Formula One: Reviewing the Brazilian Grand Prix, Raceday Part 3
The race, as suggested in the previous part, looked to be a ‘clean’ feature. However, call it writer’s curse, as the Grand Prix saw its next casualty. This time in the form of Home boy Lucas di Grassi – So near, yet so far. The Brazilian’s disappointment
was evident.
As the cameras finally turned their attention back to the action at the front, the lead at fron was down to 1.9 seconds. The gap was subjected to further fluctuations as the duo had to get past backmarkers. Vettel wasted little time on this occasion though,
as he got past Jarno Tulli’s Lotus and was looking to carry his pace approaching Kovalainen.
The gap was down to 1.5 seconds at lap 46. It appeared to be Webber’s best chance to make his move with further news via Vettel’s radio cautioning him over the train of 8 backmarkers ahead of him beginning with Felipe Massa.
It was an intriguing part of the race as the lead duo carved their way through a long train of backmarkers. Felipe Massa got out of the way without giving too much trouble. Vettel then managed to lap Alguersuari and had Heidfeld next – The gap to Webber
was 2.5 seconds.
Lucas di Grassi seemed to be resurrected from the dead! Thanks to a lot of hard work from the Virgin team, he was able to rejoin the race. While not being able to challenge the lower end competitors was a loss, there was no replacing the special feeling
of ending one’s home race and taking the chequered flag; no matter what position one ends up with.
Kobayashi entered the pits and came out on track in 15th spot. Sutil was the only driver still to pit as the race headed for lap 50. Moments later, Liuzzi crashed out and was in a very dangerous position on track. The safety car was deployed for
the first time in the race. The cars were expected to bunch up given the safety car period conditions. Both Red Bulls had worked consistently hard to build a gap from the Ferrari in 3rd and the rest of the pack – Was it going to be an undoing of
all the consistent laps they had put in? Were we in for an exciting end to the Brazilian Grand Prix?
The safety car induced the Ferrari of Felipe Massa to enter the pits for a fresh set of rubber. The Brazilian’s car was slapped with the softer compound Bridgestones. Hamilton entered the pits as well; he opted for the set of hards. Rosberg was the next
entry to pit lane.
While there was a haste to enter pit lane, the dramatics on track reached a new level. Liuzzi understeered wide on the ‘Senna S’ and crashed into the tyre wall – How does one deploy a safety car in a period which already has a safety car circling around
the track?!
Jenson Button’s McLaren also entered the pits while the safety car was still on track. It was going to be interesting at the restart – Were we going to see the Red Bulls battle each other? In such case, it wasn’t a long shot to assume that Fernando Alonso
was going to remain at arms reach to be able to cash in with the lead duo occupied with one another.
The safety car had to run a few extra laps as Liuzzi’s car was craned away while the marshals cleared the debris. Hamilton and Button rejoined in 4th and 5th – But there were plenty of backmarkers in between from 3rd placed
Fernando Alonso.
Rosberg entered the pits again to take on a new set of soft tyres – The safety car was scheduled to be called at the end of the lap. With a mere 15 laps to go in the second last race of the season, we were in for an exciting finish.
Brace yourself, and stay tuned...
Tags: