“Fiesta for RBR-Renault as Vettel dominates Valencia”
VALENCIA
PRE RACE
It is a glorious day in Valencia. The weather conditions are perfect for racing. Race Week and the build-up to the pinnacle of the week’s preparation, has delivered sunshine. This, in stark contrast to the monsoon-like wet weather experienced in Montreal. This will be a warm race for the drivers: who will lose a few kilograms in body weight through perspiration.
Qualifying on Saturday delivered a mixed bag of results. RBR-Renault secured pole and second position on the grid, behind them a mix of Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes, and further down the field a few surprises here and there. The top ten placed cars have all elected to start on the Pirelli “soft compound” tyres, easily distinguished by the yellow writing on the side walls of the tyres. These tyres will offer the best traction off the line and in the crucial opening few laps of the Grand Prix.
START
The grid is a mirage of resplendent colour and activity as final preparations are made. The grid girls look stylish in their white outfits. The teams have their strategies in place: each hoping to “cover” their competitors… who will blink first and reveal their hand? Will we see a team besides RBR-Renault and McLaren-Mercedes win a race? Will Sebastian Vettel deliver on his pole position qualifying and win the race? Time will tell.
The formalities and installation lap are complete. The cars appear to shimmer through the heat haze enveloping the grid. Engine revolutions are building – engines straining to be unleashed, whilst the drivers are watching the light sequence with steely determination in their eyes. The red lights vanish – and we are racing in Valencia!
Lap 1
Vettel makes a clean start and leads into the first corner. Behind the leader, his team mate Webber takes second position. The Ferrari duo of Alonso and Massa try to out drag each other down to Turn 1, Alonso taking third position. There are no major incidents or contacts going into Turn 1.
The Order on Lap 1 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Webber, Alonso, Massa, Hamilton, Rosberg, Button, Schumacher, Sutil and Heidfeld.
Lap 6
Button takes Rosberg for 6th position – good move.
Webber sets the fastest lap: 1:45:113
Lap 8
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:45:113
Lap 11
Maldonado pits.
Kobeyashi pits.
Heidfeld pits.
(Pit Lane time: 22,114s. Pit-stop time: 4,5s).
Lap 13
Hamilton pits – from 6th – rejoins 7th.
(Pit Lane time: 20,340s. Pit-stop time: 3,7s).
Rosberg pits from 6th position.
Sutil pits from 9th position.
Lap 14
Webber pits – from 2nd – rejoins 5th.
(Pit Lane time: 20,465s. Pit-stop time: 3,2s).
Lap 15
Vettel pits – from 1st – rejoins 2nd.
(Pit Lane time: 21,004s. Pit-stop time: 3,6s).
Alonso pits – from 3rd – rejoins 4th.
(Pit Lane time: 21,477s. Pit-stop time: 4,1s).
Hamilton sets the fastest lap: 1:44:401
Kovelainnen pits.
Schumacher has a broken front wing after making contact somewhere on the track.
Lap 16
Massa pits – from 5th.
(Pit Lane time: 20,718s. Pit-stop time: 3,7s).
Schumacher pits – from 7th.
(Pit Lane time: 30,665s. Pit-stop time: 13,6s).
It is a longer than anticipated stop, as the front wing had to be replaced.
Petrov pits.
The Order after 16 Laps is as follows:
Vettel leads, Webber (@2,670s), Alonso (@1,421s), Hamilton (@1,898s), Massa, Button, Rosberg, Alguersuari, Perez and Sutil.
Lap 18
Heidfeld takes Perez – good move.
Barichello promptly takes Perez also.
Lap 19
Alonso sets the new fastest lap: 1:43:803
Alonso is steadily catching Webber, generating speeds in excess of 315km/h in the DRS zone.
Alguersuari pits.
Lap 21
The rear brake temperature on Webber’s car is rising.
Alonso takes Webber for 2nd position – great move.
Alonso out-braked Webber into Turn 12.
The Order after 21 Laps is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso (@2,900s), Webber (@1,3s), Hamilton (@4,376s), Massa (@5,296s), Button (@7,666s), Rosberg (@11,492s), Sutil (@12,043s), Heidfeld (@2,116s) and Barichello (@3,176s).
Lap 24
Webber sets the new fastest lap: 1:43:583
Petrov takes Kobeyashi.
Lap 25
Hamilton pits – from 3rd – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 21,035s. Pit-stop time: 4,4s).
Lap 26
Vettel sets the new fastest lap: 1:43:999
Petrov takes Perez.
Kobeyashi takes Perez.
Perez appears to be struggling on worn tyres.
Schumacher takes Maldonado.
Lap 27
Hamilton sets the new fastest lap: 1:43:199
Buemi pits.
Kovelainnen pits.
The Order after 27 Laps is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso (@3,233s), Webber (@1,759s), Massa, Button, Hamilton, Rosberg, Sutil, Heidfeld and Barichello.
At this stage the top 3 have opened a gap between themselves and the chasing pack.
Lap 28
Hamilton sets the new fastest lap: 1:43:144
Heidfeld pits – from 9th position.
(Pit Lane time: 22,285s. Pit-stop time: 5,2s).
DiResta pits.
Petrov pits.
Lap 29
Webber pits – from 3rd – rejoins 4th.
(Pit Lane time: 20,319s. Pit-stop time: 3,7s).
Sutil pits – from 9th position.
Barichello pits.
Hamilton sets the new fastest lap: 1:43:077
Lap 30
Alonso pits – from 2nd – rejoins 4th.
(Pit Lane time: 20,551s. Pit-stop time: 3,7s).
Maldonado pits.
Liuzzi pits.
Lap 31
Vettel pits – from 1st position.
(Pit Lane time: 20,441s. Pit-stop time: 3,6s).
Button pits – from 5th position.
(Pit Lane time: 20,325s. Pit-stop time: 3,9s).
Rosberg pits from 7th position.
Webber takes Massa for 2nd position – great move.
Massa pits – from 4th position – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 25,537s. Pit-stop time: 8,6s).
A slowish stop as the mechanics battles with a rear tyre.
Hamilton sets the new fastest lap: 1:42:993
The Order after 32 Laps is as follows:
Vettel lead from Webber (@1,799s), Alonso (@1,642s), Hamilton (@12,198s), Massa, Button, Alguersuari, Rosberg, Sutil and Heidfeld.
The top 6 have all completed 2 pit stops.
Lap 35
Vettel sets the new fastest lap: 1:42:420
Lap 36
Massa is catching Hamilton.
Trulli pits.
Lap 40
Vettel sets the new fastest lap: 1:41:926
Rosberg takes Alguersuari for 7th position.
The Order after 40 Laps is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Webber (@3,422s), Alonso (@5,043s), Hamilton (@29,839s), Massa (@35,312s), Button (@45,178s), Rosberg, Alguersuari, Sutil and Heidfeld.
It is apparent that the winner of the race will come from one of the top 3 drivers.
Lap 41
Petrov pits.
Lap 43
Webber pits – from 2nd – rejoins 3rd.
(Pit Lane time: 20,367s. Pit-stop time: 3,6s).
Hamilton pits – from 4th – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 20,212s. Pit-stop time: 3,3s).
Alguersuari pits from 8th position.
Lap 44
Kovelainnen pits.
Sutil pits from 8th position.
Glock pits.
The Order after 44 Laps is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso, Webber, Massa, Button, Hamilton, Rosberg, Sutil, DiResta and Buemi.
Lap 46
Alonso pits – from 2nd – rejoins 2nd.
(Pit Lane time: 20,136s. Pit-stop time: 3,4s).
DiResta pits.
Maldonado pits.
Liuzzi pits.
Rosberg pits from 7th position.
Lap 47
Vettel pits – from 1st – rejoins 1st.
(Pit Lane time: 20,331s. Pit-stop time: 3,8s).
Karthikeyan pits.
The Order after 47 Laps is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso, Webber, Massa, Button, Hamilton, Rosberg, Alguersuari, Sutil and Heidfeld.
Lap 49
Massa pits – from 4th – rejoins 5th.
(Pit Lane time: 20,404s. Pit-stop time: 3,5s).
Button pits – from 5th – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 20,479s. Pit-stop time: 3,4s).
The Order after 51 Laps is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso (@9,212s), Webber (@2,522s), Hamilton, Massa and Button.
Lap 54
Vettel sets the new fastest lap: 1:41:852
Lap 57
Vettel takes the win!
It has been another dominant drive from the young World Champion.
2. Alonso (@10,891s)
3. Webber (@27,255s)
4. Hamilton (@46,190s)
5. Massa (@51,705s)
6. Button
7. Rosberg
8. Alguersuari
9. Sutil
10. Heidfeld.
Retired: 24/24 starters finished the race. This is only the 4th time in the history of Formula 1 Grand Prix that there have been no retirements in a race.
SUMMARY
Vettel salutes the fans as he gets out of his RB7 racing car: it has been an impressive performance and his rivals must be pondering what exactly they have to do to match the sheer class of the man (6/8 victories so far this year).
The podium ceremony is a joyous affair. Ian Morgan represents team RBR-Renault on the podium. Placido Domingo helps hand out the trophies – these are stylish replicas of the track. The dignitaries appear to linger on the podium stage, until they are gently reminded that it is champagne time… linger longer and you will be taking a champagne shower! This is Formula 1!
Valencia was not the most enthralling race that we have seen so far this year. There were no major on track incidents or accidents, no technical failures for any of the cars. Indeed, 24/24 starters completed the race. In retrospect, we have been spoilt with some epic Grand Prix in the 8 races that have been completed so far.
RBR-Renault continued to dominate (Sebastian Vettel was in a class of his own), starting first and second and finishing first and third. Ferrari’s local hero, Fernando Alonso, secured a good second position. The McLarens appeared somewhat off the pace. There was some good racing and overtaking in the mid to tail end of the field; upfront the order of the top 6 remained more or less constant throughout.
NEXT STOP:
The next race on the calendar is the Santander British Grand Prix at Silverstone (10th July 2011). It will be interesting to see what effect the proposed changes to the rear diffuser system have: will they make some teams “slower” and other teams “faster”?
Silverstone is a track steeped in history and tradition, and a favourite amongst many drivers. It has a bit of everything as far as corners and straights go. The skill set of the drivers and their machines will be well tested.
Written by Mark Batchelder, Road and Race’s F1 Connoisseur
