“Vettel Victorious at Magnificent Monza”
MONZA
PRE RACE
It is a glorious day at Monza: late summer sun warms the track as the fans pour in and take their seats in the numerous grandstands. The air temperature is in the late twenties, whilst the track temperature is in the early forties. The atmosphere is festive. This is the last European F1 race of the current season, and the fans have come to give the teams a great send off and witness what is sure to be an enthralling race.
START
The mechanics on the grid are busy with their pre-race preparations. The beautiful Santander grid girls, looking resplendent in red, stand calmly in their designated grid slots, whilst all around them there is a frenzy of activity. Various celebrities and dignitaries watch the organised chaos from the shelter of the pit garages.
The top 8 cars on the grids have elected to start the race on the Pirelli “supersoft” compound tyres – traction off the line and into the first corner will be crucial.
The cars set off on their installation lap. The mechanics et al scamper to get back to the pits and their respective garages before the cars have completed their lap.
From the pit wall race engineers and team directors anxiously gaze at the grid. From the grandstands there is a momentary hush of expectation. The waiting will be over soon.
Vettel serenely cruises around the “Parabolica” corner and leads the pack back onto the start/finish straight. The next time we see the cars on the start/finish straight, they will be screaming past at +-330km/h. The stewards are content that all is in order, and begin the start sequence. One by one the 5 red lights come on… tension builds with the engine revolutions… in the briefest instant of time the lights go out.
We are racing in Monza
RACE
Lap 1
The fury of 24 V8 F1 engines is released as the cars charge down to Turn 1.
Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton race 3 abreast down the straight heading for Turn 1, with Button, Schumacher and Massa in close attendance. Alonso leads into the first corner by the barest of margins, tight stuff indeed. The Tifosi are jubilant when they see a Ferrari leading the race. Behind the leaders, Liuzzi has gone wide onto the grass, lost control and come careening down into Turn 1 where he collects Rosberg and Petrov. There is a massive accident in which Barichello, Ricarrdo, Kobayashi and D’Ambrosio are also involved. Shards of carbon fibre bodywork rain down from the multiple impacts.
Liuzzi retires.
Rosberg retires.
Petrov retires.
Riccardo retires.
D’Ambrosio retires.
The safety car is immediately deployed, as marshals scramble to clear the carnage from the track. This has certainly been an action-packed start to the race.
The Order on Lap 1 is as follows:
Alonso leads, followed by Vettel, Hamilton, Schumacher, Massa, Button, Webber, DiResta, Maldonado and Perez.
Lap 2
Kobayashi pits for a new front nose cone – a result of the Turn 1 incident.
Lap 3
Senna pits.
Lap 4
Turn 1 has been cleared and the safety car departs the track.
Behind the safety car, the snake of cars wakes up, a few drivers have been napping somewhat:
Schumacher takes Hamilton for 3rd position.
Webber takes Button for 6th position.
Lap 5
Webber has caught Massa on the start/finish straight, as they jostle for position there is contact.
Vettel takes Alonso for 1st position – great move.
Lap 6
Webber crashes out.
(His front wing dislodged itself, as a result of the contact with Massa, and the wing got stuck underneath his car; as he braked for a corner there was simply no down-force and his car literally just went straight off).
Lap 7
Massa takes DiResta for 8th position.
Vettel is opening up a gap on second placed Alonso.
The Order on Lap 7 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso, Schumacher, Hamilton, Button, Maldonado, Perez, Massa, DiResta and Alguersuari.
Lap 8
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:28:836
Lap 9
There is some exciting racing in the start/finish straight DRS zone, with the cars hitting speeds of +-330km/h here.
The 1st DRS overtaking zone is more tricky, and has seen less overtaking action.
Lap 10
Massa takes Maldonado for 6th position.
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:28:456
(The gap to second placed Alonso is now @6s).
Sutil parks his Force India-Mercedes at the side of the track and retires.
Lap 13
Hamilton takes Schumacher for 3rd position (into Turn 1).
Schumacher responds by retaking Hamilton for 3rd position.
There is a fantastic duel developing between these two drivers.
DiResta pits.
Lap 14
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:28:221
The Order on Lap 14 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso (@9,225s), Schumacher (@4,024s), Hamilton (@0,330s), Button (@0,560s), Massa (@9,756s), Maldonado, Perez, Alguersuari and Kobayashi.
Lap 16
There are 17 cars still competing in the race.
Button takes Hamilton for 4th position.
Button takes Schumacher for 3rd position – superb move.
Lap 17
Schumacher pits – from 4th – rejoins 8th.
Lap 18
Button pits – from 3rd – rejoins 5th.
(Pit Lane time: 21,660s. Pit-stop time: 3,5s).
Lap 19
Hamilton pits – from 3rd – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 22,083s. Pit-stop time: 3,6s).
Kobayashi pits.
Lap 20
Alonso pits – from 2nd – rejoins 3rd.
(Pit Lane time: 22,539s. Pit-stop time: 3,0s).
Maldonado pits.
Senna pits.
Lap 21
Vettel pits – from 1st – rejoins 1st.
(Pit Lane time: 22,124s. Pit-stop time: 3,7s).
Alguersuari pits – from 8th.
Glock pits.
Lap 22
Massa pits – from 2nd – rejoins 7th.
(Pit Lane time: 21,821s. Pit-stop time: 3,3s).
The Order on Lap 22 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso (@11,744s), Button (@1,700s), Schumacher (@4,106s), Hamilton (@0,165s), Perez (@13,078s), Massa, DiResta, Alguersuari and Maldonado.
Lap 23
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:27:928
Massa takes Perez for 6th position – good move.
Lap 26
Button sets the fastest lap: 1:27:689
Buemi takes Maldonado for 10th position – great move.
Lap 29
Button is steadily catching Alonso.
Hamilton takes Schumacher for 4th position – a brave move leading in the “Ascari” chicane. These two drivers had been having a fantastic duel, with Ross Brawn (Schumacher’s team director) ambiguously reminding Schumacher to leave the other driver some room in the braking zone (under the new DRS regulations, driver’s are only allowed to make one “blocking” move when another driver is attempting to pass them. Sometimes this is as clear as daylight, other times it can be a bit “touch and go” – difficult to assign fault).
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:27:486
The Order on Lap 30 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Alonso (@13,822s), Button (0,397s), Hamilton (@8,524s), Schumacher (@1,053s), Massa (@12,923s), Perez, DiResta, Alguersuari and Buemi.
Lap 31
Alguersuari takes DiResta for 8th position (into Turn 1).
Lap 32
DiResta pits – from 9th – rejoins 12th.
(Pit Lane time: 23,069s. Pit-stop time: 3,7s).
Lap 34
Button pits – from 3rd – rejoins 5th.
(Pit Lane time: 22,095s. Pit-stop time: 3,7s).
Barichello pits.
Riccardo pits.
Perez crashes out – after a transmission failure.
Lap 35
Alonso pits – from 2nd – rejoins 3rd.
(Pit Lane time: 21,989s. Pit-stop time: 3,4s).
Hamilton pits – from 3rd – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 21,876s. Pit-stop time: 4,0s).
Vettel pits – from 1st – rejoins 1st.
(Pit Lane time: 21,378s. Pit-stop time: 2,9s).
A brilliant stop from the RBR-Renault mechanics: the fastest of the race so far.
Lap 36
Button takes Alonso for 3rd position – good move.
Lap 37
Kovelainnen pits.
The Order on Lap 37 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Schumacher (@4,787s), Button (@10,618s), Alonso (@0,912s), Massa, Hamilton, Alguersuari, Buemi, Senna and Maldonado.
Lap 38
Schumacher pits – from 2nd – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 22,014s. Pit-stop time: 4,1s).
Maldonado pits – from 10th – rejoins 11th.
(Pit Lane time: 22,614s. Pit-stop time: 4,3s).
Lap 40
Vettel sets the fastest lap: 1:27:004
Glock pits.
Lap 41
Button sets the fastest lap: 1:26:993
Hamilton sets the fastest lap: 1:26:941
Buemi pits – from 8th – rejoins 9th.
Senna pits – from 9th – rejoins 10th.
Lap 42
Massa pits – rejoins 6th.
(Pit Lane time: 22,148s. Pit-stop time: 3,0s).
Hamilton sets the fastest lap: 1:26:903
Alguersuari pits – from 7th – rejoins 7th.
The Order on Lap 44 is as follows:
Vettel leads, followed by Button (@15,551s), Alonso (@2,377s), Hamilton (@6,527s), Schumacher (@6,372s), Massa, Alguersuari, DiResta, Buemi and Senna.
Lap 48
Senna takes Buemi for 9th position (into Turn 1) – good move.
Lap 49
Hamilton sets the fastest lap: 1:26:655
Hamilton is catching Alonso.
Lap 53
Hamilton sets the fastest lap: 1:26:187
Vettel takes the win!
This has been a superior performance from Vettel and team RBR-Renault. Vettel’s total race time was 1:20:46:172, and the total distance covered 306,720km.
2. Button
3. Alonso
4. Hamilton
5. Schumacher
6. Massa
7. Alguersuari
8. DiResta
9. Senna
10. Buemi
Retired: 15/24 starters finished the race. Riccardo, Perez, Kobayashi, Sutil, Webber, D’Ambrosio, Petrov, Rosberg and Liuzzi retired.
SUMMARY
The top 3 cruise into Parc Ferme and exit their vehicles, amidst a roar of approval from the throng of people lining the barriers. A victorious Vettel acknowledges the crowd as the drivers make their way to the podium. For the expectant tifosi there was no Ferrari victory, but Fernando Alonso drove a good race to secure a spot on the podium and 3rd place.
The podium ceremony is an emotional one for Vettel: Monza was the scene of his first victory in Formula 1. Now, 18 victories later, he stands not only on the top step of the podium, but on the verge of being crowned a double World Champion at the tender age of 24 (there are various mathematical permutations, but realistically it is possible that he can secure the Drivers’ World Championship title at the next Grand Prix in Singapore). The advertising on the podium celebrates 150 years of a united Italy, a very special milestone. The trophies handed to the top 3 are very stylish, befitting such a momentous occasion. The podium ceremony at Monza is awesome: this is one of the few race tracks where the crowd can get really close to the ceremony and feel a part of proceedings. The start/finish straight is awash with excited fans as far as the eye can see. It is soon raining Mumm champagne – this is Formula 1!
This was a magnificent race to watch. There was action aplenty and some great overtaking manoeuvres. There was some chaos down into Turn 1 at the start, but the wreckage was soon cleared, allowing the cars to get on with the racing. Alonso took an early lead, but Vettel passed him on lap 5 and never looked back; opening up a comfortable lead during the course of the race. There was racing aplenty behind the leader: the McLarens of Hamilton and Button duelling with the Mercedes of Schumacher, and Alonso of Ferrari drove a good race to stay in the hunt for a podium position. Webber and Massa had a slight racing incident early on, which put paid to Webber’s race. Massa recovered to finish in a respectable 6th position. The racing in the midfield to tail end of the pack was very tight, with teams battling hard to finish in the top 10 and secure a few coveted points. Only 15 cars finished the race, testament to what a tough race Monza can be on cars and drivers alike. Monza most certainly did justice to its reputation as a classic Grand Prix circuit.
NEXT STOP:
The next race is the Singapore Grand Prix on the 25th September 2011. Singapore is a street circuit, a completely different proposition to the past two races.
For now the teams have to pack everything up and head off to Asia. There are still 6 races left in this year’s F1 calendar; there is some exciting racing ahead of us.
Written by Mark Batchelder, Road and Race’s F1 Connoisseur
Keep it coinmg, writers, this is good stuff.