Daniel's F1 2009 Track Guide: The Second Half of the Season

Welcome to the second half of my F1 2009 track guide. Click on the link below if you haven't read the first half of my guide.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/140466-daniels-f1-2009-track-guide-the-first-half-of-the-season

Just like in the first half, I will be pinpointing all the interesting features/corners, and overtaking opportunities.

During the second half of the season, we will be visiting some brilliant race tracks. These include the old classics like Spa, Monza and Suzuka.

Also we will be going back to Singapore for the second night race, and the last race of the season takes F1 to yet another new location.

I hope you enjoy the show.

Round 9: German GP Nurburgring, July 12th

German GP – Nurburgring

The German GP this season takes place at the Nurburgring (the German GP now alternates between Hockenheim and the Nurburgring). Overall this is quite a dull and bland track. The main reason why it suffers is because of the old track that it is situated next to.

The Nordschleife right next door is one of greatest, and most grueling race tracks in the world. It is massive at 14 miles long. It still holds some races today, but is considered now far too dangerous for F1.

The new modern Nurburgring circuit is just a small shadow in comparison. The track would probably fare better if it wasn’t situated right next to the Nordschleife.

The best corner on the track is the Schumacher “S”. Funnily enough it is a very quick “S” shape bend taken at over 160 mph in 6th gear. The most important section in terms of lap time is the first series of bends. You brake down into the hairpin turn from over 180 mph down to just below 50 mph.

A series of fiddly and awkward slow bends, in front of the Mercedes grandstand then follows. **This part isn't shown in the above image**

The tight final bend leading onto the pit straight is vital too, as is the chicane near the end of the lap following the other main flat-out section. You brake down from over 170 mph in 7th gear to just to below 60 mph in 2nd gear. The entry into the chicane is on a bit of an uphill slope, and you can’t see the exit at first. This makes it a bit more difficult.

Where can you overtake?

The best place to overtake at the Nurburgring is into the tight hairpin turn at the bottom of the pit straight. Very often, we then see the battle continue through the fiddly Mercedes grandstand section.

The chicane near the end of the lap also represents an opportunity, but it is a hard move to pull off.

Most memorable moment

The 2005 race was very memorable for Kimi Raikkonen’s last lap exodus. Kimi Raikkonen was leading comfortably; however early on, he flat-spotted his front tyre, whilst trying to lap Jacques Villeneuve. The tyre then started to wear badly, and the suspension was rattling.

The two options were to come in to change the tyre, and give Alonso the victory, or try to hang on. Mclaren and Kimi chose the last option, but under braking, the tyre gave way. Kimi ended up in the wall on the last lap. It could have been a much worse accident.

Last season’s podium (race took place at Hockenheim)
1. Hamilton
2. Piquet Jnr
3. Massa

Daniel’s track rating: 5/10

Round 10: Hungarian GP Budapest, July 26th

Hungary is always a very well attended event. It’s a particularly popular event with Finns, who have come to support Mika Hakkinen in the past, and currently, Kimi Raikkonen. Recently many Polish fans have made the trip to support Robert Kubica.

The circuit is in a natural valley surrounded by hills. For this reason there are plenty of vantage points where you can see much of the circuit.

Unfortunately, along with the likes of Catalunya, this one of the dullest tracks during the year. The circuit is very twisty and narrow. There is also loose dirt and debris which hangs around the circuit. It’s very important to stick to your line, as it is very slow off of it.

The Hungarian GP is normally held in the height of the European Summer; therefore, it is always very hot on race weekend. This makes tyre wear a big issue. It has only rained once here on a race weekend, and that was in 2006.

There aren’t many great corners in Hungary. Turn 4 is probably the nicest corner on the track. It’s a blind sharp left bend, which you approach at around 175 mph, and take at around 130 mph in 5th gear. It’s very easy to go into this corner too fast causing a wide turn into the exit.

The chicane (turns 6 and 7) is taken at 65 mph and is very difficult. It’s very easy to go into too quickly and ,consequently, jump right across it. The final bend (turn 14) is also quite important as it leads onto the straight. It’s very easy to put the power down too soon, go wide on the exit, and kick up lots of dirt.

Where can you overtake?

Like Catalunya and Monte Carlo, overtaking is virtually impossible at Hungary. The only place is down at turn 1 at the end of the pit straight. It’s a slow corner, so out-braking your opponent is possible. It’s vital to get a much better run out of turn 14 than your opponent does. Otherwise you have zero chance.

Most memorable moment

Hungary may be a dull track but it has had its moments in the past. In 1989, Nigel Mansell proved that overtaking was possible coming all the way back from 12th on the grid. He took full advantage when Senna was blocked by a backmarker to take the lead.

Schumacher memorably won on a 3 stop strategy in 1998. Jenson Button then won his first GP in the wet conditions in 2006, winning from 14th on the grid, while title contenders Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher both retired from the race.

Last Season’s podium
1. Kovalainen
2. Glock
3. Raikkonen

Daniel’s track rating: 4/10

Round 11: European GP Valencia, August 23rd

This race, in the regenerated port, was run for the first time last season. It is billed as a street track but it has the feel of a permanent race circuit.

Some have given it the tag of an “urban race circuit”. It is different from most street circuits because it is super quick with 2 or 3 long straights. This race gives Spanish fans another chance to spur on local hero Fernando Alonso. It's a shame that he couldn’t manage a single lap in the track’s first race.

The circuit’s most unique feature includes the swing bridge where the track crosses the canal. Also, the pit garages are quite unusual, as they are built in the old Victorian fish market. This track is extremely safe with plenty of tarmac run-off areas at most of the corners; howeve,r many fans feel that the run-off is overly generous, and takes away from the challenge of the circuit.

On this circuit there are 3 or 4 very heavy braking zones, so it’s important to be very accurate, and learn your braking points. A locked-up brake will cause lost time. It’s also important to get a good exit from corners followed by a long straight. Turns 10, 14 and 24 are the primary examples.

The last section of the lap is the nicest part of the track, with a succession of quickly taken corners before the final heavy braking point which leads to the pit straight.

This circuit clearly has some potential, but has a long way to go if it’s ever to challenge the likes of Monaco.

Where can you overtake?

In theory this should be a good track for overtaking. Turn 12 has to be the best place to overtake. Turn 12 is at the end of the longest straight where the cars get all the way to 200 mph. The drivers then slow all the way down to 60 mph, so this offers a great out-braking opportunity.

If the drivers get it wrong, they won’t lose much time because of the vast areas of run-off. Turn 2, at the end of the pit straight, and turn 17 also offer opportunities.

Most memorable moment

With only one race at the circuit so far, there haven’t truly been any memorable moments. The first race was a rather dull and tedious affair with little happening.

The only real talking point was a couple of dodgy pit stops for Ferrari, and Kimi Raikkonen’s engine blow-up. The atmosphere was also quite dull as Alonso retired on lap 1.

Let’s hope that the new F1 cars help make a better spectacle in 2009!

Last season’s podium
1. Massa
2. Hamilton
3. Kubica

Daniel’s track rating: 5/10

Round 12 Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps: August 30th

There is no doubt that Spa is by far the best circuit on the F1 calendar. It is the longest circuit in F1 at 3.4 miles. This track has absolutely everything you want from a race track.

It’s a challenging race track with a fantastic mix of corners. There are plenty of elevation changes and drivers can really make a big difference here.

The Ardennes forest surrounding the whole track offers fantastic scenery. There are great vantage points for the fans at the track. The Ardennes’ micro-climate very often leads to unpredictable races. It can be bright one minute, and then tipping it down with rain the next.

The track still has a very traditional feel about it. It’s a huge testament to the track that Bernie has done everything he possibly can to ensure it stays on the F1 calendar.

Eau Rouge is the track’s most iconic corner. Eau Rouge is basically a kink in the middle of a steep hill. As drivers go up it they will be looking directly at the sky. You have to stand right at the bottom of it to understand how steep it actually is. Over the years the bend has been made easier, but is still a truly inspirational corner.

These days most drivers are able to take the bend flat out at over 180 mph. Whether that will still be the case in this year’s cars, remains to be seen.

As you exit Eau Rouge, you head down the long Kemmel straight to Les Combes. Tne distance from the tight La Source hairpin (turn 1) to Les Combes is 1.8 km. This is the longest flat out section in F1 today (presuming the drivers can still take Eau Rouge flat out in 2009).

You then head downhill for Rivage which is a tight right hander and then you head to Pouhon, which is a fast sweeping left hander.

The next legendary corner on the circuit is Blanchimont, a blind left hander taken at over 150 mph. You have to believe that your car is going to stay nailed onto the ground through there. This is one of the best places to watch F1 cars.

The circuit ends with the bus stop chicane, which has received a few different alterations in the past.

The current version is a rubbishy right/left chicane. Although it's the most unspectacular corner on the track, it’s easy to brake too late and lock up, which will ruin your whole lap’s hard work in one swoop!

Where can you overtake?

As well as being a challenging track, Spa offers many overtaking possibilities. The best place is at Les Combes at the end of the Kemmel straight.

If you can stick close to your opponent through Eau Rouge, then you have a great chance of blasting them down the straight. It’s best to go around the outside of your opponent, as that is where the most available grip is.

The revised bus-stop chicane is also an opportunity to out-brake your opponent, providing you can stay close through Blanchimont. If you fail there, you can have a go down the extended pit straight which follows and into La Source.

Most memorable moment

Where do you start? Many of the races held at Spa have been memorable for one reason or another. The one that has to stand out is the 1998 race.

This was an extremely wet occasion. At the first start Coulthard flew into the wall after the La Source, which resulted in a catastrophic chain reaction, and a huge pile-up. It was a miracle that nobody got seriously injured.

1 hour later the race was restarted and Damon Hill went from 4th to 1st by La Source. Hakkinen then spun and got hit by Herbert. He was out!

Schumacher chased Hill and passed him at the Bus Stop chicane. Schumacher then sailed into a huge lead. As he was coming up to lap Coulthard, Coulthard lifted off to let him pass, and Schumacher hit the back of him.

It was partly Coulthard’s fault for lifting, but Schumacher’s rush to move could also be to blame. This incident had huge implications in terms of the destination of the 1998 championship. Hill then reclaimed the lead and held on until the finish.

Last seasons’s podium
1. Massa
2. Heidfeld
3. Hamilton

**Hamilton did win the race but was given a 25 second penalty by the stewards. **

Daniel's Track rating: 10/10

Round 13 Italian GP Monza: September 13th

Monza is another one of F1’s great venues. There is a great history surrounding the place. When you enter Monza, part of the old Monza banking still remains.

It’s amazing to see how steep it was, and to imagine drivers racing on it. It adds to the traditional and soul of the place, which has remained throughout the years.

The atmosphere is always brilliant due to the passionate Ferrari fans who come to Monza hoping for a home victory. The crowds are always a sea of red and it takes a very brave fan, indeed, to go into the grandstands with a Mclaren T-Shirt on.

Monza represents a unique challenge for all teams. It's all about ultra high speed, with long straights split up mainly by chicanes. Therefore, the teams set up the cars on low downforce settings, to achieve the best straight line speeds possible.

It’s a completely different car setup than most tracks. There are currently no other race tracks where you use such a low down-force setup. 80 percent of the lap is full throttle.

At Monza it is extremely important to make full use of the curbs at each chicane. A car with a very good suspension will fly around here.

It is in the chicanes where the fast laps are achieved or lost. You want to brake very accurately and smoothly, bounce off the curbs and get a perfect exit.

For example, you approach turn 1 at 208 mph with the chicane being taken at less than 50 mph. Braking for these chicanes is tricky in low down-force trim.

Due to the speed and amount of heavy braking, this is a track that is particularly hard on engines and on the brakes as well.

The best corners are the two Lesmos. Both are tight right hand bends. The first is taken at around 120 mph and the second at 110 mph. You want to take these two bends as quickly as you possibly can while brushing the currb on the exit.

The Parabolica is also a fantastic corner. You approach at over 200 mph in 7th gear and go down into 4th gear as you nose dive into it. You keep as tight a line as possible before entering the pit straight.

You have to go into at the right speed, otherwise you will end up drifting wide, and your speed down the long pit straight will be compromised.

Where can you overtake?

The best place is into turn 1. If you had a good run out of the Parabolic, then you stand a chance of being able to out-brake your opponent into the chicane.

The track is very narrow, so you have to go virtually sidepod to sidepod with your opponent. It is very easy to lose a front wing or brake too late, and miss the chicane altogether. Drivers must give the position back if they skip the chicane. The Ascari chicane and the parabolic represent half chances.

Most memorable moment

When Monza didn’t have chicanes it used to play host to fantastic races. Slip streaming was very easy, and drivers used to regularly keep on swapping positions.

The chicane curse has ruined that now, along with the nature of the cars. In 1971, Peter Gethin came from 4th position on the last lap to finish 1st. This was one of the closest finishes ever. Five cars were separated by only a matter of yards.

Last season’s podium

1. Vettel
2. Kovalainen
3. Kubica

Daniel’s track verdict: 6/10

Round 14 Singapore GP Marina Bay: September 27th

Singapore was the other new circuit which entered the 2008 F1 calendar. It was an overwhelming success, and provided a grueling challenge to all drivers.

Singapore was a much more typical street circuit than Valencia came to be with road markings in the middle of track and the traditional signs.

The track layout is very slow, also more typical of a street circuit. The drivers have to be focused as the lap is extremely busy. Like Monaco, there is nowhere where the drivers can afford to take their eye off the ball.

The drivers constantly have to brush the wall and negotiate some big bumps on the circuits. The lap is also extremely long, which adds to the demands. The lap record is held by Felipe Massa at 1m45.599secs.

Turn 10 is one of the trickiest corners. It’s a quick chicane taken in 5th gear at just over 80 mph. Your main task is to avoid the curbs, as you can bounce off them, and get thrown straight into the wall. The final two turns (turns 23 and 24) form a quick double apex bend.

You have to take these as fast possible so that you get a good speed down the pit straight. If you aren't careful, you run the risk of hitting the wall. Many drivers have already left tyre markings between these two corners on the wall.

Overall Singapore GP is a great spectacle. The night time setting really adds to it. The Singapore skyline looks absolutely stunning. The sight of seeing road cars crossing the flyover above the pit straight, as the race is about to start, is very surreal.

The cars also look very shiny with the light shining down on them, and thanks to the big bumps, you can clearly see sparks coming off the bottom of the cars.

The Singapore crowd has also really taken to the race, and you can be sure there will be a brilliant atmosphere again for race day in 2009. Singapore almost feels like it was made for F1.

Where can you overtake?

Like at any typical street circuit overtaking is very difficult at the Marina Bay circuit; however, if you can get a good run out of turn 5, there is an out-braking opportunity going into turn 7.

You are relying on a bad exit from your opponent on turn 5 to have a realistic chance. We did, however, see passing in the race at that corner in 2008, so I am sure we will see more overtaking there in 2009.

Most memorable moment

The race was turned on it’s head last year when Nelson Piquet crashed into the wall. This brought out the Safety Car and Massa came into the pits. He left it with the fuel hose still attached.

The Safety car fitted perfectly with Fernando Alonso’s short first stint, and he was able to pull out a big gap, winning the race ahead of Rosberg.

Last season’s podium

1. Alonso
2. Rosberg
3. Hamilton

Daniel’s track verdict: 9/10

Round 15 Japanese GP Suzuka: October 4th

Next stop is the Japanese GP which is going back to Suzuka. Japan now alternate their races between Toyota’s Fuji Speedway and Honda owned Suzuka. Although Fuji isn’t a bad circuit, Suzuka tops it in every department.

The most iconic feature is that it is one of the world’s only circuits that is in a figure 8. There is a bridge that goes across another part of the track. It is also a track with some very memorable corners. It’s great challenge that all the drivers love. Suzuka is another one of those circuits where the drivers can make a real difference.

The Japanese fans are also very fanatical about F1, and always produce a really great atmosphere. There is also a dramatic theme park in the backdrop of the circuit.

At the start of the lap you enter the first sweeping turn at just over 160mph, and exit it at just below 90mph. It’s a very challenging corner that you can come off on, if you try to take too much speed into it. The Dunlop curves straight after are best described as two “S” bends, and this is a well loved section of track. You then start to go uphill, and the next important turn is the Degner curve, which is a hairpin taken at just around 40mph.

Spoon and 130r are the track’s two best corners. Both are high speed. You approach Spoon at nearly 185mph and go down to 4th gear. It’s a long double left hander with a shape that resembles a spoon (I guess that is how they came up with the name). You take as much speed in as possible, and keep a tight line through the corner to get a perfect smooth exit, and line to go down the back straight downhill to 130r.

130r is simply a left hand kink, which you take at over 190mph, which is simple staggering. It’s not a corner that gains you a lot of laptime but it’s very daunting. You have to avoid lifting, and try to take it flat out.

Where can you overtake?

Overall Suzuka is quite a fast track so overtaking is quite difficult. However the Casino Triangle Chicane represents a very good opportunity at the end of the back straight after 130r. If you fail there then you can stick close to your opponent, and have a drag race with them down the pit straight. The driver who takes the biggest risk into turn 1 is the one likely to win the battle (or go straight off into the gravel).

Most memorable moment

Suzuka has held many great races, as well as playing host to title deciding races. But 2005 has to go down as one of the best F1 races of all time. Rain in qualifying mixed up the grid, and left some of the big guns having to fight through the field from the back of the grid. Alonso performed a spectacularly brave move to go around the outside of Schumacher in 130r.

Raikkonen than battled from 17th and overtook Fisichella on the last lap into turn 1. They were side by side with their wheels inter-locking, but it was Raikkonen who took the most speed into turn 1, and he brilliantly made the move stick.

Last Season’s podium (race took place at Fuji Speedway)

1. Alonso
2. Kubica
3. Raikkonen

Daniel’s track rating: 10/10

Round 16 Brazilian GP Interlagos: October 18

Interlagos has to be one of the most underrated tracks in F1. It’s a real challenge loved by the drivers and the fans. The weather is also extremely unpredictable in Brazil, and we have often had rain affected races here.
Unlike most F1 circuits nowadays the facilities are very poor. It is probably the worse set of facilities endured all season.

The fans are very patriotic and passionate. They create a football crowd style atmosphere.

The track itself is really interesting as it is built on a slope, and has a mix of everything. It has a range of slow and fast corners, along with a couple of long straights. Also it is one of the few tracks that goes in an anti-clockwise direction. This gives added stress to the driver’s neck muscles.

The first corner is the Senna “S” which is a tricky first bend , as it is blind and quite tight, and goes downhill. The drivers then dive straight into turn 2 and 3, which lead onto the back straight. You want a good exit speed, and to brush the kerb at the start of the straight.

Turns 8 to 13 is the main twisty infield section of the track. You want to attack these slow corners as much as you can, and use all the available kerb.

Turn 13 is probably the most important corner on the circuit, as it leads to the long drag up the hill to the pit straight. If you get a quick exit then you will set yourself up very well for the end of the lap. Pole positions are regularly won and lost at this corner. It’s important you really attack it.

Where can you overtake?

There are 2 clear cut opportunities. One opportunity is going into the Senna “S”. Turn 13 to turn 1 is one of the longest flat out sections of the season. Therefore you have a good chance of getting a slipstream, if you get a better exit than your opponent coming out of turn 13. Turn 4 at the end of the long straight is another good opportunity. However it’s quite a quick corner, so you have to get yourself alongside your opponent to have a decent chance.

Most memorable moment

Just about everything has happened at Brazil in the past. But it is difficult to look past last season’s dramatic title decider. It’s hard to beat the championship being decided on the last corner of the final lap.

2003 was also very memorable. It was a very wet race full of incident. In the end Alonso’s huge crash on the pit straight brought out the red flag. Jordan's Giancarlo Fisichella was given the race win according the 2 lap count back rule. Alonso finished third in an ambulance.

Last Season’s podium

1. Massa
2. Alonso
3. Raikkonen

Daniel’s track rating: 9/10

Round 17 Abu Dhabi Yas Marina: November 1st

The last race will be held at the new harbour based circuit. It promises to be a very spectacular race track. The track will twist its way around the harbour, and there are two long straights. There is a kink in the first section of the lap, which looks very much like it has been modelled on Eau Rouge (albeit a flat version). This is probably the most interesting corner on the track.

Other notable points include the pit lane exit goes under turn 1, and one of the turns in the harbour section goes under one of the main grandstands. The harbour itself has room for 150 yachts, which will no doubt play host to many spectators on race day. This section will have a Monaco feel about it, rather than the emptiness, and lack of atmosphere in the harbour at the Valencia street circuit.

The circuit looks like it will have exceptional high state of the art facilities for all the teams. The organisers are also paying special attention to the fans. From most of the track’s grandstands fans will get an unprecedented view of the track. The grandstand at the end of the circuit’s longest straight will hover across the run-off area. Therefore the fans will be very close to the track, and get a good view of the likely overtaking action.

For the drivers involved in the title race, having to learn a new track will bring a lot of added pressure to proceedings. If the title did go down to the wire it would really put Abu Dhabi on the map, and hopefully turn the locals into big motorsport fans.

In terms of getting a good lap time, the slow section around the harbour is probably where the most time will be won and lost. It will also be important to brake accurately in the heavy braking zones, at the end of both the long straights.

Where can you overtake?

The ends of the two long straights look like the most feasible passing places. With a slow corner leading into the first straight, it will be easy to stick to the car in front get a slipstream. If you fail the first time then you get another chance down the next straight. Potentially you could get overtaken at the end of the first straight, and fight back down the next one.