Watching Sports Stuff

Luminaries gather to honour Button

At the Hungaroring

Once the intense competition of qualifying was over in Hungary, the Formula 1 fraternity put aside their rivalries for an unusual social occasion.

Luminaries from the top to the bottom of the paddock had crammed into McLaren’s buzzing motorhome on Saturday evening to celebrate Jenson Button‘s 200th Grand Prix.

It was a fascinating scene for the F1 voyeur. Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali stood chatting to Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug with a friendly arm around his shoulder. Team Lotus driver Jarno Trulli perched on a stool under the towering presence of Silver Arrows team boss Ross Brawn as Sauber‘s Sergio Perez mingled with the Virgin Racing drivers.

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso nearly stole the show when the former McLaren arch-rivals warmly embraced each other, suggesting the particularly bitter cold war between the 2007 team-mates was well and truly thawing.

But the evening had been arranged by McLaren to mark Button’s career and each of the 31-year-old’s previous team bosses – with the exception of exiled Renault boss Flavio Briatore and BAR-Honda chief Dave Richards – spoke enthusiastically about the Somerset-born racer.

Button’s F1 career began in 2000 when he beat Brazilian Bruno Junqueira in a shoot-out for a Williams race seat.

Sir Frank Williams had a unique take on the then 20-year-old, recalling: “In those days he was devastatingly good-looking and was always being pursued.

F1 drivers celebrate Jenson Button’s 200th grand prix with the McLaren driver. Photo: McLaren

“He is a top, top guy. I really think that. He knew exactly how to get to the top and was completely unstoppable.”

After two seasons with the Benetton team, which was re-branded Renault, Button lost his drive to Alonso and joined BAR, which then morphed into Honda.

The Japanese team helped the Englishman win his first race at the 113th attempt in 2006 in the only wet race – so far – to be held at the Hungaroring.

Shortly afterwards Brawn joined Honda, and under the former Ferrari technical guru Button went on to claim the world title in 2009 with the renamed Brawn Grand Prix team.

Brawn toasted his former charge, saying: “Jenson has got some essential qualities; speed, honesty, integrity and professionalism. Eventually he put all those things together in 2009.

“The greatest compliment I can pay him is I’m really sad he’s not driving for us still.”

Luckily, Michael Schumacher – who just happened to win a record seven world titles with Brawn – and his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg weren’t around to weigh the implications of that remark.

It was left to Martin Whitmarsh, Button’s chief at McLaren for the last two seasons, to fill in the gaps in the Englishman’s career.

“Grand prix wins 10, pole positions seven, podiums 35, fastest laps four, number of points 650…” Whitmarsh began before Button tried to boost his statistics saying: “Why can’t you make some of this up?”

Whitmarsh continued: “What [the list] doesn’t say is; a great world champion and a fantastic ambassador to F1 – and the son of a smurf.” The latter – and lesser-known fact – was a humorous reference to Dad John Button’s nickname ‘Papa Smurf’.

Finally, Button took centre stage, surveyed the room of F1 faces, friends, media and McLaren staff before choosing his words carefully.

“Wow! 200,” he had begun. “Somebody actually asked me the other day what does 200 mean to you and first of all I thought they were talking about the number of PR days I’ve done this year.

“For a racing driver, the number normally doesn’t mean so much but it makes you think back to the good times you’ve had – and the bad times.

“Winning the world championship was a big thing for me but winning grands prix and fighting it out with the best, I’m very lucky to be in that position.

“It’s not over yet. I’m hoping for many, many more. Martin..?”

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/07/luminaries_gather_to_honour_bu.html

Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa

Spring Training 2011: Michael Waltrip, NASCAR team visit Chicago White Sox

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Two days before the green flag drops on the Cactus League schedule, NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip brought his racing team into the Chicago White Sox clubhouse.The former Daytona 500 winner, in town this weekend for Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup races, found there was plenty of NASCAR love emanating from the room. ESPNChicago.com White Sox blog The latest news and notes on the White Sox. Related posts:

1. VAR team hit with $25,000 fine after Michael Waltrip win CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has penalized the Truck Series team…
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Source: http://doxcar.com/spring-training-2011-michael-waltrip-nascar-team-visit-chicago-white-sox/

Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza

Bahrain is still not a certainty

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/06/bahrain-is-still-not-a-certainty.html

Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini

Some drivers send regrets, say they won't be at White House

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/09/02/1456466/stewart-biffle-send-regrets-to.html

Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem

Kahne takes pole for Atlanta 500-miler

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/09/03/1459295/kahne-takes-pole-for-atlanta-500.html

Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant

Changes to BBC/Sky deal on the horizon?

More on the Issue: MP’s to grill BBC execs on F1 TV deal The BBC may offer full race coverage just hours after the live event next season, according to media reports this morning. Sky and the BBC agreed a deal earlier this year to share live coverage of formula 1 in the United Kingdom [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/_6mNMUwBIk0/changes-to-bbcsky-deal-on-the-horizon

Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem

Acknowledging opportunity, trying to avoid mistakes

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/09/02/1456747/acknowledging-opportunity-trying.html

Felice Bonetto Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd

Powers excels on 'course with everything'

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/09/02/1456710/powers-excels-on-course-with-everything.html

Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem

Bruno is ready

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/08/bruno-is-ready.html

Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard

AUTOS: Is The Car Show just a POOR Knockoff of Top Gear?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/Pt7YF53y5aQ/autos-is-car-show-just-poor-knockoff-of.html

Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams

Life in the pit lane

The Mercedes pit crew prepare for Michael Schumacher in Singapore © Getty Images

Away from the world of multi-million-pound car development laboratories and drivers whose small change takes care of the Monte Carlo harbour fees, another drama will play out in Singapore this week. The Independent’s David Tremayne joins F1′s unsung heroes.

These are not select millionaires but up to 16 ordinary, yet gifted, guys; team mechanics who have worked their way up the system and often migrate from team to team, are paid real-world wages of between £30,000 and £50,000 a year, are drilled to perfection ? and whose split-second synchronisation brings their teams huge rewards.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/life_in_the_pit_lane.php

Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers

My perfect F1 calendar

Someone asked me what would be my perfect Formula 1 calendar and I have had a think about it and the answer is as follows. It would have 18 races. Six in the American timezone; six in Europe/Middle East/Africa and six in Asia/Pacific. It would start in somewhere warm and southern hemisphere. I would prefer [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/my-perfect-f1-calendar/

Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis

Bruno is ready

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/08/bruno-is-ready.html

Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta

NASCAR goes to college

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/31/1451420/nascar-goes-to-college.html

Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell

The future of Silverstone

It is worth noting that the reports that have been peddled (at length) in recent days about the Qatar Investment Authority being the potential leesee of Silverstone have been denied out in Qatar, where they have some idea of these matters. An official spokesman at QIA told the Qatar News Agency that there were “no [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/the-future-of-silverstone/

Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle

Notes: Five test tires at Phoenix

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/31/1450622/notes-five-test-tires-at-phoenix.html

Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra

Willy T joins the Blogger Craze…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/wFmmcX08u8Q/willy-t-joins-blogger-craze.html

Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari

Willy T joins the Blogger Craze…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/wFmmcX08u8Q/willy-t-joins-blogger-craze.html

Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion

Send me your questions about F1 2011

Hello all,

I am filming the next entries for this video blog on Monday and that means I need your help.

As you know, we answer a selection of your questions as well as reviewing the last few races and looking forward to the next stage of the year.

So if you have any questions about F1 2011, please do post them below. We will pick a selection of the best and I will answer them here next week.

Thanks,

Murray

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/07/send_me_your_questions_about_f_1.html

Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo

Indy Cars Judgement Day…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/0VNEgOy8oGg/indy-cars-judgement-day.html

Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais

Video: Yamamoto the DJ in action!

If you have read about Sakon Yamamoto’s exploits as a DJ you might like to see some rare footage of the former HRT, Spyker and Super Aguri driver in action on the decks. Here’s a video from the post race … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/08/30/video-yamamoto-the-dj-in-action/

Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel

Schumacher: Time to call it quits

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/08/schumacher-time-to-call-it-quits.html

Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks Alan Brown

Doctors use Formula One pit crews as safety model

American Medical News reports hospitals in at least a dozen countries are learning how to translate the split-second timing and near-perfect synchronisation of Formula One pit crews to the high-risk handoffs of patients from surgery to recovery and intensive care.

“In Formula One, they have checklists, databases, and they have well-defined processes for doing things, and we don’t really have any of those things in health care.”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/doctors_use_formula_one_pit_cr.php

Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

Five conclusions from: The Belgian Grand Prix

After another frantic race in the formula 1 season, formula1fancast is here to bring you the best conclusions from the 2011 Belgian Grand Prix. Spa is the finest race track on the calendar For all Monaco?s glamour and for all Silverstone?s history, Spa-Francorchamps remains the best circuit on the calendar for excitement alone. Watching Mark [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/o8K83AHjTS0/five-conclusions-from-the-belgian-grand-prix

Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise

Money talks. Live with it.

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/07/money-talks-live-with-it.html

Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi

My perfect F1 calendar

Someone asked me what would be my perfect Formula 1 calendar and I have had a think about it and the answer is as follows. It would have 18 races. Six in the American timezone; six in Europe/Middle East/Africa and six in Asia/Pacific. It would start in somewhere warm and southern hemisphere. I would prefer [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/my-perfect-f1-calendar/

Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks

Tom Cruise drives the Red Bull F1 car

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/08/tom-cruise-drives-the-red-bull-f1-car.html

Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer

Robert Kubica Hospitalised Following Rally Accident

UPDATE ON KUBICA’s CONDITION:  http://wp.me/p3uiu-11K Renault Lotus F1 driver Robert Kubica has been airlifted to hospital following a car accident while competing on a rally. The incident, described as a high speed accident, left the Pole injured and he had to be airlifted to hospital.  His co-driver Jakub Gerber was uninjured in the incident. While [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/robert-kubica-hospitalised-following-rally-accident/

Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger

Why F1 is heading hybrid

There are some in the F1 paddock who think that Formula 1 should ignore the environment and go on racing with the current machinery. This would be cheaper than building a new generation of engines for 2014 but there is a danger that F1 will lose relevance to the automobile industry, which has long been [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/why-f1-is-heading-hybrid/

Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey

Luminaries gather to honour Button

At the Hungaroring

Once the intense competition of qualifying was over in Hungary, the Formula 1 fraternity put aside their rivalries for an unusual social occasion.

Luminaries from the top to the bottom of the paddock had crammed into McLaren’s buzzing motorhome on Saturday evening to celebrate Jenson Button‘s 200th Grand Prix.

It was a fascinating scene for the F1 voyeur. Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali stood chatting to Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug with a friendly arm around his shoulder. Team Lotus driver Jarno Trulli perched on a stool under the towering presence of Silver Arrows team boss Ross Brawn as Sauber‘s Sergio Perez mingled with the Virgin Racing drivers.

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso nearly stole the show when the former McLaren arch-rivals warmly embraced each other, suggesting the particularly bitter cold war between the 2007 team-mates was well and truly thawing.

But the evening had been arranged by McLaren to mark Button’s career and each of the 31-year-old’s previous team bosses – with the exception of exiled Renault boss Flavio Briatore and BAR-Honda chief Dave Richards – spoke enthusiastically about the Somerset-born racer.

Button’s F1 career began in 2000 when he beat Brazilian Bruno Junqueira in a shoot-out for a Williams race seat.

Sir Frank Williams had a unique take on the then 20-year-old, recalling: “In those days he was devastatingly good-looking and was always being pursued.

F1 drivers celebrate Jenson Button’s 200th grand prix with the McLaren driver. Photo: McLaren

“He is a top, top guy. I really think that. He knew exactly how to get to the top and was completely unstoppable.”

After two seasons with the Benetton team, which was re-branded Renault, Button lost his drive to Alonso and joined BAR, which then morphed into Honda.

The Japanese team helped the Englishman win his first race at the 113th attempt in 2006 in the only wet race – so far – to be held at the Hungaroring.

Shortly afterwards Brawn joined Honda, and under the former Ferrari technical guru Button went on to claim the world title in 2009 with the renamed Brawn Grand Prix team.

Brawn toasted his former charge, saying: “Jenson has got some essential qualities; speed, honesty, integrity and professionalism. Eventually he put all those things together in 2009.

“The greatest compliment I can pay him is I’m really sad he’s not driving for us still.”

Luckily, Michael Schumacher – who just happened to win a record seven world titles with Brawn – and his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg weren’t around to weigh the implications of that remark.

It was left to Martin Whitmarsh, Button’s chief at McLaren for the last two seasons, to fill in the gaps in the Englishman’s career.

“Grand prix wins 10, pole positions seven, podiums 35, fastest laps four, number of points 650…” Whitmarsh began before Button tried to boost his statistics saying: “Why can’t you make some of this up?”

Whitmarsh continued: “What [the list] doesn’t say is; a great world champion and a fantastic ambassador to F1 – and the son of a smurf.” The latter – and lesser-known fact – was a humorous reference to Dad John Button’s nickname ‘Papa Smurf’.

Finally, Button took centre stage, surveyed the room of F1 faces, friends, media and McLaren staff before choosing his words carefully.

“Wow! 200,” he had begun. “Somebody actually asked me the other day what does 200 mean to you and first of all I thought they were talking about the number of PR days I’ve done this year.

“For a racing driver, the number normally doesn’t mean so much but it makes you think back to the good times you’ve had – and the bad times.

“Winning the world championship was a big thing for me but winning grands prix and fighting it out with the best, I’m very lucky to be in that position.

“It’s not over yet. I’m hoping for many, many more. Martin..?”

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/07/luminaries_gather_to_honour_bu.html

Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd

Big picture stuff?

The motor racing world is a gloriously inward-looking one. People worry more about the number of sets of tyres that should be allowed for a weekend rather than whether the world is teetering on the brink of a new economic crisis. It has always been like this, but the relative ease with which F1 sailed [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/big-picture-stuff/

Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman

Kevin Harvick officially in Chase

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/29/1446310/kevin-harvick-officially-in-chase.html

Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler

Tom Cruise drives the Red Bull F1 car

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/08/tom-cruise-drives-the-red-bull-f1-car.html

Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood

Team order rule needs a re-think

Jean Todt arives for Wednesday’s hearing © Getty Images

Formula One should look at abolishing the controversial ban on team orders after Ferrari escaped further punishment for their manipulation of the German Grand Prix result. That is the view of the Daily Telegraph?s Tom Cary, who is of the opinion that the team orders rule now needs to be seriously looked at because of its obvious shortcomings.

?Whether you are for or against team orders, if the FIA could not back up its own rules and nail a competitor in a blatant case such as this the rule really does need reviewing. Perhaps Ferrari?s thinly-veiled threat to take the matter to the civil courts if they were punished too harshly scared the governing body, who as much as admitted the flimsiness of its rule.”

Paul Weaver, reporting for the Guardian in Monza, was in favour of the ruling which keeps alive Ferrari?s slim chances in an enthralling championship.

?The World Motor Sport Council was right not to ruin a compelling Formula One season by taking away the 25 points Alonso collected in Germany. That would have put him out of the five-man title race. But the council was widely expected to increase the fine and possibly deduct points from the team, as opposed to the individual. In the end, it could be argued that common sense prevailed. But the decision will dismay those who were upset by the way Ferrari handled the situation as much as anything else.?

The Daily Mail’s Jonathan McEvoy expressed outrage at the FIA tearing up its own rule book by allowing Ferrari to escape unpunished.

“Although the race stewards fined them £65,000 for giving team orders in July, the FIA World Motor Sport Council, to whom the matter was referred, decided not to impose any further punishment. It leaves the sport’s rulers open to derision. It was, after all, their rule they undermined. In a statement, the WMSC said the regulation banning team orders ‘should be reviewed’.”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/team_order_rule_needs_a_rethin_1.php

Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams

Keselowski: NASCAR's Mr. August

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/30/1449138/keselowski-nascars-mr-august.html

Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon

DannaCarLand World Tour Commences – Take 2

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/cbvab3e2-gQ/dannacarland-world-tour-commences-take.html

Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise

Mercedes: Schumacher climbs 19 places to fifth | 2011 Belgian GP team review

Mercedes had their best result of the season so far in Spa.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/3QgVCb1rRfY/

Jimmy Bryan Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich

Vote for your Belgian GP driver of the weekend | Debates and polls

Vote for the most impressive driver of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/JvtfhGQCRe8/

Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman

Jeff Gordon wins at Phoenix to snap 66-race drought

Jeff Gordon Ends Drought Jeff Gordon snaps 66-race winless streak by taking the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at PhoenixJeff Gordon Ends Drought AVONDALE, Ariz. — Just before peeling off what he called a lame burnout near the finish line, Jeff Gordon screamed into his radio, the emotion pouring out with his voice. [+] Enlarge Jared C. Related posts:

1. Jeff Gordon wins the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway Jeff Gordon Ends Drought Jeff Gordon snaps 66-race winless…
2. NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon gets new spotter starting at Pocono CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jeff Gordon will have a new spotter…
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Source: http://doxcar.com/jeff-gordon-wins-at-phoenix-to-snap-66-race-drought/

Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman

2011 Belgian Grand Prix: Race reaction

Formula1fancast is here to bring you the best quotes and reaction in the aftermath of another exhilarating Belgian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel, who extended his race win to 92 points with victory at Spa: ”We had a lot of concerns going into the race after qualifying and weren’t quite sure about the tyres blistering. The team took the [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/ol7qkc7yWiY/2011-belgian-grand-prix-race-reaction

Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

Red Bull under the spotlight

Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel celebrate with Red Bull boss Christian Horner on the podium © Getty Images

Sections of the international media have questioned Red Bull’s strategic approach to the world championship. After Sebastian Vettel won the Brazilian Grand Prix from the team’s points leader Mark Webber at Interlagos, Der Spiegel noted: “Red Bull gives (Fernando) Alonso wings”. Not switching the places means that Spaniard Alonso can take his Ferrari to just second place this weekend in Abu Dhabi and be champion, whereas the alternative strategy would have set up Webber for a straight fight. “It is not easy for Webber to drive in a team that considers him a burden to be up against Vettel,” said La Gazzetta dello Sport. Tuttosport noted that it seems “the Austrian team would be happier to lose than to see Webber beat Vettel”. “No team orders at Red Bull. Another own goal,” headlined La Repubblica. Joan Villadelprat wrote in his El Pais column: “Had Red Bull opted for Webber a few races ago, the Australian would probably now be champion.” Red Bull, however, is unrepentant. Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper that “second under proper conditions can often be more valuable than a first”. But there is a feeling that the team is not simply giving up the fight for the drivers’ title. One columnist in Brazil’s Globo wondered if Vettel’s radio message in Abu Dhabi might sound something like ‘So … Mark is faster than you’. “I’m always in favour of leaving the fight on the track with equal chances for both sides,” said Rubens Barrichello. “But I wonder if they would do that if the situation was in reverse. ?Mark has done a great job this year and he has been told by his team what position he is in,” said Lewis Hamilton. “Against adversity he has kept at it. I want to see Mark win.” Webber believes that, if a strategy is deployed, it will only be on the “last lap” of the season this weekend. “Sebastian is part of a team,” said Niki Lauda, who believes Webber should be backed fully by Red Bull. “If he does anything it should be helping Webber and not just on the last lap.” Webber is quoted by Bild newspaper: “It makes sense. Otherwise it would mean that Ferrari’s team orders would have paid off for Fernando.” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hints that sense will ultimately prevail. “We have already given too many presents to Fernando this year,” he is quoted by Autosprint.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/red_bull_under_the_spotlight.php

Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood

Money talks. Live with it.

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/07/money-talks-live-with-it.html

Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen

A little history

Pastor Maldonado’s move on Lewis Hamilton in qualifying at Spa was not the first time that the Veneuzuelan has got into trouble in the course of his career, notably at Monaco in 2005 when he was given a four-race ban from the Renault World Series after ignoring yellow warning flags and hitting and seriously injuring [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/a-little-history/

Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff

Mark Webber quickest in Belgian GP afternoon practice

Red Bull?s Mark Webber led the way in the second qualifying session for the Belgian Grand Prix this afternoon. The session was once more dogged by spells of rain, but the Australian still managed a time of 1.50.321 to lead the way from Fernando Alonso and the two McLarens of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/fon2JLL8yX8/mark-webber-quickest-in-belgian-gp-afternoon-practice

Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais

Irwin Tools Night Race results

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/29/1443824/saturdays-results.html

Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati

Triple ?S Power Play: Spa, ?Scooters and Sonoma

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/U06mSMpOhng/triple-s-power-play-spa-scooters-and.html

Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant

Mark Webber quickest in Belgian GP afternoon practice

Red Bull?s Mark Webber led the way in the second qualifying session for the Belgian Grand Prix this afternoon. The session was once more dogged by spells of rain, but the Australian still managed a time of 1.50.321 to lead the way from Fernando Alonso and the two McLarens of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/fon2JLL8yX8/mark-webber-quickest-in-belgian-gp-afternoon-practice

Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks Alan Brown

Spring Training 2011: Michael Waltrip, NASCAR team visit Chicago White Sox

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Two days before the green flag drops on the Cactus League schedule, NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip brought his racing team into the Chicago White Sox clubhouse.The former Daytona 500 winner, in town this weekend for Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup races, found there was plenty of NASCAR love emanating from the room. ESPNChicago.com White Sox blog The latest news and notes on the White Sox. Related posts:

1. VAR team hit with $25,000 fine after Michael Waltrip win CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has penalized the Truck Series team…
2. Michael Waltrip has grand plans for his race team in 2011 4-Wide: The Sleepers Of 2011 They might not be…
3. Michael Waltrip to be sponsored by Aaron’s for Talladega race TALLADEGA, Ala. — Michael Waltrip will enter the Sprint Cup…

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Source: http://doxcar.com/spring-training-2011-michael-waltrip-nascar-team-visit-chicago-white-sox/

Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger

Jenson Button produces Hungarian masterclass

On Saturday evening in Hungary, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso were two of the luminaries who joined Jenson Button to celebrate the occasion of his 200th grand prix. Twenty-four hours later they stood either side of the McLaren driver as he celebrated another superb win in the tricky wet-dry conditions in which he excels.

Every one of Button‘s four wins since he joined McLaren at the start of last season has come in wet-dry races, conditions which reward the deftness of touch and exquisite feel for grip levels that the 31-year-old has displayed from the very beginning of his Formula 1 career.

“I’m always pretty lucky in these conditions,” Button said in the news conference after the race, but it has absolutely nothing to do with good fortune. It is about skill and judgement.

It was a drive as perfect as the symmetry that saw him take his second win of the year at his 200th grand prix and at the same track where five years ago he finally took his first victory at the 113th attempt, also in mixed conditions.

Button has something of a sixth sense, a way of feeling the limits of what is possible in conditions where the track is damp but not soaking wet, that goes beyond that of nearly all his rivals, and he demonstrated it vividly again at the Hungaroring on Sunday.

Perhaps only Button’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton has the same deftness and certainty of touch in rainy conditions – the younger McLaren man also has a clutch of brilliant wet wins on his CV. But even he was caught out by the tricky combination of a low-grip track surface and a sprinkling of mid-race rain.

It was not, though, Hamilton’s lap 47 spin at the chicane that lost him the race, nor the decision five laps later, while disputing the lead with Button, to stop for intermediate tyres. By then, the writing was already on the wall.

No, the critical moment for Hamilton was his third stop on lap 40.

McLaren fitted another set of the super-soft tyres to Hamilton’s car, while Red Bull – whose cars stopped on the laps immediately before and after him – fitted the harder prime tyre, the idea being to run it for the final 30 laps of the race. Button, who stopped two laps after Hamilton, did the same.

Of the front-runners, only Alonso did the same as Hamilton – and the Ferrari driver needed to gamble to try to clear the Red Bull of Mark Webber, which had been holding him up for much of the race.

Once that choice was made, Hamilton’s only hope of winning was to use what should have been the extra grip of the softer tyre to quickly pull out enough of a lead to make the additional pit stop he was going to need, as the super-softs were never going to get him to the end of the race.

Instead, with rain starting to fall, Button started closing at about a second a lap. Who knows, perhaps that was what prompted Hamilton’s spin. Perhaps, feeling the race slipping away, he was pushing just that little bit too hard.

The incident led to a diverting – and thoroughly entertaining – couple of laps as the two McLaren team-mates passed and re-passed each other, showing fantastic judgement and respect as they raced wheel to wheel for the lead.

But a diversion was all it was.

Up in the stewards room, they were about to hand Hamilton a drive-through penalty for forcing Force India driver Paul di Resta – producing yet another impressive drive – to take avoiding action as the McLaren spin-turned back into the race.

Meanwhile, out on the track, Hamilton, struggling with a radio problem that meant he could hear the team but they could not hear him, was called in to change to intermediate tyres, and he obeyed. Right behind him, Button got the same call, he revealed on the BBC post-race forum on the red button, but ignored it.

On that decision hung the victory. Had Button come in, he would have needed to stop again for dry tyres – as did Hamilton and Webber, who also changed to intermediates during the shower – and Vettel would have won the race.

As it was, the German took second place with a calm, mature, understated but effective drive that has made his grip on the championship even more vice-like than it already was.

Vettel has not won for three races now, and there is no doubt that Red Bull are slightly on the back foot, but still he left Hungary with a bigger championship lead than he had when he arrived.

Vettel is now 85 points ahead of second-placed Webber rather than 77, with Hamilton a further three points back, Alonso one behind the Englishman and Button 100 points, four clear wins, adrift in fifth.

Nevertheless, the man who has scored the most points in the last four races is Alonso, even if Vettel’s impressive consistency means he has notched up only three points fewer despite not winning since Valencia at the end of June.

The Ferrari was genuinely fast again in Hungary, and Alonso had the pace to contest the lead battle had not a difficult opening lap led to a messy first half of the race stuck behind other cars.

Alonso did not help himself – he had to pass both Mercedes drivers twice because he made mistakes after overtaking them the first time and let them back in front. He then spent the second stint with Webber blocking his progress, before his tyre gamble got him some free air.

Had it not been for Webber’s mistake in fitting intermediates and Hamilton’s penalty, that strategy call would not have paid off, and Alonso would have ended the race still stuck down in fifth.

Nevertheless, Alonso, like the McLaren drivers, has sensed a shift in the balance of power and that is something all the protagonists will be pondering in the three-week summer break before the Belgian Grand Prix.

“The second part of the championship should be good for us,” Alonso said. “Spa, with medium- and high-speed corners, should suit the team, and then Monza is our home race.”

Red Bull, it is clear, are vulnerable in the races, and wins are there for the taking. But unless some kind of disaster befalls Vettel – or all his rivals start finishing ahead of him all the time, rather than just the odd one or two – the championship is already gone.

If you want to comment on the new UK TV rights deal, please visit the blog written by BBC head of F1 Ben Gallop. We would ask you please to restrict your comments here to the topic covered.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/07/on_saturday_evening_in_hungary.html

Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

Lewis Hamilton: ?It was my fault today, 100%??

Lewis Hamilton has used Twitter to accept blame for his clash with Kamui Kobayashi in the Belgian GP. Hamilton was passing the Japanese driver when he appeared to misjudge how much room he needed to leave the Sauber. The pair … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/08/28/lewis-hamilton-it-was-my-fault-today-100/

Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo

Danger for breakfast…

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/07/danger-for-breakfast.html

Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso

Campaign launched to save Team Lotus

© Save Team Lotus

One side of the Lotus naming dispute has been put forward on a new and in-depth webpage called www.saveteamlotus.com. The basic background is that the Lotus Racing F1 team had its naming rights revoked for next season by Group Lotus and, in order to keep racing under the Lotus name, bought the Team Lotus brand off David Hunt, who had owned it since the original team?s last race in 1994. Group Lotus has now taken Lotus Racing to court to try and stop it using the historic name in Formula One next year. The issue has been a source of constant confusion for many fans and the new webpage offers a breakdown of David Hunt?s and Team Lotus? side of the argument.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/campaign_launched_to_save_team_1.php

Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams

Hungarian Grand Prix is too close to call

At the Hungaroring

Fresh from the thrills of Germany’s rollercoaster race, Formula 1′s main protagonists are all steeling themselves for another intense fight for victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Just over half a second split the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari and the Red Bulls of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel during Friday practice at the Hungaroring.

Taking into account the fact that the rival teams all run different programmes during Friday’s bedding-in sessions – and champions Red Bull rarely reveal their true pace – it was incredibly close.

Button, who was 0.3 seconds shy of team-mate Hamilton’s leading time, predicted the race weekend ahead would definitely follow the same pattern.

“Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren are all looking very strong,” said Button. “I wish we had a bit more of an advantage.”

Alonso, a serious driver not necessarily famed for his positive outlook, gleefully branded it “good news” that “more than one or two cars can fight for victory”.

In contrast, Red Bull’s championship leader Vettel, who has a healthy 77-point lead to protect, displayed rare signs of anxiety saying: “We need to raise our game if we want to be at the front.”

Red Bull blitzed last year’s Hungarian race, with Webber taking the victory as Vettel finished third after he was penalised for breaking the rules when driving behind the safety-car.

The pair were in more cautious mood on Friday but, intriguingly, both Vettel and Webber showed consistent pace during their longer stints in the afternoon, which suggests they are able to eke steady performance out of their tyres.

Alonso stayed out on track for a maximum 10-lap run but also steadily ticked over similar lap times. In comparison, 13-lap stints for both Hamilton and Button were blotted by fluctuating times, although the pace of Hamilton, in particular, was especially impressive if you removed the anomalous laps.

With the soft and super-soft Pirelli tyres available this weekend, all the leading drivers agreed tyre management would be a decisive factor on the circuit’s low-grip surface.

The unusually grey skies above the Hungaroring could have a significant effect on tyre performance, especially when it comes to getting them up to optimum temperature during qualifying.

Chilly conditions at the Nurburgring helped Hamilton beat his rivals to the flag, and while it is nowhere near as cold in Hungary, it is also some way from the hot and sunny conditions that prevailed last year.

Hamilton conceded the cooler climate had helped him set the pace on Friday but even if the sunny skies return McLaren are confident they have now solved the problems with their tyre management in hot conditions that hampered them in Valencia.

Separating the leading drivers in Hungary could well come down to their mental attitude going into the race weekend.

Those close to Hamilton said he simply looked “on it” all weekend in Germany, leading some to tell him he would win the race even when the 2008 champion was pouring water on his chances after practice.

Hamilton looks to be in a similarly upbeat frame of mind in Hungary and has been looking relaxed in the company of his brother Nicolas, while Button has also been sporting his trademark smile after two difficult races.

Aside from the distractions of celebrating his 30th birthday with an impromptu appearance from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, Alonso was adamant he could squeeze more out of his Ferrari.

But there is one man on a definite mission in Hungary as Vettel is zoned in on his first win in three races. He insisted: “Here we want to be on top again.”

BBC F1 commentator Martin Brundle summed up the champion team’s chances, saying: “The tide is turning against Red Bull. If they are going to arrest that this is the perfect place to do it – but the early signs are that they’ve got their hands full.”

UPDATE AT 1750 ON SATURDAY:

The fight for pole in Hungary was just as close as those involved in the battle predicted it would be, with just half a second separating the top five drivers.

After ending a three-race wait for a pole, it gave Vettel another chance to come out with his trademark line over the car radio: “Yes, yes, this is what I’m talking about.”

But his hunt for a seventh win of the season at the Hungaroring might not be as straightforward.

Alonso, who starts in fifth, predicts Ferrari will be even more competitive than they were at the last race in Germany and he also backed his old rival and team-mate, McLaren’s Hamilton, to have better race pace than Vettel’s Red Bull.

Hamilton himself declared himself, “massively happy to be in the fight” even if he did just miss out on his first pole position in more than a year.

Webber, who started in sixth as a result of issues with his DRS overtaking device on his hot lap, described Red Bull’s race pace as encouraging but stopped short of saying it was more than a match for the resurgence McLaren and Ferraris.

Red Bull know they are in for a tight battle on Sunday but they are confident they are up to the challenge.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/07/fresh_from_the_thrills_of.html

Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd

Hamilton: ?I was ahead and got hit? | 2011 Belgian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton blamed Kamui Kobayashi for the crash that put him out of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/-z8QiQ4wYVE/

George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson

Jenson Button produces Hungarian masterclass

On Saturday evening in Hungary, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso were two of the luminaries who joined Jenson Button to celebrate the occasion of his 200th grand prix. Twenty-four hours later they stood either side of the McLaren driver as he celebrated another superb win in the tricky wet-dry conditions in which he excels.

Every one of Button‘s four wins since he joined McLaren at the start of last season has come in wet-dry races, conditions which reward the deftness of touch and exquisite feel for grip levels that the 31-year-old has displayed from the very beginning of his Formula 1 career.

“I’m always pretty lucky in these conditions,” Button said in the news conference after the race, but it has absolutely nothing to do with good fortune. It is about skill and judgement.

It was a drive as perfect as the symmetry that saw him take his second win of the year at his 200th grand prix and at the same track where five years ago he finally took his first victory at the 113th attempt, also in mixed conditions.

Button has something of a sixth sense, a way of feeling the limits of what is possible in conditions where the track is damp but not soaking wet, that goes beyond that of nearly all his rivals, and he demonstrated it vividly again at the Hungaroring on Sunday.

Perhaps only Button’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton has the same deftness and certainty of touch in rainy conditions – the younger McLaren man also has a clutch of brilliant wet wins on his CV. But even he was caught out by the tricky combination of a low-grip track surface and a sprinkling of mid-race rain.

It was not, though, Hamilton’s lap 47 spin at the chicane that lost him the race, nor the decision five laps later, while disputing the lead with Button, to stop for intermediate tyres. By then, the writing was already on the wall.

No, the critical moment for Hamilton was his third stop on lap 40.

McLaren fitted another set of the super-soft tyres to Hamilton’s car, while Red Bull – whose cars stopped on the laps immediately before and after him – fitted the harder prime tyre, the idea being to run it for the final 30 laps of the race. Button, who stopped two laps after Hamilton, did the same.

Of the front-runners, only Alonso did the same as Hamilton – and the Ferrari driver needed to gamble to try to clear the Red Bull of Mark Webber, which had been holding him up for much of the race.

Once that choice was made, Hamilton’s only hope of winning was to use what should have been the extra grip of the softer tyre to quickly pull out enough of a lead to make the additional pit stop he was going to need, as the super-softs were never going to get him to the end of the race.

Instead, with rain starting to fall, Button started closing at about a second a lap. Who knows, perhaps that was what prompted Hamilton’s spin. Perhaps, feeling the race slipping away, he was pushing just that little bit too hard.

The incident led to a diverting – and thoroughly entertaining – couple of laps as the two McLaren team-mates passed and re-passed each other, showing fantastic judgement and respect as they raced wheel to wheel for the lead.

But a diversion was all it was.

Up in the stewards room, they were about to hand Hamilton a drive-through penalty for forcing Force India driver Paul di Resta – producing yet another impressive drive – to take avoiding action as the McLaren spin-turned back into the race.

Meanwhile, out on the track, Hamilton, struggling with a radio problem that meant he could hear the team but they could not hear him, was called in to change to intermediate tyres, and he obeyed. Right behind him, Button got the same call, he revealed on the BBC post-race forum on the red button, but ignored it.

On that decision hung the victory. Had Button come in, he would have needed to stop again for dry tyres – as did Hamilton and Webber, who also changed to intermediates during the shower – and Vettel would have won the race.

As it was, the German took second place with a calm, mature, understated but effective drive that has made his grip on the championship even more vice-like than it already was.

Vettel has not won for three races now, and there is no doubt that Red Bull are slightly on the back foot, but still he left Hungary with a bigger championship lead than he had when he arrived.

Vettel is now 85 points ahead of second-placed Webber rather than 77, with Hamilton a further three points back, Alonso one behind the Englishman and Button 100 points, four clear wins, adrift in fifth.

Nevertheless, the man who has scored the most points in the last four races is Alonso, even if Vettel’s impressive consistency means he has notched up only three points fewer despite not winning since Valencia at the end of June.

The Ferrari was genuinely fast again in Hungary, and Alonso had the pace to contest the lead battle had not a difficult opening lap led to a messy first half of the race stuck behind other cars.

Alonso did not help himself – he had to pass both Mercedes drivers twice because he made mistakes after overtaking them the first time and let them back in front. He then spent the second stint with Webber blocking his progress, before his tyre gamble got him some free air.

Had it not been for Webber’s mistake in fitting intermediates and Hamilton’s penalty, that strategy call would not have paid off, and Alonso would have ended the race still stuck down in fifth.

Nevertheless, Alonso, like the McLaren drivers, has sensed a shift in the balance of power and that is something all the protagonists will be pondering in the three-week summer break before the Belgian Grand Prix.

“The second part of the championship should be good for us,” Alonso said. “Spa, with medium- and high-speed corners, should suit the team, and then Monza is our home race.”

Red Bull, it is clear, are vulnerable in the races, and wins are there for the taking. But unless some kind of disaster befalls Vettel – or all his rivals start finishing ahead of him all the time, rather than just the odd one or two – the championship is already gone.

If you want to comment on the new UK TV rights deal, please visit the blog written by BBC head of F1 Ben Gallop. We would ask you please to restrict your comments here to the topic covered.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/07/on_saturday_evening_in_hungary.html

Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

Kyle Busch gets 50th series win

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/26/1439561/kyle-busch-wins-by-a-nose.html

Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo

Luminaries gather to honour Button

At the Hungaroring

Once the intense competition of qualifying was over in Hungary, the Formula 1 fraternity put aside their rivalries for an unusual social occasion.

Luminaries from the top to the bottom of the paddock had crammed into McLaren’s buzzing motorhome on Saturday evening to celebrate Jenson Button‘s 200th Grand Prix.

It was a fascinating scene for the F1 voyeur. Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali stood chatting to Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug with a friendly arm around his shoulder. Team Lotus driver Jarno Trulli perched on a stool under the towering presence of Silver Arrows team boss Ross Brawn as Sauber‘s Sergio Perez mingled with the Virgin Racing drivers.

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso nearly stole the show when the former McLaren arch-rivals warmly embraced each other, suggesting the particularly bitter cold war between the 2007 team-mates was well and truly thawing.

But the evening had been arranged by McLaren to mark Button’s career and each of the 31-year-old’s previous team bosses – with the exception of exiled Renault boss Flavio Briatore and BAR-Honda chief Dave Richards – spoke enthusiastically about the Somerset-born racer.

Button’s F1 career began in 2000 when he beat Brazilian Bruno Junqueira in a shoot-out for a Williams race seat.

Sir Frank Williams had a unique take on the then 20-year-old, recalling: “In those days he was devastatingly good-looking and was always being pursued.

F1 drivers celebrate Jenson Button’s 200th grand prix with the McLaren driver. Photo: McLaren

“He is a top, top guy. I really think that. He knew exactly how to get to the top and was completely unstoppable.”

After two seasons with the Benetton team, which was re-branded Renault, Button lost his drive to Alonso and joined BAR, which then morphed into Honda.

The Japanese team helped the Englishman win his first race at the 113th attempt in 2006 in the only wet race – so far – to be held at the Hungaroring.

Shortly afterwards Brawn joined Honda, and under the former Ferrari technical guru Button went on to claim the world title in 2009 with the renamed Brawn Grand Prix team.

Brawn toasted his former charge, saying: “Jenson has got some essential qualities; speed, honesty, integrity and professionalism. Eventually he put all those things together in 2009.

“The greatest compliment I can pay him is I’m really sad he’s not driving for us still.”

Luckily, Michael Schumacher – who just happened to win a record seven world titles with Brawn – and his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg weren’t around to weigh the implications of that remark.

It was left to Martin Whitmarsh, Button’s chief at McLaren for the last two seasons, to fill in the gaps in the Englishman’s career.

“Grand prix wins 10, pole positions seven, podiums 35, fastest laps four, number of points 650…” Whitmarsh began before Button tried to boost his statistics saying: “Why can’t you make some of this up?”

Whitmarsh continued: “What [the list] doesn’t say is; a great world champion and a fantastic ambassador to F1 – and the son of a smurf.” The latter – and lesser-known fact – was a humorous reference to Dad John Button’s nickname ‘Papa Smurf’.

Finally, Button took centre stage, surveyed the room of F1 faces, friends, media and McLaren staff before choosing his words carefully.

“Wow! 200,” he had begun. “Somebody actually asked me the other day what does 200 mean to you and first of all I thought they were talking about the number of PR days I’ve done this year.

“For a racing driver, the number normally doesn’t mean so much but it makes you think back to the good times you’ve had – and the bad times.

“Winning the world championship was a big thing for me but winning grands prix and fighting it out with the best, I’m very lucky to be in that position.

“It’s not over yet. I’m hoping for many, many more. Martin..?”

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/07/luminaries_gather_to_honour_bu.html

Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti

Spring Training 2011: Michael Waltrip, NASCAR team visit Chicago White Sox

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Two days before the green flag drops on the Cactus League schedule, NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip brought his racing team into the Chicago White Sox clubhouse.The former Daytona 500 winner, in town this weekend for Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup races, found there was plenty of NASCAR love emanating from the room. ESPNChicago.com White Sox blog The latest news and notes on the White Sox. Related posts:

1. VAR team hit with $25,000 fine after Michael Waltrip win CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has penalized the Truck Series team…
2. Michael Waltrip has grand plans for his race team in 2011 4-Wide: The Sleepers Of 2011 They might not be…
3. Michael Waltrip to be sponsored by Aaron’s for Talladega race TALLADEGA, Ala. — Michael Waltrip will enter the Sprint Cup…

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Source: http://doxcar.com/spring-training-2011-michael-waltrip-nascar-team-visit-chicago-white-sox/

Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood

Future le Femme in Pipeline for F1?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/AgbXqZXmmUw/future-le-femme-in-pipeline-for-f1.html

Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan

Vettel – and others – get lucky in Monaco

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/05/vettel—and-others—get-lucky-in-monaco.html

Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza

Kurt Busch passes on Nationwide race at Bristol

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/26/1438547/kurt-busch-passes-on-nationwide.html

Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso

Vettel wins, but has to work for it

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/05/vettel-wins-but-has-to-work-for-it.html

Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

Sergio Perez – classic F1

Sauber‘s Sergio Perez is the latest grand prix driver to choose his five all-time favourite races for BBC Sport’s classic Formula 1 series.

The 21-year-old Mexican has impressed greatly in his maiden season this year, starting from a super drive into the points at his debut race in Australia, even if Sauber were later disqualified on a technicality. He is also leading his more experienced team-mate Kamui Kobayashi 6-4 on qualifying performances and has generally driven with maturity and assurance in the races.

Perez, like Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg before him, has not chosen any races in which he has competed. Instead, he has opted to select some of the most exciting races of F1′s recent history. The Mexican’s choices are as follows, in his order of preference:

1) Brazil 2008

The race when the championship battle between McLaren‘s Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari‘s Felipe Massa went to the last corner of the last race, with Hamilton taking the fifth place he needed to win the title. Perez says: “I remember very well how exciting it was to see the outcome of the race, when Hamilton won literally in the last seconds the championship.”

2) Abu Dhabi 2010

When Ferrari lost the world championship for Fernando Alonso following a terrible tactical error, with Sebastian Vettel winning the race and title for Red Bull. Perez says he chose this race because it was another “thrilling” finale to the championship.

3) Brazil 2007

Another title-deciding race, this one turning on a disastrous afternoon for Hamilton, who watched the title slip through his fingers after a mistake on the first lap. The Englishman ran wide and then a gearbox glitch dropped him to the back of the field. He recovered to finish seventh but lost the title by a single point to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, who made up a 17-point deficit – then nearly two wins – in the final two races.

4) Brazil 2001

A typical race at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit, featuring rain showers, non-stop action and lots of overtaking. It was won by McLaren’s David Coulthard, who completed an excellent overtaking manoeuvre on Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher.

But the race is remembered for another passing move on the German, by Juan Pablo Montoya, who was driving in only his third grand prix. It was the manoeuvre that announced Montoya’s arrival as a major – if mercurial – talent, lunging from distance in his Williams to pass Schumacher, who was not used to being dealt with in that way. “I liked it a lot when Montoya overtook Schumacher,” says Perez. “It was a great move!”

5) Belgium 1998

Perez was only eight when this infamous race took place but even he describes it as “unforgettable”. Held in pouring rain, there was a 13-car pile-up at the start, Michael Schumacher crashing out of the lead when running into the back of Coulthard’s car in appalling visibility. The German then marched down the pit lane to confront his rival because he thought the Scot had taken him out deliberately.

In the end, Jordan secured its first win, achieved in controversial style when Eddie Jordan ordered Ralf Schumacher not to challenge team-mate Damon Hill for the win. But it was a race that had everything. And for that reason – and because it is the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend – we have embedded highlights of the race below. There are also are short and extended highlights of last season’s thrilling race at Spa, won brilliantly by Hamilton.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
CLICK HERE TO WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX

The classic races will be available to watch on the red button on BBC interactive television in the UK as follows:

They will be available on satellite and cable from 1500 BST on Wednesday 24 August until 0855 on Friday 26 August.

On Freeview, they will be available from 1030-1330 on Friday 26 August, when they will also be repeated on satellite and cable.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/08/sergio_perez_-_classic_f1.html

Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer

Heidfeld camp confirms ongoing legal case

Nick Heidfeld’s management team has confirmed that legal action is ongoing in London an attempt to get the German driver back in the cockpit at Lotus Renault. They say that a legal process will take place after the Italian GP … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/08/25/heidfeld-camp-confirms-ongoing-legal-case/

Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch Harry Blanchard

F1: Austin gets 2012 Date, Construction work continues and Citizens protest paying Ecclestone a Quarter Billion smackeroos!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/cmN0PZCpxC4/f1-austin-gets-2012-date-construction.html

Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti

Back from Oregon…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/sh-xRwXCVJA/back-from-oregon.html

Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel

F1: Pump vs. Race fuel

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/hZ_1qIMoGmw/f1-pump-vs-race-fuel.html

Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati George Amick

Send me your questions about F1 2011

Hello all,

I am filming the next entries for this video blog on Monday and that means I need your help.

As you know, we answer a selection of your questions as well as reviewing the last few races and looking forward to the next stage of the year.

So if you have any questions about F1 2011, please do post them below. We will pick a selection of the best and I will answer them here next week.

Thanks,

Murray

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/07/send_me_your_questions_about_f_1.html

Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder

Live: 2011 Belgian Grand Prix second practice | F1 Fanatic Live

Follow the 2011 Belgian Grand Prix second practice session on F1 Fanatic Live.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/bNgrYs3piTM/

Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux

Jeff Gordon wins the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway

Jeff Gordon Ends Drought Jeff Gordon snaps 66-race winless streak by taking the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at PhoenixJeff Gordon Ends Drought AVONDALE, Ariz. Related posts:

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Source: http://doxcar.com/jeff-gordon-wins-the-nascar-sprint-cup-race-at-phoenix-international-raceway/

Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore

Senna replaces Heidfeld at Spa

Lotus Renault has finally confirmed that Bruno Senna will replace Nick Heidfeld for the Belgian GP, but has declined to give any more details or explain how things have been resolved with the German driver. A short statement tonight said: … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/08/24/senna-replaces-heidfeld-at-spa/

Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise

NASCAR: Kyle Busch closes on Phoenix sweep

Kyle Busch closes on Phoenix sweep By Diego Mejia Sunday, February 27th 2011, 07:28 GMT Kyle Busch could make further NASCAR history this weekend by completing a full sweep of victories in its top-level championships at Phoenix in a single weekend, having already dominated in the Trucks and Natiowide Series races at the one-mile oval. Related posts:

1. Kyle Busch goes wire-to-wire in N’wide Phoenix win AVONDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Busch became the first driver in…
2. Kyle Busch rolls to 8th Nationwide win of season CLERMONT, Ind. — Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski kept it…
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Source: http://doxcar.com/nascar-kyle-busch-closes-on-phoenix-sweep/

Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh

Vettel wins, but has to work for it

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/05/vettel-wins-but-has-to-work-for-it.html

Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker

'It’s really about enjoying the racing,' Patrick says

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/25/1435764/danica-patrick-confirms-going.html

Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

Who wants to know what Mark Webber has been up to during the Formula 1 break?

As you know, the 2011 Formula 1 season is coming to the end of a summer break. Red Bull’s Mark Webber has admitted in the past that he isn’t a fan of the significant break in the middle of the season, but as it turns out, he has enjoyed his time off. Here is an [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/ryeSG4ZxyUk/who-wants-to-know-what-mark-webber-has-been-up-to-during-the-formula-1-break

Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley

Sadler claims pole for Bristol truck race

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/24/1433978/sadler-claims-pole-for-bristol.html

Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore

Senna to replace Heidfeld?

There are reports that Nick Heidfeld has been dropped by Lotus Renault GP for the Belgian Grand Prix – and the suggestion is that he might be out for the rest of the year. His place will be taken by Bruno Senna. The news has yet to be confirmed by the team – and I [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/senna-to-replace-heidfeld/

Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle

Team orders in spotlight again

Will Christian Horner regret not utilising team orders in Brazil? © Getty Images

Michael Spearman of The Sun, says that the £65,000 fine Ferrari received for breaching the team orders ban in Germany will seem like loose change if Fernando Alonso wins the drivers? title in Abu Dhabi.

?The extra seven points Alonso collected when Ferrari ordered Felipe Massa to move over for him in Germany earlier in the season are now looking even more crucial. ?And the £65,000 fine they picked up for ruthlessly breaking the rules will seem loose change if Alonso clinches the title in his first year with the Maranello team. ?Red Bull could have switched the result yesterday given their crushing dominance and still celebrated their first constructors’ championship just five years after coming into the sport. ?That would also have given Webber an extra seven points, leaving him just one behind Alonso.?

?If Alonso does take the title next week it would not be inappropriate were he and Ferrari to send a few gallons of champagne to Red Bull’s headquarters in Milton Keynes. ?While Red Bull should be heartily applauded for the championship they did win today their apparent acceptance that Ferrari might carry off the more glamorous prize continues to baffle Formula One and its globetrotting supporters. ?Their refusal to make life easy for Webber, who has led for much of the season and is still seven points ahead of Vettel, means that whatever happens in the desert next week Alonso, the only driver who was capable of taking the championship in the race today, only has to secure second place to guarantee his third world title.?

?Had Red Bull elected to adopt team orders and let Webber win ? something that the governing body allows when championships are at stake ? Webber would have left Brazil with 245 points ? just one point off the lead. For some that was confirmation of his suggestion that Vettel is the team’s favoured driver ? which generated an angry call from team owner Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria and was much denied by team principal, Christian Horner. ?And it sets up a situation where, if the result is repeated next weekend, as is likely, Vettel and Webber will tie on 256, five behind Alonso.?

?Sebastian Vettel’s victory sends the world title fight to a four-way showdown for the first time in the sport’s history. ?Hamilton goes there as part of that story with a 24-point deficit to Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, but with just 25 on offer in the final round in six days’ time it would take more than a miracle. ?Driving an outclassed McLaren he slugged it out against superior machinery and stiff odds to finish fourth.?

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/team_orders_in_spotlight_again_1.php

Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard

INDYCAR: Wilson out ? Pagenaud in for Mid Ohio race

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/WI8-1FRVn7k/indycar-wilson-out-pagenaud-in-for-mid.html

Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha

Bahrain isn’t in the script

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/04/bahrain-isnt-in-the-script.html

Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks Alan Brown Walt Brown

Resurgent Hamilton worries Red Bull

A thrilling German Grand Prix, capped by a superb drive to victory by Lewis Hamilton, confirmed the growing impression that this Formula 1 season has a lot of life left in it.

Sebastian Vettel retains a massive 77-point lead in the championship after salvaging a difficult afternoon with a fourth place snatched from Ferrari’s Felipe Massa in a late pit stop duel between the two teams.

But Red Bull have lost the performance advantage they enjoyed at the start of the season. They have won only once in four grands prix and, far more tellingly than that, they have been outpaced in the last two races.

At Silverstone, Fernando Alonso‘s Ferrari was faster than the Red Bull. At the Nurburgring on Sunday the Spaniard retained that position, and McLaren leapfrogged both of them.

McLaren in general and Hamilton in particular, have taken a bit of flak from certain quarters in the last month or so, but they bounced back with a bang in Germany.

Hamilton drove a stunning lap in qualifying to split the Red Bulls on the grid, and he capped it with what he described as “one of the best races I’ve ever done”.

The 26-year-old has produced so many inspirational drives in his career that it is difficult to say whether this was the best, but it was certainly right up there.

As has so often been the case, Hamilton owed his win partly to his unsurpassed abilities as a racer – Alonso’s Ferrari emerged from his second pit stop in front, just ahead of the McLaren, but a trademark brilliant passing move around the outside of the red car at the second corner gave Hamilton the lead.

As Alonso struggled on tyres not quite up to temperature, Hamilton pulled out a 1.7-second lead on that lap and followed it with a succession of three fastest laps in a row to extend his advantage to more than three seconds. From there, it was simply a case of not making a mistake with the timing of the final pit stop.

It has been a turbulent few weeks for Hamilton. After pushing Vettel so close for victory in Spain back in May, the wheels seemed to come off a bit.

A difficult weekend in Monaco culminated in frustration and his ill-advised “Ali G” remarks. A disappointing qualifying session in Canada led to Hamilton seeking out Red Bull team principal Christian Horner for a chat about the future. High tyre wear left him fourth in Valencia, way off the pace of the Red Bulls and Alonso. And McLaren struggled again in Silverstone, hit harder than their rivals by the one-race restriction on the use of exhaust gases to boost downforce.

The effect that had had on Hamilton’s optimism was clear on Friday when he said there was “no way” he could compete for pole, but his mood turned full circle on Saturday and he entered the race knowing he could compete for victory.

He grabbed the lead at the start, and although he was passed by Red Bull’s Mark Webber following a mistake on lap 12, the Red Bull was not able to get away.

As Webber said, “the alarm bells started to ring then”, and that analysis was spot on. Just as he had at the first stops, Webber came into the pits first, aiming to take advantage of the extra grip from fresh tyres. But the second time it did not work out, and the Red Bull was jumped by both Hamilton and Alonso, who then left him behind.

Just how much this win meant to Hamilton was clear in the post-race television interviews, as he tried and failed to fight back tears after he had finished speaking.

With those tears – and that drive – perhaps Hamilton has begun to shed the frustration of the past few weeks, and can now relax into a second half of the season that, on the evidence of the last two or three races, should make fascinating viewing.

In the last two races now, the three top teams have fought out victory – and slowly this season is turning into exactly what it had promised to be before Vettel’s amazing start.

It remains to be seen whether McLaren are back for good, or whether they benefited from the unique chilly conditions in Germany.

As far as Ferrari are concerned, though, there is now little doubt that they are a genuine challenge for Red Bull everywhere.

As Alonso pointed out, they have been contesting the lead at the last four races, all of which have been on very different tracks, and he now has a win and two second places from the last three grands prix.

The Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend will be a very telling event. Red Bull totally dominated it last year, but the evidence of the last few weeks suggests it may not be so easy for them this time around.

Ferrari, one suspects, will at least give them a run for their money, having proved in the last couple of races that they have largely solved the aerodynamic weaknesses in their car that blighted the start to their season. McLaren, though, appear still to lack efficiency in the sort of long-duration corners that abound at the Hungaroring, which may make life a bit more difficult for them.

Vettel will go there on the back of a rare off-weekend at the Nurburgring, when he was never comfortable in the car and never looking like getting on terms with Webber.

In the race – as has often been the case when he is not leading from the front – he looked ordinary, unable to find a way past Massa for the last 20 laps of the race and needing his pit crew to do the job for him heading into the last lap.

And so the questions over Vettel’s ability when he is back in the pack remain.

The last two races have been an eye-opener for Red Bull – and on Sunday both Webber and Vettel talked about needing more from the car.

In the circumstances, Vettel will be pleased to have salvaged a fourth place, and kept his lead over Webber to more than three clear wins.

With such a huge advantage – Vettel is 82 points ahead of Hamilton and 86 in front of Alonso – it is still unlikely that he will be caught. But at least now he knows he has a real fight on his hands.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/07/resurgent_hamilton_puts_fright.html

Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers

Jaime Alguersuari – classic F1

Toro Rosso‘s Jaime Alguersuari is the latest grand prix driver to pick his five all-time favourite races for BBC Sport’s classic Formula 1 series.

The 21-year-old Spaniard has been impressing on the track in recent races, putting to one side speculation about his future with strong drives into the points in the last three races – Canada, Valencia and Silverstone.

Alguersuari is a singular character – outspoken and interesting, with a particularly idiosyncratic approach to his Twitter account.

He has applied that uniqueness to his choice of races for this feature, which we use to whet your appetites for the action to come at this weekend’s German Grand Prix.

In chronological order, his choices are as follows:

The 2006 Japanese Grand Prix

A no-holds-barred, flat-out battle between F1′s then top two drivers – Fernando Alonso and Michael Scumacher. It was reminiscent of a similar fight between Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen six years previously. Alonso, driving for Renault, put huge pressure on Schumacher throughout the race, so much so that the Ferrari’s engine eventually broke.

The result did not quite secure Alonso a second consecutive championship but it did put him in a virtually unassailable position – and he made no mistake at the final race of the season in Brazil. This is the first time we have shown highlights of that Japanese race.

The 2007 European Grand Prix.

Alguersuari remembers that “there was a big casino with the rain and you had whatever Force India was then – Spyker maybe – actually leading the race and a lot of people crashing”. He’s right. This was a spill-a-minute race, won by Alonso, who was driving for McLaren. More on that in a moment.

The 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix

“Because it was my first grand prix,” says Alguersuari.

It was also the scene of a brilliant victory by Lewis Hamilton in a McLaren car that had started the season more than two seconds off the pace.

The 2010 Australian Grand Prix

This race will long be remembered for Jenson Button‘s inspired victory for McLaren. It was also enlivened by Alguersuari’s brief but exciting tussle with Michael Schumacher, when the Spaniard re-passed the German legend after being overtaken.

“It was the first time I had really had a battle with someone in Formula 1,” Alguersuari says. “It was the start of something good, of what was a big season for me in 2010. It was the basis of my championship.”

The 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel led Mark Webber to a comfortable Red Bull one-two but Alguersuari remembers the race because it was the one in which he scored his first F1 points. “That was very nice and something I will not forget,” he says.

—————————-

As always, we choose one of these races to highlight. This time, we have gone for the 2007 European Grand Prix, which was held at the Nurburging, the track that hosts this weekend’s German GP.

It was an incident-packed weekend, starting from the moment Hamilton crashed his McLaren at high-speed in qualifying after a wheel came off, leaving the Englishman in 10th place on the grid, with Ferrari‘s Kimi Raikkonen on pole and Hamilton’s team-mate Alonso beside him on the front row.

The Nurburgring, high in the Eifel mountains, is famous for its capricious weather – and this race was no different. After rain hit on the first lap, Spyker’s Markus Winkelhock, making his one and only grand prix start, held the lead. The race was then stopped after four laps before Alonso and Raikkonen’s team-mate, Felipe Massa, battled it out for the win.

In the dry, Massa pulled out a lead of about five seconds only for Alonso to cut it back in the closing stages. The late rain then gave Alonso the chance he needed.

After both men had fitted intermediate tyres, Alonso was much faster than Massa, the Spaniard passing the Brazilian with a superb move around the outside of Turn Five, the two men banging wheels as the McLaren went through.

The result moved Alonso to within two points of Hamilton in the championship – and set the stage for a cataclysmic sequence of events at the next race at Hungary.

The highlights of that thrilling Nurburgring race are embedded below – Murray Walker is the commentator as he did a one-off stand-in race for BBC Radio 5 live that weekend.

There are also links to short and extended highlights of last year’s German Grand Prix, which was held at Hockenheim. During the controversial race, Ferrari asked Massa to hand the lead to Alonso, now his team-mate, to boost the latter’s title chances.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 GERMAN GRAND PRIX
CLICK HERE TO WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 GERMAN GRAND PRIX

A selection of the classic races will be shown on the BBC red button on interactive television in the United Kingdom. These will be Japan 2006, Europe 2007, Malaysia 2010 and extended highlights of Germany 2010.

Satellite and cable viewers will be able to watch them from 1500 BST on Wednesday 20 July until 0855 on Friday 22 July, when our broadcast of free practice starts.

Those watching via Freeview will be able to see the classic races between first and second practice on 22 July, from 1035 until 1255.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/07/jaime_alguersuari_-_classic_f1.html

Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella

Don?t Forget Moto GP at Indy this Weekend

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/Y4lAffV51aQ/dont-forget-moto-gp-at-indy-this.html

Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti

Tom Cruise in F1 ? now you?re talking

Red Bull does a lot of things right in F1 – although its management of drivers remains a bit of mystery on occasion – but the Austrian drinks firm does understand how to draw attention to itself, and to the sport. Rather than twiddling about with C-List celebrities who know Flavio Briatore the Austrians have [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/tom-cruise-in-f1-now-youre-talking/

Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger

FIVE memorable moments from the Belgian Grand Prix (Videos)

We have been starved of Grand Prix action for far too long now. The countdown to the Belgian Grand Prix continues here though with five memorable moments from years gone by. Which is your favourite? What other memories do you have from races in Belgium? Let us know! [There is a video that cannot be [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/a3fwZT5N6z4/five-memorable-moments-from-the-belgian-grand-prix-videos

Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham Gary Brabham

Five hours and 15 minutes after the race?

This week’s Grand Prix + includes all the excitements from the Hungaroring, complete with pictures of the action and atmosphere in Budapest, where Jenson Button celebrated his 200th Grand Prix with a victory over Sebastian Vettel in difficult conditions. The 80-page magazine includes a new look at Le Mans 1955… the story of how McLaren [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/coming-soon-the-fastest-e-magazine-in-f1/

Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni

Future le Femme in Pipeline for F1?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/AgbXqZXmmUw/future-le-femme-in-pipeline-for-f1.html

Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow

The charging Red Bull?

Sebastian Vettel topped the time sheets in P3 in Hungary, with a lap that was three-tenths faster than Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari. Jenson Button was third for McLaren ahead of Mark Webber and Felipe Massa. Lewis Hamilton was down in seventh, having not gone for a time. The Silverstone winner found himself sandwiched between [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/the-charging-red-bull/

Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti

NASCAR – Nationwide – Food City 250 Preview

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/23/1430814/nascar-nationwide-food-city-250.html

Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni

NASCAR – Camping World Truck – O'Reilly 200 Preview

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/23/1430765/nascar-camping-world-truck-oreilly.html

Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks

F1: Pump vs. Race fuel

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/hZ_1qIMoGmw/f1-pump-vs-race-fuel.html

Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati

Playing the Formula 1 Numbers game…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/9U_4BIxf-9Q/playing-formula-1-numbers-game.html

Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux

F1: Austin gets 2012 Date, Construction work continues and Citizens protest paying Ecclestone a Quarter Billion smackeroos!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/cmN0PZCpxC4/f1-austin-gets-2012-date-construction.html

Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber Skip Barber Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello

Blog on? a summary of August

This blog closed down on the Monday after the Hungarian Grand Prix and (oddly) I went off on holiday to a place called Plogoff, which can be found way, way, way out there at the end of Brittany. The only link I could figure to motor racing was that it is where Edouard Michelin, the [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/blog-on-a-summary-of-august/

Bob Bondurant Felice Bonetto Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu

To America, Hamilton is the new Beckham

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/06/to-america-hamilton-is-the-new-beckham.html

Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger

Is Sam Schmidt Motorsports the Next Rising Star in Indy Cars?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/yhJZBQiIitU/is-sam-schmidt-motorsports-next-rising.html

Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof

Button Steps Up Pre Season Training With Lance Armstrong

Jenson Button teamed up with record breaking cyclist Lance Armstrong, as he continues to prepare for another Formula One season. The McLaren driver excitedly tweeted that he would be riding with Armstrong, the 7 time Tour de France winner, in Hawaii. Armstrong responded via Twitter “I hope he doesn’t ride as srong as he drives [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/button-steps-up-pre-season-training-with-lance-armstrong/

Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks

Marc Gene drives Ferrari in Rotterdam demo | F1 video

Gene had to switch cars after crashing a Ferrari during a demo run.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/Mc2J4DYEPHY/

Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso

FIA considering DRS ban at Eau Rouge in Spa | 2011 Belgian Grand Prix

The FIA may ban drivers from using DRS at Eau Rouge at all times during the Belgian Grand Prix.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/Aq4AmhDDuOU/

Bill Brack Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli

FIVE memorable moments from the Belgian Grand Prix (Videos)

We have been starved of Grand Prix action for far too long now. The countdown to the Belgian Grand Prix continues here though with five memorable moments from years gone by. Which is your favourite? What other memories do you have from races in Belgium? Let us know! [There is a video that cannot be [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/a3fwZT5N6z4/five-memorable-moments-from-the-belgian-grand-prix-videos

Tony Brooks Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes

EXCLUSIVE: More Dallara Automobili USA revealed – Picture 3

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/RNRzaXeMr-4/exclusive-more-dallara-automobili-usa_26.html

Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati

Martin Whitmarsh hoping for Red Bull failure

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has admitted that he would welcome Red Bull not making the podium in Belgium. Whitmarsh has been discussing McLaren’s title chances and is aiming for a strong race at the end of the month. He said: “I’d like a one-two and it’d be handy if a Red Bull was not the [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/3H5C6lt2R0Q/martin-whitmarsh-hoping-for-red-bull-failure

Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel

‘The point of no confidence is quite near’

The wreckage of Jochen Rindt’s car at Barcelona © Getty Images

An excellent insight into the world of F1 as it used to be can be found on the regularly-interesting Letters of Note website. It publishes a hitherto unseen letter from Jochen Rindt to Lotus boss Colin Chapman written shortly after Rindt?s crash at Barcelona which was a result of the wing system on Lotus 49 collapsing at speed.

?Colin. I have been racing F1 for 5 years and I have made one mistake (I rammed Chris Amon in Clermont Ferrand) and I had one accident in Zandvoort due to gear selection failure otherwise I managed to stay out of trouble. This situation changed rapidly since I joined your team. ?Honestly your cars are so quick that we would still be competitive with a few extra pounds used to make the weakest parts stronger, on top of that I think you ought to spend some time checking what your different employes are doing, I sure the wishbones on the F2 car would have looked different. Please give my suggestions some thought, I can only drive a car in which I have some confidence, and I feel the point of no confidence is quite near.?

A little more than a year later Rindt’s Lotus suffered mechanical breakdown just before braking into one of the corners. He swerved violently to the left and crashed into a poorly-installed barrier, killing him instantly.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/the_point_of_no_confidence_is.php

Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham Gary Brabham

Jenson Button produces Hungarian masterclass

On Saturday evening in Hungary, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso were two of the luminaries who joined Jenson Button to celebrate the occasion of his 200th grand prix. Twenty-four hours later they stood either side of the McLaren driver as he celebrated another superb win in the tricky wet-dry conditions in which he excels.

Every one of Button‘s four wins since he joined McLaren at the start of last season has come in wet-dry races, conditions which reward the deftness of touch and exquisite feel for grip levels that the 31-year-old has displayed from the very beginning of his Formula 1 career.

“I’m always pretty lucky in these conditions,” Button said in the news conference after the race, but it has absolutely nothing to do with good fortune. It is about skill and judgement.

It was a drive as perfect as the symmetry that saw him take his second win of the year at his 200th grand prix and at the same track where five years ago he finally took his first victory at the 113th attempt, also in mixed conditions.

Button has something of a sixth sense, a way of feeling the limits of what is possible in conditions where the track is damp but not soaking wet, that goes beyond that of nearly all his rivals, and he demonstrated it vividly again at the Hungaroring on Sunday.

Perhaps only Button’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton has the same deftness and certainty of touch in rainy conditions – the younger McLaren man also has a clutch of brilliant wet wins on his CV. But even he was caught out by the tricky combination of a low-grip track surface and a sprinkling of mid-race rain.

It was not, though, Hamilton’s lap 47 spin at the chicane that lost him the race, nor the decision five laps later, while disputing the lead with Button, to stop for intermediate tyres. By then, the writing was already on the wall.

No, the critical moment for Hamilton was his third stop on lap 40.

McLaren fitted another set of the super-soft tyres to Hamilton’s car, while Red Bull – whose cars stopped on the laps immediately before and after him – fitted the harder prime tyre, the idea being to run it for the final 30 laps of the race. Button, who stopped two laps after Hamilton, did the same.

Of the front-runners, only Alonso did the same as Hamilton – and the Ferrari driver needed to gamble to try to clear the Red Bull of Mark Webber, which had been holding him up for much of the race.

Once that choice was made, Hamilton’s only hope of winning was to use what should have been the extra grip of the softer tyre to quickly pull out enough of a lead to make the additional pit stop he was going to need, as the super-softs were never going to get him to the end of the race.

Instead, with rain starting to fall, Button started closing at about a second a lap. Who knows, perhaps that was what prompted Hamilton’s spin. Perhaps, feeling the race slipping away, he was pushing just that little bit too hard.

The incident led to a diverting – and thoroughly entertaining – couple of laps as the two McLaren team-mates passed and re-passed each other, showing fantastic judgement and respect as they raced wheel to wheel for the lead.

But a diversion was all it was.

Up in the stewards room, they were about to hand Hamilton a drive-through penalty for forcing Force India driver Paul di Resta – producing yet another impressive drive – to take avoiding action as the McLaren spin-turned back into the race.

Meanwhile, out on the track, Hamilton, struggling with a radio problem that meant he could hear the team but they could not hear him, was called in to change to intermediate tyres, and he obeyed. Right behind him, Button got the same call, he revealed on the BBC post-race forum on the red button, but ignored it.

On that decision hung the victory. Had Button come in, he would have needed to stop again for dry tyres – as did Hamilton and Webber, who also changed to intermediates during the shower – and Vettel would have won the race.

As it was, the German took second place with a calm, mature, understated but effective drive that has made his grip on the championship even more vice-like than it already was.

Vettel has not won for three races now, and there is no doubt that Red Bull are slightly on the back foot, but still he left Hungary with a bigger championship lead than he had when he arrived.

Vettel is now 85 points ahead of second-placed Webber rather than 77, with Hamilton a further three points back, Alonso one behind the Englishman and Button 100 points, four clear wins, adrift in fifth.

Nevertheless, the man who has scored the most points in the last four races is Alonso, even if Vettel’s impressive consistency means he has notched up only three points fewer despite not winning since Valencia at the end of June.

The Ferrari was genuinely fast again in Hungary, and Alonso had the pace to contest the lead battle had not a difficult opening lap led to a messy first half of the race stuck behind other cars.

Alonso did not help himself – he had to pass both Mercedes drivers twice because he made mistakes after overtaking them the first time and let them back in front. He then spent the second stint with Webber blocking his progress, before his tyre gamble got him some free air.

Had it not been for Webber’s mistake in fitting intermediates and Hamilton’s penalty, that strategy call would not have paid off, and Alonso would have ended the race still stuck down in fifth.

Nevertheless, Alonso, like the McLaren drivers, has sensed a shift in the balance of power and that is something all the protagonists will be pondering in the three-week summer break before the Belgian Grand Prix.

“The second part of the championship should be good for us,” Alonso said. “Spa, with medium- and high-speed corners, should suit the team, and then Monza is our home race.”

Red Bull, it is clear, are vulnerable in the races, and wins are there for the taking. But unless some kind of disaster befalls Vettel – or all his rivals start finishing ahead of him all the time, rather than just the odd one or two – the championship is already gone.

If you want to comment on the new UK TV rights deal, please visit the blog written by BBC head of F1 Ben Gallop. We would ask you please to restrict your comments here to the topic covered.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/07/on_saturday_evening_in_hungary.html

Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell

Monaco Grand Prix F1 telemetry revealed | F1 Fanatic round-up

In the round-up: See detailed telemetry from an F1 car at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/W1M_AM9FaJo/

Skip Barber Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth

Webber needs to be the Bull in Istanbul

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/05/webber-needs-to-be-the-bull-in-istanbul.html

Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco

It’s the fans who make Silverstone so special

This blog is dedicated to a lady who will be celebrating her birthday on the 20th July this year. I don’t know her name or where she lives. But as far as I’m concerned, she epitomizes the passion and dedication of British motor racing fans.

Every year, our aim with the BBC coverage of the British Grand Prix is to convey the love, the atmosphere, the humour and the uniqueness of the event to the millions across the UK who would like to be there but aren’t. It’s our job to get you as close to Silverstone as possible. I’d love to ‘borrow’ one of Bernie’s planes, pick you all up and drop you off in Northamptonshire, but sadly that’s not going to happen!

Last year Eddie Jordan and I set out to do a BBQ for some of the 30,000 campers who help generate Silverstone’s unique atmosphere as part of a feature for the BBC 1 coverage. This year we decided to do something a little different – a touch more challenging.

On Thursday, as it pelted down with rain, EJ boldly announced: “I started out selling smoked salmon on the streets of Dublin. I can sell anything!” So off we went to try and sell ice-creams, in the pouring rain, on a chilly and overcast Friday afternoon.

I had images of two slightly crest-fallen guys, a very empty field, and a grumpy ice-cream van owner. In reality I was blown away by the hundreds of fans who were literally soaking up the atmosphere.

One sight that really made me chuckle was the family of five huddled outside on a picnic table, eating fish and chips with only one umbrella between them. They bravely struggled on in a very British way.

Once EJ and I started selling a few ice-creams, we got to chatting to the crowd and the first person I spoke to about the race told me the most awesome story: She was born whilst her parents travelled home from the 1963 Grand Prix!

That race was won by Jim Clark in his Lotus-Climax the year he won his first World Championship. Jim shared the podium with John Surtees and Graham Hill and her story summed up what is special about the British Grand Prix: History.

It’s part of the fabric of our nation, part of our culture, our past and our present, something that we can all relate to. Even the most non-F1 loving friend of yours could no doubt recall Nigel Mansell’s heroics in 1987 or Lewis Hamilton in the rain 21 years later.

I love some of the new circuits and they have a place in modern Formula One, but all the money in the Middle East won’t buy you history. It sends a shiver down your spine as you enter the circuit year after year.

Take a look at the video here and remember that this was filmed last Friday, 24 hours before there was any competitive action on the track!

Without the fans the British Grand Prix wouldn’t be what it is and the same applies to the BBC’s F1 coverage. It’s you, the viewer, that make it. So it was great to jump on a three-seater bicycle with David Coulthard, a two-time Silverstone winner and Eddie to get around the campsites and local villages.

David made a great point, that as an F1 driver you never really appreciate this level of fanaticism as you arrive by helicopter, leave by helicopter, and the rest of the time you’re just focused on delivering on the track.

By Thursday morning at 9am the fields were each like mini-metropolises. People not only had their tents up, but there were fully-stocked kitchen areas, communal living spaces where all the fans could get together and talk F1. Not to mention Coulthard flags, Jordan flags and many of the tents were daubed with a certain driver or team name…serious planning had gone into the whole thing. And they still had time to push us out of the mud!

Many of those campers have been doing it for years and have spent plenty of money cheering on DC or the Jordan team over the years, so it was great that we were able to get their heroes on the back of my bike to meet the people who make F1 so special.

The only slightly confusing moment was when the family in their pyjamas referred to EJ as ‘Sexy Eddie’, neither DC nor myself quite understood it!

So while it’s fans, old and new, and the sense that you are connecting with history by being at Silverstone. It’s still essential that the old girl can compete with the Abu Dhabis and Singapores of this world. And that leads me onto the Silverstone Wing.

It did feel odd shifting the whole focus of the circuit away from the old pits/paddock complex but it’s a bold move that the BRDC has been applauded for.

I remember watching one of the Red Bull’s pit during the race and as the camera panned along the pitlane, following the car, I couldn’t believe it was Silverstone that we were looking at.

There will most definitely be changes and it may be that the focus of the in-field section moves towards the new building. There is a view that Silverstone must avoid a ‘them and us’ situation where the privileged minority in the paddock with the drivers and cars whilst the fans are in a totally different place. I’d also expect the pit-lane order to change so the grandstand can see the fast teams doing their stops.

However, I think this year’s race goes down as a huge success. Building a new pit complex and putting in the infrastructure to match, however, wouldn’t have made it a weekend to remember. It was the fact that despite the inevitable, slow march of time meaning Silverstone has to change – one thing remained. The fans, and it is they who truly make Silverstone a race weekend to remember.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2011/07/its_the_fans_who_make_silverst.html

Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston

Sauber expect strong race in Belgium | 2011 Belgian Grand Prix

Sauber technical director James Key expects the C30 to perform well at Spa next week.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/_9IHxiafKXk/

Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati

Danger for breakfast…

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/07/danger-for-breakfast.html

Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi

NASCAR: Kyle Busch closes on Phoenix sweep

Kyle Busch closes on Phoenix sweep By Diego Mejia Sunday, February 27th 2011, 07:28 GMT Kyle Busch could make further NASCAR history this weekend by completing a full sweep of victories in its top-level championships at Phoenix in a single weekend, having already dominated in the Trucks and Natiowide Series races at the one-mile oval. Related posts:

1. Kyle Busch goes wire-to-wire in N’wide Phoenix win AVONDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Busch became the first driver in…
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Source: http://doxcar.com/nascar-kyle-busch-closes-on-phoenix-sweep/

Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen

Life in the pit lane

The Mercedes pit crew prepare for Michael Schumacher in Singapore © Getty Images

Away from the world of multi-million-pound car development laboratories and drivers whose small change takes care of the Monte Carlo harbour fees, another drama will play out in Singapore this week. The Independent’s David Tremayne joins F1′s unsung heroes.

These are not select millionaires but up to 16 ordinary, yet gifted, guys; team mechanics who have worked their way up the system and often migrate from team to team, are paid real-world wages of between £30,000 and £50,000 a year, are drilled to perfection ? and whose split-second synchronisation brings their teams huge rewards.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/life_in_the_pit_lane.php

Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon

A different Spin on Firestone?s previously announced Exodus

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/cIYZUtii_60/different-spin-on-firestones-previously.html

Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso

Grosjean on cusp of GP2 title ? and F1 comeback? | GP2

Romain Grosjean can claim the GP2 championship at next weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix round.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/sIR8SbNQV4s/

Giovanna Amati George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson

Doctors use Formula One pit crews as safety model

American Medical News reports hospitals in at least a dozen countries are learning how to translate the split-second timing and near-perfect synchronisation of Formula One pit crews to the high-risk handoffs of patients from surgery to recovery and intensive care.

“In Formula One, they have checklists, databases, and they have well-defined processes for doing things, and we don’t really have any of those things in health care.”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/doctors_use_formula_one_pit_cr.php

Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem

IndyCar's Barnhart on hot seat

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/17/1419391/indycars-barnhart-under-the-gun.html

Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan Carlo Abate George Abecassis

Safety at Glen still a sore point

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/19/1424023/safety-at-watkins-glen-still-a.html

Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh

Luminaries gather to honour Button

At the Hungaroring

Once the intense competition of qualifying was over in Hungary, the Formula 1 fraternity put aside their rivalries for an unusual social occasion.

Luminaries from the top to the bottom of the paddock had crammed into McLaren’s buzzing motorhome on Saturday evening to celebrate Jenson Button‘s 200th Grand Prix.

It was a fascinating scene for the F1 voyeur. Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali stood chatting to Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug with a friendly arm around his shoulder. Team Lotus driver Jarno Trulli perched on a stool under the towering presence of Silver Arrows team boss Ross Brawn as Sauber‘s Sergio Perez mingled with the Virgin Racing drivers.

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso nearly stole the show when the former McLaren arch-rivals warmly embraced each other, suggesting the particularly bitter cold war between the 2007 team-mates was well and truly thawing.

But the evening had been arranged by McLaren to mark Button’s career and each of the 31-year-old’s previous team bosses – with the exception of exiled Renault boss Flavio Briatore and BAR-Honda chief Dave Richards – spoke enthusiastically about the Somerset-born racer.

Button’s F1 career began in 2000 when he beat Brazilian Bruno Junqueira in a shoot-out for a Williams race seat.

Sir Frank Williams had a unique take on the then 20-year-old, recalling: “In those days he was devastatingly good-looking and was always being pursued.

F1 drivers celebrate Jenson Button’s 200th grand prix with the McLaren driver. Photo: McLaren

“He is a top, top guy. I really think that. He knew exactly how to get to the top and was completely unstoppable.”

After two seasons with the Benetton team, which was re-branded Renault, Button lost his drive to Alonso and joined BAR, which then morphed into Honda.

The Japanese team helped the Englishman win his first race at the 113th attempt in 2006 in the only wet race – so far – to be held at the Hungaroring.

Shortly afterwards Brawn joined Honda, and under the former Ferrari technical guru Button went on to claim the world title in 2009 with the renamed Brawn Grand Prix team.

Brawn toasted his former charge, saying: “Jenson has got some essential qualities; speed, honesty, integrity and professionalism. Eventually he put all those things together in 2009.

“The greatest compliment I can pay him is I’m really sad he’s not driving for us still.”

Luckily, Michael Schumacher – who just happened to win a record seven world titles with Brawn – and his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg weren’t around to weigh the implications of that remark.

It was left to Martin Whitmarsh, Button’s chief at McLaren for the last two seasons, to fill in the gaps in the Englishman’s career.

“Grand prix wins 10, pole positions seven, podiums 35, fastest laps four, number of points 650…” Whitmarsh began before Button tried to boost his statistics saying: “Why can’t you make some of this up?”

Whitmarsh continued: “What [the list] doesn’t say is; a great world champion and a fantastic ambassador to F1 – and the son of a smurf.” The latter – and lesser-known fact – was a humorous reference to Dad John Button’s nickname ‘Papa Smurf’.

Finally, Button took centre stage, surveyed the room of F1 faces, friends, media and McLaren staff before choosing his words carefully.

“Wow! 200,” he had begun. “Somebody actually asked me the other day what does 200 mean to you and first of all I thought they were talking about the number of PR days I’ve done this year.

“For a racing driver, the number normally doesn’t mean so much but it makes you think back to the good times you’ve had – and the bad times.

“Winning the world championship was a big thing for me but winning grands prix and fighting it out with the best, I’m very lucky to be in that position.

“It’s not over yet. I’m hoping for many, many more. Martin..?”

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/07/luminaries_gather_to_honour_bu.html

Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

No hurry for Webber 2012 deal, says Horner

Christian Horner says that there is no hurry to finalise a deal with Mark Webber for next season, but insists that he expects the Australian will stay. Red Bull?s Helmut Marko has added a twist to the story by apparently … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/08/01/no-hurry-for-webber-2012-deal-says-horner/

Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi

Journalists shocked at Korea award

Scarecrows adorn the entrance to a barren Korean International Circuit © Getty Images

Two leading Formula One journalists have expressed their surprise at Korea being named the best grand prix promoter of the season at the FIA?s annual prize gala in Monaco last Friday. The Korean Grand Prix received the Race Promoters’ Trophy despite the event taking place at an incomplete facility with few race fans in attendance and team members and media staying at disparagingly dubbed ‘love hotels’. “Korea. Korea? KOREA??!! I must have been somewhere else,” said Times correspondent Kevin Eason on Twitter. Daily Mirror journalist Byron Young added, “The Korean GP, complete with event and flight chaos, shoddy hotels and things I won’t mention, won the race promotors? trophy. Why?”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/12/journalists_shocked_at_korea_a.php

Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks

Team order rule needs a re-think

Jean Todt arives for Wednesday’s hearing © Getty Images

Formula One should look at abolishing the controversial ban on team orders after Ferrari escaped further punishment for their manipulation of the German Grand Prix result. That is the view of the Daily Telegraph?s Tom Cary, who is of the opinion that the team orders rule now needs to be seriously looked at because of its obvious shortcomings.

?Whether you are for or against team orders, if the FIA could not back up its own rules and nail a competitor in a blatant case such as this the rule really does need reviewing. Perhaps Ferrari?s thinly-veiled threat to take the matter to the civil courts if they were punished too harshly scared the governing body, who as much as admitted the flimsiness of its rule.”

Paul Weaver, reporting for the Guardian in Monza, was in favour of the ruling which keeps alive Ferrari?s slim chances in an enthralling championship.

?The World Motor Sport Council was right not to ruin a compelling Formula One season by taking away the 25 points Alonso collected in Germany. That would have put him out of the five-man title race. But the council was widely expected to increase the fine and possibly deduct points from the team, as opposed to the individual. In the end, it could be argued that common sense prevailed. But the decision will dismay those who were upset by the way Ferrari handled the situation as much as anything else.?

The Daily Mail’s Jonathan McEvoy expressed outrage at the FIA tearing up its own rule book by allowing Ferrari to escape unpunished.

“Although the race stewards fined them £65,000 for giving team orders in July, the FIA World Motor Sport Council, to whom the matter was referred, decided not to impose any further punishment. It leaves the sport’s rulers open to derision. It was, after all, their rule they undermined. In a statement, the WMSC said the regulation banning team orders ‘should be reviewed’.”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/team_order_rule_needs_a_rethin_1.php

John Barber Skip Barber Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels

Tempers blow hot in F1′s latest engine dispute

A dreary Friday at the British Grand Prix, with limited on-track running because of the wet weather, was enlivened by a public row in a news conference between the bosses of Formula 1′s leading two teams.

McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh and Red Bull’s Christian Horner disputed the rights and wrongs of the latest ruling from motorsport’s governing body the FIA on off-throttle blowing of diffusers.

If that sounds technical, it’s because it is – very. But it’s also very important, so please bear with me while I explain the complicated bit as simply as possible.

Over the last year, this technology, which was pioneered by Red Bull last summer, has been increasingly prevalent in F1 because of the dramatic effects it has on improving a car’s aerodynamics, and therefore its cornering speed and lap time.

Basically, teams have been blowing exhaust gases over the rear floor of their cars even when the driver is off the accelerator going into a corner.

This ensures downforce remains consistent, whereas if you blow your diffuser only when the driver is on the throttle, it produces instability when a driver least wants it – on the entry to a corner.

There are two types of blowing of a diffuser – hot and cold.

Cold-blowing is what was pioneered by Renault and Red Bull in 2010 – the throttles are left open but fuel is not introduced, so only air goes through the exhaust.

Horner (left) and Whitmarsh clashed over the new regulations. Photo: Getty Images

Hot-blowing – which generates much more energy and therefore downforce – is when fuel is introduced and burnt but the ignition is retarded to stop the engine pushing the car on while the driver is slowing it down.

Leading engineers say hot-blowing can give an advantage of as much as second a lap over no blowing at all, while cold-blowing is worth about 0.3-0.4secs.

The row started when the FIA decided to introduce a limit of 10% of throttle when the driver was not pressing the accelerator.

Many of the teams objected to that. Mercedes – which supplies McLaren, Mercedes and Force India – argued that they should be allowed to introduce fuel on what is called the overrun, which is when the engine is acting as a brake, for reliability reasons.

Renault objected to this, claiming that it meant Mercedes teams would be getting an advantage, and arguing they should be allowed to cold-blow to provide them with the equivalent advantage. This is what was allowed on Friday at Silverstone.

But Renault’s rivals object because the French engine company has now been allowed to have a 50% throttle opening when the driver is entering the corner.

This is what Whitmarsh calls “a very substantial performance benefit”. To which Horner responds: “Why is it any more of a performance benefit than fired overrun?”

The irony in all this is that sources say Renault were only using 45% open throttles even before the ruling. If that is true, it means the new rule actually allows them more off-throttle blowing than before.

The Mercedes teams, by contrast, have been “constrained” in terms of the hot-blowing they were doing, according to Whitmarsh. How this all affects Ferrari – who are also believed to have been hot-blowing – is unclear.

Of course, the big question is how those of us watching can be sure that we are watching a level playing field.

I sought out a leading, highly experienced engineer for an answer. He says, in a nutshell, that we can’t. But as a reassurance, he did add that “Charlie is very experienced at not having the wool pulled over his eyes.”

Charlie being Charlie Whiting, F1′s race director.

As a protest against the new ruling, the Mercedes teams ran in second practice with 50% open throttle during braking. Then, there was an explosive exchange in the drivers’ briefing with Whiting, with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton particularly animated on the matter.

And now all the engine manufacturers have been summoned to another meeting with Whiting.

Will the new rules put a dampener on Red Bull’s domination of the 2011 season? Photo: Reuters

I would imagine this will run into Saturday and possibly race day, too. F1 loves nothing more than a good row over technology.

For those interested, here is an edited transcript of the row between Whitmarsh and Horner. Those who want to read the whole thing will find it on the FIA website. (http://www.fia.com).

The argument started when I asked whether there was a level playing field and whether this was the end of the matter.

Horner: “First of all there was a technical directive that effectively turned it all off. That was met with reticence by the manufacturers, and it has been very much a manufacturer issue.

“Certain teams were then allowed to have fired overrun, to fuel their overrun, of which there were also secondary benefits, through the exhaust plumes and thrusts that creates.

“Renault presented their position to the FIA – and let’s not forget this is an extraordinarily complex matter – to demonstrate that precedent is there that – for purposes of throttle blip (when changing down the gears) and reliability – cold-air blowing, open throttle, was a necessary part of the operation of their engine otherwise it would cause serious issues.

“It would be unfair to allow fired overrun and not allow the same parameters for another engine manufacturer.

“It is a very difficult job for the FIA to pick their way through this and I think all credit to them, they have looked to be as fair, balanced and equitable as they decreed they would be, to come up with a solution that they have.

“We are not totally happy with the solution that we have, that’s for sure. I’m sure Martin isn’t with his and I’m sure there are a lot of conspiracies in the paddock.

“But that’s just circumstantial at the end of the day. The fundamentals are that the engine manufacturers have been treated in a fair and equitable manner.”

Whitmarsh: “I’m sure people set out to do that. There have been about six technical directives on the subject so far and when the goalposts are moving part-way through a practice session, it makes it quite difficult.

“To do this in a fairly cloudy, ambiguous and changing way, inevitably in a competitive environment every team feels it’s been hard done by. At the moment, potentially a lot of teams will end up making arguments to cold-blow.

“Renault have been in that domain for some time. Other teams haven’t and don’t have that experience. We are talking a very substantial performance benefit here.”

Horner: “Why is it any more of a performance benefit than fired overrun? At the end of the day, Renault is allowed a fired over-run but it can’t for reliability purposes.”

Whitmarsh: “No, but clearly if under braking the throttles are open 50%, it is a reasonable benefit. It is a lot of gas going through. I would imagine all engines will end up doing that, which isn’t what was envisaged when it was said we are going to stop engine blowing.”

Horner: “So Mercedes engines aren’t firing on overrun?”

Whitmarsh: “They’ve been constrained.”

Horner: “As have Renault.”

Whitmarsh: “Providing the constraints are the same for everyone, but clearly the fact we’re having this discussion, it’s messy.

“The intention people believed was that we were going to stop exhausts blowing when the driver didn’t have his foot on the throttle. I think that was a simple concept. But that concept has been deflected. Therefore it hasn’t been clear.

“The fact these things were only coming out in the course of today [Friday] is fairly extraordinary. But nonetheless I’m sure we’ll remain calm and pick our way through.

“But probably better to make changes to the regulations between seasons and not in seasons, and to make regulations that are clear and unambiguous.

“At the moment a lot of people are getting emotional about the situation and I can understand why it’s frustrating for the engineers not to know what it is we are allowed to do. By cold blowing, you’re getting an extra 30 or 40 points of rear downforce in braking and that’s quite an attractive thing, so if you can do it you’re going to do it.”

Horner: “Let’s not make any mistake here. Firing on overrun, the thrust that that generates through the exhaust, generates a bigger effect. Let’s just be absolutely clear on that.”

Whitmarsh: “And that’s been largely contained. A lot of those strategies are not permissible now.”

Horner: “I read the technical directive that four-cylinder fired over-run was permissible for certain competitors and that includes your engine. As far as we understood, before Renault were allowed their parameters ,obviously there was a significant advantage going to any Mercedes-powered team.

“As you can see, it’s a massively complex subject and the one thing Martin and I will agree on is it should have been addressed at the end of the year. But unfortunately here we are.”

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/07/new_engine_rules_power_f1s_lat.html

Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber Skip Barber

Marussia Virgin Racing Launch Their 2011 Car

Marussia Virgin Racing have launched their car to take on the 2011 world championship in a lavish London ceremony. The Marussia name now preceeds Virgin following a major tie up with the Russian sportscar manufacturer and the team at the end of 2010.  It has led to the new car being designated as the MVR-02. [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/marussia-virgin-racing-launch-their-2011-car/

Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion

What Ralph Lauren can teach Mr. E

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/07/what-ralph-lauren-can-teach-mr-e.html

Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen

EXCLUSIVE: More Dallara Automobili USA revealed – Picture 4

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/UMQEmO3Oxys/exclusive-more-dallara-automobili-usa.html

Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon

Journalists shocked at Korea award

Scarecrows adorn the entrance to a barren Korean International Circuit © Getty Images

Two leading Formula One journalists have expressed their surprise at Korea being named the best grand prix promoter of the season at the FIA?s annual prize gala in Monaco last Friday. The Korean Grand Prix received the Race Promoters’ Trophy despite the event taking place at an incomplete facility with few race fans in attendance and team members and media staying at disparagingly dubbed ‘love hotels’. “Korea. Korea? KOREA??!! I must have been somewhere else,” said Times correspondent Kevin Eason on Twitter. Daily Mirror journalist Byron Young added, “The Korean GP, complete with event and flight chaos, shoddy hotels and things I won’t mention, won the race promotors? trophy. Why?”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/12/journalists_shocked_at_korea_a.php

Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson

Button Steps Up Pre Season Training With Lance Armstrong

Jenson Button teamed up with record breaking cyclist Lance Armstrong, as he continues to prepare for another Formula One season. The McLaren driver excitedly tweeted that he would be riding with Armstrong, the 7 time Tour de France winner, in Hawaii. Armstrong responded via Twitter “I hope he doesn’t ride as srong as he drives [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/button-steps-up-pre-season-training-with-lance-armstrong/

Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha

IndyCar's Barnhart on hot seat

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/17/1419391/indycars-barnhart-under-the-gun.html

Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks

Webber needs to be the Bull in Istanbul

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/05/webber-needs-to-be-the-bull-in-istanbul.html

Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball

Martin Whitmarsh: ?I trust the drivers??

Martin Whitmarsh says he?s confident that Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton can race each other safely after the pair exchanged places several times in the Hungarian GP. Although they collided in Canada they have raced without problems on many other … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/08/01/martin-whitmarsh-i-trust-the-drivers/

Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot

Is it time to bring back qualifying tyres? | Debates and polls

Pirelli have raised the prospect of reintroducing qualifying tyres in F1. Is that something you want to see?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/GZVD6ecJhgs/

Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr

Michael Schumacher: ?I?ll be racing next year? | F1 Fanatic round-up

In the round-up: Michael Schumacher says he will be driving for Mercedes in 2012.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/TMAnsoZQiIM/

Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso

Playing the Formula 1 Numbers game…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/9U_4BIxf-9Q/playing-formula-1-numbers-game.html

Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti

Your F1 questions answered – part III

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel has headed off for his summer holidays with a healthy championship lead but the world champion is still being criticised because he has only won once in four races.

Is Vettel cracking or is it just a blip; can his rivals at McLaren and Ferrari catch him and is Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone unfairly treated?

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the video here.

Murray gives his thoughts on the new UK television rights deal here.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/08/your_f1_questions_answered_-_p.html

Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

Nine wannabe winners

That was another fabulous race in Hungary, with the top three teams fighting for the win but in every Formula 1 race there are 12 teams and 24 drivers.

I’ve been taking a look at how some of the smaller teams like Force India and Sauber are faring at the mid-way point of the 2011 season, as well as picking the nine drivers who have impressed me most so far.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the video here.

Murray gives his thoughts on the new UK television rights deal here.

If you would like to comment on the new UK television rights deal, please go to the BBC’s head of F1 Ben Gallop’s blog on that subject

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/08/nine_wannabie_winners.html

Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown

IndyCar to hear 2 protests over Sunday's results

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/16/1417513/indycar-to-hear-2-protests-over.html

Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison

Hamilton decision-making under the microscope

Lewis Hamilton has come in for criticism © Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton?s decision-making ability has come into question after he crashed into the side of Felipe Massa on lap one, causing his early retirement from the Italian Grand Prix. This incident has raised questions about his temperament and ability to bounce back. Kevin Garside of the Daily Telegraph questions how much we should really be expecting from Hamilton. ?Perhaps this is how it must be with Hamilton, an instinctive racer compelled to chase the impossible through gaps that don?t exist. He took the best part of an hour to compose himself before walking out into the sun to face the cameras. This was Hamilton?s third DNF of the season but the first of his own making. Occasions like this are perhaps reminders to us not to expect too much. ?On the days when Hamilton?s insane alliance of guts, skill and derring-do appear capable of delivering the world it is easy to forget he is only 25, an age when it is all too common for boys to believe themselves men.? Byron Young of the Mirror also pulls no punches about Hamilton?s performance and was heavily critical of the manoeuvre which meant he left the weekend pointless. ?To say that his dive down the outside at Della Roggia chicane was optimistic would be generous. Mystifying, definitely, with so much at stake. So often Hamilton has made them stick but yesterday the outcome was all too predictable.?

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/hamilton_decisionmaking_under_1.php

Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa

Robert Kubica Hospitalised Following Rally Accident

UPDATE ON KUBICA’s CONDITION:  http://wp.me/p3uiu-11K Renault Lotus F1 driver Robert Kubica has been airlifted to hospital following a car accident while competing on a rally. The incident, described as a high speed accident, left the Pole injured and he had to be airlifted to hospital.  His co-driver Jakub Gerber was uninjured in the incident. While [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/robert-kubica-hospitalised-following-rally-accident/

Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore

McLaren drivers out of title race

Is it now a three-way battle for the title? © Getty Images

Fernando Alonso is still the driver in the best position to win the drivers? title according to the Daily Telegraph?s Tom Cary.

?Focus and concentration will be of paramount importance and there is none stronger in this regard than Ferrari?s Fernando Alonso.?

The Guardian?s Oliver Owen thinks that it is Mark Webber?s title to lose now, and that this may be the Australian?s last realistic chance of winning the title.

?He has driven beautifully. Monaco and Silverstone spring to mind. He has been an uncompromising racer, not giving Vettel or Lewis Hamilton an inch in Turkey and Singapore respectively. Most importantly, he has largely avoided the bouts of brain fade that can wreck a season ? his on-track hooning in Melbourne when racing Hamilton being the only exception. But there is a feeling that for Webber it is now or never, that a chance of a tilt at the title may never come again. He is certainly driving as if that is the case and that has been his strength.?

According to The Mirror?s Byron Young, both McLaren drivers are now out of the title hunt after their fourth and fifth place finishes in Suzuka.

?McLaren’s title hopes died yesterday in a weekend from Hell at Suzuka. Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and fifth in a Japanese Grand Prix they had to win to have the remotest chance of keeping their title bid alive.”

The Sun?s Michael Spearman was of the same opinion, saying ?Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button’s title hopes were in tatters after a shocker in Japan.?

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/mclaren_drivers_out_of_title_r_1.php

Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell

Toro Rosso boss piles on the pressure

Torro Rosso team boss Franz Tost has hinted that the future of Sebastien Buemi could be decided at the end of the current season. Buemi is halfway through his third year driving for the team and Tost believes this is long enough to judge the potential of a young driver. Indicating that decisions on drivers will be [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/YEXxGWGVAAY/toro-rosso-boss-piles-on-the-pressure

Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell

NASCAR – Camping World Truck – VFW 200 Preview

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/16/1417618/nascar-camping-world-truck-vfw.html

Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg

NASCAR – Nationwide – NAPA Auto Parts 200 Preview

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/16/1417623/nascar-nationwide-napa-auto-parts.html

Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta

McLaren drivers out of title race

Is it now a three-way battle for the title? © Getty Images

Fernando Alonso is still the driver in the best position to win the drivers? title according to the Daily Telegraph?s Tom Cary.

?Focus and concentration will be of paramount importance and there is none stronger in this regard than Ferrari?s Fernando Alonso.?

The Guardian?s Oliver Owen thinks that it is Mark Webber?s title to lose now, and that this may be the Australian?s last realistic chance of winning the title.

?He has driven beautifully. Monaco and Silverstone spring to mind. He has been an uncompromising racer, not giving Vettel or Lewis Hamilton an inch in Turkey and Singapore respectively. Most importantly, he has largely avoided the bouts of brain fade that can wreck a season ? his on-track hooning in Melbourne when racing Hamilton being the only exception. But there is a feeling that for Webber it is now or never, that a chance of a tilt at the title may never come again. He is certainly driving as if that is the case and that has been his strength.?

According to The Mirror?s Byron Young, both McLaren drivers are now out of the title hunt after their fourth and fifth place finishes in Suzuka.

?McLaren’s title hopes died yesterday in a weekend from Hell at Suzuka. Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and fifth in a Japanese Grand Prix they had to win to have the remotest chance of keeping their title bid alive.”

The Sun?s Michael Spearman was of the same opinion, saying ?Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button’s title hopes were in tatters after a shocker in Japan.?

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/mclaren_drivers_out_of_title_r_1.php

Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle

F1: Alonso: 2011 tyres will hurt top teams

Alonso: 2011 tyres will hurt top teams By Matt Beer Monday, February 28th 2011, 19:07 GMT Fernando Alonso says he is not in favour of the move towards less durable tyres for 2011, as he fears this will end up penalising faster cars. Related posts:

1. F1: Teams expect 2011 tyres test in summer Teams expect 2011 tyres test in summer By Jonathan Noble…
2. F1: Cooper Avon enters race for 2011 tyres Cooper Avon enters race for 2011 tyres By Jonathan Noble…
3. F1: Alonso: Passing just as hard in 2011 Alonso: Passing just as hard in 2011 By Jonathan Noble…

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Source: http://doxcar.com/f1-alonso-2011-tyres-will-hurt-top-teams/

Gino Bianco Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch

Stateside swap-a-rama

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/06/stateside-swap-a-rama.html

Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer

Marussia Virgin Racing Launch Their 2011 Car

Marussia Virgin Racing have launched their car to take on the 2011 world championship in a lavish London ceremony. The Marussia name now preceeds Virgin following a major tie up with the Russian sportscar manufacturer and the team at the end of 2010.  It has led to the new car being designated as the MVR-02. [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/marussia-virgin-racing-launch-their-2011-car/

Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow

Bodywork kits will wait, IndyCar says

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/14/1413312/bodywork-kits-will-wait-indycar.html

Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff

Rising star Ricciardo relishing Hispania opportunity

At Silverstone

For a man making his grand prix debut this weekend, Daniel Ricciardo finds himself with an unusual amount of Formula 1 experience.

The Australian Red Bull protege has driven three different F1 cars in the last 12 months.

He piloted Red Bull’s championship-winning RB6 car at a test for young drivers at the end of last season, and then became Toro Rosso reserve in 2011 before he was loaned out to Hispania as their race driver for the rest of this season just in time for the British Grand Prix.

Despite going from the fastest car on the grid to the slowest in the space of a few months, Ricciardo is viewing his promotion to Hispania race seat as a big step in the right direction.

“The car can’t be compared to the Red Bull but it’s still an F1 car,” said the 22-year-old with an ear-to-ear smile. “It does some amazing things speed-wise and the potential under braking is still pretty strong. I’m definitely having fun.

“I was only 18 when I was picked up by Red Bull, and I knew there was still quite a few years to prove I could go through the categories and get into F1. It’s only become a reality now.”

The wet and windy weather that buffeted Silverstone on Friday meant Ricciardo did not have the best conditions in which to show his capabilities during his first full day of practice.

Ricciardo is hoping to impress at Silverstone this weekend. Photo: Getty Images

But he made a solid start, closely matching team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi in the morning and beating the experienced Italian by 0.209 seconds in the afternoon.

All drivers use the man on the other side of the garage as their initial benchmark but Liuzzi presents an interesting comparison for Red Bull as they assess Ricciardo. The team know just how far Liuzzi’s talents reach because he drove for Red Bull in 2005 before joining Toro Rosso.

Does Ricciardo’s future with the Red Bull family hang on whether he can regularly beat the Italian?

“It wouldn’t hurt,” responded Ricciardo. “I’ll drive as fast as I can and where I end up will determine my future.

“Tonio is quite experienced and has spent more time with the team than I have. Going by the pace today I was quite happy to be in a competitive range and we’ll see how it goes in the dry.

“The plan is to be around and to race in F1 for many years to come so with that I have to be fast and to prove myself.”

Ricciardo asked fellow Aussie Mark Webber for some advice this weekend and there is even speculation that Ricciardo could be fast-tracked into Webber’s seat in 2012.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has even compared Ricciardo’s situation to Damon Hill’s route into F1.

Hill stepped into a race seat with Brabham halfway through the 1992 season when he was a reserve for Williams. The next season, Hill was promoted to a race seat with Williams and four years later he won a world title.

So, does Ricciardo fancy a seat with the fastest car in the field?

“Having a connection and a link with Red Bull, it’s somewhere in the back of my mind and it would be nice one day,” said the Australian, who handily already lives near the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes.

“The news I got last week has filled up quite a bit of space in my head so I will just try and enjoy that at the moment.

“My main objective this weekend is to finish the race. Of course I’ll push and try and get as much as I can from the car.

“I don’t think we’ll be fighting with Red Bull or Ferrari but I don’t plan running at the back and having my own race. If I can be a few more places up the grid then of course I’ll go for it. It would be nice to be involved in a good fight and I’ll be pushing through all the race.”

At the end of his first media session as an F1 racing driver, Ricciardo made another unusual gesture as he gathered up the dictaphones in front of him and handed them back one-by-one to each member of the media.

“There are a few more people here than I thought,” said Ricciardo, with another trademark grin. “It’s nice that people are taking an interest.”

It’s fair to say that there are plenty of people watching this space. After all, who’s to say Ricciardo won’t emulate former Red Bull protege Sebastian Vettel and rise through the ranks of Toro Rosso and Red Bull to become a world champion?

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/07/ricciardo.html

Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber

No hurry for Webber 2012 deal, says Horner

Christian Horner says that there is no hurry to finalise a deal with Mark Webber for next season, but insists that he expects the Australian will stay. Red Bull?s Helmut Marko has added a twist to the story by apparently … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/08/01/no-hurry-for-webber-2012-deal-says-horner/

Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell

Doctors use Formula One pit crews as safety model

American Medical News reports hospitals in at least a dozen countries are learning how to translate the split-second timing and near-perfect synchronisation of Formula One pit crews to the high-risk handoffs of patients from surgery to recovery and intensive care.

“In Formula One, they have checklists, databases, and they have well-defined processes for doing things, and we don’t really have any of those things in health care.”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/doctors_use_formula_one_pit_cr.php

Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews

Renault unhappy with Simon move to PURE

Yesterday I suggested here that F1′s engine makers might not be very happy to see the FIA’s powertrain expert join Craig Pollock’s PURE organisation, and today Renault’s Rob White made its crystal clear that the manufacturers have serious concerns. Gilles … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/07/29/renault-unhappy-with-simon-move-to-pure/

Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson

Life in the pit lane

The Mercedes pit crew prepare for Michael Schumacher in Singapore © Getty Images

Away from the world of multi-million-pound car development laboratories and drivers whose small change takes care of the Monte Carlo harbour fees, another drama will play out in Singapore this week. The Independent’s David Tremayne joins F1′s unsung heroes.

These are not select millionaires but up to 16 ordinary, yet gifted, guys; team mechanics who have worked their way up the system and often migrate from team to team, are paid real-world wages of between £30,000 and £50,000 a year, are drilled to perfection ? and whose split-second synchronisation brings their teams huge rewards.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/life_in_the_pit_lane.php

Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson

Allianz becomes Korean Grand Prix sponsor | F1 Fanatic round-up

In the round-up: the Korean Grand Prix finds a title sponsor for 2011.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/Tn8w8Y613gc/

Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti

Team order rule needs a re-think

Jean Todt arives for Wednesday’s hearing © Getty Images

Formula One should look at abolishing the controversial ban on team orders after Ferrari escaped further punishment for their manipulation of the German Grand Prix result. That is the view of the Daily Telegraph?s Tom Cary, who is of the opinion that the team orders rule now needs to be seriously looked at because of its obvious shortcomings.

?Whether you are for or against team orders, if the FIA could not back up its own rules and nail a competitor in a blatant case such as this the rule really does need reviewing. Perhaps Ferrari?s thinly-veiled threat to take the matter to the civil courts if they were punished too harshly scared the governing body, who as much as admitted the flimsiness of its rule.”

Paul Weaver, reporting for the Guardian in Monza, was in favour of the ruling which keeps alive Ferrari?s slim chances in an enthralling championship.

?The World Motor Sport Council was right not to ruin a compelling Formula One season by taking away the 25 points Alonso collected in Germany. That would have put him out of the five-man title race. But the council was widely expected to increase the fine and possibly deduct points from the team, as opposed to the individual. In the end, it could be argued that common sense prevailed. But the decision will dismay those who were upset by the way Ferrari handled the situation as much as anything else.?

The Daily Mail’s Jonathan McEvoy expressed outrage at the FIA tearing up its own rule book by allowing Ferrari to escape unpunished.

“Although the race stewards fined them £65,000 for giving team orders in July, the FIA World Motor Sport Council, to whom the matter was referred, decided not to impose any further punishment. It leaves the sport’s rulers open to derision. It was, after all, their rule they undermined. In a statement, the WMSC said the regulation banning team orders ‘should be reviewed’.”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/team_order_rule_needs_a_rethin_1.php

Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa

NASCAR: Kyle Busch closes on Phoenix sweep

Kyle Busch closes on Phoenix sweep By Diego Mejia Sunday, February 27th 2011, 07:28 GMT Kyle Busch could make further NASCAR history this weekend by completing a full sweep of victories in its top-level championships at Phoenix in a single weekend, having already dominated in the Trucks and Natiowide Series races at the one-mile oval. Related posts:

1. Kyle Busch goes wire-to-wire in N’wide Phoenix win AVONDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Busch became the first driver in…
2. Kyle Busch rolls to 8th Nationwide win of season CLERMONT, Ind. — Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski kept it…
3. Kyle Busch talking with Tony Kanaan about NASCAR possibility AVONDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Busch has had discussions with IndyCar…

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Source: http://doxcar.com/nascar-kyle-busch-closes-on-phoenix-sweep/

Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood

Formula One Goes High Definition

This week FOM, the Formula One Management company run by Bernie Ecclestone, has announced it will be providing native High Definition Formula One coverage for the very first time.  This heralds the entrance of the sport into the super clear broadcast territory. High Definition television has been available for some time now in the United [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/formula-one-goes-high-definition/

Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks Alan Brown

Rosberg on racing in New York, Schumacher v Prost and having Bernie round for dinner!

Speaking to the official Formula 1 website, Nico Rosberg has been asked some quick fire questions and it makes for perfect reading during the summer break. Q: You must choose a city for a new Formula One street circuit – which city, anywhere in the world, do you choose, and why? Nick Heidfeld: New York! [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/G7P9D4ZXCFk/rosberg-on-racing-in-new-york-schumacher-v-prost-and-having-bernie-round-for-dinner

Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks Alan Brown

A Sad day for loyal British Formula 1 TV viewers…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/Pm84m6E-D3M/sad-day-for-loyal-british-formula-1-tv.html

Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson

Bodywork kits will wait, IndyCar says

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/14/1413312/bodywork-kits-will-wait-indycar.html

Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman

Galleries: Review of 2011 season so far, Jessica Michibata, Nicole Scherzinger and much more!

It is the summer break and there isn’t a Grand Prix until the end of the month. What better time to check out the Formula1Fancast gallery, that’s what we think anyway. So, check out our gallery section here. Our favourites are the review of the 2011 season so far in pictures, Jenson Button’s girlfriend Jessica Michibata [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/vlqDTdRIJ_Q/galleries-review-of-2011-season-so-far-jessica-michibata-nicole-scherzinger-and-much-more

Tony Brise Chris Bristow Peter Broeker Tony Brooks Alan Brown

Franchitti wins pole; Mann hurt

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/14/1411894/franchitti-wins-pole-mann-hurt.html

Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh

Resurgent Hamilton worries Red Bull

A thrilling German Grand Prix, capped by a superb drive to victory by Lewis Hamilton, confirmed the growing impression that this Formula 1 season has a lot of life left in it.

Sebastian Vettel retains a massive 77-point lead in the championship after salvaging a difficult afternoon with a fourth place snatched from Ferrari’s Felipe Massa in a late pit stop duel between the two teams.

But Red Bull have lost the performance advantage they enjoyed at the start of the season. They have won only once in four grands prix and, far more tellingly than that, they have been outpaced in the last two races.

At Silverstone, Fernando Alonso‘s Ferrari was faster than the Red Bull. At the Nurburgring on Sunday the Spaniard retained that position, and McLaren leapfrogged both of them.

McLaren in general and Hamilton in particular, have taken a bit of flak from certain quarters in the last month or so, but they bounced back with a bang in Germany.

Hamilton drove a stunning lap in qualifying to split the Red Bulls on the grid, and he capped it with what he described as “one of the best races I’ve ever done”.

The 26-year-old has produced so many inspirational drives in his career that it is difficult to say whether this was the best, but it was certainly right up there.

As has so often been the case, Hamilton owed his win partly to his unsurpassed abilities as a racer – Alonso’s Ferrari emerged from his second pit stop in front, just ahead of the McLaren, but a trademark brilliant passing move around the outside of the red car at the second corner gave Hamilton the lead.

As Alonso struggled on tyres not quite up to temperature, Hamilton pulled out a 1.7-second lead on that lap and followed it with a succession of three fastest laps in a row to extend his advantage to more than three seconds. From there, it was simply a case of not making a mistake with the timing of the final pit stop.

It has been a turbulent few weeks for Hamilton. After pushing Vettel so close for victory in Spain back in May, the wheels seemed to come off a bit.

A difficult weekend in Monaco culminated in frustration and his ill-advised “Ali G” remarks. A disappointing qualifying session in Canada led to Hamilton seeking out Red Bull team principal Christian Horner for a chat about the future. High tyre wear left him fourth in Valencia, way off the pace of the Red Bulls and Alonso. And McLaren struggled again in Silverstone, hit harder than their rivals by the one-race restriction on the use of exhaust gases to boost downforce.

The effect that had had on Hamilton’s optimism was clear on Friday when he said there was “no way” he could compete for pole, but his mood turned full circle on Saturday and he entered the race knowing he could compete for victory.

He grabbed the lead at the start, and although he was passed by Red Bull’s Mark Webber following a mistake on lap 12, the Red Bull was not able to get away.

As Webber said, “the alarm bells started to ring then”, and that analysis was spot on. Just as he had at the first stops, Webber came into the pits first, aiming to take advantage of the extra grip from fresh tyres. But the second time it did not work out, and the Red Bull was jumped by both Hamilton and Alonso, who then left him behind.

Just how much this win meant to Hamilton was clear in the post-race television interviews, as he tried and failed to fight back tears after he had finished speaking.

With those tears – and that drive – perhaps Hamilton has begun to shed the frustration of the past few weeks, and can now relax into a second half of the season that, on the evidence of the last two or three races, should make fascinating viewing.

In the last two races now, the three top teams have fought out victory – and slowly this season is turning into exactly what it had promised to be before Vettel’s amazing start.

It remains to be seen whether McLaren are back for good, or whether they benefited from the unique chilly conditions in Germany.

As far as Ferrari are concerned, though, there is now little doubt that they are a genuine challenge for Red Bull everywhere.

As Alonso pointed out, they have been contesting the lead at the last four races, all of which have been on very different tracks, and he now has a win and two second places from the last three grands prix.

The Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend will be a very telling event. Red Bull totally dominated it last year, but the evidence of the last few weeks suggests it may not be so easy for them this time around.

Ferrari, one suspects, will at least give them a run for their money, having proved in the last couple of races that they have largely solved the aerodynamic weaknesses in their car that blighted the start to their season. McLaren, though, appear still to lack efficiency in the sort of long-duration corners that abound at the Hungaroring, which may make life a bit more difficult for them.

Vettel will go there on the back of a rare off-weekend at the Nurburgring, when he was never comfortable in the car and never looking like getting on terms with Webber.

In the race – as has often been the case when he is not leading from the front – he looked ordinary, unable to find a way past Massa for the last 20 laps of the race and needing his pit crew to do the job for him heading into the last lap.

And so the questions over Vettel’s ability when he is back in the pack remain.

The last two races have been an eye-opener for Red Bull – and on Sunday both Webber and Vettel talked about needing more from the car.

In the circumstances, Vettel will be pleased to have salvaged a fourth place, and kept his lead over Webber to more than three clear wins.

With such a huge advantage – Vettel is 82 points ahead of Hamilton and 86 in front of Alonso – it is still unlikely that he will be caught. But at least now he knows he has a real fight on his hands.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/07/resurgent_hamilton_puts_fright.html

Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi

Chase spots, wild cards still up for grabs with 5 races to go

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/13/1411770/chase-spots-wild-cards-still-up.html

Georges Berger Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia

IndyCar points leader Franchitti wins Loudon pole

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/13/1411439/indycar-points-leader-franchitti.html

Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati

INDYCAR: Wilson out ? Pagenaud in for Mid Ohio race

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/WI8-1FRVn7k/indycar-wilson-out-pagenaud-in-for-mid.html

Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa

Renault unhappy with Simon move to PURE

Yesterday I suggested here that F1′s engine makers might not be very happy to see the FIA’s powertrain expert join Craig Pollock’s PURE organisation, and today Renault’s Rob White made its crystal clear that the manufacturers have serious concerns. Gilles … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/07/29/renault-unhappy-with-simon-move-to-pure/

Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

La Scuderia celebrates first Formula 1 Victory Anniversary in Fine Style…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/HvcSfNCBlWk/la-scuderia-celebrates-first-formula-1.html

Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey

F1: Renault: Heidfeld already leading team

Renault: Heidfeld already leading team By Dieter Rencken and Matt Beer Sunday, February 27th 2011, 10:59 GMT Renault team boss Eric Boullier says it was obvious from Nick Heidfeld’s first few laps in the car that he was the man the squad needed to lead its 2011 charge in the absence of the injured Robert Kubica. Heidfeld will fill in alongside Vitaly Petrov at Renault until Kubica recovers from the multiple injuries he suffered in a rally crash three weeks ago. The German had a test audition for Renault before being snapped up, and Boullier said he was very impressed by the way Heidfeld immediately took charge. Related posts:

1. F1: Renault ‘very positive’ about Heidfeld Renault ‘very positive’ about Heidfeld By Matt Beer Saturday, February…
2. F1: Heidfeld, Liuzzi also in Renault frame Heidfeld, Liuzzi also in Renault frame By Jonathan Noble Tuesday,…
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Source: http://doxcar.com/f1-renault-heidfeld-already-leading-team/

Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

Kyle Busch goes wire-to-wire in N?wide Phoenix win

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Busch became the first driver in a national NASCAR race to win wire-to-wire in nearly eight years. [+] Enlarge Tom Pennington/Getty Images Kyle Busch performs a burnout after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday Related posts:

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Source: http://doxcar.com/kyle-busch-goes-wire-to-wire-in-nwide-phoenix-win/

Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot

Rising star Ricciardo relishing Hispania opportunity

At Silverstone

For a man making his grand prix debut this weekend, Daniel Ricciardo finds himself with an unusual amount of Formula 1 experience.

The Australian Red Bull protege has driven three different F1 cars in the last 12 months.

He piloted Red Bull’s championship-winning RB6 car at a test for young drivers at the end of last season, and then became Toro Rosso reserve in 2011 before he was loaned out to Hispania as their race driver for the rest of this season just in time for the British Grand Prix.

Despite going from the fastest car on the grid to the slowest in the space of a few months, Ricciardo is viewing his promotion to Hispania race seat as a big step in the right direction.

“The car can’t be compared to the Red Bull but it’s still an F1 car,” said the 22-year-old with an ear-to-ear smile. “It does some amazing things speed-wise and the potential under braking is still pretty strong. I’m definitely having fun.

“I was only 18 when I was picked up by Red Bull, and I knew there was still quite a few years to prove I could go through the categories and get into F1. It’s only become a reality now.”

The wet and windy weather that buffeted Silverstone on Friday meant Ricciardo did not have the best conditions in which to show his capabilities during his first full day of practice.

Ricciardo is hoping to impress at Silverstone this weekend. Photo: Getty Images

But he made a solid start, closely matching team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi in the morning and beating the experienced Italian by 0.209 seconds in the afternoon.

All drivers use the man on the other side of the garage as their initial benchmark but Liuzzi presents an interesting comparison for Red Bull as they assess Ricciardo. The team know just how far Liuzzi’s talents reach because he drove for Red Bull in 2005 before joining Toro Rosso.

Does Ricciardo’s future with the Red Bull family hang on whether he can regularly beat the Italian?

“It wouldn’t hurt,” responded Ricciardo. “I’ll drive as fast as I can and where I end up will determine my future.

“Tonio is quite experienced and has spent more time with the team than I have. Going by the pace today I was quite happy to be in a competitive range and we’ll see how it goes in the dry.

“The plan is to be around and to race in F1 for many years to come so with that I have to be fast and to prove myself.”

Ricciardo asked fellow Aussie Mark Webber for some advice this weekend and there is even speculation that Ricciardo could be fast-tracked into Webber’s seat in 2012.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has even compared Ricciardo’s situation to Damon Hill’s route into F1.

Hill stepped into a race seat with Brabham halfway through the 1992 season when he was a reserve for Williams. The next season, Hill was promoted to a race seat with Williams and four years later he won a world title.

So, does Ricciardo fancy a seat with the fastest car in the field?

“Having a connection and a link with Red Bull, it’s somewhere in the back of my mind and it would be nice one day,” said the Australian, who handily already lives near the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes.

“The news I got last week has filled up quite a bit of space in my head so I will just try and enjoy that at the moment.

“My main objective this weekend is to finish the race. Of course I’ll push and try and get as much as I can from the car.

“I don’t think we’ll be fighting with Red Bull or Ferrari but I don’t plan running at the back and having my own race. If I can be a few more places up the grid then of course I’ll go for it. It would be nice to be involved in a good fight and I’ll be pushing through all the race.”

At the end of his first media session as an F1 racing driver, Ricciardo made another unusual gesture as he gathered up the dictaphones in front of him and handed them back one-by-one to each member of the media.

“There are a few more people here than I thought,” said Ricciardo, with another trademark grin. “It’s nice that people are taking an interest.”

It’s fair to say that there are plenty of people watching this space. After all, who’s to say Ricciardo won’t emulate former Red Bull protege Sebastian Vettel and rise through the ranks of Toro Rosso and Red Bull to become a world champion?

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/07/ricciardo.html

Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco

Red Bull under the spotlight

Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel celebrate with Red Bull boss Christian Horner on the podium © Getty Images

Sections of the international media have questioned Red Bull’s strategic approach to the world championship. After Sebastian Vettel won the Brazilian Grand Prix from the team’s points leader Mark Webber at Interlagos, Der Spiegel noted: “Red Bull gives (Fernando) Alonso wings”. Not switching the places means that Spaniard Alonso can take his Ferrari to just second place this weekend in Abu Dhabi and be champion, whereas the alternative strategy would have set up Webber for a straight fight. “It is not easy for Webber to drive in a team that considers him a burden to be up against Vettel,” said La Gazzetta dello Sport. Tuttosport noted that it seems “the Austrian team would be happier to lose than to see Webber beat Vettel”. “No team orders at Red Bull. Another own goal,” headlined La Repubblica. Joan Villadelprat wrote in his El Pais column: “Had Red Bull opted for Webber a few races ago, the Australian would probably now be champion.” Red Bull, however, is unrepentant. Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper that “second under proper conditions can often be more valuable than a first”. But there is a feeling that the team is not simply giving up the fight for the drivers’ title. One columnist in Brazil’s Globo wondered if Vettel’s radio message in Abu Dhabi might sound something like ‘So … Mark is faster than you’. “I’m always in favour of leaving the fight on the track with equal chances for both sides,” said Rubens Barrichello. “But I wonder if they would do that if the situation was in reverse. ?Mark has done a great job this year and he has been told by his team what position he is in,” said Lewis Hamilton. “Against adversity he has kept at it. I want to see Mark win.” Webber believes that, if a strategy is deployed, it will only be on the “last lap” of the season this weekend. “Sebastian is part of a team,” said Niki Lauda, who believes Webber should be backed fully by Red Bull. “If he does anything it should be helping Webber and not just on the last lap.” Webber is quoted by Bild newspaper: “It makes sense. Otherwise it would mean that Ferrari’s team orders would have paid off for Fernando.” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hints that sense will ultimately prevail. “We have already given too many presents to Fernando this year,” he is quoted by Autosprint.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/red_bull_under_the_spotlight.php

Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks

Second US GP destined for New Jersey?

New Jersey has once again emerged as a potential host for a second US GP, which would run in addition to the Austin event. The mayors of two neighbouring New Jersey towns have expressed an interest in holding a race … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/08/03/second-us-gp-destined-for-new-jersey/

Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis

EXCLUSIVE: More Dallara Automobili USA revealed – Picture 2

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/rfgAfcgz3P8/exclusive-more-dallara-automobili-usa_84.html

Felice Bonetto Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd

Best of the Beeb: The best moments of the BBC?s F1 coverage (videos)

With the news earlier in the summer that the BBC would share television rights with Sky prompting a barrage of criticism from fans in the United Kingdom, formula1fancast though it would be a good time to reflect on some of the stunning coverage Jake Humphrey, Martin Brundle and the rest of the gang have brought [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/cjz1faAzt3o/best-of-the-beeb-the-best-moments-of-the-bbcs-f1-coverage-videos

Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams

Grand-Am driver injured

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/12/1408560/grand-am-driver-injured.html

Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon

Robert Kubica Hospitalised Following Rally Accident

UPDATE ON KUBICA’s CONDITION:  http://wp.me/p3uiu-11K Renault Lotus F1 driver Robert Kubica has been airlifted to hospital following a car accident while competing on a rally. The incident, described as a high speed accident, left the Pole injured and he had to be airlifted to hospital.  His co-driver Jakub Gerber was uninjured in the incident. While [...]

Source: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/robert-kubica-hospitalised-following-rally-accident/

Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow

NASCAR: Kyle Busch closes on Phoenix sweep

Kyle Busch closes on Phoenix sweep By Diego Mejia Sunday, February 27th 2011, 07:28 GMT Kyle Busch could make further NASCAR history this weekend by completing a full sweep of victories in its top-level championships at Phoenix in a single weekend, having already dominated in the Trucks and Natiowide Series races at the one-mile oval. Related posts:

1. Kyle Busch goes wire-to-wire in N’wide Phoenix win AVONDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Busch became the first driver in…
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Source: http://doxcar.com/nascar-kyle-busch-closes-on-phoenix-sweep/

Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown

Vettel set for titles aplenty

© Daily Telegraph

Tom Cary says in his column in the Daily Telegraph that the man dubbed ?Baby Schumi? has plenty of time to match or even surpass his compatriot?s record haul of seven world titles after he cinched his first in the Abu Dhabi night.

?Here, after all, is a young man, already dubbed ?Baby Schumi? by Germany?s tabloid press, winning the first of what will presumably be multiple world championships, and all at the tender age of 23. Plenty of time yet to match Schumacher’s incredible haul of seven world titles. And yet, their phenomenal ability to drive racing cars apart, there is little similarity between the two men. ?There are still lingering doubts over his racing ability but with such blistering qualifying pace he is nearly always leading from the front anyway. Vettel is set for multiple world championships. Just don?t call him Baby Schumi.?

?An amazing Formula One season produced its final twist here on Sunday when Sebastian Vettel, who had never led the title race, won his first world championship. It is difficult to begrudge him his glory, for he had more poles (10) than any other driver and shared the most wins (five) with Fernando Alonso. There will be red faces as well as red cars and overalls at Ferrari, though, for deciding to bring their man in when they did, only to see him re-emerge into heavy traffic. ?Among the highlights, and every race felt like a highlight after the bore-start in Bahrain, there was that wonderful beginning to his McLaren career by Jenson Button, who won two of his first four races, even though he couldn’t keep up the pace, especially in qualifying. ?Hamilton once again drove his heart out, and outperformed a car that looked a little too ordinary at times. He was superb in Montreal. Then there was Webber, the Anglophile Aussie who was the favourite among most neutrals to win the title. There was that spectacular crash when he ran into the back of Heikki Kovalainen and the most famous of his four wins, at Silverstone, when he said to his team at the end of the race: ‘Not bad for a No2 driver.’ ?But in the end there was only one German who mattered. It was the remarkable Vettel. This will be the first of a clutch of championships for him.?

?It was impossible not to feel for both Webber and Alonso. Yet while a frustrated Alonso gestured at Petrov after the race, the Australian, predictably, refused to complain about his pitstop timing. ?A world championship seemed an inevitable part of Sebastian Vettel’s future, but it came a little sooner than most expected, after his recent tribulations. You wouldn’t bet against several more, and if that record-breaking streak continues, perhaps even Schumacher’s achievements will be overshadowed.?

?Fernando Alonso was hurled into more controversy last night for a wild gesture at the former Lada racer who cost him the title. But the Spaniard brushed off accusations he gave Russian Vitaly Petrov the finger for ruining his title hopes by blocking him for 40 laps as they duelled over sixth place. “The Ferrari ace was caught on television cruising alongside the Renault driver on the slowing down lap and gesticulating from the cockpit. Petrov was unrepentant: “What was I supposed to do? Just get out of his way, pull to the side? I don’t think that is how we race. It was important for the team for me to get points.”

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/vettel_set_for_titles_aplenty_1.php

Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch Harry Blanchard

What is Michael Schumacher looking at? You decide! (Video)

There is some old footage, but it is some good footage. We all know that the world of Formula 1 is quiet right now, so why not try and guess what Michael Schumacher is looking at? [There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.] [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/RH0ul4QkcEY/what-is-michael-schumacher-looking-at-you-decide-video

Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise Chris Bristow

Sutil scandal: I suppose I’m witness X

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/05/sutil-scandal-i-suppose-im-witness-x.html

Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold

What is Michael Schumacher looking at? You decide! (Video)

There is some old footage, but it is some good footage. We all know that the world of Formula 1 is quiet right now, so why not try and guess what Michael Schumacher is looking at? [There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.] [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/RH0ul4QkcEY/what-is-michael-schumacher-looking-at-you-decide-video

Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella

No Fenders on brief Hiatus…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/AwooR15opTY/no-fenders-on-brief-hiatus.html

Felice Bonetto Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd

EXCLUSIVE: More Dallara Automobili USA revealed – Picture 2

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/rfgAfcgz3P8/exclusive-more-dallara-automobili-usa_84.html

Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore

Dallara, Honda, Baseball ?N Fries?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/wlw-ljyHsSc/dallara-honda-baseball-n-fries.html

Jimmy Bryan Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich

Mark Webber: ?Drivers still don?t learn??

Mark Webber was fourth in both sessions in Hungary today, despite running only 12 laps in the first session after a crash. The 2010 Budapest winner ran wide and spun into the barrier on the opposite side of the track, … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/07/29/mark-webber-drivers-still-dont-learn/

Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman

Q2: Alonso still ahead

Fernando Alonso stayed fastest in the Q2 session in Budapest, three-tenths ahead of Jenson Button and then the two Red Bulls with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. Felipe Massa was fifth with Lewis Hamilton sixth, the two Merces (Rosberg ahead of Schumacher). The last to go through to Q3 were Adrian Sutil and Sergio Perez. [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/q2-alonso-still-ahead/

Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell

Mystery SpyShot…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/avC8wXU1HfI/mystery-spyshot.html

Pablo Birger Art Bisch Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut

Bahrain isn’t in the script

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/04/bahrain-isnt-in-the-script.html

Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot

Bernie Ecclestone – No plans to put the brakes on

© Getty Images

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian as his 80th birthday approaches, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone speak out about a variety of subjects, from the future of the sport to Margaret Thatcher, Hitler, Saddam Hussein, democracy, football and what continues to drive him.

The way I feel at the moment, why stop? I do it because I enjoy it. And yesterday is gone. I don’t care what happened yesterday. What else would I do? People retire to die. I don’t get any individual pleasure because we don’t win races or titles in this job. I’m like most business people. You look back at the end of the year and you see what you’ve achieved by working out how much money the company has made. That’s it.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/bernie_ecclestone_no_plans_to.php

Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan Carlo Abate

Pirelli to drop hard tyre for remainder of 2011 | F1 Fanatic round-up

In the round-up: Paul Hembery says the hard compound is unlikely to return this season.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/Oes_JwpGFrM/

Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel

Schumacher: I could retire soon

Michael Schumacher has indicated he could retire from formula 1 again at the end of the season, admitting that he could be ?the problem? that was holding Mercedes back from competing for race wins. The seven-time World Champion returned to the sport in 2010, but has failed to live up to his illustrious reputation, failing [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/wTSSFnT5BN0/schumacher-i-could-retire-soon

Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella Mário de Araújo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold

Tony Fernandes’ Seven wonders

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/04/tony-fernandes-seven-wonders.html

Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi

Trucks, Nationwide teams penalized

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/09/1402014/trucks-nationwide-teams-penalized.html

Vittorio Brambilla Toni Branca Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson

Sauter's truck team penalized for Pocono violations

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/09/1401719/sauters-truck-team-penalized-for.html

Tony Brooks Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes

NASCAR?s Tony Stewart, F1?s Lewis Hamilton to swap cars

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Barring an unforeseen scheduling hiccup, two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart and 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton will swap race cars in an exhibition later this year, Stewart-Haas Racing spokesman Mike Arning confirmed Saturday. Hamilton Stewart The seat swap comes at the hands of Mobil 1, a mutual sponsor for the two drivers, and is expected to take place at Watkins Glen International sometime during the summer.The cars involved will not be show cars. Related posts:

1. Tony Stewart: NASCAR’s clampdown on criticism OK SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Count two-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart…
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Source: http://doxcar.com/nascars-tony-stewart-f1s-lewis-hamilton-to-swap-cars/

Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr

Rising star Ricciardo relishing Hispania opportunity

At Silverstone

For a man making his grand prix debut this weekend, Daniel Ricciardo finds himself with an unusual amount of Formula 1 experience.

The Australian Red Bull protege has driven three different F1 cars in the last 12 months.

He piloted Red Bull’s championship-winning RB6 car at a test for young drivers at the end of last season, and then became Toro Rosso reserve in 2011 before he was loaned out to Hispania as their race driver for the rest of this season just in time for the British Grand Prix.

Despite going from the fastest car on the grid to the slowest in the space of a few months, Ricciardo is viewing his promotion to Hispania race seat as a big step in the right direction.

“The car can’t be compared to the Red Bull but it’s still an F1 car,” said the 22-year-old with an ear-to-ear smile. “It does some amazing things speed-wise and the potential under braking is still pretty strong. I’m definitely having fun.

“I was only 18 when I was picked up by Red Bull, and I knew there was still quite a few years to prove I could go through the categories and get into F1. It’s only become a reality now.”

The wet and windy weather that buffeted Silverstone on Friday meant Ricciardo did not have the best conditions in which to show his capabilities during his first full day of practice.

Ricciardo is hoping to impress at Silverstone this weekend. Photo: Getty Images

But he made a solid start, closely matching team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi in the morning and beating the experienced Italian by 0.209 seconds in the afternoon.

All drivers use the man on the other side of the garage as their initial benchmark but Liuzzi presents an interesting comparison for Red Bull as they assess Ricciardo. The team know just how far Liuzzi’s talents reach because he drove for Red Bull in 2005 before joining Toro Rosso.

Does Ricciardo’s future with the Red Bull family hang on whether he can regularly beat the Italian?

“It wouldn’t hurt,” responded Ricciardo. “I’ll drive as fast as I can and where I end up will determine my future.

“Tonio is quite experienced and has spent more time with the team than I have. Going by the pace today I was quite happy to be in a competitive range and we’ll see how it goes in the dry.

“The plan is to be around and to race in F1 for many years to come so with that I have to be fast and to prove myself.”

Ricciardo asked fellow Aussie Mark Webber for some advice this weekend and there is even speculation that Ricciardo could be fast-tracked into Webber’s seat in 2012.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has even compared Ricciardo’s situation to Damon Hill’s route into F1.

Hill stepped into a race seat with Brabham halfway through the 1992 season when he was a reserve for Williams. The next season, Hill was promoted to a race seat with Williams and four years later he won a world title.

So, does Ricciardo fancy a seat with the fastest car in the field?

“Having a connection and a link with Red Bull, it’s somewhere in the back of my mind and it would be nice one day,” said the Australian, who handily already lives near the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes.

“The news I got last week has filled up quite a bit of space in my head so I will just try and enjoy that at the moment.

“My main objective this weekend is to finish the race. Of course I’ll push and try and get as much as I can from the car.

“I don’t think we’ll be fighting with Red Bull or Ferrari but I don’t plan running at the back and having my own race. If I can be a few more places up the grid then of course I’ll go for it. It would be nice to be involved in a good fight and I’ll be pushing through all the race.”

At the end of his first media session as an F1 racing driver, Ricciardo made another unusual gesture as he gathered up the dictaphones in front of him and handed them back one-by-one to each member of the media.

“There are a few more people here than I thought,” said Ricciardo, with another trademark grin. “It’s nice that people are taking an interest.”

It’s fair to say that there are plenty of people watching this space. After all, who’s to say Ricciardo won’t emulate former Red Bull protege Sebastian Vettel and rise through the ranks of Toro Rosso and Red Bull to become a world champion?

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/07/ricciardo.html

Gino Bianco Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch

Turn 3 tangle – or tango?

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/07/1397782/turn-3-tangle-or-tango.html

Giovanna Amati George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson

Bernie Ecclestone – No plans to put the brakes on

© Getty Images

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian as his 80th birthday approaches, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone speak out about a variety of subjects, from the future of the sport to Margaret Thatcher, Hitler, Saddam Hussein, democracy, football and what continues to drive him.

The way I feel at the moment, why stop? I do it because I enjoy it. And yesterday is gone. I don’t care what happened yesterday. What else would I do? People retire to die. I don’t get any individual pleasure because we don’t win races or titles in this job. I’m like most business people. You look back at the end of the year and you see what you’ve achieved by working out how much money the company has made. That’s it.

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/bernie_ecclestone_no_plans_to.php

Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger Eric Bernard

Tony Fernandes’ Seven wonders

Source: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/04/tony-fernandes-seven-wonders.html

Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant Felice Bonetto

Indian GP organisers ?not happy? with 2012 date | F1 Fanatic round-up

In the round-up: India’s motor sport federation president says it will be too hot for F1 in April.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/RB1nX4GPeG4/

Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer

Quote of the Weekend…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/QEZzKC8RS1o/quote-of-weekend.html

Carlo Abate George Abecassis Kenny Acheson Andrea de Adamich Philippe Adams