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A somewhat chaotic European Grand Prix ended disappointingly for the Honda Racing F1 Team at the Nürburgring today when Rubens Barrichello crossed the line in 11th position whilst Jenson Button became one of a number of casualties at a rain-soaked first corner when his car aquaplaned uncontrollably across the river which had formed there in a matter of minutes.
The race began in dry and sunny conditions but dark grey clouds were already looming ominously on the horizon. They made rapid progress towards the track and the field was forced to pit for wet tyres at the end of lap one. A flash downpour followed and many of the drivers became passengers as they lost control of their cars through the standing water. Within just two laps Jenson made up an incredible 15 places and was running in fourth position before he too fell foul of the track conditions.
“I didn't get a good start and I dropped to 20th position, however I had a really good first lap and I was up to sixth position when I pitted for wet tyres,” Jenson said. “After that the rain poured down and turn one was a lake. By that time I was in fourth position behind Massa and Alonso. I just touched the brakes and all four wheels locked, then I hit the wall. It's a real shame because I had a lot of fuel on board, a good strategy given the way the race then panned out for the others and I love to drive in these wet conditions. This race was unfortunately a lottery and sadly I lost out."
During this time, Rubens was punted from behind by Rosberg, causing damage to his rear diffuser which compromised his aero balance for the duration of the race. He pitted for a second time on lap two to switch to the extreme wet tyres, but as the track conditions worsened the race was red flagged until the rain subsided.
At the restart Rubens took up his new position of ninth on the grid and on a drying track he reverted to the wet tyre. As blue skies emerged again he pitted after eight laps for dry rubber on which he remained until seven laps from the chequered flag when the heavens opened for a second time and the field was forced to stop again for wets. Rubens completed five pit stops in total and took on fuel in two of those.
"I'm bitterly disappointed with the result today,” Rubens added. “The car felt bad from the start and it never really improved through the race, most likely because of the damage caused when I was hit by Rosberg. I love these dry-wet conditions and we had some opportunities today because of the way the race was unfolding. However, we did not have the car and we did not make the most of the circumstances." |
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