Have a look at the current issue of Red Bulletin for an interesting perspective on Mark Webber’s terrifying crash with Heikki Kovalainen in Valencia. Professor Thomas Schrefl does the maths on Webber’s aerial flip and comes up with some fascinating figures: Doing the maths we see that the potential energy and the rotational energy take … Continue reading The physics of Webber’s Valencia crash
2010 European Grand Prix articles archive
Technical review: European Grand Prix
Posted onA raft of updates appeared on several of the front-running cars in Valencia. As in 2009 when Brawn dominated the first half of the season with its double diffuser, Red Bull has enjoyed a similar performance advantage this year. The key difference is that in the first few races no-one could put a finger on … Continue reading Technical review: European Grand Prix
Sauber “thrilled” by Kobayashi’s passes
Posted onPeter Sauber hailed Kamui Kobayashi’s performance in the European Grand Prix as “amazing”. The Japanese driver claimed seventh place after pulling off two overtaking moves in the final two laps, one on Fernando Alonso. The team owner said: I can only think of one word for it ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ amazing! I was obviously thrilled by his … Continue reading Sauber “thrilled” by Kobayashi’s passes
2010 European Grand Prix – the complete F1 Fanatic race weekend review
Posted onValencia certainly provided a more exciting race this year than it did in 2008 and 2009 but it wasn’t without controversy. Find all the F1 Fanatic European Grand Prix coverage in one place below ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ from Friday practice to the post-race review and our live comments on every session.
Alonso retracts Valencia criticism
Posted onHaving pilloried the European Grand Prix stewards in the 48 hours following the race, Ferrari have begun to tone down their criticism of Sunday’s event. Fernando Alonso was first to take a step back from his earlier criticism of the race as “manipulated”, saying “we should talk about it together in a calm way, to … Continue reading Alonso retracts Valencia criticism
FIA must learn from Valencia shambles
Posted onThere’s no reason to believe Ferrari’s claim that the European Grand Prix was somehow “manipulated”. But considering the penalties that were handed out, particularly the nine drivers who were penalised after the race was finished, it’s clear there’s still room for improvement in how F1 races are refereed. The FIA should start by bringing back … Continue reading FIA must learn from Valencia shambles
Best finish of 2010 (Williams race review)
Posted onRubens Barrichello gave Williams their best result of the year so far. But with Nico H?â??lkenberg running in the points before retiring with a broken exhaust, they could have taken more away from their European Grand Prix weekend. Rubens Barrichello Nico H?â??lkenberg Qualifying position 9 8 Qualifying time comparison (Q3) 1’38.428 (+0.000) 1’38.428 Race position … Continue reading Best finish of 2010 (Williams race review)
Di Grassi shines (Virgin race review)
Posted onLucas di Grassi had his best race weekend of the year so far, out-qualifying his team mate for the first time and finishing first of the new teams. Timo Glock Lucas di Grassi Qualifying position 22 21 Qualifying time comparison (Q1) 1’42.140 (+0.054) 1’42.086 Race position 19 17 Average race lap 1’49.796 (+0.513) 1’49.283 Laps … Continue reading Di Grassi shines (Virgin race review)
Double finish at home (HRT race review)
Posted onKarun Chandhok had a good weekend, out-qualifying his team mate and enjoying a largely trouble-free race. Karun Chandhok Bruno Senna Qualifying position 23 24 Qualifying time comparison (Q1) 1’42.600 (-0.251) 1’42.851 Race position 18 20 Average race lap 1’49.779 (-0.546) 1’50.325 Laps 55/57 55/57 Pit stops 1 2 You need to upgrade your Flash Player … Continue reading Double finish at home (HRT race review)
Buemi slips to ninth (STR race review)
Posted onSebastien Buemi finished eight on the road but was one of the nine drivers to be penalised for going too quickly behind the safety car. That dropped him to ninth behind Fernando Alonso. Sebastien Buemi Jaime Alguersuari Qualifying position 11 17 Qualifying time comparison (Q2) 1’38.586 (-0.872) 1’39.458 Race position 9 13 Average race lap … Continue reading Buemi slips to ninth (STR race review)
Sixth for Sutil (Force India race review)
Posted onAdrian Sutil was content with a sixth-placed finish after problems in qualifying. Adrian Sutil Vitantonio Liuzzi Qualifying position 13 14 Qualifying time comparison (Q2) 1’38.851 (-0.033) 1’38.884 Race position 6 16 Average race lap 1’46.311 (-0.364) 1’46.675 Laps 57/57 57/57 Pit stops 1 1 You need to upgrade your Flash Player Open lap times interactive … Continue reading Sixth for Sutil (Force India race review)
No joy in 500th race (Lotus race review)
Posted onThe team raced with special logos commemorating their 500th start but suffered one of their worst races of the year. Jarno Trulli Heikki Kovalainen Qualifying position 19 20 Qualifying time comparison (Q1) 1’40.658 (-0.224) 1’40.882 Race position 21 Average race lap 1’55.135 (+6.424) 1’48.711 Laps 53/57 8/57 Pit stops 2 0 You need to upgrade … Continue reading No joy in 500th race (Lotus race review)
Strategy gamble helps Kobayashi take seventh on last lap (Sauber race review)
Posted onKamui Kobayashi rode his luck to take a terrific seventh place. The highlight of his race were two bold passes in the final laps, taking Fernando Alonso and Sebastien Buemi. That elevated him to seventh, Sauber’s best result of the year to date.
Kubica disappointed to miss out on podium (Renault race review)
Posted onRobert Kubica reacted quickly when the safety car was deployed to get into the pits immediately. Unfortunately his team were waiting with the wrong tyres when he got there. The delay cost him his chance of finishing on the podium.
Safety car plays into McLaren’s hands in Valencia (McLaren race review)
Posted onMcLaren may not have won the European Grand Prix but they scored more points than anyone else and extended their lead in the constructors’ championship. The safety car appearance worked out particularly well for Jenson Button, putting him on the podium. But Lewis Hamilton was fortunate to keep second place after his drive-through penalty.
Montezemolo expects FIA reaction
Posted onFerrari president Luca di Montezemolo said he expects the FIA to analyse the circumstances of yesterday’s European Grand Prix. Ferrari expressed outrage yesterday that Lewis Hamilton was able to finish second in the race after taking a drive-through penalty for overtaking the safety car, while their drivers finished lower down the field after staying behind … Continue reading Montezemolo expects FIA reaction
Bad luck and bad tempers at Ferrari after European GP (Ferrari race review)
Posted onFerrari were very unlucky with the timing of the safety car in the European Grand Prix. Seeing one of their principal rivals avoid the same misfortune by illegally overtaking the safety car prompted howls of criticism from the team, calling the result “a scandal” and claiming Formula 1 “could lose some credibility”. Four points for … Continue reading Bad luck and bad tempers at Ferrari after European GP (Ferrari race review)
Strategy goes awry again for Schumacher (Mercedes race review)
Posted onHad Mercedes not brought Michael Schumacher into the pits during the safety car he might have enjoyed the seventh-placed finish which went to Kamui Kobayashi. After the race Ross Brawn said he felt Schumacher’s race had been spoiled by a mis-application of the safety car rules. However Nico Rosberg salvaged some pride with a point … Continue reading Strategy goes awry again for Schumacher (Mercedes race review)
Catastrophe for Webber as Vettel cruises to win (Red Bull race review)
Posted onIt was a tale of mixed fortunes at Red Bull. While Sebastian Vettel cruised to victory, leading every lap, Mark Webber had an absolute shocker. With a poor start, a slow pit stop and a terrifying crash with Heikki Kovalainen, Webber will be glad to see the back of the European Grand Prix weekend.
Did Hamilton try to stop Alonso getting in front of the safety car? (Video)
Posted onFernando Alonso’s race was ruined when he got stuck behind the safety car during yesterday’s European Grand Prix. Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton finished second despite getting a penalty for overtaking the safety car. Video footage suggests Hamilton may have done his bit to make sure Alonso got stuck behind the safety car.