Skip to main content

British GP qualifying - Bad for Button


Oh dear.

Whilst everyone seems pretty thrilled to be at a revitalised Silverstone for this weekend's British Grand Prix, Jenson Button is probably wondering what the hell went wrong at his home race during qualifying.

McLaren tried to rush through the blown rear diffuser pioneered by Red Bull, but couldn't get it working properly and wound up having to revert to their old system. Whilst Hamilton was able to recover to a reasonable 4th place, Jenson wound up in 14th.

Vettel sang the praises of the new circuit from his car immediately after getting pole, whilst Webber finished just behind him in second. There was then a vast (in F1 terms anyway) 0.6 second gap to Alonso in his Ferrsri, fresh from yet another waving-at-someone-like-it-will-make-a-difference episode.

Whilst it may be pouring at home in Cumbria, it's 25C and Sunny at Silverstone, and tomorrow afternoon we find out if the Red Bull team can actually get both cars to the end without them breaking down or crashing into each other. If they can, it looks like it could be a dominant victory. Mind you... how many times have we thought that this year?

In other F1 news, Senna got dropped by Hispania in favour of Sakon Yamamoto who hasn't raced since 96. You could tell too - he was hardly able to keep his head up in quali. Good luck in the race then... Maybe if the team sellotape his helmet to the airbox....? Kubica has signed to Renault for a further two years, a sensible decision when you realise that all the other top seats have gone for next year at least.

Enjoyed BBC's coverage today (breakdowns and sound issues notwithstanding), especially the Huw Edwards intro (but why was he talking so sloooowwwwllllyyyyy?), seeing Murray Walker outwitting the new boys, and everyone taking the piss out of Eddie Jordan's (lack of) dress sense.

Roll on 1pm tomorrow...

(Toons today from OK GO's album "Oh No")

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Malaysian Grand Prix - Vettel hot, but not bothered

Malaysia. It's always hot, and it always rains. Except the 2nd part is no longer true (unless you count the drizzly bit around lap 14). Saturday's qualifying session had highlighted the fact that Red Bull and McLaren seemed well matched on pace, but also that Ferrari were struggling. Whilst Vettel bagged another pole, followed by Hamilton, Webber and Button, Alonso was only 5th, and Massa 7th, with Nick Heidfeld an excellent 6th on the grid between the two red cars. At this point, I would like to break momentarily for a small rant: How many times do I have to say Heidfeld is good? Why wasn't he given a top drive years ago? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?! ARE YOU BLIND!!!?? Ahem. The Hispanias somehow managed to a) turn up b) remember to bring cars c) get both of them on the track d) actually get both of them within 107%. Pretty remarkable really. Oh, and it didn't rain. Race day looked a more likely candidate for a drop of the wet stuff. The start was exciting, with...

Faking it for real

As Donald “I’m really great, everybody says so” Trump is so fond of pointing out, there is a lot of fake news around nowadays. Honest. Your friends at Facebook think so too, and have recently been publishing their top tips for spotting false news – by placing them as ads in newspapers. Considering they came in for considerable criticism themselves, that’s like shouting “Squirrel!” and pointing at a tree whilst you hastily kick away the prize begonias you just trampled. To help you make sense of this (and because I’m a caring person), I thought I’d run you through their suggestions and help to explain them for you. I know. I’m lovely. 1. Be sceptical of headlines READING THIS ARTICLE WILL IMPROVE YOUR SEX LIFE!!! And explain that catchy headlines, or stuff all in capitals might be a bit iffy. 2. Look closely at the URL You can find out more about this at www.wowyouregullible.com if you want to understand how phony web addresses are a sure sign of dodgyness. 3. Investigate...

A fisful of change at the shops

A recent day out reminded me how much the retail experience has altered during my lifetime – and it’s not all good. I could stop typing this, and buy a fridge, in a matter of seconds. The shops are shut and it’s 9pm, but I could still place the order and arrange delivery. I haven’t got to wander round a white-goods retail emporium trying to work out which slightly different version of something that keeps my cider cold is better. It’ll be cheaper, too. But in amongst the convenience, endless choice and bargains, we’ve lost some of the personal, human, touches that used to make a trip to the shops something more than just a daily chore. Last weekend, we visited a local coastal town. Amongst the shops selling over-priced imported home accessories (who doesn’t need another roughly-hewn wooden heart, poorly painted and a bargain at £10?) was one that looked different. It’s window allowed you to see in, rather than being plastered with stick-on graphics and special offers calling ...