The German GP proved to be a dry affair after a wet qualifying which saw Fernando Alonso once again line up on pole. He went on to win the race ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button. After the race Vettel faced a stewards’ enquiry after he passed Button with all four wheels off the track. Also proving to be a talking point after the race was Lewis Hamilton un-lapping himself against Vettel, after an early puncture sent him back down the order early on in the race.
My German GP race highlight was McLaren’s 2.4s pit-stop for Button, which helped him get ahead of Vettel. It’s no secret that pit-stops have been McLaren’s downfall in the past, but of late they seem to have got on top of them and have even been setting records. This particular pit-stop caused me to say “wow” when watching it because it looked so slick. Ultimately, it helped Button stay ahead when Vettel pitted a lap later. Also, given Button’s performance slump at recent races, it was a highlight to see him right back at the sharp end of the grid, fighting for the win and finishing on the podium again.
There is plenty to discuss after the race today – particularly Hamilton un-lapping himself against Vettel, which the Red Bull driver clearly did not appreciate, and then Vettel’s move on Button in the closing stages of the race. Hamilton picked up a puncture in the first few laps and when he pitted he was right down the order and faced a fight through the field. He was not long after a pit-stop when he was approached by the leaders of the race, and lapped by Alonso and Vettel, but they were not able to drop him as he was on fresh tyres and faster. At that stage, Hamilton was chasing cars ahead of him and catching them, so was involved in his own battles. He was clearly faster than Vettel and was able to make a move on him and get past. He then chased Alonso but was not able to pass him. There is no law which states a car cannot un-lap itself and, as Hamilton was clearly faster, he had every right to make the move. Vettel disagreed and thought that Hamilton interfered in his battle with Alonso. Do you see any reason why lapped cars shouldn’t be allowed to un-lap themselves if they’re faster?
Vettel has now been demoted to 5th after a 20 seconds was added to his overall race time. Vettel claimed he wasn’t sure if Button was on the inside while Christian Horner said that Vettel was ahead before he went off track. Button took the opposite view that he was overtaken off track, which is not allowed. Do you believe Vettel deserves a penalty for the move?
2012 Hungarian GP: Hamilton magnificent in an uneventful GP in Budapest