So, another season of Grand Prix racing comes to an end, with Interlagos witnessing another victory for the imperious Sebastian Vettel. It is worth reflecting on the year just passed, and looking forward to what 2014 may have in store.
After the (freakishly) competitive and close-fought 2012 season, expectations were high for another riveting campaign. Although victories were shared about amongst some of the leading contenders in the opening half of the year, there were ominous signs of the underlying strength of Red Bull and Vettel. I remember thinking around the time of Canada that the die was already cast, but few were expecting the Vettel steamroller to render the remaining races so disheartening and one-sided.
As a few people have remarked, F1 was "due" a less than sparkling year. The dividing line between what spawned this year's fare and that of the 2012 season was comparatively thin, and we were lucky to get 2012 as it was. I am far from despondent. Some of the issues which contributed to how 2013 unfolded will not necessarily be there next year;they will doubtless be replaced by new variables and imponderables. To me, Vettel's dominance did not somehow "feel" so overpowering or overwhelming as, for example, Williams in 1992 or McLaren in 1988. The slender margins were focused in areas where Red Bull personnel excel, and their weaknesses are not ones which are greatly magnified by the current F1 format and circuits.
The sense of ennui and disgruntlement engendered in many quarters by Vettel's domination should not be allowed to obscure the other sub-texts and feats which characterized the season. The gallant and relentless efforts of Fernando Alonso are so taken for granted these days that there is a danger that they become under-valued. He coped with the adversity, and came out it still exuding some buoyancy. Although the performance of the 2014 Ferrari out of the box gave grounds for cautious optimism, there were a few races where things dipped alarmingly. How many other drivers could have finished runner-up in the championship under those circumstances?
The presence of Mercedes at or near the front of the field has acquired a greater sense of permanence, and although second place in the Constructors' standings is a fine accomplishment, in a strange away it only serves to underline what still needs to be done. More changes may be in the pipeline, but fine-tuning rather than radical measures may be all that is required, provided that they don't make a mess of embracing the new regulations. By and large, Lewis Hamilton appears to be adjusting to his new surroundings, and a tolerably harmonious partnership with Nico Rosberg has been established.
Some may advance the view that Lotus simply trod water, failing to make that further step, but others may interpret this as consolidation. There is clearly change ahead, and the loss of Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari deprives the team of its catalyst and spearhead, but the rehabilitation of Romain Grosjean was one of the good news stories of the Formula 1 year.
For McLaren it was a year to forget on the track, but sweetened by the tantalizing prospect of a renewed partnership with Honda in 2015. Even Jenson Button's renowned good humour and forbearance were severely tested at times, and for Sergio Perez, though an opportunity he could not turn down, it was a hugely challenging season, culminating in his departure. The young Mexican, who occasionally showed glimpses of his raw talent, has much to offer, and it is good to hear that he is likely to remain in Grand Prix racing. There is inevitable speculation that 2014 will be an interim year for McLaren, with the impending change in engine suppliers, but you never know, they might just produce an effective chassis this time around!
So, we move on to the new turbo era. The most radical change in engine regulations since the move to 3.5 litre normally-aspirated units in 1989?. There are a few ways of regarding this new dawn. There is a school of thought which maintains that all major regulation changes unduly favour the larger, well-financed teams, whose resources give them the capacity to concentrate on the current season's contest, whilst at the same time laying substantial groundwork for the new requirements. Also, the perceived tightness of the modern rules does not perhaps allow such fluctuations and dislocations as occurred, for example, in the early 1980s, when turbo units were becoming more commonplace. On the other hand, the "envelope of uncertainty" surely makes it more than likely that one team or engine manufacturer could hit a sweet spot, and prosper in this new age, while others may struggle to adapt initially. Added to the continued vagaries of the tyre situation, this is surely a recipe for potentially greater volatility fluidity?
Whatever reservations or cynicism one may have, however jaded we may have become by the predictability of the recent Grands Prix, once the New Year is upon us, and the car launches and testing commence, the spark and buzz will ignite anew, and we will relish the prospect of a new season.
A couple of other random thoughts. It is great that Felipe Massa is to remain in the sport. The move to Williams could herald a new lease of life for the likeable Brazilian. Their driver line-up looks to be a perfect blend of experience and youthful vigour. My other abiding hope is that Nico Hulkenberg also finds a race seat for next year. If he does not, then there is genuine reason for us to be disgruntled. Encouragingly, we are hearing rumours of a Hulkenberg/Perez pairing at Force India. That should be worth watching....
Roll on 2014!
Showing posts with label red bull. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red bull. Show all posts
Monday, 25 November 2013
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, 24 March 2013
2013 Malaysian Grand Prix
An eventful and closely contested Grand Prix, but much of what occurred has been overshadowed by the internal ructions at Red Bull.
If nothing else, the team orders controversy offers persuasive evidence that Vettel's desire and motivation remain undiminished, even if he was apologetic afterwards. How this episode will affect his relationship with the team is unclear. As there seems little immediate prospect of the German leaving Red Bull, it is something which the hierarchy will be required to manage.
The post-race interviews were painful to watch. Mark Webber chose his words carefully, but it seemed to me that he was placing the onus on the team to resolve this one way or the other. The Red Bull personnel on the pitwall were decidedly subdued immediately after the chequered flag. They clearly realise the extent of their dilemma. They dare not risk alienating Vettel too much, and there is perhaps an argument for saying that this compromises their ability to exercise real authority over him in these matters. For all Vettel's contrition today, he must know that he is in a very strong position. It is tempting to regard many of today's utterances as mere public relations.
The furore should not be permitted to obscure some of the other noteworthy elements of the Grand Prix, the most significant of which may be further hints that Mercedes are a more substantial and consistent proposition this season. They had their own team orders issue to contend with, but the outcome of this suggested much more harmony and unity than exists at Red Bull. Despite Nico Rosberg's frustration at being told to hold station late in the race, all parties at least seem to be moving broadly in the same direction.
After the nightmare in Australia, some tentatively positive noises are emanating from McLaren, notwithstanding the error which was so detrimental to Jenson Button's race. It goes without saying that margins are very slender in this current era of Formula 1, and the signs about McLaren's prospects are mixed at present. People will only be convinced when more concrete results are achieved.
The Lotus results in Malaysia were disappointing, in the light of what happened at Albert Park. The car appeared to have an aversion to the early slippery conditions, and the rest of the race was conditioned by lost places, and resultant traffic. Even allowing for these factors, the machine looked a handful at times, with Kimi Raikkonen enduring a few lurid moments. It is unclear whether these issues are fundamental, or simply related to the peculiarities of the set-up at Sepang.
There is now a three week break before the Chinese Grand Prix. Something tells me that the F1 news-wires will be far from tranquil during that time!
If nothing else, the team orders controversy offers persuasive evidence that Vettel's desire and motivation remain undiminished, even if he was apologetic afterwards. How this episode will affect his relationship with the team is unclear. As there seems little immediate prospect of the German leaving Red Bull, it is something which the hierarchy will be required to manage.
The post-race interviews were painful to watch. Mark Webber chose his words carefully, but it seemed to me that he was placing the onus on the team to resolve this one way or the other. The Red Bull personnel on the pitwall were decidedly subdued immediately after the chequered flag. They clearly realise the extent of their dilemma. They dare not risk alienating Vettel too much, and there is perhaps an argument for saying that this compromises their ability to exercise real authority over him in these matters. For all Vettel's contrition today, he must know that he is in a very strong position. It is tempting to regard many of today's utterances as mere public relations.
The furore should not be permitted to obscure some of the other noteworthy elements of the Grand Prix, the most significant of which may be further hints that Mercedes are a more substantial and consistent proposition this season. They had their own team orders issue to contend with, but the outcome of this suggested much more harmony and unity than exists at Red Bull. Despite Nico Rosberg's frustration at being told to hold station late in the race, all parties at least seem to be moving broadly in the same direction.
After the nightmare in Australia, some tentatively positive noises are emanating from McLaren, notwithstanding the error which was so detrimental to Jenson Button's race. It goes without saying that margins are very slender in this current era of Formula 1, and the signs about McLaren's prospects are mixed at present. People will only be convinced when more concrete results are achieved.
The Lotus results in Malaysia were disappointing, in the light of what happened at Albert Park. The car appeared to have an aversion to the early slippery conditions, and the rest of the race was conditioned by lost places, and resultant traffic. Even allowing for these factors, the machine looked a handful at times, with Kimi Raikkonen enduring a few lurid moments. It is unclear whether these issues are fundamental, or simply related to the peculiarities of the set-up at Sepang.
There is now a three week break before the Chinese Grand Prix. Something tells me that the F1 news-wires will be far from tranquil during that time!
Sunday, 17 March 2013
2013 Australian Grand Prix
My appetite for Formula 1 was in danger of becoming dulled and diminished, for various reasons, but just the merest glimpse of the television pictures from today's race in Melbourne was sufficient to hook me in anew.
It feels increasingly facile to say this, but all the signs point to a season of comparable competitiveness and interest to that of 2012. The variable of tyre management is once again present to provide the element of unpredictability.
Having said all this, Red Bull still look to have all the equipment to succeed, and it would not be surprising if this made itself felt more acutely in the next few Grands Prix. The car looks very stable, efficient and consistent, and Sebastian Vettel, although ultimately occupying the bottom step on the podium, was in the thick of the action throughout at Albert Park.
One of the main points of speculation before the next race will inevitably be the "plight" of McLaren. They were utterly anonymous in Australia, and there has been much conjecture about the reason for their shortfall in outright pace. Is the design itself overly ambitious? Much work clearly needs to be done in order to remedy matters.
On the McLaren driver front, one has to feel a measure of sympathy for young Sergio Perez. When he joined the team, he could have expected to have a reasonably competitive machine under him, and the car's deficiencies must be compounding the pressures he will be feeling as a new driver in a top team. He may also be confronted by a dilemma. Will he be tempted to overdrive in order to surmount the car's failings, or will he be overly-conscious of the need to avoid mistakes, and consequently become excessively circumspect? How he deals with this situation may tell us much about the Mexican's ultimate potential as a Grand Prix pilot.
By contrast, Ferrari enjoyed a solid and encouraging opening to the new season. Hopefully, people will not become carried away by all this. At this time last year, the Italian outfit was going through a tough time, and just as their problems back then were overplayed, there may now be a tendency to inflate expectations on the basis of one race. At the same time, it was a heartening display, with both drivers performing capably. In particular, Felipe Massa seems to have been emboldened by the confidence placed in him by Ferrari.
The augurs for the Mercedes team look mixed. There is little sign that they have attained a major breakthrough, and any marginal rise in assertiveness and feistiness my be attributed to "the Hamilton effect". The Englishman raced manfully as ever, and we can be fairly confident that he will extract the maximum from the car. A cloud was introduced by the retirement of Nico Rosberg, raising the spectre of the spate of mechanically-related retirements which afflicted the team in 2012.
A "wild card" was provided in this race by Adrian Sutil in the Force India. Some of us have long rated his abilities, and he looked very much at home at or near the front of the field. The internal competition within that team this season could be very interesting to follow, with Sutil perhaps poised to fulfill the role undertaken by Nico Hulkenberg last year.
Turning to Lotus, it is to be hoped that they have learned lessons from 2012, in terms of how to convert strong race-day showings into regular victories. I would suggest that the jury is still out on this. As has been observed, Raikkonen will be more formidable this season than last, having got plenty of mileage under his belt, and any cobwebs will now have been comprehensively cast off. He just needs the tools to enable him to consistently take full advantage.
It is good to see a reshuffle among the teams, and the appearance of some new faces to freshen things up. Malaysia next....
It feels increasingly facile to say this, but all the signs point to a season of comparable competitiveness and interest to that of 2012. The variable of tyre management is once again present to provide the element of unpredictability.
Having said all this, Red Bull still look to have all the equipment to succeed, and it would not be surprising if this made itself felt more acutely in the next few Grands Prix. The car looks very stable, efficient and consistent, and Sebastian Vettel, although ultimately occupying the bottom step on the podium, was in the thick of the action throughout at Albert Park.
One of the main points of speculation before the next race will inevitably be the "plight" of McLaren. They were utterly anonymous in Australia, and there has been much conjecture about the reason for their shortfall in outright pace. Is the design itself overly ambitious? Much work clearly needs to be done in order to remedy matters.
On the McLaren driver front, one has to feel a measure of sympathy for young Sergio Perez. When he joined the team, he could have expected to have a reasonably competitive machine under him, and the car's deficiencies must be compounding the pressures he will be feeling as a new driver in a top team. He may also be confronted by a dilemma. Will he be tempted to overdrive in order to surmount the car's failings, or will he be overly-conscious of the need to avoid mistakes, and consequently become excessively circumspect? How he deals with this situation may tell us much about the Mexican's ultimate potential as a Grand Prix pilot.
By contrast, Ferrari enjoyed a solid and encouraging opening to the new season. Hopefully, people will not become carried away by all this. At this time last year, the Italian outfit was going through a tough time, and just as their problems back then were overplayed, there may now be a tendency to inflate expectations on the basis of one race. At the same time, it was a heartening display, with both drivers performing capably. In particular, Felipe Massa seems to have been emboldened by the confidence placed in him by Ferrari.
The augurs for the Mercedes team look mixed. There is little sign that they have attained a major breakthrough, and any marginal rise in assertiveness and feistiness my be attributed to "the Hamilton effect". The Englishman raced manfully as ever, and we can be fairly confident that he will extract the maximum from the car. A cloud was introduced by the retirement of Nico Rosberg, raising the spectre of the spate of mechanically-related retirements which afflicted the team in 2012.
A "wild card" was provided in this race by Adrian Sutil in the Force India. Some of us have long rated his abilities, and he looked very much at home at or near the front of the field. The internal competition within that team this season could be very interesting to follow, with Sutil perhaps poised to fulfill the role undertaken by Nico Hulkenberg last year.
Turning to Lotus, it is to be hoped that they have learned lessons from 2012, in terms of how to convert strong race-day showings into regular victories. I would suggest that the jury is still out on this. As has been observed, Raikkonen will be more formidable this season than last, having got plenty of mileage under his belt, and any cobwebs will now have been comprehensively cast off. He just needs the tools to enable him to consistently take full advantage.
It is good to see a reshuffle among the teams, and the appearance of some new faces to freshen things up. Malaysia next....
Sunday, 25 November 2012
2012 Brazilian Grand Prix Review
A wonderful season of Formula 1 competition deserved a gripping, tense and eventful finale, and that is what we saw at Interlagos today. It was an "old fashioned" championship decider too, with a "race within a race" determining the destination of the title honours, whilst others contested the Grand Prix win itself.
Despite the effects of the first-lap incident, it would be stretching things to say that Sebastian Vettel made a spectacular comeback;he did not lose that much time, and was helped by the general mayhem and attrition ahead of him and around him in those early stages. Sensibly, once he established himself back in the points-scoring positions, he did not attempt any unnecessary heroics. This would have been foolhardy in the tricky conditions. Good sense and measured and prudent overtaking moves did the job of ensuring that he kept within the requisite points margin to Fernando Alonso.
Of the race itself, McLaren continued their late-season surge, and it was heartening to see a lively battle between their two drivers, which Jenson Button confessed to having enjoyed. His victory may be overlooked in the maelstrom of hype surrounding Vettel and Alonso, but at least his rollercoaster season ended on a high note. He had the opportunity to show off his renowned guile and finesse in changeable conditions, but also gave, and asked, no quarter when matters became wheel-to-wheel. Yes, he was helped by the Hamilton/Hulkenberg contretemps, but it must also be borne in mind that Jenson lost out greatly during the earlier pace-car period, when he and Hulkenberg looked well set.
Lewis Hamilton again raced with the clarity of vision and panache of someone who has had a burden removed from his shoulders. He can leave McLaren with his head held high, and look to the challenges awaiting him at Mercedes.
Although he made a couple of important errors when under pressure, Nico Hulkenberg once again made a huge impression, exhibiting that unfussy but highly effective driving style. After earlier relinquishing the lead to Hamilton with a half-spin, he then lost control at Turn 1, and took the Englishman out of the race. Hulkenberg had earlier complained of gear-change difficulties, and I wonder whether these problems contributed to the incidents? Whatever the case, he could hardly complain when subjected to a drive-through penalty.
I thought that Alonso did everything that he realistically could. The McLarens were just that little bit out of reach, and Hulkenberg's intervention was not completely unexpected. The Spaniard was ably and admirably supported by Felipe Massa, who delivered the kind of performance which makes him so valued in the current Ferrari set-up.
Mention should also be made of a couple of other drivers. Kamui Kobayashi raced purposefully and tenaciously all afternoon, in the knowledge that he was possibly fighting for his Formula 1 future. It was good to see him show such spirit, and I earnestly hope that we have not seen the last of him in a Grand Prix car. The latter sentiments would apply to Heikki Kovalainen.
The final race in the F1 career of the great Michael Schumacher passed with comparatively little fanfare, because of the title showdown, but after an unpromising beginning to the race, it was nice to see the seven-times champion achieve a creditable points finish. After Michael had seemingly let Vettel through in the closing stages, it was significant that they exchanged gestures of mutual affection and respect immediately after the race. Symbolic of a torch being fully passed at last?
So what of the merits of Sebastian Vettel's third consecutive championship? It is fair to say that Red Bull only attained any form of all-round superiority towards the end of the season, and even then the margin involved was not sizeable. At some races during 2012, the German had to show real nous and resolve to salvage points from unpromising situations, and at times the car's deficit in straightline speed was a handicap. Due to these factors, and also simply because he won more races than anybody else, Vettel is a worthy champion.
In fairness, Fernando Alonso would also have been a deserving world champion this year, performing wonders to remain in contention, and extracting every ounce of performance from the car, whilst the Ferrari team laboured constantly to boost the strength of the package, and to give him the tools to compete on something like an equal footing with Red Bull and McLaren.
Of 2012 in general, I think that it will be remembered as a superbly competitive and entertaining season of Formula 1 racing. 2013 will have a real task to surpass it.....
Despite the effects of the first-lap incident, it would be stretching things to say that Sebastian Vettel made a spectacular comeback;he did not lose that much time, and was helped by the general mayhem and attrition ahead of him and around him in those early stages. Sensibly, once he established himself back in the points-scoring positions, he did not attempt any unnecessary heroics. This would have been foolhardy in the tricky conditions. Good sense and measured and prudent overtaking moves did the job of ensuring that he kept within the requisite points margin to Fernando Alonso.
Of the race itself, McLaren continued their late-season surge, and it was heartening to see a lively battle between their two drivers, which Jenson Button confessed to having enjoyed. His victory may be overlooked in the maelstrom of hype surrounding Vettel and Alonso, but at least his rollercoaster season ended on a high note. He had the opportunity to show off his renowned guile and finesse in changeable conditions, but also gave, and asked, no quarter when matters became wheel-to-wheel. Yes, he was helped by the Hamilton/Hulkenberg contretemps, but it must also be borne in mind that Jenson lost out greatly during the earlier pace-car period, when he and Hulkenberg looked well set.
Lewis Hamilton again raced with the clarity of vision and panache of someone who has had a burden removed from his shoulders. He can leave McLaren with his head held high, and look to the challenges awaiting him at Mercedes.
Although he made a couple of important errors when under pressure, Nico Hulkenberg once again made a huge impression, exhibiting that unfussy but highly effective driving style. After earlier relinquishing the lead to Hamilton with a half-spin, he then lost control at Turn 1, and took the Englishman out of the race. Hulkenberg had earlier complained of gear-change difficulties, and I wonder whether these problems contributed to the incidents? Whatever the case, he could hardly complain when subjected to a drive-through penalty.
I thought that Alonso did everything that he realistically could. The McLarens were just that little bit out of reach, and Hulkenberg's intervention was not completely unexpected. The Spaniard was ably and admirably supported by Felipe Massa, who delivered the kind of performance which makes him so valued in the current Ferrari set-up.
Mention should also be made of a couple of other drivers. Kamui Kobayashi raced purposefully and tenaciously all afternoon, in the knowledge that he was possibly fighting for his Formula 1 future. It was good to see him show such spirit, and I earnestly hope that we have not seen the last of him in a Grand Prix car. The latter sentiments would apply to Heikki Kovalainen.
The final race in the F1 career of the great Michael Schumacher passed with comparatively little fanfare, because of the title showdown, but after an unpromising beginning to the race, it was nice to see the seven-times champion achieve a creditable points finish. After Michael had seemingly let Vettel through in the closing stages, it was significant that they exchanged gestures of mutual affection and respect immediately after the race. Symbolic of a torch being fully passed at last?
So what of the merits of Sebastian Vettel's third consecutive championship? It is fair to say that Red Bull only attained any form of all-round superiority towards the end of the season, and even then the margin involved was not sizeable. At some races during 2012, the German had to show real nous and resolve to salvage points from unpromising situations, and at times the car's deficit in straightline speed was a handicap. Due to these factors, and also simply because he won more races than anybody else, Vettel is a worthy champion.
In fairness, Fernando Alonso would also have been a deserving world champion this year, performing wonders to remain in contention, and extracting every ounce of performance from the car, whilst the Ferrari team laboured constantly to boost the strength of the package, and to give him the tools to compete on something like an equal footing with Red Bull and McLaren.
Of 2012 in general, I think that it will be remembered as a superbly competitive and entertaining season of Formula 1 racing. 2013 will have a real task to surpass it.....
Monday, 19 November 2012
2012 United States Grand Prix
An eventful and dramatic inaugural race in Austin, and one which will have pleased the neutrals, ensuring that the world drivers' championship will be decided at the finale in Interlagos.
First of all, I must say that I am quite impressed by the Circuit of The Americas as a venue. The track layout is interesting, having attracted widespread praise and approval from the drivers, and appears to promote close racing and overtaking. A bumper crowd was on hand to witness this race too. As far as American Formula 1 venues go, we have had several false dawns, but Austin just may have found the solution which the sport has been craving. Only time will tell on this.
Lewis Hamilton very much went racing today, prepared to take the fight to the mighty Red Bulls, having split them in qualifying. McLaren's formidable pace was confirmed by the performance of Jenson Button, once he had extricated himself from the seething midfield pack.
Hamilton's victory will also have pleased Fernando Alonso, as it made the Spaniard's task in Brazil seem slightly less daunting. Alonso's cause was also aided by a rare mechanical failure for Mark Webber, and also it must be said by Ferrari's decision to "strategically" incur a grid penalty for Felipe Massa's car. Notwithstanding these factors, it still reflects wonderfully on Alonso that he is still in there pitching for the title. Given the performance deficit in comparison to Red Bull, one can hardly blame Ferrari for exploring every available avenue, or begrudge them the occasional slice of good fortune. One senses that Alonso's priority in Austin was simply to keep the struggle going for next weekend.
So, what of the prospects for Interlagos? It goes without saying that Vettel is the strong favourite, but it will only take one mistake or unforeseen incident for Alonso to snatch an unlikely world championship.
First of all, I must say that I am quite impressed by the Circuit of The Americas as a venue. The track layout is interesting, having attracted widespread praise and approval from the drivers, and appears to promote close racing and overtaking. A bumper crowd was on hand to witness this race too. As far as American Formula 1 venues go, we have had several false dawns, but Austin just may have found the solution which the sport has been craving. Only time will tell on this.
Lewis Hamilton very much went racing today, prepared to take the fight to the mighty Red Bulls, having split them in qualifying. McLaren's formidable pace was confirmed by the performance of Jenson Button, once he had extricated himself from the seething midfield pack.
Hamilton's victory will also have pleased Fernando Alonso, as it made the Spaniard's task in Brazil seem slightly less daunting. Alonso's cause was also aided by a rare mechanical failure for Mark Webber, and also it must be said by Ferrari's decision to "strategically" incur a grid penalty for Felipe Massa's car. Notwithstanding these factors, it still reflects wonderfully on Alonso that he is still in there pitching for the title. Given the performance deficit in comparison to Red Bull, one can hardly blame Ferrari for exploring every available avenue, or begrudge them the occasional slice of good fortune. One senses that Alonso's priority in Austin was simply to keep the struggle going for next weekend.
So, what of the prospects for Interlagos? It goes without saying that Vettel is the strong favourite, but it will only take one mistake or unforeseen incident for Alonso to snatch an unlikely world championship.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
We should have known better than to write off this season's championship chase. Just as some observers were starting to revert to the old "boring and predictable F1" meme, a race occurs which provides a thrilling "race within a race" between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, as well as several other sub-plots.
It seemed prior to the race that Alonso had been let off the hook by the penalty incurred by Vettel, but we had not fully bargained for the events which unfolded. No doubt some of the conspiracy theorists in the general sporting media will be sharpening their pencils, metaphorically speaking...
McLaren appeared a little bemused this weekend about their overall competitiveness, but even so the retirement of Lewis Hamilton from the race will have come as a shattering disappointment. Hamilton's comments following the race would indicate that he is looking forward to his future with Mercedes rather than dwelling on current frustrations, and his despair will have been tempered by these thoughts.
The cards initially appeared to be falling for Vettel, but his enforced change of front wing made his task more formidable. His display, although admittedly aided by the dramas afflicting others, will hopefully have dispelled some of the wilder aspersions being voiced about his credentials.
All of this almost served to overshadow Kimi Raikkonen's much-deserved returned to the Formula 1 winners' circle. Ironically, this victory came after a series of races during which the Lotus team looked to be becalmed and subdued, and in some respects going backwards. The Finn looked as inscrutable and impassive as ever on the podium, but today's events will have given him immense satisfaction, even though his championship chances for 2012 are now mathematically over.
Two races to go, and the championship race is still very much on the boil. Logic would indicate that Vettel should still be favoured, having the better all-round technical package, and the law of averages should preclude him suffering the same misfortunes as he did in Abu Dhabi. However, F1 rarely conforms to these assumptions....
It seemed prior to the race that Alonso had been let off the hook by the penalty incurred by Vettel, but we had not fully bargained for the events which unfolded. No doubt some of the conspiracy theorists in the general sporting media will be sharpening their pencils, metaphorically speaking...
McLaren appeared a little bemused this weekend about their overall competitiveness, but even so the retirement of Lewis Hamilton from the race will have come as a shattering disappointment. Hamilton's comments following the race would indicate that he is looking forward to his future with Mercedes rather than dwelling on current frustrations, and his despair will have been tempered by these thoughts.
The cards initially appeared to be falling for Vettel, but his enforced change of front wing made his task more formidable. His display, although admittedly aided by the dramas afflicting others, will hopefully have dispelled some of the wilder aspersions being voiced about his credentials.
All of this almost served to overshadow Kimi Raikkonen's much-deserved returned to the Formula 1 winners' circle. Ironically, this victory came after a series of races during which the Lotus team looked to be becalmed and subdued, and in some respects going backwards. The Finn looked as inscrutable and impassive as ever on the podium, but today's events will have given him immense satisfaction, even though his championship chances for 2012 are now mathematically over.
Two races to go, and the championship race is still very much on the boil. Logic would indicate that Vettel should still be favoured, having the better all-round technical package, and the law of averages should preclude him suffering the same misfortunes as he did in Abu Dhabi. However, F1 rarely conforms to these assumptions....
Sunday, 28 October 2012
2012 Indian Grand Prix
Well, Red Bull have sustained their relentless progress, and only the intervention of KERS gremlins for Mark Webber prevented a second consecutive 1-2 finish for the team.
As is usual, Fernando Alonso did all in his power to forestall the progress of the Milton Keynes based equipe. The Spaniard was putting on a brave face after the race in New Delhi, but the pronouncements from both himself and the Ferrari team are sounding rather hollow now, even if the optimism is laudable. The mechanical malady which afflicted Webber was a chink of light for Alonso, and reward for his dogged pursuit of the Red Bulls, but the resulting limiting of the points deficit may prove to be largely irrelevant.
The fact remains that Sebastian Vettel was not threatened all afternoon, and Red Bull are not committing the errors or mis-steps which their opponents might be relying on. They are displaying an irresistible unity and impetus, appearing to enjoy a small, but significant, advantage in several areas which, when added together, account for their current supremacy. This factor is the one which may be most frustrating for the rest, particularly Ferrari and McLaren, and which makes it tricky for them to decide which areas to address in the limited time now available between the closing races of the year. There must be the temptation to take risks, but this carries the danger of heading up blind alleys.
It would seem that Ferrari enjoy an advantage in terms of straightline speed, but that they have a deficiency in grip in comparison to Red Bull. Surveying the remaining Grands Prix, it is difficult to conclude whether this confers any sort of advantage on the Italian cars, and in any event they may sacrifice some of this by striving for extra grip and balance. All in all, it must be said that Red Bull hold all the aces.
The auguries for the race pace of McLaren seemed promising, and before the race I had hoped that Lewis Hamilton, with the title beyond him and his future decided, might feel less bound by strategic strait-jackets, and try something different. In the event, their pace was so lacklustre as to make all this, and good grid positions, academic, and there is a danger of their season petering out quite lamely, which would be very deflating.
As is usual, Fernando Alonso did all in his power to forestall the progress of the Milton Keynes based equipe. The Spaniard was putting on a brave face after the race in New Delhi, but the pronouncements from both himself and the Ferrari team are sounding rather hollow now, even if the optimism is laudable. The mechanical malady which afflicted Webber was a chink of light for Alonso, and reward for his dogged pursuit of the Red Bulls, but the resulting limiting of the points deficit may prove to be largely irrelevant.
The fact remains that Sebastian Vettel was not threatened all afternoon, and Red Bull are not committing the errors or mis-steps which their opponents might be relying on. They are displaying an irresistible unity and impetus, appearing to enjoy a small, but significant, advantage in several areas which, when added together, account for their current supremacy. This factor is the one which may be most frustrating for the rest, particularly Ferrari and McLaren, and which makes it tricky for them to decide which areas to address in the limited time now available between the closing races of the year. There must be the temptation to take risks, but this carries the danger of heading up blind alleys.
It would seem that Ferrari enjoy an advantage in terms of straightline speed, but that they have a deficiency in grip in comparison to Red Bull. Surveying the remaining Grands Prix, it is difficult to conclude whether this confers any sort of advantage on the Italian cars, and in any event they may sacrifice some of this by striving for extra grip and balance. All in all, it must be said that Red Bull hold all the aces.
The auguries for the race pace of McLaren seemed promising, and before the race I had hoped that Lewis Hamilton, with the title beyond him and his future decided, might feel less bound by strategic strait-jackets, and try something different. In the event, their pace was so lacklustre as to make all this, and good grid positions, academic, and there is a danger of their season petering out quite lamely, which would be very deflating.
Sunday, 14 October 2012
2012 Korean Grand Prix Review
In the aftermath of this morning's race at Yeongam, it felt to me like a pall of cold reality was hanging over many Formula 1 followers. Not only did we see a relatively mundane contest, but the realisation has started to dawn that Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull have assumed a momentum which, although not irreversible, will definitely take some arresting.
As some had anticipated, Vettel asserted control right from the start of the race, and that was that. Although Fernando Alonso sporadically threatened to place himself between the two Red Bulls, in the end Vettel and Webber were reasonably comfortable. The Red Bulls were visually very stable and efficient, and the writing is very much on the wall for their competitors. There was an air of serenity about Vettel, and other Red Bull people, afterwards. The glum expressions on the faces of some rival teams displayed the flip-side of this.
It has to be admitted that McLaren endured a miserable Grand Prix, but it should be pointed out that after practice and qualifying the team appeared cautiously bullish, if not exactly ecstatic, about their prospective race pace. In the event, this pace was not permitted to reveal itself, as Jenson Button was eliminated at the start, and Lewis Hamilton was afflicted by mechanical maladies. This all had a detrimental effect on Hamilton's and McLaren's position in the points standings. The titles may be out of reach, but there are still potential race wins to be fought for in the closing four events, assuming reliability of course!.
Ferrari was another team which emitted vaguely positive vibes about its performance in race trim, and they at least partly delivered on this, even if they ultimately could not quite live with the redoubtable Red Bulls. Fernando Alonso, as is usual, extracted the maximum possible from the machinery at his disposal, but must now realise that he is playing catch-up, having been protecting his points lead in previous races. Felipe Massa once again showed his mettle, and today's display probably secured his 2013 berth with the team, that is assuming that the decision to retain his services had not already been made.
Kimi Raikkonen is third in the championship standings, but the upgrades to the car unsurprisingly did not represent any kind of quantum leap. The changes seem merely to have allowed Lotus to hold station, and prevent the "big three" from disappearing further over the horizon. One positive aspect for the team was the relatively inconspicuous outing enjoyed by Romain Grosjean. He largely kept away from trouble, and after the race seemed happier than of late. He will be even more buoyant if, as seems increasingly probable, he is kept on for next season.
Nico Hulkenberg attained another solid result in his quiet, unobtrusive but proficient style. Possibilities of seats at the very top teams seem to be blocked for the time being, and maybe Hulkenberg is just too "unglamorous" and unassuming for his own good in this respect. However, the indications are that he will find himself in a Sauber for next season, and this should constitute a useful stepping stone.
So, with three consecutive victories, Vettel must now be considered favourite to clinch another title. This season's fluctuations have taught us not to take anything for granted, but the recent surge by Red Bull has the stamp of permanence and authority about it. One can also discern a creeping, if not irrevocable, demolarization amongst the other participants.
We know that Fernando Alonso is capable of great things, and of at least partially compensating for a technical performance shortfall, but even he and his team may prove incapable of turning the tide on this occasion. We shall soon discover whether Ferrari have anything else up their sleeves, or any more aces to play. Otherwise, they will be relying on mistakes or misfortune befalling Red Bull.
The Indian Grand Prix should provide us with some of the answers....
As some had anticipated, Vettel asserted control right from the start of the race, and that was that. Although Fernando Alonso sporadically threatened to place himself between the two Red Bulls, in the end Vettel and Webber were reasonably comfortable. The Red Bulls were visually very stable and efficient, and the writing is very much on the wall for their competitors. There was an air of serenity about Vettel, and other Red Bull people, afterwards. The glum expressions on the faces of some rival teams displayed the flip-side of this.
It has to be admitted that McLaren endured a miserable Grand Prix, but it should be pointed out that after practice and qualifying the team appeared cautiously bullish, if not exactly ecstatic, about their prospective race pace. In the event, this pace was not permitted to reveal itself, as Jenson Button was eliminated at the start, and Lewis Hamilton was afflicted by mechanical maladies. This all had a detrimental effect on Hamilton's and McLaren's position in the points standings. The titles may be out of reach, but there are still potential race wins to be fought for in the closing four events, assuming reliability of course!.
Ferrari was another team which emitted vaguely positive vibes about its performance in race trim, and they at least partly delivered on this, even if they ultimately could not quite live with the redoubtable Red Bulls. Fernando Alonso, as is usual, extracted the maximum possible from the machinery at his disposal, but must now realise that he is playing catch-up, having been protecting his points lead in previous races. Felipe Massa once again showed his mettle, and today's display probably secured his 2013 berth with the team, that is assuming that the decision to retain his services had not already been made.
Kimi Raikkonen is third in the championship standings, but the upgrades to the car unsurprisingly did not represent any kind of quantum leap. The changes seem merely to have allowed Lotus to hold station, and prevent the "big three" from disappearing further over the horizon. One positive aspect for the team was the relatively inconspicuous outing enjoyed by Romain Grosjean. He largely kept away from trouble, and after the race seemed happier than of late. He will be even more buoyant if, as seems increasingly probable, he is kept on for next season.
Nico Hulkenberg attained another solid result in his quiet, unobtrusive but proficient style. Possibilities of seats at the very top teams seem to be blocked for the time being, and maybe Hulkenberg is just too "unglamorous" and unassuming for his own good in this respect. However, the indications are that he will find himself in a Sauber for next season, and this should constitute a useful stepping stone.
So, with three consecutive victories, Vettel must now be considered favourite to clinch another title. This season's fluctuations have taught us not to take anything for granted, but the recent surge by Red Bull has the stamp of permanence and authority about it. One can also discern a creeping, if not irrevocable, demolarization amongst the other participants.
We know that Fernando Alonso is capable of great things, and of at least partially compensating for a technical performance shortfall, but even he and his team may prove incapable of turning the tide on this occasion. We shall soon discover whether Ferrari have anything else up their sleeves, or any more aces to play. Otherwise, they will be relying on mistakes or misfortune befalling Red Bull.
The Indian Grand Prix should provide us with some of the answers....
Sunday, 9 September 2012
2012 Italian Grand Prix Review
There has always been something a bit special and unique about the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The history, the fans and the circuit itself. Other ingredients all add to the mystique and the atmosphere. The race is usually blessed with beautiful late summer/early autumn sunshine. Adding to all this is the tendency for the championship to be finely poised, and for there to be feverish speculation about "who goes where" for the following season. Announcements are often made at Monza, or at the very least driver moves come to be regarded as a fait accompli.
Of course, one Lewis Hamilton was the subject of much of the speculation over the three days at Monza, but he put this to one side to do what he does best;that is, drive a Grand Prix car very quickly. For the second weekend running, a McLaren proved capable of keeping the opposition at arm's length, even if the margin of victory was not ultimately that commanding on the clock. As in qualifying, the gap between McLaren and the rest just somehow felt significant....
Although Hamilton comfortably held sway at the front, the race behind him was brimming with interest, incident and no little controversy, much of this connected at least tangentially with impending driver moves.
The home team achieved results which in the circumstances were probably as good as could be expected, given Fernando Alonso's grid position and Felipe Massa's difficulties with telemetry in the race. Although Alonso actually extended his points lead, ironically he may feel less comfortable and secure tonight, keenly aware of the gathering challenge from a newly focussed and invigorated McLaren.
Felipe Massa appeared positive and bullish before the race, and was positive during it, making a combative start, and driving in spirited fashion for much of the race, proving what he is capable of, before deferring to his team leader. Cynics might mumble about "contracts time" but he will certainly have enhanced his prospects this afternoon.
Jenson Button's retirement from the race will have come as a bitter blow to a man with undoubted momentum on his side. Post-race, however, the Englishman was philosophical, pointing to the advances which McLaren have made in their performance in race trim.
Although it is misleading to describe Hamilton's victory as "routine", it has to be said that much of the spotlight after the race was on the startling and impressive ascent to second place of Sergio Perez. Benefitting from a bold strategy, he executed some audacious but clean overtaking manoeuvres. What amused me was that the young Mexican seemed a touch bemused after the race, as if he has not himself yet realised just how good he is! He is now producing displays like this too regularly for it to be dismissed as "luck". This kid could be something really special...
A miserable day for Red Bull, and the spectre of alternator maladies raised its head once again. It has the potential to be an Achilles heel, but it is hard to believe that it won't be addressed swiftly in some form or other. Sebastian Vettel raced vigorously prior to his drive-through penalty. I thought that the sanction was warranted, but that it was not perhaps as clear-cut or egregious a transgression as some are making out.
The disappointment of the day may have been Lotus. Their prospects were much talked up beforehand, the absence of Romain Grosjean notwithstanding. Although Raikkonen ended up in fifth, we might have expected slightly more, and there were positive noises during practice about the car's pace on fullish tanks. Mutterings may once again be heard about their strategic abilities and flexibility. With McLaren's renewed potency, has the Lotus "window of opportunity" for a victory passed, I wonder? We shall see....
Mercedes salvaged something tangible from the day, with both cars in the points. They were resigned to a two-stop strategy, and their straightline speed in the race was not sufficient to compensate for other shortcomings in the car. Consequently, they did not have enough overall performance to make up for the time lost in pit-stops. To their credit, the drivers never ceased in their efforts to recover the deficit.
A quick word for Daniel Ricciardo, who was once again quietly impressive. In no way over-awed, he seems perfectly comfortable in this lofty company, as evidenced by his driving when dicing with those making up ground following tyre stops.
One sour note was struck after the race, with allegations of abuse being directed towards Lewis Hamilton by some members of the crowd.
So can Hamilton make a late run for the championship? He and McLaren certainly have some impetus now, although much may depend on how the car copes with some of the slower and bumpier circuits to come. Vettel's ability, and the Red Bull's liking for some of those circuits, mean he is still very much in the hunt. Alonso is still probably the marginal favourite, and can be counted on to accumulate points through his racer's nous and savvy, and the reliability of his vehicle. The arithmetic is frankly too complex and speculative to bother with at this stage!
Above all, today it was glorious to watch Formula 1 cars going flat-out, and racing, at such a fast and historic circuit.
Of course, one Lewis Hamilton was the subject of much of the speculation over the three days at Monza, but he put this to one side to do what he does best;that is, drive a Grand Prix car very quickly. For the second weekend running, a McLaren proved capable of keeping the opposition at arm's length, even if the margin of victory was not ultimately that commanding on the clock. As in qualifying, the gap between McLaren and the rest just somehow felt significant....
Although Hamilton comfortably held sway at the front, the race behind him was brimming with interest, incident and no little controversy, much of this connected at least tangentially with impending driver moves.
The home team achieved results which in the circumstances were probably as good as could be expected, given Fernando Alonso's grid position and Felipe Massa's difficulties with telemetry in the race. Although Alonso actually extended his points lead, ironically he may feel less comfortable and secure tonight, keenly aware of the gathering challenge from a newly focussed and invigorated McLaren.
Felipe Massa appeared positive and bullish before the race, and was positive during it, making a combative start, and driving in spirited fashion for much of the race, proving what he is capable of, before deferring to his team leader. Cynics might mumble about "contracts time" but he will certainly have enhanced his prospects this afternoon.
Jenson Button's retirement from the race will have come as a bitter blow to a man with undoubted momentum on his side. Post-race, however, the Englishman was philosophical, pointing to the advances which McLaren have made in their performance in race trim.
Although it is misleading to describe Hamilton's victory as "routine", it has to be said that much of the spotlight after the race was on the startling and impressive ascent to second place of Sergio Perez. Benefitting from a bold strategy, he executed some audacious but clean overtaking manoeuvres. What amused me was that the young Mexican seemed a touch bemused after the race, as if he has not himself yet realised just how good he is! He is now producing displays like this too regularly for it to be dismissed as "luck". This kid could be something really special...
A miserable day for Red Bull, and the spectre of alternator maladies raised its head once again. It has the potential to be an Achilles heel, but it is hard to believe that it won't be addressed swiftly in some form or other. Sebastian Vettel raced vigorously prior to his drive-through penalty. I thought that the sanction was warranted, but that it was not perhaps as clear-cut or egregious a transgression as some are making out.
The disappointment of the day may have been Lotus. Their prospects were much talked up beforehand, the absence of Romain Grosjean notwithstanding. Although Raikkonen ended up in fifth, we might have expected slightly more, and there were positive noises during practice about the car's pace on fullish tanks. Mutterings may once again be heard about their strategic abilities and flexibility. With McLaren's renewed potency, has the Lotus "window of opportunity" for a victory passed, I wonder? We shall see....
Mercedes salvaged something tangible from the day, with both cars in the points. They were resigned to a two-stop strategy, and their straightline speed in the race was not sufficient to compensate for other shortcomings in the car. Consequently, they did not have enough overall performance to make up for the time lost in pit-stops. To their credit, the drivers never ceased in their efforts to recover the deficit.
A quick word for Daniel Ricciardo, who was once again quietly impressive. In no way over-awed, he seems perfectly comfortable in this lofty company, as evidenced by his driving when dicing with those making up ground following tyre stops.
One sour note was struck after the race, with allegations of abuse being directed towards Lewis Hamilton by some members of the crowd.
So can Hamilton make a late run for the championship? He and McLaren certainly have some impetus now, although much may depend on how the car copes with some of the slower and bumpier circuits to come. Vettel's ability, and the Red Bull's liking for some of those circuits, mean he is still very much in the hunt. Alonso is still probably the marginal favourite, and can be counted on to accumulate points through his racer's nous and savvy, and the reliability of his vehicle. The arithmetic is frankly too complex and speculative to bother with at this stage!
Above all, today it was glorious to watch Formula 1 cars going flat-out, and racing, at such a fast and historic circuit.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
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.....
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.....
Monday, 5 March 2012
F1 Testing
Well, the serious pre-season testing activity has thus been concluded, and the journey to Melbourne beckons.
Several respected and learned observers are of the opinion that 2012 will be a very closely contested season. For a change, these bold statements stand up to scrutiny, and have some foundation based in what we have seen and deduced.
Yes, the times are close and the overall running order volatile, but the very top echelon still consists of Red Bull and McLaren, when all is said and done. Mercedes are very probably next in line, but Ferrari is the subject of too many imponderables for comfort.
Some of the midfield teams, such as Force India, Sauber and Lotus have been very assertive during the recent tests, but they need to back up these flourishes with cold hard consistent form when it really matters. Whilst it is awkward to judge and precisely quantify, the form of these three teams in particular appears slightly more than a mere flash in the pan, but of course we do not know for sure. Thank goodness that the time for sandbagging and deception will soon be over!
By some measures, Red Bull and McLaren are very close. The birth of the new McLaren creation has been slightly more stable and comfortable than that of their closest rivals, and the Woking-based outfit has given the impression of quiet diligence and focus, without over-ebullience.
The Red Bull has encountered the odd glitch, but is demonstrably swift. The team is by no means invincible or infallible, judging by the tests. When assessing these things,it is tempting to attach excessive importance and significance to the merest weakness or minor occurrence.
Ferrari have been busying themselves seeking to dampen and manage expectations, and throughout these tests they have exuded a certain irritability and unease, if not anxiety. Could they be swamped by the eager and ambitious midfield pack? That question remains to be answered. There is, though, historical precedent for teams seemingly beset by maladies suddenly finding that everything falls into place when the season proper commences. The reverse often happens to those whose preparations have gone swimmingly.
Some of us are frankly glad that the testing is over, and that things from now on can be taken at face value. Let competition commence!
Several respected and learned observers are of the opinion that 2012 will be a very closely contested season. For a change, these bold statements stand up to scrutiny, and have some foundation based in what we have seen and deduced.
Yes, the times are close and the overall running order volatile, but the very top echelon still consists of Red Bull and McLaren, when all is said and done. Mercedes are very probably next in line, but Ferrari is the subject of too many imponderables for comfort.
Some of the midfield teams, such as Force India, Sauber and Lotus have been very assertive during the recent tests, but they need to back up these flourishes with cold hard consistent form when it really matters. Whilst it is awkward to judge and precisely quantify, the form of these three teams in particular appears slightly more than a mere flash in the pan, but of course we do not know for sure. Thank goodness that the time for sandbagging and deception will soon be over!
By some measures, Red Bull and McLaren are very close. The birth of the new McLaren creation has been slightly more stable and comfortable than that of their closest rivals, and the Woking-based outfit has given the impression of quiet diligence and focus, without over-ebullience.
The Red Bull has encountered the odd glitch, but is demonstrably swift. The team is by no means invincible or infallible, judging by the tests. When assessing these things,it is tempting to attach excessive importance and significance to the merest weakness or minor occurrence.
Ferrari have been busying themselves seeking to dampen and manage expectations, and throughout these tests they have exuded a certain irritability and unease, if not anxiety. Could they be swamped by the eager and ambitious midfield pack? That question remains to be answered. There is, though, historical precedent for teams seemingly beset by maladies suddenly finding that everything falls into place when the season proper commences. The reverse often happens to those whose preparations have gone swimmingly.
Some of us are frankly glad that the testing is over, and that things from now on can be taken at face value. Let competition commence!
Saturday, 25 February 2012
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....
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....
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari
Following some recent comments by the Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo, the prospect of the Italian team seeking to recruit Sebastian Vettel has resurfaced. The inference from the recent stories is that any such move would be made for the 2014 season. The reports, and the timescales cited, raise several questions and issues.
First and foremost, would Vettel necessarily want to leave Red Bull at all? He is very much the "blue eyed boy" in that team, given the best of everything, an integral part of a well-oiled machine. That set-up is second to none in current F1, with strong and clear technical and strategic leadership. The German was "brought up", in F1 terms, within the Red Bull framework.
On the other hand, in two years' time, will Vettel be ready for a change, and a new challenge? By then, he may have one or two additional world titles under his belt, and there are no guarantees in modern F1 that a team will retain its supremacy for long, and this will be accentuated by the upcoming changes to the engine regulations.
In the past, it was often assumed that the "logical" step or ambition for any driver was to join Ferrari, but I am not entirely sure whether this mode of thinking still applies. Much of the romance associated with Ferrari faded some years ago, and the drivers of today employ hard-nosed and rational criteria when laying out their career paths. Even the outwardly happy-go-lucky Vettel is unlikely to be swayed by the perceived mystique of the Ferrari team.
The other factor which needs to be taken into account here is the presence, or otherwise, of Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari driving strength. It is hard to imagine the two co-existing amicably in the same team for any length of time, even allowing for Vettel's seemingly placid and tolerant nature. Also, suggestions that the Spaniard will "mentor" Vettel before handing over the reins hardly appear credible or plausible.
If, by seeking to hire Vettel, Ferrari are hoping to replicate the glory days of Michael Schumacher, then surely part of the recipe for success, stability and harmony would entail the designation of one of the drivers as a clear number two.
From a neutral standpoint, the prospect of Alonso and Vettel in the same team is guaranteed to quicken the pulse, but I cannot see it happening. Vettel may not have any major objections to the scenario, but he may conclude that the "known quantity" of Red Bull is preferable. The financial muscle of Red Bull could also be brought to bear in precluding Vettel's departure.
It will be fascinating, during the forthcoming season, to see whether any "Vettel to Ferrari" theories acquire greater credence....
First and foremost, would Vettel necessarily want to leave Red Bull at all? He is very much the "blue eyed boy" in that team, given the best of everything, an integral part of a well-oiled machine. That set-up is second to none in current F1, with strong and clear technical and strategic leadership. The German was "brought up", in F1 terms, within the Red Bull framework.
On the other hand, in two years' time, will Vettel be ready for a change, and a new challenge? By then, he may have one or two additional world titles under his belt, and there are no guarantees in modern F1 that a team will retain its supremacy for long, and this will be accentuated by the upcoming changes to the engine regulations.
In the past, it was often assumed that the "logical" step or ambition for any driver was to join Ferrari, but I am not entirely sure whether this mode of thinking still applies. Much of the romance associated with Ferrari faded some years ago, and the drivers of today employ hard-nosed and rational criteria when laying out their career paths. Even the outwardly happy-go-lucky Vettel is unlikely to be swayed by the perceived mystique of the Ferrari team.
The other factor which needs to be taken into account here is the presence, or otherwise, of Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari driving strength. It is hard to imagine the two co-existing amicably in the same team for any length of time, even allowing for Vettel's seemingly placid and tolerant nature. Also, suggestions that the Spaniard will "mentor" Vettel before handing over the reins hardly appear credible or plausible.
If, by seeking to hire Vettel, Ferrari are hoping to replicate the glory days of Michael Schumacher, then surely part of the recipe for success, stability and harmony would entail the designation of one of the drivers as a clear number two.
From a neutral standpoint, the prospect of Alonso and Vettel in the same team is guaranteed to quicken the pulse, but I cannot see it happening. Vettel may not have any major objections to the scenario, but he may conclude that the "known quantity" of Red Bull is preferable. The financial muscle of Red Bull could also be brought to bear in precluding Vettel's departure.
It will be fascinating, during the forthcoming season, to see whether any "Vettel to Ferrari" theories acquire greater credence....
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2011.
A most peculiar thing happened to me today. Around mid-afternoon, I was watching TV, and a racing driver by the name of Lewis Hamilton appeared on my screen, and he was smiling, and even laughing....
It is probably too early to say definitively that the "old" Lewis is back, but his joy and relief following this victory were palpable. He didn't have to do much in the way of wheel-to-wheel racing to achieve today's win, and his cause was assisted by Sebastian Vettel's early departure, but his drive had some genuine authority about it.
Historically, McLaren always keep pushing until the very end of a Formula 1 season, regardless of whether the championship is still at stake. Hamilton and Jenson Button are reaping the dividends of this ethos. Jenson was affected by KERS maladies today, which makes his podium position all the more creditable.
For once, Red Bull seemed fallible, and in addition to Vettel's problems, Mark Webber's own car seemed slightly out of sorts, but he showed his customary tenacity to try to achieve the best possible result.
As for Ferrari, well Felipe Massa drove a solid race up until his late spin. Although this did not make much difference to the final outcome, it will hardly endear him to the team. Alonso showed real application in his valiant pursuit of Hamilton, and second place was almost certainly the best the car was capable of on the day.
One way or another, Williams had a pretty eventful race. Pastor Maldonado incurred the wrath of the stewards on a couple of occasions, and he needs to be careful that he does not acquire a reputation for being an awkward customer.
The performance, at least in the early part of the race, of Rubens Barrichello, will have raised a few eyebrows, and will no doubt prompt much debate. Granted, he was on the back row of the grid, and this indignity may have fired him up, but his drive may also be analysed in the context of recent speculation concerning the Williams team's likely 2012 line-up....
The Abu Dhabi track seems to inspire mixed reactions, but it is hard to deny that it is visually stunning, and personally I quite like its layout. It seems likely to be a fixture on the calendar, in the medium term at least.
And so on to Interlagos, for the 2011 season finale. It is fitting that the campaign ends at a traditional F1 circuit, with a great atmosphere. Will McLaren continue their late season surge? Of course, second place in the drivers' table is still very much up for grabs, so it should be a lively contest!
It is probably too early to say definitively that the "old" Lewis is back, but his joy and relief following this victory were palpable. He didn't have to do much in the way of wheel-to-wheel racing to achieve today's win, and his cause was assisted by Sebastian Vettel's early departure, but his drive had some genuine authority about it.
Historically, McLaren always keep pushing until the very end of a Formula 1 season, regardless of whether the championship is still at stake. Hamilton and Jenson Button are reaping the dividends of this ethos. Jenson was affected by KERS maladies today, which makes his podium position all the more creditable.
For once, Red Bull seemed fallible, and in addition to Vettel's problems, Mark Webber's own car seemed slightly out of sorts, but he showed his customary tenacity to try to achieve the best possible result.
As for Ferrari, well Felipe Massa drove a solid race up until his late spin. Although this did not make much difference to the final outcome, it will hardly endear him to the team. Alonso showed real application in his valiant pursuit of Hamilton, and second place was almost certainly the best the car was capable of on the day.
One way or another, Williams had a pretty eventful race. Pastor Maldonado incurred the wrath of the stewards on a couple of occasions, and he needs to be careful that he does not acquire a reputation for being an awkward customer.
The performance, at least in the early part of the race, of Rubens Barrichello, will have raised a few eyebrows, and will no doubt prompt much debate. Granted, he was on the back row of the grid, and this indignity may have fired him up, but his drive may also be analysed in the context of recent speculation concerning the Williams team's likely 2012 line-up....
The Abu Dhabi track seems to inspire mixed reactions, but it is hard to deny that it is visually stunning, and personally I quite like its layout. It seems likely to be a fixture on the calendar, in the medium term at least.
And so on to Interlagos, for the 2011 season finale. It is fitting that the campaign ends at a traditional F1 circuit, with a great atmosphere. Will McLaren continue their late season surge? Of course, second place in the drivers' table is still very much up for grabs, so it should be a lively contest!
Sunday, 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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