Australian Grand Prix Race Report Part 2

Australian Grand Prix Race Review Part 1 CLICK HERE

Australian Grand Prix Race Report Part 2

Now, with rain, there’s a scramble to the pits and it’s not pretty – but very exciting for pit stop fanatics.  The cramped conditions are every lollipop man’s nightmare but the teams need to follow Button’s tyre change lead.  Before the drivers pit Brundle comments on the BBC:

“You know what?  I think it has worked out for Button”

Petrov leaves track and is stuck in gravel.  Safety car expected but instead the double wave yellow flag informs drivers they should be ready to stop.  Senna is out.

Hamilton is informed that Webber’s tyres are old and to go for it.  (Hamilton had remarked that Webber was too old earlier in the week – supposedly).  During the madness of the pit crowd scene Hamilton is delayed.  Alonso is up to position 10 by lap 13.  Another radio announcement predicts “light rain in 5 minutes”.

Lap 14 Alonso takes Barichello and is in 8th.  Hamilton and Button are setting the fastest lap times.  Lap 17 Massa and the brilliant opportunist Hamilton take Webber who comes off.  Now Vettel 1st, Button 2nd, Kubica 3rd, Rosberg 4th, Massa 5th, Hamilton 6th and Alonso 7th.  Schumacher is 13th from 24th.

Lap 21 Hamilton is harrying Massa.  Hamilton takes Massa.  Webber takes Alonso and Ferrari don’t look anywhere as good as they did in boring Bahrain. 

Lap 23.  There are worried that Hamilton’s wing has been damaged.  McLaren are ready to replace it but decide not to.  The Bridgestone tyres will see the cars to the end of the race (58 laps in total – 45 laps to go).  Positions: Vettel 1st, Button 2nd, Kubica 3rd, Rosberg 4th, Hamilton 5th.  Massa receives advice from his engineer who tells him how to drive.  The sky darkens – will it rain again? 

Vettel is off! It is lap 26 and Button now leads.  Positions Button 1st, Kubica 2nd, Hamilton 3rd, Rosberg 4th, Massa 5th.  Schumy is in 11th.  BBC commentators are truly glad that Hamilton is having a better time in Melbourne this year – last year was the lies debarcle followed by the public apology.  Hamilton is on Kubica, nearly, nearly but Kubica shuts the door.  Schumy sets faster lap 32.  Rosberg pits.  BBC cut to onboard with Hamilton – he is just the best.  Button does fastest lap but Kubica is holding Hamilton up.  No worries, Hamilton is a dead cert to take Kubica… Hamilton is told to pit for new tyres.  Button is not. 

Hamilton might have exceeded pit lane speed limit.  Re-enters behind Webber.  Lap 39 Hamilton is in 5th, Alonso is 4th. 

Lap 40: Hamilton sets fastest lap but is 32.2 seconds behind Button.  Will Button have to pit too?  Lap 31:  Button is 13.5 ahead of Kubica in 2nd.  Massa is 3rd.  Hamilton is much faster than ex team mate Alonso.  Brundle announces that “Button has it in the bag” we wince because this man can jinx drivers.  Lap 44: Hamilton is told he can take the Ferraris.  Hamilton asks his team via radio “do the Ferraris have to pit?”.  McClaren reply – no, but their tyres are in poor condition…

continued Read Australian Grand Prix Race Report CLICK HERE