Recap of the last round of WRC from this weekends round 1 of Rallye Monte Carlo in Monte Carlo of course.
This weekend was round one of the 2016 World Rally Championship at the Rallye Monte Carlo (21st-24th January), that was won by current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. Meanwhile, team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen finished second in the other works Volkswagen Polo R WRC, Mikkelsen was 2 minutes behind Ogier at the end. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville finished third in the works Hyundai i20 WRC, Neuville was over 3 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by M-Sport World Rally Team rally driver Elfyn Evans in his Ford Fiesta R5. Elfyn Evans finished in eighth place overall, he was 18 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
While in WRC-3 class (Group R1, R2 and R3 cars) that was won by Printsport rakky driver Ole Christian Veiby in his Citroën DS3 R3T. Ole Christian Veiby finished in nineteenth place overall, he was 41 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Two of the 2016 WRC season for Rally Sweden in three weeks time.
Monday 25 January 2016
Monday 18 January 2016
So what F1 races will be live on Channel 4 this season? (2016 edition)
Today, Channel 4 has revealed its coverage plans for all F1 races in 2016. Ten races will be shown live on Channel 4, includes these races:
While the other eleven races, there will be extended highlights programmes on Channel 4.
My only concern there is no Monaco Grand Prix live on Channel 4, due to its the Monaco Grand Prix and the history behind it. But apart form that, all and all, good choices from Channel 4 for this season.
- 3 April: Bahrain
- 29 May: Spain
- 19 June: Europe (Baku)
- 10 July: Britain
- 24 July: Hungary
- 28 August: Belgium
- 4 September: Italy
- 2 October: Malaysia
- 30 October: Mexico
- 27 November: Abu Dhabi
While the other eleven races, there will be extended highlights programmes on Channel 4.
My only concern there is no Monaco Grand Prix live on Channel 4, due to its the Monaco Grand Prix and the history behind it. But apart form that, all and all, good choices from Channel 4 for this season.
If I was the team boss at Manor who are my drivers for 2016?
Interesting times at Manor F1 Team, with the news they will be using Mercedes Benz power-units and transmission and suspension components from Williams for 2016. And recent news that the team have appointed former Ferrari chief designer Nikolas Tombazis as its chief aerodynamics. But, yet the team haven't confirmed any drivers yet. The four main drivers competing for the two race seats this season are Will Stevens, Alexander Rossi, Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto. I'm going to talk about each drivers positives and negatives they will bring to the team.
Will Stevens, positives: great in qualifying, out performing both team-mates Alexander Rossi and Roberto Merhi. Missuses: wasn't impressive in the races, sometimes outperformed by his team-mates.
Alexander Rossi, positives: despite only racing in five grand prixs' for the team, he was impressive outperforming team-mate Will Stevens, finishing in twelfth place on the same lap as the leaders in his home grand prix. Missuses: may miss the drive due to his budget if other drivers bring in more then him.
Pascal Wehrlein, positives: have the backing of Mercedes, winning the DTM champion last season. Missuses: may miss the drive due to his budget he will bring in as rumoured that Mercedes will bring in around £3 million to the team.
Rio Haryanto, positives: previous experience with the team as one of their GP3 driver back in 2010 and 2011 and he will bring in sponsorship from Indonesian oil and gas company Pertamina with a budget up to £10 million to the team. Missuses: not the most talented driver between the four drivers I am talking on his post.
If I was the team boss at Manor (who ever that is still)? I pick Alexander Rossi and Pascal Wehrlein for their talent, but the likely happening will be Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto because of sponsorship from Mercedes via Wehrlein, and sponsorship from Indonesian via Haryanto as the team still needs the money to get through 2016.
Time will tell who will be driving for Manor this season in a few weeks time.
Will Stevens, positives: great in qualifying, out performing both team-mates Alexander Rossi and Roberto Merhi. Missuses: wasn't impressive in the races, sometimes outperformed by his team-mates.
Alexander Rossi, positives: despite only racing in five grand prixs' for the team, he was impressive outperforming team-mate Will Stevens, finishing in twelfth place on the same lap as the leaders in his home grand prix. Missuses: may miss the drive due to his budget if other drivers bring in more then him.
Pascal Wehrlein, positives: have the backing of Mercedes, winning the DTM champion last season. Missuses: may miss the drive due to his budget he will bring in as rumoured that Mercedes will bring in around £3 million to the team.
Rio Haryanto, positives: previous experience with the team as one of their GP3 driver back in 2010 and 2011 and he will bring in sponsorship from Indonesian oil and gas company Pertamina with a budget up to £10 million to the team. Missuses: not the most talented driver between the four drivers I am talking on his post.
If I was the team boss at Manor (who ever that is still)? I pick Alexander Rossi and Pascal Wehrlein for their talent, but the likely happening will be Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto because of sponsorship from Mercedes via Wehrlein, and sponsorship from Indonesian via Haryanto as the team still needs the money to get through 2016.
Time will tell who will be driving for Manor this season in a few weeks time.
2016 Dubai 24 Hour race review
Last weekend was the eleventh annual Dubai 24 hour race at the Dubai Autodrome in Dubai (15-16th January). Belgium Audi Sport Team WRT team was victories at the Dubai 24 in their Audi R8 LMS; with team of Laurens Vanthoor, Stuart Leonard, Michael Meadows and Alain Ferte came out on top to win this years Dubai 24 hour race in 588 laps in total.
While the Black Falcon team came in second place in their Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3; with team of Oli Webb, Adam Christodoulou, Abdulaziz al Faisal, Oliver Morley and Frank Montecalvo as drivers. They were five laps behind the leaders at the end of the 24 hour race.
While the C.ABT Racing team came in third place in their Audi R8 LMS; with Christer Jons, Isaac Tutumlu, Daniel Abt, Andreas Weishaupt and Matias Henkola as drivers, they were eight laps behind the leaders at the end of the 24 hours race.
While the Black Falcon team came in second place in their Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3; with team of Oli Webb, Adam Christodoulou, Abdulaziz al Faisal, Oliver Morley and Frank Montecalvo as drivers. They were five laps behind the leaders at the end of the 24 hour race.
While the C.ABT Racing team came in third place in their Audi R8 LMS; with Christer Jons, Isaac Tutumlu, Daniel Abt, Andreas Weishaupt and Matias Henkola as drivers, they were eight laps behind the leaders at the end of the 24 hours race.
Sunday 17 January 2016
Ski Sunday (The Max Verstappen Edition)
Normally, you don't really see a Formula 1 car at all driving in the snow. For this post you do, with current Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen driving the 2011 Red Bull RB7 with studded Pirelli tyres on the slopes of Kitzbuhel, Austria causing havoc. Enjoy.
Friday 15 January 2016
Jost Capito joins McLaren as their Chief Executive Officer
It was confirmed on Thursday (14/1/16), Volkswagen Director of Motorsport Jost Capito has joined McLaren as their position of Chief Executive Officer, while former McLaren Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Neale becomes Chief Operating Officer at McLaren Technology.
Capito has worked for Sauber and Ford in the early 2000s in Formula 1 and fronted Volkswagen's successful WRC period. Which they won three successive championships between 2013 and 2015. Capito won't start his job at McLaren until Volkswagen appoint his successor. Therefore he might not start his job before the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March.
Surprising news as I never saw it coming, but the decision for McLaren to hire Jost Capito could be the right decision for McLaren back to winning ways in the years to come.
Capito has worked for Sauber and Ford in the early 2000s in Formula 1 and fronted Volkswagen's successful WRC period. Which they won three successive championships between 2013 and 2015. Capito won't start his job at McLaren until Volkswagen appoint his successor. Therefore he might not start his job before the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March.
Surprising news as I never saw it coming, but the decision for McLaren to hire Jost Capito could be the right decision for McLaren back to winning ways in the years to come.
Tuesday 5 January 2016
Top Six Group B Rally Cars!
With the death of Group B coming up 30 years back were there was no rules when Group B regulations fostered some of the quickest, most powerful and sophisticated rally cars ever built. However, Thirty-one people were injured and three were killed during 1986 Portuguese Rally when one of the Group B rally cars lost control by an inexperienced driver. Then the death of Henri Toivonen and his co-driver Sergio Cresto in the 1986 Tour de Corse which finished off Group B rallying altogether to end the golden era of rallying. So this post will be top six Group B rally cars starting with Number 6:
Number 6: 1985-86 MG Metro 6R4
Story: The MG Metro 6R4 uses a mid-engine 3-litre (2.5 litre in Group B due to weight) MG V6 engine producing 250 bhp for street form and 410 bhp for rallying. The MG Metro 6R4 only managed one podium finish in 1985 with Tony Pond taking the honours with third place at the 1985 RAC Rally.
Number 5: 1986 Ford RS200
Story: The Ford RS200 uses a mid-engine Ford 1.8 litre in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 250 bhp in street form. But, in Group B rally form the Ford RS200 produces 420 bhp. The Ford RS200 only managed one podium finish in 1986 with Kalle Grundel taking the honours with third place at the 1986 Rally Sweden.
Number 4: 1982-86 Lancia 037
Story: The first of the Group B rally cars, The Lancia 037 uses a 2.1 litre 4-cylinder supercharged engine that produces 350 bhp. The Lancia 037 never won the WRC Drivers' titles in 1983. But, it did win the manufacturers' championship in the 1983 season. And it would be the last rear-wheel drive car to win the manufacturers' championship in the WRC, after that four wheel drive was the way to win rallies. Overall, the 037 took six WRC wins in four seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Walter Röhrl and Markku Alén. The Lancia 037 took Lancia to one WRC Manufacture titles in 1983.
Number 3: 1985-86 Lancia Delta S4
Story: The Lancia Delta S4 uses a mid-engine Lancia 1.8 litre in-line 4-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged engine that produces over 480 bhp. In competition the car won its first event, the 1985 RAC Rally in the hands of Henri Toivonen and carried Markku Alén to second in the drivers' championship the following year in 1986. Overall, the Delta S4 took five WRC wins in two seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Henri Toivonen, Markku Alén, and Miki Biasion.
Number 2: 1983-86 Audi Quattro
Story: The Audi Quattro used a front-engine Audi 2.1 litre in-line 5-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 197 bhp in street form and in Group B rally form produces over 590 bhp. The Audi Quattro was the first rally car to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of four-wheel drive in competition rally. Overall the Audi Quattro took twenty-three WRC wins (thirteen WRC wins in Group B spec) between 1981 to 1986 in the hands of Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist and Walter Röhrl. The Audi Quattro took Audi to one WRC Manufacture titles in 1984. And two WRC Drivers' titles with Timo Salonen in 1983 and Stig Blomqvist in 1984.
Number 1: 1984-86 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16
Story: The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 is possibly the best rally car Peugeot has ever created. The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 uses a mid-engine Peugeot 1.8 litre in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 197 bhp in street form and in Group B rally form produces over 450 bhp. Overall, the 205 Turbo 16 took sixteen WRC wins in three seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Ari Vatanen, Bruno Saby, Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen. The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 took Peugeot to two WRC Manufacture titles in 1985 and 1986. And two WRC Drivers' titles with Timo Salonen in 1985 and Juha Kankkunen in 1986. To give the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 the best Group B rally car ever!
Number 6: 1985-86 MG Metro 6R4
Story: The MG Metro 6R4 uses a mid-engine 3-litre (2.5 litre in Group B due to weight) MG V6 engine producing 250 bhp for street form and 410 bhp for rallying. The MG Metro 6R4 only managed one podium finish in 1985 with Tony Pond taking the honours with third place at the 1985 RAC Rally.
Number 5: 1986 Ford RS200
Story: The Ford RS200 uses a mid-engine Ford 1.8 litre in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 250 bhp in street form. But, in Group B rally form the Ford RS200 produces 420 bhp. The Ford RS200 only managed one podium finish in 1986 with Kalle Grundel taking the honours with third place at the 1986 Rally Sweden.
Number 4: 1982-86 Lancia 037
Story: The first of the Group B rally cars, The Lancia 037 uses a 2.1 litre 4-cylinder supercharged engine that produces 350 bhp. The Lancia 037 never won the WRC Drivers' titles in 1983. But, it did win the manufacturers' championship in the 1983 season. And it would be the last rear-wheel drive car to win the manufacturers' championship in the WRC, after that four wheel drive was the way to win rallies. Overall, the 037 took six WRC wins in four seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Walter Röhrl and Markku Alén. The Lancia 037 took Lancia to one WRC Manufacture titles in 1983.
Number 3: 1985-86 Lancia Delta S4
Story: The Lancia Delta S4 uses a mid-engine Lancia 1.8 litre in-line 4-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged engine that produces over 480 bhp. In competition the car won its first event, the 1985 RAC Rally in the hands of Henri Toivonen and carried Markku Alén to second in the drivers' championship the following year in 1986. Overall, the Delta S4 took five WRC wins in two seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Henri Toivonen, Markku Alén, and Miki Biasion.
Number 2: 1983-86 Audi Quattro
Story: The Audi Quattro used a front-engine Audi 2.1 litre in-line 5-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 197 bhp in street form and in Group B rally form produces over 590 bhp. The Audi Quattro was the first rally car to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of four-wheel drive in competition rally. Overall the Audi Quattro took twenty-three WRC wins (thirteen WRC wins in Group B spec) between 1981 to 1986 in the hands of Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist and Walter Röhrl. The Audi Quattro took Audi to one WRC Manufacture titles in 1984. And two WRC Drivers' titles with Timo Salonen in 1983 and Stig Blomqvist in 1984.
Number 1: 1984-86 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16
Story: The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 is possibly the best rally car Peugeot has ever created. The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 uses a mid-engine Peugeot 1.8 litre in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 197 bhp in street form and in Group B rally form produces over 450 bhp. Overall, the 205 Turbo 16 took sixteen WRC wins in three seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Ari Vatanen, Bruno Saby, Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen. The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 took Peugeot to two WRC Manufacture titles in 1985 and 1986. And two WRC Drivers' titles with Timo Salonen in 1985 and Juha Kankkunen in 1986. To give the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 the best Group B rally car ever!
Monday 4 January 2016
Seven predictions for 2016
Happy new year to all, with the first post of 2016. And just like last year and the year before, this post instead of five predictions in previous years its seven predictions for 2016, if this happen or not this more of a fun post on what might happen.
Number 1, McLaren to score at least 120 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
McLaren only managed just 27 points last season with their brand new power-units from Honda which had massive faults from their internal combustion engine at the first few races of the season and their hybrid system for the whole of the 2015. With Honda could sort most of their problems from their power-units going into 2016 and McLaren having two world class drivers in Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. I am predicting that McLaren will score at least 120 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings and that would be enough for at least the top five of the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
Number 2, 14-0 wins for VW in the WRC this season.
Well this prediction almost happen in 2014 when VW won twelve out of thirteen rallies in 2014 with Sébastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala. Volkswagen won twelve rallies in 2015 with Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen. And this year in the WRC, with Citroen having a limited program this season, if Hyundai and M-Sport teams don't win a rally in 2016, Volkswagen could do a white wash of rally wins this season may happen and I am predicting a 14-0 wins for Volkswagen in the WRC this season.
Number 3, Red Bull to win at least two Grand Prixs in 2016.
With Red Bull staying with Renault power next season (under Tag Huger name next season), I feel three things will happen for the team next season. Red Bull will finish in the top four of the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016, out perform the Renault team, and finally ambitiously from my side of predicting that Red Bull will win at least two Grand Prixs next season as Renault will step up their power-units for 2016.
Number 4, Casey Stoner back in MotoGP as a Ducati wild card rider.
This might not sound stupid as it seems. With Ducati signed former MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner for 2016 in the role of brand ambassador and test rider for the MotoGP team. So don't be at all surprise if Stoner returns to Ducati in the premier class taking on a few wild card appearances this season in MotoGP.
Number 5, Manor to score at least a point in Formula 1 this season.
With Manor F1 Team using Mercedes power-units, Williams transmission and suspension components, and a brand new car from Manor for 2016. Despite, not signing driver yet for 2016 I am predicting that just like in 2014, Manor will score at least a point in Formula 1 this season whoever is driving the car.
Number 6, Ford to win LMGTE Pro Class at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans.
I must admit is prediction is very ambitious. Ford will returns to Le Mans for the first time in over 45 years and Chip Ganassi Racing building the new Ford GT which will be Ganassi's first time at Le Mans going head-to-head with factory likes of Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette and Aston Martin. With the team having a few races under their belt before Le Mans, so I am predicting that Ford will win LMGTE Pro Class at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Number 7, Haas to finish ninth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
As it is Haas F1 Team's first season in Formula 1 and with history shows its usually a difficult first season for new Grand Prix team. However, this team will be different going into 2016 basically the Ferrari B-Team with most of the rear of the car will be the same as the 2016 Ferrari car includes power unit, gearbox and rear suspension from Ferrari. Esteban Gutiérrez coming in from Ferrari as a driver. And a world class driver of Romain Grosjean coming in from Lotus. With all those things and the most ambitious prediction for this year I am predicting that Haas will finish ninth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016 beating the likes of Manor, Sauber and maybe Toro Rosso for 2016.
As I said at the start of the post, this is a fun post on what might happen, would any prediction might happen? maybe one or two, I have to wait till late November to find out.
Number 1, McLaren to score at least 120 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
McLaren only managed just 27 points last season with their brand new power-units from Honda which had massive faults from their internal combustion engine at the first few races of the season and their hybrid system for the whole of the 2015. With Honda could sort most of their problems from their power-units going into 2016 and McLaren having two world class drivers in Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. I am predicting that McLaren will score at least 120 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings and that would be enough for at least the top five of the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
Number 2, 14-0 wins for VW in the WRC this season.
Well this prediction almost happen in 2014 when VW won twelve out of thirteen rallies in 2014 with Sébastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala. Volkswagen won twelve rallies in 2015 with Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen. And this year in the WRC, with Citroen having a limited program this season, if Hyundai and M-Sport teams don't win a rally in 2016, Volkswagen could do a white wash of rally wins this season may happen and I am predicting a 14-0 wins for Volkswagen in the WRC this season.
Number 3, Red Bull to win at least two Grand Prixs in 2016.
With Red Bull staying with Renault power next season (under Tag Huger name next season), I feel three things will happen for the team next season. Red Bull will finish in the top four of the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016, out perform the Renault team, and finally ambitiously from my side of predicting that Red Bull will win at least two Grand Prixs next season as Renault will step up their power-units for 2016.
Number 4, Casey Stoner back in MotoGP as a Ducati wild card rider.
This might not sound stupid as it seems. With Ducati signed former MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner for 2016 in the role of brand ambassador and test rider for the MotoGP team. So don't be at all surprise if Stoner returns to Ducati in the premier class taking on a few wild card appearances this season in MotoGP.
Number 5, Manor to score at least a point in Formula 1 this season.
With Manor F1 Team using Mercedes power-units, Williams transmission and suspension components, and a brand new car from Manor for 2016. Despite, not signing driver yet for 2016 I am predicting that just like in 2014, Manor will score at least a point in Formula 1 this season whoever is driving the car.
Number 6, Ford to win LMGTE Pro Class at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans.
I must admit is prediction is very ambitious. Ford will returns to Le Mans for the first time in over 45 years and Chip Ganassi Racing building the new Ford GT which will be Ganassi's first time at Le Mans going head-to-head with factory likes of Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette and Aston Martin. With the team having a few races under their belt before Le Mans, so I am predicting that Ford will win LMGTE Pro Class at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Number 7, Haas to finish ninth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
As it is Haas F1 Team's first season in Formula 1 and with history shows its usually a difficult first season for new Grand Prix team. However, this team will be different going into 2016 basically the Ferrari B-Team with most of the rear of the car will be the same as the 2016 Ferrari car includes power unit, gearbox and rear suspension from Ferrari. Esteban Gutiérrez coming in from Ferrari as a driver. And a world class driver of Romain Grosjean coming in from Lotus. With all those things and the most ambitious prediction for this year I am predicting that Haas will finish ninth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016 beating the likes of Manor, Sauber and maybe Toro Rosso for 2016.
As I said at the start of the post, this is a fun post on what might happen, would any prediction might happen? maybe one or two, I have to wait till late November to find out.
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