European Grand Prix

24th August 2009

The best things come to those who wait! Brawn GP ace Rubens Barrichello took victory in last weekend’s European grand prix – five years after his last visit to the top step of the podium.

In sweltering hot conditions at the Spanish Valencia street circuit, the Brazilian led home Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren and the Ferrari of Kimi Räikkönen. Championship leader Jenson Button struggled for pace early in the race, eventually finishing in seventh place.

But it was defending champ Hamilton that made the early running, streaking away from pole position and stretching out a comfortable lead over team mate Heikki Kovalainen. But tucked up behind the Finn was the Brawn of Barrichello.

The 37-year old passed Kovalainen at the first round of pit stops, before closing in on Hamilton. The British star didn’t have the pace to hold of his rival, and eventually relinquished his lead on his second visit to the pits for a fuel and tyres. However, Lewis’ task was made even harder when his mechanics didn’t have the right rubber, losing him valuable seconds.

Further down the field, the Red Bulls were struggling to take advantage of their track position ahead of championship leader Jenson Button. Both drivers started well, with Sebastian Vettel beating the Brit to the first corner and Mark Webber gaining a place after Jenson cut the chicane while defending his position against the Australian.

But then disaster struck for Vettel. Not only did was forced to make an extra pit stop after his fuel rig failed, but then his engine expired on lap 24. At least his team mate Webber finished, although down in eighth behind Button, who mounted a late race charge and passed the Australian in the last round of pit stops.

There was plenty of action further down the field where two Formula One newcomers were treated to a baptism of fire. Ferrari’s Luca Badoer had a truly torrid time, First he was knocked into a spin on the opening lap, then hit with a drive-through penalty for crossing the white line on the pit exit and all the while struggling to match the pace of the front–runners – his fastest lap was nearly two seconds slower than the fastest cars.

Renault’s Romain Grosjean showed flashes of speed, but could only manage fourteenth at the flag after a flurry of errors. He lost out on the first lap and slipped down the order, before having a spin later in the race.

But there were no such problems for a victorious Rubens Barrichello. “It has been fantastic”, exclaimed the Brazilian. “It has been a weekend that I will never forget especially because after five years you don’t forget how to do it, but it is tough. There was a lot going through my mind but the car has been perfect and I want to thank the team for that because it wasn’t just me. The car was really brilliant.”

The teams now have just a week off before the Belgian grand prix next weekend on 30 August.


Results

1. Barrichello   Brawn-Mercedes
2. Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes
3. Räikkönen Ferrari
4. Kovalainen    McLaren-Mercedes
5. Rosberg       Williams-Toyota
6. Alonso        Renault
7. Button        Brawn-Mercedes
8. Kubica        BMW Sauber
9. Webber        Red Bull-Renault
10. Sutil         Force India-Mercedes
11. Heidfeld      BMW Sauber
12. Fisichella    Force India-Mercedes
13. Trulli        Toyota
14. Glock         Toyota
15. Grosjean      Renault
16. Alguersuari   Toro Rosso-Ferrari
17. Badoer        Ferrari
18. Nakajima      Williams-Toyota

Driver Championship

1. Jenson Button      72
2. Rubens Barrichello     54
3. Mark Webber         51.5
4. Sebastian Vettel     47
5. Nico Rosberg         29.5
6. Lewis Hamilton     27
7. Kimi Räikkönen     24
8. Jarno Trulli         22.5
9. Felipe Massa         22
10. Timo Glock         16

Constructer Championship

1. Brawn-Mercedes      126
2. RBR-Renault         98.5
3. Ferrari             46
4. McLaren-Mercedes     41
5. Toyota             38.5
6. Williams-Toyota     29.5
7. Renault             16
8. BMW Sauber         9
9. STR-Ferrari         5

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