Major incident into the first bend, Grosjean blocked Hamilton onto the grass and then went airborne into Alonso. All three out*

*edit: plus Perez, who said
BBC film of the incident

Lots of sideways manoeuvres off the starting grid and Grosjean misjudged others' pace I think

 

Button's lap consistency given the lap distance is awe inspiring.

 

Some nice raceing for the minor positions.

 

Button leads looking smooth from Vettel fifteen seconds back looking the same.

If it stays like this, Raikkonnen (3rd) will leapfrog Hamilton;

Vettel will get within 24 points of Alonso;

Button 16 points off Hamilton.

4 laps of 44 to go.

 

Grosjean suspended for one race:

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/87622.html

I thought he'd get a penalty, probably a grid penalty, but that's quite harsh. I can remember Michael Schumacher getting a two race penalty, but I think that was some 15 years ago.

 

Grid penalties are awarded for rules infringements or one-on-one naughties. This is not the first time Grosjean has been shall we say careless on the opening lap (so said the report). It is a tribute to the construction of these machines and the skill of other drivers that there were absolutely no injuries. A piece of reckless racing driving at the one time when the cars are so close together and all accelerating furiously has been well punished. I can't recall what Schumacher's 2-race suspension was for - parking his car on the track in practice at Monaco to impede another driver? Wss that it? In which case Grosjean has got off lightly imo.

 

Schumacher got his ban for ignoring black flags at Silverstone in 94 or 95, when he was with Benetton.

I think it's right that Grosjean get's something like this. That was pretty stupid, and a needless risk to push his way up the inside and force Hamilton onto the grass. Another day and Alonso gets his head taken off by a flying Renault.

Just read that Fruit Pastel (Maldonado) will be taking two fives place grid drops in Monza for jumping the start, and colliding with Timo Glock on lap 4. By my count that makes 13 infringements this year, which is an all time record.

 

Pretty dull race after the first lap, just as Jenson would have wanted.

The penalty should have been a two race ban in my view, he needed his wings clipping.

 

@j8mie: sorry to be so thick but who is Fruit Pastel

 

Maldonado I guess. Pastor ~ Pastel .