What I enjoyed in Formula 1 2011

2011 is only hours away from being left in the past, so I’m going to take this opportunity to tell you some of my best parts of the Formula 1 year.

Nothing quite beats seeing these carbon fibre machines of beauty hurtling through a corner just metre’s away from you. Silverstone in July is such a wonderful place to be. The sight of these cars with their pilots strapped into the middle of them is always breath taking; the noise that vibrates straight through you is compelling; fantastic.

Canada has to deserve a mention. The dramatic rain storm that flooded the track and enabled the BBC commentators to indulge in a spot of bird watching, through to the last lap pass of Sebastian Vettel that left Jenson Button in the lead of the race having at one point been last, it was a truly amazing race.

Germany and Hungary were other frenetic races, although I particularly enjoyed Monaco and Italy as well. In fact despite Vettel dominating the year, the majority of the races were still very exciting to watch, it wasn’t often that he completely disappeared into the distance.

There was some fantastic passing including Mark Webber on Fernando Alonso in Belgium coming up to Eau Rouge, but my favourite pass of the year was again on Alonso, but this time executed by Vettel in Italy.

In to the Curve Grande Vettel was on the back of the Ferrari, he moved to the left taking the outside line. Alonso held firm giving him just enough room but pushing nearer the grass than was comfortable. Vettel didn’t lift, he used the grass, dirt kicking up in the air and now he had the inside line for the next chicane and he was through, a truly sensational move.

DRS made passing sometimes seem too easy but overall that, and the reintroduction of KERS can only be considered a good thing. All the drivers have it, as David Coulthard has said, it is just another tool for a driver to utilise just like the whole of the car is.

Perhaps more significant were Pirelli who re-entered the sport in 2011. Their tyres with their variable degradation brightened the sport no end, with various strategy options available to the teams, Pirelli more than any other factor made the races truly exciting.

It was great to see Michael Schumacher showing he’s still has what it takes on occasion. His drive in Canada was a particular highlight where he so nearly made the podium, and his fight with Lewis Hamilton in Italy made the hairs stand on end. He bent the rules, but he didn’t break them, it was an exhilarating fight. Now if he can find the pace in qualifying he could be a major force again.

The announcement that Kimi Raikkonen is returning for next season with Lotus (formally Renault) has left 2011 with added excitement for the future.

Of course there were some moments to remember for bad reasons. Robert Kubica’s rally crash which almost severed his right arm and which he is still recovering from reduced Renaults potency straight away despite two early podiums for the team.

Bahrain was a blight on the sport’s name, and the arguments about budgets at FOTA have taken the teams off an equal footing too. The UK losing live free to air coverage also wasn’t appreciated by many, the BBC now sharing coverage with Sky.

Lewis Hamilton’s mind denied us a sustained championship attack. His car lacked pace and his frustration grew, but if there is a driver that can make a slower car win its Lewis. With more consistency, Vettel may not have sewn the title up so quickly.

Ferrari denied a sustained Alonso challenge, but Alonso was brilliant for most of the year, Massa sadly was not, can’t help but think he’s not been the same since his 2009 accident.

Back to the good things and Jenson Button was the true revelation. Yes, I know he’s already a World Champion, but this year it seemed like he stepped up a gear.

They’ll be many moments that I’ve missed but I have to end with Sebastian Vettel; no one reached the gear he was in, supreme throughout the year. He was the only one who understood the new Pirelli tyres immediately, his pole laps were some of the great moments of the year and his opening laps were on the edge. In all the greatest moment was Sebastian Vettel’s entire year, fantastic driving.