We also learned (if we didn’t know already) that F1 is very popular in the UK, with 120,000 spectators, complete with plastic macs and wellington boots at the Silverstone circuit. While Bernie, the patron saint of the euro-dollar, promotes yawnfest circuits like Valencia and Abu Dhabi and Singapore.
It was certainly Mark Webber’s (Red Bull) race to win and Fernando Alonso’s (Ferrari) to lose, as this pair had been the front runners all the way through the GP, and the last few laps had everyone on the edge of their seats. They are also now first and second in the championship, with Alonso only 13 points in front.
The Finger (Vettel - Red Bull) had an uneventful race for third, but did not look too despondent on the podium. “I would be a bit happier if we had won today, but it was a great result for the team, I am happy.” Never mind, the team must have given him a hug to cheer him up before the podium ceremony.
Alonso’s team mate, Felipe Massa, has pulled his Nomex sox up in the last two Grands Prix and if he keeps up the current form he deserves to stay at Ferrari for 2013 - but will he maintain the form?
The “Lotus” team still appears to be lacking that last little bit of performance, mainly on the pit wall, as their drivers are doing well, especially Romain Grosjean. To come from next to last after the first corner contretemps to finish sixth was a sterling effort. Raikkonen (AKA Laughing Boy) threw away his chances of fourth, or even a podium, with some negligent driving towards the end, but remains a threat to Ferrari and Red Bull.
Schumacher (7th - Mercedes) again showed that despite his age (which actually is nowhere near pensionable) he returned better results than his young team mate Rosberg who finished 15th. Schumacher is the consummate politician these days and is obviously enjoying his motor sport. Those who are calling for his retirement should desist.
Maldonado (Williams) in the thick of controversy again, this time with an attempt to spear Perez (Sauber). The movement was not missed by the stewards who fined him 10,000 euro. However, Sauber’s Krasher Ken Kobayashi managed to run over four of his crew and was fined 25,000 euro. Perhaps he has been studying the maneuver on Pattaya’s pedestrian crossings!
McLaren have gone backwards recently, and despite a downturn in Button’s form, both drivers deserve a better car. Ferrari was behind and is now front row. McLaren’s engineers have to do the same. And soon.
I am indebted to Peter Smith (AA Insurance Brokers) for his insights into the British GP as I was unable to watch the telecast live, having inverted the Securitas Retro Escort at the Kaeng Krachan circuit (Petchaburi) and was unable to get back to Jameson’s big screen in time.
Peter’s summation: a good (many overtakes) race - always seeming to have something happening somewhere on the circuit - a total contrast the usual boring nonsense of the street/Arab circuits. Tyres again in the fore with the first round of stops on lap 9 for heaven’s sake!
