- 02 Sep 12, 21:24#318283Now that I've had time to reflect (I've watched the BBC Highlights programme twice) here are my thoughts for the race.
It's quite clear that McLaren have a swift car at the moment. Sadly, once again, the team has not been able to reap the full benefits of this speed. Yes, Jenson Button drove superbly to a calm, collected, dominant and thoroughly deserved win. But the team has made no gains on Red Bull in the WCC, and as the races tick by, this is going to become a big issue. McLaren have a faster car than Red Bull at the moment, and have had for much of the season (save for the early summer slump in form) and they are not capitalising. Red Bull's consistency is paying dividends.
Sebastian Vettel drove superbly from 11th to 2nd, benefiting from the carnage at La Source, but pulling off some immense overtakes on the way. Much was made of Kimi Raikkonen's chances in the build up to the weekend, but once again, the Lotus didn't quite seem up to it. That elusive first win of the year for the Enstone team remains achingly close, but still just out of reach.
Speaking of Lotus and La Source, the biggest talking point of the race is obviously the ferocious start. Grosjean has been given a 1-race ban, and it is fully deserved. It's not the first time the Frenchman has upset things at the start / in the early stages of the race, and this pile-up was one error too far. Pulling across to Lewis Hamilton, he appeared to come-out of the move before going yet further right, towards the McLaren driver. Contact was inevitable, and with such a short run to La Source, chaos ensued. While the pile-up hurt McLarens' WDC and WCC challenge, at a time when it is starting to matter, the saddest casualty must be that of the plucky Sauber team, who qualified so well on Saturday. The chance to reel in the floundering Mercedes team was completely wiped out.
The dramatic nature of the accident inevitably raised questions about the use of covered cockpits in F1. This remains a controversial issue, and there would be just as many cons as there are pros, but that is another subject matter. There's no doubting however, that Fernando Alonso's head came very close to being stuck in the carnage, and it's not an easy sight to stomach. The reason he stayed in the car for so long was because of a sharp back pain, and the cheers from the crowd upon his getting out highlighted the widespread relief.
Move of the race? Kimi Raikkonen on Michael Schumacher at Eau Rouge maybe, which harked back to Mark Webber's similar move on Alonso there last year.
Last edited by LewEngBridewell on 02 Sep 12, 21:36, edited 1 time in total.
Race wins:181Drivers' titles:12Constructors' titles:8Fantasy F1 Team = Bridewell Palace Racing