It was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon (29/9/15) that Lotus driver Romain Grosjean will race with the all new Haas F1 Team as their first driver, during a press conference at their headquarters in the United States.
Grosjean had looked set to extend his stay with Lotus for a fifth straight season, but with the Enstone-based team's future still unknown, he has opted to jump ship to the new Ferrari-associated Haas Team.
In my opinion, this is not a big surprise this news happen. It has been strongly rumoured since the Singapore Grand Prix that Grosjean has signed a deal with Haas. Its great news for the Haas team as they have got a talented and experienced Grand Prix driver as showed during last months Belgian Grand Prix were he finished in third place with an under developed Lotus. But, for Romain Grosjean it is a giant gamble to join the Haas F1 Team.
First of all its going to be the team's first season in F1 of course, despite the team is basically Ferrari B-Team with Haas being supplied with 2016 power units from Ferrari and manufacturer Dallara to design and build their chassis its not the sure thing they could succeeded. Secondly when history has showed, when talented drivers go to a team in their debut season, there is mixed results.
For instance Rubens Barrichello was at midfield team Jordan in 1996, in 1997 went to Stewart who had Ford backing, best result in 1997 was a second place finish at that seasons wet Monaco Grand Prix; third season with the team, three third place finishes and a pole position in a strong third season for Stewart in 1999, went to Ferrari to team up with Michael Schumacher in 2000, and the rest is history.
Then, there is drivers who made those that made the bad decisions with debut teams, Heikki Kovalainen was at McLaren in 2009, got replace by Jenson Button at the team for 2010, could have went to Force India in 2010. Instead went to Lotus Racing (Caterham), highest result was a twelfth place finish at Suzuka 2010, stayed at the team for two more seasons and got fired by the team at the end of the 2012 season. Never scored a point for the team. The end of his Formula 1 career, now in Super GT series in Japan with Lexus.
Then, there is Timo Glock, was at Toyota in 2009, could have went to Renault in 2010. Instead went to Virgin Racing (Manor), highest result was twelfth place finish at Singapore in 2012; got fired by the team before the 2013 because the team could not afford his wages. Never scored a point for the team. The end of his Formula 1 career went to DTM with BMW after that.
Basically, its down to the gamble for Grosjean at Haas next season, if he has a good season in 2016 with the team in the midfield and above likes of Sauber and Force India and if Räikkönen isn't retain at Ferrari for 2017. Grosjean could have the hot seat at Ferrari for 2017 alongside Sebastian Vettel. If not return to Renault might happen instead.
If the gamble doesn't work and the Haas team is battling with the likes of Manor in 2016, his Formula 1 career could be over the same scenario as Kovalainen and Glock before. Time well tell for Romain Grosjean if he done the right decision to drive for Haas in 2016.
As for Grosjean's team-mate at Hass next season, no word as of yet. It is strongly rumoured that Ferrari test-driver and former Sauber driver Esteban Gutiérrez will get the second drive, bringing in sponsorship from Mexico.
A new challenge ahead for Romain Grosjean in 2016.
Review of Round Ten of the 2015 World Touring Car Championship season was the Race of China, at Shanghai International Circuit, on the outskirts of Shanghai.
In the first race, Citroën Total WTCC driver and current WTCC Champion José María López took the race win in his C-Elysée WTCC. Second was Citroën Total WTCC driver Yvan Muller in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC, he was two seconds behind López in the end. While third place was Total WTCC driver Sébastien Loeb in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC to complete Citroën podium whitewash finish, he was three seconds behind López in the end.
Meanwhile in the Independent Class, was won by Sébastien Loeb Racing driver Mehdi Bennani in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. He finished in fifth place overall and fourteen seconds behind López in the end.
While in the second race, Citroën Total WTCC driver Yvan Muller took the race win in his C-Elysée WTCC. Second was Honda Racing Team JAS driver Gabriele Tarquini in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was two seconds behind Muller in the end. While third place was Citroën Total WTCC driver and current WTCC Champion José María López in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC, he was two and half seconds behind Muller in the end.
Meanwhile in the Independent Class, was won by Sébastien Loeb Racing driver Mehdi Bennani in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. He finished in seven place overall and fourteen seconds behind Muller in the end.
Next stop Race of Thailand at Chang International Circuit for Round Eleven of the 2015 World Touring Car Championship season in five weeks time.
Review of Round Nine of the 2015 British Touring Car Championship season was on the National Circuit at Silverstone, in Northamptonshire.
In the first race, Motorbase Performance driver Mat Jackson took the race win in his Ford Focus ST and also took Independents class win too. Second was MG 888 Racing driver Andrew Jordan in his MG6 GT, he was two seconds behind Jackson in the end. While, third place was Honda Yuasa Racing driver Gordon Shedden in his Honda Civic Type R, he was two and half seconds behind Jackson in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy (for top 'Rookie Driver' in the series) was won by #RacingforHeroes driver Josh Cook in his Chevrolet Cruze 4dr, he finished in fourteenth place and was fourteen seconds behind Jackson in the end.
Meanwhile in the second race, Team IHG Rewards Club driver Andy Priaulx took the race win in his in his BMW 125i M Sport. Second was MG 888 Racing driver Jack Goff in his MG6 GT, he was two seconds behind Priaulx in the end. While, third place was Team BMR RCIB Insurance driver Árón Smith in his Volkswagen CC and also took Independents class win too, he was three seconds behind Priaulx in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy was won by #RacingforHeroes driver Josh Cook in his Chevrolet Cruze 4dr, he finished in fourteenth place and was twenty-two seconds behind Priaulx in the end.
While in the third race, Team BMR driver and current BTCC Champion Colin Turkington took the race win in his Volkswagen CC and also took Independents class win too. Second was Team JCT600 with GardX driver Rob Collard in his BMW 125i M Sport, he was two seconds behind Turkington in the end. While, third place was Team JCT600 with GardX driver Sam Tordoff in his BMW 125i M Sport, he was two and half seconds behind Turkington in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy was won by AmD Tuning driver Mike Bushell in his Ford Focus ST, he finished in thirteenth place and was fourteen seconds behind Turkington in the end.
Next stop Brands Hatch for Round Ten and the final round of the 2015 British Touring Car Championship season in two weeks time.
Review of round fourteen of the 2015 MotoGP season at Motorland Aragón, on the outskirts of Alcañiz in east of Spain for the Aragon GP.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo on his works Yamaha YZR-M1. Second was Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa on his works Honda RC213V, he was two half seconds behind Lorenzo at the end. While, third was Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was three seconds behind Lorenzo at the end of the race.
In Open class (Full control ECU system, hardware and software), Aspar MotoGP Team rider Eugene Laverty won Open class and finish fourteenth overall on his Honda RC213V-RS, he was fifty seconds behind Lorenzo at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Estrella Galicia Marc VDS rider and current Moto2 champion Esteve Rabat on the Kalex. Second was Paginas Amarillas HP 40 rider Álex Rins on the Kalex, he was a tenth of a second behind Rabat at the end. While, third was Speed Up Racing rider Sam Lowes on the Speed Up, he was five seconds behind Rabat at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Miguel Oliveira on the KTM. Second was Estrella Galicia rider Jorge Navarro on the Honda, he was two tenths of a second behind Oliveira at the end. While, third was Sky Racing Team VR46 rider Romano Fenati on the KTM, he was one and half a second behind Oliveira at the end of the race.
Also, it was confirmed on Tuesday (22/9/15) that Stefan Bradl will remain with Aprilia Racing Team Gresini in 2016 after signing a one-year contract extension.
Bradl joined Aprilia Racing Team Gresini since the Indianapolis round, after leaving the troubled Forward Racing squad, replacing Marco Melandri.
His team-mate at Aprilia Racing Team Gresini for 2016 will be his current team-mate Álvaro Bautista, both riders will ride Aprilia's all-new prototype next season named the Aprilia RS-GP.
Meanwhile, this was also confirmed as-well as the Bradl news, that Speed Up Racing Moto2 rider Sam Lowes Sam will ride for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini in 2017 MotoGP season.
Lowes will act as test rider for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini alongside another season in Moto2, switching from Speed Up Racing to Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, before a planned MotoGP graduation in 2017.
And finally, it was confirmed before Sunday's (30/8/15) MotoGP race that Avintia Racing has signed Forward Racing rider Loris Baz for the 2016 MotoGP season.
Baz currently sits fifteenth in the championship, and is currently in contention to win the Open class with a few rounds of the season remaining, with a best finish of fourth place from two weeks ago at Misano.
With Héctor Barberá remaining at Avintia Racing for 2016, Baz will replace Mike di Meglio. Avintia Racing will run GP14.2 machinery next season, as currently used by Danilo Petrucci and Yonny Hernandez at Octo Pramac Ducati, during MotoGP's first year of Michelin tyres and a standard ECU.
Yonny Hernandez, who was likely to move to Avintia Ducati until the Loris Baz deal was done. Hernandez is now being linked with Aspar MotoGP Team, which is also rumoured to be considering a switch from Honda to Ducati machinery.
Review of the fourteenth round of the 2015 F1 season at Suzuka, Suzuka City for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Overall, I thought it was a dominating race weekend for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton once again, dominating in qualifying with Nico Rosberg on a dry Saturday pole after a wet Friday. Come a dry and hot race day, Mercedes driver and current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton took control, pass team-mate Nico Rosberg on the first corner and didn't look back, lead all the laps at Suzuka; fastest lap of the race to conclude with a race win in this seasons Japanese Grand Prix for Lewis Hamilton's eighth race win of the season. With that Grand Prix win, Lewis Hamilton has now equals with his hero's record of Forty-One Grand Prix wins with the late Ayrton Senna.
While, Hamilton's team-mate Nico Rosberg finished second place in the Mercedes to give the team its eighth one-two finish of the season, Rosberg was nineteen seconds behind Hamilton at the end.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel finished in third place in the Ferrari to complete the podium, Vettel was twenty-one seconds behind Hamilton at the end of the fifty-three lap race.
Lewis Hamilton has now improve his lead of the F1 driver championship from 41 points to 49 points ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg with five races to go. While, Sebastian Vettel is still third in the standings, from 49 points from Singapore to 59 points behind Hamilton after Suzuka.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 8
Lewis Hamilton - 9 (fastest lap, and race win)
Nico Rosberg - 8 (pole, finished second)
Red Bull Racing - 5
Daniel Ricciardo - 6 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
Daniil Kvyat - 5 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Williams - 7
Valtteri Bottas - 8 (finished fifth)
Felipe Massa - 6 (finished seventeenth, two laps down)
Ferrari - 7
Sebastian Vettel - 8 (finished third)
Kimi Räikkönen - 7 (finished fourth)
McLaren - 6
Jenson Button - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Fernando Alonso - 8 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Force India - 7
Nico Hülkenberg - 9 (finished sixth)
Sergio Pérez - 6 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 7
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (finished tenth, lap down)
Max Verstappen - 8 (finished ninth)
Last week, Hyundai and the creators of Gran Turismo teamed up to make the Hyundai N 2025 Vision concept, which is another car in the Vision Gran Tursimo series.
The Hyundai N 2025 is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system, with dual cells providing 670bhp. This is backed up by a 201bhp super capacitor system which is charged by kinetic energy and heat scavenging under braking. That makes the Hyundai N 2025 producing 871bhp in total, weighing just 972kg through extensive use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastics and a estimated top speed of 245mph.
During last weeks Frankfurt Motor Show, Honda showed off their concept car called Honda Project 2&4.
Designed by both Honda car and bike departments together as Honda dubbed them as "Team Honda".
Inspired by the Honda RA272 Formula 1 car from the 1965 season won that seasons Mexican Grand Prix with Richie Ginther behind the wheel. With that the Honda Project 2&4 weighing in at just 405 kg.
The engine is mid-mounted engine which, together with the low centre of gravity, and the engine none other than the 999 cc V4 four-stroke engine that came from their Honda RC213V MotoGP race bike producing 215hp at 13,000 rpm. Transmission is provided by a six-speed DCT gearbox not the MotoGP gearbox of course.
With no other facts, the Honda Project 2&4 is basically a mini Formula 1 car MotoGP bike hybrid with four wheels.
It was confirmed yesterday (23/9/15) that Force India will retain Sergio Pérez for next season alongside Nico Hülkenberg.
Pérez made the switch to the team in 2014 after a challenging 2013 season at McLaren, which followed on from an initial two-year spell at Sauber.
Overall, a very good decision from Force India to keep Sergio Pérez for next season. There were some rumours he could have gone to Lotus/Renault next season. But, for Sergio Pérez is better the devil you know and stay at Force India next season alongside Nico Hülkenberg, which makes Force India line-up a very strong one going into 2016.
Review of Round Eleven of the 2014 United SportsCar Championship at Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas.
Chip Ganassi Racing team won the race overall and Prototype class too of Scott Pruett and Joey Hand in their Riley DP, Ford Ecoboost 3.5 L V6. While, Wayne Taylor Racing team finished second place in their Corvette DP, Chevrolet 5.5L V8, with the drivers of Jordan Taylor and Ricky Taylor; they were seventeen seconds behind the leaders. Meanwhile, VisitFlorida.com Racing team finished third place in their Corvette DP, Chevrolet 5.5L V8, with the drivers of Michael Valiante and Richard Westbrook; they were forty-four seconds behind the leaders.
In Prototype Challenge Class (all teams using Oreca FLM09 race car), CORE Autosport team won Prototype Challenge Class and finished in eighth place overall; with the drivers of Jon Bennett and Colin Braun; they were ninety seconds behind the leaders.
In GT Le Mans Class, BMW Team RLL team won GT Le Mans Class and finished in twelfth place overall in their BMW Z4 GTE; with the drivers of Dirk Werner and John Edwards; they were a lap behind the leaders.
In GT Daytona Class, Riley Motorsports team won GT Daytona Class and finished in twenty-second place overall in their Dodge Viper GT3-R; with the drivers of Jeroen Bleekemolen and Ben Keating; they were four laps behind the leaders.
Review of Round five of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship at 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas in Austin, United States.
The Porsche Team won the race overall and the LMP1 class too of Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley in their Porsche 919 Hybrid. While, second was the Audi Sport Team Joest team of André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer and Marcel Fässler in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro, they were fifty-six seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was the Audi Sport Team Joest team of Oliver Jarvis, Lucas di Grassi and Loïc Duval in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro, they were a lap behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class, the G-Drive Racing of Roman Rusinov, Julien Canal and Sam Bird in their Ligier JS P2 with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class. They finish in fifth place overall and they were fifteen laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by Porsche Team Manthey team of Richard Lietz and Michael Christensen won in their Porsche 911 RSR. They finish in fourteenth place overall and they were twenty-three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by SMP Racing team of Viktor Shaitar, Aleksey Basov and Andrea Bertolini in their Ferrari 458 Italia GT2. They finish in twenty-first place overall and they were twenty-six laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas below, enjoy.
Next Stop 6 Hours of Fuji in three weeks time for round six of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Review of Round Nine of the 2015 TCR International Series season was at Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore.
In the first race, WestCoast Racing driver Kevin Gleason took the race win in his Honda Civic TCR. Second was Target Competition driver Stefano Comini in his SEAT León Cup Racer, he was eight tenths of a second Gleason in the end. While, third place was WestCoast Racing driver Gianni Morbidelli in his Honda Civic TCR, he was five seconds behind Gleason in the end.
While in the second race, Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver Jordi Gené took the race win in his SEAT León Cup Racer. Second was Target Competition driver Stefano Comini in his SEAT León Cup Racer, he was four seconds behind Gené in the end. While, third place was Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver Pepe Oriola in his SEAT León Cup Racer to complete a SEAT podium whitewash, he was five seconds behind Gené in the end.
Next stop Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand for Round Ten of the 2015 TCR International Series season in five weeks time.
It was confirmed yesterday (1/9/15) that the Lotus F1 Team will retain Pastor Maldonado for next season, marking his third successive season with the Enstone based team.
Maldonado joined the squad at the start of 2014, having spent three years with Williams, during which he claimed victory at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix
Maldonado has 12 points so far in 2015, with two seventh place finishes in Montreal and the Red Bull Ring, currently sits fourteenth place in the standings.
Probably a bizarre decision from Lotus to retain Pastor Maldonado in my opinion. With the news that could be confirm soon as this week that Renault will be buying 65% of the Lotus Team from Genii will be renamed as Renault. And if so Renault will bring in Total as their fuel sponsor, Maldonado does bring in Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, which is £30 million a year to the team but that doesn't make scene with two oil companies at one team. Unless Renault needs to reduce the debt from Genii made at Lotus. Later this week Lotus F1 Team is going to be taken to the High Court by HMRC over unpaid taxes. Also, debts at the team are over £100 million mark, maybe its the only solution for Renault for the short term to reduce the debt and keep Maldonado for another season and hope he can step up his performance.
And finally the second thing is results, from the last two seasons, Maldonado collected 14 points compare to Grosjean's 46 points. Overall, Maldonado collected 61 points from his five seasons in Formula 1 which is poor to compare other drivers in that period. Yes his won a Grand Prix, but that's been three years ago now and his been not performing well since(sometimes having bad luck in races). If he wasn't a highly paid driver he wouldn't be in Formula 1 right now, the money from Venezuela saved his career a few times too many in my opinion.
As for Maldonado's team-mate at Lotus next season, no word yet. It is strongly rumoured that Romain Grosjean will leave the Lotus team at the end of the season and join the new Haas F1 Team.
Review of the thirteenth round of the 2015 F1 season at Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore for Formula 1's only night-time street race of the season, for the Singapore Grand Prix. Thoughts of the race and and predictions for this weekends Japanese Grand Prix.
Overall, and for a change a dominating race weekend for Sebastian Vettel, dominating in qualifying on pole for the first time since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix and Ferrari's first since the 2012 German Grand Prix. And for Vettel dominated the race which included leading all the laps to conclude with a race win in this seasons Singapore Grand Prix for his third race win of the season.
While, Daniel Ricciardo finished in second place in the Red Bull, Ricciardo was one and half a second behind Vettel at the end.
Meanwhile, Kimi Räikkönen finished in third place in the Ferrari to complete the podium, Räikkönen was seventeen seconds behind Vettel at the end of the sixty-one lap race.
While both Mercedes' drivers bad a weekend to forget. Both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg only managed to qualify fifth and sixth, meaning twenty-three poles in a row for Mercedes has stopped and would have equalled Williams twenty-four poles in a row record from 1992/93 season if they were on pole at Singapore. Then for the race Nico Rosberg only managed to finished in fourth place, while current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton retired on thirty-second lap with throttle issues giving Hamilton his first DNF of the season.
With Lewis Hamilton having his first DNF of the season, Hamilton still leads the F1 driver championship and now his gap between himself and team-mate Nico Rosberg is gone from 53 points to 41 points with six races to go. While, Sebastian Vettel is still third in the standings, from 74 points from Monza to 49 points behind Hamilton after his race win in Singapore.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 7
Lewis Hamilton - 6 (DNF, Throttle)
Nico Rosberg - 7 (finished fourth)
Red Bull Racing - 8
Daniel Ricciardo - 9 (finished second, fastest lap)
Daniil Kvyat - 7 (finished sixth)
Williams - 6
Valtteri Bottas - 7 (finished fifth)
Felipe Massa - 6 (DNF, Gearbox)
Ferrari - 9
Sebastian Vettel - 10 (pole, race win)
Kimi Räikkönen - 8 (finished third)
McLaren - 6
Jenson Button - 6 (DNF, Gearbox)
Fernando Alonso - 7 (DNF, Gearbox)
Force India - 6
Nico Hülkenberg - 6 (DNF, Collision with Felipe Massa)
Sergio Pérez - 7 (finished seventh)
Toro Rosso - 7
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (finished ninth)
Max Verstappen - 8 (finished eighth)
Lotus - 5
Romain Grosjean - 6 (finished thirteen/DNF, two laps down/Gearbox)
Pastor Maldonado - 5 (finished twelfth)
Manor - 6
Will Stevens - 6 (finished fifteenth, two laps down)
Alexander Rossi - 7 (finished fourteenth, two laps down)
Sauber - 7
Marcus Ericsson - 6 (finished eleventh)
Felipe Nasr - 7 (finished tenth)
So for this weekends Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Suzuka City for Honda's home race. Predictions for the race, Lewis Hamilton for the win in the Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel second in the Ferrari and third place for Nico Rosberg in the other Mercedes. Don't forget the Williams drivers, the Red Bull drivers, Kimi Räikkönen as well for a podium place too.
BMW has unveiled their new GT3 contender that will go on sale to customers in time for the start of next season. The BMW M6 GT3, which was launched at Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday (15/9/15), will succeeds its predecessor the BMW Z4 GT3 for next season.
The BMW M6 GT3 will have the same 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 engine from the road-going car, producing up to 585hp. M6 GT3 will weigh in at less than 1,300Kgs.
Alexander Rossi will make his Formula 1 debut at this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix after Manor F1 Team confirmed this afternoon (16/9/15) that he will partner Will Stevens in place of Roberto Merhi at the team. Rossi will be the first American to start a Grand Prix since Scott Speed raced Toro Rosso during the 2007 season.
Rossi currently sits second position in the GP2 championship but will make the step up and make his debut Formula 1 with Manor, replacing Merhi, who has occupied the seat since the start of 2015 F1 season.
Rossi spent time as Caterham's reserve driver since 2012 but switched to Marussia mid-2014, coming close to a race seat with the team in Belgium, Russia, and Abu Dhabi last year.
Rossi will not race in Russia and Abu Dhabi due to clashing GP2 commitments, meaning that Merhi, who remains with the team as a reserve driver alongside Fabio Leimer. Mehri will contest those two Formula 1 races.
Should have driven with the team last season, but due to different circumstance that was out of his control. Surprising with the news this afternoon he will drive for the team for the rest of the season, my guess that Mehri and Stevens will retain with the team for the rest of the season. My solid guess his been place at Manor for the rest of the season, is a try out for one of the drive at Manor for 2016. Anyway, good luck for Alexander Rossi for this weekend at Manor.
Review of Round Nine of the 2015 World Touring Car Championship season was the was the Race of Japan, on the Honda owned Twin Ring Motegi circuit, Motegi, Japan.
In the first race, Citroën Total WTCC driver and current WTCC Champion José María López took the race win in his C-Elysée WTCC. Second was Zengő Motorsport driver Norbert Michelisz in his Honda Civic WTCC and also took Independents class win, he was three seconds behind López in the end. While third place was Honda Racing Team JAS driver Gabriele Tarquini in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was four seconds behind López in the end.
While in the second race, Honda Racing Team JAS driver Tiago Monteiro took the race win in his Honda Civic WTCC. Second was Campos Racing driver Hugo Valente in his Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 and also took Independents class win, he was nine seconds behind Monteiro in the end. While third was Lada Sport Rosneft driver Rob Huff in his Lada Vesta WTCC, he was eleven seconds behind Monteiro in the end.
Next stop Race of China at Shanghai International Circuit for Round Ten of the 2015 World Touring Car Championship season in two weeks time.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. For Formula 1's only night-time street race of the season.
And so predictions for the race itself, Lewis Hamilton for the win in the Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel second in the Ferrari, and Daniel Ricciardo third in the Red Bull. Don't forget the Nico Rosberg, Kimi Raikkonen, Daniil Kvyat, and the Williams drivers either for a podium place as-well.
Review of round thirteen of the 2015 MotoGP season at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, on the outskirts of Misano Adriatico in east of Italy for the San Marino GP.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Repsol Honda Team rider and current MotoGP champion Marc Márquez on his works Honda RC213V. Second place was Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Bradley Smith on his Yamaha YZR-M1, he was seven seconds behind Márquez at the end. While, third was Estrella Galicia Marc VDS rider Scott Redding on his works Honda RC213V, he was nineteen seconds behind Márquez at the end.
In Open class (Full control ECU system, hardware and software), Forward Racing rider Loris Baz won Open class and finished fourth overall on his Yamaha Forward, he was twenty-six seconds behind Márquez at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Ajo Motorsport rider Johann Zarco on the Kalex. Second was Estrella Galicia Marc VDS rider and current Moto2 champion Esteve Rabat on the Kalex, he was four second behind Zarco at the end. While, third was IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia rider Takaaki Nakagami on the Kalex, he was over five seconds behind Zarco at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Gresini Racing Team Moto3 rider Enea Bastianini on the Honda. Second was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Miguel Oliveira on the KTM, he was four hundredths of a second behind Bastianini at the end. While, third was Ongetta–Rivacold rider Niccolò Antonelli on the Honda, he was four tenths of a second behind Bastianini at the end of the race.
Recap of the last round of WRC from last weekends Round ten of Rally Australia.
Last weekends was the tenth round of the World Rally Championship at Rally Australia (11th - 13th September) was won by current WRC Champion Sébastien Ogier in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC, to win the rally overall and to give Sébastien Ogier the 2015 WRC title, contracts to Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia for winning their third WRC drivers title and becoming the third WRC driver to win three WRC drivers' championships in a row.
While, team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala finished second in the other works Volkswagen Polo R WRC, Latvala was 12 seconds behind Ogier at the end. With the Volkswagen one-two finish, it was also confirmed with three rallies to spare, that Volkswagen have retain their WRC Manufacturers title for a third year in a row, congrats to Volkswagen for winnings this years title in another dominating season for Volkswagen.
While, Kris Meeke finished in third place in the works Citroën DS3 WRC. Meeke was 32 seconds 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 Nasser Al-Attiyah in his own backed Ford Fiesta RRC. Nasser Al-Attiyah finished in tenth place overall, he was under 12 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Review of Round Eight of the 2015 British Touring Car Championship season was on the International Super Sports Car Circuit at Rockingham Motor Speedway, in Northamptonshire.
In the first race, Motorbase Performance driver Mat Jackson took the race win in his Ford Focus ST and also took Independents class win too. Second was Honda Yuasa Racing driver Gordon Shedden in his Honda Civic Type R, he was two seconds behind Jackson in the end. While, third place was Team BMR RCIB Insurance driver Árón Smith in his Volkswagen CC, he was four seconds behind Jackson in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy (for top 'Rookie Driver' in the series) was won by #RacingforHeroes driver Josh Cook in his Chevrolet Cruze 4dr, he finished in thirteenth place and was twenty-nine seconds behind Jackson in the end.
Meanwhile in the second race, Honda Yuasa Racing driver Gordon Shedden took the race win in his Honda Civic Type R. Second was Motorbase Performance driver Mat Jackson in his Ford Focus ST and also took Independents class win too, he was three seconds behind Shedden in the end. While third place was #RacingforHeroes driver Josh Cook in his Chevrolet Cruze 4dr and also took Jack Sears Trophy win too, he was five seconds behind Shedden in the end.
While in the third race, Team BMR RCIB Insurance driver Jason Plato took the race win in his Volkswagen CC and also took Independents class win too. Second was Speedworks Motorsport driver Tom Ingram in his Toyota Avensis, he was a second behind Plato in the end. While third place was Team BMR RCIB Insurance driver and current BTCC Champion Colin Turkington in his Volkswagen CC, he was two seconds behind Plato in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy was won by #RacingforHeroes driver Josh Cook in his Chevrolet Cruze 4dr, he finished in tenth place and was ten seconds behind Plato in the end.
Next stop Silverstone for Round Nine of the 2015 British Touring Car Championship season in three weeks time.
Review of the twelfth round of the 2015 F1 season at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, near Milan, for the Italian Grand Prix.
Overall, I thought it was a dominating race weekend for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, dominating in practice, dominating in qualifying, and most importantly dominating in the race, with a grand slam for Mercedes driver and current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Fast in all practice sessions, on pole, lead most of the laps, fastest lap to conclude with a race win in this seasons Italian Grand Prix for his seventh race win of the season. Despite, Mercedes was allegedly running tyre pressures that were below Pirelli’s specification which was rejected by the stewards and Hamilton retains the win.
While, Sebastian Vettel finished in second place in the Ferrari, Vettel was twenty-five seconds behind Hamilton at the end.
Meanwhile, Felipe Massa finished in third place in the Williams to complete the podium after Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes was on course to complete the podium. But, with three laps to go Rosberg retired due to Power Unit failure. That allowed Felipe Massa to give his second podium of the season. Massa was forty-seven seconds behind Hamilton at the end of the fifty-three lap race.
Lewis Hamilton has now improve his lead of the F1 driver championship from 28 points to 53 points ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg after Rosberg's first DNF of the season with seven races to go. While, Sebastian Vettel is still third in the standings, from 67 points from Spa to 74 points behind Hamilton after Monza.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 8
Lewis Hamilton - 10 (pole, fastest lap, and race win)
Nico Rosberg - 7 (DNF/finished seventeenth, Power Unit Failure/three laps down)
Red Bull Racing - 7
Daniel Ricciardo - 8 (finished eighth, lap down)
Daniil Kvyat - 6 (finished tenth, lap down)
Williams - 8
Valtteri Bottas - 8 (finished fourth)
Felipe Massa - 9 (finished third)
Ferrari - 8
Sebastian Vettel - 8 (finished second)
Kimi Räikkönen - 8 (finished fifth)
McLaren - 6
Jenson Button - 7 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Fernando Alonso - 6 (DNF/finished eighteenth, Power Unit Failure/five laps down)
Force India - 7
Nico Hülkenberg - 7 (finished seventh, lap down)
Sergio Pérez - 8 (finished sixth)
Toro Rosso - 6
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Max Verstappen - 6 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Lotus - 6
Romain Grosjean - 6 (DNF, Collision with Felipe Nasr)
Pastor Maldonado - 6 (DNF, Collision with Nico Hülkenberg)
Manor - 6
Will Stevens - 7 (finished fifteenth, two laps down)
Roberto Merhi - 6 (finished sixteenth, two laps down)
Sauber - 7
Marcus Ericsson - 8 (finished ninth, lap down)
Felipe Nasr - 6 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Next stop Marina Bay Street Circuit in two weeks time for the Singapore Grand Prix.
It was confirmed this morning (3/9/15) that Williams will retain Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa for the 2016 Formula 1 season.
Overall, its a good decision from Williams to keep both Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa for another season. Massa has been as consistently fast as his team-mate and even outperforming him. Also, been very consistent scoring points from second half of last season and this season for Williams and those are the reasons why his was retain for Williams for another season and rightly deserving so.
As for Valtteri Bottas, its the right decision for Bottas to stay at Williams for another season, despite he was heavily rumoured with a switch to Ferrari next season, before Ferrari confirmed they have retain Kimi Räikkönen for another year. Williams will be a top four team next season in my opinion, and they will fighting the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari next season for race wins.
It was confirmed yesterday (1/9/15) that Force India will retain Nico Hülkenberg for the next two seasons.
Hulkenberg had recently been linked with newcomer Haas F1 team, and was understood to be top of its list ahead of the team's entry into F1 in 2016. But the Le Mans 24 Hours winner, in his second spell with Force India, has opted to remain with the outfit through to the end of 2017.
According to Force India, Le Mans 24 Hours winner Hulkenberg staying on provides the team with "valuable stability in the years ahead."
Overall, a very good decision from Force India to keep Nico Hülkenberg for the next two seasons. I am guess that he might have a cause in his contract that a big team might take his services to their team in 2017. I originally thought in a previous post that Hülkenberg would take the gamble and join Hass for 2016. Thankfully I am wrong, and Hülkenberg will stay at Force India for two more seasons at least.
As for Hülkenberg's team-mate for next season, no word yet is more than likely that Sergio Pérez will be retain at Force India for next season.
