Unlike last week, this week in Formula 1 has plenty of on-track action to talk about, plus some of next season’s Silly Season has been resolved. Though most headlines revolved around Monza, McLren has a new partner and Fernando Alonso has bought himself a cycling team.
Sebastian Vettel Wins Dramatic Italian Grand Prix
Though Vettel won from pole and only gave up the race lead during a single pit stop, plenty of action happened behind him. Also, Vettel himself had to nurse his Red Bull home in the closing laps as both he and teammate Mark Webber suffered gearbox issues. That still did not keep them from a team first and third with Fernando Alonso sandwiched between them.
Instead the drama came from fights further down the order, with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen charging after an early puncture and contact, respectively, and doing their best to keep the action alive. They were forced to do so both after early adversity and poor showings during qualifying on Saturday.
Read what the drivers had to say after the race, after qualifying, and after Friday’s practice sessions, too.
After you have done your homework, do not forget to participate in the Monza review in #F1Chat later today.
Red Bull Announces Daniel Ricciardo as Webber’s Replacement
After much lurid speculation, Red Bull announced this week that young Australian and current Toro Rosso driver Daniel Ricciardo would replace Webber at Red Bull as the older drivers switches to Le Mans series racing next season. Adrian Newey said Ricciardo “also fits well because [he is] the driver that Christian and I feel is the most promising is part of the Red Bull young driver programme…I think it’s good to bring young blood in and give promising drivers a chance.” He also likened the Ricciardo choice to the choice of Damon Hill at Williams to replace Nigel Mansell.
Fernando Alonso Saves Cycling Team
The former world champion stepped in to buy the Euskaltel Euskadi cycling team this week. A long-standing team in the world of competitive cycling, Euskaltel Euskadi looked set to close down with a lack of funding. Alonso’s personal website indicated that his decision was “to buy said cycling team and so avoid its demise…apart from including this sport in his daily training routine, he has always felt a special passion for this particular world on two wheels.”
