The heat is on…

While Malta was going through a suffocating week with rising temperatures, I was fortunate to enjoy cooler and wet weather at Silverstone, witnessing an incredible race with Red Bull Mark Webber becoming the second driver after Fernando Alonso to take the second win of the season.

Webber’s win reduced his gap with the Ferrari driver to 13 points in the drivers’ championship.

Residing just 20 minutes from the circuit, Webber was hailed a local hero after his charging win in the last few laps to take the lead. After the debacle of local duo Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, Webber brought a bit of warmth to the thousands who braved the torrential weather and the slippery conditions of the track, with local event organisers even considering abandoning the race, urging people to stay away from the circuits.

Vodafone McLaren driver Button openly stated that the conditions were just too dangerous to race in. However Sunday’s rain wasn’t too bad, with a morning shower during the last practice run, so the track was dry when the race was due to start. The teams had to choose a dry tyre compound as qualifying was done on wet ground.

Once more, tyre strategy was a premium for the final chequered flag; teams never went through their tyre test phase due to the weather, so Sunday running would be another gamble.

Today will mark the third back-to-back GP, with the teams returning to Hockenheim, this being a first for Pirelli on the Germany track.

Today’s race will mark the half-way stage for the season. Since the weather is unpredictable at this time of year, we will have to wait for the afternoon race to get to know the outcome.

Vodafone McLaren will be doing their utmost to return to competitiveness after a rather disappointing home Grand Prix.

McLaren, Mercedes and Force India will be looking for the honours, in particular, as their five German drivers will all try to perform well in Hockenheim.

If you are wondering why I have included Force India, well, the Silverstone-based team has shown a rather gradual improvement; however, this was marred by a string of bad luck during last Sunday’s race. Their competitive edge is surely bringing the team closer to the frontrunners.

However, after Hockenheim, the F1 trucks will keep moving to Budapest for the Hungarian GP, with just seven days to spare.

Teams will be rather cautious with their parts lists, as any sustained damages will result in parts having to be flown to Hungary. Following will be the much-awaited summer break, whereby teams will surely be deciding what the future holds in terms of winning championships or looking towards the 2012 season.

Drivers like Hamilton will be preparing to sign a new contract. Whether it will be with McLaren or another team, we have to wait and see.

Until then, I’m sure what we have in store will be exciting and thrilling.