Ron Howard and his merry men have recently been spotted shooting scenes for the upcoming movie Rush. The latest motorsport story to hit the silver screen will focus on the epic Niki Lauda–James Hunt battle from the 1976 Formula One season.
Pistonspy has a great selection of images of the old skool Grand Prix cars circulating on the old course; follow the source link for more. Awesome!
[Source: Pistonspy]
The Lotus v Lotus naming saga has come to an end of sorts, with confirmation the FIA has approved three team name changes in Formula One for the 2012 season.
Team Lotus will change its name to Caterham, and follows the takeover of the British sportscar firm by the Tony Fernandes led Team Lotus Enterprise. Lotus Cars CEO Dany Bahar gets his way by turning Lotus-Renault into simply Lotus. And Richard Branson loses his naming rights with Virgin switching to Marussia, thereby acknowledging the financial support given by the Russian auto maker.
The reignition of Kimi Raikkonen’s Formula One career is now well underway with confirmation he is being considered by Williams F1.
Toto Wolff, a “significant shareholder” in Williams, told Kronen Zeitung, “Yes, it’s true. The Kimi Raikkonen file is on the table. The story is not for show, we are negotiating seriously, but it is only one of several options. There will be a strategic decision.”
Wolff also confirmed interest in young racers Jules Bianchi and Valtteri Bottas. Although, he did mention they may be better suited to a Friday practice role with the team.
Perhaps comments from Adam Parr, Williams CEO, made at the Indian Grand Prix tell us it is Kimi that they really, really want.
“I think everybody knows that Kimi is one of the most talented drivers who has been in Formula One in recent years,” he told the BBC.
“From what we can all see he’s very hungry to come back in, and I think having a world champion in your midst of course energises people. So all the points you made would be very relevant to a team that was thinking about what it was doing.”
[Source: ESPN F1]
That’s Alexander Rossi, not Valentino. Team Lotus has announced the 20-year-old Caterham Team AirAsia GP2 driver will drive their F1 car at the young driver test in Abu Dhabi (15–17 November).
The young American says, “I am very excited to finally announce I will be competing in Abu Dhabi with Caterham Team AirAsia and will have the chance to put more F1 miles on my CV with Team Lotus. After the positive GP2 tests in Jerez and Barcelona I feel we have a good chance of a strong result in the GP2 races and I will definitely be going into the weekend fully focused and motivated for a race win.
“For the F1 test I will be looking to learn as much as possible, do the best job I can and soak up every minute, in and out of the car.”
[Source: Team Lotus]
Sebastian Vettel put his Red Bull on pole. Sebastian Vettel got a clean start. Sebastien Vettel led every lap. Sebastian Vettel achieved the fastest lap of the race, on the last lap of the race. Sebastian Vettel won the first ever Indian Grand Prix. During the race Sebastian Vettel became the first driver to lead 700 laps or more in a single F1 season.
Yes, like the other drivers, we imagine, we’re getting a bit sick of that name as well.
Talk of team orders in the Red Bull garage to aid Mark Webber to second place in the drivers’ championship is hindered by Webber’s continuing ability in 2011 to start high and finish low. How keen he must be hoping for a fresh start in 2012.
At the Buddh International Circuit Webber started second and finished fourth, allowing his two closest rivals for second—Jenson Button (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)—to fill the void between himself and his ever increasingly untouchable teammate.
There’s just two races left in 2011 and if Vettel can win those he will have claimed victory in 13 races for the year. That would equal Michael Schumacher’s epic 2004 season. Vettel to help Webber in 2011? Fat chance.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
It might be a new Grand Prix in a new country on a very green and dusty track, but it was the same old story in qualifying at the Indian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel claimed his thirteenth pole for the year, making is a total of 16 for Red Bull Racing; a new record for a single season.
In second place was Lewis Hamilton for McLaren, while Mark Webber rounded out the top three. However, Hamilton will lose three places due to a penalty for driving too fast through yellow flags in one of the practice sessions on Friday.
That means Webber will now start the race alongside his teammate in P2 and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) moves up to P3. Hamilton moves back to P5, one place behind his McLaren buddy Jenson Button.
Daniel Ricciardo was happy qualifying in P21 for HRT, even though he was only a few hundredths quicker than Narain Karthikeyan.
Unfortunately for Daniel he incurrred a five place grid penalty for changing a gearbox after Saturday practice. Luckily for him, though, he will only lose one place after Karthikeyan also received a penalty for impeding Michael Schumacher during qualifying. Timo Glock will start from last place after he suffered mechanical issues and was unable to post a qualifying lap.
[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]
With any new event you expect there to be some early teething problems. Martin Brundle quickly discovered this for himself at the 2011 Indian Grand Prix when he learned the BBC commentary box has no windows. Apparently Bernie has since had a quiet word with track officials and that will be rectified for 2012. No windows; really, what were they thinking?
Similarly, take a look at the sign above and you’ll soon find yourself asking the same question. At least the signwriter didn’t make the same mistake twice.
On the positive side, the track itself seems to be winning a few fans.
[Source: Planet F1 | Thanks to Ryan for the tip]
Last week we offered you a couple of preview clips showcasing the new Buddh International Circuit which will host this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix. It’s somewhat exciting to be heading to a new track, even if the paint is still likely to be wet.
In the video above McLaren’s Matt Daley, Simulator Development Engineer, talks us through a lap with Jenson Button at the team’s simulator.
Further to that there will be two DRS zones this weekend; the start-finish straight and the long back straight. Detection zones are in the preceding corners for each.
The Formula1 website has a good preview article up at the moment, which is well worth a read.
For our Australian readers, the Indian race will be on in prime time as well. Quali starts at 7:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday and the lights go green at 8:30pm on Sunday.
Further detail regarding Formula One’s newest race, to be held in New Jersey from 2013, has been revealed. The event will be known as the Grand Prix of America and here is the draft layout of the circuit (click the image above for a larger version).
For a street circuit, the 5.14km layout should be quite a fast track with its flowing corners and few 90° turns. There appears to be ample riverside real estate, too, which will accommodate pitlane and other required infrastructure. Indeed, work has already begun according to a report on the NJ.com website.
After reading their article, and others like it in recent days, we do wonder how well Formula One will succeed in its latest attempt to crack the US market. F1 has never made a lasting impact in the past and it will be very interesting to see where the category sits in two decades when the two existing US deals near expiration.
[Source: NJ.com]
Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, has confirmed the state signed a 10-year-deal to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2013.
“I’m pleased New Jersey will play host to Formula 1, bringing one of the world’s most popular sports to our backyard,” he said.
“I can assure Formula One that this is one of the wisest decisions you have ever made, to come and hold this event in New Jersey.
“The race will be a 3.2 mile road race, run on existing roads through Port Imperial and at the top of the Palisades in Weehawken and West New York.”
The image above was taken at Hamilton Park, Weehawken, which will be close to the new 5.14km street circuit, and portrays the view from across the Hudson River to Manhattan.
Formula One hasn’t held a race in the US since 2007. The sport will return Stateside in November next year with the inaugural United States Grand Prix to be held at a purpose-built facility in Austin, Texas.
[Source: Autosport & The Telegraph | Pic: NederlandsNederlands]
Boulevard East and River Road in Weehawken, New Jersey, is likely to form part of the street circuit for the rumoured New Jersey Formula One Grand Prix, according to a report published by the BBC. The roads run along the banks of the Hudson River with the west side of New York City on the other bank.
Confirmation of the new grand prix is expected to come through within the next day and should see the first event take place in mid-2013. It’s likely the race will run back-t0-back with the Canadian GP.
West New York mayor Felix Roque appears both enthusiastic and hopeful for the riches the F1 circus will bring, “It’s incredible. This is going to be an economic boom for this whole region.”
Meanwhile, West New York attorney Joe DeMarco has even bigger stars in his eyes. “It will provide a very challenging course. They compare it to Spa in Belgium but it will have the feel of Monaco,” he said.
More news as it comes to hand.
[Source: BBC F1]
Bernie Eccelstone has already ensured we’ll be getting one Grand Prix in the United States from 2012 onwards. But it now seems the Austin race will be joined by a new street race in New York, well, New Jersey to be correct.
It’s understood confirmation of the race could be announced later this week with a press conference scheduled by New Jersey officials for Tuesday. If everything goes as expected the first New Jersey Grand Prix would take place in 2013.
Speaking to Autosport, Bernie said, “It’s happening. We are talking to them and trying to do our best. Let’s see what happens.”
At this stage no concrete plans are known for the track location, but speculation suggests it would be on the banks of the Hudson River, with the Manhattan skyline forming a perfect backdrop for promoters.
With the Formula One calendar likely to remain capped at 20 races which event would get the boot in order to fit another grand prix in the US?
[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
