Jenson Button and Brawn GP Dominate Australian Grand Prix
Jenson Button took Brawn GP to a dominating first win in the Australian Grand Prix. As had been suggested by preseason testing, the Brawn cars were dominant.
The Australian Grand Prix was one of the most anticipated races in Formula One for a very long time. Despite all the rule changes intended to make the racing more competitive, it proved to be another example of one car dominating the field. That car was the Brawn GP – the former Honda
Drive Like A Champion
Jenson Button looked like a champion. He took a first place car and put it through its paces without a hitch. When Vettel picked up the pace, Button did as well. When Vettel slowed down a bit, Button did as well to protect the car. It would have been interesting to see Button and Kubica go at it, but I’ll get into the Kubica-Vettal cral below.
Clear Number 2 Driver
Rubens Barrichello likes to moan that he was a better driver than Michael Schumacher. Rubens is a good guy, but has never been more than a sturdy number 2. His race in Australia proved it again. Despite having the best car in the field, he drove like a rookie. He botched the start. He ran into things like he was in a WRC race. Listening to Ross Brawn yelling at him to slow down because the safety car was out seemed to indicate Barichello didn’t even know the rule. Rubens gets credit for bringing the car back to second place, but he is clearly the second banana at Brawn GP. Button will take the crown unless he loses his nerve.
Lewis Hamilton Delivers
Lewis Hamilton has many critics. Most believe that he was very lucky to come into the best car on the circuit when he joined up with McLaren. I’ll admit I’ve said as much. His drive in Australia makes me feel much better about him. He was stellar. He started off the race safely and let others crash and retire. Once the last quarter of the race came along, he was very racy and moved his way up through the field. He was able to get to fourth given the last lap crashes and then was even bumped to third as Trulli was bopped again. Well done, Lewis Hamilton. Well, done!
Ferrari Fades
Ferrari seemed to have decent race pace. While they were not competing for the win, a possible spot on the podium was not unrealistic. That being said, the lack of quality in the team management is hard to ignore. Another bizarre strategy choice led to the drivers having to pit early in the race as they were losing more than 5 seconds a lap on the soft tires. A supposedly revitalized Kimi looked much like the unmotivated Kimi of 2008. Massa clearly appears to be the better driver at this point, but it won’t mean much if his car continues to fall apart.
Kubica-Vettel
Two talented drivers and one stupid incident. Vettel apologized, but Kubica is also to blame. The car in front of you has no tires. You are much faster. You are going into a sharp right hand turn. The other car has the inside position. You try to pass him around the outside???? I realize Kubica wanted to have a go at Button, but let’s be serious here. He could have waited one more turn and blown by Vettel like there was no tomorrow. Kubica showed poor judgment and Vettel wasn’t much better.
The Australian Grand Prix was definitely an interesting race. Well done to Jenson Button and Ross Brawn. What must the Honda people think seeing the car the paid to develop perform so beautifully without their name on it?
Lemmy