Ferrari Survive as Felipe Massa Shows Championship Form

I'm going to stay away from all the controversy surrounding Felipe Massa's punishment (or lack there of) after yesterday's European Grand Prix in Valencia.

After all, punishment or no punishment, the fact remains the same. Felipe Massa has completely dominated the last two Grands Prix!

Three weeks ago, his engine was unable to carry him to a win he totally deserved. This weekend, the Brazilian dominated qualifying and the race at the new Valencia circuit, as neither Massa's teammate Kimi Raikkonen, nor McLaren's Lewis Hamilton had any answer.

What a shame it is that another F1 weekend has ended embroiled in controversy. It really is getting boring!

Massa (as I wrote in my last F1 article) is showing championship form and I'm tempted to back him.

I'm not here to offer great insight and opinion into all the technical details of the weekend. I just want to watch a great race every second Sunday or so and share my thoughts and enjoyment with you.

I missed qualifying, however, due to a previous commitment. (I was down the pub watching my beloved Rangers frustrate me; it turns out even a draw at Aberdeen is better than 17th on the grid, DC!) Still, I was struck by the results.

Sitting at the tail end of the grid were David Coulthard, Giancarlo Fisichella, Rubens Barrichello, and Jenson Button. Over the last 10 years, these four have been among the best drivers on the grid, but guys, why do it to yourselves?

I love David Coulthard and have supported his decision to drive on and on, but I'm glad now that this is his final season. The rest of you should take note.

Red Bull got completely hammered in qualifying by their B team, Toro Rosso. I know it always sucked at football training to lose to the reserves, so I can only imagine the mood in the paddock.

Fair play to Toro Rosso on a great weekend, though.

My first thought was that maybe the wrong team was up for sale and maybe there was something a bit special at Toro Rosso, but it appears it was just the Renault engine in the back of the Red Bull that was crap.

Just ask Fernando Alonso!

You would've had to be quick, though. He was out of the race after one lap—a real downer for the 100,000+ Spaniards who turned up just for him.

There is only one important question on my mind. Who hit David Coulthard on the first lap?

Thank you, whoever it was!

The man was possessed after that, passing numerous cars before planting his Red Bull into Adrian Sutil's Force India.

It was great to see the old boy in inspired form with a classic ending! Brilliant!

Just proves that overtaking isn't impossible, not even for a grey-bearded man in what was effectively an inferior Renault powered car.

To be honest, there isn't much to talk about other than Ferrari (aka controversy) or Ferrari, and did I mention controversy?

Kimi took it a bit to heart, though, and mowed down his pit team. It's not their fault you're driving poorly and being shown up by your teammate!

I hope the pit crew member makes a speedy recovery and I'm sure he'll get a sincere apology from the sulking Finn.

The day got worse for Raikkonen when his engine blew a few laps later. It was the second in as many races for the Italian outfit.

Ferrari may not be the reliable force they once were, but they still dominated this GP. If Kimi was on form, they'd be putting some serious pressure on McLaren.

I'll wrap up with a mention of the new circuit, which I wasn't too sure of, to be honest. All I know is that it has a bridge that moves, and you can call me a geek, but that's just way too cool!