2009 F1 mid-term report card
August 12th 2009 05:46
Jenson Button: A
There’s no denying that Jenson’s domination of the early part of the championship was a surprise to most. The contrast comes from the machinery. Where evil-handling Hondas of the past only made Jenson’s performance look mundane, this year’s benchmark Brawn chassis has highlighted his silky-smooth, error-free finesse. The Briton has always driven this way – and it’s this sort of mature, comprehensive driving that puts him on the top of the rankings. He’s always had the talent, now he has the car, the title beckons.
Rubens Barrichello: B-For the most experienced driver in the field (or ever for that matter), Rubens hasn’t quite performed with the level of maturity you’d expect – in and out of the car. After years toiling away as Michael Schumacher’s lieutenant, and mucking about the midfield in Hondas, the Brazilian has finally found himself in a race-winning car – only to find his teammate, Button, has well and truly taken the initiative. Frustration and emotion seems to have gotten the better of Barrichello, who has on more than one occasion vented his angst at not winning upon his own team, blaming them for his underperformance. Rubens should have won by now, and he knows it, but there is no indication in his temperamental pace that suggests he will.
Mark Webber: A
One of the stories of the year was made one afternoon at the Nurburgring, when the experienced Australian finally broke free of his career’s impossibly unlucky hex and won on his 130th attempt. And it wasn’t a marginal, or gifted victory either, it was domination. Red Bull Racing have pulled some tremendous momentum behind them going into the second half of the season, and Webber’s determined, consistent and speedy performances have put him at the front of the title chase.
Sebastian Vettel: A
It’s only his second full season as a grand prix driver, but the young German has already shown he can translate raw pace with an extremely cool head. The Red Bull racer is on the top of his game, with two victories so far this season – but the odd error has left him slightly behind his teammate – who also happens to be in scintillating form.
Lewis Hamilton: A
Lewis’s title defence has been nothing short of a disaster – but an unlikely victory in Hungary has shown the McLaren ace is still a race-winner. The ice has thawed after his early-season stand-off with the team after Australia – and he’s simply buried his teammate Heikki for performance.
Heikki Kovalainen: C
Heikki can no longer put the average three-tenth differential between himself and teammate Lewis down to being new to McLaren. The Finn has had plenty of time to settle in, and yet he’s slipped further behind his champion partner. His potential is now the subject of much dispute.
Kimi Raikkonen B
Ferrari’s early lack of pace has not flattered the 2007 champion. With only a couple of visits to the podium, observers are beginning to wonder if the Finn is growing jaded without the stimulation of front-line competitiveness. Though his performance in Hungary still hints that the Iceman hasn’t lost any of the cutting-edge speed that places him amongst history’s greats.
Felipe Massa A-
Before the horrendous and frightfully unlucky incident in qualifying in Hungary – Felipe was leading a Ferrari charge up the grid. With consistent points-scoring performances culminating in a deserved Nurburgring podium, Felipe demonstrated that despite the Scuderia’s waning competitiveness, his commitment and work ethic has only grown. And his ability to turn up the wick has not evaded the popular Brazilian. His return in 2010 will be highly-anticipated.
Fernando Alonso B
The double world champion seems to be placeholding at Renault, the team that delivered his titles. Though Spaniard hasn’t quite produced the standout performances that put him amongst the winners in the second half of 2008, he’s been consistently quick – only missing Q3 once and running in the points regularly. Still, one must wonder how much heart he’s giving, when his future lies elsewhere.
Nelson Piquet Jnr D
When your team boss – and manager – tells you that your services are no longer required; you have to reflect on why. While Nelson’s uncelebrated exit from F1 evoked an emotional retort from the Brazilian, his results don’t lend him any support to mount a case. He’s been terrible at Renault, simple as that.
Jarno Trulli B
Trulli, as ever, has been a quiet performer this year. He’s been a regular top-ten qualifier, including a brilliant pole at Bahrain, and has managed to haul an impressive swag of points. That said, Toyota’s early season pace was not capitalised on, and it’s easy to imagine an Alonso or a Hamilton being able to better utilise the car’s potential.
Timo Glock B
Timo has been Mr. Top Ten so far, not once finishing lower. However, despite his consistency – his driving has been relatively muted, and lacked an edge that could have delivered more. His talent is evident, but the German must make better use of it.
Nico Rosberg A
It seems that once the Brawns and Red Bulls have all crossed the line, the next car to pass the chequered flag is more often than not, Nico Rosberg’s Williams. Nico has again performed exceedingly well for the Grove outfit, only once failing to come home in the points
Kazuki Nakajima C
Kazuki has unfortunately failed to blossom in 2009 – despite showing a great deal of promise in 2008. The Japanese driver has struggled to maintain a strong pace for an entire grand prix, which raises questions over his concentration and fitness. He has shown he can turn some speed, with a few visits to Q3, but a lack of race-pace has left him with zero points.
Nick Heidfeld B-
The experienced German now carries the dubious record of most starts without a win – 163 – and BMW’s 2009 campaign hasn’t helped any. Though despite BMW’s leaden sink down the grid and out of the sport entirely, Heidfeld has been doing his part to justify a spot on the grid next year, with a handful of points and the upper hand on much-fancied teammate, Robert Kubica.
Robert Kubica C
When the young Pole won at Canada last year, the world was heralding a future champion. Many predicted 2009 could have the name Kubica printed all over it. But as fate has it- it’s not to be, and Robert has toiled away, producing drives reeking of disinterest and mediocrity. His stock was raised significantly enough last year to still be considered hot property, but in 2009, despite BMW’s woes, Kubica has been flat.
Sebastien Buemi B
Buemi was the only rookie to head into the 2009 season, but, with the exception of a bingle in Monaco, hasn’t driven like a rookie. He outperformed more experience teammate Bourdais, and now leads the Italian team, with a handy collection of three points.
Sebastien Bourdais D
The Frenchman’s shortlived career in F1 came to an end after the Nurburgring after another back-row qualifying performance and off-road excursion. Despite nicking a couple of points from attrition-filled races (Melbourne and Monaco), Bourdais failed to adapt his Champcar supremacy to F1, and exits the top flight without making much of a ripple.
Adrian Sutil C
From the rear of the grid, Sutil has shown a great deal of promise in the last couple of years. However in 2009, he’s failed to take the crucial step of toppling his teammate and making himself truly visible to top teams. His P7 at his home grand prix at the Nurburgring was a highlight.
Giancarlo Fisichella B-
Fisichella has been unspectacular in the uncompetitive Force India, but the Italian at least has the measure of the talented young Sutil in the sister car. Of the two, Giancarlo looks the most likely to score a point – provided the teams in front faulter.
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