The German stops Brits Supremacy

This season just gets better and better.
Jenson slips and a German takes all the glory. Sebastian Vettel is enhancing is ever growing stature as one of the better drivers in F1.

His stunning victory was wholly deserved and it gave Red Bull their biggest day in
F1 so far. And on this form, Vettel looks like he will be adding to his two modest race victories.

Ozzy Mark Webber finished second to make it a 1-2 for Red Bull to make it a weekend
to remember for the British based team.

Jenson finished third after the safety car was forever interrupting the race.

Brawn’s strategy was not key in this race as it was very difficult to determine an outcome with such horrendous conditions. Partner Rubens Barrichello finished fourth to keep Brawn GP in the points.

Brawn went with heavy fuel loads, as they knew they had the pace, but the speed of the Red Bull’s surprised everyone.

Poor visibility played a huge role in the races outcome; Renault’s Fernando Alonso began up top as his produced a majestic qualifying lap on light fuel. But that strategy was useless with the race starting with the safety car and he finished outside the points in ninth.

McLaren look relatively back on track with a vast improvement on previous races.

However disappointingly Lewis Hamilton may have seen this as a missed opportunity.

He is, by far, the best-wet conditions driver out there and the floods on the track could have played him well. He finished sixth, whilst partner Heikki Kovalainen managed to complete a lap, what he had failed to do this season, and he finished an impressive fifth.

Ferrari’s season just keeps getting better and better, Felipe Massa out after 20 laps and Kimi Raikkenon outside the points once again down in 10th. They predict that they are going to hit some good form. I definitely hope not.

Pole seems essential this season; this was the third consecutive race that the driver in pole won the race.

Let us see who claims pole in Bahrain.

Good Day for Brits

Brits lead the way again, and this time, in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Lying Lewis showed that there might be some honesty left in him after all as he clocked the fastest lap time in the first practice session in what looks to be a legitimate car.

Although dropping down to 13th in the Second Practice session, he would be encouraged by the new set of his McLaren. The car is sporting a new front wing and a new interim diffuser.

Joyful Jenson, once again, submitted the fastest time of the day. His Brawn GP car didn’t suffer any penalties for the use of rear diffusers that was contested earlier on in the week.

So, the primary focus is still on Brawn and his racing team as they have continually produced result after result, as Button’s partner Rubens Barrichello was third fastest.

Their dominance is still there as Button goes in search for his third consecutive win.

The Brawn’s were only split by the impressive Nico Rosberg in the ever-improving Williams car.

Ferrari’s dismal start to the season gladly continues, Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen both suffered tyre problems and the disappearing act off the KERS system seems to have no effect. They have also not used their energy storage system in an attempt to reinitiate their spiralling championship charge.

Raikkonen struggled to find grip and was often found practicing on the grass.
The Red-Bull Renault pair Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel produced that they can compete at the top being the fourth and fifth quickest respectively.

Hamilton’s teammate Heikki Kovalainen ended up ninth fastest of the day as he looks to hit some form.

What We Know Now: GP2 - Malaysia

IT'S TOO CLOSE FOR CONFIDENCE

A miraculously close qualifying session saw position's chopping and changing almost non-stop. Ferrari decided that after one hot lap Felipe Massa had done enough to get himself through to the second stage of qualifying (Mistake!).

A shock for all, not least Martin Brundle, who's blood pressure I am seriously starting to worry about, as Felipe sat in his garage and watched himself plummet down the classifications and into the knock out zone.

Too late to get round for a fast lap, the Brazilian had his team to thank for a grid slot on the eighth row and a tough weekend.

KIMI IS THE ODD ONE OUT

News that may not surprise too many F1 purists was revealed with little fuss. A simple line dropped during the 53 minute wait on the pit straight.

Whilst explaining Red Bull driver Mark Webber's apparent authority in the paddock, Martin Brundle explained that he is the head of the Grand Prix Driver's Association, "an organisation that includes all F1 drivers... apart from Kimi Raikkonen".

Maybe he's just an individual, maybe there is a signing on fee or maybe no one likes Kimi, who knows? Not me.

RACES START AT THREE FOR A REASON

The late start in Australia was greeted by speculation as to how many more European viewers would be enticed into watching the race live and the same question's were raised again in Malaysia.

The setting sun caused visibility problems in Melbourne that were clear to see from the on board cameras, and raised safety concerns that will likely see the start time revised before next season's opener.

The late start in Sepang led to the race being stopped when it was just starting to get interesting and has hampered those who finished in the points as they only pick up half the spoils. Had the race started at it's normal time instead the race would likely have completely avoided the thunder and lightning that brought a premature end to proceedings.

We may not have seen the same race, but we almost certainly would have seen a full one.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER: GREAT DRIVER, RUBBISH LEADER

Michael Schumacher was splashed over our TV screens on more than one occasion during another fateful Ferrari weekend, but he had more influence on this race than any since he retired.

The decision to put full wet tyres onto Raikkonen's car, was made by the seven-time world champion. A brave decision but ultimately, completely the wrong one.

The Finn proceeded to lap at nearly forty seconds a lap slower than the rest of the pack, and eventually ended up so far behind that it was pointless to continue. Schumi will probably be staying away for a while, Monza return perhaps?

Brit Rule in Rain

Britain may be known for its rain; just as well, that Button was the man to take glory in a much rain affected Malaysian Grand Prix.

This was Button’s second win on the bounce; however, this was more of a hard fought victory compared to the hugely convincing win at Australia.

Button recovered from a bad start, where he dropped to fourth from pole, to win the Grand Prix after the race was abandoned due to torrential rain.

The Stewards and the FIA made the right decision in calling the race off early due to the heavy rain and the poor visibility.

BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld was second ahead of Toyota’s Timo Glock to complete the podium.

Lying Lewis crept up to seventh to claim his first legitimate points of the season, well we will see.

In a surprising twist, the top eight will only receive half points to make the World Champion board look rather odd.

It was particular good to see common sense prevail for once as safety, and not entertainment, was the prime focus. The introduction of the red flag on lap 51 was welcomed, as it was clear that the race would not fulfil its allotted time.

Malaysia continued the dominance shown by Brawn GP this season and Button remains pinnacle of that.

Despite his poor start, where Williams’s Nico Rosberg, Toyota’s Jarno Trulli and Renault’s Fernando Alonso all sped past him, Button had the control and the speed to reclaim top spot with some impressive manoeuvres.

However, it was the strategy Ross Brawn implemented secured the victory. Button reaped the rewards when staying out for an extra two laps and producing the fastest laps of the Grand Prix. He made the most of that extra fuel that was on board to dazzling effect.

From then on, it was clear that there was only going to be one winner. When other cars were pouring into the pits to stick on the extreme wets, Button established a lead of 18 seconds, all by lap 26. This showed how ruthless Button could be when he is in the position to do just that.

It adds to his character that he is disciplined enough to handle a fast car in horrendous conditions.

Moreover, Ferrari’s poor season got from bad to worse. But don’t smile about it for too long; they will come good eventually.

Kimi Raikkonen, who showed good form in qualifying, was put on extreme wets too early and this caused him to finish 14th. With Felipe Massa finishing outside the points, the reigning constructor’s champions now sit last.

But this weekend, again, belonged to Button.

Keep those Brits proud, Jenson.

A Brit to be Proud off

Whilst one Brit is the butt of a nation, his fellow compatriot is taking all the plaudits.

Jenson Button claimed his second pole in a row whilst last year’s British F1 hero Lewis Hamilton looks a soulless withering sore loser in 12th spot. And it is what he deserves.

It could be easily forgotten that F1 fans around the world saw in bemusement as Lewis Hamilton took the World Championship in such dramatic fashion last November.

Now Lying Lewis is more of a pest than anything else, he has lost a lot of respect this week.

British favourite Button drove brilliantly in qualifying and Malaysia is set to be an exciting race.

He took pole position but only just, Toyota’s Jarno Trulli took second, a tenth of a second behind Button, and is ahead of teammate Timo Glock who will start in third.

Glock did move up two places since Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel was reprehended for his collision with BMW’s Robert Kubica at last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix that cost him 10 places and Brawn’s Rubens Barrichello, who was docked five places due to a change of gearbox on Friday, will start in ninth.

Felipe Massa continued his miserable spell as he starts in 16th. Partner Kimi Raikkonen drove with more conviction and he lasted until the last stage of qualifying, he will start seventh.

Williams’s Nico Rosberg, who was the quickest in Saturday’s final practice session, and will begin in fourth ahead of Mark Webber.
But this session once again belonged to Brawn GP and more specifically Jenson Button.

Hopefully, next week’s discussions will be about the positive aspects of Formula 1 rather than the negatives.

So next week, no lies, no cheats, no talk of the possible ill-use of rear diffusers (Appeal is soon), just pure, sheer, adrenaline pumping Formula Motoring Racing.

Please.

Lying Lewis or Holy Hamilton?

The fallout from the Australian Grand Prix continues despite the second round of the World Championship being well under way.

Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest time in Friday practice but he is far from the headlines as more information is slowly revealed over the FIA's decision to disqualify Lewis Hamilton from the Melbourne race.

I fear this may well be another F1 scandal that us the fans will never know the truth of, as it's clear the press aren't even sure what is going on. The BBC report that 'Hamilton insists he is not a liar' and the whole report seems to show Hamilton has come out fighting in the wake of this latest scandal. However the headline on the official Formula1.com website reads 'Hamilton apologises for Melbourne mistake'.

So which is it? Hands up or gloves off?

Either way both stories confirm Lewis claims that he was told to 'withhold information' from the stewards by sporting director Dave Ryan, a man who is now suspended and facing the sack. The British World Champion insists that he is not a liar or a dishonest person. But unfortunately that would also prove to be untrue.

He told stewards in Australia he was not instructed by his team to allow Jarno Trulli to pass him, however radio transmissions have proven he had. Hamilton now claims he is sorry to his fans and the stewards for misleading them but still seems to believe he is not to blame.

"I want to say sorry to all my fans. I am not a liar or a dishonest person, I am a team player. If the team ask me to do something, I generally do it. This is not an easy thing to do, to step back and realise I was in the wrong. But I was in the wrong, I was misled."

Seemingly a good apology, until the last three words. Quickly and quietly taking the plaudits for honesty, then shoveling the responsibility onto someone else.

"I was misled." Maybe, but you knew the team's aim was extra points, and you knew it was wrong.

Time to accept responsibility for your actions Lewis, or this could be a very tough season.

Hamilton Stripped of Aussie Podium

Lewis Hamilton has been stripped of his podium finish and championship points from the Australian Grand Prix after a review by race stewards.

After initially finishing in fourth place at Albert Park he was promoted to third when Toyota driver Jarno Trulli was handed a 25 second penalty. A review of the decision has seen Trulli reinstated in third and Hamilton disqualified after 'new elements' of the investigation were discovered by the FIA.

A statement on the Official Formula One website revealed, “The Stewards have considered the new elements presented to them from the 2009 Australian Formula One Grand Prix, consider that driver No 1 Lewis Hamilton and the competitor Vodafone McLaren Mercedes acted in a manner prejudicial to the conduct of the event by providing evidence deliberately misleading to the Stewards."

The hearing was held at the Sepang circuit, host of this Sunday's Malaysian grand prix. World champion Lewis Hamilton left without comment, but a spokesman for his team ensured the driver is not at fault.

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes understands that the Stewards made their decision on the basis of reviewing radio transmissions between the driver and the Team. The Team mistakenly believed that the radio transmissions had been reviewed by the FIA on Sunday 29th March 2009, and consequently did not believe it was necessary to discuss them with the Stewards on that date. Nonetheless, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team now regrets that it did not do so, accepts the Stewards' decision and will not appeal."

This decision is the latest in a list of decisions that have seen the FIA punish Mclaren and Hamilton. The team have found the FIA to be unforgiving of their actions since the Spygate scandal which tarnished the 2007 season. They were fined £50m and stripped of their constructors points for the season.

Hamilton was also demoted from first after the Belgian Grand Prix last season after he was adjudged to have unfairly overtaken Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen. The Brit had cut the last corner after Raikkonen squeezed him off the track and immediately allowed the Fin back in front. Despite this, his overtake at the following corner was classed unfair and Hamilton was pushed back to second.

The third place in Sydney had been the silver lining on Hamilton's opening weekend which had seen him a long way off the pace of the front runners, but this decision now leaves him even further from retaining his title.