F1 2011 Indian GP

[Bartek S.]

17 Indian GP

30 OCTOBER 2011

3.45 miles (5.552 km)
Number of laps:	55
Race length:	189.739 miles (305.355 km)
Joined F1 calendar:	2009
Previous winner:	Sebastian Vettel
Previous polesitter:	Sebastian Vettel, 1:39.394
Lap record:	1:40.279 (Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 2009)

[TD="class: stats-tbl-left"]Circuit length:[/TD]

Mallya says Indian Grand Prix the biggest ever race for his team

Force India boss Vijay Mallya says this weekend's inaugural Indian Grand Prix will be the biggest ever race for his team. "Absolutely," said the Indian. "This is a very important weekend for Sahara Force India and we are all determined to be as competitive as possible.
"I want to savour every moment of what will surely be one of the most spectacular events of the season and the start of a great Formula 1 tradition in India."
The country, which has had two Formula 1 drivers in Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok, will host its first grand prix this weekend at the Buddh circuit.
Mallya admitted the race is a dream come true for him and the country.
He added: "I have been involved in motor racing for over 30 years and it's one of my greatest passions. I brought the first Formula 1 car over to India in the 1980s and it was always a dream of mine to one day see this great nation host a Grand Prix. So this weekend is a very significant moment and I'm extremely proud.
"It's a major step forward for Indian motorsport and for sport in general in our country. We are all looking forward to it immensely.
The team owner, who announced earlier this month a partnership with the Sahara Group, believes the new deal will only help make Force India stronger in the future.
"This is yet another great milestone in the history of this team. The Sahara Group brings fresh investment and Saharasri Subrata Roy Sahara shares my vision to push the development so that we continue to compete effectively with the teams ahead of us.
"The Sahara Group has played a very important role in the development of sport in India and is an ideal partner to help us achieve greater success in the future."

 

[Bartek S.]

FP1

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
01. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m26.836s 22
02. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m27.416s + 0.580 23
03. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m27.428s + 0.592 27
04. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m28.394s + 1.558 23
05. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m28.531s + 1.695 23
06. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m28.542s + 1.706 29
07. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m28.644s + 1.808 22
08. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m28.705s + 1.869 23
09. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m29.219s + 2.383 24
10. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m29.355s + 2.519 29
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m29.700s + 2.864 24
12. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m29.705s + 2.869 22
13. Bruno Senna Renault 1m29.799s + 2.963 20
14. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m30.132s + 3.296 25
15. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m30.367s + 3.531 21
16. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m30.566s + 3.730 19
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m30.699s + 3.833 22
18. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m30.818s + 3.982 22
19. Karun Chandhok Lotus-Renault 1m32.487s + 5.651 24
20. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m32.771s + 5.935 24
21. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m33.928s + 7.092 27
22. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m34.113s + 7.277 30
23. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m35.896s + 8.960 19
24. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m35.899s + 9.063 4

 

[Bartek S.]

FP2

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m25.706s 33
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m25.794s + 0.088 34
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m25.930s + 0.224 34
4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m26.454s + 0.748 26
5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m26.500s + 0.794 30
6. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m26.714s + 1.008 28
7. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m27.316s + 1.610 34
8. Bruno Senna Renault 1m27.498s + 1.792 36
9. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m27.853s + 2.147 35
10. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m27.868s + 2.162 35
11. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m27.890s + 2.184 37
12. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m28.050s + 2.344 34
13. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m28.289s + 2.583 36
14. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m28.552s + 2.846 31
15. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m28.691s + 2.985 29
16. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m28.708s + 3.002 24
17. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m29.332s + 3.626 39
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m30.241s + 4.535 41
19. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m31.098s + 5.392 38
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m31.469s + 5.763 32
21. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m31.804s + 6.098 28
22. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m32.593s + 6.887 12
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m32.768s + 7.062 33
24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m32.824s + 7.118 33

 

[Centurion]

I'm so excited about this race. The circuit looks brilliant. A nice blend between China and Malaysia. It will be interesting to see whether any stray dogs will cause a problem or whether the sand will cause tire slippage.

 

[Cashmere]

I'm so excited about this race. The circuit looks brilliant. A nice blend between China and Malaysia. It will be interesting to see whether any stray dogs will cause a problem or whether the sand will cause tire slippage.

I heard we might see something similar to this on Sunday.

 

[Bartek S.]

FP3

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m24.824s 18
2. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m25.191s + 0.367s 15
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m25.203s + 0.379s 19
4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m25.288s + 0.464s 16
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m25.784s + 0.960s 17
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m26.058s + 1.234s 16
7. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m26.785s + 1.961s 19
8. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m26.873s + 2.049s 22
9. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m26.958s + 2.134s 19
10. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m27.146s + 2.322s 20
11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m27.217s + 2.393s 21
12. Bruno Senna Renault 1m27.235s + 2.411s 20
13. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m27.262s + 2.438s 19
14. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m27.280s + 2.456s 18
15. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m27.387s + 2.563s 20
16. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m27.749s + 2.925s 21
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m27.793s + 2.969s 17
18. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m27.875s + 3.051s 20
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m29.355s + 4.531s 21
20. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m29.750s + 4.926s 19
21. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m30.683s + 5.859s 23
22. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m30.900s + 6.076s 25
23. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m32.851s + 8.027s 19
24. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m33.246s + 8.422s 16

 

[Bartek S.]

Sebastian Vettel secures 13th pole position of the season in India

Qual.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m24.178s
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m24.474s + 0.296
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m24.508s + 0.330
4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m24.519s + 0.341
5. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m24.950s + 0.772
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m25.122s + 0.944
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m25.451s + 1.273
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
9. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari
10. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari

Q2 cut-off time: 1m26.319s Gap **

11. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m26.319s + 1.662
12. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m26.337s + 1.680
13. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m26.503s + 1.846
14. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m26.537s + 1.880
15. Bruno Senna Renault 1m26.651s + 1.994
16. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m27.247s + 2.590
17. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m27.562s + 2.905

Q1 cut-off time: 1m27.479s Gap *

18. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m27.876s + 1.687
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m28.565s + 2.376
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m28.752s + 2.563
21. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m30.216s + 4.027
22. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1m30.238s + 4.049
23. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m30.866s + 4.677
24. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m34.046s + 7.857

107% time: 1m32.222s

* Gap to quickest in Q1

** Gap to quickest in Q2

 

[Bartek S.]

PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS

The Indian Grand Prix
Noida, New Delhi, India;
60 laps; 308.220km;
Weather: Dusty.

Classified:

Pos Driver Team Time
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1h30:35.002
2. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 8.433
3. Alonso Ferrari + 24.301
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 25.529
5. Schumacher Mercedes + 1:05.421
6. Rosberg Mercedes + 1:06.851
7. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 1:24.183
8. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
9. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
10. Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 1 lap
11. Petrov Renault + 1 lap
12. Senna Renault + 1 lap
13. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
14. Kovalainen Lotus-Renault + 2 laps
15. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 2 laps
16. D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
17. Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth + 3 laps
18. Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth + 3 laps
19. Trulli Lotus-Renault + 4 laps

Fastest lap: Vettel, 1:27.457

Not classified/retirements:

Driver Team On lap
Massa Ferrari 33
Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 25
Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 13
Glock Virgin-Cosworth 3
Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1

 

[Bartek S.]

World Championship standings, round 17:

Drivers:
1. Vettel 374
2. Button 240
3. Alonso 227
4. Webber 221
5. Hamilton 202
6. Massa 98
7. Rosberg 75
8. Schumacher 70
9. Petrov 36
10. Heidfeld 34
11. Sutil 30
12. Kobayashi 27
13. Alguersuari 26
14. Di Resta 21
15. Buemi 15
16. Perez 14
17. Barrichello 4
18. Senna 2
19. Maldonado 1

Constructors:
1. Red Bull-Renault 595
2. McLaren-Mercedes 442
3. Ferrari 325
4. Mercedes 145
5. Renault 72
6. Force India-Mercedes 51
7. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 41
8. Sauber-Ferrari 41
9. Williams-Cosworth 5

 

[Monster]

I'm so excited about this race. The circuit looks brilliant. A nice blend between China and Malaysia. It will be interesting to see whether any stray dogs will cause a problem or whether the sand will cause tire slippage.

I was excited about this race as well, but my level of excitement died off as quickly as Vettel pulled away from the field. There wasn't much overtaking which was disappointing considering how wide half of the track was, as well having two DRS zones. The track was far too dusty for anyone to try different paths away from the racing line. Then we have the now obligatory crash between Massa and Hamilton, you just know it is going to happen. Those two have been far too intimate with each other for the past few months, it is about time for them to get married.

Jenson drove very well, it looked like he was driving a completely different car from yesterday. Alonso drove to his usual level of commitment. As for Webber.......

Nice save from Schumacher, good to see him continuing his run of strong race performances. Massa was out of sorts in the race, the crash was a result of his poor judgement and he really liked those orange curbs. Yet again Petrov out qualified Senna, this must be a worryingly sign for both the team and Senna because the Renault team doesn't rate Petrov that highly, and after reading the post race statements, it seems like the team is not happy with both of them.


Toro Rosso has really bounced back now, they are more or less regulars in the top 10 spot. Lotus seems to have made a big step to close their gap to the mid field. How low can Williams fall? I knew the only way to go for them is down ever since my ex-lecturer joined the team 3 years go.

 

[Centurion]

^^
I was dissapointlgy underwhelmed too. Having seen CGI footage of how beautifully the circuit flows I was ecstatic about a Tilke circuit that's not akin to a boring parking lot. Even in F1 2011 the Indian circuit appears to be a fulfilling circuit for drivers. Every single sector of the circuit is gorgeously shaped with long straights and medium speed corners. Why it didn't deliver. I do not know. At the front there was zero action and in the mid-field there wasn't any more drama than at Korea to be honest. Most hurting was tyre choice. The hard compound was too cautious and gave teams the golden opportunity to engage in a nannying contest, telling their drivers to keep the tires going for as long as possible as opposed to racing proactivly for position.

What I've realised lately is that Button is really enjoying himself right now and he doesn't have the problems of getting tyres up to temperature like last year. The Pirelli's are suiting him very like unlike Lewis Hamilton who is the type of driver who would be more comfortable under 2007-2008 regulations with refueling and Bridgestone tires. It was warming to see him hugging his dad on the grid today. Shame they are no longer business partners.

You are dead right. Renault are in a big mess. Very big mess. Their current situation is a testament that pay drivers are a false economy. They might bring in money to keep you afloat but then you lose a lot of money on constructors points and when their pockets run dry, you lose the pay driver and thus haven't built long term prospects for the team. I'm glad Grosjean is being thrown a bone. He deserves a second chance, though Renault seem to be too intent on trying to mould Senna into a podium capable driver ASAP because of his name and the sponsors he can attract if he was to become a leading driver. If I was Boullier I would wisely use the remaining races to trial Grojean or even Hulkenberg.

Williams could be on the way up if they manage to tie the knot with Raikonnen who is rumoured to be in intimate talks with them. With Sam Michael leaving they might get a much needed fresh start. However I'm not sure money is the issue more than management. They've designed a very innovative and tight gearbox this year and does have a pool of talented technical people but for some reason, things haven't worked out.

 

[Sunny]

Yea nice track, boring race. Loving the Hamilton vs Masa - who is the bigger dick head contest, Masa definitely scored this round.

 

[Centurion]

Yea nice track, boring race. Loving the Hamilton vs Masa - who is the bigger dick head contest, Masa definitely scored this round.

Those two have traded so much paint this season. This weekend was the 5th time they've had a coming together. Their best one was at Silverstone in the absolute final corner of the final lap. My heart was in my throat. Nail biting action that ended well. However. Rowan Atkinson takes the price for the best reaction to the Lewis/Massa incident. Just like Lewis, he too know one or two things about crashing Mclaren cars

 

[Monster]

^^
What I've realised lately is that Button is really enjoying himself right now and he doesn't have the problems of getting tyres up to temperature like last year. The Pirelli's are suiting him very like unlike Lewis Hamilton who is the type of driver who would be more comfortable under 2007-2008 regulations with refueling and Bridgestone tires. It was warming to see him hugging his dad on the grid today. Shame they are no longer business partners.

Jenson still can't match Hamilton's speed but somehow he always manages to find the pace in the race, he appears to be calmer inside the car than Hamilton. I am always intrigued by the relationship between Lewis and his dad, what caused the fall out after their successful partnership between 07 and 08? Will his dad come back to take care of him next year? It is clear that Hamilton needs more support and guidance in his personal life.

You are dead right. Renault are in a big mess. Very big mess. Their current situation is a testament that pay drivers are a false economy. They might bring in money to keep you afloat but then you lose a lot of money on constructors points and when their pockets run dry, you lose the pay driver and thus haven't built long term prospects for the team. I'm glad Grosjean is being thrown a bone. He deserves a second chance, though Renault seem to be too intent on trying to mould Senna into a podium capable driver ASAP because of his name and the sponsors he can attract if he was to become a leading driver. If I was Boullier I would wisely use the remaining races to trial Grojean or even Hulkenberg.

Good points, I think Petrov has been doing a solid job on the track, but neither driver, meaning Nick as well, have failed to lead the development of the car. Just look at their dramatic fall in performance since the start of the season when they had 2 consecutive podium finishes. Grosjean needs a proper opportunity to demonstrate what he can do, so does Hulkenberg. Boullier must be having one mighty headache right now because Senna's performance isn't good enough to give them an excuse to get rid of Petrov, but he would like to have him there for the potential commercial value of Senna, and then we have Kubica waiting to go back in the car, even though he won't be up to speed right away. Fun times ahead.

Williams could be on the way up if they manage to tie the knot with Raikonnen who is rumoured to be in intimate talks with them. With Sam Michael leaving they might get a much needed fresh start. However I'm not sure money is the issue more than management. They've designed a very innovative and tight gearbox this year and does have a pool of talented technical people but for some reason, things haven't worked out.

I had high hopes for the team at the start of the year because of their innovative gearbox design, which looked to give them a huge aerodynamic advantage over everyone else, but unreliability, mechanical issues compound with a poor understanding of what they have created have sent the team into depths of new lows. The team has been in steady decline since 2004 and it seems like the more desperate they try the harder they fall. Teams like Lotus, STR, and especially Force India have jumped ahead of Williams, and this must really hurt Sir Williams and Patrick Head.

I will take a cautious view on Kimi's return, he might take a season to get back into it, like Schumacher did, and who knows how determined Kimi will be?

 

[Deleted member 25]

Williams problems are still the same since BMW started with them, an incredibly messy organisation in the technical dep, they need to have new guys at the helm, Parr and the new technical director must have the complete control of the team which mean Head & Williams have to completely retire. As for Lewis and anthony, they split up because officially the kiddo wanted to cut the ties with his dad and start a new era in his professional carreer, some said that his ex pussycat didn't also get along with anthony as he thought her permanent presence in the race track was a source of distraction to his son, so that might explain further why he and his son split up.

 

[Centurion]

Williams problems are still the same since BMW started with them, an incredibly messy organisation in the technical dep, they need to have new guys at the helm, Parr and the new technical director must have the complete control of the team which mean Head & Williams have to completely retire. As for Lewis and anthony, they split up because officially the kiddo wanted to cut the ties with his dad and start a new era in his professional carreer, some said that his ex pussycat didn't also get along with anthony as he thought her permanent presence in the race track was a source of distraction to his son, so that might explain further why he and his son split up.

Organisational blocks is the reason why Newey join Red Bull. There he got free hands to develop cars as he please without any interference from above, and I am sure Williams and Mclaren as shaking their heads right now over not having give the man the ideal working environment. Because now he is their biggest nightmare.

Happily Lewis said last week that in 2012 he will live and breath F1 and cut all the distractions. However next years car designs will be very interesting to see given that EBDs will be outlawed. Inventions like Williams gearbox will be a must in keeping the rear packe tight enough to allow as much as as possible to pass over the rear. There are already whispers about teams potentially putting winglets on the wishbones to direct air and exhaust f fumes up to the rear wing. In the end everyone is probably most eager to see what Newey will do.

Ferrari's front wing though will like be made out of rubber.