Wednesday, May 29, 2013

F1 World Championship standings after Monaco

Formula 1 Drivers championship after Monaco


Sebastian Vettel by virtue of his second position in F1 Monaco Grand Prix 2013 and Kimi Raikkonen's puncture due to crash with Sergio Perez and the subsequent loss of position and points helped Sebastian Vettel widen the gap and now leads the championship with 107 points.

Kimi Raikkonen was only 4 points behind Vettel before Monaco, but now trails by 21 points with a points tally of 86 points. One more such bad result and the championship may be all but over for Kimi.


Fernando Alonso of Ferrari is on third with 78 points. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes is at 62 points. The last two races haven't been good for him, though his team mate Nico Rosberg has gained maximum with two pole positions and this win in Monaco.

Mark Webber of Redbull is now fifth with 57 points. His season is now looking like falling away as it had happened last year. If so, this may be his last season in F1. Nico Rosberg of Mercedes won the Monaco race and is now at 47 points and in sixth position.

Felipe Massa who had a crash in Monaco continues at 45 points and is seventh.


F1 Drivers Championship points position after Monaco Grand Prix 2013


1. Sebastian Vettel         Red Bull         107 points
2. Kimi Raikkonen         Lotus               86
3. Fernando Alonso        Ferrari             78
4. Lewis Hamilton          Mercedes        62
5. Mark Webber              Red Bull         57
6. Nico Rosberg              Mercedes        47
7. Felipe Massa               Ferrari            45
8. Paul di Resta               Force India     28
9. Romain Grosjean        Lotus              26
10. Jenson Button           McLaren         25
11. Adrian Sutil              Force India     16
12. Sergio Perez             McLaren         12
13. Daniel Ricciardo      Toro Rosso      7
14. Nico Hulkenberg      Sauber              5
15. Jean-Eric Vergne      Toro Rosso      5
16. Esteban Gutierrez     Sauber             0
17. Valtteri Bottas          Williams         0
18. Pastor Maldonado     Williams        0
19. Jules Bianch              Marussia        0
20. Charles Pic                Caterham       0
21. Max Chilton              Marussia        0
22. Giedo van der Garde Caterham       0


Sunday, May 26, 2013

Nico Rosberg wins F1 Monaco Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg wins from Pole in Monaco Grand Prix


Nico Rosberg won the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix from pole position to notch his second race victory of his career. In the process he also followed in the footsteps of his father Keke Rosberg who had won Monaco Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel of Redbull won the second position followed by his teammate Mark Webber who came third. Hamilton of Mercedes finished fourth.

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes would be cursing Massa. It is Massa’s accident in lap 30 which necessitate a safety car. At that time only three drivers hadn’t taken their first stop – Nico Rosberg leading, Lewis Hamilton in second and Vettel in third. Vettel immediately dived in to the pits to change his tyres. Rosberg and Hamilton too did the same. However, Hamilton got delayed as the Mercedes had to attend to Rosberg and as a result Hamilton dropped from P2 to P4. After that Hamilton was close on the tail of Webber. However, he could not overtak as there was a crash in Lap 46.

In lap 46 Pastor Maldonado of Williams and Max Chilton of Marussia collided and that resulted in the barriers broken. The race was immediately red flagged and the cars had to come to stop in the race order. The mechanics cleared the shards of carbon fibre lying in the track. Under the rules, drivers are allowed to change to fresh tyres, so everybody changed their tyres. Alonso meanwhile had to give up his position to Perez as he had cut a chicane to defend himself. Chilton was handed over a drive through penalty for causing the collision. It seems he got away with a light punishment.

Lewis Hamilton tried hard to overtake Webber but couldn’t succeed due to superb defensive driving in the narrow tracks of Monaco. As a result Hamilton ruined his tyres and gave up the chase.

In lap 60 Jules Bianchi crashed and soon after in lap 63 Romain Grosjean and Daniel Ricciardo collided ruining the races of both.

It was a big result for Adrian Sutil of Force India who came in at fifth position.

It was a poor result for championship aspirant Fernando Alonso of Ferrari who finished in 7th position behind Jenson Button of McLaren at 6th.

Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso finished in 8th followed by Paul di Resta of Force India at 9th.

In lap 71 Perez was trying to overtake Raikkonen as a result Raikkonen suffered a puncture ruining his race. Raikkonnen however overtook many cars and managed to take the last point.

It was later found that Perez too suffered as a result of the indiscretion and both of them finished outside points in the 16th position.

Results of F1 Monaco Grand Prix


1. Nico Rosberg Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull
3. Mark Weber Red Bull
4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
5. Adrian Sutil Force India
6. Jenson Button McLaren
7. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
8. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso
9. Paul di Resta Force India
10. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus
11. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber
12. Valeri Bottas Williams
13. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber
14. Max Chilton Marussia
15. Giedo van der garde Caterham
16. Sergio Perez McLaren

Retirements in F1 Monaco Grand Prix 2013

Romain Grosjean Lotus
Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso
Jules Bianchi Marussia
Pastor Maldonado Williams
Felipe Massa Ferrari
Charles Pic Caterham

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Nico leads Mercedes 1-2 in Monaco F1 Qualifying

Nico Rosberg bags pole in Formula 1 Grand Prix Monaco Qualifying


Nico Rosberg bags P1 again in Supersoft tyres in Monaco in a Mercedes 1-2. Hamilton finishes in P2. Nico Rosberg scored 1:13.876 seconds to 1:13.967 of Lewis Hamilton ie. 0.091 seconds ahead.

As is the strategy of Mercedes these days, they are tuned to be fastest in qualifying but terrible in race pace. The Pole position limelight may save the job of Ross Brawn.

The second row was occupied by Sebastian Vettel at P3 and Mark Webber at P4. Sebastian Vettel of Redbull was the only other driver to score a below 1 min14seconds time as he scored 1:13.980 as opposed to 1:14.181 of Mark Webber. Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus was on P5 followed by Fernando Alonso of Ferrari in P6. Alonso clearly appeared to be not being at ease on his car. Sergio Perez of McLaren was seventh and ahead of his illustrious teammate Jenson Button who was only 9th. Adrian Sutil of Force India was 8th and Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso was 10th.

A lot of drivers find it tough to race in the twisty street circuit of Monaco. In the name of safety, the barriers have been progressively pushed back inch by inch every year. However, the mandatory crashes every year during practice doesn’t surprise people.

This year it Felipe Massa could not participate in qualifying due to prior crash and and Jules Bianchi had one lap.

It rained during the qualifying and drivers took to the intermediate tyres. The drivers who were knocked out in the Q1 were Max Chilton, Gutierrez, Charles Pic and Paul di Resta of Force India along with Felipe Massa and Jules Bianchi.

So for the first time in his career Van der Garde could qualify to the Q2. It was a great qualifying for him as he finished in 15th position ahead of Pastor Maldonado of Williams at 16. Valeri Bottas of Williams finished in 14th position. Romain Grosjean expressed surprise over radio that he was out of the top 10. He finished in 13th position behind 11th placed Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber and 12th placed Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso.

The total circuit length is 3.340 kilometers.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Alonso wins home Grand Prix in Spain

Fernando Alonso wins his home Grand Prix in Spain


Fernando Alonso changed the record to win the Spanish Grand Prix even though he didn’t start either in the first or second row.

Alonso made a pass around the outside of Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes using the DRS in the lap 13. Soon after he took the lead as Esteban Gutierrez, of all people, was leading the race when others had gone for their first pit stop. Soon after Alonso passed Rosberg, Vettel too made his move and passed Rosberg in turn 7. After that it was a time for Fernando Alonso to consolidate. On the other hand after this it was a downhill drive for Rosberg. Fortunately he finished in points unlike his team mate Lewis Hamilton who started at 2nd position but was one lap down and finished outside points at 12th. An eminently forgettable day indeed for him fortunately he finished in 6th.

Kimi Raikkonen was on another strategy and used 3 stops. He pitted for his third and final stop in lap 46 and was immediately lapping close to a second faster than Alonso and Massa in each sector of the race. Alonso and Massa soon pitted for their final tyre changes and Alonso reeled off a series of fast laps. It then became clear that it would be difficult for Kimi Raikkonen to beat Alonso. So both of them settled into a rhythm and Fernando Alonso won his home Grand Prix in Spain. Kimi finished second.

Felipe Massa of Ferrari finished third. World champion Sebastian Vettel finished 4th ahead of his team mate Mark Webber in 5th. Pole sitter Nico Rosberg was harassed by Paul di Resta, but surprisingly despite being within a second, di Resta could not overtake Nico Rosberg and finished on 7th. At least Force India would be happy of di Resta’s performance as Adrian Sutil finished in 13th.

Jenson Button of McLaren who started down in 14th finished at 8th infront of his teammate Sergio Perez in 9th. Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso albeit down by one lap finished in 10th just ahead of Esteban Gutierrez of Sauber to take the 10th and last point.

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes finished 12th – a ten place drop from his starting position of second. Clearly Mercedes is trying for one lap pace to hog the limelight at the cost of race pace. So Ross Brawn is somehow able to impress his bosses and keep his job. Wily old fox that he is!

It was unfortunate for Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber as he was having a strong race. However an unsafe release in the pits resulted in a collision and the subsequent 10 second stop and go penalty ruined his race.

Final Standings in Spanish Grand Prix



1. Fernando Alonso               Ferrari
2. Kimi Raikkonen                 Lotus
3. Felipe Massa                      Ferrari
4. Sebastian Vettel                Red Bull
5. Mark Weber                      Red Bull
6. Nico Rosberg                      Mercedes
7. Paul di Resta                      Force India
8. Jenson Button                    McLaren
9. Sergio Perez                       McLaren
10. Daniel Ricciardo              Toro Rosso
11. Esteban Gutierrez           Sauber
12. Lewis Hamilton               Mercedes
13. Adrian Sutil                     Force India
14. Pastor Maldonado          Williams
15. Nico Hulkenberg             Sauber
16. Valeri Bottas                    Williams
17. Charles Pic                       Caterham
18. Jules Bianchi                    Marussia
19. Max Chilton                     Marussia


Retirements in Spanish Grand Prix


Jean-Eric Vergne                   Toro Rosso
G. van der Garde                   Caterham
Romain Grosjean                   Lotus

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Revised Starting Grid in Spanish Grand Prix

Penalties and Revised Starting Grid in Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying


Esteban Gutierrez was deemed to have impeded Kimi Raikkonen in Q1, during the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying and was handed a 3 place grid penalty. So he demotes to 19th from his16th position.

Felipe Massa who qualified in 6th position was deemed to have obstructed Mark Webber of Red Bull during Q2. Felipe will now start at 9th position.

The Starting Grid for Spanish Grand Prix after penalties:

1. Nico Rosberg             Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton         Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel         Red Bull
4. Kimi Raikkonen         Lotus
5. Fernando Alonso        Ferrari
6. Romain Grosjean       Lotus
7. Mark Webber             Red Bull
8. Sergio Perez               McLaren
9. Felipe Massa              Ferrari
10. Paul di Resta            Force India
11. Daniel Ricciardo      Toro Rosso
12. Jean-Eric Vergne     Toro Rosso
13. Adrian Sutil             Force India
14. Jenson Button          McLaren
15. Nico Hulkenberg     Sauber
16. Valeri Bottas           Williams
17. Pastor Maldonado   Williams
18. Giedo va der Garde  Caterham
19. Esteban Gutierrez    Sauber
20. Jules Bianchi           Marussia
21. Max Chilton            Marussia
22. Charles Pic              Caterham

Rosberg leads Mercedes 1-2 in Spanish Grand Prix

Rosberg leads Mercedes 1-2 in Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying



Nico Rosberg bags his second back to back pole in Spanish Grand Prix 2013

Nico Rosberg locked up the all Mercedes front row in Spanish Grand Prix 2013 qualifying with Lewis Hamilton qualifying second. Rosberg was faster than Lewis in all the three sectors.

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel of Redbull will start on third while Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus will start on 4th and in the second row alongside Vettel.

Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and his teammate Felipe Massa are on row three having qualified on 5th and 6th.

Romain Grosjean of Lotus will start on 7th followed by Mark Webber of Red Bull at 8th. Much was expected of Mark Webber after his not so good showing in the previous two Grand Prix. Many had expected that Mark Webber will come out stronger in his battle with Vettel but it seems Webber is unable to match up to him.

Sergio Perez of McLaren qualified on 9th and Paul di Resta of Force India is 10th.
Paul di Resta of Force India could manage to set the 10th fastest time in the Q2 and qualify for Q3. His teammate, Adrian Sutil was about 0.3 seconds slower and finished in 13th. Jenson Button of McLaren finished in 14th and to make matters worse his younger teammate Sergio Perez was about half a second faster than him and finished at 7th position in Q2. After Perez and Button were elbowing each other in the previous Bahrain Grand Prix, this huge mismatch in qualifying should come as a loss of face for Button.

Raikkonen was impeded by Sauber’s rookie paid driver Gutierrez. The result of the investigation will be known after the qualifying.

The Toro Rosso cars made a move upwards as none of their drivers got out in Q1. However, they just couldn’t make to the Q3. Both Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne finished in 11th and 12th positions.


Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez of Sauber qualified in 15th and 16th positions.

Williams made the headlines, albeit for the wrong reasons as both its drivers got eliminated in Q1. Charles Pic of Caterham came up 22nd and last among the drivers. Both the Marussia cars of Jules Bianchi at 20th and Max Chilton at 21st qualified ahead of him. Van der Garde managed to beat his team mate as well as both the Marussia cars and qualified at 19th.

Pastor Maldonado at 18th again got outqualified by his rookie teammate Valeri Bottas who finished at 17th. Both the Willams drivers had driven identical 9 laps in Q1. It must be a strange feeling for Pastor Maldonado as last year at this venue he was on Pole position and had won the race.

We will notify the final grid positions after the investigation of the stewards.