25/03/2012
NEWS STORY
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Despite its policy coming back to bite it a few times over the years, Martin Whitmarsh declares that his drivers will be free to race one another today.
"It's difficult to call off the fight between drivers," the Englishman told reporters. "We haven't done it traditionally. They both very strongly want to win this race, and they know it's a free race.
"Over the last few years there have been a few moments when I've been getting lots of advice on what they should be doing. But generally we've allowed them to race and that's what people expect of us and what our drivers expect of the team."
Which is just as well because according to everything we see and hear, today's race will be all about Lewis and Jenson with everybody else reduced to doing the best they can, fighting for the scraps that fall from the table.
While Michael Schumacher is delighted to have qualified in the top three, he is the first to admit that unless there is a major upset he has no realistic chance of taking victory.
Such is Red Bull's situation, the Austrian team had to make the bold decision to change strategy, sending Sebastian Vettel out on the prime (hard) tyre for his final Q3 run. It worked, but it will make his job that much harder in the opening stages.
Teammate Mark Webber insists that the RB8 will be stronger in the race, however, we all know that it was the intervention of the safety car in Melbourne that prevented McLaren starting the season with a 1-2.
A superb performance from both Lotus drivers, with Romain Grosjean proving his Melbourne qualifying performance was no fluke, and Kimi Raikkonen putting serious pressure on the big guns. Providing its drivers keep out of trouble, the Enstone team should see both drivers finish in the points today.
Nico Rosberg will be ruing his overdriving yesterday, having wrecked a real opportunity to qualify ahead of the Red Bulls. However, despite his performance, and that of his teammate, there remains serious concern as to how the German team uses its tyres.
Fernando Alonso faces another difficult afternoon, but no doubt the Spaniard will give it 100%, as he did in Australia. At a time when his team need it most, the two time champion has the ability to shrug off adversity and rise to the occasion.
The real dark horse today could be Sergio Perez, the driver who continues to spring surprises. No doubt he is considering another of his epic tyre marathons in his efforts to mix it with the big boys.
After the nightmare of 2011, Williams is back with a bang, the FW34 looking to be a strong midfield runner complimented by two drivers, Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna, who have genuinely upped their game.
Behind them, Force India and Toro Rosso are clearly floundering here, though this does at least guarantee another Melbourne-style midfield thriller, especially with the sensational Kamui Kobayashi to stir things up.
Caterham continues to snap at the heels of the midfield, while HRT can be happy merely to have qualified. Marussia, on the other hand, will be happier once the flyaway races are done with and it can return to the UK to continue development. The again, how many teams today are looking forward to that.
We haven't seen much of the safety car here - indeed, it hasn't been officially deployed here in the past ten years - so it appears we can write that one off. However, this being Malaysia, the weather can play a major role, as witnessed in 2009 when the race was effectively abandoned after 33 laps. Thing is, is can be bright and sunny one minute with a Monsoon-type downpour the next.
Tyres today are hard (prime) and medium (option), with only Vettel, of the leading ten, starting on the harder rubber.
The long run to the first corner means that pole isn't that vital here, not compared to some tracks, and should guarantee a good fight down the main straight, possibly Vettel's best opportunity to establish himself.
Forty-five minutes before the race, Ferrari reports that a large shower, currently 15km (9 miles) away, is slowly heading towards the circuit.
As the cars make their way to the grid, the sky is getting darker by the minute. Heikki Kovalainen admits that he would like a wet race, he is surely not the only one.
Last to arrive on the grid, making it by just two minutes, is the rain man, Michael Schumacher.
No sooner has the 15 minute siren sounded than the first large spots of rain begin to fall, around the track umbrellas are raised. Pirelli has its intermediates and full wets on standby.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees. Humidity is 83 percent.
Cameras focus on race director Charlie Whiting who has to make the call as to whether to declare the start wet or not. Scratching his head, it's clear that he's as confused as the rest of us. It is raining, but not a lot, and not across the whole circuit.
Rosberg is told that though there is light rain it could get heavier. He is advised also that Charlie Whiting could delay the start. Inters are an option, he is told.
On-time, the field heads off on the warm-up lap, almost everyone on inters, which means the need to use hard and medium during the race goes out of the window. All get away except de la Rosa who is pushed off the grid towards the pitlane.
At various points on the track there is a lot of spray, while the final turn looks treacherous. Both HRTs are on full wets. A gamble but what has the Spanish team got to lose?
They're away, A fantastic start from Grosjean who is third at Turn 1, while Hamilton holds off Button. Webber fights back to retake third from the Lotus driver. Schumacher spins at Turn 4, as the rain falls harder. A spin for Senna also.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Hamilton, Button, Webber, Vettel, Alonso, Rosberg, Maldonado and Raikkonen. Perez and Senna pit while Grosjean has dropped to twentieth - he must have gone off.
Button is asked about his tyres, as Perez rejoins on full wets, as does Senna.
Next time around, di Resta pits, as replay shows Schumacher getting hit by Grosjean on that first lap.
After 2 laps, Hamilton leads by 1.2s with Webber a further 1.7s down the road. It is raining heavily in the pitlane.
Having dropped right to the back, Schumacher is now thirteenth, hunting down Vergne, while Grosjean is eighteenth.
Massa pits at the end of lap 3, the Ferrari driver currently thirteenth. Both Marussias also pit. Like di Resta a lap before, Massa takes on full wets.
Grosjean's race is over, the Frenchman stuck in the gravel at Turn 8.
At the end of lap 4, Button pits, as do Alonso and Hulkenberg. All take on wets. Ricciardo, Petrov and Kovalainen pit also.
Button rejoins behind Schumacher, the McLaren driver making short work of the Mercedes driver who is still on inters. Elsewhere, Hamilton reveals that he is aquaplaning.
Sure enough, next time around, Hamilton, Webber, Vettel, Maldonado, Raikkonen, Kobayashi and Schumacher all pit.
Hamilton rejoins still leading, Button who is just behind him, almost runs into the back of him, shades of Canada 2011. Perez is now third, ahead of Webber, Alonso, Vergne, Vettel and Massa.
"The last sector," says Button as the race is red flagged. A lightning bolt strikes the track, momentarily blacking out the timing screens.
The red flag is immediately cancelled and instead the safety car is deployed.
After 6 laps, Hamilton leads Button, Perez, Webber, Alonso, Vettel, Vergne, Massa, Rosberg and Karthikeyan. Yes, Karthikeyan.
Hulkenberg is eleventh, ahead of di Resta, Raikkonen, Maldonado, Schumacher, Kobayashi, de la Rosa, Ricciardo, Petrov, Glock, Kovalainen, Senna and Pic. Grosjean is the only retirement.
Vettel and Rosberg both have major wobbles, validating the decision to deploy the safety car. Senna makes his second stop of the afternoon.
After 8 laps, behind the safety car, Hamilton is told that the rain could last for another thirty minutes. Shortly after the red flag is waved, and this time it's official.
The safety car leads the field back to the grid, where the drivers stop and await the re-start. In moments, mechanics swarm all over the cars like worker bees. One of the big winners is Vergne, who, not yet having pitted, can now change tyres without losing position. Karthikeyan and de la Rosa are the only others drivers that haven't pitted, being the only drivers to start on full wets. A brilliant strategy by the Spanish squad, even if it was all for nought in de la Rosa's case.
In a surreal move, one of the teams erects a gazebo in order to protect its car, moments later the structures are appearing all over the grid. One of the last to have a gazebo in place is Ferrari.
While some rivers remain in their cars, others, including Schumacher, return to their garages and motorhomes.
Worth remembering, that the race started at 16:00 (local time), all part of Bernie Ecclestone's masterplan. While we fully appreciate that he doesn't control the weather (yet) and that it can rain at anytime, traditionally late afternoon is synonymous with these downpours.
The medical car completes a couple of exploratory laps, cheered on by the ever-patient fans in the stands and around the track.
At 17:00 (local time) Race Control announces that the race will resume at 17:15 behind the safety car and that all cars must be fitted with wet tyres. Those drivers not in their cars, including Schumacher, who is enjoying a chat with former teammate Massa, are informed by their crews.
Shortly before the restart, Rosberg is told that no more heavy rain is expected and that all that remains is a decision as to when the switch to inters should be made.
The gazebos are removed, the crews clear the grid and the safety car heads the field down the pit straight.
Button is told that the conditions wont continue for the remainder of the race, he is also told to look after his rear brakes. Meanwhile, de la Rosa is under investigation for an issue related to team personnel on the grid.
Massa slams on his brakes in order to stop himself passing Vergne. Moments later, when told that 'extremes' are still the order of the day, the Brazilian responds; "but not for long, not for long". That said, team are not allowed to change tyres until the safety car has pulled off and the race resumed.
Rosberg confirms that when the safety car withdraws he will switch to inters. "I think everyone will switch to inters," he says.
Race control confirms that the safety car will pull off at the end of lap 13. Elsewhere, de la Rosa, currently seventeenth, gets a drive through.
The field bunches right up on the back straight, Perez attacking Button as the Englishman, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Kobayashi and a host of others all pit.
Out front Vettel passes Webber, who has been passed by Alonso, but the Australian retakes the position from his teammate with authority.
Next time around, Hamilton pits, as do Alonso, Webber, Massa, di Resta, Maldonado, Schumacher and a load of others. It's a poor stop for Hamilton, a problem with the rear jack, the McLaren driver rejoining behind his teammate in ninth. Perez leads.
Out front, Perez posts a new fastest lap (2:04.069) as Vettel is told - over his radio - that his radio is not working. Elsewhere, Button clashes with Karthikeyan, the McLaren driver subsequently allowing his teammate through. Button pits as Hamilton battles with the HRT. Vettel, Vergne, Hulkenberg, Pic, Karthikeyan and Maldonado all pit.
Phew! After 16 laps, Alonso leads Perez, with Hamilton third ahead of Rosberg, Vettel, Raikkonen, Webber, Massa, di Resta and Vergne. Alonso having passed Perez following his pit stop but unseen by the cameras - the lap time suggests a mistake by the Sauber driver.
As di Resta and Vergne battle for ninth, Button posts a new fastest lap (2:00.936), the Englishman currently running in twentieth. Rosberg is advised that there will be no more rain, not exactly comforting when you regard the current state of the track.
Another great scrap is Kobayashi, Senna and Ricciardo for thirteenth, while Schumacher closes in on eleventh placed Hulkenberg. Button continues to post some very fast sector times but he needs to look after his tyres.
After 19 laps, Alonso maintains a 4.3s lead over Perez who is 5.8s ahead of Hamilton. DRS is now enabled.
As Hamilton loses further ground to Perez (6.5s), Vettel and Raikkonen close in on fourth-placed Rosberg. Ricciardo passes Senna and then Kobayashi, who is subsequently passed by the Brazilian.
"I can't get the front tyres working," complains Button. Still in twentieth, he is 46s behind the race leader. "I really have no grip," he adds. "I am struggling with the fronts and have nothing at the rear."
On lap 22, Vettel, making full use of his DRS, nails Rosberg on the pit straight, the Mercedes driver unable to do anything about it. Further back, Schumacher is all over Hulkenberg. Senna and Ricciardo continue their scrap.
Raikkonen adds to Rosberg's frustration, the Lotus driver passing the German to take fifth. Webber also closes in on the helpless Mercedes driver.
Out front, Alonso, now leading by 6.1s, posts a new fastest lap (2:00.416), as Perez enjoys a 7.9s gap to Hamilton.
Button pits at the end of lap 24, the McLaren fitting another set of inters. He rejoins in nineteenth. Meanwhile, Rosberg falls victim to Webber, as Massa and di Resta close in.
Unable to pass Hulkenberg, Schumacher is now under pressure from Senna. Never thought we'd be typing those words again.
The Brazilian passes the Mercedes driver as Ricciardo pits, Toro Rosso's race slowly turning sour.
"Rosberg is struggling, let's catch him," Massa is told. However, the Ferrari driver has his mirrors full of di Resta. Moments later the Brazilian out-brakes himself in turn 9, losing position and immediately coming under attack from Vergne. They fight, running side by side, but the under-fire Brazilian somehow holds off the young French pretender. That said, in the DRS zone, Vergne sweeps past the Ferrari as Hulkenberg and Senna close in.
Button posts a couple of fastest laps (58.329), as he attempts to close the 7.9s gap to eighteenth-placed Ricciardo.
As Senna closes in, Massa dives into the pits, the Ferrari driver taking on another sets of inters. Another fastest lap from Button (58.284).
Rosberg, still struggling on his tyres, has dropped down to sixteenth. Teammate Schumacher is eleventh but now under pressure from Kobayashi.
After 28 laps, it's Alonso, Perez, Hamilton, Vettel, Raikkonen, Webber, di Resta, Vergne, Senna and Hulkenberg.
On lap 30, Kobayashi goes around the outside of Schumacher in Turn 5, the Mercedes driver unable to do anything about it. Elsewhere, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (58.052).
Webber is all over Raikkonen, as the Australian is warned that a shower is approaching Turn 3 and should arrive in five minutes.
As Perez posts a new fastest lap on lap 31 (57.647), Schumacher is lapping in the 2:00s. Moments later, Kobayashi goes quickest (57.450). A fantastic days for the Swiss team.
Button passes Ricciardo for seventeenth, setting off after Massa. Teammate Hamilton remains third, 8.2s shy of Perez but 8.9s clear of Vettel.
Under pressure from Webber, Raikkonen goes quickest in S2. Elsewhere, in an effort to cool his tyres, Hamilton seeks out the damp patches.
Button closes in on Massa who is now on the heels of Petrov. Another fastest lap from Perez (56.270).
A 55.772 sees Perez extend his lead to 9.4s, though Alonso enjoys a 5.7s comfort cushion. As Massa and Button fight, Ricciardo closes in and Petrov pulls away. At one stage, Massa, Button and Ricciardo enter a corner three abreast, the Australian having to hold off to avoid an incident. In the end, Button is the winner, the Melbourne winner clearly a man on a mission.
On lap 36, Webber is told that it's "touch and go with the rain". Perez continues to set a blistering pace, the Mexican now running at 54.738 as Ricciardo passes Massa.
Now just 3.9s ahead of Perez, Alonso goes quickest in S2, but the Mexican immediately goes 0.1s quicker. Alonso posts 54.720, a new fastest lap, but the Sauber driver posts 54.018. Alonso's lead is now down to 3.2s.
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 37, the Australian taking on a set of mediums, a gamble but in all honesty, as he rejoins in nineteenth he has precious little to lose. Quite the opposite in fact.
As Perez closes to within 2.3s of Alonso, di Resta goes quickest in S1. Elsewhere, Massa pits for mediums. Karthikeyan also stops, as does Kovalainen.
Webber and di Resta pits at the end of lap 39, Senna, Schumacher, Maldonado, Rosberg and Button also.
Next time around, Alonso pits while Perez stays out and takes the lead. Vettel, Raikkonen, Vergne, Hulkenberg, Petrov, Glock and Pic also stop.
At the end of lap 40 Perez dives into the pits as does Hamilton. The Mexican takes on hard, rejoining in second with Hamilton third. Maldonado posts a new fastest lap (43.967).
At the end of lap 42, Alonso leads Perez by 7.1s with Hamilton a further 11.7s behind. Vettel is fourth, ahead of Webber, Raikkonen, di Resta, Senna, Vergne and Hulkenberg.
Webber posts a new fastest lap (43.724) as Perez is back on the pace, taking 0.5s out of Alonso's lead in the first two sectors of lap 44.
As Kobayashi pits from thirteenth, Webber posts another fastest lap (43.077) and closes to within 3.6s of his teammate who is 4s down on Hamilton. Senna sweeps past di Resta on the main straight to take seventh.
A little on the optimistic side, McLaren tell Hamilton that Perez - 11.5s up the road - is catchable.
As Perez posts a 41.749, cutting the gap to 2.3s, Button makes short work of Rosberg to take fifteenth. Ferrari admits, via twitter, that it will be hard keeping Perez behind.
Vettel has a left-rear puncture, The German losing places to Webber, Raikkonen and Senna before diving into the pits. Replay shows the German had clashed with Karthikeyan.
Perez closes to within 0.9s of Alonso, as the duo steer clear of the debris the follows Vettel's incident.
Perez reels in the Ferrari, Alonso seeming to be aware of his fate, the Mexican remorseless in his pursuit of the Spaniard and a historic victory.
"Be careful, we need this position," Perez is told. "A little light rain expected at Turn 3." A strange call from the Swiss team which is followed by the Mexican running wide and losing five seconds. Replay shows him running wide.
After 50 laps, it's: Alonso, Perez, Hamilton, Webber, Raikkonen, Senna, di Resta, Vergne, Hulkenberg and Maldonado. Vettel down in twelfth and Button fourteenth.
Webber, 4.9s down on Hamilton, posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 41.017. Elsewhere, Hulkenberg and Maldonado close on Vergne.
A 40.722 sees Raikkonen go quickest, the Finn looking very good for fifth.
Disaster for Williams as smoke pours from the back of Maldonado's Williams, offering Schumacher the chance of a points finish. The German doesn't wait for an invite, he sweeps by to take tenth while the Venezuelan dives into the pits.
"Box, box, box," Vettel is told, "we're going to retire the car, retire the car."
As Alonso begins his final lap, Perez is 2.5s behind. Vettel is now told to "stay out" and then "stop the car, emergency".
Alonso takes the flag, a wave of relief sweeping through the garage and across Italy. However, the main celebrations are further along the pitlane where Peter Sauber is crying.
"This is one of the most beautiful…" Stefano Domenicali tells his driver, "we are most proud of you."
Behind Alonso and Perez, Hamilton takes the final podium position, ahead of Webber, Raikkonen, Senna, di Resta, Vergne, Hulkenberg and Schumacher.
Vettel, who brought the car home, finishes eleventh, ahead of Ricciardo, Rosberg, Button, Massa, Petrov, Glock, Kovalainen, Maldonado, Pic, Karthikeyan and de la Rosa.
A thoroughly entertaining race, which had a fairytale ending (of sorts), even though we can already hear the conspiracy theorists getting to work.
With a three-week break before China, the teams can now get to work on resolving the problems that have compromised them in the opening races, most notably Red Bull and Ferrari. Though, in the case of the Maranello team, this may take a bit longer.
Not for the first time, the weather gods have given our sport a little magic, allowing some true talents to shine despite the dark clouds.
Great stuff.
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