Jenson Button avoids first corner pileup and snaps a 10 race loosing streak with a perfect weekend at the Spa circuit for the 2012 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix this weekend. The image above shows Button sneaking past the first corner of the race as the airborne Lotus of Romain Grosjean takes out Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and several other drivers.
The teams returned to racing after a month long summer break rested and full of new ideas on how to make the cars even faster. Teams were eager to test new parts and designs, but the weather did not cooperate. Thursday and Friday practice sessions were halted by heavy rains, and when the cars did run – the wet track prevented any meaningful data to be gathered.
The Spa-Francorchamps racetrack is a legendary circuit with rich history and among driver’s most favorite. It’s 4 plus mile length, fast sweeping turns, huge elevation changes, and often wet weather make it a great challenge for the race teams and a pleasure for the fans. The track has many challenging corners, but Eau Rouge / Raidillon left-right-left uphill complex is the most memorable and even has its own #dontlift Twitter hashtag. Formula 1 cars have enough downforce to allow the drivers to remain full throttle through the entire nail biting experience.
Michael Schumacher was celebrating his 300th Grand Prix this weekend at what he calls his home race. This is the track where he had his first race and his first win a couple of decades ago. Michael’s Mercedes lost 6th gear in the latter part of the race and his podium finish began to slip away. However, the fans got a great show when Kimi Raikkonen stayed true to his “Iceman” nickname and passed Michael going into Eau Rouge. Nico Hulkenberg did the same on the following lap. Kimi and Nico finished third and forth respectively. Felipe Massa and Mark Webber were not far behind finishing fifth and sixth.
The Spa circuit was never kind to Button as he has never previously won there. However, he looked untouchable throughout the Saturday qualifying and in the race. He took the pole position, flanked by outstanding qualifying efforts from Kamui Kobayashi and Pastor Maldonado who were second and third respectively. Jenson had a good start, made it through the first turn, and immediately pulled away from the field. He did the same after the safety car restart.
The race was more complicated for Sebastian Vettel. He was fortunate to get through the carnage of the crash in turn one and then began his steady advance through the field. In the end, he finished second and about 14 seconds behind Button.
More result details here.
The season moves on to another legendary track next week – the fast Monza circuit of the Italian Grand Prix. Can Ferrari use their home field advantage once again, or will McLaren and Red Bull challenge for the win once again?
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, software engineer, reporter, and writer. On the weekends – you may find him at a car show, an auction, watching a race, or tinkering with a car in the garage. When not working or spending time with the family – he often scours the internet and other media for various automotive, mechanical, and computer related information.
