Category: Motorsports

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Citroen WRC

Citroën confirms all-Sebastien WRC line up for 2011

Citroen DS3 R3

In other WRC news there will be change at Citroën Racing for the 2011 season, but it won’t be in their driver line up. Both Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier have been re-signed for next year. However, changes in WRC specifications will dictate the arrival of a new rally weapon from the dominant French team.

Out goes the highly successful C4 WRC and in comes the new rally-prepped DS3 WRC. The new car will maintain all-wheel drive, but will be fitted with a 1.6 litre turbocharged four cylinder motor, down from the current 2.0 litre capacity.

Despite conquering every mountain the WRC series has posed Loeb is as motivated as ever, “Of course, it’s no secret that we’re already working flat out on the new Citroën DS3, and I can’t wait to see where it stands in relation to its rivals. In the meantime, winning my seventh consecutive world title is my main objective.”

Ogier, too, is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the new machine, “I’m thrilled at the idea of driving the new generation World Rally Cars, and of defending the colours of the make at the topmost level.”

Full release after the break.

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MINI WRC

MINI and Prodrive ready to announce WRC entry

MINI WRC

News has emerged that an announcement from MINI and Prodrive confirming a WRC entry is imminent. As the rendering above shows the rally car will be based on MINI’s new four-door Countryman model and will derive its engine from the 1.6 litre John Cooper Works range. It is expected the announcement will be made before the end of this week.

Norwegian driver Mads Ostberg is understood to undertaking a chief testing role with the MINI/Prodrive program and will likely sign on as one of the drivers for the 2011 season.

Despite these latest murmurings the car is still in its early stages of development. As a result the MINI is not expected to debut in the WRC until Round 5 of next year’s championship.

More news as it comes to hand.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: theSwitchback]

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Formula 1 Toyota

Toyota TF109 seen with x-ray vision

Toyota TF109 - x-ray vision

This nifty little image of the Toyota TF109 gives a great example of how drivers, somehow, squeeze into a modern day Formula One car. Clearly, man plays second fiddle to the form and function of the machine here. Click on the image for a larger view.

[Source: motorcentral]

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Formula 1 News

Ayrton Senna – The movie

Ayrton Senna - The movie

It seems the quest to make a buck from the movie game has extended its reach to the life of Ayrton Senna. Late last year Senna was voted the best driver in the history of Formula One. It was no mug punter poll, either; voting was only open to current and ex-F1 pilots.

So, I guess, if a movie/feature length documentary need be made of an F1 driver Senna may as well be it. The company behind the flick is Working Title, they’ve some solid film making behind them, so from that point of view, at least, Senna’s story is in good hands.

Importantly, the movie has the support of the Senna family. Key F1 heavyweights such as Bernie Eccelstone, Ron Dennis and Sir Frank Williams have also supported the film. All solid signs, then.

James Allen has seen a pre-release cut of the film and has given the production a big wrap, “It is an absolutely fantastic film and I’m sure that not only are F1 fans going to be blown away by it, but it will cross-over into the mainstream with many non F1 fans, especially women, drawn to the poignant human interest story at the heart of it.”

Public release of the film is due in a few months.

[Source: James Allen on F1]

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Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 British Grand Prix in pictures

2010 British Grand Prix

With victory at Silverstone overnight Mark Webber became the first driver to win three races in 2010. And, following that qualifying wing-swap controversy with teammate Sebastian Vettel, what a satisfying win it was too.

Webber was determined to take the lead by the first corner and after the race he explained, “It was pretty straightforward. I made a good start. I was very keen to make it my corner and it worked out well for me, so it was good.”

The Australian was still firm in his views when asked in the post-race press conference about the situation from qualifying, “Yesterday was a really unique situation. It was the first time that the team had really had one component. Honestly I would never have signed a contract again for next year if I believed that that was the way it was going to be going forward. That’s why I was disappointed yesterday and was honest with you guys. Let’s see how it goes in the future but I just keep doing what I do and hopefully it’s enough.”

The complete transcript from the press-conference is now available at Formula1.com. Also, selected team and driver quotes recorded after the race, including words from Vettel, can be read as well.

After the jump a set of Red Bull Racing images captured from race day and qualifying are available. Images from other teams to follow soon.

UPDATE: SMH.com.au brings us some amazing allegations of intra-team rivalry at Red Bull Racing: “Webber’s mechanics were said to have removed the ‘old’ front wing that Webber had been forced to race with and waved it at Vettel’s side of the garage.”

UPDATE II: New pics from McLaren, Mercedes GP, Williams, Sauber, Force India, Toro Rosso, Renault and Ferrari added below.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber wins British GP

Mark Webber, winner, 2010 British GP

Mark Webber has won his third Grand Prix of the 2010 Formula One season at Silverstone this evening. Webber started from second on the grid, behind his Red Bull Racing teammate Sebastian Vettel, but was able to edge ahead of Vettel into the first corner.

Through the next series of corners Vettel ran wide and picked up a puncture after minor contact with Lewis Hamilton. This setback which sent Vettel to the back of the field. From there it was a masterful race from Webber who maintained the lead for the rest of the race.

Lewis Hamilton finished second and was able to pressure the Australian in the in the first part of the race when both drivers were on the softer compound tyres. Hamilton came into change tyres before Webber, but Red Bull Racing got Webber in and out safely on the next lap and back out ahead of Hamilton. Once on the harder prime tyres Webber was supreme and the only way Hamilton could close the gap was thanks to a safety car period to clear some debris from the track.

After the restart Webber once again pulled away and established a comfortable lead. As the race drew to an inevitable end Webber slowed his pace and coasted to victory just 1.3 seconds ahead of Hamilton. Nico Rosberg finished in third place. Vettel, for his misfortune at the start of the race, managed to make the most of the safety car period to fight back into the points finishing in seventh position.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Scuderia Ferrari unveil new racing logo

Ferrari F1 logo

The Ferrari F1 team unveiled a new logo at Silverstone yesterday. The image above is the one made available from the Ferrari media portal. You’d reckon they’d take a bit more time to prepare something a bit better than a happy snap of a logo glued to a wall. Perhaps they’re too busy trying to work out how to keep up with Red Bulls and McLarens. To be fair, the new logo won’t be implemented until the 2011 season.

Anyway, back to the new branding, Stefano Domenicali explains why the team revealed the new logo ahead of the British Grand Prix, “We chose Silverstone because it was here in 1951 that Ferrari took its first Formula 1 win with Jose Froilan Gonzalez.

“Although revealed today, the new logo will make its debut next season, starting in January and will be visible on all elements of the racing department; the cars, team kit, driver race suits and all initiatives linked to the Ferrari Driver Academy, so that the new design will be linked to all future Ferrari’s racing activities.”

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MINI Challenge

2010 MINI Challenge – Round 4 Preview

2010 MINI Challenge

After being Australian teammates back in June Chris Alajajian (left) and Paul Stokell resume hostilities as the two leading drivers in the 2010 Hertz MINI Challenge. Round 4 action takes place as part of the Sucrogen Townsville 400 this weekend.

Speaking before the event series leader Alajajian said, “Paul and I had a pretty fierce battle here last year but the game plan is to stay clean and in-front, whether or not that happens is the big question but bring on the excitement!”

Channel 7 are scheduled to broadcast highlights of Round 4 action on July. More details after the break.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Silverstone

Mark Webber

It’s Mark Webber’s turn to tell us all about the new Silverstone layout today. He’s a bit excited about racing in England, too. It’s the home race for Red Bull Racing, there’s very passionate fans and, best of all, Mark gets to snuggle under his own doona at night.

Actually, on that point, I think I heard the other day that Webber is the only current F1 driver who lives in the UK. All the rest are living it Playboy mansion style on the continent I guess. Still, you can’t expect a kid from Struggle Town to be attracted by the bright lights of Monaco. That’s simply a place you go to win races.

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Citroen WRC

Citroën DS3 R3 – customer rally car

Citroen DS3 R3

This spunky looking machine is Citroën’s latest rally car. The DS3 R3 has been developed for the FIA’s R3T category and  features a 1.6 litre turbocharged engine pumping out 210 horsepower. There’s also a pretty healthy 350Nm on offer. Drawing on the technical knowledge of the immensely successful C4 WRC program the DS3 R3 is fitted with a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

The DS3 R3 is essentially a customer car and already has 10,000km of testing across all kinds of typical rallying surfaces under its belt. The R3 is scheduled to make its race debut towards the end of this year. Citroën Racing starts with a road going DS3 THP 150 and will make the racecars available in kit or ready-to-race form.

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MINI Challenge

New TV deal for MINI Challenge

MINI Challenge, Melbourne

There’s good news for MINI Challenge fans following the announcement of new television deals with Fox Sports and New Zealand’s TV3. Free to air viewers have not been forgotten, either, and the Channel 7 broadcast schedule has been confirmed for the rest of the year.

Full details after the break.

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Formula 1

A look at the new Silverstone GP circuit

Silverstone - New Grand Prix Circuit

With the British Grand Prix now just a few days away, it’s a good time to take a look at the revised Silverstone layout. Those familiar with the old layout will immediately notice the infield section from Abbey through to Brooklands is new. Other than that the bulk of the course is unchanged, save for a minor rework at Club Corner.

Overtaking opportunities should present themselves into Village and the Loop. Late braking into Brooklands might also offer chances of drivers to claim track position.

There’s a couple of videos available after the break featuring Martin Brundle’s thoughts on the new layout. They’re well worth a look and, if anything, will heighten your expectations for this weekend’s action. Watching F1 cars scythe through the Maggott-Becketts-Chapel section is one the highlights of the year and I get the feeling the new Abbey-Farm series might be just as spectacular.

The map above has been adapted from a PDF made available for download from the official Silverstone website, so make sure you check that out, as well.

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