F1weekly podcast # 361
Podcast # 361 with Steve and Nasir
Reverse cage rattling: Mark Webber becomes only the third Australian-after Jack Brabham and Alan Jones-to win a Formula 1 Championship race. Starting from his first career pole position he lost the lead at the start to Rubens Barrichello, and then almost the race after he was given a drive-thru penalty for an aggressive blocking move on the Brazilian in the run up to the first corner.
The Red Bull driver kept his cool and steam going to record a very popular, long awaited and much deserved maiden victory at the revised yet mythical Nurburgring. Jack Brabham won the 1966 German Grand Prix at the 14.2-mile long classic Nurburgring. Alan Jones triumphed in the 1979 German Grand Prix at Hockenheimring.
Webber’s German teammate Sebastian Vettel, winner in China and Britain, finished second with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa third. Nico Rosberg was fourth for Williams.
Championship leader and winner of six Grands Prix this year, Jenson Button, was fifth ahead of teammate and early race leader Rubens Barrichello.
The Brazilian was not happy with team strategy. He lamented, “It was a good show from the team on how to lose a race today. I’m terribly upset with the way things went. I did all I had to do. I went first on the first corner and then they made me lose the race. If it is really what’s going on, we’re going to end up losing both championships. I feel sorry for myself, the team. To be very honest, I wish I could get on the plane and go home. I don’t want to talk to anyone in the team. It will be all ‘bla bla bla’ and I don’t want to hear that."
Fernando Alonso was seventh and recorded the fastest lap of the race. Heikki Kovalainen collected the final point by finishing eighth.
The heat is on Brawn. Button’s championship lead is now 21 points over new second place man Sebastian Vettel while Webber is only 1.5 points behind his teammate.
Blast from the past: First Australian success in Formula 1 came in the 1959 Monaco Grand Prix with Jack Brabham. Prior to Sunday’s win by Webber last Aussie winner was Alan Jones in the parking lot of Las Vegas in 1981.
Next race: Round 10 of the 2009 season is the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest on July 26th.
Mark Webber puts the cage ratling to rest and wins the German Grand Prix.
The Brawns could not compete with the Red Bulls and end up fifth and sixth.
Fernando Alonso sets the fastest lap of the race even on heavy fuel.
Hulkenberg tops his win yesterday with today’ victory in the sprint race.
Podcast # 361 with Steve and Nasir.
PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS
The German Grand Prix
Nurburgring, Germamy;
60 laps; 306.458km;
Weather: Cloudy, dry.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1h36:43.310
2. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) + 9.252
3. Massa Ferrari (B) + 15.906
4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 21.099
5. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) + 23.609
6. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) + 24.468
7. Alonso Renault (B) + 24.888
8. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 58.692
9. Glock Toyota (B) + 1:01.457
10. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 1:01.925
11. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) + 1:02.327
12. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) + 1:02.876
13. Piquet Renault (B) + 1:08.328
14. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 1:09.555
15. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) + 1:11.941
16. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 1:30.225
17. Trulli Toyota (B) + 1:30.970
18. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 1 lap
Fastest lap: Alonso, 1:33.365