Vettel wins the British Grand Prix in 2009
Sebastian Vettel stormed to victory in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone yesterday, totally dominating the event from the front. Current championship leader Jenson Button could only take sixth place in the cool conditions but his team mate Rubens Barrichello finished third behind the second Red Bull of Mark Webber.
As so often recently it was not a particularly thrilling race with Lewis Hamilton providing most of the action in his battles for sixteenth place.
PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS
The British Grand Prix
Silverstone, Britain;
60 laps; 308.355km;
Weather: Dry.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1h22:49.328
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) + 15.188
3. Barrichello Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) + 41.175
4. Massa Ferrari (B) + 45.043
5. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 45.915
6. Button Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) + 46.285
7. Trulli Toyota (B) + 1:08.307
8. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 1:09.622
9. Glock Toyota (B) + 1:09.823
10. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) + 1:11.522
11. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) + 1:14.023
12. Piquet Renault (B) + 1 lap
13. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 1 lap
14. Alonso Renault (B) + 1 lap
15. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 1 lap
16. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 1 lap
17. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) + 1 lap
18. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 1 lap
Fastest lap: Vettel, 1:20.735
Not classified/retirements:
Driver Team On lap
Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 25
Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 24
World Championship standings, round 8:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. Button 64 1. Brawn GP-Mercedes 105
2. Barrichello 41 2. Red Bull-Renault 74.5
3. Vettel 39 3. Toyota 34.5
4. Webber 35.5 4. Ferrari 26
5. Trulli 21.5 5. Williams-Toyota 15.5
6. Massa 16 6. McLaren-Mercedes 13
7. Rosberg 15.5 7. Renault 11
8. Glock 13 8. BMW Sauber 8
9. Alonso 11 9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 5
10. Raikkonen 10
11. Hamilton 9
12. Heidfeld 6
13. Kovalainen 4
14. Buemi 3
15. Kubica 2
16. Bourdais 2
british grand prix, red bull, silverstone, vettel
What a difference a year makes!
Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix last year, this year he will be fortunate to place in the top eight. Such are the changing fortunes in Formula One.
Lewis Hamilton wins at Silverstone in 2008
His car is just not quick enough around the fast sweeping bends at Silverstone to keep pace with the top cars such as Brawn and Red Bull.
So who are the favourites to do well in this year’s race on Sunday 21st June? Jenson Button, having won 6 of the 7 races so far this season, must be a key candidate. But his team mate in the Brawn team Rubens Barrichello cannot be ruled out at this, one of his favourite tracks.
The Red Bull cars are super quick at the moment and both Mark Webber and Sebastien Vettel will be in with a great chance of victory on Sunday afternoon.
What about Ferrari chances? The car has been much improved over the last couple of races so may finish on the podium with a little luck, particularly in the hands of Felipe Massa. His team mate Kimi Raikkonen continues his lacklustre form.
The major car manufacturer teams BMW, Renault and Toyota will be fighting for the crumbs at this race, although Fernando Alonso in the Renault will push to the extreme and Jarno Trulli in the Toyota usually qualifies well.
My tip for victory? I’m going for Button in the Brawn to make it 7 out of 8 with Barrichello second.
british grand prix, silverstone
It appears that 2009 will be the final year that F1 visits the Northamptonshire circuit of Silverstone. Future F1 races are planned to be held at Donington Park in Derbyshire.
Silverstone first hosted the British Grand Prix in 1948 and has hosted the race every year since 1987. There has been some memorable British victories in the race over the years, notably Nigel Mansell in 1987, 1991, 1992, Damon Hill in 1994, Johnny Herbert in 1995, David Coulthard in 1999, 2000 and Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
Nigel Mansell gives Ayrton Senna a lift after the race in 1991
Jenson Button is one of the favourites to win on Sunday 21st June 2009 although some experts suggest his Brawn car wont be the quickest at the track. Button cannot be discounted as he has won 6 of the 7 races held so far this year. The Red Bull cars are expected to put up a stern fight for victory.
There have been many disputes over the years between the BRDC (the owners of the track) and the Formula One authorities or more precisely Mr Bernie Ecclestone. Continual threats to move the Grand prix to another circuit unless substantial improvements were made to the track finally came to a head this year. Despite the fact Silverstone is a fine racetrack 2009 will see the last F1 race here for the forseeable future. I am looking forward to this swansong event and hope for a typically thrilling Silverstone type finish.
british grand prix, silverstone