27/03/2011
NEWS STORY
 |
Having out-qualified his nearest rival by over three-quarters of a second, and considering how well he performed on his last two outings, few would bet against Sebastian Vettel getting his 2011 championship off to the very best of starts today.
The youngster has been on scintillating form all weekend, and on learning that he hadn't used KERS on his qualifying run even Hamilton was left almost speechless.
Indeed, both McLaren and Red Bull look good thus far this weekend, though the Austrian outfit seems to have that little bit more in reserve.
Whether sections of the media were over-reacting - it has been known - or McLaren really has performed miracles since Barcelona, the fact is that the Woking outfit's pace on Friday was no fluke and Messrs Hamilton and Button look to have the makings of a good package beneath them.
Ferrari admits to being caught out by the pace of the Red Bulls, but even so, we expected more than fifth from Alonso, while it will be interesting to see how he deals with his Abu Dhabi nemesis, Vitaly Petrov, today.
Despite a strong final test in Barcelona, Mercedes clearly has work to do, while Toro Rosso and Sauber are both looking good at this early stage for points finishes.
Williams had a dreadful qualifying session but one race does not make a season, while at Force India Adrian Sutil looks to have his hands full with Paul di Resta.
Lotus and Virgin pick up where they left off last season, the Russian outfit admitting that the pace of its rivals has taken it by surprise.
Hispania, which at this stage appears to be the Rebecca Black of the F1 grid, misses this race despite the heroic efforts of its crew. Let's hope its owners can sort out the behind the scenes mess by Sepang.
However, the big question mark hanging over today's race - other than whether the DRS and KERS will 'spic up the show' is tyres. With the option (soft) tyres said to be good for 15 laps and the prime (hard) 15-20 we should be looking at a two-stopper today. However, there are many - including the Pitpass team - who have their doubts. While conditions won't be anything like we all expected this weekend, the Pirellis are facing a major test, the white heat of battle. What went before was nothing.
For the first time this weekend we not only have blue skies, the sun is actually shining… yes shining! While this will cause visibility problems - especially in Turns 1 and 3 - but more importantly raise the temperature which should also affect tyre wear.
Eager to get to work, Vettel is the first driver to arrive on the grid. The Red Bull crew immediately take their places around the all-important rear end of the car.
Fifteen minutes before the start of the race, in a move co-ordinated by the FIA and FOTA, the drivers assemble for a one minute silence in respect of the victims of the recent disaster in Japan. Sadly, no obvious reference to New Zealand even though, like Japan, it has played a significant role in the F1 story… think McLaren, Hulme and Amon.
With five minutes to go, as the drivers climb into their cars, the leading ten are all on the option (soft) compound. Schumacher, starting eleventh, is on a brand new set of softs.
As the field heads off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 17 degrees C while the track temperature is 23 degrees. Humidity is 61%.
The five red lights go out and the 2011 season is underway. The McLarens have poor starts but going into the first corner Hamilton is able to hold off Webber as Vettel cruises into the distance. Petrov is up to fourth and Massa fifth having both passed Button and Alonso who runs wide in Turn 1.
At the end of lap 1, Vettel leads Hamilton by 2.4s with Webber third ahead of Petrov, Massa, Button, Rosberg, Kobayashi, Alonso and di Resta. Alguersuari and Schumacher both pit, the Spaniard had a puncture seemingly after a clash with the Mercedes.
After 2 laps, Button is all over Massa as Vettel enjoys a 3.2s lead. Drivers are now free to use the controversial DRS. The first to attempt to make use of it is the 2009 champion in his battle with the Ferrari. However, the device doesn't help him pass the Brazilian.
Massa is defending his position like a demon, Button all over the place in his frantic efforts to pass the Ferrari.
After 4 laps Vettel leads Hamilton by 3.1s with Webber a further 1.5s behind. Behind the leaders, Buemi is eleventh, ahead of Sutil, Heidfeld, Perez, Barrichello and Maldonado.
Making use of his DRS but to no avail, Button cries: "how is he keeping ahead of me on the straight?" Meanwhile, Massa is warned that his brakes are "too hot".
Maldonado passes Kovalainen while shortly after Buemi passes di Resta for tenth. The Scot is now under pressure from his Force India teammate.
After 9 laps, Webber complains that his tyres are starting to go, tyres are starting to go".
Vettel's lead is now down to 2.2s while Webber slips to 4.5s behind the McLaren. "Rear tyres are really starting to go off," says Vettel.
Button is the meat in a McLaren sandwich as Alonso closes in on the 2009 champion who still cannot pass Massa. Elsewhere, Maldonado pulls off track at Turn 9.
Button is past Massa at Turn 12 but needs to use the escape road in the process, clearly startled, Massa then loses another position to his Ferrari teammate.
At the end of lap 11, Webber is the first driver to pit, switching to the prime tyre. A lap later, Alonso pits but remains on the option rubber.
Aware that he could face punishment for his earlier move - indeed the race stewards reveal they are investigating - Button insists that he had no choice as his wheels were ahead of Massa's.
Massa pits at the end of lap 13, as does Barrichello. Vettel leads Hamilton by 1.5s with Petrov third.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 14, rejoining the race in fourth behind Button. Meanwhile, Button gets a drive through penalty for that move on Massa. Di Resta and D'Ambrosio both pit.
As Alonso posts a new fastest lap (31.904), Button is doing a good job of keeping Vettel at bay.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 15, promoting Petrov momentarily in to the lead of the race before the Russian also stops. The Englishman rejoins just behind Vettel who has passed Button. Rosberg, Kobayashi and Sutil all pit.
At the end of lap 17, Button serves his drive through as Vettel posts a new fastest lap (30.800). The German leads Hamilton, Webber, Petrov, Alonso, Button, Massa and Perez. That said, Button and Perez still have to stop for tyres. Schumacher, at the back of the field, makes his second stop of the day.
Button makes his regular tyre stop at the end of lap 20. All but Perez have stopped now.
It's all over for Kovalainen who has pulled off track in the final sector.
A number of interesting scraps, most notably Rosberg, Barrichello and Kobayashi for eighth while the two Force India drivers are having a great scrap for thirteenth.
Schumacher drives straight into his garage at the end of lap 22, his race over.
Barrichello makes a move on Rosberg but gets it wrong he clouts the Mercedes and spins losing several places. However, Rosberg also looks to have suffered, smoke pouring from the back of the German's car.
Rosberg pulls to the side of the track his race over, a bad day for Mercedes. Barrichello pits for a new nose.
Sadly the timing screens are playing up yet again.
After 25 laps, Vettel leads Hamilton by 7.3s with Webber third (21.1s behind the McLaren), ahead of Petrov, Alonso, Massa, Kobasyashi, Button, Buemi and di Resta.
Webber pits at the end of lap 26, his second stop of the race. The Australian rejoins in sixth.
Next time around Alonso stops, fitting a set of option tyres he rejoins in sixth. Elsewhere, Barrichello is handed a drive-through for the Rosberg incident.
After 29 laps, Hamilton is now 9s behind the race leader as Barrichello serves his drive-through. Alonso posts a new fastest lap (30.097) courtesy of that fresh soft rubber.
After 30 laps of 58, it's: Vettel, Hamilton, Petrov, Massa, Webber, Alonso, Button, Kobayashi, Sutil and di Resta.
Massa pits at the end of lap 31, promoting Webber fourth and Alonso fifth. The Brazilian switches to the prime rubber.
Hamilton runs wide and loses a couple of seconds however, the replay shows that his undertray is damaged. Elsewhere, Kobayashi pits from seventh, rejoining in eleventh.
After 35 laps, Vettel is asked about grip, the German now clearly losing pace. He admits that his tyres are going off. Sure enough, next time around the German having to work his way around the McLaren crew who are waiting for Hamilton. Petrov also pits.
Vettel still leads, with Hamilton second, ahead of Webber, Alonso, Petrov, Button, Massa, Sutil, Perez and Kobayashi. Button pits for softs a lap later as does Sutil.
In his pursuit of Webber, Alonso uses his DRS system but to no avail. Thus far, while it looks good in action the system has proved spectacularly unsuccessful in terms of improving overtaking.
On lap 39, Perez posts a new fastest lap, the Mexican crossing the line at 29.962.
Webber pits at the end of lap 41 which is a welcome move for Alonso who is now free to set off after Petrov. The Australian (softs) rejoins in fifth behind Petrov and immediately runs wide at Turn 3.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 42, the Spaniard rejoining in fourth comfortably ahead of Webber who lost a heap of time with that mistake.
Clearly benefiting from the 'red mist', Webber goes quickest in the first two sectors of lap 43 crossing the line at 29.686 to post a new fastest lap.
After a couple of laps where he appeared to close in on the race leader, Hamilton is now 11.5s down on Vettel. Petrov continues in third, 20s behind the Englishman, and 12.7s ahead of Alonso who has his mirrors full of Webber. "Remember to use the KERS," the Spaniard is advised.
Massa is 9.s behind Webber and only 3.4s ahead of Button who is under a certain amount of pressure from Perez. Kobayashi is ninth ahead of Buemi, Sutil, di Resta, Heidfeld, Alguersuari, Barrichello, Trulli and D'Ambrosio.
On lap 46, Alonso posts a new fastest lap (29.608) as he attempts to fend off Webber yet keep an eye on Petrov who is now 10d up the road.
Other than the Alonso/Webber scrap, Massa and Button are also enjoying a great fight, with Perez looking to pick up the pieces should it all end in tears. With Kobayashi running ninth this is a great performance from the Swiss team.
Finally, Button makes good use of his DRS passing Massa on the main straight on lap 48. Next time around the Brazilian pits switching from hard to soft. Elsewhere, Alonso posts another fastest lap (29.487).
With 8 laps remaining, it's: Vettel, Hamilton, Petrov, Alonso, Webber, Button, Perez, Kobayashi, Buemi and Massa. Hamilton is warned to take it easy as his car is damaged.
A new fastest lap from Massa (29.451) sees the Ferrari driver close to within 2.1s of ninth placed Buemi. Meanwhile, Barrichello finally gives up the ghost, driving into the Williams garage.
Massa makes a move on Buemi but the Swiss is having none of it and why should he? After all, his job is on the line and Toro Rosso (Red Bull) isn't known for its patience with drivers. On board footage shows the low sun causing real problems for the drivers at certain corners.
At the end of lap 54, Massa makes good use of his DRS to finally nail the Toro Rosso on the main straight. Elsewhere, Alonso is now 2.7s behind Petrov taking almost a second a lap from the Russian. The Renault driver responds and manages to claw back just a little time.
In ninth, 11.2s down on Kobayashi, but already 9s ahead of Buemi, Massa posts a new fastest lap (28.947).
Vettel starts the new season exactly where he left off in 2010, out front. Indeed, the German has led every lap for the last three races. Hamilton takes second while Petrov takes a thoroughly well deserved third place.
Alonso finishes fourth, ahead of Webber, Button, Perez, Kobayashi, Massa, Buemi, Sutil, di Resta, Alguersuari, Heidfeld, Trulli, D'Ambrosio and Glock.
As he takes the flag, a voice comes over the team radio; "well done, well done, a brilliant way to start the year!". And it is a brilliant way to start the year, not only for Vettel but also for Hamilton, Petrov, Alonso and the Sauber duo who all drove brilliant races.
As Vettel makes the most of his victory lap, teammate Webber pulls to the side of the track parks his car and walks up the pitlane helmet on, thereby warning media, fans and crew that he's not happy.
Despite all the new gizmos aimed at spicing up the action and giving us all something to have us on the edges of our seats there was little to get really excited about. On the other hand, the Pirellis soaked up the pressure and did all that was required of them.
Even though this wasn't the sort of race one will immediately want to sit down and watch again, it is filled with promise, for although Vettel was totally dominant, McLaren was no walkover. Ferrari clearly has work to do, but yet again Alonso gave 100%, while Petrov demonstrates that as Renault waits for Robert Kubica to recover he is more than able to keep the team in the fight. As for Sauber, not only were both drivers on great form, especially Sergio Perez in his maiden outing, the question is how did the Mexican manage to finish seventh having only made the one statutory stop for tyres.
A lot of teams have plenty of work to do before Sepang even though their efforts probably won't be seen until Barcelona. However, the fact is that this was a race of promise, promise that we might actually have a season where the excitement is about racing as opposed to points.
Like the man said, a brilliant way to start the year.
To check out our Grand Prix gallery, click here.