What better start could it have been. The front grid in all Scarlet and McLarens handed 5 grid position penalty, to start 8th and 9th. At the end though the prancing horse was on top, it had to share podium space with the three pointed star. That is F1, you never know till the chequered flag waves.

The Qualifiers

   Ferraris had the pace, but Mclarens were not much behind. When Q3 started I was surprised to see Hamilton comming out on the harder compound tyres. Both the Ferraris were on the softer compound. This year qualifier does not have the fuel burning lap (since there is no top up allowed) so, I could not understand this. Quite naturally their flying laps were no where near the Ferraris. Later Mclarens changed to softer compounds, by that time the war was almost over. The track was crowded, Timo Glock"s lap delayed Hamilton"s flying lap and we all know what happened next.


The Race

    Excellent start by the Ferraris and Kimi was very sensible in not trying to force a over taking by the first turn. As I have always said Filipe drives with his heart not with his head. Had Kimi tried both the Ferraris would have ended up in the gravel trap.

    I was expecting the pit stop over taking from Kimi. How many times we have seen the Iceman pull this trick. He was forcing Filipe to go faster and faster. The moment Filipe dived into the pit lane, Kimi executed a series of three fastest laps and pitted. Stayed half a second shorter and came out ahead of his team mate. Massa should have kept his head down and completed his race. He could have tried something similar at the second pit stop. But Massa being Massa tried to step up on
the gas and ..........I think he is yet to come to terms with the absence of traction control.

    Lady luck was not with Lewis this time. A five position penalty and then a 20sec pit stop. But the way he fought back to the points tally shows his mettle. Iam really happy for Kubica and Heikki. Even last year I used to think, only if Renault had a decent car, Heikki would have rubbed shoulders with Lewis Hamilton. Iam happy he is proving my point.

    Finally Toyota showed some promise. Let us hope this time their performance will match the budget. Trulli showed what an artist he is behind the wheels, if he gets a decent car. His drive was copy book, not even once he oveshot the chicane, not even once on the grass. Teriffic.

    Fernando tried every thing known, but at the end, with out a good car even a double world champ is helpless. We all remember Schumi in 2005 season, don"t we?

    BMW is getting stronger with every GP. We can expect a three way contest for the tittle this year.

    I am not sure how happy will the Ferari team be after this race. Such a fantastic oppertunity and still they are behind McLaren and BMW in the tally. The season is yet to gain momentum and still lot of action is awaited. Ferrari being Ferfari will only march forward.

    I should end this blog with my appreciation for Fisi for making it to 12 position on the Force India car this proves what a fighter he is. I still can"t understand, why Renault chose Piquet Jr. over him.

    Let us wait for the desert race. Iam sure it will be worth watching.