Di Resta confirmed as Force India driver

Britain’s Paul di Resta has been confirmed as Force India’s race driver for the 2011 season, replacing Vitantonio Luizzi.

The 24-year-old Scot will partner German Adrian Sutil, whilst German counterpart Nico Hulkenberg – who drove for Williams in 2010 – becomes reserve driver.

Di Resta joins fellow Britons McLaren team-mates and former world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton on the grid for the forthcoming season, which begins in the desert of Bahrain on March 6.

The former Force India test driver and Mercedes protegee will begin a new chapter in his racing career in just under a week’s time when testing resumes in Valencia on February 1.

On the promotion, di Resta said: “Naturally I am thrilled to be making my race debut this season.

“Becoming an F1 driver has been a long-held ambition of mine, something I’ve wanted to do since I first stepped into a kart, and to finally realise it feels amazing.”

Di Resta was impressive whilst driving on Friday morning practices in 2010, and has an impressive CV with a DTM German Touring Car Championship to boast and a Formula Three Euroseries championship, which he won back in 2005 – beating then team-mate and reigning world champion, Sebastian Vettel.

Speaking in Glasgow, di Resta added: “I’ve worked really hard for this opportunity throughout my career and to get it with Force India, a young team that’s got ambitions as big as mine, is genuinely exciting.”

Meanwhile, Liuzzi – who has been replaced by di Resta – is still battling his former team to agree compensation, as he was contracted to race in 2011.

Force India to confirm di Resta – reports

British driver Paul di Resta is set to join Force India’s 2011 driver’s line-up, according to several media reports.

The 24-year-old has been vying with Vitantonio Liuzzi to partner Adrian Sutil for the new season, and it seems the Scot’s impressive practice form throughout the 2010 season has earned him a contract.

A press conference has been called in Glasgow for Wednesday, where a new formation is likely to be announced by the team.

Liuzzi, who drove for the British outfit in 2010, had a contract to race in 2011, but the team has been negotiating a settlement to terminate his contract.

If di Resta joins Force India, he will become the third British driver in F1, joining the two Mclaren team-mates: Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Di Resta will be thrown into F1 cauldron and has a mountain to climb if he is to match his compatriots’ world championship feats; however, his talent is clear for all to see, as he emerged victorious in the DTM German Touring Car Championship marque in 2010. He also won the Formula Three Euroseries in 2007, beating then team-mate Vettel.

Di Resta, then, has the raw talent to make an impact in F1, and with a competitive and resolute driver in Sutil, that undisputed talent will be put to the test thoroughly.

Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg is likely to become the new third driver at Force India. The German, who raced for Williams in 2010, has struggled in his quest to find a new team, but it appears likely that he will fill the vacancy if di Resta moves up the roster, as expected.

Expect confirmations on this site on Wednesday.

Abu Dhabi is fitting finale to terrific season

After the opening round bore of Bahrain, critics were left with plenty of ammunition to berate the F1 circus. 17 races on, though, five different winners have graced the top of the podium, and there are four championship contenders left to fight for the prestigious title of driver’s world champion with only one race to go.

The critics have gone quiet all of a sudden. Strange that.

This afternoon’s enthralling Brazilian Grand Prix is just one of several examples this year as to why F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. It also shows that rain isn’t always the key ingredient to eventful racing, with overtaking from Sebastian Vettel at the front to home favourite Felipe Massa having an afternoon of ‘get out of my way!’ syndrome in the midfield.

It was another 1-2 for Red Bull as Vettel led home Mark Webber, with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso claiming third. McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button secured fourth and fifth. In the overall standings, Alonso now leads Webber by eight points, with Vettel a further seven points behind. Hamilton’s championship hopes hang by a thread with a 24 point gap to make up, whilst 2009 champion Jenson Button is now out of the championship hunt.

Vettel drove the perfect race, as he held off team-mate Webber when being chased, calmly passed the snake of traffic when lapping, and put in the hot laps when required. The young German has been inundated with questions about Webber’s claims of favourtism towards him all weekend, but he kept his head down and thoroughly deserved his victory.

Whilst he admits the difficulty of surpassing Alonso and Webber, the 23-year-old has not given up on a maiden championship just yet. He said post-race: “In my case, it is pretty straightforward – all I can do is optimise my result, ideally repeat the result we achieved today and then it depends where those two guys are.”

Team boss Christian Horner has rejected talk of switching allegiance to Webber for the final race at the stunning Abu Dhabi circuit and insists both drivers are free to fight for the title.

“The drivers drive for the team, they’ve received tremendous support this year, it would have been wrong to switch [their positions] today, we’ve backed them equally all year and it would have been wrong to artificially take one of them out of the championship,’ he claimed.

All the focus seems to be on the battle between the Red Bull drivers, let’s not forget that there is a very good Spaniard at the top of the standings, and is firmly in the driving seat.

The two-time world champion can finish second and win the title even if Webber wins, or finish fourth if Vettel takes the chequered flag next weekend.

Meanwhile, one championship was sealed today: The constructors’ championship. The 1-2 today secured the title for the Milton Keynes squad.

So, the scene is beautifully set for the season climax in Abu Dhabi. The luxurious city in the UAE is the perfect host for the best show on earth to reach its dramatic full stop for another year, with stunning and diverse architecture in every direction. Also, is there a more stunning sight during the season when the cars pass underneath the breathtaking Yas Hotel with its Grid Shell fully lit? With its beaming colours continuously interchanging once the sizzling sun has set over the city; I very much doubt it.

Four drivers, one city, one track, one outcome. Only one question left to answer.

Alonso aims to clinch title – just how has he done it, though?

Wow. Summer seems far away now, and it’s not just the weather that confirms this.

In Silverstone earlier this summer, Mark Webber claimed a famous victory and then went on the rampage by taunting his principal by declaring: “Not bad for a number two driver.”

His rant came after he had his updated front wing removed from his car, which was then fixed to team-mate Sebastian Vettel’s car. They aren’t really mates anymore.

This happened after their alleged number one driver ruined his wing in practice. The story dominated the weekend’s proceedings, and many forgot what Fernando Alonso – who finished 14th and left Britain 47 points behind Webber – said in his post-race interview. He bullishly claimed that he would be crowned world champion at the end of the season. Surely not, they said. Well with two races to go, he sure can.

The brilliant, but hubristic Spaniard proved the cynics wrong by going onto win the next four out of seven races. He has received a stroke of luck along the way, particularly last time out in soaking South Korea, where race leader Vettel’s Renault engine decided it had absorbed enough of the rain and cold before crossing the chequered flag.

Becoming a double world champion isn’t an easy task, especially with a fully-functioning Michael Schumacher as one of your rivals, but Alonso has shown the same magic he delivered when securing the back-to-back titles in ’05 and ’06 to bring himself back into firm contention.

If anything, he has displayed greater craft and deftness this time around with a car that is not even the front-runner. His genius has propelled him past title-rivals Webber, Vettel, Hamilton and Button, and heads to the penultimate round of the championship in Brazil top of the standings with a daunting 11 point lead.

Red Bull’s Webber has seen his title charge halted in recent months, and hasn’t won a race since his Hungarian Grand Prix domination in August. The Australian had been in command of the championship over recent months, but his shunt in South Korea has shunted the balance of power towards the Prancing Horse.

The Tifosi have been going bonkers back in Italy, with their prodigal son now seemingly closing in on another world title. Love him or hate him, you have to praise Alonso for his grit, determination and sheer class to claw back the gap he has done from a super-fast Red Bull car.

Red Bull will be kicking themselves if they lose the drivers’ championship due to the amount of time, resource, money and immense pace they had to play with this term. Looking back on their season, again if Alonso is made king of the roster again, will they look back to Turkey  where their drivers pushed each other off the track costing themselves a 1-2 victory? You’d imagine so.

The Milton Keynes squad do have some crumbs of comfort, though, they are still ahead of the chasing pack in the constructors’ championship. Secondly, the layout of the Sao Paulo circuit should suit their cars beautifully. The weather forecast is also looking fine and dry for this weekend, which should mean there’ll be no repeat of the chaos that ensued last season when qualifying was delayed for hours due to heavy rain. They should be very strong here.

They have been strong all year, but have not fulfilled their potential. Not having won a championship in the past, they’ve perhaps shown naivety in their quest. Take nothing away from Alonso, though.

Simply, Alonso can win a third title if he wins and Webber finishes lower than fifth. He can also clinch it if he finishes second or third, but there are special scenarios involved, which no doubt Jake Humphrey will try to clarify over the upcoming weekend.

Mark Webber’s taunt of being a “number two driver” may, somewhat ironically, come to fruition in Brazil, and he may well wonder if he’ll get a better chance in his career to fulfill his dream of world champion.

A pattern is emerging: Heart says Webber. Head says Alonso.

“Number two” driver Webber marches to Silverstone win

Red Bull’s Mark Webber cruised to an easy British Grand Prix victory after showing his superiority over his championship rivals.

Bathed in Silverstone sunshine, the Australian driver always had enough over McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, and was welcomed with a standing ovation from the crowd as he passed the chequered flag.

Despite the wonderful sunshine over Northamptonshire, a storm cloud has gathered over Webber and Red Bull’s relationship. Webber was congratulated over the radio by team principal Christian Horner after his crucial victory, but Webber replied: “Not bad for a number two driver.”

Webber, without doubt, was still furious with his team after they took off a new and updated front wing from his car before qualifying, and then giving it to team-mate Sebastian Vettel after his failed in free-practice. Ironically, Vettel finished behind Webber after suffering a first-lap puncture after brushing Hamilton’s front-wing.

Vettel, thanks to a safety car, worked his way back up the field and pulled off some stunning overtaking maneuvers to grab seventh place.

Red Bull played down the incident, claiming the decision was made solely on championship position. Again ironically, Webber is now ahead of Vettel in the drivers’ standings. Webber described the moment “an appointment with karma.”

With relations at an all-time low, Christian Horner faces the uncomfortable and unenviable task of mending the faltering spirit within the team.

The controversy overshadowed a wonderful British Grand Prix, which saw a number of outstanding performances form drivers up-and-down the field and great overtaking throughout.

McLaren – despite their woeful Friday – will be delighted with their damage-limitation exercise after Hamilton jumped both Alonso and Vettel at the start to grab second-spot on the podium. Reigning world champion Jenson Button produced one of the drives of the day as he surged from 14th to fourth.

Mercedes had a much-improved Sunday as Nico Rosberg beat-off Button to claim the final podium place. The German’s run was given a major boost after overtaking Adrian Sutil in spectacular fashion and making the most of his strategy as he emerged from the pits ahead of rival Robert Kubica.

Michael Schumacher gained points after finishing ninth, but was a long way behind the rejuvenated Rosberg. The 41-year-old was clearly disappointed after the race, but will be pumped up when he returns for his and Mercedes’ home race at Hockenheim in two weeks time.

The two Williams drivers Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg finished fifth and tenth as the team achieved their best result of the season at their home race.

Kamui Kobayashi continued to justify his move to Sauber after an impressive sixth place finish. Force India’s Adrian Sutil was unhappy after German counterpart Vettel “pushed” him off the track on the closing laps whilst trying to overtake him. Sutil still finished eighth.

Ferrari had another weekend to forget after Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa finished 14th and 15th respectively. Both drivers were unfortunate not to finish with good points after different incidents. Alonso was particularly hard-done by after receiving a driver-though penalty after cutting the corner to overtake Kubica.

Alonso believed that Kubica squeezed him onto the grass and the place gained wasn’t intentional. Kubica then suffered a rare retirement shortly afterwards, and the incident was believed to have been forgotten. Not so, Alonso was handed the punishment, and consequently, the decision infuriated the Italian team.

It really wasn’t Alonso’s day after the safety car was deployed before he could take his penalty after debris from Pedro de la Rosa’s car fell after being hit from behind. This left Alonso at the back of the field, with his anger was extremely evident after telling his team not to speak to him on the radio again during the race.

Alonso refused to speak to the media after the race, but his mood was soon to change after his nation secured World Cup glory.

Massa suffered a first-lap puncture like Vettel, but was unable to recreate the overtaking moves of his rival and was jammed in midfield for the rest of the race.

Meanwhile, the weekend was a huge success for Formula 1 and Silverstone. The drivers paid tribute to the crowd who created a hair-raising atmosphere, which mirrored the level of action on the track. How the British Grand Prix came so close to leaving historic Silverstone is frankly incredible and doesn’t bare thinking about.

Kubica extends stay at Renault

Renault’s Robert Kubica has ended speculation about a possible move away from the team after signing a contract extension to the end of the 2012 season.

The highly-rated 25-year-old Pole has been in fantastic form for the French squad this season, and sits in sixth place in the drivers’ standings after two podiums and consistent points scoring. His performances have exceeded Renault’s pre-season’s expectations – and haven’t gone unnoticed either.

Mercedes and Ferrari have both been linked with the former BMW driver, but any possible moves have been scuppered as Felipe Massa recently signed a contract-extension with the ‘Prancing Horse’, and Mercedes seem set to stick with the faltering Michael Schumacher for another season at least.

The news will be a welcome boost for Renault after some heavy turbulence over the last two years –  most notably the race-fixing scandal involving Nelson Piquet Jr, Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds.

This move also brings continuity and some much-needed stability to the previously-troubled Enstone outfit after employing five drivers in the last two seasons: Fernando Alonso, Nelson Piquet Jr, Romain Grosjean; Vitaly Petrov and Robert Kubica.

On the extension, Kubica released a statement stating: “It was a straightforward decision for me to continue with a team where I feel at home.”

“What’s important for me is to be in the right atmosphere, with a group of good people, where everybody is pulling in the same direction. This is what we have been trying to build from the beginning of my time with Renault,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Renault chief Eric Boullier mirrored his driver’s delight: “We are delighted that Robert will remain with us for the next two seasons and I would like to thank him for the faith he has shown in this team.”

Boullier believes Kubica’s calibre, speed and consistency will put the team in good stead for a title challenge over the next two seasons.

“Our clear goal is to become title contenders over the next two years. To do so, we need a driver of Robert’s calibre: someone who is fast, totally committed and doesn’t make mistakes.

“His performances during the first half of 2010 season were flawless, and we hope to achieve great things together in the future,” he continued.

Vettel wins in Valencia

Sebastian Vettel beat Lewis Hamilton to victory in an enthralling and controversial European Grand Prix in Valencia.

The Red Bull driver led from start-to-finish, whilst the McLaren driver produced a sterling display to finish second, despite a drive-through penalty.

Hamilton still leads the drivers’ championship, six points ahead of his British team-mate Jenson Button, who finished third despite being given a five-second time penalty for speeding under safety-car conditions.

The safety car was deployed after a spectacular airborne crash involving Red Bull’s Mark Webber and Lotus’s Heikki Kovalainen on lap 9. Fortunately, the incident left both drivers unhurt.

Webber made a terrible start and so decided to end his stint on the option tyre, and change to the favourable prime compound. The move meant he didn’t have to pit again as he had used both compounds in the race, which is mandatory in F1.

The move left him at the back of the field, and whilst trying to overtake the Finn, the Australian driver hit the rear of the Lotus and ventured into the air, hitting the advertising sign in the process, before landing back on the circuit upside-down. The car then skewed onto it’s wheels and continued at high-speed before smashing into the tyre-wall to stop.

The crash was a timely reminder which proves how dangerous the sport can be at times, but, the fact Webber walked away from the incident is a testament to the design and strength of the modern-day F1 car.

Webber’s crash and the subsequent safety-car emergence allowed the leaders to make an opportunistic pit-stop, with Button being the main winner. The reigning champion again showed his canniness and jumped both Ferrari’s and Robert Kubica to join the field in fourth behind Kamui Kobayashi.

Ferrari were furious with Lewis Hamilton after the 2008 world champion appeared to illegally overtake the safety car as it was deployed from the pit-lane. Under the rules, cars are not allowed to overtake whilst under safety-car conditions.

Hamilton’s pass allowed him to get a full lap in and create a big enough gap to the opposition so he could make his pit-stop without losing position.

Fernando Alonso was livid with Hamilton and radioed in a colourful message to his engineer regarding his former team-mate. Hamilton was subsequently given a drive-through penalty but had pulled out a big gap to third place man Kobayashi to maintain second position.

On hearing this information Alonso became even more irritated, and after the race he branded the race “manipulated” and “unfair”.

Hamilton defended his position, claiming he thought he had already passed the safety car and was free to continue racing normally.

“As I was coming round Turn 1, literally as I got to the safety line, I saw the safety car was pretty much alongside me,” said Hamilton. ”I thought I had passed it, so I continued,” he added.

However, the data did suggest he lifted before clearing the safety car, which prompted the furious protest from Alonso and Ferrari. Only Hamilton will know the the truth behind his actions, but frosty relations between the the two masterful drivers are likely to have hit a new low.

Both Ferrari’s entered the pits a lap later but their race’s were ruined as they emerged outside the points. Felipe Massa was particularly unlucky as he had to wait for Alonso to finish his stop before having his tyres changed. The Brazilian re-entered the race at the back with the Lotus’,Virgin’s and Hispania’s.

After the chaos of the opening laps, the race became a calm affair at the front, with Vettel largely untroubled. Hamilton did apply some pressure late on with some fastest laps, but, Vettel was able to match his pace and the fight was called off between the pair.

Kobayashi finally made his pit-stop with four laps remaining, allowing Button to poach the final podium spot. The world champion showed what he was capable of as he produced the fastest lap on lap 54.

Alonso’s day, though, was compounded with more misery as the rookie Kobayashi pulled off a great maneuver on the double world champion on the penultimate lap, which prompted pandemonium on the Sauber pit-wall.

Vettel crossed the line to claim his first win since Malaysia in April, and was relieved to be back on top of the podium.

“It’s good to be back winning and on a circuit where we didn’t expect to be that strong,” the German said, before watching Germany’s 4-1 demolition of England.

“But we were quick enough all times to pull away, find the gap, and guide the car home, but it wasn’t as easy as expected,” he continued.

He was also thankful to see his team-mate Mark Webber unhurt after his spectacular accident, believing “cars get safer but still there is a lot of risk so it’s good he’s OK”.

Meanwhile, after the race, race stewards gave Button, Barrichello, Kubica, Sutil; Petrov, Liuzzi, Hulkenberg, De la Rosa and Buemi a five-second time penalty after speeding whilst under safety-car conditions.

The revised result sees Button, Barrichello, Kubica and Sutil hang onto their original positions of third, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Williams, in particular, will be delighted with their best result of the season, whilst Kubica continues his fine form for Renault.

Kobayashi finished seventh in his much-improved Sauber, whilst Alonso concluded an infuriating weekend with eighth place and four championship points.

Buemi finished ninth officially, whilst Pedro de la Rosa was bitterly disappointed to be demoted to 11th after his misdemeanor. Nico Rosberg grabbed the sole consolation from an atrocious weekend for Mercedes, as the German was elevated to tenth and claim one championship point.

Report: Button filed legal proceedings against Mercedes

Jenson Button was forced to file legal proceedings against his former team after being refused one of the championship-winning chassis he was owed from the 2009 season, the Mail on Sunday reports.

Button, now at McLaren, was persuaded to take a pay-cut after Brawn agreed a takeover with Honda. However, the new contract contained a new clause, which stated that if he won the world championship he could keep one of the chassis used in his winning season.

The clause read: “In the event that the driver wins the driver championship at any time during the term, the company shall transfer the ownership of one chassis of the type driven during that winning season.”

The Englishman went on to win the drivers’ championship in Brawn’s sole season before becoming Mercedes, and subsequently, demanded the transfer of one of the BGP001′s.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Mercedes refused to hand over one of the six BGP001 chassis used during the 2009 season. In an email sent to Button in January from Mercedes (formerly Brawn GP), they group claimed there were “no spare 2009 chassis as limited quantities were manufactured for cost reasons.”

Mercedes made an open offer to Button after the refusal. The German squad said they would make a replica of the BGP001 car as a peace-offering. The reigning champion immediately refused the counter-offer as it would lack the “special and unique” value of one of the cars he claimed his maiden world title with.

Button’s management team, JB Next BV, consequently filed legal action in April against Mercedes on the grounds of breach of contract.

Mercedes, keen to avoid a prolonged court-case, reluctantly agreed to pass on a BGP001 to Button. All parties are now agreed that the matter is closed.

“We have arrived at an amicable resolution, and so there will no longer be any court action over this,” Button’s spokesman said.

Hamilton roars to magnificent Montreal win

Lewis Hamilton led home team-mate Jenson Button as McLaren claimed another 1-2 after an absorbing Canadian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who started from pole, endured a thoroughly entertaining battle with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso for the race victory. The Spaniard struggled late on though with pace and traffic, which let in reigning champion Button with an opportunistic move with 14 laps to go to snatch second.

Red Bull, who went with a completely different tyre strategy, finished fourth and fifth, with Sebastien Vettel getting the better of Mark Webber for the first time in two months.

Nico Rosberg finished sixth in his Mercedes after a steady drive, followed by Renaut’s Robert Kubica. The Polish driver may have finished higher up the field had it not been for a scrap with Michael Schumacher early on, which left front-wing and diffuser damage on the Renault.

Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi produced a sterling display to pick up eighth place. The Swiss driver led the race at one stage after the leaders chopped and changed their tyre strategies in the pit-lane.

The two Force India’s of Vitantonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil secured the last two points positions, finishing ninth and tenth respectively.

The result in Montreal puts Briton Hamilton at the top of the drivers’ championship standings with 109 points, three ahead of fellow countryman Button. Webber is another three points behind the 2009 champion. Alonso and Vettel are the next challengers on 94 and 90 points respectively.

The constructors’ championship standings sees McLaren open up a 22 point lead over Red Bull, with Ferrari another 32 points back.

Indeed it was McLaren’s and Lewis Hamilton’s day, and the 2008 champion was absolutely delighted with the performance and result.

“It was an incredibly challenging afternoon, especially in the last 20 laps, when I was trying to look after my tyres while also keeping Jenson (Button) and Fernando (Alonso) behind me. It wasn’t easy, I can tell you that,” a smiling Hamilton said.

“Fernando put a lot of pressure on me. We had a really good battle, but, although he was pressing me hard, I was able to pull out a small gap and then maintain it. It was such a sensational feeling to cross the line!’ he continued.

2009 champion Button admitted afterwards that his team-mate was just too strong around the Montreal circuit, and consequently, was delighted to finish runner-up on this occasion.

“This has been a great weekend for us. Lewis (Hamilton) did a phenomenal job in qualifying – I couldn’t touch him – but it feels good to have finished second just behind him. Hopefully, next time the order will be reversed!” Button said.

After some poor results in recent races, Fernando Alonso was back up the front and he believes victory was very possible had it not been for traffic.

“Today, we could have won but we did not manage it because, on a few occasions, we paid a heavy price for traffic. These things can happen to anyone in a race and this time it was our turn,” said the former double champion.

The race itself was nothing short of spectacular. The return of the Montreal circuit on the Formula 1 calendar has been a tremendous success for Formula 1, with high drama from the first corner incident involving Felipe Massa and Vitantonio Liuzzi to the final lap maneuvers on seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher by both Force India’s.

Tyre degradation and differing strategies was certainly a major factor, with all the leaders pitting twice before the halfway mark of the race.

Button, in particular, really struggled on the softer tyre (option tyre) and was the first to pit on Lap 6. On the harder compound though he was posting some quick times to bring himself back into the frame for victory.

Hamilton wasn’t faring any better, and pitted the lap after his team-mate. Alonso came in at the same time, and both emerged side-by-side out of the pit lane with the hard tyre (prime tyre) on. It was a case of who was to brake first into the first corner as to who would gain the position, and on this occasion Alonso won.

The Red Bulls, who started on the hard tyre, were able to grind out a few more laps but once the pair made their stops, it was clear there were differing strategies within the team. Vettel emerged on the soft, whilst Webber continued on the hard tyre, with the intent to build a lead before having to change again to the mandatory soft tyre.

The Australian’s plan, though, backfired due to traffic and massive tyre graining. His twelve second lead was quickly whittled down and Hamilton, who overtook a floundering Alonso a few laps before on the final long-straight, was able to pass a slowing Webber on the start-finish line.

It was now a case of whether the tyres would hold for Hamilton, and whether he could hold off the challenge of Button, who had beautifully passed Alonso thanks to more traffic issues for the Spaniard.

The 25-year-old proved he had more speed in his McLaren by posting two blistering laps to keep the chasing sister car well behind.

Whilst the action dried up at the front, Schumacher was being as astute as ever holding up the Force India’s on the final laps. His controversial defence, reminiscent to the earlier incident involving Kubica, was undone though as both cars took advantage of the German’s diminishing tyres on the final lap.

Whilst all the action in the midfield was hotting up once again, Hamilton crossed the line to secure a fantastic win for the Woking squad.

Is McLaren on Red Bull rampage?

McLaren head to Canada in buoyant mood on the bounce of their somewhat fortuitous one-two in Turkey two weeks ago. The term fortuitous may be a little unfair as the British duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were on the leaders’ pace all weekend, and had it not have been for the aerodynamic occlusion in F1 currently, the pair may well have been celebrating a one-two anyway.

They are both likely to be on the pace again this weekend, and should be the team to beat. The McLaren’s have a power advantage because of their strong engine and excellent f-duct system, therefore, the car should work well on Montreal’s long-straights.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren CEO, had to clear-up some rumours of miscommunication and discomfort surrounding Hamilton’s first win of the season this week before heading to North America. The 2008 world champion appeared very subdued on the podium, prompting stories of team unhappiness.

The incident in question relates to Lap 48 where Button attempted to overtake Hamilton heading into Turn 12, and initially taking the lead. Hamilton, though, emerged into Turn 1 with his lead back after another great overtaking maneuver.

The issue that Hamilton had is that he was under the impression that Button had been ordered not to overtake because the pair were attempting to save fuel. The command given by Phil Prew was, in fact, an opinion, not an order, and subsequently that opinion was wrong, this is according to Whitmarsh.

The pair appear to have put this mishap behind them, and now appear to back on good form with each other. How much of a problem there was in the first place remains a mystery though, and it’s quite possible the situation has been sensationalized. However, another incident involving the pair may have the paparazzi screaming ‘Alonso – Hamilton 2007′ and we all know how that ended.

The term fortuitous may have sounded a little harsh regarding McLaren’s victory. The term idiocy is a spot-on portrayal of what happened in the Red Bull team. With the McLaren drivers needing to save fuel, another one-two finish was almost a certainty for the Milton Keynes squad. Then enter Lap 41.

The first rule of overtaking is not to crash into your opponent, particularly not your team-mate. F1 drivers may be a different breed in terms of wealth, fitness and lifestyles. Nevertheless they are still human beings, and human beings make mistakes, especially when travelling 180mph for the lead of a Grand Prix.

Vettel, all hot-headed, suggested Webber was crazy and used the infamous finger swirling on the side of the head to make his point. Webber in the post-race conference blamed his young team-mate, and frankly, the video evidence sides with the 33-year-old Australian. Either way, in the heat of the moment things are said and apologies follow afterwards, unwelcome but that’s what adrenalin does.

The unacceptable mistake, where the term idiocy is appropriate, came within the management. Immediately after the race Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko pointed the finger at Webber’s door, suggesting the owner Dietrich Mateschitz “wasn’t happy” with him.

Team principal Christian Horner also insinuated that it was Webber’s fault, prompting more reports of team bias towards Vettel and further rumours that Webber would be leaving at the end of the season.

Thankfully for Red Bull, some of the damage it seems has been repaired. Their PR have gone into overdrive this week; firstly releasing pictures of the the two drivers laughing and joking, and then announcing the re-signing of Mark Webber for another year.

Webber was expected to sign for another year anyway, but the incident in Turkey most likely hastened the statement. Christian Horner also tried to mend his reputation this week by doing an interview with the BBC.

He blamed the high emotions for the comments made, and admitted mistakes had been made straight after the race.

“There were a few opinions that were voiced without all the facts made available. Emotions are running high, one or two comments were made without all the facts to hand,” he said.

“In the cold light of day it was a racing accident, nothing more, nothing less. It was wrong to blame either driver,” the team boss continued.

The incident seems to have been swept under the carpet, and the team is now desperate to move on from their disastrous weekend. The team must now follow up their words and make sure a situation doesn’t arise again. Racing accidents happen, they have done since the birth of F1, and will continue.

What mustn’t continue is the management getting involved in driver squabbles before knowing the facts. The management have a job to manage, and in Istanbul, the Red Bull management failed massively.

Meanwhile, the return of the Canadian Grand Prix has perked up the drivers as it is one of the all-time favourite circuits on the F1 calendar. It promises to be an amazing weekend, and an uncertain one with McLaren and Red Bull expected to fight for victory, which can only lead to high-drama once again. Who says F1 is boring?