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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Malaysian GP in pictures

2010 Malaysian Grand Prix

After an unfulfilled Australian Grand Prix local hope Mark Webber felt he had something to prove in Malaysia. Webber dared to dream by making what proved to be an inspired tyre choice during a rain sodden qualifying that allowed the Australian to claim pole position. Could he win his third Formula One race?

No, sadly. An overly cautious start by Webber left the door open for a fast charging Sebastien Vettel to take the inside line into turn 1 and that was pretty much that. Webber’s cause wasn’t helped by a clumsy pit stop from his Red Bull team and the young remained unchallenged on the way to his German his sixth race win. Webber strolled home in a comfortable second place and, finally, Red Bull Racing delivered a result befitting their early season pace. In a minor consolation for Webber he set the fastet lap of the race on lap 53.

Nico Rosberg, who started from P2 on the grid, finished the race in third place, and in doing so earned the first podium finish for the newly formed Mercedes GP team. A nice collect for the bookies, there no doubt, with the early season money surely resting on Schumacher.

Following a dreadful qualifying for McLaren and Ferrari leaving all four drivers starting from P17 or behind, they were able to restore some pride, with Lewis Hamilton the pick crossing the line in sixth place. Hamilton was followed by current championship leader Felipe Massa and his McLaren teammate Jenson Button. Fernando Alonso finished outside of the top 10 and failed to add to his 2010 season tally. A full list of results is available at Formula1.com.

After the jump you will see more than 85 images from Sepang, all (except a couple of the Lotus pics) accessible in 2000px wallpaper-friendly sizing by clicking on the photo you want.

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Formula 1

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Sepang

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Sepang

Mark Webber gives his regular preview of upcoming Grands Prix with a look at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit from the seat of the Red Bull Racing simulator.

In Malaysia Mark thinks of hot humid weather, a lot of thunderstorms and a very tough race for the driver. Which is a good thing because the weather predictions are for another downpour.

You might remember the 2009 race was total chaos thanks to torrential rain. The race was stopped after just 31 of the scheduled 56 laps and half points were awarded.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Australian GP in pictures

2010 Australian Grand Prix

It’s safe to say that the final result in the 2010 Australian Grand Prix is not on the majority of Australian F1 fans were hoping for. Local boy Mark Webber had his best chance yet to win his home race. He qualified on the front row, alongside pole sitter and teammate Sebastien Vettel.

However, through a combination of poor tyre strategy and some over exuberance on his own part, Webber’s race ended in tears after a coming together with Lewis Hamilton with two laps to go while fighting for minor placings. Finally, Webber regathered himself to stumble home in ninth place.

Just as in Bahrain, Vettel looked like he was just out for a lazy Sunday drive. He held a comfortable lead until his front left brake rotor exploded and sent him crashing out.

This left Button in the lead after he put his fortunes in the hands of an early switch to slick tyres on lap six. A move that eventually took the reigning champ from zero to hero. From then on it was a case of managing tyres and through a combination of cooler weather and a smooth driving style Button was able to complete the race on the softer compound tyres.

So, then, it has taken Button just two races to get the better of Hamilton. And do you think the 2008 World Champion was happy about that fact? Not on your life. It had Hamilton blowing smoke of a different kind with stern questions asked of his team and the tyre strategy his team employed. Apparently he deserved better.

Well, that’s enough commentary, let’s look at some pics. After the jump you can feast your eyes on over 50 of the best images from the Australian Grand Prix weekend. Teams featured include Red Bull Racing, Renault, Ferrari, MercedesGP, Williams, Lotus and Virgin Racing. See a pic you like, then simply click on it to load a 2000px super image.

Next weekend it all starts again, with the Malaysian Grand Prix from Sepang. Can Red Bull Racing finally find some luck and land a win that their current early season pace would indicate they deserve?

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Formula 1

Red Bull claims front row for Australian Grand Prix

Sebastien Vettel

Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber will start tomorrow’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix on the front row after posting the fastest ever times recorded at the Albert Park track.

Webber desperately wanted to claim pole position but it was his younger German teammate that claimed the prize with a blistering lap time of 1:23.919. Vettel was the first, and to date, only driver to break the 1:24 barrier at Albert Park. However, local hopes remain high for Webber who was at the pointy end of the field all day. He was quickest in Free Practice 3, and qualified second with a time of 1:24.035.

Both Red Bull men were under Michael Schumacher’s previous lap record at the Melbourne street circuit of 1:24.125 set in 2004.

Tomorrow represents Mark Webber’s best chance yet to win his home Grand Prix and speaking after qualifying he was disappointed not to have claimed pole, “I would love to be on pole, it is good for the team both of us are up there, but there is always a bit where you can get a bit more out of it, overall it would be nice to be one place further up,” he said.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso will be the first of the non-Red Bull challengers, followed by McLaren’s Jenson Button and second Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

[Pic: Getty Images]

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Formula 1

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Albert Park

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Albert Park

Mark Webber has followed his Bahrain preview with a virtual lap of the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit behind the wheel of the Red Bull Racing simulator. Mark has just set the fastest lap time so far this weekend in Free Practice 3. Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix is about to start. Can Webber maintain his pace and claim his first Melbourne pole position?

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Formula 1

Mark Webber’s star joins the milky way

Mark Webber - Canberra Milk kid

At Mark Webber’s civic reception earlier this week the point was made he likes to remind people he is from Queanbeyan and not Canberra. Well, it seems if Canberra Milk is writing the cheque that Webber’s loyalty can be shifted.

After the break—pardon the pun—is a 30 second television commercial currently on high rotation during Southern Cross Ten’s Formula One coverage in the Canberra region. It’s all a bit of fun and kudos to Webber who has no doubt appeared in this ad for much less than his international profile might demand.

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Formula 1 McLaren News

Lewis Hamilton suffers from burnout

Lewis Hamilton at 2009 Goodwood FoS

Doing a few burnouts at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed is one thing. Doing them in Victoria’s nanny state during Grand Prix week is a different proposition altogether. Just ask 2008 F1 World Champ Lewis Hamilton who was busted fishtailing his Mercedes road car  yesterday evening on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda.

Senior police constable Scott Woodford said the 25-year-old’s car had “accelerated heavily and lost traction to the rear wheels.”

Woodford continued, “It’s fair to say that he was disappointed with the whole incident but I must say he was extremely cooperative throughout.”

Hamilton will be charged with improper use of a motor vehicle and the car will be impounded for 48 hours.

A statement released by McLaren quotes Hamilton as saying, “This evening, I was driving in an over-exuberant manner and, as a result, was stopped by the police. What I did was silly, and I want to apologise for it.”

[Source: ABC | Thanks to Mick for the tip]

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Formula 1

On-track action starts at Australian Grand Prix

Mark Webber with The Fanatics

The fun and games are now over for Mark Webber. The Australian Grand Prix is now officially underway with Free Practice 1 currently under green light conditions. Keep up with all the action via the AUSmotive F1 list on twitter. There you can access all the latest tweets from all the major players in the F1 world. You can also access live coverage from the likes of BBC, F1fanatic and Autosport. Of course, there’s also the live timing available via Formula1.com (check out their free app via iTunes too). If you want to join in the discussion on twitter make sure you use the #ausgp hashtag.

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Formula 1 News Red Bull Racing

Queanbeyan honours Mark Webber

Mark Webber, Queanbeyan, March 2010

Earlier today Queanbeyan City Council honoured Australian Formula One driver, and local lad made good, Mark Webber with a civic reception. I made the short journey across the border to join in the fun.

Proceedings begun with a parade down Queanbeyan’s main street, where hundreds of people, including lots of school kids, were able to cheer Webber on and offer best wishes for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Once the parade was over Webber was greeted by Queanbeyan Mayor, Cr Tim Overall, before he became a pied piper of sorts on his way into the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. It was a short walk but with every step Webber happily signed autographs for F1 fans of all ages.

The usual speeches were presented including a great precis of Webber’s career from an old family friend. You could see from the smile on Mark’s face that he enjoyed the snapshot offered, and that the effort made was very much appreciated.

Webber then took the stand, accepted a plaque from Cr Overall and spoke of his fond memories from growing up in Queanbeyan. He also made special mention for two other local boys done good, namely David Campese and David Furner.

During Webber’s F3 days he was facing a financial crossroad and he needed money for his motorsport career to survive. Former Wallaby David Campese came to the fore providing $100,000 which allowed Mark to carry on. Webber quipped that he has since paid back the loan and acknowledged his gratitude to Campese who took a huge risk to support what was then a fledgling career.

David Furner, NRL premiership player and current Canberra Raiders coach, also earned praise from Webber who recalled his days growing up when he would walk his dog and see Furner out practicing alone. Mark commented that when he first arrived in Europe he thought he was doing pretty well, but he soon realised all the other young hopefuls from countries far and wide wanted to achieve the same thing he did, a Formula One career. He remembered Furner’s discipline and willingness to train that little bit harder and soon followed a similar methodology. Mark mentioned he likes training on Christmas Day and News Year’s Day as he reckons this gives him two extra days on his competitors.

Webber spoke well and his enthusiasm for friends, family and all in attendance was clear to see. He appears to have a humility that many of his peers would do well to imitate. He also has the support of Australian F1 fans and I’m sure all wish him great success, including a strong result this weekend.

More pics and a few sound bites from Webber’s speech can be seen after the jump.

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Formula 1 Volkswagen

Williams wants Volkswagen

Williams F1

A news report from German publication Bild claims Sir Frank Williams wants his team to be chosen to partner the Volkswagen Group should it make its expected entry into Formula One. Rumours of Volkswagen’s entry in Formula One have been around for some time now, with brand ambassador Hans Joachim-Stuck saying it is natural that VW is thinking of Formula One.

Speaking to Bild, Williams said, “We are stronger with a manufacturer than as a private team. No question.”

It’s approaching six year since Williams F1 last won a race, and that was when they were supported by the BMW factory. Subsequent terms with Toyota and Cosworth customer engines have not brought success. Williams enjoyed periods of domination F1 during the 1980s and 90s thanks to strong support from Honda and Renault.

Volkswagen motorsport bosses are understood to be very interested in Formula One, although they would like to see costs reduced further before making that very big step.

[Source: Autocar]

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Formula 1 Lotus

It was a marvellous day

Ayrton Senna

Yesterday would have been Ayrton Senna‘s 50th birthday. A fact that came to my attention via autosport.com who honoured the day with an image gallery of Senna’s career. To complement those images there is a YouTube clip after the break featuring Senna talking about his maiden F1 victory, the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix. Senna marked his arrival as a Grand Prix winner in true domineering style, by also claiming pole position and the fastest lap of the race.

Life in F1 was so much simpler then, as the footage shows. And a few years later you were either in the Alain Prost corner, or the Ayrton Senna corner. I was, and am, still very much in the Prost corner, ‘The Professor’ remains my favourite driver of all time. That said, I still recall the sadness I felt as I watched Senna’s accident on 1 May 1994—a date forever etched in my mind—and later learned of his untimely death.

Approaching sixteen years since his passing it is clear Senna still holds the respect of his peers, a fact highlighted by being voted the best driver of all time in a poll of over 200 former and current F1 drivers. May he rest in peace.

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Formula 1

2010 Bahrain GP in pictures

2010 Bahrain GP

Ugh, I’ve finally woken up after the Bahrain Grand Prix. For an off-season that managed to keep Formula One fans on the edge of their seats, the season opener was a rather dull affair. That cannot be questioned, as evidenced by the chorus of criticism, from team principals, drivers and fans across the globe.

I’ve been told that Fernando Alonso won the race in his debut outing with Ferrari. Teammate Felipe Massa reminded us there’s more than one driver returning to F1 this year by claiming second. And 2008 champ Lewis Hamilton grabbed the last podium. A podium all three men owed to a wilting RB6 under Sebastien Vettel’s otherwise expert command (or perhaps his car was just running out of petrol)

We’ve heard from the likes of Mark Webber that the dullness in Bahrain was due to the new rule changes in force for 2010. With a full season, and off-season, of development behind them it would seem the double diffusers are even more effective in 2010 and the dirty air they create behind each car makes it impossible for the car behind to overtake. Or so we are being told.

We’re also being told the track layout at Bahrain is to blame and that other more passing friendly circuits will liven things up. Mind, it’s a bit dismal that a track with 23 corners cannot illicit any overtaking opportunities.

The refuelling ban and tyres that have reasonable life in them seems to ensure single pit stop strategies for the entire field. There’s been talk of introducing two mandatory stops in a bid to bring some life into F1 v2010. Not sure about you, but if the best idea to increase on track action is to increase the number of pit stops, well, Formula One is in more trouble than it cares to admit.

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