With rain falling just moments after the start, the European Grand Prix from the Nürburgring was destined to be an exciting race. Unfortunately it would not be the race Ferrari had hoped for. Despite a strong start which saw Raikkonen lead from pole and Massa steal second from Alonso, all would not be well for the Scuderia as the sky unleashed a torrential downpour on the German circuit.
As soon as the race was underway, cars began to collide with each other and fly of the track. It was clear that rain was on the way. Indeed it was as monsoon like conditions began, especially at turn one. It was immediately decided to bring both Massa and Raikkonen into the pits for wet weather tyres. This would have been a disadvantage for Massa, having to stack up and wait for Raikkonen to finish his stop. However, the track was so wet, Kimi slid off the pit lane entry and was forced to continue for another lap with dry weather tyres. This was a disaster for Raikkonen, who would soon be lapped on his way back to the pits.
Soon turn one turned into a swimming pool, with the water being so deep that the cars literally floated on top of the track. This would prove to be the demise of several drivers who ended up in the gravel trap. The race would suitably be red-flagged at this point. A sensible decision which could have come a bit sooner.
The cars would then line up on the red-flag grid, with Massa in second behind the ever so clever Spyker team car of Marcus Winkelhock. This was by virtue of Spyker's decision to start the German from the pit lane with wet weather tyres. Raikkonen, who was no longer a lap down, would restart seventh. Winkelhock would of course drop back, something which would have happened regardless of the team's choice to bank on more rain and keep the car on wet weather tyres.
Raikkonen worked his way up to third soon after the restart and looked certain to steal second place, if not the lead. Unfortunately for the Finn, retirement struck in the form of a hydraulic failure. Trouble would also hit Massa as the sky once again opened up and the track was hit with a far less intense blast of rain.
Massa, who had lead from Alonso since the restart, would have difficulty keeping the car under control in the changing conditions. This meant that Fernando could close up on the Brazilian. Eventually and with a bit of wheel on bodywork contact, Alonso was through.
The order would remain the same, with Alonso first ahead of Massa and Webber. Followed by Wurz, Coulthard, Heidfeld, Kubica and Kovalainen in the final points paying positions. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton had a dreadful weekend but recovered well from his misfortunes to miss out on the final point and finish ninth.
Driver reactions and wallpapers to follow soon. So be sure to check back with Ferrari 1.
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