Spa-Francorchamps – The longest circuit on the F1 calendar, and consequently the race with the fewest laps. Moreover, the most favourite track for us at three2tango. The layout of the track guarantees a thrilling race every time. And not only because of the famous Eau Rouge – Spa has a repertoire of corners to be taken at different speeds, ranging from the Bus Stop chicane to the superfast Blanchimont. And there was more reason for joy. Giancarlo Fisichella, for the first time in history, had put a Force India on pole. The starting grid had an all-new look with Jarno Trulli second and Nick Heidfeld third. Jenson Button started outside the top ten. At the end of another awesome Belgian Grand Prix, we had the sixth different victor in six races, in the form of Kimi Raikkonen. Ferrari thus had their first race win of the season. For Force India, if Saturday saw them securing their first pole position, then Sunday gave them their first points and podium. Giancarlo Fisichella dogged Kimi all the way to the chequered flag. Both the current championship leader and the defending champion’s race were over in first lap in two separate incidents. After a safety car intervention, Raikkonen, who had sped up to second behind Fisichella on the opening lap, lost no time using his KERS to slingshot by the Italian on the run up Raidillon to Les Combes on the fifth lap, but Fisichella pushed him all the way.

Sebastian Vettel had a good race and finished behind the leading Force India. Heikki Kovalainen did a one-stop strategy  in his McLaren to stay ahead of Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello for sixth place. The Brazilian, who bogged down off the grid, was saved to an extent by the intervention of the safety car which enabled Brawn to refuel him for a longer opening stint in a fast first-lap pit stop, but had to back off at the end when his Mercedes engine showed signs of failing. There was smoke coming from the back of his car, as he was told to ease-off and bring the car home. He just made it to the flag ahead of a closing Nico Rosberg, who drove yet another strong race for Williams to score the final point, while Webber just missed out with ninth after a frustrating race. Webber looked strong initially until an unsafe release from his first pit stop nearly put rival BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld in the pit-lane wall. A drive-through penalty subsequently dropped him to ninth.

So, Ferrari is back to where we see them most times – at the front and winning races. This is all the more important for the team as the next race in the calendar is the Monza in Italy. The tifosi would be overflowing the grand stands for sure.In the title stakes, Barrichello took two more points off Button, who still has 74 to the Brazilian’s 56. Vettel moves back ahead of Webber with 53 to the Australian’s 51.5.In the constructors’ championship Brawn have 128 points, Red Bull 104.5, Ferrari 56 and McLaren 44.

<<Previous Race

Next Race>>

Related posts:

1. 2010 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix
2. 2009 Formula 1 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix
3. 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
4. 2009 Formula 1 Telefonica Grand Prix Of Europe (Valencia)
5. 2009 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix