Formula One news

15 seconds of fame for Winkelhock

Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula 1 Team's Markus Winkelhock enjoyed a sensational Formula 1 debut today at the European Grand Prix. As rain fell seconds into the parade lap, an inspired decision to change him to wet tyres in the pit lane for the start saw the 27-year-old take the lead. As the rain worsened minutes into the race, Winkelhock changed to extreme wet Bridgestone Potenzas and extended his lead over the second-placed Ferrari of Massa to more than 30secs. In unprecedented scenes, a Spyker led a Grand Prix for the first time.

With more rain falling, the safety car was brought out and the race was eventually red flagged to allow the worst of the weather to pass. However, as the track dried after the restart Winkelhock struggled to keep his lead and dropped down the field. He kept pace with the tail end of the group until a suspected hydraulic failure brought his first-ever race to a premature end.

Adrian Sutil was one of several drivers to fall foul of the slippery first corner in the monsoon-like conditions at the start. The 24-year-old German slid into a tyre barrier and out of the race on lap two.

Adrian Sutil said: "I couldn't hold the car on the wet track and I was just a passenger in the hairpin. So many people went off there, it was incredible. I just braked and lost the rear and that was it. It was a hard impact, but I'm alright, just disappointed. We just have to hope that the next time will be better."

Markus Winkelhock commented: "First of all I have to say thanks to the team for letting me start my first Grand Prix at my home race. Also thanks for the good decision to go into the pits to change tyres before the start. Starting on wet tyres was a really fantastic decision and that's the reason why I was leading my first Formula 1 race. To lead a Formula 1 race is something nobody can take away from you - you have it for your whole life. I am really happy about it - I was leading my home Grand Prix! Unfortunately then we had a hydraulic problem and I had to stop. The target for me was to finish, but I know that not getting there was not down to me, so I am really pleased with what I achieved."

more news

• 09 Jul.
  • Reliable start for Renault
• 08 Jul.
  • Toyota happy with first day
  • Productive day for Force India
  • Hamilton fastest at Hockenheim
  • Coulthard prefers Vettel as his successor
  • McLaren introduces shark fin
  • Team begin three-day test at Hockenheim
  • Photos: Tuesday in Hockenheim
  • Di Montezemolo: No more mistakes!
• 07 Jul.
  • Hockenheim expects to be sold out
  • Ecclestone: Donington is Britain's last chance
  • Hamilton to join DTM event at Brands Hatch
  • Whitmarsh impressed by Hamilton's cool performance
  • Brawn: Rubens could have finished second
  • Ferrari: A race to forget as quickly as possible
• 06 Jul.
  • Raikkonen: We could have won
  • Disappointing result for Piquet
  • Dennis: Lewis mastered the treacherous conditions
  • Kovalainen faced difficult race
  • Hamilton's toughest and best race
  • Mixed feelings at BMW Sauber
  • Hamilton dominates home Grand Prix
  • Photos: Sunday at Silverstone
  • Donington will be renovated in time for British Grand Prix
  • Dennis: Kovalainen's pole well deserved
  • Button prays for rain
  • Horner enjoys team's first front row
• 05 Jul.
  • Coulthard disappointed with eleventh
  • Fisichella missed out on Q2
  • Difficult qualifying session for Williams
  • Webber surprised to be in front row
  • Toyota missed out on top ten
  • Maiden pole position for Kovalainen
  • Live: British Grand Prix 1st free practice
  • Frank Williams glad British Grand Prix is saved
  • Alonso fastest at drying track
  • Photos: Saturday at Silverstone
• 04 Jul.
  • Alonso's engine problem didn't surprise the team
  • Photos: Friday at Silverstone
  • McLaren drivers happy with first day at Silverstone

Homepage