The unluckiest man on the F1 grid?

Date: 11th May 2010 at 3:00 pm | Filed under: Formula 1 News,McLaren | Author: Nick Tomlinson | Tags: Barcelona, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, Michael Schumacher, Monaco | image © Action Images

A late tyre failure in Barcelona has cost Lewis Hamilton second place in the fifth race of the Formula 1 season. The Brit had a flawless race and looked set to record a consecutive second place in two races. Jenson Button could only manage fifth place after being stuck behind Michael Schumacher for the majority of the race.

Both McLaren drivers got off to solid starts retaining their places. The first stint before the pit stops was merely a precession following each other round the track; however the pits stops changed both positions of the McLaren drivers.

Hamilton gained, Button declined. A slow stop by Sebastian Vettel enabled Lewis Hamilton to steal second place away from the young German. A problem with the back right wheel dropped Button behind Michael Schumacher; the 2009 Champion knew he was in for a dull race after this happened. For several laps Button followed Schumacher closely but found it impossible to get round the seven time World Champion.

Hamilton came out the pits abreast with Vettel but with some skilful driving managed to keep the German behind him. After the pit stops the race then turned into another precession with nobody finding away to overtake on the circuit.

Lewis was on course for a good haul of points which would have put him only one point behind his team mate and well in the hunt for the title. On the penultimate lap Hamilton’s tyre failed causing him to lose control and crash into the barrier.

Button’s fifth place means he still leads the drivers’ Championship though his lead has been cut down to only three points ahead of Fernando Alonso. With Hamilton failing to score any points he’s now dropped to sixth place and is a massive 21 points behind his team mate.

McLaren also still lead the Constructors Championship but again there lead has been cut down by both the Ferrari’s and Red Bulls.

Next week the teams head to Monaco and McLaren have an impressive record in the glamorous city. Their drivers have both been on top their before and will both be looking to repeat the performance. Lewis Hamilton seems to be the most unlucky man in F1 this year, hopefully when the teams turn up in Monaco his luck will change around.