The half term review of Formula 1 season so far, with the next race is in three weeks time. Last year I use twitter (@JHonMotorsport) for the half term review. But, instead of using twitter from last season, I will typing it on the blog itself this season. Which I will say one sentence that will be positive with each team. And one sentence that will be negative for each team. Also, I will include with this post my Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2012 so far below.
Red Bull:
+ Best car on the grid so far with the RB8.
- Their advantages are disappearing with areo spec and engine mapping name as a few.
McLaren:
+ Fastest car on the grid when need to win (Melbourne, Montreal and Hungaroring)
- Have not been constantly that may cost McLaren a constructor championship and Lewis Hamilton a drivers championship.
Ferrari:
+ Best driver on the grid with Fernando Alonso, with one of the ugliest Ferrari F1 car ever that took Alonso on top the driver standings so far, has done some brilliant driving this season too (Sepang, Valencia and Hockenheim).
- Filipe Massa has been the weakest link in the team, only 25 points compare to Alonso 164 points in the drivers standings so far, that may cost Ferrari a constructors championship this year.
Mercedes
+ Mercedes first win as a constructor since Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1955 Italian Grand Prix with Nico Rosberg at this seasons Chinese Grand Prix.
- Michael Schumacher been unluckiest driver this season, should have more points he has got with 29 points so far this season, the only crumb of comfort is a third place podium at Valencia.
Lotus
+ The first time for six seasons for the team, the car is at its best to challenge for both championships if the luck is there with some great driving between returning Kimi Räikkonen and Romain Grosjean so far this season.
- Both Kimi Räikkonen and Lotus are missing out a few race wins this season (Bahrain, Barcalona and Hungaroring).
Force India
+ Both Paul di Resta and Nico Hülkenberg are showing why they have the potential to be in any top four team within Formula 1 so far this season
- VJM05 is lacking all-round pace to give great results for the team this season and getting a sixth or a seventh place in the constructors championship for Force India
Sauber
+ Some impressive races from both Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Pérez this season that could give Sauber a shot of finishing fifth in the constructors championship, if the luck is there.
- C31 needs some more race pace to be more constantly because the car can give Kobayashi and Pérez a few more podiums this season.
Scuderia Toro Rosso
+ Both Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Éric Vergne are showing why they are in Formula 1 with some decent performances
- STR7 is showing why both drivers isn't competitive this season with only 6 pionts so far.
Williams
+ A better car and year from last season, which gives Pastor Maldonado a famous race win at Barcelona for Williams Renault.
- Pastor Maldonado has cost Williams too many points this season that the team a possibility of having a possible top five in the constructors championship this season, but with too many silly mistakes that cost him some points positions since winning at Barcelona.
Caterham
+ Some impressive race performances from both Heikki Kovalainen (Monaco and Valencia) and Vitaly Petrov (Sepang and Valencia) this season.
- Caterham have improved their performance to catch up with the midfield teams this season, but not close enough to catch up with the midfield teams above.
HRT
+ Despite his only 41, but Pedro de la Rosa is still showing how pace his still got to give for HRT this season.
- Narain Karthikeyan pace isn't impressive this year, despite his bringing in sponsorship from India.
Marussia
+ Charles Pic has been impressive during his debut season, even out performing team-mate Timo Glock in recent races.
- Despite Marussia have got a wind-tunnel to develop their car this season, but they are not catching up the likes of Caterham in race-pace, more like HRT are catching up Marussia for race-pace at this part of the season so far.
I did this last season for my end of season review of my Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2011. So it returns, my Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2012 so far this season, this is the part who was in my top 10 so far this season, not in championship order, so his list doesn't includes Felipe Massa, Bruno Senna or Pastor Maldonado for example. So here is my list below.
My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2012 so far this season:
1. Ferando Alonso (Ferrari) - Best driver on the grid this season so far with strong possibility of winning the drivers championship.
2. Mark Webber (Red Bull) - Being constant with his finishes this season and winning important races this season (Monaco and Silverstone), can still win the drivers championship.
3. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) - Only one win so far from the double world champion, should be more wins if Vettel had a bit more luck, can still win the drivers championship still the second half of the seson.
4. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - Still fast as ever, but still inconstant by the constantly of McLaren this season, still can win the drivers championship.
5. Kimi Räikkonen (Lotus) - Return of the former champion back into F1, been constant this season, still can win the drivers championship but need wins to win it.
6. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - Some great results this season (Shanghai and Monaco), but Mercedes inconstantly has cost Nico a challenge for the drivers championship this season.
7. Jenson Button (McLaren) - Started well in Melbourne, then after Shanghai things started to feel apart, poor luck and no luck with the Pirelli tyres that possibly cost him a second drivers championship this season.
8. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) - His first stint in F1 was poor, his second stint to the sport is way better, and few podiums so far this season and more to come from the GP2 Champion.
9. Sergio Pérez (Sauber) - Race pace is great as ever, when he uses old tyres for a one stop strategy to collect impressive points for the Sauber and could have won in Sepang, Ferrari drive possible for 2013.
10. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) - Despite the luckless start to the season, and showing some of his old form, Schumacher can match the pace of the best on his days.
End of a super long post/blog for now. A new shorter post soon. That is all. Bye.
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Rally America Round 5 Recap, IRC Round 7 and 8 Recaps and WRC Round 8 Recap
Recaps of last round of Rally America, the last two rounds from the IRC and this weekend recap of the WRC in round 8 at Rally Finland. First, with Round 7 and 8 of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge rounds at Rally San Marino and Sibiu Rally Romania. Seventh round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge at the Rally San Marino (6-7th July) was won by 2007 IRC champion Giandomenico Basso in his Ford Fiesta RRC, three seconds ahead of current IRC Champion Andreas Mikkelsen in his Škoda Fabia S2000 who finished in second place in the rally. While, Umberto Scandola finished 3rd in his Škoda Fabia S2000.
While, Round 8 at Sibiu Rally Romania (20th-21st July) in Romania. Was won by current IRC Champion Andreas Mikkelsen in his Škoda Fabia S2000, has over five and a half minutes ahead of Patrik Flodin in his Ford Fiesta S2000. While, François Delecour finished third in his Peugeot 207 S2000. Highlights below of the rally.
While in the Rally America Championship (13-14th July), was at New England Forest Rally in New Hampshire and Maine, United States. Was won by 2010 Rally America champion Antoine L'Estage in his 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. While, 2011 champion David Higgins finished second place, 21 seconds behind in his 2012 Subaru WRX STI.
Which gives Higgins the 2012 Rally America Championship with a round to spare over L'Estage who's currently second in the championship. So contractions to David Higgins and his co-driver Craig Drew for winning the 2012 Rally America drivers championship and winning the Rally America championship for a second time in a row and for the forth time as-well. Some Youtube footage from Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2012 New England Forest Rally.
While in this weekends Round Eight of the World rally Championship at the Rally Finland (2nd-4th August) was won by Eight times World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb in his Citroen DS3, just 7 seconds ahead of Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen, to make a Citroen one-two for a fourth time in a row this season. While, Jari-Matti Latvala finished third in his Ford Fiesta RS ahead of Ford team mate Petter Solberg in forth place.
Sébastien Loeb is still leading the WRC drivers championship, while Citroen are still leading the manufuters championship from Ford. Highlights bellow of Day 3 at Rally Finland, enjoy.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
While, Round 8 at Sibiu Rally Romania (20th-21st July) in Romania. Was won by current IRC Champion Andreas Mikkelsen in his Škoda Fabia S2000, has over five and a half minutes ahead of Patrik Flodin in his Ford Fiesta S2000. While, François Delecour finished third in his Peugeot 207 S2000. Highlights below of the rally.
While in the Rally America Championship (13-14th July), was at New England Forest Rally in New Hampshire and Maine, United States. Was won by 2010 Rally America champion Antoine L'Estage in his 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. While, 2011 champion David Higgins finished second place, 21 seconds behind in his 2012 Subaru WRX STI.
Which gives Higgins the 2012 Rally America Championship with a round to spare over L'Estage who's currently second in the championship. So contractions to David Higgins and his co-driver Craig Drew for winning the 2012 Rally America drivers championship and winning the Rally America championship for a second time in a row and for the forth time as-well. Some Youtube footage from Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2012 New England Forest Rally.
While in this weekends Round Eight of the World rally Championship at the Rally Finland (2nd-4th August) was won by Eight times World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb in his Citroen DS3, just 7 seconds ahead of Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen, to make a Citroen one-two for a fourth time in a row this season. While, Jari-Matti Latvala finished third in his Ford Fiesta RS ahead of Ford team mate Petter Solberg in forth place.
Sébastien Loeb is still leading the WRC drivers championship, while Citroen are still leading the manufuters championship from Ford. Highlights bellow of Day 3 at Rally Finland, enjoy.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
Saturday, 4 August 2012
MotoGP US Grand Prix thoughts of the race and Ben Spies leaving Yamaha at the end of the season
Quick thoughts on the race from last Sundays race (29/7/12) at the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca and thoughts on Ben Spies leaving Yamaha at the end of the season.
The race itself was a good race overall and a great win for the current champion Casy Stoner at Laguna Seca, on his works Repsol Honda, a great battle from the start to the middle of the race between himself and Jorge Lorenzo, then Casey Stoner took the lead from Jorge Lorenzo (who started from pole (anyway) till the checkered flag. A great win from Casey Stoner. Jorge Lorenzo meanwhile on his Yamaha finished second overall, three and a half seconds behind Stoner. While, Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda was only eight seconds behind team-mate Stoner at the end, who finished in third place.
It was announced last Tuesday (24/7/12) that former World Superbikes 2010 champion and current Ben Spies will be leaving Yamaha at the end of the season. Which was a complete shock in my opinion, I thought he would have stayed at Yamaha in 2013. But, Spies was offer by Yamaha a contract for 2013. Also strong rumours Spies has got a two year deal with BMW in World Superbikes in 2013, maybe in 2014 with BMW in MotoGP if costs are cheap.
But, my opinion about Ben Spies is a talented rider won the 2009 World Superbikes Championship in his first season. Top rookie in MotoGP back in 2010 with Tech3 in his first proper season. Last year with the Works Yamaha, won the Dutch GP, very convincing. Valencia GP he almost won the race on the last lap. This season he looks so unlucky this season, behind all the Yamaha riders in the standings, had a horrible race weekend in Laguna Seca. If his going back to BMW in World Superbikes next year it will be a wired choice because he is a talented rider in MotoGP. But, could he win a MotoGP championship, doubt it. Leaving Yamaha last week was a complete shock out of the blue. I even heard a rumour he could be ridding for Suzuki for the next two seasons. Riding the new Suzuki GSV-R machine at the later end of 2013 season.
So who would replace Ben Spies at Yamaha for 2013 and strong possibility this weekend that Valentino Rossi could be returning/joining with Jorge Lorenzo at Yamaha for the next two seasons instead of extending his contract at Ducati, with will be the surprise of the year if he returns to Yamaha.
Speaking of Ducati, Nicky Hayden has signed a contract with the works Ducati team for another season with a strong possibility of Cal Crutchlow being his team mate for 2013. Last two week been surprising with all these rumours and news and time will tell at both works Ducati and Yamaha teams for 2013.
Anyway, end of post/blog for now, that is all, bye.
The race itself was a good race overall and a great win for the current champion Casy Stoner at Laguna Seca, on his works Repsol Honda, a great battle from the start to the middle of the race between himself and Jorge Lorenzo, then Casey Stoner took the lead from Jorge Lorenzo (who started from pole (anyway) till the checkered flag. A great win from Casey Stoner. Jorge Lorenzo meanwhile on his Yamaha finished second overall, three and a half seconds behind Stoner. While, Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda was only eight seconds behind team-mate Stoner at the end, who finished in third place.
It was announced last Tuesday (24/7/12) that former World Superbikes 2010 champion and current Ben Spies will be leaving Yamaha at the end of the season. Which was a complete shock in my opinion, I thought he would have stayed at Yamaha in 2013. But, Spies was offer by Yamaha a contract for 2013. Also strong rumours Spies has got a two year deal with BMW in World Superbikes in 2013, maybe in 2014 with BMW in MotoGP if costs are cheap.
But, my opinion about Ben Spies is a talented rider won the 2009 World Superbikes Championship in his first season. Top rookie in MotoGP back in 2010 with Tech3 in his first proper season. Last year with the Works Yamaha, won the Dutch GP, very convincing. Valencia GP he almost won the race on the last lap. This season he looks so unlucky this season, behind all the Yamaha riders in the standings, had a horrible race weekend in Laguna Seca. If his going back to BMW in World Superbikes next year it will be a wired choice because he is a talented rider in MotoGP. But, could he win a MotoGP championship, doubt it. Leaving Yamaha last week was a complete shock out of the blue. I even heard a rumour he could be ridding for Suzuki for the next two seasons. Riding the new Suzuki GSV-R machine at the later end of 2013 season.
So who would replace Ben Spies at Yamaha for 2013 and strong possibility this weekend that Valentino Rossi could be returning/joining with Jorge Lorenzo at Yamaha for the next two seasons instead of extending his contract at Ducati, with will be the surprise of the year if he returns to Yamaha.
Speaking of Ducati, Nicky Hayden has signed a contract with the works Ducati team for another season with a strong possibility of Cal Crutchlow being his team mate for 2013. Last two week been surprising with all these rumours and news and time will tell at both works Ducati and Yamaha teams for 2013.
Anyway, end of post/blog for now, that is all, bye.
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
2012 Spa 24 hour race review/highlights
Last weekend was the annual Spa 24 hour race (28-29th July). And Surprise, surprise Audi completed a unique hat-trick by adding victory at the Spa 24 Hours to its triumphs in this year's Le Mans 24 Hours and the Nurburgring 24 Hours (this that a first?). The Audi Sport Team Phoenix with an Audi R8 LMS ultra GT3 race car of Frank Stippler, Rene Rast and Andrea Piccini came out on top to win this years Spa 24 Hours race in 509 laps in total. While team mates in the other Team Phoenix Audi R8 LMS ultra GT3 of Christopher Haase, Christopher Mies and Stephane Ortelli finished second with a lap behind to make an Audi one-two. While the BMW/Vita4One Racing Team of Mathias Lauda, Gregory Franchi, and Frank Kechele finished third with a lap behind the leaders in their BMW Z4 GT3 race car.
While at Spa the Drive crew, presented by Leo Parente, did some very good YouTube videos about the race at Spa with the Gulf Racing UK with their McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car with Michael Wainwright, Robert Bell and Andy Meyerick as drivers. The Drive team focus on the pre-race and mid-race with the Gulf Racing UK team. Chatting with McLaren Mp4-12C GT3 test driver Robert Bell talked about the McLaren in the pre-race episode.
But, unlucky Gulf Racing UK team only managed 11 hours and 203 laps in the Spa 24 Hours race this year. Shame, maybe next year. So 2012 Spa 24 Hours race Highlights below. Enjoy.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
While at Spa the Drive crew, presented by Leo Parente, did some very good YouTube videos about the race at Spa with the Gulf Racing UK with their McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car with Michael Wainwright, Robert Bell and Andy Meyerick as drivers. The Drive team focus on the pre-race and mid-race with the Gulf Racing UK team. Chatting with McLaren Mp4-12C GT3 test driver Robert Bell talked about the McLaren in the pre-race episode.
But, unlucky Gulf Racing UK team only managed 11 hours and 203 laps in the Spa 24 Hours race this year. Shame, maybe next year. So 2012 Spa 24 Hours race Highlights below. Enjoy.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
Monday, 30 July 2012
2012 Hungarian Grand Prix Review and thoughts
2012 Hungarian Grand Prix review of the eleventh race of the F1 season at Hungaroring, and a few thoughts on the race and the battle for the drivers championship.
Good points
Bad points
A dominating race weekend from Lewis Hamilton, from pole position on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday. Despite, the challenges from both Lotus drivers', Romain Grosjean at the start and middle, and Kimi Räikkönen right at the end. As for Kimi, a great race that the 2007 champion could have won in the end if Lewis tyres went off. Still a good performance from the former champion. Even on Sunday morning there were rumours that KImi Räikkönen could be returning to Ferrari for 2013 teaming up with Alonso, which I acan't see it happen. I think Ferrari already knows who is teaming up with as Alonso's team mate for 2013 anyway.
And now with Alonso he was leading the drivers championship with 34 points ahead after Hockenheim, and now after the Hungaroring, his ahead of Mark Webber with 40 points. Despite, he only finished forth place in the race, Sebastian Vettel is third in the standings with 42 points behind Alonso. While former champions Lewis Hamilton is only 47pts behind and Kimi Räikkönen only 48pts behind Alonso in the drivers championship with nine races to go. Can Webber, Vettel, Hamilton and Räikkönen can still catch up in the drivers championship and still win it? Only a little bit of luck is needed in my opinion. It's Alonso's championship for the taking dare to say.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
Good points
- Lewis Hamilton (pole to finished with a race win)
- Lotus F1 Team (Kimi Räikkönen finished 2nd, Romain Grosjean finished 3rd)
- Fernando Alonso (finished 5th)
- Bruno Senna (finished 7th)
- Charles Pic (finished 20th, ahead of team-mate Timo Glock)
Bad points
- Mark Webber (finished 8th, now 40 points behind Alonso in the standings)
- Pastor Maldonado (finished 13th, received a drive-through penalty for barging Paul di Resta's Force India aside in one of the race's few concerted passing attempts in the middle of the race)
- Narain Karthikeyan (DNF, Suspension)
- Michael Schumacher (he turned his own engine off at the beginning of the race in a misunderstanding over the delayed start in the race had a puncture, a pitlane speeding penalty, then late on the race with a DNF with a Mechanical problem)
A dominating race weekend from Lewis Hamilton, from pole position on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday. Despite, the challenges from both Lotus drivers', Romain Grosjean at the start and middle, and Kimi Räikkönen right at the end. As for Kimi, a great race that the 2007 champion could have won in the end if Lewis tyres went off. Still a good performance from the former champion. Even on Sunday morning there were rumours that KImi Räikkönen could be returning to Ferrari for 2013 teaming up with Alonso, which I acan't see it happen. I think Ferrari already knows who is teaming up with as Alonso's team mate for 2013 anyway.
And now with Alonso he was leading the drivers championship with 34 points ahead after Hockenheim, and now after the Hungaroring, his ahead of Mark Webber with 40 points. Despite, he only finished forth place in the race, Sebastian Vettel is third in the standings with 42 points behind Alonso. While former champions Lewis Hamilton is only 47pts behind and Kimi Räikkönen only 48pts behind Alonso in the drivers championship with nine races to go. Can Webber, Vettel, Hamilton and Räikkönen can still catch up in the drivers championship and still win it? Only a little bit of luck is needed in my opinion. It's Alonso's championship for the taking dare to say.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB Round 4 recap
Round 4 recap of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB at Croft (21-22/07/2012 ). The first race was won by Justin Sherwood in his Porsche 911 GT3. While in second race at Croft, that was won by Steven Liquorishin his Porsche 911 GT3. James Birch only managed a 3rd and 2nd in those two races at Croft. But, he is still leading the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge by 20 points ahead of Steven Liquorish. YouTube video below of two highlight races at Croft from Porsche.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Aero tech news: The Mercedes W03's DRS / F-Duct System and Ferrari F2012 W-duct system revealed
Aero tech post in this post, Mercedes AMG secret weapon since the start of the season is there super DRS/F-Duct System, which the video below from Sky Sports F1 explains quite well on how it works.
Last weekend at the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, Lotus have bring out their version of the super DRS/F-Duct System onto Kimi Räikkönen's car. Which the super DRS/F-Duct system is much effected in dry qualifying sessions.
Also, Ferrari have put on their F2012 at the start of the season a W-duct system in their front nose this season, a great 3D YouTube from last years Ferrari F1 car, video below on how it works.
Anyway, end of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
Last weekend at the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, Lotus have bring out their version of the super DRS/F-Duct System onto Kimi Räikkönen's car. Which the super DRS/F-Duct system is much effected in dry qualifying sessions.
Also, Ferrari have put on their F2012 at the start of the season a W-duct system in their front nose this season, a great 3D YouTube from last years Ferrari F1 car, video below on how it works.
Anyway, end of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
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