Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull still rooting for a Webber win

2010 Hungarian GP

While it is only the formality of a solitary point separating Sebastian Vettel from his second world crown, Red Bull Racing wants to see Mark Webber win at least one of the five remaining races in 2011.

“All of us want to see Mark get a victory before the end of the year, and we want to see him achieve the runner-up spot,” said Team Principal, Christian Horner.

“If we could convert both titles, and with both drivers at the top of the drivers’ championship, that for us would be an absolutely perfect year.”

Despite the brilliance shown at times by Webber in 2010 he still only finished third in the title race after a poor final race in Abu Dhabi. Plus, it’s now 14 months since Mark registered his most recent win, at Hungary.

Despite this Mark has shown he can win at some of F1’s greatest tracks, with wins at Monaco and Silverstone under his belt. No doubt he would like to add Suzuka to that list too.

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Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz

2011 Japanese GP: Take a lap around Suzuka

Ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix we bring you two videos to refresh your memory of the legendary Suzuka layout. The first is onboard with Michael Schumacher in his Mercedes GP from 2010. Then, after the break Team Lotus puts Jarno Trulli into their simulator. It’s a bit low rent, to be honest, but the commentary from Trulli and the Renault F1 engineer offer a small insight into the 5.8km track.

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Formula 1 McLaren

Jenson Button signs long-term deal with McLaren

2011 Hungarian Grand Prix

Jenson Button has secured a new long-term contract with McLaren. The 2009 World Champion, who turns 32 next January, is overjoyed to be staying with the Woking-based outfit.

‪”I’ve won four of the greatest races of my life here, I’m currently lying second in the drivers’ world championship, and I feel that I’m driving better than ever,” Button said.

“I’ve made no secret of my ambition to continue winning races and world championships, and I fully believe this is the place where I can achieve those aims.”

Team Principal, Martin Whitmarsh, has joined the love-in as well stating, “Jenson is a great driver and a great guy.

“In fact, I can safely say that he’s one of the most capable and respected drivers we’ve ever had, and I’m therefore absolutely delighted that he’ll continue to work with us into the future.”

It’s not clear at this stage when the new contract expires, but it would appear to be a three-year deal at least. All going well this will take Jenson beyond his 35th birthday and extend his career to around 270 grands prix.

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Formula 1 News

Manish Pandey talks about Senna DVD release

Senna: The movie

Manish Pandey the film maker behind the Senna documentary has spoken about the extra material included on the DVD release of the film.

Speaking to James Allen he said, “We’ve added in many of the interviews we filmed, we show them as extended talking heads; there is a lot of Alain Prost, Ron Dennis, a lot of the key journalists. What we are able to do is be more forensic about some of the events that took place.

“Another key feature is the whole of Gerry Donaldson’s interview with Ayrton from 1989, when he was quite down, which culminates in his speech about Monaco 1988, which takes in his spirituality, and his philosophy as a driver.”

Senna is due for DVD release in the UK on 10 October. If you’re keen to get your hands on a copy now check eBay where there seem to be plenty of options available.

[Source: JAF1]

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari 599XX and historic F1 cars at Spa

Ferrari XX programme corse clienti at Spa

Imagine you’re lucky enough to own a Ferrari 599XX. It’s a limited run 599 sent to the extreme, with a worked 6.0 litre V12 producing 540kW (725hp).

Only trouble is, being a what is essentially a racecar made for the wealthy, it cannot be driven on public roads. Just as well Ferrari rents out world-class circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps through its corse clienti programme, then.

After the break you’ll see a few official photos and two very cool unofficial videos of the 599XX and FXX circulating at the famous Spa race track.

Perhaps, even cooler than this, is the F1 corse clienti programme, which allows mug punters with wads of cash to live the ultimate dream.

If the pics below don’t make you insanely jealous you’re not human.

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Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Singapore GP: Post-race press conference

2011 Singapore Grand Prix

In winning the Singapore Grand Prix overnight Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) did something he hasn’t been able to do this year: he led the race from start to finish. He was never troubled and while he has mathematically left the door open for the title to go elsewhere, it is now only Jenson Button (McLaren) who can upstage him.

Actually, the real likelihood is that Vettel’s already impressive 309pt tally and 124pt lead in the drivers’ championship will only be extended in the five remaining races. He will become the sport’s youngest ever dual world champion, never mind the added bonus of joining an elite club of drivers to go back to back. Atop the podium, you sense the gravity of his achievements are starting to sink in. It’s been a more mature and measured title assault from the 24-year-old this year, in more ways than one.

The only fight of any merit in 2011 has been the scrap over second place. Were it not for Vettel we’d be salivating over the prospect of having three divers separated by the same number of points (Button 185pts; Alonso, Ferrari 184pts; Webber, Red Bull, 182pts).

At Marina Bay it was the same three men who scrapped it out for the minor placings. Button able to stroll past a customary slow Webber off the line played piggy in the middle; Vettel comfortably ahead and a Webber–Alonso duel behind. The Australian entertaining the purist fan with two stellar moves to overtake Alonso either side of a pit stop undercut.

Another podium for Webber, then, and under any other circumstances we’d be applauding loudly from down under at seeing the Aussie flag among the final ceremonies. Yet, Vettel’s dominance rather makes Webber’s otherwise respectable efforts this year look feeble.

Strange as it may be, you feel we must focus our attention towards the back of the field to find Australia’s next great hope to Daniel Ricciardo (HRT). The young West Australian once again finished ahead of his more experienced teammate Tonio Liuzzi. Webber has paved the way, let’s hope Ricciardo can walk the walk.

Post-race comments from the first three can be read after the break.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Singapore GP: Qualifying press conference

2011 Singapore Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel claimed his 11th pole position of the year in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix overnight. On track to defend his 2010 world championship the Red Bull charge posted a best time of 1:44.381 around the Marina Bay street circuit.

Mark Webber (Red Bull) ensured yet another front-row lockout for the team with a time of 1:44.732 (+0.351).

Jenson Button (McLaren) claimed P3 for the race start (1:44.804 +0.423) and finished just five thousandths of a second ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton (1:44.809 +0.428).

The two Ferraris round out the top six, with Fernando Alonso (1:44.874 +0.493) almost a full second ahead of Felipe Massa (1:45.800 +1.419).

Nico Rosberg put his Mercedes on P7 (1:46.013 +1.632) and was the last of the top 10 to set a time. Fellow Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher and Force India pair, Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta, opted to conserve tyres for tonight’s race.

Daniel Ricciardo out qualified his HRT teammate Tonio Liuzzi by four tenths of a second, but they find themselves in the familiar position at the rear of the field.

The tactic of sitting out of the final top 10 qualifying has caused some controversy, but the lead drivers are unanimous that access to a greater number of tyres would eliminate the problem.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1

Ice cream is gonna save the day

Kimi Raikkonen, 2008 Malaysian GP

A recent visit to the Williams factory by Kimi Raikkonen has ignited rumours suggesting the 2007 world champion could return to Formula One in 2012. Well, since he left the sport back in 2009 comeback rumours have always been around. However, the drums are beating louder this time and it would appear Rubens Barrichello should be afraid.

Of the current Williams driver pairing Pastor Maldonado lines his seat with millions of dollars in Venezuelan oil money; the rookie is safe. That would mean the Brazilian veteran of 19 seasons would be more likely to be cast aside if Raikkonen comes to terms with the Oxfordshire-based outfit.

For his part Rubens is keen to continue in 2012. “Right now is a big time for rumours and there is no point,” he said. “But definitely I want to be racing next year. That’s my point. I feel better prepared than at any other time.”

Unsurprisingly, Rubens says consistency is key, “Williams has unfortunately not given me a good car yet and the moving forward means that we should stick together with a good and better car next year.”

Williams is enduring its worst year in F1 on and off-track. They are desperate to return to their former winning ways and the first step could be taken with a return to Renault power in 2012.

As well, Formula One is set for a new era in 2014 with new engine regulations. Perhaps Williams might see a better mid to long-term future with a 32-year-old winning Finn than a never-quite-good-enough 39-year-old Brazilian.

[Source: Eurosport]

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Formula 1 Motorsports Porsche Red Bull Racing

2011 Singapore GP: Take a lap around Marina Bay

Recently we’ve been able to bring you previews of upcoming Grands Prix thanks to McLaren. Ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, though, they’ve given us nothing.

Instead we’ve gone for a new approach with Porsche Carrera Cup driver Yuey Tan’s video. He’s pretty excited about racing in front of his home crowd so this preview adds a nice local touch.

Also available after the break is onboard footage of Mark Webber’s fastest lap from Q3 in 2010.

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Formula 1 McLaren

The evolution of Formula 1 steering wheels

McLaren MP-26 steering wheel

We bring you a great video after the break where Rob Irwin, electronic engineer with McLaren, talks us through four generations of F1 steering wheels.

Irwin starts with the wheel used by Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974; it doesn’t get more basic than this. Next is the wheel used on the MP4-4 by Ayrton Senna in 1988.

Mika Hakkinen’s 1998 wheel is when we first see the number of buttons really increase. It’s also the first wheel shown to have gearshift paddles on the back. Still, that’s nothing compared to the confusion and number of choices faced by Lewis Hamilton and Jenson button with the steering wheel they use in today’s F1 car.

We brought you a bit closer to the MP4-26 steering wheel earlier in the year, but this comparison wheels from four separate decades really highlights the level of sophistication of modern day motor racing.

[Thanks to Graeme for the tip]

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Formula 1

Art vs science

The latest Formula 1 gaming effort from Codemasters is now upon us and here is the official trailer for F1 2011. If this clip is anything to go by then the game is sure to be a great mix of reality and fantasy. Best of luck to you all in winning the drivers’ championship from the comfort of your couch.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2011 Italian GP: Post-race press conference

2011 Italian Grand Prix

The fat lady is  preparing her vocal chords and we expect she will be singing Sebastian Vettel’s tune at the next Grand Prix. That’s right, following yet another peerless drive from Vettel to win the 2011 Italian Grand Prix, he can formally wrap up the 2011 drivers’ title at Singapore in a couple of weeks if results go his way.

In Monza overnight Vettel’s only concerns came following a bullet-like start from Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) to steal the lead. The Safety Car quickly came out after Tonio Liuzzi’s (HRT) slip’n’slide move on the grass cleaned up a few midfield runners.

When the lights went green Vettel had the Ferrari in his sights and pulled a sterling move on the outside of Curva Grande to reclaim the lead. The 24-year-old is silencing the doubters who claim he cannot race wheel-to-wheel when the going gets tough. He may still have a bit to learn in that regard, but his last two races have shown he is head of the class.

In all of the chaos around him Jenson Button (McLaren), who had a poor start, quietly worked his way into second place with a mature drive. Again Alonso struggled on the harder tyres and held on for third, denying Lewis Hamilton’s (McLaren) late race charge for a podium place.

It was a bad day for the Australians, with Daniel Ricciardo (HRT) stalling on the start line. He was able to eventually get going again and complete a total of 39 laps but he was “not classified” so it was a data gathering exercise for the team and no more. Mark Webber (Red Bull) meanwhile put himself between a rock and Felipe Massa’s Ferrari and lost his front wing in the process. A few corners later, with parts of the wing lodged in his undertray, he lost steering and went off into a tyre barrier ending his race.

Webber’s DNF has relegated him from second to fourth in the drivers’ standings. He’s on 167 points, behind Button (167pts, ahead on wins), Alonso (172pts) and the 2011 champion-in-waiting Vettel (284pts).

More from the top three after the break.

[Pic: Ferrari]

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