Alonso Top as Webber Crashes in Tough Korean Conditions
Fernando Alonso scored his fifth win of the season in Korea, overcoming difficult conditions on a new, already slippery surface. Alonso called conditions “the worst [he’d] ever driven in”, a sentiment his nearest rival Mark Webber must also have felt as he failed to find enough grip in time when exiting a corner, aquaplaning into a wall. Current champion Jenson Button will almost certainly relinquish his crown, failing to score a point down in twelfth, but McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton kept up his challenge on Alonso and Webber with a high-quality second place, splitting the Ferraris on the podium. Sebastian Vettel’s failure to finish compounded a miserable race for Red Bull after looking strongest in qualifying.
Hirohide Hamashima, director of Motorsport Tyre Development for Bridgestone said: “There was so much drama and anticipation today! The delays were frustrating for all but safety is everyone’s primary concern and the visibility was too poor to race. Both the intermediate and wet tyre performed very well and we saw Fernando manage his tyres excellently to maintain good pace right to the finish line. This was Bridgestone’s first and last Korean Grand Prix and I will be proud of the performance of all of our specifications of tyres over the weekend here in Yeongam.”
Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport, continued: “Today we witnessed a great first ever Korean Grand Prix and I am proud of Bridgestone’s contribution. Congratulations to Fernando and Ferrari for their win and also to Lewis for his good charge to second place. Also it is good to see Felipe back on the podium and Michael finish in fourth. This was a tough event and I must praise the FIA, the organisers, officials and marshals at the track as well as the teams for maintaining professionalism throughout. The organisers have done a fantastic job to bring Formula 1 to this new and exciting market and I think many fans here and around the world enjoyed this superb race.”
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