A Sad Fairwell

Today it was announced that the Manor F1 team is to close after the team went into administration and a buyer couldn't be found.
Staff members had been sent home from the factory in Banbury with a handful set to be made redundant on Tuesday. 

This is a sad and emotional day, not only for the 212 members of staff who have been on a roller coaster of a journey since the team began in 2010, but for myself included. 

I would consider myself an honorary team member since 2012 when I was fortunate to be invited to join the team at a pre-season event. The meeting point was the first test in Barcelona where I met Head of Communications Tracy Novak who showed me the ropes and gave me my very first behind the scenes insight into a Formula 1 team. 

That same year saw me become the teams first ever Social Media Driver. Getting to cover an iconic event on the British sporting calendar, the British Grand Prix. Being in the hustle and bustle of the garage and paddock during Qualifying was an experience like no other. The great British summer weather couldn't play havoc on the spirit of the crowds. A halt to qualifying due to rain involved the teams lining up and encouraging fans in the stands to Mexican wave kept us occupied until we got underway again.

Standing outside the media pen, seeing driver after driver, World Champion after World Champion walk past you is a sight I'll never forget and all down to the wonderful team at Manor F1.

As you all may know my goal and ambition has been to work within Formula 1 in Marketing or PR and whenever given the opportunity, I've attended as many events as possible to ask personnel for advise on how to reach this.

Virgin Racing, Marussia Virgin Racing, Marussia F1, Manor F1, whatever their name change has been they have never once not offered me advise and one member of the team, Tracy Novak has always been on hand to take time out of her incredibly busy schedule to talk, whether it be a quick 'Hi' or a catch up on everything. I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the help and advise she has given me. She gave me the confidence to never give up on my goal. 

The team has been through a lot in it's seven season's in Formula 1, the most notable one being the sad passing of driver Jules Bianchi. This was an absolutely devastating and heartbreaking moment not only for the team but for Formula 1.

The team had already been through so much, with the passing of Maria de Villota and being threatened with having to pull out of the sport due to financial difficulties.

The team's high being Jules Bianchi achieving the teams first point in Formula 1. It was a tragic, tragic loss to lose such a rising star in the sport.

An embrace never to be forgotten

My thoughts go out to everyone involved in the team. All past and present employees have worked incredibly hard to keep the team afloat in Formula 1. They may have been a small team but have made a big impact on the sport and will be remembered by many. 

I'd like to thank the team and especially Tracy for everything she has done over the years for me. I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for her guidance and advise. I will forever be grateful for the experiences I've had. 

24 Facts of Le Mans

As you may know, this weekend is one of the biggest races in the Motorsport calendar. 24 hours of Le Mans is upon us and for the racing junkies preparation is already taking place. The branded energy drinks are chilling in the fridge alongside the midnight snacks.

For those of you who aren't as hardcore and are new to the delight that is endurance racing, below are 24 things you need to know about Le Mans before you dive into the weekend.

1) How long is the race you may be asking? Well it does exactly what it says on the tin, 24 hours.

2) Last years winners were Porsche No 19, which was at the steady hands of Nick Tandy, Earl Bamber and Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg. Porsche made it a double podium, with Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard taking second place. Third went to Benoît Tréluyer, Marcel Fässler and André Lotterer of Audi who went into the race defending their crown.

3) 24 hours of Le Mans is part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, alongside the Indy 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix.

4) There are four classes that compete in the 24 hours of Le Mans. LMP1 and LMP2. LMGT1 and LMGT2.    

5) Teams use three drivers throughout the race. 

Class of 2016. Picture cred to @24hoursoflemans. 

6) Cockpits can reach up to temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius during the race.

7) Porsche currently hold the record of consecutive wins with seven.

8) The longest stint done by a driver at the 2015 race was 8 hours 52 minutes, which was done by Formula 1 driver and reigning winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans, Nico Hulkenberg.

9) Tom Kristensen is the driver with the most wins so far with nine to his name.

10) The race is held at the Circuit de la Sarthe with a track length of 13.6km, nearly 8.5 miles long. The circuit opened in 1923 and has been hosting the race ever since.

11) Car number two has been on pole position eleven times, the most out of any of the starting numbers.

12) Henri Pescarolo, Jacky Ickx, Michele Alboreto, Tom Kristensen, Benoît Tréluyer, André Lotterer and Loïc Duva are the only drivers to have won the race from pole position.

13) Most wins as a team goes to Joest Racing with 13.

14) The race has only been cancelled ten times during its entire history. During the Great Depression and then during the second World War.

15) 127 drivers have won Le Mans.

16) Due to the nature of the circuit, drivers spend the majority of the time at full throttle with average speeds of 224km/h.

17) Porsche is the most successful manufacture with 17 victories to date.

18) The duration of the race can see cars doing well over 5,000km that's almost 18 times longer than a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

19) The fastest speed ever to be achieved during the 24 hours of Le Mans was 251mph in 1988.

20) The closest finish was in 1966. There was just 20 metres between the Ford driven by Amon and McLaren and the Ford of Miles and Hulme, which was set up for publicity reasons by the manufacture.

21) France and the UK are the nations with the most victories, racking up 42 over the years.

22) The 24 hours of Le Mans officially became a round of the World Endurance Championship in 2012.

23) Only 23 manufactures have won the 24 hours of Le Mans since the race began in 1923.

24) The number 24 has never won at the 24 hours of Le Mans.

Haas About This

With the launch of the 2016 Haas, can they become the first American F1 team since 1986 to take the grid by storm?

Back in April 2014 it was announced that a new Formula 1 team would be entering the sport with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team co owner Gene Haas. They will be the first US led team in 30 years   to take to the Formula 1 grid, and with a mixture of experience and young talent in their driver line-up, can they make their mark on a dominant grid?



Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez will be behind the Haas F1 2016 challenger when the turbos roar into action in Melbourne for the start of the new season. Romain Grosjean announced in September of last year that he would be leaving Lotus F1 after four seasons and eight podiums.

Esteban Gutierrez was crowned GP3 Champion in 2010 before joining Sauber as a reserve driver. Gutierrez was reserve driver for two seasons before moving into a race seat in 2013 and spent a further two seasons with Sauber F1 before joining Ferrari as a reserve driver for the 2015 season. During the Mexican Grand Prix Haas F1 revealed Gutierrez as their completed driver line-up for their debut in 2016.

With no major changes to the regulations for the new season, Haas F1 have a chance to become competitors amongst established teams on the grid, with the revival of Manor Racing from Marussia, Haas F1 will be eyeing up that lucrative Top 10 finish in their first season.
Success is in the racing genes for Gene Haas with sister team Stewart-Haas Racing being only one of four teams in NASCAR to have won in three of its national divisions.

The first test for the 2016 season begins in Barcelona this week and with the launch of the new Haas F1 on it's way, the heat is on before those five red lights go off for the start of the Australian Grand Prix.

Hello to the new @HaasF1Team 

Never Underestimate The Force

The summer break may be upon us but we're still feeling the Force and ready to get those engines revved up for Spa. It really is hard to believe that it's already half way through the 2015 F1 season. This season is going quicker than a Sahara Force India up Eau Rouge and is giving us the same thrill. What better way to pass the time over the break with a little half term report on the Silverstone based team.

Starting at the top. A double points finish for the team at the season opener in Australia, was a solid start to the new F1 season by Sahara Force India. Being on the cusp of the Top 10 all weekend was a great way to kick start 2015. 

In the mist of things

With the ever changing weather conditions came the Malaysian Grand Prix. A rain soaked qualifying held off Perez and Hulkenberg from making it into Q3. The inspiration for Race day at the Sepang International Circuit for both drivers' came from The Ice Capades with a Lotus and a Red Bull being sent into a spinning frenzy. Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio were handed a 10 second penalty for the little miss hap. 

China was a difficult weekend for the team with Nico Hulkenberg being knocked out in Q1 on Saturday and having to retire from the race due to a gear box issue. There were positive signs when Sergio Perez just missed out on a points finish, but no time was to rest and it was on to the Bahrain.

The Bahrain Grand Prix saw a Sahara Force India into Q3 for the first time in 2015. Nico Hulkenberg firmly placed his car into 8th position to his and the teams delight. Sergio Perez just missed out on Q3 but managed to turn the performance round in the race as he scored his second points of the season after finishing 8th. 

Olé and it's off to the Circuit de Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix which brought a tough fight for the Sahara Force India's as they failed to make it out of Q1 in qualifying and missed out on points in the race. With their heads held high it was time for the race weekend with the most used cliché of all time in F1, the Jewel in the Crown. Monaco baby!

I'm ready for my close up

Sergio Perez made his first Q3 appearance of the season in Monaco securing 7th on the grid whilst team mate Nico Hulkenberg lined up in 13th for the race. Perez converted his Qualifying position into his Race position bagging six points and making it his third points finish of the season. An 11th place for Hulkenberg meant he just missed out on points at the principality.
Canada was next up and it proved to be a solid weekend for Sahara Force India. Both cars were in and around the Top 10 in all Practice sessions, and when Qualifying arrived both drivers' reached Q3 for the first time this season, with Nico Hulkenberg starting on the fourth row on the grid in 7th and Sergio Perez starting behind him in 10th position. The Wall of Champions didn't make any Sahara Force India friends and Nico Hulkenberg cleaned up in 8th whilst Sergio Perez ended the race in 11th.

The Red Bull Ring was next on the agenda. A season best Qualifying performance by Nico Hulkenberg meant Sahara Force India would start the Austrian Grand Prix in 5th. Damp conditions at the beginning of the session led Sergio Perez to just miss out on Q2 and he lined up 16th on the grid. Perez had a corker of a race making up making seven places to finish 9th and Nico Hulkenberg made it a double points finish with his 6th place.
Coming into the British Grand Prix, the home race of Sahara Force India, the team introduced a new version of their VJM08 which featured a snazzy new shorter nose with 'nostrils' or air vents. The new spec worked wonders as the team had a back to back double points finish after a 7th and 9th place was bagged by Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez.

The Hungarian Grand Prix wasn't the best way to end the first half of the 2015 season for Sahara Force India as both cars unfortunately had to retire. Sergio Perez had a brakes issue and Nico Hulkenberg had a front wing malfunction which led to an incident for the German driver. The weekend overall wasn't as straight forward as expected after a freak accident in FP1 for Sergio Perez meant both drivers were kept out of FP2 for a safety precaution whilst the team investigated the accident. Luckily Perez was unharmed and was back in the car for the rest of the weekend.

A game of hide and seek

Sahara Force India are currently sitting pretty in 5th position in the 2015 Constructors Championship with nine points finishes to their name and three double points finishes. Being in their highest ever position in the Constructors table so far this season, they are definitely a Force to be reckoned with amongst their competitors.

The Starting Grid: Malaysian Grand Prix

Coming off a 1-2 finish in Australia, Mercedes were aiming to continue their dominant form into the Malaysian Grand Prix, but with Ferrari hot on their tales could they keep the prancing horse at bay?

Fernando Alonso returned to McLaren Honda after the injury he suffered following an accident in pre-season whilst Valtteri Bottas was also back in his Williams after missing the Australian Grand Prix due to a back problem he sustained in qualifying. Manor Marussia also made a return to Formula 1 after not being able to run both their cars in Australia.

Majestic Malaysia

FP1 and FP2 were again dominated by Mercedes, with Nico Rosberg topping the morning session and Lewis Hamilton the afternoon, but Ferrari proved to be edging ever closer to the Silver Arrows being less than half a tenth behind in both practice sessions. Both Red Bull's made it into the Top 10 in FP1 and FP2 and Fernando Alonso outpaced his team mate Jenson Button on his return to the car. Sauber also showed their pace with a Top 10 appearance by Marcus Ericsson both sessions.

FP3 saw Nico Rosberg top the time sheets, nearly two tenths quicker than team mate Lewis Hamilton. Both Ferrari's were half a second off the pace with the Williams' close to a second behind the time set by Rosberg. Sauber were continuing their form and both Toro's Rosso also made it into the Top 10.

Q1 got underway in dry conditions and saw both McLaren Honda's struggle. The Manor Marussia's failed to make the 107% time but were granted by the stewards to race. Felipe Nasr made up the final place in the Q1 knockouts and lined his Sauber up in 16th place.
Q2 started off dry but with the threat of a thunderstorm on the horizon there was a queue of cars lining up in the pit line. Everyone was trying to get a clean lap in before the heavens opened. Kimi Raikkonen got caught out by the traffic and couldn't make it into Q3. Pastor Maldonado joined alongside Raikkonen in P12 with both Force India's lined up beside each other on the seventh row of the grid. After promising pace during the practice sessions, Carlos Sainz got caught out in the difficult track conditions and could only put his Toro Rosso in 15th.
The rain put a holt to proceedings and a half hour delay was put on Q3. The cars then returned and intermediate tyres were the best choice. Lewis Hamilton took pole position, with Sebastian Vettel splitting the two Mercedes' with less than a tenth of a second separating the World Champions. Rosberg could only managed third, with the Red Bull's of Daniel Ricciardo and Daniel Kvyat taking 4th and 5th. Max Verstappen got his best qualifying result of 6th. Felipe Massa and Romain Grosjean made up the fourth row of the grid with Valtteri Bottas and Marcus Ericsson making up the final two places in the Top 10.

After a rain soaked qualifying, conditions for race day were hot, hot, hot! Pole sitter Lewis Hamilton got a clean start after a busy first lap left Kimi Raikkonen and Pastor Maldonado with punctures after coming into contact with Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Nasr, which resulted in them both having to come in for a new set of shoes.
The Sauber of Marcus Ericsson braked too late into turn one, leaving him in a spin and out of the race. The safety car had to make an appearance and when both Mercedes' pitted this left Sebastian Vettel out in the lead. Once the Safety Car went in, Vettel was able to extend his lead and give him some clear air between himself and second place.
The cars who didn't pit under the Safety Car, then came in to make their stops. Hamilton was handed back the lead from Vettel, Rosberg moved up to second and the Ferrari came out in third. Vettel on fresher tyres was able to catch up to the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg, overtaking him and setting his sights on Lewis Hamilton.
Fernando Alonso sadly had to retire due to an engine problem and team mate Jenson Button joined him with a turbo failure. The Red Bull's suffered from brake issues, but Kvyat and Ricciardo were able to continue. Kvyat was later hit by the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg sending him into a spin, which resulted in him dropping down the pack. Both Force India's were slapped with penalties after Hulkenberg's team mate Perez sent Romain Grosjean into a spin. They both received a 10 second penalty. Pastor Maldonado added his name to the list of retirees after bake failures resulted in him missing the chequered flag.

The finger is back!

Sebastian Vettel went on to win the Malaysian Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton in second and Nico Rosberg in third. Even after the early puncture, Kimi Raikkonen brought his Ferrari home in fourth followed by the Williams of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa. Both Toro Rosso's finished in the points, bringing home 7th and 8th for Verstappen and Sainz. Kvyat and Ricciardo rounded off the points finishers.

Next stop on the F1 2015 was China. Could Ferrari continue their time on the top or would the Mercedes bounce back?

The Starting Grid: Australian Grand Prix

After a dominant 2014 from Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, all eyes were on Melbourne for the season opener back in March. Could the Brackley team continue with their unbeatable form? Or could another team step in and take the crown from the Silver Arrows? Questions needed answers and the Australian Grand Prix was able to provide some.

From FP1 and FP2 it was clear Mercedes were going to be setting the pace for the rest of the pack to catch up to, with Williams and Ferrari the nearest competitors to the 2014 Constructors Champions. Toro Rosso outshone their sister team Red Bull Racing in FP1 with local lad Daniel Riccardo not making it out in FP2 due to issues with the car. McLaren Honda didn't get their new partnership off to the best of starts with limited running in both Friday practice sessions.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes dominated FP3 and was almost a second quicker than the nearest rival Sebastian Vettel. Both Red Bulls and Mclaren's struggled for pace and finished the session at the bottom of the time sheet. Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean managed to get their Lotus' in 7th and 8th position, with the Toro Rosso of Carlos Sainz and Sauber driver Felipe Nasr rounding off the Top 10.

Qualifying for the opening round of the 2015 Formula 1 season saw dry conditions for the teams. Due to both Manor Marussia's not being able to get out for running all weekend, it meant only three drivers' were eliminated in Q1. Both Mclaren's were knocked out with Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson keeping Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen company at the back of the grid.
Both Force India's were eliminated in Q2 lining up 14th and 15th on the grid. Daniel Kvyat would start his debut race for Red Bull Racing in 13th behind the Toro Rosso of Max Verstappen. Felipe Nasr just missed out on Q3 and his Sauber lined up in 11th for the Australian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes pace was again strong and no one could get within a second of them. The battle was between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg with the World Champion coming out on top. Felipe Massa made it into the Top 3 behind Nico Rosberg, followed by the two Ferrari's with Sebastian Vettel out qualifying Kimi Raikkonen.
Bottas was three tenths slower than his Williams team mate and started the race in 6th position. The fourth row of the grid was made up of Daniel Riccardo and Carlos Sainz with both Lotus' completing the Top 10, Romain Grosjean getting the edge over Maldonado.

Winner Lewis Hamilton giving the crowd an expensive shower

Race day saw just 15 cars start. Valtteri Bottas pulled out due to a back injury he sustained in Qualifying and both Daniel Kvyat and Kevin Magnussen not making the grid because of a technical issue on the Red Bull and an engine issue on the McLaren Honda.
With a first lap incident for Maldonado and a failure for Grosjean both Lotus' didn't make it to the end of the race.
Lewis Hamilton went on to win the race with Nico Rosberg making it a 1-2 for reigning Constructor's Champions. Sebastian Vettel scored his first podium with his new Ferrari team finishing third. Williams had a strong race with their only driver for the day Felipe Massa just missing out on a final podium finish. Fellow Brazilian driver Felipe Nasr finished 5th and scoring his first ever points in Formula 1.
Daniel Ricciardo finished his home race in 6th followed closely by Nico Hulkenberg in the Sahara Force India. Marcus Ericsson turned his Q1 exit in qualifying around scoring his first points on his debut with Sauber. Carlos Sainz also grabbed points in his first Grand Prix and Sergio Perez rounded off the points scorers at the Australian Grand Prix.

With Mercedes standing their ground as reigning World Champions, it's clear they're following in their 2014 footsteps and setting the pace for the rest of the grid. But can they hold their nerve and keep at bay the closing competitors?

Half time orange's at the ready

So here we are. The summer break in the 2015 Formula 1 season is upon us. It's crazy to think we're already half way through the season, it really has sped past us and overtook us up Eau Rouge. Because I'm the gift that keeps on giving I'm going to review the first half of the season for you, so you don't have time to realise that we have FOUR whole weeks without Formula 1!!

With all the emotion surrounding the Hungarian Grand Prix. The race was the perfect way to head into the summer break and an incredibly fitting way to say goodbye to Jules. It had all the action you could have asked for and a podium that I don't think anyone predicted.

A smile off between the Top 3 Drivers' at the Hungarian Grand Prix

Over the course of summer break I'll be reviewing each and every race giving you something to keep you occupied until the light goes green on FP1 in Spa at the end of August.

Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow as I go back to the beginning in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix.