Change of status F1, Formule 1, grand prix, okruhy, závody, motor, monopost, AMG

Change of status

Karel Jílek ,sr./foto J.Křenek | 13.7.09 | Komentáře - K.Jílek Sr. 2009

F1 comments Karel Jílek, jr.

The change of status, which was implied at Silverstone, was confirmed at Nürburgring. It is truth, that the second part of qualification on the wet circuit brought turbulences on the standings, which made the teams react in their different ways for the third part. However, just low weight of Brawns itself was a sign of concern about their speed. Consequently they needed a three stop strategy, which they tried to change for Barrichello, the refuelling device was against it though. Considering there was no slow down of the race due to a crash or rain, this strategy proved wrong. Not only both Red Bulls drove away, also both Ferraris were in the front, as well as Rosberg. Luckily for Brawn, K. Räikkönen retired after a collision with a technical trouble and the pushing Alonso did not have time to pass Barrichello struggling on hard tires.

A major influence on the race was a crash immediately after the start, caused by Hamilton. He himself got his tire burst, but also Webber paid the price as he was trying to avoid the worst and bounced into Barrichello. Although there were no technical consequences of the crash and it was, very obviously, unintentional, the marshals ordered illogical drive-through. This funny decision was a reward for his perfect performance and increasing advantage over the others, efficiently slowed down by Kovalainen. He, thanks to the KERS, reached the third position after the start and consequently demonstrated the pointlessness of the current two-speed rules. Cornering slowly he always got away from the others on the straights, as not everyone can afford such an expensive system. Although he practically spoiled the race, his efforts were rewarded by one point and a minute gap from the winner. I must mention Sutil's all-weekend excellent performance, coming off the seventh position, he threw the points away just because of his own inexperience. Exiting the pit lane, he confidently drove under K. Räikkönen and lost his nose cone. The other one, much more experienced, suffered fatal consequences in the form of damaged radiator, which meant the end of the race for him. Anyway, he had better think about the situation once more, there was a plenty of room for him on the outside of the corner. This way, he caused harm not only to the car, but also to the team. Though Massa won the podium, K. Räikkönen could have scored too, which would make them the second most successful team, between Red Bull and Brawn. Those were left behind by Rosberg, driving quite unnoticed, but without mistakes with a very heavy car from the fifteenth to the fantastic fourth place at the finish line. Alonso did maximum and his seventh place was for Renault hard won.The Championship slowly got to its second half, there will be two outsiders less - Bourdais and Piquet, the two richest - Ferrari and McLaren are due to get faster. However, their results might be negatively influenced by driver's mistakes at McLaren or ill-motivated K. Räikkönen. The Red Bull's domination may not be so bad on hot locations, and it will be very interesting to watch them trying to catch up with Brawn.