23.10.11

Italian GP Monza - 11th September

Fernando Alonso was unable to repeat his 2010 win and this year was third, which was absolutely the best result available to Ferrari in its home race. On the top step was Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull driver now only needed one podium finish at the next race to clinch his second consecutive title. In second place was McLaren’s Jenson Button. Felipe Massa finished in his grid position, sixth, but he too would have been fighting at the front but for a spin in the very early stages when the blameless Brazilian was nudged by Webber.

Fernando made a fantastic start, heading off three abreast along with pole man Vettel and Hamilton, with the Ferrari diving into the lead going into the first corner to the great delight of all Tifosi. However it was not to last and on lap 5 Vettel went into the lead and cruised to an untroubled win. Jenson Button made a slow start, worked his way up through the field and eventually got into second, passing both Schumacher and Hamilton who had a series of fights, the under-geared McLaren bouncing off the rev-limiter on the straights and unable to pass the slippery Mercedes.

This was vintage Schuey and his driving was sufficiently robust that Ross had to get in the radio and tell him to leave room. Hamilton eventually did get past and would come home fourth with Schuey fifth. Seventh was Alguersuari in another slippery car, the Toro Rosso-Ferrari. Eighth was Di Resta for Force India-Mercedes, ninth Senna for Renault and tenth Buemi in the second Toro Rosso. What is really scary for us old fans is that the team formerly know as Minardi has totally outperformed the multiple world champions languishing very last of the points scorers. Mind you, experience does teach one that anything with an extreme driveshaft installed angle is doomed to failure.

Click here for FIA lap chart.

Singapore - Marina Bay 25th September

The sight of 24 cars shining under spotlights on the Marina Bay grid is still one of the most breathtaking spectacles on the F1 calendar. Unfortunately, the two hour race that followed was not as exciting as so many of this year’s contests, nor was it a great night for Scuderia Ferrari: Fernando Alonso fought bravely through the NCP inspired venue to finish fourth, having been a podium contender for much of the evening. Felipe’s run of bad luck continued as his race was ruined by an impulsive move from Hamilton – punished with a drive-through penalty – which meant the Brazilian had to make an extra stop with a puncture and then fought his way up from the back of the field to ninth at the flag.

Sebastian Vettel continued his dominating ways to take his ninth win of the year. Joining him on the podium in second place was Jenson Button for McLaren, with Mark Webber taking third in the other Red Bull. Fourth was Alonso with Hamilton fifth after an early puncture and the clash with Massa. In the points for the second race in a row was Di Resta in a career-best sixth. Rosberg was seventh after falling foul of a Safety Car period caused when team mate Schuey piled into the back of Perez's Sauber. Sutil brought the second Force India home in the points in eighth, as previously mentioned Massa recovered to ninth, passing Perez at the end who survived the Schuey incident to score the last point.

Click here for FIA lap chart.

Japan - Suzuka, 9th October

Fernando Alonso delivered a super performance to get a great second place. In fact, there were times when it looked as though a win might even have been on the cards. His team-mate Felipe Massa had a more complicated afternoon, one which again saw him spend a lot of time in the precarious company of Lewis Hamilton. The Brazilian brought his 150º Italia home in seventh spot after a gritty performance. Jenson Button took his third win of the season for McLaren, while Sebastian Vettel took the last step on the podium, which was enough to give the Red Bull driver his second consecutive Drivers’ World Championship title.

Behind the podium trio Webber was fourth, followed by Hamilton and Schumacher, while eighth behind Felipe came Perez, the remaining points going to Petrov ninth and Rosberg tenth.

Click here for FIA lap chart.

Korea - Yeongam, 16 October

Yet another Tilkedrome in yet another a country where nobody cares, least of all the locals, and Sebastian Vettel took the win and along with Mark Webber’s third place, this secured Red Bull Racing this year’s Constructors’ title. McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton joined them on the podium in second place. Hamilton started from pole but his Macca was immediately under pressure from Vettel’s Red Bull and the German forced his way through into the lead after the hairpin. They would finish in this order.

Webber would be third after a long battle with Hamilton, their cars running side-by-side for most of a lap at one point and it wasn't until lap 50 that the McLaren was able to draw away. Fernando was fifth for Ferrari and Felipe sixth, reversing their qualifying positions during pit stops. Both Tori Rossi were again in the points with Alguersuari seventh and Buemi eight, sandwiching Rosberg's Mercedes. Paul di Resta was tenth, in the points for his third time in four races.

Click here for FIA lap chart.