The German Grand Prix was supposed to be a storming race, according to all the previews. It wasn’t, really.
The Good
- Felipe Massa sailing into the lead from third on the grid. Pole man Sebastian Vettel put all his efforts into pushing Alonso towards the pit wall, which messed the start up for both of them.
- Jenson Button looking after his tyres in the first stint, and staying out longer, provided a lot of the early interest, as he was faster than the drivers who had pitted. He only managed to leapfrog one driver as a result – Webber – but it was good stuff nonetheless.
- Rob Smedley. Always Rob Smedley. Lovely, northern Rob Smedley. Massa’s race engineer giving him encouraging words that he “can win” as he led the race.
The Bad
- Fernando Alonso, king of the whingers, who at one point told the team, “this is ridiculous”. What, being beaten by your team mate?
- And so it was that Massa couldn’t win. The Ferrari men took turns at being fastest at various points, but ultimately it came down to the team deeming Alonso to be faster overall. Smedley’s words to Massa were heartbreaking:
“Okay. So. Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?”
And after Alonso made the ‘move’ on Massa:
“Okay mate. Good lad. Just stick with it now. Sorry.”
It made sense for the team, of course, but no-one likes to see it. Especially when it’s Alonso benefiting.
- Smedley did his best to console Massa on the radio after the race, describing Massa as “magnanimous”, then saying he’d explain what it means later. But none of the men on the podium – Alonso, Massa and Vettel – were as jubilant as you’d expect to see. Which isn’t exactly great for the sport. At all.
The Ugly
