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McLaren

Is the McLaren P1 the new Ring-daddy after all?

McLaren P1

If you’ve been following our coverage of the McLaren P1 and its mystery Nürburgring lap time you’ll probably be over it just like we were.

And yet, thanks to Steve Sutcliffe’s review of the P1 for Autocar an unofficial ballpark time has emerged and breathed new life into the ongoing speculation. It’s been that way mostly because McLaren got cute and told us they went sub-7 minutes, but not how far below.

First, a reminder that the Porsche 918 has lapped the Ring in a documented 6 minutes 57 seconds. Clearly, McLaren will want to better that, and by some margin.

We’ve had speculation of a 7:04 lap time from the hybrid P1 and also 6:47. Well now we can add a new and much more impressive claim thanks to Autocar:

According to the rumour mill that is the internet the number of 6min 47sec keeps cropping up. But according to a McLaren insider I spoke to who knows rather more about the P1’s capabilities than any armchair expert ever could, the actual time is “a fair bit quicker than that.” As in six minutes 30 something. Either way, the P1 is, until Ferrari unleashes the LaFerrari at the Green Hell, king of the ‘Ring. For the time being.

Six minutes and thirty seconds?! That is very, very fast. As in, approaching all-time fastest ever around the fearsome Nordschleife!

Continue reading “Is the McLaren P1 the new Ring-daddy after all?”
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Motorsports Porsche

The sweet sounds of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Steven Richards in the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

The raw sounds from inside the cabin of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup are a true delight. And thanks to the combination of a brand new 991-based GT3 Cup, Steven Richards, Speedcafe and Sydney Motorsport Park you can experience those sounds right now!

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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Categories
McLaren

Autocar has a go in the McLaren P1

McLaren P1 in hot weather testing

Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar has just filed his review of the fearsome McLaren P1. It’s fair to say he was impressed by the experience, albeit with an underwhelming start as these selected paragraphs show:

On the road, the first impressions are of a car that feels remarkably like a McLaren 12C. Which is either a good thing if you’ve never driven a 12C before or, initially, a mild anti-climax if you have.

…

The P1 is not ultimately a car to be driven slowly, however, even if its electric power source does provide it with a hit of throttle response that a straight turbocharged car couldn’t hope to replicate. Instead it’s about going fast – really, really fast – and this something it can do with varying degrees of madness depending which mode you choose to drive it in. Which probably sounds a little bit digital but which is, in practice, anything but.

…

And, best (or worst) of all depending on how brave you’re feeling, it will also allow big hits of opposite lock before the ESP or TC systems intervene. You feel a lot more on your own in the P1 than you do in, say, a Porsche 918 on a track. More than any other characterstic, perhaps, this is what separates their personalities.

Follow the source link for the full review.

UPDATE: A teaser video has been added below, the full clip later this week apparently. Chris Harris promises his review isn’t too far away either. Happy days!

[Source: Autocar]

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Audi Video

Chris Harris compares Audi R8 GT3 and R8 V10

Chris Harris with the Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3

Chris Harris is a lucky man. This we know. But he’s further proved this point by being given the keys and the pit crew to an Audi R8 V10 road car and an R8 LMS Ultra GT3 racecar and an empty Nürburgring grand prix track.

The aim of this exercise was to see how closely related the street car and track car are, if at all. You may be surprised by Harris’ discovery.

Continue reading “Chris Harris compares Audi R8 GT3 and R8 V10”
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BMW Motorsports

Real photos of the BMW M235i Racing

BMW M235i Racing

The we-just-want-one BMW M235i Racing was launched to the media at the Las Vegas International Speedway recently. So here’s a handful of pics showing the car in the flesh for the first time. Follow the source link for larger versions.

[Source: Bimmerpost | Thanks to John for the tip]

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Categories
BMW

BMW 2 Series – Australian pricing confirmed

BMW M235i

BMW Australia has today confirmed basic pricing for the new 2 Series Coupe range, which will go on sale here in March. This confirms the exclusive pricing info we brought you back in mid-November.

As we told you back in November there will be three models in the 2 Series range down under:

BMW 220i Coupe (135kW/270Nm)– $50,500*
BMW 220d Coupe (135kW/380Nm) – $52,500*
BMW M235i Coupe (240kW/450Nm) – $79,900*
*Manufacturer’s list pricing (includes GST & LCT).

There’s still no official specifcation details released, other than all 2 Series models will have an 8-speed automatic transmission fitted as standard. You’ll need to refer back to our previous post to get an insight as to the expected specifications.

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Categories
Formula 1

Mark Webber, remember him?

2010 Monaco Grand Prix

One of the most reliable and respected sources of Formula 1 news is Autosport. So when they create a list of the 25 best F1 drivers never to have won a world championship you can expect it to be well researched and well considered.

You may be surprised to learn, then, that Mark Webber didn’t make the list. With the likes of bona fide F1 legends Stirling Moss and Gilles Villeneuve at the pointy end of their list that may be fair enough.

We don’t suggest for a moment Mark is an all-time great of F1, but we do think he should, at the very least, be mentioned in the same breath as Michele Alboreto, Rene Arnoux, Jacques Lafitte and John Watson, if not ranked ahead of them. What about Juan Pablo Montoya or even Robert Kubica (ranked third behind Moss and Villeneuve)?

In 2010, Mark’s best chance at winning a world championship, he only finished third, we acknowledge. But going into that final race in Abu Dhabi he was a chance to win the crown.

Overall Webber won nine grands prix. That’s three more than Gilles Villeneuve and more career wins than 17 of the drivers in Autosport’s list of 25.

At his very best Webber showed he could mix it with the sport’s elite. While the Autosport list doesn’t count for much, we still think our Mark wuz robbed!

[Source: Autosport+ (sub reqd) | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Formula 1 News

Long road ahead for Michael

2012 European Grand Prix

In the first official update on Michael Schumacher for almost two weeks his manager Sabine Kehm says the 45-year-old’s condition remains “stable”. In what may be interpreted as a positive sign, for the first time since his accident on 29 December, his status is no longer being described as critical.

Kehm’s latest statement noted: “Michael’s family is very happy and confident with the work of the team of doctors treating Michael, and they trust them completely. Michael’s condition is still considered as stable.”

German media has been speculating on what the long-term future might be like for Michael. And while it’s not coming from any official source or direct connection to Schumacher or his doctors it doesn’t make for pretty reading.

Some reports suggest Michael may never awake from his coma, while another sought input from neurosurgeon Dr Richard Greenwood from the University College London Hospital.

Dr Greenwood has been quoted as saying: “If Schumacher survives, he will not be Schumacher. He will be [Joe] Bloggs. His rehabilitation will only be effective if he comes to terms with being Bloggs.

“That is a very, very hard process to take people through. They need to come to terms with their limitations — the fact they have changed.”

In response to increasing speculation Sabine Kehm reiterated: “Any information regarding Michael’s health not coming from the doctors treating him or from his management must be treated as pure speculation.”

[Source: abc News & The Independent | Pic: Mercedes AMG]

Categories
Formula 1 McLaren

Big Ron back on deck at McLaren

Ron Dennis

There’s been big changes at McLaren with expectations the bloodletting has only just begun. First, Ron Dennis returns to the role of McLaren Group CEO, a position he left in 2012. In doing so he has displaced Martin Whitmarsh, the man who replaced him.

Dennis comes with a promise to “undertake a thorough and objective review” and to “implement the organisational structure” required to achieve his new world order.

For now Whitmarsh keeps his role as McLaren’s Team Principal but you don’t have to look too hard to find plenty of speculation that Whitmarsh will soon be freed from the tight constraints of Woking.

While we’re riding a few bandwagons let’s get on board the wagon carrying Ross Brawn, right into Whitmarsh’s Team Principal role. At lest that’s the opinion now being shared by The Telegraph.

So what’s driving these changes? The relentless and ruthless chase for success. McLaren, one of the most successful F1 teams of all time, did not score a single podium in 2013. Worse, it hasn’t won a constructor’s championship for almost 15 years. And it’s now five years since Lews Hamilton won the driver’s crown.

There hasn’t appeared to be a groundswell of disharmony coming from Woking, but with their tightly controlled ship who really knows. Certainly the return of Dennis, announced with a stirring speech from 66-year-old, seems to have captured the staff’s imagination.

“So inspired by Ron speech yesterday! Let’s start exciting new chapter in McLaren again! #BelieveInRon,” tweeted design engineer Giovanni Banzola.

While Clare Martin, head race and test coordinator, added: “Think it’s safe to say today’s news was received well! #BelieveInRon”.

How serious are the claims of Brawn’s return to Formula 1, just a few weeks after departing Mercedes? Well, he probably didn’t expect the possibility of an opportunity opening up with McLaren. Is Brawn’s relationship with Honda, who will power McLaren’s cars again in 2015, such that it could be contributing factor in joining McLaren. Or will a mutual respect and a recent conversation with Dennis be enough for that?

We should have answers to all of these questions, and perhaps even more, before the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March.

Continue reading “Big Ron back on deck at McLaren”
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Hyundai WRC

Hyundai’s WRC return didn’t quite go to plan

Hyundai i20 WRC

We have no doubt Hyundai would love nothing more than for Thierry Neuville’s rivals to be looking the tail of his i20 WRC in 2014. We just don’t think they quite imagined his tail would be all smashed up like this.

That’s the sad an unfortunate result of Neuville’s off in the icy conditions of SS1 at the Rallye Monte Carlo. Unsurprisingly, he was forced to retire from the rally.

Better results awaited Dani Sordo in the #8 i20 WRC and he managed to find himself in the podium positions, running in third. Sadly for him an alternator problem forced him out of the event.

After much hard work and high on anticipation Hyundai’s new era in the WRC was over almost before it began. Hard luck for them. On the positive side for WRC fans Hyundai Motorsport has already packaged up a YouTube video. On the negative side for Hyundai an amateur video showing Neuville’s car being winched onto a flat bed is also on the tubes.

After day 1 of the Monte privateer Bryan Bouffier in his M-Sport prepared Fiesta RS WRC holds a commanding lead over Kris Meeke (Citroën) and Robert Kubica (Ford). Defending champions Volkswagen have to make do with fourth (Ogier), seventh (Latvala) and ninth (Mikkelesen), but at least they’re all still running.

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Categories
Formula 1

Pirelli renews F1 contract for three more years

Pirelli P Zero hard compound tyre

The sometimes chequered partnership between Formula 1 and Pirelli will continue for another three years after a new agreement was reached between both parties. The new contract starts with this year meaning Pirelli will remain the sole tyre supplier until at least the end of the 2016 F1 season.

In a bid to overcome the testing dramas we witnessed in 2013 new sporting regulations have been introduced which mandate tyre testing must be undertaken by all teams.

Specifically, the agreement states that one day of official pre-season testing will be dedicated to running Pirelli’s wet weather tyres (cue Bernie’s sprinklers).

There will be eight days of in-season testing in 2014—four blocks of two day tests—and each team will be required to dedicate one of those days to tyre testing with Pirelli. There are 11 teams in F1 and no more than two teams can conduct their in-season tyre testing on the same day.

[Pic: Pirelli]

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Formula 1 News

Bernie Ecclestone to stand trial on bribery charges

Bernie Ecclestone

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone could face up to a decade in jail after being ordered to stand trial in a Munich court to answer bribery charges.

In a statement confirming the trial the court said, “Under current planning, the main trial should start in late April.”

Ecclestone has stood down from the Formula One Group board of directors but will continue his daily operations with F1 while the trial is underway.

A statement from the F1 board reads in part: “It is in the best interests of both the F1 business and the sport that Mr Ecclestone should continue to run the business on a day-to-day basis, but subject to increased monitoring and control.”

The statement later added: “Mr Ecclestone has reassured the Board that he is innocent of the charges and intends to vigorously defend the case.”

The bribery claims relate to the sale of Formula 1 to CVC Capaital Partners in 2006, where it is alleged Ecclestone paid off former banker Gerhard Gribkowsky to ensure a smooth transaction.

Gribkowsky is currently serving an eight-and-a-half year jail term for his part in that deal, being found guilty of accepting a bribe.

[Source: Reuters & SMH | Pic: Reuters/Olivia Harris]