“On the other hand, looking back at last weekend, we lost two of our mates. I didn’t know Dan Wheldon but obviously he was a big name in motorsports. I got to know Marco Simoncelli this year. Our thoughts are with them.
“We are ready to take certain risks when we jump into the car but we pray that every time nothing happens. Sometimes you get reminded [of what can happen.] It’s the last thing we want to see.
“As I said, it’s a bit mixed emotions, and our thoughts are with them at this moment.”
Jenson Button also talked about IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon and motorcycle racer Marco Simoncelli, both whom died in racing accidents the weekend before. Button suggested that the inaugural Indian Grand Prix be dedicated to them.
“As Seb [Vettel] said, a tough weekend for everyone in motorsport. We had two fatalities, so it’s very difficult—especially with Dan. I knew Dan from a very early age; he was the guy that we always had to beat in the early formulas.
“I think we dedicate this first Indian race to Dan and to Marco—another super-talented youngster who was the most amazing guy to watch on a bike. I think we should dedicate this to them.”
Fierce Battles on the New Track
Too vigorously in some cases: five cars collided in the first turn of the first lap. Timo Glock and Kamui Kobayashi came together, and Rubens Barrichello collided with teammate Pastor Maldonado, while Jarno Trulli also got nudged into a spin.
With Kobayashi’s Sauber out of the race, Toro Rosso looked to be getting boost in the points battle, until Sebastien Buemi’s engine blew on lap 26.
Webber spent the rest of the race a second or two behind Alonso, but couldn’t get close enough to set up a pass.
“To be on the podium is always nice in the first race in a new country,” Alonso said after the race. He also commented on the loss of Wheldon and Simoncelli, saying, “I think we all race for them today.”
On lap 24 Lewis Hamilton of McLaren and Felipe Massa of Ferrari came together on the track yet again. This time it was Massa who was penalized; as Hamilton made a strong inside move and Massa chopped him, breaking the McLaren’s front wing. The incident was the fifth collision between the pair this season.
Ten laps later the Ferrari driver later broke his left front suspension by hitting a curb too aggressively, while Hamilton finished seventh—not bad considering he had been penalized three grid spots for ignoring yellow flags in practice One Friday.
Second place in the Driver’s Championship is still up for grabs as Jenson Button now has a 13-point lead over Fernando Alonso, with Mark Webber a further six points back.
Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari have locked up the top three spots in the Constructor’s Championship. After collisions and engine failures, Toro Rosso and Sauber ended up tied for seventh.
Formula One returns to action with its day/night race at Abu Dhabi in two weeks. Ticket and travel information is available at the official Formula One website.
