Sebastian Vettel extended his lead at the top of the Driver's Championship to 46 points and has edged further from the pack in pursuit of his fourth World Championship. It was a Grand Prix with lots to talk about, and all Summer I've been talking about film news and reviews so there's no better time to talk about something else. Here is my race review..
Qualifying was absolutely fantastic. Changing conditions, wet at one moment, dry the next made an exhilarating qualifying hour! Both Marussia's and the Caterham of Van der Garde made it into Q2, leaving both Williams', Toro Rosso's and the Sauber of Gutierrez at the back of the grid. Ferrari started 9th and 10th, Lotus 7th and 8th. Ferrari looked quick all weekend, and could have done so much more had qualifying gone better.
It looked like Di Resta had pole in the bag when he set his time before the rain came down. However, the rain ceased and the track dried. It was last man over the line to grab pole, and Rosberg, Webber and Vettel beat Di Resta's time. However, Hamilton was last over the line and took his 4th consecutive pole!
The start was crucial. Lewis made it round La Source in the lead. However, the Red Bull is the car with the best package and phenomenal speed. At the exit of Eau Rouge onto the back straight, Sebastian Vettel blasted past the Mercedes and from then on was untouchable!
He controlled the race from start to finish and never looked like giving up the lead. He said the car was "unbelievable to drive".
In second place came the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. He qualified in 9th and who knows what he could have finished had qualified better? Starting in 9th, he made a good start and blasted up to 5th at the end of lap 1. He overtook very well as always and it is fair to say his first few laps are always electrifying.
Di Resta would have been looking for a good result but retired after a collision with Maldonado. He made a bad start and when Gutierrez attacked Maldonado into the bus-stop chicane the Mexican forced the Venezuelan wide. He went back onto the racing line, clipped Sutil (who survived to finish 9th) and smashed off Paul Di Resta's left rear tyre. His race had ended and his poor form continues. Maldonado received a 10 second stop-go penalty.
As for Gutierrez, that was the best I've seen of him all year. Determined and aggressive!
Jenson Button who started 6th finished in that position after reverting to a 2 stop strategy. The 8 points gained by him put McLaren above Force India in the Constructor's Championship.
The Mercedes of Rosberg and Hamilton also looked strong but not as good as the dominate Red Bull and the seemingly improved Ferrari. Hamilton clung on to 3rd place with Nico Rosberg finishing 4th who held of a late-assault from the retiring Mark Webber, who finished 5th.The remaining point-scoring positions were filled by Felipe Massa in 7th, who passed a fair few people to get up there. Grosjean finished 8th after a penalty, 9th was Sutil and 10th was Daniel Ricciardo, who his Red Bull bound. He took the final point from Sergio Perez in the latter stages of the race.
Retirements were Charles Pic, Paul Di Resta and Kimi Raikkonen. 38 consecutive finishes ended at last, which was kind of an odd feeling to say the least!
As for the Championship, Vettel has extended his lead. It's going to take a mammoth effort from 1 of the 3 other front-running teams and a few slip ups from Red Bull though, which is unlikely at the moment! Alonso has moved up to second place with 151 points, Hamilton is now third with 139 points. Raikkonen is down to 4th in the Championship after his DNF.
Spa is the best circuit on the calendar. Today was no classic, but had lots to talk about!
What did you think of the race? Who can stop Sebastian Vettel? Also Monza, I don't wish to predict, but a Ferrari home win would be fantastic!
Thanks for reading a post which is about something else other than films!
Thanks again,
Matt
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