Happy Christmas for 2018

Basically the last post for 2018 as I am taking over a week off with my family and try to enjoy Christmas. All that means is a Happy Christmas/Holidays to you all and see you in 2019.



Bye.

Seven predictions from 2018, did I got any of them right?

During my first post of 2018. I did a post on seven racing predictions for 2018, and the post was really a fun post on seven predictions that may happen in 2018. But the main question is did I got any right? let see:

Number 1, McLaren to finish Fourth or higher F1 Constructors' Standings in 2018.
No, McLaren only managed Sixth in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2018. I got this prediction Wrong.



Number 2, Toyota to win the Manufacturers' WRC title in 2018.
Despite Ott Tänak missing out on WRC Drivers' title, Toyota did win the Manufacturers' WRC title in 2018, 27 points ahead of Hyundai who finished second in the standings. Meaning, I got this prediction Right.



Number 3, Aston Martin to announce an Engine partnership with Red Bull for 2021 F1 season.
Red Bull did announce they will be using Honda Power Units next two seasons, no news for 2021, it might happen in 2019. Meaning I got this prediction Wrong.



Number 4, KTM to score at least one podium in MotoGP this season.
Going into the final round of the MotoGP, there best result was multiple tenth place finishes, enter Valencia MotoGP race and lucky enough Pol Espargaró finished third in a wet race. Meaning Second prediction I got Right.



Number 5, Sauber to score at least 40 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2018.
Third prediction I got Right. Sauber team scored 48 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings this season which includes Charles Leclerc scoring 39 points in his devbuting season. Resulting the team finishing in eighth in F1 Constructors' Standing this season.



Number 6, BMW to win LMGTE Pro Class at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Third prediction I got Wrong. One BMW finished eleventh in class while the other M8 retire in the race, while Porsche took one-two in LMGTE Pro Class.



Number 7, Maserati to announce a return to Motorsport via Formula E for the 2020/21 Formula E season.
Fourth prediction I got Wrong. Not even close on this close on this one.



So basically I got three out of seven predictions right. More fun predictions in 2019.

Gymkhana Ten Review

For the first time in two years', after the previous Gymkhana came out. Hoonigan and Ken Block bring out their new Gymkhana video onto YouTube called: "Ken Block's GYMKHANA TEN: The Ultimate Tire Slaying Tour".

Enjoy the video below.

Ken Block's GYMKHANA TEN: The Ultimate Tire Slaying Tour



Overall I liked the video, so far with six million views on YouTube since Monday, its another 74 million views to catch up with Gymkhana Five record. Overall, another very cool video from Ken Block.

2018/19 Formula E - Ad Diriyah ePrix - Round 1 Recap

Review of Round One of the 2018-19 Formula E season held on the Riyadh Street Circuit in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

The race was won by BMW i Andretti Motorsport driver António Félix da Costa took the race win in his Spark-BMW. Second was DS Techeetah Formula E Team driver and Current Formula E Champion Jean-Éric Vergne in his Spark-Citroën, he was half a second behind da Costa in the end. Meanwhile, third was Mahindra Racing driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio in his Spark-Mahindra, he was four seconds behind da Costa in the end.

Highlights of the race below, enjoy.



Next stop, Round Two of the 2018-19 Formula E season in Marrakesh, Morocco for the Marrakesh ePrix in four weeks time.

2018 Monza Rally Show Review (Valentino Rossi Wins again)

So last weekend (1-3/12/17) was the annual Monza Rally Show. The final results saw Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi won this years Monza Rally Show in his M-Sport spec Ford Fiesta WRC Plus.



Second was Teemu Sunienen in his M-Sport spec Ford Fiesta WRC Plus, he was over a minute behind Rossi at the end. Meanwhile, Roberto Brivio finished in third place in his M-Sport spec Ford Fiesta WRC Plus, he was two minutes behind Rossi at the end.

Here's a YouTube video of some of the Show's highlights from last week.

Part 2 of Formula 1 2018 Season Review (Top Formula 1 drivers of 2018 and final thoughts of Formula 1 2018)

Second part of my Formula 1 2018 Season Review, this post will includes my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2018. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2018.



Starting of with My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2018, 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 Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Jr. or Pierre Gasly to name a few, its just only opinion folks.

Anyway, here is my list below.

My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2018:

10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) - Consistently fast and reliable this season, which include two fifth place finishes at Bahrain and the Red Bull Ring.

9. Sergio Pérez (Force India) - Consistently fast and reliable this season, which include a third place finish at Baku.

8. Nico Hülkenberg (Renault) - Consistently fast and some impressive drives at multiple Grand Prixs'; includes an impressive fifth place finish at Hockenheim at his home Grand Prix.

7. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) - On his day faster driver than his team-mate Hamilton, multiple second place finishes, should have won Shanghai and Baku only for bad luck to intervene, should have won in Sochi only team-orders had to intervene.

6. Charles Leclerc (Sauber) - Consistently fast in his first season, which include sixth place finish at Baku.

5. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) - Some impressive drives despite an underpowered and unreliable car includes a Grand Prix wins at Shanghai and Monaco.

4. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - On his day faster driver than his team-mate Vettel, which includes a Grand Prix win at Austin.

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - Some impressive drives in his fourth season, which includes two Grand Prix wins at the Red Bull Ring and Mexico.

2. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) - Five Grand Prix wins, lead the Drivers' Championship for most of the season until Hockenheim, needs a much faster Ferrari going into 2019 to challenge both titles'.

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - Best driver on the grid this season, eleven Grand Prix wins, to concluded with his fifth Drivers' World Championship.

Overall, possibly one of the most entertaining seasons in modern era Formula 1, a season for Mercedes had to fight to win both champions as Ferrari were contenders to both titles. In the end Mercedes once again took all the glory taking eleven out of twenty-one wins and four one-two finishes to conclude winning their fifth F1 Constructors' Championship in a row.

For the Drivers' Championship, a Drivers' Championship that Sebastian Vettel should have won until the German Grand Prix. Where his championship fell apart with an error on his home race; giving Lewis Hamilton the race win and the championship lead and then winning the next six races out of seven, while Vettel managing just one race win. Resulting Lewis Hamilton to win his this seasons Drivers' Championship with eleven wins to give Lewis Hamilton his fifth F1 Drivers' title and becoming the third driver in Formula 1 history to join Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher to win five or more F1 Drivers' Titles to conclude Formula 1 in 2018.



Bring on Formula 1 2019.

Part 1 of Formula 1 2018 Season Review (the teams)

Two parter Formula One season review of the 2018 season. In this post I will review each team of 2018. 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 Mercedes below.

Mercedes:
+ As you were from 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017; Best car and driver on the grid with the W09 EQ Power+, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, with 13 poles, 11 race wins, a Constructors' Title and a Drivers' Title with Lewis Hamilton.
- Double DNF's at Red Bull Ring with mechanical issues for both drivers; also Bottas losing out on wins at Shanghai (safety car), Baku (puncture) and Sochi (team-orders).



Ferrari
+ Impressive performance from Sebastian Vettel; which includes five wins, and Kimi Räikkönen wining a race in Austin.
- SF71H was fast throughout the first half of the season, second half different story, apart from Räikkönen's win in Austin, no Ferrari/Vettel wins after Spa, Vettel crashing out while leading his home race at Hockenheim; also the un-timing death of Former CEO of Ferrari Sergio Marchionne.



Red Bull:
+ Impressive performance from Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen includes race wins for Ricciardo in Shanghai and Monaco, and a race wins for Verstappen at Red Bull Ring and Mexico.
-The Renault Power-Units are still around 50-60bhp less than the Ferrari Power-Units; RB14 is not strong as thought and also reliability has cost Ricciardo podiums this season, enough for Daniel Ricciardo move to Renault despite works Honda deal for Red Bull next season; also Verstappen losing out a win in Brazil.



Renault:
+ Sixth in the Constructors' last season, fourth in the Constructors' this season a much better improvement from Renault; which includes two fifth place finishes for Nico Hülkenberg at Hockenheim and for Carlos Sainz, Jr. at Baku,
-Despite Renault finished fourth in the Constructors' standings, there are still long way behind the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull; signing Daniel Ricciardo for next season will help to catch the top three next season.



Haas:
+ Some impressive performances from Romain Grosjean this season which include a fourth place finish at the Red Bull Ring, and Kevin Magnussen fifth place finishes at Bahrain and the Red Bull Ring; currently fifth the Constructor's standings, fourth possible.
- Double DNF at Melbourne, poor second half of the season cost Haas fourth in the Constructors' Standings; however its still an over-achievement for Haas team to finish in fifth place in Constructor's Standings in their third season of Formula 1.



McLaren:
+ Some great race performances from Fernando Alonso, which include a fifth place finish for Alonso at Melbourne.
- The McL33 has been too slow in qualifying which effected them in the races, also reliable problems (gearbox and exhaust) doesn't help the team; also sacking former Team Boss Éric Boullier in mid-season don't help either; sixth in the Constructors' Standings was an improvement from last season, however the team performances was awful in the second half of the season, another Grand Prix more McLaren would have finished eighth in the standings; and finally the retirement of Fernando Alonso he will be much missed going into 2019.



Force India:
+Some impressive performances from Sergio Pérez this season which include third place finish at Baku.
- The team is put into administration before the Hungarian Grand Prix, despite its backed by a consortium of investors led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll got the team out of administration; concluding losing all points starting from zero from Spa' despite that the team finished seventh in the Constructors’ standings, could have finished sixth if another Grand Prix happened; Meanwhile changing the teams name to Racing Point sounds awful going into 2019.



Sauber:
+ Some impressive performances from Charles Leclerc this season which include a sixth place finish at Baku, eighth in the Constructor's Standings is massive improvement from the team.
- Double DNF at Silverstone, a few DNF's in the last few races cost Sauber sixth in the Constructors' Standings; Leclerc leaving the team to Ferrari next season will hurt the team going into next season, although the team have re-signed Kimi Räikkönen for two more seasons.



Scuderia Toro Rosso:
+ Some impressive performances from Pierre Gasly this season which include a forth place finish at Bahrain and a sixth place finish at the Hungaroring.
- Honda Power-Units are still round 75-80bhp behind of the likes of Ferrari Power-Units; ninth in the Constructor's Standings is unacceptable from the team; Gasly leaving the team to Red Bull next season will hurt the team going into next season.



Williams:
+ Lance Stroll finishing eighth place at Baku is the teams only highlight this season.
- The FW41 been too slow and underdeveloped this season, concluded with tenth in the Constructors' Standings with only seven points, losing main sponsor Martini going into 2019; overall a disastrous season from Williams, nothing positive to say from the team this season.



In part 2 of Formula 1 2018 Season Review my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2018. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2018.

Confirmed: Lance Stroll joins Force India for 2019 season on a long-term deal

It was confirmed yesterday (30/10/18), that Williams driver Lance Stroll has signed a long-term deal to replace Esteban Ocon at Force India from the 2019 season.



His move from Williams, for whom he made his debut in 2017, has been F1's worst-kept secret since his father bought Force India in August.

Billionaire Lawrence Stroll rescued the team from administration as head of a consortium and is expected to change their name to Racing Point F1 Team (don't ask why) next season.

Lance Stroll will partner Sergio Perez, who was confirmed as a driver in October. His appointment means all twenty seats for next season are now confirmed.



In my opinion, this is not a big surprise this news happen, it has been Formula 1's worst-kept secret since the Belgian Grand Prix in August.

Jimmie Johnson tests a 2013 McLaren F1 car while Fernando Alonso tests a 2018 NASCAR

Seven times NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson tested a 2013 McLaren F1 car at Bahrain on Monday (26/11/2018).



Johnson's maiden outing in the 2013 McLaren MP4-28 took place on the Bahrain International Circuit layout.

Johnson did a lap time two tenths off Fernando Alonso lap time in the same car.

Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso tested a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 spec NASCAR at Bahrain as-well.

Confirmed: Fernando Alonso returns to contest 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019

It was confirmed of Tuesday (27/11/18) Fernando Alonso will return to Daytona and contest next seasons 24 Hours of Daytona in January, with the Wayne Taylor Racing team.





The former F1 world champion finished thirty-eighth place overall and thirteenth in Prototype class in his Rolex 24 debut earlier this year, driving a Ligier JS P217 Gibson run by United Autosports.



Alonso will race in Prototype class once again with a Cadillac DPi-V.R alongside Jordan Taylor, Renger van der Zande and former Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi who will make his debut in the race in January.

In my opinion, no surprises with this news has happened, with the news that Alonso will be driving for a top like Wayne Taylor Racing, Alonso has got the best change to win Daytona next year.

2018 World RX Round 12 Recap - World RX of South Africa

Review of Round Twelve of the 2018 World Rallycross Championship season was the World RX of South Africa, at Killarney Motor Racing Complex on the outskirts of Cape Town.

In the four Heats, those were won by Sébastien Loeb and current World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson (winning three times).

In the first semi-final that was won by PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver and Current World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson in his Volkswagen Polo R. Second was Team Peugeot Total driver Timmy Hansen in his Peugeot 208, he was two seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end. While, third was Team Peugeot Total driver Kevin Hansen in his Peugeot 208, he was seven seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end.

In the second semi-final that was won by PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver Petter Solberg in his Volkswagen Polo R. Second was Team Peugeot Total driver Sébastien Loeb in his Peugeot 208, he was two seconds behind Solberg in the end. While, third was EKS Audi Sport driver Mattias Ekström in his Audi S1, he was three seconds Solberg in the end.

In the final race, PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver and Current World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson took the race win in his Volkswagen Polo R. Second was EKS Audi Sport driver Mattias Ekström in his Audi S1, he was two and half seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end. While, third was Team Peugeot Total driver Sébastien Loeb in his Peugeot 208, he was three and half seconds behind Kristoffersson in the end.



And so this years champions in World Rallycross Championship, World Rallycross Championship Drivers' Champion: Johan Kristoffersson. World Rallycross Championship Teams' Championship: PSRX Volkswagen Sweden.

Contractions to the Champions this season.

Confirmed: Alexander Albon races with Toro Rosso for 2019

It's been confirmed yesterday (26/11/18), Formula 2 driver Alexander Albon will race with Toro Rosso for the 2019 Formula 1 season.



Albon, who finished third in FIA Formula 2 Championship, is stepping up to a race seat alongside Daniil Kvyat for next season, leaving current Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley without a drive going into 2019.



The former Red Bull Junior driver already committed to joining the Nissan e.dams Formula E team.

Albon's return to the Red Bull fold with Toro Rosso comes six years after he was dropped from the drinks junior programme.

Great News to see Alexander Albon stepping up to a full F1 drive at Toro Rosso next season, well earned.

2018 F2 and GP3 champions news

This post is all about the new 2018 F2 and GP3 champions.

George Russell won the Formula 2 championship at Yas Marina Circuit from last weekend, George Russell won this years Formula 2 championship ahead of both Lando Norris and Alexander Albon in the standings. So where going to see George Russell next season? Already confirmed to race at Williams next season.



Meanwhile still at the Yas Marina Circuit, Anthoine Hubert won this years GP3 series championship ahead of both Nikita Mazepin and Callum Ilott in the standings. We will possibly see Anthoine Hubert in a top Formula 2 team next season.



So, contractions to the new champions. Bring on 2019.

2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Review

Review of the twenty-first and final round of the 2018 F1 season at Yas Marina Circuit on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Not one of the best races of the season, despite a scary crash from collusion between Romain Grosjean and Nico Hülkenberg, resulted Nico Hülkenberg going upside down a few times at the start of the race. Thankfully he escape unharmed.



Despite that, it was a dominating race weekend from Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was on pole for Sunday's race. In the day to night Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton took the advantage at the start and comfortably lead the race throughout, despite pitting early for tyres, despite that it was Lewis Hamilton day to win this seasons Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Lewis Hamilton's eleventh race win of the season.



While, Sebastian Vettel finished in second place in the Ferrari, Vettel was two and half seconds behind Hamilton at the end.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen finished in third place in the Ferrari to complete the podium, Verstappen was thirteen seconds behind Hamilton at the end of the fifty-five lap race.

Highlights of the race below, enjoy.



Rate the Teams and Drivers

Mercedes - 8
Lewis Hamilton - 9 (pole, race win)
Valtteri Bottas - 7 (finished fifth)

Ferrari - 7
Sebastian Vettel - 8 (finished second, fastest lap)
Kimi Räikkönen - 7 (DNF, Power loss)

Red Bull Racing - 8
Daniel Ricciardo - 8 (finished fourth)
Max Verstappen - 9 (finished third)

Force India - 7
Sergio Pérez- 7 (finished eighth)
Esteban Ocon- 7 (DNF, Engine)

Williams - 4
Lance Stroll - 5 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Sergey Sirotkin - 4 (finished fifteenth, lap down)

Renault - 7
Nico Hülkenberg - 6 (DNF, Collision with Grosjean)
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 9 (finished sixth)

Toro Rosso - 7
Pierre Gasly - 8 (DNF, Engine)
Brendon Hartley - 6 (finished twelfth, lap down)

Haas - 6
Romain Grosjean - 6 (finished ninth, lap down)
Kevin Magnussen - 6 (finsihed tenth, lap down)

McLaren - 6
Fernando Alonso - 7 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Stoffel Vandoorne - 5 (finished fourteenth, lap down)

Sauber - 7
Marcus Ericsson - 7 (DNF, Power loss)
Charles Leclerc - 8 (finished seventh)




Now bring on 2019, for another season of Formula 1. Only three and a half months to go.

Confirmed: Pirelli retains as tyre supplier in Formula 1 till 2023

It was confirmed before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (25/11/18) that Pirelli will retain as Formula 1's tyre supplier under the latest contract till 2023.



Pirelli, has been Formula 1's sole tyre supplier since returning in 2011 replacing Bridgestone, but was up against DTM and European Formula 3 Championship supplier Hankook for a post-2019 deal.

The new arrangement was complicated by F1’s rules, when the series will switch to using 18-inch wheels and tyre blankets will be banned in 2021.

Overall, a good decision from the FIA to keep Pirelli for next five seasons. Interesting times ahead what Pirelli will produce in 2021.

Mercedes signs Esteban Ocon as test driver for 2019

It was announce on Friday (23/11/18) that Force India driver Esteban Ocon will be Mercedes's test and reserve driver during the 2019 season, as his set to lose his drive at Force India to Lance Stroll.



Ocon will be the teams test and reserve driver, will focus on car development in the simulator, and will now move across to Mercedes, in providing support to Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.



Ocon made his Grand Prix debut in F1 in the middle of the 2016 F1 season with the former Manor team, after some impressive drives with the team, Ocon moved to Force India in 2017, resulted multiple top six finishes from the past two seasons.

Overall, happy that Ocon got a job for next season with Mercedes. Meanwhile sad that he will be not driving next season. Rumoured he was close to a Renault (Daniel Ricciardo), McLaren (Carlos Sainz, Jr.) and a Williams (Robert Kubica) drive for next season due to other drivers have pipped him to those drives. Not retain at Force India next season due to Lance Stroll father Lawrence Stroll bought the team in August meaning Ocon lost his drive.

Hopefully, Ocon will return to the grid in 2020, unless you are Max Verstappen that is.

Top six best Fernando Alonso F1 drives of all time! Celebrating 314 and last Grand Prix

To Celebrate Fernando Alonso's 314th and last Grand Prix start coming up at this weekends Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were he becomes the second driver in history to complete over 314 Grand Prixs. To celebrate this, this post is the top six best Fernando Alonso F1 drives of all time. There were so many races to choose from, if there any races I have missed this is only my opinion folks.



Starting with number 6:

Number 6: 2001 Japanese Grand Prix
Story: In a very underpowered Minardi, Fernando Alonso was the third-youngest driver ever to start a Formula 1 race when he made his debut for Minardi in 2001. During the final round of the season at Suzuka, where he out-qualified both Arrows drivers and the Prost of Tomáš Enge to start in eighteenth place. He went on to he finished in eleventh place, ahead of likes of Heinz-Harald Frentzen in the Prost, the BAR of Olivier Panis, the two Arrows and his team-mate Alex Yoong, even Minardi team manager Paul Stoddart, described his race as "53 laps of qualifying". Now that's an impressive season with the worse car on the grid that season.



Number 5: 2005 San Marino Grand Prix
Story: Alonso started second on the grid behind Kimi Räikkönen in the McLaren, by lap 9 Räikkönen retired with driveshaft problems giving Alonso. It wasn't plain-sailing for Alonso, with Michael Schumacher doing an overtaking master-class starting from thirteenth place, with thirteen laps to go Schumacher was in second place catching upto Alonso. It was went to an overtaking master-class from Schumacher to a defensive master-class from Alonso maintained his composure and prevent the reigning world champion from passing to win the San Marino Grand Prix, show signs Alonso can be world champion that season.



Number 4: 2013 Spanish Grand Prix
Story: Alonso started in fifth place, usually at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya you need to be on the front row to win at Spain. But, not Alonso, at the start he overtake both Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton at the start at Turn 3, overtake Sebastian Vettel at the first pits stops. By lap 12 Alonso overtake Nico Rosberg for the lead of the race, Alonso was unchallenged for the rest of the race to win the Spanish Grand Prix for Alonso thirty-second win and last Grand Prix in Alonso F1 career.



Number 3: 2010 Italian Grand Prix
Story: On pole at Monza for Alonso's first race as a Ferrari driver in Italy, But, Jenson Button used his audacious strategy of running an unusually large rear wing on his McLaren to grab the lead, with Alonso trying to overtake Button lap after lap, by lap 36 Alonso overtake Button at the pit stops, by lap 38 Alonso took the lead, despite Button tried to overtake Alonso him again, it was Alonso to win the Italian Grand Prix.



Number 2: 2007 European Grand Prix (Nurburgring)
Story: Alonso started second on the grid behind Kimi Räikkönen in the Ferrari, it was dry to wet to dry to wet race, other words one chaotic race. It was race between Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa with Massa leading when the rain return at the end of lap 52, by lap 56 Alonso came into its own and he passed Massa in dramatic fashion around the outside at turn five to win the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.



Number 1: 2012 European Grand Prix (Valencia)
Story: Alonso started in eleventh place after a bad qualifying. In a hot and dry European Grand Prix, he had nothing to lose and everything to gain in this race show us an overtaking master-class, by the first lap Alonso was eighth, overtaking the likes of Michael Schumacher and Mark Webber. By lap 27 the safety car appeared, which lead Alonso overtake Lewis Hamilton in the pits, when the safety car went in Alonso overtake Romain Grosjean to take second behind Sebastian Vettel. By lap 33 Alonso took the lead when Vettel's Alternator broke, giving Fernando Alonso a race win at home.



To give the 2012 European Grand Prix the best Fernando Alonso his greatest drive in Formula 1. Happy 314th Grand Prix to one of the sports greatest ambassador Fernando Alonso.

Mercedes signs Stoffel Vandoorne as a development driver for 2019

It was announce yesterday (22/11/18) that McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne will be Mercedes's development driver during the 2019 season.





Vandoorne will be the teams test driver and will focus on car development in the simulator, and will now move across to Mercedes, in providing support to Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. Alongside his Formula E racing programme with the HWA(Mercedes) team that he sign a few weeks ago.



Vandoorne made his Grand Prix debut in F1 in 2017 with McLaren, after many seasons as one of their junior drivers. But having struggled to deliver consistent form, Vandoorne being replaced by Lando Norris for next season at McLaren after two seasons at the team.

It's Official: He's Back! Robert Kubica races with Williams for 2019

It's been confirmed on Thursday (23/11/18) on the eve of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, that former BMW Sauber and Renault driver Robert Kubica will race with the Williams F1 Team for the 2019 Formula 1 season, completing a remarkable comeback eight years after a rally accident that nearly killed him.



The former Grand Prix winner suffered a partially severed right arm among many other injuries in the crash and still has partial movement in that limb.

Kubica has been a test driver this season with the team, after losing out to the drive this season to Sergey Sirotkin.



Kubica was also understood to have had a firm offer from Ferrari to take up a development role with the Italian team for 2019. Instead opted to race next season with Williams.

Kubica will partner 2017 GP3 Series Champion, Formula 2 Championship leader and current Mercedes reserve driver George Russell at Williams next season. While, Sirotkin is out of a drive after a poor season with the team, while Lance Stroll is more than likely off to Force India next season.

Overall, happy to see Robert Kubica back racing in Formula 1 next season. It was strongly rumoured from the start of this week that Kubica already signed a deal to drive at Williams next season.

All I can say, welcome back Robert Kubica.

2018 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Predictions

Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit outside of Abu Dhabi for the final round of the 2018 Formula 1 season.

So predictions for the race itself, for the win, I predict that, Valtteri Bottas 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 Force India drivers, and the Renault drivers as well for a podium place.

2018 WTCR Round 10 Recap - Guia Race of Macau, Gabriele Tarquini 2018 WTCR Champion!

Review of Round Ten of the 2018 World Touring Car Cup season was the Guia Race of Macau, at Guia Circuit, Macau, South-East of China.

In the first race, Audi Sport Leopard Lukoil Team WRT driver Jean-Karl Vernay took the race win in his Audi RS3 LMS TCR. Second was M Racing YMR driver Yvan Muller in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was five tenths of a second behind Vernay in the end. While third place was Sébastien Loeb Racing driver Robert Huff in his Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, he was eight tenths of a second behind Vernay in the end.

Meanwhile in the second race, Audi Sport Team Comtoyou driver Frédéric Vervisch took the race win in his Audi RS3 LMS TCR. Second was ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport driver Timo Scheider in his Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8), he was seventeen tenths of a second behind Vervisch in the end. While third place was M Racing YMR driver Yvan Muller in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was two seconds behind Vervisch in the end.

Finally in the third race, ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport driver Esteban Guerrieri took the race win in his Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8). Second was Sébastien Loeb Racing driver Robert Huff in his Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, he was two and half seconds behind Guerrieri in the end. While third place was BRC Racing Team driver Norbert Michelisz in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was three and half seconds behind Guerrieri in the end.

Meanwhile BRC Racing Team driver Gabriele Tarquini finished tenth place in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was eight seconds behind Guerrieri in the end. That was enough for Gabriele Tarquini to win the WTCR Drivers' Champion and becoming 2018 WTCR Drivers' Champion to beat Yvan Muller by three points. Contractions to Gabriele Tarquini for winning this years title.



And so this years champions in WTCR, WTCR Drivers' Champion: Gabriele Tarquini. And WTCR Teams' Championship: M Racing-YMR.

Contractions to the Champions this season.

2018 6 Hours of Shanghai Review

Review of Round Five of the 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship at Shanghai International Circuit on the outskirts of Shanghai, China.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing team won the race overall and the LMP1 class too of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid, Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6. While, second place was the other Toyota Gazoo Racing to complete a Toyota one-two finish, with the team of Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Fernando Alonso in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid, Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6; they were two seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was the SMP Racing of Mikhail Aleshin, Vitaly Petrov and Jenson Button in their BR Engineering BR1, AER P60B 2.4 L Turbo V6; they were a lap behind the leaders at the end of the race.

While in GTE Pro class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Marco Sørensen and Nicki Thiim won in their Aston Martin Vantage AMR. They finish in seventh place overall and they were four laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.

In LMP2 class (all cars using the Gibson 4.2 L V8 engine), Jackie Chan DC Racing team of Ho-Pin Tung, Gabriel Aubry and Stéphane Richelmi in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 class. They finish in eighth place overall and they were four laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.

While in GTE Am class, was won by Dempsey-Proton Racing team of Matt Campbell, Christian Ried and Julien Andlauer in their Porsche 911 RSR. They finish in twenty-first place overall and they were five laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.

Highlights of the 6 Hours of Shanghai below, enjoy.



Next Stop 1000 Miles of Sebring in seventeen weeks time for round six of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

2018 Valencia MotoGP Review

Review of round nineteen and the final round of the 2018 MotoGP season at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia for the Valencia 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 GP18.



Second place was Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Álex Rins on his works Suzuki GSX-RR, he was three seconds behind Dovizioso at the end.



While, third was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Pol Espargaró on his works KTM RC16, he was seven seconds behind Dovizioso at the end.



In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Miguel Oliveira on the KTM.



Second was Swiss Innovative Investors rider Iker Lecuona on the KTM, he was thirteen seconds behind Oliveira at the end. While, third was EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider Álex Márquez on the Kalex, he was twenty-two seconds behind Oliveira 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 Can Öncü in his KTM. Second was Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3 and current Moto3 Champion rider Jorge Martín on the Honda, he was four seconds behind Öncü at the end of the race. While, third was CIP - Green Power rider John McPhee on the KTM, he was over six seconds behind Öncü at the end of the race.


And so who won what in which class, MotoGP Champion: Marc Márquez, MotoGP Manufacturers' Champion: Honda, MotoGP Teams' Champion: Repsol Honda Team. Moto2 Champion: Francesco Bagnaia, Moto2 Manufacturers' Champion: Kalex, Moto2 Teams' Champion: Red Bull KTM Ajo. Moto3 Champion: Jorge Martín, Moto3 Manufacturers' Champion: Honda and Moto3 Teams' Champion: Del Conca Gresini Moto3.