The condition of Michael Schumacher has improved slightly after a second operation to relieve pressure on his brain, his doctors say.
The seven-time Formula 1 champion suffered head injuries on Sunday in a skiing accident in the French Alps.
He remains in intensive care at a hospital in Grenoble.
Doctors say Schumacher, who is being kept in a medically induced coma, is still "not out of danger".
An initial scan on Monday night showed "an improved situation" and indicated a window of opportunity for a second operation, doctors said.
The family took the "difficult decision" to give consent for the procedure, and surgeons operated on Schumacher for about two hours.
"We can't say he is out of danger but... we have gained a bit of time,'' Dr Jean-Francois Payen said on Tuesday. "The coming hours are crucial.
"All the family is very much aware that his state is still sensitive and anything can happen."
Doctors said it was impossible to give a prognosis for his condition in the coming days and months.
Michael Schumacher is continuing to be monitored and assessed hour-by-hour after his skiing accident on Sunday.
A press conference was held this morning (30/12/13) and in it doctors in Grenoble said he remains in a 'critical condition'. The 44-year-old has been put in an artificial coma in a bid to reduce inter-cranial pressure.
Schumacher hit his head on a rock while skiing off piste in the French resort of Meribel yesterday morning. He was airlifted to a local hospital in Meribel, before being transferred to a larger one in Grenoble, where he was immediately operated on to remove a blood clot. There had been reports he had a second operation overnight, however, officials said this was not the case and that currently they do not intend to operate for a second time.
Asked about his future, doctors added that it was 'far too early to say anything as far as prognosis is concerned'.
“We cannot tell you what the outcome will be yet,” reporters were told. “All we can do is wait.
“We are working hour-by-hour, we cannot say anything more, we cannot speculate. He is in a critical situation, and we can say he is fighting for his life.
“We will update you more as soon as we feel it will be useful.”
The injury suffered was described as a 'typical' skiing accident, something that occurs on a 'frequent basis', although it was acknowledged that the fact he was wearing a helmet did help protect him and that without it he would not be here now.
Michael Schumacher is in a critical condition after a skiing accident, says the French hospital treating him.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, suffered serious brain trauma, was in a coma on arrival and underwent a brain operation.
He was skiing off-piste with his son in the French Alps on Sunday when the accident occurred.
Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he fell and hit his head against a rock, his manager Sabine Kehm said.
Early reports had said his condition was not life-threatening and he reportedly walked away from the accident complaining only of feeling a bit shaken.
The accident took place in the French ski resort of Meribel on Sunday morning.
Professor Gerard Saillant, a close ally and friend of Michael Schumacher who oversawhiss medical care when the German broke his leg in the 1999 British GP, and his former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt are at the hospital tonight.
My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher, his family and friends tonight.
Basically the last post for 2013 as I am off for a few weeks with family. All that means is a Happy Christmas/Holidays to you all and see you in 2014.
Bye.
Last month, I did a posts on the Top Six Gordon Murray race cars. However, a former chassis design engineer at McLaren and a few of my friends quietly stated that my number one choice the McLaren MP4/4 was not designed by Gordon Murray but Steve Nichols designed the McLaren MP4/4, so basically my error.
So this post is the top six Gordon Murray race cars (Re-altered), starting with number six:
Number 6: 1978 Brabham BT46B – aka the "fan car"
Story: Brabham BT46B was powered by 3 litre Alfa Romeo Flat-12 engine that that produces 500 bhp. And the story goes that once Lotus had introduced the concept of ground effect to the Formula One with the Lotus 79 in 1978. Gordon Murray who designed the Brabham BT46 could not put ground effect technique onto the car due to Alfa Romeo flat-12 engine used by Brabham that season was too wide to permit the venturi tunnels needed for really significant ground effect. So, the Brabham BT46B was inspired by the Chaparral 2J sticking a fan at the rear of the Brabham BT46B to dubbed the car to many as the "fan car". It only managed to do one Grand Prix and winning its only Grand Prix, the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix with Niki Lauda. Afterwards the Brabham BT46B 'fan car' never raced again. It is popularly thought that it was banned, but it was actually voluntarily withdrawn by Brabham themselves. All in all a legendary car none the less.
Number 5: 1984 Brabham BT53
Story: The Brabham BT53 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT53 was powered by the BMW four cylinder 1.5 litre turbocharged engine which in 1984 produced about 850 bhp in qualifying, detuned to around 600 bhp for race spec. Brabham BT53 took two victories in 1984, all of them for Nelson Piquet. It did took Brabham to fourth place in the Constructors championship in the 1984 season behind McLaren, Ferrari and Team Lotus in the standings.
Number 4: 1974-75 Brabham BT44
Story: The Brabham BT44 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT44 was powered by the 3 litre V8 Cosworth DFV engine that produces 430 bhp. Brabham BT44 took five victories between 1974 and 1975, four for Carlos Reutemann and one for Carlos Pace. Although the Brabham BT44 never took a drivers' championship in those two seasons. It did took Brabham to second place in the Constructors championship in the 1975 season behind Ferrari in the standings.
Number 3: 1983 Brabham BT52
Story: Brabham BT52 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT52 was powered by the BMW four cylinder 1.5 litre turbocharged engine which in 1983 produced about 850 bhp in qualifying, detuned to around 600 bhp for race spec. Brabham BT52 took four wins in 1983, three for Nelson Piquet and one for Riccardo Patrese. While Nelson Piquet driving the Brabham BMW BT52 took the drivers championship in 1983 and winning his second of his third F1 drivers championship. And took Brabham to third place in the Constructors championship that year.
Number 2: 1979-82 Brabham BT49
Story: Brabham BT49 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT49 was powered by the 3 litre V8 Cosworth DFV engine that produces 490 bhp. Brabham BT49 took seven wins in two and a half years, six for Nelson Piquet and one for Riccardo Patrese. While Nelson Piquet driving the Brabham BT49 took the drivers championship in 1981 and winning his first of his third F1 drivers championship. And took Brabham to second place in the Constructors championship that year.
Number 1: 1995 McLaren F1 GTR
Story: Basically the McLaren F1 GTR developed from the McLaren F1 road car. Designed by Gordon Murray, the McLaren F1 GTR had 600 bhp from a BMW 6.1 litre V12. The McLaren F1 GTR was a grand touring race winning machine, winning races in series such as the BPR Global GT Series, FIA GT Championship, JGTC, and British GT Championship. But, It is most famous for its overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans where Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team of Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya and JJ Lehto, won the race overall ahead of faster purpose-built prototypes. Also in that race, four McLaren F1 GTR finished inside the top five after 24 hours as-well(1st-3rd-4th-5th place). As this is the best Gordon Murray race car he has ever designed.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Today (21/12/13), Sauber confirmed they will retain Esteban Gutierrez for the 2014 Formula 1 season.
This is a very good decision from Sauber to keep Esteban Gutierrez for another season at least in my opinion as he's a talent driver. Also, Sauber has confirmed that it has extended its deal with Telmex into next season, which cemented the deal even further.
Meanwhile Sergey Sirotkin has been appointed as Sauber's test driver for the 2014 Formula 1 season. Who was rumoured with the drive at Sauber next season, whose presence in the team is linked to an investment deal with Russian companies. However, he was too inexperienced to earn an F1 licence. Which, I believe its the right decision due to his inexperienced and I think another season in Formula Renault 3.5 series or GP2 series will help him more.
With Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil as their drivers at Sauber next season, Sergey Sirotkin as their test driver, sponsorships in place, and Ferrari V6 turbo engines for next seasons. Things are looking up for the Sauber team.
End of post for now, new post soon, bye.
Today, BBC has revealed its coverage plans for all F1 races in 2014. Nine races will be shown live on BBC One, includes these races:
- 30 March: Malaysia
- 11 May: Spain
- 8 June: Canada
- 6 July: Britain
- 24 August: Belgium
- 7 September: Italy
- 5 October: Japan
- 12 October: Russia
- 23 November: Abu Dhabi
While the other ten races, there will be extended highlights programmes on BBC One, of either 90-minute or two-hour duration depending on race location.
My only concern is that there is no Monaco Grand Prix and no Brazilian Grand Prix live on the BBC, due to its the Monaco Grnad prix and the history behind it, and the Brazilian Grand Prix usually a great race to watch; and Brazil next season is round 17 of the championship and not the final round might be a reason. But apart form that, all and all, good choices from the BBC for next season.
End of post for how, new post soon, bye.
24 hours of Le Mans winner and World Endurance champion Allan McNish announced today (17/12/13) is retiring from front-line racing with immediate effect.
McNish who is 44 next week, made the decision to stop at the end of the season after the Spa WEC round in May, so this decision was not instance decision.
The long-time Audi driver, who claimed the WEC title at Shanghai with Tom Kristensen and Loic Duval in November, explained that the timing was right for a decision that means he will not be part of the German manufacturer's 2014 WEC campaign. Allan McNish will retain his relationship with both Audi Sport and Audi AG.
He has called time on his career that includes three victories in the 24 Hours Le Mans wins with Porsche and Audi, three American Le Mans Series titles and multiple wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring, as well as a short spell in Formula 1 with Toyota in 2002.
In my opinion, this was a shock decision to hear today, I thought he would do a few more seasons at most. But, a decision that was long thought from Allan McNish. Good luck in retirement for Allan McNish, will be highly missed.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
The name remains the same, but the car underneath is all new with brand new technology. The 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro is the most complex race car ever built by the German brand themselves.
The new updates to the new R18 e-tron includes a much more developed 3.7 litre V6 turbodiesel underneath, upgrades to the flywheel accumulator system and an exhaust heat recovery system. The system captures the thermal energy from the exhaust and can add power to either the turbocharger or the flywheel accumulator system similar to what underneath a F1 car next season.
The aerodynamics have been heavily revised with the new R18 e-tron quattro is narrower by 10 cm from the previous R18 e-tron to accordance with the new rules. And finally, there are numerous smaller upgrades to vision and ergonomics to improve drivability. And with all these new updates, the new R18 has will do 30 percent less fuel than the pervious R18 when race next season.
So bring on Porsche and Toyota race cars for next season.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
Ryan Briscoe will rejoin Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2014 IndyCar season, it was announced on Friday (13/12/12).
The former Penske driver, who completed this year's Indianapolis 500 with Chip Ganassi Racing team, joins reigning IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Charlie Kimball in a four-strong line-up.
The vacancy was the result of Dario Franchitti's retirement from motor racing last month, with Kanaan, who was previously scheduled to drive the #8 car, now being placed in the #10 car, while Briscoe will drive the #8 car.
Dario Franchitti cousin and former Force India driver Paul di Resta was rumoured to replace him at Ganassi next season. But, that deal will not happen, so possibly a return to the DTM with Mercedes or a years sabbatical may happen instead.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
It's been confirmed yesterday (13/12/12) that Adrian Sutil will join Sauber for the 2014 Formula 1 season on a one year deal. The German makes the switch after Force India opted against renewing his contract.
Having spent seven years at Force India, Sutil will join Sauber for the 2014 Formula 1 season.
No surprise that Adrian Sutil has joined Sauber, this has been rumoured since the United States Grand Prix, this deal will happen. Also, they've a reliable drive in Adrian Sutil as-well to produce results.
As for Adrian Sutil team-mate next season, it has been rumoured that Sauber will either keep Esteban Gutierrez for a second season or hire Caterham driver Giedo van der Garde, Van der Garde has impressed in the second half of the season with some impressive race drives, and has $10 million (around £7 million) in McGregor backing as-well.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Former Mclaren driver Sergio Perez will join Force India and team up with Nico Hülkenberg for the 2014 F1 season, it has been announced today (12/12/13).
Perez will make the move to Force India seeking to bounce back from a very touch 2013 season with McLaren, where his 2012 performance at Sauber did not repeated with his 2013 season at McLaren, with the team ultimately electing to replace him with Formula Renault 3.5 series champion Kevin Magnussen after just a single season.
Perez has now agreed a 'multi-year' deal with Force India that will see him join forces with Nico Hulkenberg, who confirmed his return to the team from Sauber last week.
In my opinion, no surprise that Sergio Perez will join to Force India, this has been rumoured since the United States Grand Prix, when the news that Kevin Magnussen signs to race for McLaren in 2014. Also, the financial backing from Mexico, which is around £12m a year was vital of the Perez signing at Force India next season.
I think the team of Sergio Perez and Nico Hülkenberg at Force India looks like a very exciting line up for the team since the Jordan days when Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella were team-mates in 1997.
The announcement leaves both Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil looking at other drives for 2014, with rumours that Paul di Resta either he is taking to Sauber about next season, or driving in the Indycar Seires next season replacing cousin Dario Franchitti at Ganassi next season, or a return to the DTM with Mercedes is also a possibility. As for Adrian Sutil, he is rumoured that he has already sign a contract next season at Sauber.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
Second part of my Formula 1 2013 Season Review, this post will includes my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2013. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2013.
Starting of with My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2013, this is the part who was in my top 10 this season, not in championship order, not in championship order, so his list doesn't includes the likes of Jenson Button for example, its just only opinion folks. So here is my list below.
My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2013:
1.Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) - Best driver on the grid this season with his forth drivers' championship in a row.
2.Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) - Fast as ever, some great wins at Shanghai and Barcelona this season, but his has been too slow when needed, needs a faster car to challenge Sebastian Vettel next season.
3.Kimi Räikkonen (Lotus) - Impressive race win at Melbourne, back to Ferrari next season.
4.Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - A new challenge for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, still fast as ever, won brilliantly at Hungaroring, should have won at Silverstone, if the car stays faster next season he can win the drivers championship in 2014.
5.Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - Some great results this season at Silverstone and Monaco, fast as his team-mate, but his Mercedes reliability has cost Nico Rosberg to beat his team-mate in the standings this season.
6.Mark Webber (Red Bull) - Some impressive drives at Silverstone, Suzuka, Sao Paulo and Sepang, should have won in Sepang with Multi21-gate, leaving Formula 1 at the end of the season to drive with Porsche in WEC in 2014, much missed.
7.Romain Grosjean (Lotus) - Six podiums at Bahrain, Nurburgirng, South Korea, Suzuka, India and Austin was impressive, could have won at Suzuka, a much better season from the former GP2 Champion.
8.Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - some impressive drives at Monza, South Korea and Suzuka, back at Force India next season.
9.Paul di Resta (Force India) - Some impressive drives at Bahrain, Monaco, Montreal, and Abu Dhabi fast driver as usual, could be his last season for a while
10.Fillipe Massa (Ferrari) - Impressive drives at Melbourne and Barcelona, but not enough to keep his Ferrari drive in 2014, off to Williams in 2014.
Overall, possibly one of the most dominating seasons I have seen in Formula 1, thirteen wins from Sebastian Vettel matching Michael Schumacher record form 2004. Also matching Alberto Ascari's nine race wins in a row, which could be ten in a row at Melbourne at the start of next season if that happens, to give Sebastian Vettel his forth F1 drivers titles in a row and only two other drivers have done that achievement (Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio name the others) another constructors championship from Red Bull. Bring on Formula 1 2014.
End of the two part posts of this seasons F1 review. A new shorter post soon. Bye.
Two parter Formula One season review of the 2013 season. in this post I will review each team of 2013. Which, I will say one sentence that will be positive with each team. And one sentence that will be negative for each team. So starting with Red Bull below.
Red Bull:
+ Best car on the grid with the RB9, F1 car of the season to give Red Bull the constructors championship and Sebastian Vettel the drivers championship as-well for a forth time in a row.
- Replacing Mark Webber for 2014 season will be a touch challenge to replace him at Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo will have a touch challenge to conquer.
Mercedes:
+ Some impressive race wins for Mercedes this season which includes wins for Nico Rosberg at Monaco and Silverstone; and Lewis Hamilton at the Hunganoring.
- Great in qualifying, great race car, but thats been ruined by races that the team doesn't understand the use of this years Pirelli tyres which has cost the team an opportunity of winning the drivers and constructor titles this season.
Ferrari:
+ Some great race performances from Fernando Alonso, which includes race wins at Shanghai and Barcelona.
- The car was too slow in qualifying and in races cost both Fernando Alonso and Ferrari the drivers and constructors championship this year.
Lotus:
+ Some great race performances from both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean which includes race win for Kimi Raikkonen at Melbourne, and second place finish for Romain Grosjean at Austin.
- Financial problems are big question marks at Lotus, in debt, investment should be coming in or not, haven't paid Kimi Räikkonen since the start of the season, Kimi Räikkonen off to Ferrari next season, Pastor Maldonado coming to Lotus next season.
McLaren:
+ Honda V6 Turbo engines are on their way for the 2015 season, best performance this season was at Brazil with Jenson Button in forth place.
- The car was too slow this season, the 2014 car needs to be better, and sacking Sergio Perez at the end of the season, replacing him with Kevin Magnussen next season, McLaren made a wrong choice to sign Perez this season and first non podiums in a season since 1980.
Force India:
+ Some impressive drives from both Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil this season including a forth place finish at Bahrain for di Resta and fifth for Sutil at Monaco.
- 17 points since Silverstone, the change of Pirelli tyres after Silverstone cost Force India fifth place in the constructors championship.
Sauber:
+ Some impressive performances from Nico Hülkenberg this season including fifth place at Monza and forth place in South Korea, despite under performing race car
- Financial problems are big question marks at Sauber, in debt, investment from Russia should be coming in or not, many questions have to be answered.
Scuderia Toro Rosso
+ Both Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Éric Vergne are showing why they are in Formula 1 with some great performances. Daniel Ricciardo off to Red Bull next season.
- Some great qualifying performances are ruined by some poor race pace this season from both drivers sides.
Williams
+ Some reasonable good performances from both Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas this season, despite an under perforamong race car.
- A very poor race car Williams have got this season, you can't blame the engine and drivers, last season they got 76 points, this season only five points.
Marussia
+ Jules Bianchi has been impressive during his debut season, even out performing Caterham drivers' this season giving Marussia tenth place in the constructors championship.
- Marussia are missing their pervious driver Timo Glock to develop the car this season compare to their current drivers who are rookies.
Caterham
+ Got Renault V6 Turbo engines for next season which will help for 2014, and some impressive driving from Giedo van der Garde.
- Finished eleventh place in the constructors championship, Caterham have not improved performance to catch up with the midfield teams this season, I think the team are missing an experience race driver like Heikki Kovalainen for example.
In part 2 of Formula 1 2013 Season Review my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2013. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2013.
But for now, end of post for now. A new post soon. Bye.
Yesterday (9/12/13) it was announced that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and Venturi Automobiles will contest the new Formula E Championship from 2014. DiCaprio is the co-founded and owns 50% of the new Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team, will be the tenth and final Formula E team announce which include other teams of the likes of Drayson Racing, China Racing, Andretti Autosport, Dragon Racing, e.DAMS, Super Aguri Formula E, Audi Sport Abt Formula E Team, Mahindra Racing, Virgin Racing Formula E, and now Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team.
The squad will be known as the Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
From last week (5/12/13) British multinational brand Virgin will return to motor-racing to contest the new Formula E Championship from 2014. Virgin has motor-racing experience with the brand sponsoring the Brawn Team(Mercedes F1 team) back in 2009. And also, invested in the Marussia team in 2010 and 2011 F1 season, which included the naming of the team between those two seasons (as Virgin Racing). Virgin Racing will be the ninth Formula E team announce which include other teams so far the likes of Drayson Racing, China Racing, Andretti Autosport, Dragon Racing, e.DAMS, Super Aguri Formula E, Audi Sport Abt Formula E Team, and Mahindra Racing.
The squad will be known as the Virgin Racing Formula E team.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
With Porsche returning to full-time endurance racing and the 24 hours of Le Mans next year for the first time since as a manufacture since 1998 as an LMP1 team. This post is the top six Porsche Le Mans Race Cars.
Starting with number six of the top six is:
Number 6: 1979 Porsche 935 K3
Story: The Porsche 935 K3 took Porsche to it's fifth victories at Le Mans in 1979. Porsche 935 uses the Porsche 3 litre twin turbo flat-6 engine that produces 750 bhp. In 1979 Klaus Ludwig, Don Whittington and Bill Whittington took victory in that years 24 hours race.
Number 5: 1998 Porsche 911 GT1-98
Story: Porsche 911 GT1-98 took Porsche to it's sixteenth and the final victories at Le Mans in 1998. Porsche 911 GT1-98 uses the Porsche 3.2L twin turbo Flat-6 engine that produces 536 bhp. In 1998 Laurent Aïello, Allan McNish and Stéphane Ortelli took victory in that years 24 hours race to conclude with a Porsche one-two.
Number 4: 1986-87 Porsche 962C
Story: Designed by Norbert Singer, the Porsche 962C was the evolution of the Porsche 956 and took Porsche to it's eleventh and twelfth victories at Le Mans in 1986 and 1987. Porsche 962C uses the Porsche 2.6 litre twin turbo flat-6 engine that and ground effects underneath to give the 962 producing 780 bhp. In 1986 Hans-Joachim Stuck, Derek Bell and Al Holbert took race win to make a Porsche one-two-three-four-five-six-seven-nine-ten finish(first, second and tenth place was using the Porsche 962C, while all the other different race cars). And then again in 1977, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Derek Bell and Al Holbert took another race win to make a Porsche one-two-four in that years 24 hours race.
Number 3: 1976-77 Porsche 936
Story: The Porsche 936 took Porsche to it's third, forth and sixth victories at Le Mans in 1976, 1977 and 1981. Porsche 956 uses the Porsche 2.1 litre twin turbo flat-6 engine that produces 540 bhp. In 1976 Jacky Ickx and Gijs van Lennep took victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And then again in 1977, Porsche drivers Jürgen Barth, Hurley Haywood and Jacky Ickx took victory in that years 24 hours race. And finally in 1981, Porsche drivers Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell took victory in that years 24 hours race.
Number 2: 1970-71 Porsche 917K
Story: This was the first Porsche race car that dominated at Le Mans and took two of Porsche's 16 wins at Le Mans. Designed by Norbert Singer, the Porsche 917K used the Porsche 4.9 litre Flat-12 engine to create 600 bhp back in the early 1970s. Which took Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood to the 1970 Le Mans race win to make a Porsche one-two-three finish(second place was using the Porsche 917L, while third was using a Porsche 908/2L). Then in 1971, Dr. Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep took victory in their Porsche 917K to finish off a Porsche one-two in the 24 hour race.
Number 1: 1982-85 Porsche 956
Story: Designed by Norbert Singer, the Porsche 956 took Porsche to it's seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth victories at Le Mans in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985. Porsche 956 uses the Porsche 2.6 litre twin turbo flat-6 engine that produces 620 bhp. In 1982 Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell took victory to give Porsche a one-two-three finish. In 1983, Porsche drivers Vern Schuppan, Hurley Haywood and Al Holbert took victory in that years 24 hours race. Also in that race, nine Porsche 956's finished inside the top ten after 24 hours as-well(1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th-6th-7th-8th-10th place). In 1984, Henri Pescarolo and Klaus Ludwig took victory in that years 24 hours race. Also in that race, eight Porsche 956's finished inside the top ten after 24 hours as-well(1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th-6th-7th-9th place). Finally in 1985, Klaus Ludwig, Paolo Barilla and "John Winter" took victory to give the Porsche 956 the most dominated race car in the Group C era, and possibly the most dominated race car ever at Le Mans.
End of blog for how, new post soon. Bye.
Once again, the Grand Prix of America, scheduled to take place on a street circuit on the shores of the River Hudson in New York in June 2014, have announced that the race has been postponed until 2015 once again of construction delays and permit problems the same problems from last year to happen.
The closest we gonna have a New Jersey Grand Prix is this video below, from Red Bull them-selves created early in the summer of 2012 with 2011 winning Red Bull RB7 car with David Coulthard.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
From last week (28/11/13) Moto3 manufacture Mahindra will contest the new Formula E Championship from 2014. Mahindra Racing will be the eighth Formula E team announce which include other teams so far the likes of Drayson Racing, China Racing, Andretti Autosport, Dragon Racing, e.DAMS, Super Aguri Formula E, and Audi Sport Abt Formula E Team.
The squad will be known as Mahindra Racing.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
It's been confirmed today (3/12/12) that Nico Hülkenberg will return to Force India from the 2014 Formula 1 campaign. The former GP2 champion confirmed a "multi-year" agreement with the team.
Having spent just one term at Sauber, Hülkenberg reunites with a team he previously represented for two seasons; as a reserve driver in 2011 and a race driver in 2012.
No surprise that Nico Hülkenberg has return to Force India, this has been rumoured since the Japanese Grand Prix. For Hülkenberg it's a safe drive with finical questions marks at both Lotus and Sauber.
As for Nico Hülkenberg team-mate next season, it has been rumoured that Force India will sign former McLaren driver Sergio Pérez with sponsorship from Mexico.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Review of the final Round of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship at Bahrain International Circuit, in Sakhir, Bahrain.
Toyota Racing team won the race overall and WEC LMP1 class too of Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi and Stéphane Sarrazin in their Toyota TS030 Hybrid.
While, Audi Sport Team Joest team of André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyerto came in second place in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. Meanwhile, LMP2 team G-Drive Racing took third place and LMP2 class too of Roman Rusinov, Mike Conway and John Martin in their Oreca 03, Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by AF Corse of Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander won in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2, finished 9th overall as-well. While in GTE Am class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Christoffer Nygaard, Kristian Poulsen and Nicki Thiim in their Aston Martin Vantage GTE and finished 13th overall.
And so this years Champions, in the Drivers Championships, Audi Sport Team Joest drivers Allan McNish, Loïc Duval and Tom Kristensen won this years World Drivers' Championship in in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. AF Corse driver Gianmaria Bruni won World Cup for GT Drivers title in his Ferrari 458 Italia GT2. OAK Racing drivers Bertrand Baguette, Martin Plowman and Ricardo González won the Trophy for LMP2 Drivers in their Morgan LMP2, Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8. Aston Martin Racing drivers Jamie Campbell-Walter and Stuart Hall took Trophy for LMGTE Am Drivers in their Aston Martin Vantage GTE.
While in this seasons Manufacturers Championships, Audi won the World Manufacturers' Championship. World Cup for GT Manufacturers was won by Ferrari. Teams Championships was won by Rebellion Racing in their Lola B12/60, Toyota RV8KLM 3.4 L V8. OAK Racing won the Trophy for LMP2 Teams in their Morgan LMP2, Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8. AF Corse won the Trophy for LMGTE Pro Teams in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2. 8 Star Motorsports won the Trophy for LMGTE Am Teams in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2
Congratulations for the champions of each class in WEC this season. End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
It was confirmed on Thursday (28/11/13) that Ross Brawn will leave Mercedes at the end of the year, formally tendering his resignation as Team Principal. Leadership of the outfit will now be headed up by Executive Directors Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe.
Ross Brawn has been at the helm of the team since late 2007, playing a key role through their Honda, Brawn GP and most recently Mercedes guises. Ross Brawn will officially leave the team on December 31, with his future plans yet to be determined.
In my opinion, it is a sad decision that Ross Brawn will leave Mercedes at the end with the team, despite the improvements this season in finishing second in the Constructors Championship for Mercedes. Also, winning the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships in 2009 under the Brawn name will be his greatest achievement after Honda left the team at the end of the 2008 season.
So what's next for Ross Brawn? some rumours suggest during the Brazilian Grand Prix a return to Ferrari as their Team Principal perhaps?
Anyway good luck to Ross Brawn in his new chapter after Mercedes.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Former Williams F1 driver Pastor Maldonado will join Lotus F1 Team and team up with Romain Grosjean for the 2014 F1 season, it has been announced on Friday (29/11/13).
Maldonado has been linked to the team since Kimi Raikkonen annonced he will rejoin Ferrari next season, along with Nico Hulkenberg for some time. However, the former Williams driver has now got the nod ahead of the Sauber driver. Which means financial backing from PDVSA and Venezuela, which is around £30m a year.
Which means Lotus' financial problems which has been notice throughout the season is a bigger problem then thought, Which includes news that the Team is owing Kimi Raikkonen 17.1m euros (£14.5m) because of a salary of eight million euros and a bonus scheme worth 50,000 euros a point. Despite, an investment deal with Quantum Motorsport has still yet to be done since the British Grand prix. Which means, Pastor Maldonaldo has been picked ahead of Nico Hulkenberg.
So here is my view, is Pastor Maldonado is the right person to replace Kimi Raikkonen, No, it should have been Nico Hulkenberg he has more talent. But, the team owing Kimi Raikkonen money, the Team in debt, and question marks with an investment deal with Quantum Motorsport they had no choice but to pick Pastor Maldonado.
Because, a drivers talent as Pastor Maldonado who's attitude at last months at the United States Grand Prix were he blamed his struggles in qualifying on sabotage from his own team at Williams and question marks on his driving style in pervious races throughout his career and blaming the other driver instead of himself. That's why he does not deserve to drive at Lotus next season, despite winning the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix with Williams. That is why I do not like the deal that money won over a drivers pure talent in a top four team got the drive. You have to remember, when Nico Hulkenberg and Pastor Maldonado were team mates in GP2 back in 2009, who was faster? Nico Hulkenberg by a distance.
I will stop ranting before it's goes into a hateful post.
End of post for now, new post soon. Bye.
Last Monday (25/11/13) the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) announced the creation of a new prototype category, LMP3, that’s set to launch in 2015.
LMP3 will replace the Formula Le Mans (LMPC) class, a single-make formula which was designed to boost entries in the European and Asian Le Mans Championships'.
Aimed to provide teams with a low-cost, turn-key prototype, the new class, which replaces the spec LMPC category, will be seen in the European and Asian Le Mans Series.
Prototype Challenge (LMPC class) however, will continue in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship.
The new LMP3 platform will encourage multiple chassis manufacturers to build, although limits to a spec powertrain, spare parts, and single tire manufacturer to help contain costs. A LMP3 race car must sell for no more than 150,000 Euros (£125,000 estimated).
The new LMP3s rules will be allowed in the Asian LMS for 2014-15, and ELMS for the 2015 season.
A number of manufacturers have recently announced projects around the LMP3 rules which includes ORECA.
This is a good idea, a very good concept. In last years post I written, I did said if they created a LMP3 class it would be a good idea. The difference between my idea and the ACO concept would be included experimented race cars such as the DeltaWing and very fast track day race cars such as the Caterham SP300R.
All in all, 2015 will be interesting in LMP3.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
