Sebastian Vettel has won his first home Grand Prix in what was a decidedly mixed afternoon for Red Bull at the Nurburgring.
However, it was definitely a good day for Lotus as both their cars finished on the podium – Kimi Raikkonen finishing ahead of Romain Grosjean, third place his best result in quite a few Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari was best of the rest finishing just ahead of pole sitter Lewis Hamilton and the improving McLaren which finished sixth in the hands of Jenson Button.
In the early stages of the F1 GP it looked likely that Webber had the pace to challenge his German team mate but during his first pit stop he set off before the right rear tyre was fully attached – the resultant kerfuffle saw an unfortunate TV camera man, Briton Paul Allen, being struck on the left side by the renegade Pirelli. He went off the hospital and has a broken shoulder and numerous cracked ribs.
The Australian, leaving to Porsche at the end of the year, eventually recovered to seventh place – benefiting from a safety car at mid distance to recover the flaming Marussia of Jules Bianchi.
Those also not enjoying the best of days were the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg – he could gain two places on his grid position of 11th – and Daniel Ricciardo, the Toro Rosso driver lost six places to finish 12th.
The points table after that race remain fairly static – Sebastian Vettel still leads on 157 points with Fernando Alonso 34 behind – the big mover was Kimi Raikkonen – the Finn is now just five points behind the Spaniard.
The next F1 Grand Prix is at the Hungaroring on July 28.
UPDATE: Red Bull have been fined €30,000 for allowing Webber’s car to drive off without all wheels properly attached.
