Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Predictions at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, on the outskirts of Barcelona.
So Predictions for the race, for the win I predict Nico Rosberg for the race win in the Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton second in the other Mercedes, and third place for Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari. Don't forget Kimi Räikkönen, Romain Grosjean, Red Bull drivers, the Williams drivers, the Force India drivers and the Toro Rosso drivers as well for a podium place.
Monday, 9 May 2016
2016 France MotoGP Review, and Jonas Folger signs for Tech 3 Yamaha for 2017 MotoGP Season
Review of the round five of the 2016 MotoGP season at Le Mans Bugatti track in Le Mans, in central France.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider and current MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo on his works Yamaha YZR-M1. Second was Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1 for a Yamaha one-two finish, he was ten seconds behind Lorenzo at the end. While, third was Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Maverick Viñales on his works Suzuki GSX-RR for Suzuki's first podium as a manufacture since 2008, he was fourteen seconds behind Lorenzo at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Paginas Amarillas HP 40 rider Álex Rins on the Kalex. Second was Speed Up rider Simone Corsi on the Speed Up, he was two seconds behind Rins at the end. While, third was Garage Plus Interwetten rider Thomas Lüthi on the Kalex, he was four seconds behind Rins at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Brad Binder on the KTM. Second was Sky Racing Team VR46 rider Romano Fenati on the KTM, he was a tenth of a second behind Binder at the end. While, third was Estrella Galicia 0,0 rider Jorge Navarro on the Honda, he was four tenths of a second behind Binder at the end of the race.
Finally, it was confirmed on Thursday (5/5/16) Moto2 rider Jonas Folger will graduate to MotoGP next year with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team.
Folger will replace Bradley Smith who have signed for the KTM's factory team when the manufacturer returns in MotoGP next season.
No word yet on who is Jonas Folger team-mate yet at Tech 3, it would be more than likely be current Tech 3 rider Pol Espargaró for 2017.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider and current MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo on his works Yamaha YZR-M1. Second was Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1 for a Yamaha one-two finish, he was ten seconds behind Lorenzo at the end. While, third was Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Maverick Viñales on his works Suzuki GSX-RR for Suzuki's first podium as a manufacture since 2008, he was fourteen seconds behind Lorenzo at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Paginas Amarillas HP 40 rider Álex Rins on the Kalex. Second was Speed Up rider Simone Corsi on the Speed Up, he was two seconds behind Rins at the end. While, third was Garage Plus Interwetten rider Thomas Lüthi on the Kalex, he was four seconds behind Rins at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Brad Binder on the KTM. Second was Sky Racing Team VR46 rider Romano Fenati on the KTM, he was a tenth of a second behind Binder at the end. While, third was Estrella Galicia 0,0 rider Jorge Navarro on the Honda, he was four tenths of a second behind Binder at the end of the race.
Finally, it was confirmed on Thursday (5/5/16) Moto2 rider Jonas Folger will graduate to MotoGP next year with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team.
Folger will replace Bradley Smith who have signed for the KTM's factory team when the manufacturer returns in MotoGP next season.
No word yet on who is Jonas Folger team-mate yet at Tech 3, it would be more than likely be current Tech 3 rider Pol Espargaró for 2017.
2016 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Review
Review of Round two of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Audi Sport Team Joest team won the race overall and the LMP1 class too of Oliver Jarvis, Lucas di Grassi and Loïc Duval in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. While, second was the Porsche Team of Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb in their Porsche 919 Hybrid, they were two laps behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was the Rebellion Racing team of Dominik Kraihamer, Alexandre Imperatori, and Mathéo Tuscher in their Rebellion R-One, they were four laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class, the Signatech Alpine team of Gustavo Menezes, Nicolas Lapierre and Stéphane Richelmi in their Alpine A460 with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class. They finish in seventh place overall and they were nine laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by AF Corse team of Davide Rigon and Sam Bird won in their Ferrari 488 GTE. They finish in fourteenth place overall and they were fifteen laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy and Mathias Lauda in their Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE. They finish in nineteenth place overall and they were twenty laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps below, enjoy.
Next Stop 24 Hours of Le Mans in six weeks time for Round three of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The Audi Sport Team Joest team won the race overall and the LMP1 class too of Oliver Jarvis, Lucas di Grassi and Loïc Duval in their Audi R18 e-tron quattro. While, second was the Porsche Team of Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb in their Porsche 919 Hybrid, they were two laps behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, third place was the Rebellion Racing team of Dominik Kraihamer, Alexandre Imperatori, and Mathéo Tuscher in their Rebellion R-One, they were four laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In LMP2 class, the Signatech Alpine team of Gustavo Menezes, Nicolas Lapierre and Stéphane Richelmi in their Alpine A460 with a Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 engine won in LMP2 class. They finish in seventh place overall and they were nine laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Pro class, was won by AF Corse team of Davide Rigon and Sam Bird won in their Ferrari 488 GTE. They finish in fourteenth place overall and they were fifteen laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
While in GTE Am class, was won by Aston Martin Racing team of Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy and Mathias Lauda in their Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE. They finish in nineteenth place overall and they were twenty laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Highlights of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps below, enjoy.
Next Stop 24 Hours of Le Mans in six weeks time for Round three of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Friday, 6 May 2016
Driver Swap, Max Verstappen replaces Daniil Kvyat at Red Bull, Kvyat replaces Verstappen at Toro Rosso
It was announced on Thursday (5/5/16), Max Verstappen will replace Daniil Kvyat at Red Bull from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards, with Kvyat returning to Toro Rosso for the rest of the season.
Kvyat collided with Sebastian Vettel twice at the start of the Russian Grand Prix last weekend, with the second contact resulting in the Ferrari ending up in the wall. After the race, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Kvyat "accepts he made a mistake" and apologized to the team. But following talks, Red Bull has taken the decision to drop Kvyat in favour of Verstappen from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards.
Verstappen will join Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull, while Kvyat will partner Carlos Sainz Jr at Toro Rosso, where Kvyat has previous experience with the team back in the 2014 season with best results of three ninth place finishes.
Overall, happy for Max Verstappen and completely gutted for Daniil Kvyat, despite he was on the podium in China the first lap nightmare at his home race last weekend was the perfect opportunity/excuse to replace him with Verstappen.
Also, the driver swap more on securing Max Verstappen for the long-term rather than demoting Kvyat. Keeping Verstappen services for the long-term at Red Bull was their number one priority, as he been rumoured he might be off to Mercedes or Ferrari next season and promoting him to the main team right now may secure his services for another few seasons rather than gambling it later on the season and paying more.
Also, with Verstappen and Sainz they are not getting along as team-mates it has been heavily rumoured lately, and with Kvyat not performing at Red Bull against team-mate Ricciardo. The best option for Red Bull is to promote Verstappen to Red Bull and demote Kvyat back to Toro Rosso and ease the pressure off for Kvyat. I don't think Kvyat will get sacked at the end of the season as there is no Red Bull Junior drivers to promote unless Pierre Gasly wins or heavily challenges the GP2 series this season and then his 2017 drive may be in jeopardy then.
Don't think this will be the last driver change in Formula 1 this season.
Kvyat collided with Sebastian Vettel twice at the start of the Russian Grand Prix last weekend, with the second contact resulting in the Ferrari ending up in the wall. After the race, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Kvyat "accepts he made a mistake" and apologized to the team. But following talks, Red Bull has taken the decision to drop Kvyat in favour of Verstappen from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards.
Verstappen will join Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull, while Kvyat will partner Carlos Sainz Jr at Toro Rosso, where Kvyat has previous experience with the team back in the 2014 season with best results of three ninth place finishes.
Overall, happy for Max Verstappen and completely gutted for Daniil Kvyat, despite he was on the podium in China the first lap nightmare at his home race last weekend was the perfect opportunity/excuse to replace him with Verstappen.
Also, the driver swap more on securing Max Verstappen for the long-term rather than demoting Kvyat. Keeping Verstappen services for the long-term at Red Bull was their number one priority, as he been rumoured he might be off to Mercedes or Ferrari next season and promoting him to the main team right now may secure his services for another few seasons rather than gambling it later on the season and paying more.
Also, with Verstappen and Sainz they are not getting along as team-mates it has been heavily rumoured lately, and with Kvyat not performing at Red Bull against team-mate Ricciardo. The best option for Red Bull is to promote Verstappen to Red Bull and demote Kvyat back to Toro Rosso and ease the pressure off for Kvyat. I don't think Kvyat will get sacked at the end of the season as there is no Red Bull Junior drivers to promote unless Pierre Gasly wins or heavily challenges the GP2 series this season and then his 2017 drive may be in jeopardy then.
Don't think this will be the last driver change in Formula 1 this season.
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
Round Four Recap of the 2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Review of Round Four of the 2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California. With this round is split into two different races, one race with both the Prototype class and GT Le Mans class only. And the other race with Prototype Challenge class and GT Daytona class only.
In the first race, PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team won the race overall and Prototype Challenge class too (all teams using Oreca FLM09 race car) of Robert Alon and Tom Kimber-Smith. Second was Starworks Motorsport team of Renger van der Zande and Alex Popow, they were two seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, thrid was CORE Autosport team of Jon Bennett and Colin Braun, they were fifteen seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In GT Daytona class, Team Seattle / Alex Job Racing team won GT Daytona class and finished in eighth place overall in their Porsche 911 GT3 R; with the drivers of Mario Farnbacher and Alex Riberas; they were three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Meanwhile in the second race, Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian won the race overall and Prototype class too of Oswaldo Negri, Jr. and John Pew in their Ligier JS P2, Honda HR28TT 2.8 L V6 Turbo. While, VisitFlorida.com Racing team finished second place in their Coyote Corvette DP, Chevrolet 5.5L V8, with the team of Marc Goossens and Richard Westbrook; they were thirty seconds behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Action Express Racing team finished in third place in their Coyote Corvette DP, Chevrolet 5.5L V8; the team of Dane Cameron and Eric Curran; they were thirty-one seconds behind the leaders.
In GT Le Mans Class, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team won GT Le Mans Class and finished in sixth place overall in their Ford GT; with the drivers of Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook; they were a lap behind the leaders.
Next Stop The Raceway on Belle Isle, Detroit, Michigan in five weeks time for Round Five of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
In the first race, PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team won the race overall and Prototype Challenge class too (all teams using Oreca FLM09 race car) of Robert Alon and Tom Kimber-Smith. Second was Starworks Motorsport team of Renger van der Zande and Alex Popow, they were two seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race. Meanwhile, thrid was CORE Autosport team of Jon Bennett and Colin Braun, they were fifteen seconds behind the leaders at the end of the race.
In GT Daytona class, Team Seattle / Alex Job Racing team won GT Daytona class and finished in eighth place overall in their Porsche 911 GT3 R; with the drivers of Mario Farnbacher and Alex Riberas; they were three laps behind the leaders at the end of the race.
Meanwhile in the second race, Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian won the race overall and Prototype class too of Oswaldo Negri, Jr. and John Pew in their Ligier JS P2, Honda HR28TT 2.8 L V6 Turbo. While, VisitFlorida.com Racing team finished second place in their Coyote Corvette DP, Chevrolet 5.5L V8, with the team of Marc Goossens and Richard Westbrook; they were thirty seconds behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Action Express Racing team finished in third place in their Coyote Corvette DP, Chevrolet 5.5L V8; the team of Dane Cameron and Eric Curran; they were thirty-one seconds behind the leaders.
In GT Le Mans Class, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team won GT Le Mans Class and finished in sixth place overall in their Ford GT; with the drivers of Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook; they were a lap behind the leaders.
Next Stop The Raceway on Belle Isle, Detroit, Michigan in five weeks time for Round Five of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Monday, 2 May 2016
2016 Russian Grand Prix Review
Review of the fourth round of the 2016 F1 season at Sochi Autodrom, in Sochi for the Russian Grand Prix.
Overall, I thought it was a dominating race weekend for Mercedes, dominating in practice, dominating in qualifying, and most importantly dominating in the race, with a grand slam for Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg. Fast in all practice sessions, on pole, lead all of the laps, and fastest lap to conclude with a win in this seasons Russian Grand Prix for his fourth race win of the season and his seventh race win in a row since last seasons Mexican Grand Prix.
While, Rosberg's team-mate and current F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton finished in second place in the other Mercedes to give the team its second one-two finish of the season, Hamilton was twenty-five seconds behind Rosberg at the end.
Meanwhile, Kimi Räikkönen finished in third place in the Ferrari to complete the podium, Räikkönen was thirty-two seconds behind Rosberg at the end of the fifty-three lap race.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 9
Lewis Hamilton - 8 (finished second)
Nico Rosberg - 10 (pole, fastest lap and race win)
Ferrari - 7
Sebastian Vettel - 7 (DNF, Collision with Daniil Kvyat)
Kimi Räikkönen - 7 (finished third)
Williams - 7
Valtteri Bottas - 8 (finished fourth)
Felipe Massa - 7 (finished fifth)
Red Bull Racing - 5
Daniel Ricciardo - 6 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Daniil Kvyat - 5 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
Force India - 6
Nico Hülkenberg - 5 (DNF, Collision with Esteban Gutiérrez
Sergio Pérez - 7 (finished ninth, lap down)
Renault - 7
Kevin Magnussen - 9 (finished seventh, lap down)
Jolyon Palmer - 6 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 6
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 5 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Max Verstappen - 7 (DNF, Power unit)
Sauber - 5
Marcus Ericsson - 5 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Felipe Nasr - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
McLaren - 8
Fernando Alonso - 9 (finished sixth, lap down)
Jenson Button - 8 (finished tenth, lap down)
Manor - 5
Rio Haryanto - 5 (DNF, Collision with Nico Hülkenberg)
Pascal Wehrlein - 6 (finished eighteenth, two laps down)
Haas - 6
Romain Grosjean - 8 (finished eighth, lap down)
Esteban Gutiérrez - 4 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
Next stop Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona in two weeks time for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Overall, I thought it was a dominating race weekend for Mercedes, dominating in practice, dominating in qualifying, and most importantly dominating in the race, with a grand slam for Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg. Fast in all practice sessions, on pole, lead all of the laps, and fastest lap to conclude with a win in this seasons Russian Grand Prix for his fourth race win of the season and his seventh race win in a row since last seasons Mexican Grand Prix.
While, Rosberg's team-mate and current F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton finished in second place in the other Mercedes to give the team its second one-two finish of the season, Hamilton was twenty-five seconds behind Rosberg at the end.
Meanwhile, Kimi Räikkönen finished in third place in the Ferrari to complete the podium, Räikkönen was thirty-two seconds behind Rosberg at the end of the fifty-three lap race.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 9
Lewis Hamilton - 8 (finished second)
Nico Rosberg - 10 (pole, fastest lap and race win)
Ferrari - 7
Sebastian Vettel - 7 (DNF, Collision with Daniil Kvyat)
Kimi Räikkönen - 7 (finished third)
Williams - 7
Valtteri Bottas - 8 (finished fourth)
Felipe Massa - 7 (finished fifth)
Red Bull Racing - 5
Daniel Ricciardo - 6 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Daniil Kvyat - 5 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
Force India - 6
Nico Hülkenberg - 5 (DNF, Collision with Esteban Gutiérrez
Sergio Pérez - 7 (finished ninth, lap down)
Renault - 7
Kevin Magnussen - 9 (finished seventh, lap down)
Jolyon Palmer - 6 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 6
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 5 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Max Verstappen - 7 (DNF, Power unit)
Sauber - 5
Marcus Ericsson - 5 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Felipe Nasr - 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
McLaren - 8
Fernando Alonso - 9 (finished sixth, lap down)
Jenson Button - 8 (finished tenth, lap down)
Manor - 5
Rio Haryanto - 5 (DNF, Collision with Nico Hülkenberg)
Pascal Wehrlein - 6 (finished eighteenth, two laps down)
Haas - 6
Romain Grosjean - 8 (finished eighth, lap down)
Esteban Gutiérrez - 4 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
Next stop Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona in two weeks time for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Sunday, 1 May 2016
Senna's Greatest Race: Brazil 1991, Winning at Home
Its has been 22 years today, that Ayrton Senna has past away from us (read previous post). So we've got to celebrate Senna life, never forget Ayrton's achievements in Formula 1.
Five years back, I did a post on one of Senna best race's at Monaco in 1984, were he finished second place in an under-powered Toleman. Four years back, I wrote about his race win at Phoenix in USA back in 1990 in his McLaren. Three years back, I wrote about Senna's famous win from the 1986 Spanish Grand Prix were he beat Nigel Mansell by 0.010 of a second. Last year, I wrote about Senna's first Grand Prix win at a very wet Portuguese Grand Prix.
This year another Great Ayrton Senna race win from the 1991 season, round two at Interlagos on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Senna pleased his home fans by taking pole ahead of the two Williams cars of Riccardo Patrese and Nigel Mansell. At the start, Senna took off ahead of Mansell and Patrese. With 20 laps to go, Senna who was experiencing gearbox troubles, and 10 laps to go Senna only had 6th gear in wet conditions with Patrese closing down after Mansell retired with gearbox troubles. But, Senna continue on and won his home race at Sao Paulo by a mere three seconds from Patrese. And if the race continue for another lap, be may not have won it.
Highlight video of the race below.
Five years back, I did a post on one of Senna best race's at Monaco in 1984, were he finished second place in an under-powered Toleman. Four years back, I wrote about his race win at Phoenix in USA back in 1990 in his McLaren. Three years back, I wrote about Senna's famous win from the 1986 Spanish Grand Prix were he beat Nigel Mansell by 0.010 of a second. Last year, I wrote about Senna's first Grand Prix win at a very wet Portuguese Grand Prix.
This year another Great Ayrton Senna race win from the 1991 season, round two at Interlagos on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Senna pleased his home fans by taking pole ahead of the two Williams cars of Riccardo Patrese and Nigel Mansell. At the start, Senna took off ahead of Mansell and Patrese. With 20 laps to go, Senna who was experiencing gearbox troubles, and 10 laps to go Senna only had 6th gear in wet conditions with Patrese closing down after Mansell retired with gearbox troubles. But, Senna continue on and won his home race at Sao Paulo by a mere three seconds from Patrese. And if the race continue for another lap, be may not have won it.
Highlight video of the race below.
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