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606: DEBATE
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By Sam Lyon
**Lap two: **Kimi Raikkonen is crawling all over the back of Rubens Barrichello, who absolutely has to stay on Heikki Kovalainen’s tail in second if his later pit-stop strategy is to pay dividends. Apologies, Jenson Button is eighth, not ninth, but he is already 1.5 seconds off Fernando Alonso, who is only a lap lighter on fuel than the Briton, and 7.5 seconds off Hamilton up front.Lap one: Absolute shocker from Jenson Button! The Brawn GP driver is swamped at Turn One and he drops way back in the field. Complete opposite for Kimi Raikkonen, who storms up from sixth on the grid to fourth, with Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen and Rubens Barrichello holding position. Button is down to ninth after going wide again late in the lap - Luca Badoer is up six places off the grid! The Italian Ferrari replacement might just be making a point here.1303: We are go go go…1259: The drivers are out and about on their installation lap so, lest we forget, a reminder that Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen start from pole, with Rubens Barrichello, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso following behind. Rarely, the start might not be all-important. Keep your eyes peeled.
From friendlyirishmonkey on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56148078)"If McLaren is back in front here and in Spa, then the season is over, Button has won. Red Bull need to be winning and other teams depriving Button of points for anyone to challenge him. Red Bull’s best hope is for someone to take Button out."1253: Ross Brawn on his final thoughts ahead of the race: "My thoughts Just tyres. Making the tyres last. The start will be what it is, but after that it’s all about the tyres. Barrichello has to be within a few seconds of the McLaren front-runners. We’ll then try and pick it up after the first pit stop."BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson in Valencia: "There’s a lot of talk this weekend about Valencia being perhaps the hottest race of the year, even hotter than Bahrain. It’s not - it was 39C there and it’s only low 30s in Spain. But the humidity is much higher, and there is a lot of asphalt here radiating the heat out at you, so it does feel just as hot. Certainly I have been sweating buckets."1250: Another sensational grid-walk from Martin ‘The Legend’ Brundle then, not least when he barged past the Sky interviewer to grab a word with Vettel. Brundle’s name struck firmly off that young lady’s Christmas card list and no mistake. We’re 10 minutes from the start and it would appear most drivers are off-track escaping the Valencia heat right now. There’s more sweat out there than in a boxer’s steam-room at the moment. 1247: Sebastian Vettel, who if he were any more relaxed would be horizontal with a daiquiri in hand, tells BBC One: “It’s going to be a long race. We can only find out our true pace this afternoon. The most important other people are Jenson, Rubens and Mark in terms of the championship.” His Red Bull team boss Christian Horner adds: “We think the option tyres are a bit marginal. It’s going to be an interesting afternoon and we’ll possibly get a pace car at some point.”**1244: Rubens Barrichello on the track: **“I’ve had too many thoughts in the past about Michael (Schumacher) and this and that, so now I’m thinking about me. Of course, I want (Brawn team-mate) Jenson (Button) to do well, but I’d love to win the race today and I think it’s my best chance.”
From RKW - Heart and Pole on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56148078)"Hopefully Robert Kubica will pick up some points today. I can’t see Button finishing in the top five places."1240: Jenson Button, who starts from fifth today, has been talking to BBC about McLaren’s improvement as well, saying: “At times I think it has helped us - like in Hungary - because it meant Red Bull couldn’t close the gap on us too much. However, when we’re quick, it hurts us because they could be preventing us getting valuable wins. Either way, I think it will be very competitive between now and the end of the season between us, McLaren and Red Bull.”**1236: **Off the track, a lot of chat this weekend has surrounded driver movements in 2010.Fernando Alonso’s link with a move to Ferrariis hotter than an F1 driver’s pants, whileHeikki Kovalainen’s seat at McLarenhas appeared about as secure as a banker’s bonus. **McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh **has moved to downplay the latter, though, saying: “Heikki should be secure [at McLaren for next season] if he carries yesterday’s pace into today’s race. As a team, we have two really hungry young drivers. Let’s hope they get through the first corner safely today.”
From Zoe, Birmingham, via text on 81111: “Sam. Snacks. Cold beverages. Chocolate. Nervous twitching helping with tab-switching on PC. What a day. Lewis. Ashes. Footy. Bliss.”
From Pistols_drawn on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56148078)"Hamilton is arguably the most talented driver in F1, has millions stashed in the bank and a beautiful world famous girlfriend. BUT… he is starting to develop a massively thinning barnet! He is human after all."1228: Quality TV on BBC One, with Jake, Eddie Jordan, David Coulthard et al assessing McLaren’s from-nothing return to the front of the grid. Lewis Hamilton is cautiously optimistic, telling the boys: “I’m on the clean side of grid, so hopefully I’ll have a better start than those on left. It’s a drag race with Heikki down to the corner and he generally has very good starts. We have quite a good relationship and understanding and we want to finish together as a team. It would be the first one-two we’ve had as team-mates.”
From 20ledge-kb on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56148078)"If Rubens starts well, stays ahead of Vettel, and keeps up with the McLarens 'til the first pit stops, the race is his. He has the pace and the strategy once Ross Brawn doesn’t change it mid race."BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson in Valencia: “Had an embarrassing moment this morning. I couldn’t find the ‘talk-back’ head set that allows me to listen to the TV broadcast and chat between the presenters, and I accused my mates in the media centre, who have been known to like a practical joke, of stealing them for the comedy value of watching me get all wound up. Turns out I’d left them on a desk somewhere else in the room after going for a chat with another journalist. Doh.”
From cousinpaul on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56148078)“Jenson Button’s race totally depends on whether Kimi Raikkonen gets past him at the start. If he doesn’t then Button will be up for a podium easily.” 1217: Confirmation, if any were needed, that Formula 1 drivers are glued tothe Ashestoo from AB below, then. Red Bull’s Mark Webber, for one, had a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp walking around the paddocks on Friday due to Australia’s apparent plight - how fitting it would be if Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button could kick off a day of English success huhBBC Sport’s Andrew Benson on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/andrewbensonf1)"Atmosphere strangely subdued. Paddock unusually empty and quiet for last hour before race."From BBC Sport’s Sarah Holt in Valencia: "Ross “brains” Brawn reckons tyre management is key to the race, but making predictions on how the tyres will work around Valencia’s marina is a bit complicated. The track has been improving day-by-day and will continue to do so during the race as more rubber goes down and the track cleans up. Bridgestone tyre guru Andy Stobart tells me that Friday’s fastest time was 1:42.40 but the fastest time on Saturday during qualifying was 1:38.00, which shows just how much faster the street circuit is getting. The super-soft tyres are, in theory, faster, while the softs are more durable, but looking after all sets of tyres will be important here as on-track temperatures have already hit 46C."1210: It’s ‘The Chain’ time folks - if you can’t see the video at the top of this page, UK users, give your F5 a cheeky push and the magic of moving pictures will appear. Cheers.
From flybri on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56148078)“Re - Sarah saying Heikki and Alonso emerged at the back from the pre-race meeting… Are you sure it was them at the back Are you sure Luca Badoer wasn’t two seconds behind”
1200: BBC One coverage - which will be available on this website for UK users, as always - starts in 10 minutes so why not a little weather update I’m sure you’ll all join me in being absolutely flabbergasted that in Valencia it is… hot and sunny. That will be music to the ears of Brawn, not so much those who love a wet race. There’s more chance of Lily Allen shirking an opportunity to be photographed at the cricket than there is of rain today, I’d wager.
From FoxesofNuneaton on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56148078)“Valencia and Spa will decide where the Championship goes as it is a crucial time in the season - and yet we’ve had to wait one month for it to start over again! Please FIA, never again such a long break in F1!”**BBC Sport’s Sarah Holt on Twitter: **](http://twitter.com/sarahholtf1)"Drivers just emerged from pre-race meeting. Heikki and Alonso chuckling at the back of pack."BBC pit-lane reporter Lee McKenzie: "Last night I was invited on to Vijay Mallya’s boat, the Indian Empress, to attend a cocktail party for team bosses, drivers and friends of the Force India boss. The three-deck yacht is one of the largest privately-owned crafts in the world and the perfect venue for neutral talks. After Force India and Williams left the F1 teams’ group Fota, tensions had risen. But now that a new Concorde Agreement has been signed, a soiree in the late evening sun was the perfect opportunity for everyone to talk business and pleasure in a stunning location.
“McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh, Red Bull’s Christian Horner and John Howett of Toyota turned up along with drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil to relax after a long, hot day. Mallya, whose mother and son also joined in the party, laid on pink champagne, Kingfisher beer - of course - and sushi for his guests who gathered around a huge hot tub in the middle of the deck.”
**From SPLiverpoolFC on 606: **](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56148078)"Hamilton will win this easily, but there’ll be a battle for second between Kovalainen and Barrichello. Maybe there will be a safety car to mix it up, I hope it’s a spectacle."1145: As Ellomate737 points out below, Kimi Raikkonen may just be in a position to take a scalp or two in Valencia today. Very much unlikehis new team-mate Luca Badoer.Unless a rival cunningly swapped the Italian’s drive for a milk float before Friday practice, it’s fair to say the veteran has not covered himself in glory so far this weekend. To think the Prancing Horse thought he would be an able replacement forthe legend that is Michael SchumacherThe German, by the way,has vowed not to return to F1now. Unlike David Coulthard, who usedhis BBC columnto point out rather bluntly how much of a better job he could have done than Badoer. Fair point, too.
From Ellomate737 on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A56146746)"I think If Kimi can get a good start, leapfrog a car or two, I think he’s in with a shout of catching the McLarens."Brawn team principal Ross Brawn: "We’ve had a good car all weekend but there’s been a dilemma about how to handle the [power-boosted] Kers cars. So we decided to go a bit heavier on fuel to try and use that in the race to overcome the problem of Kers, as the McLarens and Ferraris will have a good run into the first corner. Rubens will be free to go for the win, he has a little bit more fuel on board than Jenson and has been making some good starts. Jenson will absolutely be looking to get back on the podium. The key to this race is how to make the tyres last."From BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson in Valencia: "The McLarens might have locked out the front row, butBrawn’s Rubens Barrichello was the out-and-out quickest man in qualifying.With his bigger fuel load, he is aiming to jump the McLarens at the first stops by putting in quicker laps when they come in for their stops. But McLaren are doubtful the softer tyres Barrichello will have to use will last for a 20-lap stint. If they don’t, Barrichello will not have the pace he needs to get ahead."BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/jakehumphreyf1)“In the GP2 race, almost every car has been involved in some kind of incident! Could be a better race than 2008…here’s hoping!” 1135: Make no mistake, this is a potentially pivotal race in the calendar this season. After a string of results that threatened to have Brawn GP limping towards the driver and constructors’ championship like a worm with a limp, Ross’s team look back on song with the Valencia heat wrapping its arms around their tyres like a loving mother’s embrace. McLaren, too, are firing on all cylinders again - and withLewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen boasting the Kers boost from the front row,they will be looking for successive race wins following their victory in Hungary. Red Bull look a little like they may struggle for pace, but with Spa next up any points they get here may prove pivotal. And that’s without mentioning Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso in his home race and the improving Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica. Like I say - potentially pivotal.**1130: **I know, I get it. You don’t know where to turn to next, what to keep an eye on, and at the expense of what. You’ve gotEngland pressing for Ashes victoryat The Oval, a cracking programme ofPremier League footballaction, theWorld Athletics Championshipsin Berlin, theSolheim Cup,rugby league, tennis, rowing and the triathlon. And then you’ve got this, the European Grand Prix from Valencia. It is indeed a monster, monster day of sport. So here’s what I suggest you do - stockpile your couch with snacks and soft drinks, set your laptop by your side, open about 10 windows on your internet browser, and “alt-tab” every minute of the entire day until your backside goes numb. Everyone’s a winner. Bosh. JubblyThis article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.