Fight To Cross The Finish

The 2010 season has been one for the record books.  With many trials for each team as well as many triumphs.  I wish to dedicate today's blog to some of those memorable moments.  To the moments that the team and driver would never happen, the moment that they crossed the checkered flag.  With 17 races to date, there is quite a selection to chose from.

At the very top of the list is the most sought after victory lap / checkered flag finish online to date.  Silverstone Grand Prix.  I am sure that as soon as I say those three words, you know what I am talking about.  who could forget everything that lead up to the most unforgettable lap ever.

Home race.  Both the teams drivers in a fantastic position.  Both the drivers in contention for World Driver's Title.  Both has signed contracts to race together in 2011 for the same team. During the third free practice, the most sophisticated piece of equipment failed on one of the two cars.  A piece of equipment that has since cause the team much grief and moral dilemma.  With one of the hardest decisions to make of Red Bull history, the front wing was removed off the one drivers car and placed on the other. 

When qualifier came, whether or not you were a Red Bull fan, or a Mark Webber fan, you rooted for him to place before his team mate.  To finish the race before his team mate.  Seeming to be on the outside of the team, Mark Webber and Ciaron Pilbeam produced the most anticipated pit stop and Podium Win of the season.

Who could forget the Malaysian Grand Prix?  There was a problem with Heikki Kovalainen Lotus T127.  The T127 had suffered from hydraulic issues.  I know that anytime that I take my Kia in for service or repairs that I can expect minimum, an hour of service. I do not under stand how any team can replace a wing in under 30 seconds and even change a tyre in under 5.  And yet we see Lotus work their magic...

The Lotus Mechanics where able to diagnose the problem while the car was still running. They pin pointed the issue and as their drive was making his way back to the pits, they had devised a plan on what exactly need to be done. Quickest lap of the race was 1:37.054 and they knew that they had a big repair.  In about 15 minutes, the team had their man in, fixed and released back out into the race, 9 laps behind the lead, knowing that there was no way that points were an option.  All they hoped for was the checkered flag.  With a valiant effort and a prayer from the fans, they ended the race with a finish.  10 laps back. Not Lotus' best finish, but he still finished...

On not such a high note, we have to pay heed to Felipe Massa at the German Grand Prix.  With reminiscent times of the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix in our minds, it must have taken ever fiber of his being to keep going.  To keep his car in motion, to keep his emotions in check and race to the finish line knowing that no matter how well he ran, no matter how quick he was, there was no way that he could win.  to me, the courage that it it took for that Native Brazilian to stand on the podium in second place shows just how much of a winner Felipe Massa truly is.  It shows us just how much it takes a Formula One driver to fight every human instinct in their body just to finish the race.

As he stood on the podium next to his teammate, you could see the pain in his eyes as he accepted the second place trophy.  Anyone and everyone could see the emotions trying to force their way out of him. 

So, even though only one of these driver's ever took top spot on the podium, the are easily all be considered some of the best finishes of the 2010 season.  I am relatively sure that with the two most important races left for the season, World Driver's Title and World Constructors Title still on the line, we will forget about these men in their trials to triumphs. I just hope that once the hype has died after season, someone will look back and say thank you.  Thank you for every single fight, every single finish and every single race.  I hope that someone will look back once it is all said and done and tell these men how much we respect them.