“One of the best ski jumpers of all times once said ‘Every chance is an
opportunity’ and as far as we are concerned there are still plenty of
chances tomorrow,” Vettel said in a statement released late on Saturday,
which had shades of Eric Cantona and seagulls.
His team principal Christian Horner said Vettel had taken the decision
“remarkably well”.
The dramatic turn of events represents a huge reprieve for Alonso, who has
been miles off the pace all weekend and who was only able to claim seventh
place on the grid.
Instead of starting four places behind Vettel, the Spaniard will now start 18
places in front of his title rival in sixth place. Alonso has consistently
hinted these past few weeks that he felt fate was on his side.
Perhaps he was right.
The length of time it took stewards to arrive at their decision attracted a
certain amount of criticism. And it is a problem which the sport must
address.
As thousands of paying spectators drifted off into the night, and millions
more watching on television around the world switched off their sets, they
were completely clueless as to where the two title protagonists would
actually start the race.
But when a decision of this magnitude is to be made, it is as well to make the
correct one. Article 6.6.2 of the FIA’s Technical Regulations requires that
unless there is a case of force majeure a car must be able to “return
to the pits under its own power” and provide a one-litre sample of fuel.
Red Bull had aroused the suspicions of the stewards after ordering Vettel to
stop the car on his in-lap, with Horner revealing afterwards it had been the
call of engine partner Renault.
Thoughts were immediately cast back to Lewis
Hamilton and Barcelona earlier this year, where the Briton claimed a
dominant pole only to be relegated to the back of the field for the same
infringement.
It was one of the reasons Hamilton’s title challenge ended as soon as it did.
At least it looks as if he may end his final season with McLaren
on a high.
The 2008 world champion has been in splendid form both on and off the track
this week, as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
He has spoken well, and driven even better, carrying his strong practice form
into qualifying.
His pole lap, which ended Red Bull’s run of three consecutive poles, was a
massive 0.348secs faster than Vettel’s Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber and
0.6secs faster than his own McLaren team-mate Jenson
Button, who could only take sixth on the grid before Vettel’s
demotion saw him gain one place to fifth.
“I’m very excited. Very excited,” Hamilton beamed in the press conference
afterwards. “It’s the first time for a long time to be ahead of the Red
Bulls. Normally I see the tail of them at the start of the race.
“I know the race will be tough because they have great race pace. I hope we
are strong enough to fight. The car has been beautiful all weekend.”
Webber, sitting next to him, said that he hoped Hamilton made a poor start.
“Lewis’s starts lately haven’t been phenomenal,” observed the Australian,
correctly. He shouldn’t count on it, though. Hamilton has looked in fine
fettle here.
However they fare, it will be the respective performances of Vettel and Alonso
which capture the headlines after a decision which could change the course
of Formula
One history.
Meanwhile, speculation that the presence of BSkyB executives in Abu Dhabi,
including chief executive Jeremy Darroch and recently re-elected board
member James Murdoch, was due to “secret talks” with top teams over a
possible takeover of the sport was dismissed as nonsense by McLaren team
principal Martin Whitmarsh.
1. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren 1min 40.630 sec
2. Mark Webber (Australia) Red Bull 1:40.978
3. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Williams 1:41.226
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Lotus 1:41.260
5. Jenson Button (GB) McLaren 1:41.290
6. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 1:41.582
7. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 1:41.603
8. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 1:41.723
9. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus 1:41.778
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Germany) Force India 1:42.019
11. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Sauber 1:42.084
12. Paul Di Resta (GB) Force India 1:42.218
13. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Mercedes 1:42.289
14. Bruno Senna (Brazil) Williams 1:42.330
15. Kamui Kobayashi (Japan) Sauber 1:42.606
16. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Toro Rosso 1:42.765
17. Jean-Eric Vergne (France) Toro Rosso 1:44.058
18. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) Caterham 1:44.956
19. Charles Pic (France) Marussia 1:45.089
20. Vitaly Petrov (Russia) Caterham 1:45.151
21. Timo Glock (Germany) Marussia 1:45.426
22. Pedro de la Rosa (Spain) HRT 1:45.766
23. Narain Karthikeyan (India) HRT 1:46.382
24. Sebastian Vettel *(Germany) Red Bull 1:41.073
* Sebastian Vettel was relegated from third to the back of the grid for a fuel
irregularity world championship