Formula One: Italian Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack Highlights (Part 2)
Jenson Button led the two Ferrari’s on lap 4. The question is; will he be able to go the distance and keep the home team at bay?
At the same time, Webber’s Red Bull was proving its superiority over the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher, making it harder for the seven time world champion to hold on.
Lap 5 saw Alonso pile on another fastest lap, there was no denying the Spaniard’s determination. A few McLaren fans had their hearts in their mouths when it was suggested that Button may have sustained some rear car damage after contact with the aggressive Ferrari behind – Surely, not another retirement for the former champion?
Michael Schumacher’s experience might have been enough to keep a motivated Webber behind him for the time being. However, the German finally had to give in, as his Mercedes was no match for the car behind. Webber took Eight and was a mere half a second behind team mate Mark Webber – Could we see a repeat of the fiasco at the Turkish Grand Prix?
Lap 7, and Sutil who’d arguably be in contention for the most improved driver award this season, found his Force India in an unfamiliar territory - back in 22nd position, thanks to an unscheduled pit stop. Meanwhile, his Force India teammate Liuzzi reaped the rewards of a decent, unscathed start, climbing six places to 13th from 19th on the grid.
Laps 8 and 9 saw the front three open a 5 second advantage over 4th place Rosberg. Massa was able to set the fastest lap and was catching up on the duel for first position.
After setting the fastest first sector, the Force India of Liuzzi found itself in 12th place after overtaking Pedro de la Rosa and catching up to William’s Barrichello in 11th. This was Barrichello’s 301st Grand Prix so it was plain that the Brazilian would put up a strong fight over his position.
Button finally responded to Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari, as he posted the fastest lap for Lap 11. Sutil was making his way up the field after his first lap disaster, overtaking Senna. Apparently, the Force India might complete the race on a one stop strategy and effectively continue till the end of the race on its set of harder compound tyres. Button further increased his lead to a precious 1.5 seconds after setting the fastest S1 time and later an overall fastest lap.
HRT’s reliability woes continued as Senna had to bid his race an immature goodbye in lap 14. The Red Bulls were apparently hunting in packs as both drivers were right at the tail of Hulkenberg’s Williams.
The battle for supremacy continued as the balance of power between McLaren and Ferrari shifted to the latter, as Alonso was able to set the fastest lap – He was not going to let Button get away with this one that easily! Sutil climbed up to 19th after overtaking Yamamotoand Di Grassi. Later on, Alonso went fastest in S1, and Button responded in the very next sector – Both drivers matching each other for pace!
Petrov in 15th was getting good performance out of his Renault and applying some pressure on Alguersuari right in front of him, as the race headed to lap 17. Sutil made another place, up to 17th. Having made his pit stop already, it was predicted that the Force India may benefit when the rest of the field decided to pit.
The Red Bulls were still being held up by a Hulkenberg apparently driving out of his skin. The gap was a mere 0.7 seconds. Alonso further increased his pace, 3 tenths faster than Button’s lap. Massa was dropping away from the lead duo with a 2.7 second gap from the second placed Ferrari.
Lap 21 witnessed a radio broadcast from Button’s radio, as the McLaren team reminded him that he was in the pit stop window. All the drivers were expected to push hard before their first pit stops -Time for some pit stop poker, a potential change of on track positions on the cards?
Stay tuned...
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