By Ros Satar
F1 Spanish Grand Prix
Alonso (ESP) 1, Raikonnen (FIN) 2, Massa (BRA)
Di Resta (GBR) 7, Button (GBR) 8, Hamilton (GBR) 12, Chilton (19)
As the Grand Prix moved to Europe, Ferrari ruled the roost as Fernando Alonso won his home GP, with Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) second, and Felipe Massa third.
The top three plus Sebastian Vettel were pulling away from the pack from Lap 17, although Vettel was passed by the Finn in a nifty manoeuvre at Lap 34 as he was closing in on Massa.
Force India’s Paul di Resta finished top of the Britons, moving up from 10th to 7th.
Jenson Button overtook a very frustrated Lewis Hamilton to move from 14th place on the grid to 8th with Hamilton and Max Chilton finishing outside the points in 12th and 19th respectively.
For Mercedes (and Hamilton) in particular, they might have felt hard done by, as they had been quick in practice and sorting out pole and 2nd on the grid between them.
Despite a decent start, Hamilton found himself overtaken by Alonso in the first lap.
But early in the race, the Mercedes floundered as the Ferraris took up the lead positions, as the Mercedes drivers went backwards.
Things were no better for Button who initially slipped from 14th to 17th in the first three laps.
He found himself later battling former teammate Hamilton over 13th place, before advancing up the order into the points, staying ahead of teammate Sergio Perez for valuable points.
Paul di Resta had the most consistent day of the top Brits, moving up from his start position of 10th, and could not quite find a way around Nico Rosberg at the final lap.
A subdued Hamilton acknowledged that Mercedes have a lot of work to do, to explain why both drivers finished so poorly, his fall down the board being the most spectacular (2nd to 12th).
Button also felt that the situation was not improving for McLaren, but was happy to finish in the points at all.
The action returns on the 23rd-26th May, in Monte Carlo.
Picture Credit: Formula1.com PC Downloads