This weeks Fan Formula entry.
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Friday 22 June 2012
In the spotlight: Timo Glock
Timo Glock has been in Formula 1 for eight seasons now and has three podiums to his name and a fastest lap. He has been a Marussia F1 driver since they entered the sport back in 2010 and is helping the team grow and develop. With only one retirement so far this season, Glock is ahead of team mate Charles Pic in the drivers championship and just behind Heikki Kovalainen.
Australia kick started the Formula 1 season. Timo Glock's best finish at the Australian Grand Prix is fourth position, which he achieved back in 2009. This year Glock qualified in a solid 20th position on the grid and finished the race ahead of Caterham and HRT in 14th.
Malaysia and China followed with qualifying performances ahead of HRT and Caterham again. Glock managed to maintain this into both races finishing 17th and 19th.
Bahrain was a disappointing qualifying for Glock, as he lined up on the back row of the grid. He gained four places during the race. In Spain Timo Glock was out qualified by his rookie team mate Charles Pic and also finished behind both Caterhams.
Monaco was a strong finish for Glock, after starting in 19th he climbed up the grid to finish in 14th after an action packed Grand Prix, which saw nine retirements. A brake problem in Canada, two weeks ago, caused Timo Glock's first retirement of the season after qualifying in 23rd.
What's new for Timo Glock?
Timo Glock has helped Marussia progress in Formula 1. He's used his knowledge and experience of being in the sport, to the push the team on to better things. Glock has been paired with new team mate, after new team mate, but has never let that faze him. He's always had his eye on the prize and stayed loyal to the team.
Marussia had the edge over Caterham and HRT, by sitting in 10th position, after strong finishes from the German and the young Frenchman. Marussia now sit in 11th in the constructors championship and aim to steal 10th place from Caterham as the season goes on.
This weekend is round 8 of the Formula 1 season in Valencia. Can Marussia and Timo Glock finish ahead of their rivals.
We'll have to wait and see.
Malaysia and China followed with qualifying performances ahead of HRT and Caterham again. Glock managed to maintain this into both races finishing 17th and 19th.
Bahrain was a disappointing qualifying for Glock, as he lined up on the back row of the grid. He gained four places during the race. In Spain Timo Glock was out qualified by his rookie team mate Charles Pic and also finished behind both Caterhams.
Monaco was a strong finish for Glock, after starting in 19th he climbed up the grid to finish in 14th after an action packed Grand Prix, which saw nine retirements. A brake problem in Canada, two weeks ago, caused Timo Glock's first retirement of the season after qualifying in 23rd.
What's new for Timo Glock?
Timo Glock has helped Marussia progress in Formula 1. He's used his knowledge and experience of being in the sport, to the push the team on to better things. Glock has been paired with new team mate, after new team mate, but has never let that faze him. He's always had his eye on the prize and stayed loyal to the team.
Marussia had the edge over Caterham and HRT, by sitting in 10th position, after strong finishes from the German and the young Frenchman. Marussia now sit in 11th in the constructors championship and aim to steal 10th place from Caterham as the season goes on.
This weekend is round 8 of the Formula 1 season in Valencia. Can Marussia and Timo Glock finish ahead of their rivals.
We'll have to wait and see.
Thursday 21 June 2012
Caption This
Everyone can calm down now. Caption This is back. After a couple weeks of absence, due to Formula 1 drivers taking serious photos, we are back with a bang. With Valencia quickly approaching, here is a brilliant Caption This, to get you going before the weekend.
And here it is:
Valencia in a nut shell right there.
Remember, all you have to do is come up with a funny, witty but clean caption to go with this beautiful photo.
Tweet your captions into me @AilishCatherine or use the hashtag #CaptionThis and see if your captions make the cut.
Knock yourselves out.
And here it is:
Valencia in a nut shell right there.
Remember, all you have to do is come up with a funny, witty but clean caption to go with this beautiful photo.
Tweet your captions into me @AilishCatherine or use the hashtag #CaptionThis and see if your captions make the cut.
Knock yourselves out.
Tuesday 19 June 2012
In the spotlight: Pastor Maldonado
Pastor Maldonado has added race winner to his name in this Formula 1 season full of unpredictability and mystery. Since collecting 25 points in Spain, Maldonado is now 10th in the drivers championship, 19 points in front of team mate Bruno Senna.
A great way to start the season in Australia, by getting through to the third part of qualifying and lining up on the fourth row of the grid in 8th place. When race day came it looked like Pastor Maldonado could do some damage to the grid, instead he did damage to himself by crashing into the barriers on the final lap of the race and ended up finishing in an unlucky 13th.
Malaysia wasn't a brilliant race for the Venezuelan, after qualifying in 11th he finished way down in 19th position after an engine failure. The Chinese Grand Prix was better success for Maldonado, scoring four points after starting in 13th. A puncture during the Bahrain Grand Prix meant a retirement for the Williams driver, after a pretty poor qualifying, it was a race weekend to forget.
The Spanish Grand Prix was a weekend to remember as Pastor Maldonado bagged his first pole position after Lewis Hamilton was excluded from qualifying. He then led a brilliant race from start to finish to win his first ever Grand Prix, in only his second season in Formula 1. Maldonado added fireman to his duty that weekend, as a fire broke out in the Williams garage after the team celebrations, leaving team members injured and a sad way to end such a joyous occasion.
Pastor Maldonado went from such a high in Spain, to a huge low in Monaco. Qualifying last on the grid due to penalties inflicted by actions taken in free practice. If the weekend couldn't get any worse than that, after an accident on the first lap, Maldonado had to retire the car because of damage.
Last time out in Canada, Pastor Maldonado failed to get out of Q1 but worked his way up the grid, and just missed out on the points finishing in 13th position.
So what's different this year, from last for Pastor Maldonado?
Williams have made a vast improvement on last season, helping both Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna get some decent points finishes under their belts. Williams are 7th place in the constructors championship, fighting well in that mid field battle and proving that the team are back to winning ways.
Next up for Pastor Maldonado and Williams is Valencia this weekend. Can the team fly high?
We'll have to wait and see.
Malaysia wasn't a brilliant race for the Venezuelan, after qualifying in 11th he finished way down in 19th position after an engine failure. The Chinese Grand Prix was better success for Maldonado, scoring four points after starting in 13th. A puncture during the Bahrain Grand Prix meant a retirement for the Williams driver, after a pretty poor qualifying, it was a race weekend to forget.
The Spanish Grand Prix was a weekend to remember as Pastor Maldonado bagged his first pole position after Lewis Hamilton was excluded from qualifying. He then led a brilliant race from start to finish to win his first ever Grand Prix, in only his second season in Formula 1. Maldonado added fireman to his duty that weekend, as a fire broke out in the Williams garage after the team celebrations, leaving team members injured and a sad way to end such a joyous occasion.
Pastor Maldonado went from such a high in Spain, to a huge low in Monaco. Qualifying last on the grid due to penalties inflicted by actions taken in free practice. If the weekend couldn't get any worse than that, after an accident on the first lap, Maldonado had to retire the car because of damage.
Last time out in Canada, Pastor Maldonado failed to get out of Q1 but worked his way up the grid, and just missed out on the points finishing in 13th position.
So what's different this year, from last for Pastor Maldonado?
Williams have made a vast improvement on last season, helping both Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna get some decent points finishes under their belts. Williams are 7th place in the constructors championship, fighting well in that mid field battle and proving that the team are back to winning ways.
Next up for Pastor Maldonado and Williams is Valencia this weekend. Can the team fly high?
We'll have to wait and see.
Saturday 16 June 2012
In the spotlight: Jenson Button
Jenson Button stormed to the top at the start of the season with a win in Australia. But the Brit has travelled in a downward spiral since then and sits way down the pecking order of the championship in 8th position. 44 points behind team mate Lewis Hamilton.
The first race in Australia for Jenson Button, was how any driver would like to start their season. McLaren had a front row lock out on the grid in qualifying and Button took the race from Hamilton to stand on the top step of the podium. 25 points in the bag was an ideal way to begin the season.
After lining up on the front row of the grid for the second race in a row, Malaysia didn't turn out the way Button would've planned. He finished way down the grid in 14th, but soon turned things around with a 2nd place in China after qualifying 5th.
Bahrain was disappointing for the McLaren driver, where he finished down the grid in 18th and retired after starting the race in 4th position. Spain saw Button clinch two points, but ended up in 16th at both Monaco and Canada, a year after he had won in such dramatic style.
So where did it all go wrong for the 2009 world champion?
This year tyres have been a huge question mark for everyone, and as each race goes on, the Pirelli tyres develop making it difficult to determine where the drop off point is or when the tyres will infamously, 'fall off the cliff.'
It's no doubt that Jenson Button works wonders with a car and that showed last season, beating his team mate in the championship, but this year Lewis Hamilton has come back fighting and Button hasn't been prepared for this.
Both drivers have helped McLaren to be 2nd in the constructors championship only 31 points behind leaders Red Bull Racing. Seven races into the season and anything can happen.
Next weekend it's round eight in Valencia. Can Jenson Button get back to winning ways and put his stamp on the championship?
We'll have to wait and see.
The first race in Australia for Jenson Button, was how any driver would like to start their season. McLaren had a front row lock out on the grid in qualifying and Button took the race from Hamilton to stand on the top step of the podium. 25 points in the bag was an ideal way to begin the season.
After lining up on the front row of the grid for the second race in a row, Malaysia didn't turn out the way Button would've planned. He finished way down the grid in 14th, but soon turned things around with a 2nd place in China after qualifying 5th.
Bahrain was disappointing for the McLaren driver, where he finished down the grid in 18th and retired after starting the race in 4th position. Spain saw Button clinch two points, but ended up in 16th at both Monaco and Canada, a year after he had won in such dramatic style.
So where did it all go wrong for the 2009 world champion?
This year tyres have been a huge question mark for everyone, and as each race goes on, the Pirelli tyres develop making it difficult to determine where the drop off point is or when the tyres will infamously, 'fall off the cliff.'
It's no doubt that Jenson Button works wonders with a car and that showed last season, beating his team mate in the championship, but this year Lewis Hamilton has come back fighting and Button hasn't been prepared for this.
Both drivers have helped McLaren to be 2nd in the constructors championship only 31 points behind leaders Red Bull Racing. Seven races into the season and anything can happen.
Next weekend it's round eight in Valencia. Can Jenson Button get back to winning ways and put his stamp on the championship?
We'll have to wait and see.
SMDriver Production
This is part of my #SMDriver competition entry.
All video images that you see in this production, have been recorded by me. So don't try and steal them because I will track you down and give you a polite slap.
In the spotlight: Charles Pic
Seven races into Charles Pic's rookie season in Formula 1 and he sits 21st in the drivers standings, behind team mate Timo Glock, and Caterham driver Heikki Kovalainen. With only three retirements and consistent race finishes, it looks to be a strong season ahead for Charles Pic and Marussia.
Pic's first race in Formula 1 was down under as the season got underway in Australia. He qualified in 21st, just behind his team mate, but an oil pressure problem on lap 53 meant he finished in 15th position. With both Caterhams not finishing and the HRT's not even making the 107% rule, it was a solid start for Marussia.
Malaysia and China saw Pic qualify in 21st and finish the race respectably in 20th position. Ahead of both HRT's but both Caterhams just having the edge over Marussia.
An engine fail in Bahrain, driveshaft problem in Spain and an electrical fault in Monaco, resulted in retirements for Charles Pic.
Last time out in Canada, Pic finished ahead of his team mate, who had to retire because of a brake problem. Both HRT's didn't finish, and he was just behind both Caterhams of Petrov and Kovalainen.
What can we expect to see from the young Frenchman?
Charles Pic has had success in other series leading up to Formula 1. In GP2 he finished 4th in the championship and before that, finished 3rd in the Formula Renault 3.5 series championship. He's definitely familiar with going for gold. Marussia have given him the opportunity to showcase his talent and prove to the rest Formula 1 grid, that he has what it takes to stay in the sport.
Charles Pic and team mate Timo Glock are helping Marussia to break away from HRT and chase the Caterhams. Marussia sit 11th in the constructors championship, and if the team can keep the consistent finishes and improve reliability, they will be in contention to steal that 10th place spot.
Next up for Charles Pic and Marussia is Valencia next weekend. What will the race weekend have in store for the team?
We'll have to wait and see.
Malaysia and China saw Pic qualify in 21st and finish the race respectably in 20th position. Ahead of both HRT's but both Caterhams just having the edge over Marussia.
An engine fail in Bahrain, driveshaft problem in Spain and an electrical fault in Monaco, resulted in retirements for Charles Pic.
Last time out in Canada, Pic finished ahead of his team mate, who had to retire because of a brake problem. Both HRT's didn't finish, and he was just behind both Caterhams of Petrov and Kovalainen.
What can we expect to see from the young Frenchman?
Charles Pic has had success in other series leading up to Formula 1. In GP2 he finished 4th in the championship and before that, finished 3rd in the Formula Renault 3.5 series championship. He's definitely familiar with going for gold. Marussia have given him the opportunity to showcase his talent and prove to the rest Formula 1 grid, that he has what it takes to stay in the sport.
Charles Pic and team mate Timo Glock are helping Marussia to break away from HRT and chase the Caterhams. Marussia sit 11th in the constructors championship, and if the team can keep the consistent finishes and improve reliability, they will be in contention to steal that 10th place spot.
Next up for Charles Pic and Marussia is Valencia next weekend. What will the race weekend have in store for the team?
We'll have to wait and see.
Friday 15 June 2012
Who said that?
Social media isn't about who has the most followers, or who can get the most retweets on a post. It's about who can use it effectively to get a point across. Who can use a simple tool like tweeting and use it to their advantage?
Twitter is a wonderful creation. Kudos to the guys who created it. It's great on all levels, whether you're a fan girl checking up on what Justin Bieber ate for breakfast, or if you're using it as a link between professionals to network yourself and to keep up to date with what is going on in Formula 1. I am the latter. Sorry, but Formula 1 trumps Justin Bieber any day.
Networking on twitter enables you to get out there to Formula 1 teams, drivers and other personnel. Give them something to talk about. Give them a reason to tweet you back. Make sure they never forget you.
Lots of different Formula 1 related blogs have surfaced lately, all very unique but still link back to the same subject that we are all so enthusiastic about.
Blogs connect fans together as they can voice opinions and their own views on the sport. We all support a different team and a different driver, so it's interesting to be able to read all about our goings on in the sport.
This blog began in February just before I set off for the first pre season testing in Barcelona. My intention with this blog was to engage fans with what I get up to in the world of Formula 1.
It's important for me to interact with other fans and voice one of the many views of Formula 1.
I write what interests me and what I feel will interest my readers. Being 19 years old I want to keep people reading and have come up with a number of ways to do this.
I created the #CaptionThis hash tag, where photos from the race weekend get put up, and YOU knock yourself out thinking up witty, clean, captions to tickle us and keep us occupied until the next race weekend.
Another question on everyones lips is "What would a Formula 1 driver sing during a late night karaoke session?" Too long to fit in a hash tag so the #F1Karaoke was born. I tweet drivers, teams and personnel to wonder what they would sing on a wild night out. These are the important things we want to know.
Connecting with fans and people of Formula 1 is what I live for. It's what I'm passionate about and take whatever chance I can to ensure this dream to be a reality. If I am lucky enough to become the #SMDriver for Marussia, at the British Grand Prix courtesy of Monster jobs, it will give me the opportunity to strut my stuff in the paddock and show that girls rule in Formula 1.
Twitter is a wonderful creation. Kudos to the guys who created it. It's great on all levels, whether you're a fan girl checking up on what Justin Bieber ate for breakfast, or if you're using it as a link between professionals to network yourself and to keep up to date with what is going on in Formula 1. I am the latter. Sorry, but Formula 1 trumps Justin Bieber any day.
Networking on twitter enables you to get out there to Formula 1 teams, drivers and other personnel. Give them something to talk about. Give them a reason to tweet you back. Make sure they never forget you.
 |
| On the Red Bull F1 Spy App |
Lots of different Formula 1 related blogs have surfaced lately, all very unique but still link back to the same subject that we are all so enthusiastic about.
Blogs connect fans together as they can voice opinions and their own views on the sport. We all support a different team and a different driver, so it's interesting to be able to read all about our goings on in the sport.
This blog began in February just before I set off for the first pre season testing in Barcelona. My intention with this blog was to engage fans with what I get up to in the world of Formula 1.
It's important for me to interact with other fans and voice one of the many views of Formula 1.
I write what interests me and what I feel will interest my readers. Being 19 years old I want to keep people reading and have come up with a number of ways to do this.
I created the #CaptionThis hash tag, where photos from the race weekend get put up, and YOU knock yourself out thinking up witty, clean, captions to tickle us and keep us occupied until the next race weekend.
Another question on everyones lips is "What would a Formula 1 driver sing during a late night karaoke session?" Too long to fit in a hash tag so the #F1Karaoke was born. I tweet drivers, teams and personnel to wonder what they would sing on a wild night out. These are the important things we want to know.
Connecting with fans and people of Formula 1 is what I live for. It's what I'm passionate about and take whatever chance I can to ensure this dream to be a reality. If I am lucky enough to become the #SMDriver for Marussia, at the British Grand Prix courtesy of Monster jobs, it will give me the opportunity to strut my stuff in the paddock and show that girls rule in Formula 1.
Thursday 14 June 2012
In the spotlight: Mark Webber
Mark Webber has gone for gold this season with a win at the Monaco Grand Prix, the race that every driver wants to win. Consistent points scoring has landed him 4th spot in the championship, only six points behind team mate Sebastian Vettel and nine points off the leader, Lewis Hamilton.
First port of call on the Formula 1 calendar was Australia, Mark Webber's home race. Webber qualified in 5th position and finished 4th on race day. This was his best finish, to date, at his home Grand Prix since he began his Formula 1 career back in 2002.
Malaysia, China and Bahrain brought three more 4th place finishes, keeping Webber up there in contention for the championship, even though we're seven races in and anything can still happen.
In Spain Mark Webber failed to get into the final part of qualifying and lined up 11th on the grid, he just missed out on points during the race and ended up where he started.
The Monaco Grand Prix saw Mark Webber take his first victory of the season. He qualified on pole and at a circuit where overtaking is limited, Webber was able to keep his position and fend off competition from Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso. This was the second time Mark Webber had won the Monaco Grand Prix and it was topped off with his signature back flip into the Red Bull Energy Station swimming pool.
The seventh race this season was a trip to unpredictable Canada. Tyre wear was a huge talking point, especially in this race, and with no dry weather running in Montreal with the Pirelli tyres, it was a guessing game for everyone. Webber started 4th on the grid but slipped down the order to finish 7th on race day.
So what's different this year from last for Mark Webber?
Last year Webber was overshadowed by the dominance from his team mate Sebastian Vettel, but this season he has come back with a bang. A better understanding of the Pirelli compound tyres and a new lease of fire, Mark Webber is ready to fight for wins and prove he is the leader the pack.
Working as a team, Webber and Vettel have enabled Red Bull Racing to top the constructors championship and hold off rivals, McLaren and Ferrari. Can they keep it up?
Next stop on the Formula 1 calendar is Valencia in less than two weeks time. Can Mark Webber become the first driver to win two races this season and show he is well and truly in the battle for the championship?
We'll have to wait and see.
Malaysia, China and Bahrain brought three more 4th place finishes, keeping Webber up there in contention for the championship, even though we're seven races in and anything can still happen.
In Spain Mark Webber failed to get into the final part of qualifying and lined up 11th on the grid, he just missed out on points during the race and ended up where he started.
The Monaco Grand Prix saw Mark Webber take his first victory of the season. He qualified on pole and at a circuit where overtaking is limited, Webber was able to keep his position and fend off competition from Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso. This was the second time Mark Webber had won the Monaco Grand Prix and it was topped off with his signature back flip into the Red Bull Energy Station swimming pool.
The seventh race this season was a trip to unpredictable Canada. Tyre wear was a huge talking point, especially in this race, and with no dry weather running in Montreal with the Pirelli tyres, it was a guessing game for everyone. Webber started 4th on the grid but slipped down the order to finish 7th on race day.
So what's different this year from last for Mark Webber?
Last year Webber was overshadowed by the dominance from his team mate Sebastian Vettel, but this season he has come back with a bang. A better understanding of the Pirelli compound tyres and a new lease of fire, Mark Webber is ready to fight for wins and prove he is the leader the pack.
Working as a team, Webber and Vettel have enabled Red Bull Racing to top the constructors championship and hold off rivals, McLaren and Ferrari. Can they keep it up?
Next stop on the Formula 1 calendar is Valencia in less than two weeks time. Can Mark Webber become the first driver to win two races this season and show he is well and truly in the battle for the championship?
We'll have to wait and see.
In the spotlight: Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez is making a name for himself this season with two podium place finishes in Malaysia and Canada. He is definitely showing us what he's got. Perez, currently sits 9th in the championship, only eight points behind the 2009 world champion, Jenson Button and 16 points ahead of his team mate Kamui Kobayashi.
The season got underway in Australia back in March, and after a pretty mediocre performance in the 2011 season he definitely wanted to come back with a vengeance and prove he has what it takes to be in Formula 1. Perez failed to make it out of Q1 in Melbourne and was left a dismal 22nd on the grid, but race day saw him move up to finish in 8th position and start the season off, with four points on the board.
Malaysia saw Sergio Perez clinch his first ever podium in Formula 1, a fantastic 2nd place finish behind Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso. In a wet weather race where Perez worked the Pirelli compounds better than any other driver, to get him up to a podium position after starting 9th on the grid. The Sauber driver could have even taken the win from Fernando Alonso if it was for running wide onto the wet part of the track towards the latter half of the race.
China and Bahrain were close races for the young Mexican, just missing out on the points. The Spanish Grand Prix was disappointing for Perez, after starting 5th on the grid it looked like a promising race but a transmission problem on the car meant he had to retire, and left him out of the points once again.
Finishing 11th in Monaco after starting 23rd, Sergio Perez showed us that he can race and can go on to challenge for decent points finishes, which is exactly what he did in Canada where he finished in 3rd position behind Romain Grosjean and 2008 world champion, Lewis Hamilton.
So what is it that Sergio Perez is getting right?
The Pirelli tyre compounds this season have been interesting and a talking point amongst the paddock. Perez has been able to work these compounds better than anyone else, enabling him to do longer stints, have fewer pitstops during the race and achieve better results than what some people might have expect from him.
Sauber have a strong car this year with both drivers helping to be ahead in the mid-field team battle in the constructors championship. Sauber sit 6th in the standings, 11 points behind Mercedes but staying clear of Williams, who are 14 points behind them.
Is this a new beginning for Sauber? A new partnership with Chelsea football club, can they go for goal and reach the top step of the podium this season?
Next stop on the Formula 1 calendar is Valencia in two weeks time. Can Sergio Perez achieve his first win in Formula 1 and be the eighth different winner this season?
We'll just have to wait and see.
The season got underway in Australia back in March, and after a pretty mediocre performance in the 2011 season he definitely wanted to come back with a vengeance and prove he has what it takes to be in Formula 1. Perez failed to make it out of Q1 in Melbourne and was left a dismal 22nd on the grid, but race day saw him move up to finish in 8th position and start the season off, with four points on the board.Malaysia saw Sergio Perez clinch his first ever podium in Formula 1, a fantastic 2nd place finish behind Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso. In a wet weather race where Perez worked the Pirelli compounds better than any other driver, to get him up to a podium position after starting 9th on the grid. The Sauber driver could have even taken the win from Fernando Alonso if it was for running wide onto the wet part of the track towards the latter half of the race.
China and Bahrain were close races for the young Mexican, just missing out on the points. The Spanish Grand Prix was disappointing for Perez, after starting 5th on the grid it looked like a promising race but a transmission problem on the car meant he had to retire, and left him out of the points once again.
Finishing 11th in Monaco after starting 23rd, Sergio Perez showed us that he can race and can go on to challenge for decent points finishes, which is exactly what he did in Canada where he finished in 3rd position behind Romain Grosjean and 2008 world champion, Lewis Hamilton.
So what is it that Sergio Perez is getting right?
The Pirelli tyre compounds this season have been interesting and a talking point amongst the paddock. Perez has been able to work these compounds better than anyone else, enabling him to do longer stints, have fewer pitstops during the race and achieve better results than what some people might have expect from him.
Sauber have a strong car this year with both drivers helping to be ahead in the mid-field team battle in the constructors championship. Sauber sit 6th in the standings, 11 points behind Mercedes but staying clear of Williams, who are 14 points behind them.
Is this a new beginning for Sauber? A new partnership with Chelsea football club, can they go for goal and reach the top step of the podium this season?
Next stop on the Formula 1 calendar is Valencia in two weeks time. Can Sergio Perez achieve his first win in Formula 1 and be the eighth different winner this season?
We'll just have to wait and see.
Tuesday 12 June 2012
In the spotlight: Romain Grosjean
Romain Grosjean is a force to be reckoned with this season, with two podium finishes under his belt already. He sits in 7th place in the championship standings, only two points behind his team mate Kimi Raikkonen and eight points clear of Jenson Button.
The season opener in Australia saw Grosjean qualify up in 3rd position but an accident on the first lap resulted in a retirement at his first race for Lotus Renault. Another retirement followed in Malaysia before a solid 6th place finish in China.
Bahrain saw a double podium finish for Lotus Renault with Grosjean on the third step just behind team mate Kimi Raikkonen and double world champion Sebastian Vettel.
4th and 9th place finishes in Spain and Monaco meant valuable points in the championship for the Lotus Renault driver.
Canada added to this with a 2nd place finish in a dramatic end to the race which saw Grosjean make his tyres last to climb up the grid after qualifying down in 7th position.
When we first saw Romain Grosjean back in 2009, he was overshadowed by his then team mate, Fernando Alonso, which I think has helped him this season, being team mates with the 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen. He isn't letting the fact, he is racing along side a world champion again. Romain Grosjean is proving that he can one day be a world champion himself with his performance so far this season.
Both drivers are working well together to get the team up to 3rd in the constructors championship, hot on McLaren's tail and 11 points clear of Ferrari.
Is this a new turn for Grosjean and Lotus Renault? Can they keep this form up and prove they are in it to win it?
Next stop on the Formula 1 calendar is Valencia in two weeks time. Can Romain Grosjean achieve his first win in Formula 1 and be the eighth different winner this season?
We'll just have to wait and see.
The season opener in Australia saw Grosjean qualify up in 3rd position but an accident on the first lap resulted in a retirement at his first race for Lotus Renault. Another retirement followed in Malaysia before a solid 6th place finish in China.
Bahrain saw a double podium finish for Lotus Renault with Grosjean on the third step just behind team mate Kimi Raikkonen and double world champion Sebastian Vettel.
4th and 9th place finishes in Spain and Monaco meant valuable points in the championship for the Lotus Renault driver.
Canada added to this with a 2nd place finish in a dramatic end to the race which saw Grosjean make his tyres last to climb up the grid after qualifying down in 7th position.
So what's changed for the young Frenchman?
When we first saw Romain Grosjean back in 2009, he was overshadowed by his then team mate, Fernando Alonso, which I think has helped him this season, being team mates with the 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen. He isn't letting the fact, he is racing along side a world champion again. Romain Grosjean is proving that he can one day be a world champion himself with his performance so far this season.
Both drivers are working well together to get the team up to 3rd in the constructors championship, hot on McLaren's tail and 11 points clear of Ferrari.
Is this a new turn for Grosjean and Lotus Renault? Can they keep this form up and prove they are in it to win it?
Next stop on the Formula 1 calendar is Valencia in two weeks time. Can Romain Grosjean achieve his first win in Formula 1 and be the eighth different winner this season?
We'll just have to wait and see.
A late night with Sebastian Vettel
Here's the full interview of Sebastian Vettel on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Monday 11 June 2012
Impossible is two letters too long
Who thought this season could get anymore unpredictable. 7 winners in the 7 races we've had so far this season. Who would have predicted that? If you did then you can write down my lottery numbers for next weekend.
Lewis Hamilton clinched his first win of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix with Romain Grosjean for Lotus and Sergio Perez of Sauber joining him on the podium.
Hamilton managed his tyres and used pit stop strategy to his advantage to come out on top. Pole sitter Sebastian Vettel lead the pack comfortably during the first stint but tyre wear held up the double world champion and he finished 4th. Fernando Alonso went from leading to 5th in the space of two laps due to Ferrari's one stop strategy not paying off for the Spaniard. He lost time and positions.
It was a weekend to forget for Jenson Button. He finished in 16th behind both Toro Rosso's and had to make three pit stops during the race. Michael Schumacher's bad luck continued with a hydraulic pipe causing the DRS wing to remain open. Formula 1 is full of clever engineering and technology but even some bashing from the mechanics during the pit stop couldn't shut the wing and he had to retire.
Felipe Massa was disappointed with himself after a spun at the first corner cost him a decent race and he went from 5th to 12th. He moved up into the points to finish 10th. Paul Di Resta looked promising but two early pitstops meant he lost out from getting some valuable points and he ended up back in 11th.
Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg worked a two stop strategy to finish 6th and 7th behind one stopping Kimi Rakkionen and the Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi.
Here's the full classification of the Canadian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton now leads the championship two points ahead of Fernando Alonso and three ahead of reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel. It looks like Hamilton's consistency so far this season has worked. Can he keep it up though?
Next stop is Valencia where the hot temperature will be key in getting the tyres work to their full potential.
Can we see an eighth different winner in this topsy turvey season or who can be the first person to break away from the rest of the pack?
Lewis Hamilton clinched his first win of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix with Romain Grosjean for Lotus and Sergio Perez of Sauber joining him on the podium.
Hamilton managed his tyres and used pit stop strategy to his advantage to come out on top. Pole sitter Sebastian Vettel lead the pack comfortably during the first stint but tyre wear held up the double world champion and he finished 4th. Fernando Alonso went from leading to 5th in the space of two laps due to Ferrari's one stop strategy not paying off for the Spaniard. He lost time and positions.
It was a weekend to forget for Jenson Button. He finished in 16th behind both Toro Rosso's and had to make three pit stops during the race. Michael Schumacher's bad luck continued with a hydraulic pipe causing the DRS wing to remain open. Formula 1 is full of clever engineering and technology but even some bashing from the mechanics during the pit stop couldn't shut the wing and he had to retire.
Felipe Massa was disappointed with himself after a spun at the first corner cost him a decent race and he went from 5th to 12th. He moved up into the points to finish 10th. Paul Di Resta looked promising but two early pitstops meant he lost out from getting some valuable points and he ended up back in 11th.
Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg worked a two stop strategy to finish 6th and 7th behind one stopping Kimi Rakkionen and the Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi.
Here's the full classification of the Canadian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton now leads the championship two points ahead of Fernando Alonso and three ahead of reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel. It looks like Hamilton's consistency so far this season has worked. Can he keep it up though?
Red Bull still lead the constructors comfortably with great team work between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.
Can we see an eighth different winner in this topsy turvey season or who can be the first person to break away from the rest of the pack?
Sunday 10 June 2012
What hole?
Sebastian Vettel starts the Canadian Grand Prix tomorrow on pole position, with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso hot on his tail.
All three sessions were filled to the brim with action. Jean-Eric Vergne came together with the tyre wall in FP3 and his bad luck continued, failing to get into Q2 for the fourth time this season and on top of that was out qualified by both Caterhams. Another shocker of the session see's Pedro De La Rosa in the HRT start ahead of both Charles Pic and Timo Glock in the Marussia's.
Jenson Button has Pastor Maldonado to thank for saving his butt in Q2. The Venezuelan on his final hot lap was about to eliminate the 2009 world champion, but took the final chicane too quickly and crashed into the famous 'wall of champions'. Maldonado starts 17th with Bruno Senna lining up next to him in 16th.
Q3 would see the battle of the teams commence with a number of candidates who could take pole position. Nico Rosberg set the early pace in the session and a flying lap from defending world champion Sebastian Vettel saw him get provisional pole with a 1.13.905 only to put himself further ahead with a 1.13.784 and out of Lewis Hamilton's reach who joins him on the front row of the grid.
Fernando Alonso had to settle for 3rd, with pole position in the picture a poor final sector from the Spaniard cost him from heading the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Here's a list of the full times set in Qualifying
Canada sure knows how to throw an exciting qualifying so I wonder what it will throw for us in the race?
All three sessions were filled to the brim with action. Jean-Eric Vergne came together with the tyre wall in FP3 and his bad luck continued, failing to get into Q2 for the fourth time this season and on top of that was out qualified by both Caterhams. Another shocker of the session see's Pedro De La Rosa in the HRT start ahead of both Charles Pic and Timo Glock in the Marussia's.
Jenson Button has Pastor Maldonado to thank for saving his butt in Q2. The Venezuelan on his final hot lap was about to eliminate the 2009 world champion, but took the final chicane too quickly and crashed into the famous 'wall of champions'. Maldonado starts 17th with Bruno Senna lining up next to him in 16th.
Q3 would see the battle of the teams commence with a number of candidates who could take pole position. Nico Rosberg set the early pace in the session and a flying lap from defending world champion Sebastian Vettel saw him get provisional pole with a 1.13.905 only to put himself further ahead with a 1.13.784 and out of Lewis Hamilton's reach who joins him on the front row of the grid.
Fernando Alonso had to settle for 3rd, with pole position in the picture a poor final sector from the Spaniard cost him from heading the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Here's a list of the full times set in Qualifying
Canada sure knows how to throw an exciting qualifying so I wonder what it will throw for us in the race?
Friday 8 June 2012
7 minutes in heaven
Here we are. Six races in and we have seen six different winners. Can you believe it? I know I can't. From the season we had last year where it was Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel dominating, now we have such an unpredictable start to the season, it's quite hard to get your head around things.
Fernando Alonso leads the championship, and the win for Mark Webber last time out in Monaco bumps him up to joint second with his team mate Sebastian Vettel.
What better way to continue this unpredictable season than with a trip to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. Last years race will probably go down in history for one of the best races in a season, so I wonder what the race will have install for us on Sunday? Anything can happen with the weather. Rain or shine. This race is going to be jam packed with action.
With its long straights and slow corners, this track, on paper, looks like it will suit Mercedes and Lotus. Can Kimi Raikkonen get his first win after returning to Formula 1? Or can his team mate Romain Grosjean deliver the goods? Nico Rosberg won back in China but seven times world champion is still yet to achieve this. Can it all change this weekend?
Free practice 1 and 2 gets underway soon with rain threatening both sessions. I wonder who can manage their tyres in the cooler conditions and get in the times before the rain comes. Tyres have been a major talking point throughout the season and will play an even bigger part this weekend than they have done in previous races. I wonder who will be able to benefit from these cooler conditions and who can keep their tyres from 'falling off the cliff'.
As race strategy is becoming more and more important now, qualifying isn't the same because drivers want to save as many sets of tyres as they can.
Are we being robbed from some great racing action because of tyres? This weekend will surely be the test of that.
What better way to continue this unpredictable season than with a trip to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. Last years race will probably go down in history for one of the best races in a season, so I wonder what the race will have install for us on Sunday? Anything can happen with the weather. Rain or shine. This race is going to be jam packed with action.
With its long straights and slow corners, this track, on paper, looks like it will suit Mercedes and Lotus. Can Kimi Raikkonen get his first win after returning to Formula 1? Or can his team mate Romain Grosjean deliver the goods? Nico Rosberg won back in China but seven times world champion is still yet to achieve this. Can it all change this weekend?
Free practice 1 and 2 gets underway soon with rain threatening both sessions. I wonder who can manage their tyres in the cooler conditions and get in the times before the rain comes. Tyres have been a major talking point throughout the season and will play an even bigger part this weekend than they have done in previous races. I wonder who will be able to benefit from these cooler conditions and who can keep their tyres from 'falling off the cliff'.
As race strategy is becoming more and more important now, qualifying isn't the same because drivers want to save as many sets of tyres as they can.
Are we being robbed from some great racing action because of tyres? This weekend will surely be the test of that.
Tuesday 5 June 2012
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