Sasha's F1 GP update - 24 May 2009

The Jenni Button show continued through the streets of Monaco yesterday. Brawn Gp’s Button scored his 5th victory out of 6 races this season with an emphatic and disciplined drive through the narrow streets of the principality. His teammate Rubens Barrichello finished second to score the teams 3rd one two this season. Déjà Vu back to 2004 when Ferrari had a similar run. I think Brawn could well re-write the history books this season. They are so strong, so reliable and their drivers know how to do the job. It is immense.

The expected challenge from Red Bull Racing failed to materialise and the best of the rest was actually Ferrari who scored their best result this season. Kimi finished 3rd and Massa fourth for a much needed boost for the Italian marque.

World Champion Lewis Hamilton had a nightmare weekend when he crashed during Qualifying and had to start at the back of the field. Despite a light fuel load, Hamilton could not do anything around the streets of Monaco and also tapped Nick Heidfeld’s BMW during the race. It is the second race in a row that the leading car has lapped the World Champion. Talk is that Lewis is looking for a PR guru to boost his wailing image.

The rest of the point scorers were Red Bull’s Mark Webber, William’s Nico Rosberg, Renault’s Fernando Alonso and a much needed boost for the under pressure Sebastien Bourdais for Toro Rosso.

Although the Monaco GP can be processional due to the nature of the circuit, it still is the most important race on the calendar and the one race that every driver wants to win. Jenson Button is a winner in Monaco now and the title must surely be within his grasp. Just to give you an idea of the Brawn Gp’s performance and reliability. This race saw Jenson Button use the same Mercedes engine for the third race in a row without any problems at all. The drivers are limited to 8 engines for the season. Brawn are only on their 2nd engine. BMW in contrast have used 5 engines already for Robert Kubica.

This week is crunch time for the teams and the FIa to iron out their differences. Late last night, FOTA sent a letter to the FIA’s Max Moseley requesting that next year's regulations be scrapped if the teams are to commit their future to the sport. It is a complicated situation but I am confident that a compromise will be found..perhaps not by the end of this week though.

So, F1 continues and in two weeks the teams will race in Istanbul around one of the most exciting new circuits on the calendar. Can anyone even challenge the Brawn’s let alone beat them... I doubt it but they will give it their all in effort.