14/10/2012
NEWS STORY
Two years down the line, little has really changed at the Koran International Circuit. Yes, certain updates have been carried out but where are the casinos and hotels, where is the infrastructure that was meant to turn this into a playground for the rich and famous of the east?
The empty grandstands are worrying, suggesting that once the current contract comes to an end Yeongam will go the way of Istanbul and Valencia.
While little has changed in terms of the track, Red Bull will be hoping that its luck has changed since that maiden race two years ago when Mark Webber ended his championship hopes when he went slightly offline and dipped a wheel into the dirt, while pole-man Vettel suffered an engine just ten laps from the end whilst leading.
Remembering that miserable day, there is sure to be lots of foot twitching on the prat-perch today, not just at the start as the Milton Keynes duo go head to head into the first corner, but for the remaining 55 laps.
Behind the Red Bull duo, the Austrian team enjoying its second successive front row lock out, the grid is mighty impressive, indeed, one couldn't have arranged it better if one had tried.
First off there's Lewis Hamilton, keen to take up where he left off in Italy, before it all appeared to go slightly wrong, what with the talk of an atmosphere within the team, the twitter nonsense and the whole Mercedes thing. Whatever the mathematics, and despite what he says, Hamilton knows that the title is still up fro grabs, however, like Webber and Raikkonen, he knows that this is the Last Chance Saloon. If he is to get his season back on track, a podium is the very least he needs to walk away with today.
That first corner incident at Suzuka was a major shock to Fernando Alonso's chances, the legendary Japanese track the scene of many broken dreams over the years. However, despite the glitch in Q1, the Maranello outfit's updates are working, witness Felipe Massa's excellent pace also, so, providing he can stay away from trouble, the Spaniard should be able to add a further haul of points to his tally today.
Yet to win a race, Kimi Raikkonen keeps sticking the points away like a saver waiting for that rainy day. The only driver to have completed every racing lap thus far this season, and failing to score points on only one occasion, the Finn must remain a strong outsider, especially if there is any of the usual silliness.
Talking of silliness, once again all eyes will be on Romain Grosjean, the likeable Frenchman well aware that his fellow drivers and his team are getting sick of the incidents. Lotus has punched well above its weight this year and the Enstone outfit, indeed, Romain deserves better.
Another strong performance sees Nico Hulkenberg start from eighth, the German appearing to get the upper hand over his Scottish teammate in recent races. While media attention focuses on the financial affairs of Vijay Mallya, it would be good if the German - and his teammate - can give the Dadford Road boys and girls something to smile about.
Starting from ninth and tenth, one gets the feeling that Mercedes might have a trick up its sleeve. Then again we've been saying that for some time. While Schumacher begins to wind down, one cannot help but feel that Nico Rosberg is in for a rude awakening next season when Lewis arrives at Brackley.
With Pirelli suggesting that some drivers will opt for just one stop this afternoon, one has to cast an eye at Jenson Button, the Englishman keen to make up for the mistake that saw him eliminated in Q2. He's still in with a shot at the title but to be realistic a decent points haul would be sufficient. That said, not having made it into Q3 the canny Englishman has a couple of spare sets of tyres available.
Another driver keen to make up for Suzuka is Sergio Perez, the Mexican's second ambitious move on Hamilton not going quite according to plan. Again, like Button, the youngster's skill with tyres could come into play. As for Kamui Kobayashi, another decent points haul might be enough to secure his seat for 2013 and thereby take some of the pressure off.
Williams looks likely to be spending the afternoon battling the Toro Rosso duo, with Pastor Maldonado likely to come out on top. Then again, Bruno Senna is another driver still secure a seat for next season and therefore needing a good result - and soon.
The perfect symmetry at the back of the grid pretty much tells the story of 2012, if not 2010 and 2011, Caterham edging out Marussia and HRT, even if the names off three teams have changed since they first raced here.
Some are suggesting that Webber will ride shotgun for Vettel this afternoon, but, despite the nonsense of 2010, such a claim is an insult to the Australian, the German and the team. Mark is more than capable of winning here, while Sebastian wants to win on merit not team orders.
While Charles Pic took a ten place penalty after his team opted to change his engine, dropping him from 21st to 24th, following his problem in Q2 yesterday Toro Rosso changed the gearbox on Daniel Ricciardo's car, thereby dropping the Australian youngster from 16th to 21st.
Around an hour before the start of the race, Red Bull's 'Racing Spy', who mysteriously goes missing whenever there's any actual new to report, tweets: "The drivers' parade: could be greatly improved if enthusiasm counted towards grid position…"
Never a truer word was tweeted. Although introduced to bring the drivers closer to the fans, it is becoming more and more half-hearted, the drivers going through the motions of waving to the masses at a time when they would no doubt rather be mentally preparing for the fight ahead.
Then again, Formula One really is bad at this informal stuff. The ambassador for today's race is PSY the man behind the internet phenomena turned chart hit Gangham Style. Imagine the global coverage the sport would have gained if PSY and his troupe had performed his infectious hit ahead of the race, maybe with a few members of the F1 circus participating, as opposed to the ridiculous faux pomp and circumstance nonsense that is the parading of the FIA flag and those of the teams and drivers participating. For a hi-tec sport, F1 is ludicrously behind the times in terms of PR.
Unlike some circuits, there is no history of first corner pile-ups here. Then again, there have only been two previous races and one of them (2010) started behind the Safety Car. On the other hand, this year we have the benefit of Grosjean and Maldonado.
While Webber is not exactly famous for his lightning starts, Vettel is starting from the dirty side of the track, and here that means very dirty. However, the German insists that this will not be a problem.
Then again, starting from second last year, although (pole-man) Hamilton led into the first corner, on the run between T3 and T4 the Red Bull had nailed the McLaren, never to be seen again.
Though it has improved over the course of the weekend, with the year round lack of use the track remains green and dusty, hence the number of offs and lock-ups. This is sure to continue, while there remains concern at the pitlane exits which has been causing problems all weekend as those leaving the pits and those entering (and exiting( the first corner trip over one another.
Tyre options are soft (prime) and supersoft (option) with Pirelli claiming that there is a 0.2s - 0.6s between them. As we said earlier, the Italian manufacturer believes we could see some drivers go for one stop.
As the field prepares to head off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 21 degrees C, while the track temperature is 27 degrees. There is lots of cloud, a strong breeze and it is fairly cool.
All are starting on the options save Button, Perez, Kobayashi, di Resta, Vergne and de la Rosa.
As they head off on the warm-up lap all get away. Over head shots show a decent size crowd, though nowhere near the likes of Silverstone, Monza or Suzuka.
"Gearbox is good, you're doing a good job on engine but we still need more," Vettel is told as he makes his way back to the grid.
The grid (very) slowly forms.
They're away Hamilton tries to go through the two Red Bulls but thinks better of it. On the drag to Webber and Vettel are head to head but the German keeps his nerve and holds station into T1. Further back there has been an incident, Kobayashi clouting Button and wrecking the McLaren driver's suspension. In the melee that was the first couple of corners, Hamilton loses out to Alonso.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Vettel, Webber, Alonso, Hamilton, Massa, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Perez and Schumacher. Button has stopped on track, as has Rosberg, while Kobayashi pits.
Replay shows Kobayashi doing a Grosjean as he is sandwiched between Rosberg and Button, the resultant damage taking out the German and the Englishman and leaving the Sauber driver last. Perez also touched Hulkenberg, so both Saubers in the wars.
Out front, Vettel builds a 1.3s lead as Massa is all over fourth placed Hamilton. Elsewhere, di Resta is harrying Schumacher. Senna already up to twelfth, ahead of his Williams teammate. Ricciardo, who started 21st, is up to 15th.
Ricciardo, who is one of the fastest men on track, complains that he is losing time behind his teammate. Elsewhere, Button and Rosberg walk down the pitlane chatting, both still wearing their helmets. Rosberg's car, which is parked at the side of the track, is the cause of a prolonged yellow flag period on the run to T3 - the DRS activation zone. Consequently, Charlie Whiting disables DRS.
After 7 laps, Vettel leads Webber by 1.4s as Kobayashi is handed a drive-through for the first lap incident. TV camera picks up some debris, from Rosberg's car, on the track.
Kobayashi serves his penalty, re-emerging almost 40s behind Karthikeyan.
Vergne makes a move on Senna, with Ricciardo almost collecting the Williams driver as he attempts to replicate the move moments later.
On lap 10, Whiting enable DRS once again.
All over Massa, who is shadowing Hamilton, Raikkonen goes quickest in S1. However, it is Webber, now 1.9s down on his teammate, who posts the new fastest lap (45.623).
"We're looking at target stop lap," Hamilton is told, while Senna complains of a problem with his front wing. The Brazilian is told that it will be sorted when he pits.
Vettel responds to his teammate's pace with a 45.543, the German seemingly having things totally under control.
Hulkenberg, in eighth, has Grosjean and Perez on his tail, as di Resta tries every trick in the book to pass Schumacher. In the meantime the Scot is under attack from Vergne. Both Force Indias involved in three-man scraps.
At the end of lap 13, Hamilton is the first driver to pit. He is joined by Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Schumacher, Maldonado, Vergne and Kovalainen. Hulkenberg and Grosjean almost collide as they are released, the German popping out just ahead of the Lotus. Grosjean makes his frustration obvious.
Next time around, Webber is the first of the Red Bulls to pit, the Australian joined by Massa, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Senna, Petrov and Glock.
Vettel leads Alonso but both have to stop.
"Box, box, box," Vettel is told, and so he does, as does Alonso. They rejoin in 1st and 4th the Spaniard managing to pass Perez and somehow hold him off. As the two go head to head into T3 Hamilton catches them and they almost, almost, collide.
After the first round of stops, Vettel leads Webber with Alonso third ahead of Hamilton, Perez, Massa, Raikkonen, Maldonado, Hulkenberg and Grosjean. That said, Perez and Maldonado have yet to stop.
Having slowed down Kobayashi returns to the pits and heads into his garage, his race is over. Possibly his career with Sauber also. Elsewhere, Massa passes Perez who subsequently pits, his tyre strategy clearly not working. The Mexican rejoins in 14th after a long, long stop.
Maldonado and Grosjean is real scrap for eighth, though the Williams driver has yet to stop and is effectively out of position.
Hamilton complains of tyre wear and then "no downforce", as if to prove the point Massa closes to within 1.2s. The McLaren is lapping at 46.6 compared to the Brazilian's 45.8. The Ferrari driver subsequently sweeps past Hamilton under DRS, McLaren's race going from bad to worse. "Good lad, good pass," Rob Smedley tells his charge.
Maldonado finally pits at the end of lap 21, the Williams driver dropping from 11th to 15th.
After 22 laps, as Hamilton is told that he has a mechanical balance problem, but that it is safe, Raikkonen almost catches the McLaren driver unawares. But not quite.
Vettel leads Webber by 7.4s with Alonso a further 2.3s behind. Massa is fourth, 3.5s down on his Ferrari teammate, ahead of Hamilton, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Ricciardo and Schumacher. Di Resta, who lost out in the stops, is eleventh, ahead of Vergne, Perez, Senna, Maldonado, Kovalainen, Petrov, Glock, Pic and Karthikeyan.
Raikkonen passes Hamilton on the run to T3 but the McLaren driver, courtesy of KERS, retakes the position on the next straight into T4.
As Webber complains of continued lock-ups, Vettel, who now has an 8.8s lead, posts a new fastest lap (44.110). Vergne passes Schumacher to take tenth.
Hamilton and Raikkonen continue their battle, the pair slip further and further behind the leaders, Massa now 10.2s up the road.
At the end of lap 26 Hamilton pits, but there's a problem with the right-front wheel nut. The Englishman rejoins in eighth, his team having had to drastically change strategy.
"Look after your tyres," Vettel is told, "right-front wear is important."
"The car is very nervous," says Hamilton who is already facing a third stop.
Webber posts a new fastest lap (43.761) as he cuts Vettel's lead to 8.5s. Alonso is now just 2.2s behind and Massa a further 2.9s behind.
As di Resta makes his second stop, teammate Hulkenberg is under attack from Grosjean. Hamilton is told that his tyre wear is fine, though Ricciardo is just 1.8s behind.
As Grosjean climbs all over Hulkenberg, thankfully not literally, Massa posts a new fastest lap (43.837).
At the end of lap 31, Grosjean pits. Meanwhile, Hamilton is told that if he can get to the end on his current set of tyres - a mighty big ask - he is fighting for sixth. In other words it is not looking good for the Englishman or his team.
Webber pits at the end of lap 32, as does Glock. A very quick stop for Webber who rejoins in 5th. Hulkenberg, Schumacher and Senna all pit.
Grosjean, his tyres that little bit warmer, passes Hulkenberg to take 9th, a good move by the Frenchman who gees on to post a new fastest lap (43.593). Perez makes his second stop.
After34 laps, Vettel leads Alonso by 10s however, the Spaniard dives in the pits, promoting his Ferrari teammate into second. Alonso exits the pits behind Webber and Glock as Ricciardo and Kovalainen also pit.
"Box, box, box, we're ready," Vettel is told, as Grosjean runs wide in the final turn and is lucky not to hit the wall. Vettel pits, as do Massa and Raikkonen, rejoining in 1st, 4th and 5th.
Perez posts a new fastest lap (43.054) as he passes Maldonado, while di Resta resumes his battle with Schumacher.
After 36 laps, and the second round of stops, Vettel leads Webber by 5.3s with Alonso a further 4.5s behind. Massa is fifth, 2.9s down, ahead of Raikkonen, Hamilton, Vergne, Grosjean, Hulkenberg and Ricciardo.
"Don't worry about Mark, he is on older tyres than you," Vettel is told.
Massa closes in on Alonso, prompting the 'he is quicker than you' scenario. What a turn around in fortunes for the Brazilian.
Di Resta finally makes it stick and passes Schumacher, with Perez also closing in on the German.
Shocking. Mass is told that he is too close to Alonso and that he must back off. It is suggested that being too close could affect tyre wear. Yeh right!
As Perez locks-up in his battle with Schumacher, Grosjean closes right up on Hamilton. The Frenchman passes the McLaren but is immediately re-passed. As the pair battle, Hulkenberg closes in and passes the pair of them.
"We think we're going to have to stop again," Hamilton is told, "push on, push on." The Englishman, who started third, will be lucky to finish in the points.
"You're doing a good job," Vettel is told, "but we can see the right front is wearing away, be careful."
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 42, rejoining in tenth behind the Toro Rossos, as Perez makes a brave move on Schumacher, the Mexican finally nailing the seven-time champ.
Under (no) pressure from his Ferrari teammate, Alonso posts his best time of the race (43.952) but remains 4.2s behind Webber who is now 9.9s shy of the race leader.
"Your front right is wearing," Webber is told, "don't forget about it". Hamilton closes right in on Vergne.
"Fernando is starting to push," Massa is told, which is seemingly the cue for the Brazilian to up his pace also. Elsewhere, Ricciardo goes cross-country losing a lot of time.
Vettel is told to ease off in a whole heap of corners, Red Bull concerned that the German is still pushing too hard.
Great scrap between Vergne and Hamilton, the Frenchman refusing to yield to the McLaren driver. Hamilton unable to make best use of his fresher rubber.
On lap 48, Massa posts a new fastest lap, the Brazilian now 2.3s down on his teammate.
"I'm looking after my tyres," says Vettel, sounding like a naughty schoolboy who has been caught out. Though he maintains a 10s lead, Alonso is just 4.7s down on Webber and closing.
There is Astroturf on the track where drivers are running wide and ripping it up.
Frustrated down in tenth, Hamilton locks-up in his attempts to pass Vergne. The Frenchman now having closed to within 1.4s of Ricciardo.
Schumacher has a gearbox issue but is told it's nothing to worry about. The German has slipped down to 13th but is 1s down on Perez.
Vettel is told to be very careful under braking for turns 1, 2, 3 and 4. Red Bull clearly very anxious.
Vergne passes his Toro Rosso teammate leaving Ricciardo to battle Hamilton for ninth.
As Vettel is given a final warning, told that his tyres are in the same state as when he pitted, Hamilton is trailing a large piece of Astroturf. As it flaps about from his right sidepod he is losing lots of time.
"Sorry to be on your case but we are worried here," Vettel is told, "you will not know when it is too late." In response, Webber posts a new fastest lap (42.037) as he closes to within 6.8s.
As Gangham Style's PSY waves the chequered flag, Vettel just can't resist it, banging in a fastest sector time in S3 of his very last lap.
Webber finishes second, ahead of Alonso, Massa, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Vergne and Ricciardo. Despite a late attack from Perez, Hamilton holds on to tenth, the last of the points winners.
Behind Perez, di Resta finishes eleventh, ahead of Schumacher, Maldonado, Senna, Petrov, Kovalainen, Glock, Pic and Karthikeyan.
As Vettel whops with delight, on the pit-wall and in the Red Bull garage, heart rates begin to return to some sort of normality.
The win, his 25th, gives Sebastian the lead in the world championship, and consolidating Red Bull's lead in the constructors'. It also, barring a miracle, confirms the title as a two way fight between the German and Alonso as third placed Webber is now 48 points behind.
Looking ahead, it is to be hoped that Korea can get its act together and bring the fans for this isn't a bad circuit, Astroturf and pitlane permitting. The difference between the three sectors producing decent racing throughout the field.
As we head to India, Vettel is clearly on a roll, even if he causes his team sleepless nights.
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