The 2009 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix ran its full course - unlike the Malaysian Grand Prix two weeks earlier, cut short by monsoon-like rains, the China race saw all 56 scheduled laps run. However, race fans witnessed more than just drivers on the Shanghai International Circuit. They also witnessed driving rain that caused treacherous conditions.
In the end, Sebastian Vettel emerged victorious, with his Red Bull Racing teammate Mark Webber coming in second. Their team operates from their British base in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. Third was Jenson Button, the Brawn-Mercedes driver. This one-two finish by Red Bull gave the team their first Formula One race victory ever.
Mark Webber indicated that he and Vettel pushed their cars to the absolute limit. He gave credit to the team's chief technical officers Adrian Newey and Geoff Willis. In addition, he issued kudos to chief designer Rob Marshall and the team as a whole. With cars primed for racing, precision driving in wet conditions ensued.
Poor visibility was the order of the day for the first few laps of the race. Drivers later spoke of how this caused a high degree of aquaplaning or hydroplaning. This is an occurrence where significant water under the tires "lifts" the car. It gives a sense of floating, and drivers can lose control in these conditions.
The practice and qualifying sessions on the Shanghai circuit ran under sunny, hot conditions. On race day, strong winds caused continuous rain. In fact, the Chinese Grand Prix started under a safety car escorting racers around the course. It did so for the first eight laps of the race. When the safety car eventually pulled off the course, drivers still faced a slick track.
The race began with Sebastian Vettel in the pole position. This was remarkable in itself. The day before, during qualifying, he and teammate Webber dealt with mechanical problems and were
poker faced. Both cars had grease leaking from drive shafts. Webber had his problem fixed. Vettel's reoccurred and he had to do qualifying with this problem unresolved.
Vettel was limited to one practice run in each of the three qualifying sessions. Typically, two practice runs take place during each session. Team officials held Vettel back until close to the end of the sessions.
They had him do his run when the course had the best traction. In essence, he had to have a perfect one-chance practice run to secure a good grid position. He excelled, securing the pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix.
This proved vital to Sebastian Vettel. He could now start the race with a clear view ahead. Pole position meant no rain spray from cars ahead of him. Drivers starting behind the first row faced this phenomenon. This affected their racing tactics for the day.
Sebastian Vettel, with this clear view, could engage in accurate driving without hindrance from clouds of water. He took advantage of this, engaging in wise throttling and braking. In doing so, he also conserved fuel. This allowed for Vettel to pit stop at the most appropriate times and prevented other drivers from leap-frogging ahead of him.
Vettel drove without error and won the Chinese Grand Prix by 10.9 seconds. He raced some laps that were three seconds faster than anyone else. His victory moved him into third place in the Driver Standings.
The key to the entire race occurred approximately 30 laps in. Mark Webber and Jenson Button jockeyed for second spot. Both drivers made slight errors in the slick weather. While the errors were not major, they did cost these drivers some time. Sebastian Vettel took advantage of this. He drove flawlessly and widened his lead as the other two drivers fought for position.
With this victory, Vettel now has two Formula One wins to his credit. It was his first win since coming over to Red Bull from sister team Toro Rosso. Vettel won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 2008.
For teammate Mark Webber, second place was his best finish ever. He is now in his eighth Formula One season. For Jenson Button, his third place finish adds to his two first place finishes this year. This puts him atop the Drivers Standings.
For the second race in a row this young Grand Prix season, weather was a factor. It took consummate skill from all drivers to make this race exciting and competitive. For safety's sake, Formula One organizers hope this Sunday's race in Bahrain, involves no rain at all.
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