He would hold on, though, to cross the line seventh, ahead of Vettel – who straight-lined the chicane twice in his efforts to preserve the final points-paying spot from the frustrated Kovalainen and Rosberg – whilst behind them Webber spun inconsequentially from eleventh place.
Ahead of that battle, Glock refused to succumb to the pressure that Massa was applying to him behind, as the
Ferrari took the chequered flag fifth, the meat in a
Toyota sandwich. The result that everyone was talking about, though, was the fact that
Formula 1 had a new winner, with Kubica continuing serenely on to the end to not only become the first of his countrymen ever to triumph in the top flight, but with it seize the championship lead.
A slightly subdued Heidfeld came home more than 16 seconds behind at the close, with Coulthard an elated – and no doubt highly relieved – third for
Red Bull, taking his first points for the year into the bargain.
As one experienced hand showed that there’s life in the old dog yet, two steps higher up on the rostrum a young pup was proving that one year on from the crash that some had feared would kill him, a star had most definitely been born.
To see the race result in full, click here
