Korean Grand Prix (2011) RESULT

Korean Grand Prix 2011

Lewis Hamilton upped his game in qualifying and took pole, with new champion Sebastian Vettel in 2nd. Can Lewis hold off Seb to take a win?

Last year’s Korean Grand Prix was more like a jaunt on the Solent than an F1 race, but the weather was a little more forgiving for the 2011 F1 Grand Prix, in the middle of nowhere in southern South Korea.

Lewis Hamilton had obviously given himself a good talking to – or someone else had – as he displayed controlled aggression, and consummate skill, to take pole in Korea after his dismal series of performances of late.

But all that effort was for nought as new world champion Vettel put him firmly in his place on the very first lap, never to look back. Vettel won. The story of F1 2011.

But behind Vettel things were more interesting.

Hamilton was constantly under pressure from Webber, with much place swapping going on – via pit stops as well as on track – but Hamilton managed to hang on to his second place through to the finish – his first podium in three months – with Webber in third.

Behind Webber, Jenson Button took fourth place despite being stuffed on the start by Alonso, Massa and Webber. But Jenson got the jump on the Ferraris in the pits and managed to catch up to Webber for a decent finish.

For the Ferraris, things were a little less straightforward. Alonso spent a big chunk of the race behind Massa – perhaps there were no team orders this time as the title is already decided – which probably sealed his fate before half the race had gone.

But in the closing stages Alonso turned up the wick – a brilliant retaliation and use of the frustration that was evident in the first part of the race for the Spaniard – and set about catching the trio of Hamilton, Webber and Button.

The fact he almost made it in to a position to challenge Button as the race drew to a close probably shows how different things could have been if Alonso hadn’t been slowed by Massa for so long.

But the effort of catching the pack left Alonso with nothing left to mount a challenge on Button, and the Ferrari ended the day in fifth. But an impressive fifth, nonetheless.

But for all that, what’s perhaps most impressive is the performance of the Red Bulls – and in particular Vettel – who still raced with everything they’ve got, despite both the drivers and constructors championships in their pockets.