For once, no drivers had penalties. All started in the positions they qualified in, even Lewis Hamilton, who only got a reprimand for his close call against Massa in Q2.
Button and Hamilton: Button jumped Alonso right at the start, and that defined the whole race. When the Ferrari pitted, the three at the top stayed out. It was to their benefit, as they didn't stuck in traffic. Hamilton pitted then came out behind Kubica while Button remained behind Vettel. After the Red Bull pit, Button led for a while. He tried to get ahead enough of Kubica, but it didn't work and he eventually came out behind his team mate. They finished second and third.
Kubica and Petrov: Good races for both of them. After the safety car on the first lap, Petrov pitted. Kubica stayed out. Petrov ended up holding Alonso up from lap thirteen until the end of the race, and Kubica held back Hamilton. It's one of Petrov's best drives of the season, and he finished sixth just behind Kubica.
Alonso, Webber, Alguersuari and Massa: It began well for the Ferraris, though Alonso lost a place to Button. But then Webber pitted, and Ferrari responded mistakenly by following the Red Bull. They got stuck in traffic when they should have kept at least Alonso out. Those who pitted under the safety car kept these three back, with Alguersuari letting his sister car through but holding back Massa. It was equally a good ride for the Toro Rosso, who did some great defending. He gets two points from today's race.
Schumacher and Liuzzi: Schumacher spun right on the first lap, and Liuzzi just couldn't avoid crashing into him and going part way up the car. Both drivers were out. However, it didn't stop Rosberg doing well and finishing fourth for Mercedes.
Vettel: Well, what can you say? Pole to flag he led almost all the way. With Alonso and Webber's bad luck, he easily clinched the championship. Well done to the young German! It's his first championship, and probably not his last. Next year he's in the number one car for Red Bull.
Well, the season is over. Next year there are a few rule changes that will make things interesting. Hopefully we'll see better from Hispania, Lotus and Virgin, too.
Showing posts with label race 19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label race 19. Show all posts
14/11/2010
13/11/2010
Formula 1 Race Nineteen: Qualifying
Q1 – Kubica and Kobayashi, who both had good practice sessions, the last to come out. Alonso, who with his team mate didn't come out at the end of practice 3 to set a final fast lap, was going well. Good news for Alguersuari, as he managed to outqualify Buemi – the Toro Rosso cars are the only old team without an F-duct. It's the fifth race in a row that he's done so. Also, Bruno Senna beat Christian Klien for the first time.
Q2 – Dusk fell in the desert. This is where things really get competitive. Hamilton and Massa had a bad incident that saw Hamilton take out one of the bollards and the camera on it. The incident presumably to be investigated by the stewards. Hamilton struggled to get into the top 10. Meanwhile, Petrov gets into Q3 and beats Kubica for the second time this season. Kubica is out of Q3 for the first time this season. Rosberg and Schumacher both do well.
Q3 – Petrov was the last man out, and Vettel took a while to get out too. In the end, in this critical session, Alonso got ahead of Webber. Vettel was on pole, with Hamilton second – a good place for the challenger who needs a lot of luck. Alonso third and Button fourth, with Webber fifth. This is a vital result for all the challengers. Alonso will win if it finishes like this.
We are still waiting to see what the stewards have to say about the Massa/Hamilton incident.
Q2 – Dusk fell in the desert. This is where things really get competitive. Hamilton and Massa had a bad incident that saw Hamilton take out one of the bollards and the camera on it. The incident presumably to be investigated by the stewards. Hamilton struggled to get into the top 10. Meanwhile, Petrov gets into Q3 and beats Kubica for the second time this season. Kubica is out of Q3 for the first time this season. Rosberg and Schumacher both do well.
Q3 – Petrov was the last man out, and Vettel took a while to get out too. In the end, in this critical session, Alonso got ahead of Webber. Vettel was on pole, with Hamilton second – a good place for the challenger who needs a lot of luck. Alonso third and Button fourth, with Webber fifth. This is a vital result for all the challengers. Alonso will win if it finishes like this.
We are still waiting to see what the stewards have to say about the Massa/Hamilton incident.
12/11/2010
Formula 1 Race Nineteen: Preview
The first session started damp. Apart from installation laps, most drivers didn't get out until the sun had dried up the rain – yes, the rain – from earlier in the day. It looks like Abu Dhabi's four days of rain are coming on Formula One weekend, which is typical of this entire season. Almost every weekend has been affected by rain in some way.
The only excitement in the first session was the McLarens splitting Vettel and Webber, with Vettel six tenths faster than Hamilton. Right at the end, Barrichello stopped as he was heading back to the pits.
In the second session, Karun Chandhok was up in the BBC commentary box. The softer tyres were showing severe graining, and most teams were switching onto the harder tyres by the end. This should improve by race day.
Alguersuari was the first retirement of the session. He spun after contacting with the astroturf and stopped. Then it was Massa, who had fuel problems – not on low fuel, but having trouble getting it to the engine. He coasted to a stop.
Hamilton was the fastest before they changed to heavy fuel loads, then Vettel, Alonso and Webber. Kubica was fifth fastest, with Button down in eighth.
Meanwhile, there was an incident between Senna and Hamilton, as Hamilton went off the track behind the back of Senna, who had slowed down, and came back on the track perhaps not in enough control of the car, as he was very close to the side of the Hispania driver. It was right by the entrance to the pit lane, and Senna had to work hard to stay out of the McLaren's way as Hamilton decided to pit right then. The incident will be looked at after the session.
Although the 107 percent rule will not apply until next season, it is interesting to see how close the back cars - the Hispanias, naturally - come to breaching it. In session one, Christian Klien didn't make it within the time, and nor did Fauzy deputizing for Kovalainen. However, in session two all the drivers were within the required time.
The only excitement in the first session was the McLarens splitting Vettel and Webber, with Vettel six tenths faster than Hamilton. Right at the end, Barrichello stopped as he was heading back to the pits.
In the second session, Karun Chandhok was up in the BBC commentary box. The softer tyres were showing severe graining, and most teams were switching onto the harder tyres by the end. This should improve by race day.
Alguersuari was the first retirement of the session. He spun after contacting with the astroturf and stopped. Then it was Massa, who had fuel problems – not on low fuel, but having trouble getting it to the engine. He coasted to a stop.
Hamilton was the fastest before they changed to heavy fuel loads, then Vettel, Alonso and Webber. Kubica was fifth fastest, with Button down in eighth.
Meanwhile, there was an incident between Senna and Hamilton, as Hamilton went off the track behind the back of Senna, who had slowed down, and came back on the track perhaps not in enough control of the car, as he was very close to the side of the Hispania driver. It was right by the entrance to the pit lane, and Senna had to work hard to stay out of the McLaren's way as Hamilton decided to pit right then. The incident will be looked at after the session.
Although the 107 percent rule will not apply until next season, it is interesting to see how close the back cars - the Hispanias, naturally - come to breaching it. In session one, Christian Klien didn't make it within the time, and nor did Fauzy deputizing for Kovalainen. However, in session two all the drivers were within the required time.
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