18/11/2012
NEWS STORY
Shortly after the end of the 1999 season, in a TV documentary, Eddie Irvine, who, following teammate Michael Schumacher's accident at Silverstone, was a serious contender for the title, revealed that a fan had offered to shoot at the tyres on Mike Hakkinen's car in order to help the Ulsterman win a race and the title.
It was a preposterous idea, and as Irvine himself admitted, showed the lengths to which some 'fans' will go to for their favourites.
Whether Fernando Alonso has received a similar offer today we do not know, but as we look ahead to the first Grand Prix on American soil for five years the Spaniard surely needs all the help he can get.
However, if you think taking out the opposition with a sniper's rifle is a bit extreme, perhaps some of the other measures being considered before the race are more down to earth.
Around four hours before the start of the race, there is talk of Ferrari changing the gearbox on Felipe Massa's car. Not that there's anything wrong with it, just that such a move would demote the Brazilian but promote his teammate back to the clean side of the grid. However, there is talk that should the Italian team pull such a stroke, Red Bull would look at changing Mark Webber's gearbox. In other words, this could all get a bit silly.
Two hours before the race, Ferrari reveals that Massa will indeed take a five-place hit after the team broke a seal on his gearbox.
Justifying the move, the team's communications manager, Luca Colajanni said: "This decision was taken to maximise the potential at the start for Fernando, which is normal in a way, because it was seen yesterday that starting from the dirty side of the grid is very poor. Fernando is fighting for the championship and we need to do all the best we can to help him in this fight.
"We made this decision in complete transparency, knowing that at Ferrari the team comes before everything else, including the drivers."
The fact that this is a brand new track means that for once when Capt No Grip complains of, well, no grip, he is stating a fact.
"The left hand side of the grid will be a joke," said Mark Webber on Friday. "You want to be on the right hand side if you can."
"This morning I did a start on the left and I was slower than in the wet," lamented Massa after qualifying. "I think it will be the biggest difference you ever saw in our starts."
Indeed, there is speculation that drivers on the dirty side of the grid could lose two or three positions at the start. Throw in the climb up to Turn 1, the tight off-camber turn to the left, the names Maldonado and Grosjean, and you have a recipe for complete and utter disaster.
Of course, should Alonso get caught up in an incident after switching to the clean side, some might say it was rough justice.
While Sebastian Vettel has been supreme here all weekend, the first man to top the timesheets in every single session (including qualifying), all his hard work could come to an end at Turn 1, much like Alonso at Spa.
Other than being on the dirty side of the road, Hamilton has to be considered as a serious prospect for victory here, though the Woking team's reliability of late has been questionable. Having been the victor last time America hosted F1, there would be a nice kind of symmetry should the McLaren driver stand atop this afternoon. After all, Vettel doesn't have to win the race to today to take the title.
If Hamilton could do with lucky break, so too could Webber while, talking of fairytales, how good would it be to see Michael Schumacher sign off with a podium finish.
While attention will focus on the title fight, the race leaders, the midfield battle - in terms of constructors' points - and those drivers keen to impress prospective employers, or merely their current employers, it will be interesting to watch what happens as the back as Caterham battle to re-take twelfth in the title standings from Marussia.
Tyre options today are hard and medium, a conservative choice from Pirelli which is sure to change when the sport returns here next year. There is also just one DRS zone, on the long back straight.
In an interesting twist, the race takes place later in the day than qualifying leading to question marks in terms of how the tyres will react to the higher temperatures. Nonetheless, based on the evidence thus far, Pirelli believes most teams will opt for a one-stop strategy.
Another problem we are to face this afternoon - other than the start and that first corner - is traffic. Over the course of the weekend we have seen a number of drivers tripping up over one another, often due to slower drivers finding themselves with nowhere to go when a quicker car comes up behind.
The pitlane opens and one by one the drivers leave their garages and make their way to the grid. Marussia tweets that there could be a problem for Pic, there's a smell of fuel in his cockpit.
Asked about the first corner on the grid, Hamilton laughs and replies: "I've got Grosjean behind me".
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 24 degrees C, while the track temperature is 31 degrees. All twenty four are on the grid, including Pic following his earlier problem.
All are on options (medium) except Button and Rosberg, who start on the harder (hard) compound. Vettel leads the field away, cheered on by a very excited crowd, all get away.
The drivers work hard to generate as much heat as possible into their tyres.
They're away, No problems at the first corner but there argy-bargy through the esses, with a couple of cars running wide. Hamilton loses out to Webber while Alonso is up to fourth and all over Hamilton. Hulkenberg and Raikkonen touched, the Finn running wide at the esses.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Vettel, Webber, Hamilton, Alonso, Schumacher, Hulkenberg, Raikkonen, Grosjean, di Resta and Massa. Hulkenberg makes a move on Schumacher but can't get close enough. No such problems for Raikkonen who makes a bold move on the Mercedes driver, however, Schumacher re-takes the position and Grosjean slips through, Raikkonen going up one and back two.
Hamilton is all over Webber, the Australian, like so many others, struggling for grip. That said, so is Hamilton, the McLaren driver running wide as he makes a move on Webber.
Button, who had a dreadful start, is back in thirteenth, under pressure from Maldonado.
On lap 4, Hamilton finally gets past Webber courtesy of his DRS, the McLaren driver immediately puling away from the Red Bull. In no time at all, the McLaren driver has posted a new fastest lap (45.497). "Fantastic job Lewis," is the message from the pits.
Alonso is fourth, 3s down on Webber but 3.7s clear of Hulkenberg who has Grosjean up his exhaust. Further back Button is fighting with Maldonado and Vergne for thirteenth whilst closing on Senna.
As Grosjean makes a move on Hulkenberg but goes to deep, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (44.598). Massa currently tenth, all over Schumacher.
Grosjean spins at T19, the Lotus driver losing positions to Massa, Schumacher and Perez. Indeed, Massa heads a train of seven cars with more looking to join the end of the queue.
Hamilton goes quickest (43.614) as he closes to within 2.2s of Vettel, while Button becomes the latest to pass Grosjean.
As the leaders settle down, Raikkonen is all over fifth placed Hulkenberg and Button is pushing Schumacher all the way as they battle for eleventh.
There are battles throughout the field, drivers two, sometimes three, abreast, often having to take to the outside edge of the track.
At the end of lap 9, Grosjean is the first driver to pit, the Frenchman switching to the hard compound.
Schumacher uses every trick in the book - and then some - to prevent Button passing, but the McLaren driver is having none of it. He nails the German at T1 to take eleventh.
Hamilton closes to within 1.5s of Vettel, as Raikkonen continues to hound Hulkenberg.
Massa passes di Resta to take seventh, the Brazilian having come from way, way back into T12.
Vettel posts a new fastest lap (43.181) as Hulkenberg and Raikkonen continue their battle. Webber has now slipped 5.4s behind the McLaren, just 3.6s ahead of Alonso.
Raikkonen finally sweeps past Hulkenberg, albeit in the esses, as Hamilton is told that he is "in the window" in terms of pit stop strategy.
Kobayashi is the second driver to stop, at the end of lap 13, as di Resta is under pressure from Perez and Senna.
As Schumacher pits, at the end of lap 14, Hamilton is almost within DRS reach of Vettel.
It's over for Vergne, the Frenchman having damaged his car after a brief scrap with the two Mercedes.
Yet another KERS failure for Webber - why is it always him? - as the Australian falls to 8.6s behind Hamilton. Moments later, the Red Bull drivers pulls to the side of the track, his race over.
As the Australian looks down on his car, Alonso is now 12.2s behind the leaders. Elsewhere, Hulkenberg pits from sixth.
"We're P5, keep on like this mate and we'll be on the podium," Massa is told. The Brazilian responds by posting a new fastest lap (42.930). Moments later, however, Grosjean posts 42.458.
Hamilton slips to 2.5s behind Vettel as his lap times begin to fall off - presumably along with his tyres. Elsewhere, a mistake at T19 sees Alonso run wide.
After 20 laps, it's: Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, Raikkonen, Massa, di Resta, Perez, Senna, Button and Ricciardo.
Hamilton pits as does Alonso, however, there's problem for the Spaniard with the right-rear costing him precious seconds.
Next time around Vettel pits, at least it looks like he pits, the German barely stops. He rejoins still leading.
Sadly, not for the first time this weekend the timing screens fail.
Button is told that Alonso could be ripe for the taking as he tries to generate heat into his fresh rubber. Shortly after, Button leaves the Spaniard for dead to take fifth.
Raikkonen and Hamilton having the mother of all battles for second, the Finn still to pit.
Hamilton finally gets past the Lotus as Massa closes in. The Brazilian, like Raikkonen and Button, has yet to stop.
Raikkonen pits at the end of lap 24 but it's not a great stop, there's a problem with the right-rear. He rejoins in sixth behind Alonso. The Finn is under immediate pressure from Ricciardo.
Fastest man on track now is Button (42.007), who has still to stop. Moments later however, Hamilton posts 41.826.
As Webber reveals he suffered an alternator problem (again), Massa pits from third. As the Brazilian rejoins in fifth behind his teammate, Hamilton closes to within 1.8s of Vettel.
Struggling on cold rubber, Massa is passed by Ricciardo as Raikkonen also closes in. Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (41.752). Raikkonen sweeps by Massa in T1.
At half-distance, it's: Vettel, Hamilton, Button, Alonso, Ricciardo, Massa, Raikkonen, Rosberg, Grosjean and Hulkenberg. That said, Button, Ricciardo and Rosberg have yet to stop.
Senna is eleventh, ahead of di Resta, Maldonado, Perez, Schumacher, Kobayashi, Petrov, Kovalainen, Glock, Pic, de la Rosa and Karthikeyan.
Still to stop, Button is told that he's looking good in comparison to Massa - the drivers he's actually going to be fighting for position later on.
At the end of lap 30, Ricciardo pits from sixth. Di Resta also pits, the Scot's second of the race. Teammate Hulkenberg is now running tenth.
A new fastest lap from Hamilton (41.632) as Vettel loses time lapping Glock. Hamilton also has problems passing the German.
Told that there is traffic ahead, Hamilton is also advised that he gained half-a-second when he and the leader were scrapping with Glock.
Vettel under intense pressure from Hamilton as the McLaren driver closes to within DRS range. Memories of Canada 2011 come to mind.
On lap 35, as Hamilton closes to within 0.6s of Vettel, Rosberg finally pits, leaving (third placed) Button as the only driver yet to stop.
Next time around the Englishman finally pits, putting on a brand new set of the option tyre. He rejoins in sixth ahead of Grosjean but is quickly passed by the Frenchman whose tyres are fully up to their optimum temperature.
Button is soon on the pace, on his first full lap on new rubber he goes quickest in the first two sectors, crossing the line at 40.970.
Button retakes sixth from Grosjean the Englishman immediately setting off after Massa who is shadowing Raikkonen.
A bold, brave move from Massa sees the Ferrari driver nailing Raikkonen for fourth. Brilliant.
As Schumacher pits from fourteenth, Hamilton is right up with Vettel again. Mercedes is clearly struggling with its tyres today.
On lap 41, Hamilton uses all his KERS but is unable to pass the leader. However, Vettel responds by posting a new fastest lap (40.850), he doesn't need to win today, but at the same time he doesn't like losing.
Next time around, having previously served notice, Hamilton, using DRS, KERS and just about everything else, nails Vettel, though the German doesn't make it easy. Elsewhere, Button is all over Raikkonen.
Vettel is unhappy, feeling he lost time behind backmarkers who ignored the blue flags. He is told to focus on the job in hand.
In clear air, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (40.240) as he extends a 1.3s lead over Vettel.
Alonso is third, 30.2s behind Vettel, but 10.6s clear of Massa who heads Raikkonen, Button, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Senna and Maldonado.
Button nails Raikkonen for fifth, neither driver giving an inch but at the same time not doing anything silly. Great stuff from two experienced champions.
After 48 laps, Vettel begins to close on Hamilton as the Englishman begins to lose ground to the German.
Senna makes a move on Hulkenberg for eighth but the German is having none of it. Maldonado, looks likely to make it a double points finish for Williams.
No such joy for Sauber, Perez is currently eleventh with Kobayashi fourteenth. It is said that 40% of race tickets went to Mexican fans.
With 5 laps remaining, as Vettel lags 1.3s behind Hamilton, Maldonado hunts down Hulkenberg and Senna, the Venezuelan sniffing a possible eighth place. A Man on a mission, Maldonado squeezes his teammate aside at T1 for ninth. Phew, that was close.
Vettel posts another fastest lap on lap 53 (40.082) but remains 1.4s behind the leader.
Button complains that being unable to use all his KERS is costing him time. He remains 5.7s behind Massa.
Next time around however, Hamilton responds with a 39.913 as he extends his lead to 1.6s. Moments later, Massa posts 39.743.
Another lap, another fastest lap for Hamilton (39.709) as he maintains a 1.8s gap over the championship leader.
Hamilton takes the flag, winning back-to-back US Grands Prix, albeit five year apart. Vettel finishes second, but has the comfort of posting fastest lap.
Alonso is third, ahead of Massa, Button, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Maldonado and Senna.
Perez finishes eleventh, ahead of Ricciardo, Rosberg, Kobayashi, di Resta, Schumacher, Petrov, Kovalainen, Glock, Pic, de la Rosa and Karthikeyan.
"That was fantastic, an awesome drive," is the message from the McLaren garage. "Wicked, it was wicked," is the response.
While Red Bull takes its third successive title, the mood isn't what one might have expected, then again, with Alonso still very much in the title fight and the continuing alternator issue, the Austrian team has plenty of things on its mind.
Over the years America has had a raw deal from Formula One, but today hopefully went some way to making up for it. Nobody could have called that a procession, nobody could deny that there was action aplenty right throughout the field.
Earlier this week, the legendary Mario Andretti said that Formula One finally has a home in America, let's hope that this proves true in a number of ways.
The new economies of the east might have the money, but today proved that you can't beat a bit of passion, a bit of genuine enthusiasm.
As our own Mat Coch described it, today was something of a, sorry, Ye Haw Ride.
Great stuff.
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