29/08/2010
NEWS STORY
 |
While this morning's GP3 race took place in mainly damp conditions - allowing Adrian Tambay, son of former F1 winner Patrick Tambay - to take a brave win - the subsequent GP2 sprint race was run in the dry.
Nonetheless, both races featured the traditional madness indeed, such was the mayhem during yesterday's GP3 race we are still awaiting the official result over twenty hours later - such were the number of penalties handed out.
Earlier this morning it was claimed that there was only a "small" chance of rain during today's race, but as we know from experience it is best to take these predictions - especially in the micro climate that is the Ardennes - with a large pinch of salt.
What with penalties handed out after yesterday's qualifying session - not to mention Michael Schumacher's ten-place hit for his silliness in Hungary - the grid has been substantially revised. So much so that Kovalainen is starting from thirteenth and Bruno Senna eighteenth.
It was noticeable during the GP2 and GP3 events that drivers are following Kimi Raikkonen's 2009 example and using the wide run off at the exit to La Source to great advantage however, the F1 drivers have been warned that if they follow suit they will be punished.
Mark Webber has said that the race will not be won on the first lap, which is probably true. However, it could most certainly be lost. Therefore, whatever the conditions, drivers would be advised to take due care at the notorious first corner and again at Les Combes - where Hamilton and Button came a cropper last year.
Despite showing promise during the early part of the weekend, Fernando Alonso starts from tenth today having got his tyre strategy wrong in Q3. Consequently, the Spaniard has it all to do today, though his Brazilian teammate starts from sixth.
Providing it remains dry, Webber has to be favourite here, though Hamilton is sure to give the Australian a hard time.
Red Bull has made much of the fact that Spa and Monza won't suit the RB6 but we're sure that there are quite a few drivers out there today who would happily swap seats - including Messrs Schumacher and Rosberg.
However, the real dark horse here today has to be Robert Kubica in the seriously upgraded Renault, the French team having introduced its version of the F-duct to great effect. After a hugely disappointing outing in Hungary the Pole will be keen to make amends
While we expect today to be all about the Red Bulls, McLarens and Kubica, it will be worth watching the two Williams - particularly Rubens Barrichello who would love to celebrate his three-hundredth race with a strong result - and the Force India of Adrian Sutil, the Indian team having come so close to pulling off a sensation here twelve months ago.
As the drivers make their way to the grid, performing final systems checks before the pitlane is closed, it is bright, even the occasional bit of sunshine, but cool. Some teams are now predicting that there will be a downpour around one hour into the race. This could mean problems for those drivers - including Vettel - who are seriously low on intermediates.
Furthermore, a number of drivers, most notably Alonso and Schumacher have wet set ups and no doubt these two drivers would be delighted to see the heavens open up at some stage.
Tyre choice this weekend is harm (prime) and soft (option). Of course, when one thinks of tyres and changeable conditions, one immediately thinks of Jenson Button. Could the reigning world champion be another dark horse?
As the field prepares to head of on the parade lap the air temperature is 16 degrees C, while the track temperature is 21 degrees. Wind speed is 3.3 mps and humidity 64 percent.
As they head off on the parade lap, all but Barrichello - as far as the front end of the grid is concerned - are on options. Kubica is told that rain is expected eight minutes into the race but that it will be a short shower. Hamilton advises his crew that he has seen his first spots of rain.
Webber makes a dreadful start, unlike Hamilton, Kubica and Button. No silliness at La Source and they all get away cleanly.
There's a fierce battle all the way up the hill to Les Combes, with Sutil and Webber battling for position. Schumacher already up to seventeenth from twenty-first.
As the field heads through Blanchimont spots of rain can be seen on the camera lenses. Button makes a move on Kubica as behind them several cars run into problems at the Bus Stop- Barrichello t-bones Alonso while de la Rosa and Kovalainen also have problems and run wide.
Button gets past Kubica on the run up the hill as it starts to rain heavily on the start/finish straight. Alonso and several other drivers pitted at the end of lap one following the clash at Bus Stop, the Spaniard switching to inters. However, towards the end of the second lap, with debris still being removed, the Safety Car is deployed. Elsewhere, Barrichello walks back to the pits, his three hundredth race over before it had even begun. Alonso, however, the innocent victim of the Brazilian, is able to continue.
Kobayashi, Alguersuari and Senna all pit, as Hamilton leads Button, Kubica, Vettel,, Webber, Massa, Hulkenberg and Sutil.
The Safety Car pulls off after just one lap, and as the race resumes Hamilton leads his McLaren teammate. Behind them Vettel makes quick work of Kubica who is clearly struggling. De la Rosa, Kovalainen, Senna and Buemi all pit once again as the sun begins to shine. Alonso, who is on inters, will also need to stop again very soon.
At the end of four laps, Hamilton leads Button by 1.5s as the reigning champion is told that he has minor damage to his front wing. Meanwhile, the stewards announce that they are investigating Vettel's move on Kubica.
On lap 5, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (53.065) as he build a lead of 2.3s. Vettel is 1.1s down on Button and 1.1s ahead of Kubica who heads a train of eight cars.
On lap 6 Senna makes his third stop of the afternoon however, this time it's terminal, his race done. Elsewhere, Alonso is now down in twentieth while Schumacher is up to twelfth and climbing all over Petrov.
As Hamilton continues to push hard, Vettel closes in on Button, the German just 0.6 down on the Englishman.
Alonso is on a real charge, passing Glock through Blanchimont as he works his way up to seventeenth. At the other end of the field Sutil is looking good in seventh 2.2s shy of Massa.
As Alonso battle with Trulli, Button is warned that there will be rain in around twenty minutes. The Englishman, who is advised that he needs to stay out until that time, appears to be suffering from that front wing problem.
The stewards reveal that there will be no further action regards Vettel and Kubica.
Petrov makes a great move on Rosberg on the run up to Les Combes, Schumacher takes full advantage as his teammate run a little wide and passes him but appears to touch his countryman's car in the process.
The stewards reveal that they will investigate the Barrichello/Alonso incident after the race.
As Vettel continues to harry Button, Hamilton builds a lead of 7.6s. The German hits the rev limiter as they climb up the hill, the Red Bull unable to nail the McLaren. Elsewhere, Liuzzi refuses to yield to Alonso, the Italian rightly fighting the Spaniard for position.
When Schumacher asks for a weather update he is told that it will be dry for the next five minutes. The weather screen shows a "short shower" within the next ten minutes.
On lap 15, Massa goes quickest in S1 as he closes to within one second of Webber who is still all over Kubica. Kobayashi out-brakes Alonso going into the final corner but overshoots and loses the position again.
Replay shows Alonso making a great move on Liuzzi in the final corner, the Ferrari driver setting off after Rosberg.
Calamity as Vettel hits Button in the final corner, the German losing control of his car as the first spots of rain begin to fall. The Red Bull driver is able to make it back to the pits for a new nose as Hulkenberg and Petrov also pit. Elsewhere, Button has stopped out on track his race over.
The stewards announce that they are investigate the Vettel/Button incident.
Consequently, after 18 laps, Hamilton leads Kubica by 10.8s with Webber third ahead of Massa, Sutil, Schumacher, Rosberg, Kobayashi, Alonso and Petrov. Vettel is twelfth behind Liuzzi.
The stewards announce that Vettel has been handed a drive-through for "causing a collision", just as the German lines up Liuzzi. When Vettel is told of the penalty there is no response.
At the end of the next lap, Vettel - who pushed Liuzzi all the way to the final corner again - dives into the pits to serve his penalty. He rejoins in fourteenth.
Sutil pits at the end of lap 21, the German giving another excellent performance.
On lap 22, half-distance, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (51.243) as Webber pits. The Australian rejoins in fourth, having only lost one position. Meanwhile, there are ominous dark clouds in the distance.
A 50.868 sees Vettel go quickest, the German 2s down on Alguersuari. Elsewhere, Sutil makes short work of Kobayashi to take seventh.
At the end of lap 23, Kubica and Massa both pit, the Pole rejoining just ahead of Webber. The Australian attempts to take advantage of the Pole's cold tyres on the run to Les Combes but the Renault driver is having none of it.
Next time around Hamilton pits rejoining still leading after a 4.2s stop. Meanwhile, Sutil posts a new fastest lap (50.800) as he closes in on Schumacher. The Force India leaves the seven-time champion for dead on the run up the Kemmel Straight to take fifth.
Kubica posts a new fastest lap (50.403) as he closes to within 9.3s of Hamilton. Meanwhile, more problems for Vettel who is on the verge of losing the tyre on his left-rear wheel. Replay shows that he touched Liuzzi in the final corner - a disastrous race for the German who once again shoots himself in the foot.
As Massa posts a new fastest lap (50.111) he is told that there will be rain within the next ten laps.
Vettel pits and rejoins on option tyres way down in nineteenth. Schumacher, Rosberg, Trulli and di Grassi are the only drivers who haven't stopped. Mercedes is clearly gambling on rain.
As a very, very dark cloud closes in, Webber is told that there will be rain within the next ten minutes and that this time it will be heavier. Hamilton responds with a new fastest lap (49.422).
After 30 laps, it's: Hamilton, Kubica, Webber, Massa, Sutil, Schumacher, Rosberg, Kobayashi, Alonso and Petrov.
Hamilton extends his lead to 12s with another fastest lap (49.218). The McLaren driver is warned that when the rain falls it will start light then get heavier. The timing of the stop will be crucial.
Hulkenberg makes a strong move on de la Rosa, but than appears to move across on the Sauber. However, the Spaniard holds his own and sees off the young whippersnapper.
On lap 34 Glock pits as the first spots of rain begin to fall. The German switches to full wet tyres.
It's clearly slippery at Les Combes, and no sooner has Hamilton warned his tram than he runs wide into the gravel at Rivage. Elsewhere, Sutil, Schumacher, Rosberg, Alonso and just about everyone else dives into the pits.
While the Mercedes duo are on inters, Vettel is on full wets. Hamilton pits at the end of the next lap, as do Kubica and Webber. The Pole overshoots his pit which plays into the hands of Webber. Massa also pits.
Despite the drama Hamilton still leads however, Webber is now just 2.8s behind. Kubica is third, ahead of Massa, Sutil, Schumacher, Kobayashi, Alonso, Rosberg and Petrov.
The stewards announce that they are investigating an incident in the pitlane involving Alonso and guess who…. Vettel.
Hulkenberg is the only driver on dry tyres. A brave move by Williams or sheer madness? A brief spin for the youngster suggests madness.
At the end of lap 37 Vettel makes another stop switching from one set of wets for another. Moments later Alonso spins at Malmedy and damages his front suspension when he clouts the barriers. Unable to get the car going again jumps out his race over. The Safety Car is deployed.
The rain increases in intensity, certainly on some parts of the track. Hamilton tells his team that the Safety Car needs to pick up its pace, the Englishman clearly worried that his tyres are cooling.
After 39 laps, it's: Alonso, Webber, Kubica, Massa, Sutil, Schumacher, Kobayashi, Rosberg, Petrov, Alguersuari, de la Rosa, Liuzzi, Buemi, Hulkenberg, Trulli, Vettel, di Grassi, Kovalainen and Glock.
The Safety Car pulls off at the end of lap 40, Hamilton back up the field in the final corner. They tip-toe around La Source, nobody wanting to make any mistakes at this late stage.
At Les Combes Rosberg challenges Schumacher, the youngster seeking - and getting - revenge for the earlier incident. Moments later Trulli spins and loses several positions after an unforced error. That said, it is raining heavier now.
Liuzzi makes a move on Alguersuari as they battle for eleventh but the Spaniard is having none of it.
As the rain appears to ease, Hamilton begins his last lap. He's kept a clear head thus far, all he needs to do now is to keep it all together for the next 4.3 miles. Neither he nor Webber needs to take any risks.
The Englishman takes the chequered flag and with it the lead in the world championship, as the 2010 title fight takes another curious twist.
A typically mature performance from the Stevenage Rocket who appears to have improved each season since winning his title. Despite the minor hiccough at Rivage - which could have happened to anyone - this was another classic performance.
Mark Webber also did exactly what was needed, thereby keeping his an his team's title hopes alive. No doubt he was tempted to make a move on Hamilton in the closing stages but fully realised - unlike some - that the title could not be won here only lost.
No doubt Robert Kubica will feel that there was more available today, however, the Pole and his team will have every reason to feel delighted with today's result.
A strong drive from Felipe Massa also - even if we didn't see much of him this afternoon - the Brazilian, like the three drivers ahead of him, doing exactly what was needed and when.
Fifth is a great result for Adrian Sutil, the German and his team no doubt hoping that having come close to emulating their 2009 performance they can do even better at Monza.
Fans of Michael Schumacher in the UK are no doubt booking appointments to have their ears (and hearts) checked after (BBC commentator) Jonathan Legard was heard praising the German describing his performance as "a great drive". He lost out in the final laps to teammate Nico Rosberg but surely this was a better result than either could have expected.
Another brave performance from Kamui Kobayashi while Vitaly Petrov did well to get into the points having started from the back of the grid. Then again, if he hadn't made that silly mistake in qualifying he might well have collected an even bigger haul of points.
Jaime Alguersuari takes the final point, another stoic performance from the Spaniard.
However, while there were commendable performances today, one has to wonder what was going on in the minds of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso both of whom can only blame themselves for their problems.
With only six races remaining Vettel has done himself serious damage in terms of the title fight, and while Red Bull claims to support both drivers surely the time is approaching when it will have to throw its full weight behind Webber. Some of today's mistakes were ludicrous and it is high time that someone sat Sebastian down and explained exactly how titles are won and lost.
As for Fernando, a very disappointing performance that has cost him and his team greatly. Like Vettel, this was not what one expects of champions.
One man who will have every right to leave spa feeling bitter is Jenson Button, the Englishman looking very good for a McLaren 1-2 this afternoon. Post race comments from Martin Whitmarsh suggesting that McLaren is far from happy with the meagre punishment meted out to Vettel despite damaging Button - and thereby their - championship hopes.
Not the thriller that some sections of the media would have you believe but certainly a race that had his moments. And possibly the race that decided the 2010 title(s) - not necessarily in terms of who won it but who lost.