The first race at the Korean international circuit saw Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso take the win ahead of Mclaren driver Lewis Hamilton and teammate Felipe Massa. The race was due to start at 0700 (UK time) but due to heavy rain the start was delayed for ten minutes, the race started behind the safety car after four laps the red flag was out and the race had been stopped. Fernando Alonso told his race engineer ' its the worst conditions I have every drived in' The race was delayed till 0805, there was numerous laps around the circuit behind the safety car, the safety car pulled in on Lap 18 and we were off for the Korean Grand Prix- 'finally' I thought.
Action into the first corner, seven time world champion Micheal Schumacher nails Kubica into turn one and gains a place, further up the field was Massa v Button v Rosberg. Soon after world championship leader Mark Webber spins and hits the wall, he rebounds and collides with Nico Rosberg after the German made a up places on the first laps. This couldn't be better for Sebastian Vettel! The safety car is deployed, Vettel lead from Alonso, Hamilton and Massa. A few laps later the safety car comes in and the race continues, soon after the old master is back at it again overtaking McLaren driver and defending champion Jenson Button.
Young Swiss driver Buemi brought out another safety car which gives the nod for Massa, Schumacher and Hamilton to pit for the intermediates, a lap later the two leaders Vettel and Alonso pit. Alonso seemed to have a problem at the pit stops and brought him out behind Lewis Hamilton and in front of Felipe Massa. The safety car goes in and at the first corner Hamitlon goes wide and Alonso passes him, Massa was on his tale but couldn't force a overtake pass the 2008 world champion, Button was struggling at the back of the field, at this moment in time Jenson Button was out of contention on winning this year's championship.
The battle at the front intensified with Vettel and Alonso separated by over one second, Lap 45 Vettel on the pit straight, Alonso gets past him- everyone knew he had a problem, more mechanical problems dent the young German's title hopes and gives Alonso the lead, A double retirement for Red Bull defiantly not what Christian Horner would want, Alonso and Hamilton were separated by 2.8 seconds and Alonso went on to win the first ever Korean Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton second and Felipe Massa third. This meant that Alonso would be leading the championship for the first time since Melbourne earlier this year.
1. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
2. Lewis Hamilton Mclaren Mercedes
3. Felipe Massa Ferrari
4. Michael Schumacher Mercedes Grand Prix
5. Robert Kubica Renault
6. Vitantonio liuzzi Force India Mercedes
7. Rubens Barrichello Williams Cosworth
8. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber Ferrari
9. Nick Heidfeld BMW-Sauber-Ferrari
10. Nico Hulkenburg Williams Cosworth
11. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso Ferrrai
12. Jenson Button Mclaren-Mercedes
13. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
14. Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth
15. Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth
An eventful race at the Korean International Circuit, and it has to be said, it is one of Herman Tilke better tracks, provides good overtaking and provides good racing for the fans.
This sets up the Brazilian grand prix in two weeks time to be an great race as it is every year, both drivers and the constructors titles are up for grabs but realistically we have four drivers who can win the title and the three teams are separated by fifty two points.
A great race overall and looking forward to the Brazilian Grand Prix!!
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Korean Grand Prix Qualifying Review
A very exciting qualifying at the Korean international circuit, once again it was business as usual for the two red bull drivers. Going into qualifying there could of been up to seven drivers but in the end it was the usual driver setting the pace. Sebastian Vettel took pole position in the dying seconds of Q3 from title rivals Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso.
Q1
The pace was set by Mclaren driver Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel separated by a few hundredths of a second. At the bottom end of the grid, the usual suspects were there. Jarno Trulli was best of the new teams ahead of Virgins' Timo Glock and teammate Heikki Kovalainen. There was one more place available to drop out of Q1 it was between the two Toro Rosso drivers and Force India driver Tonio Luizzi, On Luizzi's final run it looked like Buemi was out in Q1 but in the end a poor last sector meant that Buemi was safe with Luizzi falling out of Q1, a disappointing result for the under pressure Italian.
Q2
The second qualifying session saw the Red Bulls and Ferrari's setting the pace, The two Red bulls were quick on the prime tyre with Ferrari driver Felipe Massa setting some quick lap times on the option tyre which is meant to be up to 0.7 seconds quicker than the prime. Sauber drivers decided to do one run but they didn't get into Q3. Jaime Alguersuari once again out-qualified teammate Sebastien Buemi for 16th and Nico Hulkenburg qualified 11th just a fraction away from making it in to Q3.
Q3
The session started with Mark Webber going to the track first and set a poor lap, behind him Fernando Alonso set a very quick lap which put him 1st ahead of the other drivers. On his second run he improved but it wasn't enough. The Red Bulls were flying, Mark Webber took second place and Sebastian Vettel- once again took pole position.
A great performance by Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg with P5 and teammate Michael Schumacher P9. The other Ferrari didn't qualify as well as it should had, P6 for Felipe Massa and Rubens Barrichello rounding up the top 10
A fantastic qualifying and I'm sure the race will be even better!
Q1
The pace was set by Mclaren driver Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel separated by a few hundredths of a second. At the bottom end of the grid, the usual suspects were there. Jarno Trulli was best of the new teams ahead of Virgins' Timo Glock and teammate Heikki Kovalainen. There was one more place available to drop out of Q1 it was between the two Toro Rosso drivers and Force India driver Tonio Luizzi, On Luizzi's final run it looked like Buemi was out in Q1 but in the end a poor last sector meant that Buemi was safe with Luizzi falling out of Q1, a disappointing result for the under pressure Italian.
| 18th | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Force India-Mercedes | 1:38.955 |
| 19th | Jarno Trulli | Lotus-Cosworth | 1:40.521 |
| 20th | Timo Glock | Virgin-Cosworth | 1:40.748 |
| 21th | Heikki Kovalainen | Lotus-Cosworth | 1:41.768 |
| 22th | Lucas di Grassi | Virgin-Cosworth | 1:42.325 |
| 23th | Sakon Yamamoto | HRT-Cosworth | 1:42.444 |
| 24th | Bruno Senna | HRT-Cosworth | 1:43.283 |
Q2
The second qualifying session saw the Red Bulls and Ferrari's setting the pace, The two Red bulls were quick on the prime tyre with Ferrari driver Felipe Massa setting some quick lap times on the option tyre which is meant to be up to 0.7 seconds quicker than the prime. Sauber drivers decided to do one run but they didn't get into Q3. Jaime Alguersuari once again out-qualified teammate Sebastien Buemi for 16th and Nico Hulkenburg qualified 11th just a fraction away from making it in to Q3.
| 11th | Nico Hülkenberg | Williams-Cosworth | 1:37.620 |
| 12th | Kamui Kobayashi | Sauber-Ferrari | 1:37.643 |
| 13th | Nick Heidfeld | Sauber-Ferrari | 1:37.715 |
| 14th | Adrian Sutil | Force India-Mercedes | 1:37.783 |
| 15th | Vitaly Petrov | Renault | 1:37.799 |
| 16th | Jaime Alguersuari | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 1:37.853 |
| 17th | Sebastien Buemi | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 1:38.594 |
Q3
The session started with Mark Webber going to the track first and set a poor lap, behind him Fernando Alonso set a very quick lap which put him 1st ahead of the other drivers. On his second run he improved but it wasn't enough. The Red Bulls were flying, Mark Webber took second place and Sebastian Vettel- once again took pole position.
A great performance by Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg with P5 and teammate Michael Schumacher P9. The other Ferrari didn't qualify as well as it should had, P6 for Felipe Massa and Rubens Barrichello rounding up the top 10
| 1st | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault | 1:35.585 |
| 2nd | Mark Webber | Red Bull-Renault | 1:35.659 |
| 3rd | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | 1:35.766 |
| 4th | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:36.062 |
| 5th | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 1:36.535 |
| 6th | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1:36.571 |
| 7th | Jenson Button | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:36.731 |
| 8th | Robert Kubica | Renault | 1:36.824 |
| 9th | Michael Schumacher | Mercedes | 1:36.950 |
| 10th | Rubens Barrichello | Williams-Cosworth | 1:36.998 |
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Korean Grand Prix Preview
| The Formula One circus speeds towards a conclusion, as the teams head to the only brand-new track for the 2010 campaign, the barely-completed confines of the Yeongam circuit in South Korea. After successfully co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Korea is heading to host the first ever Formula One race. At the beginning there were concern about the new Korean track, that the new track would not be completed in time, even F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone raises concern over this new venue, but somehow by hook, by crook, and by paying an inordinate amount of overtime to the builders, the Korean International Circuit is ready and waiting to accept Formula One's circus into its shiny new confines. Arriving at the brand new tack everyone thinks about one thing,what is happen in Korea? who will be successful in Korea? After 16 rounds, heading to Korea, we still have a five-way title fight, at least mathematically, but both McLaren duo could well be officially eliminated from contention with the wrong result. If points leader Mark Webber wins the race, Lewis Hamilton will need to finish eighth or better to retain the slimmest hopes of regaining the world title, while teammate Jenson Button will need to be sixth or better. But if we look at the constructors standing its well cleared that Red Bulls are going to win this season championship but mathematically there are three teams in the constructors championship contention. And with everyone have so little data about this track so its gonna be tough fight expected for this race. Karun Chandhok (HRT) driver who took few laps around Korea for advertising camping thinks that Korea is a Red Bull favoring track but he also expects a close fight among top three this week end at the inaugural Korean GP as it has many long straights which is the weakest point of the RB6. The Red Bull fight will be interesting to watch, though, with Webber increasingly needing to beat Vettel to the flag to reassert his dominance in the team from a few races back. Another win for Vettel will shave Webber's point lead down to single figures at best with two races to go, and Webber has admitted that he needs a victory, and soon...and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is also the guy to watch in this race as he promises to shine in this weekend race.On the other hand McLaren is bringing a brand new front wing to be stay alive in the 2010 championship. Away from the 'epic' scrap at the front, Renault's hopes of overtaking Mercedes in the constructors championship took another dive after their double retirement in Japan, though the team could still gain some sort of bragging rights if they manage to get Robert Kubica up to seventh in the drivers standings, ahead of Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg and behind only the 'big six' from Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari. Further back on the grid Williams hopes to overtake Force India as they have a disapointing result in Japan with a double retirement and if we look at the new teams Lotus is clearly the best of the new teams but HRT and Virgin's are looking froward to overtake two Lotuses as they are focusing on 2011's car. Now, in my opinion, Red Bull will be the quickest team this weekend, but i will not put my money on them.. In my opinion, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso who is looking forward to keeping his momentum since Italy and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who is hungry to win can surprise the Red Bull drivers. It looks like it is going to be a great race! |
Track Preview
Track Facts
Korea International Circuit
Location: Yeongam, South Korea
Length: 5.621 km
Race Distance: 309.155 km
Number of Laps: 55
Turns: 18
Lap Record: n/a
Weather Forecast
Friday: Sunny, Max Temp: 22°C
Saturday: Cloudy, Max Temp: 22°C
Sunday: Rain Showers, Max Temp: 22°C
Weekend Schedule
Friday 22nd October
Free Practice 1 - 10.00 (Local Time) / 02.00 (BST)
Free Practice 2 - 14.00 (Local Time) / 06.00 (BST)
Saturday 23rd October
Free Practice 3 - 11.00 (Local Time) / 03.00 (BST)
Qualifying - 14.00 (Local Time) / 06.00 (BST)
Sunday 24th October
Race - 15.00 (Local Time) / 07.00 (BST)
Review of the 2011 Calendar
Jump back a decade, and the face of the Formula One calendar has been transformed. Many new circuits have come in that time, and some older ones have been dropped. With Korea, Russia, Texas, Rome all set to join on the fun, and Ecclestone keen to have a 20 race calendar, what are my thoughts?
Europe is the main place of Formula One with Spa, Monza, Silverstone and Monaco. These circuits make Formula One racing exciting and fantastic to watch. I think these circuits without a doubt should be on the F1 calendar for years to come.
- Monaco (Classic Venue and Glamour of F1)
- Spa (Classic Venue and is one of the best racing tracks of the modern era)
- Monza (One of my favourites, historical track and provides decent racing)
- Silverstone (Classic Venue, Great circuit and provides awesome racing)
There are also a few more circuits which provide excellent racing and have had some great races this year and in previous years
- Melbourne (Great Overtaking, Should be the season opener)
- Montreal (Great Circuit)
- Suzuka (Great Racing and F1 Drivers Favourite like Montreal)
- Interlargos (Fantastic and Exciting Racing)
- Hockenheim (Good Racing and good for overtaking)
- Nurburgring (Not my favourite but I feel it deserves a place among the best)
Also I think some of modern day circuits have provided good racing and I believe they deserve a place on the calendar in years to come.
-Sepang (Great Racing and Provides good twist with the weather)
- Istanbul Park (Provides good racing, Nice Corner at Turn 8)
- Shanghai (Good Racing and like Sepang twist with the weather)
- Singapore (Gives something different, Night race and is a street circuit)
So that Is Fourteen which I think should most definatly be on the calendar for years to come. Now there is some more modern day circuits which haven't provided good races
- Yas Marina Circuit (Personally I like this circuit with the twilight affect but needs more time)
- Bahrain ( Not yet produced a great race, the circuit is better shorter than the 2min one)
- Barcelona (Awful, Great for testing but awful for racing)
- Valencia (Another street circuit not as good as Singapore, this year's race wasn't bad but at least this one is better than Barcelona)
- Hungaroring( Great setting for a circuit, provides nothing good, can't overtake and should be dropped)
So that's what I think about the F1 circuits- I'd love to know what you think....
Its been a great season, Every one says how bad Bahrain was but I have loved every single race this season!! This sets up the final 3 races and next season to be even better!!! And I'm sure any other true F1 fan is loving it also!
Europe is the main place of Formula One with Spa, Monza, Silverstone and Monaco. These circuits make Formula One racing exciting and fantastic to watch. I think these circuits without a doubt should be on the F1 calendar for years to come.
- Monaco (Classic Venue and Glamour of F1)
- Spa (Classic Venue and is one of the best racing tracks of the modern era)
- Monza (One of my favourites, historical track and provides decent racing)
- Silverstone (Classic Venue, Great circuit and provides awesome racing)
There are also a few more circuits which provide excellent racing and have had some great races this year and in previous years
- Melbourne (Great Overtaking, Should be the season opener)
- Montreal (Great Circuit)
- Suzuka (Great Racing and F1 Drivers Favourite like Montreal)
- Interlargos (Fantastic and Exciting Racing)
- Hockenheim (Good Racing and good for overtaking)
- Nurburgring (Not my favourite but I feel it deserves a place among the best)
Also I think some of modern day circuits have provided good racing and I believe they deserve a place on the calendar in years to come.
-Sepang (Great Racing and Provides good twist with the weather)
- Istanbul Park (Provides good racing, Nice Corner at Turn 8)
- Shanghai (Good Racing and like Sepang twist with the weather)
- Singapore (Gives something different, Night race and is a street circuit)
So that Is Fourteen which I think should most definatly be on the calendar for years to come. Now there is some more modern day circuits which haven't provided good races
- Yas Marina Circuit (Personally I like this circuit with the twilight affect but needs more time)
- Bahrain ( Not yet produced a great race, the circuit is better shorter than the 2min one)
- Barcelona (Awful, Great for testing but awful for racing)
- Valencia (Another street circuit not as good as Singapore, this year's race wasn't bad but at least this one is better than Barcelona)
- Hungaroring( Great setting for a circuit, provides nothing good, can't overtake and should be dropped)
So that's what I think about the F1 circuits- I'd love to know what you think....
Its been a great season, Every one says how bad Bahrain was but I have loved every single race this season!! This sets up the final 3 races and next season to be even better!!! And I'm sure any other true F1 fan is loving it also!
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Japanese Grand Prix Review
Red Bull Driver Sebastian Vettel continued with his great form from last year at the Suzuka Circuit, He took pole position and a comfortable race win today. His Teammate and championship leader Mark Webber took 2nd place, giving the team a maximum number of points this weekend. Which strengthened there position at the top of the constructors championship.
The race started in dramatic fashion with Vitaly Petrov coming together with Nico Hulkenburg and then Felipe Massa cut a corner and came together with Force India driver- these collisions brought out the Safety Car. At this time pole sitter Vettel was leading with Kubica and Webber behind him. Good News for Mark Webber, Robert Kubica's right rear wheel detached and forced the pole to retire. This promoted Webber to 2nd place and behind his Red Bull teammate.
The race continued with the Red Bulls pulling away slowly from Alonso, Button and Hamilton. During the safety car some of the cars pitted most notably Nico Rosberg. The German driver attempted to overtake Toro Rosso driver Buemi but couldn't make it stick at 130R. Also on this lap Michael Schumacher overtook former Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.
Kamui Kobayashi or Kamui Kobaybashi according to Martin Brundle, had a fantastic home race overtaking Sutil, Alguersuari,Heidfeld and Barrichello at the hairpin. Kobayashi was one of few drivers who started on the prime tyre and had more grip then the older primes of Sutil, Alguersuari, Heidfeld and Barrichello. Another notable performance was Lotus' 12th and 13th place which gives them the all for play for 10th place which comes with a lot of much needed money for 2011. Glock came behind Trulli in 15th and Lucas di Grassi had a unexplained crash at 130R coming to the grid before the race.
Mark Webber could do nothing about the supreme pace of his Teammate Sebastian Vettel and going to Korea the top 3 separated by 14 points could this championship be any closer? Are the Mclarens out of the titles? We will see in a fortnights time!
The race started in dramatic fashion with Vitaly Petrov coming together with Nico Hulkenburg and then Felipe Massa cut a corner and came together with Force India driver- these collisions brought out the Safety Car. At this time pole sitter Vettel was leading with Kubica and Webber behind him. Good News for Mark Webber, Robert Kubica's right rear wheel detached and forced the pole to retire. This promoted Webber to 2nd place and behind his Red Bull teammate.
The race continued with the Red Bulls pulling away slowly from Alonso, Button and Hamilton. During the safety car some of the cars pitted most notably Nico Rosberg. The German driver attempted to overtake Toro Rosso driver Buemi but couldn't make it stick at 130R. Also on this lap Michael Schumacher overtook former Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.
Kamui Kobayashi or Kamui Kobaybashi according to Martin Brundle, had a fantastic home race overtaking Sutil, Alguersuari,Heidfeld and Barrichello at the hairpin. Kobayashi was one of few drivers who started on the prime tyre and had more grip then the older primes of Sutil, Alguersuari, Heidfeld and Barrichello. Another notable performance was Lotus' 12th and 13th place which gives them the all for play for 10th place which comes with a lot of much needed money for 2011. Glock came behind Trulli in 15th and Lucas di Grassi had a unexplained crash at 130R coming to the grid before the race.
Mark Webber could do nothing about the supreme pace of his Teammate Sebastian Vettel and going to Korea the top 3 separated by 14 points could this championship be any closer? Are the Mclarens out of the titles? We will see in a fortnights time!
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