Webber takes sole championship lead – points in full after Turkey

64 comments on “Webber takes sole championship lead – points in full after Turkey”

1. 

   Damon
   30th May 2010, 14:41

   Wow, what a classic season this turns out to be.
   Imagine Kimi Raikkonen was there as well – in, say, Renault?

   Anyway, Vettel might regret his mistake badly at the end of the season.
   1. 

      nik
      30th May 2010, 17:03

      wow new rule record – Kimi mentioned in comment #1 of a thread
2. 

   Macca
   30th May 2010, 14:44

   This confirms and inhances my dislike (im not prepared to say hatered yet) for Vettel, first at Fuji, under a saftey car no less in the jr team and now here in Turkey. He needs to grow up and respect what is best for the team.

   He drove in Turkey and he drove like a turkey.
   1. 

      Damon
      30th May 2010, 15:09

      Woah, stop right there Billy!
      He drove great, but made one single mistake.
      Overtaking is not a piece a cake, things happen.
      Kudos to him for having the balls. That’s racing.
      1. 

         Mike
         30th May 2010, 15:30

         I agree Damon, it happens, he made a silly error, but he didn’t exactly punt Webber off on purpose did he?
      2. 

         sato113
         30th May 2010, 15:35

         agreed. lets face it, it was a racing accident. this is motorsport right? this is why i watch it.
         1. 

            Macca
            30th May 2010, 16:37

            I can accept that it was a racing incedent but it was his team mate for god sakes. Show some resposibility to the team not just to yourself.
            1. 

               Simon
               30th May 2010, 23:04

               The real issue is the stance of Helmut Marko. He seems to blame Webber entirely and that is disgraceful bias. Webber needs to get the camp behind him, the German Austrian relationship is showing it’s true colours. And this is after Webber dominated the last two GP’s. Marko is a grub.
            2. 

               US_Peter
               31st May 2010, 2:09

               Webber’s the one who needs to show some team respect. When you’ve been passed you’ve been passed, fair and square. If you want to try and hold your line that’s fine against the opposition, but to your team mate you should yield to keep from causing such an accident. Button and Hamilton showed great skill in passing each other and yielding when each of them knew they’d been passed rather than cause a stupid accident. Webber should’ve yielded and made room for Vettel when he was clearly passed. An unfortunate incident for both of them and the team. Ah to be a fly on the wall at Red Bull and hear the conversations between the drivers and team.
            3. 

               TommyC
               31st May 2010, 6:32

               the funny thing is, US Peter, is that webber did give him room, vettel just used more than was there. sure, it’s a racing incident, but for heavens sake vettel, take some responsibility! and the teams view on it (well, Marko’s, is disgraceful)
         2. 

            BasCB
            31st May 2010, 6:36

            A racing incident maybe, but Vettel was most at foult.
            OK Webber was going pretty slow to save fuel, while Vettel had a little bit more left, but i think it would have been a lot more sensible to do the same Ferrari did in Melbourne, to keep the faster car in the back to block Hamilton from taking it away. Look how close Lewis was there! Vettel just turned into Mark miles before the braking point to make him back of and take the place. Not something to do when you have Lewis right behind. A real mess for Red Bull and it could have ended in losing a lot more still.
3. 

   Alexi
   30th May 2010, 14:48

   Yeah, Vettel was to blame for the crash and still called Webber crazy. He surely does not deserve to win the championship.
   1. 

      Mike
      30th May 2010, 15:06

      I think this is a bit extreme, yeah it was his fault, but it was a racing incident, the situation is only magnified because it was team mates leading the race. I am more unhappy at what Alonso did to Petrov, It was avoidable and ruined Petrov’s really good race.
4. 

   Calum
   30th May 2010, 14:54

   Lewis is back :)
5. 

   sw6569
   30th May 2010, 14:57

   Very interesting between Button and Hamilton. Shades of Pironi and Villeneuve in my opinion.

   Completely agree about Vettel, terrible move. Second time he’s done something really stupid this season (other being the pit lane incident).

   I also wonder whether this will encourage Mark to consider leaving Red Bull next year…
   1. 

      sato113
      30th May 2010, 15:36

      or Vettel leaving…? Webber’s been at red bull for longer.
      1. 

         Mike
         30th May 2010, 16:49

         I suspect Mark might call it quits within a few years, his motivation for staying isn’t exactly like Ruben’s.
         1. 

            TommyC
            31st May 2010, 6:36

            i’d say his motivation is pretty dang high. he’s endured rubbish seasons in 03,04, and 06 to finally get to where he is. why would he give up now?
      2. 

         BasCB
         31st May 2010, 6:38

         After hearing Horner and Marko telling everybody Mark should have given more room to Seb, and hearing about Mark having turned down revs to save fuel and Vettel having been told to put revs up to get in front, i hope Mark will take the nr. 1 to another team next year. Why not get on board with Renault next year? Or Ferrari might be a real option for him next year.
6. 

   Robocat
   30th May 2010, 14:58

   Im getting to really dislike Vettel. He winges and sulks when Webber beats him and then he makes a idiot move on him which proberly costed him the win. Then he calls Webber crazy, Idiot is all I can describe him. Grow up Vettel.
7. 

   steph
   30th May 2010, 15:00

   That collision was great for Webber really.
   1. 

      sato113
      30th May 2010, 15:40

      actually come to think of it, you’re absoulutely right steph. In terms of championship battle Webber now has an advantage over his team mate.

      but now he’s got mclaren breathing down his neck…
      1. 

         steph
         30th May 2010, 16:59

         First beta teammate then worry about everyone else :P
         You’re spot on though. Mclaren look to be developing well (everything is such a secret though it is guess work)). However, they aren’t very consistent as Monaco they weren’t a threat to the front but at this track they win. If they can iron that out RedBull should have a good challenge on their hands.
         1. 

            BasCB
            30th May 2010, 18:42

            It shows, that Mark has Seb cornered and making errors trying to get back at the top (qualifying, now this in the race). For him it was the best possible outcome, making good 15 points on his closest challenger.

            McLaren is showing how to do it right, with an exiting tussle between their drivers resulting in Lewis staying in front, with not hard feelings and no damages to the car. A car that is quickly improving in qualifying and stays quick in the race.
         2. 

            George
            30th May 2010, 22:08

            If Red Bull get their F-duct working McLaren will lose their advantage, it’ll be interesting to see their straight line speeds in Canada.
   2. 

      Icthyes
      30th May 2010, 16:57

      Brundle said something similar and I agree. It’s a lot better than if Vettel had passed him and won.
      1. 

         steph
         30th May 2010, 17:07

         It’s better than for Webber than if it had gone to plan with him winning and Seb coming 2nd.
   3. 

      nik
      30th May 2010, 17:06

      True. Webber will probably tell the team: ‘as far as I am concerned, he can do the same thing in every race between now and the end of the season – it just means I will finish 190 points ahead of him :)’
8. 

   Ivan Vinitskyy
   30th May 2010, 15:04

   What was Button doing if he was in fuel saving mode?
   Surely attacking isn’t very fuel efficient…

   Vettel got what he deserved, glad he still tries to go for it. Wouldn’t want it any other way.
   1. 

      Scribe
      30th May 2010, 16:57

      Button probably didn’t need to be as efficient as Hamilton as the way he’d driven his race, saving tyres to attack later, ment that he’d probably saved more fuel. Good racecraft really.
      1. 

         BasCB
         30th May 2010, 18:43

         Even if it was only some fun to show they have the upper hand and are able to manage this better than RBR it was a nice piece of driving from both of them.
   2. 

      George
      30th May 2010, 22:10

      That’s what I was thinking, after the move Button fell back drastically from Hamilton in order to save fuel, what would have happened if he had gotten ahead?
9. 

   TommyB
   30th May 2010, 15:07

   A 3rd place separating the top 5. What an awesome championship. With the pace of the Red Bull’s it is unbelievable how close it but as I always say they have a habit of ruining it for themselves and they’ve done it again.
   1. 

      TommyC
      31st May 2010, 6:39

      “oh no, our reliability is fine this week. i know, we’ll get one to hit the other. that’ll stuff us up real good”
10. 

    rfs
    30th May 2010, 15:07

    Finally Lewis gets the points he deserves. :D And LOL @ Red Bull!
    1. 

       Scribe
       30th May 2010, 16:58

       True partisan there, really as a McLaren fan, when I watched them collide i was secretly going YESSSS!
       1. 

          nik
          30th May 2010, 17:07

          secretly? where were you watching the race, in the red bull garage?

          are you adrian newey?
          1. 

             Scribe
             30th May 2010, 17:54

             it was kind of sad to see, i’d have liked to have seen McLaren pass them on the track.
11. 

    rayan
    30th May 2010, 15:27

    i feel all the top 10 including schumi are in fight for the championship… 2 consecutive wins is enough to be in top 5…..
12. 

    NDINYO
    30th May 2010, 15:29

    Wellcome the beginning of “Fuel Save” gate at McLaren! Finally the cracks begin showing in all the places they were expected to … Webber vs Vettel, Fernando vs Massa, Lewis vs Button. The love-fest is over and the racing is that so much more exciting for the fan.
13. 

    Prisoner Monkeys
    30th May 2010, 15:50

    Webber’s lead isn’t going to last.
    1. 

       doudan
       30th May 2010, 16:06

       Unless of course, it does last.
       1. 

          TommyC
          31st May 2010, 6:41

          i must say, that’s a really good point.
    2. 

       Scribe
       30th May 2010, 16:59

       I think Webbers lead is probably more secure than Massa’s was.
    3. 

       nik
       30th May 2010, 17:08

       It didn’t, he finished third (I assume you are still watching the race)
       1. 

          Scribe
          30th May 2010, 17:55

          eh? Championship lead i think i whats being dicussed
    4. 

       TommyC
       31st May 2010, 6:42

       i just don’t understand. webber’s last 3 races have been as good/better than button’s last year. he is the in form driver and has as much a chance to win the championship as anyone.
14. 

    Younger Hamilton
    30th May 2010, 16:05

    Why the hell Fernando is still 4th i dont know
    1. 

       Scribe
       30th May 2010, 16:59

       Because he started 12 an finished 8th.
       1. 

          BasCB
          30th May 2010, 18:44

          The way he is going, if Ferrari get a good improvement on the car he can be a feisty contender for the WDC as well.
          1. 

             BBT
             30th May 2010, 19:27

             What making error after error?
             1. 

                bosyber
                31st May 2010, 9:09

                Well, his errors are the reason he does not have more points, true. But he is managing to stay within range of the top so far. IF Ferrari manage to get back to improving the car soon enough, he still is in a good a position to fight for WDC.

                I do think his errors show that Ferrari did lose the plot with developing that care. They feel they are losing ground and I am not sure they will manage to fix the car soon enough. But maybe they do get the f-duct to finally work well in Canada, tat would help.

                For the championship a Canada fight between McLaren and Ferrari, with Red Bull in the mix, would be good.
15. 

    GH
    30th May 2010, 16:25

    I also think the collision was great for Webber. 3rd for Webber and a DNF for Vettel (close points battle) and the circumstances being what they were may possibly make him more cautious next time he tries anything like that on Webber? Maybe a better outcome for Webber than a 1-2?
    1. 

       Randy
       30th May 2010, 19:58

       I agree GH. A clear lead in the points and perhaps a psychological advantage on his young teamate. I don’t know the team politics of favoritism, if any, but Webber just needs to stay cool and keep getting 100% out of the car
16. 

    Scribe
    30th May 2010, 17:04

    You know if McLaren hadn’t brought Lewis in during Australia, an if his rim hadn’t gone in Spain, he’d have a pretty damn good lead right now, I’m aware thats whatifing but it goes some way to show how consitant Lewis is this year, out of all the top drivers he’s been the only one whose always performing.

    Redbull should be scared of Hamilton, he might bring that car in first if it goes on like this, especially if McLaren keeps eating into Redbulls advantage.
    1. 

       BasCB
       30th May 2010, 18:51

       But if Red Bull had not screwed Webbers strategy by keeping him out for 2 laps too long, Webber would be leading again.

       So many what ifs, great that it is so close after 1/3 of the season is over. Eight drivers within a race and a 10th place, the first four only a podium finish seperated.

       And Ferrari might get some wins if they manage to improve and even a win or two from Mercedes might just be possible.

       A great season so far and not many snore fest races yet (2/7). This was the first completely dry race with exiting racing. Now get some good promotion on for Turkey and get some full grandstands closer to the track action and this might be a classic race!
    2. 

       TommyC
       31st May 2010, 6:50

       yeh and what if vettel won in bahrain, melbourne, what if webber maintiained the lead in malaysia and mclaren/ferrari got qualy right, id didn’t rain in china…etc etc…
       i wouldn’t say hamilton has been performing particularly better than webber or vettel or button. so many situations that could have gone either way. this is why i love this sport. basically every driver is awesome, some just end up in less favourable circumstances.
       and bar this race, hamilton’s qualifying has actually been poorer than most anyway.
17. 

    Dog
    30th May 2010, 18:47

    We are not blind or stupid but if Martin Whitmarsh keeping doing this helping Button over Hamilton or favoring Button Over Hamilton then i think it’s time Hamilton to look for find another team next year, because what we have seen today is not good. i wonder why McLaren trying to handicap Lewis to help Jensen, again…and why was Lewis told to slow down and conserve fuel, because to give a chance allowing Jensen to get close to him and attack , and when that didn’t work out then Jensen is told to conserve fuel!? what a joke.
    i don’t like this and really make me crazy, we all remember China and Singapore. AND NOW IT’S REALLY STINKING MCLAREN SIDE
    1. 

       bosyber
       31st May 2010, 9:24

       I am pretty sure Whitmarsh wasn’t very happy with Button when he made that move on Hamilton, and let out a sigh of relief after they were both through turn 1 safely, and then continued to let them both know that he hoped now they could just calm down and get him his 1 – 2 finish.

       No conspiracy against Hamilton from the team, just Button seeing a chance and Hamilton feeling a bit too secure. Now they both know to respect the determination and guts of their teammate just a little bit more in future, I guess.
18. 

    steph
    30th May 2010, 19:15

    This year is mad. Webber’s in the form of his life right now but he made mistakes early season, Seb’s looking shaky, But the wide one but not quite at Hamilton’s pace, Ros the new driving God only for Schumi to be sort of getting a handle on him to some extent, Mas is starting to do a good job but not stellar and Alonso had owned him early on, Alo is making mistakes I’d never expect from him and Hamilton seems to be the one keeping the cool head! Hamilton’s shown his champion worth I think, he proved he wasn’t (cliche here) the ‘complete package’ by Button besting him with strategy and race craft early on but his pace, overtaking and being a bit calmer since then have possibly made him the man of the season so far. Maybe Kubica could contend with him but that car suits him perfectly whereas the Mclaren lacks consistency across the tracks. Everyone has made mistakes though and that’s partly the reason this season is turning out to be quite exciting.
    1. 

       TommyC
       31st May 2010, 6:53

       great summary there steph, i agree completely. and to think we all thought we were in for the most boring season in years after bahrain. how wrong we were…
    2. 

       bosyber
       31st May 2010, 9:14

       Well said. This unpredictability (apart from the qualifying, so far) is what makes for an exciting season! I hope they all continue to take/give points and wins away from each other, right until the end of he season. And maybe some more Mercedes or Renault race win. Singapore for Renault would be fun …
19. 

    Jim
    31st May 2010, 2:19

    Race fixing and team instructions are not allowed, but I suspect “Conserve Fuel” is code for “Hold Positions”, which is a neat cover up and a convenient excuse for McClaren… The drivers were not told to conserve fuel until after they had their little scrap (which was sensational!), and there is no way McClaren wanted a repeat of what they witnessed with Red Bull a few laps earlier. Button would have been much better off for fuel as he played a tailing role, so strange he was told to conserve at exactly the same time as Hamilton… I smell a rat!
20. 

    Apostolos
    1st June 2010, 13:29

    Hamilton for pole!!!

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