Vettel resuscitates F1′s 2015 season (Hungary GP)!

My internal clock decided to adopt a politician’s countenance – I was tricked! Under normal circumstances, my subconscious being operates like clockwork (get it?) and I can usually trust its hidden management system, to remind me, with ample time to spare, that the race is about to begin. I will not join its deceptive band of misfits, so I will simply admit that I lost track of time and as such missed 3/4 of the Hungary GP.

But, the bit I caught, the intriguing final segment and the commentary provided, gave rise to a burning desire to view the race in its entirety! I did that yesterday and at the end of what must be the most engaging and thrilling race of the season thus far, I am forced to conclude that there is still hope for F1!

Toto Wolff and company at Mercedes must have felt, that with their  8th front row lockout and Hamilton basking in the glow of his 9th pole of the 2015 season, they were sitting rather comfortable in the driver’s seat! They forgot words arranged by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – The heights by great men reached and kept………..

Ferrari

Ferrari bleeds Formula 1, but success at the pinnacle of motorsports has continued its elusive campaign. Heads have rolled at the famous marque and the midnight oil burns to elucidate the path to glory. Mercedes was introduced to Italian perseverance on Sunday.

Hamilton was on pole, Rosberg in second and Vettel in third. The red lights abandoned their post and anarchy was born. Hamilton went searching for lost marbles, Rosberg was befuddled and Vettel, like an eagle, went soaring to corner one. His ‘Pocket-Rocket’-like departure from P3 is still being analysed by ESPN’s Sport Science! I am certain Hamilton is still undergoing treatment for the whiplash he endured, triggered by the surging Ferrari!

Vettel

Vettel drop-kicked the Mercedes duo and disappeared. Vettel ran without threat and even when the virtual and actual safety cars were utilised which created a tight-knit pack, when the race resumed, he sped away like yellow flames through light-brown, withered and dehydrated grass!

The squabbling siblings, Rosberg and Hamilton, remained wrapped in misery. They were beaten for both pace and racecraft and Lady Misfortune chose to settle at their dining table! Unforced errors dominated the menu!

Ricciardo

Incidentally, Ricciardo was assigned drone duties – he assassinated militants with delight – mastering his trademark dive-bomb trick. He was on a triumphant rampage until he encountered the temperamental Rosberg who hurled a questionable move and wounded both machines. Fortunately, he recovered to secure P3 behind his teammate Kvyat – 2 Red Bull machines on the podium! Yes, miracles still happen!

So, on a day when we all thought it was business as usual, Vettel and Ferrari controlled P1 and made it abundantly clear that the fat lady must sing before the outcome is decided. Ferrari, at the Hungarian GP, did not capitalise on a Mercedes blunder or misstep. Ferrari brought the fight to Mercedes’ wheels, gearbox and front wing and handed them defeat in a Petronas cup!

Hamilton still leads the championship, ahead of Rosberg and Vettel, but Ferrari must be thinking that the gap between themselves and Mercedes is now as large as the diameter of a strand of hair present on a bald head! The teams have a lot to think about during the break. Spa provides the next battlefield in August. Can Vettel make it two in a row?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer