Five drivers are in contention for the driver's title in what has so far been a very close season (Action images)After the debacle of the German grand prix a week before, last Sunday's Hungarian race served up an electic mix of driving. We saw the fast precisional handling of eventual race winner Mark Webber, Adrian Sutil ramming into Robert Kubica in the pitlane, Michael Schumacher fiercely defending 10th place against former team-mate Rubens Barrichello in an overly aggressive manner to the point he could have endangered both their lives (as if the sport wasn't dangerous enough in the first place), and Sebastian Vettel 'sleeping' at the wheel of his Red Bull R6. A surprisingly entertaining race given the limited opportunities of overtaking, and a result that pushes the drivers' title race to an intriguing scenario.
Despite Webber's almost faultless drive at the Hungaroring, it should be said that he was quite fortuitous after capitalising on his team-mate Vettel's mistake during a safety car period. A period in which all but three drivers, including Webber, made their pitstops, Kubica was accidently released in front of an incoming Force India Adrian Sutil. Moments later, Nico Rosberg's tyre was seen bouncing around in front of a raft of mechanics when his wheel flailed off when he was released for his tyre change. While Webber did not stop, Vettel did after his 12 second lead had vanished. When the safety car was heading for the pits for the resumption of the race, Vettel was caught out and distanced himself from Webber of more than 10-car lengths - prohibited in the FIA rulebook. Vettel was soon given a stop-go penalty, costing his chance of race victory, and opened the door for Webber for his fourth victory of the season.
Red Bull were, during the whole weekend, over a second clear of their main rivals Ferrari and McLaren. Their pace was evident in the race as Webber churned out fastest lap times after another to distance himself from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who was holding up Vettel, to the point that when the Australian stopped for new tyres, he returned in front of Alonso. It was a great drive, and of the reasons why he is a key protagonist for the drivers' title.
Of other title contenders to note, McLaren had a disastrous weekend. While Ferrari maximised their opportunity to earn invaluable points knowing they weere never in realistic contention to challenge for victory, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button endured a painful day in a damage-limitation exercise. The two, who occupied the World Championship before Hungary, have had an uncompetitive car since Hamilton last won in Turkey in a McLaren one-two. Since then, they have complaining in front of BBC cameras that Red Bull's front wing is illegal, with the argument based around the fact that the wing flexes, or moves, under braking when rules state car components should all be stable. Despite this, their car has been consistently approved by the FIA, so unless otherwise, McLaren cannot do much about it.
Whether Formula 1 fans like it or not, what Massa did in Germany has reinvigorated his teammate Alonso's title push. After winning in Germany the Spanaird posted a strong result in Hungary and is now within a race victory of leading the championship. Incredible given a poor season for the Prancing Horse beset by strange decisions by management, poor pace in qualifying, and slower development of this year's F10. When Alonso won this year's opening race in Bahrain, many tipped him as favourite, including myself, but Massa and Alonso have been frustrated by a lack of ultimate pace, especially in qualifying as they look to usurp the Red Bulls laying on the front row on Saturdays.
As the season heads towards its climax, there will be more twists and spills yet. If Massa can overcome his problems running competitively on prime (hard) tyres, then he could be a factor in helping Alonso while the Red Bull and McLaren drivers look to assert themselves as its true leader.
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