Button Wins Thrilling Japanese GP; Vettel Claims 2011 F1 Championship

Photo Credit: Nissan/Infiniti

 

 

The Grand Prix of Japan at Sukuza has often been a nexus point for the Formula 1 Drivers Championship thanks to its late season date. Thrilling with the famous deciding fight in the Prost/Senna battles of 1989 and 1990, the 2011 Formula 1 season's top driver Sebastian Vettel intends to celebrate clinching his second championship simply by scoring 1 point more than Jenson Button.

 

Starting Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, the reigning champion displayed he had no plans of playing it safe. In a last second qualifying run, Sebastian Vettel ripped off a flying fastest lap to claim pole position. Accustomed to the pace he has maintained all season in the Red Bull-Renault, Sebastian Vettel launched aggressively as the lights went out to start the Japanese Grand Prix. Racing against the front row-starting McLaren-Mercedes, Vettel feverishly held off the Jenson Button almost directing the second-place vehicle onto the grass. Button, requiring to slow down into turn 1, would also lose a position to teammate Lewis Hamilton as he exited turn 1 in 3rd place. Vettel earned some criticism from the McLaren team but was quickly defused as the race progressed.

 

With a race going textbook for Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull-Renault, the fight 2nd to 4th place would see Jenson Button reclaim his original spot from Lewis Hamilton on lap 8just before the 2008 World Champion pitted. Hamilton stopped his McLaren-Mercedes to the attention of crew early due to a recorded tire puncture. As the McLaren pit crew came to the aid of Hamilton, the race mechanics would be elevated to heroic. Pitting on lap 21, Jenson Button came to the attention of his crew members who performed a lightning fast pit stop compared to Vettel's Red Bull Racing mechanics. Gaining sizable track position, Button came out of the pits in front of the previously-pitted car of Sebastian Vettel. Exiting in 4th place overall at the lap 22 point in the Japanese Grand Prix, Jenson Button progressed to the lead.

 

With a safety car period slowing the Grand Prix of Japan as a result of debris (namely the carbon fiber pieces landing on track after Mark Webber's Red Bull-Renault made contact with the Mercedes GP car's Michael Schumacher in the 130R area of the Suzuka track. Off the restart, Jenson Button continued to pull away from Sebastian Vettel while the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso managed to fish around the Red Bull for an ultimate second place finish.

 

Photo Credit: Nissan/Infiniti

 

 

Jenson Button would hold on to win the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix for what was an big victory for the McLaren. Button had just signed a contract renewal with the McLaren Formula 1 team for several more season. The country of Japan has also been desribed as special to Jenson Button by post race comments. "It’s such an emotional victory for me: there’s so much history at this circuit, and the crowd here has been amazing, this is second only to a home victory for me." said Button. The British driver is personally connected to the country highlighted by a special race helmet he has worn at Monaco and again at this Japanese Grand Prix. That Jenson Button helmet will be auctioned off in the near future in support of the country of Japan currently rebuilding from the natural disaster earlier this year.

 

Michael Schumacher finished 6th in the Japanese Grand Prix but enjoyed one of the more momentous runs at Sukuza. In the latter 1/3 distance in the event, Schumacher's Mercedes GP MGP W02 race car led before a necessary pit stop. “I’m very happy with what we achieved in Suzuka today as we maximised our potential of the car, and managed to put in a good race." said 7-time Formula 1 champion Schumacher. While Michael Schumacher's teammate Nico Rosberg did not enjoy a front-running sprint in the grand prix, the young German did accomplish a hard-fought feat. Unable to log a lap in qualifying Saturday at Suzuka, Rosberg's Mercedes GP car was only granted a rear field starting spot after Formula 1 stewards permitted the team to run the Japanese Grand Prix. By lap 25, Nico Rosberg and his crew worked the car up to 13th place. At the end, a 10th place position and a single Formula 1 series point was earned by Rosberg.

 

After the race though, the man of the hour was the acclaimed 2011 Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Needing only a single point, Vettel displayed the same grand prix win-contending performance powerthe Red Bull-Renault driver plans in completing this near dream season. Finishing 3rd and on podium, Vettel was ecstatic about his 2nd straight championship by charging towards his Red Bull Racing crew members in celebration. Vettel clinches the Formula 1 championship with 4 races remaining in the 2011 season. Sebastian Vettel joins active drivers Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher as multiple time champions in Formula 1. 

Photo Credit: Nissan/Infiniti

Continuing with the late year Asian tour for the Formula 1 series, teams prepare for the Korean Grand Prix schedule in one week's time (October 16th).

 

2011 Formula 1

Japanese Grand Prix

Suzuka Circuit

Race Results

 

1. 4 Jenson Button McLaren
2. 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
3. 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing
4. 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing
5. 3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren
6. 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
7. 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
8. 17 Sergio Perez Sauber
9. 10 Vitaly Petrov Lotus Renault GP
10. 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
11. 14 Adrian Sutil Force India
12. 15 Paul di Resta Force India
13. 16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber
14. 12 Pastor Maldonado Williams F1
15. 19 Jaime Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso
16. 9 Bruno Senna Lotus Renault GP
17. 11 Rubens Barrichello Williams F1
18. 21 Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus
19. 20 Jarno Trulli Team Lotus
20. 24 Timo Glock Marussia Virgin Racing
21. 25 Jérôme D’Ambrosio Marussia Virgin Racing
22. 22 Daniel Ricciardo HRT F1
23. 23 Vitantonio Liuzzi HRT F1
24. 18 Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso

Mercedes Power Strong on Day 1 of Prep for Chinese Grand Prix

Home to the third Asian continent round of four initial races on the Formula 1 tour, the open wheel racing machines set course for the 5.451 kilometer (3.387 mile) Shanghai International Circuit in the People's Republic of China for the 6th running of the Chinese Grand Prix. Active winners of the grand prix includes Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Rubens Barrichello, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel from last season. What makes this noteworthy is that, in 6 previous runnings of the Chinese Grand Prix, there has yet to be a repeat winning driver on the track.

Further adding to the unpredictability of the apparent variables in this grand prix is a chaotic start to the 2010 Formula 1 season overall. Three drivers competing in three different cars hold victories in the first three rounds of the Formula 1 series this season. This feat was last accomplished by the Formula 1 tour in 1990. While front-runners Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull Racing have all recorded their first wins of 2010, the streak different driver/team victories could be extended if Mercedes GP or Renault would find the top of the podium in China.

In first day preparations for the Chinese Grand Prix, teams powered by Mercedes-Benz engines continue to show a consistent presence at the top of the Formula 1 time sheet. The top 4 times in both Chinese Grand Prix practices were captured by Mercedes-Benz powerplants of McLaren-Mercedes and the fully factory-backed Mercedes GP team. Overall, the second of two practice sessions proved fastest on day 1 with 2008 race winner Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest mark of 1 minute, 35.217 seconds for McLaren. Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg posted the second fast on the day. Teammates for the top-2 runners in practice Jenson Button and Michael Schumacher were nearby on quick times.

Filed behind the Mercedes-Benz powered vehicles, the Red Bull Racing cars placed 5th and 6th fastest times with Sebastian Vettel leading Mark Webber. Red Bull Racing's satellite team Scuderia Toro Rosso, received a tremendous amount of attention for the wrong reasons. In first round of practice, a frightening scene transpired on the car of Sebastien Buemi entering into turn 14. As Buemi braked into th corner, the front suspension system of his Toro Rosso seemingly exploded sheering the front front wheels off the vehicle. Sebastien Buemi slid into the run-off zone but not made mild contact with a retaining barrier. Buemi was unhurt and no other drivers or spectators were directly threatened by parts flying from the Toro Rosso. Upon examining the vehicle, the Toro Rosso race team linked the suspension failure to a new-for-China design change to the front suspension upright. After the accident, the Formula 1 team reverted back to the design used the previous suspension uprights.

Foreshadowing the Chinese Grand Prix, a considerable focus in China is off-track as the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. Occurring in the western part of the country, 1,144 people are reported to have perished since the Wednesday earthquake shook the ground.

Mercedes GP debuts Their Team F1 Car

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Guaranteed to be Formula 1's most watched team with being built from the foundation of last year's F1 Constructor Champion, Mercedes GP has been catching major headlines through luring 7-time World Driving Champion Michael Schumacher from retirement. At a January 25th event inside the Mercedes-Benz Museum located in Stuttgart, Germany the Mercedes GP team introduced a vehicle which they intend to honour the automotive history within the building's walls.

The first Formula 1 team to unveil their competition car for the 2010 grand prix season, Mercedes GP team drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg joined a Silver Arrow-inspired Petronas-sponsored MGP-W01 race machine. In front of a crowd of selected 600 guests consisting of 200 media members and 200 Mercedes-Benz Employees, driver Nico Rosberg brought light to the atmosphere stating "You can really feel the successful motorsport history of Mercedes-Benz here at the Museum in Stuttgart and to be part of the new Silver Arrows team and that racing heritage makes me feel extremely proud and motivated." Mercedes GP team principal and minority team owner Ross Brawn was also taken aback by the event. "With your first look around the Museum, you realise the fantastic racing heritage of Mercedes-Benz and we hope to be able to contribute to those successes going forward." This time last year Brawn, having bought the assets of the former Honda F1 team, showed off his one and only Brawn GP entry in much less fanfare.

Racing legend Michael Schumacher, looking forward to his first year of Formula 1 competition since 2006, sums up his motivation for driving a race vehicle with the famous tri-star badge. "I am convinced that MERCEDES GP PETRONAS will be in a very good position to fight for the championships this season and I will definitely give it a go. Driving for Mercedes-Benz again is like the closing of a circle for me as I started my racing driver career with the three-pointed star on my helmet. This is another reason why I cannot wait for the competition to get underway.”


Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Following a previous article, I must apologize that I might have misled readers to believe that the Mercedes GP team were going to introduce their car in Valencia, Spain. In truth, the Mercedes GP car will be tested for the first time.

Involved in Formula 1 since 1993, The German car company maintained largely an engine supply role. Mercedes-Benz did acquire a 40 percent stake in McLaren, an ownership sum that will be sold back to the team for 2011. In the 2010 Formula 1 season Mercedes-Benz makes a return as an engine and chassis combination after a 55-year absence.

Mercedes Grand Prix Hires Nico Rosberg; Schumacher in Other Car?

Photo Courtesy of Brawn GP/Mercedes Grand Prix


Buying and rebranding the 2009 Constructor champion Brawn GP, it would have been thought that Mercedes Grand Prix would be a turn-key operation for the 2010 Formula 1 season. The reality is that the reformulated team was in immediate need of two new drivers after Rubens Barrichello and 2009 F1 driver's champ Jenson Button sought other race teams for 2010.

Filling the seat of Mercedes Grand Prix's first silver arrow race car is second-generation F1 driver Nico Rosberg. Having competed 4 seasons with Williams F1, Nico Rosberg's best finish in 70 Formula 1 races came with a 2nd place in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Rosberg's crowning career achievement was winning the GP2 series title in 2005 finishing ahead of Finland's Heikki Kolavainen and American Scott Speed. "I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes. No other brand in Formula 1 can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing" Rosberg commented with the announcement. A German native with a German-owned F1 operation, the pairing is definitely a pleasing sight to Deutschland nationalists.

Amongst the most popular rumour for the second seat has 7-time Formula 1 Champion Michael Schumacher returning to the circuit. Involved in the Sauber Mercedes-Benz sports car team in 1989 and 1990, the reuniting of the two German motorsport names would certainly for a head turner for the 2010 Formula 1 tour. Schumacher had planned to run races for Ferrari in 2009 to substitute for the injured Felipe Massa but was himself sidelined by a motorcycle accident. Though Schumacher's manager confirmed meeting with Mercedes Grand Prix management, the driver's representative expressed that the chances of Michael Schumacher running for the team is 'highly unlikely'.

Mercedes-Benz Buys Majority Stake In Brawn GP; Becoming Mercedes Grand Prix in 2010

Image Acquired From Brawn GP/Mercedes Grand Prix


Winning the 2009 Formula 1 constructor champion by winning 8 times in their first season with Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello driving, Brawn GP was the Cinderella story of modern auto racing. Spun off the less than successful factory Honda Formula 1 team, former Ferrari and Renault technical director Ross Brawn retained the personal of the past team but sought the power of a Mercedes-Benz powerplant. As Brawn GP reveled as their Mercedes-Benz engines, few would have known that the German automaker wished to end their customer relationship. Instead, Mercedes-Benz (under parent company Daimler AG) decided to evolve their customer into their new factory team for 2010.

Announced Monday, Daimler AG, partnered with Abu Dhabi-based principal investment firm Aabar Investments PJSC, bought over 75.1% controlling interest to the one-year Formula 1 entrant Brawn GP. Renaming the team Mercedes Grand Prix, minority team owner and team leader Ross Brawn will continue to have an important presence in the new team.

While Brawn GP gains the factory support of Mercedes-Benz, The German auto giant also announced a change in their 14-year relationship with McLaren Mercedes Formula One. With Mercedes-Benz already possessing a 40 percent stake in this previous partnership, a preparation has been made for McLaren to buy back Mercedes-Benz's share of the team by 2011. However, as the auto manufacturer divests their interest from McLaren, Mercedes-Benz has also entered into a long-term engine supply deal for the Mclaren F1 team through the 2015 season.