Preview: German Grand Prix 2013

Is there a grander and more gruesome track in Europe other than the Nurburgring? No... And therefore, it's the most difficult track in the world. And the Formula 1 drivers are only allowed to do the easy part of the track because no one would let real racing drivers (and Sebastian Vettel) loose on the Nordschleife!

I'm not even gutted that we don't have this circuit every year because the Hockenheimring is just as fantastic, but there is a sense of magic around this particular track.

Pirelli will not only be bringing the Medium and Soft compounds this weekend, they are also bringing restructured kevlar rear tyres after incredible failures at last week's British Grand Prix. At some point, Paul Hembery is going to have to admit that when driver safety comes into question, he's actually going to research how to build a half decent tyre.



Despite being a technically demanding 16 turn track, both tyre and brake wear is low. Downforce is often at it's highest, but the new tyres seem to be coping okay.

I am very well aware brand new tyres are going to disadvantage Lotus and play straight into Red Bull's hands, but I don't want something like Massa's 09 injury occurring to any driver. I defy any man or woman to think differently.

Not only are we back in Germany, I also got treated to the sight of Michael Schumacher this weekend! I miss him lots but his old Mercedes team are doing quite well in terms of getting their tyre management during the race under control. Lewis Hamilton's incident was in the fate of God, no one was going to stop him at Silverstone. If he isn't a good shout for pole, he's a race winning contender.

One way of fixing the tyre issue.

As is his team mate, Nico Rosberg. I don't want to jump on any bandwagons, but he is fairly close to becoming full circle. If he could just involve himself in a championship fight, we may see a real hero. Interesting fact, he wants to complete his 'home hat trick.' This is the three Grand Prix's where he has some sort of base. Monaco is where he grew up and lives, Silverstone is a few miles from Mercedes's base so he wants to win the German Grand Prix as he himself is a Native (minus the whole not living there thing).

Vettel can be considered favourite for most races, but never Germany. He normally flops at his home Grand Prix or in last year's case, gets himself demoted following illegal manoeuvre's. But just like in Canada, ducks can be broken. You would be foolish to count him out. 

Just like compatriot Adrian Sutil, I've never been too fond of the man and I'm still not, but the racing driver surely has given me some food for thought. In the wake be being shown up by Force India team mate Paul di Resta, Sutil has stepped up and has produced some wonderful results. I wouldn't count out di Resta too soon though, I think a podium is looming.

Fernando Alonso's main objective this weekend will be too finish ahead of Vettel. Even though it is not my favourite way of fighting a championship, it's the best way to play Vettel at his own game. With Kimi Raikkonen still trying to find some competitive race pace, and the fact Germany doesn't sit well for Kimi, this is Alonso's chance to pull away and gain at the same time.

It's a race that will separate the men from the boy's, let's just pray fate stays the hell away and let the professionals do what they do best: RACE.

Coming Soon...

I have officially finished university for the year! Exams are done and my time is now as free as a bird. Which means that my neglect for this blog is over. Granted as previously mentioned, the blog will be moving but as long as I am still here, I will put my full effort here!

We're a good chunk through the season now and we have a rough idea of how the season will pan out, depending on when Pirelli find their balls. After Monaco, I'll be taking a look at each individual driver and their performance so far. It will give me a chance to evaluate every driver and will give you an idea of who I think is destined for glory, and who is destined to find a new series next season.

I look forward to undergoing this evaluation so much as I think every driver has had an impact on the season in their own unique way!

Preview: 2013 Monaco Grand Prix

The F1 circus sets up base at arguably, its true home in Monte Carlo. The glam and glitz will be matched by the brightest stars (and Sebastian Vettel) on the Formula 1 grid. The paddock will have to endure a very tense atmosphere considering the recent decision over Pirelli tyres, and the inconsistent form of Mercedes qualifying-to-race performance. If a Silver Arrow snatches up P1 or worst case scenario, both get P1/2 then the whole grid will have to suffer an immense amount of build up. There will be carnage. 

Everyone is fully aware of the classic Nelson Piquet quote, Daniel Ricciardo recently likened the GP to racing around a supermarket. The 3.3 km street layout lasts for 78 laps of pure concentration. This is where racing drivers make their money, and I don't mean when Kimi Raikkonen turns up in a diamond encrusted helmet, and then proceeds to lose it. I mean the absolute attention to detail that's required. You drop that for one moment, and hello DNF.

Pirelli bring their supersoft and soft compounds back to the legendary, and they better hope their predicted two stop actually remains a two stop, or else Red Bull will have something more to cry about. Teams like Lotus and Force India who have mastered the tyres will be aiming for the magic one stop that will score them big points.

After a poor start, reserved overtaking and less than average pit stops, Kimi Raikkonen was only beaten by Fernando Alonso on a far superior race strategy. Kimi will need to stop dicking around behind Mercedes like he did in Barcelona. His Monaco history is mixed to say the least, but there's a very good chance his first DNF since his return is about to strike.

Even though their race pace is piss poor, this is the best opportunity for Nico Rosberg or Lewis Hamilton to bag that all important first win. They'll be joined by the agitated Red Bull boys whose technical chief Adrian Newey said the Pirelli tyres are preventing them from unlocking the full potential of their car. 

Here's an idea Adrian, how about you make a car that complies with the rules instead of cheating.

It's difficult to predict anything this season, but if Michael Schumacher was able to achieve pole position last year, it's hard to think that anyone bar Hamilton or Rosberg will secure it again. However, Mark Webber always starts his season at Monaco, so I'm predicting him to get pole and to do well in the race, maybe third.

For the win however I have to believe Fernando Alonso has it in him to dodge the Monaco madness. I don't think Kimi has the hard head to go for it and I cannot see the Mercedes guys staying on the cliff. That only leaves Fernando and Sebastian, and because it's a game of tyres I'm going to back the Ferrari.

NEW HOME

I've been using blogger since November when I started this blog and I have to say it has been very good to me; easy posts, great stats and brilliant set up. With its close link to Google+ I was able to grow my audience to a point where I have thoroughly enjoyed reaching the corners of the F1 universe.

But I feel there is a lot more I can do, and a lot more people to reach, and I think blogger is holding me back.

That's why my aim for summer is to leave blogger and join wordpress. I write for Let's Talk F1 which uses wordpress and it's no coincidence that nearly EVERY F1 blog uses the site, and although it's great to be different, I feel there is a reason for the sheer number of people using the popular blog site.

I'll be completely rebranding everything, including a new name and new layout. The best thing about the move; the content will remain the same. Every race preview, review and every thought no matter how big or small that pops into my head will get published for my amusement and probably your disgust.

I'll making partnerships, brand new features and hopefully putting together a team to transfer my blog into a hot new F1 website.

I'll keep everyone updated as soon as new developments occur. Until then keep it here on My Formula 1.

Bahrain Belongs To Boring Vettel

"Leave it up to Sebastian Vettel to make winning a Grand Prix boring"

I'd like to start off by giving you my sincerest apologises for the lack of coverage this weekend. I work most Sunday's but that's not excuse for qualifying. Truth be told Bahrain bores me, and I would never have predicted Nico Rosberg getting pole.

It was actually an okay race, a great race in terms of Bahrain. But leave it up to Sebastian Vettel to make winning a Grand Prix boring. How anybody can call that a great drive is beyond me, he coasted because once again he got his luck of everybody else's misfortunes. I've now come to the conclusion that Fernando Alonso is just really unlucky, or some things are not meant to be; like winning a world championship at Ferrari.

Due to Alonso's season so far, Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen is emerging as the only challenger to the puppet boy's title.Even though a solid drive (issues with his start again) from 8th to 2nd is a great drive from my favourite driver, for the second race in a row my driver of the day (joint with the next guy) goes to his team mate Romain Grosjean. Grosjean is showing top form at the minute, like his perfectly controlled overtake on Rosberg on lap 20. He has come on leaps and bounds, and I'm really happy for him.

My other drive of the day has to go to my man, Paul di Resta! After giving off 'Kimi-style' over the radio during qualifying, the Scot took all of his talent out of the box and through it in everybody's face today.Granted with the tyres and his Force India car he was never in for the win, but his 1st podium was definitely on and in a way I am gutted for him. He will be filled full of confidence and will be coming in to Barcelona with a vengeance!

What happened to the pole sitter? The same thing that happened to his team mate (coincidently on pole in China), Mercedes do not have race pace. I knew it was too good to be true, and I thought the occasion may have got to Lewis Hamilton last week, but it's apparent now the car is a little behind in terms of out right pace. Their McLaren rivals had a better race this week. Great inter-team rivalry on track from Jenson Button and Sergio Perez was marred by Button running Sergio off the track, but the Mexican got his revenge by finishing higher than the Brit. Jenson needs to calm down but more importantly, the team need to tell themselves that if one driver has the pace during a race, the other should just fall back. More points would be guaranteed.

 After the Grand Prix Jenson has stated that Perez drove dangerously. No Jenson, he drove with a desire for success, you've gotten lazy my very beautiful friend. Get back in the game.

DANGEROUS
Move over Grosjean and Maldonado, there's new wreckin' boys. I have to say, I would not have noticed unless a friend pointed it out to me before today's race, but Giedo van der Garde is becoming a very dangerous driver. An unsafe release was one thing but he completely melted down by t-boning Jean-Eric Vergne. He's still not as bad as Esteban Gutierrez. It's time we found that wee fella's suitcase and send him back, he still has much to learn.

A NOTE TO PIRELLI
I've had enough, and I am finally on board with the rest of the F1 fans, Pirelli either need to make these tyres last or get Bridgestone to show them how it's done, because I am sick and tired of seeing a piece of rubber dictate how the best drivers in the world (and Sebastian Vettel) drive their cars.

Paul Hembry's response to Felipe Massa's wheel falling off the rim was an absolute disgrace.

"Massa's been unlucky"

Aye, unlucky to be a customer of yours you fat bast**d.

PROTESTS
I don't care what you're living conditions are, or how badly you're being treated, DO NOT bring YOUR problems into the world's stage. Sport should not be about external politics. These are politics related to a country's way of running things, and all other politics that are not involved inside the sport. Take a look at this guy:

Somebody should tell that dick his photo is from the wrong era. So not only can you not deal with your own problems correctly, you make an arsehole of yourself doing it. Ass hat.

I'm quite content with the result. I'm just gutted because I know the Lotus won't have the luck and fortune over the worlds most luckiest blond boy. I still believe Kimi is the man to win, but he will not have an easy time doing it.

FINAL RACE RESULTS (BBC):

1. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull 1hr 36min 00.498secs

2. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Lotus +00:09.111

3. Romain Grosjean (Fra) Lotus 00:19.507

4. Paul Di Resta (GB) Force India 00:21.727

5. Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes 00:35.230

6. Sergio Perez (Mex) McLaren 00:35.998

7. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 00:37.244

8. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari 00:37.574

9. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes 00:41.126

10. Jenson Button (GB) McLaren 00:46.631

11. Pastor Maldonado (Ven) Williams 01:06.450

12. Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Sauber 01:12.933

13. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India 01:16.719

14. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Williams 01:21.511

15. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 01:26.364

16. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Toro Rosso +1 lap

17. Charles Pic (Fra) Caterham 1 lap

18. Esteban Gutierrez (Mex) Sauber 1 lap

19. Jules Bianchi (Fra) Marussia 1 lap

20. Max Chilton (GB) Marussia 1 lap

21. Giedo van der Garde (Ned) Caterham 2 laps

retd Jean-Eric Vergne (Fra) Toro Rosso 41 laps

Same Story, Different Rubber

"The goal is to continuously set new challenges for the drivers and to ensure that all the teams start the season with a level playing field when it comes to the tyres." Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorsport director.

On Wednesday, Formula 1's exclusive tyre manufacturers Pirelli unveiled their new range of 2013 tyres. For those of you who recall the Brazillian Grand Prix last year, the teams got a taste of the brand new orange wall tyre to test in free practice, with most teams noticing higher degradation. 

Pirelli made the start of last season unique, producing 7 different winners in the first 7 races. However the teams eventually cracked the code to unlocking less tyre wear and as a result we ended up with Sebastian Vettel boring us all again like he did in 2011. 

This years tyres ensure more pitstops with at least 2 per race. I'm not sure I like this too much. Yes it's all well and good bringing in more pit time to shake up the race, but I don't necessarily like the fact that there's more of a chance to lose a grand prix or position in the pits as opposed to seeing great overtaking on track. Kimi Raikkonen (last season) scored at least a point in every race except China because his tyres wore away on him unexpectedly  Granted this was not entirely Pirelli's fault and I'm no blaming them, but this is an example of how unpredictable they were and how they changed races. Raikkonen dropped from 2nd to 13th.

All tyres now have softer compounds, this means softer sidewalls and stronger shoulders, producing faster thermal degradation. For those who struggle with the technical aspects, this means tyres will reach their peak performance much sooner with Pirelli even quoting they will be half a second quicker than last years.

According to the Formula 1 Official Website the colours still represent the same compounds, with orange replacing silver as the hard wall tyre. I think it was absolutely ridiculous to have both white and silver markings, you couldn't tell the damn things apart!

A lot of fans have a real disdain for Pirelli and I can see why. Even God himself (Michael Schumacher) stated he had a hard time figuring them out. I had no issue with the tyres until Monza last year. What IDIOT decided to use the hard and medium only at the fastest track on the calendar. If you're going to have hard braking points which you do at Monza, for the love of all that is holy, bring compounds that'll wear quicker. Not the hardest you can find. There really is no excuse I don't care how technical or fancy anyone puts it.

I also found it interesting that each tyre has it's own individual bar code which acts as its 'identification' so the FIA can keep track and note who's using which tyre. Teams get 6 sets of the harder compound and 5 sets of the softer compound to use during a racing weekend.