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.....

Michael Schumacher Retires....Again

The announcement this morning from Michael Schumacher that he was retiring from Formula 1 was not entirely surprising, given recent developments in the driver's market for 2013, and the disappointments which he has endured this season. However, there were some intriguing and revealing morsels of information contained in the announcement itself.

Schumacher appears to have begun to doubt his motivation in recent times, and it was somewhat surprising to hear such a frank and honest assessment of his innermost thoughts and the reasons leading up to the move to quit.  It is admirable, and also characteristic, of Schumacher to decide that if he cannot give a project 100% then he will not continue with it.

It was also significant that the German used the word "relief" to describe the emotions which he feels in making this momentous decision.  Hinting perhaps that the last three seasons, or at least the latter portions of that period, have been a chore, an ordeal and a time of frustration, even if rewarding from some perspectives on a human level?

Another revealing detail is Schumacher's assertion that the signing by Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton for 2013 aided his decision to "re-retire".  We can therefore assume that there was no genuine appetite for pursuing possible opportunities or options with other teams. Is this all consistent with the notion that the 2010 comeback was entirely "a Mercedes thing"?

So was it a mistake for Schumacher to return to F1?  We can all pontificate and speculate, but none of the parties directly involved is likely to admit as such outright in the immediate future.

Concern has been expressed as to whether the less than sparkling results achieved during Michael's second F1 career will in some way tarnish his legacy.  My own feeling is that the travails and setbacks experienced during his time with Mercedes will be placed in their right and proper perspective, and that he will be mainly remembered for his years of near hegemony with Ferrari, and his earlier feats with Benetton.

We now await news of what Schumacher intends to do with his time in the future.  Some role within the Mercedes structure or, after a period of reflection, some racing activity in other, less exalted categories?

Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes

So, after protracted and sometimes tiresome speculation, it has been announced that Lewis Hamilton will depart McLaren, after signing a three year contract with Mercedes.  This has triggered in earnest the annual game of musical chairs in Formula 1.

So, what factors lie behind Hamilton's decision to opt for the Three-Pointed-Star, apart from his longstanding links with the carmaker?

It is tempting to be cynical and attribute it solely to financial incentive, but to me that is a major over-simplification. Mercedes offers resources, potential and facilities.  Despite indications that he will nominally have equal status with Nico Rosberg, there is little doubt that everyone, including many in the team itself, will regard Lewis as the number one driver from the outset.

One thing which has perhaps been overlooked is the likely impact of the move on Hamilton himself.  A fresh start, a change of scenery and the dawning of new pastures may reinvigorate and re-motivate the driver, freed from the tensions of his latter days at McLaren.

Hamilton may feel that this is a "gamble" worth taking at this stage of his career, if indeed it can be viewed as a gamble. If the Mercedes team can be lifted above its current relative mediocrity and inspired to genuine success, there would be enormous kudos to be reaped, as well as a great feeling of personal and professional satisfaction.

In assessing Hamilton's reasons and motives, many observers are overlooking the fact that he is already a World Champion, with multiple victories under his belt. In addition, he is still young enough to re-establish himself with other teams should his stay at Mercedes go awry or prove less than fruitful.  The age issue may also have persuaded him that it is worth "sacrificing" one or two relatively lean or fallow years for the prospect of long-term success.  The looming regulation changes may also have played on his mind, although the "reshuffling" properties of those changes are probably over-estimated.

The arrival of Hamilton will needless to say have major repercussions for the Mercedes team itself.  The jury is still very much out on the outfit in its post-2009 guise, the win in China this year notwithstanding.  There are still inconsistencies and weaknesses to be resolved and addressed.

I think it is less a case of Hamilton inspiring a revival or breakthrough through his own actions or pro-active measures, than his arrival heightening the commercial and political ante generally, and forcing the organisation to get its act together, and make necessary changes. The era of drivers carrying teams through their own personality or charisma may well have passed with Michael Schumacher's exit from Ferrari.

Whatever the theories concerning Hamilton's move, it has certainly added considerable spice to the driver market, and the prospects for the 2013 season!

Schumacher Handed Grid Penalty

There is a postscript to my earlier blog post about today's Singapore Grand Prix:

Singapore Grand Prix

After initially suspecting that a mechanical problem had led to his crash with the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne, Michael Schumacher has now acknowledged, when questioned by the race stewards, that he was at fault.  He has therefore been given a ten-position grid penalty for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

2012 Singapore Grand Prix

All in all, quite an unsatisfying race at the Marina Bay circuit.  Lewis Hamilton had been leading handily if not comfortably, and in the aftermath of his retirement there was a slight air of unreality about proceedings, with "entertainment" and "excitement" provided by several incidents. The resultant safety car periods led to the race feeling disjointed, and contrary to expectation they did not lead to the race at the front becoming any more genuinely exciting.

The form in Singapore largely accorded with the predictions of the pundits and experts.  McLaren maintaining their "post-break" ascendancy, and Red Bull's car and chassis proving more suited to this track than on some preceding circuits. Other outfits which had been prominent in 2012 found Marina Bay less suited to their machinery, and struggled accordingly.

The gearbox maladies which ended Hamilton's involvement will have come as a major frustration to a driver and team who had mustered real impetus in recent races.  Not quite a case of "one step forward, two steps back", but an irritation considering how authoritatively, confidently and decisively the Englishman had performed all weekend. Hamilton's philosophical demeanour after the race was symptomatic of a driver who knew that he himself could have done no more, and who once again had proved a few points.

Sebastian Vettel's fleet practice pace had argued persuasively for him to be considered a potential victor, and Adrian Newey exuded quiet confidence.  Sure enough, during the race Vettel showed signs of threatening Hamilton's lead, but even so his victory was mildly anti-climactic, a case of "what might have been" for neutrals.

Once again, Fernando Alonso displayed that uncanny knack of installing himself there or thereabouts, evading trouble and ably exploiting the machinery at his disposal and any good fortune which came his way. He concentrated on doing his job, whilst watching others encounter drama and disappointment, and the erosion of his championship points lead was less than he might have feared at one stage of the race.

One of the major incidents of the race was Michael Schumacher's collision with Jean-Eric Vergne.  The seven-times champion hinted at a mechanical failure, and looking at the replays, this would seem plausible.  My over-riding emotion was one of relief that nobody was injured, as well as admiration for the dignified and restrained reaction of the young Frenchman.

Unhappily, but also quite predictably, the Sauber team struggled in Singapore.  Much of their potency during this season has stemmed from their straightline speed, and this was negated on a more "technical" circuit such as this. The car also exhibited an aversion to the bumps, and the team appeared at sea on set-up during practice and qualifying.  The remaining races may be more profitable, if offering mixed prospects.

Force India enjoyed a more fruitful meeting, with Paul di Resta delivering a very timely fourth place, a reminder of his qualities.

For once, Pastor Maldonado's detractors were neutralised when the Venezuelan driver was eliminated by hydraulics problems when well-placed in the order.  I still think that his superb achievement in putting the Williams on the front row was not sufficiently heralded, with most people more intent on pondering the potential for fireworks at the first corner in the race itself.  Needless to say, said fireworks failed to materialise.

Looking at the points table, it is now tempting to envisage matters distilling to a straight contest between Vettel and Alonso.  Hamilton probably possesses the quickest car, but the arithmetic is unlikely to work in his favour.  Raikkonen, although currently third, looks less likely to win Grands Prix than he did a few races ago, and does not really have much momentum. Alonso may be content to sit back and watch McLaren and Red Bull share the wins, but take points off each other....

2012 Belgian Grand Prix Review

After the summer break, it was wonderful to resume the action at a proper circuit and venue.  There are many other great tracks on the calendar, but Spa has that extra special awe-inspiring sense of occasion and grandeur which lifts it comfortably clear of the mundane and the routine.  The setting, the history, the layout of the circuit and the feeling of foreboding induced by the weather all contribute to the tone and aura.

This year's event was no exception.  An almost effortless victory for McLaren's Jenson Button, and some vigorous and stimulating competition for the other points places.  Grand Prix racing for the purist, if such a thing is still possible in 2012.

However, much of what occurred has been overshadowed by the first-corner incident which eliminated Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez and Romain Grosjean, and led to the latter incurring a one-race suspension.

The unusual dynamics of the crash, and the trajectory and attitude of the cars involved, were particularly unsettling and sobering.  The design and aesthetic of open-top single-seater racing cars is undeniably part of their appeal, but this also constitutes a potential Achilles heel safety-wise, notwithstanding the advances seen in recent decades.  Alonso in particular was fortunate.

One of the enduring images of the weekend for me was the mildly surreal sight of Lewis Hamilton walking back down the pitlane, on his return from the scene of the accident, clutching an errant piece of bodywork or debris.  A forlorn figure, surrounded by a frenzy of activity amongst the other teams.

I thought on balance that Grosjean was culpable in triggering the accident, by moving across and making contact with Hamilton's McLaren.  Some may see the ban as slightly harsh, and part of the reasoning given was less than convincing, but it may serve as a deterrent and a warning to others. 

And so on to events in the aftermath of the first-corner altercation.  This was one of those displays which Button is capable of producing, when he's in a well-sorted machine.  Smooth, unruffled, metronomic almost. In fairness, the signs were there in qualifying.  Never really threatened today, his post-race demeanour was far removed from the near-morose figure of not that many races ago. Today he seemed calm, measured and good-humoured, but far from complacent. 

There will naturally have been joy at McLaren, tempered by Hamilton's early exit.  Another team quietly ecstatic at today's results would have been Red Bull.  The cards fell for them today, with the disappearance of substantial competition further up on the grid, but both team and drivers grafted hard to ensure that they capitalised on this "fortune".  They were hindered in these endeavours by a lack of grunt on the straights.

Sebastian Vettel, in particular, executed some clean, decisive and precise passing manoeuvres, and afterwards was clearly relieved and quietly satisfied at how the weekend had turned out, from less than promising origins.  The points standings realistically promise a challenge for another title, but he will have to work hard for any further success, taking account of the level of competition, and the constant need to employ strategic measures to circumvent deficiencies in the car.

The prospects of Kimi Raikkonen were much trumpeted in the build-up to the Spa weekend.  In the event he, like everyone else, could not hold a candle to the imperious Button, and was hampered by a lack of straightline speed, and poor early speed on soft tyres.  Thereafter, the Finn tussled manfully for his podium place, and delivered one of the moments of the race, if not the whole season, with his clinical but devastating move on Michael Schumacher at Eau Rouge.  Lotus must be a touch frustrated by their inability to finally ascend the top step of the podium, and the races are running out. 

On the subject of Schumacher, he produced an admirable performance to mark his 300th Grand Prix. Maybe he overheard some of the pre-race conjecture concerning his supposedly impending retirement!  Although handicapped in the latter stages by the lack of a sixth gear, he made a point of sorts, and was non-committal about his future afterwards.

After the race, much sympathy was directed towards Sauber.  They had seemed on the brink of a major breakthrough, by virtue of their grid positions and form in previous rounds, but this was abruptly negated because of the first-corner dramas. Granted, in the final analysis they may have struggled to keep Button in their sights, but podium places seemed a distinct possibility.  Through the disappointment, they must realise that their pace and consistency augurs well for the remainder of the campaign, and Sergio Perez alluded to this when he spoke after the race.

Mention must also be made of the composed and confident fourth-place finish achieved by Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India.  Comprehensively outshining his team-mate, and holding his own for long periods in the illustrious company of Schumacher, Raikkonen, Vettel et al, this display will have enhanced his reputation no end.

And now swiftly on to Monza, which promises to be an absolutely pulsating spectacle....

2012 Hungarian Grand Prix Review

Despite the small margin of victory, quite a commanding display from McLaren's Lewis Hamilton at the Hungaroring.  The other happy man will be Fernando Alonso, who despite finishing only fifth, actually increased his lead in the points standings. 

The race was not as processional or turgid as some which we have witnessed at this circuit in the past, but neither was it as exciting as most of the other Grands Prix of 2012.  The nature of the track dictated a lack of fluidity and dynamism in the running order, in relative terms, and the intense heat added another factor. Tyre matters seemed more pervasive than ever. Some teams and drivers will have felt that they possessed the pace, but were frustrated at their inability to make progress. Indeed, Force India appeared to be making this very point post-race.  This has been a recurring theme down the years at the Budapest venue. 

McLaren looked strong all weekend, this form having been hinted at in Germany.  Hamilton's smooth and trouble-free getaway from the line served as a good platform.  A partially botched first pit-stop could have proved costly for Lewis, but fortunately for him Romain Grosjean was affected similarly.  After that, in the opinion of some, Grosjean's relative inexperience in tyre management played a role.

Despite their failure to overhaul Hamilton, the Lotus team will have been pleased to have got two cars onto the podium, returning to the convincing form of some recent races. Kimi Raikkonen's strategy proved effectual, and there was a very spicy moment on lap 46 when the two team-mates locked horns at the first corner!  Once again, the Finn amply demonstrated that he has lost little of his old fire, in overcoming Grosjean, and taking second position.  Both Lotus drivers exuded some optimism after the race, and they must still feel confident of mounting the top step of the podium before the season is out.

There were a few other interesting sub-plots today.  It was nice to see Bruno Senna get a good solid points finish, and comprehensively outshine his highly-rated team-mate in the race.  This will hopefully give the Brazilian added confidence with which to tackle the remainder of the campaign.

Sauber showed some promise, but then sank into midfield, a fate which also befell both Force India and Mercedes.  For the latter, Michael Schumacher had a particularly miserable day, with problems on the parade lap, a penalty, and ultimately retirement from the race. 

We now have a break, before moving on to Spa, which could hardly contrast more with the Hungaroring.  For all the talk of a tightly contested championship, the fact remains that Alonso has established a lead, and bridging the gap to the Ferrari driver looks an increasingly tall order.  He can afford to drive tactically on occasion, keeping a watchful eye on the fortunes of his principal rivals. It looks unlikely that somebody will suddenly string a series of wins together.  Alonso looks in a very strong position, it must be said.

 

2012 German Grand Prix Review

Another victory for Fernando Alonso and Ferrari, and the Spaniard may be slowly and imperceptibly taking control of this year's world championship.  His cause in the points standings was aided further by the penalty imposed on Sebastian Vettel following his late-race passing manoeuvre on Jenson Button. Indeed, many of the other potential title candidates had days which they would rather soon forget.

I have seen today's race at Hockenheim described as "tense".  In motor racing parlance, this is often a euphemism for "quite close but processional".  However, in this case that would be inaccurate, as there was plenty to hold the interest, with the outcome in doubt until the very end, and the now customary wheel-to-wheel dicing throughout the rest of the field.

Even though Alonso won by a meagre margin in terms of time, he managed largely to keep his rivals at arm's length, assisted by the Ferrari team's efficient pit-stops and a sound strategy.  In addition, the driver proved adroit and calm in dealing with traffic, especially in the closing stages.

For me, the other major story of the race was the continuing restoration to eminence of Jenson Button.  The early signs of a recovery were already evident, and he exuded cautious optimism before the race.  In the contest itself, he was looking to be aggressive, as his moves on Schumacher and Hulkenberg amply demonstrated.  Also, he showed steel and resolve in his dealings with Vettel, before the contentious late incident.  It is unclear whether something has "clicked" with Jenson recently, but there appears to be more direction and purpose there.  Things bode well for the second half of this season.

Vettel did look a little ragged at times.  Trying too hard in front of the home crowd?  Probably not. It may have just been a case of seeking to overcome a marginal deficit to the Ferrari, and trying to withstand the challenge of Button.  As for the move which caused the German to incur a twenty second penalty, it seemed warranted, with all four wheels off the track proper.

Regrettably, Lewis' Hamilton's 100th Grand Prix did not give him much cause for celebration.  A poor getaway at the start, and a puncture shortly afterwards, set the tone for the afternoon.  "DNFs" could prove very costly for drivers this year.

The Saubers were both in sprightly form during the race.  A charging drive (again) by Sergio Perez, admittedly to make amends for a mediocre grid position.  These surges from the young Mexican are standing out even amongst the frantic level of competition which this season has witnessed.  Racing hard and fast, but also fitting this into the framework of a strategy.  The sort of things which tend to be noticed by potential employers?

I was going to describe Kimi Raikkonen's drive as "solid", but that would be doing him an injustice.  Even though he inherited his podium position, it was the kind of pacy display which he can produce almost effortlessly.  Just driving quickly and bravely.

Of the rest, it was good to see the Force India cars involved in some spirited dices on the periphery of the top 10, with the drivers proving difficult to shake off.   Schumacher held his ground resolutely, but did not seem to have the outright pace, whilst team-mate Rosberg conducted a decent damage-limitation exercise in the wake of his troubled qualifying.

Will Alonso continue to apply the pressure in Hungary?   We await the next gripping instalment in the saga!

2012 European Grand Prix Review

An incident-packed race in the end, although for much of its duration it looked like being a relatively comfortable victory for Sebastian Vettel, even allowing for a safety car period.  I think that some of the appraisals of the race as a spectacle have been a little over the top.  There were a few fallow periods, particularly before the pivotal safety car interlude.

Fernando Alonso may have profited from Vettel's breakdown, but this race did not just fall into his lap;he went searching for it, ekeing out every possible advantage at pit-stops, and via a series of overtaking manoeuvres, some crisp, some decisive, and some audacious.

In the title chase, the two big losers in Valencia were Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.  The reaction of Adrian Newey after the German's retirement was very telling.  Vettel appeared to have the measure of the field, even allowing for the safety car, and this could have been a straightforward race win, something which is likely to be a rarity in 2012....

Hamilton will be particularly frustrated, not just by the manner of his exit from the race, but also because it occurred in a race where Vettel had been affected by a rare mechanical failure. The penalty handed out to Pastor Maldonado seemed fair, on balance.

The quantity of incident and general mayhem was not unexpected, because of the nature of the circuit, and the closeness of this season's racing.  The track puts me in mind a little bit of the Detroit venue of the 1980s, although with more generous run-off areas!

Another man denied a good result was Romain Grosjean, who continues to impress with his sheer confidence, and a refusal to be intimidated by reputations and the giddy heights of the front of an F1 field.

Lotus were fancied by many to fight for a win in Valencia, but they just seem tantalisingly short of what is required. It is difficult to know whether the shortfall is purely strategic or performance-related, or whether it is merely a case of waiting for the cards to fall their way.  Kimi Raikkonen's podium finish was no doubt much welcomed, even if it was not the top step.  Incidentally, I think that insinuations that Grosjean has "out-psyched" or massively eclipsed the Finn are a little wide of the mark. Kimi should have it within himself to cope or respond.

Another forgettable outing for Jenson Button, although the vibes emanating from the Englishman seemed slightly more optimistic at this race.  The comments from Martin Whitmarsh on BBC TV before the race offered sympathy and support, if not totally unconditional. It seems that it remains a case of working hard, plugging away, and seeking a breakthrough.

It was good to see Michael Schumacher back on the podium.  If his third-place owed a little to good fortune, it is difficult to begrudge the German this success, in view of his misfortunes and dramas thus far in 2012.

Just a quick mention of Sergio Perez.  The TV coverage contained plenty of onboard shots from his Sauber, and it was a privilege to watch the technique and skill of an emerging talent.  Most impressive....

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! 

2012 Spanish Grand Prix Review

First of all, best wishes for a speedy recovery to to all those affected by the fire which broke out in the pit garages after today's race. 

Before this season, the prospect of a Pastor Maldonado victory in Barcelona would have seemed fanciful at best.  Before this weekend, it would have appeared vaguely possible but also improbable. However, as the Spanish Grand Prix meeting progressed, the realisation dawned that the Venezuelan and the Williams were becoming genuine contenders to ascend to the top step of the podium here.  Even allowing for this, the concept of Maldonado as a Grand Prix winner is taking some getting used to!  This detracts not at all from his performance and achievement;it is wonderful to see another new winner, and many will be delighted in particular for the Williams team and Sir Frank.

Alonso lost out in the second round of pit-stops, but thereafter Maldonado displayed commendable composure and maturity, not being fazed by a less than perfect third pit visit.  He managed to keep Alonso at arm's length.  If anything, it was the Ferrari which was looking ragged in the final laps.

Afterwards, Alonso seemed phlegmatic, and after all he is very handily placed in the standings, and may be seeing recent F1 developments in a different light to certain of his rivals.  His priority has been improving the Ferrari's competitiveness, whilst some others are tying themselves in knots psychologically over tyre difficulties.  That said, Alonso is keen to reserve judgement on any improvements to the car.

Some of the post-race interviews I found quite revealing.  Messrs Vettel, Button and Webber all evinced varying degrees of bemusement with the outcome of the race, and the precise reasons or explanations for the failings of their cars. This seemed most pronounced in the McLaren driver, who now looks pessimistic and baffled by events.

By contrast, one driver whose weekend suffered a major setback on Saturday emerged from proceedings with his pride intact, and with some credit.  Lewis Hamilton limited the damage from his misfortune in qualifying as capably as could have been expected, racing aggressively but sensibly.  His post-race interview was one of some defiance.

Another strong showing from Lotus, although there may be substance to suggestions that they are not currently maximising their potential, seemingly having some performance "in hand", but not fully exploitable, towards the end of races. It surely will not take much of a realignment for them to be challenging for victories.  On paper, Monaco should suit both the car and the drivers.

One other driver worthy of praise today was Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi, who drove a race combining slick pace with the odd audacious passing manoeuvre.  His team-mate Perez might have featured more prominently but for that first-corner altercation.

A frustrating day for Mercedes, with Schumacher colliding with Bruno Senna (and picking up a grid penalty for the next race), and Nico Rosberg being another one of those bemoaning "tyre management" difficulties.

Often in the past, the commencement of the European phase of the season has seen a restoration of normality, and the natural order of things. This has emphatically not been the case this season, and I can envisage more of the same in Monaco.....

Spanish Grand Prix Preview

After a most stimulating and entertaining beginning to the 2012 season, Formula 1's pivotal European season commences in Barcelona this weekend.  The opening batch of "fly-away" races have undoubtedly whetted the appetite for the competition to come.

The Red Bull team will approach the race in Spain in good heart after their upturn in fortunes in Bahrain. Despite Vettel's victory there, there was little suggestion of the old invincibility or any permanence to this state of affairs. Some might argue that the results in Bahrain owed at least something to the shortcomings and errors of others.

McLaren's display in the last race was shambolic, and quite out of character.  Some of the wounds were self-inflicted, and unforced errors are likely to be costly in this ultra-competitive season. They seem to have taken some steps to address the failings shown last time out, and have some upgrades coming on stream in Spain. The track in Barcelona has a reputation for favouring good, all-round cars, and this should stand McLaren in good stead this weekend.  The MP4-27 has not become a bad car overnight. 

The Mugello test, not surprisingly, was largely inconclusive.  The form of Ferrari is still uncertain and hard to predict, with some modifications not emerging until the team arrives in Barcelona. Fernando Alonso will be hoping for some improvement for his home Grand Prix.  There is a danger that the competition could disappear over the horizon.

All things being equal, we should expect Lotus, Sauber and Mercedes to continue their role as realistic challengers for victory.  Of these, Lotus in particular seem to be doing all the right things, with a positive approach, and a pair of drivers who are feeding off and motivating each other.  They now need to demonstrate that they are capable of crossing that invisible barrier which separates them from becoming winners in 2012....

Mercedes have still yet to be totally convincing in race trim, but appear to be vaguely moving in the right direction.  Sauber will also be hoping to notch up more consistent race results.

The subject of tyres was very much a hot topic of conversation after Bahrain, prompted largely by Michael Schumacher's post-race remarks.   The debate on tyres has not quite escalated in the way that Schumacher may have hoped, with some F1 figures appearing to offer qualified support for Pirelli, but it provides an interesting sub-plot, and the controversy may well re-ignite in Spain, if tyre wear continues to play a central role in the performance of teams and the outcome of the race.

Occasionally in the past, what appeared to be a wide-open season has been transformed by a sudden technical breakthrough or sweet-spot being discovered by a competing team, but 2012 does not seem to conform to that description.  All the available evidence points to more of what we have been treated to in the first four races. 

Five different winners in the first five Grands Prix?  Don't rule it out.....

2012 Bahrain Grand Prix Review

Many of the column inches during the 2012 F1 season have centred on the perceived fall from grace of the Red Bull team. However, after today's impressive victory for Sebastian Vettel, they may be tempted to utter the time-honoured phrase "crisis, what crisis?".  Vettel now sits atop the standings....

Despite a spirited challenge from Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus, this was a composed display by the reigning champion, building on his pole position. In addition, and significantly perhaps, the German overshadowed his team-mate Mark Webber for most of the weekend.  Vettel's performance had that stamp of calm and authority that one expects from a true champion.

Another major talking point arising from the race was the continuing excellent form of the Lotus team. Right from the start of the season, their car has looked nimble, stable and fleet, and there is a lean and lithe feel about the team generally.  The drivers are capitalising ably on the machine's responsiveness and zip. It is worth noting its straightline speed, too.

Even allowing for his credentials and pedigree, Romain Grosjean continues to be a revelation, confident and assertive, and far from over-awed in the illustrious company near the head of the field. This spur of competition is pushing Kimi Raikkonen along.  The Finn looks perfectly at home on his F1 return, that fluid and pacey style very much to the fore.  Even though he admitted afterwards that he had failed when presented with his one big opportunity to overtake Vettel, at least he was in a position to attempt that manoeuvre!

To say the least, McLaren had a frustrating and problematic race, with more sloppy pit-stops, and culminating in Jenson Button's mechanical problems. It would be surprising if the McLaren hierarchy allowed this situation, intolerable for such a polished outfit, to persist. Despite the car's potential, and the points already registered, the team has looked uncharacteristically ragged and untidy at times in 2012. Lewis Hamilton has suffered from all this, but has managed to amass a healthy tally of points.

Another topic which jumped out at me today was the one raised by Michael Schumacher about the extent to which tyres, and the requirement of the drivers to manage tham, is influencing the racing. I suspect that many fans would counter that the tyre situation is at least partly responsible for the close and exciting racing which we are witnessing, and that Schumacher's rather indignant remarks smack of sour grapes.

From a purist's point of view, there would be concern if it were felt that the outcome of every single Grand Prix was being determined largely by tyre wear, distorting the efforts of teams and drivers, and discrediting the sport. However, I don't think that we have reached that stage yet, and the time for a more balanced judgement on this will come later in the season.  It will be interesting to see how many other drivers publicly give vent to their feelings about the burdens being imposed on them by tyre concerns.

Whatever the merits of his argument, it is interesting to see Schumacher speaking out like this. In the past, it can be argued that he did not always speak his mind as readily as would be expected from the sport's leading personality.  Today's candid comments looked to me like those of an elder statesman figure, not constrained by some of the pressures of his earlier career, and not afraid to look at the big picture, and be outspoken about matters which genuinely perturb him.

The other Mercedes driver had an adventurous race today, being involved in a couple of contentious incidents. Over-confidence in the wake of China, or frustration at not being in a position to live up to expectations, post-Shanghai?

It seems that Ferrari were back in a position more representative of their car's potential, having to scrap for every position.  Both drivers tried manfully, and the spirit shown by Felipe Massa will have provided at least some encouragement.

A word of praise also for Paul di Resta, who achieved a fine result, based on a courageous strategy and some intelligent racing.  His drive was reminiscent of many of those which he delivered in 2011.

A crucial period in the season now awaits us.  A three week break before Barcelona, and interestingly, a testing session at Mugello. Red Bull may feel that they have something to build on now, and some pundits are pointing to Catalunya as a "Red Bull track".  In the past, the dawn of the European season has sometimes seen a sea change in form, but this time there appear to be too many variables and imponderables in place.

Whatever happens, it looks like being interesting....

Chinese Grand Prix 2012 - Review

Another absorbing and unpredictable Formula 1 race, and this time we have a new winner, which is always a healthy sign.

Looking back, whatever doubts which may have inhabited Nico Rosberg's mind prior to the race were largely dispelled by his confident and clean get-away from the starting grid.  Thereafter, making allowances for pit-stops, he had the measure of his rivals, once strategies had unravelled.

The emotion and relief amongst the Mercedes personnel at the finish was palpable, notably from Norbert Haug and Ross Brawn.  I am delighted for Haug in particular; he has always occurred to me as one of F1's good guys.

While the weather conditions in Shanghai did not exactly hinder Mercedes in their endeavours, at least some of the questions about the car's earlier shortcomings appear to have been answered, and Michael Schumacher alluded to this when interviewed after retiring from the race.

The failure of Schumacher to finish will have been the one blemish on the day for the Silver Arrows. Since his comeback, I am probably guilty of over-analysing Michael's words and body language, searching for signs of a mellowing or a weakening of resolve. To be fair, these things are extremely difficult to discern, because for much of his career he has been diplomatic and sanguine, being loyal and protective to team members, publicly at least.  His qualities as a team player were in evidence today, with what seemed to be genuine pleasure at Rosberg's victory.  The seven-times champion probably in turn senses that the team has turned a corner, and that he will be a beneficiary.

If we disregard the relatively serene Rosberg, this was quite a freakish, fluctuating race, which had a faintly surreal air to it throughout.  The battle for the other points positions in the latter stages resembled a Formula Ford thrash rather than a Grand Prix, but I have heard few complaints!  My head was hurting at times watching, as I tried to make sense of the constantly shifting fortunes and permutations. It goes without saying that tyres were the major contributory factor in determining the nature of the contest, but the generally unpredictable pattern of Formula 1,2012-style, also had a role in all this.

Because of the volatile nature of the race, I am loath to make too many concrete judgements on individuals teams.  The margins were so slender that even one minor misjudgement could have what must have seemed disproportionate consequences.  The teams and drivers may have to become accustomed to this becoming more the norm in this "new age" F1.  Frustrating for them, entertaining for neutral observers....

McLaren are first and second in the driver's standings, and lead the constructor's championship.  However, they may come away from Shanghai feeling that the waters have been progressively muddied since Melbourne.  Their advantage was admittedly slim even then, but matters are becoming even more complicated, and the spectre of Mercedes must now concern them more.  Jenson Button must have felt that this race was tailor made for his unruffled, mechanically sympathetic style, but even allowing for his botched final pit-stop, he had no real answer to Rosberg.

As for Lewis Hamilton, has he arrived at a satisfactory balance?. This season may well put a premium on consistency and accumulation of points, and he has been on the podium at all three races thus far.  At the same time, the close and frenetic competition this season will help to satisfy his racer's instincts. His demeanour after the race hinted at some contentment and optimism, but not complacency.

Sebastian Vettel salvaged something from what on Saturday, and even in the early stages of the race itself, threatened to become an embarrassing and dispiriting state of affairs. Even so, circumstance and the odd slice of luck may have played their part.  Still not wholly convincing.

I was impressed with Mark Webber today.  He never stopped trying, withstood one particularly disconcerting moment, and his persistence and perseverance were rewarded at the end.  Above all, he never stopped racing.  He was also very gracious afterwards when praising Rosberg and Mercedes for their win.

Assessing Ferrari's day is an onerous task.  Both drivers seemed to try hard, and in some respects the cards did not fall for them, although admittedly Alonso made a late mistake which cost him places. The final results marginally exaggerate how bad a day they actually had.

 Of the others, Lotus, Sauber and Williams maintained the favourable impression which they have made in the early races.  It was heartening to see both Williams entries well inside the points, with the drivers being impressively assertive, Maldonado building on his reputation as a man not to be trifled with!  Sauber were slightly unlucky, although some impetuosity on the part of their drivers may have contributed to this.  For Lotus, Romain Grosjean had a chance to exhibit some of his flair.

The pulsating late tussle behind the leader may be the thing which lingers most in the memory from the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix.  It is noticeable how much the drivers themselves are enjoying this season's racing, this being reflected in post-race comments today from Button and Hamilton, amongst others.  Some competitors are coping with these new conditions better than others...

When we assess Formula 1 in 2012, the plot thickens....

Chinese Grand Prix Qualifying

Not totally unexpected, in view of some of the trends in practice and qualifying thus far in 2012, but great to see Nico Rosberg on pole position for the first time in his Formula 1 career.  The traditionalists will also be purring, as this was the first F1 pole for Mercedes as a team entity since the Fangio/Moss days of 1955.

I'm tempted to say that the qualifying sessions in Shanghai have produced a win-win situation for the watching billions.  A new pole-sitter, close times and some fancied runners for various reasons further back on the grid than they are accustomed to being. 

Some people might view this as a "topsy-turvy" grid, but it is not, really.  Mercedes have been there or thereabouts in testing, practice and qualifying, so it was only going to take a minor shift in conditions,circumstances or luck for them to achieve today's outcome.  The other "surprising" grid positions are also not totally out of kilter with what has already been seen or predicted so far this year.

The main talking point, other than Rosberg's pole, will undoubtedly be Sebastian Vettel's failure to make the top ten.  Funnily enough, I was thinking of saying something to the effect that the recent criticism and scrutiny of Vettel has been premature and misguided.  The German will clearly not be thrilled to be where he is on the grid, but even now I'm not reading too much into it.  Just one of those things!  It is more instructive to look at times, and any mitigating circumstances, rather than pure positions.

Going back to Mercedes, the onboard shots with Rosberg suggested a very stable, responsive and easy-to-drive car, but of course doubts linger about their capacity to maintain a consistent race performance, partly because of their tyre-wear "issues".  One also wonders whether Nico's entry into the limelight might galvanise Michael Schumacher into an assertive and aggressive race performance tomorrow?

It remains to be seen whether McLaren, for all their prowess in race trim, will be hampered by their grid positions.  On balance, I think not, because of the nature of the track, and the uncertainties surrounding the cars in front of them. 

The Sauber and Lotus performances in qualifying have ceased to be surprising or unusual.  Consistent top ten positions should now be the norm for these two teams.  Kimi Raikkonen's times today have gone slightly unheralded, because of the feats of others, but his position is more proof that he never really "went away", and belongs on the rarefied air near the front of the grid.

What is very noticeable this season is how guarded and equivocal team personnel and drivers are being in their comments post-qualifying and pre-race, eschewing bold predictions or bravado.  They all realise just how competitive and fluid the current F1 landscape is, and few people are able to foresee future events with any degree of certainty.  This can only be a good thing!

Malaysian Grand Prix 2012 - Review

Well, few people saw that result coming, although when the weather began to close in just prior to the start of the race, Fernando Alonso must have fancied his chances a little.  Those conditions were tailor-made for the Spaniard's finesse and awareness.

Almost as impressive as Alonso's assured display out on the track was his realistic and pragmatic attitude afterwards, being keen to stress that the result, although welcome, did not alter some fundamentals about Ferrari's situation. The wet weather, and Alonso's delicate touch, will have masked some deficiencies in the car, which still need to be tackled and alleviated.

Receiving almost as many plaudits as Alonso's performance has been that of Sergio Perez in the Sauber. Showing commendable maturity for a relative newcomer, he took all the fluctutations and strategic intrigues in his stride, until that minor error near to the end. The conspiracy theorists were unsurprisingly out in force when some advice was directed to Perez over the radio, which was swiftly followed by his mistake. Personally, I am inclined to think that the charges are wide of the mark; the radio message from the pits merely seemed to be imploring the young Mexican to "be careful", and to be mindful that second place is preferable to no place at all.

Perez has unobtrusively made a favourable impression since he entered F1, although not perhaps generating the headlines and hysteria which tend to accompany some rising stars. Consistently solid performances, and sometimes placing the car where it doesn't really belong, have helped to build up a picture and reputation of someone who has a bright future. Rumours have been circulating about his whereabouts in the future, and they are sure to intensify after today's events, particularly when cross-referenced with the problems being endured by others.

Those who dominated proceedings in Melbourne had mixed fortunes in Melbourne.  Jenson Button made an uncharacteristic error of judgement when trying to pass Narain Karthikeyan, and thereafter suffered a race plagued by niggling difficulties.  There was to be no repeat of his famous win in Canada last year.

After the red flag, Lewis Hamilton had a solid if unspectacular run, although his progress was impeded by a couple of dramas at pit stops. Lewis is racking up the points at the moment, and although he is a born winner, he must realise that these points-scoring finishes could be crucial in what looks set to be a closely-fought campaign. I was pleased to see that he alluded to this in his post-race comments, sounding measured and philosophical.

Red Bull continue to mystify slightly.  A lack of inspiration, and outright pace, is affecting them at the moment.  Other teams have upped their game, but Red Bull are just not the formidable force on the track of the past two years.  After Australia, the team was at pains to stress that they were not fully up to pace, and we expected a bit more at Sepang.  The rain in the race naturally complicates any assessments, and a dry weekend in China may enable us to reach some more definitive conclusions.

After promising signs in qualifying, the Mercedes team once more singularly failed to deliver on race day. True, Michael Schumacher was seemingly blameless when tipped into an early spin, but after that he and Nico Rosberg were largely anonymous.  There may be some soul-searching in the hiatus before we go to China.

The Williams team continued its encouraging opening to 2012, with a fine and combative display from Bruno Senna, finishing sixth, and Maldonado had not done himself any harm before his late retirement.  The car is clearly a good one, and it is to be hoped that this form can be prolonged.

The Lotus team also sought to build on its Albert Park exploits, with a good if unexceptional drive from Kimi Raikkonen.  He will be pleased to have finished both races in the points, and also to have got more mileage under his belt, although I think theories that his five-place grid penalty adversely affected his race prospects are overplayed.  By contrast, Romain Grosjean again failed to finish, and needs a result or two to add substance to his undoubted ability and flair.

All told, however, this race was won by the panache and all-round skills of Fernando Alonso, aided in no small part by the slick pit work of Ferrari.  This is one thing which the Scuderia certainly has mastered so far this season!  Admittedly, the frailities of others, as ever in changeable conditions, also helped the Ferrari cause, but this in no way detracts from their achievement.

The first two races have certainly given us plenty of entertainment, and there is much to mull over for the teams, drivers, media and fans in the three weeks before the Chinese Grand Prix....

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.....

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!

F1 Testing in Barcelona

I predicted in an earlier blog post that the formbook would began to "crystallize" during the testing this week in Barcelona, in the wake of events in Jerez.

Looking purely at the headline time-sheets from Barcelona, it is tempting to suggest that the situation is even more confused than following the earlier session. Even if some of the lap-times seem even more unrepresentative of the true picture, there are also signs that the cream is slowly but surely beginning to rise to the top.

Sebastian Vettel have been consistently quick, in their matter-of-fact, undramatic fashion.  The times recorded during longish runs look distinctly ominous for their rivals. McLaren maintained a lower profile in Barcelona, working methodically, and seemingly reasonably content. Positive noises were emanating from Lewis Hamilton about the performance and potential of the car, and this augurs well, even if Red Bull possess a slight but significant edge at present. After the negativity surrounding them a couple of weeks ago, there are indications that things are looking brighter for Ferrari.

Perhaps the most genuinely interesting development of the week was the first serious appearance of the new Mercedes, and the fact that it was quick straight out of the box.  Michael Schumacher seemed pleased with progress, although drivers tend to make these kinds of utterances pre-season, even when the true state of play has not yet made itself plain.  I would suggest that Michael's voice and opinion carry more weight than some other people!

Although there were reasons for Force India and Sauber being particularly swift at some junctures, both of these teams appear to be moving in the right direction.

Will the top teams show their hand, or more of their hand, at the test in early March?  Possibly, but don't bet on it....

Rubens Barrichello

With the news, as expected, that Bruno Senna will fill the one vacant seat at Williams for the 2012 season, another Brazilian driver is contemplating what looks like the end of the one of the most distinguished and eventful of all Formula 1 careers.  With characteristic good grace and class, Rubens Barrichello wished his successor good luck, but where does he himself go from here?

I first came across the name Rubens Barrichello in 1990, when my interest in motorsport was at its height, and I avidly devoured news of the goings-on in the junior formulae.  In winning the intensely competitive GM Lotus Euroseries, the novice exhibited not just a fine turn of speed, but also some of the subtler qualities which separate the potential World Champion from the mass of raw and eager youngsters.

There was more of the same in British Formula 3 the following year, as Rubens engaged in a lively tussle for the title with David Coulthard, eventually emerging triumphant. I seem to recall that he occasionally had some difficulty getting off the starting line, and this made for some entertaining racing, something not always prevalent in Formula 3!

Rubens continued his motor racing education in Formula 3000 in 1992.  He did not meet with the instant success enjoyed in the previous categories, and there must have been the fear, seemingly endemic amongst young drivers, of an imminent career plateau.  However, any worries proved unfounded, as he was signed up by the Jordan F1 team for 1993.

As soon as he entered the highest echelon of the sport, Rubens showed that he belonged there, with his maturity and natural talent. The 1994 season brought conflicting emotions, with points on the board, but also the trauma of a serious crash in practice at Imola, and the death of Ayrton Senna.

The capricious form of the Jordan team dictated that the following two campaigns did not improve markedly on what had gone before, and Rubens must have been delighted with the chance to drive for the new, but well equipped, Stewart team for 1997.  His second place at Monaco was memorable, prompting emotional scenes, including tears from Jackie Stewart himself.

By now, Rubens was regarded within the F1 fraternity as a fast, reliable and technically adept performer, as well as a consummate team-player.  It must have been somewhat galling, therefore,that when the Stewart outfit notched up its first victory, at the Nurburgring in 1999, it was team new-boy Johnny Herbert to whom the cards fell, although the Brazilian hid any disappointment with his usual good humour and grace.

Now came the call from Ferrari, and although he was playing second-fiddle to the great Michael Schumacher, at least Rubens had the theoretical possibility to be a contender for race-wins and podiums at every Grand Prix. His outpouring of emotion and joy on the podium at Hockenheim after his first F1 victory was both moving and engaging, and everyone in the sport was genuinely delighted that he had achieved that richly deserved milestone.

The rest of Barrichello's tenure at Maranello brought more Grand Prix wins, but also controversy and debate concerning his precise role within the team, and his relationship with Schumacher.  Whatever reservations Rubens may have harboured, he got on with his job professionally and assiduously, reinforcing his reputation as a steadfast and conscientious customer, as well as a "good bloke".

After the dizzy heights and tumult of the Ferrari years, the rest of Ruben's career was perhaps destined to be an anti-climax, but a renaissance of sorts occurred in 2009, with the almost fairytale exploits of the Brawn equipe.

The time with Williams has been frustrating, but Rubens usually managed to maintain his dignity and optimism.

His strenuous efforts to remain in F1 at the end of 2011 indicated that his motivation and desire remained intact, but can he adapt those competitive juices to other, less exalted, forms of motorsport? The DTM, Indycars and endurance racing all remain theoretical possibilities.

If this is indeed the end of Rubens Barrichello in F1, it will feel strange without him.  Many fans will not have seen a race without him competing.  In many respects he has set a benchmark for how drivers conduct themselves, overcome adversity and maintain motivation and focus.

Whatever the future holds for Rubens, the best of luck to him.