F1 for Life

Michael is shamefull......

2011-07-13T14:10:00.002+05:00

Michael Schumacher was left to lament what could have been after an early crash and subsequent penalty put him on the back foot in Britain.

Starting 13th on the grid, Schumacher was up into 10th place by the end of the first lap and slowly continued working his way through the field.
However, on lap 9, all his hard work was undone when he crashed into Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi, damaging his front wing. And as the shunt was deemed to be Schumacher's fault, he was also handed a 10-second stop-go penalty.
The German re-emerged back out on track in 17th place but still managed to work his way up into a points-finish, securing ninth place.
"My result today is a bit of a shame, and of course I am not happy about it," Schumacher said.
"I think fifth or even fourth place would not have been out of question today thanks to the superb job the guys back in Brackley and Brixworth have done.
"I would so much have wished to bring them some decent points this evening when we go back to the factory for a BBQ with their families. But unfortunately, and due to my fault, I cannot.
"Having used DRS for the first time in the race, I was arriving at the corner with over-run. Underestimating the effect, my braking was not good and this is how the collision happened.
"It was right to get a penalty but why it had to be a stop-go, and not a drive-through penalty, I would like to understand better as I felt it was too hard.
"Anyway, the good thing is that step-by-step, the hard work of our team is paying off more and more, and this is a good feeling heading towards our next home race."

Mr. Luca of Ferrari Is happy....

2011-07-13T14:06:00.001+05:00

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has congratulated his Formula One team after they finally claimed their first win of the season at Silverstone.

Fernando Alonso capitalised on Ferrari's improved pace and mistakes from main rivals Red Bull Racing to take the chequered flag an impressive 16.511s ahead of Sebastian Vettel.
It was Ferrari's first win of this campaign, their first since last year's Korean GP and came at the same track where Ferrari claimed their first-ever grand prix victory back in July 1951 with Jose Froilan Gonzalez.
"At last!" said the Ferrari president.
"Hearing the Italian National Anthem being played at Silverstone, the same venue at which we won our first ever Formula 1 race, was something I found particularly emotional.
"This is Ferrari, a team that never stops fighting, never throws in the towel, at the top level for sixty years.
"I want to thank (Stefano) Domenicali and the whole team, both those at the track, who did a perfect job and those at home, whom I'd asked to put in a huge effort, not just for us but also for our fans.
"Fernando was brilliant, driving an extraordinary race and Felipe also did very well, fighting right to the very end."
Alonso's victory moves him up to third in the Drivers' standings, 92 points behind Vettel, whose Red Bull team has 110-point lead over McLaren in the Constructors' Championship. Ferrari are third on 164 points.

Mallya hits back at critics

2011-07-13T14:02:00.001+05:00

Force India owner Vijay Mallya has hit back at those who have criticised him for failing to give young Indian drivers opportunities, describing the accusations as "blatantly unfair".

Although there are currently two Indian drivers involved in Formula One, none of them have a permanent racing seat. Karun Chandhok is a test and reserve driver for Team Lotus while Narain Karthikeyan has been replaced by Australian Daniel Ricciardo at Hispania Racing.
With India due to host their inaugural grand prix in October, Mallya has come under pressure to give an Indian driver a race seat.
The Force India boss, though, is not about to give in to the demands.
"I have been involved in Indian motorsport for over 30 years, and I have done whatever I reasonably could to promote sport in India," said Mallya.
"I take some credit for the fact I put an Indian Formula One team on the grid, something which nobody believed could ever happen.
"So I have done my job for my country, for the hundreds of millions of young, aspirational Indians in terms of Formula One.
"Now to be criticised, largely by the Indian folks, that I don't have an Indian driver is just blatantly unfair.
"My only response to them would be that I know more about Formula One than they do.
"It is why I've launched a one in a billion hunt, a serious effort to really find Indian talent.
"You can't pick up a kid and put him in a Formula One car in a year or two. It's going to take time."
Mallya pointed out that Italian fans don't complain about the lack of Italian drivers at Ferrari.
"There is no nation that is so passionate about its team than Italy," he added.
"Ferrari and Italy, the DNA is almost the same, and yet do Ferrari have Italian drivers?
"If Ferrari is on the podium or wins a race, the whole of Italy applauds and celebrates, yet nobody ever asks the question 'Where is the Italian driver?'
"So why suddenly in India? I say be thankful for the fact you have an Indian team, sporting the Indian colours on the grid to begin with.
"The Indian driver will follow, but let's not put the cart before the horse."

Salaries of F1 drivers

2011-05-27T03:13:00.000+05:00

According to Business Book GP, in year 2010 salaries of F1 drivers from maximum to minimum are..

1.Fernando Alonso, Ferrari - €30 million
2 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren - €16 million
= Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari - €16 million
4 Felipe Massa, Ferrari - €14 million
5 Jenson Button, McLaren - €9 million
6 Michael Schumacher, Mercedes - €8 million
= Nico Rosberg, Mercedes - €8 million
8 Robert Kubica, Renault - €7.5 million
9 Rubens Barrichello, Williams - €5.5 million
10 Mark Webber, Red Bull - €4.2 million
11 Jarno Trulli, Lotus - €3 million
12 Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull - €2 million
= Heikki Kovalainen, Lotus - €2 million
14 Timo Glock, Virgin - €1 million
15 Nico Hülkenberg, Williams – €700,000
16 Pedro de la Rosa, Sauber – €500,000
= Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber – €500,000
18 Vitaly Petrov, Renault – €400,000
= Sébastien Buemi, Toro Rosso – €400,000
= Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso – €400,000
21 Adrian Sutil, Force India – €200,000
= Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India – €200,000
= Lucas di Grassi, Virgin – €200,000
24 Bruno Senna, Hispania – €150,000

- Karun Chandhok, Hispania – Pay driver
- Sakon Yamamoto, Hispania - Pay driver

F1 drivers born on 27th may

2011-05-27T01:45:00.000+05:00

on may 27, according to Google, two F1 drivers were born , one is famous David Coulthard and other is Pierre-Henri Raphanel.
Coulthard was born on 27 may 1971 and Raphanel was born on 27 may 1961. Coulthard is a British national and Raphanel is a French driver.
Coulthard has during his career worked for Williams, Mclaren and Red Bull while Raphanel has worked for Larrousse, Coloni and Rial.
After retiring from F1 Coulthard has become a commentator for BBC F1 and also a team consultant for Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso, while Raphanel is working as the lead test driver and product specialist for Bugatti and is usually seen demonstrating the Veyron.

Salaries of F1 drivers

2011-05-27T01:29:00.000+05:00

According to Business Book GP, in year 2010 salaries of F1 drivers from maximum to minimum are..

1.Fernando Alonso, Ferrari - €30 million

2 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren - €16 million
= Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari - €16 million
4 Felipe Massa, Ferrari - €14 million
5 Jenson Button, McLaren - €9 million
6 Michael Schumacher, Mercedes - €8 million
= Nico Rosberg, Mercedes - €8 million
8 Robert Kubica, Renault - €7.5 million
9 Rubens Barrichello, Williams - €5.5 million
10 Mark Webber, Red Bull - €4.2 million
11 Jarno Trulli, Lotus - €3 million
12 Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull - €2 million
= Heikki Kovalainen, Lotus - €2 million
14 Timo Glock, Virgin - €1 million
15 Nico Hülkenberg, Williams – €700,000
16 Pedro de la Rosa, Sauber – €500,000
= Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber – €500,000
18 Vitaly Petrov, Renault – €400,000
= Sébastien Buemi, Toro Rosso – €400,000
= Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso – €400,000
21 Adrian Sutil, Force India – €200,000
= Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India – €200,000
= Lucas di Grassi, Virgin – €200,000
24 Bruno Senna, Hispania – €150,000

- Karun Chandhok, Hispania – Pay driver
- Sakon Yamamoto, Hispania - Pay driver

Pictorial video on Senna....

2011-05-22T04:12:00.000+05:00

this video has got nice collection of Senna's photos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilEH8e5cjjg&feature=related

Kimi on return to F1...

2011-05-22T04:09:00.003+05:00

After one million and one denials that he could return to F1, Kimi Raikkonen now says maybe he's not done with the sport.

Raikkonen walked away from F1 at the end of the 2009 season after parting ways with Ferrari and failing to land a race-seat with a race-winning outfit.

The Finn instead turned his attention to the World Rally Championship while this weekend he made his NASCAR truck debut at the Charlotte Motor Speedway

But while Raikkonen is still trying his hand at various series around the world, the 2007 Formula One World Champ refused to say no to a possible F1 return.

"There were many reasons why I stopped (racing in F1)," he told Autosport.

"I always said that I don't know if it's going to be forever or not but after that I wasn't really missing Formula 1. I wanted to try other things and I had a perfect opportunity to go and do rally and learn that and now I have time to come here and see how NASCAR is.

"I'm happy how things are now but I never really have said that I'm never going to go back (to F1). Maybe I will never go, maybe I'll go, but only the future will tell.

"Like I said before I have no plans for next year. I never really had any plans for this year before January so it may get quite late to know exactly what I will do."

Vettel is easy with P2 in Barcelona Qualifying

2011-05-22T04:03:00.000+05:00

Although Sebastian Vettel's run of pole positions came to an end in Barcelona, the reigning World Champion insists it's not a "big disappointment."

Arriving in Spain, Vettel had a four-nothing record in qualifying for the season, however, his impressive run came to an end when his team-mate Mark Webber pipped him to the coveted grid slot by 0.200s.

The German insists that being dethroned is not a massive loss as he is still on the front row, and has an extra set of soft tyres available to him for Sunday's 66-lap race.

"I don't think we can speak of big disappointment," said Vettel.

"At the end of the day we made a good step forward and Barcelona is usually a place where you bring lots of parts, and find out they work.

"In Q1 I didn't get into the rhythm immediately but made it on prime tyres, in Q2 I felt happier on the soft compound and in last qualifying I lost a little bit too much, wasn't happy with my lap.

"We had some problems and Mark did a good job. It was between us, he did a better job today. Tomorrow is a long race, we saved a set of tyres - as did the top three and Jenson (Button) - we will see what we can do tomorrow."

But while Vettel may have qualified in second place, Red Bull's Achilles Heel was once again present in Spain as the German lacked KERS for the better part of qualifying.

However, he says that's not the reason he lost to his team-mate and expects Red Bull will have the issue resolved before the race gets underway.

"I didn't use KERS in Q2 and Q3, but it's not right to say I didn't have KERS and Mark got pole - he deserved pole.

"I am not afraid in the race, in the race I think we will be on top of it again. In the end it seems to be an endless story.

"The guys are pushing very hard, we did an exceptional job. Today we have proved our car has become quicker, we had a quick base but we made it even quicker - so big compliments to the aero guys."

Making the best of what we have.....

2011-05-22T04:01:00.000+05:00

Although Michael Schumacher didn't achieve the third row grid slot he wanted in Spain, he is at least hoping to get some help on Sunday from his extra set of tyres.

Schumacher made it into the top-ten shoot-out for the second successive race weekend, however, was not able to better his previous high of P8.

In fact, the German didn't even set a time in the shoot-out, opting to head back into the pits, giving him the choice of which tyre to use at the start of Sunday's 66-lap race.

"Unfortunately in Q3, my KERS system did not work but we reacted in the best possible way," said Schumacher.

"We took the decision to go out on prime tyres to be able to react if other cars did the same. As no-one did, we came in without setting a time so we can now choose our strategy for tomorrow.

"I will certainly try to have another of the good starts that I have made recently, make up some positions right at the beginning, and take it from there.

"With DRS and KERS, overtaking is possible even in Barcelona, so it is important to use your tyres well, and I still have a set of fresh tyres left. I will definitely try to make the best out of it."

And although his team-mate Nico Rosberg dropped to his worst starting position in three races, the younger German believes he'll have the race-pace needed to work his way up the order.

"With our focus on the race pace this weekend, it was to be expected that we might suffer a little in qalifying.

"However I am not too disappointed with seventh place as we should be stronger in the race tomorrow, and I believe we can aim to be better than in Istanbul.

"I have one set of new tyres left which is good for us, and I hope that we can move up with the right strategy."

FIA investigates Ferrari rear wing

2011-05-22T03:52:00.000+05:00

A new rear wing introduced by Ferrari in Spain is having its legality investigated by the FIA ahead of qualifying in Barcelona.

FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting said on Friday night: "We are aware of the developments on the Ferrari rear wing and are currently discussing it with them. It's a very clever interpretation of the rules and we have to decide whether we think it's a good interpretation."

The governing body will have to rule on whether or not Ferrari's wing infringes article 3.10.3 of the rules, dealing with slot gap separators.

Whiting explained: "The devices which are normally just vertical, typically two of them on each wing, keep the distance between the profiles constant and the fact that these separators have to totally encircle the profiles also ensures that the profiles remain the same - we had some issues with changing profiles a few years ago. These separators can't be more than 200mm apart and Ferrari's is an alternative interpretation of that rule that we are currently discussing."

A great tribute to a great Driver....(Ayrton Senna)

2011-05-22T03:38:00.001+05:00

hi everybody!!!
i was surfing in youtube , when i came across this video and it stunned me,, this video is about Senna's whole journey in F1 till his tragic death in 1994. do watch it.

link to the video is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcYpnGRgfHs

Bernie says F1 could return to Austria

2011-05-17T17:22:00.000+05:00

Bernie Ecclestone says Formula One could return to Austria after the A1-Ringtrack went through a major refurbishment.

Ecclestone visited the track, now named the Red Bull Ring, on Sunday for the official reopening.

And although Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has in the past downplayed F1 returning to the venue, Ecclestone says it could be a possibility.

"Why not?" he told Autosport when asked about F1 heading to the circuit.

"This (refurbishment) should have been done 10 years ago. Without the rain I might have never realised it's the same area."

However, Austria's triple World Champ Niki Lauda says should F1 return, it won't be any time soon.

"It's a tremendous achievement by Dietrich and a fantastic thing to have this facility here.

"But it would be much premature to speculate about a F1 comeback. These things take a long time."

Rivals look on as big four discuss future...

2011-05-17T17:20:00.000+05:00

With Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes reportedly having met to discuss F1's future, smaller teams have called for the sport to pose a united front.

With the Concorde Agreement, the document by which Formula One is governed, set to expire in 2012, the sport faces an uncertain future.

There are, according to Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, three routes which the teams could opt to go down in the next 18 months.

The first is to sign a new Concorde Agreement with Bernie Ecclestone and CVC, keeping the status quo while the second is to "create our own company, like the NBA. Just to run the races, the TV rights and so on."

As for third, that would be to "find a different partner. Bernie Ecclestone did a very good job but he has already sold out three times, so he doesn't own the business any more. It is CVC that will sell.

"It will be the teams' decisions. At the end of 2012 the contract will expire, so theoretically CVC doesn't own anything. I think it is important to have alternatives. We will see. We have time to do it."

And with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, together with Italian investment company Exor, opening stating they are keen to purchase F1 from CVC, only time will tell which option the teams go for.

"The most important thing we do now is to stick together," an unnamed team boss with one of the smaller outfits told The Guardian.

"We had a FOTA meeting in Istanbul on Sunday and there was unprecedented unity among all 11 teams.

"This has not always been the case in the past 20 years. In fact we have often lost out by not showing a united front.

"What we talked about on Sunday was the idea of breaking away and running the sport ourselves. We feel the sport is being under-promoted.

"For example, in this day and age we should be making far greater use of new technology, such as the internet and iPad."

Silverstone ready to unweil new wings....

2011-05-17T17:14:00.000+05:00

The new pit and paddock complex at Silverstone is on the verge of completion.

Having secured a 17-year deal to host the British GP, the British Racing Drivers' Club commissioned the construction of a £27million 'wing' that is made up of hospitality suites, a media centre and a new spectator area, 41 garages, the race control building and the podium.

"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster getting here but we are finally up and running," BRDC president Damon Hill told Radio 4's Today programme.

"This year's grand prix and all the major international events will take place using the new facility.

"Silverstone has got a right to a permanent place on the calendar and so we hope this is a long-term thing that will make the circuit smart," he added.

Newey says puncture killed Senna.

2011-05-17T17:12:00.000+05:00

Red Bull designer Adrian Newey believes that a puncture was the most likely cause of the crash that killed Aryton Senna and that it nearly made him leave F1.

Newey was the man responsible for the design of the FW16 that Senna was driving on the fateful day at Imola when the Brazilian legend was killed in a single-car accident.

The Briton admits that the incident has a tremendous impact on him, so much so that he still is unable to watch footage of the accident.

"The little hair I had all fell out in the aftermath," Newey told The Guardian.

"So it changed me physically. It was dreadful. Both Patrick Head [Williams's technical director] and myself separately asked ourselves whether we wanted to continue in racing. Did we want to be involved in a sport where people can die in something we've created? Secondly, was the accident caused by something that broke through poor or negligent design? And then the court case started."

Newey and Head were charged with manslaughter and the 52-year-old admits it nearly caused him to walk away from the sport.

"For the whole team it was incredibly difficult," he explained.

"I remember the day after the race was a bank holiday Monday and some of us came in to try and trawl though the data and work out what happened. They were dark weeks.

"The honest truth is that no one will ever know exactly what happened. There's no doubt the steering column failed and the big question was whether it failed in the accident or did it cause the accident? It had fatigue cracks and would have failed at some point. There is no question that its design was very poor. However, all the evidence suggests the car did not go off the track as a result of steering column failure.

After a forensic analysis, Newey believs that the rear of the car "stepped out", because, "the right rear tyre probably picked up a puncture from debris on the track. If I was pushed into picking out a single most likely cause, that would be it."

Barrichello unhappy with DRS in Monaco GP

2011-05-11T00:34:00.000+05:00

Williams driver Rubens Barrichello believes the FIA has erred in agreeing to allow teams to use the Drag Reduction System at the Monaco Grand Prix.

DRS has proved to be very successful and has played a major role in the big increase in the number of overtaking moves so far this season. However, several drives raised concern about using the device in Monte Carlo later this month.

The FIA though decided there were no grounds to ban the use of DRS on the street circuit.
Barrichello, who acts as chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, feels the powers that be made the "wrong" call.
"I just think it is wrong," Barrichello told Autosport.
"I would love the people at the top to sit in the car and try to do the tunnel with the DRS open.
"In my opinion, they are waiting for something bad to happen. And when it happens, they will just say, 'oh, next year we will not have it for Monaco'.
"The drivers have not been listened to right now and I think it is the wrong decision."
The Brazilian fears we could have a number of race incidents due to the DRS.
"I can see a race [filled] with safety cars. If they could listen still: I think Monaco is what it is. It is not overtaking territory," he said.
"Do they think they can introduce overtaking through the DRS? They possibly can, but they might hurt someone. That is a voice from experience."

Haug hopes Schumi will have fun in Barcelona

2011-05-11T00:32:00.000+05:00

Michael Schumacher might feel it's all doom and gloom at the moment, but Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug is convinced the German will soon have "fun" again.

Speculation is rife that the seven-time World Champion could quit the sport before his three-year deal runs out with Mercedes at the end of 2012 after he admitted the "big joy is not there right now".

Schumacher's comments came after a disappointing display at the Turkish Grand Prix which saw him involved in several scraps with other drivers en route to his 12th-place finish.
Haug, though, says it's only a matter of time before Schumacher gets better results.
"When success is missing, then criticism is a fact of life," he told Autosport.
"When a seven-time World Champion like Michael Schumacher doesn't achieve success, criticism rains down upon him.
"I understand why: people expect the very highest level of performance from Michael and Mercedes, which is fully in line with our own targets.
"An analysis of Michael's laptimes from practice and the race in Istanbul shows that he had good pace. Without the contact on lap two, and the time he subsequently lost having the front wing changed, he was quick enough to finish in sixth or seventh position.
"That speed isn't wishful thinking; it's a fact. With that kind of potential, results will follow of their own accord."
Schumacher has picked up just six points in four races this year compared to team-mate Nico Rosberg's haul of 20 points, but Haug is convinced the good times will return at the Spanish Grand Prix.
"I can understand that Michael didn't have much fun on Sunday, racing so hard for 12th position knowing that, without his clash, he could have done better. I'm convinced he will [have fun] in Barcelona.
"We believe in our team, we believe in our drivers and we are working with calm and focus to achieve our targets."

Bernie's reaction towards Turkey and Bahrain

2011-05-11T00:28:00.000+05:00

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone wants the Turkish GP to continue hosting races next year but is unlikely to do organisers any favors by slashing costs.

Speculation intensified that Turkey may not host a race next year after the head of Istanbul's Chamber of Commerce Murat Yalcintas - citing an increase in the fee to stage it - last month expressed reservations about bringing the sport back.

"We will be happy to race here for exactly the same fees that we get from other European races, like Hungary does," Ecclestone said during the Turkish Grand Prix.
"Other countries seem to believe that Formula One is good for their country. If Turkey believes it doesn't need any good public relations, that's fine."
Turkey joined the F1 calendar in 2005 but the race has attracted poor attendances due to high ticket prices and difficulty of access to the venue on Istanbul's Asian side.
Istanbul's six-year contract to host the race expires this year. Many drivers have said they want to come back as they enjoying the testing circuit, with its mammoth Turn Eight at 640 meters long the longest of the season.
Yalcintas, who represents the backers of the race, said on his Twitter account last month that Ecclestone doubled the asking fee from $13 million to $26 million, and that Turkey's Ministry of Finance considered the amount too high.
"It's up to them to make up their mind," Ecclestone said. "I cannot do it for them."
Ecclestone hinted that discussions have been ongoing in recent days.
"I hope that we can clear everything up over the weekend," he said. "We don't want to leave here."
Another sensitive issue, for different reasons, is the future of this season's Bahrain Grand Prix.
F1's governing body has given Bahrain until June 3 to decide if a new date can be set this year.
It was originally scheduled to be the season-opening F1 race on March 13, but had to be canceled by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa after anti-government protests in the country.
"It's difficult to say. If they are happy to have the race, I am sure we are happy to be there," Ecclestone said. "But we would need a guarantee that there won't be problems.
"Right now, I don't know how anybody could guarantee that because it might be peaceful now, but who knows in the future?"

Schumi must be asking himself questions...!!!

2011-05-11T00:27:00.000+05:00

David Coulthard reckons Michael Schumacher has reached "the moment" when he realises he's no longer enjoying F1 racing.

With rumours circulating that Mercedes GP are lining up Paul di Resta to replace Schumacher at the end of this season, the German finished a disappointing P12 in Sunday's Turkish GP.

Immediately after the grand prix the seven-time World Champ admitted that he's not having as much fun as he thought he would have when he opted to return to the sport.
"The big joy is not there right now," the 42-year-old told the BBC.
And, Coulthard reckons, it's when that joy is gone that it's time to call it quits.
"He's not performing at the same level of his team-mate, that's a fact," said Schumacher's former rival.
"The statistics show Nico (Rosberg) is getting more out of that car than Michael.
"I don't think we should write Michael off by any stretch of the imagination, there's a lot of talent there, but he must be asking himself questions.
"I think the key thing is he's not enjoying it, and to be perfectly open and honest with you there was an element of that for me at the beginning of 2008.
"I wasn't as competitive as I felt I should be, I wasn't enjoying the races as much as I used to, and then that's the moment.
"It slowly builds until you look in the mirror and realise that feeling you've been having for a few weeks or months is the internal message. You can't hold back the clock."

Christian Horner praising Vettel

2011-05-11T00:25:00.000+05:00

Christian Horner has been singing the praises of the "very, very impressive" Sebastian Vettel following his victory in Turkey.

The 23-year-old German put in a flawless drive from pole position to take his third win of the Championship, extending his lead in the standings to 44 points over McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.
And no one was more impressed with the reigning World Champion than his team boss.
"His confidence is high," Horner told the Guardian newspaper. "He's carried the form of the end of last season into this year. He's driving fantastically.
"He has the benefit of experience now. He's the reigning World Champion. He doesn't see that as a pressure. He's enjoying it. He's in phenomenal form.
"He's got a good understanding of how the tyres work, what he needs from them and what they need too. And he was very, very impressive."

Pirelli reveals tyre allocations....!!!

2011-05-11T00:23:00.000+05:00

Pirelli has announced that the soft and super softs will be used as prime and option tyres for the Canada GP in Montreal next month.

The super soft tyre is set to make its debut at the Monaco GP later this month.

Pirelli also said that its medium tyre will make its debut as the prime tyre at Valencia's Grand Prix of Europe, with the super soft as option. That race follows Montreal.
At the British Grand Prix in July, the hard and soft tyres will be prime and option.
"We've come up with tyre nominations that should not only be well suited to the characteristics of each circuit, but also provide a great race for the drivers and spectators," Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery said. "(There will be) plenty of scope for the teams to exercise their strategic skills."
Montreal has similar characteristics to Monaco in terms of grip and traction, while Valencia - which is a street circuit - is quicker than Monaco. Silverstone is one of the quickest tracks.
The Italian tyre brand has drawn widespread praise since returning to the F1 grid this season after a 20-year absence to replace Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone as the sole supplier until 2013.

Lewis: It's like Schumi all over again

2011-05-11T00:21:00.001+05:00

Lewis Hamilton has likened Sebastian Vettel's reign of dominance to the Michael Schumacher glory days.

Defending World Champion Vettel has opened a 34-point gap at the top of the Drivers' Championship after carrying his excellent form from the backend of 2010 over to this campaign. He has started all four grands prix this year in pole position and ended up victorious in three of the races.

His Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber has already warned that the chasing pack need to find the German's weaknesses if they are going to stop him this year.
Hamilton, who is second in the Drivers' Championship courtesy of his win in China, feels Vettel's superiority is reminiscent of the days when Schumacher and Ferrari swept all before them.
"Thirty-four points is a very big gap at the moment," the McLaren driver said.
"But what can I do? He's not really the guy we're racing. It's all the other guys - Webber, Jenson, Fernando, Massa. That's really where the fight is because it's too easy.
"He was cruising in Sunday's race, for sure, and I've got to be on the ragged edge to try and get every little step I can possibly get.
"At the moment it's very, very similar to when Schumacher was dominating.
"Now Sebastian is dominating - pole position at all four races this season, and he's nearly won all four."
Despite Vettel and Red Bull's impressive form, Hamilton insists it's possible to catch and overtake the German.
"I don't have a fear that will happen, but it is a reality, it is possible, but it is also possible we could catch up and overtake them," added Hamilton
"Then we might see at the next race they will have a bigger upgrade than us, and it will be the same again.
"But the gap is only a win and a bit, so for example if he doesn't have a good race in Barcelona and we win we're back in the fight again.
"It's easy to say now it's all doom and gloom, but it's not at all.
"There are many races to go, and we're not a million miles off with our race pace, it's just qualifying.
"If we can get the car on pole position then we'll be smiling."

Herbert: Schumacher likely to quit in this season

2011-05-11T00:20:00.000+05:00

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert admits he would be surprised if Michael Schumacher is back on the grid next season.

Speculation about Schumacher's future as a Mercedes GP has gone into overdrive after the German admitted at the Turkish Grand Prix that he's not really enjoying racing right now.

The seven-time World Champion endured a torrid afternoon at Istanbul and found himself involved in several scraps en route to a 12th place finish - seven places behind his Merc team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Schumacher's former Benetton team-mate Herbert says although the German "has not lost any of his skill", the current crop of drivers are just better than him.
"I would not be surprised if my old team-mate Michael Schumacher retires for good at the end of the season," Herbert wrote in Abu Dhabi's The Nation.
"Schumacher did not return to Formula One just to make up the numbers. He came back to win races and add titles to his already impressive career statistics.
"It has not happened, and the simple fact is that he is no longer the best driver on the track.
"Schumacher has not lost any of his skill; the new generation of young drivers are just better than him."
Herbert added that the big age gap between Schumacher and the current drivers is also not to blame.
"As I said, I don't think he has lost any speed as he is still very fit at the age of 42, and he is not that far away from Rosberg, although the fact he is still being beaten regularly by his team-mate will be a concern," Herbert wrote.
"He cannot blame the age factor as to why he is being beaten and has not finished on the podium in any of the 23 races he has competed in since he came back
"It is a case that the level required to win in F1 has gone up and he is not at that standard anymore.
"He did not return just to run in the middle order. His dream was to win again and make Mercedes race winners, but it has not turned out that way and I would be surprised if he chose to continue."

Bernie: Against sale of F1 to News Corp.

2011-05-11T00:17:00.000+05:00

Bernie Ecclestone says selling Formula One to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp would be "suicide" for the sport.

Reports of Murdoch's intentions to purchase F1 from CVC continued throughout the Turkish GP weekend with FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh revealing that the teams would be willing to listen to his proposal.

However, rumours that McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault will meet with News Corp executives was rubbished.
Another thing that has been rubbished, at least by Ecclestone, is the whole debate as he reckons it would be "suicidal."
"Murdoch hasn't got anything really big to drive their TV audiences and Formula 1 would be good for that," Ecclestone said.
"They have been trying to buy the TV rights from us for a long time but we won't because they are not free-to-air television broadcasters. They are a subscription service.
"Very recently they wanted to do something in Germany, in the UK and in Italy, where they are, but we couldn't do it.
"Sky is doing an incredible job but if you look at their audience figures they are nowhere.
"With these figures it would be almost impossible for teams to find sponsors. That would be suicidal."
The F1 supremo reiterated that CVC have no plans to sell the sport.
CVC has given their answer. They are the major shareholders and they do not want to sell. That is 100 per cent for sure.
"Somebody might say that they want to do it, but it doesn't mean that when somebody wants to buy something the owner wants to sell.
"And CVC made it very clear that they don't want to sell.
"If people don't want to sell, others have to accept that fact. It's as simple as that."
"The teams should be happy to have somebody like CVC not selling to the wrong people, trying to maintain a good level for them and supporting me so that I can go to work and earn some money for the teams."