2009 half-term F1 driver rankings part 2
We’ve got eight drivers left to rank: so who has been the most impressive of 2009 so far? Here’s my take on the best drivers in the first half of 2009 – share your pick of the best below.
Have you spotted an F1 lookalike?
F1 Fanatic guest writer Gerard Hetman met baseball player Phil Coke recently – and was struck by how much he looked like Kimi Raikkonen. Which got him thinking about F1 lookalikes… Last year I paid a visit to the Yankee Stadium while clad in McLaren gear to conduct some impromptu market research on how well-known … Continue reading Have you spotted an F1 lookalike?
2009 half-term F1 driver rankings part 1
The summer break is the traditional mid-point of the season, and a good time to take stock of who’s doing well and who’s struggling so far this year. Here’s part one of my rankings of the F1 drivers so far this year including some of your observations from the forum:
Lewis Hamilton in Ayrton Senna’s McLaren-Honda MP4/4
Pictures of Lewis Hamilton in Ayrton Senna’s 1988 McLaren-Honda MP4/4.
F1 links: New Briatore broadside from Piquet
Nelson Piquet Jr. again criticizes Flavio Briatore “A manager, in his view, is someone who takes 20 percent from the drivers’ money. In our view, it would be someone trying their best for a good contract.” Ele ta otimo …vivaaaa Picture posted by Rubens Barrichello of him with a recovering Felipe Massa The Name’s Alguersuari… … Continue reading F1 links: New Briatore broadside from Piquet
Why three-car teams isn’t a great idea
Three Lotuses in the top four places at Brands Hatch in 1968 Unhappy at missing out on the opportunity to get Michael Schumacher back in one of his cars, Luca di Montezemolo is pushing for teams to be able to run three cars again: We’re continuing to fight until every team has the right to … Continue reading Why three-car teams isn’t a great idea
Youth and experience: the leading candidates for USF1’s seats in 2010
USF1 is considering some very different drivers for its inaugural F1 season next year. The team has indicated it is looking at a mix of young American drivers (Jonathan Summerton, Graham Rahal or Ryan Hunter-Reay) alongside a more experienced F1 driver from Europe (Pedro de la Rosa or Alexander Wurz). Who will they pick? Here’s … Continue reading Youth and experience: the leading candidates for USF1’s seats in 2010
Luca Badoer could be the first Italian to race for Ferrari at Monza since 1992
Although it’s a disappointment that Michael Schumacher will not return to F1 in the European Grand Prix, Ferrari’s second choice of replacement – Luca Badoer – is an interesting one. Not everyone’s happy about it, though – Spanish motorsport federation president Carlos Gracia has criticised Ferrari’s decision to pick Badoer over their other test driver, … Continue reading Luca Badoer could be the first Italian to race for Ferrari at Monza since 1992
Jenson Button’s 250mph Bugatti Veyron up for sale – a snip at £899,995
Jenson Button’s taste in road cars reveals an appetite for machnes almost as quick as his Brawn BGP001: this is his 250mph Bugatti Veyron, up for sale on Auto Trader. It has just 1,500 miles on the clock – and if you want to sample nought to 62mph in 2.5 seconds you’ll have to part … Continue reading Jenson Button’s 250mph Bugatti Veyron up for sale – a snip at £899,995
Michael Schumacher cancels F1 return
Michael Schumacher has announced he will not be returning to race at the European Grand Prix at Valencia. A statement on his website says: Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I’m not able to step in for Felipe. I really tried everything to … Continue reading Michael Schumacher cancels F1 return
Competition: Win one of ten copies of “Williams” by Maurice Hamilton
Maurice Hamilton’s new book on Williams doesn’t hit the shelves until August 20th – but you can grab one of ten copies in this exclusive competition. Enter now for your chance to win.
F1 links: Suzuka return for Massa?
Massa deve voltar no GP do Japão Massa to return at the Japanese Grand Prix? (Portuguese) My life in cars: Sebastian Vettel Vettel on Schumacher: “I grew up with posters of him on my bedroom wall. It’s a huge surprise for everybody and I think a lot of fans will be very happy to see … Continue reading F1 links: Suzuka return for Massa?
Lewis Hamilton audio book prize winners
Congratulations to the winners of our Lewis Hamilton audio books competition. The five people who will receive copies of “Lewis Hamilton: The Full Story” on audio CD are: Charise McMullen Aurora Watters Darren Cousins Mike Cambridge Michelle O’Shea Well done all five of you – and commiserations to those of you who didn’t win. But … Continue reading Lewis Hamilton audio book prize winners
Domenicali criticises 2009 rules (Video)
Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali believe the 2009 technical rules haven’t helped promote overtaking as planned. In an interview with Ferrari’s fuel partner Shell (above) Domenicali said the new rules had only changed which teams were competitive, but not improved racing: If you look at the races that objective was not really achieved, so far, at the … Continue reading Domenicali criticises 2009 rules (Video)
Inside the McLaren Technology Centre
Last week I had my first chance to visit the McLaren Technology Centre. I met Communications and PR head Matt Bishop (also former F1 Racing editor) for lunch and a tour of the factory – he pointed out some of its most extraordinary features and little-known facts.
Your questions: crashed Ferrari, The Stig and a bridge that fell on a track
Did terrorists blow up a bridge at a Grand Prix in the 1960s? Why did an old Ferrari F1 car snap in half? And where does ‘The Stig’ get its name from? Answers to these and more of your questions below.
F1 links: Upgraded helmet for Schumacher
Schumacher to race with updated Schuberth helmet "After Felipe Massa's accident at the Hungarian GP, helmet manufacturer Schuberth has updated its helmet for use in Formula One." Schumacher gets £12,000 crash helmet "It is amazing, scanning the German and Italian media at the moment. It’s as if the clock was rolled back and it was … Continue reading F1 links: Upgraded helmet for Schumacher
One final spot left on the 2010 F1 grid – who could get it and who won’t
All the active F1 teams bar BMW have signed the Concorde Agreement committing them to F1 until the end of 2012. But with BMW withdrawing their team next year, and former team owner Peter Sauber unable to complete a takeover bid before the deadline for signing the Concorde Agreement, there are doubts over whether the … Continue reading One final spot left on the 2010 F1 grid – who could get it and who won’t
Kubica and Alguersuari enter kart final
Robert Kubica and Jaime Alguersuari are on the entry list for the 2009 CIK-FIA KZ1 karting world cup at Sarno in Italy next month. Kubica is entering is his own kart but according to Mary-Ann Horley of Kartlink he has had difficulties in testing: What I’ve heard from testing is that Kubica was having carb … Continue reading Kubica and Alguersuari enter kart final
F1 links: Alonso to race in Valencia?
Fernando Alonso ‘will get OK for Valencia’ Grand Prix "Circuit boss Carlos Moreno Figueroa said: 'We're being told by every side he'll be here.'" Santander, Alonso and Ferrari "Santander was keen to join the party with Alonso and so a deal was agreed that will begin in 2010 and will provide Santander with significant badging … Continue reading F1 links: Alonso to race in Valencia?