22/07/2012
NEWS STORY
Normally, ahead of today's German Grand Prix, halfway point in the 'busiest' season in the history of the sport, we'd be concerned with the weather, the track condition or the possibility of Bernie Ecclestone assisting the local constabulary with its enquiries into the Gribkowsky saga, or Bribegate as we like to call it.
However, while there is concern that the weather gods might play games with us this afternoon, that the track has returned to its 'green' state and that Berni is being fitted up for a grey suit with arrows all over it, it is actually Red Bull that is dominating the headlines.
Earlier this morning, the stewards, who include former F1 star and SportsCar World Champion, Derek Warwick, announced that Red Bull were under investigation.
In short, the Austrian team has been accused of playing about with its engine mapping, and should it be found guilty could be forced to start from the back of the grid, the pitlane or even excluded from the race. You can bet that Christian Horner's feet have been tapping away bit time this morning.
Normally only to willing to speak to the media, for once Horner is extremely reticent, along with Adrian Newey avoiding reporters and their questions as if caught sneaking out the back door of a Chelsea basement.
Putting the legal issue aside for now, and ignoring the Red Bull duo - never easy at the best of times - the improved weather conditions will have raised the spirits in a number of garages this morning.
Following the numerous penalties already meted out, the starting grid looks quite different to the timesheets at the end of Q3 yesterday, especially for Nico Rosberg who finds himself starting from 21st on the grid. While one feels for the German in his home Grand Prix, one also wonders how Sebastian Vettel must be feeling as the stewards ponder their decision.
With the weather having played havoc on Friday and Saturday, most teams have little to go on in terms of tyres. Though they have run both tyre options they will not have done the sort of mileage they desired and in the sort of varying conditions they like. Indeed, during final practice on Saturday morning Mercedes was one of the few teams to run on full tanks, thereby gaining valuable tyre data for the German team.
The improved conditions will probably suit the McLaren, Jenson button having looked good in the early stages of Friday's session, while Lewis Hamilton dearly wants to celebrate his one hundredth Grand Prix in style.
Providing he can stay out of trouble, Pastor Maldonado should be worth a good handful of points, he like teammate Bruno Senna having looked good for much of the weekend.
Same goes for the Force India duo, which, though like its rivals has little all round data to go on, is looking good here.
Having taken his second successive pole, Fernando Alonso must go into today's race as red hot favourite, whatever happens to the Red Bulls, though the Spaniard would likely fancy his chances even more so should the Milton Keynes outfit's cars find themselves demoted to the back of the grid.
To clarify, as we await information to the contrary from the FIA, the starting grid is as follows:
Alonso, Vettel, Schumacher, Hulkenberg, Maldonado, Button, Hamilton, Webber, di Resta, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Kobayashi, Massa, Senna, Vergne, Kovalainen, Perez, Petrov, Grosjean, Pic, Rosberg, Glock, de la Rosa and Karthikeyan.
Which, even without any penalties for the Red Bulls, offers up all manner of possibilities.
Although the grid positions are not as important here as at some circuits, the inviting nature of Turn 1, and its history, dictates that one would rather be at the very back or very front than packed into the midfield. Also, it's worth noting that Charlie Whiting has repeatedly warned that he will be paying attention to drivers who run wide in Turn 1, using the run off as 'extra' track, much as they do at La Source in Spa.
Tyre options are medium (prime) and soft (option), and with the leading ten all qualifying on wets they will have the choice as to which compound they start the race on. That said, with so little useful data available it will be a tough choice.
The DRA zone is on the back straight that dissects the old circuit. We should see some fun and games there today, certainly if Hamilton has anything to do with it. "The great thing at Hockenheim is the great big DRS zone along the back straight ," said the Englishman last night. "Hopefully Jenson and I will be doing lots of overtaking there tomorrow!"
Exactly one hour before the race is due to start, the stewards issue a strange statement. While stating that there will be no further action taken against Red Bull, they imply that it is the wording of the regulations that is ambiguous and therefore at fault, and that it is this the team has taken advantage of. It's a curious comment and one that rivals are sure to seize on… one gets the feeling that we haven't heard the last of this.
Mapping-gate consigned to history, Red Bull Racing Spy makes his first appearance of the day on Twitter, shortly after Ferrari tweets: "There was some fuss this morning but, as you could say, much ado for nothing. We remain focused on ourselves…"
Speaking on the grid, Ross Brawn says we haven't heard the last of the Red Bull saga, (steward) Derek Warwick agrees.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 21 degrees C and the track temperature is 30 degrees, much warmer than at any other point this weekend. It is bright and sunny, ideal for F1 racing. There are clouds in the sky but no predictions of rain.
Everyone is starting on the softer rubber bar Kobayashi, Vergne, Pic, Rosberg and Glock who are on the medium (prime). All get away cleanly for the warm-up lap, Alonso heading field.
They’re away, Alonso leading the field into Turn 1, a poor start from Hamilton while Vettel is under early pressure from Schumacher. Further back Massa is a little too enthusiastic and hits Ricciardo from behind leaving debris, including his front wing, on the track.
Into Turn 3 Grosjean clips the rear of Massa the Frenchman unaware of the fact the Brazilian had a problem and was running slow. Elsewhere, Senna runs wide and is subsequently hit by the hapless Grosjean, the Brazilian suffering a puncture amongst other things.
At the end of lap 1, it's Alonso, Vettel, Schumacher, Hulkenberg, Button, Maldonado, Webber, Hamilton, Raikkonen and di Resta. Massa pits as do Grosjean and Senna, lots of brake dust from Senna's Williams while Massa and Grosjean get new noses.
After two laps, as DRS is enabled, Hamilton runs wide, subsequently reporting that he has a problem - it's a flat tyre. "Box, box," is the obvious reply.
After three laps Alonso leads Vettel by 0.6s with Schumacher now 2.4s behind. Hamilton, who has dropped to twenty-second says it's best to retire. The team ignores his request and sends him back out.
Out front Alonso posts a new fastest lap (22.600) however, he is unable to shake off Vettel. Hulkenberg is under pressure from Button, Maldonado and Webber.
Further back di Resta is battling Raikkonen who passes the Scot to take eighth, while Perez is up to twelfth, ahead of Vergne and Rosberg.
Replay shows Massa clouting Ricciardo at the start.
Verge is the first driver to make a regular stop, the Frenchman pitting at the end of lap 6. Elsewhere, Massa posts a new fastest lap (22.439) as Perez makes short work of his Sauber teammate.
"The car doesn't feel stable," claims Hamilton, "there's a problem with the left-rear." Meanwhile, his teammate passes Hulkenberg at the hairpin to take fourth.
Perez continues his charge, passing di Resta to take ninth, elsewhere, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (22.306).
After 9 laps, Alonso enjoys a 1.1s lead while Schumacher is now 4.7s adrift of Vettel and falling into the clutches of Button. Maldonado, Webber and Raikkonen close in on Hulkenberg.
Di Resta pits at the end of lap 10, indicating that this could a three-stopper for some.
Button nails Schumacher at the hairpin. The German unable to hold off the charging Englishman. In the McLaren garage the mechanics applaud.
Next time around Raikkonen pits as Maldonado runs over a piece of debris thought to be from the earlier incident.
Alonso continues to set a searing pace, posting a new fastest lap (22.214). Meanwhile, Hulkenberg, Webber and Rosberg all pit. The Australian takes on primes while the two German switch to options.
Schumacher is already 2.8s down on Button with Perez closing in, Maldonado and Kovalainen both pit. Webber runs wide, the Australian unable to get heat into his tyres. He closes in on Petrov but is unable to make it stick.
Schumacher pits at the end of lap 14, as does Petrov, the German rejoining in eighth, immediately locked in battle with Hulkenberg. The seven-time champ makes a typically aggressive move on the Force India driver who is clearly unable to fight back, Raikkonen also slipping past the startled youngster.
After 16 laps, Alonso leads Vettel by 2.2s, Button is third, ahead of Perez, Kobayashi, and Ricciardo. None of whom has stopped. Schumacher, 27.8s down on the race leader, is seventh, the first of the drivers who has stopped.
Perez pits at the end of lap 17, swapping to the primes, he rejoins in tenth as Alonso runs wide.
Next time around the race leader pits, switching to the harder rubber, the incident on the previous lap having served as a warning.
Button pits at the end of lap 19, the McLaren driver switching to primes. Elsewhere, down in twenty-first, his teammate asks if there is any chance of rain.
Webber makes a cheeky move on Maldonado for tenth, the Williams driver running wide.
Vettel finally pits at the end of lap 20, the world champion switching to primes. He rejoins in third just behind Kobayashi. Quickly disposing of the Sauber driver, the Red Bull sets off after Alonso again.
Raikkonen passes Schumacher to take fifth as Button is told that his pace is impressive; "we're going to win this race" is the somewhat optimistic cry.
Kobayashi is the last driver to make a regular stop, the Japanese pitting at the end of lap 22 from third.
"Pace is still looking strong," Hamilton is told, "we could make it a one-stop, your pace is strong". Seeing as how he pitted at the very start, that appears to be a big call. Or do they mean one regular stop?
Massa pits at the end of lap 24, the Brazilian currently sixteenth after that first lap incident. Elsewhere, Kobayashi passes di Resta to take ninth. Meanwhile, there is another Sauber/Force India battle raging for sixth, involving Hulkenberg and Perez.
On lap 27, as Alonso enjoys a 1s lead over Vettel, third-placed Button posts a new fastest lap (20.727) as he extends his lead over Raikkonen to 8.3s. Vergne makes his second stop of the afternoon.
Rosberg passes di Resta with ease, as Force India's afternoon goes from bad to worse. Also interesting to note the lack of pace from the Lotus duo, Raikkonen consistently losing ground to Button and falling back into the clutches of Schumacher.
Separated by just 0.6s, Alonso and Vettel carve their way through the back markers. Meanwhile, Perez finally finds a way past Hulkenberg, as does Webber moments later. The German subsequently pits and changes back to options. Kovalainen also pits as does Hamilton.
Covered by 3.8s, the leading three see Vettel post a new fastest lap but this is instantly beaten by Button (20.340).
As Rosberg pits, Hamilton is lapped by Alonso and then Vettel. Next up is his McLaren teammate. However, Hamilton keeps pace with the two leaders indeed, using his DRS he subsequently passes Vettel at the hairpin to un-lap himself. The Englishman is lapping around 0.8s quicker than the pair of them indeed, he posts a new fastest lap (20.091).
"No more KERS," Vettel is told, the German clearly unhappy at the Hamilton situation and the fact that he is now 2.2s down on Alonso. Elsewhere, Schumacher makes his second stop, rejoining in eighth.
Hulkenberg makes surprisingly short work of Maldonado to take tenth.
Separated by a lap, Hamilton is all over Alonso, were this to go wrong the McLaren driver would be in serious trouble. Then again, should Alonso simply let him by, since the Spaniard has far more to lose?
Raikkonen pits at the end of lap 38, as do Maldonado and Ricciardo.
As Alonso gets a message in Italian, the Spaniard shows absolutely no intention of allowing Hamilton by.
As his teammate battles the race leader, Button pits, taking on another set of primes. He rejoins in third. Next time around Webber and Perez both stop.
Alonso and Vettel both pit at the end of lap 41, clearly reacting to McLaren's move. Alonso rejoins still leading however, Vettel is passed by Vettel as he exits the pitlane. The German uses his DRS to retake the position but Button is having none of it. "Superb job," the McLaren driver is told, "now for Alonso!"
Vettel, clearly frustrated, subsequently runs wide giving Button some breathing space. Kobayashi is now fourth, ahead of Raikkonen, Schumacher, Hulkenberg, Perez, Rosberg and Webber.
Grosjean, currently nineteenth, makes his third stop of the afternoon. Kobayashi pits from fourth, dropping to sixth. Elsewhere, Kobayashi and Hulkenberg resume battle. Vettel is told that Button has a serious flat-spot with his front-right.
Separated by just 0.8s, Alonso responds with a fastest S1, passing Petrov to put some distance between himself and Button. Kobayashi passes Hulkenberg to take sixth, leaving the German to battle his Sauber teammate.
Hulkenberg pits again at the end of lap 46, swapping back to mediums he rejoins in eleventh.
After 48 laps, it's: Alonso, Button, Vettel, Raikkonen, Schumacher, Kobayashi, Perez, Rosberg, Webber and di Resta. Elsewhere, Massa and Hamilton both pit, as do Senna and Karthikeyan.
Kobayashi, 4.7s down on Schumacher, posts a new fastest lap (19.252) with teammate Perez, in seventh, setting a similar pace.
Rosberg pits at the end of lap 50, his third stop of the day. The German drops from eighth rejoining in eleventh.
Schumacher makes his third stop of the afternoon at the end of lap 52, rejoining in seventh, 0.651s down on Perez and ahead of Webber. Elsewhere, Vettel runs wide again.
McLaren confident that Alonso's tyres will 'fall off' in the final five laps, much like we witnessed at Silverstone.
As the two Caterhams trip over one another, everyone up to(sixteenth placed) Hamilton has been lapped. Thus far there have been no retirements.
As Schumacher posts a new fastest lap (19.007), aiming to close the 6.3s gap to Perez, Alonso runs wide. The German, and his Mercedes teammate, on a three-stop strategy this afternoon. Next time around, the seven-time champ posts a 18.794.
Now 0.6s down on Alonso, Button is warned that there is a lot of traffic ahead. Meanwhile, Hamilton drives into his garage his afternoon's work over… a sad end to his one-hundredth Grand Prix.
On lap 59, Alonso and Vettel posts best personal lap, meanwhile, told that he can win this race, Button is told to switch to "yellow G2". The Englishman is now 1.3s down on the race leader and the same gap ahead of Vettel. The top three are covered by 2.6s.
Vettel locks-up his front left as he attempts to close in on Button, the German also making full use of the kerbs. Further back, Schumacher closes to within 1.6s of Perez, the German really throwing the Mercedes around.
Vettel is all over Button as Alonso extends his lead to 1.9s. The German is all over the McLaren, sensing that second place is there for the taking. Despite the predictions about tyres, Alonso is lapping over 0.6s quicker.
Suddenly Alonso is 3.3s clear as Vettel nails Button at the hairpin. The German goes around the outside, using the run off area, and while the Englishman tries to resist he has nothing in reserve. Job done!
That said, Button is unhappy claiming that Vettel went off-circuit, his team informs him that the FIA is aware.
Alonso takes the flag, his third win of the season, "grazie, grazie, that was fantastic," he tells his crew.
Vettel takes second but there remains the question of the stewards investigation into his move on Button - mapping-gate giving way to passing-gate - with Button taking third (or second) ahead of Raikkonen, Kobayashi, Perez, Schumacher, Webber, Hulkenberg and Rosberg.
Di Resta finishes eleventh, ahead of Massa, Ricciardo, Vergne, Maldonado, Petrov, Senna, Grosjean, Kovalainen, Pic, de la Rosa, Glock and Karthikeyan.
A superb win from the Spaniard, which, whatever happens with Vettel, extends his championship lead still further.
A disappointing race as far as the local drivers were concerned, with a home win once again eluding Vettel, though at least he is in the points (pending the stewards decision) as are Schumacher, Hulkenberg and Rosberg.
Perhaps we needed the weather gods - don't we always? - though at least the problems on Friday and Saturday created a few 'what ifs' in terms of tyres.
We now head to Hungary, that circuit well known for its annual overtaking fest, where battle resumes in seven days.
Check out our Grand Prix gallery, here.