Eight Drivers Avoid Penalty After DRS Activation
Eight drivers including the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel have avoided a penalty after allegedly activating the DRS device during a yellow flag zone shortly after the incident between Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil. Due to ongoing technical glitches with the marshaling system, race control could not govern the activation of the device.
Usually throughout a Grand Prix weekend race control has complete jurisdiction over the usage of the DRS overtaking device, preventing drivers accidentally activating the device whilst not within a second of the car in front or not within the activation zone. However, throughout the opening three races of the season technical glitches have continued to plague the electronic marshaling system. This therefore prevents the lights corresponding to the red, yellow and blue flags from working within the cockpit, as well as the safety car mode being automatically engaged should it be deployed.
Probably the most troublesome issue with the ongoing technical glitch is the inability for race control to remain in command of the activation of the DRS device. Due to this issue, the DRS device can theoretically be activated at any stage of the race by the drivers. After the collision between Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil at Turn 14, the DRS activation zone down the back straight was disabled as the marshals cleared away the stricken Sauber. Unfortunately, race control were unable to fully disable the device and therefore Jenson Button, Romain Grosjean, Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, Kimi Raikkonen, Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Chilton were all put under investigation for allegedly activating the device throughout the yellow flag zone.
However, after being called up to the race stewards after the race, it was eventually decided that no penalty was to be issued to any of the drivers in question. This decision came about due to three facts regarding the activation, namely that the display of yellow flags failed to appear on the official messaging system until a minute after the incident, the DRS disable function was not fully operational and that the DRS usage was on the main straight where a green light was displayed.
If the race stewards had decided to impose timed penalties to the drivers in question, the official classification of the race could well have looked much different with Lewis Hamilton likely to have finished ahead of Kimi Raikkonen. Luckily, however, the classification was not altered and the drivers were able to retain their finishing positions.
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Red Bull Reveal New RB9 Car
Red Bull have revealed the machine they hope will be able to retain the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship, after a slightly secretive unveiling at their factory in Milton Keynes ahead of the new season. The team will run the car for the first time this coming week at the first pre-season test at Jerez, with Mark Webber behind the wheel on day one.
The reigning Constructors’ Champions became the fifth consecutive team to unveil their car earlier today, following on from McLaren, Ferrari, Force India and Sauber. Although very few images of the RB9 have been officially released, illustrations of the new car reveal slightly slimmer sidepods reminiscent of Sauber, a minor step in the nose in comparison to the RB8 and no “letterbox” slot on the nose of the car which was one of the major attractions this time last year.
With Red Bull securing a more prominent collaboration with Japanese car manufacturer Infiniti, the new RB9 features an increased amount of Infiniti logos on the car, most visibly across the sidepods. The car has also undergone a slight color change during the winter period, with the new RB9 now featuring an increased amount of purple along with the traditional blue.
“Our stronger link with Infiniti from 2013 is part of the natural evolution of our team and demonstrates its growth.” Explained Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, “We are still a young racing outfit and this title partnership is a very welcome aspect of our development. I firmly believe it will prove to be of enormous benefit on both sides over the coming years.”
The new RB9, like with many other new machines already unveiled up and down the grid, is not hugely different to its predecessor. This is largely due to the lack of regulation changes for the forthcoming season, which has therefore forced Adrian Newey to design what he has dubbed an evolution of the successful RB8 machine. The new challenger features only subtle modifications in comparison to last year, but is still regarded as the car to beat in 2013.
“It’s an evolutionary car.” Said Adrian Newey, “There were no big regulation changes over the winter. The most significant change is not the regulations, it’s the new Pirelli tyres. We had a quick test in P1 in Brazil but it was very hot and on a green track and in truth we didn’t learn a lot. It’s really been a case of refining the RB8. There are no huge changes. It’s very much an evolutionary car. All the principles [are] the same as last year. The devil has very much been in the detail with this car. We’ve tidied up some bits that we felt could be improved on. Development is now the key through the year.”
The Milton Keynes-based outfit will run the new RB9 machine for the first time during testing at Jerez in Spain, which gets underway in only a couple of days time. This will be the majority of the teams’ first chances to run their new challengers, as they strive to prepare for the coming season. Mark Webber will get the first taste of the new Red Bull on Tuesday, before handing over to team-mate and reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel on Wednesday.
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Button Wins Unbelievably Entertaining Brazilian GP, Vettel Crowned Champion
Jenson Button has stormed to his 15th career victory after an absolutely enthralling season finale around Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit, where rain as predicted created absolute mayhem throughout the due course of the 71-lap race. Sebastian Vettel managed to finish 6th to clinch his third successive Drivers’ Crown.
Utter carnage at Turn 4 as Bruno Senna and Sebastian Vettel collide!
Only several minutes before the start of the race and history looked set to repeat itself as rain began trickling down upon the Interlagos circuit, however all the drivers decided to start the race on the dry tyres. At the start, Lewis Hamilton led away at the front from team-mate Jenson Button, as absolute carnage ensued further back as Bruno Senna was left no room by Sebastian Vettel which resulted in a controversial collision between the two. This tipped Vettel into a disastrous spin, as Senna and Perez collided and retired.
Pastor Maldonado joined his team-mate and Sergio Perez in becoming the third retirement of the race, as the Venezuelan driver spun into the barriers at Turn 3. However, the Championship was far from over as Sebastian Vettel instantly set the fastest lap of the race down in 19th position, despite an enormous chunk missing from his side pod. Fernando Alonso ran wide as the rain began to intensify at Turn 1, as he strove for a competitive performance with Vettel way down the order.
By Lap 6, the majority of the pack began to pit for the Cinturato intermediate tyres, with Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher becoming the first two drivers to do so. Romain Grosjean stayed out on the dry tyres, and therefore slammed into the barriers after spinning at Turn 11 after struggling greatly in the adverse weather conditions. Whilst Grosjean’s Lotus was cleared away, Jenson Button began jostling for the lead with team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
As Mark Webber spun in the wet, Jenson Button stormed into the lead of the race after a masterful overtaking maneuver on team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Whilst utter mayhem and confusion ensued throughout the order, Nico Hulkenberg had silently risen up to 3rd position for Force India. As Lewis Hamilton pitted for intermediate tyres, the German driver began to reel in race leader Jenson Button.
On Lap 11, Championship contenders Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel pitted for intermediate tyres, as the leaders remained out on the slick and greasy track. Despite the lack of grip on the track, Hulkenberg and Button began to battle for the lead, a battle which Nico Hulkenberg won as he commandingly stormed into the lead for Force India. After initially pitting for wet tyres, Lewis Hamilton became one of the first drivers to switch back to dry tyres. The Briton was quickly followed by the Ferrari of Alonso and the Sauber of Kobayashi, before the rest of the field followed suit and switched back to the dry tyres.
With several collisions taking place throughout the opening stages of the race, the track was strewn with copious amounts of debris. The severity of the issue became apparent when Nico Rosberg picked up a puncture, as the race stewards finally deployed the safety car to allow the marshals to clear the track. As soon as the safety car was deployed, race leaders Nico Hulkenberg and Jenson Button immediately pitted, with the German retaining the lead from the Briton.
After several laps under safety car conditions, green flag conditions were resumed as Mark Webber made a complete hash of the restart and ran wide at Turn 1 as Kobayashi overtook the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton immediately set his sights on returning to the lead of the race, and quickly disposed of his team-mate Jenson Button for 2nd. Kamui Kobayashi continued scything through the field, as the Japanese driver rose to 4th after overtaking Championship contender Fernando Alonso. However, the Spaniard immediately retook the position during the next lap as Kimi Raikkonen ran wide at Turn 1.
Felipe Massa then began his surge through the order on Lap 34, as the local hero carried out an important overtaking maneuver on Sebastian Vettel for 6th. Paul di Resta made a slight error through Turn 12, as the drizzle began to ease and the track began to dry at Interlagos. However, the race was far from over as more rain loomed on the horizon and eventually began to fall upon the circuit, as both Mark Webber and Vitaly Petrov made minor mistakes in the once again worsening conditions.
Lewis Hamilton continued his surge through the order as the rain returned, as the 2008 World Champion stormed into the lead after overtaking the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg. Nico Rosberg was the first driver to switch back to the intermediate tyres, as the intensity of the rain increased as the race entered its closing stages. Sebastian Vettel’s race was greatly compromised as the German driver’s car radio stopped working, and the German driver mistakingly pitted on Lap 53. The Red Bull mechanics fitted the dry tyre to his Red Bull, forcing him to pit once again for the intermediate tyres several laps later.
On Lap 55 another twist in the race occurred as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg collided, which resulted in Hamilton retiring from his final race with McLaren. Nico Hulkenberg tried to overtake the Briton for the lead of the race, however he lost traction and spun into the side of Hamilton. The German driver was luckily able to continue, despite incurring a drive-thru penalty for causing the collision.
Despite pitting once again for intermediate tyres, Sebastian Vettel once again began to steadily improve through the order. Due to Hamilton’s retirement and Hulkenberg’s penalty, Fernando Alonso had risen to 3rd place behind race leader Jenson Button and Felipe Massa. The Brazilian driver understandably allowed his team-mate through, however Sebastian Vettel was also rising through order. With Alonso in 2nd, Vettel was still in a Championship-winning position in 6th.
Try as Fernando Alonso might to catch and overtake Jenson Button for the lead and the Championship crown, the Spaniard was frustratingly unable to do so as he remained in 2nd position as the safety car was once again deployed on the final lap as Paul di Resta crashed heavily out of the race at Turn 14. This saw the Scotsman retire from the race, and also saw the race end under safety car conditions. This therefore crowned Sebastian Vettel was the 2012 Formula 1 World Champion, as Jenson Button took victory for McLaren.
The 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix was unarguably the best race for many years, which saw weather intervention and complete mayhem up and down the order. Caterham were able to clinch 10th in the Constructors’ Championship, amid a tense battle down the order. The F1 fraternity now enters the winter break period, before pre-season testing begins in earnest early next year.
PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS The Brazilian Grand Prix Interlagos, Brazil; 71 laps; 305.909km; Weather: Mixed conditions. Classified: Pos Driver Team Time 1. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1h45:22.656 2. Alonso Ferrari + 2.754 3. Massa Ferrari + 3.615 4. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 4.936 5. Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes + 5.708 6. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 9.453 7. Schumacher Mercedes + 11.900 8. Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 28.600 9. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 31.200 10. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 1 lap 11. Petrov Caterham-Renault + 1 lap 12. Pic Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap 13. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap 14. Kovalainen Caterham-Renault + 1 lap 15. Rosberg Mercedes + 1 lap 16. Glock Marussia-Cosworth + 2 laps 17. De la Rosa HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps 18. Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps 19. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 3 laps Fastest lap: Hamilton, 1:18.069 Not classified/retirements: Driver Team On lap Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 55 Grosjean Lotus-Renault 6 Maldonado Williams-Renault 2 Senna Williams-Renault 1 Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1
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Pirelli To Offer Teams With 2013 Development Tyres At Brazil
Pirelli have announced they will offer the teams with a prototype of the 2013 tyres for the opening two practice sessions at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, which will see either Sebastian Vettel or Fernando Alonso be crowned a triple World Champion. Next year’s Pirelli tyres will feature different characteristics to this year’s compounds.
Pirelli’s controversial P Zero and Cinturato tyres have greatly effected the results this season, and have kept the teams perplexed for the majority of the year. As the season has progressed, the teams have gradually managed to work with the tyres, with normality being resumed as Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull enjoyed a resurgence in the latter half of the season. Pirelli aim to continue making life difficult for the teams and drivers next season, with the tyres set to once again change over the winter period.
As the teams and drivers prepare for this weekend’s grand finale around Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit, Pirelli have decided to offer the teams with a prototype of the 2013 tyre for the teams to test during the opening two practice sessions on Friday. With the compounds and construction of the tyres once again set to alter, the teams and drivers will understandably be eager to begin working with the new tyres.
“We’ll be bringing some of our 2013 prototype tyres to Brazil in order for the teams to get a taste of them during free practice.” Explained Pirelli’s motor sport director, Paul Hembery. “With no testing until February otherwise, this will be an extremely valuable opportunity for them to see what our new tyres are like as they finalize their 2013 cars – so let’s hope that it doesn’t rain on Friday!
“Both the compounds and construction will be different, which means that the characteristics of the new tyres will be altered, with a wider working range and some compounds that are slightly more aggressive. We’ve yet to finalize where exactly all the compounds will sit in relation to each other, which is why we are calling the tyre to be used in Brazil a ‘prototype’ rather than giving it a specific nomination, but it will be very representative of our general design philosophy next year.”
With rain forecast for the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, Pirelli will be hoping Friday’s two practice sessions remain dry to allow the drivers to test the new prototype compounds. This past season has been greatly effect by the Pirelli tyres, and it seems next year will also be centered around the tyres as the teams and drivers strive gain as much knowledge as possible ahead of the new season.
Picture Copyright © Pirelli
Fernando Alonso: “This Weekend Is Like A Victory For Us”
Fernando Alonso has explained how the United States Grand Prix felt like a victory for Ferrari, after the Scuderia progressed from a disastrous qualifying performance to eventually finish 3rd and 4th. Fernando Alonso’s 3rd place mean’s the Spaniard still has a mathematical chance of clinching the Championship at the season finale at Sao Paulo.
After Ferrari suffered a woefully uncompetitive qualifying performance, which saw Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso initially qualify a disastrous 7th and 9th respectively, Alonso’s chances of forcing the Championship down to the wire at Brazil looked bleak. The Scuderia were dealt another blow once qualifying had come to a conclusion, as Romain Grosjean was issued with a five-place grid penalty, therefore moving Massa and Alonso to the dirty side of the grid.
With the Circuit of the Americas yielding practically no grip off the racing line, where the drivers starting from an even-numbered grid slot would start the race, Ferrari were worried their race could be compromised should they start from their grid slots. To counter this misfortune, Ferrari decided to opt for a highly controversial, yet cunning, plan in breaking the official FIA seal on Felipe Massa’s gearbox. In accordance of Article 28.6 e) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, the Brazilian driver received a five-place grid drop.
This therefore promoted Fernando Alonso to 7th on the grid, which would therefore see the Spaniard start from the clean side of the grid. Felipe Massa would also benefit from this decision, as he too would start from the clean side of the grid albeit down in 11th position. As the race progressed, Ferrari’s cunning use of team tactics saw the duo rise steadily through the order, eventually finishing a competitive 3rd and 4th behind Sebastian Vettel and race winner Lewis Hamilton.
“Today [it was] not possible to keep the pace with these two guys [Hamilton and Vettel], that they were too far ahead but enough to keep for the guys behind.” Explained Fernando Alonso, “And then I think this podium, after all the difficulties we went through this weekend is like a victory for us. Losing three points maybe was in no-one’s thoughts I think yesterday night or Friday night after seeing the practice, so we are really happy again to have a very good Sunday and score again good points.”
Despite the gap between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel once again being extended, the Spaniard still remains confident he can thwart the reigning World Champion once track action begins around the legendary Interlagos circuit. Fernando Alonso clinched his first ever Drivers’ Championship in Brazil back in 2005 for Renault, and will be striving to repeat history next weekend to clinch what would be his third Drivers’ Championship.
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Lewis Hamilton Takes Historic Victory At Austin
Lewis Hamilton has taken a historic victory at the brand-new Circuit of the Americas, in what was an absolutely enthralling United States Grand Prix. The Briton was followed home by Sebastian Vettel, with Fernando Alonso a distant 3rd. Red Bull have therefore secured their third Constructors’ Championship.
At the start Sebastian Vettel stormed into a comfortable lead, as fellow Championship rival Fernando Alonso enjoyed a sensational start from the clean side of the grid and catapulted himself up to 4th position after starting from 7th. Lewis Hamilton dropped from 2nd to 3rd, as Jenson Button fell backwards as the field negotiated the tricky opening sector. Michael Schumacher, Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen became locked in a grueling battle for 6th, which the Frenchman won as he progressed after his initial gearbox penalty.
Lewis Hamilton instantly challenged Mark Webber for 2nd position, however the Briton’s initial overtaking maneuver failed to stick as he ran wide and allowed Webber back through. However, the 2008 World Champion managed to make the move stick on the next lap, surging up the inside of the Red Bull driver at Turn 12. Romain Grosjean’s early pace was thrown away on Lap 7, as the Frenchman spun at the ever-tricky Turn 19 and lost many positions. Grosjean rejoined right in the middle of the melee for 9th position with Michael Schumacher, however the Frenchman continued to plummet through the order.
Several laps later and Romain Grosjean decided to pit after loosing many positions since his earlier spin, with the Frenchman now lapping towards the back of the pack. As Grosjean pitted, Lewis Hamilton began piling immense amounts of pressure on race leader Sebastian Vettel. Kamui Kobayashi and Michael Schumacher became the next drivers to make a scheduled pit stop, as Hamilton entered the all-important DRS zone and began to challenge for the race lead.
Jean-Eric Vergne became the first retirement of the race, as the Toro Rosso driver came to a halt on the grass at Turn 7 due to a steering issue on his car. Mark Webber was quick to follow the Frenchman into retirement, as the Red Bull driver picked up yet another alternator failure on his car only moments after suffering with a KERS failure. Nico Hulkenberg decided to pit as the Australian driver retired, whilst Lewis Hamilton began to loose out to Sebastian Vettel as his tyres began to wear out.
The McLaren driver was almost instantly brought into the pits, with Fernando Alonso following the Briton and also pitting on Lap 21. Sebastian Vettel was therefore forced to pit as well, with the Red Bull mechanics performing an utterly unbelievably quick stop on the German’s car. Kimi Raikkonen therefore found himself between race leader Sebastian Vettel and the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton as the Finn decided against pitting with the race leaders. Eventually the Finn was overtaken by Hamilton, before he decided to pit from 3rd.
Whilst the gap between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton changed every lap, Fernando Alonso has silently risen to 3rd position. This would therefore deny Sebastian Vettel the Championship crown this weekend, and would see the Championship go down to the wire at Sao Paulo next weekend.
As the race entered it’s closing stages, Lewis Hamilton once again began to reel in race leader Sebastian Vettel and on Lap 42 the Briton used his DRS-advantage to full effect and stormed around the outside of the reigning Champion for the lead. The maneuver slightly flustered Vettel, who immediately vented his disbelief at being overtaken over the team radio.
After taking the lead, Lewis Hamilton wasted no time in opening up a comfortable gap to the Red Bull driver. Sebastian Vettel strove to close down the gap to the McLaren driver in the closing laps, however Hamilton remained uncatchable out in front and eventually crossed the line to take a historic inaugural victory around the stunning Circuit of the Americas. Hamilton was followed home by just under a second by Sebastian Vettel, with Fernando Alonso a distant 3rd therefore keeping his Championship hopes alive with the final race in Brazil next weekend. Red Bull have therefore secured their third Constructors’ Championship, making history by becoming the first team to win their first three Constructors’ titles in a row.
The 2012 Championship has been one of excitement and unpredictability, and is poised with a mouthwatering finale next weekend around the legendary Interlagos circuit at Sao Paulo. Rain is always a threat around the tricky circuit, and could well plague proceedings next weekend.
PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS The USA Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas, USA; 56 laps; 308.896km; Weather: Sunny. Classified: Pos Driver Team Time 1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1h35:55.269 2. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 0.600 3. Alonso Ferrari + 39.200 4. Massa Ferrari + 46.000 5. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 56.400 6. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 1:04.400 7. Grosjean Lotus-Renault + 1:10.300 8. Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes + 1:13.700 9. Maldonado Williams-Renault + 1:14.500 10. Senna Williams-Renault + 1:15.100 11. Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 1:24.300 12. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:24.800 13. Rosberg Mercedes + 1:25.500 14. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap 15. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap 16. Schumacher Mercedes + 1 lap 17. Petrov Caterham-Renault + 1 lap 18. Kovalainen Caterham-Renault + 1 lap 19. Glock Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap 20. Pic Marussia-Cosworth + 2 laps 21. De la Rosa HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps 22. Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps Fastest lap: Vettel, 1:39.347 Not classified/retirements: Driver Team On lap Webber Red Bull-Renault 17 Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 15
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Sergio Perez Targeting Championship Glory With McLaren
Sergio Perez has confirmed that he is targeting Championship success with McLaren immediately, ahead of his departure from Sauber after this season as the replacement of Lewis Hamilton at the Woking-based outfit. The Mexican driver will team-mate Jenson Button next season, as Hamilton moves to Mercedes.
Despite mixed opinions with regards to McLaren’s decision to replace Lewis Hamilton with Sergio Perez, with even Martin Whitmarsh confirming doubts over his decision in signing the young Mexican, Sergio Perez is remaining focused on immediately winning races for McLaren. Throughout the 2012 season, Perez has enjoyed several sensational podium finishes for Sauber, which included a near-victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix at the start of the season.
It’s unarguably feasible that if Sergio Perez starts next season with McLaren with as much competitiveness witnessed at the start of this season, he will definitely be a contender for victory should McLaren design another race-winning machine. It’s fair to say McLaren could and should have won several more races this season, however technical gremlins have plagued them throughout. Should these issues be ironed out for next season, Sergio Perez and Jenson Button could well be a formidable pairing at McLaren.
“My target straight away is to win the World Championship,” insisted Sergio Perez to CNN. “I need to get wins to do that. I know it will be very hard to win the Championship but it’s the challenge I want.”
With Lewis Hamilton departing from McLaren at the end of the season, Jenson Button will undoubtedly assume the lead driver role within the team. Sergio Perez is looking forward to racing alongside the 2009 World Champion, and has admitted that he is a tough driver to beat.
“I’ve spoken to Jenson a bit since I signed for McLaren,” continued Sergio Perez. “He seems to be a great guy and I think he’ll be good fun as a team-mate. He’s a very tough guy to beat and is very experienced. He’s one of the fastest guys out there.”
Despite Sergio Perez’s insistence that he aims to start his career at McLaren in winning form, many still continue to believe McLaren have made a mistake in replacing someone like Lewis Hamilton with a driver still relatively new to the world of Formula 1. If anything, these comments will surely only serve as fuel for Perez to silence his critics once the action gets underway next March at Melbourne.
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Vettel Believes The Driver Who Deserves It Most Will Be Champion
Sebastian Vettel has explained how he believes the driver who deserves to win the Drivers’ Championship the most will eventually be crowned Champion, with both himself and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso still in contention to clinch the prestigious title. Only two races remain in the season, with the leading duo separated by only ten points.
The favorite to clinch the Drivers’ Crown is reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel, who will this weekend compete in his 100th Formula 1 race. The German driver made his first appearance in the world of Formula 1 back in 2007 for BMW Sauber as a replacement for the injured Robert Kubica. Vettel immediately impressed, finishing within the points during his first race and switching to Toro Rosso for the Hungarian Grand Prix in place of Scott Speed.
Since his inaugural season in Formula 1 back in 2007, the German driver has since moved to Red Bull and has quickly asserted dominance over proceedings. At each event, it is clear that Vettel strives to not only win, but to do so in dominating style by securing pole position and the fastest lap as well. However, this season saw a drastic change from recent years, with Sebastian Vettel failing to win until the Bahrain Grand Prix in April. Since then, the 25-year-old has gradually returned to his formidable dominance and won four races in quick succession at Singapore, Japan, Korea and India.
Despite Sebastian Vettel’s recent resurgence, Fernando Alonso has continued to remain the German’s biggest rival. Although Alonso spun out of the Japanese Grand Prix on the opening lap, the two-time Champion has successfully finished on the podium throughout the last three races, after starting no higher than 4th on the grid.
“If you look at the races we’ve done so far I think Fernando’s and my DNF’s or calamities are equal.” Explained Sebastian Vettel, ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix. “I still believe that the driver who deserves it most will be champion. No doubt we are in a very good position now and I hope we do well until the very end to make sure that we deserve the glory.”
Although this past season has been one of the most unpredictable and competitive in recent decades, Sebastian Vettel has admitted how he would have preferred a more “boring” season. Unlike last season, Sebastian Vettel has been unable to assert as much dominance as previously seen, with the first seven races of the season won by seven different drivers including the likes of Pastor Maldonado and Nico Rosberg.
“I personally would have loved it to be a little bit more boring at some stages.” Admitted Sebastian Vettel, “When you think back some years ago, when you were in the lead and had only ten laps to go you could have been pretty sure that the race was yours. Today anything can happen until the moment you pass the checkered flag. The tyres keep results up in the air until the very last meters of the race. When you are in the hunt you still can turn it around – and when you are in the lead you can still lose it!”
Sebastian Vettel will unquestionably be looking to win the Championship this weekend around the Circuit of the Americas at the United States Grand Prix, instead of allowing the Championship to go down to the wire at the Brazilian Grand Prix around Sao Paulo’s tricky Interlagos circuit. With rain always a threat at Sao Paulo, proceedings could once again become unpredictable should the Championship be decided during what would be a thrilling 71-lap finale!
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2012 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview
Only one week after yet another sensational display of dominance from Sebastian Vettel at the Indian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 fraternity once again moves instantly on to the next venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the magnificent Yas Marina circuit. This will be the fourth running of the event, which is F1’s only day/night race.
First held back in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has quickly become one of the highlights of the season, taking place around the picturesque 5.554km (3.451mile) Yas Marina circuit. Once again designed by popular architect Hermann Tilke, the circuit features several iconic landmarks including the pit exit which passes underneath the track, and the incredibly fascinating Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel which the track entwines itself underneath.
After Sebastian Vettel’s fourth successive victory last time out at the Indian Grand Prix, the German driver has now extended his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to 13 points ahead of the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. Although the reigning World Champion cannot clinch the Drivers’ Championship this weekend, he can certainly continue to break away from Alonso and poise himself for potential Championship glory at the United States Grand Prix later in the month.
Just like the previous two tracks, the Yas Marina circuit features a fast flowing opening sector, incorporating two extensively long straights. The second of these two straights incorporates the support race paddock, and both will be used as DRS zones throughout this weekend’s race. The opening DRS zone’s detection point will be situated 40m before turn seven, with the activation zone located 390m after turn seven. This will offer the drivers with a tremendous overtaking opportunity into turn eight, which is a tight left-hander.
Immediately after turns eight and nine, the drivers will meet the activation point for the second DRS zone, 50m after turn nine. This will lead onto the second activation zone, which will be located on the apex of turn 10, which is a full-speed sweeping left-hander. Once again, the drivers will have an excellent opportunity to overtake, before they negotiate turns 11 and 12.
After the two DRS zones, the lap becomes increasingly difficult, with slow speed corners coming in abundance as the lap progresses. During the final sector, the track sweeps beneath the glorious sight of the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel, which emits a distinctive illumination consisting of 5,389 pivoting LED panels.
Derek Warwick will once again be the FIA driver representative steward for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and will be making his second appearance in four races after appearing at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The Briton raced in Formula 1 between 1981 and 1993 for the likes of Toleman, Brabham and Lotus, achieving four podium finishes. After leaving F1, Warwick competed in the British Touring Car Championship, as well as Le Mans and Sports Cars.
Despite the length of the straights during the early stages of the lap around the Yas Marina circuit, passing is still an issue once the race begins. Last season’s race was decided throughout the opening corners on the first lap, when Sebastian Vettel suffered a mysterious puncture and spun off. This gifted the lead, and subsequent victory, to Lewis Hamilton. Should such excitement occur on the opening lap this weekend, expect a frenetic 55-lap Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel has led every single racing lap since Lewis Hamilton’s gearbox failure in Singapore, and is targeting further dominance this weekend. However, after urging his team to improve after the Indian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso will undoubtedly be close behind the Red Bull driver as this highly entertaining season draws to a conclusion.
Picture Copyright © Pirelli
Fernando Alonso Remaining Optimistic With Championship Chances
Fernando Alonso is remaining optimistic with his chances of winning his third World Championship this season, despite Sebastian Vettel’s superlative resurgence at recent race weekends. The Spaniard is now 13 points behind the reigning Champion in the Championship, and still believes he has a chance to clinch the title.
With only three races remaining in the Championship, including the brand new circuit in Austin, Ferrari and Fernando Alonso firmly believe they have the ability to thwart Sebastian Vettel in the race to clinch the World Drivers’ Championship. At the start of the season, Ferrari were suffering greatly in comparison to fellow competitors Red Bull and McLaren, yet remained focused and won at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Since then, Fernando Alonso has single-handedly kept Ferrari in the title hunt, challenging for race victories throughout the year and taking wins at both the European and German Grands Prix as well as Malaysia at the start of the year. This superlative consistency, which has only been bettered by the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen, has seen Fernando Alonso emerge as the main title contender alongside Sebastian Vettel. The Spaniard is remaining optimistic with his title chances and believes victory is possible in Brazil.
“We know that there were still 100 points yesterday [Saturday] and now 75 points [available].” Explained Fernando Alonso, “We are 13 behind. We know that we need to improve. We are not fast enough, especially on Saturdays, as I said, but hopefully we can improve the situation in Abu Dhabi or in USA. The races are long, and as we saw today with Mark, a KERS problem can happen to anyone, it can happen to Seb, it can happen to me and it can happen to all of us. Still many points on the table and I’m still very optimistic. I think Brazil will be quite good for us and hopefully it’s a happy Grand Prix.”
This weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be another tense race for both Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, with the Spaniard urging Ferrari to improve ahead of the race weekend. If Vettel secures what would be his fifth victory in succession and Alonso fails to score enough points, then the Red Bull driver would be able to secure the Championship at next month’s inaugural American Grand Prix at Austin in Texas.
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