Sebastian Vettel quickest in subdued atmosphere at Suzuka
October 11, 2013 — Updated 1608 GMT (0008 HKT)
Sebastian Vettel waves to fans as he again proves quickest in practice ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Sebastian Vettel fastest in practice for Japan GP
- Red Bull driver edges out teammate Mark Webber in Friday’s timesheets
- Fernando Alonso only 10th for Ferrari in afternoon session
- Vettel can clinch fourth straight F1 title Sunday
(CNN) — Champion elect Sebastian Vettel recorded the fastest time in practice Friday for the Japanese Grand Prix during an afternoon session overshadowed by the news of the death of Maria de Villota.
Red Bull’s Vettel will win his fourth straight world title Sunday if he wins at Suzuka and nearest rival Fernando Alonso finishes outside the top eight.
Vettel showed his car’s pace with a one minute 33.852 clocking in hot conditions, with teammate Mark Webber of Australia second fastest.
But the thoughts of the drivers were with de Villota, a reserve driver for Marussia until a horror crash in testing a year ago curtailed her F1 ambitions.
Alonso struggled to 10th best after a spin in his Ferrari, but then paid tribute to his fellow Spaniard de Villota.
Formula One champ on 4th title hopes
What’s behind Vettel’s winning streak?
Female F1 driver De Villota in profile
“I still can’t believe it and need a while to stop and think about it,” he told the official F1 website.
“Of course, it’s very sad news for the world of motorsport as Maria was loved by everyone. Now, all we can do is pray for her and for her family.”
Jenson Button, ninth best for McLaren spoke for many: “Today’s news about Maria de Villota is horrendous and tragic.
“This is a real shock to the whole Formula One ‘family’ and the world of motorsport. My thoughts are with her family at this time.”
Vettel, who has won the last four Grand Prix races to open up 77 point lead over Alonso, cautioned against placing too much emphasis on Friday practice.
“It’s good to see we are up there today, but it’s not always so important,” the German said.
“We need to step up our game for tomorrow, as Mercedes will be strong in qualifying.”
Nico Rosberg in a Mercedes was the closest challenger to the Red Bulls with the third fastest time with teammate Lewis Hamilton back in sixth.
Hamilton had been quickest in morning practice ahead of Rosberg.
Separating them in the afternoon were the Lotus duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, with the former also ending in the gravel after a spin on Turn 7 of a testing circuit.
Saturday will see the third practice session ahead of final qualifying.
If results go Vettel’s way, he will emulate the feat of fellow German Michael Schumacher and Argentina legend Juan Manuel Fangio i
82a4
n claiming four straight F1 crowns.
Track the new Formula One season as it progresses, circuit by circuit, race by race.
Kimi Raikkonen has long been box office gold, even before he re-signed with Ferrari for 2014, says CNN’s Sarah Holt.
September 6, 2013 — Updated 1627 GMT (0027 HKT)
Monza may be a long way from his birthplace in West Lothian, Scotland but Italy is unquestionably a home from home for Paul di Resta.
September 3, 2013 — Updated 0957 GMT (1757 HKT)
Ferrari star Fernando Alonso has decided to buy the cash-strapped Spanish Euskaltel Euskadi cycling team.
September 2, 2013 — Updated 1514 GMT (2314 HKT)
McLaren follow founder Bruce McLaren’s mantra by measuring life in “achievement not in years alone.”
September 2, 2013 — Updated 2145 GMT (0545 HKT)
Australian Daniel Ricciardo will join Sebastian Vettel at all-conquering Red Bull for the 2014 season, the F1 team confirms.
August 25, 2013 — Updated 1624 GMT (0024 HKT)
Activists protesting against Arctic oil drilling infiltrate an F1 race in Belgium, but the off-track incident does not stop Sebastian Vettel’s title march.
August 23, 2013 — Updated 2018 GMT (0418 HKT)
Bernie Ecclestone reveals the inaugural Grand Prix of America will not take place as planned next year due to a lack of funding.
August 9, 2013 — Updated 1125 GMT (1925 HKT)
Christina MacFarlane explores the role aerodynamics play in boosting a Formula One car’s performance.
June 27, 2013 — Updated 1557 GMT (2357 HKT)
Mark Webber has announced his intention to leave Formula One at the end of the season after signing a deal to race at Le Mans with Porsche.
March 14, 2013 — Updated 1324 GMT (2124 HKT)
Can the new F1 season live up to last year’s standards? Find out the need-to-know stories for 2013.
March 14, 2013 — Updated 1148 GMT (1948 HKT)
CNN looks ahead to the Australian Grand Prix, the first F1 race of the 2013 season.
February 28, 2013 — Updated 1824 GMT (0224 HKT)
Adrian Sutil will be Force India’s second driver for the 2013 Formula One season, pledging to make the most of his “second chance”.
March 2, 2013 — Updated 0152 GMT (0952 HKT)
Christmas Abbott, 5’3 and 115 pounds, is the first woman to join a NASCAR pit crew team.
February 12, 2013 — Updated 0035 GMT (0835 HKT)
The first race in Melbourne is just around the corner and Formula 1 teams are gearing up for a season which promises to be as technical as it is tactical.
March 1, 2013 — Updated 1219 GMT (2019 HKT)
When the new Formula 1 season gets underway in March, for the first time there will be a woman running a team’s entire operations from track to boardroom.
January 21, 2013 — Updated 1222 GMT (2022 HKT)
The Dakar Rally is one of the world’s most dangerous motorsport races, and this year’s edition has already been marred by tragic deaths.
January 31, 2013 — Updated 1920 GMT (0320 HKT)
The famous circuit of Nurburgring is confirmed Thursday as the venue for the 2013 German Grand Prix after reaching a deal with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.
Link:
F1: Vettel quickest in subdued Suzuka
The post F1: Vettel quickest in subdued Suzuka appeared first on Arne Ruhnau News.
via Arne Ruhnau News http://arneruhnau.com/f1-vettel-quickest-in-subdued-suzuka/
No comments:
Post a Comment