I look forward to any Grand Prix weekend. But for me I have always thought of this one as the most boring of the season.
There is never a chance of a wet race during the hot and dry desert conditions of the Middle East. However lets be fair I think we have seen enough of wet races for the moment. Although dust storms and engine fires are a huge risk.
As one of the newest circuits on the calender, this grand prix has only celebrated only 3 winners during its five races, including Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.
You don't even get champagne if you win! (Even though alchoholic beverages are legal in the country) Instead you are awarded a non-alcohlic rosewater drink known as waard. I dont know about anyone else but if my first and possibly only win came at Bahrain and I didnt get champagne, I would be a little bit upset.
Adding all this I just think Bahrain doesn't hold the classic characteristics of Monaco, Silverstone and Spa.
But after qualifying yesterday I don't think I could have been more wrong.
A shock one two from the Toyota's to lock out the front row of the grid with Trulli and Glock starting in first and second. Hamilton continues his push for recovery after a poor start in 2009, bagging 5th on the grid putting himself in contention for a race win for the first time this season. However in contrast for the first time in 2009 it appears we might have seen a crack in the pace of the Brawn GP's of Button and Barrichello qualifying 4th and 6th.
Full Grid - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/results/7921091.stm
Could Jenson Button's good start to the season be about to melt in the heat of Bahrain? Can Vettel from 3rd on the grid show he is just as good in the sand and heat as he is in the wet with his second win in seven days?
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Sunday, 19 April 2009
A new master in the wet!!!
Formula one appears to have found a new master in the wet at the Chinese Grand Prix and guess what?
He’s German.
Sebastian Vettel stormed to win a second career victory and first for the Red Bull team in the wet conditions at the Chinese Grand Prix this morning, leading home a one-two ahead of team mate Mark Webber. Jenson Button remains at the top in the drivers championship with the Brawn GP's of Button and Barrichello taking third and fourth. It was an improving afternoon for McLaren as Kovalaenin bagged his first points of the season, leading home Hamilton in fifth and sixth.
It’s not the first time that the young German has won in the wet. At the Italian Grand Prix last season, seven months and seven races ago Vettel claimed his first Grand Prix win at the Monza circuit, then with the sister Torro Rosso team.
Today’s race had shades of that win in Monza 2008. Vettel started from pole position to take the victory on both occasions, both wins were also in the wet which will begin to give the German a reputation of being compared to a fellow countryman, Michael Schumacher.
Many in the media will now question how competitive the Red Bull team can be this season and whether they will be able to constantly challenge the likes of the front runners.
A bigger question for me is just how much of a talent is Sebastian Vettel and how long will Red Bull be able to keep hold of his services?
No doubt Vettel is a talent, last season he put the second string Torro Rosso team on the map with nine race finishes in the points, one the victory in Italy already mentioned. His skills last season got the German noticed and a rapid promotion to the main Red Bull team to fill the seat vacated by the retiring David Coulthard. This season though things had not been going too well for Vettel with two non finishes, one of which was a collision late on at the Australian Grand Prix when the young gun took out the Williams of Robert Kubica.
With this victory comes new honours, admires and fans. I think it is safe to say, even at this stage that Sebastian Vettel is a world champion in waiting. It's not a matter IF but WHEN? And any thoughts at the back of his mind on this subject will soon begin to get pushed to the forefront with a second victory under his belt.
If Red Bull don't supply Vettel with the car to do it, then obviously the young German will look elsewhere to ensure that the vision comes to fruition. Teams in the paddock like Brawn, McLaren, Renault and Ferrari, must now all be looking at Vettel as a possible replacement for their dead wood drivers.
The ironic aspect of this is the latter three teams I have just mentioned are all huge names and constructors, but all so far this season have been out-preformed by the Red Bull team this
weekend. I would be expecting all the teams to be running back to their drawing boards to frantically re-design a car that is competitive, not necessarily to get points this season, but to ensure they don't lose out on signing drivers like Vettel next season.
Results Chinese Grand Prix - Top 8
1. S. Vettel - (Red Bull) - 10pts
2. M. Webber - (Red Bull) - 8pts
3. J. Button - (Brawn GP) - 6pts
4. R. Barichello - (Brawn GP) - 5pts
5. H. Kovalainen - (McLaren) - 4pts
6. L. Hamilton - (McLaren) - 3pts
7. T. Glock - (Toyota) - 2pts
8. S. Buemi - (Torro Rosso) - 1pt
Looking at other results today Lewis Hamilton's was one that showed much promise but squandered the positions he made for himself all too often. An early charge up the field put Hamilton in fourth and what looked like a strong position for a podium had it not been for a spin that lost him four of the five places he originally earned himself off the grid.
The Brit looked at times as strong as last season with further charges that saw him slice past the
Ferrari and Toyota with ease, but had it not been for pushing too hard and more spins after losing grip, this could have been a very different race for Hamilton and one that had a more positive finish.
His team mate Kovalainen had a more encouraging race managing to complete a lap, well 56 of them to be precise, in the wet conditions to finish fifth, ahead of Hamilton after yet another spin.
One of the drives of the day came from another German, Timo Glock in the Toyota who started 19th but made up twelve places to finish 7th.
Sebastian Buemi earned himself another world championship point in the Torro Rosso holding off Alonso and Raikkonen, adding to the two he picked up in Australia. Not bad for a man in his rookie season. Following the same path as Sebastian Vettel maybe?
Disappointments of the day had to come from Fernando Alonso who started second on the grid and finished 9th. Mainly due to being fueled light at the beginning of the race which would have worked to the Spaniards advantage, had the start not been under the safety car due to increased rain.
Ferrari are still pointless after 3 Grand Prix, which is now officially their worst start to a season in 17 years. I wonder if Kimi will be having an ice cream and coke after this race?
Less than a week until Bahrain, What can Vettel do in the desert? It must be a a dry race there surely?
Sebastian Vettel stormed to win a second career victory and first for the Red Bull team in the wet conditions at the Chinese Grand Prix this morning, leading home a one-two ahead of team mate Mark Webber. Jenson Button remains at the top in the drivers championship with the Brawn GP's of Button and Barrichello taking third and fourth. It was an improving afternoon for McLaren as Kovalaenin bagged his first points of the season, leading home Hamilton in fifth and sixth.
It’s not the first time that the young German has won in the wet. At the Italian Grand Prix last season, seven months and seven races ago Vettel claimed his first Grand Prix win at the Monza circuit, then with the sister Torro Rosso team.
Today’s race had shades of that win in Monza 2008. Vettel started from pole position to take the victory on both occasions, both wins were also in the wet which will begin to give the German a reputation of being compared to a fellow countryman, Michael Schumacher.
Many in the media will now question how competitive the Red Bull team can be this season and whether they will be able to constantly challenge the likes of the front runners.
A bigger question for me is just how much of a talent is Sebastian Vettel and how long will Red Bull be able to keep hold of his services?
No doubt Vettel is a talent, last season he put the second string Torro Rosso team on the map with nine race finishes in the points, one the victory in Italy already mentioned. His skills last season got the German noticed and a rapid promotion to the main Red Bull team to fill the seat vacated by the retiring David Coulthard. This season though things had not been going too well for Vettel with two non finishes, one of which was a collision late on at the Australian Grand Prix when the young gun took out the Williams of Robert Kubica.
With this victory comes new honours, admires and fans. I think it is safe to say, even at this stage that Sebastian Vettel is a world champion in waiting. It's not a matter IF but WHEN? And any thoughts at the back of his mind on this subject will soon begin to get pushed to the forefront with a second victory under his belt.If Red Bull don't supply Vettel with the car to do it, then obviously the young German will look elsewhere to ensure that the vision comes to fruition. Teams in the paddock like Brawn, McLaren, Renault and Ferrari, must now all be looking at Vettel as a possible replacement for their dead wood drivers.
The ironic aspect of this is the latter three teams I have just mentioned are all huge names and constructors, but all so far this season have been out-preformed by the Red Bull team this
weekend. I would be expecting all the teams to be running back to their drawing boards to frantically re-design a car that is competitive, not necessarily to get points this season, but to ensure they don't lose out on signing drivers like Vettel next season.Results Chinese Grand Prix - Top 8
1. S. Vettel - (Red Bull) - 10pts
2. M. Webber - (Red Bull) - 8pts
3. J. Button - (Brawn GP) - 6pts
4. R. Barichello - (Brawn GP) - 5pts
5. H. Kovalainen - (McLaren) - 4pts
6. L. Hamilton - (McLaren) - 3pts
7. T. Glock - (Toyota) - 2pts
8. S. Buemi - (Torro Rosso) - 1pt
Looking at other results today Lewis Hamilton's was one that showed much promise but squandered the positions he made for himself all too often. An early charge up the field put Hamilton in fourth and what looked like a strong position for a podium had it not been for a spin that lost him four of the five places he originally earned himself off the grid.
The Brit looked at times as strong as last season with further charges that saw him slice past the
Ferrari and Toyota with ease, but had it not been for pushing too hard and more spins after losing grip, this could have been a very different race for Hamilton and one that had a more positive finish.His team mate Kovalainen had a more encouraging race managing to complete a lap, well 56 of them to be precise, in the wet conditions to finish fifth, ahead of Hamilton after yet another spin.
One of the drives of the day came from another German, Timo Glock in the Toyota who started 19th but made up twelve places to finish 7th.
Sebastian Buemi earned himself another world championship point in the Torro Rosso holding off Alonso and Raikkonen, adding to the two he picked up in Australia. Not bad for a man in his rookie season. Following the same path as Sebastian Vettel maybe?
Disappointments of the day had to come from Fernando Alonso who started second on the grid and finished 9th. Mainly due to being fueled light at the beginning of the race which would have worked to the Spaniards advantage, had the start not been under the safety car due to increased rain.
Ferrari are still pointless after 3 Grand Prix, which is now officially their worst start to a season in 17 years. I wonder if Kimi will be having an ice cream and coke after this race?Less than a week until Bahrain, What can Vettel do in the desert? It must be a a dry race there surely?
*****
Pictures from bbc.co.uk and telegraph.co.uk supplied by Getty Images
Friday, 17 April 2009
Shanghai Surprise?
With the diffuser row put to bed in the courts this week the championship moves to China and round three with the standings unaffected from the results recorded in Australia and Malaysia. Relief for Brawn GP and Jenson Button who leads the way in 2009 with two wins and 15 points.
Can the Brit do something not even Lewis Hamilton has done during his career and make it a third win in a row? If he does it will be the first time since Damon Hill in 1996 that it would have been achieved at the beginning of the season.
If he can and does focus will start to move towards not whether he can make it a fourth but if the man from Somerset can lift the world title in 2009. The first time since Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart in 1968-69 that Britain would have had back to back world champions to celebrate.
At the moment of course it’s all if and buts, there are still plenty of rounds and a long way to go this season. But certainly after this weekend, if Button does complete his hat-rick the words Button and World Champion will start to be twinned together and will only get louder and louder as the months pass.
Everyone see’s Button’s and Brawn GP’s rise from the ashes as a big surprise this season, but are we due for another in Shanghai?
After this week’s confirmation of the rules, new diffusers have been hurried out to the team garages of McLaren and Renault in an effort to as more down force to the back of both cars for this race.
In practice sessions yesterday and today McLaren appear to have developed their car and made it stick to the road much better than in previous rounds.
Hamilton:
Fri Practice one - 1st
Fri Practice two – 13th
Sat Practice three – 3rd
The same though cannot be said for Renault, with Fernando Alonso finding himself second from the back of the pack in two out of the three practice sessions.
Of course practice means nothing, it’s the race results that mean everything and unless McLaren transfer their encouraging performances into qualifying and race results it will be back to Woking and the drawing board. Surly though some small signs of encouragement for Hamilton in what has otherwise been a gloomy season.
Never mind Lewis, look on the bright side, there is another very strong chance of a wet race for tomorrows Grand Prix. Will this weekend turn out a Shanghai surprise? Just no red flags!
*****
Pictures from f1reviews.com
Can the Brit do something not even Lewis Hamilton has done during his career and make it a third win in a row? If he does it will be the first time since Damon Hill in 1996 that it would have been achieved at the beginning of the season.
If he can and does focus will start to move towards not whether he can make it a fourth but if the man from Somerset can lift the world title in 2009. The first time since Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart in 1968-69 that Britain would have had back to back world champions to celebrate.
At the moment of course it’s all if and buts, there are still plenty of rounds and a long way to go this season. But certainly after this weekend, if Button does complete his hat-rick the words Button and World Champion will start to be twinned together and will only get louder and louder as the months pass.
Everyone see’s Button’s and Brawn GP’s rise from the ashes as a big surprise this season, but are we due for another in Shanghai?
After this week’s confirmation of the rules, new diffusers have been hurried out to the team garages of McLaren and Renault in an effort to as more down force to the back of both cars for this race.
In practice sessions yesterday and today McLaren appear to have developed their car and made it stick to the road much better than in previous rounds.
Hamilton:
Fri Practice one - 1st
Fri Practice two – 13th
Sat Practice three – 3rd
The same though cannot be said for Renault, with Fernando Alonso finding himself second from the back of the pack in two out of the three practice sessions.
Of course practice means nothing, it’s the race results that mean everything and unless McLaren transfer their encouraging performances into qualifying and race results it will be back to Woking and the drawing board. Surly though some small signs of encouragement for Hamilton in what has otherwise been a gloomy season.
Never mind Lewis, look on the bright side, there is another very strong chance of a wet race for tomorrows Grand Prix. Will this weekend turn out a Shanghai surprise? Just no red flags!
*****
Pictures from f1reviews.com
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Could the season look like this in 24 hours?
In twenty four hours this could be the how the Formula one world championship standings look.
Drivers Standings
1. F. Alonso – (Renault) – 11.5pts
2. N. Heidfeld – (BMW) – 9pts
3. S. Buemi – (Torro Rosso) – 8pts
4. S. Boudais – (Torro Rosso) – 8pts
5. M. Webber – (Red Bull) – 6pts
6. A. Sutil – (Force India) – 5pts
7. G. Fisichella – (Force India) – 3pts
8. L. Hamilton – (Mclaren) – 3pts
9. F. Massa – (Ferrari) – 2.5pts
10. K. Raikkonen – (Ferrari) – 1.5pts
11. N. Piquet jnr – (Renault) – 1pt
12. S. Vettle – (Red Bull) – 1pt ???
Team Standings
1. Torro Rosso – 16pts
2. Renault – 12.5pts
3. BMW – 9pts
4. Force India – 8pts
5. Red Bull – 7pts
6. Ferrari – 3.5pts
7. McLaren – 3pts
As the split level diffuser row rumbles on in Paris this evening there is a possibility the dream start by Brawn GP, the hard work by a rejuvenated Jenson Button undone and the points stripped from the three teams who carry the alleged illegal split diffuser including Williams, Toyota and Brawn GP.
If the, the FIA and Court of Appeal does decide that the cars who use the split level diffuser are illegal and points are stripped, then the F1 standings will be seriously shaken up. Former two time world champion Fernando Alonso would be leading the world championship as well as being crowned victor of the Australian Grand Prix over two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, second string team, Torro Rosso would be leading the team standings after drivers Sebastian Buemi and Boudais promotion into second and third place, again at the Australian GP.
The shake up would also see Ferrari score their first points of the new season after a dismal start to the 2009 campaign and Lewis Hamilton gain his first podium of the season with his promotion to third in Malaysia.
If the protests, lead by Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull win their appeal, the FIA would have two options before the season heads to Shanghai for the third race of the season.
To strip all teams concerned of points gained during the first two rounds, which would produce the results shown here or to allow the three teams to keep the points gained but force the three teams to remove the illegal diffuser from this weekend’s race onwards.
On a personal note I don’t see how common sense can’t prevail with this issue, why not just give the seven remaining teams the choice of whether to use the split level diffuser on their car! It really would be the most sensible solution to the debacle.
If situations like this continue to arise, F1 will be in serious danger of isolating itself from its loyal fan base. Ask yourself if you would be best pleased having brought a ticket to the Australian Grand Prix, to come away from the event believing you had seen Jenson Button win only for the result to be re-classified two weeks later, it doesn't happen in other sports, why should it happen in this one?
What will happen, will F1 be turned upside down again? Will Torro Rosso and Fernando Alonso be leading the way? Should we bother tuning into the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend when there is a strong possibility the result will be decided two weeks later in court and not at the chequed flag?
I am half expecting Jake Humphrey, Eddie Jordan, David Coulthard and the BBC team to be broadcasting Sunday’s race from a Chinese court complete with gown and wigs.
The clock is ticking for the future of this sport.
Australian Grand Prix Results - If split diffusers deemed illegal
1. F. Alonso – (Renault) – 10pts
2. S. Buemi – (Torro Rosso) – 8pts
3. S. Bourdais – (Torro Rosso) – 6pts
4. A. Sutil – (Force India) – 5pts
5. N. Heidfeld – (BMW) – 4pts
6. G. Fisichella – (Force India) – 3pts
7. M. Webber – (Red Bull) – 2pts
8. S. Vettle – (Red Bull) – 1pt ??? – Vettel was the last car to retire.
Expelled Cars: J. Button – (Brawn GP), R. Barrichello – (Brawn GP), J. Trulli – (Toyota), T. Glock – (Toyota), N. Rosberg – (Williams)
Malaysian Grand Prix Results - If split diffusers deemed illegal
1. N. Heidfeld – (BMW) – 5pts
2. M. Webber – (Red Bull) – 4pts
3. L. Hamilton - (McLaren) – 3pts
4. F. Massa – (Ferrari) – 2.5pts
5. S. Bourdais – (Torro Rosso) – 2pts
6. F. Alonso – (Renault) – 1.5pts
7. N. Piquet jnr – (Renault) - 1pt
8. K. Raikkonen – (Ferrari) – 0.5pt
Expelled Cars: J. Button – (Brawn GP), T. Glock – (Toyota), J. Trulli – (Toyota), R. Barrichello – (Brawn GP), N. Rosberg – (Williams)
My prediction, I very much doubt that Lewis Hamilton fortunes this season will turn, seeing him gain a podium and three points. I expect the protests to get thrown out and the current race results recorded in Australia and Malaysia to stand.
However, every fan and Jenson Button tonight waits with baited breath.
*****
Pictures supplied by Getty Images from the BBC.co.uk and tuned.com.
Drivers Standings
1. F. Alonso – (Renault) – 11.5pts
2. N. Heidfeld – (BMW) – 9pts
3. S. Buemi – (Torro Rosso) – 8pts
4. S. Boudais – (Torro Rosso) – 8pts
5. M. Webber – (Red Bull) – 6pts
6. A. Sutil – (Force India) – 5pts
7. G. Fisichella – (Force India) – 3pts
8. L. Hamilton – (Mclaren) – 3pts
9. F. Massa – (Ferrari) – 2.5pts
10. K. Raikkonen – (Ferrari) – 1.5pts
11. N. Piquet jnr – (Renault) – 1pt
12. S. Vettle – (Red Bull) – 1pt ???
Team Standings
1. Torro Rosso – 16pts
2. Renault – 12.5pts
3. BMW – 9pts
4. Force India – 8pts
5. Red Bull – 7pts
6. Ferrari – 3.5pts
7. McLaren – 3pts
As the split level diffuser row rumbles on in Paris this evening there is a possibility the dream start by Brawn GP, the hard work by a rejuvenated Jenson Button undone and the points stripped from the three teams who carry the alleged illegal split diffuser including Williams, Toyota and Brawn GP.
If the, the FIA and Court of Appeal does decide that the cars who use the split level diffuser are illegal and points are stripped, then the F1 standings will be seriously shaken up. Former two time world champion Fernando Alonso would be leading the world championship as well as being crowned victor of the Australian Grand Prix over two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, second string team, Torro Rosso would be leading the team standings after drivers Sebastian Buemi and Boudais promotion into second and third place, again at the Australian GP.The shake up would also see Ferrari score their first points of the new season after a dismal start to the 2009 campaign and Lewis Hamilton gain his first podium of the season with his promotion to third in Malaysia.
If the protests, lead by Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull win their appeal, the FIA would have two options before the season heads to Shanghai for the third race of the season.
To strip all teams concerned of points gained during the first two rounds, which would produce the results shown here or to allow the three teams to keep the points gained but force the three teams to remove the illegal diffuser from this weekend’s race onwards.
On a personal note I don’t see how common sense can’t prevail with this issue, why not just give the seven remaining teams the choice of whether to use the split level diffuser on their car! It really would be the most sensible solution to the debacle.
If situations like this continue to arise, F1 will be in serious danger of isolating itself from its loyal fan base. Ask yourself if you would be best pleased having brought a ticket to the Australian Grand Prix, to come away from the event believing you had seen Jenson Button win only for the result to be re-classified two weeks later, it doesn't happen in other sports, why should it happen in this one?
What will happen, will F1 be turned upside down again? Will Torro Rosso and Fernando Alonso be leading the way? Should we bother tuning into the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend when there is a strong possibility the result will be decided two weeks later in court and not at the chequed flag?
I am half expecting Jake Humphrey, Eddie Jordan, David Coulthard and the BBC team to be broadcasting Sunday’s race from a Chinese court complete with gown and wigs.
The clock is ticking for the future of this sport.
Australian Grand Prix Results - If split diffusers deemed illegal
1. F. Alonso – (Renault) – 10pts
2. S. Buemi – (Torro Rosso) – 8pts
3. S. Bourdais – (Torro Rosso) – 6pts
4. A. Sutil – (Force India) – 5pts
5. N. Heidfeld – (BMW) – 4pts
6. G. Fisichella – (Force India) – 3pts
7. M. Webber – (Red Bull) – 2pts
8. S. Vettle – (Red Bull) – 1pt ??? – Vettel was the last car to retire.
Expelled Cars: J. Button – (Brawn GP), R. Barrichello – (Brawn GP), J. Trulli – (Toyota), T. Glock – (Toyota), N. Rosberg – (Williams)
Malaysian Grand Prix Results - If split diffusers deemed illegal
1. N. Heidfeld – (BMW) – 5pts
2. M. Webber – (Red Bull) – 4pts
3. L. Hamilton - (McLaren) – 3pts
4. F. Massa – (Ferrari) – 2.5pts
5. S. Bourdais – (Torro Rosso) – 2pts
6. F. Alonso – (Renault) – 1.5pts
7. N. Piquet jnr – (Renault) - 1pt
8. K. Raikkonen – (Ferrari) – 0.5pt
Expelled Cars: J. Button – (Brawn GP), T. Glock – (Toyota), J. Trulli – (Toyota), R. Barrichello – (Brawn GP), N. Rosberg – (Williams)
My prediction, I very much doubt that Lewis Hamilton fortunes this season will turn, seeing him gain a podium and three points. I expect the protests to get thrown out and the current race results recorded in Australia and Malaysia to stand.
However, every fan and Jenson Button tonight waits with baited breath.
*****
Pictures supplied by Getty Images from the BBC.co.uk and tuned.com.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Who should stay and who should go?
Two races into the new season and this is already one of the biggest questions for me. It seems that this season Formula one is more competitive than ever with not much keeping the teams apart. But is the distance between the drivers growing? New FIA rules for this season mean that testing between Grand Prix is more or less non-existent, a worry not only for the teams and their main drivers who would usually look to use gap weekends, such as this one, to develop the car, but a bigger concern for the list of young test drivers waiting in the wings who would be wanting to stake a claim for a drive next season.The 2009 season already looks wide open, because of this rumours are flying that some teams with drivers who are already under preforming will be looking to give their reserves a shot at some grand prix racing time sooner rather than later. I therefore pose this question to everyone, who do you think should stay and who should go? Who might be about to watch from the sidelines?
Under preforming Ferrari's:They were pitched during the pre-season as the dream team, but I bet that dream didn't envisage Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa pointless after two races when wins were expected at both Australia and Malaysia. Controversial I know and it's never going to happen but for me these are two drivers who should most certainly be on the chopping block. Raikkonen's care free attitude hit new low during the rained off Malaysian GP, he's already won the world title and doesn't seem too concerned about competing for another. With the expected arrival of Alonso to the Ferrari team next season, I am expecting the Fin to take early retirement away from the sport as he is not the sort of personality you could see going to a lesser team in order to keep his place on the grid.
His team mate Massa has been dubbed as one of the most talented drivers in the last decade. This is something I continually argue with as I believe to be the best you should be able to preform in all conditions thrown at you. Undoubtedly Massa is a talent but when his talents are washed away so easily by a wet race, as proved last season when he could barley keep his car on the track let alone a straight line during the British and Monaco GP's, you do start to question whether this talent is all round or can only shine when the conditions suit. Ferrari now see Massa as their number one driver, he came very close to taking his first world title last season, there are still plenty of races left in 2009 but I can't see Massa as the main challenger this season.
Nelson Piquet Jnr:What a name to live up to. His father (Nelson Piquet Souto Maior) was one of the most dominant racers in the 80's taking three world titles. Unfortunately it looks likes Piquet Jnr won't be given the chance to emulate even half of his fathers achievements. After just twenty starts for the Renault team, Piquet has only crossed the finish line on ten of those occasions. Five of these were in points scoring positions, with only one being a podium finish (Second place - German GP - 2008). This season has held one retirement and a last place position before Malaysia was halted last weekend. It's not the performances Renault team principle Flavio Briatore envisaged when giving Piquet his drive at the beginning of 2008 and with frustrations running high in the French teams camp and with a signs of a huge grid shake up this season, I wonder how much longer Piquet jnr will be able to hang on to his seat. The next two races I believe could prove crucial to the young Brazilians future in formula one. Two drivers that will certainly be watching on with interest are test drivers Romain Grosjean from France and Brit Adam Khan.
Heikki Kovalainen:A huge disappointment for me since his arrival with the Mclaren team at the beginning of 2008. Even when the Mclaren was on form and with fast car under him the Fin could only manage three podium finishes last season (3rd Malaysia, 1st Hungary, 2nd Italy). Some could argue first season jitters with a huge team whilst in the shadow of Lewis Hamilton, but so far this season things have gone from bad to worse for Kovalainen. Two races into 2009 and the Fin has not been able to complete a single lap in the poor preforming Mclaren Mercedes. Is the clock ticking for Heikki? For me he is another driver on the cusp of an early season exit in 2009 if performances don't change soon, and due to the fact one of the Mclaren test drivers is former Arrows and Jaguar driver Pedro de la Rosa who is no stranger to formula one, Martin Whitmarsh could be tempted to make a swap sooner rather than latter. However the saving grace for Kovalainen this season is that he is in the shadow of Lewis Hamilton, and due to the difficulties both he and Mclaren have experienced in the early stages of 2009, Kovalainen might be able to get to the end of the season unscathed. However lets hope he manages to complete a lap in that time.
Sebastien Bourdias:Another driver who was in the shadow of this team mate last season in the Torro Rosso. It wasn't hard for the Frenchman's achievements, or lack of, to be overshadowed by Sebastian Vettel in 2008. While the German secured himself 9 points scoring finishes, one being a win at the Italian GP, Bourdais could only manage two, picking up 7th place in Australia and Belgium. Things might be looking up for Bourdias though, he is already scored his first points this season, despite rookie team mate Sebastien Buemi leading the way in Australia 2009. I do think that Bourdias is one of the poorer drivers on this years grid, but with Vettels move to the parent Red Bull team, he does now lead the way in the number one seat which adds more pressure onto a young mans shoulders. It would be harsh for the Frenchman to be replaced in only his second season. But this is Formula one and stranger things have happened. If the Torro Rosso's are struggling at the half way point and expectations have not been met, I would expect Bourdias seat to be questioned and a new driver considered if one were available.
Who could be joining F1?
There are a number of drivers waiting in the wings and competing in other motorsports championships who are more than capable of stepping up to the challenge of F1. Some names have tried their hands at it before, others would be new and raring for a fresh challenge if a drivers seat should open up. So who should we be looking at if an F1 team does decide to ditch a driver halfway through the season?
Giorgio Pantano: The name might ring a bell to hardcore motorsports fans. The Italian is the current GP2 champion with Racing Engineering and has had an uneventful brief stint in Formula one back in 2004 with Jordan. However Pantano failed to impress only finishing 6 grand prix that season, all at the tail end. Despite his failure at the top end of the sport Pantano is one of the most successful drivers in GP2. He is also no stranger to F1 having tested for Williams, Mclaren and Benetton back in the early 2000's. Despite his advancing years at 30, some F1 teams might be willing to give the Italian one last shot at F1.
Takuma Sato:A veteran of F1 who's 2008 season was cut short in 2008 after just four races when the Japanese Super Aguri team was pulled off the grid due to financial difficulties. Sato has had 90 starts in F1, racing with Jordan, BAR and Super Aguri. The man from Tokyo never set the world on fire in F1 with only one podium finish to his name (3rd - USA - 2004), this was Sato's best season in F1 whilst driving for BAR, finishing 8th with 34 pts. He ironically narrowly missed out on a drive this season with the Torro Rosso team, where he competed during pre-season with Sebastains Bourdais and Buemi. The later of the two was preferred for 2009 leaving Sato out in the cold for another season. Takuma is another driver who is in his twilight years of the sport, despite this his experience would hold him in good stead should a team want a replacement driver.
Anthony Davidson:The other driver left without a seat after the withdrawal of the Super Aguri team in 2008. The Briton has 24 races under his belt but has never scored a championship point. Since his motorsport career has been put on hold, Davidson has tried his hand at journalism and currently holds a contract with the BBC to co-commentate alongside David Croft on Radio Five Live. He has however made it clear during some of these broadcasts he would like one more chance at a season in Formula one.
Bruno Senna:The name is legendary throughout the motorsport world. Nephew of the late three times Formula one world champion Ayrton Senna who famously said when racing for Mclaren "If you think I'm good, just wait until you see my nephew Bruno" We have yet to see Bruno on the F1 circuit in any competitive form, he did however test for the now former Honda team in 2008. Bruno was meant to have a seat and begin his F1 career this season, however due to the sport suffering financially and no new teams entering the grid no seat ever materialised. Currently racing in the endurance LeMans series, Senna has competed in British F3 and GP2. He finished 2nd in the 2008 GP2 championship, losing out to Giorgio Pantano. Some people in the sport believe Bruno's entrance into F1 is long overdue, if the driver doesn't make his entrance to F1 this season it's thought Senna will be first in line to replace veteran Rubens Barrichello in the Brawn GP car for 2010.
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Kamui Kobayashi:
The current leader in the GP2 Asia series, Kobayashi also test drives for the Toyota F1 team this season. Toyota have shown strength this season with drivers Trulli and Glock, so it's unlikely we will see the young Japanese driver take a seat for the team this season. However he is another possible star to watch for.
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Gary Paffett:
Mclaren test driver alongside Pedro de la Rosa, the Briton from Bromley has been on the perifery of F1 for the past few seasons. His strongest challenge to getting a drive was just before the 2007 season but was beaten to the seat by Lewis Hamilton. A lack of competitive experince might stop Paffett's chances of a drive if a seat did open up this season.
Alaxander Wurz:
Another veteran of Formula one, the Austrian has entered and re-entered the sport three times, could he make it a forth? Having experienced four full seasons in F1 and two where he filled in for injured drivers, Wurz would be one of the best bets to come off the bench part way through a season if a driver needed replacing. Wurz has three podiums under his belt (3rd British GP 1997, 3rd San Marino GP 2005, 3rd Canadian GP 2007) The Austrian currently test drives for Brawn GP.
Mclaren test driver alongside Pedro de la Rosa, the Briton from Bromley has been on the perifery of F1 for the past few seasons. His strongest challenge to getting a drive was just before the 2007 season but was beaten to the seat by Lewis Hamilton. A lack of competitive experince might stop Paffett's chances of a drive if a seat did open up this season.
Alaxander Wurz:
Another veteran of Formula one, the Austrian has entered and re-entered the sport three times, could he make it a forth? Having experienced four full seasons in F1 and two where he filled in for injured drivers, Wurz would be one of the best bets to come off the bench part way through a season if a driver needed replacing. Wurz has three podiums under his belt (3rd British GP 1997, 3rd San Marino GP 2005, 3rd Canadian GP 2007) The Austrian currently test drives for Brawn GP.
*****
Pictures from Getty Images supplied by the BBC, guardian.co.uk and wikimedia.org
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Monsoon Mayhem in Malaysia
Jenson Button took his second win of the season, the third of his career in this mornings Malaysian Grand Prix in very unconventional conditions that saw the race red flagged 31 laps into the race.
Rain has been expected all week at the circuit in Kuala Lumpur, but when the lights went out this morning in the hot and humid tropical conditions the track was bone dry.
Off the grid Button made a poor start that saw the Williams of Nico Rosberg take the lead into the first corner with the Briton pushed down to fourth. Trulli also had a good start that moved his Toyota to second. But the best was reserved for Fernando Alonso, who used his KERS system to good effect to enable a brilliant sling shot start from tenth to move the Renult into third.
I predicted it earlier this week in my ("And it's GO GO GO!!!") post. It had expected all weekend. RAIN had been experienced every day in Malaysia in torrential monsoon conditions that could potentially cause lethal conditions that had the ability to dramatically change the outcome of any race and yes, get it red flagged.
We were kept waiting for what seemed like an age but when the rain finally did come it didn't deliver the in torrent many of us expected. As soon as the first few spots were felt most of the teams panicked and put wet tires on their drivers much sooner than they were needed. The Ferrari team ruined any chance Raikkonen had by putting wets on his car five laps before any rain had fallen. The only team that took the right course of action in what must only have been a gamblers stroke of luck was the Toyota team who sent Timo Glock back out on intermediates.
Glock sliced his way through the field at stealth, as other cars, including the Brawn GP of Button, struggled to keep pace. Hamilton who after starting 12th was still languishing around the midfield positon of 9th was the next driver the realise the tires were not effective as the rain storm continued to stall and McClaren brought him in for intermediates. All other teams teams followed suit.
It was at this point the heavens opened as the last team was sent out with their new intermediates they realised they would now need the wets again in what was the monsoon conditions that had been expected and feared.
Cars of Vettel and Fisichella slid off the track unable to find grip in conditions you could swim in. Frenchman of Bourdais screams over his team radio for the race to be stopped whilst under the safety car.
His wish was granted a lap later as the red flag was given to indicate the race had been stopped.
We were left waiting for 53 minutes to see whether the race would be restarted however the rain continued to fall and with the 2 hour time limit of the race ticking the clock ran down on any of the drivers chances to beat Button.
Questions will now be asked whether it was right to start this grand prix so late in the day when rain conditions like the ones witnessed today are experienced every afternoon in the tropical heat of Malaysia. I enjoy seeing a wet race more than any other grand prix but I have a feeling this maybe the last time we witness a Malaysian grand prix at this time of year starting so late in the day.
Because the race was just over half way through when abandoned all drivers who finished in the points picked up half the total.
1. J. Button - Brawn GP - 5pts
2. N. Heidfeld - BMW - 4pts
3. T. Glock - Toyota - 3pts
4. J, Trulli - Toyota - 2.5pts
5. R. Barrichello - Brawn GP - 2pts
6. M. Webber - Red Bull - 1.5pts
7. L. Hamilton - McClaren - 1pt
8. N. Rosberg - Williams - 0.5pt
The superb rags to riches start for Brawn GP continues. Jenson Button must be left thinking where has this team been all his racing life. Despite a bad start, he drove a good race. He might count himself a little lucky this time round as I am not sure he could have kept up the pace or even his car on the track if it had been able to continue in the wet conditions.
Something to watch for, I am starting to wonder if the green eyed monster of jealousy is starting to creep in between Brawn team mates Button and Barrichello. The Brazilian looked very dejected and almost a lonely figure after the race, and whilst he didn't have the best of races and had a blighted qualifying due to his 5 place grid spot penalty, who wouldn't get fed up with all the limelight placed on one member of the team, particularly when he is the more experienced driver in what is most likely to be his final season.
I am personally gutted for Lewis Hamilton who thought he had finished 5th when in fact his official position was 7th due to lap count back of the time the red flag was shown. Similar heartbreak was experienced for Glock and Heidfeld who also lost places due to this rule.
I am convinced though if the race had been allowed or was safe to run for 5 laps longer we would have seen a very different result with Glock taking victory and Hamilton getting a podium finish in third as he certainly had the pace and control over other cars ahead of him in the wet.
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Something that made me smile though was that after two races neither Ferrari driver have impressed and neither have scored any points. Another disappointing weekend for the Italian team that saw Massa end the race in 9th, bringing up the rear, his team mate ice man Kimi Raikkonen took his title far too literally when he gave up and got out of his car and went back to his teams garage to help himself to an ice cream and coke from the fridge whilst all other drivers were waiting for a re-start. I wonder if Kimi and Ferrari will remain so cool if they are still pointless come round 5 in Spain?
Two weeks until Shanghai, a Button hatrick and another wet race maybe?
*****
Pictures from Getty Images supplied by the BBC and TheTelegraph.co.uk
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Hamilton points stripped - Right or Robbed?
So this is the move that has yet again been seen to damage Formula One! Once more the rule book is opened, the pages thumbed over then the thrown towards Lewis Hamilton. I know I said I was looking forward to a a season full of competition and controversy, but please can we get past one race weekend anymore without a driver being given a time penalty, investigated or in this case disqualified.
This morning Lewis Hamilton was summoned before the FIA to discuss what was described as "new evidence". He emerged without the 6 points he was thought to have gained from the Australian Grand Prix. After Sunday's race Hamilton was promoted one grid position from 4th to 3rd after Trulli was seen to have overtaken under the safety car (brought out due to Vettel's and Kubica's late collision).
However new evidence discovered by the FIA from team radio conversations between Hamilton and McClaren proved that both team and driver witheld information from race stewards.
The inquest now begins on whether the FIA were justified to take away the points from Hamilton four days after the Grand Prix in question and two days after Toyota said they had closed the book on the issue and were not going to contest Trulli's time penalty.
What do people think was it right for Hamilton to be disqualified or was he simply robbed of his points?
From my point of view we must go back to the basics of this incident. Trulli went wide under the safety car, for reasons unknown. I suspect that due to the low sun during that time of the race, Trulli misjudged the corner and simply went off the track out of error (as safety aspect Kubica made clear he was unhappy with to the BBC earlier this week) Hamilton passed Trulli at this time (breaking the rules of passing under the safety car). It was later during the lap that Hamilton slowed to allow Trulli to overtake and re-take his 3rd place position. It would be this move that would lead to Trulli originally getting his time penalty that would lose him the position.
I feel I have to make this point as I think it has been overlooked, what was Hamilton meant to do at the point when Trulli went off the track, follow suit or slow down so as not to overtake but risking his position from following cars? Of course he had to overtake! Then following the complex set of rules that has been created during the modern era of F1, he gave the place back. What else was the driver meant to do?
It is clear from listening to the two drivers team radio's during this closing stage of the race that confusion of who was in the right/wrong was not understood by either team and that race control were not quick enough to control the incident at the time. It was frantic end to this grand prix and race control failed to have control, creating a farce four days after the event.
No one can excuse bad sportsmanship, and if information was kept back from the race stewards then the decision has to be corrected. Big question though why were the team radio transmissions not checked sooner?
I feel this has been a confused issue from the beginning and that the McClaren team have not done themselves or their star driver any favours by not being clear from the off with this issue. My conclusion is that yet again McClaren have let Hamilton down.
Eddie Jordan today called today's findings "Damaging" to Lewis Hamilton. How damaging will this saga really be? Only time will tell, however it must be getting frustrating for such a talented driver to have so many people against him. The more F1 fans I talk to in Britain the more seem to have negative comments against the McClaren driver. This incident is not the first time either that the McClaren team have let Hamilton down and made a mistake that has cost the young driver points. Many fans will today be left wondering whether the relationship between team and driver is becoming ever increasingly frustrated and strained. Jordan is right, damage has been done but I think this incident may have damaged the relationship between driver and team. 
Well the clock is ticking, we all thought Hamilton was going into this weekends Malaysian Grand Prix with a respectable 6 points behind him, but today I feel Hamilton not only lost points but something from his reputation.
The saving grace is, with an almost certain chance of a wet race at the Sepang Circuit in 48 hours, will "the master in the wet" stick two figures up at his critics, get his helmet down and win it back in the superb style he knows how to deliver?
*****
With thanks to - YouTube contributers: mach4111, PicK1NG, yutubeqtuviste
Pictures from Getty Images supplied by BBC
BREAKING NEWS - Lewis Hamilton exculted from Australian GP
The young British driver who finished fourth during Sunday mornings Australian GP but promoted to third due to Jarno Trulli's 25 second time penalty, has this morning (9:50GMT) been stripped of his podium finish and excluded from the Grand Prix.
The result means Hamilton and McClaren go into this weekend Malaysian Grand Prix without any points. Trulli and Toyota have been reinstated to third place.
The controversy of F1 against Hamilton and the McClaren team continues. It's not yet clear what new evidence has come to light, but according to BBC sources, both team and driver have been found to breach the international sporting code with the incident involving a pit-to-car radio.
More information to follow
The result means Hamilton and McClaren go into this weekend Malaysian Grand Prix without any points. Trulli and Toyota have been reinstated to third place.
The controversy of F1 against Hamilton and the McClaren team continues. It's not yet clear what new evidence has come to light, but according to BBC sources, both team and driver have been found to breach the international sporting code with the incident involving a pit-to-car radio.
More information to follow
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