The Motorsport Pundit

Catch-up Review.....

2009-10-14T14:42:00.002+01:00

Hello, sorry it has been a while since I have written a blog but like the formula one circus, a lot happens in two weeks. We've had a brilliant drive in Singapore by Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button retaking control of the championship and an even more impressive victory by Sebastian Vettel in Japan......Not forgetting Alonso signing for Ferrari as expected.

We will start by going back three weeks to Singapore and the only night race on the Formula1 calendar. Lewis Hamilton flew away with it and I believe it was a great, controlled drive under pressure from Vettel, who always looked a threat until a strange driving line into the pit lane caused a "speeding in the pitlane" drive-through. Nico Rosberg also pressured Lewis and looked good for a podium until he pitted for the first time, where he went straight on at the pit lane exit, in turn crossing the white line. Jenson ran another tight race but this time, the pit stops went to plan and I feel that the Singapore race could have decided the world championship because Button beat Rubens Barrichello to the line to outscore him by a point. Also, this moved Vettel further back than he could have been due to the drive-through and Mark Webber dropped fully out of contention for the title due to brake failure, where he did very well to spin the car backwards into the wall.

Jenson has not won since Turkey, when he passed Vettel on the first lap. Since then, a slow score of points and the improvement by other teams (including Mclaren, Ferrari and Force India) has meant that he is going into the Brazilian GP with a 14 point lead over Rubens. This means if Jenson makes it onto the podium in Brazil, he will be world champion. On the other hand, Rubens has never had the greatest of luck at his home race so it could easily be possible for Button to finish lower in the points but just behind Rubens to be champion. It is in the Britain's hands now.

Speaking of Rubens, it is very interesting to hear that he is speaking to Williams about a drive next year. The experience of Rubens and youth of Nico Hulkenberg could be a very interesting team but could it spell the end of Rubens’ career in Formula1 if he is beaten by the young German. He will have to show that experience counts and that there is still life in the old dog yet.

After being at Mclaren in 2007, Ferrari has decided to see if they can tame Fernando Alonso alongside a strong team mate. Felipe Massa will return with the full backing of the Ferrari team after being part of the set up since his Sauber days. It is almost a replay of Mclaren, where Lewis had been close to the team for years but I feel Fernando will not try and play the same games as he did there. Ferrari is the Formula1 team which has been there throughout history and a very close family. Will Alonso fit in? I'm not too sure to be honest. Renault will always be his home and he was always going to be the number one driver. When he was at Minardi, he was number one to Tarso Marques.....whereas he had equal status at Mclaren. I'd love him to prove me wrong but I feel that if Massa puts him under pressure in the same way Lewis did, then he may crack. Then again, I think if he wins a title with the Italian team, then he will be the best driver in Formula1. At the moment, some call him the best but I do not agree. I feel he is good, very good in fact but I feel he needs to prove he's great with equal status. He did against Fisichella but he has never been close to winning a title.....here's your chance Fernando...Show the world you are great!

I will be giving him a chance at Ferrari but I do feel Felipe may just beat him.

Nico Rosberg has had his best season to date and looks like being rewarded with a Mercedes drive in either a Mclaren or a Brawn. I feel this will have to be a chance that has to be taken by Nico. He has impressed at times but will need to show results to go with his speed. He could be an addition to the most impressive team of 2009, Brawn. I remember thinking back to January when it looked like Honda might be saved but there was a lot of uncertainity. Then, they tested the car on the Stowe circuit at Silverstone, just after I had done an experience there in Silverstone's single seaters. They have gone from there to winning six of the first seven races and winning eight all year. Maybe some teams might take a leaf out of Brawn's book and test the car at the last possible moment? The team is now half a point away from taking the constructors championship and it is well deserved. Ross has recharged the batteries of the team and even regenerated Jenson and Rubens' careers after looking like they might just fade slowly out of Formula1. Well done all the Brawn crew!

So here we go....Brazil. No Timo Glock after his Japan crash so no last lap passes this time. :)

I think you will see Rubens up there fighting for victory with Jenson battling with Trulli and Lewis for fourth through to sixth. I think this is due to Jenson being in a position that six points is all he needs. Rubens must win. We'll soon see.....Bring on Brazil.

Singapore Grand Prix Preview

2009-09-24T22:10:00.001+01:00

Well, yet again, Formula One officials have to clean up yet another controversial matter. Renault team principal Flavio Briatore and engineering chief Pat Symonds have left the team with immediate affect for their actions in the Singapore crash scandal. Sacrificing their positions within the team has helped the FIA in only handing the Renault team a two year suspended ban. In my opinion, this is probably the right decision, however I believe Renault have been let off lightly having to fund the costs of the investigation and make a significant contribution to the FIA safety fund. This is in comparison to Mclaren and Ferrari in 2007 in which Mclaren were fined a much more significant amount than Renault. The FIA placed Nelson Piquet Jr. in the same position as Fernando Alonso in 2007, where they offered immunity in exchange for information. Even though I find this fair to discover the truth, the difference is that Piquet actually took action to “cheat”. He was the one to put his foot down and accelerated, even when the wheels were spinning. I understand that Piquet had a poor 2007 season and needed to make sure he had a contract for the following season but why did he not have the guts to say no and stand to his rights as a racing driver to race? I would have much more preferred him to back off and hold half of the field up for Alonso to catch up than to put lives in danger. I know that sounds a little over-exaggerated at a low speed circuit but marshals had to climb over the wall to help retrieve the car and driver and as a result putting themselves in danger. In addition, small pieces of debris could have hit anyone on the side of the track. To purposely do something like this seems foolish but that is the price of success in Formula One in my opinion. Teams like Audi (DTM) and SEAT (WTCC) have been accused of over-using team orders to get their drivers to the front but have never crashed on purpose to improve another car’s position.

Symonds is probably the only person to come out of this with any dignity. The way he did not accept immunity but still gave information shows that he is willing to take some responsibility for his actions. He has been banned from FIA-sanctioned motorsport for five years, which will take him away from a sport which he was highly respected in. I hope he can return after his ban because he is one of the best engineers in present Formula One and possibly its history.

Ironically, it is now time for the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix. Yet again, this will be a race under darkness. Brawn GP is expected to be strong as they were on the street circuits of Valencia and Monaco along with the Mclarens, especially Lewis Hamilton. Rubens Barrichello will have to take it easy as he already has a damaged gearbox and will not want to be forced into a five-place grid penalty. This was damaged when he had to force the car away from the grid in Spa. I feel Jenson Button will be in a great position to try and extend his 14 point championship lead. He bounced back from a series of poor races to claim a podium at Monza. Barrichello is the closest man to him in the championship and will need Jenson to suffer in the remaining races to take the title. They are both great mates and either driver will deserve the championship. Jenson has been strong for most of the year and won six of the first seven races. Rubens, on the other hand, has had to work hard in the first half of the season whilst watching Button win races, and has turned his season around with two victories in Valencia and Italy. My prediction is for Rubens to close the gap in the drivers’ championship but not by much.

Congratulations to new Formula Renault 3.5 champion Bertrand Baguette, who has clinched the title ahead of Toro Rosso star Jaime Alguersuari with a round to spare. Baguette and GP2 champion Nico Hulkenburg have both showed their class this season. With the extra spaces in Formula One next season, there must be room for these two drivers to be given their chance to shine. Another champion crown has been Andy Soucek, who is the first driver of the modern era to be crowned as the Formula 2 champion. In a season that will be remembered due to its return and the tragic death of rising star Henry Surtess, Soucek has kept his head and lead the field since round two to win the title.

And finally, BMW Sauber has announced an engine and gearbox supply deal with Ferrari. This is the first part of what I mentioned in a previous blog (see Italian Grand Prix). Now we have to wait and see if a Fisichella drive will be part of the deal to keep the Italian race sharp.

Italian Grand Prix Review

2009-09-17T13:36:00.001+01:00

Brawn championship......That’s what many people are calling it after the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday at Monza. The two Red Bull drivers has a poor afternoon with Mark Webber out before the end of lap one and Sebastian Vettel only just making it into a point scoring position due to Lewis Hamilton crashing out on the final lap. With Lewis, Kimi Raikkonen and Adrian Sutil all running two stops at Monza, Ross Brawn knew he just had to keep his cars in sight of the front three.

This was helped with power of the Mercedes engine. In Saturday's practice and qualifying, the Mercedes powered cars (Mclaren, Force India and Brawn) were all in the top seven with only Nick Heidfeld (practice) and Kimi Raikkonen (qualifying) breaking the monopoly. They could have had a monopoly over the top six in the race but pre-race favourite Heikki Kovalainen could not keep the pace on his heavier fuel load and Tonio Liuzzi produced a strong drive on his return to Formula 1 but was unlucky with a driveshaft failure. The engine manufacture may have more on it's plate over the next few years with the paddock understanding that they will slowly phase in a buy-out of the Brawn team. This could end the 14 year partnership between Mclaren and Mercedes.

Until then, Liuzzi had kept up with pace in his first race in one and half years and would have been in a position to outscore team-mate Sutil and even dream of a podium in his home race. He also showed his racing skill had not left him with a brilliant pass on Kovalainen on the outside of Parabolica. The Force India has been so strong on the low downforce circuits lately that they could have won either race. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up at the next round on the roads of Singapore. I hope they can but feel they will not be as strong as the last two rounds, maybe getting a couple of points at most.

The main story over the weekend was the rumors that the Renault team asked Nelson Piquet Jr to crash on purpose in Singapore last year to create a safety car, which in turn was the only way that Alonso could make a mad fuel strategy work. Flavio Briatore accused Piquet Jr of blackmail and launched criminal proceedings against Piquet and his father but has sensationally left the team alongside Pat Symonds, who was offered immunity in return for information about the event. This, and the team not contesting the charge, shows the many people that the members of the team involved are guilty. Apparently this is only three members, Piquet, Britatore and Symonds. I feel if it is honestly true, that it is poor sportsmanship and proves that a few members of the team would put members of circuit staff, drivers and spectators at risk to win a grand prix. Then again, even if it guaranteed Piquet a race seat next season, why did he do it? Why didn't he tell Flavio where to go and prove himself on the track? The questions will go on.....

It is also good to see the Lotus name returning to Formula one in the place of BMW Sauber. Although the BMW team has been sold for next season, Formula one chiefs are trying to organise a 28 car grid for next season with 14 teams. This would allow BMW's new owners to continue and the four new teams to start racing in 2010. I think this will be great and can see no problems with a larger grid and hopefully the new teams will be able to follow Force India's example by creating a successful package.

Red Bull had something to cheer at Monza with their junior driver Daniel Ricciardo winning the BritishF3 title and has marked himself as someone to watch out for in the future. He will probably join Carlin in World Series by Renault next season.

To end with, well done to Nico Hulkenberg for winning the GP2 title at Monza, with a round to spare. He has defiantly lined himself for a Formula one drive next year and the world has gone mad if he does not get one somewhere, I think Williams.

Italian Grand Prix Preview

2009-09-09T23:05:00.002+01:00

So to Monza it is.......The Italian Grand Prix! This is normally "silly season" time. The driver market goes mad as Ferrari announces their driver line-up for the following year. Will it be the same this year? Well Ferrari started early by announcing the signing of Giancarlo Fisichella as `09 driver and `10 reserve driver. This, however, does not mean the end for Fisichella. The team has announced that he will be able to race for another team.....if that’s a formula one team or some other remains to be seen. This will keep him race sharp incase Ferrari are required to recall him. Maybe we will see him returning to yet another previous squad. He returned to Renault after racing under it's old banner, Benetton in 1998-01. The same with Force India when he raced under the Jordan name in 1997. Could we see the experienced Italian spend his 15th Formula one season at the current BMW spot?

After winning the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, Giancarlo moved from Jordan Grand Prix to race for Peter Sauber's formula one team. He took points on nine occasions for the team and finished 11th in the drivers championship. If Peter Sauber breaks down BMW's resolve and takes control of his former team, he would need an engine supply. Since 1997, the Sauber team ran with Petronas-badged Ferrari engines, which shows he knows how to deal with the car giant. He used to work it by running a Ferrari driver in one of his seats in return for free engines. In 2000, Mika Salo found a seat at the team after covering for Michael Schumacher in 1999. Salo continued his Ferrari career in GT racing and still races for them today. Nicola Larni tested and raced for the Scuderia in 1994 and landed a Sauber seat in 1997, even if it was for a few races. Even a full time Ferrari driver did his stint at Sauber........Felipe Massa landed a seat in 2002 and then in `04 and `05 after spending a year testing in-between. With Ferrari wanting to keep Fisichella race sharp and Peter Sauber, or any other buyer, after cheap engines, then would this not be the perfect arrangement?

With Fisichella moving, this gives Force India test driver, Tonio Liuzzi, a chance to prove himself. After some strong showings at Toro Rosso, he was muscled out to be replaced by Sebastian Vettel. As an Italian, a strong showing at Monza would be a dream but will be just a dream?

With a strong Mercedes engine in the back of a strong aerodynamic package on the car (this was shown at Spa), then he has his best chance in Formula one yet. Could we possibly have two Italians on the podium in Italy? I feel this is not possible due to Liuzzi's inexperience in the 2009 spec car and also his skill. I do feel he may score points but Sutil would beat him overall and possibly score the second set of points for the Force India team.

Fernando Alonso's deal with Ferrari is set to be announced at Monza but until this is done, the driver market is on hold. Kimi will then move on and so on......but untill then, no-body knows.

Other news from this week is that Jarno Trulli has said he does not want to predict any Toyota victories after missing out in Spa. This shows everyone the attitude of a driver who wants to leave the team and if he does, I feel that will be the end of his formula one career. He has always been poor in his race performances compared to qualifying and has been called a moving road block in his time in grand prix racing. Maybe it is time for him to move on and give a youngster a chance. If Toyota wants an experienced head in their car, then there are plenty of other drivers who will be able to race better than Trulli and scored the constant points that are needed to keep the company on the grid.

Belgium Grand Prix Review

2009-08-30T18:05:00.002+01:00

On Saturday night......a Force India on pole position......A shock?

Here we are tonight looking at a Force India on the podium and having more pace than Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari..... Another shock?

It has been a brilliant weekend for the little Silverstone team and shows the hard work that has been put in this season. The car started the season by holding it's own at the back of grid, as like last season. Australia produced a late safety car and Malaysia was stopped after the downpour so the Chinese GP was the first race to produce a "normal finish" this season but Adrian Sutil lost control of the car while in the points. From then on, the smallest team on the grid have been producing great displays in practice but not following it up in qualifying and the race. Then the circus turned up in Germany, practice went well again and Sutil managed a brilliant seventh on the grid. From there, he produced a stunning drive until leaving from his pit stop when he ran into the side of Kimi Raikkonen. This showed that, in the right conditions, they could fight against the big teams.

The team in it's earliest form, Jordan Grand Prix, collected their first pole position at the Spa circuit in 1994 with Rubens Barrichello and their first victory (in the form of a 1-2) with Damon Hill in the memorable grand prix in 1998 so they have always gone well here. Their two drivers, Sutil and Fisichella, both have great records at the circuit with Sutil holding the Formula3 lap record and Fisichella collecting podiums for Jordan and Benetton.

It is such a shame that the KERS system is what lost the team its first grand prix victory (in it's current form). The Mercedes engine is one of the strongest in the field (shown by Sutil and Barrichello today) and this, in the back of Fisichella's car, against the Ferrari was the quicker package. This is disappointing for this year's formula one because it shows that the quickest car does not always have a chance of winning when at the front. Anyway, it will be gone next season and I will be one person (of many) who will be glad to see the back of it.

All this does not take anything away from Kimi’s drive, which was one of composure and control. Fisichella was never more than two or three seconds back and some people would have expected him to crack under the pressure of winning for the first time in 2009. Luckily, the true former world champion was back and I think he made it look quite easy from outside the cockpit. Sebastian Vettel also produced a good drive to make his way passed the BMWs and claim the most points out of the championship contenders. Except for his few engine failures, Vettel has looked a good bet for the title and I would defiantly not rule him out just yet, especially with the luck that Button has had since Turkey. Barrichello only claimed two points on his team mate and Webber was unfortunate to finish ninth but the teams mistake in the pit lane cost the Aussie dear and it is mistakes like that which cost championships…….just ask Felipe Massa about Singapore last season!
Hopefully this grand prix has saved the BMW and will bring in a new buyer to help Peter Sauber take over his old team. It would be great to see Sauber back on the grid and I can not see Ferrari having any problems with supplying engines to the team, like they did from 1997 until BMW’s takeover in 2006. A Sauber-Ferrari with a Ferrari youngster being placed inside the team……the same as what happened with Massa…..and look what a brilliant driver he has become. I am praying a buyer will be found and hopefully Peter Sauber will be at the head of it.

The Belgium GP has produced a sixth different winner in six races……we might very well get a seventh in Monza and how about some money on a Mercedes powered vehicle after it was the engine to have at Spa. All I know is not to put a bet on after the grid has closed up so much that the whole field is covered by about 1.5 seconds.

Replacement drivers

2009-08-28T15:01:00.002+01:00

Anthony Davidson
Nelson Piquet
Sebastien Bourdais
Christian Klien
Giorgio Pantano
Adam Carroll

Here are just a few names who would have been watching the European GP thinking why have I been overlooked for the 2009 season....Why is a driver, who will not be racing in 2010 (as much as I like Luca) given a chance when we could be getting practice in for next year? In this list, we have GP2 race winners and team test drivers, who like Luca, have not driven the 2009 car extensively. Apart from loyalty, I can not see why Luca was picked over any other driver. Ferrari would have been expecting more from their 10 year test driver but what do they do now that the gamble has not worked? The next round after Spa is Monza. Ferrari fans from all over the world travel to Monza as a pilgrimage each year and they will not appreciate one of "their nations" cars being 1.5 seconds off the next car, whether that car be a Force India or a Toro Rosso. They will expect, at least, points from both cars with even victory in their sights, especially with the KERS system showing a distinct advantage down the long straights. Can Luca deliver this? I doubt it after his performance in Valencia. Who would be able to do this with testing banned during the season? One name that has been mentioned has been Nico Hulkenberg, the current GP2 championship leader. Do I think he is good enough for formula one? Yes, he has shown this through EuroF3, A1GP and this season's GP2. Would a move to Ferrari for the rest of the year be right? I feel it would not be to anyone's advantage for Nico to move up early. He is almost guaranteed a Grand Prix seat next season, most likely with Williams, who have him under contract and moving up would not reveal a new talent. There are two things that can happen if he went to Ferrari this year -

1. Hulkenberg can go to Ferrari and show his skill, giving Ferrari a headache for next season with Alonso rumored to have signed; Kimi Raikkonen digging his heals in about his contract for 2010 and the returning Felipe Massa.

2. Hulkenberg drives the car and finishes low on the timesheets and ruins his chances of a Williams drive next season.

If I was Nico, I'd stay in GP2 and win the title with more victories this year and continue showing his talent off. With Formula one drivers moving around this year and with the lack of rookies, can "The Hulk" (as he is nicknamed) really risk his big chance?

Ferrari need a driver is not going to cause them concern for next season but will help them stay ahead of Mclaren and Toyota in the constructor’s championship. There is only one driver, who is free and looking like they may leave formula one at the end of the year, and this is Giancarlo Fisichella. He is experienced as a number 2 (when at Renault) and would there be any complainants at an Italian in a Ferrari at Monza? He is a great bet for a top eight finish and would help Ferrari to keep the points rolling in, with Mclaren so strong at the moment. It would be a special end to a strong career, which started in 1996 with the Italian Minardi team (now Toro Rosso), and giving him a last chance to win a grand prix. It could also save his career after being beaten by a strong Adrian Sutil in recent races. I guess it will be down to Spa to see if Luca Badoer can produce the biggest turnaround in grand prix history.