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India 2011 - Race highlights - Lap by lap coverage of the action from the Buddh International Circuit

Published by Christine

Vettel races like he's on rails in India
Vettel races like he's on rails in IndiaCredit: Clive Mason/Getty Images

There was chaos at the start of the Indian Grand Prix, as drivers came together at the first corner, at the second corner, and at the third corner as well. After that, it calmed down a little, strategies came into play. We saw another moment between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa, and just the one penalty through the entire race.

Five retirements and sixty laps later, Sebastian Vettel added another win to his long list of victories. If you missed any of the action, or want to relive it lap by lap, here are the Factbyte Factbox highlights for your enjoyment.

As it happened: 2011 India - The Race

  • 08:30

    Hello and welcome to the Factbyte Factbox for the first Indian Grand Prix? Are you excited?

  • 08:31

    So far each session has seen driver thrills and spills, more spills to be honest, so the race today could be chaos.

  • 08:32

    Sebastian Vettel starts from pole position, after dominating Saturday from start to finish - can he add another win to his tally today?

  • 08:33

    TweetTweet from @eddstrawf1: Great reception for the driver parade from the fans. Fantastic to see such enthusiasm for a new race. F1 has a bright future in India. #f1

  • 08:35

    One of the main talking points this weekend has been how many penalties have been handed out for qualifying.

  • 08:36

    There's a list of qualifying results and the subsequent penalties here: https://sidepodcast.com/post/india-2011-qualifying-results but the main one is Lewis moving down from 2nd to 5th, just behind teammate Jenson Button.

  • 08:38

    Lewis Hamilton on driver's paradeThe man himself on the driver's parade, via @LewisHamilton.

  • 08:39

    Interview with Michael Schumacher: "It's a great challenge for us to drive out there, fantastic character, a good combination of long straights, slow corners and then the high speed stuff."

  • 08:40

    If you're following all the action, do join in the fun and games in the Sidepodcast comments https://sidepodcast.com/dashboard

  • 08:42

    And vote in the poll! Today we're asking if Sauber can make a dent on the lead Force India have over them in the championship. Vote: https://sidepodcast.com/post/live-india-2011-the-race or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/questions/10150352043843878/

  • 08:44

    In addition to the penalties I mentioned earlier, Narain Karthikeyan also gets a five place grid drop for impeding Schumacher in qualifying. He starts 23rd, ahead of Timo Glock who technically was outside the 107% time in qualifying.

  • 08:45

    Glock had trouble in qualifying with his gearbox. Not quite as much trouble as Felipe Massa had, as he crashed the car during the top ten shoot out.

  • 08:47

    Let's get you linked up. You might like some handy live timing: http://www.formula1.com/live_timing/live_timing.html Always useful, and currently showing how qualifying played out.

  • 08:48

    There'll be some fabulous Autosport live text here: http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/422 and the BBC have streams and updates here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9627214.stm

  • 08:48

    Interview with Sébastien Buemi: "To have both cars in Q3 is a good achievement for us, we're really happy, but we don't get any points for that so hopefully we'll go on today and have a good race."

  • 08:49

    Mark Webber's parade viewMark Webber's view from the driver's parade. Is that Ricciardo in front? Via @AussieGrit.

  • 08:50

    TweetTweet from @adamcooperf1: #F1 Interesting snippet from engineer who expects two stops to be the norm with the switch to hard tyres no earlier than 12 laps to go

  • 08:54
    Circuit Data
    Buddh International Circuit
    Local timezone+0530 GMT
    First race2011
    Number of laps60
    Circuit length5.125km
    Race distance308.220km
    Start offset0.000km
  • 08:55

    Webber starts second on the grid, and he'll want to get a good result today to jump back up the driver standings. It all rests on those pesky starts though.

  • 08:57
    Championship Standings
    PosDriverPts
    1Sebastian Vettel349
    2Jenson Button222
    3Fernando Alonso212
    4Mark Webber209
    5Lewis Hamilton196
  • 08:58

    There'll be a minute's silence before the race today, in tribute to Dan and Marco. All driver's also have stickers on their helmets, and some have black armbands.

  • 08:59

    Turn 4 is the tight right hand corner at the end of the massive long straight.

    Braking Analysis
    Turn 4
    (forecast data from Brembo)
    Initial speed313km/h
    Final speed88km/h
    Stopping distance116m
    Braking time2.37s
    Maximum deceleration5.59g
    Maximum pedal load145kg
  • 09:00

    Half an hour to go until the race begins, the pit lane is open and the engines start to roar.

  • 09:04
    Fastest Session Times
    Free Practice 1L Hamilton1:26.836
    Free Practice 2F Massa1:25.706
    Free Practice 3S Vettel1:24.824
    QualifyingS Vettel1:24.178
  • 09:05

    The tyres in use this weekend are the hard and soft compounds - which is silver and yellow sidewalls respectively.

  • 09:06

    Pirelli have made the softer tyre, yellow sidewalls, the prime tyre which meant teams had more soft tyres during practice on Friday.

  • 09:06

    TweetTweet from @byronf1: Some drama in the pitlane over fiddling around Alonso's front wing. Jo Bauer called in at last minute !

  • 09:09

    Interview with Mark Webber: "Track's pretty good but we took the hard tyre round so we don't get to feel the car too much. It's pretty good. It looks reasonably even grid-wise, the proof will be in the pudding when we get going. My last few starts have been pretty good so it would be nice to continue that and have a crack at turn one.

    "It's been 17 years and I've never had a position given to me so I don't think that's going to start now."

  • 09:14

    Rowan Atkinson (guest at McLaren) on Lewis Hamilton: "I don't claim any great intimacy with him or with his thoughts. I would describe him as slightly reflective. But that's not a bad thing, it's kind of an optimistic reflection rather than a depressive reflection. I think the future is bright for him."

  • 09:16

    A beautiful minute's silence ahead of the race. All drivers and important F1 people gathered together for 60 seconds.

  • 09:18

    Interview with Paul di Resta: "There's a lot of excitement but the biggest thing is our new partners, the Sahara Group have come to their first Grand Prix. It's an important day, hopefully we can score some points and keep the mood in the team happy. We've definitely optimised the long run performance over qualifying. We didn't think it would be quite as there as it was. Really, you've got to think ahead and stay positive. Hopefully, going aggressive might pay off."

  • 09:19

    There's a problem with the right hand side of the front wing on Fernando Alonso's car. The mechanics are gathered around and fiddling with tiny bits and pieces on the wing.

  • 09:23

    TweetTweet from @OfficialLRGP: It's going to be difficult for us to get good results today. Stategy variations are difficult with two tyres so far apart in performance

  • 09:26

    We've got double DRS here again, with detection prior to the final corner giving drivers the option of DRS down the main straight. The second detection is at turn three, the tight hairpin before the massive long straight. Activation halfway down that straight.

  • 09:27

    Massa and Hamilton line up together on the third row of the grid, so there could be a renewal of that rivalry early on this race.

  • 09:28

    It looks like both the Ferrari cars are fixed and ready to go - Massa after his crash yesterday, and Alonso after the front wing panic from earlier.

  • 09:29

    The poll is closed and 83% think Sauber won't be able to catch up to Force India's championship lead this weekend.

  • 09:29

    Tyre blankets come off and the mechanics clear the grid.

  • 09:30

    Weather

    31°C

    Track38°C
    Humidity19%
    Wind speed1.9mps
  • 09:30

    Obviously, I say sunny, but it's very cloudy/smoggy/dusty.

  • 09:31

    The formation lap is off and underway, the drivers weaving their way around the track to warm up their tyres.

  • 09:31

    QuoteComment from Pat W: So Glock got moved ahead of the HRTs after all..

  • 09:32

    Di Resta, Petrov and Pérez are the only drivers on the harder compound. Everyone else is starting on softs.

  • 09:33

    The grid forms up once more, engines revving.

  • 09:33

    Green flagRace started.

  • 09:33 Lap 1

    Vettel got away cleanly, Fernando Alonso was pushed wide.

  • 09:34 Lap 1

    CrashAccident at the first corner.

  • 09:34 Lap 1

    CrashAnd another! Jarno Trulli involved. We'll look at the replays in a moment!

  • 09:34 Lap 1

    Jenson Button passed Mark Webber for second. Vettel continues to lead. Hamilton lost a place down to 6th behind Massa.

  • 09:34 Lap 1

    Michael Schumacher has moved up to 8th behind Rosberg in 7th.

  • 09:35 Lap 1

    Yellow flagYellow flags are out for the carnage. Let's look at it closer.

  • 09:35 Lap 2

    It looks like Rubens Barrichello got it all wrong going into the first corner, missed his braking point, clipped a Sauber and lost his front wing.

  • 09:35 Lap 2

    Pérez and Glock have both pitted.

  • 09:36 Lap 2

    Rubens Barrichello is also in the pitlane, he lost his front wing on the way in - retrieved by marshals. He's on his way again with a new nose.

  • 09:36 Lap 2

    TedNews: Glock had to come in for a new front wing but Pérez came in to get rid of the harder tyres - a planned stop, it seems.

  • 09:37 Lap 2

    Second incident, the other Williams, Maldonado got it wrong at turn three. That gave Trulli nowhere to go, and an HRT tapped Jarno into a spin on the grass. A 180 from the Lotus and he continued but had to pit.

  • 09:38 Lap 2

    It looks like Kobayashi has retired - I'm not sure which bit he was involved in.

  • 09:38 Lap 3

    Trulli had to pit for a puncture, and continues on his way.

  • 09:38 Lap 3

    TweetTweet from @OfficialSF1Team: #Checo on the radio - a lot of oil on track!

  • 09:38 Lap 4

    Vettel has already pulled out his lead to almost three seconds over Button.

  • 09:38 Lap 4

    Race Control: DRS enabled.

  • 09:39 Lap 4

    Timo Glock has returned to the pitlane and climbed out of the car, his race is over after what has been a terrible weekend.

  • 09:39 Lap 4

    Replays show after the Barrichello incident at turn one, it looks like Kobayashi made his way back onto track and smacked Glock, tipping them both into spins, and ultimately putting them both out of the race.

  • 09:40 Lap 5

    Barrichello initially lost his front wing on the back of Maldonado before bouncing into Kobayashi at the first corner.

  • 09:40 Lap 5

    I think that's everything!

  • 09:40 Lap 5

    Webber has a run at Jenson Button but the McLaren is just managing to keep him at bay with some defensive driving. It's really close but they don't touch.

  • 09:41 Lap 5

    QuoteComment from Mr C: rubens caused so much chaos at t1. hit two cars and instigated the glock crash too.

  • 09:41 Lap 6

    The upshot of all that chaos is two retirements, plus Trulli already one lap down and Barrichello just in front of the Lotus.

  • 09:43 Lap 7

    The two Toro Rosso drivers, who qualified 9th and 10th, have dropped back a couple of places now and currently sit outside the points.

  • 09:45 Lap 8
    Driver Positions
    PosDriver
    10S Vettel
    21J Button
    3-1M Webber
    4-1F Alonso
    51F Massa
    6-1L Hamilton
    70N Rosberg
    83M Schumacher
    9-1A Sutil
    104B Senna
  • 09:45 Lap 8

    There's a cloud of dust off track but no sign of a driver there, must have been a bit of a wobble from someone.

  • 09:46 Lap 9
    Gap Analysis
    PosDriverGap
    1stVET1:31.308
    2ndBUT+4.8
    3rdWEB+5.7
    4thALO+8.2
    5thMAS+9.5
  • 09:46 Lap 9

    The fight for the final points position.

    One to Watch
    B Sennavs.J Alguersuari
    10th+0.6s11th
  • 09:47 Lap 9

    Oooh, Alguersuari got past, Bruno tried to move back alongside, but the Toro Rosso retains 10th.

  • 09:48 Lap 10

    TweetTweet from @clubforce: Exciting start to the very first Indian GP. Paul makes an early swtich to the soft tyres. Adrian is P9. Lap 6.

  • 09:48 Lap 10

    I missed that bit, but Paul di Resta has also come in for an early stop to ditch the harder compound.

  • 09:48 Lap 10

    Race Control: 1st lap incidents investigated by the stewards - no further action.

  • 09:49 Lap 10

    RadioTeam radio from Senna: "I have no KERS anymore."

  • 09:50 Lap 11

    QuoteComment from guille2306: di resta, perez and petrov are coming much faster than the cars in front of them

  • 09:50 Lap 11

    All three have swapped the tyres out and are on similar strategies.

  • 09:51 Lap 12

    Buemi has also got past Bruno Senna, dropping the Renault down to 12th place. He's now being chased by Pastor Maldonado.

  • 09:51 Lap 12

    Interview with Kamui Kobayashi: "It looks like someone hit me at the back and I spun. I also got a puncture at the start. I saw some smoke from the gearbox and I had to stop the car."

  • 09:52 Lap 13

    Pérez attempted a move on Di Resta going into turn one, but outbraked himself and the Force India sailed straight back past.

  • 09:53 Lap 13

    TweetTweet from @InsideFerrari: Time for a first pit stop is coming close

  • 09:53 Lap 14

    Pastor Maldonado has pulled off track, his car giving up beneath him, it seems.

  • 09:54 Lap 14

    Replays show the Williams just losing power down the straight, and Maldonado having to steer off track and give up. His engine gave way in practice too, so a tough weekend for Williams.

  • 09:55 Lap 15

    Alguersuari has now passed Sutil for ninth, and Buemi is closing in for the kill as well. It's like they're hunting in a pack today!

  • 09:56 Lap 15

    Interview with Timo Glock: "Unlucky. Came down to turn one after a very good start, and saw already bits flying away. It looks like Kobayashi already spun off, came back onto the track right in front of me and I had no chance to avoid the crash, so I damaged my front wing, then I had to come back in the pits and change tyres. Then went out, had a problem on the front right again, then we came back in the pits and retired again."

  • 09:56 Lap 16

    Buemi has made it past Sutil, the two Toro Rosso drivers have made it back to 9th and 10th where they started from.

  • 09:57 Lap 16

    Sutil has pitted from 11th place - first car on soft tyres to pit by choice.

  • 09:58 Lap 17

    Heikki Kovalainen is up to 13th at the moment, chasing Bruno Senna. There's just under four seconds between them.

  • 09:58 Lap 17

    Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton all come into the pits at the same time. Webber leads the pack out, and the positions remain.

  • 09:59 Lap 17

    Alguersuari pits from 10th place, as Alonso exits the pitlane finding himself in amongst some awful traffic.

  • 09:59 Lap 18

    Webber came out in clean air, but it is Schumacher who's holding up Alonso now. He's in no mood to move out the way, either, it seems.

  • 10:00 Lap 18

    Massa pits from third place, another set of soft tyres going on the Ferrari.

  • 10:00 Lap 18

    As Massa exits the pitlane, he comes out right alongside the Schumacher/Alonso battle. It was close but he ended up behind, as Alonso finally takes the position from the Mercedes.

  • 10:01 Lap 18

    With one Ferrari past, Schumacher now has another closing up behind him.

  • 10:01 Lap 19

    Button pits now from second place.

  • 10:02 Lap 19

    Schumacher and Buemi also pit.

  • 10:02 Lap 20

    Button returned to the track far ahead of Webber, rejoining just ahead of Barrichello (one lap down).

  • 10:03 Lap 20

    Sebastian Vettel comes in from the lead of the race, and he's got practically the whole main straight to himself as he exits.

  • 10:03 Lap 20

    Massa has just put in the fastest lap of the race with a 1:30.243.

  • 10:04 Lap 20

    RadioTeam radio to Massa: "Good lap, mate, fastest lap of the race."

  • 10:04 Lap 20

    Paul di Resta has stopped again down in 16th, he's stopped twice now - the first of the runners to do so.

  • 10:05 Lap 21

    Bruno Senna has passed Michael Schumacher for eighth place, but crucially he hasn't stopped yet.

  • 10:05 Lap 21

    Heikki Kovalainen is up to tenth, which would be glorious, except he hasn't stopped yet either.

  • 10:06 Lap 22

    Vettel has retaken the fastest lap glory with a 1:30.058. That's pretty speedy too.

  • 10:07 Lap 22

    Interview with Pastor Maldonado: "I think we had a problem with the gearbox, we're not 100% sure about that, we need to have a look at the data. The car is stopping anyway, after two laps. It's really disappointing, anyway, because the race was looking okay. So disappointing."

  • 10:08 Lap 23

    Senna finally comes into the pits for his first stop. Kovalainen has also stopped. Only drivers without a stop yet are the two HRT drivers and Jérôme D'Ambrosio.

  • 10:09 Lap 23

    Lewis Hamilton is closing up to Felipe Massa, it's less than a second between them now, so DRS can come into play.

  • 10:09 Lap 24

    Both Karthikeyan and D'Ambrosio pit leaving Ricciardo as the longest runner.

  • 10:10 Lap 24

    It happened again! Lewis was going up the inside and he and Massa came together!

  • 10:11 Lap 25

    Hamilton was coming from behind, on the inside line, and Massa turned in.

  • 10:11 Lap 25

    Hamilton has had to pit for a new front wing, it was dragging along the floor. Massa has carried on, seemingly unscathed.

  • 10:12 Lap 26

    Another retirement, Buemi has pulled off track with steam and/or smoke pouring from the back of the car. He climbs from the car as the marshals move in with extinguishers.

  • 10:13 Lap 26

    Race Control: Turn 5 incident involving Hamilton and Massa under investigation.

  • 10:13 Lap 26

    RadioTeam radio from Hamilton: "He just turned in on me, he didn't give me any space."

  • 10:13 Lap 27

    Massa and HamiltonMassa and Hamilton come together. Again.

  • 10:14 Lap 27

    Daniel Ricciardo has pitted for the first time, so all drivers have been in at least once now.

  • 10:14 Lap 27

    Rowan AtkinsonMcLaren guest Rowan Atkinson reacts to the incident.

  • 10:15 Lap 28

    TedNews: We believe Paul di Resta is going to go to the end of the race on these tyres.

  • 10:15 Lap 28

    Buemi smokingBuemi's car makes a smoky exits from the race.

  • 10:16 Lap 28

    Massa radio indicates he might have a gearbox problem, Rob Smedley says they'll have a look.

  • 10:17 Lap 29

    Hamilton is making his way back now, he's currently in 9th and just about half a second behind Alguersuari, preparing to make a move.

  • 10:18 Lap 30

    TweetTweet from @OfficialMGP: #F1 Our guys in P6 and P7 now after HAM dropped back after the pitstop following the contact with MAS

  • 10:19 Lap 30

    Race Control: Drive through penalty for Massa - causing a collision.

  • 10:20 Lap 31

    Massa takes to the pitlane to serve his penalty. Also pitting, Jarno Trulli, for less penalty-related reasons.

  • 10:21 Lap 32

    Felipe Massa pits again for his actual stop this time.

  • 10:22 Lap 32

    Ooh, not a regular stop by any means, they changed the nose this time. He's come out in 12th, I think.

  • 10:24 Lap 34

    Sebastian Vettel's lead is up to five seconds now, we've hardly seen him so far this race.

  • 10:25 Lap 34

    Front suspension on Massa's car does not look healthy at all. He's slowed out on track and is pulling off, likely to retire any second now.

  • 10:25 Lap 34

    Yup, it's done. He's off track, onto the grass, the marshals moving in.

  • 10:25 Lap 35

    Replays show it was exactly the same issue as in qualifying - he went over the kerb, took a hit and the suspension snapped.

  • 10:26 Lap 35

    In Kovalainen news, he's still sitting nicely in 13th, but the gap between him and Senna is not so healthy.

  • 10:27 Lap 36

    Pérez and Petrov pit for the second time in their afternoon.

  • 10:27 Lap 36

    Replays show Pérez coming in too fast into his pit box. The front jack man had to jump back to avoid the car.

  • 10:28 Lap 36

    Adrian Sutil pits from 9th.

  • 10:29 Lap 37

    Petrov seems to be struggling, lots of replays showing him wobble all over the place. Kovalainen is up to 12th now as well.

  • 10:30 Lap 38

    Webber pits from fourth place, and has to bolt on the harder tyres with silver sidewalls. Is he going to the end of the race on those?

  • 10:31 Lap 38

    Only drivers down to 8th place Jaime Alguersuari are on the lead lap, everyone else is one or more laps down.

  • 10:32 Lap 39

    Don't let the table fool you though, there's still six seconds between Vettel and Button.

    Gap Analysis
    PosDriverGap
    1stVET1:29.114
    2ndBUT+6.0
    3rdALO+19.8
    4thWEB+40.2
    5thROS+50.7
  • 10:33 Lap 39

    Alonso comes in for his stop from third place. Ferrari have spotted that the hard tyres are not as bad as suspected, so they're reacting to Webber's stop. He returns to the track in third still.

  • 10:35 Lap 40

    TweetTweet from @OfficialLRGP: We've asked Vitaly to find 5 tenths. If he does, we'll probably want him to find them on the next lap too

  • 10:35 Lap 40

    Di Resta has stopped from 14th place, the strategy has not really moved them up yet.

  • 10:36 Lap 42

    Massa retiresMassa keeps his helmet on, an unhappy Brazilian.

  • 10:38 Lap 42

    TweetTweet from @EliGP: Massa not taking his helmet off, not because he's angry, but just in case he hits something else in the paddock

  • 10:39 Lap 44

    TweetTweet from @OfficialLRGP: Of note with 18 laps to go, @BSenna has yet to use the hard tyres, @vitalypetrov10 has already savoured them

  • 10:41 Lap 45
    Driver Positions
    PosDriverStops
    10S Vettel1
    22
    J Button1
    30F Alonso2
    4-2M Webber2
    52N Rosberg1
    65M Schumacher1
    7-2L Hamilton2
    82J Alguersuari1
    95B Senna1
    10-2A Sutil2
  • 10:42 Lap 46

    We've reached a bit of a lull in the action now, with just fifteen laps remaining.

  • 10:42 Lap 46

    Rosberg pits from 6th place.

  • 10:43 Lap 46

    KovalainenWatch - he's now down in 14th at the moment, two stops under his belt.

  • 10:43 Lap 47

    Hamilton stops from seventh place, a good stop from McLaren, with a splash of dust kicked up as Hamilton moves off again.

  • 10:43 Lap 47

    Busy moment for the McLaren guys, as Button stops immediately after his teammate. Expect Vettel in any moment.

  • 10:45 Lap 48

    Vettel has a bit of a wobble coming into the pit lane, fighting hard to make the left turn. It's a good stop though, and he's out in the lead again.

  • 10:45 Lap 48

    He had about half the main straight lead over Button.

  • 10:46 Lap 48

    TweetTweet from @OfficialSF1Team: #Checo is fighting hard against Senna, SUT and PET. All lap times are very close together. Very competitive performance of team and driver!

  • 10:47 Lap 49
    Top Speeds
    Sector 1R Barrichello258kph
    Sector 2J Button244kph
    Sector 3A Sutil222kph
    Speed trapS Pérez323kph
  • 10:47 Lap 49

    RadioTeam radio to Schumacher: "Okay Michael, so stay out, stay out. These lap times are good."

  • 10:48 Lap 50

    Schumacher is currently sitting in front of Rosberg, trying to extend his lead so that when he makes his stop, he remains in front of his teammate.

  • 10:48 Lap 50

    Replays show Webber going very, very wide over the kerbs and run off, but returning to the track no problem.

  • 10:48 Lap 50

    Button is now 2.7 seconds behind Vettel, and will fancy his chances at closing the gap in the ten laps remaining.

  • 10:50 Lap 51

    Schumacher does stop from fifth place, and he returns to the track with plenty of space to Rosberg.

  • 10:52 Lap 53

    RadioTeam radio to Schumacher: "There are nine laps remaining, you're free to race, but keep it clean."

  • 10:53 Lap 53

    Karthikeyan stops from 16th place, not a particularly inspiring home race for him, but he's ahead of his teammate, which is important.

  • 10:53 Lap 53
    Driver Analysis
    DriverN Rosberg
    TeamMercedes
    Position6
    Started7
    Stops2
    Last lap1:29.386
    Best lap1:28.862
  • 10:54 Lap 54

    Vettel is setting fastest lap after fastest lap, so there's not really much chance of Button catching. The gap is up to 4 seconds now.

  • 10:56 Lap 56
    Inter-Team Battle
    Force India
    Adrian Sutil10th
    Paul di Resta13th
  • 10:57 Lap 56

    Just five laps to go now, it seems unlikely any of the positions will change now.

  • 10:57 Lap 56

    The closest battle is Petrov, less than a second behind Pérez for 11th place.

  • 11:00 Lap 58

    Senna comes into the pits, having to bolt on the harder tyre for the last couple of laps. An odd decision from Renault. He comes out in 12th, behind Petrov.

  • 11:01 Lap 59

    D'Ambrosio also pits from down in 16th place.

  • 11:01 Lap 59

    Two laps to go.

  • 11:02 Lap 59

    Trulli also pits from 19th and last place. All these last minute stops!

  • 11:03 Lap 60

    Meanwhile, Webber set the fastest lap of the race but Vettel beat it before I even managed to see the time. 1:27.457 for Vettel at the moment.

  • 11:03 Lap 60

    Ricciardo also stops from 18th.

  • 11:03 Lap 60

    FInal lap.

  • 11:04 Lap 60

    Chequered flagSebastian Vettel wins the Indian Grand Prix!

  • 11:04

    Jenson Button crosses the line for second, with Alonso completing the podium.

  • 11:05

    Sauber versus Force India - Sutil finishes 9th for Force India, Pérez 10th for Sauber.

  • 11:06

    The marshals are all standing and waving their flags as the drivers complete their cool down lap. One of the flags fell off the end of a marshals pole though! He had to quickly retrieve it.

  • 11:07

    RadioTeam radio from Button: "That was the perfect job for us today, we did an awesome job. Everything was awesome, we've got two more races, let's go and win them."

  • 11:07
    Driver Positions
    PosDriverStops
    10S Vettel2
    22
    J Button2
    30F Alonso2
    4-2M Webber2
    56M Schumacher2
    61N Rosberg2
    7-2L Hamilton3
    82J Alguersuari2
    91A Sutil2
    1010S Pérez2
  • 11:09

    The three cars pull in to their special enclosure. Button waits a moment before climbing out of his car and congratulates Vettel.

  • 11:09
    Race Winner
    DriverSebastian Vettel
    TeamRed Bull
    Race time1:30:35.002
    Race distance307.249km
    Average speed203.513km/h
  • 11:10

    Vettel gives Adrian Newey a big hug, as they make their way past the smiling, clapping ladies up to the podium green room.

  • 11:11

    Button takes a swig of water, and studies the timing screens carefully. Alonso congratulates Vettel, but Button goes in for another hug with the World Champion.

  • 11:12

    The conversation seems to head towards whether it's appropriate to spray the champagne on the podium. Button doesn't seem keen, Vettel may be worried about giving the fans what they have come for. Hard to tell without better microphones!

  • 11:12

    Still, they take to the podium, the flags rise and the National Anthem rings out.

  • 11:13

    No change from before the race in the order.

    Championship Standings
    PosDriverPts
    1Sebastian Vettel374
    2Jenson Button240
    3Fernando Alonso227
    4Mark Webber221
    5Lewis Hamilton202
  • 11:14
    Retirements
    DriverReasonLap
    F MassaSuspension35
    S BuemiSmoky mess26
    P MaldonadoGearbox
    14
    T GlockCollision damage4
    K KobayashiCollision damage1
  • 11:15

    The trophies are lifted, and they are going ahead with the champagne - it's all being sprayed at Vettel.

  • 11:17

    India podiumThere's a Vettel in amongst that spray somewhere. Champaaaagne!

  • 11:18

    Toro Rosso and Sauber sitting on the same points now.

    Championship Standings
    PosDriverPts
    1Red Bull595
    2McLaren442
    3Ferrari325
    4Mercedes145
    5Renault72
    6Force India51
    7Sauber41
    8Toro Rosso41
    9Williams5
  • 11:22

    Press Conference Quotes - Sebastian Vettel: "It was a very good race for us, I enjoyed the time in the lead very much. I had a bit of a fight with Jenson in the distance. Strangely he kept closing in around the pitstops. I was pushing very hard but we seemed to lose a little bit there. On circuit, it was crucial to manage the tyres, make sure you have enough of them left at the end. All in all, it was a very smooth race. I felt even more confident on the hard tyres on the end. Thanks to the whole team, thanks to Renault. To be honest with you, it's a little bit mixed emotions. On the one hand I'm very, very happy, but on the other hand, looking back at last weekend, we lost two of our mates. Our thoughts are with them. Yes we are ready to take certain risks when we jump into the car, but we pray that nothing happened. Sometimes you get reminded and it's the last thing you want to see."

  • 11:24

    Press Conference Quotes - Jenson Button "At the last race I really struggled and lost a lot of places so I had to redeem myself here. I had a good start and was up to second by turn four. Then it was just hanging on to Sebastian. He had a good race and didn't make any mistakes. We gained in the pitstops... but as soon as Seb got into a rhythm, I couldn't do anything about it really. All in all, for the team, I think we've done a perfect job really. We couldn't have done anything else. Yesterday was a disaster for me in qualifying, but I think we put it right here. It was a good race, but as Seb said, a tough few weeks in motorsport. Very sad day, also. I think we should dedicate this first Indian race to Dan, and to Marco."

  • 11:25

    Press Conference Quotes - Fernando Alonso: "We didn't make the perfect start today. To be in a very new circuit, and starting on the clean side, I think we didn't have the grip that we were expecting. The other side of the grid was better than us, so we lost a couple of positions there. We raced with Mark until the second pit stop. We were a little bit surprised he decided to stop, we did two extra laps and gained the position. I think as Sebastian and Jenson said, mixed feelings this weekend, with sad days for motorsport with two accidents. We pray for them today and try to go ahead but always remember these two fantastic people."

  • 11:26

    Press Conference Quotes - Sebastian Vettel: "I think we can continue, the car is fantastic, the team is enjoying, and we are a run basically since the beginning of the season. We enjoy every race. You walk in the garage in the morning, you see the guys and they are flat out. They are pushing really hard and there's no sign of getting lazy. We have already achieved a lot this year but we are still hungry. We're not lacking motivation at all. I love what I do, I think we all do, so it's great, and as you said, we don't want this to end."

  • 11:27

    Press Conference Quotes - Jenson Button: "The start off the line didn't feel that good, but there's such low grip off the start line. I was able to get Fernando at turn one. I knew I had to get a good exit at turn three. He covered the inside, did the right thing, but I had enough speed to go round the outside. I had Mark behind me for about eight laps pushing me really hard. Then I was able to pull away, I think he'd damaged his tyres quite a bit. It was a fun race, a little frustrating I couldn't catch up to Seb, but we did a good race, thats the most important thing."

  • 11:28

    Press Conference Quotes - Fernando Alonso: "There was not the grip to brake that late, and I lost a little bit more, so it didn't compromise the race because we weren't able to fight with Sebastian any more. Being second or third at the first lap didn't change the picture of the race. We are not super competitive at this point of the year, but we keep having fantastic podiums. Today, we had a little problem with the front wing on the grid and the mechanics did a fantastic job on the grid before the start lights. "

  • 11:30

    Press Conference Quotes - Sebastian Vettel: "I think what the people did here in a short amount of time, to put up this arena is incredible. There are little bits here and there that aren't finished, but they'll fix that for next year I'm quite sure. I'm very proud to be the first winner here in India, it's a very impressive country. Different to what we know in Europe, but very inspiring... it's a big country, a lot of people. They are very happy here, they enjoy life, and I think in the end, that's what it's all about. If you're life comes to an end it's more the thoughts, the emotions, the friends, the friendships you take with you, more than what you have in your bank account. There's a lot we can learn and it's a great race, a great event, the circuit is fantastic. All in all, it's fantastic, so thanks a lot to India and all the people here."

  • 11:31

    TweetTweet from @antdavidson: Great seeing @JensonButton on the podium wearing his black armband. Dan would've been proud of you today mate. Nice one

  • 11:34

    Interview with Lewis Hamilton: "There's not really much to say is there. A disappointing day, very, very sorry for my team. They worked hard weekend as they always do and they deserved a better result. Obviously, congratulations to Jenson and Sebastian but I don't know what else.

    "We had the one minute silence before the start of the race and me and Felipe were standing next to each other and he hasn't spoken to me since a long, long time. I made the effort, put my arm around him, and just said good luck for the race. But in the race, I tried to overtake, I tried to come out of it because it didn't look like he was going to give me any space and we collided. But again, just really, really sorry for my team.

    "I had some vibrations in all the right handers, it felt as if the floor was scraping on the floor. I had very poor performance, I was pushing as hard as I could, just didn't have the pace of anyone really. But the car was fine so maybe it was just me.

    "I'll fly back and try to get my head back in the game. The Indians did a fantastic job this week, the track was great and we've been treated really, really well this week. We've been treated like Kings and I'm grateful for that."

  • 11:35

    Er, sorry about the crush. It was close between Alonso and Webber.

    Gap Analysis
    PosDriverGap
    1stVET1:27.249
    2ndBUT+8.4
    3rdALO+24.3
    4thWEB+25.5
  • 11:39

    Interview with Narain Karthikeyan: "I was happy to finish the race. I was running pretty comfortably, beat my teammate, and a green Lotus, I think. I lost out at the start, but nevertheless, it was what I had, and I had to finish.

    "I made my debut in 2005, and then Force India came in, now this Grand Prix, so, a lot of corporate support. There was a lot of crowd out there today, and motorsport is on a high right now in India.

    "I think all our neighbours, China, Malaysia and so on, we're competing with them for our economy, so having a high profile event like this gives us a boost which is very important these days. We're a country of a billion, we're passionate people, it's fantastic for Formula One to come here and for India to support this event."

  • 11:40

    TweetTweet from @InsideFerrari: So mixed feeling at the end of this race. A good podium for Fernando, a very unlucky race for Felipe, who could have fought for the same position as well.

  • 11:50

    Michael Schumacher: "It just worked out perfectly to plan. My plan was not to use any KERS during the first two corners and save it all for the long straight. It worked out perfectly well. In the important moment, I was there to catch the important positions. Just planned my race carefully, there was no need to run so close to Nico and destroy my tyres. So just drove my pace that I knew my tyres could handle for the whole distance and that worked out nicely. Have to say, the guys I'm working with, we have a lot of experience together, and it was nice to sort out the car for the race and have really nice balance.

    "Normally the guy who pits first has the advantage because they can take the fresher tyres earlier. Here it was slightly different, in as far as I had my tyres in such good shape, even by the end, that I was able to manage to pull a gap and that is not normally the case. So, I don't think it was a strategy advantage, it was just managing and setting up the car to the right stop.

    "I have a big compliment to make, if you imagine that these guys do that job for the first time, I'm pretty sure things have been difficult, but it worked out perfectly fine. The circuit is a great challenge but it's nature is good spectacle for overtaking, good challenge for us, very much in order, and just a big compliment to make."

  • 11:51

    Michael claws one back from a season where he has so far been outshone by Rosberg.

    Race Battle
    MercedesFinished Ahead
    Nico Rosberg10
    Michael Schumacher7
  • 11:55

    Interview with Paul di Resta: "I think we maybe underestimated tyre wear. We went for a fairly aggressive start on the hards, it was always the plan to come in, in the hopes of a safety car, given it was a new track and how slippy it was off line. It probably was a big risk, but one worth taking because if it had worked out, you would have basically gained a pitstop and done the race on three sets of softs, which was the quickest way. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. The other guys around us were able to do two stops, their tyre wear was better, and that was it really. But where we were on track, we were reasonably quite quick but too much time in the pits.

    "I think the Grand Prix has been successful, it's not been so successful for me. The nice thing is that Adrian's got ninth place, and the two points you get for that is obviously valuable for us in the constructor's championship and that was always the aim with the way we split the strategies, in terms of my car and his car in the race."

  • 11:55
    2011 Race Wins
    PosDriverTotal
    1Sebastian Vettel11
    2Jenson Button3
    3Lewis Hamilton2
    4Fernando Alonso1
  • 12:00

    Interview with Christian Horner: "That race was quite an intense one on the pitwall, it looked comfortable but obviously with the DRS and that hard tyre, not knowing how slow or fast it was going to be at the end. It was all about managing the gaps and getting the pit stops at the right time, and Sebastian's been so good at that all year. He was just inch perfect today."

  • 12:01

    Interview with Martin Whitmarsh: "I couldn't tell you what my emotions are live on TV, but disappointed obviously. I think the stewards made a decision, it's a shame these two do seem to be magnetic, but he turned in and he knew he was there. Lewis didn't have a chance. I'm sure others will try and interpret it differently but it's quite clear."

  • 12:04

    That about sums up the racing action for today. It was an interesting Grand Prix - hectic to start with and then tailing off to an anti-climactic end.

  • 12:04

    The drivers championship battle that is still ongoing did not change at all, Button is on top form, Webber still has work to do, Hamilton seemed demotivated once more.

  • 12:05

    Karthikeyan finished ahead of his teammate, which was all you could ask of him, really. Trulli finished in last place - I wonder if Karun Chandhok would have done better/worse?

  • 12:05

    Quite a few retirements, and it seems like reliability issues are starting to kick in now we're near the end of the season.

  • 12:06

    Nothing of the sort for Sebastian Vettel though, who took a dominant win from pole, and set the fastest lap. With just two races to go, can anyone stop his incredible run of form?

  • 12:06

    The next race is Abu Dhabi in two weeks time, so I hope you'll join me back here for the fun and games in the Middle East.

  • 12:07

    Meanwhile, stay tuned to Sidepodcast and F1Minute for all the news and reaction from India.

  • 12:07

    It's been fun, fact fans, talk to you soon.

All content in the series India 2011