Wednesday 11 September 2013

Almost a Standard Day in Monza, 2013

Monza was interesting for a lot of reasons, but I was definitely hoping for some rain – just to mix things up a little! Without the rain, I figured Sebastian Vettel was going to race off and win. He did. There wasn’t as much distance as normal, but in the dry conditions, he was never really troubled. A few gearbox worries and a lockup on the first corner, but nothing he couldn’t handle. It was a good race from him.

The end of Webber’s European road

Well, it’s the end of Mark Webber’s European adventures as a Formula 1 driver, but he will still be racing in Europe in the future (although this detracts from my point). Not only did the Red Bull driver have a decent start this time, it was a solid race and he got on the podium, which was a fitting way to end this chapter of his life. I’m hoping he gets to the top step at least once this year, maybe on the very last race – that would be a really fitting end for him!

More misery for Di Resta

Paul Di Resta is missing something at the moment – it might be luck. He’s had a run of bad weekends and when something goes wrong, the rest of it goes wrong for him too. He’s got a brave face on and doing what he can but this is the time to really step up, mentally, and show everyone how good he is. The car isn’t half bad this year and some strong results to the end of the season could help him next year. The results do need to come his way for that to happen.

Trouble at Ferrari?

A lot has been said about the relationship between Fernando Alonso and Ferrari recently – and it’s hard to interpret what’s really going on. There’s plenty of tension, Alonso does not have the care he wants, but I can’t help feeling something is missing this year. Last year was one of the best seasons I’ve seen from him, or any F1 driver in a long time and that has vanished. Instead of supporting the team, he is making sly comments and statements, trying to get a reaction. I’m not a fan of that. If you have something to say, say it – either to the public or privately to the team. Get rid of the bad air and work past it.

I also didn’t see Kimi Raikkonen going to Ferrari this year. I figured it more likely than him going to Red Bull, but I thought it would cause the same problems. My guess would've been Nico Hulkenberg, especially after his outstanding performance this weekend. Whether it will work out is another question, and we'll see in time.

Summary

Hulkenberg stood out to me this around. It was another flash of the brilliance he is capable of – give the man a decent car and he’ll put it near the front, I’m sure. Force India and Di Resta need to dust themselves off and get back on it for the last races. As for McLaren, they’re still a long way off unfortunately. Can anyone stop Vettel?

Results

1 – S. Vettel (Red Bull)
2 – F. Alonso (Ferrari)
3 – M. Webber (Red Bull)
4 – F. Massa (Ferrari)
5 – N. Hulkenberg (Sauber)
6 – N. Rosberg (Mercedes)
7 – D. Ricciardo (Toro Rosso)
8 – R. Grosjean (Lotus)
9 – L. Hamilton (Mercedes)
10 – J. Button (McLaren)
11 – K. Raikkonen (Lotus)
12 – S. Perez (McLaren)
13 – E. Gutierrez (Sauber)
14 – P. Maldonado (Williams)
15 – V. Bottas (Williams)
16 – C. Pic (Caterham)
17 – G. van der Garde (Caterham)
18 – J. Bianchi (Marussia)
19 – M. Chilton (Marussia)
20 – A. Sutil (Force India) – DNF
21 – J. E. Vergne (Toro Rosso) – DNF

22 – P. Di Resta (Force India) – DNF

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