Jenson Strong in a Freezing Practice, but Rubens Struggles

Ok we’re back to business and I’d like to thank my boss for letting me have the time off to write about this.

I’m not even going to think about mentioning the pathetic political games that have led into this Grand

Prix as frankly the speculation and rumors are ruining my favourite sport!

Unfortunately, the Nurburgring was even colder than Silverstone, which of course set me worrying about tyre temperatures.  However, in Brawn’s favour, the Bridgestones at this GP are much softer than at Silverstone and so it will be easier for Jens and Rubens to get heat through them.

As the green light signalled the start of the session, Vettel emerged first from the pits to the sound of cheers and air horns.  Funny that isn’t it Bernie, a loud crowd on a Friday...would we get that in your perfect circuits?  I’m fuming about the Japanese GP issues at the moment, but that’s an article for another day.

Rubens was out nine minutes in for his first evaluation lap but after just 15 minutes the rain began to fall lightly.  This didn’t stop Buemi putting in the first time of the day, rather early actually (1:43:315).

However, half an hour in and the sky was black, the wind was strong and there was only one more time on the time sheet!  At this stage the slick tyres were still the right compound to be on (in fact they would remain the optimum choice).

After quite a long time, there had been very little action from Brawn.  We did get an insight into their quick thinking and ingenuity though.  In an attempt to combat the cold effects on their tyres, the Brawn boys had moved Jenson’s tyres into the middle of the

BGP garages and covered them in a metallic blanket (like the ones runners are put in after a race).  Therefore, Jens’s tyres now had their electronic warmers and a cosy blanket to keep them warm; good stuff lads.

With 35 minutes gone, the two times became five as Trulli went top with a 1:39:727.  About 10 minutes later, half the grid had set times, but there was still no sign of either Brawn man.

As the sun emerged from the black and lit the track, both Red Bulls were out and going very quickly (particularly Webber).  Sure enough the Australian went top (and pretty much stayed there) with a 1:34:444.

With just 43 minutes left, we finally saw Rubens out on track.  His first time was a 1:42:510, which put him dead last.  Rubens was still getting used to the conditions and car though.  However, his times were affected by the session being yellow flagged after hydraulic failure led to the track retirement for Sutil.

With just over half an hour left, both Red Bulls were top; Rubens was struggling, but Jenson was looking pretty good.  The Championship leader’s first time, (1:35:01) was good enough for P7.

Another attempt from Rubens,raised the Brazilian to P13 (1:35:222), but his times were again compromised by a car stopping at turn one with troubles.  That car was Vettel’s Red Bull...good news for Brawn?

Vettel’s problem was electrical, and although he was able to get back out, his morning session had been negatively affected.  Meanwhile, Jenson was going very well and was fastest in sector three (he raised himself to P5).  

Despite being initially held up by traffic, Jens managed to eventually rise to third, and then second (1:33:656).  With just 25 minutes left it was a mixed story for Brawn who had one driver second, and the other in P18!  Things got a little hairier when, with just 16 minutes to go...Rubens was dead last!?

A lot of work was being done on both Brawns whilst they were in the pits with reports that even Ross was getting his hands dirty!

With eight minutes left, Rubens was back out and setting personal bests, but he was still very slow.  He was locking into turn one and losing time everywhere else.  The struggling Brazilian did manage to get up to P13 and then P12 (1:34:227), but he was far from convincing this morning.

His teammate on the other hand, finished second with a fast 1:33:463.  

This was a very strange Practice One for Brawn.  Whilst Red Bull remain the team to beat, Jenson really closed the gap, as Rubens fell behind.  I don’t know maybe he’s a bit rusty after the break, maybe the rumours surrounding the 2010 Brawn second race seat are getting to him...maybe car 23 just isn’t as fast.

I guess we’ll find out in P2.

Pos	No	Driver	Team	Time/Retired	Gap	Laps
1	14	Mark Webber	RBR-Renault	1:33.082		19
2	22	Jenson Button	Brawn-Mercedes	1:33.463	0.381	18
3	3	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	1:33.745	0.663	21
4	9	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:33.795	0.713	23
5	21	Giancarlo Fisichella	Force India-Mercedes	1:33.839	0.757	26
6	4	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:33.840	0.758	23
7	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams-Toyota	1:33.902	0.820	26
8	15	Sebastian Vettel	RBR-Renault	1:33.909	0.827	13
9	17	Kazuki Nakajima	Williams-Toyota	1:33.952	0.870	25
10	7	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:34.148	1.066	16
11	6	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	1:34.221	1.139	25
12	23	Rubens Barrichello	Brawn-Mercedes	1:34.227	1.145	17
13	1	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren-Mercedes	1:34.483	1.401	14
14	5	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	1:34.694	1.612	23
15	8	Nelsinho Piquet	Renault	1:34.738	1.656	24
16	11	Sebastien Bourdais	STR-Ferrari	1:34.827	1.745	27
17	12	Sebastien Buemi	STR-Ferrari	1:34.878	1.796	28
18	2	Heikki Kovalainen	McLaren-Mercedes	1:34.893	1.811	26
19	10	Timo Glock	Toyota	1:34.911	1.829	23
20	20	Adrian Sutil	Force India-Mercedes	1:35.092	2.010	6