“Hot Rod or Hot Dog” is our regular post-grand prix column where we review all of the driver performances in that race. As part of the process, one driver is declared as Badger’s “Top Dog”; it’s not necessarily the winner and, to be honest, it could be for anything.
It has to be…Alonso
This is a very strange emotion to be feeling when awarding Fernando Alonso BadgerGP’s highest award – the Top Dog trophy. Usually such an award is made begrudgingly and with a lack of feeling. Not so this time. We feel happy, content, even elated. What’s got into us?
Well, to be frank, we watched the race. That’s all it took. After the big sleep of Valencia, Britain was a breath of fresh air.
Alonso’s display was a study in speed and a display of racecraft not often seen. He was calm, collected, decisive and quick – all the things to need to be to win a rain affected race.
Even though he was passed by Hamilton at one point, he stayed with him, didn’t try anything reckless and let the DRS do its job when he passed him back. After Hamilton pitted to try to gain an advantage on fresh tyres by using the undercut, Alonso simply went quicker and quicker on his older tyres.
Helped slightly by dodgy pit stops for both Vettel and Webber, he then made good on his pace and took the lead. From then on, he never looked back, pulling out a twenty second advantage. It really was truly brilliant.
On a broader note, it looks as though Ferrari have finally got the better of their car and are beginning to make real progress. It’s probably a case of too little, too late, but we’re just glad they turned up to the party at all.
A strong Ferrari make for good Formula 1. After all, everyone need a pantomime villain.
