We can safely say that McLaren is showing off its upcoming P1 hypercar quite a lot lately – not that we’re complaining, of course. Barely a week after releasing a new video and a set of images of an “XP” (for “experimental”) test car with a black and white camouflage that did nothing to hide its lines, the company chose its 2013 Formula 1 contender’s launch to flaunt the P1 again. Read more »

As part of a large-scale promotion for the launch of the new Mazda6 in Australia, the Japanese carmaker is organizing the star-packed Mazda6 Celebrity Challenge, which will take place during the 2013 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in the middle of March.

Mazda said it plans to have 20 "big name celebrities" behind the wheels of an equal number of cars, each of which will come in different body and racing livery colors.

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Last November, the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, hosted its inaugural Formula 1 race, which was also the penultimate event of the 2012 season. Austin was the 10th track to host the U.S. GP and it marked F1’s return in the country after a five-year absence.

According to the Texas comptroller’s office, the newly constructed circuit was also the state’s top seller of alcohol, i.e. beer, wine and mixed drinks, with US$2.8 million. Total alcohol sales in the city in November reached US$48.4 million, a 23 percent increase compared to November 2011.

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You lose some, you win some. Even McLaren with its Honda-powered MP4/4 driven by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, who completely dominated the 1988 season, failed to win all 16 races.

After 11 straight wins, it lost to Ferrari. It then continued its streak, claiming a startling 15 wins out of 16 starts but by a strange twist of fate, the one it lost was on Scuderia’s home ground and, at the same time, the first Italian GP after Enzo Ferrari’s death…

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News of the Greek government allocating nearly €30 million, pending Parliament ratification, to build a track that will comply with Formula 1 standards were quite a surprise, given the country’s current financial state.

If the Greek Parliament gives the green light, the new track will be built in Halandritsa, near the port of Patras in the Peloponnese.

When questioned by Carscoop, president of the Patras Autodrome consortium Evangelos Floratos said that, even though securing a Formula 1 Grand Prix is very difficult, there are many other forms of racing that could be hosted on the track.

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Unlike past seasons, with four races still to go, predicting this year’s Formula 1 champion is, practically, impossible. That’s because consistency and outright performance are two variables that change greatly from one Grand Prix to another, not least because of their tires’ behavior.

The Korean GP that took place on Suday was yet another race that had most teams and their drivers struggling with tire performance.

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This year, up until now, Fernando Alonso scored three wins in 14 races and apart from a single retirement in Belgium, he always finished with points. That’s the reason why, despite his Ferrari not being the fastest car on the grid, the two-time Formula 1 world champion was leading the 2012 driver’s championship.

At the Japanese Grand Prix that took place on Sunday morning at the Suzuka circuit, the Spaniard didn’t even make it past the first corner, retiring for the second time this season.

Right after the red lights went out signaling the start of the race, his Ferrari came in contact with Kimi Raikkonen’s Lotus and spun at turn one.

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Even the best of plans sometimes don’t pan out. Having a seven-time Formula 1 world champion with 91 wins, 155 podium finishes, 68 pole positions and 77 fastest laps drive one of your cars is probably a wise move.

Mercedes GP certainly thought so; that’s why when Michael Schumacher, the most successful F1 driver of all times, decided that three years away from the tracks were more than he could handle and wanted to make a comeback in 2009, he was signed by the Silver Arrows despite being at the ripe age of 40.

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Greece is the country that’s been hit the hardest by the debt crisis that has brought a lot of unrest in Europe, threatening even the existence of the Eurozone itself. For the past three years, successive governments have imposed heavy taxes and pay cuts to reduce the country’s debt, an effort that has yielded questionable results.

Yet it looks like a long dream of Greek car and motorsport fans may come true, even amidst the crisis. The Ministry of Development and Transportation has given the green light to begin construction of a Formula 1 track; all it remains for the works to begin is the ratifying of the project by the Greek Parliament.

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MILTON KEYNES - Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes that the future career Lewis Hamilton will stay at McLaren Mercedes. During this time many rumors saying that the Briton is going to leave Woking, McLaren headquarters.

Speaking to Servus TV, Horner believes McLaren will retain the services of Hamilton at least for 2013. In addition to estimated Mercedes, the 2007 world champion was also assessed past Red Bull Racing.

"As usual there is always a lot of talk, but when the music stopped, I do not think a lot of things to change," Bernie said, as quoted by Autosport, Wednesday (12/09/2012).

"If you believe Eddie Jordan than Hamilton to go, and if you believe Bernie, than Schumacher's return from retirement," said Horner.

The same thing also expressed by former F1 driver Christian Danner who believes Hamilton will stay with McLaren.

"The story of Hamilton about his position at McLaren. About how he could market himself to the world. But if he listens to the rider, he will stay at McLaren, where he has the best chance to become world champion again in the period, "said Danner.

MONZA - McLaren's Lewis Hamilton managed to accomplishment the chase baton in Formula One (F1) Italian GP at Monza Circuit on Sunday (09/09/2012). Meanwhile, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Sauber disciplinarian Sergio Perez accomplished in positions two and three.

In the chase of 53 laps, Hamilton clear his opponents and steadily advanced back the aboriginal lap. British addition was eventually catastrophe the chase in pole position with a time of 1hr 19menit 41.221 seconds.

Demonstrated accomplished achievement Sauber disciplinarian Sergio Perez. Started the chase in 13th place, the racer from Mexico managed to accomplishment additional abaft Hamilton. The adolescent addition accomplished with a aberration of 4.356 abnormal from Hamilton, and eventually won the third belvedere of the season.

Scintillating achievement is additionally apparent standings baton F1, Alonso, who accomplished third. In fact, the bifold apple best started the chase from 10th position. Got poked by two positions, Alonso assuredly had to accord up two positions on Perez and accomplishment with a aberration of 20.954 seconds.

Meanwhile, the fourth position active by Felipe Massa, who was his assistant Alonso. Massa, who started third, was consistently in the top two, Jenson Button backs. But again he was abandoned back the position was taken, and Alonso Perez. Massa accomplished with aberration time 29.667 seconds.

Button, who started on the second, bootless to abide the chase due to problems with his car on lap 34. And, additionally accomplished the accident of the two Red Bull drivers, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, because his car crash. Webber had to achieve for finishing in the top 20, while Vettel accomplished the 22.

Here are the complete after-effects of the chase at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix:

1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1h19:41.221
2. Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 4.356
3. Alonso Ferrari + 20.594
4. Massa Ferrari + 29.667
5. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 30.881
6. Schumacher Mercedes + 31.259
7. Rosberg Mercedes + 33.550
8. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 41.057
9. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 43.898
10. Senna Williams-Renault + 48.144
11. Maldonado Williams-Renault + 48.682
12. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 50.316
13. d'Ambrosio Lotus-Renault + 1:15.861
14. Kovalainen Caterham-Renault + 1 lap
15. Petrov Caterham-Renault + 1 lap
16. Pic Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap
17. Glock Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap
18. De la Rosa HRT-Cosworth + 1 lap
19. Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth + 1 lap
20. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 2 laps
21. Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes + 3 laps
22. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 6 laps

MONZA - McLaren-Mercedes team successfully repeat their success in the Free Practice II, by dominating qualifying session F1GP Monza, Italy. Two drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button leading a successful master grid on race, Sunday (09/09/2012) tomorrow.

Just as the Free Practice II, yesterday, Hamilton as the fastest, while Button in second place. It is time to-63 McLaren successfully placed two riders in the leading position, which is a new record.

In the qualifying session on Saturday (08/09/2012), Hamilton made ​​sure after record as the fastest time of 1 minute 24.010 seconds. The Briton winning 0.123 seconds ahead of Button.

Bad luck that it went to Fernando Alonso appear quite competitive in the practice session. Problems with anti-rollbar car, making Alonso had washed up into the top 10 in the race later. Luckily for Ferrari, Felipe Massa able to perform competitively with starting start from third place.

Paul Di Resta again surprised everyone by appearing as the fourth fastest driver. Unfortunately, he gets a penalty of five grid following the use of a new gearbox, making the Force India driver had dropped to ninth.

Besides Di Resta, Pastor Maldonado also had to undergo 10 grid penalty due to an incident that occurred at the Hungarian Grand Prix last week. Williams driver in qualifying this time that ranks 12, must be willing to initiate the start of a sequence of 22.

Full results of qualifying GP Monza, Italy:

 1.  Lewis Hamilton  (McLaren-Mercedes)  1menit 24.010 detik
 2.  Jenson Button  (McLaren-Mercedes)  1m24.133s  (+ 0.123s)
 3.  Felipe Massa  (Ferrari)  1m24.247s  (+ 0.237s)
 4.  Paul di Resta  (Force India-Mercedes)  1m24.304s  (+ 0.294s/Pen)
 5.  Michael Schumacher  (Mercedes)  1m24.540s  (+ 0.530s)
 6.  Sebastian Vettel  (Red Bull-Renault)  1m24.802s  (+ 0.792s)
 7.  Nico Rosberg  (Mercedes)  1m24.833s  (+ 0.823s)
 8.  Kimi Raikkonen  (Lotus-Renault)  1m24.855s  (+ 0.845s)
 9.  Kamui Kobayashi  (Sauber-Ferrari)  1m25.109s  (+ 1.099s)
10.  Fernando Alonso  (Ferrari)  1m25.678s  (+ 1.668s)
11.  Mark Webber  (Red Bull-Renault)  1m24.809s  (+ 0.567s)
12.  Pastor Maldonado  (Williams-Renault)  1m24.820s  (+ 0.578s/Pen)
13.  Sergio Perez  (Sauber-Ferrari)  1m24.901s  (+ 0.659s)
14.  Bruno Senna  (Williams-Renault)  1m25.042s  (+ 0.800s)
15.  Daniel Ricciardo  (Toro Rosso-Ferrari)  1m25.312s  (+ 1.070s)
16.  Jerome d'Ambrosio  (Lotus-Renault)  1m25.408s  (+ 1.166s)
17.  Jean-Eric Vergne  (Toro Rosso-Ferrari)  1m25.441s  (+ 1.199s)
18.  Heikki Kovalainen  (Caterham-Renault)  1m26.382s  (+ 2.207s)
19.  Vitaly Petrov  (Caterham-Renault)  1m26.887s  (+ 2.712s)
20.  Timo Glock  (Marussia-Cosworth)  1m27.039s  (+ 2.864s)
21.  Charles Pic  (Marussia-Cosworth)   1m27.073s  (+ 2.898s)
22.  Narain Karthikeyan  (HRT-Cosworth)  1m27.441s  (+ 3.266s)
23.  Pedro de la Rosa  (HRT-Cosworth)  1m27.629s  (+ 3.454s)
24.  Nico Hulkenberg  (Force India-Mercedes)  No Time

Fernando Alonso intention for expanding collection of ranking points leader in the series run to 12 in the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, yesterday strand. They fired more than 500 meters from a flying machine, he beat Lewis Hamilton touched tires because. Romain Grosjean Lotus ownership

The incident took place at the first corner of the start was made with the Hamilton and Ferrari driver Grosjean for the public from the beginning. Alonso actually ready to take the inside to the outer corner, so that when the first three.

Alonso was honest that he. Not angry about the incident at Grosjean at the first corner, which was from the Belgian Grand Prix On the question of the league leaders with a total of 162 points was confirmed was not bad, but it was a reference record this season.

"No, I'm not angry," he said. "I do not think anyone is doing it on purpose, because (Lewis and Roman) were aggressive early in the fight. This time we are at the wrong place and at a time to beat us. And it's true, in the last 12 Race Romain recorded seven arrests at the beginning, "said Alonso.

In the accident Alonso had not been out of the cockpit. He said he was fine and not seriously hurt relieved. Why five days to compete in the Grand Prix of Italy.

"I feel fine, just a little" knock back pain due. I do not know what is going to watch TV. Therefore, it is difficult to imagine what might be as successful or the speed of a car that you take. on TV, I saw Lewis novel and touch each other and lose control, he will before me, "said Alonso.

When you are ready at the starting line, Alonso see a bit "surprised Pastor Maldonado exploded car and the third was. Actually begins light is still red. Subject, he could not get out of the car because he did not breathe because of the smoke could. "Luckily I was able to do in Italy," he said in a tone of joy.

 

Crash F1 Belgian Pictures:

FIA issued a temporary position to start the Belgian Grand Prix rider, Sunday (02/09/2012). Arrangement that incorporates a number of penalties issued after received several riders after qualifying on Saturday (1/9).

WAG Williams, Pastor Maldonado, had seven to sixth from third position during qualifying. This is as punishment for his actions that hinder the movement of Nico Hulkenberg in Q1.

Meanwhile, Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg penalized five grid due to gearbox replacement. Thus, Webber, who finished seventh in qualifying will start from the 12th position, while Rosberg, who was ranked 18th in qualifying, dropped to position 23.

The steward also investigate whether Kimi Raikkonen will be penalized for the track crosses the line at Eau Rouge in Q3. However, the Lotus driver is found not guilty, so he rose to third, replacing Maldonano place, which relegated.

McLaren driver, Jenson Button, remain at the forefront, and he will get resistance from the Sauber driver, Kamui Kobayashi.

Sequence start the Belgian Grand Prix after a penalty

1.  Jenson Button             McLaren-Mercedes
2.  Kamui Kobayashi        Sauber-Ferrari
3.  Kimi Raikkonen           Lotus-Renault
4.  Sergio Perez              Sauber-Ferrari
5.  Fernando Alonso         Ferrari
6.  Pastor Maldonado        Williams-Renault
7.  Lewis Hamilton            McLaren-Mercedes
8.  Romain Grosjean         Lotus-Renault
9.  Paul di Resta               Force India-Mercedes
10.  Sebastian Vettel         Red Bull-Renault
11.  Nico Hulkenberg         Force India-Mercedes
12.  Mark Webber             Red Bull-Renault
13.  Michael Schumacher  Mercedes
14.  Felipe Massa              Ferrari
15.  Jean-Eric Vergne       Toro Rosso-Ferrari
16.  Daniel Ricciardo         Toro Rosso-Ferrari
17.  Bruno Senna              Williams-Renault
18.  Heikki Kovalainen        Caterham-Renault
19.  Vitaly Petrov               Caterham-Renault
20.  Timo Glock                  Marussia-Cosworth
21.  Pedro de la Rosa         HRT-Cosworth
22.  Charles Pic                 Marussia-Cosworth
23.  Nico Rosberg              Mercedes
24.  Narain Karthikeyan      HRT-Cosworth

Source: Kompas

Kamui Kobayashi appeared as the fastest rider in the first free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix, Friday (31/08/2012), which took place in wet conditions. Of a total of 20 laps were completed at Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, Sauber racer was clocked 2 minutes 11.389 seconds best.

Indeed, since the beginning of the session Kobayashi has been showing signs that he was going to dominate the opening free practice session of the first day. In the first four laps, he recorded a time of 2 minutes 17.705 seconds.

However, the results achieved by Kobayashi is not a guarantee that he would be competitive at the weekend. Because, in the opening exercises a large number of riders opt for longer languishing in the paddock. Only in the last 40 minutes, a large number of riders took to the track, so that they look no maximum.

Just look at what was achieved by the two Ferrari driver, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, who was in a position to-22, and 24. Alonso, who now leads the standings and hoping this weekend's race took place in wet conditions, only completed 4 laps, while Massa, a caretaker, only 2 laps.

Red Bull Racing, Mark Webber, the only top riders who compete in the front row. The Australian rider, who is now ranked second in the standings, is in fifth, behind Pastor Maldonado (Williams), and the Toro Rosso duo, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

While his teammate, Sebastian Vettel, was ranked ninth, behind Sergio Perez (Sauber), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), and the replacement rider Williams, Valtteri Bottas.

Despite the poor track conditions, all the riders managed to finish the session with the good, because there's hardly an accident. Only the masses who are having problems in his car, because he had to stop S-curve due to smoke coming from the back of the car.

Source: Kompas

Series Spa-Francorchamps Belgium GP, is the zero point for Michael Schumacher. In Series Spa-lah Schumacher made ​​his debut and won his first race. Now, the living legend that F1 would look 300nya milestone all in the same location.

Schumacher - Schumacher greeting, first inhabited the cockpit F1 pole position at Spa 21 years ago with the team 7Up Jordan. Nevertheless, Schumacher failed to finish the race. The next year, Schumacher won his first series, also at the Spa, with Camel Benetton-Ford team.

"Spa is like a family: for me, this track is clear that the number one in the world. It seems incredible considering I have a lot of special moments in there - my debut, first win, celebrate titles as well as many other great race, "said Schumacher.

Soon, Schumacher will be the second driver to reach milestones 300 series throughout his career. Although the performance of late has not been back up, but Schumacher expects excellent results in Spa, 2 September.

"I will also undergo GP-300 to me in Spa, and I want to celebrate it perfectly. I am proud to be the second driver to reach this milestone. No doubt, I was expecting a satisfying weekend, "he added.

"Our results are pretty good at Spa last year. I will try my best to package this celebration with a good performance, "added Schumacher, as quoted F1Technical, Monday (27/08/2012).

Source: OkeZone Sports

Fernando Alonso has a chance to win a championship Formula One (F1). However, Alonso can not underestimate Kimi Raikkonen. Therefore, Kimi may be the biggest threat to Ferrari's.

Yes, it was revealed by Giancarlo Minardi, former F1 driver. Giancarlo was very impressed with the performance of Kimi in F1 this season. In fact, the Finnish driver Giancarlo rate was likely one of the drivers who won the F1 championship.

"Spa (next race) has always been a turning point in the F1 championship title race in recent years. We do not have a secure top standings, though Alonso leads by 40 points. I think too soon to say Alonso's championship, "said Giancarlo.

Five riders a chance to win the F1 title was Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi course. Currently, The Ice Man (The nickname Kimi) behind 48 points from Alonso.

Kimi is one of the drivers who have not won in F1 this season. But if you look at the performance of The Ice Man in the season, it is not possible to tackle this Lotus racer Alonso's ambitions in the title for the third time.

"There were five riders who can still win the race and the biggest threat comes from Kimi. Unfortunately, some of the races do not fit his expectations and he must improve in qualifying results as well. But Kimi is very aggressive and looks pretty consistent, "said Giancarlo.

Ferrari technical head Pat Fry said the success of Fernando Alonso topped the standings much helped by the rain. Fry admitted when dry, F2012 car speed is much slower.

Alonso is currently the points is 169 or 40 points ahead of nearest rival, Red Bull driver Mark Webber who picked up just 129 points. Defending champion Sebastian Vettel just sits in third place with 122 points.

Two of the three victories achieved by the 31-year-old Spaniard is happening on the track wet. Rainy weather that occurs in qualifying and the race at the Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, and Circuit Hockenheim, Germany is very helpful Alonso maximize the speed of his F2012.

Alonso is the only victory in dry conditions occurred in the European GP at Valencia Circuit. Accurate indicator of F2012 on a dry circuit can be seen in the Circuit Hungaroring, Hungary before the summer break, where the world champion 2005 and 2006 was only ranked fifth in qualifying and the race.

"Frankly, if the race in Malaysia took place in dry conditions, then the story would be much different. I think we can not hide the fact that the weather helped us, "said Fry told Autosport, Monday (08/13/2012).

"Yes, we helped the rain, then why could not follow other drivers do? We just have to keep trying to fix our car, "said Fry.

"We are fortunate to have the position right now," said Fry. The next new F1 series next month on September 2, coming exactly at the Belgian GP.

Soure: Okezone Sports

Jenson Button became one of the coveted Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa. However, McLaren has denied the speculation.

Currently ranked seventh Button drivers standings with a score 51 points, after winning one victory and three podiums. Button achievement was enough to surpass the two Ferrari drivers, Massa.

Ferrari is continuing to provide support for Massa, but rumors of Ferrari team will be moving it kept sticking in the mass media. Button's name also was mentioned as a potential replacement for Massa.

However, Button is likely to be directly refute his teammate Fernando Alonso next season. However, the former Brawn GP did not deny this is often met with Stefano Domenicali.

"Well, uh .. There is always a contact made​​. I always say 'Hello, how are you?' When I met Domenicali in the paddock, "said Button, as reported by sportal.co.nz, Thursday (09/08/2012).

"However, Domenicali know and I still have a contract with McLaren next year. I do not know why this (speculation to Ferrari) sticking out very strongly in my direction, "said the British rider.

McLaren was ranked second constructor standings, the team nicknamed the Silver Arrows is behind 53 points from Red Bull. However, Button intends to stay with the team that has won eight times it's constructor.

"If you look at the McLaren team, you look at their achievements. Conversely, when you see the red team, you will also see the same thing. The Italian team does have a high passion in sports, especially motor sport, but McLaren right place for me, "he said.

Sauber interested in continuing their relationship with Ferrari when the new regulations the use of turbo V6 engine came into force in 2014, but they are concerned about the costs associated with such cooperation.

Formula One will switch from the 2.4-liter V8 engine to 1.6 liter V6s in 2014, but it seems only Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes set out to produce the power unit under the new regulations.

Sauber deal with Ferrari will expire the end of next season, but CEO Sauber, Monisha Kaltenborn said they are eager to continue working with the Italian manufacturer, even if they are worried about the possibility of price increases.

"It is a logical step for us to first go and talk with our machines today, because we have a long history together," said Kaltenborn, as reported by PlanetF1, Wednesday (08/08/2012).

"But all the open, because I do not think they themselves know about a specific condition. We have to wait," he explained.

Kaltenborg states, many of which must be considered before deciding to re-extend the partnership with Ferrari. He wanted to make sure the price and the engine development team will not make even a loss.

"Our position, I think because of all the machines have clear customer team, now the financial aspect is very important to us. We do not want to go back to the times when you are paying far more than today's machines," he explained.

"They (the supplier of the machine) will make it, so I think you have to find a just solution for customers and to suppliers, what you can do on engine development costs and prices," he concluded.

Source: Okezone Otomotif