This morning ex-Marussia F1 reserve driver María de Villota has been found dead in a hotel room in Seville this morning. The Spaniard, who was working for the Banbury-based outfit when she suffered life-threatening injuries in a straight line testing crash at Duxford Aerodrome just before last years British Grand Prix, were she lost her right eye, she was only 33.
De Villota formerly contested the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) and Superleague Formula, and was the daughter of ex-Formula 1 driver Emilio de Villota.
Thoughts goes out to María de Villota family and friends at this period of time.
R.I.P. María de Villota
Last weekend was round eleven of the World Rally Championship at Rallye de France-Alsace (3rd-6th October) was won by Sébastien Ogier to win the rally overall in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC and to give Sébastien Ogier the 2013 WRC title, contracts to Sébastien Ogier for winning his first WRC drivers title.
While, Dani Sordo finished in second place in the Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team, Citroën DS3 WRC. Sordo was 12 seconds behind Ogier at the end. Meanwhile, Jari-Matti Latvala finished in third place in the other works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. Latvala was 19 seconds behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Meanwhile, it was former nine timers WRC champion Sébastien Loeb last WRC event in the works Citroën DS3 WRC, Loeb crashed out on the final day to finish off his career in the WRC. Next season, Sébastien Loeb will be driving in the WTCC with Citroën brand new C-Elysee WTCC, with 2013 WTCC Champion Yvan Muller as his team-mate.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by former Formula One driver Robert Kubica his Citroën backed Citroën DS3 RCC. Robert Kubica finished in ninth place overall and two points in the main standings as-well, he was 9 and a 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 Quentin Gilbert in his Quentin Gilbert backed Citroën DS3 R3T. S Quentin Gilbert finished in thirteenth place overall, he was under 20 minutes behind Ogier at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally below.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
A quick review of yesterdays Korean Grand Prix, a few thoughts on the race itself and predictions for this weekends Japanese Grand Prix.
Good points
- Sebastian Vettel (pole to finished with a race win)
- Lotus (Kimi Raikkonen, finished 2nd; Romain Grosjean, finished 3rd)
- Nico Hülkenberg (finished 10th)
- Charles Pic (finished 14th, ahead of his team-mate Giedo van der Garde and Marussia drivers)
Bad points
- Mark Webber (DNF, Collision from Adrian Sutil)
- Force India (Adrian Sutil, DNF, Collision damage from an accident with Mark Webber; Paul di Resta, DNF, Accident)
- Toro Rosso (Daniel Ricciardo, DNF, Brakes; Jean-Éric Vergne, DNF, Suspension)
- Charles Pic (ten-grid place penalty for Japanese Grand Prix after picking up his third reprimands of the season because he failed to slow sufficiently under yellow flags)
- Jules Bianchi (three-grid penalty for Korean Grand Prix after blocking Paul di Resta in Q1, after that a ten-grid place penalty for Japanese Grand Prix after picking up his third reprimands of the season because he failed to slow sufficiently under yellow flags)
Overall, I thought it was a good race to watch. However, it was another dominating race weekend from Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull, from pole position on Saturday to conclude with a fastest lap of the race day and a race win on Sunday to give Sebastian his eighth Grand Prix win of the season.
Sebastian Vettel still leads the drivers' championship from 60 points to 77 points ahead of Fernando Alonso in the standings with five races to go.
Meanwhile, Kimi Räikkönen finishing in second place in the Lotus. While Romain Grosjean finished in third place in the other Lotus, one of his best race performances of the season.
And so to this weekends Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka and predictions for the race. So predictions for the race itself, Sebastian Vettel for the win in his Red Bull, Kimi Räikkönen second in the Lotus, and Lewis Hamilton third in the Mercedes. Don't forget Mark Webber, Romain Grosjean, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hülkenberg, the two Ferrari drivers, or even the two McLaren drivers either for a podium position.
Before I go, here's a screen shot of Mark Webber Red Bull in flames using a different camera than usual. Enjoy.
End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.
Sauber has confirmed on Friday (5/10/13) that they will continue using Ferrari V6 Turbo engines into the 2014 season on a multi-year deal that will see it continue to make use of Ferrari's full powertrain, which includes engine, gearbox and energy recovery systems.
In my opinion, this is no major surprise that the team will continue using Ferrari engines. As Sauber has a long history with Ferrari having used the Italian manufacturer's engines since 1997 (expect between 2006-09 as BMW owned Sauber and used BMW engines instead).
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Early in the week (3/10/13), Marussia confirmed they will retain Jules Bianchi for the 2014 Formula 1 season.
This is a very good decision from Marussia to keep Jules Bianchi for another season at least in my opinion as he's a talent driver. Also, the deal from early in the season that Marussia will be powered by Ferrari turbo engines from the 2014 Formula 1 season onwards. So, keeping a talented Ferrari development driver was an easy choice for the Marussia team.
As his team-mate for next season, it would be more than likely be his current team-mate this season Max Chilton, unless something changes.
End of post for now, new post soon, bye.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix at Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, South Jeolla. Sebastian Vettel for the win in his Red Bull, Fernando Alonso second in his Ferrari, and Nico Rosberg third in the Mercedes. Don't forget Mark Webber, Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton, the two Lotus drivers, or even the two McLaren drivers either for a podium position.
End of blog/post for now, new post soon. Bye.
If he lived on, this year would be Henry Ford's 150th Birthday. As so, this post is the Top Six Ford Race/Rally Cars from Ford's history.
This list does not includes any Formula One cars, Indy Cars, NASCAR's, Aussie V8s or joint race cars with other manufacters such as the Lotus Cortina. So basicly 100% Fords, starting with Number Six:
Number 6: Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Story: Ten WRC wins altogether, eight in Group A form, and two in World Rally Car spec.
Number 5: Ford Focus RS WRC
Story: Replaced the old Escort WRC back in 1999. Took 44 WRC wins in twelve seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz, Markko Märtin, Marcus Grönholm, Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala. Close to few WRC Drivers titles but not close enough. But, the Ford Focus RS WRC did took Ford to two WRC Manufacture titles in hands of Marcus Grönholm and Mikko Hirvonen in 2006 and 2007.
Number 4: 1999-2000 Ford Mondeo
Story: Prodrive replaced West Surrey Racing as Ford's works British Touring Car Championship team dubbed "Ford Team Mondeo". Designed by Prodrive themselves, Ford and Prodrive only managed one win for the Mondeo in 1999. Then in 2000, eleven wins overall, Touring Teams Champions, Manufacturers Champions, and British Touring Car Champion for Alain Menu too. Also, this was the last of the winning cars that won in the Supertouring car era too.
Number 3: 1987-1990 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth
Story: The Sierra RS500 Cosworth was designed for Group A racing, the rear-wheel drive machine almost won the World Touring Car Championship in 1987. Sierra RS500 did took outright British Touring Car Championship for Robb Gravett in his Trakstar Motorsport team. And for Dick Johnson too in 1988 and 1989 in the Australian Touring Car Championship with his own team Dick Johnson Racing, which also includes two Bathurst 1000 wins in 1988 and 1989 as-well. All in all, the Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth will be the most successful touring car that Ford has ever produced.
Number 2: Ford Escort RS1800
Story: The original Ford Escort is possibly the best rally car Ford has ever created. Rear wheel drive, the RS1800 took twenty WRC wins between the mid 1970s through to the early 1980s. One manufacture title in 1979 for Ford and two WRC driver titles in 1979 for Björn Waldegård, and in 1981 for Ari Vatanen.
Number 1: 1966-69 Ford GT40
Story: The Ford GT40 will properly be the most iconic of the Ford cars in this list. The original Ford GT40 was designed and developed by Lola designers in 1963 with the Ford 4.2 litre V8 included. Then in 1964, Carroll Shelby took over the project put in his tuned Shelby Ford 7.0 litre V8 engine inside the Ford GT40 Mark IV, while later Ford GT40 Mark I and II models had the smaller Ford 4.9 litre V8 engine. The Ford GT40 took victory in the 1966 race with Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon as drivers to give Ford a one-two-three finish. While in 1967, Dan Gurney and A. J. Foyt took victory inside the Ford GT40. In 1968, Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi took victory. And finally in 1969, Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver took the final victory for the Ford GT40 at the 24 hours of Le Mans. To give the Ford GT40 the best Ford Race/Rally car ever.
End of blog for how, new post soon. Bye.
