After enjoying a blisteringly good start to the season Brawn and its leading driver Button had begun to move backwards, with little bites constantly being taken out of Button’s Drivers’ lead and big bites from Brawn’s Constructors’ lead.
The first practice session of the European Grand Prix (Valencia) saw Brawn achieve 1st and 4th with Barrichello topping the timesheets. McLaren also continued their good run with Hamilton 3rd and Kovalainen 2nd.
Red Bull had reasonable performance (5th for Vettel, 8th for Webber), and it is only a free practice rather than qualifying so only a limited amount can be read into it. Barrichello had an issue late into the session getting into gear and over the 90 minutes Button complained about both understeer and oversteer, problems which didn’t stop him coming 4th.
The race also sees the return of Ferrari’s Luca Badoer who last raced in Formula One a decade ago, and the debut of Renault’s replacement for Nelson Piquet: Romain Grosjean.
Only Brawn or Red Bull can win the Constructors’, and only Button, Vettel, Webber or Barrichello can take the Drivers’ title. Button still enjoys a healthy 18.5 point lead despite a string of poor performances.
If the first free practice session is a generally accurate indicator I think Button’s lead will either stay as is or increase after the race (ie, he’ll finish ahead of Webber and possibly Vettel as well). Hamilton seems likely to get a podium and possible a second consecutive win.
After this there are only six more races, so if Button can get a 20 point+ lead again it would give him an enormous advantage. Brawn may even win the Constructors’ where they lead Red Bull by 15.5 points. We’ll have to wait and see how the next two practice sessions, qualifying and the race goes, but come Sunday evening it should be apparent whether Brawn are back, or if Red Bull are poised to overtake Button and Brawn in the title races.
Morris Dancer
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3 comments:
Morris -
Many thanks for what is becoming your regular pre-match commentary. You appear to think that Button will finish ahead of both Red Bulls in the race itself.
I was already thinking about backing Button at 2.5, or 6/4 in Bookie speak, for a podium finish which your comment seems to support. Do you agree?
BTW congrats on your winning tennis tip yesterday - sadly I went for the other one, i.e. Guccione losing to Berdych which was Henry's tip also - Grrh!
I think Button will best Webber, I'm less sure of Vettel (who is a better driver than Webber). Button's 18.5 points ahead of Webber and 23 ahead of Vettel, so if he does beat Webber Vettel will have to come significantly ahead of Button for Button's lead to actually fall.
Hehe, yeah I read about HenryG's tip after I posted that. But his last two won, so I'm still ahead :)
Hmmm. If I were to bet on that market I think those are decentish odds. I'd probably take it although it's a little speculative. (Sorry to sound a bit wishywashy, I'm no better when making my own bets, I assure you).
Button came 2nd in second practice, behind Alonso and ahead of Barrichello, so that's a little more in his favour, but practice means sod all if it doesn't match qualifying and race pace, obviously.
Hey Peter, Button's down to 1.82 for a podium finish. If you've bet a hefty sum that's probably a layable value (if you're playing safe). Hopefully he'll be on the front row post-qualifying.
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