Given some rather tight time constraints today, this is going to be compiled under some pressure so those little things called spelling and grammar are now running out the door before they get murdered horrifically.
But back to the race weekend, the Indian GP circuit was unveiled to the world through the portal of television and the initial verdict seems rather good, the drivers and teams are enjoying it - an unusual challenge for a manufactured modern race circuit. However the interpretations from the internet have been a little deceptive some versions of the track showed some very impressive undulations which are not quite as dramatic in reality. The prospect of a corkscrew bend has faded sadly - I was really hoping for that, and as F1 doesn't have plans to visit Laguna Seca in the near or distant future the chance of having a corkscrew bend is minimal.
It does seem to be suffering the typical new track problems of low track grip with a lot of dust lying on the tarmac from the construction work and from lack of running to clear it up. There were even stray dogs in FP1 something we haven't seen since GP2 in Turkey some years back when Bruno Senna was racing in the series. One of the most unusual features of the this latest edition to the calendar is the rather odd corner entry sections, where the entry to the corners are significantly wider than the rest of the layout. The logic behind this idea seems to stem from a concept to improve overtaking by adding more space in the breaking zone for dives to the apex. Unfortunately as discussed in the commentary these passing zones, will be a lot duster then the racing line as the tarmac is still new and those lines won't be used until attempting overtaking manoeuvres.
But a new track in a new part of the world, watched under the influence of Bombay mix still produced the same result - with that German bloke out front.
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| Credit to F1Fanatic.co.uk |
The green light fell on the first competitive session around the new Indian track, and track surface condition was a concern among the drivers, with Daniel Ricciardo's race engineer telling his driver to wait around for other cars to clear the dust. Something that the other teams tend to rely on the bottom teams for instead of the other way round, but Lotus were the first to take to the track while Wing Commander Petrov set the early lead time prior to the division one cars coming out to change the standings.
It was Ferrari who were the first to conquer the time-sheet with Alonso who wasn't giving up quite yet, while others were struggling with the dusty surface both Rubens and Massa running off in the not-quite-a-corkscrew corner which is rather flat instead. When Rubens rejoined he got a little in the way of his best friend Michael Schumacher who gave the obligatory angry wave as he sailed past.
The rest of the session went to plan for the big teams with the exception of Two-Cakes-Up Button who was struggling with car balance. Jenson had to switch to the softer tyres to escape the threat of the drop-gone in Q1, fighting past a Lotus and the remaining Virgin of D'Ambrosio after Glock retired with gearbox issues. With moments to go both Jenson and Michael who'd gained another vibration for the second consecutive weekend - I'm sure there's something Michael's not telling us - both managed to progress pushing Koybayashi in an off-pace Sauber into relegation with the newer teams.
Into Q2 now and once again the top division members were able to do their runs and lock their position in the next session, with Button curtailing his running to counter the extra set he used in Q1. With Vettel taking the top spot. However it was the battle for the other end of the top that was much closer - with Renault, Force India and Torro Rosso all fast enough to claim positions in the final session. Torro Rosso and Vitaly were the inital holders of the positions as Michael had slipped out of the qualifying position.
The places swapped within the bottom of the top 10 where Schumacher was unable to pull himself up behind this team-mate in the division 1.5 spot in 7th. Both Torro Rossos were performing consistently shuffling Petrov to the bottom of the pile in the shootout qualification zone, clinging on to the final spot for dear life. With mere seconds left on the timer all looked set for the last phase but Adrian Sutil driving for the local team Force India pipped the Russian and the Torro Rosso team into 8th place knocking the Renault Squadron car into relegation
Then there were only ten - or in reality 7 because once more the bottom three only performed out laps and set no time, so more penalty points coming their way. It was Hamilton who left the pit lane first - still wearing his defeated demeanour after a penalty in the morning practice on Friday, but his opening time was beaten by both Ferraris headed by Alonso. But the drivers were doing two flying laps per run due the conservative tyres provided by Pirelli, and on the second run Vettel went to the front with Lewis in second Webber in third.
Moving onto the second phase of the session the initial runners were joined by Button and Rosberg who were only to perform one run to conserve tyres. However there no change at the top of the pile as Vettel widened the margin from the cars behind him, and the cars behind were headed by Hamilton - who will be demoted on the grid to 5th. Things were going less to plan for Massa in the Ferrari who clipped a curb a little too hard and damaged the front suspension rather badly before nosing it into the barrier. The resulting yellows prevented any cars further down improving their times, and only Button improved to 4th as he was passing the accident as it happened. But another session was defeated by the German bloke claiming a 16th pole for the team this year.
The official points championship points winners.
After not assigning points in Korea the Saturday scores are back on the schedule and here they are.
- HRT - for getting both cars ahead of the Virgin team for the first time this season
- Torro Rosso - for making a strong comeback at the end of year to improve constructors position
- Adrian Sutil - for a last minute charge into the final phase to jump to the top of division 2
- The Bun Shop - for still remembering who I am after not being there for long time
- Red Bull - for reclaiming the pole position and claiming a remarkable 16th one this season
The also official penalties championship
The FIA were in action earlier in the weekend dishing out penalties in first practice resulting in three place grid penalties - and a five place grid drop for Petrov from his accident in Korea but that was already documented last race. This time round the penalties were handed to One-stop Perez and of course another penalty for the run-away penalties championship leader Lewis Hamilton.
The still official dubious dealings championship
Three drivers are to gain penalty points after not coming out to play in the final session - handed to Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi, and Adrian Sutil.
Looking to Tomorrow
Things are all set for the inaugural Indian GP and it going to be an interesting prospect albeit a rather early start at 8:30 once more, and after tonight's party who knows what I am going to remember of it all depending on how much cake is consumed through the night. But it is going to be something worth waking up for, on a track which is generating a lot of errors so far this weekend so throw 24 cars onto the same road all at the same time and madness could result. Then of course there are those widened breaking zones could provide some more intrigue.
With only 25 minutes left till my ride gets here this Angel is signing off finishing off the costume and - if budget allowed would be departing in a black classic Chevrolet Impala but some things don't go to plan. All in all things are going to be outstanding where this little blog pretends to be social. Until tomorrow - farewell.
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