Formula One is 50/50 for BBC and Sky for 2012-2018

Note: this was suppose to be written on Friday, but to other business, here it is. Another note: NO Hungarian Grand Prix review due to I boycott the race to protest (this is what it gonna feel Bernie next year).

Hi there. I was going to write about a nice MotoGP piece today, but instead a bad Formula One post due to BBC TV and Sky Sports have announced that they have combined to win the lives rights to Formula 1 between 2012 and 2018.

The Sky deal will include “all races, qualifying and practice sessions being shown., while half the races and qualifying sessions will remain live on BBC TV, online and mobile including key races such at the British Grand Prix, Monaco Grand Prix and the final race of the season in Brazil next season. While having highlights when Sky got the exclusive of those other races. Despite the BBC had two years left on the five year contract they sign in March 2008 for the 2009 season onwards.

This is what is like in America with there Motorsport Coverage.



I don't have the problem with Sky, that not the main problem. I do have a problem with Bernie Ecclestone who is the head of FOM (Formula 1 Management, the head of TV rights) and the BBC. Due to Bernie Ecclestone said it won't be going to Sky and his getting £20 million more from this new deal (and by the way Bernie you know your self its wrong for Formula 1, another thing how about a deal ITV, Channel 4 or Channel 5 instead of Sky they would have been interested). Also, the BBC hasn't tell the truth that why they cant afford the original deal because they spent too much on other projects such as moving to Salford (do not know why leaving from London) or coverage for the Olympics games.

If the likes of Williams CEO Adam Parr (oh by the way your comments on Autosport.com sound like something that comes out of a spin doctors mouth) and McLaren team boss Martin Martin Whitmarsh said this is great for F1. I say rubbish! for your information teams and Bernie most F1 fans don’t have Sky (around £33 a month). That means most F1 fans can not afford Sky. Bernie and the BBC saying you guys saying you gonna put extended highlights in prime time, something like a Match of the Day style when the races are not on the beeb is a complete joke. This will lose most F1 fans from the beeb and Sky and sponsors who needed such as poor old Williams team.

So, well done BBC for losing half the Formula 1 season. Well done Bernie for being a liar. Back to the BBC no one will ever trust you again from a Formula One stand point. If you guys want to moan at BBC sports editor comments, give him a piece of your own mind click here. A last though for Bernie what will be ratings on Sky next year for example German Grand Prix (this year ratings of 6 million viewers) maybe a million viewers in 2012? a drop isn't Bernie Ecclestone.

Good night.

A dark day for Formula 1 in Britain for fans.

German Grand Prix Review and Hungarian Grand Prix Predictions

Forth post of the week. First off, last weeks German Grand Prix. Overall, I felt it was a controling race from Lewis Hamilton to win, with some great overtaking from the former world champion, what he can do greatly. Also, Alonso was 2nd and Webber was 3rd on the podium too, while Vettel had possibly one of his worse race of the season finishing 4th at the end ahead of Massa in his Ferrari. Overall a good race from the Nurburgring.

So Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend at the famous Hungaroring race track. It's gonna be Jenson Buttons 200th Grand Prix this weekend, and return of Jarno Trulli back into race seat at Team Lotus. So Predictions time for the Hungarian Grand Prix, I'm predicting that Alonso will win the race, while Vettel second and Webber third. While, don't count out either McLaren drivers' or Massa as-well for a top three places this weekend. End of post for now, new post soon. That is all. Bye.

Senna Film Review

Third blog of the week, on Monday I watched in London the Documentary Movie of Senna. As I said in a pervious post I written yearly in the year.

Poster of the film.



Trailer of the Film



Despite its been out for almost two months. It my first time I've watched the film. What did I thought about the film? minus "the King Speech", I thought the Senna Film was the best film I seen all year, from a motorsport stand point, one of the best films in this genre. From the Start to Finish, overall it made what Ayrton Senna why he is the one of the best drivers of all time. My only negative thought would be movie should have been 15 film not a 12 film, due to death of both Ratzenberger's and Senna's death in the film. But overall. This film will make you laugh and make you cry. And it gives you the reason why we love this sport.

And to finished up with a quote from Ayrton Senna:

"it was pure driving, it was real racing, and that makes me happy."

McLaren MP4-12C GT3, Spa 24 hours this weekend

Hi again, second post of the week. This weekend is the Spa 24 hour race, which are based on GT3 cars. So McLaren will debut the MP4-12C GT3 based on MP4-12C, its will be the first McLaren to compete in sportscar racing for the company, since the F1 GTR which won Le Mans overall in 1995. McLaren have tested the car three weeks ago at Spa for the British GT race ready for the Spa 24 hour race. As this video shows the facts of the new car.

Even the road car which is based, is fast too, faster than any Ferrari's, Zonda's and Porsche's on the Top Gear Track. As this review shows.



Oh don't forget the Spa 24 hours race is this weekend. End of post now new post soon. Bye.

Ken Block Spoof

Possibly a few posts this week. So here is the first one. By the way we will do a Rally America blog sooner or later, possibly not this week.

If you do subscribe to Monster World Rally on YouTube. Usually start of the year Ken Block shows of his new Fiesta and Schedule, with some funky music add into. Videos below what I am explaining about.

Ken Block 's Ford Fiesta under the spotlight and the Monster World Rally Team 2010 Schedule



MWRT 2011: Ken Block's all new WRC Ford Fiesta and 2011 Schedule



Anyway, Travis Pastrana is returning to X Games XVII this weekend, to rally in his Subaru. So how will Travis Pastrana has promote this. Spoofing off Ken Block video. Which was quite funny and really hilarious in my opinion. Video below to enjoy.

Pastrana 2011 X Games Livery Launch



Even Ken Block own company DC Shoes even took fun out it too. Even putting both videos on the screen on the same time. So respect to both Ken And Travis to do this and take the complete Mickey out of it.

DC SHOES: BLOCK VS PASTRANA: 2011 LIVERY AND SCHEDULE



Anyway X Games XVII this weekend. In the Rally Car Racing event drivers includes: Ken Block, Travis Pastrana, Dace Mirra, Tanner Foust, David Higgins and even double WRC Champion Marcus Gronholm and many more. So enjoy this weekend.

Below another new Ken Block video promoting this new Fiesta, which is three rally cars in one. What I really like about this video is a great mix of media of moving images and stop motion animation I felt it was really cool. Enjoy.

Ken Block's newest racecar: The Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle



End of post now new post soon. Bye.

MotoGP at Laguna Seca, German Grand Prix Predictions

Hi again. Second Post of week, first discussing MotoGP from last week at Sachsenring and Laguna Seca this weekend. And Formula one at Nurburgring for Grand Prix Predictions.

MotoGP from last week at Sachsenring, won by Honda's Dani Pedrosa, winning his first race back from injury. And by the way this was his second race from his return from injury, so well done Dani for winning the race in Germany. This week one of my favourite track in the world Laguna Seca. Watching the evening will be great to watch. And by the way former AMA and SBK race winner Ben Bostorm will racing at LCR Honda alongside Toni Elias as a wild card. Despite his races with AMA Superbikes on a Michael Jordan team Suzuki bike? (don't know why his ain't on Suzuki why a Honda bike, I do not know? )

Meanwhile in Germany, Formula 1 is in town at Nurburgring this weekend. A change at Team Lotus for this weekend only, Team Lotus Test Driver Karun Chandhok will race instead of Jarno Trulli for this weekend only. So German Grand Prix Predictions this weekend. Mark Webber for the win (not bad for a number two driver). Fernando Alonso Second and Sebastian Vettel third. And don't forget the McLaren's and Mercedes's drivers or Fillipe Massa as-well. End of blog for now, new blog soon. That is all. Bye.

DTM in Munich, DTM BMW M3 and Audi A5

Hi again a new post this week (I'm guessing another blog later in the week), A bit different this week, talking about DTM. Basically Audi's and Mercedes Benz's. This weekend they did a non championship race inside the Olympic Stadium in Munich (build for 1972 Olympic Games for athletics, hosted the FIFA World Cup Final 1974, were Bayern Munich used to play before moving in 2006) as the YouTube Video show below. Won by Mercedes driver and current DTM points leader Bruno Spengler.

DTM 2011 Olympic Stadium (Munich) Race Final 17/7/11 (Bruno Spengler vs Edoardo Mortara)



Overall, an interesting concept if it works for DTM continue for next season. A thought for the BTTC would this would be an idea they could try, not like inside a Wembley Stadium or Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. In a smaller stadium before the football season start such as a Stadium:mk at Milton Keynes or Brighton's brand new Stadium? then go into a bigger stadium in a few years later, when the concept works. Just a thought/idea guys.

Speaking of DTM. BMW will return to the Premier German Touring Cars next season, with their new BMW M3 Concept car, they also confirmed that Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus will be driving the 2 of 6 cars for next season.

2012 DTM BMW M3 Concept Car



While Audi has showed off their Audi A5 in 3D computer form for next season as well. Enjoy watching both videos.

2012 DTM Audi A5 Concept Car



The future looks bright for the DTM next season. End of post now, new post soon in the week. That is all. Bye.

Aston Martin GT4 Vantage V8

Thought I do some GTs V8s. Found a YouTube video some footage inside a Aston Martin GT4 Vantage V8. I want to say, what a loud noise inside this Aston Martin, watch this YouTube video.

Created by Clash Production, based in France is a Motor Sports Film Company since 2005. Look at the car footage from inside the car. Some other videos from Clash to this link here to view. Enjoy.



That is all. Bye.

Proper F1 British Grand Prix Review and Red Bull playing Team Orders card

First sorry about the delay, I was going to write it on Wednesday, due to different things going on I wrote this on Friday. So on today's post about F1 British Grand Prix Review from last week and Team Orders?

Good Points

• Fernando Alonso (started 3rd, won the race)
• Sebastian Vettel (finished 2nd)
• Lewis Hamilton (finished 10th, finished 4th)
• Sergio Pérez ( finished 7th)
• Michael Schumacher ( finished 9th dispute a nose change and 10 second stop and go penalty dispute that good race pace)
• Jaime Alguersuari (finished 10th)
• Daniel Ricciardo (finished 19th, first finish for the Australian)

Bad points

• Paul di Resta (started 6th, finished 15th, a poor pit stop from Force India)
• Jenson Button (DNF a poor pit stop from McLaren with a right front wheel/lolly pop guy issue)
• Kamui Kobayashi (started 8th, DNF. a race incidence with M. Schumacher then retired with an engine failure)
• Team Lotus (both Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen did not finish with different mechanical problems)

Overall a better race than Valencia. Alonso won the race at Silverstone. Beaten both Red Bull's in the middle of the race, while both Red Bull were behind Hamilton in the middle of the race. So well earned Alsonso for winning the race dispite all this BS about the blown diffusers off-throttle, when Both Red Bull and McLaren complain, while the Tofosi kept quiet (well almost), Back to normal with these blown diffusers for the Nurburgring. To be honest bang them for next season!

So these Team Orders with Red Bull from last weeks British Grand Prix where Mark Webber had to stay Sebastian Vettel on last two laps despite Vettel had a KERS issue and Lewis Hamilton was saving fuel and racing against Feillpe Massa. I understand why they did it (a repeat from Istanbul from last year and Sutil and Petrov was still on the same lap) and it is a team sport at the end of the day. But, when the forth place driver is 10 seconds behind it be no difference with championship lead anyway why not lead Webber through. Sorry Red Bull you guys got the team orders wrong. Do you think Webber will be at Red Bull next season, not sure?

End of Blog for now, new post soon. That is all. Bye.

Williams Renault for 2012 (So what about Cosworth?)

Third blog of the week talking about Williams F1 and the future ahead. Because they are returning to Renault engines next season, for the first time in 15 years.

Williams will be using Renault engines for 2012 and 2013 sesason. Becoming the forth team using Renault engines (other Renault clients using Renault engines are Red Bull, Renault and Team Lotus). This could be a first step for Williams to return back to the front of the grid. Also don't forget that Williams will be bringing in Mike Coughlan (shameful ex Mclaren clief for the Spygate in 2007) for designing the cars. The announcement came on Monday 4th July (video below)



You have to remember that Williams are on the up out side of Formula one. Their KERS fly wheel package (what should have use for the 2009 season) uses by Porsche for their 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car. Also. Jaguar as-well, Williams are going to build Jaguar's new Supercar called C-X75.

Also, remember that Williams hasn't won since 2004 with BMW power and Juan Pablo Montoya. Also this Williams worse season so far in their history. remember that the team have lost three of their biggest sponsors for this year (RBS, Phillips and Air Asia). This year their income has come from Pastor Maldonado Venezuela sponsors (includes the state and oil company PDSVA). At this state this is the worse time in Williams History.

So for the Formula 1 romantics this will be great Williams returning to Renault first time since 1997 when Jacques Villenunve won the 1997 Drivers Championship and Williams won their last Constructor Championship. Also sad for F1 romantics that they are leaving Cosworth once again. This is the end of Cosworth in Formula 1? When you think about it, Virgin has a Technical Partnership with McLaren next season (includes using their test rigs and driver-in-the-loop simulator, supply chain experience and CFD and CAE techniques including race strategy tools) which that includes Mercedes engines. Also, HRT has been precise by Thesan Capital, a Madrid-based investment company purchased a controlling stake in the team from owner Jose Ramon Carabante. Does that include the Cosworth V8 for Hispania?. If they do leave after the 2011 season it will be sad day for the British engine Manufacture.

So to finish of a bit of for the romantics of Formula 1 of their Five Constructors Championships and Four Drivers Championships for the French mark past, here is the past of what Williams used to win here is Damon Hill winning the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka and winning the World championship in 1996. Enjoy.



End of Post for now. That is all. bye.

Half Term Review of F1 Season so far via Twitter, F1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Preditions

Second Post of the week F1 predictions at the bottom of the page. But for the half term review of F1 season so far in a twitter way I did last week. I did this early on the season for the F1 Preview this season. So I'm re-donning this via twitter (@Jonnyh5onracing - follow me on twitter). Note I did this via the middle of last week before the announcement of Daniel Ricciardo replacing Narain Karthikeyan at HRT for the rest of the season minus Indian Grand Prix so here is the half term report starting with Red Bull:

Red Bull: best car & best team in the field so far this season, Vettel what more can I say, champion in waiting for his second championship while Webber needs to improve qualify and race pace to match the pace of Vettels.
McLaren: started a poor car came back as a winning car, but still needs to match the ultimate pace of Red Bull. Button has show winning pace but not enough throughout the season so far. Hamilton fast as usual, but attitude needs to improve if he wants to win the championship.
Ferrari: another disappointing team this year, car not at it's best, Massa needs to improve to keep his job as soon as. While Alonso has done some brilliant driving this season (Monaco & Valencia) he will get wins sooner or later for Ferrari this season.
Renault: fast car at the car, feel like they going to finish 5th again the constructors championship, and they still missing Kubica still . As for current drivers Petrov has step up this season, while Hiedfied started well, has dropped a bit of pace to Petrov.
Mercedes: tad disappointing from the team, not a lot improvement from last season. Rosberg hasn't been impressive while M. Schumacher has been fast in a few races, his still slow and too clumsy from the former seven times world champion, not the old Schumi.
Sauber: much improved from last season, and a top 6 in the constructors championship is on the cards, Perez has been impressive as a rookie. Kobayashi has been much improve and much exciting as usual, don't forget that De la Rosa replace Perez with 10 mins before 2nd practice at Montreal for Perez's Monaco accident.
STR: same as Force India hasn't impress so far apart from Alguersuari perforances at Montreal and Valencia. Buemi impressive at Melbourne and Istanbul, but the team needs to improve and add more points to the constructors championship.
Force India: in the Middle of the F1 field, nothing impressive yet from Force India apart from Sutil performance at Monaco and Valencia. As for di Resta, some good performance from the current DTM champion, but Force India needs to improve overall for the rest of the season.
Williams: poor car, not a lot of points (only 4 points), needs to improve fast, big disappointment this season. Drivers at Williams, Barichello is trying his best at Williams, While Maldonado has impress at Monaco, a part from that hasn't impressive.
Team Lotus: a big improvement from last season, still needs half a second/second to match the midfield teams. Drivers at Team Lotus, Kovalainen and Trulli fast at race pace, needs to show it in qualifying form, is it last season for Jarno Trulli?
HRT: bad start to the season at Melbourne (DNQ for both cars) the team have been improving throughout the season so far. Drivers at HRT: Karthikeyan need to improve his race pace, Luizzi has been a big help for Hispania is a great gem for the team itself.
Virgin Racing: another disappointing season so far, that won't change with firing of Nick Wirth, so don't expect anything good this season. Drivers at VR, Glock the best you could ask for, D'Ambrosio match Glock in pace sometimes, but needs to do better.

Predictions for the British Grand Prix this weekend at Silverstone with the brand new pit complex in-between Club corner and Abbey Corner. Saw the new pit complex at the MotoGP race at Silverstone last month looks beautiful. So back to the predictions for this weekends race Red Bull one-two (Vettel ahead of Webber) and Hamilton third place. Don't forget Jenson Button or the Ferrari's as-well (note: I got the top three right from last race at Valencia ).

Note on Top Gear this weekend Sebastian Vettel is on Top Gear as a Star in a Reasonably Price Car in a Suzuki Liana (I bet Rubens Barichello will be watching), later in the week a post about Williams Renault for 2012. End of blog now. Third one soon. That is all. Bye.

MotoGP Mugello and Pikes Peak 2011 record breaker

Hi, three posts this week one will be about half term review of F1 season so far (next 12 hours or so), second one about the news about Williams Renault for 2012 (around Friday), this one will be about MotoGP at Mugello last weekend and Pikes Peak for two weeks back.

Right MotoGP at Mugello last week, Won by current world champion Jorge Lorenzo ahead of Andrea Dovizioso and Casey Stoner in their Hondas. To reduce the gap from 28 to 19points. Oh by the way race highlights from Mugello below in a Cartoony animation way.



And don't forgot about his form last week at Pikes Peak, under ten minutes marker has been broken by Nobuhiro Tajima in his Suzuki SX4, by braking under 10 minute marker by 9:51.278. YouTube footage below enjoy.





Second post tomorrow about the half term review of F1 season so far in a twitter way. That is all. Bye.

European Grand Prix Review and MotoGP back to back weekend

Second Post of the week, Quick review of last week race at Valencia. To be honest a boring race. Four laps in you know Sebastian Vettel was going to win it. However was impress with Vettel and Alonso (as you would) also impress with Adrian Sutil, Sergio Perez and driver of the race Jaime Alguersuari who started 18th finished 8th. And might save him for a job for the rest of the season. While Toro Rosso test driver Daniel Ricciardo is driving for HRT at Silverstone replacing Narain Karthikeyan who hasn't been the best of seasons.

While in MotoGP at Assen last weekend, Ben Spies won his first MotoGP race in the Premier Class with his Yamaha M1. While current champion Jorge Lorenzo crash out of the first lap by Marco Simoncelli by his cold Bridgestone tyres. Still for Lorenzo finished 6th and Simoncelli recovered to finished 9th. While championship leader Casey Stoner finished 2nd in the race. Still contracts again to Ben Spies.

Next stop Mugello this weekend (Rossi/Ducati country) another win for Ben Spies? or the usual two of Lorenzo and Stoner. Or Rossi first win in a Duke? and the return of Dani Pedrosa too. And by the way no Loris Capirossi crashed his Pramac Ducati at Assen and hasn't recovered for his home race.

Next Week blog, a half term review of F1 season so far in a tweeting kind of way of the teams and drivers (previous post about what I done before). End of blog now. That is all. Bye.

Porsche wins 2011 Nurburgring 24 hours race and Porsche Coming Home

Hi first post of the week, F1 Review of F1 European Grand Prix tomorrow (later on today). Lets start with this years Nurburgring 24 hours race, Porsche won the race in their normal Porsche 911 GT3 RSR not a Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid from last week. Marc Lieb, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Lucas Luhr won in the Porsche after 24 hours (highlight video below).

Nurburgring 24 Hour race highlights



Oh by the way. Porsche coming back to Le Mans!, but it won't be for another three years (Doh!). Back in the main class (LMP1) challenging the likes of Peugeot and Audi? (both Audi and Porsche own by VW?) Will we see win number 17 for Porsche at Le Mans? (YouTube video below of the promo - enjoy it!)

2014 Porsche Le Mans Promo



That is all, another post soon. Bye.