F1 2011 season review, Part 1

The F1 2011 season has really been impressive. Despite the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel dominating the majority of the races and qualifying sessions the battle’s behind have been dramatic, controversial and on many occasions exciting.

(c) Octane Photographic

This season has produced not only excitement from the front but also from the back. The rookie's have been battling in the midfield, with my star rookies being Di Resta and Perez. Perez has been extremely brave on strategy and has taken risks normal rookies would not usually take. Di Resta has had some great results. Not only is he a down to earth, friendly guy he drives the majority of the time like he has had more experiences than this. The battle for 2nd in the championship has also been impressive. 4 drivers battling for 2nd, as 1st is already occupied. In my opinion this season has been very strong.

Here is Part 1 of my F1 2011 season review. I look over the new features of the F1 2011 season and give brief yet in depth review's of each race with the key points noted. Click "read more" to see the full part.

A new aspect of F1 came into play for the 2011 season. DRS - Drag Reduction System - made its first appearance. At the touch of a button a small flap in the rear wing opens up reducing aerodynamic drag and promoting overtaking. With its use unlimited throughout the practice and qualifying sessions it was a key part of setting a fast lap time. Race specific “zones” were created on the tracks longest straights to aid overtaking. Drivers liked the idea and found it a big success but wanted limited use in practice and qualifying deeming it dangerous.

KERS made its welcome return in 2011. After only a small number of teams used the device in the 2009 the 2011 season saw all but 3 of the teams using it. The 6.67 second boost of 80bhp has been put to the full test in 2011. With the DRS in action KERS has not shown its true colours, but its use brought a true strategic element to that mere 6.67 seconds. With all 12 teams having the device available to them for the 2012 season it should bring the pack significantly closer.

Pirelli tyres are the last significant change to the F1 2011 season. The tyre manufacturer entered the unknown as the season begun, but the end result is extremely positive. Obviously they still have a lot to learn but the outlook on the season has been encouraging. The durability of the tyre was clearly lower than the previous manufacturers which spiced up the racing with many races seeing record pit stops. There are 4 compounds with a wide range of compounds.

The season was meant to open in Bahrain but unrest in the country caused its cancellation. Throughout the season debates aroused over its return later in the year but that never happened. The season opener was then hosted by Australia. The beginning of the dominance began after Sebastian Vettel won the race, with Mclaren looking strong with Lewis Hamilton 2^nd and Vitaly Petrov 3^rd in the Lotus Renault car, his first podium position. After that Malaysia beckoned with Vettel again taking the win ahead of Jenson Button. Nick Heidfeld secured Lotus Renault’s second podium in a row, showcasing pace which would not return for the rest of the season.

After Malaysia Vettel had a 100% points score, double his nearest challenger. It was looking like one of those seasons again. However China turned that on its head. Lewis Hamilton took an emotional victory at the Shanghai circuit with Vettel 2^nd and his team mate Webber 3^rd after starting 18^th. It will be remembered for a bizarre incident which occurred at the first pit stops after Button pulled into the Red Bull pit box by accident. The usual returned in Turkey with a lights to flag victory for Vettel, a phrase already boring many fans. Webber and Alonso rounded out the podium positions. It was an overtaking filled race, mainly due to the DRS, with an at the time record number of pit stops (80.) It also produced near 80 overtakes throughout the race, not counting pit stop changes, retirements and first lap changes.

(c) Octane Photographic

A great start from 4^th on the grid saw Fernando Alonso lead into the first corner at his home race in Spain, after pole sitter Webber had a poor start. Vettel tucked in behind and took the lead after the first round of stops. He went on to win ahead of Lewis Hamilton and a recovering Button – who slipped to 10^th on the first lap – while Alonso faded to a lap down in 5^th. Webber split Button and Alonso after only getting past Alonso on the 39^th lap.

Monaco yet again produced an amazing Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel won from Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button who chased him down to the flag. After a brief red flag due to a multi car accident the race restarted and they crossed the line in a processional manner. Hamilton found himself at the stewards again after a crash with Felipe Massa and also Pastor Maldonado on route to 6^th. The grid was a car short as the race begun with Sergio Perez recovering in hospital after a crash in qualifying at the tunnel.

After the drama of the Monaco Grand Prix where Hamilton accused the steward’s decisions of being “frickin’ joke” more drama occurred at the Canadian grand prix. With Vettel looking set for another victory, an unlikely error by the 2010 champion saw him throw it all away on the last lap. This left Jenson Button to take the victory after a collision with team mate Hamilton which put him out of the race, a collision with Fernando Alonso, a puncture and a penalty. He led home Vettel with team mate Webber in 3^rd. Michael Schumacher finished 4^th just a few seconds off a podium.

The teams and drivers arrived in sunny Valencia looking forward to another exciting race, and let’s face it the track needed one. In Valencia’s terms it was moderately exciting. Uncharacteristic collisions for Schumacher led to him finishing 17^th. Vettel won yet again, with a long battle for second finally won by Fernando Alonso as Webber had to settle for 3^rd. Hamilton and Button finished 4^th and 6^th with their Mclaren falling behind Ferrari and Red Bull. A star performance from Jaime Alguersuari by finishing 8^th from 18^th on the grid showed his progress as a driver.

Silverstone’s new “wing” pit lane was christened by a dramatic but deserving victory for Fernando Alonso. Vettel led into the first corner after relieving pole sitter Webber from the position. Schumacher collided with Kobayashi for the second race in row. Button retired after he left the pits with a loose wheel nut while errors by the Red Bull mechanics saw Alonso emerge ahead of Vettel after the second stops. Hamilton and Massa collided at the last turn as the Brit attempted to retain his 4^th place. Webber finished 3^rd behind Alonso in 1^st and his team mate Vettel.

Hamilton won in Germany as it returned to the Nurburgring. His team mate Button fared far worse after retiring with a mechanical failure. Alonso finished in 2^nd with Vettel down in 4^th after an uncharacteristic spin. Webber finished 3^rd after he was unable to repeating his win 2 years before. Adrian Sutil finished an impressive 6^th, a turning point in Force India’s season.

With the 2011 season coming to a climax, tune in on Monday the 28th November for Part 2:

Also see the BBC F1 schedule for 2012 here: http://bit.ly/u2TXmt
See the Final Sector Brazilian Gp preview issue here: http://bit.ly/vIW3s1

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