Vettel barely ahead of Hamilon at 2011 Spanish Grand Prix
German youngster Sebastian Vettel managed to extend his lead in the 2011 Formula 1 Championship by clenching victory at yesterday’s 2011 Spanish Grand Prix, though his closest rival, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, kept on his tail from the 20th to the final 66th lap. In the end, only 0.63 seconds separated the two top drivers.
Vettel’s victory came despite his Red Bull Racing teammate Mark Webber starting on pole. As we saw during yesterday’s race at Circuit de Catalunya, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso managed to take advantage of a slipstream at the start and quickly move into lead position, though he lost it following his second of four pit stops on lap 19.
He still managed to keep Webber at bay, though the Australian eventually took over on the 39th lap. Unfortunately, Webber couldn’t keep third spot as Hamilton’s teammate at McLaren, Jenson Button, worked his way up thanks to newer tires and stayed there until the end of the race.
Webber eventually settled for fourth place, with Alonso close behind on fifth. One surprise of the day was Mercedes GP driver and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher who managed to take sixth spot, his best result of the season.
Going into next weekend’s 2011 Monaco Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel leads the Drivers’ Championship with 118 points, followed by Hamilton on 77 points and Mark Webber on 67 points. As for the Constructors’ Championship, topping the field is of course Red Bull Racing on 185 points, followed by McLaren on 138 points and Ferrari on 75 points.
