The 2009 European Grand Prix in Valencia starts in 23 minutes. Weather conditions are sunny and warm
1:46
Lewis Hamilton starts from Pole with Heikki Kovalainen alongside him Rubens Barrichello starts from 3rd with Sebastian Vettel alongside him Jenson Button starts from 5th with Kimi Raikkonen alongside him And Nico Roberg starts from 7th with Fernndo Alonso alongside him
1:51
10 minutes to formation lap
1:57
Air temperature at 31 degrees while track temperature at 43 degrees Formation lap in 3 minutes
1:59
Of the top 4 cars on the grid, Barrichello is heaviest so he is in a good position provided he has a good start
2:00
Formation lap underway
2:01
Hamilton and Kovalainen are on the super softs, Vettel on the soft
2:03
Barrichello, Button, Rosberg and Alonso are on softs too. Hamilton back on the starting grid
2:03
Lights
2:04
Hamilton leads Kovalainen and Barrichello. Raikkonen up into 4th
2:05
Button had a poor start and is down in 8th
2:06
Grosjean pits for a new wing - unfortunate for the rookie
2:06
Glock and Buemi also pit
2:07
Order after lap 2: Hamilton, Kovalainen, Barrichello, Raikkonen, Vettel, Rosberg, Alonso and Button
2:10
Hamilton leads Kovalainen by 2.6 seconds at the end of the 4th lap
2:13
Webber gets ahead of Button for 8th
2:14
Order after 6 laps: Hamilton, Kovalainen, Barrichello, Raikkonen, Vettel, Rosberg, Alonso and Webber
2:15
Hamilton is now 4 seconds ahead of Kovalainen
2:16
It is reported that Button had to give Webber a place for crossing a chicane
2:19
Badoer is 17th after having a good start but spinning and losing all that gain. 3 drivers who pitted early are catching him quick
2:20
Grosjean who is in 18th after a stop goes sideways but manages to recover!
2:22
Fastest lap so far is 1:39.810 by Hamilton
2:24
Order after 12 laps: Hamilton, Kovalainen (+6.3), Barrichello (+8.1), Raikkonen, Vettel, Rosberg, Alonso, Webber, Button and Kubica
2:24
[Comment From Patrick ] What is the fuel load difference between Hamilton and Kovalainen?
[Ed] 1 lap
2:27
Hamilton pushing again, a 1:39.455
2:29
Barrichello now closing in on Kovalainen
2:30
McLaren ready for Hamilton
2:30
Hamilton pits
2:31
Vettel and Kubica also pit
2:31
Hamilton rejoins behind Alonso
2:32
Vettel having refuelling problems and will have to pit again! Kovalainen pits
2:32
Alonso pits too
2:33
Vettel pits again - Very unfortunate for him
2:34
Barrichello pushing with a 1:39.427
2:34
Lap 18 and Barrichello leads Raikkonen and Rosberg but they all have to stop
2:35
Raikkonen pits. Vettel down in 16th after having to stop twice!
2:37
Button also pits. Barrichello continues to push and should jump Kovalainen
2:38
Barrichello pits and so does Rosberg and Webber. Barrichello rejoins just behind Hamilton!
2:42
Heidfeld and Sutil make their first stops
2:42
Order on lap 22: Hamilton, Barrichello (+3.4), Kovalainen, Raikkonen, Rosberg, Alonso, Webber and Fisichella
2:43
Vettel retires. Another engine failure
2:44
Strange that all the Renault engine problems seem to happen with Vettel!!
2:46
Hamilton, Barrichello and Kovalainen are setting very similar lap times at this stage of the race
2:48
Hamilton leads Barrichello on lap 26 by 4 seconds
2:49
Fisichella, Nakajima, Trulli and Badoer have yet to make their first stop
2:50
Closest fights at the moment: Kubica and Sutil for 11th - Gap just 0.6 seconds
2:52
Barrichello staying with Hamilton. It will all depend on how long Barrichello will stay out after Hamilton pits
2:53
Badoer and Grosjean pit together and exit together but Badoer for some reason lets Grosjean through & may have gone over the white line
2:54
Hamilton and Barrichello matching lap times. Gap remains at 4.1 seconds
2:57
Fisichella makes his first pit stop. Only Trullu yet to make a stop
2:57
Drive through penalty for Badoer for crossing the white line!
3:00
Order on lap 33: Hamilton, Barrichello (+4.1), Kovalainen (+9.7), Raikkonen, Rosberg, Alonso, Webber, Button, Kubica and Sutil
3:01
Barrichello sets the fastest lap of the race so far with a 1:39.421
3:01
Trulli finally pits!
3:04
Spin by Badoer
3:05
Barrichello closes the gap to Hamilton to 3.6 seconds
3:06
Hamilton pits and the team didn't have the tyres ready!!
3:08
Hamilton rejoins behind Rosberg! Replay shows the front tyres were not ready! Very strange error from McLaren
3:10
Nakajima has a puncture
3:10
Nakajima is limping back to the pits
3:11
Barrichello pits
3:11
Barrichello rejoins ahead of Hamilton
3:12
Nakajima makes it back to the pits
3:14
Raikkonen has managed to get ahead of Kovalainen through the pit stops
3:15
Alonso and Button make their final stops
3:16
Rosberg makes his stop
3:16
Webber also pits
3:17
Button gets ahead of Webber through the pit stops despite stopping earlier!
3:18
Buemi has a brake failure, he spins and stops!
3:20
With all the scheduled stops completed, it is Barrichello from Hamilton and Raikkonen. Kovalainen, Rosberg, Alonso, Button and Kubica
3:22
Button flying and just set the fastest lap time so far with a 1:38.874
3:25
Button in 7th is catching Alonso who is catching Rosberg! 9 laps to go
3:28
At this pace, Button will catch Alonso but will he have enough time to try and pass
3:31
6 laps to go and the order is: Barrichello, Hamilton, Raikkonen, Kovalainen, Rosberg, Alonso, Button, Kubica, Webber and Sutil
3:33
Button has a slow lap
3:34
Looks like Button is dropping his pace
3:36
Button continues to go slow but the gap to Kubica is over 6 seconds
3:37
Kubica is pushing hard trying to catch Button. 5 seconds in 2 laps, not possible really
3:38
Glock sets the fastest lap of the race with a 1:38.683 - He is 14th Stange!
3:38
Barrichello on his final lap
3:39
And Barrichello wins the European Grand Prix ahead of Hamilton and Raikkonen
3:40
Kovalainen, Rosberg, Alonso, Button and Kubica make the top 8
3:41
Barrichello emotional on the radio after winning the European Grand Prix
3:43
This is Barrichello's 10th win in his career and his first since China 2004
3:49
It is 2 from 2 for Brazilians at the Valencia circuit
3:50
[Comment From pritam ] want to know about forceindia
[Ed]Sutil 10th, Fisichella 12th
3:52
Barrichello moves into second in the Championship. He is 18 points behind Button
3:53
Webber is 3rd a further 2.5 points behind with Vettel in 4th. Neither Red Bull driver scored points today
3:55
The new drivers finished 15th, 16th and 17th (Grosjean, Alguersuari, Badoer)
4:04
A reminder that the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa is next weekend
4:05
[Comment From Alex ] appauling race from Badoer
[Ed] One wonders if Ferrari should give him another chance next weekend!
4:09
[Comment From Alex ] this is true but ferrari are not bringing upgrades to the car for the rest of the season and will they pay more for a better driver? their season is written off... can barrichello win the championship?
[Ed] They were going to put Michael Schumacher in that car so I doubt money is an issue plus there is Gene.
Rubens can but he needs to race like he did today for the next 6 races and Button has to stumble
4:14
[Comment From Alex ] i suppose you are right but ferrari have written off this season.. and puttin micheal schumacher in the ferrari would of brung great publicity to ferrari and he is an outstanding driver, hmm i would like to see barrichello win it. this season has been very interesting to say the least
[Ed] Certainly and lets hope it goes down to the wire
4:16
[Comment From Alex ] lets hope so and thanks for the brilliant commentry & updates keep up the good work until next week bye for now
[Ed] Cheers ;-)
5:15
Vote for your driver of the day and give us your thoughts on the race here
Qualifying for the European Grand Prix in Valencia starting in 8 minutes
1:56
It is hot at Valencia. Air temperature is at 29 degrees while track temperature is at 44 degrees
1:57
Adrian Sutil was fastest this morning ahead of Kazuki Nakajima in a shortened sesson due a mechanical failure on Vettel's car
2:00
Session underway!
2:00
Badoer and Sutil are out straight away
2:01
More drivers follow
2:02
Badoer starts his first timed lap
2:02
10 cars on the track at this stage
2:04
Badoer is on the super softs and sets a 1:42.957
2:04
Now all the drivers are on the track except Hamilton and Alonso
2:04
Sutil now fastest with a 1:41.222
2:05
Alguersuari is in second!
2:06
Buemi now fastest ahead of Raikkonen and Nakajima
2:07
Kovalainen is fastest with a 1:39.997
2:07
Grosjean misses a turn but recovers
2:08
Raikkonen now fastest with a 1:39.718. Badoer is 17th! Alonso the only driver yet to go out
2:08
Hamilton too misses a turn but recovers
2:09
Current order is Kovalainen from Vettel and Raikkonen
2:10
Rosberg fastest with a 1:39.416
2:10
Alonso on the track
2:11
Hamilton goes fastest with a 1:39.198
2:12
Barrichello now quickest ahead of Kovalainen and Hamilton
2:13
Hamilton goes fastest with a 1:38.649
2:13
Alonso moves into 8th
2:14
An update on Badoer, he is 20th and nearly a second slower than 19th placed Trulli
2:15
Grosjean on the super softs jumps into 4th! Impressive again from the rookie
2:17
Under 4 minutes remain and the order is Hamilton, Barrichello, Kovalainen, Grosjean, Rosberg, Sutil, Fisichella, Buemi, Alonso & Vettel
2:17
Nakajima stops! He was 13th
2:18
Button fastest in S1! This looks set to be a very tight qualifying!
2:18
Webber up into 5th
2:19
Button in 4th
2:20
Q1 over but drivers still on flyers!
2:20
Only Hamilton and Grosjean in the pits. Grosjean could drop!
2:21
Button fastest with a 1:38.531
2:23
Top 10 at the end of Q1: Button, Hamilton, Kubica, Kovalainen, Raikkonen, Buemi, Webber, Barrichello, Heidfeld and Rosberg
2:24
Knocked out: Fisichella, Nakajima, Trulli, Alguersuari and Badoer
2:25
Badoer's time was a 1:41.413. Nearly 3 seconds off the pace
2:26
Q2 about to start and the track temperature is up to 47 degrees
2:27
Q2 underway and Raikkonen is out straight away
2:29
More drivers go out this session
2:29
Grosjean has made Q2 on his first attempt - Well done
2:30
Everyone on the track except for the 2 Renaults
2:31
Raikkonen sets a 1:38.823
2:31
Button from Barrichello and Raikkonen now
2:32
Kovalainen fastest with a 1:38.579. Barrichello quick
2:33
Barrichello fastest with a 1:38.231, Rosberg in second
2:33
Hamilton quickest with a 1:38.182
2:34
Alonso finally leaves the garage with 8 minutes remaining
2:36
Current order: Hamilton, Barrichello, Kovalainen, Rosberg, Button, Webber, Vettel, Kubica, Raikkonen and Heidfeld
2:37
Alonso moves into 11 and Grosjean 12th
2:40
Everyone except Hamilton is on the track
2:41
Vettel up into 3rd
2:43
Session over awaiting final laps
2:44
Barrichello fastest. Alonso just makes it on his final lap
2:45
Order at the end of Q2: Barrichello, Hamilton, Kovalainen, Vettel, Rosberg, Button, Webber, Alonso, Kubica and Raikkonen
2:45
Knocked out: Heidfeld, Sutil, Glock, Grosjean and Buemi
2:48
Final qualifying session about to start. Track temperature is at 46 degrees
2:50
Session underway and Kovalainen and Kubica are the first out
2:51
More drivers follow. Of course we don't know the fuel loads for each car in this session
2:52
All the cars are on the track now
2:53
Hamilton on a very quick S1
2:54
A 1:39.498 for Hamilton
2:54
Raikkonen in second and Alonso in third
2:55
Button up into second. Barrichello in the pits without setting a time!
2:56
Now everyone on the track for a final shot. Hamilton looking good though
2:57
It is Hamilton from Button and Raikkonen at this stage
2:58
Barrichello and Kovalainen on quick laps
2:59
Kovalainen in second, Barrichello in 3rd
3:00
One more lap to go! Hamilton still fastest
3:00
Session over but waiting final laps! Kovalainen very quick!
3:02
Kovalainen was quickest in S1 and S2 but makes a mistake and remains in second. Hamilton on Pole! Well done
3:04
Top 10: Hamilton on Pole ahead of Kovalainen and Barrichello. Followed by Vettel, Button, Raikkonen, Rosberg, Alonso, Webber and Kubica
3:12
Hamilton, Kovalainen and Barrichello were very close. Wonder who has more fuel though ?
3:14
[Comment From Robert ] Forgot all about it just missed the qualiy damm. Thanks for the updates guys. Track looks difficult to pass on so I'm guessing not much movement in top 10 tomorrow
3:15
Certainly not an easy track to pass on. Fuel loads will be important as well as the start of course
3:16
[Comment From Robert ] Have the weights been announced?
3:16
Not yet, those will be published in a few hours still
3:18
Barrichello hoping he has more fuel than Hamilton
3:19
[Comment From Robert ] Ok thanks. It looks like the fuel and pitstops will be the biggest part in the race tomorrow. I'll be interested to see the weights of Hamilton. I guess if he can avoid the mayhem on the first few corners he can build a steady gap by the first round of stops
3:20
The 2 McLaren's have KERS so start should be ok. Only question is fuel load
3:21
[Comment From Robert ] If the temperatures keep up I'm expecting quite a few mechanical failures. It's been a while since temps were this high
3:22
Conditions are expected to remain the same to sunny and hot for the race.
3:24
[Comment From Robert ] Well thats it for coverage from our local TV station. I'll catch you lot tomorrow
Second Friday practice session starting in 5 minutes
1:56
Rubens Barrichello was fastest in th first practice session ahead of Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamiltion. Those thee were separated by less than 0.2 seconds.
1:57
Conditions are much warmer in Valencia with air temperature at 29 degrees while track temperature is at 42 degrees
1:58
Luca Badoer was the slowest of all in the first session and significantly off the pace
2:00
Session underway!
2:00
Buemi is the first out on the track
2:01
Rosberg follows
2:01
More drivers follow including Alguersuari and Badoer
2:04
Buemi sets a 1:43.726
2:05
Webber, Hamilton and Alonso on quick laps!
2:06
Hamilton quickest with a 1:43.214
2:07
Hamilton super quick but spins!
2:08
Hamilton pits as he may have slightly touched the barriers
2:09
Alonso goes fastest with a 1:42.661
2:09
Kovalainen moves into second with a 1:42.768
2:10
Sutil goes fastest with a 1:42.601
2:11
Alonso responds with a very quick lap and a 1:41.861
2:14
Replay shows Barrichello gesturing to Badoer after holding him up
2:15
Rosberg moves into second with a 1:42.310
2:16
Luca Badoer is currently nearly 4.5 seconds off the pace
2:16
Rosberg improves with a 1:42.156
2:18
One has to wonder how patient will Ferrari be with Badoer. He is clearly struggling on the track
2:19
Grosjean who barely driven an F1 car is in 7th
2:22
The gap between Alonso and Grosjean is 0.861. Gap between Raikkonen and Badoer is 2.628 seconds!
2:23
Rosberg just 0.054 seconds off Alonso's time now
2:25
Badoer improves but remains in 20th. Grosjean spins but recovers
2:26
Webber now in 3rd with a 1:41.946
2:28
Badoer up into 19th. He is ahead of Heidfeld
2:29
Barrichello into second just 0.017 off Alonso's time!
2:29
Alonso responds and sets a 1:41.661. Rosberg follows with a 1:41.724
2:31
Nakajima now fastest with a 1:41.651, no it is Rosberg with a 1:41.588!
2:32
Hamilton still in the pits following his spin. He has only completed 3 laps
2:33
Just over 30 minutes into the session and the top 8 are: Rosberg, Nakajima, Alonso, Sutil, Barrichello, Raikkonen, Webber and Button
2:35
Vettel up into second with a 1:41.627
2:36
Currently the top 4 are separated by just 0.073 seconds!
2:38
Button on a quick one!
2:39
Button fastest with a 1:41.534
2:39
Barrichello moves into 3rd with a 1:41.596
2:43
Heidfeld up into second with a 1:41.580
2:45
Rosberg now fastest with a 1:41.394
2:47
Heidfeld goes second with a 1:41.460
2:48
Now Alonso goes fastest with a 1:41.324
2:49
The top 12 are currently separated by just 0.475 seconds!
2:50
Kovalainen is down in 18th having done 13 laps while Hamilton is in 19th and has yet to return to the track following his spin!
2:50
Now it is Barrichello from Trulli as the track continues to improve
2:51
Now Button is fastest with a 1:40.911
2:52
Track temperature is 46 degrees and the Brawns work well under these conditions
2:56
Kovalainen is back on the track and moves up into 11th on the super softs
2:58
Alonso now on the super softs sets the fastest 1st sector!
2:58
And Alonso goes fastest with a 1:40.620
3:01
1 hour into the session and the top 8 are: Alonso, Barrichello, Button, Trulli, Raikkonen, Kovalainen, Rosberg and Heidfeld
3:05
Badoer improves into 19th. Now ahead of Hamilton who only completed 3 laps due to his spin and touch of the barrier
3:06
And now Badoer moves into 18th ahead of Alguersuari
3:13
Wow! ALonso and Heidfeld touch and Heidfeld's car is thrown up into the air! Both are ok! Alonso loses his front wing
3:14
Nakajima goes fastest with a 1:40.503
3:15
Alonso's mechanics are checking his car. It seems that Heidfeld didn't even know Alonso was there!
3:16
Barrichello on a quick one as Heidfeld is shown shaking his head in the pits!
3:16
Barrichello now quickest with a 1:40.209
3:21
10 minutes remain and the top 8 are: Barrichello, Rosberg, Button, Nakajima, Alonso, Trulli, Webber and Glock
3:24
Hamilton remains in the pits after his spin. His touch with the barriers didn't appear too hard at all. Strange that he isn't back out!
3:25
Button up into second with a 1:40.352
3:26
Alonso is back out on the track. Interesting to hear what he and Heidfeld will say after practice!
3:26
And Alonso is determined to go fastest it seems, he just set a 26.3 in S1!
3:27
Alonso is up half a second on Barrichello at S2!
3:27
A 1:39.404 from Alonso!! Where did that come from or is he on fumes ?
3:29
Alonso was going even quicker but he spun! He seems angry!
3:30
Session over! Awaiting final flyers
3:35
Top 10 at the end of the session: Alonso, Button, Barrichello, Rosberg, Nakajima, Sutil, Kubica, Fisichella, Vettel and Kovalainen
3:36
11th to 20th: Raikkonen, Trulli, Grosjean, Webber, Glock, Buemi, Heidfeld, Badoer, Alguersuari and Hamilton
3:38
Rosberg and Raikkonen covered the most number of laps with 39. Hamilton covered just 3 laps due to spinning then touching the barriers
3:39
Alonso is 0.774 seconds ahead of Button in second. Clearly a light fuel run
3:42
Grosjean on his debut seems to have done a good job in 13th. Badoer is 18th having improved a lot in the session and Alquersuari is 19th
2:13
First Friday Practice Session
European Formula One Grand Prix - First Friday Practice
First Friday practice session starting shortly. Air temperature is at 25 degrees while track temperature is at 29 degrees.
9:59
Romain Grosjean replaces Nelson Piquet Jr at Renault while Luca Badoer is temporarily replacing Felipe Massa at Ferrari
10:00
Session underway!
10:00
Vettel heads a stream of cars out on their installation lap
10:01
Luca Badoer is Ferrari's test driver. This will be his first Formula 1 race since the Japanese Grand Prix back in 1999!
10:05
Nick Heidfeld completes 2 installation laps. The 2 Brawn drivers and Trulli have yet to go out
10:09
Chistian Horner confirms again that both Webber and Vettel are getting equal treatement and will continue this way until it isn't mathematically possible for one driver to win the title
10:09
Barrichello on the track now. Trulli yet to make it out
10:13
Trulli makes it on the track now. Barrichello back in the pits after his installation lap
10:14
Alguersuari returns to the track for a timed run
10:15
Rosberg isn't giving anything away regarding his plans for 2010
10:16
Sebastien Buemi on the track as well
10:18
Alguersuari sets a 1:50.229, the first time set today
10:18
Buemi sets a 1:46.458
10:20
Hamilton on the track
10:20
Kovalainen will be testing a new front wing today
10:21
Buemi improves with a 1:44.998. Alguersuari improves with a 1:46.844
10:23
Of course the times will improve significantly as the track gets more grip
10:23
Grosjean on the track now
10:25
More drivers on the track now as Grosjean sets a 1:47.089
10:26
For reference, the pole time last year at Valencia was a 1:38.898
10:28
Trulli goes second with a 1:46.051
10:30
Now Glock goes fastest with a 1:44.812
10:33
Order after 30 minutes: Glock, Buemi, Grosjean, Trulli, Alguersuari and Badoer
10:35
Rosberg goes to the top of the timesheets with a 1:44.468
10:36
Badoer isn't quck at this stage. He is nearly 4 seconds off the pace!
10:37
Nakajima fastest with a 1:44.084
10:38
Raikkonen up into 3rd with a 1:44.286
10:39
Alonso very quick in the middle sector
10:40
Alonso fastest with a 1:43.413!
10:45
Badoer now moves up a position and is ahead of Alguersuari
10:47
Kubica now up into second with a 1:43.419
10:48
Halfway into the session and the fastest 8 are: Alonso, Kubica, Sutil, Nakajima, Raikkonen, Barrichello, Rosberg and Heidfeld
10:49
Vettel, Button and Kovalainen have yet to set a time although the latter two are on the track now
10:50
Webber goes fastest with a 1:43.243
10:53
Vettel now on the track as Button sets the fastest S1 so far
10:54
Button now fastest with a 1:43.074
10:56
Button pits as Kovalainen returns back to the track
10:58
At this stage the top 11 are separated by less than a second
10:59
Vettel moves into second with a 1:43.227
11:00
Kovalainen in 12th. All drivers have now set lap times
11:01
Vettel improves but remains in second just 0.014 seconds off Button's time
11:02
The newest three drivers occupy the last three positions with Grosjean, Badoer and Alguersuari in 18th, 19th and 20th respectively
11:04
Just under 30 minutes remain and the top 8 are: Button, Vettel, Webber, Alonso, Kubica, Kovalainen, Sutil and Nakajima
11:07
Kovalainen now quickest with a 1:42.762
11:08
It looks like Red Bull, Brawn GP, Renault and McLaren are all strong here
11:09
Now Hamilton jumps into second with a 1:42.996
11:11
Most laps completed so far is 23 by Alguersuari, least laps completed is 5 by Sutil
11:12
Hamilton is quickest now with a 1:42.754
11:14
And now Barrichello goes fastest with a 1:42.460
11:16
Sutil up into 6th with a 1:43.213!
11:17
15 minutes remain and the top 8 are: Barrichello, Hamilton, Kovalainen, Button, Vettel, Sutil, Nakajima and Webber
11:19
Grosjean sets a time close to that of Buemi in 17th. Badoer and Alguersuari are a second slower
11:21
Grosjean moves up into 16th with a 1:44.356
11:25
More activity on the track now with just over 5 minutes to go
11:27
Alguersuari moves into 14th with a 1:43.746
11:27
Kovalainen takes second with with a 1:42.636
11:31
Session over! Still cars on flyers
11:35
First Friday practice top 10: Barrichello, Kovalainen, Hamilton, Button, Vettel, Sutil, Nakajima, Webber, Alonso, Raikkonen
11:40
First Friday practice 11th to 20th: Buemi, Kubica, Alguersuari, Rosberg, Heidfeld, Fisichella, Grosjean, Trulli, Glock, Badoer
11:43
Top 3 separated by under 0.2 seconds. Top 12 separated by under a second. Badoer in 20th is nearly 3.4 seconds off the page
12:26
Race Archive (Coverage of all the sessions from previous events)
