After much fanfare and uncertainty, the opening Grand Prix of the season is behind us, with many talking points.
The spectacle seemed ever so slightly subdued, and it may take some time to become accustomed to the dull drone of the turbos again, after twenty-five years of screaming normally-aspirated engines of various descriptions. Similarly, people will have to re-calibrate their minds to accommodate the modus operandi and vagaries of the new cars. On the plus side, there were encouraging signs of competitiveness, despite the impression that Mercedes enjoy a significant advantage out of the blocks. Also, the cars look much less ugly in motion than they do when stationary!
Mercedes do look impressive, and their whole package looks compact and efficient. Nico Rosberg seemed to have plenty in hand, and the onboard footage from his car suggested a user-friendly and sympathetic vehicle, whereas some of the other teams have yet to fully tame and harness their new creations.
The race in Melbourne also represented a renaissance of sorts for McLaren, and it was great to see Ron Dennis much in evidence in the pits, and even on the pitwall. It must have been very satisfying for the team to witness Kevin Magnussen achieve a podium finish on his debut. The young Dane has taken to Formula 1 like a duck to water, impressing in testing as well as during his first taste of "the real thing". His pass of Lewis Hamilton early on exhibited real confidence and flair, and had the mark of real class about it.
After enduring a miserable series of tests, and having an ultimately disappointing race weekend, Red Bull cannot be discounted. Daniel Ricciardo's race display, although ending in disqualification, is a persuasive sign that the reigning champions will be a force to be reckoned with before very long.
Williams might have been hoping for slightly better than what they got from Australia, but it is great to see them back as a major player. Although Felipe Massa was taken out at the start, Valtteri Bottas' comeback drive had real swagger and vigour, and confirmed the promise of both car and driver. As an added bonus, Williams have reintroduced to F1 one of the coolest liveries in racing!
I probably sound like a broken record in my effusive praise of Nico Hulkenberg, but the German once again showed his class at Albert Park, driving consistently and unobtrusively to a solid finish in the points. Any lingering disappointment at not landing a "top" seat will hopefully be assuaged by the knowledge that Force India have adapted to the new era better than most.
It is hard to know what to make of Ferrari at the moment. Their testing form was a touch inconclusive, but they hardly inspired in Melbourne. Fernando Alonso did his formidable best in the race, maybe even flattering the machinery, but there are signs that Kimi Raikkonen is struggling to get to grips with the new technology. The "superteam" may take a while to unleash its full potential.
In a way, the better than expected reliability which was seen in Australia was a disappointment, because it meant that the shake-up in the running order was less pronounced than might have been hoped for. Mercedes might have the edge, but as demonstrated by the gremlins which afflicted Lewis Hamilton, they are as yet far from infallible. I think that we can expect further surprises in the races to come, with interlopers popping up in unexpected positions.
Showing posts with label nico rosberg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nico rosberg. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Sunday, 26 May 2013
2013 Monaco Grand Prix
An unsatisfactory race on several counts. Too many crashes, which made the race scrappy and fragmented. It goes without saying that the "the tyre situation" once again reared its head, and the effects were felt particularly acutely in the early stages. At least there was no shortage of talking points!
Nico Rosberg looked to have the legs of everyone else for the bulk of the weekend. On paper, it looked like the impediments which have afflicted Mercedes' race form in recent times would be less pronounced in the principality, and so it proved, even allowing for some reservations expressed by the drivers.
The one mystery in the race was the mediocre showing of Fernando Alonso, who if anything seemed to go backwards as things progressed. I for one had expected his nous and solidity to show through here, but it was not to be, and it has to go down as a missed opportunity.
Whilst some of the established runners were encountering misfortune, others were performing above themselves. A superb drive by Adrian Sutil, his most convincing since he returned to Formula 1, a reminder of his capabilities, and another building block in his bid for recognition. Drives tend to be noticed more at Monaco than at most other venues. Jean-Eric Vergne's eighth-place finish was also a fine achievement.
McLaren were unexpectedly visible and prominent in the race, even allowing for their mildly encouraging practice. Sergio Perez caused a few ructions with his tactics, but at least showed some fire. The sixth place notched up by Jenson Button is very welcome, but is unlikely to fool too many people at McLaren.
A mundane, uneventful and smooth weekend for Romain Grosjean!. It was like 2012 all over again. His raw talent is not in the slightest doubt, but a nice anonymous but productive weekend in Montreal would not go amiss. With luck this latest penalty might concentrate his mind. When we also consider Raikkonen's problems late in the race, one hopes that Monaco does not signal some kind of downturn in fortunes for Lotus.
Reading form from here on in is tricky. It seems reasonable to assume that Red Bull are not going to crumble or weaken appreciably. The growing strength and confidence of Mercedes, if it can be sustained, is the new factor in the equation. In fact Sebastian Vettel, with a nice little points cushion, will possibly secretly welcome this trend, as it is likely to deprive Ferrari and Lotus of points in their efforts to close the gap.
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, 21 April 2013
2013 Bahrain Grand Prix
A clear and fairly resounding victory for Sebastian Vettel, of the type which we seldom witness in this current era of Grand Prix racing. The margin will have given food for thought for Red Bull's rivals, even if the Sakhir circuit could be tentatively described as a track which suits the Red Bull's characteristics. A marker has definitely been laid down as we enter the European leg of the championship chase.
Although the race for first position lacked genuine tension for the bulk of the contest, much of interest occurred in the chasing pack. Mercedes once again failed to convert promise into genuine success, although in fairness this possibility had been flagged by the pole-sitter Nico Rosberg. His team-mate Lewis Hamilton had a largely anonymous race, even taking into account his grid penalty. The team might not yet be the finished article, but the progress and momentum are in a positive direction.
In terms of competitiveness, Bahrain must have represented a boost of sorts for the McLaren team, but this heartening showing may be overshadowed, in media circles at least, by the friction which developed during the race when Jenson Button and Sergio Perez got a little too close for comfort. It is also tempting to argue however, that in some respects, the fact that the two drivers were in such close proximity to each other is a good sign. Would the team rather have this sort of disagreement to iron out, than see the two vehicles touring around blandly and inoffensively in midfield?
It will be interesting to see whether's Perez's improved form unlocks his undoubted potential, and instill added belief. Team politics may become a headache, but the team must also realise that an on-form and motivated Perez is a major asset. I was also impressed by the young Mexican's mature and constructive remarks after the race, when quizzed about the brush with his team-mate.
If Button imagined that he was the undisputed de facto number one driver in the team, he may be forced to revise his opinion. I cannot honestly see the usually unflappable Jenson becoming unduly rattled by all this, but the psychology will add an important dimension to proceedings.
The Ferrari team was remaining sanguine in the wake of the race, and with good reason. Although fortune was not on their side today, the portents still look very favourable. Before problems intervened, the cars were handily positioned. Once his technical dramas were remedied, Fernando Alonso predictably put up a classy and stout performance, and the Italian marque can look forward to the rest of the reason with optimism and confidence.
Another team still on an upward curve is Lotus, as shown by their occupation of two of the steps on the podium. Perhaps the most significant thing to emerge was the "rebirth" of Romain Grosjean. the man often derided as the enfant terrible of Formula 1. This performance was a reminder of his crisp and incisive drives of 2012, which were of course interspersed with various indiscretions. If Grosjean can "kick on", so to speak, it will have ramifications for his team and his team-mate, and could even conceivably influence the outcome of the championship, with another "wild card" in a competitive machine taking points off the other contenders. Others have successfully recovered from early-career setbacks and stigmas. Let us hope that Grosjean has the strength of character to achieve similar. This podium finish may constitute a launchpad in this regard.
So we now enter the European phase of the campaign. Red Bull, or at least the one conducted by Vettel, may be in the ascendancy, but last season taught us not to take anything for granted!
Although the race for first position lacked genuine tension for the bulk of the contest, much of interest occurred in the chasing pack. Mercedes once again failed to convert promise into genuine success, although in fairness this possibility had been flagged by the pole-sitter Nico Rosberg. His team-mate Lewis Hamilton had a largely anonymous race, even taking into account his grid penalty. The team might not yet be the finished article, but the progress and momentum are in a positive direction.
In terms of competitiveness, Bahrain must have represented a boost of sorts for the McLaren team, but this heartening showing may be overshadowed, in media circles at least, by the friction which developed during the race when Jenson Button and Sergio Perez got a little too close for comfort. It is also tempting to argue however, that in some respects, the fact that the two drivers were in such close proximity to each other is a good sign. Would the team rather have this sort of disagreement to iron out, than see the two vehicles touring around blandly and inoffensively in midfield?
It will be interesting to see whether's Perez's improved form unlocks his undoubted potential, and instill added belief. Team politics may become a headache, but the team must also realise that an on-form and motivated Perez is a major asset. I was also impressed by the young Mexican's mature and constructive remarks after the race, when quizzed about the brush with his team-mate.
If Button imagined that he was the undisputed de facto number one driver in the team, he may be forced to revise his opinion. I cannot honestly see the usually unflappable Jenson becoming unduly rattled by all this, but the psychology will add an important dimension to proceedings.
The Ferrari team was remaining sanguine in the wake of the race, and with good reason. Although fortune was not on their side today, the portents still look very favourable. Before problems intervened, the cars were handily positioned. Once his technical dramas were remedied, Fernando Alonso predictably put up a classy and stout performance, and the Italian marque can look forward to the rest of the reason with optimism and confidence.
Another team still on an upward curve is Lotus, as shown by their occupation of two of the steps on the podium. Perhaps the most significant thing to emerge was the "rebirth" of Romain Grosjean. the man often derided as the enfant terrible of Formula 1. This performance was a reminder of his crisp and incisive drives of 2012, which were of course interspersed with various indiscretions. If Grosjean can "kick on", so to speak, it will have ramifications for his team and his team-mate, and could even conceivably influence the outcome of the championship, with another "wild card" in a competitive machine taking points off the other contenders. Others have successfully recovered from early-career setbacks and stigmas. Let us hope that Grosjean has the strength of character to achieve similar. This podium finish may constitute a launchpad in this regard.
So we now enter the European phase of the campaign. Red Bull, or at least the one conducted by Vettel, may be in the ascendancy, but last season taught us not to take anything for granted!
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....
Friday, 28 September 2012
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!
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!
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!
Sunday, 15 April 2012
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....
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....
Saturday, 14 April 2012
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!
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!
Sunday, 25 March 2012
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....
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....
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Korean Grand Prix 2011 - Reflections
It has occurred to me that I haven't blogged much recently about modern Formula 1. Time to put that right, as we digest this morning's Korean Grand Prix.
In the end it was quite a comfortable win for Sebastian Vettel, even if this was not really reflected in the distance by which he triumphed. Following the early stages, Lewis Hamilton and others could never quite sustain a meaningful and concerted challenge.
The race tightened up as a competitive spectacle from around half-distance onwards, with the main entertainment being provided by Hamilton and Mark Webber. Much has been said and written about the Englishman's current mindset, but his racing instincts were still very much in evidence during his wheel to wheel dicing with the Red Bull driver. Throughout the race, one got the impression that he was trying very hard.
In the context of the Hamilton/Webber tussle, the BBC's David Coulthard made reference to the legendary Villeneuve/Arnoux battle at the French Grand Prix in 1979. A slight exaggeration, I thought, although it was nice to have events at Dijon mentioned!
At several points in the race, Fernando Alonso's driving seemed to be a touch ragged and untidy, perhaps indicating frustration or impatience. This was also alluded to in the BBC TV commentary, with the inference that he is not altogether happy with Ferrari's progress.
Alonso was also heard to say "I give up" to his engineer late in the race. The Spaniard has subsequently clarified the remark, insisting that motivation is not a problem, and I prefer to reserve judgement on these matters. It is interesting to note, however, that questions marks are being raised about the state of mind of two of F1's most talented drivers, Hamilton and Alonso. An interesting sub-plot in the remaining races?
A few people have remarked how phlegmatic Michael Schumacher seemed to be in the aftermath of his collision with Vitaly Petrov, for which the Russian was clearly at fault. In Michael's heyday, he would certainly have been more vocal, but today I could not even detect any cryptic expression of anger in his remarks. Maybe he is mellowing with age?
Staying with matters Mercedes, Nico Rosberg had one of his strongest races for a while, before fading slightly. It is difficult to gauge Rosberg's current standing because of the reservations being expressed about Schumacher. I hope that he does not begin to go stale. F1 history is full of cases of talented drivers reaching a plateau, and being overtaken in the pecking order by newer, fresher candidates.
Talking of "comingmen", Jaime Alguersuari drove a combative and composed race for STR. It is possible that one or more of the top seats could become vacant in the next 18 months or so, and his name is sure to be mentioned if he continues his upward curve.
Even though the two world titles have been decided, there is still plenty to mull over!
In the end it was quite a comfortable win for Sebastian Vettel, even if this was not really reflected in the distance by which he triumphed. Following the early stages, Lewis Hamilton and others could never quite sustain a meaningful and concerted challenge.
The race tightened up as a competitive spectacle from around half-distance onwards, with the main entertainment being provided by Hamilton and Mark Webber. Much has been said and written about the Englishman's current mindset, but his racing instincts were still very much in evidence during his wheel to wheel dicing with the Red Bull driver. Throughout the race, one got the impression that he was trying very hard.
In the context of the Hamilton/Webber tussle, the BBC's David Coulthard made reference to the legendary Villeneuve/Arnoux battle at the French Grand Prix in 1979. A slight exaggeration, I thought, although it was nice to have events at Dijon mentioned!
At several points in the race, Fernando Alonso's driving seemed to be a touch ragged and untidy, perhaps indicating frustration or impatience. This was also alluded to in the BBC TV commentary, with the inference that he is not altogether happy with Ferrari's progress.
Alonso was also heard to say "I give up" to his engineer late in the race. The Spaniard has subsequently clarified the remark, insisting that motivation is not a problem, and I prefer to reserve judgement on these matters. It is interesting to note, however, that questions marks are being raised about the state of mind of two of F1's most talented drivers, Hamilton and Alonso. An interesting sub-plot in the remaining races?
A few people have remarked how phlegmatic Michael Schumacher seemed to be in the aftermath of his collision with Vitaly Petrov, for which the Russian was clearly at fault. In Michael's heyday, he would certainly have been more vocal, but today I could not even detect any cryptic expression of anger in his remarks. Maybe he is mellowing with age?
Staying with matters Mercedes, Nico Rosberg had one of his strongest races for a while, before fading slightly. It is difficult to gauge Rosberg's current standing because of the reservations being expressed about Schumacher. I hope that he does not begin to go stale. F1 history is full of cases of talented drivers reaching a plateau, and being overtaken in the pecking order by newer, fresher candidates.
Talking of "comingmen", Jaime Alguersuari drove a combative and composed race for STR. It is possible that one or more of the top seats could become vacant in the next 18 months or so, and his name is sure to be mentioned if he continues his upward curve.
Even though the two world titles have been decided, there is still plenty to mull over!
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