Formula 1: ZF partner teams enter top ten in Japan
No less than six drivers of the four partner teams of ZF Friedrichshafen AG represented in Formula 1 made it into the top ten of the Japanese Grand Prix. From position four on the grid, the Frenchman Romain Grosjean, whose team Lotus-Renault uses clutches from ZF Friedrichshafen AG, shot to the front and remained there for about half of the race. On finishing, he posted third place – his fourth podium result of the season and the second one in succession. Grosjean’s Lotus team-mate Kimi Räikkönen finished the 15th F1 race of the season in fifth place.
A best-of-the-season performance was achieved by Team Sauber-Ferrari. The Swiss squad in whose race cars ZF dampers are at work, thanks to sixth place claimed by the German Nico Hülkenberg and seventh by the Mexican Esteban Gutiérrez, clinched a cool result of 14 world championship points – more than ever before this year. Gutiérrez thus scored points for the first time in his F1 debut season.
Also represented in the top ten with both cars was the Ferrari team. Fernando Alonso finished in fourth place, defending his second place in the drivers’ world championship, Felipe Massa was tenth. The two Ferrari cars have dampers from ZF Friedrichshafen AG installed in them as well.
Results, Japanese GP(J), round 15, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, Oct 11–Oct 13, 2013:
1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1h 26m49.301s
2. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, + 7.129s
3. Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Renault, + 9.910s, ZF
4. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, + 45.605s, ZF
5. Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus-Renault, + 47.325s, ZF
6. Nico Hülkenberg, Sauber-Ferrari, + 51.615s, ZF
7. Esteban Gutiérrez, Sauber-Ferrari, + 1m 11.630s, ZF
8. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, + 1m 12.023s
9. Jenson Button, McLaren-Mercedes, + 1m 20.821s
10. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, + 1m 29.263s,ZF
Drivers’ world championship standings:
1. S. Vettel, 297 points; 2. F. Alonso, 207; 3. K. Räikkönen, 177; 4. L. Hamilton, 161; 5. M. Webber, 148; 6. N. Rosberg, 126; 7. F. Massa, 90; 8. R. Grosjean, 87; 9. J. Button, 60; 10. N. Hülkenberg, 39.
Constructors’ world championship standings:
1. Red Bull-Renault, 445 points; 2. Ferrari, 297; 3. Mercedes, 287; 4. Lotus-Renault, 264; 5. McLaren-Mercedes, 83; 6. Force India-Mercedes, 62; 7. Sauber-Ferrari, 45; 8. Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 31; 9. Williams-Renault, 1.