Singapore GP: Vettel Wins, Hamilton Retires

Sebastian Vettel was handed the win in a timed Singapore GP and second in the Championship when Lewis Hamilton's gearbox failed

Leading from pole position, Hamilton held a steady 1.5 to 2 second advantage over Vettel through the first round of pit stops.

Appearing to be comfortably maintain his lead, the McLaren suddenly slowed down on lap 23, forcing Hamilton to park it. The Brit's race engineer confirming it was a "gearbox failure" and that the team already knew about it.

Hamilton's demise put Vettel up into P1 with the Red Bull racer holding a three second advantage over Jenson Button while Pastor Maldonado and Fernando Alonso raced for the final podium position.

The Safety Car spiced things up when on lap 33 Narain Karthikeyan put his HRT into the wall.

The drivers dived into the pits with Alonso winning his battle against Maldonado to move up to third while the Williams driver came out a dismal P10. A lap later, while behind the Safety Car, Maldonado was told he had a hydraulic problem and must retire. He did.

Restarting on lap 39 it wasn't long before the race was again behind the Safety Car as Michael Schumacher slammed into the back of Jean-Eric Vergne as the Toro Rosso and Sergio Perez braked for the corner.

Bunched up again the race resumed on lap 43 with Vettel staying ahead of Button and Alonso. The 2011 Singapore GP winner slowly begun to etch out a lead over Button who in turn pulled away from Alonso.

The trio maintained position as they raced to the finish line, which was determined by the two hour mark instead of the number of laps, with Vettel taking his second Singapore victory by 8.3s over Button. Alonso was a further six seconds back.

Paul di Resta secured his best-ever result ahead of Nico Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen.

Results
01. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 2h00:26.144
02. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 8.959
03. Alonso Ferrari + 15.227
04. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 19.063
05. Rosberg Mercedes + 34.759
06. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 35.700
07. Grosjean Lotus-Renault + 36.600
08. Massa Ferrari + 42.800
09. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 45.800
10. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 47.100
11. Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 50.600
12. Glock Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap
13. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap
14. Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
15. Pic Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap
16. Kovalainen Caterham-Renault + 1 lap
17. De la Rosa HRT-Cosworth + 1 lap
18. Senna Williams-Renault + 2 laps
19. Petrov Caterham-Renault + 2 laps

Did Not Finish
Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 41
Schumacher Mercedes 41
Maldonado Williams-Renault 41
Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 33
Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 25

Source: Planet-F1

Heikki Kulta's Blog: Up to luck

In the WC-battle the most crucial 175 points from seven races are still not given out. Hence it's useless to make any long-term conclusions, because the top leader Fernando Alonso has at the moment 179 points.

Therefore so far only Heikki Kovalainen and a few other drivers have already lost their mathematical chances for the WDC...

I'm writing this on the flight from Milano to Helsinki and from there to Turku. Nearby sits Mika Salo from MTV3, with whom we ended up to the conclusion that the next race on Singapore streets in Marina Bay's night will show what Kimi Räikkönen's Lotus really can do.

– Lotus was still the fastest car in July's races. After the break it hasn't gone anywhere in Belgium and Italy. I wonder if they have fallen off the wagon in Enstone factory since other top teams have been busy in their own development work? Salo wondered.

– Spa and Monza are of course special tracks in every sense, hence the more realistic picture of Lotus-car's speed can only be seen in Singapore, which is a downforce-track and where they again drive with softer compounds, which have been more successful for Lotus.

– But at this exact moment it looks like Fernando Alonso will take the WDC. If they had a defense-strategy in Belgium, then in Monza again the Ferrari attacked at full blast, Salo thinks.

I asked after the race on Monza paddock about the sceneries for the WC-battle and about Kimi Räikkönen's chances to come with a super-surprise.

Eric Boullier stated that they knew Monza would be extremely difficult, but that all the remaining tracks would surely be more favorable for E20-car.

– Kimi does have a chance to win this WDC but it's going to be difficult. We will return back to better positions in Singapore. Here in Monza we had to sacrifice our qualification result, because we needed more downforce for our setups than some other teams needed, Bouillier thought.

Boullier was of course also speaking on the behalf of his team. But let's take an opinion from a completely opposite side. 

Peter Windsor is a long-time media personality, who has an immense experience from all F1-works - and who at times has a very critical point of view. 

How will it go in this WC-battle?

– I wouldn't want to sound arrogant, but I predicted already before the first test that Alonso will be WDC and Lewis Hamilton will be his toughest contender. I have at no point changed my opinion. I knew after last season that with the new regulations this will become a very tough and even WC-battle. Back then I believed that Alonso would be in the best position to get the best out of his team and car.

– Of course I can see that Ferrari isn't that great car, but it's good enough for Fernando to win the WDC. Hamilton is a spectacular driver and McLaren is at the moment the strongest car, but just like Mark Webber couldn't take points from Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button also takes points from Hamilton. That's why his chances against Alonso aren't so good.

– I think that during a season like this a fast teammate is really not of any use when every point counts. Felipe Massa is in that sense a brilliant teammate for Fernando, Windsor sums up.

Then what about Räikkönen's chances - he is third isn't he?

– Although I appreciate Finns and although Leo Kinnunen is my eternal idol, I have at no stage seen Kimi as a strong WDC-candidate. He might win some race during the endseason, but a lot would have to go wrong for these other top drivers for him to become a champion.

– This isn't because I wouldn't respect the team, the elements there just aren't top class. And innermost I don't see Kimi as fast as he was when he destroyed Juan Pablo Montoya at McLaren. Although I still love to watch Kimi racing I still don't think he is as fast as he was especially at McLaren, not even as fast as he was when leaving Ferrari.

Michael Schmidt from Auto, Motor und Sport also thinks that Alonso will take his third WDC. Monza changed the settings so that now Ferrari has to now be more alert when it comes to McLaren instead of Red Bull.

– McLaren is at this stage the measure stick for everything. They won three races from pole in a row on completely different tracks with their car. No other team has this season won three races in a row. If Hamilton can drive safely to the end, then Alonso will have a really hard time.

– I guess that this championship will be decided in the very last race.

– Lotus scores points every time, Kimi is the most reliable driver in this serie, but unfortunately the car is too slow. The same tune will continue on the next tracks also, Schmidt thinks.

Martin Brundle from Sky Sports joked if I want him to claim that Kimi is no good or that he will make a sensation.

– Realistically it looks like Alonso has the best assets when going to long distance races whereas those behind him driving for victories are possibly Vettel, possibly Hamilton, possibly Button, possibly Webber, possibly Kimi, possibly Sauber. The scores will get mixed up conveniently and when Fernando like this starts from 10th grid, doesn't drive any super-race - more like a very normal race - comes in 3rd and at the same time grows the score-gap to the next battle. Hey, that's just the luck that a champion needs!

– Kimi is doing a good work. But in order to win the WDC he needs victories, Brundle emphasizes.

Courtesy: Nicole

Kimi Raikkonen rubs his friends down with lotion as they set sail aboard a luxury yacht

On Sunday Formula One star Kimi Raikkonen was left disheartened after he failed to finish first at the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

But not letting the fact he missed out on the title get to him, Raikkonen was spotted as he set sail on a luxury yacht in Ibiza.

The 32-year-old race driver was pictured relaxing aboard the grand vessel as he soaked up the sun alongside some of his friends.

Kimi who wore a sunhat with a pair of glasses, and checked beach shorts, looked to be in good spirits as he took in the views of the gorgeous sea and joked about with his chums.

And it appears that the sportsman's wife, model and former Miss Scandinavia, Jenni Dahlman sat this short break out as she wasn't pictured on the boat.

After finishing in second place behind Fernando Alonso on Sunday, Kimi admitted he was disappointed but didn't feel he would win the race.

He said: 'In the end second place is okay, but not what we wanted.'

During the action packed competition Lewis Hamilton crashed out on the penultimate lap while running in third after a run-in with Pastor Maldonado, and Michael Schumacher placed third.

Source: Dailymail more pics!

Video: Especial Interview with 6 WDC CCTV 5 at Chinese GP 2012

Interview with Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel from CCTV 5



Source: AnneCarvalho78

Video: Press Conference with Top three drivers at Australian GP 2012

Jenson Button won the opening Grand Prix of the 2012 season in Australia, with his McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton in third, and Sebastian Vettel in second



Source: SeventyBuckss

Button: You always want to be first, but Lewis had upper hand

McLaren's Jenson Button has conceded that team-mate Lewis Hamilton had the upper hand today in qualifying for the Australian GP and that his best just 'wasn't quite enough'.

Button will start the opening round in the 2012 F1 World Championship from second on the grid, having been just 0.152 seconds slower in the sister Mercedes-powered car.

Despite that though, he was still happy with the MP4-27 and the Englishman paid tribute to the job done by McLaren over the winter.

“Lewis nailed a great lap in Q3,” Button commented after Q3, “but I think the whole team is really happy to have both cars on the front row – it's been a long time coming to have the two of us there together. You always want to be first, but I couldn't quite do that today. We were so close through all the qualifying sessions but Lewis had the upper hand [in the end]. I tried my best but it wasn't quite enough.

“Nevertheless, I think we both want to thank the team – it's a big vindication of how far we've come this winter.

“And that's been crucial: having a good winter can really make the difference. We still don't know exactly how strong our car will be in the race, but yesterday it appeared to be consistent and looked after the tyres during the stint.

“Tomorrow will be about getting the tyres to the right working temperature and looking after them across the stint.

“Tomorrow is the important day, and today is about making life easier for tomorrow.”

Source: Crash.net

Schumacher, Alonso, Hamilton, Button, Vettel, Räikkönen. A straight flush and a joker on top of that

Kimi Räikkönen's comeback to the 'real work', F1, has been the biggest news before the season has begun. They have speculated over the backgrounds, weighed the test results, tried to dig inside Räikkönen's head. With no success.

Räikkönen himself tells that he came back to the F1-business because he had missed it. It sounds odd at first, because during his last couple of years in Ferrari the disgust and fatigue with everything the genre offered was shining from his face.

However rallying in a small car with only the clock as the opponent for two years got Räikkönen fed up. He told earlier this spring that he has missed 'real racing', driving on track man to man, and now it's offered to him.

Räikkönen still doesn't care for the PR-things and other cackle that comes with the sport.

'Neither does any other driver either. Everyone of us only wants to race', Räikkönen said in February to reporters.

When the information of Räikkönen's will to come back were confirmed, they were taking him starting from Red Bull to all other top teams. Finally he joined Lotus.

They were astonished over his choice. They didn't think that the French team that had dropped in the midfield would be any dream working place.

Testing in Jerez and Barcelona however changed the tune in the bell. Although the test results aren't comparable the performance ability and reliability of Lotus has surprised. The car has been both reliable and fast.

Australia will be the real thing. If it goes well in Melbourne, then the co-existance of Räikkönen and Lotus will get a lot more easier. If the car is not good for racing, then we can expect some wrinkles in love.

Räikkönen gets visibly nervous when someone says the word 'motivation' around him. Everybody notices how the safety clicks.

Yet the truth is that Räikkönen doesn't get fired up over lower positions. This has been taken in account when making the Lotus-contract.

According to Autosport the contract has a clause which justifies ending the contract if Lotus doesn't get into top 8.

Räikkönen also doesn't have to drive with a community effort. He gets 8-12 million euros per season which will substantially slow down poverty.

Although a driver, who so far has earned about 200 million euros isn't in any need for pocket change, it still is expensive to live like Räikkönen lives. It costs to keep up several luxurious houses, flying with a private jet and keeping the armada of cars swallows money like a F1-car swallows fuel.

By Vesa Kovanen
Courtesy: Nicole

Alonso: Vettel still slightly below the level of Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is better than Sebastian Vettel, is the sensational claim of Hamilton’s former nemesis and McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso.

Like Ferrari driver Alonso, Vettel is now a back-to-back world champion, while Briton Hamilton’s only title was won in 2008.

But Spaniard Alonso thinks Hamilton is better than the Red Bull star.

“Lewis is so fast, aggressive, totally focused. He is interested only in victory. Sebastian has not quite reached that level,” he told Germany’s Sport Bild.

“I know he is a two time world champion, but he is still slightly below the level of Lewis,” added Alonso.

According to 1996 world champion Damon Hill, however, Hamilton was not focused enough last season.

“Lewis needs to show that he can manage his private life as well as being a professional racing driver,” Hill is quoted by the Sun.

“He will be the first to admit that he had some distractions last season and we will see if he can address those.”

Source: YallaF1

Webber admits battle with Hamilton was 'intense'

With Sebastian Vettel racing away to the win, the excitement in Korea came mainly from an epic battle between McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Mark Webber

The Korean Grand Prix featured one of the most genuinely hard-fought and knife-edge battles seen on track in recent seasons, with two of the leading drivers in two of the top cars on the grid fighting tooth-and-claw over second position for much of the race.

"The battle with Lewis was pretty intense," agreed Red Bull's Mark Webber of the fight that lasted almost two thirds of the 55-lap race distance.

The team had been hoping to pull off the vital overtaking move in the pits, but Hamilton and Webber came in together and McLaren put their man out on track first - meaning that Webber would have to do all the work for himself out on the track.

"I was frustrated that we followed him out of the pit lane," he admitted. "I risked quite a bit to try and pass him on the out lap, before he got settled in."

He couldn't quite pull it off, despite running side-by-side with Hamilton in the initial laps after the pit stop. Despite increasingly struggling with downforce issues, Hamilton seemed able to get traction out of the corners at key points and thwart Webber's best overtaking moves.

"It's not easy to pass a driver of Lewis' calibre," he admitted "I tried some moves and it was a good battle as our cars had weaknesses and strengths in different areas of the lap, so trying to get the move done wasn't particularly easy."

Webber insisted he enjoyed the battle, but would have dearly loved to have taken second place from Hamilton by the end to make it the perfect day for Red Bull Racing. "I would have liked to have got that extra position, which I think performance-wise we deserved," he said. "But McLaren did a good job and Lewis drove well."

Overall, despite the frustration of finishing in third place, he was happy: "There were loads of positives today, it was a good start for me and I got a good result ... I'm sure there will be some headaches tonight," he added, talking about joining in with the team's trademark celebrations for winning their second constructors' title.

His team boss Christian Horner was delighted with Webber's efforts today. "All credit must go to Mark Webber, who tried everything to pass Lewis who in fairness defended very well," he said. "Despite being considerably quicker, we couldn't get into the right place entering the DRS zone to make it a one-two."

Webber's team mate Sebastian Vettel had more success in passing polesitter Lewis Hamilton in the first lap of the race. "I knew overtaking Lewis near the start would be difficult and I nearly went off under braking, but he was very fair and it was important for us to get track position."

It had all looked simple and plain sailing for Vettel from there, but the young German insisted that it had been anything but.

"I wasn't too comfortable to be honest, there was a lot of head wind and it was difficult to get away. I could see the car behind getting bigger in the mirrors and it was tough to break the tow, but we did it," he said. " It was a phenomenal race, we had so much pace and it was so much fun out there."

"Sebastian did everything right," commented Horner. "He had a good start, made a bold move up the inside into turn four and then controlled the race.

"It was a world champion's drive."

Source: Crash.net

Briatore says Vettel is not best driver in F1

Sebastian Vettel may be the sport’s first ever reigning back-to-back world champion, but he is not the best driver on the grid.

That is the view of former Renault boss Flavio Briatore, who thinks his charge Fernando Alonso and also McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton are better than the dominant 24-year-old German.

“Vettel is definitely good,” the Italian told Corriere dello Sport, “but he has won because he has been the best to manage his phenomenal (Red Bull) machine.

“He is not the best. Imagine a race with everyone racing the same car; Vettel would be behind Fernando Alonso and also Lewis Hamilton.

“Over one lap I see him in pole position, with Hamilton second and Alonso third,” added Briatore.

Source: YallaF1

Massa's Blog: What passion in Japan!

Like I said last week, the Singapore Grand Prix is already yesterday’s news and there are no more reasons to talk about a weekend that was far from positive for me. It’s better to concentrate on the next race weekend, Japan, hoping that it starts well and ends without any unpleasant surprises.

Just one more thing before I finally turn the page: I’ve been told that there was a bit of a storm over a phrase that my race engineer said during the race. Apart from the fact that I don’t recall what Rob said, I don’t think there’s any value in stirring up trouble now and trying to link this with the subsequent contact with

Hamilton: they are two separate moments and they have nothing to do with each other. I’m sure that Lewis and I will find a way to clear this up and put a lid on this story, as is only correct between two drivers. What happens on the track should remain on the track.

Suzuka is a track I really like and it is up there with Spa in terms of enjoyment, mainly because there are a lot of high speed corners which are very challenging and enjoyable when you get it right. There’s a real mix, as there are also some slow corners in the middle section and the Esses after the first corner, where you need a car to change direction very quickly and where you can make up or lose a lot of time. In the second sector you have the slow hairpin and then Spoon which is very interesting. Everyone talks about the 130R, but to be honest since they altered it on safety grounds it has become a bit like Eau Rouge at Spa, because in a Formula 1 car it is now almost a straight. 2006 was a very good year for me at Suzuka, where I qualified on pole position and finished second: doing that again this coming weekend would be nice, but we have to be realistic about the fact we will be facing the usual tough opponents. As to Ferrari’s chances, we must wait and see until we actually go out on track, because this season we have sometimes been strong on tracks where we had not expected to be competitive and sometimes it was the opposite. By the end of Friday free practice, we should begin to get an idea of our Japanese form. I hope we can be able to fight for the top places, even if, at this point of the season, there is not much more to come in the way of updates in terms of aerodynamics and other developments. While all the drivers like Suzuka, it has often been frustrating to race there, as overtaking is very difficult, but this year with the DRS, KERS and the influence of the Pirelli tyres, I expect that situation to change. I believe the plan is to have two DRS zones which will be a big help.

I am happy to be going to Japan: I have heard that some of the MotoGP riders wanted to boycott their Japanese GP, which takes place at a circuit which is nearer to the Fukushima nuclear plant, but we need to consider that Suzuka is in a completely different part of the country. I have no concerns about going and I think it is good that Formula 1 is going to put on a show in a country that really appreciates our sport. I always love being in Japan and at the track, I will be there to do my job, but I am also hoping to see the people smiling and enjoying themselves. The Japanese fans are among the best in the world: on a Thursday when there is no on-track action, even if it is raining, they will sit in the grandstands to see what is going on in pit lane. You can feel the love they have for the sport and I am looking forward to being there together with them.

At this time of year, I begin to think of the karting event we organise in Florianapolis, Brazil in December and it’s great that many F1 drivers have signed up to take part this year. Most of the organisation is done by my father and brother and another colleague, but I also get involved, inviting people along. It started out as fun and has become a very big event, growing every year. Why do Formula 1 drivers want to spend the first weekend after the season driving a kart? Given that you drive on a small track, the speed is relatively very high, therefore it has a lot in common with F1. It is also an opportunity to race with completely equal equipment, as every driver gets the same brand new chassis and engine and you draw lots for which engine you get for the first race and then even in between the races.

After attending an event for our primary sponsor Philip Morris on Friday in Belgrade, I left for Japan on Monday, spending a few days in Tokyo, which is always a great place to visit and then on to Suzuka very early on Thursday morning, for the first of five remaining chances to end the year with some good results.

Source: Ferrari.com

Video: BBC - Singapore GP - Angry Felipe Massa interrupts Lewis Hamilton interview

Felipe Massa slaps Lewis Hamilton on the arm as the Englishman talks to the media after the Singapore Grand Prix and sarcastically says "good job pal" following a collision between the two during the race.

Hamilton received a drive-through penalty as the two drivers came together at Turn Seven and Massa accused the 26-year-old of "not using his mind".

Massa was forced to pit after suffering a puncture, whilst Hamilton also had to stop for a new front wing



Source: SixtyBuckss

Alonso blames British media for bad image

Fernando Alonso has blamed the British media for his image as a spoilt number 1 driver.

O Estado de S.Paulo correspondent Livio Oricchio asked the Spaniard if it is true that all is well inside his team so long as he does not share equal status with his teammate.

“That is a belief that was created in 2007,” said the Ferrari driver, referring to his ill-fated single season alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

“The reason was the contamination of the media, particularly the British.

“I have been in formula one for 11 years. For ten, I was the consummate professional,” he explained. “Engineers, mechanics and my teammates could not say a word against my professionalism.

“But in 2007, McLaren, the English press, week after week, contaminated our relationship, which was not bad. That is what led to this general impression about me.

“But nothing changes for me, my values stay the same. When I went onto the market, the offers I received were as great before and after 2007,” added Alonso.

Another perception is that Alonso, 30, is enjoying a position of privilege at Ferrari due to his links with main sponsor Santander, a Spanish bank.

“Good, no?” he laughed. “Everyone can talk and think what they like, it’s part of the sport — the media too, especially with the internet.”

F1′s next stop is Singapore, where Alonso won not only last year but also in 2008, when his Renault teammate Nelson Piquet deliberately crashed to bring out the safety car.

The Spaniard insists he still counts the victory among his best.

“There is something about the track that suits my driving style,” said Alonso. “I know it’s strange to you, but the victory of 2008 is just as special as the one of last year.”

Source: YallaF1

'FIA asked Schumi to be careful'

Ross Brawn has hailed Michael Schumacher's "fantastic" Italian GP, revealing that the FIA did ask the German to "be careful"

Schumacher had a storming start at Monza on Sunday, moving up to third place after overtaking Lewis Hamilton. He then spent the better part of the next 28 laps with the McLaren driver right on his rear wing.

Hamilton did manage to overtake Schumacher on lap 13 through Parabolica but the German fought back using his superior speed, thanks to his Mercedes engine, to retake the position around the Curve Grande.

There was, however, one indiscretion in the battle when, on lap 21, Schumacher made two moves to defend his place.

Hamilton was not happy and complained to his team over the radio with McLaren telling their driver that the FIA were aware.

This was followed by Brawn telling his driver several times to "leave room at Ascari."

The battle eventually ended on lap 28 when Schumacher left room at Ascari and Hamilton blasted by.

"Michael drove a fantastic race, we know we haven't got the fastest car but we have seen everything we know about Michael Schumacher," the Mercedes GP team boss told BBC.

"The FIA were watching it (the incident with Lewis Hamilton) and asking us to be careful.

"It is a balance between racing and not overstepping the mark.

"They asked us to be careful, which we were. It was great racing - and great for F1."

As for Schumacher, who finished P5, he said it was a "fun afternoon."

Asked if his racing was 'clean and fair', he said: "I think so. As far as I was concerned there was no request to see the stewards, so I guess all is in order."

Source: Planet-F1

Practice Two: Vettel tops Hamilton at Italian GP

Sebastian Vettel took the lead at Monza in second practice but only be a mere 0.036s over Lewis Hamilton

The session once again saw the top six in the Championship battle it out for the top six positions. However, it always looked as if Vettel and Hamilton had the edge.

And although they were dropped when Michael Schumacher headed out for a soft tyre run, when they put the Pirelli softs on they were back in front.

Vettel topped the session with a 1:24.010 with Hamilton 0.036s behind. Schumacher was third, 0.337s off the pace.

Report: Bright sunshine and a track temperature of 41'C awaited the drivers at the start of Friday's second practice, which saw Jaime Alguersuari lead out the field for their installation laps. The Toro Rosso driver stayed out to post a 1:28.705. Others followed suit and it wasn't long before half the field had put their names on the boards.

Vitaly Petrov, Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton took turns leading the way before the yellow flags came out as Sebastien Buemi crashed. The Toro Rosso driver lost control at the Parabolica, hit the barriers, causing significant front and left side damage. Jenson Button moved to the front with a 1:25.905 with Mark Webber second and Sebastian Vettel third.

In soon proved to be another tussle of the top drivers with the top six positions belonging to the top six drivers in the Championship. Vettel hit the front with a 1:25.635 while Fernando Alonso moved up to fourth ahead of Felipe Massa and Hamilton. Massa improved to second place only for Vettel to extend his advantage. Alonso then took second off his team-mate.

With the drivers focussing on long runs with heavier fuel loads, the timesheets had a break, however, there was still plenty of action as the drivers pushed hard and at times too hard on the high speed circuit. This meant they either took to the gravel or they ran over the kerbs.

Michael Schumacher was the next to hit the front with a 1:24.816, 0.046s ahead of Vettel. Sergio Perez was another on the up as he took third place ahead of Hamilton, Bruno Senna and Webber. Hamilton returned to the front, three-tenths up on Schumacher. Vettel took second and then improved to first with a 1:24.010.

The final few minutes saw Hamilton run without DRS, Nico Rosberg and Mercedes GP do a pit stop simulation, Alonso complete a pit lane time-loss test and Daniel Ricciardo venture back out.

The session ended with Vettel in the P1 slot ahead of Hamilton and Schumacher.

Times
01. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m24.010 37 laps
02. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m24.046 + 0.036 21 laps
03. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m24.347 + 0.337 39 laps
04. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m24.366 + 0.356 33 laps
05. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m24.433 + 0.423 31 laps
06. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m24.468 + 0.458 32 laps
07. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m24.508 + 0.498 30 laps
08. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m25.097 + 1.087 39 laps
09. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m25.182 + 1.172 37 laps
10. Bruno Senna Renault 1m25.325 + 1.315 38 laps
11. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m25.450 + 1.440 31 laps
12. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m25.496 + 1.486 39 laps
13. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m25.683 + 1.673 37 laps
14. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m25.758 + 1.748 29 laps
15. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m26.202 + 2.192 36 laps
16. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m26.353 + 2.343 40 laps
17. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m28.347 + 4.337 5 laps
18. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m28.559 + 4.549 32 laps
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m28.605 + 4.595 32 laps
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m28.804 + 4.794 25 laps
21. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m29.162 + 5.152 34 laps
22. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m29.184 + 5.174 29 laps
23. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m29.622 + 5.612 34 laps
24. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m29.841 + 5.831 7 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Jenson Button ready for extra year with McLaren rather than hurrying into long-term deal

Jenson Button wants McLaren to activate the one-year option they have on his services for next year rather than rush into signing a new multi-year contract to stay with the team beyond 2012

While McLaren would prefer to sign Button to a long-term deal now, rather than risk losing him in 2013, it looks as if they will run out of time before next month’s deadline for activating the option.

Both parties are clearly keen for the partnership to continue, with Button describing the weekend just gone in Belgium — where he finished third after a mistake in qualifying caused him to start the race 13th — as “probably the best weekend I have had with the team”.

“All Martin [Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal] has got to do is say ‘yes’ and I will say ‘yes’ because I want to be here next year,” Button said. “I want to fight for the championship. I am more confident now, more than I’ve ever been here. The car I really like and the direction we’ve taken with the car.”

Although the exact date of the deadline is unknown, the window for such clauses traditionally falls in September around the end of the European season and the start of the races in the Far East.

The danger for McLaren is that, with Button tied down for just one more year, he may choose to look elsewhere should the team have another dreadful start like this year’s.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber is only contracted for 2012 and the Milton Keynes-based team, homing in on a second successive world championship double, are known admirers of Button.

Ferrari, for whom Felipe Massa will also be out of contract next year, are also keen on the 2009 world champion who, like a fine wine, is maturing with age.

It is, however, unlikely McLaren will be so far off the pace at the start of next season with the technical regulations for 2012 remaining much the same as 2011 and the car basically an evolution of this year’s machine which is now very competitive.

Telegraph Sport understands that the will on both sides is to agree a long-term deal which will suit both parties.

Button will seek to cut down the number of PR days and sponsorship activities he must perform — McLaren are known to work their drivers harder than any other team — while the team, whose business model is sponsor-driven, will seek to strike the right balance between his salary and their commercial revenues. Button is believed to earn around £6 million per year at present.

Lewis Hamilton, whose McLaren contract ends at the end of 2012, and who like Button objects to the amount of PR time he is contracted to, is negotiating along similar lines.

Meanwhile, Whitmarsh has assured McLaren fans the team will continue to push and try to win the remaining seven races this year — rather than throw all their resources into 2012 — despite Red Bull’s and Sebastian Vettel’s overwhelming lead in both championships.

“The fans expect it,” Whitmarsh said. “If Ferrari or particularly McLaren say that we are going to freewheel now then I don’t think that is the right message. The fans deserve a stronger battle than that. The championship looks pretty ambitious but we have got to be positive.

“You review that emphasis all the time of course. In Belgium we had six performance modifications on the car. One of those came out of the development programme for next years’ car.

“We are always going to try and steal things form next year’s car. It is not a line you draw saying this is purely this year and on the other side of that line it is purely next year. I want the car to be quicker for the next race and the race after that. We are going to keep pushing.”

Source: The Telegraph

Qualifying: Vettel pips Hamilton to pole at Belgian GP 2011

Sebastian Vettel put in a last gasp effort to stop Lewis Hamilton from taking pole position for the Belgian GP

It was a difficult session for the drivers given the changing conditions with many expecting Mark Webber to lead the way.

However, the Aussie just didn't have the pace to challenge leaving Vettel and Lewis Hamilton to fight for pole position.

With the chequered flag having already waved, Hamilton crossed the line with a 1:48.730 to take provisional pole.

But, moments later, Vettel posted a 1:48.298 to pip the McLaren driver by 0.432s and claim his ninth pole of the season.

Webber was third ahead of Felipe Massa, Nico Rosberg and the impressive Jaime Alguersuari.

Bruno Senna qualified in seventh place in his first race weekend for Lotus Renault, beating Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez and Vitaly Petrov.

Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher's qualifying came to an end after just one and a half minutes into qualifying when his right rear wheel came off as he exited Malmedy corner, sending him crashing into the barriers before sliding across the track and eventually coming to a halt in the Rivage gravel trap. He will line-up at the very back of the grid.

Adrian Sutil was another crasher as he lost the back end of his Force India during Q2, sliding down the track and destroying his car's front nose. His shunt brought out the red flags.

Times
01. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m48.298
02. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m48.730 + 0.432
03. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m49.376 + 1.078
04. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m50.256 + 1.958
05. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m50.552 + 2.254
06. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m50.773 + 2.475
07. Bruno Senna Renault 1m51.121 + 2.823
08. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m51.251 + 2.953
09. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m51.374 + 3.076
10. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m52.303 + 4.005
11. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m04.692 + 1.924
12. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2m04.757 + 1.989
13. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2m05.150 + 2.382
14. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 2m07.349 + 4.581
15. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 2m07.777 + 5.009
16. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 2m08.106 + 5.338
17. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 2m08.354 + 5.586
18. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 2m07.758 + 5.945
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 2m07.773 + 5.960
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2m09.566 + 7.753
21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 2m11.601 + 9.788
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 2m11.616 + 9.803
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 2m13.077 + 11.264
24. Michael Schumacher Mercedes no time

Source: Planet-F1

Qualifying: Webber takes third pole of 2011

Mark Webber pulled another one back on Sebastian Vettel when he took pole position at his team-mate's home race

The Aussie, who has just two pole positions to his tally this season, crossed the line with a 1:30.079 at the Nurburgring, the track where he claimed his first-ever F1 pole position and race victory.

His time put him 0.065s ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who fought back from Friday's woes to book himself a place on the front row of the grid.

Vettel will line-up in third place, 0.137s behind his team-mate. However, he is ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who qualified in fourth place, more than half a second quicker than his team-mate Felipe Massa.

Nico Rosberg was sixth fastest, ahead of Jenson Button and Adrian Sutil.

Times:
1. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:30.079
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:30.134 + 0.055
3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:30.216 + 0.137
4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:30.442 + 0.363
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:30.910 + 0.831
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:31.263 + 1.184
7. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:31.288 + 1.209
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:32.010 + 1.931
9. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:32.187 + 2.108
10. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:32.482 + 2.403
11. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1:32.215 + 1.217
12. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:32.560 + 1.562
13. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1:32.635 + 1.637
14. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:33.043 + 2.045
15. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1:33.176 + 2.178
16. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:33.546 + 2.548
17. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:33.698 + 2.700
18. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:33.786 + 1.960
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1:35.599 + 3.773
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:36.400 + 4.574
21. Karun Chandhok Lotus-Renault 1:36.422 + 4.596
22. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:36.641 + 4.815
23. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1:37.011 + 5.185
24. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1:37.036 + 5.210

Source: Planet-F1

McLaren's tech guru talks on Räikkönen's communication skills!

Indy Lall, the man who joined McLaren already back in the 1980s, is currently in the Moscow City Racing event with the team in Moscow, Russia. Lall, who worked among other things as Alain Prost's chief mechanic, and currently is the head of McLaren's technical team has worked with several top drivers including Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

The media pressed Lall as to who he feels is the best of the former and present drivers in terms of working with the engineers -- in other words, who has managed analyse the behaviour of the car best to help the engineers improve it.

- Good question! In my opinion Fernando Alonso worked really well -- same goes for Lewis. But I think the best of all has been Jenson, he is very good. As for former drivers, Ayrton Senna was exceptional, as was Alain Prost. So the best of the previous generation were Ayrton and Alain while Jenson is best of the present ones.

Räikkönen on the other had a slightly "different" assessment from Lall.

- Kimi had a good sense of the car. But he is a shy person, and some times had problems explaining. He could express his thoughts, but wasn't very detailed, Lall spoke on Räikkönen on championat.ru website.

Source: RacingNewsFlash

McLaren boss comments on rumors about Hamilton, Button!

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh won't have any of the rumors suggesting that his current drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button might be seeking greener pastures at other teams. Whitmarsh believes both of the drivers are happy at McLaren.

- As a general statement we've got two great drivers in the team and I think they enjoy being in this team. They both want to win and I think we've seen them racing each other and other cars to prove that. We'll talk about the future with them when the time comes, but at the moment we're not planning on a different driver line-up, Whitmarsh insists on ESPNf1.

- I think ultimately Lewis will decide where he's going, but I think he enjoys being in this team. Lewis as a top driver will be linked to any team that the media think can afford him or satisfy his expectations. I don't pay too much attention to what's written in the media, in my experience it hasn't been a good guide to what is really happening in driver negotiations.

Recently Lewis Hamilton has been linked to Red Bull, as he allegedly had a chat with Red Bull's team principal during the Canadian GP in Montréal.

Source: RacingNewsFlash