 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Clark's Rants - quick notes about the latest Podcast
Pedro de la Rosa testing with Force India.
Points system to get overhaul.
Sebastien Loeb very happy with F1 test.
Drivers agree new F1 car not very attractive!
Today's times:Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:19.751 70
2. Sato Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.017 79
3. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.034 48
4. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.223 99
5. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:21.340 31
6. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:21.521 76
7. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.525 113
8. Button Honda (B) 1:21.770 110
9. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:22.073 58
10. di Grassi Honda (B) 1:22.283 110
11. Piquet Renault (B) 1:22.348 85
12. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:22.425 127
13. Gene Ferrari (B) 1:22.772 31
14. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.945 81
15. van der Garde Renault (B) 1:23.250 37
16. de la Rosa Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:23.499 86
Motorsports Memories
.jpg)
Birth of a salesman or death of a calendar? Host with the most, Clark Rodgers aka “Francois”, proudly offers for sale the 2009 Motorsport Memories Powered by Turbo calendar at the recent Nor Cal Rotax Championship gala at Infineon Raceway. Calendar is a tribute to the flame throwing 1,000hp engines of the turbo era, which began at Silverstone with Renault and Jean-Pierre Jabouille. The same combination rode into history by winning on home soil in 1979 at Dijon-Prenois, but the real boost was taking place behind Jabouille between his teammate Rene Arnoux and Canadian Ferrari star Gilles Villeneuve.
Powered by Turbo features Ayrton Senna in a Toleman, Alain Prost in a Renault and McLaren, Nelson Piquet in a Brabham, Michele Alboreto in a Ferrari, Nigel Mansell in his JPS-Lotus, Keke Rosberg in Williams and others.
English captions are professionally translated in French and German. Now available thru our merchandise page.
Podcast # 315
Sato on top of the time sheets in Barca.
Big day for Bruno Senna in his F1 test.
Alonso voted by British newspaper best driver of 2008.
Motorsports Mondial with Nasir.
Interview with John Edwards.
.jpg)
Smile of Success: Podcast 315 features an interview with newly crowned Formula Star Mazda Champion, John Michael Edwards. The Cincinnati Kid has been poking his way through the International waters of motor racing since 2005. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 11, 1991, the young gun is shooting for a professional career in motorsports. At the tender age of 12 he became the youngest ever licensed driver in US open wheel road racing.
John's January 2004 victory at Daytona in Skip Barber Formula Dodge Race Series made him the youngest winner in open wheel road racing history. Flying to Europe in 2005 on the wings of Red Bull, John landed in the ultra-competitive world of International karting and half way through the season was promoted to Formula Renault. In 2006, he made podium appearances at Spa-Francorchamps and Nurburgring, and took his first victory of the season in Sweden at Anderstorp.
Zoom Zoom to his website www.johnmichaeledwards.com for more information on this exciting and talented young American driver.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Sato Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.763 121 2. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:21.071 117 3. Wurz Honda (B) 1:21.198 77 4. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:21.417 65 5. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:22.038 93 6. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.235 47 7. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.341 56 8. Loeb Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.503 82 9. Piquet Renault (B) 1:22.560 80 10. Klien BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.883 53 11. Hulkenberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:23.467 116 12. Liuzzi Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:23.794 86 13. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:23.832 88 14. Gene Ferrari (B) 1:24.117 32 15. Senna Honda (B) 1:24.343 39 16. van der Garde Renault (B) 1:24.908 27 17. di Grassi Honda (B) 1:25.512 48
Motorsports Memories
Birth of a salesman or death of a calendar? Host with the most, Clark Rodgers aka “Francois”, proudly offers for sale the 2009 Motorsport Memories Powered by Turbo calendar at the recent Nor Cal Rotax Championship gala at Infineon Raceway. Calendar is a tribute to the flame throwing 1,000hp engines of the turbo era, which began at Silverstone with Renault and Jean-Pierre Jabouille. The same combination rode into history by winning on home soil in 1979 at Dijon-Prenois, but the real boost was taking place behind Jabouille between his teammate Rene Arnoux and Canadian Ferrari star Gilles Villeneuve.
Powered by Turbo features Ayrton Senna in a Toleman, Alain Prost in a Renault and McLaren, Nelson Piquet in a Brabham, Michele Alboreto in a Ferrari, Nigel Mansell in his JPS-Lotus, Keke Rosberg in Williams and others.
English captions are professionally translated in French and German. Now available thru our merchandise page.
Gateway to India: Renault Roadshow has now made it to the land of Raja and Vijay Mallya. Sporting current livery on 2007 Formula 1 machines, Nelsinho Piquet and Lucas di Grassi thrilled over 120,000 Indian racing fans in the nation’s capital Delhi, first such exhibition of Grand Prix cars on Indian roads. Both Brazilian drivers, making their first ever visit to India, powered their machines around a specially-designed 1.2 kilometer track that took the cars along the famous Rajpath Road, through the heart of the Indian capital from the India Gate to the Janpath Road. The real show comes to town in 2011.
The Renault Roadshow earlier made visits to Johannesburg, Kiev and Lisbon.
KERS is this a mistake for Formula One?
Piquet focuses on podium finishes in 09.
Force India The McLaren "B" team to climb the grid?
Renault out to ruin BMW' 09 plans.
Birth of a salesman or death of a calendar? Host with the most, Clark Rodgers aka “Francois”, proudly offers for sale the 2009 Motorsport Memories Powered by Turbo calendar at the recent Nor Cal Rotax Championship gala at Infineon Raceway. Calendar is a tribute to the flame throwing 1,000hp engines of the turbo era, which began at Silverstone with Renault and Jean-Pierre Jabouille. The same combination rode into history by winning on home soil in 1979 at Dijon-Prenois, but the real boost was taking place behind Jabouille between his teammate Rene Arnoux and Canadian Ferrari star Gilles Villeneuve.
Powered by Turbo features Ayrton Senna in a Toleman, Alain Prost in a Renault and McLaren, Nelson Piquet in a Brabham, Michele Alboreto in a Ferrari, Nigel Mansell in his JPS-Lotus, Keke Rosberg in Williams and others.
English captions are professionally translated in French and German. Now available thru our merchandise page.
Mumm. Champagne & Performance: Kimi Raikkonen arrived with much fan fare at Ferrari replacing their 7-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The Espoo Express, Raikkonen, is regarded by many as one of the fastest drivers ever behind the wheel of a racing car. That reputation was translated into performance in his very first race for the prancing horse last year when he won the opening round in Australia. A strong late season charge helped him to overcome a 26-point deficit and claim the 2007 championship by one point in the final showdown in Sao Paulo.
What a difference a year makes? Fast forward to 2008 season and the pace and desire was failing. After scoring second win of the season in April in Spain, Raikkonen basically signed-off on the season and remained winless rest of the season. Though a possible win in Canada was “rear-ended” by Lewis Hamilton in the pit lane and another victory in France was “exhausted” by a broken pipe.
Scuderia Ferrari surprised many by not only keeping Kimi but extending his contract. Teammate Massa’s six wins and strong run for the title this year makes him one of the clear favorites for 2009. Will Raikkonen rise to the challenge both from within and outside his team or will he fade away like other one-time world champions like James Hunt, Jody Scheckter and Alan Jones?
Birth of a salesman or death of a calendar? Host with the most, Clark Rodgers aka “Francois”, proudly offers for sale the 2009 Motorsport Memories Powered by Turbo calendar at the recent Nor Cal Rotax Championship gala at Infineon Raceway. Calendar is a tribute to the flame throwing 1,000hp engines of the turbo era, which began at Silverstone with Renault and Jean-Pierre Jabouille. The same combination rode into history by winning on home soil in 1979 at Dijon-Prenois, but the real boost was taking place behind Jabouille between his teammate Rene Arnoux and Canadian Ferrari star Gilles Villeneuve.
Powered by Turbo features Ayrton Senna in a Toleman, Alain Prost in a Renault and McLaren, Nelson Piquet in a Brabham, Michele Alboreto in a Ferrari, Nigel Mansell in his JPS-Lotus, Keke Rosberg in Williams and others.
English captions are professionally translated in French and German. Now available thru our merchandise page.
McLaren'Simon Roberts goes to Force India
Button wants Rubens Barrichello to stay.
Montoya says No to second Toro Rosso seat.
Kolles and Gascoyne leave Force India!
Fruits of passion: Rising star Esteban Gutierrez became the first Mexican driver to drive a Formula 1 simulator. The 2008 Formula BMW Europe champion was invited by team principal Frank Williams to do a trial session in the team simulator located in the AT&T Williams team based in Oxford. The young driver from Monterrey drove over 50 laps around the virtual track of Mt. Fuji which features the longest straight in Formula 1.
“It was a very special day and experience for me. This invitation by Mr. Frank Williams has a very important value and meaning in my life as a person and as a professional driver. I had the opportunity of being in the team's factory and then to get on board the simulator which has the same cockpit, pedals and steering wheel as a F1 car. It also has a special screen so that everything feels life-sized. With the information they were able to gather about my performance, they will be able to compare it with Nico and Kazuki. Although they've been testing for much longer in this same simulator, I was very close to Nico's times," an elated Esteban commented.
Esteban Gutierrez is testing with ART team this week at Magny-Cours and is sponsored by Multigama, Nemak, and Nutrilite.
F1weekly is proud to follow the career of this amazing Aztec racing talent, for more information please visit www.estebangtz.com
Podcast # 314
ING Renault F1 Team renew contracts of Fernando Alonso, for 2009 and 2010 seasons, and Nelson Piquet for 2009!
Hamilton wants more Championships.
Marco Andretti will make his A1GP debut in China.
Motorsports Mondial with Nasir Hameed.
Pussy Cat Doll & her Top Dog: Nicole Sherzinger walks with her boy friend Lewis Hamilton, now the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. He barked past Timo Glock on the final corner of the final lap of Brazilian Grand Prix to finish fifth and beat local boy Felipe Massa to the championship by one point. Hamilton is the first British driver to become world champion since Damon Hill in 1996.
Hamilton’s ancestors came to England from Grenada and he first stepped into a kart as a six-year old while on vacation in Spain. His father and manager Anthony worked for British Rail and was the guiding force in keeping Lewis on the right track. Nurtured and sponsored by McLaren-Mercedes from his early karting days, Hamilton has been a phenomenal success in all stages of his racing career. In only two years on the F1 circuit he has nine Grand Prix wins, a championship and a second place by one point in 2007 to his credit.
Nicole is a product of another island ocean away. She was born in Hawaii to a Filipino father and a Russian mother. Her last name is from her step-father and is the lead vocalist for Pussy Cat Dolls.
Formula 1. A true international circus.
ING Renault F1 Team is renewing the contracts of Fernando Alonso, for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, and Nelson Piquet for 2009!
Toyota to start 2009 season without KERS.
Hamilton wants more Championships.
Marco Andretti will make his A1GP debut in China.
Credits: LAT Photographics ING Renault F1 Team, including Bernard Rey (President), Flavio Briatore (Directeur General), Bob Bell (Directeur Technique Chassis), Fernando Alonso, Nelson Piquet et Lucas Di Grassi (troisieme pilote).
Podcast 313
A Late Lambada for Lewis: Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix will go down in history as one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged championship decider. A quick burst of shower as the cars were on the grid faded away for a dry race, only to re-appear with five laps remaining. Felipe Massa, darling of the crowd and Ferrari's pole-sitter, dominated all day and retained his lead after changing to intermediate tires.
Lewis Hamilton, hoping history not to repeat itself, drove a cautious and smart race to stay in the top five which was all he needed to take the title. Then came the wet-wonder Vettel, the youngest Grand Prix winner from Monza, and charged past the McLaren driver with only two laps remaining for fifth. The title was Massa's if Hamilton crossed the line in sixth. As Massa took the checkered flag to win his home race for the second time in three years, the crowd went wild and there were celebrations in the Ferrari pits. Lost in this rapture was the fact Lewis had grabbed championship glory from the jaws of defeat by passing Timo Glock's Toyota to take fifth in the run up to the last corner of the last lap.
Lewis Hamilton is now the youngest, first British since Damon Hill in 1996 and first McLaren driver since 1999 to become world champion. History, instead of repeating has now reversed itself. Last year Lewis came into this race with a similar seven point advantage only to lose the championship to a Ferrari driver by single point. Sunday he reigned supreme by a single point over another Ferrari driver.
Massa finished second in the championship with more wins than any other driver. His six victories compared to two for outgoing champion and teammate Kimi Raikkonen speaks volume for his tenacity and maturity. He was gracious in defeat in the press conference and congratulated his challenger on becoming the world champion.
Podcast # 313
Lewis Hamilton takes the WDC on the last lap!...Wow!
Felipe hart broken wins the Grand Prix de Brasile.
Fernando finishes second and Kimi third.
Ferrari wins their 16th world constructors championship.
Sebastien Loeb has become the first five-time WRC.
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Massa Ferrari (B) 1h34:11:435
2. Alonso Renault (B) + 13.298
3. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 16.235
4. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 38.011
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 38.907
6. Glock Toyota (B) + 44.368
7. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 55.074
8. Trulli Toyota (B) + 1:08.433
9. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) + 1:19.666
10. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 1 lap
11. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 1 lap
12. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 1 lap
13. Button Honda (B) + 1 lap
14. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 1 lap
15. Barrichello Honda (B) + 1 lap
16. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) + 2 laps
17. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) + 2 laps
18. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) + 2 laps
Felipe Massa grabs his third consecutive pole in Brasile!
Jarno Trulli with a fantastic effort for P2.
Kimi and Lewis will share the second row.
Heikki and Fernando on row three.
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps
1. Massa Ferrari 1:11.830 1:11.875 1:12.368 17
2. Trulli Toyota 1:12.226 1:12.107 1:12.737 15
3. Raikkonen Ferrari 1:12.083 1:11.950 1:12.825 19
4. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:12.213 1:11.856 1:12.830 14
5. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:12.366 1:11.768 1:12.917 17
6. Alonso Renault 1:12.214 1:12.090 1:12.967 18
7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:12.390 1:11.845 1:13.082 20
8. Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:12.371 1:12.026 1:13.297 18
9. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:12.498 1:12.075 1:14.105 16
10. Glock Toyota 1:12.223 1:11.909 1:14.230 24
11. Piquet Renault 1:12.348 1:12.137 13
12. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:12.409 1:12.289 13
13. Kubica BMW Sauber 1:12.381 1:12.300 13
14. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault 1:12.690 1:12.717 16
15. Barrichello Honda 1:12.548 1:13.139 14
16. Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:12.800 9
17. Button Honda 1:12.810 9
18. Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:13.002 8
19. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari 1:13.426 9
20. Sutil Force India-Ferrari 1:13.508 9
Motorsport Memories 2009 calendar: Powered By Turbo.
The Professor who smoked the competition. Alain Prost won 35 Grands Prix in the turbo era, starting with his maiden win on home soil at Dijon-Prenois in 1981 driving a Renault. He captured two titles in 1985 & '86 with McLaren and TAG-Porsche. He also won the final race of the turbo era, the 1988 Australian Grand Prix, on board a Honda-turbo powered McLaren. This great legend is featured in Motorsport Memories "Powered by Turbo" calendar.
The 2009 edition of this classic Formula 1 calendar is now in stock for air mail delivery anywhere in the world. Other drivers include; Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Michele Alboreto, Didier Pironi, Nelson Piquet, Rene Arnoux, Riccardo Patrese, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Keke Rosberg, Patrick Tambay, Nigel Mansell and Gilles Villeneuve.
Massa’s Kodak Moments: Felipe Massa, Ferrari’s 27-year old pilot, has been flying high in the world of motor racing since graduating from karting over a decade ago. After winning the 1999 Formula Chevrolet Brazil championship, Massa made his way to Europe to follow in the footsteps of Fittipaldi, Piquet, Senna and Barrichello. In 2000, he won both the Formula Renault 2.0 Italy & Eurocup series. The following year he was Euro 3000 champion with 6 wins from 8 races.
Istanbul 2006 was Massa’s Turkish delight as he scored his maiden Grand Prix win driving a Ferrari. With 5 victories this year, same as championship leader Lewis Hamilton, Massa goes into the final race of the season in front of his home crowd in São Paulo hoping to become the first Brazilian to be crowned world champion since Ayrton Senna in 1991. Massa trails Hamilton by seven points, the same deficit Massa’s teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, had last year. Will Hamilton make history by flying below the radar and evade the mistakes of last season or will history repeat itself? That’s why they race!
Podcast # 312
The final showdown in Brasile!
Goodbye David Coulthard.
Fernando Alonso does it again in final practice.
Motorsports Mondial with Nasir.
Interview with Marin Karting' Adrian Szwarcburg.
Saturday final practice times:
Pos Driver Car Time Laps
1. Alonso Renault (B) 1:12.141 19
2. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:12.212 + 0.071 18
3. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:12.225 + 0.084 18
4. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:12.312 + 0.171 17
5. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:12.389 + 0.248 19
6. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:12.402 + 0.261 19
7. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:12.426 + 0.285 18
8. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:12.453 + 0.312 18
9. Piquet Renault (B) 1:12.457 + 0.316 24
10. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:12.457 + 0.316 19
11. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:12.625 + 0.484 16
12. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:12.698 + 0.557 18
13. Glock Toyota (B) 1:12.712 + 0.571 22
14. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:12.971 + 0.830 22
15. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:13.054 + 0.913 19
16. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:13.058 + 0.917 22
17. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:13.135 + 0.994 24
18. Button Honda (B) 1:13.278 + 1.137 23
19. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:13.460 + 1.319 22
20. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:13.680 + 1.539 22
Motorsport Memories 2009 calendar: Powered By Turbo.
The Professor who smoked the competition. Alain Prost won 35 Grands Prix in the turbo era, starting with his maiden win on home soil at Dijon-Prenois in 1981 driving a Renault. He captured two titles in 1985 & '86 with McLaren and TAG-Porsche. He also won the final race of the turbo era, the 1988 Australian Grand Prix, on board a Honda-turbo powered McLaren. This great legend is featured in Motorsport Memories "Powered by Turbo" calendar.
The 2009 edition of this classic Formula 1 calendar is now in stock for air mail delivery anywhere in the world. Other drivers include; Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Michele Alboreto, Didier Pironi, Nelson Piquet, Rene Arnoux, Riccardo Patrese, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Keke Rosberg, Patrick Tambay, Nigel Mansell and Gilles Villeneuve.
Remember last years podium?
Norbert Haug on standard engines...No way!
Can Formula one survive without Ferrari?
McLaren counting on a trouble free weekend.
Martin Hines Interview!!
King of Karting: Martin Hines is the undisputed “Guru” in the world of karting. His experience goes back to 1964 when he started in this business with his father. Their Zip Kart formula pioneered indoor karting in the early 80s. Martin has won seventeen major championships including three world titles and five European, the last of which he won at the age of 56 after beating cancer. He has won numerous British, European and World karting championships.
Martin discovered Lewis Hamilton at a karting track when Lewis was only eight-years-old and immediately recognized his potential, “even in the early years he had a fantastic mixture of focus, aggression and a touch of arrogance, and without those qualities you aren’t going anywhere in motorsport. Few drivers are the total package – Lewis is”.
In 2002 Martin was awarded the prestigious Autocar 2002 Motorsport Achievement Award.
Please enjoy F1weekly’s exclusive interview with Martin Hines on podcast # 107 and you can download it here on the front page.
Motorsport Memories 2009 calendar: Powered By Turbo.
The Professor who smoked the competition. Alain Prost won 35 Grands Prix in the turbo era, starting with his maiden win on home soil at Dijon-Prenois in 1981 driving a Renault. He captured two titles in 1985 & '86 with McLaren and TAG-Porsche. He also won the final race of the turbo era, the 1988 Australian Grand Prix, on board a Honda-turbo powered McLaren. This great legend is featured in Motorsport Memories "Powered by Turbo" calendar.
The 2009 edition of this classic Formula 1 calendar is now in stock for air mail delivery anywhere in the world. Other drivers include; Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Michele Alboreto, Didier Pironi, Nelson Piquet, Rene Arnoux, Riccardo Patrese, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Keke Rosberg, Patrick Tambay, Nigel Mansell and Gilles Villeneuve.
Motorsport Memories 2009 calendar: Powered By Turbo.
The Professor who smoked the competition. Alain Prost won 35 Grands Prix in the turbo era, starting with his maiden win on home soil at Dijon-Prenois in 1981 driving a Renault. He captured two titles in 1985 & '86 with McLaren and TAG-Porsche. He also won the final race of the turbo era, the 1988 Australian Grand Prix, on board a Honda-turbo powered McLaren. This great legend is featured in Motorsport Memories "Powered by Turbo" calendar.
The 2009 edition of this classic Formula 1 calendar is now in stock for air mail delivery anywhere in the world. Other drivers include; Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Michele Alboreto, Didier Pironi, Nelson Piquet, Rene Arnoux, Riccardo Patrese, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Keke Rosberg, Patrick Tambay, Nigel Mansell and Gilles Villeneuve.
Podcast # 311.
Toyota threatens to leave F1 over standard engine.
Sebastien Bourdais set to stay at Toro Rosso.
Grand Prix de Canada may be saved.
Motorsports Mondial with Nasir Hameed.
Interview with Gil de Ferran.
Tired Deputy: A Chinese track official takes a break during the Grand Prix weekend. Whether it was a boring race or the sight of most expensive capitalist tools is not known, what is known is Shanghai International circuit is the most expensive racing facility ever built. The Tilke-drome is located on reclaimed marsh lands. At a cost of about $400m thousands of engineers built this magnificent shrine in 18 months, the design is in the shape of character ‘shang,’ meaning high or above. The 3.38m long circuit has also hosted MotoGP, A1GP and Australian V8 series races.
Every form of refuge has its price. Party officials now pour a strong one for former Manager of the circuit, Yu Zhifei, who was convicted of corruption and is currently behind bars.
Podcast # 310
Max Mosley dead set on screwing it up!
Another Big F1 sponsor to receive government help.
Two hundred championship points for Nick.
Good to the last drop: Lewis Hamilton dominated Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. The McLaren pilot scored a perfect 10 after grabbing pole position, setting the fastest lap and cruising to a comfortable win. Just like last year with one race to go he is again tasting "seven up" in the championship over the only challenger left Felipe Massa. Victory was Hamilton's fifth of the season and number nine in two seasons of Formula 1. This tally is greater than some drivers who were in Formula 1 for a decade or more, like Eddie Irvine (4 wins), Michele Alboreto (5 wins) and Rene Arnoux (7 wins).
Championship finale takes place at the Interlagos Jose Carlos Pace circuit next month. Last year Hamilton's seven-point lead before the race evaporated as a result of a needless and over-aggressive move on no-love-lost then teammate Fernando Alonso. A fifth place finish even with Massa winning will make Lewis Hamilton the youngest ever world champion.
Shell shock: Massa's wingman, the outgoing world champion Kimi Raikkonen, took-off from front row but never seriously challenged for the lead. He did display his biggest smile of the season when asked about letting Massa pass him for second place in the post race press conference.
Fernando Alonso was fourth in his Orient-express Renault. Nick Heideld was fifth ahead of BMW-Sauber teammate Robert Kubica. Timo Glock in a Toyota was seventh after a one stop strategy. Final championship point from eighth place was earned by Nelsinho Piquet in the second Renault.
GP2 Asia: Roldan Rodriguez of Spain was the winner in the season opener of GP2 Asia series. Kamui Kobayashi of Japan was second ahead of fellow countryman Sakon Yamamoto.
Davide Valsecchi of Italy won Sunday's sprint race over 18-year old high flying Kiwi Earl Bamber. Javier Villa of Spain was final man on the podium in third place.
Podcast # 310
Lewis Hamilton dominates the Chinese Grand Prix!
Kimi gives second place to Felipe Massa.
Renault clinch fourth in the constructors.
Lewis Hamilton dominates the Chinese Grand Prix!
Kimi gives second place to Felipe Massa.
The WDC will be settled in Brazil.
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1h31.57.403
2. Massa Ferrari (B) + 14.925
3. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 16.445
4. Alonso Renault (B) + 18.370
5. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 28.923
6. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 33.219
7. Glock Toyota (B) + 41.722
8. Piquet Renault (B) + 56.645
9. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 1:04.339
10. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) + 1:14.842
11. Barrichello Honda (B) + 1:25.061
12. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) + 1:30.847
13. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 1:31.457
14. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) + 1:32.422
15. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 1 lap
16. Button Honda (B) + 1 lap
17. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) + 1 lap
Hang 'em high in Shanghai: Lewis Hamilton grabbed his seventh pole of the season for Sunday's penultimate round in this year's world championship, the Chinese Grand Prix. Sharing the front row with the British McLaren driver will be outgoing champion Kimi Raikkonen. His Ferrari teammate and title challenger Felipe Massa shares the second row with his spiritual-championship saviour Fernando Alonso, who continues his petulance and prickly bitterness towards the team he drove for last year. Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3
It was in this race from pole position last year that Lewis Hamilton's quest to become the first rookie and youngest world champion slipped off-track in the wet. Rain is again expected, time will tell if it will shower him with an historic title or drown him in another Shanghai surprise and disappointment.
Kimi second and Felipe Massa settles for third.
Fernando Alonso on the second row with P4.
Heidfeld penalized three grid positions for blocking DC.
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:35.566 1:34.947 1:36.303
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:35.983 1:35.355 1:36.645
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:35.971 1:35.135 1:36.889
4. Alonso Renault (B) 1:35.769 1:35.461 1:36.927
5. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:35.623 1:35.216 1:36.930
6. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.238 1:35.686 1:37.083
7. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:36.224 1:35.403 1:37.201
8. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:35.752 1:35.386 1:37.685
9. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:36.104 1:35.715 1:37.934
10. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.239 1:35.478 1:38.885
11. Piquet Renault (B) 1:36.029 1:35.722
12. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:36.503 1:35.814
13. Glock Toyota (B) 1:36.210 1:35.937
14. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:36.640 1:36.079
15. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.434 1:36.210
16. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.731
17. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.863
18. Button Honda (B) 1:37.053
19. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:37.730
20. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:37.739
"I'm lost, can you help me?" Rumble in the jungle that the 2008 Formula 1 season has become for Nelson Piquet Jr. may soon be cleared. His lack of pace and consistency may become his best ally. The French 'equipe' based in Enstone, England, may have convinced their two-time world champion Fernando Alonso to stay with them following back to back surprising but well deserved wins in Singapore and Japan.
Renault's roster of racers to replace Piquet include test drivers Lucas di Grassi and Romain Grosjean, both race winners in GP2 competition this year, and Jean-nie come lately to the show Sebastien Bourdais should he run out of steam and flavor at Toro Rosso. Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai is the penultimate round before season finale in Sao Paulo next month.
Hamilton on top in Friday practice.
Massa welcomes the Pressure!
Kubica ready for the last two races.
Fernando could be the spoiler!
Heidfeld penalized three grid positions.
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:35.566 1:34.947 1:36.303
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:35.983 1:35.355 1:36.645
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:35.971 1:35.135 1:36.889
4. Alonso Renault (B) 1:35.769 1:35.461 1:36.927
5. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:35.623 1:35.216 1:36.930
6. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.238 1:35.686 1:37.083
7. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:36.224 1:35.403 1:37.201
8. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:35.752 1:35.386 1:37.685
9. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:36.104 1:35.715 1:37.934
10. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.239 1:35.478 1:38.885
11. Piquet Renault (B) 1:36.029 1:35.722
12. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:36.503 1:35.814
13. Glock Toyota (B) 1:36.210 1:35.937
14. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:36.640 1:36.079
15. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.434 1:36.210
16. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.731
17. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.863
18. Button Honda (B) 1:37.053
19. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:37.730
20. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:37.739
PODCAST 309 ready to go.
The Long March: Bernie Ecclestone’s Eastern drive has brought the epitome of capital enterprise to the land of Mao. Last year, racing revolutionary Lewis Hamilton had a chance to change the face of motor racing by becoming the first rookie world champion. After dominating the opening stages of the rain-hit Chinese Grand Prix he slipped and was stranded in the only gravel pit area of the circuit and came home with a red face and a Peking duck for points. The Raikkonen uprising continued with victory and maximum points which would eventually see the Finn overturn a 17-point deficit with two races remaining and become his nation’s third world champion behind Keke Rosberg and Mika Hakkinen.
The only non-Ferrari victory in the Chinese Grand Prix was in 2005 when Fernando Alonso triumphed in his Renault. The following year Michael Schumacher scored what would turn out to be his final Formula 1 victory. The inaugural event in 2004 at the Herman Tilke designed, $240m project and 3.38m circuit, was won by Rubens Barrichello.
Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix is the penultimate round in the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship and if Lewis Hamilton outscores Felipe Massa by 6 points and finishes ahead of Robert Kubica he will be crowned as the new Emperor of Grand Prix kingdom.
Podcast # 309
Grand Prix de France cancelled!
Kimi going for a one two finish in China.
Senna set for Honda seat in 09.
Bourdais will have to wait until end of season.
BMW to focus on Robert Kubica in his try for the WDC.
2008 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge.
Series News: Season Finale set for October 25th in The season finale for the 2008 Jim Russell Northern California Rotax Challenge is scheduled for Saturday October 25th. This will complete the exciting and very competitive 10 race season. Thanks to an extensive list of sponsors, Rotax members have had the opportunity to race for some great prizes.
“The last race of the 2008 Rotax Challenge will be very competitive as there are many series positions and fantastic prizes to be won by the drivers.” said Adrian Szwarcburg, Owner of Marin Karting. “The racing keeps on getting better and better and I am looking forward to next season already. Once again, thank you to all the series sponsors for their great support.”
For schedule, track layouts and news please visit. The official Norcal Rotax race series site: www.norcalrotax.com.
.jpg)
Podcast # 308 is here.
Trophy Drive: Fernando Alonso is hombre of the Orient. The Spaniard was the surprise winner in Singapore, and on Sunday surprised a few by his cool and calculating win in the Japanese Grand Prix at Mt. Fuji circuit. More amazingly, the 10-points he earned have put him fourth on the all-time list with 538 points, behind Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. The Renault racer has yet to confirm his plans for 2009 season but back to back wins should motivate him to stay in the house that brought him two back to back championships.
Robert Kubica, Pride of Poland, was second after leading the race in early stages. He held-off a re-awakened Kimi Raikkonen who took the lead at the start but had to take evasive action after pole-sitter and championship leader Lewis Hamilton locked up his wheels and nearly collected Kimi and his own teammate Heikki Kovalainen.
On the second lap Lewis was forced into a spin by Felipe Massa's Ferrari, both were given drive thru penalty, Massa for his part in Lewis' spin and Hamilton for his over aggressive first corner antics. The McLaren driver failed to score a point while Massa picked up 2 points from his seventh place. Hamilton still holds a five point advantage going to the penultimate round of the season in Shangahi next Sunday.
Brazilian second generation driver Nelson Piquet was fourth and may have salvaged his seat at Renault for next season. Fifth was Italian Jarno Trulli for Toyota who also own the Mt. Fuji track.
Other motor racing news:
Jaime Alguersuari is the second coming of muy macho hombre de Espana. The 18-year old Red Bull backed driver won both rounds of the British Formula 3 championship at Donington Park to become the first Spaniard and youngest champion ever of the prestigious series.
Sebastien Loeb took his fourth consecutive victory in the Tour de Corse. The Citroen driver from the Alsace region of France is on his way to a record fifth consecutive WRC title.
The Bathurst 1000, Australia's Indy 500, was won for the third straight year by Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup in a Ford Falcon.
Force India may be forced to take Paul di Resta as a driver if a reported deal with McLaren-Mercedes for engine supply and KERS system comes thru.
Fernando Alonso wins the Japanese Grand Prix!
Kubica takes a strong second place.
Kimi with third and Piquet fourth!
Leob wins the Rallye de France Tour de Corse.
Bravo Bravo Bravo!!!
The Japanese Grand Prix
Mount Fuji, Japan;
67 laps; 305.416km;
Weather: Cloudy, dry.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Alonso Renault (B) 1h30:21.892
2. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 5.283
3. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 6.400
4. Piquet Renault (B) + 20.570
5. Trulli Toyota (B) + 23.767
6. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 34.085
7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 39.207
8. Massa Ferrari (B) + 46.158
9. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) + 50.811
10. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 54.120
11. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 1:02.096
12. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 1:18.900
13. Barrichello Honda (B) + 1 lap
14. Button Honda (B) + 1 lap
15. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) + 1 lap
Fastest lap: Massa, 1:18.426
Not classified/retirements:
Driver Team On lap
Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 22
Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 17
Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 9
Glock Toyota (B) 7
Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1
World Championship standings, round 16:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. Hamilton 84 1. Ferrari 141
2. Massa 79 2. McLaren-Mercedes 135
3. Kubica 72 3. BMW Sauber 128
4. Raikkonen 63 4. Renault 66
5. Heidfeld 56 5. Toyota 50
6. Kovalainen 51 6. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 36
7. Alonso 48 7. Red Bull-Renault 28
8. Trulli 30 8. Williams-Toyota 26
9. Vettel 29 9. Honda 14
10. Glock 20
11. Webber 20
12. Piquet 18
13. Rosberg 17
14. Barrichello 11
15. Nakajima 9
16. Coulthard 8
17. Bourdais 7
18. Button 3
Lewis Hamilton takes his second pole at Fuji!
Kimi puts it together and is on the front row.
Heikki starts the second row along side Alonso.
Mass settles for fifth place.
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.071 1:17.462 1:18.404
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:18.160 1:17.733 1:18.644
3. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.220 1:17.360 1:18.821
4. Alonso Renault (B) 1:18.290 1:17.871 1:18.852
5. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:18.110 1:17.287 1:18.874
6. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:18.684 1:17.931 1:18.979
7. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:18.501 1:17.541 1:19.026
8. Glock Toyota (B) 1:17.945 1:17.670 1:19.118
9. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:18.559 1:17.714 1:19.638
10. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:18.593 1:18.102 1:20.167
11. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:18.303 1:18.187
12. Piquet Renault (B) 1:18.300 1:18.274
13. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:18.372 1:18.354
14. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:18.640 1:18.594
15. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:18.740 1:18.672
16. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:18.835
17. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:18.882
18. Button Honda (B) 1:19.100
19. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:19.163
20. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:19.910
Turning Heads: Jessica Brannam, 17-year old from the Land of Lincoln, will compete in 2009 Star Mazda series with Stars and Stripes Motorsports. The self-described “small, but can haul” McHenry, Illinois, native began her karting career at age nine. After numerous championships to her name, Jessica is now joining an ever growing number of ladies in the fast lane with the desire to become champion in a major series.
For more information on her exciting career please visit www.jessicabrannam.com
Timo Glock puts the Toyota on top in second practice.
Force India in talks with McLaren.
Spec engines the future of Formula one.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Glock Toyota (B) 1:18.383 44
2. Alonso Renault (B) 1:18.426 + 0.043 41
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.463 + 0.080 40
4. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:18.491 + 0.108 40
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:18.725 + 0.342 39
6. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:18.734 + 0.351 39
7. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:18.734 + 0.351 36
8. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:18.761 + 0.378 23
9. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.803 + 0.420 32
10. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:18.863 + 0.480 45
11. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:18.865 + 0.482 39
12. Piquet Renault (B) 1:18.888 + 0.505 43
13. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:18.981 + 0.598 41
14. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:19.040 + 0.657 41
15. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:19.258 + 0.875 42
16. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:19.287 + 0.904 41
17. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:19.327 + 0.944 36
18. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:19.482 + 1.099 44
19. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:19.894 + 1.511 37
20. Button Honda (B) 1:19.999 + 1.616 42
Red Hot Ferrari Pepper: The Tifosis are gathering this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix on the Tilke-treated Mt. Fuji circuit. Their jockey, Felipe Massa, fell 7 points behind the McLaren maverick Lewis Hamilton under bright lights of Singapore. His Woking based British team has also taken lead in the constructor’s championship over the Ferrari powerhouse. Rain may put more salt in the wound for Massa as it was in this race in torrential downpour last year that Hamilton stamped his authority as rain meister.
Lewis is looking to put the gremlins of last year’s final two races behind him and both the driver and the team have adopted a safe but sure not-win-at-all-cost strategy hoping to bring world driver’s championship to Britain for the first time since Damon Hill in 1996.
Massa is Maranello’s Man of the Moment. He is looking to be the first Brazilian world champion since the legendary and Late Ayrton Senna in 1991. His bad luck in Hungary and team’s blunder in Singapore has been very detrimental to his championship aspirations.
Both championship challengers have teammates who are Finnish-ed, at least for the season. Heikki Kovalainen’s moment of glory and only win so far was Massa’s misery in Budapest. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari’s defending world champion, seems to be lacking in zest and desire and is winless since the Spanish Grand Prix in April.
China is the next stop after Japan and F1’s final samba will be in Sao Paulo next month.
Podcast # 307!
Hamilton feels good about Fuji.
Renault still has faith in Piquet.
Weather could decide the race in Japan.
Canadian Son Rise: Robert Wickens, 19-year old Red Bull backed Toronto native, scored his maiden F3 Euroseries victory on Sunday at Le Mans. Robert is rapidly rising through the ranks. After winning two karting championships in three years, he finished third in his rookie season in the 2005 Formula BMW USA series with two victories and five podium finishes. He captured the championship the following year with 3 wins and 7 podium placings. Before crossing the pond he competed in Formula Atlantic series in 2007 and was again an impressive third overall in his rookie season. Representing Canada in the A1GP competition he was third on his debut at Sepang, Malaysia.
For more information on his exciting racing career please visit his website: www.robertwickens.com
Canada dropped from the 2009 schedule.
Ferrari will go back to the old lollipop.
Nick Heidfeld happy to stay at BMW.
2009 FIA Formula One World Championship
29 March Australia 5 April Malaysia 19 April Bahrain 10 May Spain 24 May Monaco 7 June Turkey 21 June Great Britain 28 June France 12 July Germany 26 July Hungary 23 August Europe (Valencia) 30 August Belgium 13 September Italy 27 September Singapore 11 October Japan 18 October China 1 November Brazil 15 November Abu Dhabi
High Nico-tine: Nico Hülkenberg, another Willi Webber wonder, has clinched the 2008 F3 Euroseries title after Saturday's race at Le Mans. This is Nico's third championship in four years. In 2004, he won the Formula BMW Germany championship in his rookie season of single seater racing. In the 2006/07 A1GP series he scored nine wins, including winning on his debut weekend, to capture the title for Team Germany. Last year he also won the prestigious F3 Masters at Zolder. His karting credentials include German and Italian championships.
For more information on this fast acting Nico-tine please visit www.nico-huelkenberg.com
France wins the first feature race of the A1GP season.
Malaysia takes the win in the sprint race.
Sebastien Loeb is victorious in the Rallye de Espana.
Toro Ross may not be for sale after all.
.jpg)
A1GP--Seaside Season Opener: Local driver Jeroen Bleekemolen gave fans a real Dutch treat by taking pole position for round one of A1GP's fourth season. Zandvoort, once a proud home of the Dutch Grand Prix, will stage both the sprint and feature races on Sunday. Sharing the front row will be Earl Bamber of New Zealand. Adam Carrol will be carrying luck of the Irish on row two with Fairuz Fauzy fourth for Team Malaysia.
For more information and live race action please visit www.a1gp.com
A1GP season opener at Zandvoort.
Kimi to play a supporting role.
Can Webber keep up with Vettel in 09?
Evading with the Stars: What do you get when you fall behind in tax payments? You get enough germs to catch you Federal Indictment. Out of those charges Federal agents are in Florida to remind him he could face time in jail. Helio Castro Neves will be dancing to a very different tune soon. The 33-year old Brazilian from