Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix Review

It was a great day in India, Formula 1 delivered yet another fascinating race. The world championship was likely to be decided here, and it was in the most terrific style. Vettel didn’t really dominate the race as much as usual, but he was a man in full control. It is a historic moment, the youngest man ever to win four world championships in a row. Red Bull also clinched the constructors title too. Without any further ado lets take a detailed look at the 2013 Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix.

The lights went out and it was a good start from Vettel, but Hamilton had an electric start and forced the Red Bull to defend. Massa also had a brilliant start in the Ferrari but Webber dropped back dramatically after making contact with Alonso in turn two. The Ferrari also made contact with Kimi Raikkonen in the Lotus damaging the Ferrari’s front wing. Massa made huge progress in the first few turns and got the slipstream past both the Mercedes drivers into turn four, he was now in second position behind Vettel. Jenson Button also had a poor start and fell back through the pack. Giedo van der Garde was in the wars at the first turn as he made contact with the Marussia of Max Chilton for the second race running. He drove into a wedge of Chilton and Pic, Giedo blamed Max for the incident which ended his race, but this was really driver error on his own part. Esteban Gutierrez looked to have got a good start, but the stewards looked into it and concluded it was indeed a jump start. He was forced to take a drive through penalty later in the race.

Before the race started there was some doubt over how long the tyres would last. We soon found out as race leader Vettel made his first pitstop at the end of the second lap and rejoined in P17. Fernando Alonso was loosing time with his damaged front wing and also made a stop to replace it. He had a mighty job ahead of him to take the challenge to Vettel. It was a disastrous start for Spaniard. Meanwhile his teammate was leading the race rather comfortably, Felipe Massa may be out of a drive next season but he was certainly doing his best to show he is still worthy of seat in F1. Pitstops were being made in the early stages of the race, Button rejoined behind the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen on lap eight. The two former champions were having a great scrap for 16th position. Massa made his stop from the lead followed by Hamilton, the Ferrari remained ahead of Nico Rosberg but Hamilton dropped back behind his teammate. Strategy was at play and it was all over the show, it was fascinating racing.

It was critical that the front runners who pitted earlier in the race could make their way through the field as quickly as possible. Sebastian Vettel was really putting the hammer down climb up through the order. By lap 18 he was already back up to third position. The Lotus of Romain Grosjean was impressive in the early stages. The Frenchman started on the soft tyres and made his stop on lap 14, rejoining just behind Fernando Alonso. Another young driver I found impressive was Sergio Perez, he was second having not made a stop but his pace was good. McLaren have certainly this weekend. But it wasn’t enough to hold back Vettel, he simply wasn’t racing him. The Red Bull moved passed the McLaren on lap 21 and it was a Red Bull one and two. He was now on the hunt for his teammate.

It had to be said that Fernando Alonso was having a poor race in India, by lap 23 he had only moved up to 13th position where others hade made better progress. Felipe Massa however was having a good race, but the Brazilian found himself holding up both Mercedes and ruining their races. After six laps behind the Ferrari, Rosberg made his second and final stop. The German had a good stop and rejoined P13. He wasn’t the only one getting caught up behind a slower car, Kimi Raikkonen found himself stuck behind the Sauber Nico Hulkenberg. Mark Webber pitted for the soft tyres on lap 29 and he was now on a mission to get himself back in contention with his teammate. Massa and Hamilton did react to Rosberg’s stop, unfortunately for Mercedes they were both at the same time. Lewis Hamilton remained behind the Ferrari and rejoined P12, behind his teammate. It wasn’t the best of races for the British driver.

Vettel made his final stop on lap 32 and rejoined second behind his teammate, Mark Webber was on the soft tyres after his first stop but the degradation was proving an issue for Red Bull. The Australian had to pit for a new set of medium tyres as he was loosing too much time, but he rejoined behind Daniel Ricciardo. The young Toro Rosso driver who replaces Webber at Red Bull next season was having a tremendous race. It wasn’t long before the two Australians swapped places, but Vettel was a long way ahead. Meanwhile the race was getting worse for Lewis Hamilton, he was in a battle with Sergio Perez in the McLaren. He wasn’t the only man suffering, Charles Pic was forced to retire after the team discovered a serious problem with the car. It was a disappointing end to the race for Caterham as both of their cars were out of the race.

Towards the end of the race problems were seemingly creeping into the strategies, tyres were fading and cars were failing. But then on lap 40 Mark Webber’s race was over after he had a gearbox problem and an alternator failure. It always seems to be Mark’s car, if he didn’t have bad luck he wouldn’t have any at all. It was a huge shame for Webber who had fought back up to second and was looking good for a Red Bull one and two on the podium. They informed teammate Vettel and asked him not to use certain things on the car including his drinks bottle and to limit use of Kers, to ensure he doesn’t suffer the same problem. Felipe Massa began to reel in the Lotus of Romain Grosjean, and Nico Rosberg was catching Kimi Raikkonen. It was turning out to be a fascinating duel for the final two podium positions.

Grosjean picked up his pace and was now moving away from the Ferrari of Massa. Kimi Raikkonen was suffering from high tyre degradation and losing time. Rosberg had already moved passed the Lotus and now teammate Grosjean set about catching the Finn, when he arrived alongside Kimi tried to defend the position, but the two made contact. There wasn’t any visible damage but it certainly wasn’t good for team moral. The team told Kimi to allow Romain through as he was clearly much quicker. It was a fantastic race from Romain Grosjean. It was a good race too for Nico Hulkenberg, but unfortunately after a good run of impressive races, the German was forced to retire from the race just four laps from the end with a break issue. But the action wasn’t over yet, Raikkonen lost a further two places to Perez and Hamilton who were still locked in battle. It was a sensational double overtake for Sergio Perez taking both Kimi and Lewis for fifth place.

But at the end of the race after 60 faultless laps, Sebastian Vettel crossed the line to win the Indian Grand Prix and to claim the 2013 Formula 1 World Drivers Championship for the fourth time in a row. History was made at the Buddh International Circuit as he became the youngest man ever to achieve four world championships. He celebrated is the most spectacular way, he performed some donuts on the main straight and thoroughly embraced the crowed in their joy at seeing such a wonderful spectacle. He was clearly very emotional and I think it was reminiscent of his first title victory back in 2010. It was thoroughly deserved, and Red Bull also claimed the World Constructors Title for the fourth time. We still have to remind ourselves that Sebastian is only 26 years old, he has already achieved so much in Formula 1, the question is who can stop him?

It was a sensational and historic race in India, Nico Rosberg came second and Romain Grosjean third after their great drives through the pack. Grosjean was my driver of the day, he started P17 and finished third, what a tremendous drive from the young Frenchman.

So after 60 laps, this is how they finished.

1 Sebastian Vettel – Red Bull
2 Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
3 Romain Grosjean – Lotus
4 Felipe Massa – Ferrari
5 Sergio Perez – McLaren
6 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
7 Kimi Raikkonen – Lotus
8 Paul di Resta – Force India
9 Adrian Sutil – Force India
10 Daniel Ricciardo – Toro Rosso
11 Fernando Alonso – Ferrari
12 Pastor Maldonado – Williams
13 Jean-Eric Vergne – Toro Rosso
14 Jenson Button – McLaren
15 Esteban Gutierrez – Sauber
16 Valtteri Bottas – Williams
17 Max Chilton – Marussia
18 Jules Bianchi – Marussia

DNF: Nico Hulkenberg – Sauber. Mark Webber – Red Bull. Charles Pic – Caterham. Giedo van der Garde – Caterham

After such a terrific race I would like to send my congratulations onto Sebastian Vettel and all at Red Bull Racing on this fantastic achievement. Four titles in a row is a special thing in Formula 1, and only four driver have managed it.

Some post race pointers for you before we shoot off to Abu Dhabi for the race next weekend, Mercedes have now moved ahead of Ferrari in the constructors championship. Force India have scored some vital points this weekend to remain ahead of Sauber who failed to score points during this race. McLaren have really improved on their car and Sergio Perez perhaps showing he is worthy of a McLaren drive next season. A disappointing day however for Jenson Button who only managed P 14. But Ferrari and Fernando Alonso must be feeling that they should have done so much better. After that first lap incident, Alonso just never recovered.

That’s it for this weekend and from the Indian Grand Prix, but be sure to stay with Driving For Pleasure this week for all the buildup to Abu Dhabi.

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