F1 2011 season review, part 2:

Here is the second part of my F1 2011 season review. I take a look at the races from Hungary through to the last race in Brazil. I then conclude on the season's events.

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Here is part 1 if you have missed it: http://talkfromjackleslief1.blogspot.com/2011/11/f1-2011-season-review-part-1.html
Here is my Brazilian Grand Prix review too: http://talkfromjackleslief1.blogspot.com/2011/11/brazilian-grand-prix-review.html

Hungary. A race viewed as one of the best of the season. Jenson Button won the race in typical tricky conditions, in which Button is the master. Sebastian Vettel finished 2^nd ahead of Fernando Alonso. Hamilton spun at turn 9 and as he attempted to turn back around he almost collided with Paul Di Resta giving him a penalty. He then switched to a costly strategy. Button took the win on his 200^th Grand Prix, and where he won his maiden race 5 years previously.

The grid packed into the tight pit lane at the impressive Spa circuit in Belgium. An iconic setting resulted in yet another stroll in the park for Vettel. He won the race with team mate Webber making it a 1-2 finish. Jenson Button finished 3^rd. Bruno Senna started his debut F1 race for the Lotus Renault GP team in an impressive 7^th place but he hit Jaime Alguersuari heavily at turn 1, ruining his race. Lewis Hamilton finished his race in dramatic style after a high speed collision with Kobayashi on lap 12.

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Monza. Not a track Red Bull should suit. A thought that was echoed by many on the run up to the weekend, but boy did they prove us wrong. Vettel took a clear victory in Italy with Jenson Button finishing 10 second back in 2^nd. Tifosi favourite Alonso rounded out the top 3. Hamilton finished 4^th with Massa 6^th. Massa was involved in an incident with Mark Webber. The latter spun his round at turn 1 –dislodging his front wing – and crashed later in the lap. Schumacher finished 5^th after holding up Hamilton for the majority of the race.

Singapore will not be a race remembered by Lewis Hamilton. After contact with Massa he had to pit for a new nose cone, and then received a penalty on route to 5^th place over a minute down on winner Vettel. Hamilton’s team mate Button finished 2^nd with Webber 3^rd. Di Resta finished an impressive 6^th on his debut at the street circuit.

Moving on to the Japanese Grand Prix it was like coming home for Jenson Button. With a Japanese girlfriend and previous work with Honda it was like a 2^nd home to him. After being cut off by Vettel at the start he attacked his in and out lap to emerge ahead of Sebastian after the second stops and won the race. Yet more contact between Hamilton and Massa led to a short safety car. Alonso finished 2^nd ahead of Vettel.

Korea didn’t look that different as the f1 circus rolled into the Korean International Circuit. After the washout of 2010’s race this year was a lot drier. After Hamilton had taken an impressive pole position he lost it on the run to turn 4, after Vettel slipstreamed his way past. He was able to control the lead as Hamilton slipped further behind. A mid-race battle between Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg released the former into clear air and to an eventual 4^th place behind Vettel, Hamilton and Webber. The Safety Car made a brief appearance after Petrov hit Schumacher at the 3^rd corner sending debris flying.

A brand new sector of the F1 world arrived as the Indian Grand Prix made its debut. After another Vettel pole - his 13^th of the season - the race began in dramatic style. The tight nature of turn 1 led to numerous contacts, notably between the two Williams drivers. Jenson Button went from 5^th to 3^rd in the first corner and then jumped Webber on the first straight. Hamilton in contrast fell to 6^th. Later in the race this proved costly as he collided with Massa; again. This meant a pit stop for a new nose while Massa received a penalty but later crashed out. Vettel won by 8 seconds from Button and Alonso.

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Abu Dhabi will be remembered for one of the most dramatic races of the season. The usually processional race was shaken up by an off by Sebastian Vettel at turn 2 after a puncture. He was unable to continue due to excessive damage to his exhaust and floor. Hamilton took the lead at this point and never looked back, or though he was fought hard by Alonso towards the end. With Alonso finishing 2^nd it was Button who joined them on the podium. Both Force India’s took home points after an impressive mid season turn around.

It was Mark Webber who took the final win of the season, after an up and down season. Everyone had something to prove in the last race of the season, held in Sau Paulo (Brazil). After a gearbox problem for Vettel the Australian capitalised to take over the lead. Button finished 3^rd after a charge past Alonso. Hamilton retired with a gearbox failure. It was not the most exciting way to end the season but i had an emotional and sad feeling as the last lap began, after 19 great races I would have to wait till March for my F1 fix.

It’s been a dominant but great season in F1. It’s built up a lot of things and the new elements have spiced up the action considerably. I will see you for my Race Reviews in 2012.