F1 Fanatic

Coolidge Remains Top In Wet Second Practice
Butch Coolidge remained fastest in the second practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix, which was held in similar conditions to the first, albeit slightly drier. Coolidge was the only driver who ducked below 2 minutes 20 and managed to go three second quicker than second placed Downton. Mathershaw was strong again for Ferrari in third with Widger fourth again. Franklin managed to round off the top five in his Championship leading Lotus. Peacock shone again for Marussia in 7th place, but there were again casualties. Sunderland, Butler, Ingram and Graham all suffered accidents in the wet conditions but all escaped with no injuries.

Full Results
1. Coolidge (Williams)
2. Downton (Lotus)
3. Mathershaw (Ferrari)
4. Widger (McLaren)
5. Franklin (Lotus)
6. Cucamest (Toro Rosso)
7. Peacock (Marussia)
8. Kingshark (Red Bull)
9. Bomeny (Ferrari)
10. Morley (Williams)
11. d’Hazorme (Caterham)
12. Haddleton (Force India)
13. Needham (Toro Rosso)
14. Varga (Sauber)
15. Robson (Mercedes)
16. Kirkham (HRT)
17. Chan (Sauber)
18. Graham (Red Bull)
19. Ingram (McLaren)
20. Hofman (HRT)
21. Armos (Force India)
22. Butler (Mercedes)
23. Frog (Marussia)
24. Sunderland (Caterham)

Out in Q2
11. Morley (Williams)
12. Chan (Sauber)
13. Robson (Mercedes)
14. Haddleton (Force India)
15. Armos (Force India)
16. Varga (Sauber)
17. d’Hazorme (Caterham)

d’Hazorme couldn’t capitalise on his Q2 place even with Caterham’s new found pace, only managing 17th. Both Sauber’s struggled and neither could make Q3 and the Force India’s fell as well. Robson fell in 13th place meaning no Mercedes’ would make Q3 and Coolidge just managed to pip teammate Morley to make the shootout.

Damn! I am pleased with second though, hopefully I can get a good result in one of my favourite races of the season :)

@bradley13 I am always here, even if I don’t comment :)

Race Update 1
1. Franklin (Lotus)
2. Coolidge (Williams)
3. Bomeny (Ferrari)
4. Mathershaw (Ferrari)
5. Widger (McLaren)
6. Kingshark (Red Bull)
7. Graham (Red Bull)
8. Downton (Lotus)
9. Ingram (McLaren)
10. Morley (Williams)
11. Chan (Sauber)
12. Robson (Mercedes)
13. Haddleton (Force India)
14. Varga (Sauber)
15. Butler (Mercedes)
16. Armos (Force India)
17. Needham (Toro Rosso)
18. d’Hazorme (Caterham)
19. Frog (Marussia)
20. Hofman (HRT)
Ret. Cucamest (Toro Rosso)
Ret. Kirkham (HRT)
Ret. Peacock (Marussia)
Ret. Sunderland (Caterham)

Lap 1 – Franklin holds the leads off the line but it’s a fantastic start for Coolidge in the Williams, up into second. There’s carnage further back though. d’Hazorme enters turn 1 too quickly and collects Cucamest, taking the Toro Rosso out on the spot. That’s a shame after such a strong Qualifying. d’Hazorme has earnt himself two trips to the pits there, one for a new front wing, and another for a drive through. Both HRT’s, both Marussia’s and the second Caterham of Sunderland have been caught up in the incident as well, thankfully Frog and Hofman only require pitstops, but the other three are out on the spot and there’s debris everywhere, the safety car is out. Wow, what a start.
Lap 7 The Safety Car pits and the race restarts. Graham catches Downton sleeping and slides up the inside into La Source.
Lap 8 There’s clearly no team orders at Ferrari here, Bomeny slams down the inside of Mathershaw into the Bus Stop, and takes the final podium slot.

Expect there to be a ‘Felipe, Mathers is faster than you’ message VERY SOON! ;P

Race Update 2
1. Franklin (Lotus)
2. Bomeny (Ferrari)
3. Coolidge (Williams)
4. Kingshark (Red Bull)
5. Mathershaw (Ferrari)
6. Graham (Red Bull)
7. Widger (McLaren)
8. Downton (Lotus)
9. Ingram (McLaren)
10. Chan (Sauber)
11. Morley (Williams)
12. Varga (Sauber)
13. Robson (Mercedes)
14. Haddleton (Force India)
15. Armos (Force India)
16. Butler (Mercedes)
17. Needham (Toro Rosso)
18. Frog (Marussia)
19. d’Hazorme (Caterham)
Ret. Hofman (HRT)

Lap 13 – Hofman has decided that the damage is too bad and has called it a day. d’Hazorme is clearly struggling with his damaged car as well, as he slips behind Frog’s Marussia.

Lap 15 – Having passed his teammate Bomeny is flying, he’s now managed to pass rain master Coolidge to take second, and is closing on race leader Franklin.

Lap 16 – Kingshark is looking strong for Red Bull as well, he passes both Widger and Mathershaw into the bus stop chicane. This has clearly put Widger off, he’s driven across the chicane and let Graham through as well. That’s a shame.

Lap 21 Chan is close to Morley as they enter La Source. Morley has poor traction from the exit, and Chan is alongside. They’re side by side heading into Eau Rouge in the Wet! Morley gives, and Chan takes the final points position.