Post-race rundown – Japanese Grand Prix (Part 2)
With surprising performances that secured the top 8, the Japanese grand prix was somewhat predictable but unpredictable at the same time.
Williams should have scored more than just a mere two points at Suzuka after a solid qualifying session. Rubens Barrichello complained about some terrible vibrations he felt in his car during the race and that can be taken as an explanation for this disappointing
finish. However, with both Force India cars failing to finish the race, this was more of a missed opportunity for Williams in its battle for the sixth spot in the constructors’ standings.
Sebastian Buemi has been one of the brightest rising stars in Formula 1. Even though he finished in 10th place, one has to admit that he gave a h**l of a performance as he started from 18th place on the grid due to some problems with
his car. A One point finish was a great finish for him. He showed plenty of promise on Friday which he didn't really live up to, but he had a flawless race, and tenth place was more than a reward for him.
Jaime Alguersuari finished in 11th. He could have finished with a point if he tried to resist Kamui Kobayashi’s move at the hairpin. The resulting front wing change dropped him a lap off the pace but did not find much sympathy in the paddock.
“I hope my team principal is happy that I was very determined”, he said after he finished the race.
The Lotus driver Heikki Kovalainen finished in 12th place giving his new team their best finish up until now. Lotus came another step closer to securing the lucrative 10th place in the constructors’ championship. He dropped off the
pace towards the end of the race in order to make sure that he finished in 12th place for his team. He was a lap down on the race winner Sebastian Vettel.
The Japanese Grand Prix was the best race for team Lotus statistically as Jarno Trulli finished behind his teammate Heikki Kovalainen. The team has been the best out of the three new coming teams yet.
Timo Glock got stuck behind Yamamoto's HRT for most of the race but nonetheless would not have been able to make inroads into the quicker pace of the Lotus drivers.
After being outperformed by Christian Klien at the Marina Bay, Bruno Senna came back and finished in front of Sakon Yamamoto in 15th place.
This was the first time that driving at a slow pace saved a driver’s race as it allowed Sakon Yamamoto to avoid the chaos at the start and record his best finish of the season. However, he was the last person to finish the race ahead of 8 retiring drivers.
It was a rare occasion as Michael Schumacher was faster than his teammate Nico Rosberg. Nico retired out of the race however, he was never up to the pace of his teammate.
Adrian Sutil had a good start and climber to the ninth position from 15th (aided by crashes ahead of him) and he was in the points when his engine started spewing oil on the track near Lap 45.
Tonio Liuzzi smacked on the side of Felipe Massa’s car and never had the chance to recover in the race.
One can blame Felipe Massa for a dreadful error of judgment, as he was forced wide onto the grass to avoid trouble and get inside Rosberg at the start but lost grip. Felipe veered across the track and wiped out an innocent Tonio Liuzzi and himself. Massa
might get in some trouble after this result and Ferrari might think twice about their decision regarding the 2011 season after this result.
After starting from third place on the grid, Robert Kubica passed Webber off the grid, avoided the early pile-ups but during the safety car period his rear wheel came off, fortunately at slow speed forcing him to retire.
Vitaly Petrov barely made it over the start line before making a woeful mistake as he cutted into Hulkenberg, sending him careering spectacularly off the track and into the barriers. Vitaly initially claimed he was clipped form behind, then that he had to
swerve to avoid Heidfeld however, he finished a pointless race.
Nico Hulkenberg was clipped by Petrov at the start and sustained damage to his front wheel that ended his race. “It was unfortunate for us both”, he said.
Lucas di Grassi was the first driver to retire from the race as he crashed at a 150mph caused by suspension failure on his way to the grid and ended his day before it began. He had to walk away shaken but unharmed while the car was all but destroyed. “I
just lost control. I'm glad I am safe”, he shrugged.
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