09/09/2007
NEWS STORY
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Due to a certain amount of over enthusiasm, not to say outright bloody lunacy, yesterday's GP2 race was littered with incidents, necessitating the appearance of the safety car on three occasions.
It is to be hoped that this afternoon the far more experienced F1 boys will prove to be far more mature in their approach, especially at the first two chicanes on the opening lap. Despite the many changes to the circuits here, the Autodromo Nazionale is still regarded as one of the most dangerous tracks on the F1 calendar, particularly during the opening lap.
Assuming the boys do behave themselves, it would be reasonable to assume - based on the evidence thus far - that this afternoon should be a stroll in the Parco di Monza for the McLaren boys, and in particular Fernando Alonso. Despite the nonsense that surrounds this weekend's event, with some websites only just stopping short of reporting that Ron Dennis has been dragged away screaming by police and locked up 'Midnight Express style' in a Monza jail, the World Champion has been looking pretty handy this weekend.
That said, this is Monza, and with the added 'oomph' of the Tifosi behind them, perhaps Massa and Raikkonen can raise their game, and prevent McLaren taking what looks like a certain 1-2.
Then again, maybe BMW can spring a surprise, and take the mighty leap from 'third power' to 'race winner'.
Sadly, thanks to the emasculation of the circuit, not to mention the current engine and points rules, it is entirely possible that this afternoon's race will be another one of those high-speed processions we have grown used to in recent years. Though hopefully behind the leaders we should see some decent battles between the midfield teams.
With Belgium coming up next week, many drivers will be keen to save their engines, while the end of the European season also means the teams will have less opportunity to develop parts for the remainder of the season. Therefore, today could be crucial in terms of the outcome of the championship - ignoring the forthcoming meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.
BMW look to have secured third place in the Constructors' Championship, but Renault will be keen to close the gap. While Red Bull's reliability gives cause for concern, the battle for fifth is still open, with the Milton Keynes team and Toyota hoping to give Williams a run for its money. Then there's the little matter of Super Aguri and Honda, with the Brackley based outfit determined not to be left in the shade by its little cousin.
Thus far, Spyker's much-anticipated B-car hasn't been that impressive, however, it's early days, and if nothing else the Silverstone based would dearly love to finish ahead of Toro Rosso.
As the drivers take their place on the grid, the crowd leaves no doubt as to who gets its support, both McLaren drivers are greeted with whistles and cat-calls.
It's understood that Kimi Raikkonen has a "stiff neck" following his accident in yesterday's free practice session, but that doesn't prevent him giving Martin Brundle the cold shoulder when the driver-turned commentator attempts to grab him for an interview.
Despite the intense heat, there is a group of fans dressed as bears and gorillas, obviously a reference to Kimi Raikkonen, who recently wore such a suit to a party.
As the drivers prepare to head off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 28 degrees C, while the track temperature is 36 degrees. Humidity is 40 percent.
Hamilton starts on the harder compound, as does Alonso. Indeed, other than Raikkonen, all the front runners are on the harder compound.
As Alonso pulls away, Hamilton attempts to force Massa wide, however, the Brazilian, for a brief moment gets ahead of the Englishman. At the first chicane, however, Hamilton is back ahead, though he cuts the corner. The replay shows contact between the Brazilian and his English rival.
At the end of lap 1, it's Alonso, Hamilton, Massa, Raikkonen and Heidfeld. However, there's a big accident involving Coulthard as something breaks on his car in the Curva Grande - not the sort of place where you want anything to go wrong. Ironically, the Scot had made a great start, making up several places.
The safety car is deployed, as Alonso leads Hamilton, Massa, Raikkonen, Heidfeld, Kubica, Kovalainen, Rosberg, Button and Webber. Vettel pitted at the end of lap, though it's unclear why. Then again, he deserves a penalty for that new haircut.
On lap 4, as the field continues behind the safety car, the pitlane is declared open.
A replay shows that Coulthard's 'problem' appeared to be a front wing failure, which is hardly likely to inspire Mark Webber.
At the end of lap 6, the safety car heads back into the pits, the race is back on.
At the first chicane, Hamilton looks at Alonso but thinks better of it. Behind the McLarens, the Ferrari and BMWs hold station.
On board coverage shows Schumacher really struggling for grip, as Davidson passes Fisichella for fourteenth.
Alonso posts fastest lap on lap 7, but Massa goes quickest in the first sector of lap 8. That said, Alonso posts another fastest lap, crossing the line at 23.816. At the back of the field the two Spykers are battling one another.
Trulli calls on his crew to "get Charlie", referring to race director Charlie Whiting. Clearly, the Italian feels someone has broken the rules. Meanwhile, Massa makes a very early stop, rejoining well down the field.
As Fisichella gets told to get a move on, advised that he is quicker than Davidson, Massa clearly has a problem, his race seemingly over. Sure enough, the Brazilian drives into the pits and into retirement.
Raikkonen is now running third, 5.5s behind the leading McLaren. Behind the Finn, 1.3s to be exact, is Heidfeld, who leads Kubica, Kovalainen, Button (yes Button!!!), Rosberg, Webber and Barrichello.
Button is having a great scrap with Rosberg, as Sato has a similarly stirring fight with Yamamoto. A replay shows Rosberg missing the first chicane and subsequently 'giving' the position back to the Honda driver. Behind these two, Webber keeps a watching eye.
Eleventh placed Wurz leads a train of cars that includes Trulli, Davidson, Fisichella and Schumacher.
On lap 13, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (22.871) as he closes to within 1.6s of his teammate. Raikkonen falls to 8.3s behind the Englishman.
Trulli passes Wurz, who appears to be struggling, as Davidson closes in on the Austrian.
At the end of lap 18, Hamilton is the first driver to make a regular pit stop, which indicates that he was lighter than his teammate in qualifying. The McLaren driver rejoins in sixth ahead of Button. The replay shows him braking very, very hard before he enters the pitlane.
Two laps later it is Alonso who pits, the Spaniard far more cautious as he enters the pitlane. The World Champion rejoins in fifth, ahead of his teammate.
As Heidfeld and Kovalainen pit, Rosberg and Button are having the mother of all battles, even the Italian race director finds it enthralling, opting not to focus on the race leader, Raikkonen.
As Raikkonen continues on his merry way, McLaren's concern is whether the Finn is on a one-stop strategy, as opposed to their two-stop strategy.
Kubica pits at the end of lap 23, but there's a problem with the jack, the Pole losing a heap of time, positions and points. Tragedy for the BMW driver.
At the end of lap 25, Raikkonen pits. As he enters the pitlane he enjoys a 19.6 lead over Alonso.
It's a long stop, over 10s, and when harder tyres are fitted it leads one to suspect that he is going for a one-stopper.
Consequently, Alonso now leads Hamilton by 2.3s, with Raikkonen third, ahead of Heidfeld, Rosberg Button, Webber, Barrichello, Trulli and Kovalainen. Of the leading ten, only the front four and Kovalainen have stopped.
Fisichella passes Davidson to take thirteenth, the Italian still paying the price for his poor starting position, which he blames entirely on Rubens Barrichello.
Raikkonen is lapping around a second a lap slower than the McLarens, which is not going to give him the win even if he doesn't need to make another stop.
After 29 laps, Alonso leads Hamilton by 2.8s, with Raikkonen a further 16s down the road.
At the end of lap 30, Rosberg pits, as does Trulli. This promotes Button to fifth, though the Honda driver has yet to stop, as do Webber and Barrichello behind him. Elsewhere, Schumacher and Vettel both pit.
Raikkonen, now lapping around 1.2s off Alonso's pace, is now under pressure from Heidfeld, who closes to within 2.7s.
At the end of lap 33, Button and Fisichella both pit, the English driver rejoining in thirteenth. A lap later, Webber and Barrichello both stop. Wurz and Davidson are the only drivers who have yet to stop.
Davidson finally pits on lap 36, as the Ferrari crew continues to work on Massa's car. Surely they will not consider sending him out again.
After 36 laps, it's; Alonso, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Heidfeld, Kovalainen, Kubica, Wurz, Rosberg, Button and Webber. Wurz has yet to stop.
It is unlikely that Raikkonen can sneak a win here, but he could snatch second from Hamilton. Providing, of course, that the Finn doesn't have to make another stop.
At then end of lap 38, Wurz finally makes his sole stop.
At the end of lap 39, Heidfeld makes his second stop, as Alonso stretches his lead over Hamilton to 6s.
Next time around, the Englishman pits. 6s later he's heading down the pitlane, rejoining behind Raikkonen, much to the crowd's delight.
With the McLaren driver on fresh tyres we should be in for a real humdinger between two of the fastest men in F1.
Kovalainen pits, promoting Kubica to fourth.
Hamilton passes Raikkonen at the first chicane, the Englishman out-braking the Ferrari in classic style. Elsewhere, Alonso makes his second stop, rejoining still leading the race.
In all honesty, watching the replay, it's unlikely that Raikkonen even saw Hamilton coming. By the time the Finn realised the McLaren was there, it was all over. Great stuff from the World Championship leader.
So, after 45 laps, Alonso leads Hamilton by 7.7s, with Raikkonen a further 4.4s behind. Heidfeld is fourth, ahead of Rosberg, who is under intense pressure from Kubica.
The Pole makes his move at the first chicane - a popular place to pass today - and the Williams driver is powerless to resist, the BMW is through and up to fifth. Kovalainen is seventh, ahead of Button, Webber and Barrichello.
The gap between Raikkonen and fourth placed Heidfeld is up to 32.4s.
With 5 laps remaining, only two 'retirements', further proof of how reliable these cars are today.
Alonso continues to set a fierce pace, extending his lead over his teammate to 8s, with 3 laps remaining.
The reigning World Champion begins his final lap, as McLaren prepares to celebrate a famous victory in its bitter rival's back yard.
It's a Woking 1-2 at the Autodromo Nazionale with the Prancing Horse finishing a distant 21s behind.
Ahead of a crucial week in the team - and indeed the sport's - history, this is a much needed morale booster, and it is no surprise that Ron Dennis finally allows himself a grin.
Alonso reduces Hamilton's title lead to just 3 points, as the Woking team enjoys the luxury of a 23 point advantage in the constructors' standings.
An overhead shot shows Ron Dennis wiping tears from his eyes as his wife Lisa hugs him, and who can blame the guy.
Behind the top three, Nick Heidfeld claims another fourth place, with Kubica staging a superb recovery after that nightmare pit stop.
Another great race from Nico Rosberg, while Kovalainen salvages some pride for Renault.
Kudos to Jenson Button and the guys at Brackley for a superb effort, Rubens Barrichello's strong tenth finish clear proof that this was no fluke result for the English driver.
Not the greatest of races, but then again, not the worst. There were some thrilling moments - most notably the Rosberg/Button battle and Hamilton's move on Raikkonen - that remind us all why we love this sport in the first place.
Sadly, in a few hours from now, the Champagne will have dried on the overalls, the trophies will be placed in the cabinet and the 'circus' will ahead for Belgium.
However, the real focus now centres on Paris on Thursday, and one wonders whether Ron Dennis will once again have cause to shed tears, only this time for all the wrong reasons.
Formula One, the ultimate high octane soap opera.
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