01/08/2010
NEWS STORY
 |
With the weather unlikely to play a part in the outcome of today's race, if we are to see anything other than a Red Bull walkover we will need to rely on first lap madness, poor reliability, excessive tyre wear, McLaren finding another 2s a lap or the Milton Keynes duo doing something very, very silly.
Since the opening session on Friday the pace of the Austrian cars has been awesome with only Ferrari getting anywhere near. Then again, as Martin Whitmarsh will happily tell you, those two particular teams do have a distinct and - according to the FIA fully legal - advantage.
That advantage is a front wing which appears to dip, allowing the endplates to almost touch the track, a simple but clever little trick that appears to be paying off in spades such is the advantage both teams, particularly Red Bull, is enjoying here.
With the Ferraris both over 0.8s off Webbers pace it looks as though the Red cars will 'battle' for third and fourth, though the exact order has probably already been agreed.
Not for the first time this season, McLaren will be looking at damage limitation, however, barring a miracle, it is unlikely that the Woking team will go into the summer break still leading both championships. All Hamilton, and to a lesser extent Button, can do is hold tight and do the best they can.
While McLaren must rely on Hamilton to grab as many points as possible, Mercedes will need Nico Rosberg to do the best he can, teammate Michael Schumacher not looking at all comfortable here this weekend, a set-up gamble for qualifying appearing to totally backfire.
Renault must look good for a double points finish, Vitaly Petrov, who has looked good here all weekend, having out-qualified his teammate for the first time. The again, with one of the longest runs to the first corner on the 2010 calendar there is plenty of opportunity for silliness in the opening moments of the race, let's just hope that the Russian keeps it all together.
Having missed out on a points finish in Germany, Sauber will be keen to add to its tally today, however, with Kamui Kobayashi starting from the very back of the grid - the result of a poor qualifying session and a subsequent penalty - the Swiss team will need to rely on Pedro de la Rosa.
Nico Hulkenberg finally seems to be getting to grips with F1, the youngster finally repeating the sort of sparkle we'd seen in A1GP and GP2. With Rubens Barrichello starting from twelfth we could well see both Grove cars in the points.
Toro Rosso looks to have the edge over Force India this weekend - the Silverstone-based team looking forward to Spa and Monza - while Timo Glock has been doing great things with the Virgin all weekend. No sniggering at the back.
In the wake of the PR disaster that was the German Grand Prix, F1 really needs to serve up something special today however, looking at the clear advantage the Red Bull and Ferraris are enjoying this is highly unlikely. Indeed, with McLaren and Mercedes clearly unhappy with their rivals - despite further checks by the FIA last night - we look to be going into the summer break mired in even more controversy.
Rarely used, other than for the Grand Prix, the Hungaroring track is one of the dirtiest on the calendar. Consequently, here, probably more than anywhere else on the calendar, there is a real advantage on starting from the 'clean' side of the track, much to the chagrin of Webber, Massa, Rosberg and co. Nonetheless, one has to wonder whether we will see pole-man Vettel perform one of his characteristic lunges at the start, even though he should have the advantage.
On his installation lap Hamilton complains of a problem with his brakes, claiming that there's a worrying vibration. Though the team is working on the car right up to the moment he heads off on the warm-up lap, they insist that there's no problem.
Shortly afterwards, Martin Whitmarsh reveals that a few changes have been made, including new brake pads, and almost admits that it's a case of 'fingers crossed' that Hamilton lasts the distance.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 28 degrees C, while the track temperature is 46 degrees. It is hot - very hot - bright and sunny.
Tyres available are medium (prime) and super-soft (option), the softer tyre proving to be surprisingly durable, so no likely repeats of Montreal here.
They head off on the parade lap, everyone getting away cleanly. Barrichello on the harder tyre, while Schumacher is on the option.
They're away, and a clean no nonsense start from Vettel but Alonso is right with him. They're side by side into Turn 1 but the German has the advantage. Petrov, Barrichello and Schumacher make strong starts, the Russian passing Hamilton, while Button slips down to fourteenth.
At the end of lap 1, it's Vettel, Alonso, Webber, Massa, Petrov, Hamilton, Rosberg, Kubica, Barrichello and Hulkenberg.
Halfway round Lap 2, smoke pours from the back of Alguersuari's Toro Rosso, his race is over, but he continues around appearing to be dropping fluid on the track.
Behind the leading five, Petrov, who was unable to do anything to stop Hamilton re-taking fifth, heads a long, long train of cars. Button has dropped to fifteenth.
After 3 laps, Vettel leads Alonso by 2.9s with Webber 1.1s behind. Massa shadows the Australian while maintaining a 1.1s gap over Hamilton.
As Vettel extends his lead to 3.9s, Petrov manages to pull away from Rosberg who now heads a train of five cars. Button comments that Barrichello is doing well on the prime tyre, the Englishman clearly having spotted his former teammate's tyre choice.
Vettel posts a string of fast laps (25.518) as he build a 6.3s cushion over Alonso who is unable to shake off Webber. Schumacher, who is under pressure from Button, reveals that his brakes are "spongy". His team advises that it could be a caliper problem.
Lap after lap Petrov goes quickest in the first sector, nonetheless, he is falling further behind Hamilton (4.2s), though Rosberg is also falling away. Elsewhere, Button is advised of Schumacher's brake issue.
Having lost out to Alonso at the start, Webber's best hope of passing the Spaniard is during the pit stops. Currently, after 11 laps, he's 0.9s down on the Ferrari.
Behind the leaders, Kubica is still eighth, ahead of Barrichello, Hulkenberg, do la Rosa, Sutil, Schumacher, Button, Kobayashi, Liuzzi, Buemi, Trulli, di Grassi, Kovalainen, Glock, Senna and Yamamoto.
"What are we gonna do?" asks Massa who is now 2.1s down on Webber. "I don't know," replied Rob Smedley, adding cryptically, "I think it's too early to do what we talked about".
At the end of lap 14, Button and Liuzzi pit, the Italian having lost a bit of his wing. Indeed, the Safety Car is deployed.
Vettel, Alonso, Massa, Hamilton, Petrov, Rosberg, Kubica, Hulkenberg, de la Rosa, Sutil, Schumacher, Kobayashi and Buemi all pit.
Hamilton has leapfrogged Massa during the stop while Rosberg has lost his right-rear wheel. Also, Kubica is released too early and is hit by Sutil. It's absolute chaos in the pitlane.
Replay shows Vettel making a very, very, very late stop, indeed, the German crosses the grass verge at the entry to the pitlane. However, the big question is why didn't Webber pit?
The Australian leads but has yet to stop, behind him is Vettel who heads Alonso, Hamilton, Massa, Barrichello, Petrov, Hulkenberg, de la Rosa and Button. Though Barrichello, like Webber, still has to stop.
Sutil is out following that clash with Kubica while the Pole and Rosberg are still running, albeit a lap down.
The Safety Car pulls off at the end of lap 17, next time around Webber posts a personal best (26.218).
The Stewards reveal that they are investigating the Sutil/Kubica incident, which, in all honesty, appeared to be entirely the fault of the Renault crew.
On Lap 19, Webber posts a new fastest lap (25.648), as he extends his lead to 4.6s. Vettel has a 2.6 advantage over Alonso. Hamilton is 1.8s down on the Ferrari and only 0.9s ahead of Massa.
Trulli, currently fifteenth, pits at the end of lap 20, leaving Webber and Barrichello as the only drivers still to stop.
Webber cannot win, but he can build a cushion over Alonso and grab second, especially with a little assistance from his Red Bull teammate.
Kubica is handed a 10-second stop/go penalty for "causing a collision in the pits". Renault's hopes of a points finish now resting on Petrov who is currently seventh.
As Kubica serves his penalty, Hamilton pulls off track at Turn 2 his race over. Meanwhile, the Stewards announce that Vettel is under investigation for "exceeding ten car lengths behind the Safety Car". The German responds by posting a new fastest lap (24.564). Kubica returns to the pits and into retirement as Vettel is warned to up his pace in anticipation of a drive-through penalty.
If the German is penalised and Webber doesn't build enough of a cushion, this race could swing in Alonso's favour. Indeed, the Spaniard is told of the situation and advised to "push but be wise".
As Webber looks set to post a new fastest lap, Alonso posts a personal best. Nonetheless, the Spaniard is 13.5s down on the race leader.
On lap 29, Vettel is handed a drive-through, pretty much as expected. Having looked as though they were going to enjoy a total walkover, it's all gone entirely 'tits up' for Red Bull.
For added drama, it is revealed that the pitlane incident involving Rosberg will be investigated after the race.
Massa is advised of Vettel's penalty, Ferrari sensing a second successive 1-2. Elsewhere, Webber is losing time in traffic. "Why do I have the drive through?" asks Vettel. The German is told not to panic, and reminded that Hamilton is out.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 31, rejoining in third ahead of Massa. The German is clearly incensed, gesticulating to his crew ass he drives down the pitlane.
After 32 laps, Webber leads Alonso by 14.2s as he posts another fastest lap (24.315). Teammate Vettel is just 3.7s behind Alonso and clearly up for a fight… we could be in for a thriller.
Another fastest lap for Webber (24.091) as Alonso pulls out a slight gap over Vettel. Massa drops to 2.2s behind the German.
On lap 34, Alonso posts 25.095 and Vettel 25.071, the gap remains around the 4s mark… no pun intended.
At half distance, it's: Webber, Alonso, Vettel, Massa, Barrichello, Petrov, Hulkenberg, de la Rosa, Button, Kobayashi, Schumacher, Buemi, Liuzzi, Kovalainen, Trulli, Glock, Senna, di Grassi and Yamamoto. Webber and Barrichello still to stop.
Still on his option tyres, Webber continues to set a blistering pace - no pun intended - his lead now up to 18.6s, almost enough for a pit stop.
In third, Vettel posts a string of fast laps closing to within 2.5s of Alonso. Massa slips to 6.8s behind the German.
A 23.781 sees Webber extend his lead to 19.2, the Australian knowing that any time soon he will get the call to pit. However, the team want to time the stop perfectly releasing him on to a clear track not traffic.
As Vettel closes to within one second of Alonso, Webber goes quickest in the first sector. The Australian's performance reminiscent of Michael Schumacher's barnstormer here a few years back when the German reeled off a string of fastest lap to leapfrog Mika Hakkinen.
At the end of lap 43, with a 23.7s lead, Webber pits. He rejoins still leading 5.282s clear of Alonso who has Vettel in hot pursuit.
With Webber looking good for the win, all that remains is to see whether Vettel can nail Alonso. To add to the German's frustration, he can actually see his teammate up ahead.
On fresh harder rubber, Webber posts a new fastest lap (23.118), as he immediately extends his lead to 8.2s. Vettel remains an enticing 0.6s behind Alonso.
In danger of lighting the blue touch paper, Vettel's engineer advises the German that he is quicker than Alonso. The Spaniard is now a tantalising 0.5s ahead.
Kobayashi certainly deserves a special mention, the Japanese driver, who started from the back of the grid, is currently tenth 1.8s clear of Schumacher. Indeed, it looks like a double pints finish for Sauber with de la Rosa currently eighth. Elsewhere, Buemi and Liuzzi are scrapping for twelfth while Petrov looks set to take fifth once Barrichello (finally) pits.
As Webber builds a 17.5s lead, Vettel gets his back end out of shape in the final corner as he closes to within 0.6s of Alonso.
Alonso and Vettel encounter a couple of back markers - the Lotus duo - having made short work of Trulli they set off after Kovalainen. Once again Vettel runs a little wide, no doubt losing grip as he closes in on the Ferrari.
At the end of lap 55, Barrichello finally pits, swapping his worn primes for a set of options. He rejoins in eleventh, just ahead of the Buemi/Liuzzi battle.
Schumacher moves aside as he is lapped by Webber, "that felt good," says the Australian. The German then comes under attack from Barrichello who is now on fresh super-soft rubber and 2s a lap quicker. Out front, Webber has a 21.2s lead, enough for a another stop.
Barrichello makes a move but his former teammate is having none of it. The two are fighting for tenth place, the final point. One can imagine that inside his helmet Schumacher is grinning from ear to ear as he continues to hold the Brazilian at bay.
Vettel continues to stalk Alonso, neither driver giving an inch, the German losing grip whenever he gets too close.
Having complained about Schumacher's tactics, Barrichello exits the final corner right behind the German. He makes his move, and gets alongside the Mercedes, the German pushes to the right forcing his former teammate towards the wall. Nonetheless, Barrichello braves it out and takes the position and the point. Moments later, as the Williams crew cheer, Barrichello complains that the German should be black-flagged. One has to say, that was real heart in mouth moment.
The stewards subsequently announce that Schumacher will be investigated after the race.
After 67 laps, Vettel appears to have given up on second, the German now 2.2s down on Alonso who is 22.5s behind Webber.
In clear air, Barrichello is closing in on Kobayashi, now lapping 2s a lap quicker than Schumacher.
Webber takes the chequered flag sand along with it the lead in the World Championship. It's poor consolation, but Vettel posts the fastest lap of the race crossing the line at 1:23.362.
"Brilliant job Mark, great middle stint," says Christian Horner. "Tricky long stint on the options," replies the Australian, "but we got there".
As they prepare to walk out on the podium, Vettel looks to be in shock, The German having been told not to take a deep breath and not say anything. Nonetheless, he argues the point with Herbie Blash.
While this was a fantastic win for Red Bull it could have been even better, the Austrian team appearing to have shot itself in the foot yet again.
Having failed to call Webber in at the right time, somehow the Australian saved his team's bacon, and how. However, Vettel's failure to understand the rules cost him a certain win and his team a 1-2.
Alonso's second and Massa's fourth certainly gives Ferrari reason to feel confident ahead of the summer break, especially when one considers how McLaren's race fell apart.
A great performance from Petrov sees Renault stay in the hunt for fourth place in the Constructors' Championship and possibly gets the hard-charging Russian a seat for next season.
We didn't see much of him this afternoon but full credit to Hulkenberg for a great performance, his best result since entering F1 and surely enough to keep him on Williams books for next year.
Sauber will be absolutely delighted to have both drivers in the points, especially with Kobayashi starting from the back of the grid. A great result from the Swiss outfit.
Jenson Button and McLaren will take little comfort from two points from eighth, and one has to say that today was a lacklustre performance from both.
Michael Schumacher's move on Barrichello was outrageous and the German deserves to be held to account for what was an entirely cynical move. At the same time, full credit to Rubens Barrichello for standing his ground.
Today, for the first time this year, all three new teams got both cars to the finish, albeit it several laps down. A great response to Bernie Ecclestone's entirely unhelpful comments earlier this week.
However, today belongs to Mark Webber, a fantastic performance that is perfectly reflected by his championship position. A Magyar Masterclass.