Australian Grand Prix Raceday: Formula One (Part 3)
Continued from Part 2
The race headed into lap nine. Toro Rosso’s Buemi out braked di Resta going into turn one and snatched 10th spot. Meanwhile, Mark Webber complained over the radio to his pit crew that his rear tyres were beginning to overheat.
It appeared that Jenson Button was soon to be sandwiched between two Ferraris as Alonso was closing up fast behind him. That was when the need to overtake Massa as soon as possible became even more important for the McLaren.
The news from the Red Bull camp was a touch worrying. After Webber’s radio transmission, race leader Sebastian Vettel was complaining to his team that his rear tyres were also beginning to wear out; perhaps it was a potential issue with the Red Bulls over the long run.
Elsewhere on track, Pastor Maldonado’s Williams developed a mechanical issue as the youngster parked his car in an escape road in sector two – Were we starting to see the Albert Park circuit taking its toll on the cars? Were there more retirements to follow after that?
Jenson Button finally managed to get past Massa on lap 12 with a brave move on the outside lane in turn 12 to move himself into fourth place. However, the Briton cut the chicane to do so and it appeared that he might have to give back the position or face a penalty.
The Red Bull pit-crew then sprang into action as Webber dived into the pit-lane. The Australian driver switched to the harder compound tyres – A change of strategy owing to the machine punishing its rear soft tyres before? Could race leader, Sebastian Vettel, be expected to make a pit stop soon as well?
Another former world champion then came in for a quick stop, but it wasn’t Vettel. Ferrari’s Alonso made a quick dash into pit lane and went back on track with another set of soft tyres; clearly an aggressive ploy.
Heading into lap 14, Jenson Button’s passing manoeuvre was still under investigation by the stewards. It was going to be impossible however, for Button to give back the position to Massa as the Ferrari had already pitted him. Over the team radio, Button argued that his front wheels had been in front of Massa going into the corner.
The race leader finally entered the pits. However, Red Bull decided to stick with the soft compounds for the young German. Lewis Hamilton took over the lead meanwhile.
Continued in Part 4
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