Happy Monday everyone! I don’t know about you but a month’s break from F1 is pure torture – it felt like forever since I watched the 22 cars line up on the starting grid. However, that being said, I didn’t particularly enjoy this race, which was a real pity for me as Spa Francorchamps is one of my favourite tracks and usually proves to be quite exciting. All I was left with was a real ‘meh’ feeling after the checkered flag was waved. Alonso pretty much summed up the day by saying “But today it was a little bit boring.” I was personally hoping for some rain to stir things up a bit, which never came of course.
Personal opinion aside Vettel had a good drive yesterday after he nabbed first place from Lewis Hamilton exiting eau rouge on the first lap. From then onwards the German pulled away and didn’t have any threat from other drivers during the race and comfortably took the checkered flag.
The biggest loser of the day was unfortunately Kimi Raikkonen. The Fin took a serious knock in his championship standing yesterday after he had to retire due to a brake failure, something you don’t want to risk going around a F1 track at 310km/h. Raikkonen’s brake issues were clearly evident after we saw brake dust spewing from his tyres. Kimi has dropped two places in the championship, and has some serious catching up to do in the following races to come.
There were a few other minor incidents, but nothing to write home about. Grosjean was pushed off the track by Perez, which saw the Mexican receive a drive through penalty. Maldonado also had a scrap with both Force Indias, with Paul di Resta unfortunately coming off second best after he was forced to retire following the coming together of his and Maldonado’s car.
I think that about covers it. Like I said, not very eventful and most certainly not one of the usual great Spa races we usually witness. At least the next race isn’t a month away Have a great week everyone and catch you after the Italian GP on 8 September.
Result
1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:23.42.196
2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari +16.800
3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +27.700
4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes +29.800
5 Mark Webber Red Bull +33.800
6 Jenson Button McLaren +40.700
7 Felipe Massa Ferrari +53.900
8 Romain Grosjean Lotus +55.800
9 Adrian Sutil Force India +69.500
10 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso +73.400
11 Sergio Perez McLaren +81.900
12 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso +86.700
13 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber +88.200
14 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber +1 lap
15 Valtteri Bottas Williams +1 lap
16 Giedo van der Garde Caterham +1 lap
17 Pastor Maldonado Williams +1 lap
18 Jules Bianchi Marussia +1 lap
19 Max Chilton Marussia +2 laps
Did Not Finish
Paul di Resta Force India 18 laps
Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 19 laps
Charles Pic Caterham 36 laps
Driver’s Championship – Top 5
1 Sebastian Vettel 197 points
2 Fernando Alonso 151 points
3 Lewis Hamilton 139 points
4 Kimi Raikkonen 134 points
5 Mark Webber 115 points
Constructor’s Championship – Top 5
1 Red Bull 312 points
2 Mercedes 235 points
3 Ferrari 218 points
4 Lotus 187 points
5 McLaren 65 points