30/07/2006
NEWS STORY
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Depending on your perspective on such things, Kimi Raikkonen and his MP4-21 is on pole for today's race either because the English team has made major progress in the last couple of weeks, or, as the more cynical might suggest, because the Mercedes Benz Stuttgart HQ is just a one-hour drive from the Hockenheim circuit.
In his preview for the German GP weekend, Mercedes Motorsport boss, Norbert Haug, admitted that the team would need to be "aggressive" here, particularly in qualifying; "we have to manage to start from the first two rows on the grid," he said, "this is the only way to turn this pace into the positions we expect."
The German Grand Prix is a big event for Mercedes, its "technology partner" ExxonMobil sponsors the event, while thousands of loyal Mercedes employees will be given tickets for today's race, many of them located in the Mercedes grandstand - where they will receive a free pocket radio in order that they can to listen to the commentary.
This is a big event for Mercedes.
There was never any doubting the pace of the Ferraris, and Michael Schumacher's 13.778 in the second phase of qualifying should have been enough to cause much of the opposition to pack up early and head for Japan, bypassing Hungary, Turkey and Monza. The Ferrari has been getting better with each race, and with it its driver pairing, Felipe in particular showing dramatic improvement this season, the Italian team has never looked better this season.
Without sounding overly harsh, we do not believe that Honda has suddenly found pace, and talk of the new wind tunnel already paying dividends should be dismissed, it is far too early for the windtunnel to be making a difference. Therefore, we feel that the Japanese team is attempting to stop the rot, and the whispering campaign, by banking everything on strong qualifying positions, and the (naïve?) hope that the pace will be maintained in the race.
But what of Renault? Is Fernando starting from seventh, his worst grid position since Malaysia, due to a drop off in form by the French team, an improvement by its rivals, or is it all down to the mass damper saga? After all, if the dampers didn't make a difference they wouldn't have been on the car in the first place.
In all honesty, something doesn't feel right about this, and if, as some are whispering, there is manipulation going on in the background, it could all explode in our faces. A blue & yellow wash, much like a red wash, doesn't do us any favours, but let us hope that we are given a genuine title fight rather than a manufactured version.
One can only hope that the powers that be were watching this morning's GP2 race, where a thrilling event, filled with thrills and spills, ended with Timo Glock taking the lead on the very last lap from (an apparently napping) Jose Maria Lopez. Like yesterday's race, it was one of those events where there was always something happening, where you couldn't afford to look away from the screen - unlike so many Grands Prix threes days, when one often finds oneself distracted… running off for another beer, cup of tea, sandwich or to wash the car.
What we also got to see in the two races is that in addition to a clear lack of grip in some parts of the circuit, fortune favoured the brave - in other words drivers were able to overtake, if they were willing. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't…. but they tried. Is it too much to hope that we might witness a couple of similar manoeuvres this afternoon?
Although Fernando enjoys a 17 point lead going into this afternoon's race, it is quite possible, if Renault really is hurting - courtesy of the mass dampers or a tyre issue - that Michael Schumacher could take a healthy bite out of his lead. On the other hand Pat Symonds looks quietly confident.
Going back to the GP2 events, there was plenty going on at the first corner (in both races), and at the hairpin (Spitzkehre), so it is quite likely we'll witness a couple of incidents on the opening lap, especially with such a mixed up grid.
Anyway, as the cars leave the pits to take their place on the grid, the air temperature is 32 degrees C, while the track temperature is 50 degrees. It is hot, very hot, and sunny.
Trulli and Albers have both forfeited ten grid spots following their engine changes, and will start behind Scott Speed, who didn't post a time, however, starting from the pitlane is Sakon Yamamoto, who is back in the SA06 he crashed in yesterday's free practice session, having qualified in the SA05 (Arrows).
They head off on the parade lap, with Michael leading the field into the first corner - didn't he get in trouble for that many years ago at Silverstone?
Raikkonen and Michael both make great starts, the Finn holding his lead. At the hairpin there's a bit of a tangle, with DC being hit by Coulthard and Alonso going wide. Towards the end of the lap we lose a WilliamsF1, as Rosberg spins off. Villeneuve, Ralf and Heidfeld all pit following the hairpin incident.
Raikkonen leads Michael, followed by Massa, Button, Fisichella, Alonso, de la Rosa, Webber, Barrichello and Klien.
The leading three have a comfortable lead over fourth-placed Button, as Pedro de la Rosa pulls off track, with what appears to be a technical problem.
Yamamoto is having all manner of problems, the Japanese driver really struggling with his car… he pits at the end of lap 4.
After 4 laps, Button is 4.2s down on Massa, who is 1s behind his Ferrari teammate. Raikkonen maintains a 2s lead.
The Finn is setting a blistering pace, having posted a string of fastest laps, however, how much fuel is he carrying? He's lapping in the 16.5s compared to Schumacher's 17.1s.
As for 'battles', Barrichello is all over Webber for seventh, while Coulthard and Trulli are hounding Liuzzi. Also, Sato is ahead of both Midlands… a superb debut for the SA06. That said, Yamamoto never left the pits and has retired.
As for Alonso, he's 15.6s down on Raikkonen, and losing touch with his Renault teammate, who is 2.2s up the road.
After 9 laps, the Ferraris are matching Raikkonen, indeed Michael sets a new fastest lap (16.455), as he closes to within 2.9s of the Finn.
At the end of lap ten, Kimi pits… as Michael takes the lead. It's a long stop, following a problem with the right-rear, and the Finn exits in eighth behind Barrichello and ahead of Klien.
After 11 laps, Michael leads Massa by 1.6s, with Button third, ahead of Fisichella, Alonso, Webber, Barrichello, Raikkonen, Klien and Liuzzi. Alonso is now 20.6s behind the race leader, while third placed Button is 11.4s down.
As the red cars sail off into the distance, the real action is the battle for sixth, with Barrichello and Raikkonen giving Webber a hard time. Meanwhile, Alonso is lapping almost a second a lap slower than his teammate, and falling into the clutch of Webber.
Barrichello makes a move on Webber, and there is nothing that the Aussie can do it about it. The Brazilian sets off after Alonso, as his teammate Jenson Button pits.
The Englishman rejoins in eighth behind Raikkonen, as Michael posts a new fastest lap (16.357). Meanwhile, Nick Heidfeld joins Rosberg, Yamamoto and de la Rosa as a retiree.
Barrichello is all over Alonso, and it is clear that it is a matter of when rather than if the Brazilian will nail the World Champion. That said, the Honda driver pits, giving the Spaniard a little respite, albeit temporary.
At the end of lap 19 Massa pits, as does Fisichella, however, all eyes are on Barrichello, whose Honda is on fire by the side of the track. Elsewhere, Button has passed Raikkonen, and is closing in on Webber.
At the end of lap 20, Michael pits. 8.8s later he's heading down the pitlane, rejoining just ahead of his teammate, still leading. Elsewhere, Alonso also pits… so no strategic surprises thus far. That said, the team took off some front wing.
At the end of lap 21 Coulthard pits, as Michael enjoys a 1.3s lead over Massa, who is followed by Webber, Button, Raikkonen, Klien, Fisichella, Trulli, Alonso and Liuzzi. However, Webber, Klien, Trulli and Liuzzi have yet to stop.
At the end of lap 25 Klien pits, promoting Trulli to seventh. The Austrian had been 0.8s down on Fisichella, one of the few battle taking place. That said, Albers is hot on Speed's tail, while Monteiro is hanging on to the back of Villeneuve.
After 27 laps, Webber, who has yet to stop, is running 19.2s behind Massa, as the Ferraris enjoy a Sunday afternoon cruise. Alonso is running eighth, 43.2s behind the race leader.
At the end of lap 28, Webber pits, as do Raikkonen and Trulli. The Finn making his second stop of the afternoon, the WilliamsF1 and Toyota driver making their first. Next time around it is Ralf Schumacher that pits, as does Albers.
At the end of lap 30, it's Michael, Massa, Button, Fisichella, Webber, Alonso, Raikkonen, Klien, Trulli and Coulthard.
Jacques Villeneuve goes off at the Sudkurve, wrecking his BMW. The Canadian is out of the car and fine, but a rotten end to a lousy weekend for the German team in its home race.
Trulli is 0.9s down on Klien, who is running eighth, while Monteiro is 0.7s down on Sato. Meanwhile, Ralf Schumacher gets a drive-through penalty for speeding in the penalty, which the German duly serves, exiting in twelfth place.
There is much speculation over Klien's future, and with this being something of a home race for the Austrian team, the Red Bull driver would do well to hold off Trulli.
It is noticeable, highly noticeable, that there are a lot of empty seats, no wonder the race promoters are struggling.
Clearly rattled by his drive-through, Ralf goes quickest in the first sector, Webber makes a great move to take fourth from Fisichella, the Italian clearly struggling for pace. Alonso is right on the tail of his Renault teammate.
Next time around Fisi pits, which releases Alonso, who sets off after Webber with Raikkonen in tow. Elsewhere, Coulthard pits.
At the end of lap 41 Button pits, while Sato drives into his garage, and retirement. Meanwhile, Monteiro gets a drive-through for ignoring the blue flags… naughty boy.
Fisichella makes a mistake and goes wide, losing two valuable seconds. Meanwhile, his teammate, running fifth, pits, remaining stationary for 8.2s and rejoining in eighth, behind Klien, but ahead of Fisi..
At the end of lap 44 Massa pits, rejoining comfortably ahead of third-placed Webber. Next time around it is the leading Ferrari that pits.
Speed has a bit of a moment, the American having crashed heavily in qualifying yesterday.
At the end of lap 46, it's: Michael, Massa, Webber, Raikkonen, Button, Trulli, Klien, Alonso, Fisichella and Liuzzi.
Klien pits, as Ralf Schumacher and Tonio Liuzzi enjoy a great scrap for tenth. That said, the German pulls off (sorry) into the pits for the fourth time today.
Webber makes his second and final stop at the end of lap 48, which promoted Raikkonen to third, though the Finn will need to make another stop. Trulli, who is also on a two-stop strategy, is still running fifth, showing no sign of making that second stop.
At the end of lap 51, Trulli finally pits, the Italian rejoining in eighth, behind Fisichella, and ahead of Klien.
Though the top steps of the podium appear to be settled, there is a fight on for third spot, with Webber and Button the main contenders, since Raikkonen still has to make a third stop. The Australian is 4s down on the Englishman but lapping 0.4s quicker. Elsewhere, Ralf passes Coulthard to take tenth, while moments later the hapless Scot is passed by Liuzzi.
At the end of lap 55 Raikkonen pits. 6.6s later he's heading back down the pitlane, rejoining alongside Webber. The Finn and the Australian go head to head, neither willing to give an inch, but it is the McLaren driver who has the line.
Therefore, with 11 laps remaining, Button is third, 26s down on Massa, but just 2.1s ahead of Raikkonen, with Webber a further 2s down the road.
As proof of his intent, Kimi goes quickest in the second sector, closing to within 0.5s of Button. Alonso is fifth, 5.1s down on Webber and 36.3s down on Schumacher.
Kimi makes his move, and despite his best efforts there is absolutely nothing that Button can do, the Finn takes third.
Meanwhile, Webber has a problem and is sliding down the leader-board, which is excellent news for Alonso, who might only lose 6 points to Michael today.
A desperately unlucky result for Webber, who clearly has an engine problem. The Aussie deserved better than this. As the WilliamsF1 heads down the pitlane there's smoke and a few flames.
Alonso goes off, but recovers it, which allows Fisichella and Trulli to close right in. Maybe the Spaniard will be giving away more than 6 points to his German rival.
Fisi will ride shotgun for his teammate, but Trulli appears to be in great shape, certainly tyre-wise, he should push home the advantage.
The Alonso/Fisi/Trulli train closes in on a Midland, can the Toyota driver use this to his advantage?
On the penultimate lap, Fernando posts his personal best lap of the race, very odd, very, very odd.
Schumacher takes the win, another notch on the belt, another entry in the record books.
On his slow down lap the radio crackles to life: "The titles' back in our hands mate," says Chris Dyer, "we win the last six races, we win the championship."
"This has been fantastic," Schumacher responds. "Everything is fantastic, you guys have done a great job, fantastic."
While the prancing horse gets the cream, ok, the Champagne, Kimi Raikkonen takes third spot - stopping off en-route to the podium to spray some extinguisher at the back of his car.
Jenson Button takes fourth place, and five much appreciated points, while Renault will be delighted to leave Germany behind.
Jarno Trulli takes seventh, scant reward for a very strong performance, while Christian Klien's eighth place might serve him well when it comes to contract negotiations for 2007, though we doubt it.
An absolute disaster for BMW and WilliamsF1, while Super Aguri also had a torrid time, however, as we head to Hungary one cannot help but wonder what has happened at Renault, because to this seasoned eye, something doesn't seem right.
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