Mad scramble in the last seconds. For the first time this year Kubica doesn't make Q3.
Final Q2 drop zone:-
11. Kubica
12. Kobayashi
13. Sutil
14. Heidfeld
15. Hulkenberg
16. Liuzzi
17.Alguersuari
11. Kubica
12. Kobayashi
13. Sutil
14. Heidfeld
15. Hulkenberg
16. Liuzzi
17.Alguersuari
Q3:-
Two McLarens out first followed by the two Ferraris.
Two McLarens out first followed by the two Ferraris.
McLaren are claiming it was all Massa's fault, but that's not how I and Brundle saw it.
Early Order:-
Hanilton
Button
Alonso
Massa
Hanilton
Button
Alonso
Massa
Vettel goes P1, Webber's P7, but is running again.
Webber only makes P4 and Vettel goes even quicker.
Hamilton goes quicker, but is still P2.
Alonso still P3, Webber only P5.
Webber only makes P4 and Vettel goes even quicker.
Hamilton goes quicker, but is still P2.
Alonso still P3, Webber only P5.
Final qualifying positions:-
1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Alonso
4. Button
5. Webber
6. Massa
7. Barrichello
8. Schumacher
9. Rosberg
10. Petrov
11. Kubica
12. Kobayashi
13. Sutil
14. Heidfeld
15. Hulkenberg
16. Liuzzi
17.Alguersuari
18. Buemi
19. Trulli
20. Kovalainen
21. Glock
22. di Grassi
23. Senna
24. Klien
1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Alonso
4. Button
5. Webber
6. Massa
7. Barrichello
8. Schumacher
9. Rosberg
10. Petrov
11. Kubica
12. Kobayashi
13. Sutil
14. Heidfeld
15. Hulkenberg
16. Liuzzi
17.Alguersuari
18. Buemi
19. Trulli
20. Kovalainen
21. Glock
22. di Grassi
23. Senna
24. Klien
Abu Dhabi GP is underway....they're on the formation lap.
They all start ok. Button (P4) passes Alonso (P3) by the first corner. Hamilton gets a better start than Vettel, but Vettel is still (P1)
ACCIDENT!!!
Rosberg clips Schumacher who spins and stops still on the track. Most cars manage to avoid him, but a Force India (Liuzzi I think) smashes straight into him.
Safety Car deployed and several cars pile into the pits for the obligatory tyre change.
Rosberg clips Schumacher who spins and stops still on the track. Most cars manage to avoid him, but a Force India (Liuzzi I think) smashes straight into him.
Safety Car deployed and several cars pile into the pits for the obligatory tyre change.
Safety Car in at the end of lap 5.
Kubica up from P11 to P9.
Vettel's just set the fastest lap.
Vettel's just set the fastest lap.
Alonso seems to be struggling a bit just now.
Webber's only a second behind Alonso, but not quite ready to pass.
Webber in for tyres - he's now P16.
Massa pits from P5 and exits P16 BEHIND Webber who is P14 now as he has passes Alguersuari. He now has clear air and is speeding up.
Alonso pits now and manages to get out just ahead of Webber.
Alguersuari is holding up Massa.
Alonso pits now and manages to get out just ahead of Webber.
Alguersuari is holding up Massa.
Alonso P12, Webber P13, Alguersuari P14, Massa P15.
Vettel, Hamilton and Button are not far enough ahead of the gaggle that are in front of Alonso and Webber, to pit and exit ahead of them and avoid being caught amongst them.
Rosberg in P8 has already pitted, P1 to P7 have all still to pit.
Hamilton pits and exits P5.
Vettel pits now and exits P2
Hamilton pits and exits P5.
Vettel pits now and exits P2
Button is currently P1, but when he pits Vettel will be P1 again.
Hamilton now P4.
Alonso and Webber are now 11th and 12th.
Alonso tries to pass Petrov, but runs off track instead, but doesn't lose position,
Now Webber runs wide, but doesn't lose position either.
Alonso tries to pass Petrov, but runs off track instead, but doesn't lose position,
Now Webber runs wide, but doesn't lose position either.
Hamilton in P4 is frustratingly held up by Kubica.
Alonso (P11) is still stuck behing Petrov.
Alonso (P11) is still stuck behing Petrov.
Kobayashi pits, so Alonso now P10.
Petrov's run wide a few times now, but has managed to keep ahead of Alonso.
Petrov's run wide a few times now, but has managed to keep ahead of Alonso.
McLaren want to be 2nd in the constructors championship, but to achieve that they need a driver to finish in third.
Hamilton is stuck in P4, so they need to pit Button and have him come out in 3rd, but he's not far enough ahead to do that.
Edit: Someone was feeding me nonsense about that as McLaren are already in 2nd place in the Constructors Championship and were 32 points ahead of FERRARI going into the last race. Certainly if Ferrari were 1st and second, then McLaren would need 12 points at least, to retain 2nd in the Constructors Championship.
Hamilton is stuck in P4, so they need to pit Button and have him come out in 3rd, but he's not far enough ahead to do that.
Edit: Someone was feeding me nonsense about that as McLaren are already in 2nd place in the Constructors Championship and were 32 points ahead of FERRARI going into the last race. Certainly if Ferrari were 1st and second, then McLaren would need 12 points at least, to retain 2nd in the Constructors Championship.
Hulkenberg pits now, so Alonso and Webber are 9th and 10th now.
Button pitting now, exits P4 behind the Kubica/Hamilton battle. That puts Hamilton 3rd now though, so McLaren are on track to be 2nd in the Constructors Championship.
Alonso Webber 8th and 9th now.
Kubica (p2) has still to pit. He's far enough ahead of Alonso to come out ahead of him.
Alonso's chances of winning the Drivr's Championship are fast fading....with only 11 laps to go.
Alonso's chances of winning the Drivr's Championship are fast fading....with only 11 laps to go.
Kubica and Sutil, both ahead of Alonso, have still to pit, but Kubica is in line to still be ahead of Alonso.
Kubica pits now and exits two places ahead of Alonso.
Hamilton is now P2, but is unlikely to catch Vettel.
Hamilton is now P2, but is unlikely to catch Vettel.
Sutil pits now and exits P13, so Alonso and Webber are P7 and P8.
Alonso needs to be P4 or better to win the title. He only has 4 laps though,in which to make up a minimum of 3 places.
Alonso tries too hard to get to Petrov again and runs off track again.
Last lap....Vettel well ahead.
Vettel wins the race AND the Driver's Title and Red Bull have already won the Constructors Title.
Final result:-
1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Button
4. Rosberg
5. Kuica
6. Petrov
7. Alonso
8. Webber
9. Alguersuari
10. Massa
11. Heidfeld
12. Barrichello
13. Sutil
14. Kobayashi
15. Buemi
16. Hulkenberg
17. Kovalainen
18. di Grassi
19. Senna
20. Klien
21. Trulli
22. Glock
23. Schumacher - crash
24. Liuzzi - crash
1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Button
4. Rosberg
5. Kuica
6. Petrov
7. Alonso
8. Webber
9. Alguersuari
10. Massa
11. Heidfeld
12. Barrichello
13. Sutil
14. Kobayashi
15. Buemi
16. Hulkenberg
17. Kovalainen
18. di Grassi
19. Senna
20. Klien
21. Trulli
22. Glock
23. Schumacher - crash
24. Liuzzi - crash
Constructors Championship:-
Red Bull
McLaren
Ferrari
Mercedes
Renault
Williams
Force India
BMW
Torro Rosso
Lotus
Virgin
Hispania
Red Bull
McLaren
Ferrari
Mercedes
Renault
Williams
Force India
BMW
Torro Rosso
Lotus
Virgin
Hispania
That's it 'til mid March 2011.
Bahrain Grand Prix
Sakhir, 11-13 March 2011
Oh dear, things not looking too good for Kubica's chances of starting the season.
Renault driver Robert Kubica requires further surgery | |
Renault driver Robert Kubica needs further surgery on injuries he suffered in a rally accident in Italy on Sunday. He will have an operation to stabilise fractures to his right foot and right shoulder on Thursday, and similar surgery on his elbow a few days later. The Pole, 26, who also partially severed his right hand in the accident, has already had seven hours of surgery. Doctor Giorgio Barabino said: "The patient is responding positively. He is conscious and his condition is stable." Kubica was woken up for a short time on Monday so doctors could assess his recovery before being put under gentle medication to make him sleep. "Robert's general condition has once again improved," said a Renault statement. "According to the doctors, the levels of inflammation are in the norm considering his medical condition, and the recovery of his forearm remains encouraging. "[On Monday] Robert was able to talk to his doctors and relatives. His medication makes him sleep quite a lot, but he is responding to all external stimulation. He has reacted well to the news about his condition and is ready to fight for his comeback. "On Thursday, Robert should undergo some more surgery in order to stabilise the fractures to his right shoulder and right foot. Three or four days later, another operation will allow his elbow fracture to be stabilised as well. "Robert will remain at the Santa Corona Hospital for two to three weeks. A decision will then be taken about where he should go in order to continue his rehabilitation." Kubica collided with a crash barrier on the outside of a fast right-hand turn 4.5km into the first special stage of the Ronde di Andora rally. | |