Formula 1 News

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Webber - Button in control
Aussie driver envious of Brawn ace

Red Bull's Mark Webber admits Jenson Button is in an "incredible position" to go on and clinch his first-ever Formula One world title.

Button's latest success, at Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix, was his sixth victory of the season and extended the Brit's lead to 26 points over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Webber sit in third and fourth-places respectively, albeit 33.5 and 32 points adrift.

The likes of Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Renault's Fernando Alonso have already made it clear the Briton is unlikely to be caught and Webber admits Button is in "fantastic shape".
Cruising

"To have a 26-point lead is an amazing position to be in," he said.

"But the way the points-scoring system is at the moment, for him to chip away is not that easy if his main competitors are consistent.

"Two DNFs (did not finish) obviously changes things, but there's no question about it, he's in fantastic shape going forward with seven races down and 10 to go.

"Even if he's cruising and picks up a lot of results, rather than being on the top step, it's going to be a long time for people to get that back.

"Finishes are crucial for him, and he's been around long enough to know that."

However Webber, the first Australian to compete in Formula One since David Brabham in 1994, is refusing to rule himself out of the equation after his second runner-up finish of the year in Turkey.

Working hard

"We are in a position to challenge at most grands prix now, and that is very rewarding for the whole team," added Webber.

"We expected to be a bit closer in Turkey, to be honest. But there was no way anyone was going to beat Jenson.

"It's not that we're going to change our mentality going forward.

"We're doing everything we can to make the car as fast as possible for every venue we go to, and that's starting with the next grand prix in the UK.

"We need to keep going on the path we are, but we need to bite into the back of their (Brawn GP) development if we can somehow.

"We obviously need to do it soon because the more races we do, less follow.

"Everyone is working incredibly hard, but the guy leading the championship keeps going away.

"It wasn't bad for the constructors' (championship) for us, but in the drivers', Jenson has gone away a bit more."

 

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Ferrari remain defiant
Domenicali's warning to FIA

Team boss Stefano Domenicali has warned the FIA not to just include Ferrari in next year's line-up unless they are willing to submit to FOTA's conditions.

Time is fast running out ahead of Friday's announcement that will name the teams who will be allowed to compete in next year's Championship. And with the war between FOTA and the FIA still unresolved, it remains to be seen whether any of the FOTA teams will be included.

Although FOTA, which consists of all the current teams barring Williams and Force India, did put their names forward for next year's campaign, they did so with two conditions attached.

One of those is for a new Concorde Agreement to be signed by no later than June 12th while the second stipulation is that next year's Championship run under the same regulations as this year's.

As of yet, though, FIA president Max Mosley has refused to back down on his plans to introduce a budget cap, while reports claim that the FIA could yet put Ferrari's name down as an automatic entry given their deal with the Scuderia that saw the Italian outfit given veto powers in return for signing on until 2012.

However, Domenicali, speaking after Wednesday's FOTA in London, warned Mosley and the FIA not to force Ferrari's hand in the matter.

"Ferrari's position has not changed," he said.

"Back on 29 May, we put in a conditional entry with the other teams that make up FOTA. Along with this entry, we put forward to the FIA a package of proposals which included among other elements, a significant reduction in costs.

"As always, we will do all we can to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties. If this is not possible, then the FIA will not be able to include Ferrari in the list of teams entered for the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship."

 

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Ecclestone: I'll sue
FOTA breakaway bid facing threat of legal action

Bernie Ecclestone has warned FOTA's members that if they start a breakaway championship he won't hesitate to sue them for "hundreds of millions of pounds".

With the FIA set to publish next year's entry list on Friday, time is running out for the teams and the FIA to find a solution to the on-going political war.

However, the FOTA teams, which include all the existing outfits barring Williams and Force India, have made it clear that if their two conditions - next year's championship to run under the same rules as this year's and for a new Concorde Agreement to be signed by June 12th - aren't met, they will start their own series.

Ecclestone, though, has warned them they could face heavy legal action should they do so.

"If they do try to set up their own series - and I don't think they will be able to - there are big problems ahead for them," he told the Daily Express.

"Apart from my contracts with teams, if somebody went to any of our contracted people, companies, television contractors, we would view it very seriously.

"That would be inducement to breach contracts and I don't do that myself so I won't stand back and let it happen. Any action could run to hundreds of millions of pounds, who knows how much?"

As for Ferrari's claims that their contract with Ecclestone's Formula One Management is null and void in the wake of Max Mosley proposed rule changes, Ecclestone said: "That's not how we see it. But the lawyers will argue that for a long time."
Proof

The main issue behind the fight between FOTA and the FIA is Mosley's proposed budget cap, which the FOTA members are opposed to. Ecclestone, though, believes this year's championship race, which sees Brawn GP and Red Bull leading the pack, is proof that money doesn't buy success.

"This is a great championship for most people because they like having Brawn and Red Bull at the front rather than Ferrari and McLaren as usual. This has happened because of the rule changes and because we have stopped testing in a season, which I was always against," he said.

"What has happened here this year is exactly like when Colin Chapman ran Lotus when he was the guy who introduced the ground-effect car. Everyone said he was cheating, it was just that Colin spotted what he could do and other people couldn't.

"Ross Brawn and Adrian Newey have come up with the best cars this year, different styles, one with diffuser, one not, at the start. It shows it can be done with the right people.

"Don't forget that Ferrari spent a fortune and didn't win the title for 10 years. Money doesn't buy success. It could wreck the sport.

"As for the drivers, they want to win the FIA F1 World Championship or some of them would be elsewhere getting more money to win a title that means less. I don't think they will get a series going.

"The teams had a chance to sign the 1998 Concorde Agreement which would have protected them from Max's technical changes, but they said no."

 

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Raikkonen: We have potential
Ferrari ace confident that results will improve

Kimi Raikkonen has called for patience as Ferrari's continued struggle to turn their season around was dealt a blow at the Turkish GP.

Despite starting in the top six on the grid, Raikkonen failed to finish in the points as his F60 sorely lacked the race-pace needed to challenge at the front.

It was a disappointing outcome for the former world champion and his team as they had expected more after finishing on the podium at the previous race in Monaco.

"We definitely expected more from the Turkish GP and it doesn't make any sense to hide it. We knew that the situation would be complicated compared to the previous race at Monaco, but after the good qualifying we didn't think that the race would be so difficult," said Raikkonen.

"The start was decisive. At Istanbul, but also at Monaco, it makes it very difficult when you have to start from the dirty side of the track. And on both tracks the first corner is very close to the starting line, so we can't even exploit the advantage of the KERS there. I lost a position when the lights went out and another one in the first corner.

"During the duel with Alonso I touched his wheel with my front wing and damaged it, loosing downforce. We changed the nose during the pit stop, but it was too late to improve.
Improving

"If that hadn't happened maybe I would have gained a place in the points. We weren't fast enough in the race, not only compared to the Brawn GPs and Red Bulls, but also compared to the Williams and Toyotas, also due to the high temperatures."

The Finn, though, has called for patience, confident that Ferrari have the know-how needed to fight back from their early season disappointments.

"The team is continuing with its hard work improving the car and closing the gap to the leaders: the situation is much better in slow corners, where we are really competitive, while we're suffering in the fast ones," he said.

"We don't have any reason to give up, we just need patience; that's what I've said before the race at Istanbul. We do have the potential to achieve a good result, I know it.

"I hope that everything will work out at Silverstone, which is one of my preferred tracks. Ferrari has a good tradition in this race and it would be great to keep to that."

Raikkonen is currently tenth in the Drivers' standings on nine points while his team-mate Felipe Massa is eighth with 11.

 

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D-Day for Formula One
Formula One chiefs set to announce 2010 line-up

Forumla One could have a very different look about it on Friday as the FIA announce what could be a stunning line-up for next year.

Despite 11th hour talks between the fueding parties, the budget-cap row between the Formula One Teams' Association and the FIA rumbles on.

FIA president Max Mosley met with a handful of representatives from FOTA in London yesterday in a last-ditch attempt to resolve the dispute that has dominated the sport in recent weeks.

The FOTA teams, which include all the existing outfits barring Williams and Force India, have made it clear that they will not race under a salary cap next season and are remaining defiant.

With Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali, Toyota Motorsport boss and FOTA vice-chairman John Howett, Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner and Ross Brawn leaving the meeting with fundamental differences still remaining, it could spell a drastic change in next year's F1 season.
Letter

Perhaps aware of what is to come, a letter from Mosley to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was yesterday leaked, painting Mosley as a man who tried to find a compromise.

The suggestion is made that it is the teams who have perhaps refused to play fair and fall into line with his conciliatory thinking.

In the letter, dated May 26, Mosley is adamant a cap must be in place for next year, but suggests it "could be as high as 100 million euros".

The figure would then fall to 45 million euros in 2011, at least offering the teams a year's breathing space instead of demanding such a cap be in place for 2010, as initially stated.

Of greater significance is Mosley agreeing to all teams racing "under the same 2010 rules...with the technical and sporting advantages originally offered to the cost-cap teams deleted".

Two-tier

Such a proposal would have ensured no two-tier F1, with Mosley suggesting a transfer of "know-how between current teams and new entrants, at least for 2010, and possibly for 2011".

Mosley further agreed that "one employee per team in addition to the drivers be outside the cap for 2011 and thereafter".

This would have allowed the likes of an Adrian Newey to be exempt given the level of his salary paid by Red Bull Racing for his technical expertise.

Mosley also confirms he is willing "to negotiate a new Concorde Agreement" (the confidential commercial document governing the sport), given FOTA's initial draft was "broadly acceptable".

Given FOTA's abhorrence of the phrase 'cost cap', Mosley even indicated for future reference it could be described as "financial regulations, or any other sensible term".

 

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Brawn confident over 2010
Brawn GP boss confident his team will ber acing in 2010 F1 season


Ross Brawn is "completely confident" his team will be competing in Formula One next season.

Brawn GP were told by motor sport's world governing body, the FIA, on Friday they must submit an unconditional entry by this Friday if they want to compete in next year's world championship.

McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault and Toyota are in the same position, leaving a cloud hanging over the sport going into this weekend's British Grand Prix.

There remain issues between the Formula One Teams' Association and the FIA, in particular over governance as well as the logistics of policing what Brawn describes as 'resource control' rather than a budget cap.

However, as F1 is Brawn GP's only means of business, in comparison to BMW, Renault and Toyota who compete in other motor sports and have road car divisions, it would appear imperative the impasse is resolved this week.
Hopeful

"I hope it will be," said Brawn. "Although I'm not sure it will mean we are out of business by the end of the week. I don't think it's at that level.

"But FOTA have been supportive of Brawn GP, and the reason we are in Formula One is because of the support we received, particularly from McLaren and Mercedes, and offers of help from Ferrari.

"So we want to support the group in trying to find a solution. We, as small independents, balance up the group with the manufacturers and they want to support the small independents.

"So we've stayed together as a group, and we can present a balanced approach on what needs to be done.

"It's not a manufacturers' association, it's the Formula One Teams' Association. That's why we are staying with FOTA.

Principals

"We believe in the principals of FOTA, and that as part of FOTA we can be influential in finding the right solutions."

Brawn has confirmed his team have already spent the past few weeks working on next year's F1 car, suggesting they will be around from 2010.

"I'm completely confident (we will be in F1 next season), and you have to plan on that," asserted Brawn.

"There's nothing else to plan for. We cannot allow this row to be a distraction to our engineering and racing plans.

"I'm not supporting a breakaway championship, but if there was one, then it would be one with cars similar to what we are working on now, which will be without re-fuelling."

 

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Waiting game for Senna
Brazilian keen to secure F1 drive for 2010


Bruno Senna is still keen on a F1 drive, although the Brazilian admits he would rather wait until next year than replace one of the existing drivers mid-season.

Senna had been in line for a Honda race-seat for this year's Championship, however, the sale of the team to Ross Brawn saw the nephew of three-time F1 champion Ayrton loss out to Rubens Barrichello.

The Brazilian, though, has not given up on his Formula One dream, but admits there would be risks to replacing an existing driver in the middle of this season.

"It would have to be a really good opportunity because F1 is extremely competitive and there is no testing," he told Autosport.

"So it is a question of analysing the risk. If the team had a great simulator then maybe, but if getting in the car on a Friday was my first experience then I think it's a bad idea."

Asked if he would rather wait until next year, he added: "The preference is that, yes."

 

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FIA hit back at FOTA 'element'
Motor sport's world governing body hits back as row rumbles on


The FIA has hit back at what it perceives is a disruptive element within the Formula One Teams' Association as the row between the two organisations over the future of the sport rumbles on.

Motor sport's world governing body believe good progress had been made at a 'very constructive' meeting last Thursday involving FIA president Max Mosley and four FOTA members - Stefano Domenicali (Ferrari), Ross Brawn (Brawn GP), Christian Horner (Red Bull) and John Howett (Toyota).

But the following day the gulf between the two organisations appeared to widen again following the FIA's confirmation of entrants for the 2010 season.

In particular, a draft letter from FOTA to the World Motor Sport Council and FIA Senate was leaked, seemingly circumventing Mosley, in which FOTA outlined their grievances.

The letter called for the intervention of the World Council due to the fact "no substantive progress" had been made with the FIA.

In a FOTA press release issued later that day, the body then made clear they would release details of their concerns and "constructively explain why the FIA's proposals are bad for the future of Formula One".

But the comments have astonished the FIA, who on Monday issued their response.
Statement

In a statement, the organisation said: "During the meeting FOTA acknowledged that the FIA wanted to encourage the introduction of new teams in the championship to maintain its vitality and economic viability in the long term.

"Agreement was reached on technical regulations for 2010 which offered assistance for new teams from the currently competing teams in several key areas.

"It was also agreed that the objectives of FOTA and the FIA on cost reduction were now very close, and that financial experts from both sides should meet at the earliest opportunity to finalise the details.

"It was proposed by the FIA that any perceived governance and stability issues could best be eliminated by extending the 1998 Concorde Agreement until 2014, thus avoiding lengthy negotiations for a new agreement.

"This was well received by those present who undertook to report the suggestion to the other FOTA members."

The statement added: "The FIA believed it had participated in a very constructive meeting with a large measure of agreement.

"The FIA was therefore astonished to learn that certain FOTA members not present at the meeting have falsely claimed nothing was agreed, and that the meeting had been a waste of time.

"There is clearly an element in FOTA which is determined to prevent any agreement being reached regardless of the damage this may cause to the sport.

"The FIA will publish shortly a detailed and documented account of the facts in its dealings with FOTA."

 

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Formula One Breakaway Series

Formula One plunged into its biggest crisis in 60 years on Friday with eight of the 10 teams announcing plans to set up their own championship.

The teams association FOTA said BMW-Sauber, Brawn, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso and Toyota were united in a decision that would split the sport in two if carried through.

"The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 world championship," said a statement.

"These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners."

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) had set a Friday deadline for teams to make their entries unconditional or risk exclusion in favour of would-be new competitors.

The eight FOTA teams had submitted entries conditional on the 2010 rules, which include a controversial budget cap, being rewritten and the signing of a new commercial agreement governing the sport.

Attempts by both sides to reach a compromise failed, with the FIA accusing teams earlier in the week of wanting to take over the sport.

LOWER PRICES

FOTA said their new series would encourage more entrants, listen to the wishes of fans and have transparent governance.

The teams, who are due to race in the British Grand Prix on Sunday, also promised "lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.

"The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series," it added.

 

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Webber - It's a great day
Breakthrough win allows Aussie to take a front seat at Red Bull

First-time grand prix winner Mark Webber admitted that missing out on victory at Silverstone made him more determined to win the German Grand Prix.

The Australian was odds-on favourite to win Sunday's race at the Nurburgring after starting on pole position, but he still had to overcome several obstacles to win his maiden grand prix and lead home Red Bull's third one-two of the season.

Webber finished second behind team-mate Sebastian Vettel in the Chinese Grand Prix and also backed up the German three weeks ago in the British Grand Prix.

"It's incredible," Webber said. "I wanted to win so badly after Silverstone. The only thing I thought could beat me was the rain."

Although heavy rain which fell during the morning had disappeared by the time the race started, Webber nevertheless had an eventful race.

He collided with Rubens Barrichello off the line and consequently lost first place to the Brawn GP driver. The incident also cost him a drive-through penalty.

However, with Barrichello on a three-stop strategy - and his car also suffering tyre problems - the two-stopping Webber's pace was such that he was able to retake the lead midway through the 60-lap race.

"I lost Rubens completely off the start and banged into him," he said. "It's not normally my style, so I had to take the drive-through and recover from that. It's a great day for me."
Difficult build-up

Webber had a difficult build-up to the 2009 season after breaking his leg in a mountain-biking accident last November.

He achieved his stated aim of driving the Renault-powered RB5 at its launch in February but has nevertheless taken a backseat to Vettel prior to this weekend.

"It was a difficult winter, Sebastian showed in winter testing what the car could do, so I kept my motivation high and I was hurting a lot," he added.

"The team had patience with me, everyone in Australia and a few people who doubted me too so hello to them as well. So thank you to everyone who helped me here."

Webber, who made his F1 debut with Minardi in Melbourne seven years ago, becomes the Australian to win a grand prix since Alan Jones took victory in Las Vegas in 1981.

 

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Webber takes maiden pole
Veteran Aussie grabs top spot ahead of Brawns

Red Bull driver Mark Webber has taken the first pole position of his career ahead of Sunday's German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

The 32-year-old Australian was best able to master changing conditions that made tyre choice and timing critical throughout each of the three qualifying sessions.

Rubens Barrichello, who had dominated an eventful second qualifying session, fell short by just over a tenth of a second in the final shootout.

World championship leader Jenson Button will start from third place on the grid after he was outperformed by his Brazilian team-mate.

A dream pole for local favourite and British Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel did not materialise as he only managed to set the fourth fastest time in Q3.

McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen gave their team a much-needed boost by finishing in fifth and sixth respectively, with Force India driver Adrian Sutil producing a fantastic performance to line-up behind them.
Rain

The Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa will start behind Sutil, with Renault's Nelson Piquet rounding out the top 10.

Due to the threat of rain, every single driver rushed out on to the track at the beginning of the opening 20 minute session.

By the end of Q1, a sprinkling of rain had began to fall, meaning Robert Kubica, Sebastien Buemi, Giancarlo Fisichella, Timo Glock and Sebastien Bourdais could not improve their times in the latter stages - all being eliminated.

In the break between the first and second sessions, the rain began to fall more heavily and the 15 remaining cars all scrambled out of the pits again.

But the conditions proved too treacherous for dry tyres and everyone was forced to make an immediate return to the pits for intermediates.

Slippery

As Q2 drew to a close, the conditions changed yet again and Barrichello timed his lap on dry tyres to perfection, finishing over a second ahead of the field.

Nick Heidfeld, Fernando Alonso, Kazuki Nakajima, Jarno Trulli and Nico Rosberg were all caught out on the slippery surface and did not progress to the final session.

Barrichello set the early pace in the final qualifying shootout as the rest left their runs late and struggled to get near the Brazilian's time.

Eventually, Hamilton knocked Barrichello off top-spot while Button temporarily made it an all-British front-row by slotting into second.

The Red Bulls then charged into contention with Webber moving into pole position before Vettel briefly claimed second.

The Brawn GPs were on hot-laps behind them, but each fell just short as Barrichello took the remaining front-row place ahead of Button.

German Grand Prix, qualifying results:
1 Mark Webber (Australia) Red Bull-Renault 1 min 32.230 secs
2 Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Brawn-Mercedes 1:32.357
3 Jenson Button (Britain) Brawn-Mercedes 1:32.473
4 Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Red Bull-Renault 1:32.480
5 Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren-Mercedes 1:32.616
6 Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) McLaren-Mercedes 1:33.859
7 Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India-Mercedes 1:34.316
8 Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 1:34.574
9 Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:34.710
10 Nelson Piquet (Brazil) Renault 1:34.803
11 Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 1:42.310
12 Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:42.318
13 Kazuki Nakajima (Japan) Williams-Toyota 1:42.500
14 Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota 1:42.771
15 Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams-Toyota 1:42.859
16 Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 1:32.190
17 Sebastien Buemi (Switzerland) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:32.251
18 Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Force India-Mercedes 1:32.402
19 Timo Glock (Germany) Toyota 1:32.423
20 Sebastien Bourdais (France) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:33.559

 

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Barrichello - Team made me lose
Brazilian vents spleen after poor race performance

Rubens Barrichello has accused the Brawn GP team of costing him victory in the German Grand Prix.

Starting from second place on the grid at the Nurburgring, the Brazilian led the opening laps despite an incident off the line when polesitter Mark Webber collided with him.

However, while Webber overcame a resulting drive-through penalty to score a first F1 victory, Barrichello faded badly in the race.

With both Brawn GP cars hampered by tyre problems, the team's decision to run both Barrichello and team-mate Jenson Button on a three-stop strategy appeared to backfire.

Barrichello fell to sixth by the time the chequered flag fell, with championship leader Button moving one place ahead of him at the final sequence of stops.

Having also seen Webber and Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel leap above him in the drivers' standings, an irate Barrichello tore into his employers in the immediate aftermath of the race.

Asked 'where it had gone wrong' for him, Barrichello replied: "Our strategy from the pitwall. The team have shown how to lose a race. I am terribly upset.

"I did all I could but they made me lose the race basically. I feel sorry for myself.

"To be honest, I wish I could just go straight on the plane and go home. I don't want to talk to anyone in the team because I don't want to understand. All it will be from them is 'blah, blah blah'."

"I'm not saying they are favouring anyone, all I'm saying is that they have given a good show in how to lose."
Tried too hard

However, team principal Ross Brawn sought to diffuse situation by saying the team had tried too hard during the race to overcome the car's deficiencies.

"It wasn't a great race for us and I think we tried too hard on the pitwall to compensate for that," he said.

"Rubens' radio wasn't working great and so he didn't get his normal briefing in the car during the race. He's very frustrated and so are we - and, yes, we did lose him the race by just not being quick enough.

"I'm sure once he has looked at the figures then he will realise we were just not quick enough. Rubens set the eleventh fastest lap time of the race and you just can't win races being eleventh fastest."

Asked directly whether Barrichello's remarks would put his future with the team in jeopardy, Brawn replied: "He's a very important member of the team and you don't lose that status just because of a few words said in the heat of the moment."

 

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Webber storms to 'Ring win
Aussie finally scores first grand prix victory

Red Bull's Mark Webber has scored his maiden Formula One victory in the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

The Australian led home team-mate Sebastian Vettel with Ferrari's Felipe Massa claiming the final podium position.

Webber's breakthrough win comes in his eighth season in F1 - but it still had to be earned the hard way.

Starting from pole position, he collided with Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello on the run to the first corner - an incident which earned him a drive-through penalty.

However, with championship-leading Brawn GP drivers Barrichello and Jenson Button hampered by tyre problems, he was still able to reclaim the lead.

Barrichello and Button eventually finished in fifth and sixth places behind Williams driver Nico Rosberg.

Renault's Fernando Alonso finished seventh ahead of McLaren Mercedes driver Heikki Kovalainen.

Kovalainen's team-mate, world champion Lewis Hamilton, finished in last place on the track after becoming involved in the melee with Webber and Barrichello on the opening lap.

Starting fifth on the grid, the fast-starting Hamilton tried to pass Webber around the outside into the tight first turn.

However, he picked up a right rear puncture after touching cars with Webber and fell to the back of the field after making a forced pit stop.
Popular

The scenes which greeted Webber in the pitlane at the end of the race appeared even more jubilant than usual - the 32-year-old being a popular figure in the F1 fraternity.

Webber has also proved one of the unluckiest of drivers in the past, his career not having been helped by a knack of joining the wrong team at the wrong time.

Such was the case when he joined Williams rather than Renault ahead of the 2005 season - the latter outfit going on to win back-to-back world championships.

However, having joined Red Bull three seasons ago, Webber at last has a race-winning car, together with a young team-mate who can bring out the best in him.

And if Sunday's race is anything to go by he also seems, at last, to be receiving a much-needed dose of good fortune.

The outcome appeared depressingly familiar when, running in second place behind Barrichello on lap 12, Webber was awarded the drive-through penalty.

He took it when the race leader stopped two laps later but with third-placed Kovalainen holding up Button, Massa and Vettel, he was still able to rejoin in the lead.

Another stroke of luck was delivered by Massa, who Barrichello could not find a way past for a full 12 laps after his first stop.

But Webber was mainly helped by the fact that both Brawn GP cars were seemingly caught between a rock and a hard place as far as their tyres were concerned.

Problem

With the track temperature hotter than anticipated, Barrichello and Button suffered wear on their softer tyres and yet still also had trouble putting heat in the harder compound - the problem that afflicted them three weeks ago at Silverstone.

Both drivers ran three-stop strategies to minimise time spent on the harder compound but nevertheless fell backwards as the race progressed.

Barrichello's cause was hardly helped when a faulty fuel rig placed him behind Rosberg following his second stop on lap 32.

Then, with the team-mates having lapped in close company prior to Barrichello's final stop on lap 49, Button made best use of his extra lap on track to get ahead of the Brazilian.

It was a different story for the two-stopping Red Bull drivers - Webber back in the lead midway through the 60-lap race - Massa and, most spectacularly, Rosberg, who had started 15th on the grid.

There also, for a time, appeared a fairytale in the making for Force India as Adrian Sutil, who qualified seventh, ran second behind Barrichello prior to his first stop on lap 27.

However, rejoining the race and set for a points-finish, the German collided with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen - much as he did when in a similar position at last year's Monaco Grand Prix - and fell down the order.

Raikkonen had run in seventh place prior to retiring with an engine failure on lap 35, with Toro Rosso's Sebastien Bourdais the race's only other retirement.

Despite another disappointing result, Button still leads the drivers' championship by 21 points.

However, with Barrichello having led the race and yet, as in Spain, finished behind his team-mate, it is Vettel and Webber who now represent the Englishman's closest challengers.

German Grand Prix, result

1 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1hrs 36mins 43.310secs, 2 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull 1:36:52.562, 3 Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:36:59.216, 4 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams 1:37:04.409, 5 Jenson Button (Gbr) Brawn GP 1:37:06.919, 6 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Brawn GP 1:37:07.798, 7 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:37:08.166, 8 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren 1:37:41.402, 9 Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:37:44.710, 10 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:37:45.210, 11 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India 1:37:45.637, 12 Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams 1:37:46.187, 13 Nelson Piquet Jr (Bra) Renault 1:37:51.638, 14 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:37:52.865, 15 Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India 1:37:55.210, 16 Sebastien Buemi (Swi) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:38:13.510, 17 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:38:14.210, 18 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) McLaren at 1 Lap
Not Classified: 19 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 34 Laps completed, 20 Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso 18 Laps completed

Leading World Championship Standings after German Grand Prix:
Drivers: 1 Jenson Button (Gbr) Brawn GP 68pts, 2 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull 47, 3 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 45.5, 4 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Brawn GP 44, 5 Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 22, 6 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 21.5, 7 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams 20.5, 8 Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 13, 9 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 13, 10 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 10, 11 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) McLaren 9, 12 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 6, 13 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren 5, 14 Sebastien Buemi (Swi) Scuderia Toro Rosso 3, 15 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 2, 16 Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso 2, 17 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India 0, 18 Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India 0, 19 Nelson Piquet Jr (Bra) Renault 0, 20 Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams 0
Manufacturers: 1 Brawn GP 112pts, 2 Red Bull 92.5, 3 Toyota 34.5, 4 Ferrari 32, 5 Williams 20.5, 6 McLaren 14, 7 Renault 13, 8 BMW Sauber 8, 9 Scuderia Toro Rosso 5, 10 Force India 0

 

[sky star 2]

Lewis rues disastrous start
World champion falls to last place after first corner collision

Lewis Hamilton was left to rue a disastrous start at the German Grand Prix that turned a potential podium position into last place on the track.

Having endured a torrid time in recent races, the world champion was in buoyant mood on Saturday after qualifying fifth on the grid at the Nurburgring.

Making full use of McLaren Mercedes KERS system, Hamilton made a quick getaway in the race and moved to challenge front row starters Mark Webber and Rubens Barrichello into the opening corner.

However, trying to pass Webber around the outside into the tight turn one, he made contact with the front wing of the Australian's car and picked up a puncture.

Hamilton was forced to pit for a right rear tyre and never recovered, being lapped by the leaders on lap six and even suggesting to his race engineer over the radio that he should retire in order to save his engine and gearbox for future races.

"My race was effectively over at Turn One," he said. "I had quite a good launch down to Turn One, and I was braking when I felt a tap from the rear and went straight on. I think the flat tyre had damaged the rear floor and it felt like I was out there driving on ice.

"I suggested to the team that we save the engine and gearbox for the future because there's a lot more potential ahead of us than we'd anticipated before this weekend. But that's racing and we'll move on."

McLaren have showed marked improvement over the weekend, with Hamilton going quickest during Friday afternoon's free practice session as he tried out upgrades to the team's MP4-24 chassis.

The Briton admitted that things might finally be looking up for the team after a dreadful first half of the season.

"The best thing about this weekend was that our updates were successful," he added. "The team has done a fantastic job over the last few weeks and I'm already looking forward to the next race."

 

[sky star 2]

Button spells it out
Championship leader wants better showing in Hungary

Jenson Button has said that Brawn GP must improve their performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix after rivals Red Bull took another step forward in Germany on Sunday.

Mark Webber led home team-mate Sebastian Vettel at the Nurburgring, the Australian scoring his first ever grand prix win as Red Bull took their third one-two finish of the season.

In contrast Brawn GP, who dominated the early stages of the season, have taken a step back in both Britain and Germany as their car struggled with grip in lower temperatures.

"We've got to kick some a*** in Hungary and that's what we are going to try and do," Button said after finishing fifth in the German Grand Prix.

Having won six of the first seven races, Button still leads Vettel by 21 points in the drivers' championship, with Webber now a further 1.5 points adrift.

However, Red Bull have taken 24 points off Brawn GP in the last three races - a trend team principal Ross Brawn is desperate to reverse.

"The problem we have is to get quicker," Brawn said. "We are not quick enough and we have to respond. Because if we don't, we will throw the championship away."
Hot conditions

They may be helped by the fact that next weekend's race, held at the Hungaroring just outside Budapest, tends to take place in hot conditions which have, so far, favoured their car.

Button, who scored his first F1 victory there three years ago, summed it up by saying: "Let's pray that we are quick there because if we are not we've got a problem.

"We could shout at the team about improving things but they know what they've got to do. We've got to stay calm, put the improvements on the car and get every bit we can out of it.

"We've got some new parts for Hungary. I'm looking forward to that. I think our car will be strong there. We don't know how strong. We'll have to wait and see."

Button also congratulated Webber, a friend and former team-mate from when he was at Benetton and Webber was their test driver, for finally scoring his first win after 130 starts.

"It puts another person in the mix doesn't it? Sebastian, Mark myself and Rubens (Barrichello), they are all closing in on me," he said.

Button might also be helped by the fact that Red Bull's drivers appear more evenly matched than Brawn GPs and are likely to take points off each other.

In contrast, Button has beaten team-mate Barrichello eight times in nine races so far - the Brazilian criticising his team on Sunday after finishing sixth having led the race.

"We've still got a 21 point lead so it's not that bad but if we continue like this we are not going to keep that lead," Button added.

 

[sky star 2]

Alonso feeling optimistic
Spaniard reckons Renault have taken a step forward

An upbeat Fernando Alonso believes Renault can improve their performance in the second half of the season following a better showing in the German Grand Prix.

The double world champion finished seventh in the race but a better indicator that things might be moving forward for the Regie was that Alonso set the fastest lap at the Nurburgring.

Starting 12th after being caught out by the changing weather conditions which affected qualifying, Alonso's race had a similarly inauspicious start - the Spaniard making a slow getaway having spun on the formation lap.

He then became bogged down in traffic but in clear air Alonso was subsequently able to demonstrate the R29's improving pace and spent the closing laps chasing the Brawn GP cars of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.

"It is definitely a step forward," said Alonso, who now stands ninth in the drivers' championship with 13 points. "I'm quite happy with the race but there is a little bit of frustration because two points is not enough for us.

"It doesn't make a lot of difference but we had the potential to be maybe on the podium because we have been quicker than the Ferraris all weekend and Felipe (Massa) is third. So I am quite optimistic and confident for the coming races.

"Definitely we improved the car. Sometimes you make some steps in the car and you cannot really feel it and the positions remain more or less the same, but it seems this weekend the parts we put on really work and finally we did a step forward."
Qualifying concerns

Even so, Alonso still has concerns about the team's performance during qualifying but hopes they can improve at next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

"We need to concentrate on Saturday, to be in the top five, top six in qualifying and then after that I think the race pace is good enough to keep those positions," he told autosport.com.

"If we are qualifying 10th, we are out of position in the race because we are quicker than the cars in front of us but we have traffic. Hopefully in Budapest we can improve Saturday."

 

[sky star 2]

Massa - Ferrari not back yet
Brazilian says Ferrari have more work to do

Felipe Massa has downplayed suggestions that his podium finish in Germany is a sign that Ferrari are back to their best.

The 2009 season has so far been difficult for the defending constructors' champions who, alongside last season's rivals McLaren Mercedes and BMW Sauber, have struggled to adapt to new rules.

Massa failed to score a point in the opening four races but has improved since then and scored his first top-three finish of the season at the Nurburgring on Sunday.

Although delighted to be back on the podium again, Massa said that Ferrari will need more time and effort if they are to catch frontrunners Brawn GP and Red Bull.

"A podium is always important. Third place is a good result for us but we cannot say it's really our return. I think we are improving the car step-by-step a little bit, so I think that's good motivation for the people," the Brazilian said.

"So we know if we work we can manage to have a good car, a competitive car, so I push my team very hard because as soon as possible I want a car that gives us a chance to fight for victory and for the championship.

"It's what Ferrari is able to do and we have done for so many years.

"But nothing is coming for free, so we need to work and push very hard to steer things in the right direction, so that we can have a car that will bring us into this place (indicates the first place position), not on the left (in third position), in the middle.

"I think that's our aim and that's what we're working for."

 

[sky star 2]

Todt wants to 'give something back'
Former Ferrari boss promises "team-work and co-operation"

Jean Todt has said he wants to "give something back" to motorsport should he be elected as president of the FIA.

The former Ferrari team principal confirmed on Thursday he is to stand for the election on October 23, Todt having been named by outgoing president Max Mosley as his preferred successor.

He faces a straight fight with former World Rally champion Ari Vatanen to head world motorsport's governing body, which also promotes the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users globally.

Setting out his manifesto in a letter to the FIA member clubs, Todt intends "to offer continuity, but also to encourage change to meet the new challenges facing the sport and motoring in the years ahead".

He wants the FIA to encourage a new era of global mobility and motor sport and, if elected, will promote three major themes: affordability and competition; innovation and excellence; team-work and co-operation.
Distinguished career

Like his rival for the job, Todt had a distinguished career in rallying, the 63-year-old Frenchman a co-driver for Peugeot before going on to work in management for the team.

Indeed, the pair worked together in 1984 and 1985 when Vatanen drove for Peugeot prior to a serious accident on the 1985 Rally Argentina.

Over the years Todt has also worked for BMW, FIAT, Ford, Maserati, Matra, Mercedes, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, and most notably Ferrari.

His teams have won four world rally titles, two Le Mans 24 hours victories, one world sports car championship, four victories in the Paris-Dakar, 13 Formula One world titles and 98 grands prix.

Todt remarked: "I have been very fortunate in my career to have enjoyed considerable success in motor sport and benefit from the hard work of previous leaders of the FIA in creating a global platform on which to compete.

"I feel that for me the time is now right to give something back to the sport and the FIA's clubs that have given me so much.

"I would also like to assist my colleagues from the mobility clubs in their important work representing the motoring public.

"For these reasons I am enthusiastic and excited to serve as president of the FIA."

 

[sky star 2]

Piquet will race in Hungary
Renault man will race in next GP despite sack rumurs

Nelson Piquet will race in Hungary despite rumours claiming Renault are on the verge of sacking him.

Following the German GP, yet another race without a single World Championship point, rumours of Piquet's pending axing gained momentum - and team boss Flavio Briatore did nothing to silence them.

Asked earlier this week whether the 23-year-old would retain his race-seat for the Hungarian GP, Briatore told Autosport: "I don't know. Maybe I am in the car myself..."

The team, though, has now confirmed that Piquet will race in Budapest, where he hopes Renault's new upgrades will assist him in netting his first points of the campaign.

"I should have the same upgrades as Fernando (Alonso) in Hungary and I think I can be more competitive. As always I will be aiming to qualify in the top ten and hopefully score some points in the race," the Brazilian said.

"Qualifying will be vital as it's so tough to overtake at the Hungaroring because the braking zones are small and it's very dirty offline, so it's important that we concentrate on getting the most from Saturday."

 

[sky star 2]

Bourdais - I'm shocked
Frenchman considering taking legal action

Sebastien Bourdais has said he is considering taking legal action after being dropped by Toro Rosso.

The Italian team confirmed on Thursday that they had released the Frenchman who, according to team principal Franz Tost, had "not met our expectations".

Despite winning four consecutive Champ Car titles in the United States, the 30-year-old has scored a mere six points in 27 grands prix over the past two seasons.

He has also been outperformed by his team-mates - Sebastian Vettel in 2008 and Sebastien Buemi this season - but has nevertheless said he thinks the team have breached the terms of his contract.

"I am very disappointed and shocked by the decision taken by Toro Rosso of not allowing me to drive for the team until the end of the current season," Bourdais said.

"I consider that in doing so, Toro Rosso has breached its contractual duties towards me.

"I also believe nothing in my behaviour would legitimate a decision of the team to terminate the contract.

"I think the team's decision is in clear violation of Toro Rosso's obligations under the agreement.

"I have instructed my lawyers to review the situation, including the possibility of issuing legal proceedings."
Upgrade

Toro Rosso's decision comes just as they introduce a major upgrade to their Ferrari-powered STR4 for next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, something Bourdais believes he could exploit.

"I am even more frustrated by the team's decision considering it has been taken immediately before the Hungarian Grand Prix where a new, highly competitive racing package will be introduced in order to try and overcome current difficulties," he added.

"I am convinced if I was given the chance to race with such a new package I would have had the opportunity to achieve satisfactory results."

Bourdais also insisted his "motivation is intact" and that he remains committed to Formula One, but it is almost certain Spanish teenager Jaime Alguersuari will take the seat in Budapest.