Shock And Awe From Monza: Vettel And Toro Rosso Win!
Written by George Katinger · September 14, 2008
In yet another wet race ( two in two weeks) Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Vettel converted his pole position into a convincing win, leading Heikki Kovalainen and Robert Kubica to the podium.
Score one for the minnows! A team with less than 200 people at their factory has bested the giants of the sport, McLaren and Ferrari. Driven by a 21 year old, the Toro Rosso team has for the first time in their long F1 history (Minardi in 1985) taken their first pole as well as their first win. I only hope that Giancarlo Minardi was present for the race and that Paul Stoddart is smiling wherever he may be.
The race, considering the conditions, was actually uneventful with Giancarlo Fisichella’s Force India car the only racing casualty. David Coulthard has announced his retirement at the end of this season, but he seems to drive like he already has taken his gold watch and gone home. He was involved in both the lap 12 retirement of Fisi and the lap 49 contact with Kaz Nakajima. Not DC’s fault? Maybe not but it seemed his car was more a rolling chicane than a racer.
And what about the strange case of Kimi Raikkonen? Unlucky qualifying result, same as Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton then proceeds to fly through the field, eventually claiming second place before his first pit stop. Kimi seemed to wallow around in mid pack, until the track began to dry. And on par with all of his recent late race performances began a series of blazing laps, including the races fastest, on his last lap. His efforts eventually moved him up to ninth, but another lackluster delivery, with too little too late; just ask any Ferrari fan.
Felipe Massa, much to my surprise, managed a credible race with no off track excursions and was rewarded for his efforts by closing the title lead of Lewis Hamilton to a single point. While holding off the slowing car of Lewis Hamilton in the closing laps his car also seemed to suffer from the Ferrari “Can’t Go Fast In The Wet” syndrome of Raikkonen. He started sixth and finished sixth with little drama in between. While not gaining the title lead he at the least did not self destruct as many had expected.
And what of Heikki Kovalainen’s race? Disappointing would be my verdict. Hamilton manages to drive from 15th to 7th and Heikki can’t race a lowly Toro Rosso to claim his second win of the year? You know Ron’s not happy as the result leaves McLaren trailing Ferrari in the constructor’s championship by five points. Lost opportunity to say the least.
Having said all that, the highpoint of the day goes to first time winners Sebastien Vettel and Toro Rosso. There was much speculation about his fuel load and wing configuration. Ron Dennis was so bold as to state that he had to be carrying a lot of wing to claim pole in the wet, and many thought he was on an ultra light fuel load. His first pit stop was on lap 18 (hardly ultra light) and during the post race interview Sebby stated they had a normal dry race wing configuration. Which makes his Q run all the more remarkable and helps explain why Kovy couldn’t close on his lead. A 12 second win over 2nd place is impressive for anyone, but a first time win by a 21 year old driver in a team that has never won an F1 race is incredible.
Congratulations to all of the Toro Rosso team and Giancarlo Minardi. The dream has come true! I wonder if Red Bull will take the Ferrari engines next year and let TR wallow around with the underpowered Renault package. It would be the smart thing to do, and Herr Matschitz is nobody’s fool.
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Now that’s the George we all missed.
Very well written article and surprisingly unbiased.
I have to add that Vittles demeanor was very commendable, it was a joy to see a great drive without the driver gushing all over himself.
I’m surprised Dennis the menace hasn’t filed an appeal of the rule that customer cars are not allowed in F1, just to get back at Adrian Newey.
Vittles is going to be high on everyone’s list after today, since Toro Rosso is up for sale there may be an out to his contract (being forced to drive the dog slow red bull next year). I would like to see him stay with Newey though, so maybe when Adrian has a lighter work load next season’s car will be alot stronger.
So now if Ross Brawn could drag Honder up the grid, BMW is already knocking, Toyoter snatchs up Freddy and keeps Glock maybe we might have a real series someday, where there is more than two teams at the front every week.
Vittles is a driver that will be liked by many fans, a sponsor’s dream. Kubica is also very good, but Vittle’s wonderful attitude and smile(between Kubica and Heiki you would have thought someone shot their dogs) will get him a few folks to back his rise in the sport.
I think this is a day that we will remember for ages, kinda like “The Zanardi Pass” except with a truely great nut behind the wheel.
Say what you will about the dour duo of Kubica and Kovalainen, it was impressive to see three first time winners this year on the same podium. If Spanky’s crew can restrain themselves from meddling with the results, the future does look good.
Vettel has been promoted to Red Bull for next year.
As for BMW, Dr. Mario has announced he will wait out Alonso’s decision for next year. He even stated BMW have the fastest car with a seat available next year. That means Quick Nick may be out if Alonso wants in. This will tell us if Freddie is interested in more wins or another load of cash, as I’m sure Toyota and Honda will offer him a fatter contract than BMW.
Great result for Vettel, to win your first race in a humble STR shows real talent. You could forgive a rookie for succumbing to the pressure over a whole race but he was as solid as a rock. If anybody was in a position to challenge him it was Heikki, however, he was only able to shadow him, at the press conference he mentioned that he was never comfortable with the brakes…..His team mate was.
On the subject of Lewis, once he cleared Kimi, he was pulling off some serious passing moves, his pace was good & the total screw up in qualifying meant he lost out on a podium. Hamilton’s move on Webber was completely out of order, he has been on the borderline of entering Schumacher territory both this season & last, if he keeps this up he risks being branded with the same brush.
Plenty of passing by Alonso, Massa, Webber, Trulli, Kubica but what of Kimi? He really only came to life in the closing stages of the race, weird.
This makes the closing races of the championship very exciting. On current form Singapore will be a wet race under lights!
BTW, if Berger’s smart he will sell that team right now, next year STR has to design & build its own chassis instead of getting a Newhey penned racer. Sorry, but for STR, the only direction now is back to the rear of the grid.
I’ve been reading some uk websites and all the posters are gushing over vitlles!!!
Saying what a breath of fresh air, a truely likeable guy, great interview.
Seems Louise had better take some personality lessons when all of the world smiles when someone like Vittles wins, but when Louise wins all we here about is himself and everyone may admire his talent but not his mouth, even the few fans he has left.
It certainly was a great day to remember, what a treat it would have been to be there.
This year has to be a record for wet races/qualifying.
Bring on the sprinklers Peter and add some soap for the leaders.
If you’ve been reading the UK websites mo, you know Hambone has a large fan following.
I have to wonder who will step up and buy the STR team? They may not race at all and be consigned to the dustbin of F1 history. They have no or limited manufacturing ability, not to mention a top designer or wind tunnel facilities. I would think the buyers available would be very limited indeed.
Maybe Mateschitz will keep them afloat another year?
This was certainly a good not great race. Vettel is certainly a good driver, but so are 50% of the others drivers in the grid. Any of these folks with a good car can certainly win races. LH did put an impressive display in the rain, but on two or three occasions he was over the line, at least in my opinion. Every time I am starting to warming up to him ( I am still a McLaren fan), he opens his mouth and I go back to not liking this guy at all. He has no modesty or respect for any drivers in the lineup.
joeD, as McLaren fans what are we going to do when Lewis wins the title this year? In spite of the Ferrari Intervention Association? My only comfort will come from the squealing of the totally biased Ferrari fans who no doubt will dredge up all of the controversy from last year as justification for McLaren’s titles this year. Note to the normal Ferrari fans, the last sentence was NOT directed at you!
A small cross to bear, but it’s damned difficult rooting for a team when we don’t like their best driver. But I think we’ll both find a way to overcome it, won’t we.
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I guess George, hard to see McLaren winning with Lewis, but maybe it will be better, because he might ask for so much money they will have to let him go and get Vettel or Kubica instead.