F1: Schumacher Claims Podium Finish in European GP

F1: Schumacher Claims Podium Finish in European GP  阅读原文»

All things finally fell into place for Michael Schumacher, at least for one race. The German, who has struggled since his comeback, finally took a podium finish by nabbing third place at the 2012 European Grand Prix, boosting Mercedes AMG Petronas’s bid in the constructors standings and lifting Schumacher’s own dismal personal record so far this season.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso took the victory in a race filled with incidents, not the least of which was the one that took out Lewis Hamilton and Pastor Maldonado, who were then contesting P2. This opened things up for the rest of the pack, particularly Schumacher. Alonso, who started at 11th, now breaks the string of 7 straight races with 7 different winners and also adds to his lead in the drivers standings. Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen finished second.

Schumacher started from 12th on the grid after a lackluster qualifying session. But with all the incidents knocking out key players like erstwhile leader Sebastian Vettel and forcing some key safety car appearances, Schumacher took advantage and finally got a podium finish since returning to Formula One in 2010.

"I didn’t think about a podium, not even at the end of the race," Schumacher said. "At the end I asked the guys where we finished and the boys told me that’s third. I can’t believe that, I didn’t expect it."

Rounding out the points finishers are Red Bull’s Mark Webber (4), Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg (5), Mercedes’s Nico Rosberg (6), Force India’s Paul di Resta (7), McLaren’s Jenson button (8), Sauber’s Sergio Perez (9), and Williams’ Pastor Maldonado (10).

F1: Rosberg 6th, Schumacher 12th as Vettel Takes Pole in Valencia Qualifying  阅读原文»

At the end of such a closely fought qualifying session for the European Grand Prix, the dust settled and found Nico Rosberg at sixth. There was, however, a tighter contest for the pole position, which Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel finally claimed from McLaren Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

"We had a lot of potential going into qualifying, but unfortunately I can’t be happy with the outcome today," said Rosberg. "We were quick throughout but when I was just about to start my final lap, Lewis was slowing down in the last corner. I had to start my quick lap behind him which made it impossible to improve my time."

In a rather disappointing start to his European Grand Prix quest, Michael Schumacher wound up a mere 12th after qualifying. "On my first run, I was too aggressive in turn 12 on my first timed lap, then had to abort the second lap and pit because the tyres were no longer in good enough condition to improve," Schumi said. "After that, I was a bit too conservative on the second run and that cost us, because the times were so close today."

No one could encapsulate the closeness of the qualifying for all teams than Ross Brawn. “We had better potential than we showed this afternoon, and I am sure a lot of teams will feel they are in a similar position," said the Mercedes team principal.

Stay with us for a rundown of what transpires at the race!

阅读更多内容

该邮件由 QQ邮件列表 推送。

如果您不想继续收到该邮件，可点此 退订 。