Sebastian Vettel Wins Formula 1 Grand Prix Of India 2011

Sebastian Vettel, driving the Red Bull Renault, has won the Formula 1 Grand Prix of India 2011. Vettel looked completely at ease, driving from pole position to a victory in the inaugural Grand Prix of India. 

Sebastian Vettel Formula 1 Grand Prix Of India 2011 Winner

For a nation of Billion plus people, hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix was a moment of great pride. And as the F1 engines revved up at the start of the race, the 100 thousand people who had come up to watch the race, looked  up in admiration. 

The start was normal for the drivers at the top of the grid. Vettel retained his top position, to be followed by Jenson Button, Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso. A bit of mayhem among the rear runners resulted in Kamui Kobayashi of Team Sauber crashing out, and Rubens Barrichello needing an immediate pit stop to rectify a damaged front wing.

Race Day Formula 1 Grand Prix Of India 2011

The race slowly settled into a smooth affair with Vettel leading the pack. Narain Karthikeyan, of India, driving for Hispania Racing had gained eight places to be at the 16th place in the initial part of the race. Adrian Sutil, driving for  Sahara Force India Mercedes, had worked upto the 8th spot.

F1 racing is all about keeping your cool in those moments of high speed. It was one such moment when Felipe Massa, driving a Ferrari, lost his cool and came right into the way of Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton's car was damaged and he had to have a run into the pits to rectify the front wing. 

Massa was awarded a drive through penalty. However, just a few laps later, he crashed his car on the kerb and ended up with a broken front wing suspension. The race was over for Massa, while Hamilton was left way behind, having to work his way up the order.

The intermediate stages saw some exciting racing from Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, and Jamie Alguersuari. In the last of the pit stops, the Ferrari crew did an excellent job to get Fernando Alonso in and out of the pits. The precise pit stop put him ahead of Mark Webber of Red Bull, and on course to a third place finish. 

The rest of the race didn't see much of overtaking. And at the end of the 60th lap, Sebastian Vettel crossed the chequered flag, which was  being waved by Sachin Tendulkar.  It was in a stunning triple crown for Vettel - he had secured the pole position, ran the fastest lap of the race, and won the race.

Vettel Formula 1 Grand Prix Of India 2011 Champion

Jenson Button of McLaren finished second (cheered by his girl friend Jessica Michibata), and Alonso of Ferrari finished third. Mark Webber had to end up with the fourth position, followed by the two Mercedes powered cars of Schumacher and Rosberg.

Interestingly, the Sahara Force India Mercedes driven by Adrian Sutil finished 9th, while Paula Di Resta driving their second car finished 13th. Narain Karthikeyan, the sole Indian driver in the race, finished a commendable 17th, 3 laps below the race winner.  

Sachin Tendulkar at Grand Prix Of India 2011 

Vettel has now won 11 races this season. And with just two races left in this season, he is gunning to win the rest - to make it 13 wins in a season. It will equal Michael Schumacher's record set in 2004.

The last two weekends have been enormously difficult for race drivers, teams and fans across the world. Two weekends back, Dan Wheldon died in a high speed crash at an Indy Race in Las Vegas, USA. And just last weekend, Marco Simoncelli, had a fatal accident at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. 

The Formula 1 drivers paid a tribute to these great sportsmen prior to the start of the race. 

Most importantly, although race drivers are looked up as Demigod's, we, the mortals, have to drive carefully and respectfully on a day to day basis. At stakes are our own lives, the lives of people around us and those on the roads. Safety first, Speed later should be the motto for ordinary people like you and me. 

All in all, it was an admirable moment for all Indian sports fans. The organizers were applauded for hosting a top notch sports event like Formula1. The race track - The Buddh International Circuit - drew wide spread appreciation from the sports commentators. 

The Buddh International Formula 1 Circuit - India's Pride

The stage is now set for the penultimate race of the Formula 1 2011 season. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled on the Yas Marina circuit on the 13th of November, 2011. 

With the Championship under his belt, Vettel will be racing for records. However, a battle royale is expected for the second and third place between Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber. 

Until then, India can enjoy its moment of pride for hosting the first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix on Indian soil.