It has been announced yesterday, before the start of the Russian Grand Prix qualifying (28/9/19); McLaren has signed a new engine partnership with Mercedes to supply the team their power-units from the start of the 2021 F1 season on a four year deal.
It revives a partnership that previously ran from 1995 until the end of 2014 winning three Drivers' Championships and a Constructor' Championship in that period.
McLaren, which will see out the final year of its Renault contract in 2020 as planned.
McLaren's move to Mercedes in 2021 will leave Renault with only themselves using its own power-units.
Mercedes will supply four teams in 2021 themselves, Racing Point and Williams and now McLaren.
In my opinion, this is no major surprise that the news has happen yesterday. As this has been rumoured since the British Grand Prix in July that McLaren will swap back to Mercedes power-units for the 2021 season.
This is a very good deal for McLaren, as I believe that the Mercedes power-units will be more powerful, reliable and cheaper.
Back to the future for McLaren and Mercedes going into 2021.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom near Sochi.
So Predictions for the race, for the win, I predict Lewis Hamilton for the race win in the Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas second in the other Mercedes, and third place for Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari. Don't forget Charles Leclerc, the Red Bull drivers, the McLaren drivers', and the Renault drivers' as-well for a podium place.
Review of round fourteen of the 2019 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 Repsol Honda Team rider and current MotoGP champion Marc Marquez on his works Honda RC213V.
Second place was Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso on his works Ducati Desmosedici GP19, he was five seconds behind Márquez at the end.
While, third was Pramac Racing rider Jack Miller on his Ducati Desmosedici GP19, he was five and half seconds behind Marquez at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-three 765cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Brad Binder on the KTM.
Second was +Ego Speed Up rider Jorge Navarro on the Speed Up, he was eight tenths of a second behind Binder at the end. While, third was EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider Álex Márquez on the Kalex, he was three seconds behind Binder at the end.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Sterilgarda Max Racing Team rider Arón Canet on the KTM. Second was Honda Team Asia rider Ai Ogura on the Honda, he was four and half seconds behind Canet at the end. While, third was SKY Racing Team VR46 rider Dennis Foggia on the KTM, he was over four and half seconds behind Canet at the end.
Review of the fifteenth round of the 2019 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.
The race itself was an entertaining race to watch, Charles Leclerc on pole for Sundays race. On a dry Sunday race, Leclerc took the lead at the start ahead of both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. By Lap 19 Vettel pitted for Hard tyres while Leclerc pitting for fresh Hard tyres a lap later resulted Vettel the advantage and took the lead when Hamilton pitted for tyres on lap 27. Resulting Sebastian Vettel to win his first Grand Prix on the season to win this seasons Singapore Grand Prix.
While, Charles Leclerc finished in second place in the other Ferrari to complete a Ferrai one-two finish of the season, and a first Ferrari one-two finish since the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, Leclerc was three seconds behind Vettel at the end.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen finished in third place in the Red Bull to complete the podium, Verstappen was four seconds behind Vettel at the end of the sixty-one lap race.
Now with six races to go, with Vettel winning, Leclerc finishing second, Max Verstappen only managaed a third place; while Lewis Hamilton's only managed a fourth place in Singapore, while Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas only mangering a fifth place finish in Singapore. Lewis Hamilton has improved his lead of the F1 Drivers' Standings from sixty-three points to sixty-five points ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas; while both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are third in the standings, ninty-six points behind Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel is fifth in the standings, a hundred and two points behind Hamilton.
While Mercedes still leads F1 Constructors' Standings, the gap is now reduce from one hundred and fifty-four points to one hundred and thirty-three points for Ferrari who are second in the Constructors' Standings with six races to go.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 6
Lewis Hamilton - 7 (finished fourth)
Valtteri Bottas - 6 (finished fifth)
Ferrari - 9
Sebastian Vettel - 10 (race win)
Charles Leclerc - 9 (pole, finished second)
Red Bull Racing - 7
Max Verstappen - 8 (finished third)
Alexander Albon - 7 (finished sixth)
Renault - 5
Daniel Ricciardo - 5 (finished fourteenth)
Nico Hülkenberg - 6 (finished ninth)
It was confirmed on Thursday (19/9/19) that Robert Kubica will leave from Williams at the end of the 2019 season, which means the Pole will thus be leaving Formula 1 after six seasons thus far, which includes a Grand Prix win.
Kubica completed a remarkable comeback eight years after a rally accident that nearly killed him. However, results have been hard to come by and out-performed by team-mate George Russell throughout the season, Kubica currently sits nineteenth place in the Drivers' standings, with a best finish of tenth place at the German Grand Prix.
Kubica will likely be replaced by Williams test-driver and Formula 2 driver Nicholas Latifi.
Happy to see Robert Kubica back racing in Formula 1 this season, gutted its not going on further after the final race of the season. In a different universe Robert Kubica would have been a multiple world champion by now.
It was confirmed yesterday (19/9/19) that Haas will retain Romain Grosjean for the 2020 Formula 1 season alongside Kevin Magnussen.
Rumoured he was going to replace by Nico Hulkenberg, however they opted to remain Grosjean for another season.
He currently sits seventeen place in the Drivers' standings, with a best finish of seventh place at the German Grand Prix.
Overall, a good decision from Haas to keep Romain Grosjean for another season. Although, it would have been interesting to see what Nico Hulkenberg could have done at Haas next season, however, I did say I do not see Hülkenberg being team-mates to Kevin Magnussen as there are bad tensions from a few seasons past. A safe gamble from Haas going into next season.
Finally, it was confirmed on Tuesday (17/9/19), Johann Zarco has been dropped by Red Bull KTM team from its MotoGP team for the rest of 2019, with the team squad announcing test rider Mika Kallio as his replacement.
Zarco announced last month, that he will leave the team at the end of the 2019 MotoGP season, despite having signed a two-year contract when he penned a deal last year.
The relationship between the rider and KTM has continued to deteriorate since the announcement despite finishing eleventh at San Marnio last week, meaning Mika Kallio will finish the season off with the team, while Zarco is dropped although will remain under contract until the end of this season.
No word yet who will ride alongside Pol Espargaró at KTM next seasons, rumours it could be either former KTM rider Bradley Smith and former Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista will get the seat. Also, don't count out someone like Dani Pedrosa returning to MotoGP with the team as he a test-rider for the team. Or someone like Jorge Lorenzo to take the ride as-well after a horrible season at Honda.
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.
So Predictions for the race, for the win, I predict Max Verstappen for the race win in the Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton second in the Mercedes, and third place for Valtteri Bottas third in the other Mercedes. Don't forget Alexander Albon, the Ferrari drivers', the McLaren drivers', and the Renault drivers' as-well for a podium place.
It was confirmed on Tuesday morning (17/9/19), that Channel 4 will retain the terrestrial home of Formula 1 television coverage in the UK till 2024 season on a multi-year deal will broadcast the 2020-24 British Grand Prix live to UK viewers, with the other Formula 1 races shown as highlights in a new deal with Sky.
Sky has exclusive rights to screen all F1 races live in the UK from the start of this season as the shared agreement it has had with terrestrial stations on the BBC and Channel 4 since 2012 ends following the 2018 season.
Channel 4 has stepped up to take the terrestrial rights in 2016 after the BBC relinquish the deal, despite having three years left on their deal from 2011.
In my opinion good for Channel 4, in the end of the day the damaged was done when the 2019 to 2024 contract between Sky and FOM was confirmed in March 2016, when Bernie Ecclestone was still at the helm. For Channel 4 it was the only deal on the table for them to continue sadly.
Review of Round Seven of the 2019 World Touring Car Cup season was the Race of China, at Ningbo International Circuit, on the outskirts of Ningbo, East of China.
In the first race, Cyan Racing Lynk & Co driver Yvan Muller took the race win in his Lynk & Co 03 TCR. Second was Team Mulsanne driver Ma Qing Hua in his Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce TCR, he was two tenths of a second behind Muller in the end. While third place was PWR Racing driver Mikel Azcona in his CUPRA León TCR, he was two seconds behind Muller in the end.
Meanwhile in the second race, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver Norbert Michelisz took the race win in his Hyundai i30 N TCR. Second was BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver and Current WTCR Champion Gabriele Tarquini in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was eight tenths of a second behind Michelisz in the end. While third place was Cyan Racing Lynk & Co driver Yvan Muller in his Lynk & Co 03 TCR, he was fifteen tenths of a second behind Michelisz in the end.
Finally in the third race, Cyan Racing Lynk & Co driver Yvan Muller took the race win in his Lynk & Co 03 TCR. Second was Cyan Performance Lynk & Co driver Yann Ehrlacher in his Lynk & Co 03 TCR, he was four tenths of a second behind Muller in the end. While third place was BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver and Current WTCR Champion Gabriele Tarquini in his Hyundai i30 N TCR, he was twelve tenths of a second behind Muller in the end.
Next stop Race of Japan at Suzuka Circuit for Round Eight of the 2019 World Touring Car Cup season in six weeks time.
Review of Round Two of the 2019 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was held at Nürburgring, west of Germany.
On Saturday's race, Audi Sport Team Rosberg driver René Rast took the race win in his Audi RS5 Turbo DTM. Second was BMW Team RMG driver Bruno Spengler in his BMW M4 Turbo DTM, he was eleven seconds behind Rast in the end. While, third place was BMW Team RMG driver Marco Wittmann in his BMW M4 Turbo DTM, he was seventeen seconds behind Rast in the end.
On Sunday's race, Audi Sport Team Rosberg driver Jamie Green took the race win in his Audi RS5 Turbo DTM. Second was Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver Robin Frijns in his Audi RS5 Turbo DTM, he was four tenths of a second behind Green in the end. While, third place was Audi Sport Team Rosberg driver René Rast in his Audi RS5 Turbo DTM to complete an Audi podium whitewash, he was six seconds behind Green in the end; and enough for René Rast to be 2019 DTM Drivers' champion for his second title win to beat Nico Müller by fifty-six points with a round to spare.
Next stop Hockenheimring, Baden-Württemberg in Germany for Round Nine and the final round of the 2019 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters in three weeks time.
Review of Round Eight of the 2019 British Touring Car Championship season was at Knockhill Racing Circuit, in the Fife countryside north of Dunfermline for Scotland's only BTCC round.
In the first race, Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance driver Rory Butcher took the race win in his Honda Civic Type R (FK2), also took Independents class win and Jack Sears Trophy (for drivers yet to record an overall podium finish or won outright the Jack Sears Trophy championship) win as-well. Second was BMW Pirtek Racing driver Andrew Jordan in his BMW 330i M Sport, he was three tenths of a second behind Butcher in the end. While third place was Halfords Yuasa Racing driver Dan Cammish in his Honda Civic Type R (FK8), he was fifteen tenths of a second behind Butcher in the end.
Meanwhile in the second race, BMW Pirtek Racing driver Andrew Jordan took the race win in his BMW 330i M Sport. Second was Halfords Yuasa Racing driver Dan Cammish in his Honda Civic Type R (FK8), he was fifteen tenths of a second behind Jordan in the end. While third place was Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance driver Rory Butcher in his Honda Civic Type R (FK2), also took Independents class win and Jack Sears Trophy win as-well, he was four seconds behind Jordan in the end.
Finally in the third race, TradePriceCars.com driver Jake Hill took the race win in his Audi S3 Saloon, also took Independents class win as-well. Second was BTC Racing driver Josh Cook in his Honda Civic Type R (FK8), he was eleven tenths of a second behind Hill in the end. While third place was Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport driver Adam Morgan in his Mercedes-Benz A-Class, he was two seconds behind Hill in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy was won by Team BMW driver Tom Oliphant in his BMW 330i M Sport, he finished in thirteenth place and was sixteen seconds behind Hill in the end.
Next stop Silverstone for Round Nine of the 2019 British Touring Car Championship season in two weeks time.
Review of Round Eleven of the 2019 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California.
Acura Team Penske won the race overall and Daytona Prototype international class too of Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya in their Acura ARX-05, Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6. While, the other Acura Team Penske finished second in their Acura ARX-05, Acura AR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6 to complete an Acura one-two finish; the team of Hélio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor; they were ten seconds behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Whelen Engineering Racing team finished in third place in their Cadillac DPi-V.R, Cadillac 5.5 L V8; the team of Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani; they were nineteen seconds behind the leaders.
In LMP2 class (all cars using the Gibson 4.2 L V8 engine), PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team of Dalton Kellett and Matt McMurry in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 class. They finish in tenth place overall and they were four laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In GT Le Mans Class, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team won GT Le Mans Class and finished in twelfth place overall in their Ford GT; with the drivers of Joey Hand and Dirk Müller; they were seven laps behind the leaders.
In GT Daytona Class, Paul Miller Racing team won GT Daytona Class and finished in twentieth place overall in their Lamborghini Huracan GT3; with the drivers of Corey Lewis and Bryan Sellers; they were eleven laps behind the leaders.
Next Stop Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in four weeks time for Round Twelve and the final round of the 2019 season of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Review of Round Nine of the 2019 World Rallycross Championship season was the World RX of Latvia, at Biķernieku Kompleksā Sporta Bāze on the outskirts of Riga, Latvia.
In the four Heats, those were won by Rokas Baciuška, Niclas Grönholm and Timmy Hansen (winning twice).
In the first semi-final that was won by Monster Energy RX Cartel driver Andreas Bakkerud in his Audi S1. Second was GRX Taneco Team driver Niclas Grönholm in his Hyundai i20, he was two seconds behind Bakkerud in the end. While, third was Monster Energy RX Cartel driver Liam Doran in his Audi S1, he was three seconds behind Bakkerud in the end.
In the second semi-final that was won by Team Hansen MJP driver Timmy Hansen in his Peugeot 208. Second was Team Hansen MJP driver Kevin Hansen in his Peugeot 208, he was four tenths of a second behind Hansen in the end. While, third was GRX Taneco Team driver Timur Timerzyanov in his Hyundai i20, he was two seconds behind Hansen in the end.
In the final race, Team Hansen MJP driver Timmy Hansen took the race win in his Peugeot 208. Second was GRX Taneco Team driver Niclas Grönholm in his Hyundai i20, he was two seconds behind Hansen in the end. While, third was Monster Energy RX Cartel driver Andreas Bakkerud in his Audi S1, he was two and half seconds behind Hansen in the end.
Next stop World RX of South Africa at Killarney Motor Racing Complex for Round Ten and the final round of the 2019 World Rallycross Championship season in eight weeks time.
Recap of the last round of WRC from last weekends Round Eleven of Rally Turkey.
Last weekend was the tenth round of the World Rally Championship at Rally Turkey (12th - 15th September) was won by Current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier in his works Citroën C3 WRC.
While, Esapekka Lappi finished second in his works Citroën C3 WRC to complete a Citroën one-two finish, Lappi was thirty-five seconds behind Ogier at the end. Meanwhile, Andreas Mikkelsen finished third in his works Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, Mikkelsen was a minute behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 Pro class (Manufacturer entries competing in cars built to Group R5 specifications), that was won by Gus Greensmith driver Gus Greensmith in his Ford Fiesta R5 Mk. II. Gus Greensmith finished in tenth place overall, he was fifteen minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
While in WRC-2 class (Open to privately-entered cars; Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by Kajetan Kajetanowicz in his own backed Škoda Fabia R5. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished in twelfth place overall, he was sixteen minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Next stop, Round Twelve of the 2019 WRC season for Wales Rally GB in three weeks time.
Review of round thirteen of the 2019 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 Marquez on his works Honda RC213V.
Second was Petronas Yamaha SRT rider Fabio Quartararo on his Yamaha YZR-M1, he was nine tenths of a second behind Marquez at the end.
While, third was Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider Maverick Viñales on his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was sixteen tenths of a second behind Marquez at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-three 765cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Flexbox HP40 rider Augusto Fernández on the Kalex. Second was +Ego Speed Up rider Fabio Di Giannantonio on the Speed Up, he was two tenths of a second behind Fernández at the end. While, third was EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider Álex Márquez on the Kalex, he was twelve tenths of a second behind Fernández at the end.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by SIC58 Squadra Corse rider Tatsuki Suzuki on the Honda. Second was Petronas Sprinta Racing rider John McPhee on the Honda, he was a tenth of a second behind Suzuki at the end. While, third was VNE Snipers rider Tony Arbolino on the Honda to complete a Honda podium whitewash, he was two tenths of a second behind Suzuki at the end.
Finally in the MotoE race (a single make class with all the riders riding the Energica Ego MotoE bike; new for 2019), Saturday's race was won by Trentino Gresini MotoE rider Matteo Ferrari. Second was Tech3 E-Racing rider Héctor Garzó, he was two tenths of a second behind Ferrari at the end. While, third was Avintia Esponsorama Racing rider Xavier Siméon, he was six tenths of a second behind Ferrari at the end.
For Sunday s race was won by Trentino Gresini MotoE rider Matteo Ferrari. Second was Tech3 E-Racing rider Héctor Garzó, he was two and half seconds behind Ferrari at the end. While, third was Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse rider Mattia Casadei, he was three seconds behind Ferrari at the end of the race.
It was confirmed on Friday (13/9/19), Williams F1 Team has signed a new long-term engine partnership deal with with Mercedes to supply the team their Power-units till 2025.
The team, already committed to Mercedes for next season, have signed a new agreement for the following five years. The team will still design and manufacture its own transmission.
In my opinion, this is no major surprise that the news has happen; despite poor results for the last two seasons from the team, Mercedes are happy to retain the partnership till 2025. This is a good deal for Williams for a few seasons to come.
Review of the fourteenth round of the 2019 F1 season at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, near Milan, for the Italian Grand Prix.
Overall, it was a thrilling Grand Prix from start to finish, Charles Leclerc on pole for Sundays race. On a dry Sunday race, Leclerc took the lead at the start and controlled the race from the start of the Grand Prix to the end, Despite pressure from both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, it was Leclerc day to win in Ferrari back yard to win this seasons Italian Grand Prix for Charles Leclerc's second race win of the season.
While, Current Formula 1 World Champion Valtteri Bottas finished second place in the Mercedes, Bottas was eight tenths of a second behind Leclerc at the end.
Meanwhile, Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton finished in third place in the other Mercedes to complete the podium, Hamilton was thirty-three seconds behind Leclerc at the end of the fifty-three lap race.
Now with seven races to go, with Lewis Hamilton's third place in Italy, Max Verstappen only finished in eighth place, while Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas finishing second place finish at Monza, Lewis Hamilton has reduce his lead of the F1 Drivers' Standings from sixty-five points to sixty-three points ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, while Max Verstappen is third in the standings from seventy-seven to ninty-nine points behind Hamilton.
While Mercedes still leads F1 Constructors' Standings, the gap is now improved from one hundred and forty-five points to one hundred and fifty-four points for Ferrari who are second in the Constructors' Standings with seven races to go.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 7
Lewis Hamilton - 7 (finished third, fastest lap)
Valtteri Bottas - 8 (finished second)
Ferrari - 6
Sebastian Vettel - 3 (finished thirteenth place, lap down)
Charles Leclerc - 10 (pole, race win)
Red Bull Racing - 7
Max Verstappen - 7 (finished eighth)
Alexander Albon - 7 (finished sixth)
Renault - 9
Daniel Ricciardo - 10 (finished fourth)
Nico Hülkenberg - 9 (finished fifth)
Haas - 5
Romain Grosjean - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Kevin Magnussen - 5 (DNF, Hydraulics)
McLaren - 8
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (DNF, Wheel)
Lando Norris - 7 (finished tenth, lap down)
Racing Point - 7
Sergio Pérez- 9 (finished seventh)
Lance Stroll - 6 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Alfa Romeo - 6
Kimi Räikkönen - 5 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
Antonio Giovinazzi - 7 (finished ninth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 6
Daniil Kvyat - 6 (DNF, Oil leak)
Pierre Gasly - 6 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Williams - 5
George Russell - 6 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Robert Kubica - 4 (finished seventeenth, two laps down)
Next stop Marina Bay Street Circuit in two weeks time for the Singapore Grand Prix.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, near Milan. For the home race for both Ferrari, Toro Rosso teams and the home Grand Prix of Antonio Giovinazzi.
So Predictions for the race, for the win, I predict Sebastian Vettel for the race win in the Ferrari. Charles Leclerc second in the other Ferrari, and third place for Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes. Don't forget Valtteri Bottas, the Red Bull drivers, the Renault drivers and the McLaren drivers as well for a podium place.
Review of Round Eight of the 2019 World Rallycross Championship season was the World RX of France, at Circuit de Lohéac located in Lohéac, in North-West France.
In the four Heats, those were won by Toomas Heikkinen, Rokas Baciuška, Andreas Bakkerud and Timmy Hansen.
In the first semi-final that was won by Monster Energy RX Cartel driver Andreas Bakkerud in his Audi S1. Second was Team Hansen MJP driver Timmy Hansen in his Peugeot 208, he was seven tenths of a second behind Bakkerud in the end. While, third was GC Kompetition driver Anton Marklund in his Renault Mégane R.S., he was thirteen tenths of a second behind Bakkerud in the end.
In the second semi-final that was won by GRX Taneco Team driver Niclas Grönholm in his Hyundai i20. Second was GC Kompetition driver Rokas Baciuška in his Renault Mégane R.S., he was three seconds behind Bakkerud in the end. While, third was Team Hansen MJP driver Kevin Hansen in his Peugeot 208, he was five seconds behind Timerzyanov in the end.
In the final race, Team Hansen MJP driver Timmy Hansen took the race win in his Peugeot 208. Second was GC Kompetition driver Anton Marklund in his Renault Mégane R.S., he was fifteen tenths of a second behind Hansen in the end. While, third was Team Hansen MJP driver Kevin Hansen in his Peugeot 208, he was two and half seconds behind Hansen in the end.
Next stop World RX of Latvia at Biķernieku Kompleksā Sporta Bāze for Round Nine of the 2018 World Rallycross Championship season in two weeks time.
Review of Round One of the 2019/20 FIA World Endurance Championship at Silverstone.
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 Brendon Hartley in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid, Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6; they were two seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. While third place was Rebellion Racing team to completethe podium, with the team of Nathanaël Berthon, Pipo Derani and Loïc Duval in their Rebellion R13, Gibson 4.5 L V8; they were a lap behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class (all cars using the Gibson 4.2 L V8 engine), Cool Racing team of Antonin Borga and Nicolas Lapierre in their Oreca 07 won LMP2 class. They finish in fifth place overall and they were five laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by Porsche GT Team of Gianmaria Bruni and Richard Lietz won in their Porsche 911 RSR-19. They finish in thirteenth place overall and they were fourteen laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by AF Corse team of Emmanuel Collard, Nicklas Nielsen and François Perrodo in their Ferrari 488 GTE Evo. They finish in eighteenth place overall and they were fifteen laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 4 Hours of Silverstone below, enjoy.
Next Stop 6 Hours of Fuji in five weeks time for Round Two of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Review of the twelfth round of the 2019 F1 season at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Spa, east of Belgium, for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Overall the race itself was a good race to watch. It was the race where Charles Leclerc controlled the race from the start of the Grand Prix to the end, on pole for Sunday's race, took the lead at the start of the race and never looked back; lead most of the laps and despite a late charge from Lewis Hamilton, it was Leclerc day to win this seasons Belgian Grand Prix for Charles Leclerc's first ever Grand Prix win.
Leclerc dedicated his win to Anthoine Hubert who died from a Formula 2 crash on the Saturday.
While, Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton finished second place in the Mercedes, Hamilton was nine tenths of a second behind Leclerc at the end.
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas finished in third place in the other Mercedes to complete the podium, Bottas was thirteen seconds behind Leclerc at the end of the forty-four lap race.
Now with eight races to go, with Lewis Hamilton's second place in Belgium, Max Verstappen first DNF of the season, while Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas managing a third place finish at Spa, Lewis Hamilton has now improve his lead of the F1 Drivers' Standings from sixty-two points to sixty-five points ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, while Max Verstappen is third in the standings from sixty-nine to seventy-seven points behind Hamilton.
While Mercedes still leads F1 Constructors' Standings, the gap is now reduce from one hundred and fifty points to one hundred and forty-five points for Ferrari who are second in the Constructors' Standings with eight races to go.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 7
Lewis Hamilton - 8 (finished second)
Valtteri Bottas - 7 (finished third)
Ferrari - 8
Sebastian Vettel - 7 (finished fourth, fastest lap)
Charles Leclerc - 10 (pole, race win)
Red Bull Racing - 8
Max Verstappen - 6 (DNF, Collision with Räikkönen)
Alexander Albon - 10 (finished fifth)
Renault - 6
Daniel Ricciardo - 5 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Nico Hülkenberg - 7 (finished eighth)
Haas - 5
Romain Grosjean - 5 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Kevin Magnussen - 5 (finished twelfth, lap down)
McLaren - 8
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (DNF, Power loss)
Lando Norris - 10 (finished eleventh/DNF, lap down/Engine)
Racing Point - 7
Sergio Pérez- 8 (finished sixth)
Lance Stroll - 6 (finished tenth)
Alfa Romeo - 6
Kimi Räikkönen - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Antonio Giovinazzi - 8 (finished eighteenth/DNF, two laps down/Accident)
It was confirmed the last few days that Racing Point will retain both Sergio Pérez through to the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season on a three-year deal it was announced of Friday (30/8/19) on the eve of the Belgian Grand Prix alongside Lance Stroll for the 2020 F1 season on a one-year deal as-well.
Pérez currently sits sixteenth place in the Drivers' standings with a best finish of sixth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix back in April. While, Stroll currently holds twelfth place in the Drivers' standings with a best finish of fourth place at the German Grand Prix back in July.
Overall, a very good decision from Racing Point to keep both Sergio Pérez and Lance Stroll for next seasons. Although, I was surprise to see Pérez got three-year deal.
Overall, the right choice for Racing Point going into 2020.
Before I start, Motorsport is dangerous sport. No matter if its Go-Karting, motorbikes, Formula 1, Indy Car, any kind of Motorsport is dangerous, but Motorsport can be safer between tracks, fans, spectators, tracks marshals, people in pits, cars and drivers too.
Formula 2 racer Anthoine Hubert died yesterday (31/8/2019) following a serious crash with Juan Manuel Correa on Lap 2 of the Formula 2 feature race at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
Hubert was involved in a serious crash with Juan Manuel Correa on Lap 3 of the Formula 2 feature race at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
Hubert crashed at Raidillon at about 170mph, with Juan Manuel Correa crashing into him at impact. After being transported to the circuit's medical centre post-crash, Hubert died from his injuries; while Correa was taken to Liege hospital and is in a stable condition, the FIA confirmed. While both Formula 2 races this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps have been cancelled.
Hubert's death is the first fatality in a major international motor-race since Justin Wilson when he was hit on the head by debris during an IndyCar race at Pocono, Pennsylvania in August 2015.
Condolences goes to Anthoine's family and friends, Hubert won last years GP3 Championship with ART. Moved up to Formula 2 with Arden this season while contracted with the Renault F1 Sport Academy team. Hubert was lying eighth in the F2 championship and had scored two wins this season, in Monaco and France.
Rest in Peace Anthoine Hubert, you will be much missed.
