Winding down . .

D'Ambrosio's brief return, FP1 @ Monza.    He's since served as the first modern era driver to lap the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

The Right Move?

There are a number of reports coming out of Italy suggesting that world champion Sebastian Vettel has signed a contract to drive for Ferrari starting in 2014, where he will race alongside Fernando Alonso.

Vettel, who is currently leading the drivers’ standings and is looking good to wrap up a third successive world title, has been backed by Red Bull for pretty much his entire single-seater career, and apart from one race with BMW Sauber in 2007 where he stood in for an injured Robert Kubica, has spent his whole time in Formula One with one of the two Red Bull outfits.

Since joining Red Bull Racing in 2009, Vettel has won 24 out of 71 races, taken 33 out of 71 poles and won two world championships. That is significantly higher than the amount of both wins and poles that Ferrari (with 10 wins, 4 poles and no title wins) have taken in the same period. In addition, Vettel is all but officially the number one driver at Red Bull.

So it would seem strange that he would leave the Milton Keynes-based team to join the Scuderia and race alongside Alonso who is, and still will be in two years time, the undisputed favourite in Maranello.

It’s also worth considering that 2014 will see huge changes to the regulations in Formula One. Whilst the biggest change involves the introduction of new engines to the sport and could well favour Ferrari over Red Bull, there will also be rule changes which focus on both front and rear wings and a potential introduction of some form of cockpit protection, which leaves plenty of room for the designers to get to work.

There is little dispute that the best designer in Formula One is Adrian Newey. That’s Adrian Newey of Red Bull. No matter what possible advantage the new engines could give to Ferrari, with Adrian Newey Red Bull will always have a car that will challenge and will most likely master the aerodynamic changes as well as anyone. So, if you’re Sebastian Vettel, why leave Red Bull to go to Ferrari just when F1 will go through a major change in regulations?

You could argue that Vettel wants to test himself against Alonso, widely regarded to be the most complete driver of his generation, and the only way of doing that is to go up against him in the same team. It could also be argued that Vettel still feels he has something to prove. Since being in Formula One, the German has always either had inferior team-mates (such as Vitantonio Liuzzi and Sebastien Bourdais) or the best car. By going to Ferrari, where he will not be given preferential treatment, will be up against someone equally as good as him and where there is no guarantee he will be driving a dominant car, Vettel has the opportunity to prove himself to be indisputably the best driver in the world.

In many ways it is to be admired that Vettel wants to go up against a team-mate as strong as Fernando Alonso. It is something that Michael Schumacher never did in his first career, and something that Ayrton Senna never even contemplated (infact he vetoed the arrival of Derek Warwick in his Lotus days on the grounds that he was too much of a threat to him). It is a risk that Vettel has shown he is willing to take and one that takes a huge amount of courage.

Seb could easily have waited at Red Bull until the end of 2016 (when Alonso’s Ferrari contract expires and at what will be 35 it is perfectly feasible for the Spaniard will decide to call it a day at that point) to try and get his foot in at Maranello, and no-one would’ve batted an eyelid. As a team that likes a big name driver Vettel would’ve been an obvious choice to succeed Alonso at the team. He could’ve gone to a team like Lotus as a stop gap and waited until Alonso’s seat came available. But he hasn’t, and for that he deserves huge credit.

Vettel’s move could go one of two ways. On the one hand, if he goes up against Alonso and gets the better of him, his reputation will be enhanced and he will go down in the sport’s history as one of the true greats. On the other hand, if Alonso beats him, and beats him soundly, then he runs the risk of having his reputation discredited and his achievements merely put down to having the best car.

Is it the right move? Only time will tell.

Land of the free?

Since voicing my candid appraisal on the entire "PSL" ticket debacle, I've spent the better part of 2012 trying to turn a new leaf, trying to approach the USGP in Austin as an optimist.     I freely admit that this is a trait I'm probably not best known for in certain circles . . . LOL.

The closer truth is that at heart I am a realist who does not suffer fools nor arrogant schemers gladly.     However, it is with caution that I want to initiate this thread on this week's release from CoTA regarding "Prohibited Items."

I am currently seeking clarification on a couple of points regarding their somewhat unexpected, highly unusual, and rather vague proclamation.    Key to my interest is learning the criteria entrants will be judged upon and how this process of exclusion will be implemented.     Given that most attendees will be shuttled to the circuit, thus unable to easily return prohibited items to their vehicles, this raises many questions about how CoTA plans to address the challenges this places upon their ticket buying customers.

From the outset, I think it is important to set a proper perspective on this question.  

This is NOT a policy brought upon CoTA from the FIA, FOM, nor any sanctioning or commercial body remotely associated with F1.     (Many will blame Bernie . . . geez, sometimes I really have to feel for him.)

This is NOT consistent with other F1 Grands Prix staged around the world.  

This is NOT consistent with motor sport events . . . road racing and ovals . . . held in the US.

Therefore, this dilemma, the questions it raises, and the discussion which will certainly follow across the internet is of their own making.

Hopefully this coming week will bring some degree of clarity, qualification, and adjustment from CoTA before the real debate begins . . . but I am certain that debate will be fierce.  

For the sake of those who have worked to bring the USGP to Austin I hope that CoTA will pay attention.   No sensible motor sport enthusiast will pay hard earned money only to put up with such nonsense.  

I will not, and I'm certain that I'm not alone.

A clear picture . . .

The clock is spinning way too fast.   F1 2012 has now truly entered the home stretch and although much remains to be decided, I can't help but wonder where the latter part of the European season went, even when it evaporated right before my eyes.

I also can't help but ponder 2012's new found schizo personality . .  we've lost the crap shoot of the first seven or eight rounds to find ourselves back where we started:   Red Bull, McLaren, wondering if Ferrari can rise in answer.    Clearly everyone has finally figured out Pirelli's tricks and have returned to the annual ritual of out tweaking each other to Brazil.

Spa proved to not be much of a race this year.      Sure, I was excited to be there . . . no complaints, how can there be? . . . but even without the first corner calamity I doubt anyone had anything for McLaren.    Sans Hamilton's departure, we probably would have seen a McLaren 1-2 finish.  Thankfully everyone emerged from the first corner with all of their "attachments" in tact, living to fight another day.

I'd high hopes for Kimi as he always drives so well in Belgium, but he simply did not have the car for the job.    The Lotus-Renault has no doubt proven competitive and did initially look strong . . . but Saturday was odd and it was as if the other teams, between a single FP3 session and quali, found a pace that they could not.     Although Räikkönen survived the first corner melee, Button simply drove away from him in the race.

Given Kimi's command of the circuit, that was really saying something.  

Alonso could've wound up on the podium, and perhaps even mounted a challenge to Button, but my instincts counter that the McLaren pace could not have been matched.  

This was not the case in Monza where for all intents Fernando should have won from pole.      He was clearly quickest in FP3, Q1, and Q2.     Then came Q3.   Many suggest that the broken rear sway bar was merely a cover story . . . perhaps so . . . but from my vantage at the Prima Variante, the cause was not as clear as the immediacy in which that pole was lost.      The Ferrari struggled through the left hand exit of the chicane onto the opposite curbing.     The resulting lack of launch into the Curva Grande spelled disaster, and I wonder whether Fernando immediately backed off, knowing his day was done.

Alonso recovered on Sunday, driving a magnificent race to claim what initially looked to be a 2nd place finish.     That was until Sergio Perez served up another stunning example of how to preserve one's tires to their fullest advantage and stole the 2nd step from Fernando in what Niki Lauda later described as the drive of the race.  

Fernando still managed to leave Monza increasing his lead in the driver's title, but Singapore has since rendered that buffer merely a brief respite from his competitors who are getting quicker.

So despite all of Alonso's tenacity, despite his busting Ferrari's collective tails to haul the F2012 from obscurity, his real work begins now.  

There isn't a circuit remaining on the calendar where Alonso and Ferrari can rest.   Suzuka will prove favorable to Red Bull and McLaren, and they will be more likely suited to the heavy dose of Tilke circuits which carry us to Interlagos.

I've heard that provided Alonso can stay on the podium he'll preserve his lead and take the title, but my math does not support that theory.     Ferrari are faced with a battle they know all too well . . . a car that does not maximize tire performance.     It will be upon Ferrari's ability to respond where Alonso's much deserved third driving title will hinge.

Alonso's driven beyond the F2012 all season.  He's already merited the title in a fashion few world champions before him have.   However, his skill alone probably can't answer the rising challenge ahead.

the long, hot silence

I find little use for summer's miserable discomfort unless seated poolside, and I can't remember the last time I could enjoy such hedonistic pleasure on anything remotely resembling frequent basis.  

However, with the Rolex Historics, Concorso Italiano, and the relief of 68 degrees Fahrenheit on the Monterey Peninsula, I came a step closer to kissing these dreadful days goodbye.  

At this moment I'm seated in a comfortably air conditioned lounge on my way back to the Ardennes . . . to the greatest road racing circuit in the world and the beginning of what I suspect will be a nail biting push to both the 2012 driver's and constructor's titles.

I can't wait to return to Spa . . . Fall is fast approaching and so is the core of my 2012 motor sport experience.    Hopefully I'll soon have plenty to share here.    Cheers.      Go Kimi.

Valencia!

Such is life, but 2012 is flashing by while throwing up challenges of greater complexity and frequency than I'm used to.      Therefore, it is somewhat a shame that I'm not free to sit back in further dissect this amazing F1 season.

This season has already produced more uncertain outcomes than the prior five or six seasons combined.     If I had more time, I'd do some serious research to back up that assessment.

The European Grand Prix at Valencia was no exception.  

Valencia looks a blast to drive . . . especially the practically flat out blind weaving back to the start/finish straight . . . but until yesterday the venue had never offered much in terms of racing.   Last year's GP was probably the most boring in recent memory.

Therefore it was very much a surprise on Sunday to be treated to the stuff from which F1 legends are drawn, and Fernando Alonso's sensational drive from 11th to an emotional victory in front of his native Spanish fans will be replayed on highlight reels for years to come.   

It's hard for me to ignore the potentially symbolic nature of the Valencia podium:     Alonso, overcome with emotion, standing between Ferrari's two most recent world champions.    This crazy season is a long way from becoming subject to internet trending but if I were a betting man I might put a small fortune on this moment.

Alonso won from midfield on this circuit aforementioned for guaranteeing lackluster racing.     He came into 2012 with a dog of a car that would confound most drivers, and has demonstrated remarkable tenacity driving beyond the car's capability and respect for his team in patiently, diligently working for improvement.      Sunday Alonso and Ferrari were rewarded.   

I found Alonso parking his somewhat revitalized F2012 in front of the grandstand and unrolling his newly gifted Spanish flag reminiscent of Senna's celebrations at Interlagos.

What makes this year's European Grand Prix so exceptional, however, is that Alonso's drive was not the only noteworthy performance on display.

Alonso benefitted from a couple of key retirements, most notably Sebastian Vettel, who in typically ho-hum fashion sped away from the front.   Whatever I personally feel for the marketing entity he drives for, I have to hand it to Vettel for remaining a driver not to be discounted.    

Romain Grosjean was also sensational, and had his Lotus Renault electrical system not packed up he might have ultimately robbed victory from Alonso.     Grosjean's path into F1 has been rocky, but his speed and fight are very real.     Despite that his 2012 has so far proven a collection of peaks and valleys, he's holding his own against Kimi Raikkonen.    If he can continue to mature and avoid some of the mistakes which have cost him, he may very well finish ahead of Kimi in the final tally.

Raikkonen put in another solid drive to 2nd.    Kimi capitalized on good fortune when Hamilton's tires went off in the closing stages, but after what happened in China that pendulum was due to swing his way.     I still find Kimi perplexing.    His flashes of brilliance are often segued by moments where it appears some young lady in the grandstands might have caught his attention.      That said, he's an amazing talent, a great benefit to the sport, and I fully expect him to provide quite a show over the remainder of the year.

It was great to see Michael Schumacher back on the podium.     Two and one half seasons following his 2010 return?     I doubt most of us thought it would take that long.      It was fantastic.   I'm hoping he finds his way one or two steps up before year's end.

Finally, a word about Hamilton.    I really have to feel for the guy.      He has been thwarted by his own crew at some point in practically every GP this year.      I'm not anti-McLaren, but when it comes to how passionately and fervently many McLaren fans lash out at Ferrari, I can only laugh at their calamitous pit stops.  

I lost respect for Hamilton several years ago because he'd spend more time on the radio yelling at his team than driving the car.     The irony is that if he were doing that now I'd probably back him up!    LOL

Regarding his clash with Maldonado, I laugh at claims that Hamilton was an innocent victim of an overly aggressive overtaking attempt.     Hamilton was not t-boned.    Much to the contrary, he drove over Maldonado's wheel as result of an ill conceived attempt to squeeze Pastor and protect his position.     The accident was a racing incident, nothing more, with both drivers carrying equal blame.

All in all an absolutely fantastic European Grand Prix . . . and we've much to look forward to as the circus now moves to the core of the European season and some of the fastest, most fabled circuits on the calendar.

  

Moving on . . .

With news that the legal dispute between Tavo Hellmund and his former partners with The Circuit of the Americas has been resolved, its time to get back to everything we should be focusing upon with the return of the United States F1 Grand Prix.

Tickets have finally gone on sale, and despite the all of the nonsense associated with the Personal Seat License fiasco, they have arrived fairly consistent with the prices of Grands Prix I've attended in Europe and Montreal.    I realize many do not share this assessment, but to be honest I get the suspicion that their orientation on F1 ticket pricing is based solely upon the very unique way things were at Indianapolis.

Austin may not offer Indianapolis' expertise and infrastructure when it comes to getting everyone to and from the circuit.     Those of us who chose not to cough up the dough for a PSL will be shuttled.     Given the lack of road improvements and parking, this actually makes a lot of sense, but it must be adequately funded and properly executed.     I must wonder whether the surrounding roads will be able to handle the shuttle traffic alone, so I can only hope that they've got a solid plan in place to keep those buses moving.

That said, I'm looking forward to a great weekend in Austin.     There's plenty of positives to focus upon and that's what I intend to do from this point forward.     Looking back over the past eight months The United States Grand Prix has teetered on the brink of disaster.     The fact is that we are still here, the race is a certainty,  and Hellmund's vision, more than partially intact, is about to become reality.  

We've much to be thankful for.    The race could have remained attached to Montreal's June date thus requiring all of us to sweat it out under an oppressive Texas summer sun.    Cooler heads prevailed, and the November date comes with the added potential that the title could be decided on US soil.     (Speaking of Montreal, Sunday's Grand Prix du Canada convinced me that the world championship will be wide open when the lights go out in front of all of those PSL premium seats, but I digress . . . )
Having cleared all of these hurdles, I fully expect that the buzz surrounding the USGP in Austin will finally begin to pick up momentum.  

Growing up in Atlanta, I'd always hoped that the USGP might one day come to Road Atlanta.    I remember a good friend and Porsche race car mechanic musing that the F1 cars would shave ten seconds off the lap times set by the GT Prototypes of the era.     Ten seconds was probably fantasy, but I could only imagine what it would have been like to see Senna, Piquet, Prost attacking that wonderful undulating circuit in the mid to late 1980s!

I have no idea whether the people of Austin realize this, but my belief is that this is the beginning of something for which they'll be very proud of in years to come.