2012 Italian Grand Prix review of round thirteen of the F1 season at Monza, and thoughts on the race, and the battle for the drivers championship and constructors championship.
Good points
- Lewis Hamilton (pole to finished with a race win)
- Sergio Perez (finished 2nd)
- Ferrari (Fernando Alonso finished 3rd, Felipe Massa finished 4th)
- Paul di Resta (finished 8th)
- Bruno Senna (finished 10th, finished 10th on the last lap, just ahead of team-mate Pastor Maldonado and STR driver Daniel Ricciardo )
- Heikki Kovalainen (finished 14th, 0.1 second ahead team-mate of Vitaly Petrov)
- Charles Pic (finished 16th, ahead of team-mate Timo Glock)
Bad points
- Red Bull Racing (Sebastian Vettel DNF Alternator, Mark Webber DNF Vibrations)
- Jenson Button (DNF, Fuel pressure)
- Nico Hülkenberg (DNF, brakes)
- Jean-Éric Vergne (DNF, Suspension)
A dominating race weekend from Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren Mercedes, pole position on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Lewis his third win of the season. And McLaren a third race win in a row, the first time since 2008.
Also, a mention to both Sergio Perez and championship leader Fernando Alonso, Perez started from 12th place to finished in 2nd place, with only a one stopper as-well, also ahead of both Ferrari drivers' too on Ferrari's home ground. It's a great message to Ferrari to sign him for 2013 as Fernando Alonso team-mate. Meanwhile, Alonso started from 10th place, due to a broken rear anti-roll bar, which could have started from pole if this didn't happen and maybe the race win too. But, Alonso drive was great 10th to 2nd, until a charging Perez at the end gives Fernando Alonso a 3rd place.
While, for the first time since South Korea 2010, both Red Bulls' retired in the race. Sebastian Vettel with an Alternator problem (same problem as in Valencia) retired the current world champion. Meanwhile, Mark Webber retired with Vibrations to the car by spinning violently at the Ascari chicane.
Which, gives Fernando Alonso still leading the drivers championship with 37 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen is now third in the standings with 38 points behind and Sebastian Vettel is forth in the standings with 40 points behind Alonso in the drivers championship with seven races to go.
While in the constructor's championship, Red Bull still leading the standings, while McLaren are second in the constructors standings, 29 points behind Red Bull. Ferrari are now 46 points behind Red Bull in the standings in third place with seven races to go. Both championships are hotting up.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
Its been almost 11 years since Alex Zanardi lost both of his legs in a horrible crash, racing in the Champ Car championship race at the Lausitzring in Germany. He returned to racing in over two years after the accident, competing in the World Touring Car Championship for BMW Italy-Spain between 2004 and 2009 winning a few races in that period.
Since retiring from touring cars in 2010. Zanardi change sport to handbiking, with the goal of representing Italy at the 2012 London Summer Paralympics games. Last week at the Paralympics games he won gold medals in the Individual H4 time trial and the Individual H4 road race at Brands Hatch (were he never won a race in his racing career) were the event is held, followed by a silver medal in the Mixed H1-4 Team Relay.
And now, Alex Zanardi may return to the Paralympic games in Rio de Janiero in 2016 after winning two gold medals and a silver medals in this years Paralympic games if he wants to do it. And Zanardi also stated he would be interested in return to racing for the 2013 Indianapolis 500, which has never raced before.
And so contractions from me and many fans around the world too for those medals and inspiration to people that the impossible is possible, "if you love what you do the result is just a logical coincidence" from Zanardi himself from the interview above on Youtube (2:40 in the video).
So Forza Zanardi!
Some new series spec cars for this post, which includes the new Auto GP and GP3 2013 race cars.
AutoGP World Series launched the car last week (31/8/12). And essentially, the up-to-date Auto GP race car is basically the old A1GP race car (from 2005 the Lola B05/52, which they had race in Auto GP World Series for the last four seasons, so really an evolution of the Lola B05/52 ) for the 2013 AutoGP World Series season. But, the updated car will have the same Zytek 3.4-litre V8 unit producing around 520-550 bhp and updated side-pods and front and rear aerodynamics. Which, series organisers expect the updated aerodynamics will improved the car lap times by around 1.5 seconds.
Meanwhile, the next-generation GP3 car was launched at Monza on Thursday (6/9/12) for the 2013 GP3 season. The Dallara GP3/13 race car uses the same monocoque as the Dallara GP3/10, which means only a new nose, sidepods and engine cover and engine for next season. As for the engine, the new 2.0 litre normally-aspirated Renault V6 will replace Renault 2.0 litre inline 4 turbo going from 280 bhp to 400 bhp for next season. Which means the car will go at least three seconds faster according to the GP3 Series organisers.
End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.
Lewis Hamilton could be on the verge of leaving McLaren to drive for Mercedes next season, according to former Jordan Grand Prix owner and BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan. The former Jordan team boss says Hamilton will replace Michael Schumacher, who will retire from Formula 1 for the second time at the end of the season. But, there are strong rumours that Lewis Hamilton management are in strong talks with McLaren to stay at the team for next season.
If Lewis Hamilton does move to Mercedes next season and Michael Schumacher does retire at the end of the season, Hamilton would be a good choice for Mercedes team. Such as the engine development for 2014 that works teams may have an advantage when it comes to developing and managing the new turbocharged, 1.6-litre V6 power-plants instead of McLaren will possibly a customer team or changing engines for 2014. But, I don't thinks its going to happen. I think Lewis Hamilton will stay at McLaren for another season at least in my opinion. Apart from winning in China, this hasn't been a good season for Mercedes anyway, would they be a top team at all in 2013? I really doubt it.
If Hamilton does leave for McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, who do you replace him at McLaren? it will possibly either be Paul di Resta, currently at Force India, or Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen. Raikkonen, who has experience of driving for McLaren from 2002-06, almost winning the 2003 drivers championship for McLaren. But, Raikkonen is contracted to Lotus in 2013, which means if McLaren wanted him, they would have to pay Lotus compensation. So more than likely it will be Paul di Resta if it does happen, who is also rumour for Mercedes next season too.
At the end of the day it's plainly silly season at this moment of time, remember last time last season that Kimi Raikkonen was off to Williams this season and was confirmed at Lotus at the end of November. Time will tell were Lewis Hamilton goes, were Michael Schumacher stays or not, were Paul di Resta stay or goes and who will be Ferrari's second driver. Remember we've got eight rounds left in this championship to go before 2013 even starts.
End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.
It was likely that Lotus test driver Jerome d’Ambrosio will be driving for Lotus in Monza for this weekends Italian Grand Prix, with the news of Romain Grosjean getting a one-race ban for the first lap collusion at the Belgian Grand Prix from last weekend. On Tuesday (4/9/12) it was confirmed by Lotus that former F1 Marussia-Virgin Racing driver Jerome d'Ambrosio will be replacing Romain Grosjean for the Italian Grand Prix this weekend. Despite, there was rumours that former Toro Rosso driver and current Pirelli test driver Jaime Alguersuari might get the one-off drive.
Personally, no surprises with the choice of picking Jerome d'Ambrosio because his the teams test driver, having F1 race experience driving for Marussia-Virgin Racing last season and also tested the Lotus E20 early on the season too. I predicted he could score points this weekend as-well if luck goes his way. So good luck to Jerome d'Ambrosio for this weekend.
End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.
Recaps of last round of WRC from last weekends round 9 of Rallye Deutschland and this weekends IRC recap of round 9 of the Barum Czech Rally Zlín.
Last last weekends was round 9 of the World Rally Championship at the Rallye Deutschland (24th-26th August) was won by Rallye Deutschland specialist and Eight times World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb in his Citroen DS3. Loeb won the rally with over two minutes ahead of works Ford rally driver Jari-Matti Latvala in his Ford Fiesta RS. While works Citroen rally driver Mikko Hirvonen finished in third place, half a minute behind former team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala. While, Petter Solberg didn't have a good rally, who hit a rock on day 2 of the rally, which he had to retire. But, re-started under Rally 2 rules to finish in 11th place, 21 minutes behind Loeb.
Sébastien Loeb is still leading the WRC drivers championship, which he can win the drivers championship at Wally Rally GB if he wins and other results goes his way. While, Citroen are still leading the manufuters championship from Ford, that can be sorted if Citroen finished one-two in Wally Rally GB and Ford doesn't have Solberg or Latvala in the points. Highlights of Rallye Deutschland below, enjoy.
Meanwhile, last weekend was Round 9 at Barum Czech Rally Zlín (31 August–2 September) in the Czech Republic. Was won by former IRC Champion and current works Škoda driver of Juho Hanninen in his Škoda Fabia S2000, was over 100 seconds ahead of Roman Kresta in his Škoda Fabia S2000. While, Tomas Kostka finished third in his Škoda Fabia S2000, Jaromir Tarabus finished forth place, Robert Barrable finished fifth place and Karl Kruuda finihsed in sixth place to make a Škoda 1-2-3-4-5-6 in the rally itself on their home rally. Meanwhile, current IRC Champion Andreas Mikkelsen had a double puncture on the day's first stage to finished in eighth place. But, would have finished in second if the double puncture didn't happen.
However, Rally Zlin was stopped prior to the final stage when a spectator was killed. Organisers said it is understood the deceased was standing in a non-spectator zone when the Subaru Impreza of Czech driver Vaclav Kopacek rolled several times on the last but one stage of the rally. Thoughts go out to friends and family of the spectator who got killed in the Barum Czech Rally Zlín.
End of post for now. New post soon. That is all. Bye.
2012 Belgian Grand Prix review of round twelve of the F1 season at Spa-Francorchamps, and thoughts on the race, opionon on Romain Grosjean having a one-race ban at this weeks Italian Grand Prix and predictions for this weekends Italian Grand Prix.
Good points
- Jenson Button (pole to finished with a race win)
- Red Bull Racing (Sebastian Vettel finished 2nd, Mark Webber finished 6th)
- Kimi Räikkonen (finished 3rd)
- Nico Hülkenberg (finished 4th)
- Felipe Massa (finished 5th)
- Scuderia Toro Rosso (Jean-Éric Vergne finished 8th, Daniel Ricciardo finished 9th)
- Vitaly Petrov (finished 14th, ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, Pedro De la Rosa and the Marussia drivers)
Bad points
- Romain Grosjean (DNF, first lap Collision and a one-race ban for this weekends Italian Grand Prix)
- Fernando Alonso (DNF, first lap Collision)
- Lewis Hamilton (DNF, first lap Collision)
- Sauber (Kamui Kobayashi finished 13th, with first lap Collision; Sergio Perez DNF, first lap Collision)
- Pastor Maldonado (DNF, Collision damage, given two five-place grid penalties for Monza for a jumped start and causing a collision with Timo Glock as-well)
- Narain Karthikeyan (DNF, spun off)
A dominating race weekend from Jenson Button in the McLaren Mercedes, which usually is not a good luck track for the former world champion. But, this weekend is year quite different from pole position on Saturday to conclude with a race win on Sunday to give Jenson his second win of the season.
Behind Button it was a cluster of a race, when at the beginning of the race were Romain Grosjean made a better start than Lewis Hamilton alongside him and cut sharply across the track, squeezing the McLaren driver up against the white line. Contact was inevitable, and as Hamilton lost control of his car the McLaren pushed the Lotus into the cars ahead which were slowing for the first corner. The Lotus scythed across the front of Fernando Alonso’s car, passing terrifyingly close to his helmet. Hamilton’s car reared into the side of Sergio Perez’s, and the other Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi was knocked into Pastor Maldonado. Only Maldonado and Kobayashi emerged from the crash, but their weekends are ruined. Which, gives Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel starting from 10th to finish in second place, ahead of Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen at the end of the race to finish in third. Which, gives Vettel now only 24 points behind Alonso in the driver standings, Mark Webber only 32 points behind Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen now only 33 points behind Alonso in the drivers championship with eight races to go.
So for the first time that a Formula 1 driver had a race ban since 1994, with Mika Häkkinen banned for one race for the Hungarian Grand Prix, for causing a first lap pile-up in the German Grand Prix and was replaced by Philippe Alliot for that race.
My opinion about the first lap collision, which gives Romain Grosjean an one race-ban for Monza. There's no doubt that Romain Grosjean was at the centre of the accident that plunged the start of the 2012 F1 Grand Prix of Belgium on Sunday. But, overall I felt that it's a racing incident, no one was to blame for that first lap collision. But I heard and read that people are saying other opinions that should have been a two-race ban, some say a one-race ban is about right, some say too harsh! Just have a grid penalty at Monza and even some people say It's not his fault - it was Lewis Hamilton's fault. All about opinion at the end of the day and what the stewards think its right or wrong.
Overall, I don't think that Romain Grosjean isn't a dangerous driver, I personally fell that there are three or four F1 drivers that are more dangerous than Grosjean (two are former world champions, one is a back marker who brings in sponsorship and other is a race winner from this season without naming them). But, this race is clear daylight of what Formula 1 drivers can and can not do and race bans do exists in the modern day of Formula 1 which you can learn.
At the end of the day it's a miracle that Fernando Alonso isn't dead or heavily injured with this accident and Motorsport is still a 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, specators, tracks marshells, people in pits, cars and drivers too. But, I'm hoping that Formula 1 doesn't go into a nanny state were Formula 1 cars in a few years time doesn't look like a modern day version of the Red Bull X2010 race car in my opinion.
And so this weekend is the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, home race for both Ferrari and Toro Rosso. Predictions for the race: Fernando Alonso for the win in the Ferrari, ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren and Jenson Button third in the Mclaren as-well. Don't forget the two Red Bull drivers, Kimi Raikkonen or the two Mercedes AMG drivers as-well for a podium place too.
End of blog for how, new blog soon, that is all. Bye.
