European GP F1 – Valencia: after F1,Formule 1, construct, okruhy, závody, grand prix

European GP F1 – Valencia: after

Miroslav Sanytrák / foto Jiří Křenek | 23.8.09 | Komentáře - M.Sanytrák 2009

F1 comments Miroslav Sanytrák

This time, after their dry spell, the starting grid was ruled by McLarenMercedes, pole position for L.Hamilton, H.Kovalainen next to him. R.Barrichello and S.Vettel started from the second row, after them J.Button and the first Ferrari - K.Raikkonen. The other Ferrari - L.Badoer started from the last but one position. Unfortunately (as I see it), he was in the centre of attention for everyone, not only Scuderia Ferrari. He was tied tight by the responsibility of taking up the place from M.Schumacher, who was originally supposed to substitute for Massa. Luca Badoer is believed not to have been racing for 10 years, his transition from the everyday life of a test driver to the full racing was literally cruel. I think he wasn't prepared enough by his physiotherapist - I mean breathing , which would relieve the stress and his performance wouldn't be as dependent on his mental state.

Immediately after the start, L.Hamilton shot off forward, followed closely by his team mate H.Kovalainen, the third fought for his place Rubens Barrichello and behind him there was quite well started off K. Räikkönen, who passed S.Vettel with grace as well as other drivers beginning the race before him. J.Button fell backwards. After the first lap the standings were as follows: Hamilton, Kovalainen, Barrichello, Räikkönen, S.Vettel,Rosberg,Alonso. Also Luca Badoer started well, getting to the fourth place from the end, however he overspinned on the next lap and got to the last but one place. The first to retire was S.Vettel 34 laps before the finish with an engine trouble. L.Badoer is getting back after a pitstop, in front of another driver, who is currently behind him, makes a mistake on the exit, crosses the white line and is given a drive-through penalty, which puts him to the last place. A black day for the driver number two of Scuderia Ferrari.It was interesting to see the new McLarenMercedes monoposts, which were said not to have enough spare parts, like the front wing etc. and the drivers had to be really careful. 18 laps before the end - K.Nakajima arrives at the pit stop with his rear wheel torn apart.There was a complete curiosity during the pit stops in McLarenMercedes, when the guys failed to count to four and were one wheel short, the wheels weren't in fact prepared at all, L.Hamilton's pit stop therefore stretched to the crazy 14 s, Hamilton's father threw up his hands and Lewis effectively lost his first place to R.Barrichello, who gained an advantage of 22 s. Kimi Räikkönen did well and finished on the podium after some time. J.Button came 8th in the end and, at least, scored one point. R.Barrichello jumped to the second place in the Championship and BRAWN GP firmed its leading position in the Constructors Table.

**Starting grid of European GP:**
L.Hamilton	H.Kovalainen
R. Barrichello	S.Vettel
J.Button	K. Räikkönen
N.Rosberg	F.Alonso
M.Webber	R.Kubica
N.Heidfeld	A.Sutil
T.Glock	R.Grosjean
S.Buemi	G.Fisichella
K.Nakajima	J.Trulli
J.Alguersuari	L.Badoer

Final standings: Rubens Barrichello BRAWN GP (his last victory was with Ferrari in 2004), second Lewis Hamilton - McLarenMercedes, third Kimi Räikkönen who bore the proud colours of Ferrari.

**Classification after 11 races:**
1.	J.Button	72
2.	R.Barrichello	54
3.	M.Webber	51,5
4.	S.Vettel	47
5.	N. Rosberg	29 ,5
6.	L.Hamilton	27
7.	K. Räikkönen	24
8.	J.Trulli	22,5
9.	F.Massa	22
10.	F.Alonso	16
11.	T.Glock	16
12.	H.Kovalainen	14
13.	N.Heidfled	6
14.	S.Buemi	3
15.	R.Kubica	3
16.	S.Bourdais	2
17.	A.Sutil	0
18.	K.Nakajima	0
19.	N.Piquet	0
20.	G.Fisichella	0
21.	J.Alguersuari	0
22.	L.Badoer	0
23.	R.Grosjean	0