The Race
With the anticipation of rain, and it being the last race in the European leg of the 2013 season, the stage was set for what was hoped to be an exciting race. The start certainly didn’t disappoint, with the race to the first corner resulting in carbon fibre flying, and a McLaren taking a swift shortcut, before conceding all those place back. It was a bad weekend of Paul Di Resta, who locked up and went into the back of Romain Grosjean, resulting in the Force India driving having to retire from the race with a lack of a front wing, and a very very loose wheel!
As the race progressed it seemed a foregone conclusion that Vettel would run away with the lead, and that the attention should very much stay in the mid field, were the overtakes were coming thick and fast. Hamilton had been making his way through the pack from his qualifying spot of 12th, but found himself in a spot of bother when his front trye developed a slow puncture. This was further complicated by a radio failure, meaning Hamilton could not hear his team, and his team could not hear him, and it took a couple of laps to get the message across to Hamilton to come into the pits. He managed to fight his way up to 9th place by the end of the race, which could have been much higher if had not had to pit twice.
The big surprise today with the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg, a true talent and one for the future. After qualifying 3rd it was expected he would fall down the order, and fall out of the points. However, this did not seem to be Hulkenbergs plan, as he only fell two spaces to 5th, and held that position for the rest of the race, being beaten only by the two Red Bulls and the two Ferrari’s . he was able to fend off fellow countryman Nico Rosberg, and secure much-needed point for his team. Could Hulkenberg be the next big German driver? Could he be a future World Champion? Who knows where he will be next year, but the tops teams had better start the bidding now!
The Tifosi were in full force today, and we happy to see one of their Ferrari drivers on the Podium. The chorus of “Alonso! Alonso! Alonso!” rang out around the Monza paddock, and there was no mistaking where we were. Alonso managed to take a selfie with the crowds in the background, and was very grateful for their support. There was some mutterings of a lack of respect after the crowd booed race winner Vettel, but I think every driver but Alonso or Massa would have been booed, so nothing personal!
Overall, it was a good race, and the battles all along the mid field were by far the best part. Hamilton showed off his skills, picking off a driver a lap towards the end, and picking up fastest lap of the race.
My Points
Vettel stretched out his lead in my point system, as the real changes were down the field
Here is the top 5:
1) Vettel – 43
2) Hamilton – 57
3) Alonso – 59
4) Webber – 68
5) Raikkonen – 74
Check out the whole updated table by going to the Point System page.
Fantasy Racers
Team Generalis were the team to beat this week, as they collected 692 points with Ricciardo, Grosjean, Massa and Vettel. Callum’s 2nd Team remained at the top of the leaderboard, scoring 629 this week.
We now have another 2 weeks wait until the Singapore Grand Prix, a race I love! There is just something about this night race which is so appealing! I will also be watching on Austrian TV, here’s hoping my German is good enough to figure out what is going on!