Sunday 27 October 2013

Indian Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Was it ever in doubt? Sebastian Vettel claimed his fourth consecutive World Drivers Title today in sublime style, as he dominated the Indian Grand Prix for a third successive year. Vettel managed to convert the compromised strategy of starting on the option tyre to great effect, as he scythed his way through the field after his initial stop on lap two. The victory could have easily been a 1-2 finish for the team but for an unfortunate alternator failure on Mark Webber's car which curtailed his progress in the closing stages. However, Red Bull still managed to wrap up the constructors title in what was a near perfect occasion for the team.

Saturday 26 October 2013

Indian Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Predictable, inevitable, sublime - so many adjectives can be used to describe Sebastian Vettel's dominant Pole Position in New Delhi today. The German was at his usual best, as he controlled proceedings at the head of the timesheet. He was even able to abandon his final run as his initial time of a 1:24.119 was good enough to claim top spot from the Mercedes duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who trailed by 0.7s. However, it is Vettel's teammate who could provide the greatest threat to the German tomorrow. Mark Webber set his Q3 time on the medium tyre, while still managing to line up a highly commendable P4. No one has ever won a race starting on the prime compound and while this is unlikely to change tomorrow, it will certainly provide intrigue to the race.
 

Friday 25 October 2013

Indian Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Predictably, Sebastian Vettel topped the time-sheets in both FP1 and FP2 today yet it was tyres which were top of the agenda - and it was not all about degradation. Yes, the soft tyres are proving to be a poor race tyre but Williams are making headlines following Friday once again, as Pastor Maldonado suffered a frightening recurrence of the wheel connection issues which curtailed his progress in FP2 in Japan. The team escaped the incident with another fine while the consequences could have been far more severe.

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Indian Grand Prix: Weekend Preview

While wrapping up the championship title was always going to be unlikely in Japan, the world anticipates the re-crowning of a champion come Sunday, as Sebastian Vettel needs only P5 or better to clinch his fourth consecutive title. A formality? - Quite possibly, if the form guide is anything to go by. Not only has Vettel claimed victory at five consecutive races, he is yet to be beaten in New Delhi, having also led every single lap ever to be completed around the circuit. Seems his competitors will have a difficult task to stop Sebastian's run of impeccable form.

Kvyat Claims Toro Rosso Seat

Despite all of the anticipation surrounding a seemingly imminent arrival of Antonio Felix Da Costa at Toro Rosso for 2014, the big news on Monday night came as a great surprise to the F1 community as a whole. Rather than Da Costa, Toro Rosso announced that 19-year-old GP3 star Daniil Kyvat would claim the seat alongside the Red Bull reject Jean Eric Vergne for 2014. This has led to widespread debate; is Kyvat ready for Formula One after just one season in GP3 and why has Antonio Felix Da Costa been rejected.

Saturday 12 October 2013

Japanese Grand Prix: Qualifying Analysis

Suzuka always provides red hot action, with today's qualifying session being no exception to the rule, in more ways than one. Sebastian Vettel was the overwhelming favourite to claim another Pole Position, however, a fundamental KERS issue derailed his FP3 session and returned to haunt him in qualifying. With the German faltering, his rivals tried to capitalize, with Mark Webber snatching Pole away from his teammate - The first time that Mark has outperformed Sebastian on a Saturday all season. All is not lost for Vettel though, as a P2 starting position could well prove prosperous tomorrow.


Thursday 10 October 2013

Honda Consider McLaren Drivers

With McLaren reuniting with Honda for 2015, anticipation grows as fans hope to see a triumphant return to the glory days which the partnership enjoyed throughout the 1980's and 90's. It was an iconic period for the team, which brought dominant success with seven titles claimed in just eight years, as the likes of Senna, Prost and Lauda etched their way into McLaren folk-law. Honda have stated their ambitions, while they have not considered their preferred driver line-up for 2015 just yet.


Saturday 5 October 2013

Korean Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Following a promising Friday, the paddock anticipated an interesting qualifying session, with both Red Bull's facing close competition from the Mercedes duo for Pole Position. However, it was a familiar figure in P1, as Sebastian Vettel claimed his third Pole Position in a row, edging out Lewis Hamilton, as the pair lock-out the front row once again. Mark Webber posted an impressive time good enough for P3, yet will only start P13, after his "taxi" incident in Singapore. Romain Grosjean will consequently start in P3 instead.