Is there a New Dominant Force in F1? – Hungary, 2013

I’ve used the word dominant a few times this year. Each time, I think you can’t get any more dominant than this. Any takers on how many more times I’ll use that phrase this year? IT’s going to be up to nine more times. I’m normally very critical of the Hungaroring – I find the racing flat and boring for the most part – but this year, a year full of back-to-front perspectives, I am pleasantly surprised.

The Lewis Hamilton I remember

Don’t get me wrong here, since moving to Mercedes, Hamilton has been doing very well. I, like many others, was very critical of his move at the end of last year but he’s made it work. He’s had some great races in a car that does have problems, but this was a glimpse of the 2008 champ on form.

Mercedes look in good form for the rest of the season. Their tyre problems seem to have vanished since their Barcelona test and the introduction of the new tyres this weekend. What remains to be seen is how long they’re gone for. While it was exceptionally hot on track, compared to Silverstone – and Spa and Suzuka coming up – Hungary is a slower track and is easier for the tyres. Time will tell how series a challenge Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Mercedes can mount.

The Red Bull seat everyone wants?

Well, maybe not everyone. We don’t know who the candidates for this seat are – except Daniel Ricciardo, who has pulled some great results this year and impressed in his test run at Silverstone earlier this month. There’s been speculation over Kimi Raikkonen (which I REALLY doubt will happen) and now Alonso (which I still doubt, but for some reason, not as much as Kimi – despite Sebastien Vettel’s preference of Raikkonen). Alonso has been spoken to about his comments after Sunday’s race but it remains to be seen exactly how this situation will unfold, or who will emerge in the seat in the end. My money is still on Ricciardo.

Grosjean…Oh, Grosjean

Romain Grosjean is a wildcard. He has speed but at times, no or little control. He’s had some brilliant drives in his F1 return, but some horrendous – and quite honestly, stupid – incidents too. It’s easy for me to sit here and criticize since I’m not in the car but considering he’s doing this so often and others are not…something’s got to give, right?

Hungary was a mixed race for the Lotus driver. He had a stellar drive, really, and could have been challenging right at the front but for two key incidents. His pass on Felipe Massa where all four wheels were off the track was harsh. Very harsh, but the rules are rules. There are opinions that we had a great overtake (which we did) and he should have gotten away with it – but I don’t agree. The rules are the rules, if you let one person break them, then why not someone else. Who gets the “unfair” treatment then? It was a good attempt, fantastic, even, but it was just that little bit too wide. I want to see more of that from everyone, you have to take risks and he did. This time, it didn’t work.

His pass on Jenson Button reminded me of Sergio Perez in Monaco, a blocking pass. Jenson was not going to move over, that was clear. Grosjean was also not going to make the chicane at that stage, which was also clear. The penalty there was deserved, and both drivers were lucky nothing to serious happened to their cars. Close, but very well held together despite the contact.

Summary

I could go on a lot longer, but in the end, Hamilton got the win you could say he should have had at Silverstone. It’s not as sweet for the home fans but no one will deny he earned the win and it has been a while coming this year. Hopefully, this will be a fresh challenge on that second title. It’s a difficult task but it’s doable. You’ve got to say there are now four contenders who can take it, but Vettel is still in the driving seat.

Results

1 – L. Hamilton (Mercedes)

2 – K. Raikkonen (Lotus)

3 – S. Vettel (Red Bull)

4 – M. Webber (Red Bull)

5 – F. Alonso (Ferrari)

6 – R. Grosjean (Lotus)

7 – J. Button (McLaren)

8 – F. Massa (Ferrari)

9 – S. Perez (McLaren)

10 – P. Maldonado (Williams)

11 – N. Hulkenberg (Sauber)

12 – J. E. Vergne (Toro Rosso)

13 – D. Ricciardo (Toro Rosso)

14 – G. van der Garde (Caterham)

15 – C. Pic (Caterham)

16 – J. Bianchi (Marussia)

17 – M. Chilton (Marussia)

18 – P. Di Resta (Force India) – DNF

19 – N. Rosberg (Mercedes) – DNF

20 – V. Bottas (Williams) – DNF

21 – E. Gutierrez (Sauber) – DNF

22 – A. Sutil (Force India) – DNF

It was a Predictable Grand Prix Weekend in Germany, 2013

I’ve seen some reports and comments calling the German race a thrilling and eventful race, but I’m not inclined to agree. There were some moments of good racing, some good and bad strategy, but other than the first few laps, and the last ten, it was nothing to write home about – except Jules Bianchi’s car insisting on going racing without a driver! That was quite amusing – but very dangerous.

Red Bull back on top? 

What we saw this time around was almost a return to Vettel’s dominant championship win. There some reasonably exciting moments but it by no means a thriller that some reports called it. Having passed Lewis Hamilton on the first lap, it was almost plain sailing for the Red Bull driver, but by a much smaller margin than we’ve seen previously, granted. This could be a pattern for the rest of the season but I hope not – I want to see a fight on the track!

Mercedes and Ferrari falling back

Hamilton and Alonso have both come out and said improvements need to happen, and quickly. Hamilton knew what he was getting into, but Alonso will remember the time since his last championship, and what to do if Ferrari can’t deliver. The future of his teammate, Felipe Massa, is under continued scrutiny. His drives are sometimes brilliant but there is too much inconsistency to really make him reliable to any championship effort.

McLaren’s strong weekend 

Finally! Finally, finally, finally I have something positive to say about McLaren! I am a fan of the team from when I was younger, and like many people, it’s not been fun seeing them so far back. They had a good weekend this time around, compared to the rest of the year. It’s not their best result but with both cars in the points and improved performances, it’s a good step forward that will help for next year.

The Lotus – Red Bull – Kimi triangle 

Webber’s replacement is also going to be a hot topic for the rest of the year. Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo are favourites for the seat and I have a feeling the latter will get it. He has really grown recently and is improving all the time, but I just don’t think Raikkonen will do it.

Yes, he wants to win, and have the best car, but he has seen how Vettel treats teammates and Raikkonen wouldn’t settle for that. He wouldn’t have the full support for a future championship assault, no matter what Red Bull say. They have a number one and two driver, they just won’t admit it. If Lotus can show they have what it takes, they have a good chance of keeping him, but there aren’t many other options right now.

Safety is still the most important thing

A cameraman was hit by Webber’s escaping tyre. It’s more safety concerns, and still with tyres, but of a different nature. It was unfortunate but it could have happened to anyone around him and the most important thing is he’s okay! How this affects broadcasting shots and journalists in the long-term remains to be seen but there is an immediate ban on the media in the pit lane for the next race.

Summary

You’ve got to give it to Vettel, the guy is a great driver and his achievements just keep adding up. He’s now won his home grand prix and is still leading the championship. It wasn’t a great showing from his rivals this time out and whether you blame tyres or anything else, it is easy to see that Vettel, and Red Bull, have the strongest grip on the 2013 WDC and WCC. We’re almost halfway there but there’s plenty more to come.

Results 

1 – S. Vettel (Red Bull)

2 – K. Raikkonen (Lotus)

3 – R. Grosjean (Lotus)

4 – F. Alonso (Ferrari)

5 – L. Hamilton (Mercedes)

6 – J. Button (McLaren)

7 – M. Webber (Red Bull)

8 – S. Perez (McLaren)

9 – N. Rosberg (Mercedes)

10 – N. Hulkenberg (Sauber)

11 – P. Di Resta (Force India)

12 – D. Ricciardo (Toro Rosso)

13 – A. Sutil (Force India)

14 – E. Gutierrez (Sauber)

15 – P. Maldonado (Williams)

16 – V. Bottas (Williams)

17 – C. Pic (Caterham)

18 – G. van der Garde (Caterham)

19 – M. Chilton (Marussia)

20 – J. E. Vergne (Toro Rosso) – DNF

21 – J. Bianchi (Marussia) – DNF

22 – F. Massa (Ferrari) – DNF

Carnage at Silverstone, 2013

Coming in to the race weekend at Silverstone – one of my favourites, and not just because I live in the UK – I expected some tension, some good racing and a fair share of drama both on and off the track. I did not expect the mass blow outs that occurred in the race, or the race winner, Nico Rosberg, to take the top step on the podium,

Mercedes Obvious Step Forward 

Regardless of the outcome of the testing investigation, it is obvious to say that Mercedes have made a step forward. Whether it is beceause of the test or general development started to work out for them, we will probably never know. In the end, they seem to have made a step forward. I don’t want to take anything from Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton – and it would have been nice to have a British winner this year – but if they can keep up this form throughout the rest of the year, they will come into this championship later on.

It was unfortunate for Hamilton as he was doing great before his tyre blew out but it was an impressive drive back up to fourth and he has to take some comfort in that. Rosberg took the win and has been showing his stuff but if he can be consistent throughout the rest of the season, he will really establish himself in the field.

Webber’s Announcement

One of the biggest stories for me leading into Silverstone was Mark Webber’s decision to leave Formula One at the end of the season. While it’s not completely unexpected, he is an excellent driver and has one of the most trusted voices of the sport. He is honest and very blunt, making his point without bowing to political pressures and he will be sorely missed. I’ll be interested in his progress in endurance racing and I’m sure everyone wishes him well!

Getting the Strategy Right

Towards the end of the race, during the safety car period, there was a decision to make by the teams. Pit and put fresh tyres on for a last dash or stay out and try to hold as high a position as possible. With the way the tyres have been working (for a couple of years now) the decision should have been easy – but as ever, it wasn’t. Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen was probably the biggest name to lose out on this call, although from the radio message it didn’t seem to be his choice. In the end, that won’t make him feel better and there were other cars in top positions that lost out to Webber and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso because they did put new tyres on and fought their way up past the positions they had been in to reach the podium. Some teams will really need to think about their strategy calls going forward.

The Stand Out Racers

I think it’s important to mention that Daniel Ricciardo and Adrian Sutil both had very strong races, and had they opted for new tyres at the end, quite possibly could have ended up with podium finishes. Ricciardo is probably the favourite to succeed Webber at Red Bull next year (I don’t buy Raikkonen moving over at the moment) and Sutil and Force India have been doing a fantastic job all season. I felt bad for Paul Di Resta who got a good result from the back of the grid but you have to wonder where he might have ended had he started where he qualified. Nevertheless, excellent effort on all three accounts.

Tyres, Tyres and More Tyres

Every time this year, I’ve dedicated a section to tyres. I was hoping after the testing investigation that would stop – but no! Tyre blowouts. Some seriously dangerous problems with the Pirelli tyres had me wondering if the race would be red flagged, and it was usually only the left rear. If you watched the BBC coverage, they pointed out the kerbs could be a factor in this with sharp edges cutting into the tyres, but the tyres should be able to withstand that, surely? We’ve had racing like this for a while and no mass problems so what happened? Nothing definite has come to light but with new structures this weekend and 2012 specs afterwards, more changes are coming to the F1 teams this month. It is going to be interesting to see how it all fits together.

Summary

It was a good race, very interesting and lots happening – especially in the opening and closing stages. Unfortunately, the tyre issues overshadowed a lot of the middle portion of the race but we had some good racing from the Mercedes team and a fantastic effort from Webber at his final British F1 Grand Prix. Ferrari have some head scratching to do to find out why they seem to be slipping backwards so the pressure is on. Bring on Germany!

Results

1 – N. Rosberg (Mercedes)

2 – M. Webber (Red Bull)

3 – F. Alonso (Ferrari)

4 – L. Hamilton (Mercedes)

5 – K. Raikkonen (Lotus)

6 – F. Massa (Ferrari)

7 – A. Sutil (Force India)

8 – D. Ricciardo (Toro Rosso)

9 – P. Di Resta (Force India)

10 – N. Hulkenberg (Sauber)

11 – P. Maldonado (Williams)

12 – V. Bottas (Williams)

13 – J. Button (McLaren)

14 – E. Gutierrez (Sauber)

15 – C. Pic (Caterham)

16 – J. Bianchi (Maurssia)

17 – M. Chilton (Marussia)

18 – G. van der Garde (Caterham)

19 – R. Grosjean (Lotus) – DNF

20 – S. Perez (McLaren) – DNF

21 – S. Vettel (Red Bull) – DNF

22 – J. E. Vergne (Toro Rosso) – DNF