The Formula 1 World Championship is about to enter its most crucial phase. Fernando Alonso, after his recent victories in Monza and Singapore, is gearing up to launch the decisive attack on the leader of the World Championship standings, Mark Webber. The Spanish driver has narrowed the gap to the top to just 11 points, and with four races remaining, he appears quite determined:
"Now the real challenge begins, the true test, the moment when we all have to give our best without taking a single step back. The race for the title is still open to five drivers. Many times this year, we've seen how quickly the situation can change, so anything can still happen. Of course, if any of the five were to make another mistake, then everything would become more difficult. I stick to my idea: the important thing is always to be on the podium, and then we'll do the math in Abu Dhabi".
The last two victories have boosted morale within the Maranello team, as Alonso himself emphasizes:
"The victories in Monza and Singapore give us confidence, especially because they come after a challenging season, where we've often been on the edge in the title race. Winning on two such different tracks confirms that we have a very versatile car and allows us to face the upcoming races without fear".
For the Spanish driver, winning at Monza with the red car was a special emotion:
"Well, even though winning is beautiful anywhere, I must say that doing it in Italy driving a Ferrari gave me a truly unique and special emotion".
After replicating the Italian success at the Singapore Grand Prix, the Spaniard took a well-deserved break ahead of the season finale:
"I've been back home in Switzerland for a few days now. It's time to relax and recharge for the final rush of an intense season. The Singapore weekend was very physically demanding, especially due to the humidity and dehydration. That's why I continued to drink a lot, engaging in very light sports, just to fully replenish my body".
If a person can have an exact opposite, a negative copy of themselves, then Fernando Alonso's opposite is called Mark Webber. One is Latin, Spanish, the other is an Australian from the hinterland. One was born a champion (having won two titles by the age of 28), the other discovered his winning ways at 34, practically on the brink of retirement. One is a marketing machine, the other is rough and impulsive, and swears during press conferences. One is married to the beautiful Spanish pop star Raquel Del Rosario, the other has been in love for 15 years with Ann Neal, the 46-year-old woman who has always managed his affairs. One has a teammate, Felipe Massa, who had to accept the role of Ferrari's second driver, the other was Sebastian Vettel's second driver and forced Red Bull to change their goals on the fly. In short: day and night. And it's fascinating that these two such different versions of the concept of a driver lead the world championship standings in this final sprint. Webber, the anti-Alonso, drinks apricot juice and clenches his jaws with determination.
"Do you know why it matters so much to me? Because in the past, I've had quite a few shitty moments".
A great reason.
"Let's say I'm in the ideal situation to appreciate it more..."
Mind you, Alonso and the others would appreciate it a lot too.
"Alonso has class, but so do Lewis and Jenson... I really can't decide who is the favorite".
Briatore, his manager, claims that you are different from the others. And that's also why it will be tough for Alonso. In what way are you different?
"I don't know. I don't know the other drivers that well. But I know myself: I like to have other interests besides F1, I love all sports, I like to be reliable and available to people. But above all, I remind myself every morning that I am a fortunate man. I know what real suffering is; cancer has taken away many people dear to me. And I think it's a duty to draw motivation from those tough moments. Perhaps it's a somewhat banal thought, but it helps me level my life, find balance, not feel like a god after winning in Monaco, and not think that a defeat is a disaster. Today, I would say that I am willing to do anything to win the championship. But I know it's not that simple".
Regarding something different, there's certainly his partner. His colleagues are all engaged with glamorous women, stars or presumed ones. He, on the other hand, made a different choice. Can you explain?
"I love Ann. We've been together since 1995. Together we've been through everything, and now we are very close. I am the first to admit that I've had some distractions, some girls from the paddock, those who approach you to share in your supposed glory. But that's good only for your ego. Like chocolate".
Chocolate girls?
"They're good for two minutes of glory, beautiful for sure, but not much else".
Ann, on the other hand...
"We talk every day. And we see each other whenever we can. She helps me stay grounded. You know how they say, behind every great man... Well, that's how it is. We have an extraordinary relationship. We balance each other, have a good circle of friends. I know that people say all sorts of things, even that I'm gay. But I don't care. I think there are circumstances in life where a man has to behave differently than others expect. This is one of those. I do as I please, and I'm happy".
Back to F1, now it's Japan.
"Yes. The tough circuits for us at Red Bull are over since Singapore. I'm sure of it. On all the others, we'll be very strong. We won in Suzuka last year with Vettel. I finished first and second in Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Only Korea is uncertain".
Vettel. You've had many disagreements this year. Would you go to dinner with him?
"Dinner has nothing to do with it. What I have now is a great opportunity. I have a very fast car, a perfect team, and a few points of advantage. I don't expect or want Seb to say, 'Please, go ahead, since you're old, and I still have ten years to win.' In this sport, we often say and do a lot of nonsense. But in the end, it's just a sport, fortunately".
If you don't win, who would you like to see win?
"Kubica".
With Fernando Alonso in the midst of the championship fight, Felipe Massa expresses dissatisfaction with Ferrari.
"I don't intend to become another Rubens Barrichello. If that were to happen, I would stop racing for Ferrari".
Displaying an uncommon self-destructive inclination, Felipe Massa speaks again. And the spectacle is the usual. Confusion, promises that sound like threats, words a bit empty. Only this time, it is seasoned with an unexpected and unpleasant personal reference.
"Surely I won't be a second Rubens Barrichello. If that were to happen, I would stop driving. I really won't continue racing to finish second".
The reference, though unexpected, is quite clear: to Michael Schumacher's second driver role to which Rubens was forced by Ferrari, but above all by the natural distribution of talent in his decade-long experience in Maranello. Now, setting aside for a moment the human aspect and assuming that these are the result of the understandable frustration of a driver, Felipe, who completely messed up the season this year, there remains to consider the, let's say, political aspect. What sense does this statement make in the most delicate moment of the season, the one of maximum effort, the one in which Alonso, aboard a finally competitive Ferrari, is launching, alone and without the support of his teammate, the assault on the world title? The only hope is that this was a kind of poorly executed and completely mistimed surrender statement. Like: for this year, I give up, try to help Fernando, and we'll talk about it in 2011. In fact, in the interview, there are various elements scattered here and there that point in this direction. From the usual excuses to promises, to winks.
"I'm sure that next year I can race to win".
The current second driver of Ferrari still seems to have in mind the incident of the pass at Hockenheim, when he effectively let Alonso pass a few laps from the checkered flag, with a fine of 100.000 euros imposed on the Maranello team.
"I won't talk about it anymore, I can only say one thing: when it happened, my disappointment was very strong".
The Brazilian, whose contract expires in 2012, wants a leading role.
"I don't participate in races with the goal of finishing second".
The interview is before the Singapore Grand Prix, Felipe Massa says, and the words spoken would not be exactly the same as reported in the interview, Maranello says. From there, an ecumenical statement by Luca Montezemolo is disseminated:
"It is an important moment, and I am sure that everyone will give their best to achieve our goals. Felipe will always be a number one driver for Ferrari. I expect from him in the next four races and, with different tires next year, performances as the lead driver: they will be crucial to bring us victories and to take away important points from our direct competitors in this fight for the World Championship".
Montezemolo also addresses Alonso:
"I have heard Fernando very focused and determined, as indeed the whole team. It is an important moment, and I am sure that everyone will give their best to achieve our goals".
For his part, Fernando Alonso says:
"If I do well, like at Monza, Felipe's help is not essential".
And he downplays Felipe Massa's statements:
"It wasn't crucial in Singapore, and all of Felipe's help wouldn't have been enough in Spa".
However, he adds:
"If we both do well, we take points away from our opponents".
Later, Felipe Massa also returns to talk about his previous statements, recalling that things came out that he never said:
"I am a professional, and I always think about victory: Barrichello's name came up I don't know where: they have certainly written what I did not say".
Alonso then reflects on the Japanese Grand Prix, where Red Bull will start as the favorite.
"Of the four remaining races, this one is the most challenging for us. Considering the characteristics of the track, Red Bull is the favorite here as well, but that doesn't mean they will win 100%. We have to keep the pressure on them because it's difficult to understand which of the last three circuits in the calendar suits one team better than another. It will be tough for us, and hopefully, it will be the same for everyone else. There are still five drivers with a chance to win the title, and I expect McLaren to come back very strong. So, it's all very open. We've seen during this season how a driver can do very well for two Grand Prix, then have negative races, and then come back to mark positive results again: no one has completed six consecutive races consistently. I'm sure we will face difficult moments, but we have to be ready to handle them and not panic. We need to bring home as many points as possible in every race. It could be a podium or maybe a fifth place, and in that case, we have to stay united and stay calm".
The Formula 1 World Championship is approaching its end, and Michael Schumacher, with four races to go, has only secured two fourth places: a bit low for one of the most anticipated protagonists of the season, behind the wheel of the Mercedes inherited from the dominant Brawn GP of the previous season. Ross Brawn, the team principal of Mercedes, acknowledges the difficulties of the German but believes that the best is yet to come:
"Michael will certainly not leave at the end of the season; this year, we had problems with the tires, but we are already working for next year. In 2011, all drivers will start from scratch, and any disadvantage that has penalized him will be nullified: then we will see the real Schumi".
So, are only technical problems at the base of the poor results of the seven-time champion?
"Looking at telemetry data, there are no substantial differences in reaction times between Schumacher and Nick Heidfeld, and this testifies that Michael is still fresh, clear-headed: in short, he is still the old Michael. He is working with great intensity and stimulates our team at the factory to have a better car next year: he constantly talks to aerodynamics engineers and technicians".
If we have to wait at least until next season to see Schumacher competitive again, in McLaren, there is still a lot of desire to win and amaze. Lewis Hamilton, despite two retirements, still believes he has a great chance of winning the World Championship:
"I am third, twenty points behind the leader: to close the gap, I just need a victory. Twenty points may seem like a lot, but if we still used the system in place last year, it would be 8 points, and 8 points in four races are nothing. On Sunday, I was disappointed, but now I think more about my retirements in Spain, Hungary, or the last two Grand Prix: I focus on the upcoming races; I have never won on any of the tracks that await us, and this is an additional motivation".
Further back in the standings (25 points behind Webber) but with as much motivation is Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton's teammate and the reigning World Champion:
"I have every chance to confirm myself as champion. This is the motivation for which I race in Formula 1 and for which I signed with McLaren. I feel confident and relaxed: the championship is fun, every race can be a turning point. Every result is important, and I don't believe that one race is truly essential to win the title. You have to be consistent: Alonso with two victories has forcefully returned to the race, Hamilton with two retirements is still there fighting. Vettel and I can also have our say".
They call it the Spa of the East, a very demanding and selective track, similar to the Belgian circuit in this regard, but there is no trace of concern on Fernando Alonso's face. Perhaps he doesn't believe in superstition; he has never won at Spa, the only Grand Prix in the last five where he hasn't been on the podium, or maybe he doesn't agree with the comparison, even though Suzuka, in this electrifying final rush, is the track where Ferrari should suffer the most. Or perhaps, more simply, he is so sure of himself that he doesn't see any obstacles in his way. Fernando feels in great shape, to the point of dismissing his teammate. Massa has made a statement, and the Spanish, icy in response, continues to say:
"The help of Massa? I don't need it. It doesn't change my story at all. If I'm very fast, as happened in Monza or Singapore, I win and don't need anyone. If I'm slow, like in Spa, then Massa can't do anything. Of course, at this point in the season, everyone's contribution would be useful. If we want to do well in the Constructors', it's essential to collect points with both drivers, but that's another matter. In my sprint, I only count on myself and think only of myself. We have four races ahead; my calculations don't change: if I always finish on the podium, I'll be the champion. The problem is that this year, no one has managed to get the top three for six races in a row, and I'm already at two. I realize that the goal is challenging; I must not make any mistakes. On the other hand, winning a championship is never easy, especially in a year like this, where the hierarchies were revolutionized at every race. Webber is leading, it's normal that he's the favorite, but I'm convinced that he will also feel a lot of pressure. There's no time to relax; you always have to keep your nerves steady. And take few risks because a retirement would taste like a definitive sentence".
Irrefutable reasoning, also regarding Massa. But that I do everything myself, in response to the words spoken by the Brazilian, represents a clear sign of some impatience in the pair. Massa suffers from Alonso's overwhelming personality and struggles to hide it. The Spaniard, on the other hand, doesn't have many scruples and marches on with the force of a tank. In the sprint, he also relies heavily on psychology, the experience gained from two world titles (only Hamilton and Button can match that with one, Webber and Vettel might suffer from the anxiety of the first time), even though he states:
"I would prefer a wing that can give me 0.2 seconds; it's worth more than a hall of fame".
Ferrari here can do nothing but offer him the car from Singapore (no further developments are expected), but it's not little considering that he triumphed in that race. In Suzuka, many consider Red Bull the favorite, but Hamilton and Button should also perform well. The problem is that if one of the two doesn't win, the dream of the championship can be buried. Just as the comeback ambitions of Schumacher risk fading away. He has a three-year contract, but Mercedes has given him an ultimatum:
"If you don't get faster, you're leaving at the end of 2011".
Some teams modified their cars for the Grand Prix. Adrian Newey, Red Bull's technical director, moved the RB6's front brake calipers backward to a vertical position to prevent mechanical failures associated with the brake discs, pads, and pistons moving more. Both Vettel and Webber had two separate diffusers and rear wing specializations and a revised rear wing featuring a delta-shaped beam wing in the center. Ferrari modified the F10's diffuser to include a small omega-shaped wing on the deformable structure's top to bring about a slight increase in downforce. McLaren introduced a revised aerodynamic package featuring a new front wing, lengthened exhausts, a new engine cover, and rear wing with angled gills. The squad chose to use the standard version for qualifying and the race. A total of 12 constructors and 24 drivers participated with one driver change and a single free practice entrant. Having driven one of its cars at the preceding Singapore Grand Prix, local driver Sakon Yamamoto replaced Christian Klien as a partner for Bruno Senna at Hispania Racing. Lucas di Grassi was replaced for the second successive first free practice session by GP2 Series driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio at Virgin Racing to allow the latter to undergo evaluation as a driver. Paul di Resta did not partake in the first practice session for the Force India team for the second successive Grand Prix, to allow the team's regular drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil to test new car aerodynamic updates. On Friday, October 8, 2010, in the first practice session, held in dry weather, Vettel lapped fastest at 1’32”585, which he set approximately halfway through the session. His teammate Webber was 0.048 seconds slower in second, and Renault's Robert Kubica was third.
Sutil, Hamilton, the Williams duo of Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hülkenberg, Mercedes' Michael Schumacher, Sauber's Nick Heidfeld, and Schumacher's teammate Nico Rosberg followed in the top ten. Halfway through the session, Hamilton lost control of his car when it bottomed out and went wide into the quick downhill double right-hand Denger corner, damaging the car's front-left corner in a major collision with the tire wall. His car was transported back to the pit lane by a tractor and therefore took no further part in the session. With three minutes remaining, Hamilton's teammate Button ran over the kerbs at Denger One turn but regained control of his car and avoided the barrier by stopping in the gravel. Vettel was the early pace-setter in the second practice session with a 1'32"210 lap time recorded on 20 minutes on hard compound tires before Webber's lap of 1'31"860, also set on hard compound tires, led overall after an hour. After changing to the soft compound tires, Vettel set the overall fastest lap of 1'31"465 with 20 minutes remaining. Webber, Kubica, Alonso, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, Button, Renault's Vitaly Petrov, Schumacher, Sutil, and Hülkenberg made up second through tenth. During the session, Schumacher ran wide on the kerb between both of the apexes at Denger turn but did not hit the wall. Hamilton was required to miss most of the session as his team's mechanics reconstructed his vehicle after his first practice session accident.
He partook in the final eight minutes and set seven laps to be the 13th quickest. They are always unbeatable except in Monza, even though we have overtaken them several times: we'll wait for tomorrow and see what happens.
"We have significant gaps. You can gain tenths on the car, study the race data and evaluate, but they will also improve by a few tenths. We'll wait for tomorrow and see. On Saturday, there's the possibility of rain, which is a risk because it can go well but it can also be tricky. It will be a stressful Saturday".
Alonso reiterates the goal:
"To finish tomorrow among the top four and then on the podium on Sunday. If they take the first and second positions, well then, congratulations to them".
The look is sly. The Spanish driver always knows how to create the right annoyance for others, an unwelcome stress that turns into invigorating medicine for his ambitions. The crafty one, with Latin wit and a Ferrari suit on, sees the Red Bulls flying. Two extraterrestrials, more Vettel than Webber, who left him, poor Alonso, 0.9s behind the German driver of Red Bull Racing, first in both free practice sessions, and 0.5s behind the Australian. Another would have been stunned, even Massa, with a sincere heart, admits that he did not expect a Red Bull to be so fast.
"Forget about being a favorite; it seems like they're from another planet".
Not Alonso.
"The Red Bull? Unbeatable, as always. It's true that I have often beaten them".
An easy message to decipher. The Red Bull is competitive, before the Japanese Grand Prix, they had already secured twelve poles out of fifteen races, then they always mess up in the race, and whoever is skillful takes advantage. Morale: don't be misled by qualifications; the race counts.
"And in that, we are used to bringing out the best".
Especially in difficult weather conditions, a scenario that Suzuka is expected to present, where it starts raining persistently from Friday evening. A soaked track and frightened Japanese shouting:
"The typhoon is coming".
Now, the forecasts are not so catastrophic. Some years ago, a typhoon really shook things up, with qualifying canceled on Saturday and a compressed schedule on Sunday, but this time, only rain is expected, and no one knows if it will last until the race.
"If the track is wet, overtaking becomes frequent, and the balance of power changes radically, with Williams and Renault becoming competitive like Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren. If it pours, everything becomes unpredictable".
Better than ordinary administration, which seems to leave no escape, given the pace set by Red Bull from the first kilometers, unless the two roosters (Vettel and Webber) of the rich henhouse play into self-destruction, as often happens. That they are more rivals than companions has also been understood in Japan. The Friday that crowned Vettel was greeted with irreverence by Webber:
"I don't fight like crazy when the stopwatch doesn't matter. He tried to set the time at all costs; I stick to the point and push when needed".
As if to say that the young one is eager, but the experienced one leads the game. However, the precocious Vettel, on the throne, feels in heaven, to the point of getting ahead with the work:
"Wonderful feelings, we are strong in the dry, I don't see why we shouldn't be in the wet: I win and reopen the discussion".
Two enemies with a common car. An attitude that warms Alonso's heart:
"It would be fun if they clashed at the first corner".
Fun for him. And maybe for Hamilton, the victim of another incident, the third in a row. The British driver clings to the proverb:
"They say bad things come in threes; I should be done with it".
He has to hope for it. Otherwise, his World Championship is over. Wet weather arrived at the circuit early in the morning of Saturday, October 9, 2010; the rain got heavier before the final practice session began and worsened throughout the session, causing low visibility. The safety car was used to assess the track conditions prior to the session's commencement. Due to rivers running across multiple turns and puddles causing aquaplaning, teams were reluctant to send drivers onto the circuit and two competitors set lap times. Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari lapped fastest at 1'55"902 seconds, followed by Virgin Racing's Timo Glock. Several participants chose to use wet-weather tyres for one exploratory lap before re-entering the pit lane. Hamilton reported the conditions made the track undriveable, and Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn said he would be disappointed if qualifying was staged in such weather and suggested the starting order be determined by either holding qualifying on Sunday morning or by championship standings. Inclement weather continued to disrupt the Saturday's proceedings as qualifying was delayed three times every half an hour while the safety car was deployed several times to assess the conditions before being ultimately rescheduled for Sunday morning by the FIA's race director Charlie Whiting on safety grounds arising from fading light levels. Many figures in Formula One agreed with the decision to postpone qualifying, with drivers such as Button, Hamilton, Schumacher and Vettel noting that they would not be able to control their vehicles in torrential rain had the session be run. Williams technical director Sam Michael proposed the re-introduction of slower monsoon tyres to enable drivers to drive in severe weather. Local driver Kamui Kobayashi for Sauber said he felt sorry for attendees seated in the grandstands not witnessing any action. All vehicles were not required to enter parc fermé conditions with the FIA conducting surveillance via CCTV cameras installed in every garage. Therefore, teams were allowed to adjust their cars until qualifying was over. The most chaotic Saturday in Formula 1 leads to nothing: 46 laps in total among 24 drivers for the last free practice session, with only two timed laps (Glock's Virgin jokingly commented on his second place, the best result since the beginning of the year). But what's worse, no qualifying, zero kilometers, zero excitement, zero spectacle, just a lot of confusion and a bit of color, cameras showing Glock and Senna playing cards, more gamblers than drivers, Red Bull inventing the amusement of a little boat, a casing with its cans floating on the water river created in the pit lane.
Nothing in terms of excitement, no engine noise, no battle for pole position, disappointed people leaving the circuit when, at 3:18 p.m., over an hour after the expected start of Saturday's showdown, they learn that everything has been postponed to Sunday, a compressed schedule, qualifying at 10:00 a.m. and the race at 3:00 p.m. Fortunately, the unfortunate Japanese won't experience the added disappointment of a wasted ticket, money spent for nothing. Only on Friday could you buy a one-day ticket; Saturday and Sunday were in a single package, allowing those who witnessed the excitement of the first day from the stands to also attend the next. The Japanese, who believe a lot in coincidences, don't take it too hard; somehow, they expected it, given that the same thing happened in 2004, with the threat of Typhoon Maon, and curiously on the same date, Saturday, October 9. Sunday, however, turned out to be a show, with Schumacher taking pole and victory in the race with Ferrari, Maranello's team skillful in also securing the fastest lap with Barrichello, who was later stopped during the Grand Prix by an accident. The indomitable Japanese are convinced that the same thing will happen in 2010. The fact remains that everything was decided in advance back then; they knew about the typhoon, the circuit was closed to the public and drivers, and from Friday, they went straight to Sunday, avoiding queues, umbrellas, soaked people, and mechanics with crossed fingers in the pit lane. It is said that this year, too, the organizers thought of acting in the same way; in a meeting on Friday night, they had already prepared an alternative plan to bring everything together on the last day, but then nothing happened, clinging to a cloud-sweeping wind that never arrived. The farcical Saturday did not make headlines, and perhaps it could have been avoided if Sam Michael's proposal, the technical director of Williams, had been accepted. He has long been proposing monsoon tires, doubling the tread thickness from 5 to 10 millimeters, resistant to everything.
"Why can't we ignore today's alarm? If instead of Saturday, it had been Sunday, goodbye race and good riddance".
Yes, because with the flooding and the current tires, racing on the track is impossible. Too unsafe, dangerous; all teams and drivers agreed. The sole supplier (next year Pirelli will replace Bridgestone) could consider it; meanwhile, teams wonder about the present, and someone, like Hamilton, even has time to sniffle. Friday's accident cost him dearly; during the third practice session, he didn't even get in the car, but he still has to replace the gearbox, losing five positions on the grid. The Ferrari also trembles in the face of rain that shows no sign of stopping. Because if it's true that Alonso wanted a wet track, it's equally true that if we went straight to the race without holding qualifying, the starting order would be dictated not by the World Championship standings but by the championship entry list, as the teams decided a year ago in Brazil. This means that Button with the #1 would start in pole position, Schumacher in the front row (Hamilton penalized would slip to fourth), Rosberg with Mercedes, and Vettel with Red Bull in the second row, Webber with the other Red Bull and Massa in the third, and Alonso (with #8 on his car) only in fourth, also mocked by the choice of his teammate to take #7. The Spaniard would have Hamilton in front, a disaster. So it's better to think that the qualifying will eventually take place. And that the farce ended at sunset on Saturday, October 9, 2010. A date that no Japanese motorsports enthusiast will ever forget. Fortunately, on Sunday, October 10, 2010, the weather for qualifying is clear, and the track is almost perfectly dry; there are only some damp patches that do not influence. Q1 sees the elimination, in addition to the usual six drivers from the new teams, of Sébastien Buemi of Toro Rosso. The Swiss, however, will complain about being slowed down by a car from the HRT team. In the second part of qualifying, Felipe Massa is eliminated, while Michael Schumacher, author of eight pole positions on this track, secures qualification for Q3 only on the last attempt. In the final part, the two Red Bulls confirm their competitiveness by taking the front row. Sebastian Vettel will start in pole position, while Mark Webber from second place. Lewis Hamilton sets the third-best time but, due to the penalty for the gearbox replacement, drops to eighth place: Robert Kubica of Renault then moves up to third place, while Fernando Alonso moves up to fourth. At the end of qualifying, Nico Hülkenberg protests for a maneuver by Lewis Hamilton, but this does not lead to further penalties for the English driver. Article 36 of the sporting regulations, however, provides a system to determine the starting order in case qualifying could not be held.
Priority would be given to cars that have completed at least one lap, followed by those that have not left the pit lane and then those that have not left the garage. If multiple cars fall into different categories, the starting grid priority would be determined by the race number. A few hours later, the weather conditions at the Grand Prix's start were sunny, with the ambient temperature between 25 °C and 27 °C, and the track temperature from 32 °C to 36 °C; weather forecasts suggested no rainfall during the event. A total of 24 drivers were due to take the start but di Grassi, on his formation lap, went wide off the track onto the artificial grass at the exit of 130R corner, possibly due to him driving onto some moisture on the outside kerb. The resulting impact against the tyre barrier destroyed his car. Di Grassi was unhurt but he did not start and his car was removed from the circuit by crane and marshals cleared the crash scene. Every driver in the top ten, except for Button, began on the soft compound tyre. Amateur footage observed Vettel almost jumping the start before the event commenced. When the five red lights went out to begin the Grand Prix, Vettel made a brisk getaway to maintain the lead into the first corner. Behind him, Kubica overtook Webber for second, but he could not challenge Vettel for first into the first turn. Two separate accidents occurring further down the order promoted the safety car's deployment. Petrov made a brisk start but came across the front of Hülkenberg and collided with the corner of the latter's car while trying to pass him. Petrov speared left into the outside barriers on the main straight and crashed as Hülkenberg retired with damaged front suspension. Massa was given less room trying to pass the slow-starting Rosberg and had to drive onto the grass on the track's inside. This caused him to lose control of his car and hit the side of Liuzzi's vehicle. Liuzzi and Massa were unhurt. During the safety car period, Rosberg, Trulli, Glock and Senna made pit stops for the hard compound tyres. Drivers on the soft tyres had an advantage since the safety car's slower speed meant the tyres would have longer optimal performance. On the third lap, Kubica retired when his right-rear wheel detached into the hairpin due to insufficient torque on the wheel nut loosened by incorrect wheel gun settings. The safety car was withdrawn at the conclusion of the sixth lap and racing resumed with Vettel leading his teammate Webber, and Alonso.
On lap seven, Rosberg attempted to pass Buemi on the outside into 130R corner but ran wide onto the damp artificial grass and returned to 13th place. His teammate Schumacher overtook Barrichello's hard-to-handle car at the final chicane with some minor contact for sixth position and maintained the place into the first corner. At the conclusion of the lap, Vettel led Webber by nine-tenths of a second, which he extended to two seconds by the 13th lap's start. On the same lap, Kobayashi overtook Alguersuari on the inside for tenth into the hairpin as the two drivers made slight contact. Barrichello in seventh was delaying Heidfeld, Sutil and Algersuari. Sutil went off the circuit at the final corner on lap 16 but remained in ninth. Two laps later, Kobayashi overtook Sutil on the inside for ninth into the hairpin. Sutil drew alongside Kobayashi into Spoon corner but could not retake ninth by passing Kobayashi. Pit stops began on lap 19 when Sutil and Heidfeld stopped for hard compound tyres. Newer hard compound tyres were quicker than worn soft tyres dictating the first driver to make a pit stop would gain a significant advantage. While Sutil went fastest overall in the second half of the lap, suggesting newer hard compound tyres had more performance, no leading drivers decided to do pit stops. This was due to there being half the race left and both Red Bull cars were eight seconds ahead of Alonso and could remain on track to react to any of Ferrari's actions. Williams reacted to Heidfeld's stop and called Barrichello into the pit lane from seventh for the hard compound tyres on the 21st lap. Barrichello's slower pace left him behind Heidfeld in 12th. This unhindered Kobayashi who required 20 seconds over Sutil but the latter's pace and the former being slowed produced a 17-second gap. Hamilton made a pit stop for the hard compound tyres on lap 23 and fell to seventh behind Kobayashi. This forced Hamilton not to use the additional grip provided by his tyres immediately. On lap 24, Schumacher made a pit stop for the hard compound tyres from fifth. He rejoined the track behind his teammate Rosberg in ninth, allowing Red Bull to conduct their own pit stops at a convenient time for them. On lap 25, Vettel and Alonso made their pit stops from first and third, emerging in third and fourth respectively with Webber taking over the lead. Hamilton slipstreamed Kobayashi on the main straight and overtook him on the inside into the first turn for sixth on that lap.
On lap 27, Rosberg blocked an overtake by his faster teammate Schumacher entering the Casio Triangle chicane and again into the first turn by putting Schumacher onto the outside. As a consequence of his strategy allowing him to drive on the same set of tyres for longer on the circuit, Button was now leading and had to pull away from Alonso and Hamilton to remain ahead of both drivers following his pit stop. The Red Bull duo were informed of the possibility of Button not making his pit stop until the final lap in order to slow them and put them under pressure from Alonso and Hamilton. Button was not able to set the lap times to achieve the distance needed due to track evolution. At the conclusion of the 38th lap, Button made his pit stop from the lead for the soft compound tyres. He returned to the track in fifth as Vettel retook the lead and Webber returned to second.Kobayashi made his pit stop from sixth on the same lap and rejoined the race in 12th. Hamilton radioed his team that he could not use third gear due to a possible dog-ring breakage; he had to rely on fourth gear to finish the race. This allowed Hamilton's teammate Button on soft tyres to close up and pass him at the hairpin for fourth on the 44th lap when Hamilton went wide at the corner. On the following lap, Kobayashi overtook Algersuari on the outside into the hairpin with aid from a slower car for eleventh. Both drivers made slight contact exiting the corner. The contact removed Kobayashi's turning vain. Sutil was close behind Barrichello in ninth when an oil pipe in his car failed into 130R turn, causing smoke to billow from his rear of his engine. He spun through 360 degrees on his car's own oil in 130R corner as it laid oil on the racing line before he retired in the pit lane. Sutil's retirement promoted Kobayashi to tenth as Alguersuari made a pit stop to repair front wing damage sustained in the collision with Kobayashi. As Rosberg drove uphill towards the high-speed left-hand Esses on lap 48, the car's left-rear wheel detached due to a possible hub failure, causing him to strike the turn five tyre wall at approximately 210 km/h. Rosberg was unhurt since his car remained upright.
On the following lap, Kobayashi overtook Barrichello for eighth braking for the hairpin. He then passed teammate Heidfeld approaching the hairpin for seventh on the 50th lap. At the front, Vettel finished first to achieve his third victory of the season and the eighth of his career in a time of 1 hour, 30 minutes and 27.323s at an average speed of 203.948 km/h. Webber followed 0.905 seconds later in second and set the race's fastest lap at 1'33"474 on the final lap. Alonso took third with McLaren's Button and Hamilton fourth and fifth. Schumacher achieved his best result since the Turkish Grand Prix five months earlier in sixth. The last of the drivers who scored points were Kobayashi, Heidfeld, Barrichello and Buemi in seventh through tenth. Alguersuari, Kovalainen, Trulli made up positions 11th to 13th. Glock, 14th, held off Senna in 15th, who had brake issues preventing him from passing. Yamamoto, slowed by a fuel pressure decrease, and Rosberg were the last two classified finishers. Young Sebastian Vettel is back. No more pains, those frequent amnesias that were ruining his season, but only pride, the pride of being compared, at least in Japan, to Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen, who, like him, triumphed for two consecutive years at Suzuka. Vettel returns to the top step of the podium; he hadn't won a race since June 27, 2010. He does it now, reopening his championship project. He still dreams of the premature legend, the youngest driver (23 years old for three months) in the F1 book to win the World Championship, younger than Hamilton two years ago, an achievement that would then become history for Red Bull as well, a team born recently and already capable of winning both the Constructors' and Drivers' World Championships. Eagerness against all logic, because the law of team sports would have advised letting Webber, the leader in the World Championship standings, win. But not at Red Bull, where the drivers are first and foremost rivals and then teammates, where the fight is free, team orders a curse, a fratricidal and fatal clash like in Istanbul an inevitable consequence. Vettel left, and Webber, despite his tongue hanging out, couldn't catch him. Irony tells that a shout rose from the pit:
"We've recovered seven points".
It doesn't matter if the victim was from the garage next door. The Australian quickly leaves the racetrack to catch a plane home. He's in a hurry, but not angry; he's radiant:
"Because the advantage doesn't shrink, it increases, and there are only three Grand Prixs left; a 14-point lead is a good haul, I won't say it's done, but almost. For the knockout blow, I should win a race. At that point, no one could catch me anymore".
He has no intention of stepping aside, as he will demonstrate on the track as well, music to Fernando Alonso's ears, who is counting on a Red Bull own goal. Sebastian Vettel, however, is not a minor threat, even if he has the same points as the Spaniard. He turns off, he says:
"My feeling with the car was extraordinary, a pleasure to drive along the fast corners. This circuit seemed designed just for us. From here to the end, I can win every time. And everyone will have to bow down".
Uncomfortable rivals, at home and abroad, including statistics. Sergio Marchionne's embrace before the race was not enough.
"I'm here to give energy to Alonso".
He had said, laughing, on the starting grid. But against the energy of the Red Bulls, the cars in this case and not the drinks, there is nothing to be done. On a track like this, they are unbeatable, and Vettel, again in first place after more than three months, and Webber have proven it. There was no race, not even for a possible third wheel: Kubica with his Renault got out of the way on his own. They didn't tighten a wheel well for him; he lost it on the track behind the Safety Car, which came out due to the Massa and Liuzzi incident and Petrov's (he will lose five places on the starting grid for the Korean Grand Prix for this caused incident) at Hulkenberg. The Pole remained maimed and furious because, at the start, he had passed Webber; he could have fought with the leaders and maybe knocked Alonso off the podium. Instead, everything returned to boring and ordinary administration, zero emotions, except for the overtakes in the back by the local idol Kobayashi: two cars in front, Alonso calmly defending his third position, McLaren burying their dreams because Button's fourth place serves little, and even less Hamilton's fifth, against the wall on Friday, with a new gearbox and a five-place penalty on Sunday in qualifying, without a third gear while trying to catch Alonso in the race. A fifth place that forces him to surrender:
"For the World Championship, it's over now".
The race proceeded without any particular hitches. More exciting than ever, however, is the sprint for the victory in the World Championship; a fight to the last point, to the last breath. Webber, rubbing his hands together with a 14-point advantage over the contenders, but Vettel and Alonso, neck and neck, showing no intention of giving up. Soon, we'll know if the race in Korea will take place. The FIA must give the green light to the newly completed track. Charlie Whiting, the director of all races, who left Japan right after the Grand Prix, will inspect the circuit and then deliver the final verdict. According to Ecclestone, there are no doubts; there will be three races. If there were two, Webber would have a slightly better chance, but it remains a great blender, from which only the McLarens have emerged. Damage limited, now the assault on the World Championship begins. In summary, this is the mood of Ferrari, which feared the Suzuka track:
"The most indigestible for the characteristics of our car, especially in the first section, with a combination of curves not at all favorable".
As admitted by Stefano Domenicali, the team principal of Ferrari, leaving Japan with the pleasant feeling of having lost only 3 points to Mark Webber. Fernando Alonso knew everything in advance. That he had to suffer, that he had to acknowledge that on similar tracks, the Red Bull is an impregnable missile.
"It was their track; I would have bet on their one-two, unfortunately, I wasn't wrong".
However, after doing the math, he can only acknowledge the positive reality.
"Vettel won, not Webber; it couldn't have been better for us. Now I'm 14 points behind, but the next circuits will be different; I'm still in the race, I can still make it. Here, I could only minimize the damage. I started badly, with a clutch problem, fortunately, I managed to fend off Button's attack. In the first laps, keeping pace with the Red Bulls was impossible; I aimed only for the third place, thanks also to Kubica's retirement. I admit, that was a stroke of luck. He seemed very strong here; overtaking him would have been very difficult; his withdrawal represented one less serious problem. After the difficult start, I managed to get closer to Vettel and Webber; I tried to put pressure on them, to induce them to make mistakes, but it was in vain. They were perfect and rightly closed the top two spots".
Seen in this light, Alonso's statement seems like an admission of powerlessness. But the Spaniard's gaze doesn't have the same resignation; the impression is that the worst is over, and he expects something much better from the future.
"I don't change my mind; I continue to assert that to win the Championship, it will always be enough to step on the podium. I still have to do it three more times. Someone may think I'm crazy, but I'm convinced it will be enough to take home the title".
Stefano Domenicali is even more detailed:
"There are three races left; we need one victory and two top-three finishes. I won't say where we aim to win, for superstition, but at least one triumph is necessary".
Hoping that Massa, out at Suzuka after the first turn, starts to be useful and returns to scoring points. The case of the Brazilian, sadder and more depressed than ever, is becoming a concern. First, the skirmishes with Alonso, then the disappointing qualification (twelfth on the grid), and finally, the poor race. Massa collided with Liuzzi's car, forcing both to retire. Domenicali refuses to think that he is working against the team.
"He is very attached to the team and will give everything for our cause. He's not going through a good moment; we have to stand by him, but I'm sure he'll recover quickly".
Luca Montezemolo, the president, after a phone call during the Japanese evening with Domenicali, goes even further:
"Massa will be the surprise of the last three races. He is eager for redemption, and we will have to put him in a position to win".
Perhaps in his Brazil, which is probably the circuit that Domenicali is counting on for the necessary success. The tracks in Korea (unprecedented) and Abu Dhabi, where Red Bull won easily in 2009, appear less favorable. The comeback is complex, yet the men of the Maranello team have no intention of giving up. Only regarding the Constructors' World Championship, Stefano Domenicali understands that it is time to surrender.
"Ninety-two points behind are many, only a one-two in Korea could keep us in the race".
But as for the Drivers' World Championship, he shows no hesitation:
"Also because from now on, the mental approach to the three races will be crucial. And Alonso's is the best. These are three finals, and he won't miss a single one".
Two sphinxes. One with a smile carved on his face, the other with anger printed on his face. Alonso and Massa, the two so different souls of Ferrari. Montezemolo, with a charged phone call from Italy, tries to tie the destinies of his two drivers:
"We did our best; the team deserves compliments. Alonso has limited the damage, achieved what was possible, a useful podium in the race for the Championship. His consistency is becoming a winning weapon. Massa was unlucky, but he must not be discouraged. He will be the big surprise in these last three races, and we must put him in a position to win".
A triumph that, by the way, would be the first of this disappointing season. Montezemolo tries, he is skilled at this, but it is not easy because while Alonso seems like a computer, precise tables to reach the world title, damage to limit in Suzuka, and triumphs to achieve elsewhere, perhaps in the unprecedented Korea or in Brazil, which has often smiled at Ferrari, Massa has become monotonous in his mistakes, with a talent that seems lost, a form that is nowhere to be found. Yesterday he cursed the world:
"A bewitched race after many problems in qualifying, lasting a few meters, where misfortune bent me. Rosberg started badly; I tried to overtake him, ended up on the grass, went sideways and getting back on track, I hit Liuzzi head-on. A few meters, a disaster".
Which, combined with the recent ones, turns into a real case. Even Domenicali is forced to intervene, facing those who claim that he is working against Massa:
"Don't talk nonsense. Massa is very attached to the team; he will give everything for the cause until the last race. He is in a difficult moment; we have to stand by him and help him recover because his points will be very useful. I'm not talking about the Constructors', that's gone now; only a one-two in Korea could give us hope, but the driver's title, with the help he can offer Alonso".
The problem is understanding if Massa, perhaps still stunned by the disappointment experienced at Hockenheim (Alonso was faster, but he was leading), really wants to lend a hand. He seems almost offended by the doubts:
"My motivations are enormous; I want to win again before the end of the year. Maybe in Brazil, in my race".
Meanwhile, he is entangled in his crisis, leaving Alonso to fight alone but without embarrassment. His serene analysis:
"We should be happy with the podium; we couldn't do more. At the beginning, we tried to keep up with Red Bull's pace, but we settled for distancing McLaren. From the middle of the race, I tried to get closer, but both Vettel and Webber were perfect. I don't change my mind: if I get on the podium in the last three races, I will be the World Champion".
In Korea, his car will have some new features on the rear:
"Details, but they can make a difference".
Making it return to what it was like in Monza and Singapore.