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.

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

• 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.

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.

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.

2012 German Grand Prix Review, quick thoughts and Hungarian Grand Prix predictions

2012 German Grand Prix review of the tenth race of the F1 season at Hockenheim, and thoughts on the race and predictions for next weeks Hungarian Grand Prix.

Good points

• Fernando Alonso (pole to finished with a race win)
• Jenson Button (finished 2nd)
• Kimi Räikkönen (finished 3rd)
• Sauber (Kamui Kobayashi finished 4th, Sergio Perez finished 6th, despite starting from 17th for a penalty from qualifying 2)
• Mercedes AMG (Michael Schumacher finished 7th and fastest lap of the race, Nico Rosberg finished 10th, despite starting from 21st from a gearbox change)
• Nico Hülkenberg (finished 9th)
• Vitaly Petrov (finished 16th, ahead of team-mate Heikki Kovalainen)
• Charles Pic (finished 20th, ahead of team-mate Timo Glock)

Bad points

• Mark Webber (finished 8th, gearbox change for a five grid place penalty, a race to forget for Webber)
• Lewis Hamilton (puncture on the third lap, DNF, Suspension)
• Filipe Massa (finished 12th, contact with Kimi Räikkönen at the start, which lost him his front wing)
• Williams (Pastor Maldonado finished 15th a lap down, Bruno Senna finished 17th contact with Romain Grosjean on the first lap)
• Romain Grosjean (finished 18th, contact with Bruno Senna on the first lap)
• Timo Glock (finished 22nd, three laps down behind team-mate on home grand prix)

A different way I am writing down in this weeks thoughts of the race. The race wasn't the best race this season. But, this race was more of how dominating Fernando Alonso is throughout the weekend when the Ferrari F2012 is on a dry track. At start of the season, Alosno's Ferrari on a dry track was only just managing finishing top eight's in the first few races apart from Malaysia. And since Barcelona, Alonso's Ferrari is now challenging for straight on for wins in the Ferrari. Even when he can't win the race, Alonso is on the podium positions and being constantly in the points in each race weekend this season.

So, well done for Fernando Alonso and Ferrari for winning last weekends German Grand Prix and proving F2012 is a fast car in the right hands with Alonso. And now, Alonso is 34 points ahead of Mark Webber and 44 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the drivers championship with half a season to go. Did anyone expect that at the start of the season?

And so this weekends Hungarian Grand Prix at Hungaroring outside of Budapest. Predictions for the race: Fernando Alonso for the win in the Ferrari, ahead of Mark Webber in the Red Bull and Jenson Button third in the Mclaren. Don't forget Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Pastor Maldonado the two Mercedes AMG drivers, the two Lotus F1 drivers or the two Sauber drivers as well.

End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.

F1 German Grand Prix Predictions

Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, home Grand Prix for Mercedes Benz and home Grand Prix for five Formula one drivers on the grid (Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hülkenberg and Timo Glock). So predictions for the race itself, a race win I predict for Mark Webber in his Red Bull, Fernando Alonso second in the Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel third in his Red Bull. Don't forget the two McLaren drivers, the two Lotus F1 Team drivers and two Mercedes AMG drivers as-well for a podium place too.

End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.

A Real F1 Driver Point Of View

What is like inside a formula 1 at eye level? this Formula 1 driver showed it. Former Virgin Racing driver and current Pirelli test driver Lucas di Grassi testing for Pirelli at a wet Spa Francorchamps. On his installation lap around the track, Lucas di Grassi put onto his crash helmet a eye-level High Definition Go-Pro camera to give a great idea what a Formula 1 car looks like driving at eye-view. Gives how really steep is Eau Rouge at 150 kph (93 mph). Even Lucas di Grassi quoted on his YouTube page saying:

"I had to drive with only one eye open as the camera was blocking my other eye, quite tricky"

And so the three minute footage from Lucas di Grassi's Youtube page below.



This footage below is a 17 minute uncut footage from Lucas di Grassi, from putting on his crash helmet to coming out of the F1 car 15-16 minutes later taking to this Pirelli Crew Chief and other Pirelli test rider and former Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari.



Great footage Lucas. Anyway, end of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.

When Formula 1 adds a Mario Kart style to make a new computer F1 game

Codemasters, who creates the current Dirt series and last few Formula 1 games recently, announced last week they are going to create a new Formula 1 game, putting a Mario Kart spin onto the sport on Formula 1. The game is going to be called 'F1 Race Stars', coming out on X-Box 360, PS3 and PC. It will be release in November 2012 and it will deliver licensed teams and famous drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in a 3D cartoon form. The game will also includes power-ups, gravity-defying adaptations to real tracks, such as Monaco, Silverstone and Austin, Texas in the USA.

Trailer and screen shots below.











End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.

McLaren MP4-22 vs Mercedes CLK Black Series vs Mercedes C-Class vs Mercedes C-Class DTM one lap race around Silverstone

This weekend is the Formula 1 German Grand Prix at Hockinheim and Mercedes-Benz's home Grand Prix. So this post is a Mercedes post. Back in 2007, when Fernando Alonso was driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. Mercedes Benz and Mobil 1 did a promotional video around Silverstone with Fernando Alonso driving the McLaren MP4-22, F1 safety car driver Bernd Mayländer in the 2008 Mercedes CLK Black Series, current DTM driver Susie Wolff in a 2008 Mercedes C-Class and current DTM Mercedes AMG works driver Jamie Green in a 2007 Mercedes C-Class DTM race car.

The facts: Susie Wolff's C-Class is 2.5 litre 4 cylinder producing 272 bhp. Bernd Mayländer's 2008 Mercedes CLK Black Series produces 507 bhp with a 6.3 litre V8. While, Jamie Green's 2007 Mercedes C-Class DTM race car has a 4.0 litre V8 producing 500 bhp. And Fernando Alonso's McLaren MP4-22 has a 2.4 litre V8 producing around 750 bhp. Who gonna win the race around one lap at SIlverstone. Commentary from Sky's Martin Brundle.



A Mercedes Benz F1 race winner for Hockinheim for this weekend? Anyway, end of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.

MotoGP Race Recaps, Rounds 7-8-9, Marc Márquez and Dani Pedrosa at Repsol Honda for the next two years

In this post, recap of the last three back to back to back MotoGP race recaps from Assen (30/6/12), Sachsenring (8/7/12) and Mugello (15/7/12). And recent news of Marc Márquez riding at Repsol Honda in the MotoGP class in 2013.

Round 7 (30/6/12) was on the Assen track in Holland. Casey Stoner won the race on his Repsol Honda, ahead of team mate Dani Pedrosa on his Honda five seconds behind team-mate Stoner at the end. While, Andrea Dovizioso finished third on his Tech 3 Yamaha. While championship leader Jorge Lorenzo on his works Yamaha crashed out on the first lap by Álvaro Bautista on the Gresini Honda who also crashed out of the race too on the first lap.

Round 8 (8/7/12) was at the Sachsenring in Germany. Dani Pedrosa won his first race of the season on his Repsol Honda, would have been ahead of team mate Casey Stoner. But, the current MotoGP champion crashed out on the last lap with a few corners to go on his Honda. So Jorge Lorenzo on the works Yamaha took second place overall, 15 seconds behind Pedrosa at the end. While, Andrea Dovizioso finished third again on his Tech 3 Yamaha, just ahead of Ben Spies on the works Yamaha.

Round 9 (15/7/12) was at Mugello in Italy. Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo won the race on his works Yamaha, over five seconds ahead of pole sitter Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda. While, Andrea Dovizioso once again finished third on his Tech 3 Yamaha. While, current champion Casey Stoner only managed to finished in 8th place. Which means Jorge Lorenzo is leading the championship by 19 points ahead of Dani Pedrosa, while Casey Stoner is now 37 points behind Lorenzo.

Almost two months back, Casey Stoner announced he is retiring at the end of the season, and five weeks back Jorge Lorenzo announced he will be staying at Yamaha for two more years, until the end of the 2014 season. There's a strong possibility that Marc Márquez would replace Casey Stoner for 2013 at Repsol Honda. It was announced on Thursday Morning (12/7/12) that current Moto2 leader Marc Márquez will be at Repsol Honda for the next two years, until the end of the 2014 season. Teaming up with Dani Pedrosa ,who also was announced that Pedrosa had signed a two-year contract extension with the Repsol Honda team to make an all Spanish line up for 2013 and 2014.

My opinion I think Marc Márquez would have gone into the MotoGP class for works Honda team anyway, not a big surprise that Honda put him into a works Honda ride. Remember 2006, Dani Pedrosa went up into the Premier Class, won a few races in that year and was challenging the MotoGP World Championship back in 2006.

But, I personally think he would have replace Dani Pedrosa if Casey Stoner wasn't retiring or Jorge Lorenzo wasn't jumping over to Honda. But, Dani Pedrosa drive is justified for 2013 and 2014 seasons. Because, he has been so far consistently this season, one win and only 19 points behind Jorge Lorenzo with half the season gone. So good picks from Honda in my opinion.

Also, there is a strong possibility this weekend that Valentino Rossi will be staying on at Ducati for the next two seasons, with the possibility of either Nicky Hayden or Cal Crutchlow as his team mate for 2013. While at Yamaha, it will be either Andrea Dovizioso or Ben Spies for the remanding seat at Yamaha. Time will tell at both works Ducati and Yamaha for 2013 rides.

Anyway, end of post/blog for now, that is all, Bye.

Lotus own LMP2 car for 2013, LMP1 car for 2014?

On a previous post, I did a post on the Lotus Lola B12/80 LMP2 car and why is it a Lola car and re-badge as a Lotus and not Lotus developing their own LMP2 car. And so right before the start of this years Le Mans 24 hours race (June 16th 2012), Lotus announced they will build their own LMP2 for the next season which will evolve into an LMP1 car for 2014.

German Team Kodewa, which ran the HRT Formula 1 operations in 2010-11 will run the car, who are running two Lotus-Lola LMP2 cars in this years FIA World Endurance Championship, are developing the new LMP2 car. The car will be powered by the same Lotus-badged Judd 3.6 litre V8s developed by Engine Developments as in this years FIA World Endurance Championship. There is also a possibility that the car will evolve into an LMP1 car in 2014, which the rules will be all petrol/diesel hybrid power cars.





images © Lotus LMP2 / Daniel Simon

And so, here is my opinion about it. I criticized the Lotus Lola B12/80 LMP2 car because it wasn't a true Lotus, it's basically a Lotus badge on-top of a Lola chassis.



images © Lotus LMP2 / Daniel Simon

So, Team Kodewa and Lotus are going to build their own LMP2 car for 2013, I personally think this great news from the Lotus brand, instead of using a Lola chassis branded as a Lotus and its good for Kodewa team too who are going to develop the Lotus LMP2 car. As a possibility of a LMP1 from Lotus, is a bold decision from Lotus if they do this. Can they challenge the likes of Audi, Toyota and the return of Porsche back into Le Mans? that is going to be a touch question to answer at this moment of time until we see these cars.

Because, this years at Le Mans Team Kodewa/Lotus wasn't a great year, the Lola B12/80 Lotus of Thomas Holzer, Mirco Schultis and Luca Moro only managed 11 hours this year. The old Lotus team won their class at Le Mans in 1956 and 1957 in the Lotus Eleven's (image below), so new Lotus LMP2 car has got something to replicated for 2013.



Anyway, end of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.

Caterham SP300R, a vision when Caterham SP300R and the DeltaWing have their own class: LMP3

The Caterham SP300R isn't a Le Mans car, but a very fast track day race car.

The SP300R is a collaboration between Caterham and Lola cars, Lola designed the Caterham SP300R, but Caterham themselves have manufactured the Caterham SP300R.

The Caterham SP300R is based on an aluminium honeycomb tub with a lightweight body, which weights under 550 kg. And at the middle of the car a six-speed gearbox and a supercharged four-cylinder, two-litre Ford engine. Will take the SP300R 0-60mph in around 2.5 seconds and makes 300-330 bhp and a top speed of 180 mph, so basically a mini LMP2 car, which can almost matches any LMP2 car.

Caterham launched the SP300R last year at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, before Caterham was taken over by Team Lotus, which is now called Caterham F1 Team for this season.



Autocar even review the £81,000 Caterham SP300R from a few months back, YouTube video below.



And here is my thought on it, Caterham SP300R and the DeltaWing too. Great cars, but the Deltawing doesn't have any rules goes into any series and the Caterham SP300R is not a LMP2 car at all. How about this why not create a new LMP category below LMP2 called: LMP3.



LMP1 in 2014 will be all petrol/diesel hybrid power cars. While in LMP2 at this moment, there are price capped chassis at €355,000; price capped engines at €75,000. And the car must weight over 900kg with an 5.0 litre V8 or a 3.2 litre turbo V6 approx. creating 450 bhp. There is also a LMPC class, which is one make formula.

So here's my vision of LMP3, Chassis and engine together capped at €150,000. Weights around 600-650kg. The chassis should be anything goes, if he car looks like the Deltawing it doesn't matter race the car. The same thing if it looks like a LMP2 car or a Caterham SP300R too, race the car. Also, the engine should be the same engine like in Moto2, were they use the same engine from Honda, producing the same horsepower in each Moto2 bike. The LMP3 engine should be a four cylinder two litre turbo engine producing 300-330 bhp (he same horsepower as the Deltawing and the Caterham SP300R).

And that is my idea/concept of LMP3 should be liked, because the DeltaWing is a great race car for it's concept at Le Mans this year, the DeltaWing should in a racing series right now. Anyway, end of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.

Gymkhana Five, #Gym5

Last year I did a post on Gymkhana Four, and last week I did a post on the preview of Gymkhana Five. And today, DC shoes and Ken Block bring out the new Gymkhana video onto YouTube called: ''GYMKHANA FIVE: ULTIMATE URBAN PLAYGROUND; SAN FRANCISCO" (video below).

It was shot on the streets of San Francisco, California, USA. #GYM5 features a focus on 'fast, raw and precise driving action'. Filmed over four days, were Ken Block used San Francisco as a personal gymkhana playground to film around. Which includes a little cameo from Travis Pastrana, on his dirt-bike. Enjoy the video below.

DC SHOES: KEN BLOCK'S GYMKHANA FIVE: ULTIMATE URBAN PLAYGROUND; SAN FRANCISCO



What I think about it. I personally loved it, better than Gymkhana Four, the best Gymkhana film Ken Block has produced yet. I enjoyed the used of Ken Block hooning around San Francisco. I always likes the skills set in a gymkhana, despite the editing in the footage, and it still edited so well. I enjoyed the aerial shots above as-well, the multiple use of Go-Pro cameras' inside and outside on the Ford Fiesta HFHV, which produces 650 bhp. Also, I enjoy the Matrix style of filming in some shots. Anyway still a great video well done Ken Block for creating it. Gymkhana Six next year will be a touch challenge to created in my opinion.

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

GreenGT H2 set for 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours, it will be completely different than the Deltawing

This years Le Mans we had the Nissan DeltaWing to create new type of technological experimental racing car. For the 2013 Le Mans 24 hours race, car 56 for the 24 hour race will be GreenGT team will bring out a hydrogen-electric hybrid race car called 'GreenGT H2'.





Basically a hydrogen fuel cell that produces electricity to drive two electric motors which produce around 540 bhp, sitting on a bespoke chassis built by the Welter Racing team. The GreenGT H2 weights 1,240kg and a top speed of 186mph.

Personally, GreenGT team got a big ask to replicate and go further what DeltaWing done this year at Le Mans. The looks of the GreenGT H2 looks like something I have designed in a 3D animation programme. But, the Delta was an one off looking car that look so different and it can race with the likes of LMP2 cars and at the end of the day made an impression to motor racing fans and what a concept a racing car can be. The GreenGT H2 hydrogen fuel powered electric motors is a step forward in motorsport racing, if the technology side does works. It could change people mind-set of what it can do. Look at Audi for example, can you imagine them winning Le Mans with a diesel engine seven years back and making diesel engines cool and effective. So good-luck to GreenGT with their H2 for 2013 at Le Mans.

Below here is there GreenGT LMPH2 car that went around the Le Mans track as a demo run back in 2011. The LMPH2 have the same hydrogen fuel cell that produces electricity to drive two electric motors tech, instead the was around 400 bhp. Enjoy.





Also, the car did a demo run at Pau street track too back in 2011. Enjoy.



End of post/blog for now, That is all. Bye.

Post 200, 2012 British Grand Prix Review and thoughts and some classic Eddie Jordan moments

Post 200 and 2012 British Grand Prix Review the ninth race of the F1 season at Silverstone, and thoughts on the race and the late show from Mark Webber. And a few classic Eddie Jordan moments.

Good points

• Red Bull (Mark Webber won the British Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel finished 3rd)
• Ferrari (Fernando Alonso finished 2nd, Filipe Massa finished 4th)
• Lotus F1 Team(Kimi Räikkönen finished 5th fastest lap of the race, Romain Grosjean finished 6th, despite changing a front nose on the second lap)
• Bruno Senna (finished 9th)

Also to mention the British fans (that's includes me), despite it was raining throughout on Friday and Saturday and dry on Sunny on race day. 120,000 British fans are the best fans around the world.

Bad points

• McLaren (Jenson Button finished 10th, Lewis Hamilton finished 8th)
• Pastor Maldonado (collision with Sergio Perez at Brooklands on lap 14, back to the pits for repairs and finished 16th a lap down)
• Sauber (Sergio Perez DNF Collision with Maldonado, Kamui Kobayashi braked too late during one of his pitstops and knocked down three mechanics with the right side of his car. finished 11th )
• Nico Rosberg (finished 15th)
• Force India (Nico Hülkenberg finished 12th, would have finished 9th but a late error at Copse on lap 49 cost him points, Paul di Resta DNF, Collision damage with Grosjean on the first lap of the race)
• Vitaly Petrov (DNS, Engine)

I thought it wasn't the best British Grand Prix ever, but the last ten laps may disagree. With ten laps to go, Fernando Alonso pulled out over a five-second lead over Mark Webber, on the last stint Alonso used the Pirelli's soft tyre compounds and Webber was on the Pirelli's hard compounds. Alonso used the hard tyres for the first two stints and on the final stint to try the softs, and could not keep up his previous pace. Webber caught Alonso rapidly and was behind him with seven laps to go. Then on lap 48 out of 52, Webber pass Alonso at Brooklands for the lead of the race and the win. Webber is now 13 points behind Alonso. Next stop Hockenheim in two weeks time.

In Post 100, I put in a Youtube video into the post on were Sebastian Vettel would like to sign were he souldn't onto one of Eddie Jordan's shirt for charity. And for the last four years, Eddie Jordan hasn't swear on national TV, until now:



Also, Eddie Jordan dropped a £50 note during the qualifing session too:



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

María de Villota, thoughts on the testing crash instance and aftermath

Thoughts on María de Villota testing crash instance from early on the week and aftermath and what's next for Maria.



On Tuesday (3/7/12) morning at Duxford Aerodrome, Marussia F1 test rider Maria de Villota was involved in a testing accident at the Duxford Aerodrome while doing straight line testing, preparation for the this weekend British Grand Prix. Her car collided with a stationary truck at the end of a test run when it had just returned to the service area. Eye witnesses estimated the car was travelling at between 30 and 40mph (50 and 65kmh) when it crashed. It took an hour for her to be removed from the car and she was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridgeshire, with life-threatening head and facial injuries. She was later reported to be conscious. The following day, Marussia team principal John Booth stated that de Villota remained in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital and had lost her right eye.

First, thoughts out to María de Villota and her family at this time. Secondly, It seams it was a complete freak accident what happen on Tuesday, how did it crashed into a stationary truck I do not know. I do feel sorry that she lost her right eye.

Would she gone onto the race in Formula 1 without the accident, no, not talented enough to made it. But what's her future, let say she gets a glass eye put in, can she still race in different racing series or does she retires from motor racing. For example Alex Zanardi, back in 2001 Zanardi lost both of his legs when he suffered a violent accident at the Lausitzring in Germany for a Indy Car race event, crashing into Alex Tagliani which was one of the most worst race accident I have ever seen my life.

And Zanardi returned to racing back in 2004 with a full season in FIA World Touring Car Championship for BMW Team Italy-Spain between 2004 and 2009, even winning a few races in that series. Even this year, his representing Italy at the 2012 London Summer Paralympics in handbiking, a form of paralympic cycling, with the stated goal of representing his country and going for gold.

Another example would be former Formula 1 driver and Le mans winner Johnny Herbert, back in 1988, in an International Formula 3000 race at Brands Hatch. He was caught up in a major accident in the race, badly breaking his legs in a fearsome impact with the barriers. It was an act of huge bravery that saw him back in a racing car at the beginning of 1989, despite the fact he could barely walk. Even more remarkable, he was in Formula 1, scoring points on his debut in Brazil driving for the Benetton team (now Lotus F1 Team) even winning three grand prix's and winning an Le Mans 24 hours race with Mazda back in 1991.

One example, that we don't know what's going to happen is Robert Kubica with the rally crash back in 2011, were his injured his right arm, right hand and right leg. I don't know he will ever come back into Formula 1 driving an F1 car.

And finally this a good example with Fillipe Massa 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, Massa was struck on the helmet by a suspension spring that had fallen from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn, on a high-speed part of the track. He subsequently crashed head-on into a tyre barrier. He had to underwent surgery in the area surrounding his left eye. His condition was initially described as "life-threatening but stable", but improved rapidly. Didn't drive for Ferrari for the rest of the 2009 season. But, came back for the 2010 season.

But, for now hope for a speedy recovery for María de Villota. When you have the whole Formula 1 pit lane behind Maria giving support is a good thing. At the end of the day, she didn't deserved to have her right eye gone. Bye.

F1 British Grand Prix Predictions

Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, were eight Formula one teams (Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes AMG, Lotus F1 Team, Force India, Williams, Caterham, Marussia) is their home grand prix. So predictions for the race itself, a home race win I predict for Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren, Sebastian Vettel second in his Red Bull and Fernando Alonso third in the Ferrari. Don't forget Mark Webber, Jenson Button, Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Perez, Paul di Resta, the two Lotus F1 Team drivers and two Mercedes AMG drivers as-well for a podium place too.

Also, I do predict as-well that it's gonna to rain throughout this weekend too. End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.

Formula 1 London Grand Prix - pie in the sky or is it really gonna happen?

For almost the last 10 years on and off, there been reports and rumours that London could have its own grand prix inside the Capital City. But, every time its just pie in the sky thinking. But, last week Mclaren's sponsor Santander and Bernie Ecclestone have launched a bid to add a London street circuit to the Formula 1 calendar. The idea is a 3.2mile floodlit track around Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The Ritz, The London Eye and Trafalgar Square passing these London landmarks at speeds around 180 miles per an hour. Even Santander promoted a 3D video with Hamilton and Button taking about the track below and how cool going to be.





Even a rumour that Bernie Ecclestone could put up £35m of his own money to pay for promoting the grand prix itself. But personally, until I see it for real, its still pie in the sky thinking to be frank.

Even another rumour two weeks back, that a second Grand Prix held in London at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, East London. The track would run around the Olympic Park and into the stadium with speeds of 200mph around the Olympic Park, I think this is more pie in the sky thinking and pigs might fly theory on-top.

With these two race tracks they will not happen in my opinion, just concepts. Any British Grand Prix this weekend. End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.