Recap of the last round of WRC from last weekends Round twelve of Wales Rally GB.
Last weekend was the twelfth round of the 2016 World Rally Championship at Wales Rally GB (27th-30th October) was won by current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier to win the rally overall in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC.
While, DMACK World Rally Team driver Ott Tänak finished second in the Fiesta RS WRC, Tänak was ten seconds behind Ogier at the end. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville finished in third place in the works Hyundai i20 WRC, Neuville was ninty-five seconds behind Ogier at the end.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by Škoda Motorsport driver Esapekka Lappi in his Škoda Fabia R5. Esapekka Lappi finished in eleventh place overall, he was nine and half minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
While in WRC-3 class (Group R1, R2 and R3 cars) that was won by Styllex Slovak National Team driver Martin Koči in his Citroën DS3 R3T. Laurent Pellier finished in twenty-eighth place overall, he was thirty-three minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
While, Simone Tempestini in his own backed Citroën DS3 R3T finished in thirtieth place overall and second in WRC-3 class, he was thirty-five minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally. With that result, Simone Tempestini did clinched the WRC3 Championship this season with a round to spare in his own backed Citroën DS3 R3T, contracts to Simone Tempestini for winning the WRC3 championship as-well his J-WRC Championship he won early on the season.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Thirteen and the final round of the 2016 WRC season for Rally Australia in three weeks time.
Review of round seventeen of the 2016 MotoGP season at Sepang International Circuit, on the outskirts of Selangor, south of Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian GP.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso on his works Ducati Desmosedici GP16. Giving Andrea Dovizioso his first premier series win since Donnington Park in 2009.
Second place was Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1V, he was three seconds behind Dovizioso at the end. While, third was Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider and outgoing MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo on his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was twelve seconds behind Dovizioso at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Ajo Motorsport rider and current Moto2 champion Johann Zarco on the Kalex. The race win was enough to give Johann Zarco the 2016 Moto2 title and his second Moto2 championship in a row, and first rider to win back to back Moto2/250cc titles since Jorge Lorenzo did it in 2006 and 2007. Johann Zarco was 37 points ahead of Thomas Lüthi with a race to spare. Contracts to Johann Zarco for winning the Moto2 championship once again.
Second was Estrella Galicia Marc VDS rider Franco Morbidelli on the Kalex, he was three seconds behind Zarco at the end. While, third was Dynavolt Intact GP rider Jonas Folger on the Kalex, he was over three seconds behind Zarco at the end.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Aspar Mahindra Team Moto3 rider Francesco Bagnaia on the Mahindra. Second was Drive M7 SIC Racing Team rider Jakub Kornfeil on the Honda, he was seven seconds behind Bagnaia at the end. While, third was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Bo Bendsneyder on the KTM, he was over seven seconds behind Bagnaia at the end.
Review of the nineteenth round of the 2016 F1 season at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in the centre of Mexico City for the Mexican Grand Prix.
Once again a dominating race weekend for Mercedes, dominating in qualifying, and most importantly dominating in the race for Mercedes driver and current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was on pole for Sunday's race. Hamilton took the advantage at the start and comfortably lead the race throughout the race to conclude with a race win in this seasons Mexican Grand Prix for Hamilton's eighth race win of the season.
While, Hamilton's team-mate and Nico Rosberg finished in second place in the other Mercedes to give the team its sixth one-two finish of the season, Rosberg was eight seconds behind Hamilton at the end.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen finished in third place in the Red Bull to complete the podium. However Verstappen has been given a five-second time penalty following the race after cutting the first chicane late in the race. Promoting Sebastian Vettel to third, Daniel Ricciardo to fourth, and Verstappen to fifth.
Then, Vettel has been given a ten-second time penalty for potentially dangerous driving against Daniel Ricciardo on the penultimate lap of the race, dropping him to fifth, behind both Red Bull drivers.
Meaning Daniel Ricciardo finished in third place in the Red Bull to complete the podium, Ricciardo was twenty-one seconds behind Hamilton at the end of the seventy-one lap race.
With Lewis Hamilton's win in Mexico and Nico Rosberg only managing a second place finish, Rosberg still leads the F1 driver championship and now his gap between himself and team-mate Lewis Hamilton is gone from twenty-six points to nineteen points with two races to go.
Nico Rosberg could win his first Drivers' Championship in Brazil. If Rosberg wins the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 8
Lewis Hamilton - 9 (pole and race win)
Nico Rosberg - 8 (finished second)
Ferrari - 7
Sebastian Vettel - 7 (finished fifth)
Kimi Räikkönen - 7 (finished sixth)
Williams - 7
Valtteri Bottas - 7 (finished eighth)
Felipe Massa - 7 (finished ninth)
Red Bull Racing - 7
Daniel Ricciardo - 8 (finished third and fastest lap)
Max Verstappen - 7 (finished fourth)
Force India - 7
Nico Hülkenberg - 8 (finished seventh)
Sergio Pérez - 6 (finished tenth)
Renault - 5
Kevin Magnussen - 5 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
Jolyon Palmer - 6 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 4
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Daniil Kvyat - 4 (finished eighteenth, lap down)
Sauber - 7
Marcus Ericsson - 8 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Felipe Nasr - 6 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
McLaren - 6
Fernando Alonso - 6 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Jenson Button - 6 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Manor - 4
Esteban Ocon - 3 (finished twenty-first, two laps down)
Pascal Wehrlein - 6 (DNF, Collision with Esteban Gutiérrez)
Haas - 4
Romain Grosjean - 4 (finished twentieth, lap down)
Esteban Gutiérrez - 4 (finished nineteenth, lap down)
Next stop, Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos, São Paulo in two weeks time for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
It was confirmed on Wednesday (26/10/16), that Audi will pull out of the World Endurance Championship at the end of the season to end its eighteen year involvement in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The axing of the LMP1 program, which includes winning the WEC drivers' and manufacturers' titles in 2012 and 2013, and thirteen Le Mans victories between 2000 and 2014, most recently in 2014.
The German manufacturer will focus on the Formula E Championship with the Abt-Schaeffler team, having announced a greater works involvement in the electric single-seater series at the beginning of last month.
In my opinion, a surprise that the news has happen and not a surprise this has happen because the reason Audi go Motorsport due to improve their technology, Audi went rallying in the 1980s with the Quarto due to improve their 4WD system.
Same thing with Audi R10 in 2006 to improve their Diesel technology and winning Le Mans that year with Diesel power for the first time.
Same thing with the Audi R18 e-tron quattro in 2012 to improve their Diesel hybrid technology and winning Le Mans that year with hybrid power for the first time.
But, with petrol hybrid technology improving with Porsche and Toyota in LMP1. With Formula E in its infancy with their electric technology. Maybe its the right time to leave LMP1 category and fully committed to Formula E. Also, don't be surprise if Audi will join Formula 1 in a few years time with their own power-unit team package when the rules will shake up once again.
Now with Audi withdrawing from the WEC, that leaves only Porsche and Toyota as the only manufactures in LMP1 class next season which will be a massive void to fill with Audi's absence unless we still see some privately own R18 e-tron quattro's at Le Mans next year to fight against the Porsche and Toyota's to give the category at Le Mans with more competition in the premier class.
Also, Audi will continue racing in the DTM for the next few years, and also considering expanding its involvement in World Rallycross, where it currently offers technical support to 2016 champion Mattias Ekstrom's privateer team.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in the centre of Mexico City.
So Predictions for the race, for the win, I predict that, Lewis Hamilton for the win in the Mercedes, Nico Rosberg second in the other Mercedes, and Daniel Ricciardo third in the Red Bull. Don't forget Max Verstappen, the Ferrari drivers, the Williams drivers and the Force India drivers as well for a podium place.
Review of round sixteen of the 2016 MotoGP season at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circult, Phillip Island, south-southeast of Melbourne, for the Australian GP.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow on his Honda RC213V.
Second place was Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1V, he was four seconds behind Crutchlow at the end. While, third was Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Maverick Viñales on his works Suzuki GSX-RR, he was five seconds behind Crutchlow at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Garage Plus Interwetten rider Thomas Lüthi on the Kalex. Second was Estrella Galicia Marc VDS rider Franco Morbidelli on the Kalex, he was a hundredths of a second behind Lüthi at the end. While, third was Dynavolt Intact GP rider Sandro Cortese on the Kalex, he was half a second behind Lüthi at the end.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider and current Moto3 champion Brad Binder on the KTM. Second was Leopard Racing rider Andrea Locatelli on the KTM, he was six seconds behind Binder at the end. While, third was Estrella Galicia rider Arón Canet on the Honda, he was nine and half seconds behind Binder at the end.
And finally, it was confirmed on last Tursday's (18/10/16) Aspar Team MotoGP has signed former MotoGP rider Karel Abraham for the 2017 MotoGP seasons.
Abraham made sixty-seven starts in the premier class for his family-run AB Motoracing team between 2011 and 2015, finishing a high of fourteenth in the championship in his rookie season.
Abraham switched to World Superbikes for 2016 but next year will join the MotoGP grid once more to ride a Ducati Desmosedici GP15 for Aspar alongside Álvaro Bautista.
While, current Aspar MotoGP rider Yonny Hernández will return to Moto2 for 2017, after five seasons in MotoGP will now join the AGR Team in the Moto2 class for 2017.
While the other current Aspar MotoGP rider Eugene Laverty will return to World Superbikes for 2017, after two seasons in MotoGP will now join the Milwaukee Aprilia team for 2017 World Superbike Season.
Review of the eighteenth round of the 2016 F1 season at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas for the United States Grand Prix.
In a dominating race weekend for Mercedes, dominating in qualifying, and most importantly dominating in the race for Mercedes driver and current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was on pole for Sunday's race. Hamilton took the advantage at the start and comfortably lead the race throughout the race to conclude with a race win in this seasons United States Grand Prix for Hamilton's seventh race win of the season and for Lewis Hamilton's Fiftieth Grand Prix win in his Formula 1 career.
While, Hamilton's team-mate and Nico Rosberg finished in second place in the other Mercedes to give the team its fifth one-two finish of the season, Rosberg was four seconds behind Hamilton at the end.
Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo finished in third place in the Red Bull to complete the podium, Ricciardo was twenty seconds behind Hamilton at the end of the fifty-six lap race.
With Lewis Hamilton's win in the USA and Nico Rosberg only managing a second place finish at Austin, Rosberg still leads the F1 driver championship and now his gap between himself and team-mate Lewis Hamilton is gone from thirty-three points to twenty-six points with three races to go.
Nico Rosberg could win his first Drivers' Championship in Mexico. If Rosberg wins the race, with Hamilton no higher than tenth in the Mexican Grand Prix.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 8
Lewis Hamilton - 9 (pole and race win)
Nico Rosberg - 8 (finished second)
Ferrari - 6
Sebastian Vettel - 7 (finished fourth and fastest lap)
Kimi Räikkönen - 6 (DNF, Loose wheel)
Williams - 6
Valtteri Bottas - 6 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Felipe Massa - 7 (finished seventh, lap down)
Red Bull Racing - 7
Daniel Ricciardo - 8 (finished third)
Max Verstappen - 7 (DNF, Gearbox)
Force India - 6
Nico Hülkenberg - 6 (DNF, Collision damage from Daniil Kvyat)
Sergio Pérez - 7 (finished eighth, lap down)
Renault - 6
Kevin Magnussen - 6 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Jolyon Palmer - 6 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 8
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 10 (finished sixth)
Daniil Kvyat - 6 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Sauber - 5
Marcus Ericsson - 6 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Felipe Nasr - 5 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
McLaren - 9
Fernando Alonso - 10 (finished fifth)
Jenson Button - 8 (finished ninth, lap down)
Manor - 5
Esteban Ocon - 5 (finished eighteenth, two laps down)
Pascal Wehrlein - 6 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
It was confirmed yesterday (22/10/16) that Scuderia Toro Rosso will retain Daniil Kvyat for next season alongside Carlos Sainz Jr.
Kvyat made his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2014, and was given a chance at Red Bull the following season, as former four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel made the switch to Ferrari.
However, after this year's Russian Grand Prix, where he nudged Vettel out of the race on the opening lap, he was sent back to Toro Rosso, with Max Verstappen taking his seat.
Kvyat struggled on his return to Toro Rosso, amid technical problems, despite the fastest lap in the race at the Spanish Grand Prix, with his best finish of ninth place in Singapore.
Kvyat has now been given another season to prove his worth at Toro Rosso, meaning fellow Red Bull junior driver Pierre Gasly, who's in contention for this year's GP2 crown, will miss out as a driver at Toro Rosso next season.
Overall, a good decision from Toro Rosso to keep Daniil Kvyat for another next season. Although, I would have took the gamble to have Pierre Gasly in the seat. But, don't be surprise if Gasly is a Friday free practice driver during 2017 season with the team, similar to Daniel Ricciardo did with the team in 2011 and then stepping up the season after as a driver.
Its been five years today that Marco Simoncelli has past away from us, from the accident at was competing the last but one round at Sepang in Malaysia of the 2011 MotoGP season. On lap 2, Simoncelli was fighting for fourth with Alvaro Bautista when he lost the front of his bike at turn 11 and slid across the circuit, into the path of both Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, both of whom then hit the Honda rider and got instantly killed.
Today it should be celebrating life and never ever forget who was Marco Simoncelli.
Review of Round Eleven of the 2016 World Rallycross Championship season was the World RX of Germany, at Estering on the outskirts of Hamburg, North West Germany.
In the four Heats, those were won by Mattias Ekström, Jānis Baumanis, current World Rallycross Champion Petter Solberg (winning twice).
In the first semi-final that was won by Petter Solberg World RX Team driver and current World Rallycross Champion Petter Solberg in his Citroën DS3. Second was Peugeot Hansen Academy driver Kevin Hansen in his Peugeot 208, he was three and half seconds behind Solberg in the end. While, third was Hoonigan Racing Division driver Andreas Bakkerud in his Ford Focus RS, he was four seconds behind Solberg in the end.
In the second semi-final that was won by EKS RX driver Mattias Ekström in his Audi S1. Second was Olsbergs MSE driver Kevin Eriksson in his Ford Fiesta, he was one and half second behind Ekström in the end. While third was Volkswagen RX Sweden driver Johan Kristoffersson in his Volkswagen Polo, he was three and half seconds behind Ekström in the end.
In the final race, Olsbergs MSE driver Kevin Eriksson took the race win in his Ford Fiesta. Second was Petter Solberg World RX Team driver and current World Rallycross Champion Petter Solberg in his Citroën DS3, he was six tenths of a second behind Eriksson in the end. While, third was Hoonigan Racing Division driver Andreas Bakkerud in his Ford Focus RS, he was two and half seconds behind Eriksson in the end.
Meanwhile, fifth place was EKS RX driver Mattias Ekström in his Audi S1, he was over three seconds behind Eriksson in the end and enough for Mattias Ekström to be 2016 World Rallycross Drivers' Champion for his first title win. Mattias Ekström is now 30 points ahead of Petter Solberg with a round to spare.
Next stop World RX of Argentina at Autódromo Rosario for Round Twelve and the final round of the 2016 World Rallycross Championship season in six weeks time.
Review of Round Nine and the final round of the 2016 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was held at was held at the Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, in South-West Germany.
On Saturday's race, Audi Sport Team Abt driver Miguel Molina took the race win in his Audi RS5 DTM. Second was BMW Team RMG driver Marco Wittmann in his BMW M4 DTM, he was sixteen tenths of a second behind Molina in the end. While, third place was Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver Edoardo Mortara in his Audi RS5 DTM, he was three seconds behind Molina in the end.
On Sunday's race, Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver Edoardo Mortara took the race win in his Audi RS5 DTM. Second was Mercedes-Benz DTM Team Mücke driver Christian Vietoris in his Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM, he was three seconds behind Mortara in the end. While, Mercedes-Benz DTM Team HWA II driver Paul di Resta in his Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM, he was four seconds behind Mortara in the end.
Meanwhile, fourth place was BMW Team RMG driver Marco Wittmann in his BMW M4, he was five seconds behind Mortara in the end and enough for Marco Wittmann to be 2016 DTM Drivers' champion for his second title to beat Edoardo Mortara by only four points in the last round of the year.
And so, this years champions, Marco Wittmann took the DTM Drivers' Championship. Audi took the DTM Manufacturers' championship.
That's the end of 2016 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season. Contracts to the Champions in DTM this season. And now for the 2017 Season.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas; for Haas F1 Team's home race.
So Predictions for the race, for the win, I predict that, Nico Rosberg for the win in the Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton second in the other Mercedes, and Max Verstappen third in the Red Bull. Don't forget Daniel Ricciardo, the Ferrari drivers, the Williams drivers and the Force India drivers as well for a podium place.
Recap of the last round of WRC from last weekends Round Eleven of Rally de Catalunya.
Last weekends was the eleventh round of the World Rally Championship at Rally de Catalunya (14th - 16th October) 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 2016 WRC title, contracts to Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia for winning their fourth WRC drivers title and becoming the third WRC driver to win four WRC drivers' championships in a row.
While, Dani Sordo finished second in the works Hyundai i20 WRC, Sordo was fifteen seconds behind Ogier at the end. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville finished in third place in the works Hyundai i20 WRC, Neuville was seventy-five seconds behind Ogier at the end.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by Škoda Motorsport driver Jan Kopecký in his Škoda Fabia R5. Jan Kopecký finished in eighth place overall, he was nine minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
While in WRC-3 class (Group R1, R2 and R3 cars) that was won by ACI Team Italia driver Fabio Andolfi in his Peugeot 208 R2. Fabio Andolfi finished in seventeenth place overall, he was twenty-five minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Twelve of the 2016 WRC season for Wales Rally GB in two weeks time.
Review of Round seven of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship at Fuji International Speedway in Fuji, Japan.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Team won the race overall and the LMP1 class too of Mike Conway, Stéphane Sarrazin and Kamui Kobayashi in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid. While, second 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 fifteen tenths of a second behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was Porsche Team of Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley in their Porsche 919 Hybrid, they were seventeen seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class, the G-Drive Racing team of Roman Rusinov, Alex Brundle and Will Stevens in their Oreca 05 with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class. They finish in seventh place overall and they were twenty-one laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK team of Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell won in their Ford GT. They finish in seventeenth place overall and they were thirty-two laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy and Mathias Lauda in their Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE. They finish in twenty-fourth place overall and they were thirty-six laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 6 Hours of Fuji below, enjoy.
Next Stop 6 Hours of Shanghai in three weeks time for round eight of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Review of round fifteen of the 2016 MotoGP season at Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi, Tochigi for the Japanese GP.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Repsol Honda Team rider Marc Márquez on his works Honda RC213V.
With Marc Márquez winning the race, and both Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo crashing out of the race. The race win was enough to give Marc Márquez the 2016 MotoGP title, Marc Márquez is now 77 points ahead of Valentino Rossi with three races to go. Contracts to Marc Márquez for winning the MotoGP championship.
Second place was Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso on his works Ducati Desmosedici GP16, he was three seconds behind Márquez. While, third was Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Maverick Viñales on his works Suzuki GSX-RR, he was four seconds behind Márquez at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Garage Plus Interwetten rider Thomas Lüthi on the Kalex. Second was Ajo Motorsport rider and current Moto2 champion Johann Zarco on the Kalex, he was four tenths of a second behind Lüthi at the end. While, third was Estrella Galicia Marc VDS rider Franco Morbidelli on the Kalex, he was six seconds behind Lüthi at the end.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Gresini Racing Moto3 rider Enea Bastianini on the Honda. Second was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider and current Moto3 champion Brad Binder on the KTM, he was two hundredths of a second behind Bastianini at the end. While, third was Sky Racing Team VR46 rider Nicolò Bulega on the KTM, he was four seconds behind Bastianini at the end.
Its been five years today that Dan Wheldon has past away from us, from the accident he was competing in the final round of the Indy Car Series championship at Las Vegas Raceway, were Dan Wheldon was involved in a 15-car accident multi-car pile-up.
Today it should be celebrating life and never ever forget Dan Wheldon.
It was confirmed on Friday (14/10/16) that Force India driver Nico Hülkenberg will race with Renault Sport F1 Team as their first driver for 2017 season on a two year deal.
Despite signed to Force India till the end of 2017. It is Hülkenberg has been released from Force India to signed with Renault on a two-year deal till the end of the 2018 season, with an option to extend the deal into 2019.
The move brings to an end Hülkenberg's second spell with Force India, with a season at Sauber in 2013 sandwiching a two-year stint as a test-driver in 2011 and a race driver in 2012 and his current three-season run from 2014.
In my opinion, this is not a big surprise this news happen. It has been strongly rumoured since the Japanese Grand Prix that Hülkenberg has signed a deal with Renault. In a previous post, I guessed that he might have a cause in his contract that a big team might take his services to their team in 2017, that might have activate with Renault as a works team.
Also, Hülkenberg possibly signed to Renault because of Renault team boss Frédéric Vasseur. Because Vasseur helped Nico Hülkenberg during his early career with the ART Grand Prix team during 2007 and 2009 winning both European F3 championships in 2008 and GP2 championship in 2009.
Its great news for the Renault team as they have got a talented and experienced Grand Prix driver. But, better then their current drivers, properly in experienced. But, for Nico Hülkenberg it is a gamble to join the Renault F1 Team due to this season results, ninth in the constructor standings with only eight points. But with next season, the team will have a better car and power unit package as showned by Red Bull Racing, with that it might be the right time to join Renault next season.
It means Renault now has just one remaining seat available for 2017, with a number of names are in the frame, including current drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer.
Former Renault reserve driver Esteban Ocon, currently racing with Manor, is also in the running, and the favourite choice for the team due to his French and in a French team would help sales of Renaults in French market.
However, it is believed he is now become a target for Force India to replace Hülkenberg, would likely be the replacement at Force India as he is highly rated with the team and the association with Mercedes as a development driver.
Another option for Renault is Valtteri Bottas, who has started discussions with the team as a plan B should Williams fail to take up the option on his contract, due to Frédéric Vasseur. Because Vasseur helped Valtteri Bottas during his early career with the ART Grand Prix team during 2009 and 2011 winning the GP3 championship in 2011. A Hülkenberg and Bottas super team may be right choice. Time will tell who will be driving alongside Hülkenberg at Renault next season.
Things are looking up for the Renault team in 2017, despite it will be once again another developing year for Reanult.
Current World Endurance Drivers' champion and former Red Bull and Williams driver Mark Webber has announced yesterday (13/10/16) his retirement from racing and will take on a new role as a 'special representative for Porsche'.
Webber who is currently 40, who races with the Porsche in World Endurance Championship for the past three seasons, will now compete in his final race in Bahrain at next months seasons finale of the WEC. That means he will not be part of Porsche's 2017 WEC campaign.
He has called time on his career that includes nine Grand Prix victories in Formula 1 and winning World Endurance Drivers' Championship alongside Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard.
As-well, as a Formula 1 career which include a season at Minardi in 2002 where he finished fifth in his debut race.
Then moved to Jaguar in 2003 for two seasons, with a best result of sixth place four times during his Jaguar career.
Then moved to Williams in 2005 for two seasons, with a best result of third place during the 2005 Monaco Grand Prix.
Then moved (or return) to Red Bull (was Jaguar) in 2007 for seven seasons includes nine Grand Prix victories which included two Monaco Grand Prix wins and came close winning the drivers' title in 2010.
In my opinion, this was a shock decision to hear, I thought he would do a few more seasons at least. But, a decision is a decision from Mark Webber and have to respect his decision from his long career in Motorsport. Good luck in retirement for Mark Webber, he will be highly missed.
Review of the V8 Supercars round of the 2016 Bathurst 1000 at the famous Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales.
Tekno Autosports drivers Will Davison and Jonathon Webb won the 166 lap race overall in their Holden VF Commodore. The win was the second for Davison and Webb's first around the New South Wales track.
Second place was Triple Eight Race Engineering drivers Shane Van Gisbergen and Alexandre Prémat in their Holden VF Commodore, they were fourteen hundredths of a second behind the leaders at the end. Meanwhile, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport drivers Nick Percat and Cameron McConville finished in third place in their Holden VF Commodore, they were three seconds behind the leaders at the end.
Review of Round One of the 2016-17 Formula E season held the Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit in Hong Kong.
The race was won by Renault e.Dams driver and Current Formula E Champion Sebastien Buemi in his Spark-Renault. Second was ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver Lucas di Grassi in his Spark-Abt Sportsline, he was two seconds behind Buemi in the end. Meanwhile, third was Mahindra Racing Formula E Team driver Nick Heidfeld in his Spark-Mahindra, he was six seconds behind Buemi in the end.
Highlights of the race bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Two of the 2016-17 Formula E season in Marrakesh, Morocco for the Marrakesh ePrix in five weeks time.
Review of the seventeenth round of the 2016 F1 season at Suzuka, Suzuka City for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Overall, a dominating race weekend for Mercedes, dominating in practice, dominating in qualifying, and most importantly dominating in the race for Mercedes driver and for Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg. Rosberg was on pole for Sunday's race.
Rosberg took the advantage after current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton had his worse start of the season relegating him to eighth place. Which lead to Rosberg dominating the race, leading most of all fifty-three laps to conclude with a race win in this seasons Japanese Grand Prix for Nico Rosberg's ninth race win of the season.
While, Max Verstappen finished in second place in the Red Bull, Verstappen was five seconds behind Rosberg at the end.
Meanwhile, current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton finished in third place in the Mercedes to complete the podium despite having a poor start to the race, Hamilton was six seconds behind Rosberg at the end of the fifty-three lap race.
With both Mercedes drivers on the podium it was enough for Mercedes to win this seasons F1 Constructors' Championship with 203 points ahead of Red Bull with four races to go. Contracts to Mercedes for winning their third Constructors' Championship in Formula 1.
With Nico Rosberg's win at Suzuka and Lewis Hamilton only managing a third place finish, Nico Rosberg has now improve his lead of the F1 drivers' championship from twenty-three points to thirty-three points ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton with four races to go.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 9
Lewis Hamilton - 8 (finished third)
Nico Rosberg - 10 (pole and race win)
Ferrari - 8
Sebastian Vettel - 8 (finished fourth and fastest lap)
Kimi Räikkönen - 8 (finished fifth)
Williams - 7
Valtteri Bottas - 7 (finished tenth)
Felipe Massa - 8 (finished ninth)
Red Bull Racing - 8
Daniel Ricciardo - 7 (finished sixth)
Max Verstappen - 9 (finished second)
Force India - 7
Nico Hülkenberg - 7 (finished eighth)
Sergio Pérez - 8 (finished seventh)
Renault - 6
Kevin Magnussen - 5 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Jolyon Palmer - 7 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 5
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 5 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
Daniil Kvyat - 6 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Sauber - 5
Marcus Ericsson - 6 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
Felipe Nasr - 5 (finished nineteenth, lap down)
McLaren - 4
Fernando Alonso - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Jenson Button - 4 (finished eighteenth, lap down)
Manor - 4
Esteban Ocon - 4 (finished twenty-first, lap down)
Pascal Wehrlein - 4 (finished twenty-second, lap down)
Current MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo tested a 2014 Mercedes' F1 car at Silverstone on Thursday (6/10/2016).
Lorenzo's maiden outing in the 2014 Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid took place on the Silverstone's International layout, and was arranged by mutual sponsor Monster Energy.
No lap times were released, but Lorenzo was pleased with his personal performance.
Not the first time a MotoGP rider have driven a Formula 1 car, includes Valentino Rossi driven for multiple times for Ferrari between 2006 till 2009 at Fiorano, Barcelona, Valencia and Mugello.
And Max Biaggi for the Midland (Force India) team in 2006 at Silverstone.
So who's next driving a Formula 1 car from the MotoGP world, Marc Márquez perhaps?
It was confirmed yesterday (7/10/16), Sauber F1 Team will be using a 2016-specification Ferrari power units for next season.
Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said that the decision had been taken months ago because the outfit wanted to be able to push on with designing next seasons car with a known power unit concept.
Running the same specification as Ferrari, with such a big rule change to technical regulations going into next season, risked Sauber needing to make late revisions to its design if the Italian car manufacturer elected to overhaul its power unit.
Sauber's decision to use a 2016-specification engine means only Ferrari and Haas will use the outfit's 2017 power unit, a reduction compared to this season.
In my opinion, this is a bit of a major surprise that the news has happen. But, with the big rule changes to technical regulations for next season it might be the right choice to use year old power units for 2017.
However, with using year old power units, the disadvantage could be 30bhp behind the 2017 spec and then some throughout the season just like for Toro Rosso for this season. They started well looking to fight for podiums for the first half of the season scoring 45 points, going into the second part of the season they only managed to score two points since the Belgium Grand Prix.
That means Sauber team needs to score points early going into 2017 to pay this gamble off.
