and Kimi Raikkonen. Frustrating for the champion, but at least some points added to his account. I did expect Red Bull to go a little better here, I must admit.
Even by his own standards, Raikkonen was in feisty form today, combining that slick pace with the odd firm and audacious manoeuvre. It seems odd to describe the Finn as "metronomically consistent", but that is how it looks at present. The trick once again for Lotus will be sustaining this level of intensity for the full duration of what is a gruelling season.
To discuss McLaren's current woes is almost painful, and it is perhaps a measure of their plight that getting two cars to the finish just inside the top ten was regarded as an achievement of sorts. Whilst not exactly being resigned to their predicament, there are signs that the team recognises that it will be hard work from here on in, with any major short-term improvements unlikely. All that can be asked is that the drivers, and everybody else, give hundred percent, and remain positive.
For all the talk of tyres and stereotyped racing, the next round, at Monaco, may well shake things up a little.
The championship challenge posed by Ferrari is looking more solid and genuine by the race, and their confidence will be bolstered by the knowledge that this particular venue is seen as a reliable barometer of general form and performance. In overall terms, they looked as consistent as anybody else out there. It was nice to see Felipe Massa on the podium again.
Doubtless the debate about tyre degradation will rage with renewed vigour after Spain. I share some of the disquiet about the way it is affecting the racing, but if it is deemed that matters need to be addressed then this is for the powers-that-be. In the meantime, the competitors have to manage the situation as it presents itself, and adapt to the circumstances in which they find themselves. The winner is still the chap who crosses the line before anybody else. Of more concern is the recent batch of tyre failures....
Sebastian Vettel began to tread water, metaphorically speaking, around half-distance, unable to match the Ferraris and Kimi Raikkonen. Frustrating for the champion, but at least some points added to his account. I did expect Red Bull to go a little better here, I must admit.
Even by his own standards, Raikkonen was in feisty form today, combining that slick pace with the odd firm and audacious manoeuvre. It seems odd to describe the Finn as "metronomically consistent", but that is how it looks at present. The trick once again for Lotus will be sustaining this level of intensity for the full duration of what is a gruelling season.
To discuss McLaren's current woes is almost painful, and it is perhaps a measure of their plight that getting two cars to the finish just inside the top ten was regarded as an achievement of sorts. Whilst not exactly being resigned to their predicament, there are signs that the team recognises that it will be hard work from here on in, with any major short-term improvements unlikely. All that can be asked is that the drivers, and everybody else, give hundred percent, and remain positive.
For all the talk of tyres and stereotyped racing, the next round, at Monaco, may well shake things up a little.
Sunday, 17 March 2013
2013 Australian Grand Prix
My appetite for Formula 1 was in danger of becoming dulled and diminished, for various reasons, but just the merest glimpse of the television pictures from today's race in Melbourne was sufficient to hook me in anew.
It feels increasingly facile to say this, but all the signs point to a season of comparable competitiveness and interest to that of 2012. The variable of tyre management is once again present to provide the element of unpredictability.
Having said all this, Red Bull still look to have all the equipment to succeed, and it would not be surprising if this made itself felt more acutely in the next few Grands Prix. The car looks very stable, efficient and consistent, and Sebastian Vettel, although ultimately occupying the bottom step on the podium, was in the thick of the action throughout at Albert Park.
One of the main points of speculation before the next race will inevitably be the "plight" of McLaren. They were utterly anonymous in Australia, and there has been much conjecture about the reason for their shortfall in outright pace. Is the design itself overly ambitious? Much work clearly needs to be done in order to remedy matters.
On the McLaren driver front, one has to feel a measure of sympathy for young Sergio Perez. When he joined the team, he could have expected to have a reasonably competitive machine under him, and the car's deficiencies must be compounding the pressures he will be feeling as a new driver in a top team. He may also be confronted by a dilemma. Will he be tempted to overdrive in order to surmount the car's failings, or will he be overly-conscious of the need to avoid mistakes, and consequently become excessively circumspect? How he deals with this situation may tell us much about the Mexican's ultimate potential as a Grand Prix pilot.
By contrast, Ferrari enjoyed a solid and encouraging opening to the new season. Hopefully, people will not become carried away by all this. At this time last year, the Italian outfit was going through a tough time, and just as their problems back then were overplayed, there may now be a tendency to inflate expectations on the basis of one race. At the same time, it was a heartening display, with both drivers performing capably. In particular, Felipe Massa seems to have been emboldened by the confidence placed in him by Ferrari.
The augurs for the Mercedes team look mixed. There is little sign that they have attained a major breakthrough, and any marginal rise in assertiveness and feistiness my be attributed to "the Hamilton effect". The Englishman raced manfully as ever, and we can be fairly confident that he will extract the maximum from the car. A cloud was introduced by the retirement of Nico Rosberg, raising the spectre of the spate of mechanically-related retirements which afflicted the team in 2012.
A "wild card" was provided in this race by Adrian Sutil in the Force India. Some of us have long rated his abilities, and he looked very much at home at or near the front of the field. The internal competition within that team this season could be very interesting to follow, with Sutil perhaps poised to fulfill the role undertaken by Nico Hulkenberg last year.
Turning to Lotus, it is to be hoped that they have learned lessons from 2012, in terms of how to convert strong race-day showings into regular victories. I would suggest that the jury is still out on this. As has been observed, Raikkonen will be more formidable this season than last, having got plenty of mileage under his belt, and any cobwebs will now have been comprehensively cast off. He just needs the tools to enable him to consistently take full advantage.
It is good to see a reshuffle among the teams, and the appearance of some new faces to freshen things up. Malaysia next....
It feels increasingly facile to say this, but all the signs point to a season of comparable competitiveness and interest to that of 2012. The variable of tyre management is once again present to provide the element of unpredictability.
Having said all this, Red Bull still look to have all the equipment to succeed, and it would not be surprising if this made itself felt more acutely in the next few Grands Prix. The car looks very stable, efficient and consistent, and Sebastian Vettel, although ultimately occupying the bottom step on the podium, was in the thick of the action throughout at Albert Park.
One of the main points of speculation before the next race will inevitably be the "plight" of McLaren. They were utterly anonymous in Australia, and there has been much conjecture about the reason for their shortfall in outright pace. Is the design itself overly ambitious? Much work clearly needs to be done in order to remedy matters.
On the McLaren driver front, one has to feel a measure of sympathy for young Sergio Perez. When he joined the team, he could have expected to have a reasonably competitive machine under him, and the car's deficiencies must be compounding the pressures he will be feeling as a new driver in a top team. He may also be confronted by a dilemma. Will he be tempted to overdrive in order to surmount the car's failings, or will he be overly-conscious of the need to avoid mistakes, and consequently become excessively circumspect? How he deals with this situation may tell us much about the Mexican's ultimate potential as a Grand Prix pilot.
By contrast, Ferrari enjoyed a solid and encouraging opening to the new season. Hopefully, people will not become carried away by all this. At this time last year, the Italian outfit was going through a tough time, and just as their problems back then were overplayed, there may now be a tendency to inflate expectations on the basis of one race. At the same time, it was a heartening display, with both drivers performing capably. In particular, Felipe Massa seems to have been emboldened by the confidence placed in him by Ferrari.
The augurs for the Mercedes team look mixed. There is little sign that they have attained a major breakthrough, and any marginal rise in assertiveness and feistiness my be attributed to "the Hamilton effect". The Englishman raced manfully as ever, and we can be fairly confident that he will extract the maximum from the car. A cloud was introduced by the retirement of Nico Rosberg, raising the spectre of the spate of mechanically-related retirements which afflicted the team in 2012.
A "wild card" was provided in this race by Adrian Sutil in the Force India. Some of us have long rated his abilities, and he looked very much at home at or near the front of the field. The internal competition within that team this season could be very interesting to follow, with Sutil perhaps poised to fulfill the role undertaken by Nico Hulkenberg last year.
Turning to Lotus, it is to be hoped that they have learned lessons from 2012, in terms of how to convert strong race-day showings into regular victories. I would suggest that the jury is still out on this. As has been observed, Raikkonen will be more formidable this season than last, having got plenty of mileage under his belt, and any cobwebs will now have been comprehensively cast off. He just needs the tools to enable him to consistently take full advantage.
It is good to see a reshuffle among the teams, and the appearance of some new faces to freshen things up. Malaysia next....
Sunday, 25 November 2012
2012 Brazilian Grand Prix Review
A wonderful season of Formula 1 competition deserved a gripping, tense and eventful finale, and that is what we saw at Interlagos today. It was an "old fashioned" championship decider too, with a "race within a race" determining the destination of the title honours, whilst others contested the Grand Prix win itself.
Despite the effects of the first-lap incident, it would be stretching things to say that Sebastian Vettel made a spectacular comeback;he did not lose that much time, and was helped by the general mayhem and attrition ahead of him and around him in those early stages. Sensibly, once he established himself back in the points-scoring positions, he did not attempt any unnecessary heroics. This would have been foolhardy in the tricky conditions. Good sense and measured and prudent overtaking moves did the job of ensuring that he kept within the requisite points margin to Fernando Alonso.
Of the race itself, McLaren continued their late-season surge, and it was heartening to see a lively battle between their two drivers, which Jenson Button confessed to having enjoyed. His victory may be overlooked in the maelstrom of hype surrounding Vettel and Alonso, but at least his rollercoaster season ended on a high note. He had the opportunity to show off his renowned guile and finesse in changeable conditions, but also gave, and asked, no quarter when matters became wheel-to-wheel. Yes, he was helped by the Hamilton/Hulkenberg contretemps, but it must also be borne in mind that Jenson lost out greatly during the earlier pace-car period, when he and Hulkenberg looked well set.
Lewis Hamilton again raced with the clarity of vision and panache of someone who has had a burden removed from his shoulders. He can leave McLaren with his head held high, and look to the challenges awaiting him at Mercedes.
Although he made a couple of important errors when under pressure, Nico Hulkenberg once again made a huge impression, exhibiting that unfussy but highly effective driving style. After earlier relinquishing the lead to Hamilton with a half-spin, he then lost control at Turn 1, and took the Englishman out of the race. Hulkenberg had earlier complained of gear-change difficulties, and I wonder whether these problems contributed to the incidents? Whatever the case, he could hardly complain when subjected to a drive-through penalty.
I thought that Alonso did everything that he realistically could. The McLarens were just that little bit out of reach, and Hulkenberg's intervention was not completely unexpected. The Spaniard was ably and admirably supported by Felipe Massa, who delivered the kind of performance which makes him so valued in the current Ferrari set-up.
Mention should also be made of a couple of other drivers. Kamui Kobayashi raced purposefully and tenaciously all afternoon, in the knowledge that he was possibly fighting for his Formula 1 future. It was good to see him show such spirit, and I earnestly hope that we have not seen the last of him in a Grand Prix car. The latter sentiments would apply to Heikki Kovalainen.
The final race in the F1 career of the great Michael Schumacher passed with comparatively little fanfare, because of the title showdown, but after an unpromising beginning to the race, it was nice to see the seven-times champion achieve a creditable points finish. After Michael had seemingly let Vettel through in the closing stages, it was significant that they exchanged gestures of mutual affection and respect immediately after the race. Symbolic of a torch being fully passed at last?
So what of the merits of Sebastian Vettel's third consecutive championship? It is fair to say that Red Bull only attained any form of all-round superiority towards the end of the season, and even then the margin involved was not sizeable. At some races during 2012, the German had to show real nous and resolve to salvage points from unpromising situations, and at times the car's deficit in straightline speed was a handicap. Due to these factors, and also simply because he won more races than anybody else, Vettel is a worthy champion.
In fairness, Fernando Alonso would also have been a deserving world champion this year, performing wonders to remain in contention, and extracting every ounce of performance from the car, whilst the Ferrari team laboured constantly to boost the strength of the package, and to give him the tools to compete on something like an equal footing with Red Bull and McLaren.
Of 2012 in general, I think that it will be remembered as a superbly competitive and entertaining season of Formula 1 racing. 2013 will have a real task to surpass it.....
Despite the effects of the first-lap incident, it would be stretching things to say that Sebastian Vettel made a spectacular comeback;he did not lose that much time, and was helped by the general mayhem and attrition ahead of him and around him in those early stages. Sensibly, once he established himself back in the points-scoring positions, he did not attempt any unnecessary heroics. This would have been foolhardy in the tricky conditions. Good sense and measured and prudent overtaking moves did the job of ensuring that he kept within the requisite points margin to Fernando Alonso.
Of the race itself, McLaren continued their late-season surge, and it was heartening to see a lively battle between their two drivers, which Jenson Button confessed to having enjoyed. His victory may be overlooked in the maelstrom of hype surrounding Vettel and Alonso, but at least his rollercoaster season ended on a high note. He had the opportunity to show off his renowned guile and finesse in changeable conditions, but also gave, and asked, no quarter when matters became wheel-to-wheel. Yes, he was helped by the Hamilton/Hulkenberg contretemps, but it must also be borne in mind that Jenson lost out greatly during the earlier pace-car period, when he and Hulkenberg looked well set.
Lewis Hamilton again raced with the clarity of vision and panache of someone who has had a burden removed from his shoulders. He can leave McLaren with his head held high, and look to the challenges awaiting him at Mercedes.
Although he made a couple of important errors when under pressure, Nico Hulkenberg once again made a huge impression, exhibiting that unfussy but highly effective driving style. After earlier relinquishing the lead to Hamilton with a half-spin, he then lost control at Turn 1, and took the Englishman out of the race. Hulkenberg had earlier complained of gear-change difficulties, and I wonder whether these problems contributed to the incidents? Whatever the case, he could hardly complain when subjected to a drive-through penalty.
I thought that Alonso did everything that he realistically could. The McLarens were just that little bit out of reach, and Hulkenberg's intervention was not completely unexpected. The Spaniard was ably and admirably supported by Felipe Massa, who delivered the kind of performance which makes him so valued in the current Ferrari set-up.
Mention should also be made of a couple of other drivers. Kamui Kobayashi raced purposefully and tenaciously all afternoon, in the knowledge that he was possibly fighting for his Formula 1 future. It was good to see him show such spirit, and I earnestly hope that we have not seen the last of him in a Grand Prix car. The latter sentiments would apply to Heikki Kovalainen.
The final race in the F1 career of the great Michael Schumacher passed with comparatively little fanfare, because of the title showdown, but after an unpromising beginning to the race, it was nice to see the seven-times champion achieve a creditable points finish. After Michael had seemingly let Vettel through in the closing stages, it was significant that they exchanged gestures of mutual affection and respect immediately after the race. Symbolic of a torch being fully passed at last?
So what of the merits of Sebastian Vettel's third consecutive championship? It is fair to say that Red Bull only attained any form of all-round superiority towards the end of the season, and even then the margin involved was not sizeable. At some races during 2012, the German had to show real nous and resolve to salvage points from unpromising situations, and at times the car's deficit in straightline speed was a handicap. Due to these factors, and also simply because he won more races than anybody else, Vettel is a worthy champion.
In fairness, Fernando Alonso would also have been a deserving world champion this year, performing wonders to remain in contention, and extracting every ounce of performance from the car, whilst the Ferrari team laboured constantly to boost the strength of the package, and to give him the tools to compete on something like an equal footing with Red Bull and McLaren.
Of 2012 in general, I think that it will be remembered as a superbly competitive and entertaining season of Formula 1 racing. 2013 will have a real task to surpass it.....
Monday, 19 November 2012
2012 United States Grand Prix
An eventful and dramatic inaugural race in Austin, and one which will have pleased the neutrals, ensuring that the world drivers' championship will be decided at the finale in Interlagos.
First of all, I must say that I am quite impressed by the Circuit of The Americas as a venue. The track layout is interesting, having attracted widespread praise and approval from the drivers, and appears to promote close racing and overtaking. A bumper crowd was on hand to witness this race too. As far as American Formula 1 venues go, we have had several false dawns, but Austin just may have found the solution which the sport has been craving. Only time will tell on this.
Lewis Hamilton very much went racing today, prepared to take the fight to the mighty Red Bulls, having split them in qualifying. McLaren's formidable pace was confirmed by the performance of Jenson Button, once he had extricated himself from the seething midfield pack.
Hamilton's victory will also have pleased Fernando Alonso, as it made the Spaniard's task in Brazil seem slightly less daunting. Alonso's cause was also aided by a rare mechanical failure for Mark Webber, and also it must be said by Ferrari's decision to "strategically" incur a grid penalty for Felipe Massa's car. Notwithstanding these factors, it still reflects wonderfully on Alonso that he is still in there pitching for the title. Given the performance deficit in comparison to Red Bull, one can hardly blame Ferrari for exploring every available avenue, or begrudge them the occasional slice of good fortune. One senses that Alonso's priority in Austin was simply to keep the struggle going for next weekend.
So, what of the prospects for Interlagos? It goes without saying that Vettel is the strong favourite, but it will only take one mistake or unforeseen incident for Alonso to snatch an unlikely world championship.
First of all, I must say that I am quite impressed by the Circuit of The Americas as a venue. The track layout is interesting, having attracted widespread praise and approval from the drivers, and appears to promote close racing and overtaking. A bumper crowd was on hand to witness this race too. As far as American Formula 1 venues go, we have had several false dawns, but Austin just may have found the solution which the sport has been craving. Only time will tell on this.
Lewis Hamilton very much went racing today, prepared to take the fight to the mighty Red Bulls, having split them in qualifying. McLaren's formidable pace was confirmed by the performance of Jenson Button, once he had extricated himself from the seething midfield pack.
Hamilton's victory will also have pleased Fernando Alonso, as it made the Spaniard's task in Brazil seem slightly less daunting. Alonso's cause was also aided by a rare mechanical failure for Mark Webber, and also it must be said by Ferrari's decision to "strategically" incur a grid penalty for Felipe Massa's car. Notwithstanding these factors, it still reflects wonderfully on Alonso that he is still in there pitching for the title. Given the performance deficit in comparison to Red Bull, one can hardly blame Ferrari for exploring every available avenue, or begrudge them the occasional slice of good fortune. One senses that Alonso's priority in Austin was simply to keep the struggle going for next weekend.
So, what of the prospects for Interlagos? It goes without saying that Vettel is the strong favourite, but it will only take one mistake or unforeseen incident for Alonso to snatch an unlikely world championship.
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Nico Hulkenberg to Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg is to join the Sauber team for 2013, the long-expected announcement having duly been made.
The German's career is without doubt on an upward curve, and the move to Sauber would appear consistent with this momentum, but the switch also gives rise to a few questions.
Is this what could be described as a sideways move? And if so, would he have been better off remaining at Force India? Does the move to Sauber indicate a growing closeness to Ferrari, with the long-term hope of securing a race seat at Maranello?
Although Sauber have undoubtedly displayed more dynamism and flair than Force India during the 2012 season, a glance at the Constructors' standings lends weight to the notion that this is a sideways move. Force India have been consistent if admittedly largely unspectacular. On the other hand, Hulkenberg may fear losing career impetus if Force India do not progress from their current place in the order of things. If the move to the Swiss team can be viewed as a gamble, then he possibly feels that it is one worth taking. In addition, Sauber have a sound reputation for stability and permanence.
It would seem that Hulkenberg has gradually begun to attract the notice of the leading teams, and his name was tentatively linked with the second seat at McLaren before Sergio Perez got the nod there. When the future of Felipe Massa at Ferrari was in jeopardy, the young German was mentioned as a possible candidate to replace him. Time will tell whether the decision to join Sauber is part of a strategy to strengthen these links with Ferrari.
In amongst the bright young things of Formula 1, it has taken some time for Hulkenberg's potential to be more widely recognised, but it seems that many in the sport, and its followers, are beginning to wake up to it. It is up to him to capitalise on this opportunity, and to the Sauber team to equip him with a competitive car, to ensure that the aforementioned upward curve maintains its current direction.
The German's career is without doubt on an upward curve, and the move to Sauber would appear consistent with this momentum, but the switch also gives rise to a few questions.
Is this what could be described as a sideways move? And if so, would he have been better off remaining at Force India? Does the move to Sauber indicate a growing closeness to Ferrari, with the long-term hope of securing a race seat at Maranello?
Although Sauber have undoubtedly displayed more dynamism and flair than Force India during the 2012 season, a glance at the Constructors' standings lends weight to the notion that this is a sideways move. Force India have been consistent if admittedly largely unspectacular. On the other hand, Hulkenberg may fear losing career impetus if Force India do not progress from their current place in the order of things. If the move to the Swiss team can be viewed as a gamble, then he possibly feels that it is one worth taking. In addition, Sauber have a sound reputation for stability and permanence.
It would seem that Hulkenberg has gradually begun to attract the notice of the leading teams, and his name was tentatively linked with the second seat at McLaren before Sergio Perez got the nod there. When the future of Felipe Massa at Ferrari was in jeopardy, the young German was mentioned as a possible candidate to replace him. Time will tell whether the decision to join Sauber is part of a strategy to strengthen these links with Ferrari.
In amongst the bright young things of Formula 1, it has taken some time for Hulkenberg's potential to be more widely recognised, but it seems that many in the sport, and its followers, are beginning to wake up to it. It is up to him to capitalise on this opportunity, and to the Sauber team to equip him with a competitive car, to ensure that the aforementioned upward curve maintains its current direction.
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Felipe Massa Stays With Ferrari
News emerged this afternoon that Felipe Massa has signed a contract with Ferrari for 2013. This announcement had been expected, due to a combination of other developments in the driver market, and a general improvement in Massa's performances of late.
I am pleased at this decision for several reasons, not least because Massa always comes across as a decent fellow, and he has toiled admirably and without complaint to improve his displays as this season has progressed. Despite intense speculation linking several other drivers with a place alongside Fernando Alonso next season, the interest in those potential replacements from Ferrari themselves seemed lukewarm at best, if it indeed truly existed in the first place.
The list of credible candidates to occupy the number two seat at Maranello was hardly overwhelming, in all honesty, after interest in Sergio Perez cooled and he opted for McLaren. Of those linked, who could be guaranteed to perform the allotted task with the same expertise as Massa? Better to retain that stability and continuity, rather than take a risk.
Of course, the fact that Massa's contract is for 2013 only will strengthen the talk of Sebastian Vettel joining the team for the following season, although that particular story may still have some distance to travel, who knows?
I am pleased at this decision for several reasons, not least because Massa always comes across as a decent fellow, and he has toiled admirably and without complaint to improve his displays as this season has progressed. Despite intense speculation linking several other drivers with a place alongside Fernando Alonso next season, the interest in those potential replacements from Ferrari themselves seemed lukewarm at best, if it indeed truly existed in the first place.
The list of credible candidates to occupy the number two seat at Maranello was hardly overwhelming, in all honesty, after interest in Sergio Perez cooled and he opted for McLaren. Of those linked, who could be guaranteed to perform the allotted task with the same expertise as Massa? Better to retain that stability and continuity, rather than take a risk.
Of course, the fact that Massa's contract is for 2013 only will strengthen the talk of Sebastian Vettel joining the team for the following season, although that particular story may still have some distance to travel, who knows?
Sunday, 7 October 2012
2012 Japanese Grand Prix Review
Not in itself the most pulsating exciting or entertaining race at Suzuka today, if we are being honest, but one which generated numerous talking points, and which tightened the drivers' championship points race considerably.
Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel were presented with an "open goal" by the lap 1 exit of Fernando Alonso and the comparatively lowly grid position of the two McLarens. Further aided by a buffer comprising some non-title-contenders, Vettel did not squander his opportunity.
What will have felt ominous for the rest of the field was the degree of comfort enjoyed by Vettel in achieving his victory, on such a technical and challenging circuit, which tests many qualities in a car. The first back-to-back wins for any driver in 2012. There were even whispers that the Red Bull's straightline speed, hitherto a shortcoming, had been improved.
The body language and facial expressions of Red Bull personnel, including the winner, after the race were very significant. They can sense that matters may be shifting gradually but inexorably in their direction, and there was less of the equivocation exhibited at previous races. There must now be an increasing sense of foreboding amongst Red Bull's rivals concerning the remaining meetings.
The Ferrari frustration must have been compounded by the sight of Felipe Massa securing a fine second place. At the same time, the performance of the Brazilian and his car can be seen to bode well for the Italian team for the balance of the season.
Alonso was quite stoical and positive afterwards, looking forward to Korea rather than dwelling on his disappointment at Suzuka. The shrewd Spaniard must have known all along that one or more of the chasing pack would eventually encroach. Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali indicated that he was conscious of the need for the team to improve the car. They cannot just rely on a combination of Alonso's adroit driving and consistency, and good fortune. If any complacency was there at Ferrari, it should have rapidly evaporated and turned into a state of mild alarm.
As for Massa, it seems that Suzuka, added to several other creditworthy recent performances, may have helped to secure his place with Ferrari for 2013.
McLaren were hampered this weekend by various factors, and will be concerned, but not surprised at Red Bull's restoration to pre-eminence. After the race Martin Whitmarsh was being realistic about the team's position vis-a-vis Red Bull. Whilst not exactly exuding optimism, he did say that they will keep fighting, trying and working. There is a sense that McLaren did all that they could in the circumstances.
There may be insinuations that McLaren have become "lost" again, but I don't subscribe to these notions. It is more a case of Red Bull leaping ahead again. McLaren cannot have regressed in the space of a few weeks. This situation is symptomatic of the fickleness and volatility of fortunes in modern Formula 1, where things are decidedly fluid. Even some of the protagonists sometimes come across as bemused by the constant shifts in initiative and impetus.
It was an afternoon of mixed fortunes for the Sauber drivers. Kamui Kobayashi appeared inspired in front of his home crowd, on a familiar circuit, and motivated and galvanised by rumours about the composition of the Sauber line-up in 2013, including whether he would be playing any part in it. It was lovely and refreshing to see the emotional scenes on the podium and in the grandstands.
The departure of Sergio Perez from proceedings caused some consternation, but for me it was no big deal, just one of those things. We did see during the race a few glimpses of the fluent and audacious talent which has persuaded McLaren to sign the Mexican for next season.
Of course, the other major topic of discussion was the continuing ordeal of Romain Grosjean, who collided with Mark Webber on the first lap. This particular move was not as egregious as some of the other incidents in which he has been involved, but at the same time it will hardly have endeared him to his peers or the wider F1 community.
Grosjean's demeanour post-race spoke volumes. He looked haunted, helpless and worried. Despite his indiscretions, it is difficult not to feel some sympathy for a young man who is increasingly beleaguered. It is hard to say what can be done. In previous eras, there was sometimes an unofficial group of "elder statesmen" drivers who might have had a cautionary word of advice in his ear, but that situation does not seem to exist any more. Perhaps it is ultimately up to the team itself to address the problem?
Turning to the race itself, I would concur with the sentiments of those who, while desiring a more exciting race, revelled in the spectacle and challenge provided by the Suzuka circuit. There is nothing else quite like it in F1, Spa-Francorchamps apart.
It is ever more looking like a straight contest for the drivers' championship between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. Kimi Raikkonen's momentum has stalled, and he looks less capable of winning Grands Prix than a few races ago. The shift induced by events at Suzuka make it possible that the title will be decided at the final race. On the other hand, Vettel may just dominate the remainder of the season....
Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel were presented with an "open goal" by the lap 1 exit of Fernando Alonso and the comparatively lowly grid position of the two McLarens. Further aided by a buffer comprising some non-title-contenders, Vettel did not squander his opportunity.
What will have felt ominous for the rest of the field was the degree of comfort enjoyed by Vettel in achieving his victory, on such a technical and challenging circuit, which tests many qualities in a car. The first back-to-back wins for any driver in 2012. There were even whispers that the Red Bull's straightline speed, hitherto a shortcoming, had been improved.
The body language and facial expressions of Red Bull personnel, including the winner, after the race were very significant. They can sense that matters may be shifting gradually but inexorably in their direction, and there was less of the equivocation exhibited at previous races. There must now be an increasing sense of foreboding amongst Red Bull's rivals concerning the remaining meetings.
The Ferrari frustration must have been compounded by the sight of Felipe Massa securing a fine second place. At the same time, the performance of the Brazilian and his car can be seen to bode well for the Italian team for the balance of the season.
Alonso was quite stoical and positive afterwards, looking forward to Korea rather than dwelling on his disappointment at Suzuka. The shrewd Spaniard must have known all along that one or more of the chasing pack would eventually encroach. Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali indicated that he was conscious of the need for the team to improve the car. They cannot just rely on a combination of Alonso's adroit driving and consistency, and good fortune. If any complacency was there at Ferrari, it should have rapidly evaporated and turned into a state of mild alarm.
As for Massa, it seems that Suzuka, added to several other creditworthy recent performances, may have helped to secure his place with Ferrari for 2013.
McLaren were hampered this weekend by various factors, and will be concerned, but not surprised at Red Bull's restoration to pre-eminence. After the race Martin Whitmarsh was being realistic about the team's position vis-a-vis Red Bull. Whilst not exactly exuding optimism, he did say that they will keep fighting, trying and working. There is a sense that McLaren did all that they could in the circumstances.
There may be insinuations that McLaren have become "lost" again, but I don't subscribe to these notions. It is more a case of Red Bull leaping ahead again. McLaren cannot have regressed in the space of a few weeks. This situation is symptomatic of the fickleness and volatility of fortunes in modern Formula 1, where things are decidedly fluid. Even some of the protagonists sometimes come across as bemused by the constant shifts in initiative and impetus.
It was an afternoon of mixed fortunes for the Sauber drivers. Kamui Kobayashi appeared inspired in front of his home crowd, on a familiar circuit, and motivated and galvanised by rumours about the composition of the Sauber line-up in 2013, including whether he would be playing any part in it. It was lovely and refreshing to see the emotional scenes on the podium and in the grandstands.
The departure of Sergio Perez from proceedings caused some consternation, but for me it was no big deal, just one of those things. We did see during the race a few glimpses of the fluent and audacious talent which has persuaded McLaren to sign the Mexican for next season.
Of course, the other major topic of discussion was the continuing ordeal of Romain Grosjean, who collided with Mark Webber on the first lap. This particular move was not as egregious as some of the other incidents in which he has been involved, but at the same time it will hardly have endeared him to his peers or the wider F1 community.
Grosjean's demeanour post-race spoke volumes. He looked haunted, helpless and worried. Despite his indiscretions, it is difficult not to feel some sympathy for a young man who is increasingly beleaguered. It is hard to say what can be done. In previous eras, there was sometimes an unofficial group of "elder statesmen" drivers who might have had a cautionary word of advice in his ear, but that situation does not seem to exist any more. Perhaps it is ultimately up to the team itself to address the problem?
Turning to the race itself, I would concur with the sentiments of those who, while desiring a more exciting race, revelled in the spectacle and challenge provided by the Suzuka circuit. There is nothing else quite like it in F1, Spa-Francorchamps apart.
It is ever more looking like a straight contest for the drivers' championship between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. Kimi Raikkonen's momentum has stalled, and he looks less capable of winning Grands Prix than a few races ago. The shift induced by events at Suzuka make it possible that the title will be decided at the final race. On the other hand, Vettel may just dominate the remainder of the season....
Sunday, 9 September 2012
2012 Italian Grand Prix Review
There has always been something a bit special and unique about the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The history, the fans and the circuit itself. Other ingredients all add to the mystique and the atmosphere. The race is usually blessed with beautiful late summer/early autumn sunshine. Adding to all this is the tendency for the championship to be finely poised, and for there to be feverish speculation about "who goes where" for the following season. Announcements are often made at Monza, or at the very least driver moves come to be regarded as a fait accompli.
Of course, one Lewis Hamilton was the subject of much of the speculation over the three days at Monza, but he put this to one side to do what he does best;that is, drive a Grand Prix car very quickly. For the second weekend running, a McLaren proved capable of keeping the opposition at arm's length, even if the margin of victory was not ultimately that commanding on the clock. As in qualifying, the gap between McLaren and the rest just somehow felt significant....
Although Hamilton comfortably held sway at the front, the race behind him was brimming with interest, incident and no little controversy, much of this connected at least tangentially with impending driver moves.
The home team achieved results which in the circumstances were probably as good as could be expected, given Fernando Alonso's grid position and Felipe Massa's difficulties with telemetry in the race. Although Alonso actually extended his points lead, ironically he may feel less comfortable and secure tonight, keenly aware of the gathering challenge from a newly focussed and invigorated McLaren.
Felipe Massa appeared positive and bullish before the race, and was positive during it, making a combative start, and driving in spirited fashion for much of the race, proving what he is capable of, before deferring to his team leader. Cynics might mumble about "contracts time" but he will certainly have enhanced his prospects this afternoon.
Jenson Button's retirement from the race will have come as a bitter blow to a man with undoubted momentum on his side. Post-race, however, the Englishman was philosophical, pointing to the advances which McLaren have made in their performance in race trim.
Although it is misleading to describe Hamilton's victory as "routine", it has to be said that much of the spotlight after the race was on the startling and impressive ascent to second place of Sergio Perez. Benefitting from a bold strategy, he executed some audacious but clean overtaking manoeuvres. What amused me was that the young Mexican seemed a touch bemused after the race, as if he has not himself yet realised just how good he is! He is now producing displays like this too regularly for it to be dismissed as "luck". This kid could be something really special...
A miserable day for Red Bull, and the spectre of alternator maladies raised its head once again. It has the potential to be an Achilles heel, but it is hard to believe that it won't be addressed swiftly in some form or other. Sebastian Vettel raced vigorously prior to his drive-through penalty. I thought that the sanction was warranted, but that it was not perhaps as clear-cut or egregious a transgression as some are making out.
The disappointment of the day may have been Lotus. Their prospects were much talked up beforehand, the absence of Romain Grosjean notwithstanding. Although Raikkonen ended up in fifth, we might have expected slightly more, and there were positive noises during practice about the car's pace on fullish tanks. Mutterings may once again be heard about their strategic abilities and flexibility. With McLaren's renewed potency, has the Lotus "window of opportunity" for a victory passed, I wonder? We shall see....
Mercedes salvaged something tangible from the day, with both cars in the points. They were resigned to a two-stop strategy, and their straightline speed in the race was not sufficient to compensate for other shortcomings in the car. Consequently, they did not have enough overall performance to make up for the time lost in pit-stops. To their credit, the drivers never ceased in their efforts to recover the deficit.
A quick word for Daniel Ricciardo, who was once again quietly impressive. In no way over-awed, he seems perfectly comfortable in this lofty company, as evidenced by his driving when dicing with those making up ground following tyre stops.
One sour note was struck after the race, with allegations of abuse being directed towards Lewis Hamilton by some members of the crowd.
So can Hamilton make a late run for the championship? He and McLaren certainly have some impetus now, although much may depend on how the car copes with some of the slower and bumpier circuits to come. Vettel's ability, and the Red Bull's liking for some of those circuits, mean he is still very much in the hunt. Alonso is still probably the marginal favourite, and can be counted on to accumulate points through his racer's nous and savvy, and the reliability of his vehicle. The arithmetic is frankly too complex and speculative to bother with at this stage!
Above all, today it was glorious to watch Formula 1 cars going flat-out, and racing, at such a fast and historic circuit.
Of course, one Lewis Hamilton was the subject of much of the speculation over the three days at Monza, but he put this to one side to do what he does best;that is, drive a Grand Prix car very quickly. For the second weekend running, a McLaren proved capable of keeping the opposition at arm's length, even if the margin of victory was not ultimately that commanding on the clock. As in qualifying, the gap between McLaren and the rest just somehow felt significant....
Although Hamilton comfortably held sway at the front, the race behind him was brimming with interest, incident and no little controversy, much of this connected at least tangentially with impending driver moves.
The home team achieved results which in the circumstances were probably as good as could be expected, given Fernando Alonso's grid position and Felipe Massa's difficulties with telemetry in the race. Although Alonso actually extended his points lead, ironically he may feel less comfortable and secure tonight, keenly aware of the gathering challenge from a newly focussed and invigorated McLaren.
Felipe Massa appeared positive and bullish before the race, and was positive during it, making a combative start, and driving in spirited fashion for much of the race, proving what he is capable of, before deferring to his team leader. Cynics might mumble about "contracts time" but he will certainly have enhanced his prospects this afternoon.
Jenson Button's retirement from the race will have come as a bitter blow to a man with undoubted momentum on his side. Post-race, however, the Englishman was philosophical, pointing to the advances which McLaren have made in their performance in race trim.
Although it is misleading to describe Hamilton's victory as "routine", it has to be said that much of the spotlight after the race was on the startling and impressive ascent to second place of Sergio Perez. Benefitting from a bold strategy, he executed some audacious but clean overtaking manoeuvres. What amused me was that the young Mexican seemed a touch bemused after the race, as if he has not himself yet realised just how good he is! He is now producing displays like this too regularly for it to be dismissed as "luck". This kid could be something really special...
A miserable day for Red Bull, and the spectre of alternator maladies raised its head once again. It has the potential to be an Achilles heel, but it is hard to believe that it won't be addressed swiftly in some form or other. Sebastian Vettel raced vigorously prior to his drive-through penalty. I thought that the sanction was warranted, but that it was not perhaps as clear-cut or egregious a transgression as some are making out.
The disappointment of the day may have been Lotus. Their prospects were much talked up beforehand, the absence of Romain Grosjean notwithstanding. Although Raikkonen ended up in fifth, we might have expected slightly more, and there were positive noises during practice about the car's pace on fullish tanks. Mutterings may once again be heard about their strategic abilities and flexibility. With McLaren's renewed potency, has the Lotus "window of opportunity" for a victory passed, I wonder? We shall see....
Mercedes salvaged something tangible from the day, with both cars in the points. They were resigned to a two-stop strategy, and their straightline speed in the race was not sufficient to compensate for other shortcomings in the car. Consequently, they did not have enough overall performance to make up for the time lost in pit-stops. To their credit, the drivers never ceased in their efforts to recover the deficit.
A quick word for Daniel Ricciardo, who was once again quietly impressive. In no way over-awed, he seems perfectly comfortable in this lofty company, as evidenced by his driving when dicing with those making up ground following tyre stops.
One sour note was struck after the race, with allegations of abuse being directed towards Lewis Hamilton by some members of the crowd.
So can Hamilton make a late run for the championship? He and McLaren certainly have some impetus now, although much may depend on how the car copes with some of the slower and bumpier circuits to come. Vettel's ability, and the Red Bull's liking for some of those circuits, mean he is still very much in the hunt. Alonso is still probably the marginal favourite, and can be counted on to accumulate points through his racer's nous and savvy, and the reliability of his vehicle. The arithmetic is frankly too complex and speculative to bother with at this stage!
Above all, today it was glorious to watch Formula 1 cars going flat-out, and racing, at such a fast and historic circuit.
Monday, 11 June 2012
2012 Canadian Grand Prix Review
Not unexpectedly, we now have our seventh different winner in seven F1 races in 2012, following Lewis Hamilton's fine victory in Montreal. Some observers have asserted that the race was slow to "get going", but I found it very interesting, as there was a constant sense that things would liven up once the tyre strategies unravelled. Sure enough, we had a dramatic closing phase to proceedings, with some drivers charging on new tyres, others benefitting from efficient tyre conservation, and some going backwards on worn rubber.
One of the things which struck me watching the race was how Hamilton's positive outlook, patience and perserverance paid handsome dividends. His racing instincts are as sharp as ever, but this has been tempered with good sense, and he seems to be coping with the much-documented tyre situation as well as anybody on the grid. He was even diplomatic and magnanimous after the race, not wishing to apportion blame for a mildly botched tyre change. He must feel that momentum is on his side, and this was no time to rock the boat. The bigger picture is the priority, and at present it looks distinctly rosy.
There is a temptation to over-analyse these things, and draw facile conclusions, but the "body language" of Hamilton's car was very exuberant yesterday, indicative of a man truly enjoying his work, and relishing the task. He was even mature enough to let the car do the work at times in the closing laps, rather than force the issue unnecessarily; the race was coming to him, and he did not need to take risks.
Apart from Hamilton's victory, much of the attention will have been commanded by Romain Grosjean and Sergio Perez, two of Formula 1's "comingmen". They both made a one-stop strategy work effectively, and neither man will have done his reputation any harm.
Elsewhere, there were no massive surprises in the results, save for the continuing tribulations of Jenson Button, who was anonymous again,and afterwards made more comments to the effect that he remains confused by his lack of performance. His predicament will be made all the more acute as his team-mate's ascendancy gathers pace.
Although in the end Ferrari did not score as many points as expected in Canada, they will be in good heart, as the car continues to improve. Even allowing for the car's progression, Fernando Alonso drove another classy race. Felipe Massa is looking more comfortable and assertive, although his race was marred slightly by a spin.
There were others in yesterday's race, notably Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg, who appeared to do little wrong, and raced capably and tenaciously, but who did not feature at the very sharp end. As we are becoming used to saying, the margins are very slender in F1 this year!
So who will be the eight different winner of 2012? Well, the Lotus team continue to knock on the door, and Valencia promises to be wide-open and unpredictable, surely giving them an opportunity. Sauber's straightline speed is a real asset, although this may make its presence felt at the faster circuits later in the season.
Whatever happens, it looks like being enjoyable viewing!
One of the things which struck me watching the race was how Hamilton's positive outlook, patience and perserverance paid handsome dividends. His racing instincts are as sharp as ever, but this has been tempered with good sense, and he seems to be coping with the much-documented tyre situation as well as anybody on the grid. He was even diplomatic and magnanimous after the race, not wishing to apportion blame for a mildly botched tyre change. He must feel that momentum is on his side, and this was no time to rock the boat. The bigger picture is the priority, and at present it looks distinctly rosy.
There is a temptation to over-analyse these things, and draw facile conclusions, but the "body language" of Hamilton's car was very exuberant yesterday, indicative of a man truly enjoying his work, and relishing the task. He was even mature enough to let the car do the work at times in the closing laps, rather than force the issue unnecessarily; the race was coming to him, and he did not need to take risks.
Apart from Hamilton's victory, much of the attention will have been commanded by Romain Grosjean and Sergio Perez, two of Formula 1's "comingmen". They both made a one-stop strategy work effectively, and neither man will have done his reputation any harm.
Elsewhere, there were no massive surprises in the results, save for the continuing tribulations of Jenson Button, who was anonymous again,and afterwards made more comments to the effect that he remains confused by his lack of performance. His predicament will be made all the more acute as his team-mate's ascendancy gathers pace.
Although in the end Ferrari did not score as many points as expected in Canada, they will be in good heart, as the car continues to improve. Even allowing for the car's progression, Fernando Alonso drove another classy race. Felipe Massa is looking more comfortable and assertive, although his race was marred slightly by a spin.
There were others in yesterday's race, notably Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg, who appeared to do little wrong, and raced capably and tenaciously, but who did not feature at the very sharp end. As we are becoming used to saying, the margins are very slender in F1 this year!
So who will be the eight different winner of 2012? Well, the Lotus team continue to knock on the door, and Valencia promises to be wide-open and unpredictable, surely giving them an opportunity. Sauber's straightline speed is a real asset, although this may make its presence felt at the faster circuits later in the season.
Whatever happens, it looks like being enjoyable viewing!
Monday, 28 May 2012
2012 Monaco Grand Prix Reflections
Despite what some media outlets have been saying, not a thrilling Monaco Grand Prix, but certainly an interesting and intriguing one. The closeness of the competition, and the vagaries of tyre management and the Monaco weather, tended to obscure the fact that there was little passing, or even attempted passing, in the top echelons of the field, even by the standards of the street circuit. Because of the trends established thus far in 2012, there must be a temptation to pass even the quite mundane off as pulsatingly exciting.
Mark Webber's performance was composed and error-free, and will be a major filip for the Australian, after some ill-fortune and disappointments earlier in the season. After the pit-stops and tyre strategies unravelled, he looked reasonably comfortable, and none of his pursuers looked realistically capable of getting by, despite the presence of the tightly-packed bunch, exacerbated by the rain in the closing laps.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of Sunday's race was the performance of Ferrari. Did the nature of the circuit mask some of the car's deficiencies, or has there been genuine progress? There is probably foundation in both of these theories, and Alonso's comments post-race sounded cautiously upbeat. The race showing of Felipe Massa will have dampened speculation concerning his future, until Montreal at least...
Perhaps the disappointment of the weekend was the failure of Lotus to fully realise the great hopes which had been invested in them beforehand. Although they did emerge from the weekend with little tangible to show for their efforts, no major concern or disquiet is evident. Everyone is fully conscious of the margins under which people are operating this year. Sauber, another team constantly knocking at the door of a real breakthrough, might have expressed similar sentiments after the race...
Events at McLaren continue to fascinate, as they are further subsumed into the main pack, following their perceived "advantage" at the outset of the season. Lewis Hamilton appears to be coping better than his team-mate. Button endured another torrid race, caught in traffic, and then spinning out. Frustration?
Michael Schumacher was ultimately out of luck in Monaco, but the weekend did contain some things which should give him heart. A fast time in qualifying, and a feisty start in the race, which was curtailed by his contretemps with Romain Grosjean.
A quick word of praise to both Jean-Eric Vergne and Heikki Kovalainen, whose creditable displays have gone relatively unheralded.
All in all, Monaco seemed to offer little in the way of solid pointers for the rest of the season, and anyway any bold predictions are proving futile this year!
Mark Webber's performance was composed and error-free, and will be a major filip for the Australian, after some ill-fortune and disappointments earlier in the season. After the pit-stops and tyre strategies unravelled, he looked reasonably comfortable, and none of his pursuers looked realistically capable of getting by, despite the presence of the tightly-packed bunch, exacerbated by the rain in the closing laps.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of Sunday's race was the performance of Ferrari. Did the nature of the circuit mask some of the car's deficiencies, or has there been genuine progress? There is probably foundation in both of these theories, and Alonso's comments post-race sounded cautiously upbeat. The race showing of Felipe Massa will have dampened speculation concerning his future, until Montreal at least...
Perhaps the disappointment of the weekend was the failure of Lotus to fully realise the great hopes which had been invested in them beforehand. Although they did emerge from the weekend with little tangible to show for their efforts, no major concern or disquiet is evident. Everyone is fully conscious of the margins under which people are operating this year. Sauber, another team constantly knocking at the door of a real breakthrough, might have expressed similar sentiments after the race...
Events at McLaren continue to fascinate, as they are further subsumed into the main pack, following their perceived "advantage" at the outset of the season. Lewis Hamilton appears to be coping better than his team-mate. Button endured another torrid race, caught in traffic, and then spinning out. Frustration?
Michael Schumacher was ultimately out of luck in Monaco, but the weekend did contain some things which should give him heart. A fast time in qualifying, and a feisty start in the race, which was curtailed by his contretemps with Romain Grosjean.
A quick word of praise to both Jean-Eric Vergne and Heikki Kovalainen, whose creditable displays have gone relatively unheralded.
All in all, Monaco seemed to offer little in the way of solid pointers for the rest of the season, and anyway any bold predictions are proving futile this year!
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying
Another topsy-turvy and slightly bewildering qualifying session, with Lews Hamilton claiming pole position for tomorrow's Spanish Grand Prix, in the end by a relatively emphatic margin, even if the margin of his achieving it did not appear that tranquil as it unfolded. As I write it this, however, Hamilton may yet face a penalty for an alleged technical infringement.
Although the composition of much of the top ten was not greatly surprising, eyebrows will have been raised by the presence of Pastor Maldonado and Fernando Alonso in second and third positions. The Venezuelan has looked very confident and focused in Barcelona, and looked a genuine threat to secure pole, the Williams chassis working very efficiently.
Alonso managed to extract every ounce of performance from the Ferrari, his own efforts combining with upgrades to the car instituted at this event. By contrast, Felipe Massa struggled, the onboard television pictures vividly illustrating the awkward and troublesome handling of his machine. He languishes in seventeenth place, and has a hard task in front of him.
While Hamilton looked firmly "in the zone" today, Jenson Button was ill-at-ease, missing out on Q3, and seemingly unhappy with the handling of his car. As we have seen before, a lowly grid position need not necessarily be an impediment to the Englishman, but this time around the issues with his McLaren will need to be remedied to enable him to race aggressively and confidently. Some of his comments indicate that he is a little bit lost this weekend.
Of the Red Bulls, Sebastian Vettel has looked strong, but appeared to subordinate grid position to the imperatives of race tyre strategy. He looks in good shape for Sunday. His team-mate was afflicted by a mix-up with the pits. Unlike Button, Mark Webber seems quite content with the behaviour of the car underneath him.
As has become the norm, Lotus, Sauber and Mercedes are well placed, and Lotus at least can be expected to figure prominently in the race itself, both cars looking stable and their drivers Grosjean and Raikkonen comfortable.
One driver who will be disappointed is Bruno Senna, who suffered a spin in Q1, and starts eighteenth. Whether this mishap was a case of trying too hard in an attempt to match the pace of his team-mate Maldonado, we can only speculate. He will require a solid race performance in order to make amends, and redeem himself in the eyes of the Williams team. With an effective chassis at his disposal, this is not beyond his capabilities.
Predicting the results of this season's races has been a thankless task, to say the least. One thing is easy to predict though, and that is that much of the talk both before and during the race will surround those things manufactured by Pirelli which are situated on each corner of the car.
Whatever transpires, it seems that tomorrows contest may well belie Barcelona's reputation for producing sterile, forgettable encounters.
Although the composition of much of the top ten was not greatly surprising, eyebrows will have been raised by the presence of Pastor Maldonado and Fernando Alonso in second and third positions. The Venezuelan has looked very confident and focused in Barcelona, and looked a genuine threat to secure pole, the Williams chassis working very efficiently.
Alonso managed to extract every ounce of performance from the Ferrari, his own efforts combining with upgrades to the car instituted at this event. By contrast, Felipe Massa struggled, the onboard television pictures vividly illustrating the awkward and troublesome handling of his machine. He languishes in seventeenth place, and has a hard task in front of him.
While Hamilton looked firmly "in the zone" today, Jenson Button was ill-at-ease, missing out on Q3, and seemingly unhappy with the handling of his car. As we have seen before, a lowly grid position need not necessarily be an impediment to the Englishman, but this time around the issues with his McLaren will need to be remedied to enable him to race aggressively and confidently. Some of his comments indicate that he is a little bit lost this weekend.
Of the Red Bulls, Sebastian Vettel has looked strong, but appeared to subordinate grid position to the imperatives of race tyre strategy. He looks in good shape for Sunday. His team-mate was afflicted by a mix-up with the pits. Unlike Button, Mark Webber seems quite content with the behaviour of the car underneath him.
As has become the norm, Lotus, Sauber and Mercedes are well placed, and Lotus at least can be expected to figure prominently in the race itself, both cars looking stable and their drivers Grosjean and Raikkonen comfortable.
One driver who will be disappointed is Bruno Senna, who suffered a spin in Q1, and starts eighteenth. Whether this mishap was a case of trying too hard in an attempt to match the pace of his team-mate Maldonado, we can only speculate. He will require a solid race performance in order to make amends, and redeem himself in the eyes of the Williams team. With an effective chassis at his disposal, this is not beyond his capabilities.
Predicting the results of this season's races has been a thankless task, to say the least. One thing is easy to predict though, and that is that much of the talk both before and during the race will surround those things manufactured by Pirelli which are situated on each corner of the car.
Whatever transpires, it seems that tomorrows contest may well belie Barcelona's reputation for producing sterile, forgettable encounters.
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Malaysian Grand Prix Qualifying
Just a few quick observations on this morning's qualifying session from Sepang.
If not wholly surprising that the McLaren team monopolised the front row of the grid, there were some interesting developments behind them.
The major talking point may well be Michael Schumacher's creditable effort to end up in third position. Although this is not altogether a shock, when taking account of Mercedes' testing form, it will give a boost to the seven-time champion, and perhaps mollify some of those who have been questioning his continued presence in Grand Prix racing. It remains to be seen whether the team can improve on its rather anti-climactic outing in the race in Melbourne.
One of the pleasing aspects of the session was the solid and convincing form of Lotus, with both cars in the top ten, even though Kimi Raikkonen will start from tenth place because of his penalty. A heartening state of affairs, and the approval for Raikkonen's comeback becomes slightly less qualified by the hour.
Many people expected Red Bull to return to something like their "rightful" place in the scheme of things in Malaysia, but things have not quite worked out that way. They are not sounding in any way downcast, but there still appears to be room for improvement in some elements of the car's performance, and the decision by hedge their bets on strategy is quite revealing. We shall see what, if anything, Red Bull have up their sleeves for the race.
Not unexpectedly, Ferrari continue to struggle, with Alonso striving manfully to extract some performance from the car, and Massa, rightly or wrongly, continuing to be under the microscope. The margin of their deficit on the stopwatch to the top teams should be the concern, rather than the grid position. A damage limitation exercise may be the limit of their hopes in tomorrow's contest.
So, McLaren in the driving seat, but others could well have a say in how tomorrow pans out. Almost everybody is mentioning tyres as the major imponderable.....
If not wholly surprising that the McLaren team monopolised the front row of the grid, there were some interesting developments behind them.
The major talking point may well be Michael Schumacher's creditable effort to end up in third position. Although this is not altogether a shock, when taking account of Mercedes' testing form, it will give a boost to the seven-time champion, and perhaps mollify some of those who have been questioning his continued presence in Grand Prix racing. It remains to be seen whether the team can improve on its rather anti-climactic outing in the race in Melbourne.
One of the pleasing aspects of the session was the solid and convincing form of Lotus, with both cars in the top ten, even though Kimi Raikkonen will start from tenth place because of his penalty. A heartening state of affairs, and the approval for Raikkonen's comeback becomes slightly less qualified by the hour.
Many people expected Red Bull to return to something like their "rightful" place in the scheme of things in Malaysia, but things have not quite worked out that way. They are not sounding in any way downcast, but there still appears to be room for improvement in some elements of the car's performance, and the decision by hedge their bets on strategy is quite revealing. We shall see what, if anything, Red Bull have up their sleeves for the race.
Not unexpectedly, Ferrari continue to struggle, with Alonso striving manfully to extract some performance from the car, and Massa, rightly or wrongly, continuing to be under the microscope. The margin of their deficit on the stopwatch to the top teams should be the concern, rather than the grid position. A damage limitation exercise may be the limit of their hopes in tomorrow's contest.
So, McLaren in the driving seat, but others could well have a say in how tomorrow pans out. Almost everybody is mentioning tyres as the major imponderable.....
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Australian Grand Prix 2012
In the build up to the Australian Grand Prix, I discussed the prospects for the race with some friends online. I stuck my neck out and predicted that Jenson Button would emerge victorious, based on McLaren's assured and consistent pre-season, and an expectation that the man from Somerset would have everything "together" for the opener, in his usual neat fashion.
And so it proved. A performance of some aplomb and authority from Button, who was assertive when he needed to be, at the start of the race, and at the restart following the safety car period. Although his lead was never that vast on the stop-watch, he was not seriously challenged throughout. However, there was plenty of interest and significance behind him.
Button's confident display clearly impacted on Lewis Hamilton, whose demeanour post-race was much remarked upon. There has been major comment on how Hamilton has addressed some "issues" over the winter, but it is easy to forget that his team-mate has also worked hard and prepared assiduously, albeit with less media fanfare. Even when we make allowances for the vagaries of tyre wear, strategies and safety car interludes, Lewis clearly knows that he will have his work cut out this season, and was clearly perceptive in his recent assessment that Button constitutes his greatest threat, as things stand.
One of the major talking points of the race was the tenacious performance of Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari. This must have given the Italian team some heart, after their travails during testing and also throughout practice and qualifying in Melbourne. Once again, Alonso exhibited his fighting qualities, and his ability to transcend technical deficiencies.
Felipe Massa was less impressive than his team-mate, and although he could not be totally blamed for the collision with Bruno Senna, it will not have helped his cause too much. His performance will inevitably be contrasted with the praiseworthy effort of Alonso.
Red Bull were not quite on the pace, but the remarks emanating from their camp suggest that they are not quite extracting the maximum potential from their machine, and that there is more to come. Perhaps Malaysia, a different kind of circuit, will reveal more, and give us a truer barometer of the relative strengths of McLaren and Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel stuck to his task, and showed some gritty racer's attributes. The reigning champion has acknowledged that McLaren have built an effective car, but is remaining positive.
Mercedes promised much, but the results just did not materialise in the race proper. There were hints of tyre-related difficulties. Michael Schumacher was in a good position when he was forced out, but Nico Rosberg, after a bright start, struggled to make serious headway later on. Still, it is clearly premature to discount a team with their resources and expertise.
Of the rest, Williams' rebirth has been pleasing to behold, although the outcome in Melbourne was ultimately frustrating. Of course, whether they can sustain this early form remains to be seen. Pastor Maldonado no doubt silenced some of his critics today, but equally his detractors will have nodded sagely at some of his antics, culminating in the late crash. Senna was unlucky at the start, and judging by his team-mate's pace, may have been well up the field. Race pace is all well and good, but perhaps the Williams hierarchy need to remind their drivers that the odd solid points finish would not go amiss.....
The Saubers to some degree justified the good things said about them following the pre-season tests, although they pursued what could be described as a conservative race strategy. That said, both drivers raced hard and resolutely, with Kobayashi giving us some reminders of the form he showed when he first entered F1.
Romain Grosjean was not able to build on his excellent qualifying effort, lacking momentum off the grid, and then being despatched into the gravel by Maldonado. However, things look promising for Lotus, with F1 returnee Kimi Raikkonen showing real spirit as the race progressed, clearly trying hard, and giving us the occasional glimpse of "the old Kimi".
Overall, this was an encouraging start to the new F1 season. Although McLaren have an advantage at this stage, it is clearly surmountable, and the evolution of the regulations, together with a minor reshuffling in the pack, has delivered a cocktail which looks like providing a fine spectacle. There was much good dicing throughout the field in Australia, and we can only hope that this continues.
And so on to Sepang. I,for one, am definitely looking forward it!
And so it proved. A performance of some aplomb and authority from Button, who was assertive when he needed to be, at the start of the race, and at the restart following the safety car period. Although his lead was never that vast on the stop-watch, he was not seriously challenged throughout. However, there was plenty of interest and significance behind him.
Button's confident display clearly impacted on Lewis Hamilton, whose demeanour post-race was much remarked upon. There has been major comment on how Hamilton has addressed some "issues" over the winter, but it is easy to forget that his team-mate has also worked hard and prepared assiduously, albeit with less media fanfare. Even when we make allowances for the vagaries of tyre wear, strategies and safety car interludes, Lewis clearly knows that he will have his work cut out this season, and was clearly perceptive in his recent assessment that Button constitutes his greatest threat, as things stand.
One of the major talking points of the race was the tenacious performance of Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari. This must have given the Italian team some heart, after their travails during testing and also throughout practice and qualifying in Melbourne. Once again, Alonso exhibited his fighting qualities, and his ability to transcend technical deficiencies.
Felipe Massa was less impressive than his team-mate, and although he could not be totally blamed for the collision with Bruno Senna, it will not have helped his cause too much. His performance will inevitably be contrasted with the praiseworthy effort of Alonso.
Red Bull were not quite on the pace, but the remarks emanating from their camp suggest that they are not quite extracting the maximum potential from their machine, and that there is more to come. Perhaps Malaysia, a different kind of circuit, will reveal more, and give us a truer barometer of the relative strengths of McLaren and Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel stuck to his task, and showed some gritty racer's attributes. The reigning champion has acknowledged that McLaren have built an effective car, but is remaining positive.
Mercedes promised much, but the results just did not materialise in the race proper. There were hints of tyre-related difficulties. Michael Schumacher was in a good position when he was forced out, but Nico Rosberg, after a bright start, struggled to make serious headway later on. Still, it is clearly premature to discount a team with their resources and expertise.
Of the rest, Williams' rebirth has been pleasing to behold, although the outcome in Melbourne was ultimately frustrating. Of course, whether they can sustain this early form remains to be seen. Pastor Maldonado no doubt silenced some of his critics today, but equally his detractors will have nodded sagely at some of his antics, culminating in the late crash. Senna was unlucky at the start, and judging by his team-mate's pace, may have been well up the field. Race pace is all well and good, but perhaps the Williams hierarchy need to remind their drivers that the odd solid points finish would not go amiss.....
The Saubers to some degree justified the good things said about them following the pre-season tests, although they pursued what could be described as a conservative race strategy. That said, both drivers raced hard and resolutely, with Kobayashi giving us some reminders of the form he showed when he first entered F1.
Romain Grosjean was not able to build on his excellent qualifying effort, lacking momentum off the grid, and then being despatched into the gravel by Maldonado. However, things look promising for Lotus, with F1 returnee Kimi Raikkonen showing real spirit as the race progressed, clearly trying hard, and giving us the occasional glimpse of "the old Kimi".
Overall, this was an encouraging start to the new F1 season. Although McLaren have an advantage at this stage, it is clearly surmountable, and the evolution of the regulations, together with a minor reshuffling in the pack, has delivered a cocktail which looks like providing a fine spectacle. There was much good dicing throughout the field in Australia, and we can only hope that this continues.
And so on to Sepang. I,for one, am definitely looking forward it!
Friday, 13 January 2012
Golden Era?
In a recent interview, Fernando Alonso suggested that the 2012 driver line-up will be the strongest in the history of Formula 1, with six world champions on the grid, and other notables such as Massa and Webber also out there.
This claim has also been advanced by some fans and members of the media, but does it stand up to scrutiny? Whilst statistically the CVs of the class of 2012 will make impressive reading, other factors need to be examined.
Two of the six champions in the field will be Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen. The German cannot be said to be at his peak, whilst the Finn is returning from an F1 hiatus. There is also an argument for saying that the statistical accomplishments of drivers in this current era are distorted by the polarisation of resources, and therefore success, amongst two or three teams. Smaller grids also mean that there are fewer also-rans diluting the quality of the grid.
So which other periods in F1 history can claim to have had comparable, or superior, depth of driving talent? Well, the mid-to-late 1970s, prior to the retirement of James Hunt and Niki Lauda, were very strong in this respect. In addition to Lauda and Hunt, we had Mario Andretti,Carlos Reutemann, Ronnie Peterson, Jody Scheckter, Clay Regazzoni, Patrick Depailler, Carlos Pace, John Watson and others. The racing at this time was fantastically competitive, and the victories were therefore spread around more, meaning that many careers left more of an indelible mark in the minds of fans, rather than in the record books.
Similar claims could be made for the 1960s and early 1970s, the "Jim Clark" and "Jackie Stewart" eras, and of course the issue of safety has also to be taken into account when making an assessment. Careers tend to be longer nowadays, cars are more reliable and there are more events on the calendar.
In truth, it is very difficut to make a direct comparison, because racing has changed out of all recognition over the decades, but I would simply counsel caution over possibly inflated claims made about the quality of the current grid. By any objective standard, it is indeed a formidable line-up, but people would also be well advised to consult the history books in order to acquire some perspective....
This claim has also been advanced by some fans and members of the media, but does it stand up to scrutiny? Whilst statistically the CVs of the class of 2012 will make impressive reading, other factors need to be examined.
Two of the six champions in the field will be Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen. The German cannot be said to be at his peak, whilst the Finn is returning from an F1 hiatus. There is also an argument for saying that the statistical accomplishments of drivers in this current era are distorted by the polarisation of resources, and therefore success, amongst two or three teams. Smaller grids also mean that there are fewer also-rans diluting the quality of the grid.
So which other periods in F1 history can claim to have had comparable, or superior, depth of driving talent? Well, the mid-to-late 1970s, prior to the retirement of James Hunt and Niki Lauda, were very strong in this respect. In addition to Lauda and Hunt, we had Mario Andretti,Carlos Reutemann, Ronnie Peterson, Jody Scheckter, Clay Regazzoni, Patrick Depailler, Carlos Pace, John Watson and others. The racing at this time was fantastically competitive, and the victories were therefore spread around more, meaning that many careers left more of an indelible mark in the minds of fans, rather than in the record books.
Similar claims could be made for the 1960s and early 1970s, the "Jim Clark" and "Jackie Stewart" eras, and of course the issue of safety has also to be taken into account when making an assessment. Careers tend to be longer nowadays, cars are more reliable and there are more events on the calendar.
In truth, it is very difficut to make a direct comparison, because racing has changed out of all recognition over the decades, but I would simply counsel caution over possibly inflated claims made about the quality of the current grid. By any objective standard, it is indeed a formidable line-up, but people would also be well advised to consult the history books in order to acquire some perspective....
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2011.
A most peculiar thing happened to me today. Around mid-afternoon, I was watching TV, and a racing driver by the name of Lewis Hamilton appeared on my screen, and he was smiling, and even laughing....
It is probably too early to say definitively that the "old" Lewis is back, but his joy and relief following this victory were palpable. He didn't have to do much in the way of wheel-to-wheel racing to achieve today's win, and his cause was assisted by Sebastian Vettel's early departure, but his drive had some genuine authority about it.
Historically, McLaren always keep pushing until the very end of a Formula 1 season, regardless of whether the championship is still at stake. Hamilton and Jenson Button are reaping the dividends of this ethos. Jenson was affected by KERS maladies today, which makes his podium position all the more creditable.
For once, Red Bull seemed fallible, and in addition to Vettel's problems, Mark Webber's own car seemed slightly out of sorts, but he showed his customary tenacity to try to achieve the best possible result.
As for Ferrari, well Felipe Massa drove a solid race up until his late spin. Although this did not make much difference to the final outcome, it will hardly endear him to the team. Alonso showed real application in his valiant pursuit of Hamilton, and second place was almost certainly the best the car was capable of on the day.
One way or another, Williams had a pretty eventful race. Pastor Maldonado incurred the wrath of the stewards on a couple of occasions, and he needs to be careful that he does not acquire a reputation for being an awkward customer.
The performance, at least in the early part of the race, of Rubens Barrichello, will have raised a few eyebrows, and will no doubt prompt much debate. Granted, he was on the back row of the grid, and this indignity may have fired him up, but his drive may also be analysed in the context of recent speculation concerning the Williams team's likely 2012 line-up....
The Abu Dhabi track seems to inspire mixed reactions, but it is hard to deny that it is visually stunning, and personally I quite like its layout. It seems likely to be a fixture on the calendar, in the medium term at least.
And so on to Interlagos, for the 2011 season finale. It is fitting that the campaign ends at a traditional F1 circuit, with a great atmosphere. Will McLaren continue their late season surge? Of course, second place in the drivers' table is still very much up for grabs, so it should be a lively contest!
It is probably too early to say definitively that the "old" Lewis is back, but his joy and relief following this victory were palpable. He didn't have to do much in the way of wheel-to-wheel racing to achieve today's win, and his cause was assisted by Sebastian Vettel's early departure, but his drive had some genuine authority about it.
Historically, McLaren always keep pushing until the very end of a Formula 1 season, regardless of whether the championship is still at stake. Hamilton and Jenson Button are reaping the dividends of this ethos. Jenson was affected by KERS maladies today, which makes his podium position all the more creditable.
For once, Red Bull seemed fallible, and in addition to Vettel's problems, Mark Webber's own car seemed slightly out of sorts, but he showed his customary tenacity to try to achieve the best possible result.
As for Ferrari, well Felipe Massa drove a solid race up until his late spin. Although this did not make much difference to the final outcome, it will hardly endear him to the team. Alonso showed real application in his valiant pursuit of Hamilton, and second place was almost certainly the best the car was capable of on the day.
One way or another, Williams had a pretty eventful race. Pastor Maldonado incurred the wrath of the stewards on a couple of occasions, and he needs to be careful that he does not acquire a reputation for being an awkward customer.
The performance, at least in the early part of the race, of Rubens Barrichello, will have raised a few eyebrows, and will no doubt prompt much debate. Granted, he was on the back row of the grid, and this indignity may have fired him up, but his drive may also be analysed in the context of recent speculation concerning the Williams team's likely 2012 line-up....
The Abu Dhabi track seems to inspire mixed reactions, but it is hard to deny that it is visually stunning, and personally I quite like its layout. It seems likely to be a fixture on the calendar, in the medium term at least.
And so on to Interlagos, for the 2011 season finale. It is fitting that the campaign ends at a traditional F1 circuit, with a great atmosphere. Will McLaren continue their late season surge? Of course, second place in the drivers' table is still very much up for grabs, so it should be a lively contest!
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Indian Grand Prix 2011 - Talking Points
I must confess that until Sunday I had not given the Indian Grand Prix my undivided attention, because of other commitments. However, having now watched the race, and caught up with some of the gossip and paddock talk, I thought I would offer a few observations.
First of all, the circuit itself. Granted, it is not exactly the Nurburgring Nordschleife, but equally it is a cut above some of the other much-criticised "identikit" tracks which have come on stream in recent seasons. There are some nice sweeping corners, a good long straight and, (whisper it quietly,) some changes in elevation.
By and large, the track seems to have received a favourable verdict from the assembled drivers, pundits and fans. Admittedly, we did not witness a particularly scintillating contest at the front of the field today, but the racing lower down the field served notice that the Buddh International Circuit is a worthwhile addition from a spectacle viewpoint.
For me, another thing to emerge from the weekend has been the continuing crystallization of Sebastian Vettel's status as the undisputed "benchmark" driver of the present era, the man whose sheer excellence all others drivers must now aspire to. His name may not yet resonate like those of Senna, Clark, Stewart, Schumacher et al, but the German increasingly sets the standards against which others are judged.
Of course, the pre-eminence of Vettel brings with it problems for the sport itself. While fans and those directly involved would no doubt champion F1 as the ultimate triumph of excellence over mediocrity, not everyone sees it that way. Indeed, it is surprising that the non-specialist mainstream media has not made more capital out of Vettel's perceived domination. Perhaps I am doing them a disservice, and even they may have taken note of some of the spirited racing going on throughout the field this season.
On the question of the Hamilton/Massa incident, my initial reaction was "six of one, half a dozen of the other", feeling that whilst the Brazilian did turn it, Lewis could hardly claim that the corner was "his". I'm not sure whether mine is a minority view. In any event, Massa received a penalty from the stewards!
The collision with Massa was just another disappointment for Hamilton. One can only hope that he is able to enjoy a positive, problem-free winter, and emerge reinvigorated for the 2012 season. Of course, one of the issues he will have to face is the shifting balance of power within the McLaren team, as Jenson Button continues his quiet ascendancy.
Further back, Toro Rosso had another solid race, and in particular Jaime Alguersuari. There was some good dicing involving the Force India cars, the Renaults and Perez. Mercedes were only slightly less lacklustre than usual.
On a slightly lighter note, two other things occurred to me from this weekend. Michael Schumacher is still in great physical shape, and Alguersuari currently has the best "designer stubble" in Formula 1!
Bring on the last two races!
First of all, the circuit itself. Granted, it is not exactly the Nurburgring Nordschleife, but equally it is a cut above some of the other much-criticised "identikit" tracks which have come on stream in recent seasons. There are some nice sweeping corners, a good long straight and, (whisper it quietly,) some changes in elevation.
By and large, the track seems to have received a favourable verdict from the assembled drivers, pundits and fans. Admittedly, we did not witness a particularly scintillating contest at the front of the field today, but the racing lower down the field served notice that the Buddh International Circuit is a worthwhile addition from a spectacle viewpoint.
For me, another thing to emerge from the weekend has been the continuing crystallization of Sebastian Vettel's status as the undisputed "benchmark" driver of the present era, the man whose sheer excellence all others drivers must now aspire to. His name may not yet resonate like those of Senna, Clark, Stewart, Schumacher et al, but the German increasingly sets the standards against which others are judged.
Of course, the pre-eminence of Vettel brings with it problems for the sport itself. While fans and those directly involved would no doubt champion F1 as the ultimate triumph of excellence over mediocrity, not everyone sees it that way. Indeed, it is surprising that the non-specialist mainstream media has not made more capital out of Vettel's perceived domination. Perhaps I am doing them a disservice, and even they may have taken note of some of the spirited racing going on throughout the field this season.
On the question of the Hamilton/Massa incident, my initial reaction was "six of one, half a dozen of the other", feeling that whilst the Brazilian did turn it, Lewis could hardly claim that the corner was "his". I'm not sure whether mine is a minority view. In any event, Massa received a penalty from the stewards!
The collision with Massa was just another disappointment for Hamilton. One can only hope that he is able to enjoy a positive, problem-free winter, and emerge reinvigorated for the 2012 season. Of course, one of the issues he will have to face is the shifting balance of power within the McLaren team, as Jenson Button continues his quiet ascendancy.
Further back, Toro Rosso had another solid race, and in particular Jaime Alguersuari. There was some good dicing involving the Force India cars, the Renaults and Perez. Mercedes were only slightly less lacklustre than usual.
On a slightly lighter note, two other things occurred to me from this weekend. Michael Schumacher is still in great physical shape, and Alguersuari currently has the best "designer stubble" in Formula 1!
Bring on the last two races!
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