2010 German Grand Prix

The '''2010 German Grand Prix''' (formally the '''Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander von Deutschland 2010''') was a [[Formula One]] motor race held on 25 July at the [[Hockenheimring]] in [[Hockenheim]], [[Baden-Württemberg]], Germany. It was the 11th round of the [[2010 Formula One World Championship]] and the 71st [[German Grand Prix]]. [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] driver [[Fernando Alonso]] won the 67-lap race starting from second position. His teammate [[Felipe Massa]] finished second, and [[Red Bull Racing|Red Bull]] driver [[Sebastian Vettel]] took third.

The '''2010 German Grand Prix''' (formally the '''Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander von Deutschland 2010''') was a [[Formula One]] motor race held on 25 July at the [[Hockenheimring]] in [[Hockenheim]], [[Baden-Württemberg]], Germany. It was the 11th round of the [[2010 Formula One World Championship]] and the 71st [[German Grand Prix]]. [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] driver [[Fernando Alonso]] won the 67-lap race starting from second position. His teammate [[Felipe Massa]] finished second, and [[Red Bull Racing|Red Bull]] driver [[Sebastian Vettel]] took third.

[[Lewis Hamilton]] led the [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|World Drivers' Championship]] and his team [[McLaren]] led the [[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|World Constructors' Championship]] heading into the race. Although Vettel and Alonso were on the grid's front row, both drivers were passed by Massa at the start of the race. Alonso and Massa traded the fastest times in the first twelve laps until a sequence of [[pit stop]]s. Massa struggled with tyre temperatures and Alonso challenged him on the 21st lap but fended off his efforts to take the lead. Massa pulled away slightly from Alonso until traffic slowed him and reduced the time deficit between the two drivers. Alonso took over the first position after Ferrari invoked [[team orders]] on Massa to allow Alonso past. Massa resisted pressure from Vettel while Alonso maintained the lead for the rest of the race to take the 23rd victory of his career.

[[Lewis Hamilton]] led the [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|World Drivers' Championship]] and his team [[McLaren]] led the [[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|World Constructors' Championship]] heading into the race. Although Vettel and Alonso were on the grid's front row, both drivers were passed by Massa at the start of the race. Alonso and Massa traded the fastest times in the first twelve laps until a sequence of [[pit stop]]s. Massa struggled with tyre temperatures and Alonso challenged him on the 21st lap but fended off his efforts to take the lead. Massa pulled away slightly from Alonso until traffic slowed him and reduced the time deficit between the two drivers. Alonso took over the lead after Ferrari invoked [[team orders]] on Massa to allow Alonso past. Massa resisted pressure from Vettel while Alonso maintained the lead for the rest of the race to take the 23rd victory of his career.

Ferrari's team orders resulted in a fine of $100,000 by the race stewards but avoided further punishment from the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]] in September 2010. Alonso's victory put him within 13 [[List of Formula One points systems|championship points]] of Vettel in the World Drivers' Championship, while the leader Lewis Hamilton extended his advantage over teammate [[Jenson Button]] by two championship points. Red Bull slightly reduced the deficit to McLaren in the World Constructors' Championship, while Ferrari moved further ahead of [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]], with eight races left in the season.

Ferrari's team orders resulted in a fine of $100,000 by the race stewards but avoided further punishment from the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]] in September 2010. Alonso's victory put him within 13 [[List of Formula One points systems|championship points]] of Vettel in the World Drivers' Championship, while the leader Lewis Hamilton extended his advantage over teammate [[Jenson Button]] by two championship points. Red Bull slightly reduced the deficit to McLaren in the World Constructors' Championship, while Ferrari moved further ahead of [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]], with eight races left in the season.

Vettel set the fastest time in the final session which clinched him the sixth pole position of his season (and his third consecutive) with a lap of 1:13.791 which was recorded on his final timed lap. Although he was happy to start on the pole he said his lap was not "100% perfect" as he drove off the circuit after he pushed hard. Vettel was joined on the [[Glossary of motorsport terms#G|grid]]'s front row by Alonso who was 0.002 seconds after Alonso had recorded the fastest times in the first and second sessions. Massa took third despite running wide on his final timed lap but was optimistic on a track where he felt comfortable.{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/race/r831q1report.html|title=German GP – Saturday – Qualifying Session Report|date=24 July 2010|publisher=Inside F1, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727084336/http://www.grandprix.com/race/r831q1report.html|archive-date=27 July 2010|work=GrandPrix.com|access-date=7 March 2016}} Webber, fourth, ran wide at the Nordkurve right-hand corner on his final lap when he turned in late and cut the kerb which cost him three seconds and he opted to abandon his lap.{{cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/7/11061.html|title=Qualifying – selected team and driver quotes|date=24 July 2010|work=Formula1.com|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727013509/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/7/11061.html|archive-date=27 July 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/239539/vettel-seizes-home-pole-from-alonso/|title=Vettel seizes home pole from Alonso|date=24 July 2010|publisher=JHED Media BV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729001144/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/239539/vettel-seizes-home-pole-from-alonso/|archive-date=29 July 2010|work=GPUpdate|access-date=7 March 2016}} The two McLaren cars lined up on the grid's third row (with Button ahead of Hamilton). Button was happy with his lap whilst Hamilton said his qualifying pace was poor despite the McLaren drivers recording the fastest speeds on the circuit's main straight. Kubica qualified seventh and felt he could have set a faster lap time as he was held up in the track's final sector. Barrichello in eighth experienced [[Understeer and oversteer|understeer]] in the final session and lost his car's balance. Rosberg and Hülkenberg rounded out the top ten qualifiers.

Vettel set the fastest time in the final session which clinched him the sixth pole position of his season (and his third consecutive) with a lap of 1:13.791 which was recorded on his final timed lap. Although he was happy to start on the pole he said his lap was not "100% perfect" as he drove off the circuit after he pushed hard. Vettel was joined on the [[Glossary of motorsport terms#G|grid]]'s front row by Alonso who was 0.002 seconds after Alonso had recorded the fastest times in the first and second sessions. Massa took third despite running wide on his final timed lap but was optimistic on a track where he felt comfortable.{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/race/r831q1report.html|title=German GP – Saturday – Qualifying Session Report|date=24 July 2010|publisher=Inside F1, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727084336/http://www.grandprix.com/race/r831q1report.html|archive-date=27 July 2010|work=GrandPrix.com|access-date=7 March 2016}} Webber, fourth, ran wide at the Nordkurve right-hand corner on his final lap when he turned in late and cut the kerb which cost him three seconds and he opted to abandon his lap.{{cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/7/11061.html|title=Qualifying – selected team and driver quotes|date=24 July 2010|work=Formula1.com|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727013509/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/7/11061.html|archive-date=27 July 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/239539/vettel-seizes-home-pole-from-alonso/|title=Vettel seizes home pole from Alonso|date=24 July 2010|publisher=JHED Media BV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729001144/http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/239539/vettel-seizes-home-pole-from-alonso/|archive-date=29 July 2010|work=GPUpdate|access-date=7 March 2016}} The two McLaren cars lined up on the grid's third row (with Button ahead of Hamilton). Button was happy with his lap whilst Hamilton said his qualifying pace was poor despite the McLaren drivers recording the fastest speeds on the circuit's main straight. Kubica qualified seventh and felt he could have set a faster lap time as he was held up in the track's final sector. Barrichello in eighth experienced [[Understeer and oversteer|understeer]] in the final session and lost his car's balance. Rosberg and Hülkenberg rounded out the top ten qualifiers.

Schumacher was the fastest driver not to advance to the final session, qualifying eleventh; his best time of 1:15.026 was almost two seconds slower than Alonso's fastest time in the second session.{{cite web |title=Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander Von Deutschland 2010 – Qualifying Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2010/834/6764/ |work=formula1.com |access-date=28 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712225849/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2010/834/6764/ |archive-date=12 July 2014}} He had been one tenth of a second quicker than his teammate Rosberg in the first session; Rosberg's lap caused Schumacher to be eliminated from qualifying and the latter stated he had brake problems. [[Kamui Kobayashi]] qualified in 12th was slowed by traffic, and his tyre temperatures dropped which resulted in a loss of grip. He was followed by Petrov in the 13th position. Sutil was afflicted with a lack of grip in his Force India which caused him to slide sideways. Sutil was penalised five positions because this team changed his gearbox following his driveshaft failure in the final practice session. As a result, De la Rosa inherited 14th, and was ahead of the Toro Rosso drivers ([[Jaime Alguersuari]] in front of Buemi). [[Jarno Trulli]] was the quickest driver who was unable to advance beyond the first session, and was followed by his Lotus teammate [[Heikki Kovalainen]]. [[Timo Glock]] was penalised five positions on the grid twice because his team changed his gearbox and fitted a seventh-gear ratio that was undeclared on Friday. Senna took over the 20th place. Liuzzi exited turn 15 to complete his second timed lap, ran over a wet patch of astroturf causing him to lose control of the back-end of his Force India, sending him across the track to make heavy contact with the front of his car. He veered back towards the track and some grass and narrowly avoided collecting Glock. Sakon Yamamoto had a shifting issue on his fastest lap time and took 23rd. [[Lucas di Grassi]] had a gearbox problem in his car that was unable to be rectified and completed the field. He later incurred a five-place grid penalty for the gearbox change but it had no effect on his starting position.

Schumacher was the fastest driver not to advance to the final session, qualifying 11h; his best time of 1:15.026 was almost two seconds slower than Alonso's fastest time in the second session.{{cite web |title=Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander Von Deutschland 2010 – Qualifying Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2010/834/6764/ |work=formula1.com |access-date=28 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712225849/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2010/834/6764/ |archive-date=12 July 2014}} He had been one tenth of a second quicker than his teammate Rosberg in the first session; Rosberg's lap caused Schumacher to be eliminated from qualifying and the latter stated he had brake problems. [[Kamui Kobayashi]] qualified in 12th was slowed by traffic, and his tyre temperatures dropped which resulted in a loss of grip. He was followed by Petrov in 13th position. Sutil was afflicted with a lack of grip in his Force India which caused him to slide sideways. Sutil was penalised five positions because this team changed his gearbox following his driveshaft failure in the final practice session. As a result, De la Rosa inherited 14th, and was ahead of the Toro Rosso drivers ([[Jaime Alguersuari]] in front of Buemi). [[Jarno Trulli]] was the quickest driver who was unable to advance beyond the first session, and was followed by his Lotus teammate [[Heikki Kovalainen]]. [[Timo Glock]] was penalised five positions on the grid twice because his team changed his gearbox and fitted a seventh-gear ratio that was undeclared on Friday. Senna took over the 20th place. Liuzzi exited turn 15 to complete his second timed lap, ran over a wet patch of astroturf causing him to lose control of the back-end of his Force India, sending him across the track to make heavy contact with the front of his car. He veered back towards the track and some grass and narrowly avoided collecting Glock. Sakon Yamamoto had a shifting issue on his fastest lap time and took 23rd. [[Lucas di Grassi]] had a gearbox problem in his car that was unable to be rectified and completed the field. He later incurred a five-place grid penalty for the gearbox change but it had no effect on his starting position.

===Qualifying classification===

===Qualifying classification===

Massa responded to Alonso's quick pace with his fastest lap time to increase the gap by four-tenths of a second. Button ran wide at the first corner and fell further behind sixth-place driver Webber. Hamilton set a slow time which allowed Webber to close the gap to the former. Vettel became the first driver to make a scheduled [[pit stop]] for the hard-compound tyres on the 12th lap, and rejoined in sixth in front of Kubica. It was part of a strategy by Red Bull to place him into clear air in the hopes that he could make up some time on the leading Ferrari cars. Alguersuari drove alongside Yamamoto over the start/finish line and he made a pass for 19th entering the first corner on the same lap. Ferrari responded to Red Bull's decision by bringing Alonso and Massa in for their stops in quick succession, handing the lead to Button. Alonso rejoined ahead of Vettel, and was followed by Webber, but he exited the pit lane among a pack of slower cars and was immediately challenged by Kobayashi. Massa began to struggle with tyre temperatures and locked-up at turn two, and lost the balance of his car at the turn six hairpin.

Massa responded to Alonso's quick pace with his fastest lap time to increase the gap by four-tenths of a second. Button ran wide at the first corner and fell further behind sixth-place driver Webber. Hamilton set a slow time which allowed Webber to close the gap to the former. Vettel became the first driver to make a scheduled [[pit stop]] for the hard-compound tyres on the 12th lap, and rejoined in sixth in front of Kubica. It was part of a strategy by Red Bull to place him into clear air in the hopes that he could make up some time on the leading Ferrari cars. Alguersuari drove alongside Yamamoto over the start/finish line and he made a pass for 19th entering the first corner on the same lap. Ferrari responded to Red Bull's decision by bringing Alonso and Massa in for their stops in quick succession, handing the lead to Button. Alonso rejoined ahead of Vettel, and was followed by Webber, but he exited the pit lane among a pack of slower cars and was immediately challenged by Kobayashi. Massa began to struggle with tyre temperatures and locked-up at turn two, and lost the balance of his car at the turn six hairpin.

Alguersuari overtook Glock for the 18th position on lap 17, and started to reduce the gap between himself and Senna. Button, who was still to make a pit stop, set faster lap times than other cars despite being on a worn set of soft-compound tyres. The battle between the two Ferrari drivers allowed Vettel to quickly close the gap. Alguersuari passed di Grassi to move into 16th place on the 21st lap. Alonso and Massa had caught up to slower cars by the same lap, which allowed the former to attempt a pass on the Brazilian by driving on the inside line heading into the turn six hairpin. But Massa held a quicker line leaving the corner which allowed him to defend his position. Alonso attempted to pass again heading into the following turn but backed out of the manoeuvre. He was angry and told his team "This is ridiculous" because he saw Massa placing him in danger of being challenged by both the Red Bull cars; it prompted intense discussion regarding the matter on the Ferrari pit wall. Yamamoto pulled over to the side of the track when his engine cut out on lap 19 while battling with both Force India drivers.

Alguersuari overtook Glock for 18th on lap 17, and started to reduce the gap between himself and Senna. Button, who was still to make a pit stop, set faster lap times than other cars despite being on a worn set of soft-compound tyres. The battle between the two Ferrari drivers allowed Vettel to quickly close the gap. Alguersuari passed di Grassi to move into 16th place on the 21st lap. Alonso and Massa had caught up to slower cars by the same lap, which allowed the former to attempt a pass on the Brazilian by driving on the inside line heading into the turn six hairpin. But Massa held a quicker line leaving the corner which allowed him to defend his position. Alonso attempted to pass again heading into the following turn but backed out of the manoeuvre. He was angry and told his team "This is ridiculous" because he saw Massa placing him in danger of being challenged by both the Red Bull cars; it prompted intense discussion regarding the matter on the Ferrari pit wall. Yamamoto pulled over to the side of the track when his engine cut out on lap 19 while battling with both Force India drivers.

[[File:Felipe Massa Hockenheim 2010 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Felipe Massa]] controversially let teammate Fernando Alonso past into the lead.]]

[[File:Felipe Massa Hockenheim 2010 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Felipe Massa]] controversially let teammate Fernando Alonso past into the lead.]]

After passing slower cars, Vettel began to resume his battle with the Ferrari drivers. Button made a pit stop on lap 22 and reemerged in fifth position behind his teammate Hamilton. The Ferrari cars began to set faster lap times than the rest of the field as Massa started to pull away from Alonso and held a lead of three seconds over his teammate. Alonso responded to Massa's newfound pace by recording a new [[fastest lap]] of the race, a 1:18.075 on lap 28, having backed out to see how fast his car was in [[Glossary of motorsport terms#C|clean air]], before the two drivers began to trade fastest times over the next three laps. Webber attempted to place pressure on Button in a battle for fifth place, although Button was using a defensive strategy by using his McLaren's straight-line speed advantage. De la Rosa caught up to Hülkenberg and passed him at the turn six hairpin on lap 35. Three laps later, Hamilton was instructed by McLaren to conserve fuel usage in the event they could use an aggressive fuel saving mode towards the end of the race.

After passing slower cars, Vettel began to resume his battle with the Ferrari drivers. Button made a pit stop on lap 22 and reemerged in fifth position behind his teammate Hamilton. The Ferrari cars began to set faster lap times than the rest of the field as Massa started to pull away from Alonso and held a lead of three seconds over his teammate. Alonso responded to Massa's newfound pace by recording a new [[fastest lap]] of the race, a 1:18.075 on lap 28, having backed out to see how fast his car was in [[Glossary of motorsport terms#C|clean air]], before the two drivers began to trade fastest times over the next three laps. Webber attempted to place pressure on Button in a battle for fifth place, although Button was using a defensive strategy by using his McLaren's straight-line speed advantage. De la Rosa caught up to Hülkenberg and passed him at the turn six hairpin on lap 35. Three laps later, Hamilton was instructed by McLaren to conserve fuel usage in the event they could use an aggressive fuel saving mode towards the end of the race.