Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/tWX7W3EQMTI/top-10-formula-1-crapwagons.html
Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Mark Webber’s 200 F1 races in pictures | F1 pictures
Mark Webber's last F1 start was the 200th time he's seen the red lights go out at a Grand Prix. Here's a look back on his career so far in pictures. 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/obhjOMMoG3g/
Jim Crawford Ray Crawford Alberto Crespo Antonio Creus Larry Crockett
Sun: Ferrari, Lotus, Merc, Red Bull
Fernando Alonso clinched the victory in China ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton while Seb Vettel was fourth...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8639104/Sun-Ferrari-Lotus-Merc-Red-Bull
Gianfranco Brancatelli Eric Brandon Don Branson Tom Bridger Tony Brise
Monday, April 29, 2013
Paddock Postcard from Bahrain
With just a few days to pack up and make the journey from China to Bahrain, on-track preparations and activity dominated the build-up to Sunday's race. Red Bull's Mark Webber, however, managed to find a little time to celebrate his 200th Grand Prix start at Sakhir.
“It's amazing to think it's 200 starts already,” said Webber. “I can remember my first race like it was yesterday, but that's the way it goes. Time passes very quickly. It's a good milestone and I'm proud to have made the 200-club. There have been some good moments along the way too.”
“It's amazing to think it's 200 starts already,” said Webber. “I can remember my first race like it was yesterday, but that's the way it goes. Time passes very quickly. It's a good milestone and I'm proud to have made the 200-club. There have been some good moments along the way too.”
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2013/4/14496.html
Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari
F1: Perez vindicated by Bahrain showing
Sergio Perez believes his drive to sixth in the Bahrain Grand Prix is proof he can be successful with McLaren.
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107092
Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella M·rio de Ara˙jo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold
Exclusive Toto Wolf Q&A: We have a mountain of work to do
It's just over three months since Toto Wolff left his position as executive director at Williams to become part of a high-profile management triumvirate at Mercedes, with Niki Lauda and Ross Brawn.
Since then, the 41-year-old Austrian, who is now a shareholder and executive director with the Silver Arrows, has witnessed the team score two podiums and two pole positions in four races. But as he explains, there is still plenty to do
Since then, the 41-year-old Austrian, who is now a shareholder and executive director with the Silver Arrows, has witnessed the team score two podiums and two pole positions in four races. But as he explains, there is still plenty to do
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2013/4/14507.html
Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi
Interview with Sebastian Vettel in Sochi
Red Bull's triple world champion Sebastian Vettel was in Russia on Monday to visit the new Sochi Olympic Park Circuit, which hopes to host a Russian round on the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar.
Whilst there, Vettel shared his thoughts on the new track and spoke about the prospect of racing in Russia
Whilst there, Vettel shared his thoughts on the new track and spoke about the prospect of racing in Russia
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2013/4/14505.html
Adolf Brudes Martin Brundle Gianmaria Bruni Jimmy Bryan Clemar Bucci
FR3.5: Magnussen secures Aragon FR3.5 pole
Kevin Magnussen continued his dominance of this weekend's Formula Renault 3.5 action at Aragon by taking pole position for race one.
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107069
Paul Belmondo Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Di Resta ‘could be champion in a Red Bull’ – Fernley | F1 Fanatic round-up
In the round-up: Di Resta 'could be champion' • Dennis denies McLaren exit rumours • White doubts Honda F1 interest 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/JBoWgtgrAW0/
Erik Comas Franco Comotti George Connor George Constantine John Cordts
SX: RV Three-Peat
Legend-in-the-making Ryan Villopoto earned his third consecutive Monster Energy Supercross title following a tense and thrilling battle in Salt Lake City.
Source: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/sx-rv-three-peat/
Gino Bianco Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch
Ferrari impressed by Bianchi
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali admits he is pleased that Jules Bianchi's hard work is paying off at Marussia...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8645813/Ferrari-impressed-by-Bianchi
Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi
Fri: Ferrari, Lotus, Merc, Red Bull
Felipe Massa set the pace in Friday's practice for the Chinese GP, edging ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8632786/Fri-Ferrari-Lotus-Merc-Red-Bull
Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh
NASCAR: Kenseth leads all-Gibbs front row
Joe Gibbs Racing responded to a week of bad penalty and injury news by taking a front row sweep for Saturday night's Richmond NASCAR Sprint Cup race
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107067
Bill Aston Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Vettel expecting strong Ferrari challenge
Sebastian Vettel expects Ferrari to be "very strong again" at this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/ferrari/motorsport/story/105947.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger Gerhard Berger
Grid penalty for Hamilton after gearbox change
Lewis Hamilton will drop five places on the grid for the 2013 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix following a gearbox change, Mercedes have confirmed.
The 2008 world champion suffered an apparent left rear tyre delamination at the end of final practice on Saturday morning and following an inspection of his F1 W04, the team opted to replace the gearbox before qualifying
The 2008 world champion suffered an apparent left rear tyre delamination at the end of final practice on Saturday morning and following an inspection of his F1 W04, the team opted to replace the gearbox before qualifying
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14487.html
Chris Amon Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti
US F1 auction raises $1.4m
The auction of the US F1's assets has raised $1.4 million for its creditors
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/20603.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot
Nico Rosberg Q&A: Bahrain pole can kick start my season
It's been a frustrating start to the 2013 season for Nico Rosberg. While new Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton has scored two podiums from the first three races, Rosberg has endured two retirements. But after scoring his first pole position of the year in Bahrain on Saturday, the German is hoping to get his campaign firmly back on track in Sakhir
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2013/4/14495.html
JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham
Discredited US F1 reaches the end of the road
US F1 will not launch a renewed bid to debut in Formula One in 2011
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/18561.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Andrea de Cesaris Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud Jay Chamberlain Karun Chandhok
Ferrari targeting perfection following Bahrain woes
Team principal Stefano Domenicali has said that Ferrari must 'be perfect in every area' if they are to avoid dropping more points and challenge for both titles in 2013.
Domenicali's words come in the wake of the Scuderia's difficult race in Bahrain in which Fernando Alonso fell back down the field because of a DRS problem and Felipe Massa was slowed by two tyre-related issues
Domenicali's words come in the wake of the Scuderia's difficult race in Bahrain in which Fernando Alonso fell back down the field because of a DRS problem and Felipe Massa was slowed by two tyre-related issues
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14506.html
Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber
Friday, April 26, 2013
Ferrari targeting perfection following Bahrain woes
Team principal Stefano Domenicali has said that Ferrari must 'be perfect in every area' if they are to avoid dropping more points and challenge for both titles in 2013.
Domenicali's words come in the wake of the Scuderia's difficult race in Bahrain in which Fernando Alonso fell back down the field because of a DRS problem and Felipe Massa was slowed by two tyre-related issues
Domenicali's words come in the wake of the Scuderia's difficult race in Bahrain in which Fernando Alonso fell back down the field because of a DRS problem and Felipe Massa was slowed by two tyre-related issues
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14506.html
Roberto Bussinello Jenson Button Tommy Byrne Giulio Cabianca Phil Cade
GP3: Daly returns to GP3 with ART
Conor Daly will return to the GP3 series this year after extending his partnership with the ART Grand Prix team.
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107050
Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore
Rosberg makes it back-to-back poles for Mercedes
Nico Rosberg secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix as Mercedes made it back-to-back poles
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsport/story/106185.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger
Domenicali downplays points gap
Stefano Domenicali isn't at all concerned about Fernando Alonso's 30-point deficit in the standing as the season still has a long way to go...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8665153/Domenicali-downplays-points-gap
Peter Broeker Tony Brooks Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown
Thursday, April 25, 2013
FIA inspects US F1 factory
The FIA has sent technical delegate Charlie Whiting to inspect US F1's factory, after reports suggested the Charlotte-based squad is way behind on its chassis build and in financial trouble
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/teamus/motorsport/story/9521.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari
Nico Rosberg Q&A: Bahrain pole can kick start my season
It's been a frustrating start to the 2013 season for Nico Rosberg. While new Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton has scored two podiums from the first three races, Rosberg has endured two retirements. But after scoring his first pole position of the year in Bahrain on Saturday, the German is hoping to get his campaign firmly back on track in Sakhir
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2013/4/14495.html
Ian Burgess Luciano Burti Roberto Bussinello Jenson Button Tommy Byrne
Paddock Postcard from Bahrain
With just a few days to pack up and make the journey from China to Bahrain, on-track preparations and activity dominated the build-up to Sunday's race. Red Bull's Mark Webber, however, managed to find a little time to celebrate his 200th Grand Prix start at Sakhir.
“It's amazing to think it's 200 starts already,” said Webber. “I can remember my first race like it was yesterday, but that's the way it goes. Time passes very quickly. It's a good milestone and I'm proud to have made the 200-club. There have been some good moments along the way too.”
“It's amazing to think it's 200 starts already,” said Webber. “I can remember my first race like it was yesterday, but that's the way it goes. Time passes very quickly. It's a good milestone and I'm proud to have made the 200-club. There have been some good moments along the way too.”
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2013/4/14496.html
Jay Chamberlain Karun Chandhok Alain de Changy Colin Chapman Dave Charlton
Fri: Ferrari, Lotus, Merc, Red Bull
Felipe Massa set the pace in Friday's practice for the Chinese GP, edging ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8632786/Fri-Ferrari-Lotus-Merc-Red-Bull
Giovanna Amati George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon Bob Anderson
Hamilton decision-making under the microscope
 Lewis Hamilton has come in for criticism |
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/hamilton_decisionmaking_under_1.php
JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham
F1: Hamilton tyre blow to be investigated
Pirelli wants to have a more detailed look at the damaged tyre from Lewis Hamilton's car in Bahrain, amid suspicions its failure in practice may not have been down to debris
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107024
Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Paddock Postcard from Bahrain
With just a few days to pack up and make the journey from China to Bahrain, on-track preparations and activity dominated the build-up to Sunday's race. Red Bull's Mark Webber, however, managed to find a little time to celebrate his 200th Grand Prix start at Sakhir.
“It's amazing to think it's 200 starts already,” said Webber. “I can remember my first race like it was yesterday, but that's the way it goes. Time passes very quickly. It's a good milestone and I'm proud to have made the 200-club. There have been some good moments along the way too.”
“It's amazing to think it's 200 starts already,” said Webber. “I can remember my first race like it was yesterday, but that's the way it goes. Time passes very quickly. It's a good milestone and I'm proud to have made the 200-club. There have been some good moments along the way too.”
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2013/4/14496.html
Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant Felice Bonetto Jo Bonnier Roberto Bonomi
INDY: Jourdain back to Rahal for Indy 500
Michel Jourdain Jr will reprise his 2012 Indianapolis 500 appearance with Rahal Letterman Lanigan when he rejoins the team in a third car for this year's race
Alonso 'optimistic' after Chinese win
Fernando Alonso is optimistic for the rest of the season after securing his first victory of the Championship in China...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8639227/Alonso-optimistic-after-Chinese-win
Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti George Connor George Constantine
F1: Button, Perez settle their differences
Jenson Button and Sergio Perez have settled their differences over their Bahrain Grand Prix duel in a behind closed doors meeting with senior team management, AUTOSPORT has learned.
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107002
Jim Crawford Ray Crawford Alberto Crespo Antonio Creus Larry Crockett
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Vettel drives the future Russian GP track in Sochi | F1 video
Sebastian Vettel has had an early look at the future home of the Russian Grand Prix. 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/K1NYSKQ2p6c/
Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto
2013 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Tweets | 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix
The Bahrain Grand Prix produced an interesting race but it played out before a meagre crowd. Here's how the teams and drivers saw the race weekend in Tweets. 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/QirYy7sfrl4/
Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco
Qualifying - Rosberg beats Vettel to take surprise Sakhir pole
Mercedes' Nico Rosberg took an unexpected pole on Saturday in Bahrain, with a best time of 1m 32.330s putting him over two-tenths of a second clear of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso had to settle for third after aborting a messy final Q3 run.
Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes qualified fourth but will start ninth after receiving a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change
Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes qualified fourth but will start ninth after receiving a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14491.html
Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof
WRC: Ostberg insists Ogier can be beaten
Mads Ostberg is adamant Sebastien Ogier is not unbeatable despite his current domination of the 2013 World Rally Championship
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107023
Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber Skip Barber Paolo Barilla Rubens Barrichello
Interview with Sebastian Vettel in Sochi
Red Bull's triple world champion Sebastian Vettel was in Russia on Monday to visit the new Sochi Olympic Park Circuit, which hopes to host a Russian round on the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar.
Whilst there, Vettel shared his thoughts on the new track and spoke about his hope of racing in Russia at some point in the future
Whilst there, Vettel shared his thoughts on the new track and spoke about his hope of racing in Russia at some point in the future
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2013/4/14505.html
Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo
F1: Pirelli meeting won't bring big changes
Pirelli has told Formula 1 teams that it is unlikely to make any major changes to the tyres for the remainder of this season, ahead of a meeting in Milan on Tuesday to discuss the situation
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107012
John CampbellJones Adri·n Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni Bill Cantrell
Lopez rules out F1 in 2010
Jose Maria 'Pechito' Lopez will not take part in Formula One this year after his manager revealed that he had not been able to land a reserve driver role at HRT
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/teamus/motorsport/story/10165.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham
Monday, April 22, 2013
Doctors use Formula One pit crews as safety model
American Medical News reports hospitals in at least a dozen countries are learning how to translate the split-second timing and near-perfect synchronisation of Formula One pit crews to the high-risk handoffs of patients from surgery to recovery and intensive care.
"In Formula One, they have checklists, databases, and they have well-defined processes for doing things, and we don't really have any of those things in health care."
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/doctors_use_formula_one_pit_cr.php
Bill Cantrell Ivan Capelli Piero Carini Duane Carter Eugenio Castellotti
Ferrari hope to profit from 'tension'
Stefano Domenicali concedes all teams have their ups and downs, but he hopes Ferrari will benefit when their rivals hit a bad patch...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8613212/Ferrari-hope-to-profit-from-tension-
Tony Crook Art Cross Geoff Crossley Chuck Daigh Yannick Dalmas
Alonso bemoans bad luck
Fernando Alonso has lamented Ferrari's misfortune so far this season after finishing eighth in the Bahrain Grand Prix...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8663375/Alonso-bemoans-bad-luck
Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger
'The point of no confidence is quite near'
 The wreckage of Jochen Rindt's car at Barcelona |
“Colin. I have been racing F1 for 5 years and I have made one mistake (I rammed Chris Amon in Clermont Ferrand) and I had one accident in Zandvoort due to gear selection failure otherwise I managed to stay out of trouble. This situation changed rapidly since I joined your team. “Honestly your cars are so quick that we would still be competitive with a few extra pounds used to make the weakest parts stronger, on top of that I think you ought to spend some time checking what your different employes are doing, I sure the wishbones on the F2 car would have looked different. Please give my suggestions some thought, I can only drive a car in which I have some confidence, and I feel the point of no confidence is quite near.”A little more than a year later Rindt's Lotus suffered mechanical breakdown just before braking into one of the corners. He swerved violently to the left and crashed into a poorly-installed barrier, killing him instantly.
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/the_point_of_no_confidence_is.php
John Cordts David Coulthard Piers Courage Chris Craft Jim Crawford
FIA Friday press conference - Bahrain
Team representatives - Stefano Domenicali (Ferrari), Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber), Martin Whitmarsh (Mclaren), Paul Hembery (Pirelli), Eric Boullier (Lotus).
Q: Stefano, I have no previous experience but I'm sure the role of team principal at Ferrari is not the easiest job in the world, but it has seemed - apart from the front wing on Fernando's car in Malaysia
Q: Stefano, I have no previous experience but I'm sure the role of team principal at Ferrari is not the easiest job in the world, but it has seemed - apart from the front wing on Fernando's car in Malaysia
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14484.html
John Cannon Eitel Cantoni Bill Cantrell Ivan Capelli Piero Carini
Sat: Merc, Lotus, Ferrari, STR
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position as a Mercedes driver in China, beating Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8635323/Sat-Merc-Lotus-Ferrari-STR
Peter Collins Bernard Collomb Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Final practice - Ferrari on top again with Alonso
Fernando Alonso ensured that Ferrari will head into qualifying on a high after topping the final practice session for the 2013 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir on Saturday morning.
The Spaniard survived a mid-session spin to set the fastest time ahead of the Red Bull pair of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
The Spaniard survived a mid-session spin to set the fastest time ahead of the Red Bull pair of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14486.html
Tony Brooks Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown Adolf Brudes
MOTOGP: Lorenzo won't resign himself to defeat
Jorge Lorenzo is still optimistic that he has a shot at beating the Hondas in the Austin MotoGP race despite Yamaha's qualifying deficit
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106941
Chuck Daigh Yannick Dalmas Derek Daly Christian Danner Jorge Daponte
F1: Bahrain qualifying quotes: Lotus
Bahrain GP: Lotus qualifying quotes
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106935
Art Bisch Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Horner rubbishes conspiracy theories
Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Mark Webber will bounce back from his disastrous Chinese Grand Prix and has flatly denied any suggestions that there might be a conspiracy against Webber within the team
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/105642.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco Hans Binder
'Interesting, challenging season ahead'
Other than them being behind Red Bull, Stefano Domenicali says he is unsure as to where Ferrari are in the current pecking order...
Source: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3370/8616369/-Interesting-challenging-season-ahead-
Chuck Daigh Yannick Dalmas Derek Daly Christian Danner Jorge Daponte
F1: Bahrain qualifying quotes: Red Bull
Bahrain GP: Red Bull qualifying quotes
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106921
Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey
Sebastian Vettel Q&A: Qualifying strategy taken with race in mind
It may be unusual to see perennial polesitter Sebastian Vettel back in ninth on the grid but Vettel for one isn't worried.
The Red Bull driver believes the team's decision to stay on the mediums in Q3 will pay off on race day. The young German discusses the team's qualifying gamble
The Red Bull driver believes the team's decision to stay on the mediums in Q3 will pay off on race day. The young German discusses the team's qualifying gamble
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2013/4/14449.html
Marco Apicella M·rio de Ara˙jo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold Rene Arnoux
F1: Button: don't expect strategy miracle
Jenson Button does not believe McLaren can repeat the strategic race that landed him a top five finish in China in Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106915
Peter Collins Bernard Collomb Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti
Hamilton looks for long-term success at Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton's move to Mercedes is the biggest development in the Formula 1 driver market for three years.
Ahead of the 2010 season, Fernando Alonso moved to Ferrari, world champion Jenson Button switched from world champions Brawn (soon to become Mercedes) to McLaren and Michael Schumacher came out of retirement to replace Button.
Now, the man who most consider to be the fastest driver in the world has taken a huge gamble by switching from McLaren, who have the best car this year and have won five races this season alone, to Mercedes, who have won one race in three years.
To make way for Hamilton, Mercedes have ditched the most successful racing driver of all time.
Schumacher's return at the wheel of a Mercedes 'Silver Arrow' was billed as a dream for all concerned, but with one podium finish in three years the German marque have abandoned the project.
Hamilton leaves a team that has won more races in the last 30 years than anyone else. Photo: Getty
That the announcement was made just five days after the latest in a series of collisions in which Schumacher rammed into the back of another driver after misjudging his closing speed simply rubs salt into the wound.
Hamilton will be replaced at McLaren by one of F1's most promising rising stars - Sauber's Mexican driver Sergio Perez, who has taken three excellent podium finishes this year.
That's quite a shake-up, and it raises any number of fascinating questions, the first and most obvious of which is why Hamilton would leave a team that has won more races in the last 30 years than anyone else - even Ferrari - for one that has won one in the last three.
The explanation for that lies both at his new and current teams.
Mercedes sold the drive to Hamilton on the basis that they were in the best position to deliver him long-term success. In this, there are echoes of Schumacher's move to Ferrari in 1996.
Back then, the Italian team were in the doldrums, having won just one race the previous year. But Schumacher fancied a project, and saw potential. It took time, but by 1997 he was competing for the title, and from 2000 he won five in a row.
The architect of that success was Ross Brawn, then Ferrari's technical director and now Mercedes' team boss. Brawn is one of the most respected figures in F1, and Hamilton is banking on him being able to transform Mercedes in the same way as he did Ferrari.
Undoubtedly, Brawn will have made a convincing case to Hamilton; he is a very persuasive and credible man. It is also worth pointing out that Mercedes - in their former guise of Brawn - have won the world title more recently than McLaren. Button succeeded Hamilton as world champion in 2009.
Mercedes believe that the new regulations for 2014, when both the cars and engines will be significantly changed, will play into their hands.
They are devoting a lot of resources towards that year, and are optimistic they will be in good shape - just as Brawn were, in fact, when the last big rule change happened for 2009.
And Mercedes have a technical team that, on paper, is immensely strong. In Bob Bell, Aldo Costa and Geoff Willis, they have three men who have been technical directors in their own right at other top teams all working under Brawn.
Part of this argument is predicated on the fact that new engine regulations always favour teams run or directly supported by engine manufacturers, on the basis that they are best placed to benefit from developments, and to integrate the car with the engine.
But this is where that argument falls down a little - McLaren may be a mere 'customer' of Mercedes for the first time next year, but they are still going to be using Mercedes engines in 2014, and on the basis of parity of performance.
The love affair with McLaren, who took him on as a 13-year-old karting prodigy, ended some time ago.
Since 2010, Hamilton has been complaining from time to time about the McLaren's lack of aerodynamic downforce compared to the best car of the time.
Through 2009-11, he grew increasingly frustrated at his team's apparent inability to challenge Red Bull. Hamilton is well aware of how good he is, and it hurt to watch Sebastian Vettel win two titles on the trot and not be able to challenge him.
That explains his ill-advised - and dangerously public - approach to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix.
This year, McLaren started the season with the fastest car for the first time since, arguably, 2005. But again they could not get out of their own way.
Pit-stop blunders affected Hamilton's races in Malaysia and China early in the season, and then a terrible mistake in not putting enough fuel in Hamilton's car in qualifying in Spain turned an almost certain win into a battle for minor points.
These errors badly affected his title charge and in early summer his management started approaching other teams.
His favoured choice was almost certainly Red Bull, but they weren't interested. They also approached Ferrari, where Alonso vetoed Hamilton. That left Mercedes.
It is ironic that his decision to move teams has been announced on the back of four races that McLaren have dominated.
Meanwhile, Hamilton's relationship with McLaren Group chairman Ron Dennis, the man who signed him up and who promoted him to the F1 team in 2007, has collapsed.
It was noticeable that after Hamilton's win in Italy earlier this month Dennis stood, arms-folded and stoney-faced, beneath the podium, not applauding once. Nor did Dennis don one of McLaren's 'rocket-red' victory T-shirts, or join in the champagne celebrations with the team once Hamilton had completed his media duties.
In Singapore last weekend, it seemed that McLaren still believed they had a chance of keeping Hamilton; at least that was the impression from talking to the team.
But did Dennis already know in Monza of Hamilton's decision to defect? Was Hamilton's sombre mood after that win a reflection of his wondering whether he had made the right decision?
Was Hamilton's ill-advised decision to post a picture of confidential McLaren telemetry on the social networking site Twitter on the morning of the Belgian Grand Prix, the weekend before Italy, the action of a man who had had enough and didn't care any more because he knew he was leaving?
When was the Mercedes deal actually finally signed?
Was it done before BBC Sport broke the story of it being imminent in the week leading up to the Italian race?
Or was it not inked, finally, until this week, on the basis that only now has the Mercedes board committed to new commercial terms with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone?
In which case, was the gearbox failure that cost Hamilton a certain victory in Singapore, and effectively extinguished his title hopes for good, the straw that broke the camel's back?
In short, was Hamilton's decision based on cold, hard logic, rooted primarily in performance, in making more money, or founded on emotion as much as calculation. Or was it a combination of all those factors?
All these questions will be answered in time. Whatever led to Hamilton's decision, it is fair to say that it is an enormous gamble, one on which the next phase of his career hangs.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/hamilton_looks_for_long-term_s.html
Bob Christie Johnny Claes David Clapham Jim ClarkÜ Kevin Cogan
Who said what after the Chinese Grand Prix
Read what the drivers and teams had to say after the Chinese Grand Prix
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/china/motorsport/story/105479.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Richard Attwood Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey
Friday, April 19, 2013
INDY: Hunter-Reay tops messy practice
Ryan Hunter-Reay went fastest in a patchy second IndyCar practice session at Long Beach, with track time interrupted four times by red flags
Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106902
Luiz Bueno Ian Burgess Luciano Burti Roberto Bussinello Jenson Button
Practice Two - Raikkonen edges Webber in Sakhir
Kimi Raikkonen rose to the top of the timesheets at Sakhir on Friday afternoon, as he set the fastest time of the day for Lotus in 1m 34.154s to beat Mark Webber's Red Bull by 0.030s.
Webber, who lapped in 1m 34.184s, was followed by his team mate Sebastian Vettel on 1m 34.282s, and the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa which sandwiched Paul di Resta's Force India
Webber, who lapped in 1m 34.184s, was followed by his team mate Sebastian Vettel on 1m 34.282s, and the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa which sandwiched Paul di Resta's Force India
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14479.html
Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant
US F1 and Stefan GP reportedly in merger talks
US F1 and Stefan GP are rumoured to be in merger talks to ensure a thirteenth team is present at the first race of the season in Bahrain
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/9681.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Duke Dinsmore Frank Dochnal Jose Dolhem Martin Donnelly Carlo Abate
Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Lotus, Ferrari and Red Bull all made an impression on the timesheets during the first day of the Bahrain weekend. The leading teams and their rivals reflect on their early progress at Sakhir...
Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14480.html
Adri·n Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni Bill Cantrell Ivan Capelli
Lewis Hamilton move would not be a huge surprise
If Lewis Hamilton does move to Mercedes from McLaren for next season, as Eddie Jordan believes he will, it would be a massive shock but not a huge surprise.
There has appeared no urgency from either Hamilton or McLaren to sort out a new contract for 2013 and at the same time there have been signs of unease in the relationship.
The 27-year-old's management team have approached all the big teams this summer and they got short shrift from Red Bull and Ferrari.
Mercedes's reaction has been warmer, and negotiations are known to have taken place, but the issue is complicated by Michael Schumacher's situation.
Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of leaving Mclaren to drive for Mercedes next season. Photo: Getty
Schumacher has not exactly been setting the world on fire this season, with the notable exception of qualifying fastest in Monaco, but at the same time Mercedes cannot be seen to be sacking him because of his status, particularly in Germany.
The German legend is of huge promotional value to Mercedes but the company is split on whether he should continue.
From a marketing point of view, he is a dream - and as he is considered untouchable in Germany any decision to move aside must appear to have come from him.
But those who see the F1 programme from a performance point of view would rather Schumacher stepped down and made way for someone younger and faster.
If they can replace him with someone of the highest calibre - someone such as Hamilton, for example - then that helps, too, as the decision is more easily understandable.
And it is clear after an increasingly uncompetitive season that the team could benefit from employing Hamilton, who is one of F1's 'big three' alongside Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, neither of whom are available.
The attraction Mercedes might have to Hamilton is less clear, given their current struggles, but perhaps the continuing frustrations of his time at McLaren have convinced him it is time for a change.
McLaren struggled by their own high standards in 2009-11, during which time Hamilton did not have a car competitive enough to mount a full-on title challenge.
They came closest in 2010, but it was always a battle against the generally faster Red Bull and Ferrari.
And although McLaren started this season with the fastest car - and have it again after a brief mid-season dip in form - operational errors earlier in the season hit Hamilton's title bid.
Money may well also be an important factor. Hamilton made some cryptic comments in Belgium last weekend about his future move being a "business decision".
Equally, there have been signs of friction between him and McLaren.
In certain quarters of the team, they are uncomfortable about Hamilton's approach to his job and his mindset. And the disconnect was made public this weekend with his ill-advised behaviour on the social networking site Twitter, on which he posted a picture of confidential team telemetry.
Where does that all leave McLaren, Mercedes and Hamilton? Time will tell.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/lewis_hamilton_move_would_not.html
Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley Gerry Ashmore Bill Aston
US F1 still has 2011 hopes
A company that hired two engineers from the failed 2010 entrant US F1 says the team still wants to race in Formula One
Source: http://en.espnf1.com/teamus/motorsport/story/11408.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis
Life in the pit lane
 The Mercedes pit crew prepare for Michael Schumacher in Singapore |
These are not select millionaires but up to 16 ordinary, yet gifted, guys; team mechanics who have worked their way up the system and often migrate from team to team, are paid real-world wages of between £30,000 and £50,000 a year, are drilled to perfection – and whose split-second synchronisation brings their teams huge rewards.
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/life_in_the_pit_lane.php
Ivor Bueb Sebastien Buemi Luiz Bueno Ian Burgess Luciano Burti
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