2014 Formula 1 Report: USA Edition
Drafting the Circuits
Week 30
Grand Prix Date Tire Compounds
Belgium Grand Prix August 22-24 Medium/Soft
Italian Grand Prix September 5-7 Hard/Medium
Singapore Grand Prix September 19-21 Soft/Supersoft
Drivers’ Championship:
1. Nico Rosberg 202
2. Lewis Hamilton 191
3. Daniel Ricciardo 131
4. Fernando Alonso 115
5. Valtteri Bottas 95
6. Sebastian Vettel 88
7. Nico Hulkenberg 69
8. Jenson Button 60
9. Felipe Massa 40
10. Kevin Magnussen 37
11. Sergio Perez 29
12. Kimi Raikkonen 27
13. Jean-Eric Vergne 11
14. Romain Grosjean 8
15. Daniil Kvyat 6
16. Jules Bianchi 2
Constructors’ Championship:
1. Mercedes 393
2. Red Bull 219
3. Ferrari 142
4. Williams 135
5. Force India 98
6. McLaren 97
7. Toro Rosso 17
8. Lotus 8
10.Marussia 2
Hungarian Grand Prix
Daniel Ricciardo drove to victory in Budapest passing Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to win his second Grand Prix of the season for Red Bull Racing. On a wild and wet Sunday, Ricciardo used an impressive final stint on soft tires to stalk the leaders and pass both with bold maneuvers.
Fernando Alonso grabbed his second podium of the season fending off Lewis Hamilton on old tires for a strong showing for the Scuderia. Lewis Hamilton drove, again, from the rear of the pack, to tally the third podium position holding off a charging Nico Rosberg.
As the Formula 1 paddock enters their month long break, Hamilton edged 3 points closer in the Drivers Championship campaign. He also provided some drama by taking matters into his own hands when told to let Nico through before the Germans final pit stop.
Truth be told, Hamilton was absolutely in the right to hold his position. Rosberg never was close enough to challenge for position or even get close enough to utilize DRS. Had Hamilton let Rosberg through, he would have had to slow down and give up his attack on Alonso’s Ferrari.
Lewis was “very shocked “ that he was asked to move aside. After starting from the pit lane and spinning on the opening lap, Hamilton was in damage control mode and trying to acquire as many points as he could. The fact that he finished ahead of Rosberg should provide a small boost to Hamilton as Formula 1 enters the month off.
The race started in rain with all teams running intermediate tires. McLaren gambled early on the rain continuing as all other teams switched to slick tires, Button and Magnussen continued on with the inters and wound up losing ground as the rain stayed away and the duo had to pit.
Kimi Raikkonen had a better race and Jean Eric Vergne had a great showing for Toro Rosso. Forcer India, on the other hand had both drivers crash out ending their day.
As the teams take a break leading to Spa in Belguim, it will be interesting to see what strides are made for the stretch run. Mercedes are STRONG, but the dynamic between Lewis and Nico is sure to be suspenseful. Daniel Ricciardo’s emergence at Red Bull is present and clear and if anyone can put a scare into the Mercedes team it is the young Australian.
Return of F1 to Mexico
After 2 decades, Mexico will return to the F1 calendar in 2015. In what is looked to be a back to back weekend with Austin, the Mexican Grand Prix will be run in Mexico City.
Pos Driver Team/Car
1. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull-Renault
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes
5. Felipe Massa Williams-Mercedes
6. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari
7. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
8. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Mercedes
9. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Renault
10. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
11. Adrian Sutil Sauber-Ferrari
12. Kevin Magnussen McLaren-Mercedes
13. Pastor Maldonado Lotus-Renault
14. Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso-Renault
15. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Ferrari
16. Max Chilton Marussia-Ferrari
Retirements:
Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 33 laps
Kamui Kobayashi Caterham-Renault 25 laps
Sergio Perez Force India-Mercedes 23 laps
Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 15 laps
Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 11 laps
Marcus Ericsson Caterham-Renault 8 laps
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