New Silverstone a hit as Mark Webber storms back to winning ways
Silverstone is always a special race and with a new layout for 2010 is was always going to be a good race. Qualifying showed that the Red Bulls were the cars to beat as they locked out the front row despite all the controversy around the front wing that was put on Vettels car. The McLarens were slower comparatively than they have been recently but the Ferrari seemed quicker with Alonso taking third spot on the grid.
The race itself was good, Webber took the lead at the start and Hamilton touched Vettels tyre (or should that be Vettel touched Hamilton’s front wing?) the result was a puncture for Vettel and the end of his chances. Webber then dominated the race, not really giving anyone else a look in. Hamilton stayed in second being the fastest of the rest while Alonso who should have been challenging Hamilton for that position added to his unlucky streak and was hurt incredibly by stewards decisions and the safety car.
The safety car had been brought out because of de la Rosa rear wing breaking up and leaving debris on the track, amazingly he went back out for another lap with a broken wing, I can’t believe that they didn’t get penalised for that. The safety car gave Vettel the chance to get some points and gave Hamilton another chance at Webber but it wasn’t to be as the Australian simply drove away at the front.
Jenson Button again played the long game on tyres, coupled with a stunning out lap he finished fourth, not bad for 14th on the grid – but he really needs to stop making things hard. The tyres didn’t really play that much of a part in the race as they were both about the same speed and didn’t wear that badly.
The new teams didn’t make any more of an impression on the track as they fight to get up to speed, they really need to get going if we’re not going to have a class B race too.
Overall it was a good weekend, and well done to Webber who showed Red Bull how effective a number two driver can be.
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