- 07 Sep 08, 16:32#63190If Glock passed somebody under the yellow flags, he got what he deserved. Another eejit was Kovalainen. Webber was perfectly entitled to turn into the corner. Kovalainen, whose heart was not completely set on the pass anyway, should have backed off. Because of his stupidity, he lost McLaren yet more constructors' points.
Still, that was not the only thing Kovalainen did wrong today. He cocked up his start and dropped well down the field. He did a great job working his way up the field again after his error, only to mess things up again with the Webber incident. Again, McLaren had the chance to do some damage today with Massa's engine on its second race, the car performing better than expected, a chance of Kovalainen to interfere with Ferrari's strategy and, of course, with Raikkonen dropping it at the end, but it didn't work out like that, not for the first time, and mainly down to Kovalainen. Yes, the guy has potential, but how long is he going to be like this? If McLaren had two drivers doing the business on the track, the team would be well ahead in the constructors' title by now.
Hamilton, himself, was by no means innocent. He made a mistake which could have cost him the win had the race have remained dry. Still, he made up for it in the end with wonderful skill in the wet weather, with some great defensive and overtaking moves. Second only Senna's performance in the 1992 (I think) Belgian Grand Prix.
Webber had another good race. It's a shame he was punted off by Kovalainen. The story if Webber's career really. His teammate, however, was all at see once again. Coulthard has not got the speed anymore and is continuously making contact with people, things that Coulthard himself used to gurn about. He should retire now - before the end of the season. He is embarrassing himself and ruining his reputation as a good driver.
The Toro Rosso's were not surprisingly fast. Bourdais did a really good job, which was not unexpected after his solid qualifying performance. That will go a long way to securing his future with the team. Vettel, too, impressed. His qualifying lap, when you account for fuel levels, was very good. I didn't see much of him in the race, however, because ITV were focused on what was going on at the front for much of the race.
Alonso showed his class all weekend. Piquet, well, another weak performance from him. It looked as though he was getting somewhere a few Grands Prix ago, but it was really one step forward and two backwards.
Williams were nowhere, but Rosberg seems to have done well with a poor car and again showed his superior experience and ability over Nakajima. When Rosberg is on it, which he has not been all the time this season, he makes Nakajima look distinctly mediocre.
Glock also seemed to have had a good race in a slow car. It's a shame he spoiled it by overtaking under the yellow flags.
Sutil did well to creep up into 13th. Again, when there's wet weather around, he seems to move up the time sheets, grid and race positions. With a little more hard work and experience, he will be a super driver.
Heidfeld had a similar kind of afternoon. He doesn't quite have the same pace as Kubica, but he's a savvy character and scores points in changeable conditions. If he gets his qualifying performance sorted, he will be a great foil for Kubica.
Overall, the race was a great spectacle. Even when there was no overtaking, it was great to watch the cars fly around Spa's wonderful corners. The ending of the Grand Prix was the best in years. As far as I'm concerned, Hamilton and McLaren won the Grand Prix fair and square. I shan't discuss the penalty here, for that's been done on another thread. It's tragic that the FIA have ruined an amazing advertisement for Grand Prix racing.
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998,
1999, 2007McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
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Did Heidfeld come in a lap earlier than him?
YOU FIA!!!!