© P-H Cahier / F1-photo.com
The big surprise of pre-season testing was the struggle McLaren had to get the sleek 2011 challenger up to speed as the new blown floor gave multiple issues. However, come the season proper the McLaren went as quick as it looked and McLaren were competitive for much of the season as proved by winds for Hamilton in China and Button in Canada. 2011 was indeed a season that had everything, that is except, a challenger for the lightning quick German superstar Sebastian Vettel.
© P-H Cahier / F1-photo.com
But back to McLaren and in particular that win for Button in a race soaked Montreal. The race had it all, a collision between Hamilton and Button – a feature for Hamilton for the year ahead, a safety car, a drive through for Button for speeding behind the safety car (yes you can speed in F1) and unbelievably a two hour stoppage of the race owing to a downpour. When the race did restart Button was last, he collided with Fernando Alonso while passing, the caught Schumacher and Webber who were in a battle of their own. He disposed of them both and chased down Vettel, who, on the fianl, lap, made a mistake that is so rare for the German. Under pressure from Button he slid on the final lap gifting the win to the Englishman. Vettel was not to be outdone again in such an embarrassing fashion but the others were determined to make an impact.
Hamilton took victory in Germany much to the relief of the McLaren management which was followed by further victories for Button in Hungary, Hamilton in Japan and Abu Dhabi. But the victories didn’t tell the full McLaren story. Button had a magnificent year finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton, the first time a team mate had beaten Hamilton in F1 (including Fernando Alonso). Some would say that it was Jenson Buttons strongest year, better even than his 2009 world championship. But for Hamilton it was a year of frustration. Multiple collisions, a feud with Massa and generally outpaced by his team mate, Hamilton had a trying season.
© P-H Cahier / F1-photo.com
Ferrari struggled by comparison to Red Bull and McLaren but some great drives by Fernando Alosnso meant he lead on home turf in Spain and won in Britain. Massa meanwhile was nowhere, except connected car to car with Hamilton. The spoils of blame largly against the Englishman.
Mercedes despite having two phenomenal drivers in seven times world champion Michael Schumacher and the ultra quick Nico Rosberg never troubled the leading teams. Rosberg again proved a very strong driver but this years inter team battle with Schumacher was closer than the prior year and Rosberg only just pipped it. Schumacher still made the mistakes he made in 2010 but looked much more comfortable in the car – the signs for 2012 look good.
Renault didn’t deliver in the absence of star driver Robert Kubica who sat the season out after injuring his hand pre-season. Pre-season looked promising especially with the clever forward facing exhausts that aided downforce but throughout the season replacement Nick Heidfeld never really shone and Petrov faired no better. Bruno Senna joined late doors but by then the season was nearing its conclusion.
Williams were the biggest disappointment of the season which pained many an F1 fan. While Maldonado could sometimes match Rubens Barrichello’s speed he was hot headed and struggled. Barrichello looked comfortable but it was obvious for all the Brazilians experience, skill and speed, the car was never going to deliver.
Not so for the Force India team though – they enjoyed an excellent season resulting in sixth place. Rookie Paul Di Resta was fantastic all season and soon became too much for Adrian Sutil in qualifying who is a one lap expert, and showed he could beat him in races too. Sutil for his part was also excellent during the season and he remains a driver waiting to break through.
New for the season was DRS, which in simple terms was a movable rear wing that could be operated by the trailing driver in a chase to reduce drag and aid overtaking. It’s open to debate if it’s a good idea but there was without question more overtaking. However, the overtaking had become easy – few wanted Michael Schumacher to lose a podium position without being able to fight hard to retain it but that is exactly what happened. Few would doubt though that with a little fine tuning from the FIA and a review of activation areas that the system could re-introduce the idea of slipstreaming that has been lost in recent years owing to complicated aerodynamic turbulence.
© P-H Cahier / F1-photo.com
But what of the real star of the 2011 show? Well who else but Sebastian Vettel could make modern day F1 look so easy. Vettel walked the championship with Mark Webber nowhere to be seen until the last race of the season where he finally added a victory to his list. Vettel was in a league of his own making the most of a superb Adrian Newey designed Red Bull and a powerful Renault engine. It was a crushing demonstration that some would say made the season boring after the excitement of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Others would say it was pure pleasure watching Vettel, and will look back on 2011 as the season Vettel shone brighter than all others.
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