Since the FIA decided that the Mass Dampers were deemed illegal as they are movable, Alonso really struggled to get speed out of the car. The German race was dominated by the Ferraris. Even though Kimi started from the pole and led the early laps, an error on the fuel for qualifying meant that Kimi pitted after 10 laps, and this along with a problem with a rear wheel during the pitstop costing an extra 8 seconds after the fuel was complete meant that he rejoined in 8th place behind Rubens. This severely hampered his fuel strategy.
At the start the Renaults made up places on both the Hondas, but Button retook Alonso in the hairpin on the first lap and then passed Fisichella on the next lap. They ran together like that until Alonso got by Fisi during the pitstops, which was team tactics and they remained like that untill the end eventually getting 5th and 6th after a couple of cars dropped out later in the race.
Yamamoto started from the pitlane after switching from the old chassis to the new one. He had trouble getting started and didn't exit the pitlane until the 3rd lap of the race. He completed 1 lap before a driveshaft failure ended his race. Truili started in 20th after the engine penalty, and pitted for fuel twice with a long first stint. He gained 8 places in the first 3 laps, due mostly to incidents on the opening lap. His fuel strategy worked well for him as he managed to get upto 7th.
Nico Rosberg crashed on the opening lap so another DNF for Williams. Webber was running fantastically with the Bridgestone Tyres. He was running in 3rd the few laps before his pitstops and wasn't to far of the Ferraris laptimes. His race ended with 8 laps remaining due to a water leak. Webber decided not to resign with Williams for next year and so might end up at Renault.
Kimi eventually got 3rd place despite being the only driver on a 3 stop strategy, his teammate de la Rosa retired with a Fuel Pump problem on lap 2.
Villeuve, Ralf and Heidfeld all pitted at the end of lap 1 to repair damage from incidents on that lap. Heidfeld's race ended with Brake problems on lap 9. Villeneuve crashed on lap 30 which was caused by something breaking on the car. Ralf made 9th and was the last driver on the lead lap, after he was able to unlap himself from the Ferraris in the last few laps as they coasted to victory. Rubens had an engine problem on lap 18 and Sato's Gearbox packed up after 38 laps. Both the Midlands were the last runners at the end of the race, but were later disqualified for have the flexi rear wings. Both the Torro Rosso's remained in the midfield throughout the race, eventually finishing 10th and 12th with Coulthard in 11th. Klien took the final points place after starting 12th.
With the Ferrari's 1st and 2nd, the points gap in the drivers championship is down to 11 with 6 remaining races.
The Offical Race Results.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
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