Nico Rosberg Romps To Victory In Controversial British Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg has romped to his third career victory in Formula 1 after a highly controversial British Grand Prix, featuring spills, thrills and a dangerous amount of tyre failures throughout the 52 laps. The German was joined on the podium by the Red Bull of Mark Webber, with Fernando Alonso a close 3rd for Ferrari.

As the five red lights went out local hero Lewis Hamilton scampered into the lead, as team-mate Nico Rosberg was robbed of 2nd position by the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel. Mark Webber suffered a collision with the Lotus of Romain Grosjean at Turn 1, resulting in minor damage to both machines. Felipe Massa enjoyed an absolutely sensational start for the Scuderia, rising from 11th to 5th on the opening lap. As the majority of the field battled for position throughout the early stages of the race, Lewis Hamilton proceeded to produce the fastest lap of the race at the front.

Lewis Hamilton’s chances of victory are ruined after a tyre failure on Lap 7.

The former World Champion continued to open a slight lead over Sebastian Vettel, before he suffered an utterly catastrophic blow to his race when his left-rear tyre exploded. Although Lewis Hamilton managed to limp back to the pits with minor damage to the floor of his Mercedes, his lead was lost as reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel stormed into the lead. As Lewis Hamilton eventually crawled back to the pits for a new set of tyres, the Briton found himself towards the back of the pack after initially starting from pole.

Controversy and mayhem continued to ensue as the race progressed, when both Felipe Massa and Jean-Eric Vergne suffered almost identical tyre failures to Lewis Hamilton. The Ferrari driver’s blowout occurred at Turn 5, which saw him briefly spin before returning to the pits. Jean-Eric Vergne’s tyre exploded along the Hangar Straight just before Turn 15, with the Frenchman miraculously remaining in control of his Toro Rosso at high-speed and immediately plunging into the pits.

With many teams now fearing for their own drivers after three identical tyre failures, numerous pit-stops ensued for the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, Adrian Sutil, Nico Rosberg and race leader Sebastian Vettel. Eventually the safety car was deployed to allow the marshals to clear the Silverstone circuit, which had been littered with shredded pieces of the delaminated tyres. As the old tyres were removed from many of the cars during their pit-stops, small cuts were discovered on the surface which accounted for the failures. Teams began instructing their drivers to avoid the kerbs, in what was becoming a bizarre British Grand Prix.

On Lap 21 the race was resumed as Sebastian Vettel scampered back into a commanding lead behind the wheel of his Renault-powered Red Bull. The controversy surrounding Pirelli’s tyres continued under green flag conditions, with Nico Hulkenberg and then Esteban Gutierrez both pitting after issues with their tyres. By Lap 29 the second round of pit-stops began as Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and then Romain Grosjean elected to pit. Throughout the next several laps, the entire field eventually completed a pit-stop, with Sebastian Vettel retaining his lead over Nico Rosberg at the front.

After plummeting through the order due to his tyre failure during the early stages of the race, Lewis Hamilton managed to scythe his way back through the order to 6th by Lap 36 when the Briton pitted for his second stop. Upon returning to the circuit, the 2008 World Champion became locked in a grueling battle for 11th with Paul di Resta, who had perviously collided with Nico Hulkenberg at Turn 4. Despite the many tyre-related issues throughout the field, Jean-Eric Vergne became the first retirement on Lap 36.

The moment of disbelief when Sebastian Vettel retires with a gearbox issue.

As Lewis Hamilton perfected an overtaking maneuver on Paul di Resta, the race was turned upside down as race leader Sebastian Vettel ground to a halt on the start/finish straight with a mechanical issue plaguing his Red Bull for the first time since the Italian Grand Prix last season. With the German’s car coming to a halt in a precarious position on the track, the safety car was called upon for the second time as the marshals cleared the stricken machine. Meanwhile Nico Rosberg had assumed the lead of the race, with only a handful of laps remaining in the race.

Under safety car conditions, the majority of the field elected to pit apart from the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen who rose up to 2nd position in his Lotus. The race was resumed on Lap 45, with Nico Rosberg storming into the lead ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Adrian Sutil. After pitting for fresh tyres under the safety car period, Mark Webber began to scythe his way through the order like a hot knife through butter, as the Australian sensation searched for his third win at Silverstone.

As Mark Webber rose to 3rd and then to 2nd in the closing laps, yet another tyre failure struck the field. This time it was Sergio Perez was struggled to retain control of his McLaren down the Hangar Straight, as Fernando Alonso luckily avoided a face-full of Pirelli debris. The Spaniard then proceeded to overtake Kimi Raikkonen for 3rd, before Lewis Hamilton also overtook the Finn for 4th whose tyres had completely worn out.

Despite a masterful resurgence after his altercation with Romain Grosjean on the opening lap of the race, Mark Webber was unable to catch Nico Rosberg for the lead. The German stormed across the line to record his second win of the season and Mercedes’s first in Britain since 1955 at the hands of Sir Stirling Moss. With Sebastian Vettel scoring no points in the race, his lead at the top of the Championship has been diminished to only 21 points ahead of Fernando Alonso in 2nd. 

The German ace will be hoping for renewed luck next weekend when Formula 1 reconvenes at the Nurburgring for the German Grand Prix, a race Nico Rosberg will unquestionably be striving to win. The German marque has enjoyed a resurgent 2013 season, and victory on home soil will be their sole aim next time out.

PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS

The British Grand Prix
Silverstone, Britain;
52 laps; 306.198km;
Weather: Sunny.

Classified:

Pos  Driver        Team                       Time
 1.  Rosberg        Mercedes                   1h32:59.456
 2.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault           +     0.765
 3.  Alonso         Ferrari                    +     7.124
 4.  Raikkonen      Lotus-Renault              +     7.756
 5.  Hamilton       Mercedes                   +    11.257
 6.  Massa          Ferrari                    +    14.573
 7.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes       +    16.335
 8.  Ricciardo      Toro Rosso-Ferrari         +    16.500
 9.  Di Resta       Force India-Mercedes       +    17.993
10.  Hulkenberg     Sauber-Ferrari             +    19.700
11.  Maldonado      Williams-Renault           +    21.100
12.  Bottas         Williams-Renault           +    25.000
13.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes           +    25.900
14.  Gutierrez      Sauber-Ferrari             +    26.200
15.  Pic            Caterham-Renault           +    31.600
16.  Bianchi        Marussia-Cosworth          +    36.000
17.  Chilton        Marussia-Cosworth          +  1:07.600
18.  van der Garde  Caterham-Renault           +  1:07.700
19.  Grosjean       Lotus-Renault              +     1 lap

Fastest lap: Webber, 1:33.401

Not classified/retirements:

Driver        Team                         On lap
Perez          McLaren-Mercedes             47
Vettel         Red Bull-Renault             42
Vergne         Toro Rosso-Ferrari           36

Picture(s) Copyright © Getty Images

Sebastian Vettel Defends His Decision To Overtake Mark Webber

Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel has continued to discuss the controversial proceedings of the Malaysian Grand Prix last time out, with the German driver stating he would do the same thing again should the situation arise and that Mark Webber did not deserve the victory. Mark Webber has instead decided to move on from the topic.

During preparations for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix around the Shanghai International Circuit, the three-time World Champion defended his decision to overtake his team-mate during the latter stages of the Malaysian Grand Prix. After leading the majority of the race, it looked certain that Mark Webber was on his way to his 10th career victory last time out. However, Sebastian Vettel had other ideas and ignored team orders and overtook Mark Webber for the lead of the race. The duo fought perilously close for the position, before Sebastian Vettel eventually stormed into the lead.

Immediately after the race it was evidently clear that the atmosphere between the Red Bull duo was excruciatingly tense, with the body language of Mark Webber speaking much louder than his words during the post-race press conference. Several weeks after the controversial conclusion to the Malaysian Grand Prix, and the main topic throughout the paddock at Shanghai is still unsurprisingly Sebastian Vettel’s decision to overtake Mark Webber. Whereas the Australian driver has decided to move on from the events at Sepang, Sebastian Vettel has continued to fan the flames by stating he would probably do the same thing again and that Mark Webber did not deserve the victory.

“I am not sure I can give you a proper answer because in the moment it might be different, but I would probably do the same.” Explained Sebastian Vettel, when asked whether he would repeat his actions again. “Had I understood the message and had I thought about it, reflected on it, thought what the team wanted to do, to leave Mark in first place and me finishing second… I think I would have thought about it and I would probably have done the same thing. He didn’t deserve it. There is quite a conflict, because on the one hand I am the kind of guy who respects team decisions and the other hand, probably Mark is not the one who deserved it at the time.”

It seems the topic surrounding Sebastian Vettel’s decision to disobey team orders will continue to circulate throughout the Formula 1 paddock for many weeks to come, despite Mark Webber’s wish to simply move on from the events. Their on-track actions will undoubtedly be scrutinized greatly throughout the remainder of the season, as they both strive for further victories for Red Bull.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

Jacques Villeneuve Speaks Out Against Sebastian Vettel

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has become the latest figure within the F1 paddock to speak out against Sebastian Vettel, after the triple World Champion created widespread controversy during the Malaysian Grand Prix by ignoring team orders.

During the closing stages of the 56-lap race, Sebastian Vettel elected to ignore team orders imposed upon himself and team-mate Mark Webber to maintain their 1st and 2nd positions. Instead, the young German caught and controversially overtook his team-mate for the lead and eventual race victory, with the two Red Bull drivers banging wheels in the process. Such close and competitive racing between team-mates is extremely rare in Formula 1 nowadays, and Vettel’s actions naturally infuriated his Australian team-mate.

During the aftermath of the Malaysian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 world was full of speculations and murmurings surrounding the Red Bull duo. Some slightly eccentric quotes emerged stating that Mark Webber wouldn’t even attend the next race in China. Naturally these rumors were quelled almost instantly, but it has been unanimously agreed that the partnership between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber has been irreparably damaged. Whereas Bernie Ecclestone spoke in favor of Sebastian Vettel’s actions, former team boss Flavio Briatore believes the partnership cannot continue beyond 2013.

Jacques Villeneuve has also spoken out against Sebastian Vettel, with the 1997 World Champion explaining that Vettel’s antics were stupid and that ignoring team orders was “just plain wrong”. Ironically Jacques Villeneuve’s father, Gilles Villeneuve, was also embroiled in a similar case of team-mate rivalry at Ferrari in 1982.

During the San Marino Grand Prix of that year, Didier Pironi ignored team orders and overtook Gilles Villeneuve for the victory on the last lap. Two weeks later Villenueve’s father was tragically killed during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. Villeneuve believes the negative energy within the team will not help them in their fight to retain the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship.

“It’s easy to make excuses,” explained Jacques Villeneuve to Auto Bild. “But, in the end, Vettel’s got the victory and the points. Mark has nothing. It was a deliberate decision by Vettel. The team give you the contract and pay you money, and so you do what they want you to do. It’s very simple. Ignoring is just plain wrong. (Vettel’s) behavior was just stupid. Such negative energy does not help the team. If he now needs help from Mark, he cannot be sure he will get it.”

Although Sebastian Vettel has formerly apologized to every single team member of Red Bull for his actions during the closing stages of the Malaysian Grand Prix, there is no denying that tensions within the team will be extremely high when the sport reconvenes in several weeks for the Chinese Grand Prix. The season may well only be two races old, however Red Bull have already dominated the headlines.

Picture Copyright © Getty Images

McLaren Seeking 2014 Honda Engine Deal

It was reported today by a German magazine that the McLaren Formula One team are possibly seeking an engine deal with Honda in time for the 2014 season, this comes a few years after Honda pulled out of Formula One along with fellow teams Toyota and BMW.

This announcement would take place after 2012 when their engine partnership with Mercedes comes to an end, a partnership that has lasted for 16 years and has accomplished numerous success with drivers such as Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton winning races and championships with them.

McLaren were partners with the Japanese manufacturer from 1988 to 1992, and in those years they became World Constructors’ Champions a stunning four times, three with Ayrton Senna and one with Alain Prost. It was this period of the teams history when the bitter rivalry between Senna and Prost ignited, resulting in some of the most controversial events of Formula One’s history. 

When their ties with Honda ended in 1993, Ford came onboard and was replaced a year later by Peugeot before McLaren finally partnered themselves with Mercedes. As long as McLaren have had engines supplied by the German manufacturer, they have only ever been World Constructors’ Champions once, that being in 1998 when Mika Hakkinen won the first of his two championships.

However, in 2009 Mercedes sold their stake in the McLaren team when they bought 2009 World Champions Brawn GP, becoming what is now the silver arrows of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. As well as this Mercedes also power the Force India team, a partnership that has been ongoing since 2009 after Force India stopped using Ferrari engines. 

Honda left the sport in 2008 after taking over the British American Racing (BAR) team in 2006, and for three years raced with the same two drivers of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, winning only one race in the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix with Button. However in the winter of 2008 it was announced that due to financial difficulties Honda had left the sport, leaving Button and Barrichello without a drive for 2009. However ex-Honda team principal, Ross Brawn, took over and created the Brawn GP team which went on and became surprise 2009 World Drivers’ and Constructors‘ Champions (ironically supplied by Mercedes engines)!.

McLaren were unable to comment on these speculations today.

Drivers Decide On DRS Rethink For 2012

It was a controversial decision, introducing the DRS (Drag Reduction System) into Formula 1 to aid overtaking, some said at the time it was a detraction from the purity of racing. However, after the first few races of the season, it was undeniable that is was doing its job and creating more passing in the race. Unfortunately, passing has now gone from one end of the spectrum to the other as drivers with the aid of the DRS can deploy it within a certain zone without the fear of the driver under attack deploying his. This has ultimately made passing a mere formality, whereas before it was a hard fought battle of wit and driver skill.

However throughout the other four sessions of the weekend (Practice 1-3 and Qualifying) drivers have been permitted to use to device at their own free will on any part of the track they feel they can get away with. This has ultimately led to drivers opening to flap too early, like Sutil at Melbourne, and either having violent spins or crashes.

Due to the design of the device, opening the flap (a letter box like device on the back wing that reduces downforce) on a corner is almost impossible, with the only exceptions being 130R at Suzuka, and even then Kamui Kobayashi got it all sideways heading into the turn, using fantastic skill to stop the car from connecting with the wall and preventing what could’ve been a crash reminiscent of Allan McNish in 2002 when he flew over the barriers during a Practice session.

So therefore the drivers of Formula 1 wish to prevent anymore DRS-made incidents by restricting its use to the DRS Zones only throughout the entire weekend, with maybe some added zones along key straights. 

Some tracks are now being allowed two DRS Zones, and during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix most recently, the two zones had a nulling affect as a driver would pass heading into Turn 8 during the DRS Zone 1 and then get pounced upon by the other driver heading down into Turn 11 during the DRS Zone 2. Yes, this affect created more passing than has ever been seen at an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before, yet for the purist of racing fans it is making a mockery of F1 and quickly turning it into a sport reminiscent of Nascar where drivers pass each other every second, even then due to the weight and the characteristics of the ovals it’s a hard fought battle to pass in Nascar!

Hopefully the FIA can improve on their calculations for next season and the use of the DRS won’t be so sporadic. This season some races in particular have been ruined by the device, China and Turkey are only a few, with passing being a formality before the cars have even began their braking for the next corner. 

Ideally the device would be allowed a limited amount of times in a race, like IndyCars push-to-pass device, also allowing drivers who are being passed to use it. Therefore drivers skill can be reintroduced to passing as they try and outwit their fellow racers with conserving their DRS usage whereas the other driver might use it all up within 10 or so laps. Whether this would work or not, we may very well never know.