10/07/2016
NEWS STORY
Come on, hands up all those who allowed themselves a little giggle when Pascal Wehrlein admitted he didn't know or understand some of Silverstone's 'legendary' corners on Thursday.
Asked what excited him about Silverstone, the German youngster replied: "I think there are many nice corners, like... I don't really know the names, but it's Copse of Hops..."
"Maggotts, Becketts, Chapel..." added elder statesman Romain Grosjean.
Fact is, who of a certain age does know the names of all the corners here?
Other than the fact that even the most legendary corners - other than Eau Rouge or Parabolica - are now known as T5 or T9, Silverstone has undergone such an overhaul in recent years that it is hard to keep up.
At one time, like Spielberg, Silverstone had less than a dozen corners, and each was easily identifiable. Indeed, the names of many would make the hair on the back of your neck stand erect.
Then money kicked in, and other than a shiny new paddock and various other facilities that ensured the beautiful people would not have to mix with the oily masses, the circuit was heavily revised in order that more seating could be added, that the cars could be slower - because that looks better on TV and allows viewers to read the logos - and the oily masses were banished from the infield.
Which has resulted in a fast flowing mother of a circuit, that was up there with the greats, to an emasculated track that bears little or no resemblance to the former airfield that hosted the likes of Farina, Ascari, Moss, Clark, Surtees.... You get the picture.
Make no mistake, Silverstone still has its moments, but in between there are all these little bits of Bernie-inspired silliness.
And talking of emasculation, late last night Pirelli issued a statement in which it suggests the maximum number of laps each compound should be run for, this, curiously, coming less than a week after Sebastian Vettel's failure, which was put down to 'debris'.
Having already been told to produce tyres that essentially create artificial racing, 'F1 by numbers' becomes an ever more likely scenario with this latest step.
That said, Farina, Ascari, Moss, Clark, Surtees and all the other legends who have raced here - or anywhere -would have raised their caps to Lewis Hamilton following that blistering qualifying lap.
Actually it was laps, but the Briton's first was deleted after he fell foul of the FIA's clamp down on track limits.
At a time when most of us would have been having a tantrum, or trashing a hospitality room, told that his time was deleted Lewis went out and did it again.
Sitting beside his at the post qualifying press conference, a rather contrite Nico Rosberg dismissed talk of a first corner clash, then admitted that getting a better start than his teammate was his best hope today. To the most casual observer this sounded as though the German has already mentally given up on this one and is looking ahead to Hockenheim.
If Rosberg was a little miffed by the performance of his teammate, what of Daniel Ricciardo, who for the first time has been out-qualified by his precocious new partner Max Verstappen.
Since joining Red Bull, young Max has won one raced, scored 59 points to Daniel's 52 and now finally out-qualified the Australian. Deja-Vu?
Nonetheless, Red Bull has locked-out the second row, and having looked strong here all weekend one of the two Milton Keynes drivers looks likely to join the Mercedes pair on the podium.
While the Ferraris qualifies fifth and sixth, a second successive grid penalty for Sebastian Vettel sees the German start from eleventh. It's not the end of the world, but then again it hardly helps.
Behind them we have an extraordinarily competitive midfield group consisting of Williams, Toro Rosso, McLaren and Haas, with Renault still trying to nip at their heels but more likely to be fending off Sauber and the newly emboldened Manor.
And talking of Sauber, how good to see Marcus Ericsson fully recovered following yesterday's nasty crash during F3. The Swede, whose car was rebuilt overnight, will start from the pitlane.
In terms of tyres, Pirelli has brought the hard, medium and soft, but following the manufacturer's decision to recommend stint limits, original race tyre strategies will have gone out the window.
The possibilities now include: A two-stopper which would see two stints on soft of 12 laps each and one 28-lap stint on medium, a three-stopper featuring three stints on softs of 12 laps each and one 16-lap stint on medium, another two-stopper consisting of a 12-lap stint on soft, one 14-lap stint on new softs and one 26-lap stint on hard. Alternatively there is the possibility of one stint on softs of 12 laps and two 20-lap stints on medium.
There are two DRS zones, the detection point of the first is 25m before T3 (Village), with the activation point 30m after T5. The second detection point is at T10 (Maggotts) with the activation point 55m after T14 (Chapel).
Also, it should be noted, as Lewis and others found to their dismay yesterday, the FIA is adopting a "zero tolerance" attitude to drivers who do not respect the track limits and this will be enforce today.
Finally, let's not forget that this is the British Grand Prix, and if there is one thing about Britain that can be relied on it is the weather. Indeed, it is the unpredictability of the British weather that makes it so predictable.
There was some overnight rain, and whilst it remained dry but over cast for the GP2 and GP3 events it rained again shortly after. There have been no further downpours but it has remained overcast throughout, and there is talk of further showers during the course of the afternoon.
All the better for us we say, for barring the weather gods - or an unfrocked priest running amok - it looks like being a Mercedes walkover today.
The pitlane opens and one by one the drivers make their way out. The air temperature is currently 19 degrees C, whilst the track temperature is 22 degrees.
Initially there are a few light spots of rain... but these suddenly develop into a proper downpour.
"One of those days in England..." as Roy Harper sang.
And in one fell swoop all that talk of stint limits goes out of the window as the team hurriedly swap to full wets and possibly a (groan) safety car start.
As the national anthem finishes, the rain eases... indeed, it stops. In no time at all the sun is trying to break through - such is England - but the track is sodden.
Race control announces that the race will indeed start behind the Safety Car. A very disappointing decision but at least it ensures Lewis and Nico will get through T1 and all points north without any silliness.
As the field prepares to head off, the sky is blue and the sun is shining, but those damp patches mean full wets and a Safety Car start.
Check out our Sunday gallery, here.
They head off, for as the start is behind the Safety Car the race is already underway, with no warm-up lap. Maylander leads Hamilton, Rosberg, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Raikkonen and Bottas.
"There is quite a bit of standing water," confirms Vettel, who lists the names and numbers of the damp corners.
Hamilton warns of "big puddles and aquaplaning" at a couple of corners. However, shortly after he says the "track is going to be inters fairly soon".
"The safety car is really slow, it's not easy to keep tyre temperature up," says Hamilton. Indeed, he looks keen to pass Maylander.
After 3 laps, Ericsson also believes it is time for inters.
As Hamilton calls on Charlie Whiting to remove the safety car, a slow Rosberg almost catches out a very eager Verstappen.
As Race Control reveals the Safety Car will be withdrawn at the end of lap 5, asked how far we are from dry tyres, Hulkenberg replies: "A long way, man!"
Told the Safety Car is about to be withdrawn and asked whether he thinks Inters or more wets are the way to go, Ricciardo says: "If we can survive the aquaplaning I think the Inters".
Sure enough, the Safety Car peels off, we have a race. Verstappen attacks Rosberg but with no success. However, Raikkonen, Bottas, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Vettel, Grosjean, Magnussen, Wehrlein and Gutierrez all pit. As one would expect, it's mayhem, some cars entering their slots as other leave theirs, at a couple of garages drivers are stacked. Hulkenberg slithers almost collecting a Haas, then almost collects Sainz in the process. Alonso and Gutierrez also get 'up close and personal'.
In clear air Hamilton builds a 3.8s lead as Rosberg is under intense pressure from Verstappen. Ricciardo, in fourth, heads Perez, Massa and Kvyat.
Next time around Ricciardo pits, as do Massa, Kvyat, Button, Palmer, Button and Haryanto. Once again, it's mayhem, Button almost collecting Ricciardo, a possible 'unsafe release' for the Red Bull driver.
All but Hamilton, Rosberg, Verstappen, Perez, Nasr and Ericsson have pitted.
The VSC is deployed as Wehrlein goes off at T1. "I'm out," he sighs, "aquaplaned at first corner, no chance."
Behind the VSC, at the end of lap 7, Hamilton, Rosberg, Verstappen and Pere all pit, as do Nasr and Ericsson. Which means everyone has pitted, all but Gutierrez on Inters.
The VSC is withdrawn and Hamilton still leads, the biggest gainer appearing to be fourth placed Perez.
Hulkenberg passes Alonso to take 10th, the Spaniard unable to apply the power due to the amount of standing water.
It's a long race, with 40-odd laps remaining, so need for heroics in these conditions.
That said, there is a train of cars forming behind Massa, which means a lot of frustrated drivers. Hulkenberg attempts a move on Bottas but is unable to make it stick.
"Something is wrong with this engine," complains Ericsson, as Haryanto spins at Club (T18).
A spin for Bottas also (T16), the Finn losing a whole heap of positions and dropping to 13th into the clutches of Button.
Rosberg is told to look after his tyres as he takes bites out of Hamilton's 5.3s lead. The Briton responds with a new fastest lap (51.474).
Verstappen closes on Rosberg as Hulkenberg harries Massa.
Ericsson makes his third stop of the afternoon, which doesn't look likely to last much longer.
Hulkenberg makes a move on Massa but has no grip and is unable to make it stick, the Force India twitching wildly.
Verstappen is told that he's maintaining the same pace as Hamilton, with everyone else around a second slower.
At Abbey, Raikkonen finds bits of the Silverstone countryside that have never been explored before. On the pit-wall, Arrivabene isn't impressed.
"It's getting drier now," says Verstappen, "it's not slicks yet, but it's getting closer."
As Hulkenberg continues to hunt Massa, the German finds himself under attack from Alonso. And behind these three is Vettel.
"How's the track," Magnussen is asked, "care to talk to us?"
At the end of lap 15, Vettel takes the mighty gamble to switch to slicks, the German fitting a set on mediums.
Having failed first time, Verstappen, having got out of shape exiting Club, absolutely nails Rosberg to take second in what must be one of the moves of the season. The Red Bull driver goes around the outside of the Mercedes at Chapel. Rosberg tries to take back the position but the Red Bull driver isn't having it, much to the crowd's delight.
At the end of lap 16, Raikkonen, Massa, Kvyat, Bottas, Nasr, Grosjean and Palmer follow Vettel's example and pit for slicks. Disaster for Palmer however, who leaves without his right-rear wheel attached, his crew having released him too soon. Having stopped, the Briton is pushed back to his slot.
Check out our Sunday gallery, here.
Following a messy stop, Raikkonen is immediately embroiled in a battle with Alonso, who had run wide at Farm (T2) and rejoins the track alongside the Finn.
Next time around, Hamilton pits, as does Rosberg, DRS is activated
Vettel, the first driver to make the switch to slicks, spins and loses a number of places. Prior to that he was the fastest man out there.
Ass Verstappen pits, the last driver to do so, Palmer is handed a 10s time penalty for the unsafe release.
Alonso is all over former teammate Massa as they battle for tenth however, the Spaniard is clearly unhappy with his team's strategy.
After 21 laps, Hamilton leads Verstappen, Rosberg, Perez, Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Massa and Alonso. Following his spin, Vettel is down in 12th.
A great move sees Ricciardo pass Perez at Stowe to take fourth.
Elsewhere, a massive moment for Verstappen at Abbey, the Red Bull driver running wide and losing time.
"Keep an open mind," Hamilton is told, "people might be looking to go to the end."
Everyone currently on mediums.
Raikkonen has a moment similar to Verstappen's at Abbey, the Finn also running wide.
Alonso goes off into the gravel at T1, but not only does he avoid the barriers to keeps going and returns to the track to continue. He rejoins just ahead of Bottas who loses grounds and is put under pressure from Nasr. Elsewhere, a new fastest lap from Rosberg (37.717).
"I don't know whether my car is OK," says Rosberg, "I think it is, but you check."
Haryanto spins off at T1, his race over, at the same spot as his Manor teammate.
A mistake by Hamilton who runs wide in T1 (Abbey) and does a Kimi - goes cross-country - and loses quite a bit of time. However, Verstappen does almost the same thing, meaning that Rosberg is the one who gains.
Vettel makes short work of Kvyat in Stowe, the German a man on a mission going wheel-to-wheel with the Russian
The field is now pretty much strung out - though not in the Timothy Leary sense - fourth placed Ricciardo around 15s behind the leaders.
Rosberg closes on Verstappen and nearly nails the Red Bull driver when he almost loses it as he goes off line to pass a Haas.
No sooner has Ricciardo posted a new fastest lap than Hamilton responds with a 36.891, the Briton now 6.3s clear of Verstappen and Rosberg.
A big slide for Perez at T1 however he continues as though nothing happened.
As Rosberg continues his battle with Verstappen this plays into the hands of the race leader, who is now 7.3s up the road.
Vettel is all over Massa, whilst Nasr has Bottas all over the rear of his Sauber.
"That moving twice, that is not on," complains Rosberg, as Verstappen appears to weave under braking. That said, the 18-year-old is defending like an old pro.
A brilliant attempt around the outside at Stowe by Roberg, but Verstappen is having absolutely none of it.
"I'm struggling quite a bit with the rear," admits Verstappen. "Copy," is the reply.
Out front, Hamilton posts another fastest lap (36.611).
"He pushed me out of the track," complains Massa as he and Vettel run wide at Village (T3), the German having gone very deep and left the Brazilian with no option but to go off.
No mistakes this time, Rosberg sweeps by Verstappen at Stowe, seemingly catching the Red Bull driver napping.
The stewards are to investigate the Vettel/Massa incident.
Massa pits at the end of lap 39, rejoining in 13th on softs after a very slow stop.
Palmer pits and his car is pushed into this garage, a miserable end to a miserable British GP for the Renault driver.
Check out our Sunday gallery, here.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 40, the Spaniard, still on mediums, rejoining in 14th.
Vettel is handed a 5s time penalty for forcing another driver (Massa) off track.
On the soft rubber, Massa posts a new fastest lap (36.141) despite being the focus of numerous blue flags as the leader make their way past.
Raikkonen has closes right up on fifth placed Perez, which could be a scrap worth watching.
Other than Massa, Magnussen, currently running last, is the only driver on softs.
"Is he not getting the blue flags," asks Hamilton of Massa.
Lap 43 sees another fastest lap from Hamilton as he maintains a 5.975s lead over his teammate. However, the German responds with a 35.548.
Raikkonen makes his move going into the Maggots/Beckets complex, setting himself up for an attack on the Hangar Straight, but Perez is fully prepared.
Having lost 3s in one lap, Rosberg complains that he has a gearbox problem. "Chassis default zero-one," the German is told, "chassis default zero-one."
Meanwhile Raikkonen finally nails Perez at Stowe to take fifth.
Verstappen closes on the struggling Rosberg, it is surely only matter of time.
"Nerves jangling a little here," admits Mercedes. "Brief issue for Nico, seems to have sorted itself now."
Verstappen is told that Rosberg is under investigation for comments made over the radio, and we don't mean swearing.
Currently ninth, Vettel is only 4.5s ahead of Kvyat but still has that 5s time penalty.
Race Control confirms that Rosberg is being investigated for those radio messages.
No such issues for Hamilton however, who is now cruising to his third successive win here and another 7 points out of Rosberg's championship lead.
"Awesome stuff Lewis, great job," the Briton is told.
"Another excellent race," Christian Horner tells Verstappen. "Highlight of the race, your move on the outside of Becketts!" "An interesting race," replies the youngster. "We challenged them, and we had a good race."
While do-nuts wouldn't be good for his gearbox, Hamilton ensures the fans don't miss out, he runs to greet them.
Behind the leading three, it's Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Vettel and Kvyat.
Massa is eleventh, ahead of Button, Alonso, Bottas, Nasr, Gutierrez and Magnussen.
In the ante-room, other than a cursory handshake, Hamilton barely acknowledges Rosberg, indeed not only does he have his back to him most of the time, he talks about him in the third person, whilst congratulating Verstappen on his drive. So much for that "really, really good relationship".
Sadly, with a nod to Spielberg, Rosberg is booed during the podium ceremony, though the stewards might yet make his day that little bit worse.
Not exactly an epic, and so sad to see the race start behind the Safety Car, but surely some of those moves, particularly Verstappen's on Rosberg, were worth the price of admission alone.
And so to Hungary...
Check out our Sunday gallery, here.