Toro Rosso has confirmed yesterday (28/11/14) that Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion Carlos Sainz Jr. will make his Formula 1 debut alongside Max Verstappen at the team next year replacing Jean-Éric Vergne in an all-rookie line-up at the team next season.
Carlos Sainz Jr. who is currently a Red Bull junior driver, he has won this seasons Formula Renault 3.5 series champion. Also, who is the son of two times World Rally champion Carlos Sainz.
In my opinion, it's going to be an interesting choice if Carlos Sainz Jr. will be the right choice for Toro Rosso. Did a very good job with DAMS this season in this seasons Formula Renault 3.5 series championship and winning the series ahead of the other Red Bull junior driver Pierre Gasly.
I do believe that Carlos Sainz Jr. will need time with the team as his a rookie, and that's the same for the other Toro Rosso rookie Max Verstappen as it will be an all-rookie line-up at Toro Rosso next season and the pressure should be off for both rookie drivers at the team for that reason.
Anyway, good luck Carlos Sainz Jr. for next season.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Just like M-Sport/Ford with the M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5, just like Peugeot with the Peugeot 208 T16 R5, and just like Citroen with the Citroen DS3 R5, Skoda got their own Group R rally car.
This week Skoda will show off their new concept rally car at this weeks Essen Motor Show (The Germans version of the Autosport International Show) that will be more than likely their future Group R rally car called Skoda Fabia R5.
The new Fabia R5 will be built for Group R rules for the WRC-2 class for 2015. Based on the Skoda Fabia road car. The 2015 Skoda Fabia R5 Rally Car will have a 1.6 litre 4-cylinders turbo engine that produces around 260 bhp and top speed around the 155 mph mark. The car will enter in Group R rules, which will put the car in WRC-2 class in the middle of the 2015 season.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
Back in 2010, Gran Turismo 5 came out, and one of the cars that came out was a concept race car that Gran Turismo Series Producer Kazunori Yamauchi, and Red Bull Racing Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey produced called the Red Bull X2010, dubbed as "the future of racing were we not bound by regulations".
Influence by fan based race cars such as the Chaparral 2J and Brabham BT46B of the past. The X2010 is a 1483bhp gas powered concept car that goes over 410 kph (over 254 mph), and a maximum lateral G-force of 6G. And goes around the Nurburgring Grand Prix track in 1'04.853!
Last year, Gran Turismo 6 came out, and during last weeks LA Auto Show; Kazunori Yamauchi, Chaparral and Chevrolet launched the Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Vision GT concept car is the ninth car in the Vision Gran Tursimo series.
The Chaparral 2X features a head-first driver position, which involves the driver lying completely flat towards the front similar to the Tron Cycle in the Tron movie franchise.
And according to Chevrolet, the 2X in the game at least has a 671kW laser powered by a pack of lithium-ion batteries, and an air-powered generator to produce 900 bhp or a top speed of 242 mph. Chevrolet explains the power-train was "inspired by technology derived from advanced work targeted at space travel and future aircraft design." As the video below shows.
Welcome to the future folks.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
Jean-Éric Vergne has confirmed on Wednesday afternoon (26/11/14), that he will not be racing for Toro Rosso in Formula 1 next season, with Red Bull bosses opting not to renew the former British Formula 3 Champion contract with the team.
Vergne, who's been with the team since 2012, was previously pushed aside for the 2015 season when Toro Rosso announced that Max Verstappen would be partnering Daniil Kvyat. But, with Sebastian Vettel leaving Red Bull for Ferrari for 2015, Kvyat was been promoted to take Vettel's seat, leaving a seat free at Toro Rosso, which Vergne won't retain he seat at Toro Rosso next season.
Vergne announced on his Twitter account were he tweeted "Despite a good season & 22 pts, I'll not drive anymore for Toro Rosso in 2015," and "Thanks for those years. Let's go for another big challenge."
And so what's next for Jean-Eric Vergne? its was rumoured that Jean-Eric Vergne could be test-driver at Williams next season, similar to Giedo van der Garde as a test driver at Sauber were he did seven Friday Free Practices this season with the team. Another could be driving for Nissan or Porsche in WEC next season if those seats at available to him.
As for the second seat at Toro Rosso, it's heavily rumoured that Formula Renault 3.5 champion Carlos Sainz Jr. will take his drive alongside Max Verstappen. While GP3 champion Alex Lynn and FR3.5 runner-up Pierre Gasly are also in contention with the drive as-well.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Last week Lotus F1 Team and Lotus F1 sponsor EMC showed off a giant semi-truck over a speeding 2013 Lotus E21 Formula 1 car! (no typo folks). The stunt was "to demonstrate how we redefine motorsports and set a new world record in the process". And according to both Lotus and EMC the record is now stands at 83ft and 7in for a truck jump.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
On Monday morning (14/4/13) it was announce that Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Marco Mattiacci has left the Formula 1 team only seven months after joining and will be replaced by Maurizio Arrivabene
After replacing former Team Principal Stefano Domenicali in April. There was some strong rumours during last weekends Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, that Mattiacci's future was uncertain. Until yesterdays news happen. And maybe the best option for Ferrari to replace the underperforming Marco Mattiacci just after the end of the season.
While, Arrivabene joins Ferrari after more than 15 years with Philip Morris and is well known to Ferrari through the team's sponsorship deal with Marlboro.
He has also represented all Formula 1 sponsors on the F1 Commission since 2010.
As new Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene has got the toughest job of any Team Principal in Formula 1 and that is managing Ferrari expectations.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
This post is all about the new 2014 GP2 and GP3 champions.
Jolyon Palmer won the GP2 series championship at last months Sochi Autodrom with three races to spare ahead of both Stoffel Vandoorne and Felipe Nasr in the standings. So where going to see Jolyon Palmer next season? He should be a Formula 1 driver next season having won the GP2 chamionship as he will test with Force India for this weeks end of season test. If he brings sponsorship like previous champions have done for example Romain Grosjean 2011 GP2 champion (bringing Total sponsorship to Lotus back in 2012) and Pastor Maldonado 2010 GP2 champion (bringing PSDVA/Venezuelan sponsorship to Williams in 2011) he will be in Formula 1 with a Marussia or Caterham if they both survive. If not maybe a Test Driver with Force India or Indycar Series for 2015 which is more than likely option.
Meanwhile at at Yas Marina Circuit from last weekend, Red Bull Junior driver Alex Lynn won this years GP3 series championship ahead of both Dean Stoneman and Marvin Kirchhöfer in the standings. We will possibly see Alex Lynn in a top GP2 team or a top Formula Renault 3.5 Series team next season.
So, contractions to the new champions. Bring on 2015.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
Review of Round Two of the 2014-15 Formula E season held at the Putrajaya Street Circuit in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The race was won by Virgin Racing driver Sam Bird. Second was Audi Sport ABT driver Lucas di Grassi, he was four seconds behind Bird in the end. Meanwhile, third was e.dams Renault driver Sebastien Buemi, he was six seconds behind Bird in the end.
Highlights of the race bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Three of the 2014-15 Formula E season in Punta del Este, Uruguay for the Punta del Este ePrix in three weeks time.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix review of round nineteen and final round of the 2014 F1 season at Yas Marina Circuit, and thoughts on the race as well. And Lewis Hamilton winning his second Formula 1 drivers' title.
Good points
- Lewis Hamilton (race win and his second F1 World Drivers Title)
- Williams (Felipe Massa finished 2nd, best finish of the season; Valtteri Bottas, finished 3rd; which gives Williams third in the constructors' standings, their highest place in the Constructors since 2003 season)
- Daniel Ricciardo (finished 4th, and despite starting from the pit-lane, after he and team-mate Sebastian Vettel were excluded after qualifying due to illegal front wings)
- Jenson Button (finished 5th)
- Force India (Nico Hülkenberg, finished 6th; Sergio Perez, finished 7th)
- Will Stevens (finished 17th, race debut)
- Caterham (got to Abu Dhabi via their crowdfunding scheme)
Bad points
- Nico Rosberg (finished 14th, lapped, ERS Failure)
- Ferrari (Fernando Alonso, finished 9th; Kimi Räikkönen, finished 10th)
- Sauber (Esteban Gutiérrez, finished 15th; Adrian Sutil, finished 16th; the team finished with 0 points, tenth in the constructors' standings, their worse season in Formula 1, and behind Marussia in the standings as-well)
- Kamui Kobayashi (DNF, Brakes)
- Pastor Maldonado (DNF, Engine)
- Daniil Kvyat (DNF, Power unit)
Overall not the best race this season. But, a good ending to one of the best seasons for a few seasons. With Nico Rosberg on pole, Lewis Hamilton took the lead on the first corner and lead most of the laps, and stayed in the lead to give Lewis his eleventh Grand Prix win of the season and to give Lewis Hamilton his second F1 World Drivers Championship title and 67 points ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg. So contractions to Lewis Hamilton for winning his second World Drivers' title.
While, team-mate Nico Rosberg who started on pole in the Mercedes had a terrible Sunday altogether. Rosberg lost the lead from Hamilton from the start,and thing gone bad to worse as he suffered an ERS failure middle of the race, which cost him engine power and effectively ended his challenge for the lead and went down the order and eventually came home to a fourteenth place, as Rosberg refusing a suggestion by the team to retire his car in the closing stages as the ERS problems worsened and insisting he ended his title bid by taking the chequered flag and maybe his best change of winning a drivers' championship in Formula 1.
Meanwhile, Felipe Massa finishing in second place in the Williams for his best finish of the season and possibly of winning the race late on. While his Williams team-mate Valtteri Bottas finished in third place, which gives Williams third in the constructors' standings, their highest place in the Constructors since the 2003 season.
Now bring on 2015, for another great season of Formula 1. Only three and a half months to go for that.
End of blog for now, new post soon, bye.
Marussia F1 Team will not return to the grid at this weekend's final round of the Formula 1 Seasons Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after talks with potential investors fell through.
The outfit was placed into administration at the end of October and missed the last two races in the United States and Brazil. While a fortnight ago, the administrator, FRP Advisory, confirmed that Marussia had ceased trading, with all 200 staff being made redundant.
Graeme Lowdon, who was President and Sporting Director of Marussia, said last week that the team was in "serious talks" with one group.
But with a takeover deal ultimately failing to happen, Marussia will not join Caterham in making a return at Abu Dhabi.
Although Marussia could still be on the grid next season if a deal happens soon.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
Will Stevens will make his Formula 1 debut at the Yas Marina Circuit this weekend for Caterham, it was announced yesterday (20/11/14).
The Formula Renault 3.5 driver will partner Kamui Kobayashi at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after former Caterham driver Marcus Ericsson terminated his contract with the team last week.
Caterham F1 Team missed the last two races in the United States and Brazil, but will make its return at the Yas Marina Circuit via a crowdfunding scheme.
Stevens, was previously a member of the Caterham Racing Academy, and has twice tested Formula 1 machinery with the team.
The multiple Formula Renault 3.5 race winner signed for Caterham last week, but had to wait for his Super Licence to be processed.
A great opportunity for Will Stevens for this weekend.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
It was confirmed on Thursday morning (20/11/14) that current World Champion Sebastian Vettel will join Ferrari on a three-year deal from the 2015 season, Vettel will replace Fernando Alonso to team up with Kimi Räikkönen next season.
Ferrari finally provided official confirmation of Alonso's exit on Thursday, which means Vettel will take his place at Ferrari next season.
Vettel has raced for Red Bull since 2009, but his departure from the team was announced during last month's Japanese Grand Prix. With current Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat is replacing him at Red Bull alongside Daniel Ricciardo.
With no word were the former double F1 world champion will go, it is to believed that Alonso have already completed a deal to rejoin McLaren next season, although McLaren will not announce its 2015 plans until it has chosen which of Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen is retained as Alonso's team-mate.
The reason for Alonso leaving Ferrari was possibly down to three reason in my opinion, number one: former Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo leaving the brand this season; number two, former Ferrari Team Principal Stefano Domenicali resigning from his role as Team Principal early in the season and replaced by Marco Mattiacci, from my understanding from others that I hear that Alonso hasn't connected well with the new Team Principal. And thirdly, possibly a big one the team has not performed well for the last 18 months, with Ferrari last Grand Prix win came at last seasons Spanish Grand Prix with Alonso; this season Ferrari have not been even close performing with the likes of Mercedes and with a strong possibility that next seasons car won't be competitive either, which gives the right time and the right reasons for Fernando Alonso to leave Ferrari.
Overall, in his five seasons at Ferrari, Alonso won 11 Grand Prixs' during his time and came close to taking two more F1 world drivers' titles in 2010 and again in 2012, with Vettel denying him on each occasion. And in my opinion Fernando Alonso wasn't a flop at Ferrari, but the team letting him down a few times too many.
And the reasons with Sebastian Vettel joining Ferrari next season will possibly go down for two reasons, one reason is current chief technical officer of Red Bull Racing Adrian Newey is reducing his role next season at the team is the first reason. And the second one is a new challenge, during his six seasons at Red Bull, Vettel won 38 Grand Prixs', four drivers' and four constructors' and maybe a new challenge is much needed. And maybe the challenge at Ferrari is what the four times world champion is needed and repeated what his friend Michael Schumacher did at Ferrari in the mid 1990s till mid 2000s and make Ferrari great again once more and be a dominating giant again in Formula 1.
New challenges ahead for both Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
For the last three years', I did posts on Gymkhana Four, Gymkhana Five, and Gymkhana Six. And this week, Hoonigan and Ken Block bring out the new Gymkhana video onto YouTube called: "KEN BLOCK'S GYMKHANA SEVEN: WILD IN THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES " (video below).
And just like Gymkhana Five, its shot on the streets, this time shot in Los Angeles, California instead of San Francisco, California, as he uses parts of the city a personal gymkhana playground to film around. But, instead of using his trustworthy 2013 Ford Fiesta ST RX43. This time Ken Block is using a 1965 Ford Mustang dubbed as the "Hoonicorn RTR" using a 6.7 litre V8 Rouse Ford engine producing 845 bhp and for a first time for any Mustang ever using four-wheel-drive. Enjoy the video below.
[HOONIGAN] KEN BLOCK'S GYMKHANA SEVEN: WILD IN THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES
What my thoughts about the video. Better than last years Gymkhana Six. And as equal as Gymkhana Five if you have to compare it with any of Ken Block's previous Gymkhanas. I thought it was still edited well, I enjoyed the aerial shots above as-well of the city; the multiple use of Go-Pro cameras' inside and outside on the Ford Mustang and usage of a drone in some scenes. Also, I enjoyed that Ken Block and his crew didn't used the Fiesta this time to hoon around and instead they used a custom made Mustang.
Overall I liked the video, is it better than the previous Gymkhanas' past? so far with nearly 11 million views on YouTube since Monday, its another 50 million views to catch up with Gymkhana Five record. Overall, a very cool video from Ken Block.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
Nine-times 24 Hour of Le Mans 24 winner Tom Kristensen has announced this morning (19/11/14) his retirement from racing.
Kristensen who is currently 47, who won the FIA World Endurance Championship last season with Allan McNish and Loïc Duval, will now compete in his final race in Brazil at next weekends seasons finale of the WEC.
The long-time Audi driver, explained that 'The day had to come at one time or another' and thanked the staff at Audi for the last 15 years at the brand, that means he will not be part of the German manufacturer's 2015 WEC campaign. Tom Kristensen will now be retained by Audi as an ambassador to the brand.
He has called time on his career that includes nine victories in the 24 Hours Le Mans wins with Audi, Bentley and TWR Porsche, and seven 12 Hours of Sebring race victories with Audi. As-well, as racing in the British Touring Car Championship back in 2000 with Honda, and in the DTM with Audi between 2004 till 2011.
And testing with the Minardi Formula 1 team back in 1997 and testing with Michelin between 1999 and 2000.
In my opinion, possibly one of the best driver who ever driven at Le Mans with nine race wins, which includes six in a row victories between 2000 and 2005. This is possibly not a shock decision to hear today, as the news of Allan McNish retiring last season, was possibly sooner or later that Kristensen would retire as-well and that has happen today.
Good luck in retirement for Tom Kristensen, he will be highly missed.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
Jules Bianchi has been transferred to a French hospital and is no longer in an induced coma, the injured former Marussia Formula 1 driver's family said in a statement on Wednesday (19/11/14).
Seven weeks after Bianchi suffered serious head injuries in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, his family has revealed that there are encouraging signs of progress. Although he remains unconscious and is still in a "critical" condition, he is now breathing unaided and doctors agreed he was able to be moved from hospital in Yokkaichi to Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice.
The statement said: "Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however he is still unconscious.
"He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable, but his condition is still classified as 'critical'. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.
"Jules' neurological condition remains stable. Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so, it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France.
"We are relieved, therefore, to confirm that Jules was transferred aeromedically last night from the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, Japan, to Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU), where he arrived just a short time ago.
"Jules is now in the intensive care unit of Professors Raucoules and Ichai, where his care will also be monitored by Professor Paquis, Head of Neurosurgery Service."
Bianchi's family said they were thankful that, after nearly two months in Japan, the next phase of his recovery would be taking place closer to home.
"We are thankful that the next phase of Jules' treatment can continue close to home, where he can be surrounded and supported by his wider family and friends," added the statement. "We have nothing but praise for the outstanding care provided by the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center since the accident.
"We owe the medical staff there an enormous debt of gratitude for everything they have done for Jules, and also for our family, during what is a very difficult time for us. In particular, we would like to extend our thanks to Doctors Kamei and Yamamichi, and also to Mr Ogura, all part of the team of personnel caring for Jules in Japan."
Review of the final round of the 2014 World Touring Car Championship season was the Guia Race of Macau, at Guia Circuit, Macau.
In the first race, Citroën Total WTCC driver and new WTCC Champion José María López took the race win in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. Second was Zengõ Motorsport driver Norbert Michelisz in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was three seconds behind López in the end. While third place was Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team driver Gabriele Tarquini took the race win in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was four seconds behind López in the end.
Meanwhile in TC2 class (the old s2000 cars such as BMW 320 TC, SEAT León WTCC and so forth), was won by Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver Franz Engstler in his BMW 320 TC. He finished in fourteenth place overall and 83 seconds behind López in the end.
While in the second race, Lada Sport driver Robert Huff took the race win in his Lada Granta 1.6T. Second was Citroën Total WTCC driver Yvan Muller, he was three tenths of a second behind Huff in the end. While third place was Campos Racing driver Hugo Valente in his Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1, he was three seconds behind Huff in the end.
Meanwhile in TC2 class, was won by Liqui Moly Team Engstler driver Franz Engstler in his BMW 320 TC. He finished in tenth place overall and 41 seconds behind Huff in the end.
Highlights of the two races below.
And so this years champions in WTCC, WTCC Drivers' Champion: José María López. WTCC Manufacturers' Championship: Citroën. Yokohama Drivers' Trophy Champion: Franz Engstler. And Yokohama Teams' Trophy Champions: ROAL Motorsport.
Contractions to the Champions this season.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit outside of Abu Dhabi for the final round of the 2014 Formula 1 season, which includes for the first time in Formula 1 history and possibly the last time, double points.
So predictions for the race itself, Lewis Hamilton for the win in the Mercedes and for the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship too, Nico Rosberg second in the other Mercedes, and Daniel Ricciardo third in the Red Bull. Don't forget Sebastian Vettel, the two McLaren drivers, the two Williams drivers, or the two Ferrari drivers either for a podium position too.
May the best driver win.
End of post/blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Recap of the last round of WRC from last weekends Round thirteen of Wales Rally GB.
Last weekend was the thirteenth round and final round of the 2014 World Rally Championship at Wales Rally GB (14th-16th November) was won by current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier to win the rally overall in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC.
While, Mikko Hirvonen, finished in second place in the M-Sport World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC. Hirvonen was 37 seconds behind Ogier at the end in his final rally in the WRC, after this rally it will be Hirvonen's last as he will retire at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Mads Østberg, finished in third place in the works Citroën DS3 WRC. Østberg was 63 seconds behind Ogier at the end.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by Jari Ketomaa in Drive DMACK Ford Fiesta R5. Jari Ketomaa finished in twelveth place overall, he was 11 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
While, Nasser Al-Attiyah finished in seventeenth place overall and sixth place in WRC-2 class in his own backed Ford Fiesta RRC, he was over 14 minutes behind Ogier at the end; and that was enough to give Nasser Al-Attiyah the 2014 WRC-2 championship; contracts to Nasser Al-Attiyah for winning this years WRC-2 championship.
While in WRC-3 class (Group R1, R2 and R3 cars) that was won by Alastair Fisher in his own backed Citroën DS3 R3T. Alastair Fisher finished in twenty-sixth place overall, he was 28 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
And despite Stéphane Lefebvre only finished in thirty-fifth place in a Citroën DS3 R5 in WRC-2 class last weekend. Stéphane Lefebvre did clinched the WRC-3 and J-WRC Championships this season in his own backed Citroën DS3 R3T, contracts to Stéphane Lefebvre for winning the WRC-3 and J-WRC Championships.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
And so this years champions, WRC champions: Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, WRC Manufacturers' Champions: Volkswagen. WRC-2 Champions: Nasser Al-Attiyah and Giovanni Bernacchini, WRC-2 for Teams Champions: Drive DMACK, WRC-2 for Production Car Champions: Max Rendina and Mario Pizzuti. WRC-3 Champions: Stéphane Lefebvre and Thomas Dubois, WRC-3 for Teams Champions: ADAC Team Weser-Ems e.V.. J-WRC Champions: Stéphane Lefebvre and Thomas Dubois, and J-WRC Championship for Nations: France.
Contractions to the Champions this season.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Review of Round seven of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship at Bahrain International Circuit, in Sakhir, Bahrain.
Toyota Racing team won the race overall and WEC LMP1 class too of Alexander Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin and Mike Conway in their Toyota TS030 Hybrid.
While, second place was the Porsche Team of Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani in their Porsche 919 Hybrid, they were 50 seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was the Porsche Team of Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley in their Porsche 919 Hybrid, they were 57 seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While, the other Toyota Racing car finishing only eleventh in Bahrain, despite that drivers Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi were crowned 2014 World Endurance Drivers' Champions. Congratulations to team and drivers wining the title.
While in LMP1-L class (a new category this season, designed solely for privateers without hybrid systems in their cars), the Rebellion Racing team of Dominik Kraihamer, Andrea Belicchi and Fabio Leimer in their Rebellion R-One with a Toyota RV8KLM 3.4 L V8 engine won LMP1-L class class. They finish in sixth place overall and they were seven laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class, the KCMG team of Matthew Howson, Richard Bradley and Alexandre Imperatori in their Oreca 03R with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class. They finish in eighth place overall and they were fourteen laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by AF Corse team of Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander won in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2. They finish in thirteenth place overall and they were twenty-two laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of David Heinemeier Hansson, Kristian Poulsen and Nicki Thiim in their Aston Martin Vantage GTE. They finish in eighteenth place overall and they were twenty-three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Next Stop 6 Hours of São Paulo in two weeks time for round eight and final round of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Caterham's Formula 1 team has made 230 staff redundant, despite announcing that it will be racing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Caterham entered administration at the end of October and missed both United States and Brazilian Grand Prixs', but will travel to the Yas Marina Circuit to compete in the last round of the year.
Administrators acting on behalf of the team said that the majority of the workforce, who have not been paid since the end of September, asked to be made redundant in order to start a formal claims process.
"We are going to Abu Dhabi, racing and talking to potential buyers with meetings already arranged out there," Finbarr O'Connell of Smith & Williamson told Reuters.
"The second track is that at the same time the claims forms will be up and running. A best outcome could be for staff to get redundancy, arrears of pay and then if someone comes along [and buys the team] they would get paid again.
"They [Caterham's employees] were very supportive [during talks] but asked would I agree, if the team was not sold by Friday November 14, to organise them to be made redundant."
O'Connell added that around 40 people would travel to Abu Dhabi with Caterham.
For the first time in 22 years. A McLaren's development Honda Formula 1 car broke cover on Friday (14/11/14) during a filming day at the Silverstone circuit.
In a bid to get as much early mileage as it possible with the new Honda V6 turbo engine, McLaren's development car, named the MP4-29H, took to the track for its maiden laps. And gives an idea what the 2015 McLaren maybe like.
With Formula 1's regulations limiting testing, means that McLaren is limited to just 100 kilometres of running at the filming day. It's more than likely that the new Honda power units will be testing at Yas Marina Circuit test after next weeks Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Caterham F1 Team has announced this afternoon (14/11/14) that it will return to the Formula 1 grid at next weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the final round of the season, after raising enough money via the crowdfunding scheme it launched last Friday.
Caterham was handed over to administrator Smith & Williamson last month, as the team has debts of around £7.5-10 million, and missed the last two races in the United States and Brazil.
The outfit last week launched a crowdfunding scheme with the target of raising £2.35 million, and £1.9 million has so far been donated.
Last week, I felt this will not happen due to do as its too much you are asking the fans to do. Also, I personally think that few of the big teams or even Bernie Ecclestone should help the team out, as it was only £2.35 million. And honestly this is a great achievement for the team and that they will be racing in Abu Dhabi at least.
As for drivers driving for Caterham next week is yet to be confirm, although Marcus Ericsson has ruled himself out by cutting his ties with the team earlier this week, so therefore it needs a replacement driver I am predicting that it will be former Marussia driver Max Chilton for one of the seats with either Kamui Kobayashi or André Lotterer (if they want to come back for another race) alongside as his team-mate.
Final thoughts is this, this is good news for Formula 1 that Caterham are back for Abu Dhabi at least, as most of the fans love the small teams; it helps everyone for rookie drivers and mechanics with not so much experience get into the sport, it gives more opportunities to everyone, ask a driver like Fernando Alonso he agrees with the small teams needs to be there in F1, and where did he started with? Minardi.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Marco Melandri will return to MotoGP it was confirmed this afternoon (10/11/14) after inking a deal to join alongside Álvaro Bautista at Gresini Racing, which will be running Aprilia's bikes from 2015.
Melandri won five races during his first stint in MotoGP between 2003 and 2010, but departed the series to race in World Superbikes from 2011.
Melandri joined Aprilia in World Superbikes for 2014 and will continue with the Italian manufacturer as it makes its return to MotoGP next season.
Melandri will be riding an upgraded version of its current ART bike, which will feature a new seamless shift gearbox and pneumatic valve motor.
The news that Marco Melandri will return to Gresini ride the Aprilia next season alongside current Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista was no surprise that he will return to MotoGP as it was heavily rumoured that he will return to MotoGP when the news that Aprilia will return to MotoGP in 2015 with Gresini Racing.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed on last Thursday (6/11/14), that Alex de Angelis will remain in MotoGP next season after a surprise move to IodaRacing team. Which will complete the MotoGP field for next season.
The former Gresini rider returned to the premier-class in place of Colin Edwards midway through this season at Forward Yamaha, but was not retained by the team and looked set to switch to World Superbikes in 2015. However de Angelis will now take over from Pramac-bound Danilo Petrucci.
It is assumed that IodaRacing will retain with an open spec Aprilia next season.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Review of round eighteen and the final round of the 2014 MotoGP season at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia for the Valencia GP.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Repsol Honda Team rider and current double MotoGP champion Marc Márquez on his works Honda RC213V. It was Marquez's 13th race win of the season as the 21-year-old set another premier class record, eclipsing the previous benchmark of 12 victories in a single season set by Mick Doohan in 1997. Second place was the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was two seconds behind Márquez at the end. While, third was the other Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa on his works Honda RC213V, he was fourteen seconds behind Márquez at the end.
In Open class (Full control ECU system, hardware and software), NGM Forward Racing rider Aleix Espargaró won Open class and finish seventh place overall on his Forward-Yamaha YZR-M1, he was 38 seconds behind Márquez at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Interwetten Paddock Moto2 rider Thomas Lüthi on the Suter. Second was Marc VDS Racing Team rider and current Moto2 Champion Esteve Rabat on the Kalex, he finished of with 346 points this season, a new record for Moto2, passing Marc Marquez previous best of 328 from 2012; he was two tenths of a second behind Lüthi at the end. While, third was Caterham Moto Racing rider Johann Zarco on the Caterham Suter, he was eleven seconds behind Lüthi at the end.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Jack Miller on the KTM. Second was Calvo Team rider Isaac Viñales on the KTM, he was two tenths of a second behind Miller at the end of the race. While, third was Estrella Galicia rider Álex Márquez on the Honda, he was a second behind Miller at the end of the race.
With third place was enough to give Álex Márquez 2014 Moto3 title, Álex Márquez was 2 points ahead of Jack Miller; his podium finish in third for the title also marks the first time in the history of Motorcycle racing that racing brothers have both taken World Championship titles with Marc Marquez already the MotoGP champion for 2014. Contracts to Álex Márquez for winning the Moto3 championship.
And so who won what in which class, MotoGP Champion: Marc Márquez, Open Class Champion: Aleix Espargaró, MotoGP Manufacturers' Champion: Honda. Moto 2 Champion: Esteve Rabat, Moto2 Manufacturers' Champion: Kalex. Moto 3 Champion: Álex Márquez, and Moto3 Manufacturers' Champion: KTM.
Contractions to the Champions this season.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
2014 Brazilian Grand Prix review of round eighteen of the F1 season at of the F1 season at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos on the outskirts of São Paulo, and thoughts on the race as well.
Good points
- Mercedes (Nico Rosberg, pole to race win; Lewis Hamilton, finished 2nd)
- Felipe Massa (finished 3rd)
- Jenson Button (finished 4th)
- Nico Hülkenberg (finished 8th)
Bad points
- Valtteri Bottas (finished 10th)
- Daniel Ricciardo (DNF, Suspension)
- Romain Grosjean (DNF, Power unit failure)
A dominating race weekend from Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes, fastest in practice, pole postion on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Nico his fifth Grand Prix win of the season.
While, team-mate Lewis Hamilton could've won the race, but he went off road to give Nico Rosberg the race win in Brazil. But, Hamilton still finished in second place in the Mercedes to give the team its eleventh one-two finish of the season.
Meanwhile, Felipe Massa finished in third place,in the Williams, despite having a five second stop and go penalty for speeding in the pit lane, to complete the podium.
Lewis Hamilton still leads the drivers' championship from team-mate Nico Rosberg, but the gap is now reduce from 24 points to 17 points in the standings with one race to go at Yas Marina Circuit at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for double points in two weeks time.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Marussia's administrator, FRP Advisory, confirmed on Friday (7/11/14) that the Formula 1 team has ceased trading and all employees will be made redundant, following unsuccessful discussions with potential investors.
Marussia entered administration last month but had hoped to return to the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, having skipped the United States and Brazilian Grands Prix.
However, the deadline to find a new backer has passed, leading to the Banbury-based team being wound up and the loss of 200 jobs. Which also includes their GP3 team Manor Motorsport as-well.
This season the team scored their first and only points in Formula 1 at the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this season, with Jules Bianchi who still remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital, after his serious crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.
First of all, I very feel sorry for the staff and their family at the team at this moment of time. Secondly, It's a very sad day that a team like Manor have folded who has 25 years experience as a team that helped the early careers of developing talent like Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton in their Formula Renault days, and taking Formula 3 titles with the likes of Marc Hynes and Antônio Pizzonia back in the early 2000s that now has folded. It really saddens me today to here the news.
So why did a team like Manor has gone bust, in my view for a few simple reasons like I said from last week, one reason is the payout to the Concorde Agreement that makes payout to small teams less money to those teams. For example, Marussia only get $10 Million for finishing tenth in in the Constructor standings last season. While the big red fat cats of Ferrari gets $112 million without even racing is disgusting, that a team of Ferrari who have been a complete failure for the last seven seasons get that amount of money due to their history in Formula 1. It be like a Premier League team who not won a League title for nearly a decade gets £70 million without hitting a ball at the start of a season because of their history.
Another reason is that the cost of the power-units this season, in 2013, the V8 engines cost between £5-10 million per season to the teams; while this seasons V6 turbo hybrid engines have doubled or even trebled, now costing between £15-20 million per season that has steeped up the budgets for this season and for next season too.
And the final reason is when the Caterham, Marussia and HRT entered the sport in 2010, under FIA that time President Max Mosley they were promised that the sport would have a budget cap of around £42 million and governing body the FIA failed to impose this. And also, the current FIA under Jean Todt as President are partly to blame as-well too for Marussia folded with not putting in a budget cap or even capping the price of the V6 turbo hybrid engines instead of focusing on Formula E and WRC as this would not happen under a Max Mosley era in my opinion for the teams like Caterham and Marussia. And that is possibly why a team like Marussia did not survive in Formula 1.
Meanwhile, the Caterham F1 Team is trying to relaunch using crowd funding. The administrator Finbarr O’Connell says that supporters will receive unique rewards, including a once in a lifetime opportunity to get your name on the Caterham F1 car competing in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The opportunity to support Caterham F1’s return to the grid will close when it reaches its £2.35 million funding target by next Friday (14/11/14). I can't see that happening due to do as its too much you are asking the fans to do, I personally think that few of the big teams or even Bernie Ecclestone should help the team out, it's only £2.35 million.
Final thoughts is this, unless if your a Toyota, BMW, or even a Ford, Formula 1 is not economically viable sad to say, unless the rules are change it will help the likes of Caterham, and the Saubers. And the sad fact is this, the last successful Formula 1 team without manufacture backing is Jordan (now Force India) back in 1991. How pathetic is that.
A sad day in Formula 1.
It's been confirmed late last night (5/11/14) that Williams test driver Felipe Nasr will join Sauber for the 2015 Formula 1 season.
The Carlin GP2 driver who is currently second in the standings will moved to Sauber alongside former Caterham driver Marcus Ericsson, which means that both of Sauber's 2014 drivers Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez will be replaced next season.
This is possibly the most surprising news to the 2015 Formula 1 season as it was that Ericsson's team-mate would be either Sauber's current reserve driver and former Caterham driver Giedo van der Garde or keeping Esteban Gutierrez for a third season; and for Nasr to stay in GP2 and stay with Williams as a reserve driver.
But, Sauber have gone for Nasr instead and gone for inexperience, which means Nasr is bringing in more money from Brazil. And a opportunity to race with a Grand Prix team in 2015 rather than possibly waiting for a drive and be a Williams test driver instead.
The main question for Sauber next season it the right decision for the team to go with inexperience drivers for 2015? time will tell.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
2014 United States Grand Prix review of round seventeen of the F1 season at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas, and predictions for this weekends Brazilian Grand Prix.
Good points
- Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton, race win; Nico Rosberg, finished 2nd)
- Red Bull Racing (Daniel Ricciardo, finished 3rd; Sebastian Vettel, finished 7th, despite started the race from pit lane after changing all six components of his power unit before the race)
- Williams (Felipe Massa, finished 4th; Valtteri Bottas, finished 5th)
- Pastor Maldonado (finished 9th)
Bad points
- Jenson Button (finished 12th)
- Kimi Räikkönen(finished 13th)
- Daniil Kvyat (finished 15th)
- Force India (Nico Hülkenberg, DNF, ERS failure; Sergio Perez, DNF, collision on the first lap with Adrian Sutil, which conclude with a seven place grid penalty for Brazil)
- Sauber (Esteban Gutiérrez, finished 14th; Adrian Sutil, DNF, collision on the first lap with Sergio Perez)
The race itself was a very good race to watch, with Nico Rosberg took pole on Saturday and stayed into the lead ahead of team-mate lewis Hamilton. Rosberg stayed in the lead, until lap 24, when Hamilton managed to overtake Rosberg for the race lead at the end of the back straight. To give Lewis his tenth Grand Prix win of the season.
While, team-mate Nico Rosberg finished in second place in the Mercedes to give the team its tenth one-two finish of the season.
Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo finished in third place,in the Red Bull, to complete the podium.
Hamilton has now improve his lead of the F1 driver championship from 17 points to 24 points ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg with two races to go.
And so this weekend is the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos outskirts of São Paulo for round eighteen of the season. So predictions for the race, Lewis Hamilton for the win in the Mercedes, Nico Rosberg second in the other Mercedes, and Felipe Massa third in his Williams. Don't forget Valtteri Bottas, the two Red Bull drivers, the two Ferrari drivers, or the two McLaren drivers for a podium place as-well.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Review of Round six of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship at 6 Hours of Shanghai held at Shanghai International Circuit on the outskirts of Shanghai, China.
Toyota Racing team won the race overall and WEC LMP1 class too of Anthony Davidson and Sébastien Buemi in their Toyota TS030 Hybrid.
While, the second Toyota of Alexander Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin and Kazuki Nakajima took second place in their Toyota TS030 Hybrid to complete another Toyota one-two finish, they were 72 seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was the Porsche Team of Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani in their Porsche 919 Hybrid, they were a lap behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP1-L class (a new category this season, designed solely for privateers without hybrid systems in their cars), the Rebellion Racing team of Nicolas Prost, Nick Heidfeld and Mathias Beche in their Rebellion R-One with a Toyota RV8KLM 3.4 L V8 engine won LMP1-L class class. They finish in seventh place overall and they were eight laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class, the G-Drive Racing team of Julien Canal, Olivier Pla and Roman Rusinov in their Ligier JS P2 with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class. They finish in ninth place overall and they were eleven laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by Porsche Team Manthey team of Patrick Pilet and Frédéric Makowiecki won in their Porsche 911 RSR. They finish in sixteenth place overall and they were twenty-one laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy, and Christoffer Nygaard in their Aston Martin Vantage GTE. They finish in twentyth place overall and they were twenty-three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Next Stop 6 Hours of Bahrain in three weeks time for round seven of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
It's been confirmed after United States Grand Prix Qualifying (1/11/14) that Marcus Ericsson will join Sauber for the 2015 Formula 1 season on a one year deal.
The former GP2 driver will moved to Sauber after a season with Caterham F1 Team, who are currently in administration at this moment of time.
It has been rumoured a few days before the United States Grand Prix that he might get the seat at Sauber for next season, which he has now. Would he be a right choice for the team? time will tell.
As for Marcus Ericsson team-mate next season, no word yet, but it has been rumoured that Sauber will promote Sauber reserve driver and former Caterham driver Giedo van der Garde, who could bring in around £7 million in McGregor sponsorship or keep Esteban Gutierrez for a third season, which brings in money from Mexico.
New Challange ahead for Marcus Ericsson in 2015.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
