BRAWN ONE TWO – Australian GP

Jenson Button is the driver of the day no doubt about it.  Thanks to the the Sebastian Vettel And Robert Kubica, Ruben Barichello took the second step of the podium.  Another driver benefit from the stunt was Lewis Hamilton Jarno Trulli, the final driver to complete the podium.

What a dramatic event in Albert’s Park.  The race was sort of completed under the safety car (the safety car put off its light on the final corner), but do not forget the first appearance of Brawn GP!

Big smile on Ross Brawn and Richard Branson face!

Do not forget Sebastian Vettel, he did a fantastic job as well until the last 3 laps of the race.  Clumsy, the only word can be used to describe his move to defends his second position from Robert Kubica.

I was still watching the television while I blogging this post.  Trulli was talking to Ross Brawn, Jenson Button and Ruben Barichello.  I am very happy with you guys, and Barichello was delighted screaming “ONE TWO?!” to Ross Brawn.  Brawn just cool, smiling to both of the driver.

First Debut One two after year 1954! Same engine manufacturer! Amazing!

2 British, 1 Brazilian, Bridgestone tyres, a group of Brilliant team member and a Brawn team… That’s how you spell BRAWN!

F1 Team to watch - Brawn GP F1 Team

“I am happy, really happy!”

“I felt very good”

“This one was born really nicely”

“It is a good combination with the engine, in terms of power and drivability”

“This year is going to be a happy one.”

“Now we are a very well prepared group”

“We have a good chance to have a car to surprise”

“I think we will be the surprise of the year.”

 

These are the reactions by Ruben Barrichello after clocking the fastest time in Barcelona Day 4 testing.

 

 

2 days in a row, 2 different driver, 1 team.  Brawn BGP 001 and the team proved that they have the package to be on top of the list.  It will be too soon to say, but Brawn GP F1 team definitely is the team to watch in 2009 season.

The car still empty without any sponsorship (other than the tyres supplier Bridgestone), but I believe that despite the current economy situation, they will still attract big money from the sponsors.  (Do we have the word “recession” in Formula One dictionary?)

 

Unofficial Thursday times from Barcelona:
1. Rubens Barrichello, Brawn BGP 001, 1:18.926
2. Nico Rosberg, Williams FW31, 1:19.774
3. Timo Glock, Toyota TF109, 1:20.091
4. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB5, 1:20.576
5. Fernando Alonso, Renault R29, 1:20.664
6. Felipe Massa, Ferrari F60, 1:20.677
7. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber F1.09, 1:20.740
8. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren MP4-24, 1:20.869
9. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso STR4, 1:21.013
10. Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India VJM02, 1:21.045
11. Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso STR4, 1:21.629

Hamilton, Heidfeld, Barrichello dominant in Silverstone

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton gave his adoring fans exactly what they came to see at a sodden Silverstone on Sunday. A brilliant British Grand Prix victory in often treacherous conditions lifted him right back into contention for the world championship, on a day when Kimi Raikkonen failed to shine and Ferrari team mate Felipe Massa and BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica were the ones who came home pointless.

The race started on a damp track, with the promise of more rain to come. Hamilton touched wheels with pole-sitting team mate Heikki Kovalainen on lap one at Copse after making a terrific start, and edged ahead of him at Becketts on the fifth lap. Thereafter it was his race to lose, and the most crucial point came when both he and Raikkonen, an apparent threat at this stage, pitted on the 21st lap. But where McLaren gave their man another set of standard wet-weather Bridgestones, Ferrari kept theirs on the same set. Hamilton rocketed away from the red car, and Raikkonen slipped steadily down the order as strong mid-race performances from Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica put BMW Sauber into the frame for podium finishes.

Heavy rain in the middle of the race created further havoc, however, as driver after driver slipped and slid off the road. This was where clever strategic thinking by Ross Brawn at Honda saw the team risk bringing in both Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button for extreme wet tyres on the 35th lap. The Brazilian made great use of them and was able to push up into second place until a late switch back to intermediates. As Heidfeld clung on to a good second place, after making the right call for fresh intermediates at his first stop, Barrichello recovered to a podium finish that was a great boost to the Japanese team.

Behind them, Raikkonen finally fought his way out of a late-race battle with Renault’s Fernando Alonso and Kovalainen to finish fourth.

 

Full report: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/7/8058.html

Honda - So close yet so far

To me, Honda did improve in some area, as they were in contention for points which is a rarity last season. I must say Ruben Barrichello did a good job on defending his position while Kimi Raikkonen try to attack from the back. But on the other hand, he made a terrible mistake - leaving the pit lane exit when the red light is on, which caused the team and himself three precious points.


Rubens Barrichello's pit stop during the Melbourne race

A DNF (Jenson Button crashed out on the first lap) and a disqualification definitely not what Honda wants, but they will be points-contender this season.

See what Ross Brawn think about the Melbourne race and the Honda Team.

Exclusive Interview - Ross Brawn