Button Pushed to Win at Australian GP; 2012 F1 Season Opener

Photo Credit: Sauber F1

After just under four months of inaction on the grand prix circuit, Formula 1 teams were far from stagnant through the off-season. Creating brand new cars conforming to 2012 rules, several teams arrived for the first Formula 1 race of the season with a stepped or "duck bill" nose racing machine in Australia. Having worked on the winning formula for succeeding in Formula 1, the 2012 Australian Grand Prix on the Albert Park 5.303-kilometer track would hold the initial showcase for whether the winter labouring of engineers and car builders would deliver on promises.

Known as a fast circuit consisting of heavy-braking corners, Albert Park has been hosting the only race on the only FIA-sanctioned Formula 1 race on the Australian continent since 1985. On 13 occasions, the year's winner of the Australian Grand Prix was declared the Formula 1 World Drivers Champion at the end of the season. Jenson Button in 2009 and Sebastian Vettel in 2011 are recent victors in Australia to claim the series' top honour.

One of the few teams not accepting the popular stepped nose design, McLaren-Mercedes cars posted team speed in qualifying for the 2012 Grand Prix of Australia. Lewis Hamilton bested teammate Jenson Button for the pole position as the 22-car grid for the Australian Grand Prix assembled Sunday. When the overhead starting lights cycled and eventually darkened, the 2012 Formula 1 season was inaugurated with the V-8 powered open wheel race cars buzzing into turn 1. Immediately, the McLaren MP4-27 Formula 1 cars battled with Button triumphing in beating Hamilton for lead in the Australian Grand Prix.

As the McLaren-Mercedes vehicles storm forward with their top starting spots, third place race qualifier Romain Grosjean mistimed the Australian Grand Prix's start in his Lotus-Renault. Competing just one lap in the race, Grosjean's Lotus-Renault car suffered race-ending wheel/tire damage with contact between Pastor Maldonado's Williams F1 car. While Romain Grosjean saw his promising grand prix end with a 20th place finish, Maldonado continued to circulate around the Albert Park circuit and eventually became a big story as the 2012 Australian Grand Prix endured.

Similar to Grosjean's fortunes, the highly-decorated veteran Michael Schumacher was also confronted with an early exit from th 2012 grand prix in Australia. Having started in 4th place, Schumacher and the Mercedes GP team saw a chance of a good race turn bad. On lap 11, Michael Schumacher shot off track while in third position on the race track. Slowing on track, Schumacher lost pace and promptly retired just two laps later. Mercedes GP team pride surrounded the remaining race car of Nico Rosberg who held onto a top-5 position through much of the event. Unfortunately, a tire puncture through the latter stage of the Australian Grand Prix robbed Rosberg of a points-scoring day with a 12th place finish.

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

While the first qualifying session of 2012 resulted in a twisted ordeal for major Formula 1 race teams such as Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari were buried deeper than the grid than accustomed to after 2011. Starting on the third row of the Australian Grand Prix, the Red Bull-Renaults of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber both improved on their grid positions over the course of the 58-lap race. In the case of the reigning Formula 1 world champion Vettel, his #1 Red Bull Racing car climbed from 6th to 2nd place after leap-frogging the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton through the course of the Australian event. Mark Webber had Chased down Hamilton's McLaren-Mercedes in the final laps of the Australian Grand Prix but was under to formulate a pass for the final podium finish.

The two-car team of Ferrari did not enjoy the same improvements that allowed the Red Bull Racing squad to show a promising event in Australia but still came away with some progress. Struggling with handling of the new 2012 team car, drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were initially able to better than their dismal qualifying efforts. While Alonso surged to within the Formula 1 points, Massa's race ended late following a lap 47 collision with Williams-Renault of Bruno Senna that damaged the suspension on the Brazilian driver's Ferrari.

Photo Credit: Infiniti/Red Bull

Slowing the Australian Grand Prix, the Caterham-Renault driven by Vitaly Petrov broke down on the frontstretch on lap 36. As the Mercedes-Benz SLS safety car was deployed, race leader's Jenson Button's lead was erased. However, Button provided an anti-climatic note to any drumming from challengers as the McLaren-Mercedes keep a steady gap on Sebastian Vettel when the race resumed on lap 42.

Leading final 16 laps of the Australian Grand Prix, Jenson Button and the McLaren F1 team won the first event of the 2012 Formula 1 tour. The British driver's third victory at the Albert Park race circuit's grand prix, Button started his Formula 1 career in the Australian competition with Williams in 2000.

Finishing 2.1 seconds behind Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel revealed that he is eyeing a third straight Formula 1 series title by splitting the McLaren-Mercedes cars. Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso picked up top-five finishes in the debut race for the 2012 Formula 1 season.

Pastor Maldonado had a chance of a top-5 finish at the Australian Grand Prix. Thrilling spectators in the late laps of the Australian Grand Prix as he drove the sole-remaining Williams-Renault vehicle well inside the points, Maldonado's race performance came undone 2 laps to go when his Pirelli slick tires clipped the Albert Park grass. Shooting the Williams hard into a retaining wall, Pastor Maldonado left the car unhurt but listed as a did not finish in the grand prix.

As Maldonado fell out of the points late, the latter half of the top-10 in the Australian Grand Prix featured a mix of fresh driving talent and experienced Formula 1 drivers. In 7th place by improving 10 spots through the Australian race, 2007 Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen returned to the open wheel series with Lotus-Renault. Splitting Raikkonen, the Ferrari-powered Saubers finished strong with Kamui Kobayashi in 6th and Sergio Perez winding up 8th. In 9th place, Daniel Ricciardo brought the Scuderia Toro Rosso car across the start-finish line in his first race for the team. Also Ricciardo`s first Formula 1 points, the feat came at his home grand prix. Paul di Resta claimed the 10th and final points-paying position for Force India.   
With the first race completed in the 2012 Formula 1 season, teams and fans will only have to wait one week for the next grand prix in Malaysia.

V is for Valencia Victory by Vettel

Photo Credit: Nissan Infiniti USA

Presiding on a hot Sunday, the third European Grand Prix on the Valencia 25-turn street course

Coming into the European Grand Prix, motor racing fans previously watched the 2011 Formula 1 championship leader Sebastian Vettel perform a rare misstep at the Montreal street course. Getting loose at the end of the Canadian Grand Prix, Vettel slid his Red Bull-Renault allowing Jenson Button to pass for the top podium position. By taking pole on Saturday qualifying, Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team were ready to immediately set aside the final laps of the Canadian Grand Prix.

As the green lights dimmed to start the 2011 European Grand Prix, Vettel's Red Bull-Renault dash out in front of his teammate Mark Webber. For 57 laps, the German Sebastian Vettel drove flawlessly on the Spanish Sunday afternoon negotiating the Valencia 3.367-mile street course.

Chasing down the second Red Bull-Renault, the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso flew at his home grand prix. Starting 3rd, the Spaniard Alonso navigated by Webber on lap 21 using the DRS wing enhancement heading into turn 12. The Ferrari took second place at this point of the European Grand Prix but lost it through a pit stop exchange. As Alonso fell behind Webber on lap 29, The second member of the Scuderia Ferrari team Felipe Massa experience a race-hindering pit stop. On lap 30, Massa's Ferrari pit crew were slowed by a wheel nut getting jammed in a tire changing air gun. Taking over 8 seconds to change Pirelli racing slicks, the #6 Ferrari was displaced from the 4th place running Lewis Hamilton.

Into the European Grand Prix's latter stage, Fernanado Alonso's Ferrari regained the runner-up spot with a combination of the Spanish driver's considerably fast pace and other circumstances that slowed the #2 Red Bull-Renault. Through the final laps, Mark Webber was instructed by Red Bull team engineers to short shift through the gearbox's lower 3 gears. An attempt to ease the volatile state of the transmission, the maneuver slowed the Australian's pace late but allowed the Red Bull-Renault to soldier on to the third and final podium spot.

Unlike the carnage-filled Canadian Formula 1 race, every car that started the European Grand Prix crossed the finish line. The only moment of true anxiety in the race occurred when the Lotus-Renault GP driver Vitaly Petrov and the 7-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher collided on lap 15. Following the race, Michael Schumacher responded to the race changing incident saying "I saw Petrov quite late, even though I was aware that he was coming, and tried to brake as late as possible and go round the corner with him. But when I wanted to draw back, I locked the front wheel and slipped into him, which was clearly my mistake." Vitaly Petrov finished 15th in the race while Michael Schumacher (who needed to attend pit road for a replacement front nose and wing assembly) came across the finish line 17th.

Repeating the 2011 grand prix race domination shown by the reigning Formula 1 champion, Sebastian Vettel took his Red Bull Racing team to victory for his 6th time in the 8 races currently run on the world tour. As Vettel sailed to the European Grand Prix, he extends his lead in the 2011 Formula 1 driver championship by 77 points over the nearest position. The 2011 European Grand Prix did cause a shift in the second-place spot of the Formula 1 driver points. Mark Webber's 3rd place in the event gave him a enough points to tie McLaren's Jenson Button for the runner-up in the current standings.

Next for the Formula 1 tour is the July 10th British Grand Prix.

Formula 1

2011 European Grand Prix

Race Result

1. 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing
2. 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
3. 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing
4. 3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren
5. 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
6. 4 Jenson Button McLaren
7. 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
8. 19 Jaime Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso
9. 14 Adrian Sutil Force India
10. 9 Nick Heidfeld Lotus Renault GP
11. 17 Sergio Perez Sauber
12. 11 Rubens Barrichello Williams F1
13. 18 Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso
14. 13 15 Paul di Resta Force India
15. 10 Vitaly Petrov Lotus Renault GP
16. 16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber
17. 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
18. 8 12 Pastor Maldonado Williams F1
19. 21 Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus
20. 20 Jarno Trulli Team Lotus
21. 24 Timo Glock Marussia Virgin Racing
22. 25 Jérôme D’Ambrosio Marussia Virgin Racing
23. 23 Vitantonio Liuzzi HRT F1
24. 22 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1

2011 Formula 1 Driver Lineup

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

2011 Formula 1 Lineup (Teams ordered by position in 2010 constructor points)


Red Bull Racing

1 Sebastian Vettel
2 Mark Webber


McLaren F1

3 Lewis Hamilton
4 Jenson Button


Scuderia Ferrari

5 Fernando Alonso
6 Felipe Massa


Mercedes GP

7 Michael Schumacher
8 Nico Rosberg


Lotus-Renault GP

9 Nick Heidfeld
10 Vitaly Petrov


AT and T/Williams F1

11 Rubens Barrichello
12 Pastor Maldonado


Force India

14 Adrian Sutil
15 Paul di Resta


Sauber

16 Kamui Kobayashi
17 Sergio Pérez


Scuderia Toro Rosso

18 Sebastien Buemi
19 Jaime Alguersuari


Team Lotus

20 Jarno Trulli
21 Heikki Kovalainen


HRT
22 Narain Karthikeyan
23 Vitantonio Liuzzi


Marussia Virgin Racing

24 Timo Glock
25 Jérôme D’Ambrosio

Alonso Splashes to Signapore GP Pole

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Last racing at the high-speed, scenic course of Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, the 2010 Formula 1 cars challenge this week is a 3.148 mile street course in Signapore's Marina Bay. The only night race on the Formula 1 circuit, the Singapore Grand Prix adds the additional spectacle of artificial lighting shining down on the high-speed race machines.

Though an entirely different track from the historic Monza circuit, the results out of qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix saw Fernando Alonso and the Ferrari team repeating their pole-sitting efforts. Also unlike the Italian Gran Prix weekend, the wet track at Marina Bay led to longer than usual laps as teams were forced to rain setups. Posting fastest time in the Q1 session, Alonso's main opponent through the Saturday night time trial session came from Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel. Vettel took the Q2 fast time transitioning into the final session where the Ferrari posted a lap time at 1 minute, 45.390 seconds beating out Vettel's Red Bull-Renault by less than 7/100th of a second. The 2008 winner of the Singapore Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso would have his victory overshadowed by the conduct of his then-team Renault F1 which eventually led to the team's Team Principal being suspended.

In 3rd and 4th, the McLaren-Mercedes cars continue to show presentable into the late stages of the 2010 season as the team remains in tight constructor championship battle with Red Bull Racing separated by only 3 points entering Singapore. Defending Signapore Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton found an edge on the defending Formula 1 champion teammate Jenson Button. The second Red Bull-Renault driven by current F1 driver points leader Mark Webber placed 5th in qualifying promising a heated battle for Singapore Grand Prix points.

While success found one of the Ferraris in Formula 1 at Singapore, Felipe Massa suffered a gearbox failure immediately after taking to track for an initial timed run in the first qualifying session. Unable to post a time, Massa finds himself directly opposite of his teammate Alonso on the Formula 1 grid.

Starting Sunday at 8 P.M. in Singapore, the race time in the North American eastern time zone will be at 8 A.M. Sunday morning.

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

2010 Formula 1
Singapore Grand Prix
Qualifying Results

1. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
3. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
6. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
8. Robert Kubica Renault F1
9. Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
10. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari
11. Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
12. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth
13. Vitaly Petrov Renault F1
14. Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
15. Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber-Ferrari
16. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
17. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
18. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
20. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
21. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth
22. Christian Klien HRT-Cosworth
23. Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth
24. Felipe Massa Ferrari

Red Bull Racing's Vettel Tops Friday Practice at Monza

Photo Credit: Lotus Racing

A tight Formula 1 points race between the past driving champions of McLaren and the rising stars of Red Bull Racing, the fast Italian 3.6 mile Monza race circuit, the 2010 Formula 1 enters the Italian Grand Prix with the potential of a thrilling event on Sunday. Two days prior to this anticipated Grand Prix, a free practice sessions of Friday provided some valuable shakedown time on this second low-downforce track in a row for the Formula 1 teams.

On the Friday session McLaren's Jenson Button topped the first Friday practice round but it was Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel who led the faster, later afternoon practice session. Storming around the 3.6 mile Italian Monza complex in 1 minute, 22.839 seconds, Vettel out ran Button's morning session by more than 8/10ths of a second. For the German Red Bull Racing driver, the trip back to Monza is the return for where his Formula 1 greatness was realized. Only two years ago, the still green Sebastian Vettel grabbed a surprise victory at Monza for Red Bull Racing's satellite team Toro Rosso Racing. Within the Red Bull Racing organization, Vettel's pace through both sessions is beating Australian teammate Mark Webber handedly with the second Red Bull-Renault 6th fastest following the 2nd practice.

In pursuit of Vettel, Fernando Alonso as well as teammate Felipe Massa recorded the 2nd and 3rd quickest times on Friday afternoon practice charts little more than 2/10ths of a second off the Red Bull-Renault. Hometown hero car builder, the Scederia Ferrari team is certain to be providing much of the ambient crowd noise over the Monza track. An equally strong McLaren-Mercedes effort led by Lewis Hamilton over Jenson Button following the red Ferraris by at least 1/10th of a second.



The conclusion of the Belgium Grand Prix two weeks ago at Spa-Francorchamps circuit saw the McLaren-Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton persist to clinch victory after a late safety car. Ending well for McLaren Hamilton and Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber, both driver's teammates failed to score points in that late August Formula 1 round allowing the two drivers to breakaway in the points standings.

With Lewis Hamilton currently a mere 3 points ahead of Mark Webber, the gap is 28 points back to 3rd place Sebastian Vettel and 32 points in front of 4th place Jenson Button. Of course, with the new the 2010 Formula 1 points as well as 6 Grand Prix races including the Italian Grand Prix left to be run, these season race winners are by no means out of the fight. 5th place Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso 41-point gap on Hamilton keeps the 2-time Formula 1 driving champion in the hunt. However, the Spanish driver Alonso needs to not only win Grand Prixs but the respect of the FIA Formula 1 stewerds who have been catching too many incidents that cost the Ferrari pilot valuable track position.  


2010 Formula 1
Italian Grand Prix
Afternoon Practice Time Chart Ranking

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
3. Felipe Massa Ferrari
4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
5. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
6. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
7. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
8. Robert Kubica Renault F1
9. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth
10. Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
11. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
12. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
13. Vitaly Petrov Renault F1
14. Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
15. Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
16. Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber-Ferrari
17. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari
18. Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth
20. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
21. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
22. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth
23. Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth
24. Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth

Red Bull Racing Battle Results With Webber Claiming British Grand Prix

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Photo Credit: Mercedes GP


The British Grand Prix's running at Silverstone is one of few F1 events which actually predates the inception of the current Formula 1 sanctioning body. Ever since the first running of the event on the former World War 2 Era RAF Bomber airfield, there have been some memorable developments which included the collision with a sheep in the inaugural Silverstone race.

Flashing forward to the 2010 race, the reigning winner Sebastian Vettel grabbed pole ahead of his Australian teammate Mark Webber perhaps thanks to aerodynamic revisions Vettel's Red Bull-Renault wore through qualifying. Showing to be a class above other teams through Saturday's time trial for grid position, the Red Bull Racing drivers looked to once again duke amongst themselves. With both Red Bull-Renaults showing near equal pace within the season, Vettel and Webber have not always shown the best in teamwork when starting close together. Dramatically resulting in a collision at the Turkish Grand Prix, the rivalry between the Red Bull Racing F1 drivers has been bordering on an all-out feud.

First and second on the British Grand Prix grid as the lights went out, Webber found the edge on his teammate Vettel from the standing start. Starting 3rd, looking to spoil the Red Bull Racing party, Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren-Mercedes was aggressive early seeking a move on the now displaced polesitting car of Sebastian Vettel. In result of the contentious start, Vettel suffered a major setback as he lost pressure in one of his Bridgestone tires. With some speculation that the dice from the start with teammate Mark Webber had some direct involvement for the tire puncture, Vettel speculated contact might have been with Lewis Hamilton's McLaren air dam. With Sebastian Vettel forced to make a pit stop on lap 2, Mark Webber was left as the lone Red Bull-Renault left to fight for British Grand Prix victory.

Now in 2nd place, the McLaren-Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton fell into hot pursuit of the Renault-powered Formula 1 leader with another factory-backed Renault of Robert Kubica running 3rd. Enjoying another run near the front in the improved Renault R30 race car, Kubica was one-half of another major race battle. Between his Renault and Fernando Alonso's Ferrari, Kubica fought hard to hold back the challenger to the 3rd place position. On lap 17, Alonso speared for the podium spot ducking his Ferrari on the inside of Kubica heading into turn 8. In a defense driving move which appeared that Robert Kubica was squeezing the Ferrari into the corner, Alonso refused to let up remaining alongside into the S-shaped area. In fact, Fernando Alonso would make his way around Kubica's Renault Possibility a controversial decision considering that Kubica played a part in forcing the Ferrari off-track initially, Alonso was assessed a drive-through penalty for the pass off the track surface.

With an impending penalty for Fernando Alonso, Robert Kubica was not free from trouble. Unfortunately for Kubica, his quest to score points in a 9th straight grand prix events was ended when his Renault R30 suffered a left rear driveshaft failure. Kubica's retirement was presided only by the Virgin-Cosworth of Lucas di Grassi for what would eventually in a very light race casualty list.



Photo Credit: Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT Photographic

On lap 28, the BMW Sauber-Ferrari of Pedro de la Rosa shed debris from a damaged rear wing. Landing within the racing groove littering the Silverstone frontstretch, the FIA pulled out the Mercedes-Benz SLS safety car.

Prior to the safety car period, Webber was enjoying a comfortable lead over Hamilton. With the Red Bull Racing team experimenting with new parts for improving their on-track performance, McLaren was also involved in extracting greater potential from their current car coming with an all-new exhaust system which was planned to improve aerodynamics. Instead, through Friday practice, the team found the new exhaust pieces were actually impeding the car's performance. McLaren team mechanics worked hard to remove the systems on both cars reverting back to another existing exhaust. While improving the McLaren-Mercedes cars, both were ultimately short on catching the Red Bull-Renault of Mark Webber.

Through the last stage of the race as the top-2 stabilized, Nico Rosberg had quietly broke into the final podium spot with the Mercedes GP team car. The British Grand Prix would net Rosberg has 3rd podium finish of the season in another race where he outperformed Michael Schumacher. Schumacher himself finished 9th in the grand prix and has caught the ears of many Formula 1 insiders would have heard dissatisfaction coming from the 7-time world driving champion about the 2009 return to the series. In post race, Schumacher responded "Again a race which I am not really happy about today. It was ok and seeing Nico on the podium is good for the team but my race was obviously less rewarding."



Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Coming down to the end, Fernando Alonso's attempt to regain points for the Formula 1 championship encountered another problem as contact with a Force India car resulted with a tire puncture sending him back to the pits for an unscheduled tire change. Finishing 14th in this British Grand Prix, the Scuderia Ferrari team hit a real sour note in the 2010 British Grand Prix as Felipe Massa was one place behind Alonso at the checkered flag.

Webber's Red Bull-Renault retained the lead while the second team car provided some jarring on-track action through the final laps of the British Grand Prix. Finishing 7th after a hard charge after the tire puncture, Sebastian Vettel was aided by the safety car period as well as his own determination to pass the Force India-Mercedes of Adrian Sutil on the final laps. Describing the race in the Red Bull Racing website, Vettel candidly admitted "There are some days where you should just stay in bed. Today was one of those days, or let's say, the beginning of the race was." As for the Webber/Vettel feud, Vettel made no indications of this even congratulating Mark Webber on the win.

Crossing the line to collect his 3rd 2010 Formula 1 win for Red Bull Racing, the Australian driver Mark Webber maintained a marginal gap on the two Mercedes-Benz engines within Hamilton's McLaren and Rosberg's factory-based Mercedes GP car. Another Mercedes-powered McLaren also rolled home 4th place on the Silverstone circuit for an important points day. Making a barn-burning charge within the early stages from a 14th place starting spot, 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button retained 2nd in the Formula 1 standings behind teammate Lewis Hamilton.

With the drama for Ferrari and struggles for one-half of Red Bull Racing, the 2010 British Grand Prix was noteworthy for the performance of some of the mid-marker Formula 1 teams. Both Williams-Cosworth cars of Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg scored points for a race close to the team's home base. However, the most impressive single driver performance from a mid-marker team came from Japan's Kamui Kobayashi who brought his BMW Sauber-Ferrari 6th across the line as a career-best for the driver.

Leaving the historic British track, next for the Formula 1 cars is the German Grand Prix where several popular native drivers would try to score victory at the Hockenheimring. The German Grand Prix is set for two weeks on July 25th.


British Grand Prix

2010 Formula 1

Race Results


1. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
3. Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
5. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
6. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari
7. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
9. Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
10. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth
11. Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
12. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
13. Vitaly Petrov Renault
14. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
15. Felipe Massa Ferrari
16. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth
17. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
18. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth
19. Karun Chandhok HRT-Cosworth
20. Sakon Yaramoto HRT-Cosworth
21. Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
22. Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber-Ferrari
23. Robert Kubica Renault F1
24. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth

Formula 1 to Begin Monitoring CO2 Emissions

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP


On Wednesday, the FIA (Federation Internationale de l-Automobile) has commissioned that Formula 1 teams will now be monitored for the amount of CO2 emissions they produce. The program does not only encompass Formula 1 cars but the complex of entire teams as well as the sanctioning body. For example, transportation of vehicle parts from suppliers, usage of power along with other team-related functions will be monitored and calculated. In hopes, as the accounting takes place, teams within the sport will attempt to find methods to reduce their environmental impact.

By doing this, the FIA not only wants to work for teams to reduce CO2 emission production but how Formula 1 could lessen the sport's environmental impact. It is also the intent by these activities to make Formula 1 and other FIA-sanctioned events a benchmark for environmental sustainability in the auto industry.

This CO2 monitoring was a initiative that resulted from a FIA panel established in December 2008. The FIA Environmentally Sustainable Motor Sport Commission was created to examine the effects of Formula 1 and other motorsports had on the globe. Ultimately concluding that auto racing activities had little effect on environmental sustainability, the panel suggested that efforts such as the CO2 monitoring plan can provide a first step showing FIA auto racing as a relevant activity running into the future.

A comprehensive plan within the FIA, changes will likely transpire within the manufacturer chain which may include F1 teams purchasing products closer to their vehicle construction plants. Last season, Formula 1 teams were permitted to use the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) technology which allowed the equivalent of a 81 horsepower boost. But, of course, the technology is being phased out for 2011 with only Williams F1 committed to using KERS. Despite the KERS hardware being discontinued after this year, Chief Engineer of McLaren Tom Goss expressed to the Formula 1 official website in May that KERS could return in the future. With a major engine change expected for the 2013 Formula 1 season, the first chance for reducing greenhouse emissions will likely be incorporated in the engine format.

Vettel and Red Bull Triumph in Malaysian Grand Prix

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Entering into the 3rd round of the 2010 Formula 1 schedule, the Red Bull Racing team has been snake-bitten by misfortunes. Plaguing Sebastian Vettel in the worst way, the German succumbed to mechanical problems on his Red Bull-Renault leading both the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix. As a preseason championship favourite in the 2010 Formula 1 drivers standings, the stumbling start resulting in the forfeiture of two potential victories leaves Vettel chasing the Ferrari duo of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa sitting in an early lead for the points championship. Red Bull Racing as a whole needed the Malaysian Grand Prix to turn around the team's overall poor showing last week in Australia.

With qualifying proceeding the way of Red Bull Racing for the third time in the three races, Mark Webber was able to show the team's colours in the pole beating Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg and teammate Sebastian Vettel for the position. Due to rain through qualifying, the time trial positions saw some surprises throughout the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix starting grid as McLaren and Ferraris were to start deep in the field.

As the field of 24 cars took their grid positions, the start lights expired to initiate the 56 lap contest on the Sepang circuit. With Formula 1 cars rushing up to speed, the Williams-Cosworth of Rubens Barrichello suffered a stall in his 7th place grid position requiring some evasive actions from cars starting back in the pack. Barrichello was eventually restarted and would finish 1 lap behind in 12th.

With action in the back of the grid, the start saw Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel launch like a lion through the frontstretch tailing his teammate Mark Webber. In a critical race-making move, Vettel was able to outpower Webber into turn 1 to take the lead. The Red Bull Racing Formula 1 cars would be a common sight in the top-2 spots in the race's running order.

While rain was in the forecast, not a single drop of water fell on the Sepang track through the event leaving some longing for the same suspense of the race in Australian disappointed in that regard. However, the Malaysian Grand Prix did provide some exciting dry weather action. As promised, the Ferrari and the McLaren cars quickly gained positions. Providing the best show moving through the field was McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. Snaking by four cars before entering into the first corner, Hamilton continued to rage war on drivers including Renault's Vitaly Petrov. The bout between Hamilton and Petrov was the highlight of the early race action as positions swapped several times amongst the two runners.



Photo Credit: Steven Tee/LAT Photographic

Showing bulletproof reliability through the first two races, the Ferrari team suffered their first mechanical problem of 2010 on the F2010 car of Fernando Alonso. Dealing with a gear selection issue most of the event, Alonso was fighting a temperamental problem through corning. With 2 laps to go, Alonso's Ferrari was attempting to pass one of the McLaren-Mercedes cars when the shifting problem finally amounted to the first retirement of a Ferrari F2010 this season.

Running like clockwork, the Red Bull Racing team celebrated their first 1-2 finish since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which concluded the last Formula 1 season. Sebastian Vettel led teammate Mark Webber across the start-finish line to secure has first 2010 Formula 1 victory.

Showing considerable pace with the Mercedes GP team, Nico Rosberg was the best of the rest compared to the strength of the Red Bull Racing team at Malaysia. Finishing 3rd, Rosberg became the first driver since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix to ride a Mercedes engine/chassis to a podium in Formula 1.

Rounding out the top-5 of the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix is a Renault and a Force India formula 1 car. Robert Kubica's 4th place run comes after a podium finish last race while Adrian Sutil was able to back up his qualifying effort after 56 laps with 5th.

In the final two top-10 spots, drivers Jaime Alguersuari in the STR-Ferrari and Nico Hulkenberg with a Williams-Cosworth gained their first career Formula 1 points. Finishing outside of the points, the best of the new for 2010 teams at Malaysia was the HRT-Cosworths driven by Karun Chandrok and Bruno Senna. They pair finished 15th and 16th on the event still running at the end.

Despite the rough outing for Alonso and a 7th place for Ferrari's Felipe Massa, they continue to hold the top spots in the 2010 Formula 1 points after 3 races. However, thanks to the victory in Malaysia, Vettel is tied with Alonso for second place in the standings heading into the next grand prix round in China.


Malaysian Grand Prix
Formula 1
Race Results

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
3. Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
4. Robert Kubica Renault F1
5. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
6. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari
8. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
9. Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
10. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth
11. Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
12. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
13. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
14. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
15. Karun Chandhok HRT-Cosworth
16. Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth
17. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
19. Vitaly Petrov Renault
20. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
21. Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
22. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari
23. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth
24. Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber-Ferrari

Vettel leads Red Bull Racing Front Row in Australian Grand Prix Qualifying

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP


2010 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Starting Order

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
8. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
9. Robert Kubica Renault F1
10. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
11. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
12. Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
13. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
14. Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber-Ferrari
15. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth
16. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari
17. Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
18. Vitaly Petrov Renault
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth
21. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth
22. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
23. Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth
24. Karun Chandhok HRT-Cosworth

Formula 1: Hamilton, McLaren Leads Day 1 Practice for Australia Grand Prix

Photo Credit: Andrew Ferraro/ LAT Photographic

Following 2010 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Formula 1 teams were able to assess where there competitive program stood against the best efforts of their rivals. A quick glance at the podium following the race in Bahrain, fans of the glimmering red Scuderia Ferraris were able to cheer loudly as the team's F2010 car went to a 1-2 finish. Beyond the success of Ferarri, a certified turf war between major two Mercedes-Benz powered teams of Mercedes GP and McLaren, a Red Bull Racing mechanical struggle that proved costly for the than F1 superstar Sebastian Vettel as well as a survival of the fittest between the three new Formula 1 teams became the dominant memories of the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix.

For the second race of the 2010 Formula 1 season, the world open-wheel series team sets foot in the land down under for the Australian Grand Prix. Racing within the stunning Albert Park circuit, the 12 teams of making up the 2010 Formula 1 grid realize that this Melbourne track is also a punishing test for their new racing equipment.

In Day 1, two practice sessions took place around Australian midday. Following a ho-hum debut with his Renault F1 team in Bahrain, Robert Kubica and his formula 1 car flew to the fastest time in the initial tune-up for the 2010 Australian Grand Prix. Setting a time of 1 minute, 26.927 seconds, Kubica outran the factory Mercedes GP team's Nico Rosberg by two-tenths of a second. The McLaren Mercedes team driver Jenson Button placed third in front of the Ferrari of Felipe Massa and Sebastian Vettel piloting his Red Bull-Renault.


Photo Credit: Mercedes GP


Through the first practice, the BMW Sauber team gained exposure in a less than desirable way as the car driven by Kamui Kobayashi would bring out two red flag periods. Colliding with a track marker cone, the BMW Sauber-Ferrari's impact with the plastic marker caused the front wing assembly to break off. Sent back onto the Albert Park track for lapping, Kobayashi would learn that the front wing repair was not lasting. The aerodynamic front piece came away from the Sauber drawing the practice session's second red flag. While the first practice for Kobayashi in the Sauber was less than fruitful, the second day 1 session saw an improvement to 13th fastest.

As the second session of qualifying commenced, a light rain dampened the Melbourne race circuit. However, with the precipitation registering mostly as sprinkles, most teams continued lapping on the track on dry weather slick tires. With the track still intact for dry weather runs, the cooler temperatures of the second session also aided teams in improving their speeds over the first practice. The second practice was so fast that 9 drivers bested Robert Kubica's time in the morning.

Leading Formula 1 drivers after the second practice would be the McLaren Mercedes group led by 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton blistering around Albert Park in 1 minute, 25.801 seconds. Two-tenths behind Hamilton, Jenson Button put his car ahead of the second Red Bull Racing vehicle of Mark Webber. With Mark Webber making a fantastic showing in front of his homeland population, he was also positioned ahead of Michael Schumacher.

Two honable mentions from the second practice are Vitaly Petrov in 5th and Toro Rosso team driver Sebastian Buemi in 6th place.

Vettel Finds Top Velocity for Bahrain GP Pole

Photo Credit: Lotus Racing

Following two practices in day one and a third before Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying (a session where the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso set fastest pace), the inconsistency in team times has led to few conclusions for where most of the Formula 1 teams measured for 2010. Many observers watch as the Bahrain Grand Prix grid would be set through day 2 qualifying. With starting positions for the first Formula 1 race of 2010 at stake, every driver will be pushing their race cars to yet-unexplored limits.

Starting on the pole position in the Bahrain Grand Prix is 4-time winner from 2009 Sebastian Vettel. Adding to the confusion after the two Friday practices, Vettel and his Renault-powered Red Bull Racing car was no where close to the top of the time sheets. Considerably off-song against the other competitors on day 1, a problem with the Red Bull-Renault's driveshaft was cited as the reason. Obviously with the driveshaft issue corrected and some other tweaks to the car, Sebastian Vettel was able to go from zero to hero at Bahrain.

Just as expected, one team eventually managed to show some early season poise. While missing the pole position, both Ferrari F10s showed consistent front-running performance qualifying on the Bahrain circuit. Timing in just 15/100ths of a second slower than the Red Bull-Renault, Felipe Massa did manage to beat new Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso for a front row starting spot. While the factory Scuderia Ferrari team took the lower positions on the starting podium, the teams partaking in the Italian company's customer engine program showed two different leagues of performance. BMW Sauber (who should earn points for simply staying in the sport in 2010) and Toro Rosso were well down the starting order placing just ahead of the new Formula 1 teams.

From an Italian auto company to a German auto maker, the Mercedes-Benz effort in 2010 Formula 1 competition consists of three teams including their first full factory F1 team since 1955. Consuming all but one of the starting positions from 4th through 8th place, the Mercedes GP team and McLaren-Mercedes cars were within 4/10th of a second off each other's best times. Lewis Hamilton led the grouping followed by the factory Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg. In the middle of the Mercedes-engine quartet, Mark Webber clocked his Renault-powered Red Bull into 6th place through the session. Two rows behind his teammate Vettel, Webber harshly censured the manner he drove his best lap indicating he made several avoidable mistakes.


Robert Kubica, making his Renault F1 team debut, had
a mixed result through qualifying placing 9th overall.
Photo Credit: Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic

Timo Glock, driving the all-new Virgin-Cosworth car, took the honours as the fastest driver amongst the 6 new Formula 1 cars. The Lotus Racing group filed behind Glock with the remaining Virgin as well as the two HRT vehicles rounding out the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix starting grid. More than 5 seconds behind the new Formula 1 teams, it appears clear that the 3 new teams have a significant amount of ground to make up through the season. However, with retirements common through the first Formula 1 race of the season, there remains a serious opportunity for one or more of these cars to steal some points by finishing in a top 10 position.


2010 Formula 1: Bahrain Grand Prix
Starting Order

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2. Felipe Massa Ferrari
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
5. Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
6. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
8. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
9. Robert Kubica Renault F1
10. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
11. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
12. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
13. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth
14. Pedro de la Rosa BMW Sauber-Ferrari
15. Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari
16. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari
17. Vitaly Petrov Renault
18. Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari
19. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth
21. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth
22. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
23. Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth
24. Karun Chandhok HRT-Cosworth

The 2010 Formula 1 Season Quick Notes

Here are some quick notes for getting acquainted with the 2010 Formula 1 season:

• 2009 World Champion driver Jenson Button has joined the McLaren F1 organizing teaming up with 2008 champ Lewis Hamilton.
  
• Fernando Alonso, two-time Formula 1 driver's champion, joins Felipe Massa driving for Ferrari.
  
• Brawn GP is now Mercedes Petronas GP. Announcing Nico Rosberg first as a driver for the team, Mercedes GP's #1 pilot provided an early Christmas present by facilitating the return of living Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher.
  
• Three new teams (Lotus Racing, HRT F1, and Virgin GP) will make their debut in Bahrain Grand Prix. The USF1 team was supposed to have provided a fourth new team on the grid but were unable to meet time constraints.
  
• Canadian Grand Prix returns to the Formula 1 tour after a one year absence. Race date June 13th.
  
• There will be no refueling allowed during Formula 1 pit stops. This will cancel out the advantage fuel weight plays on the race track.
  

Vitaly Petrov Joins Kubica in 2010 Renault F1 Team

Photo Credit: Renault F1 Team


As teams like Mercedes GP, Ferrari and McLaren F1 are taking the wraps off their competition machines, there are still a few organizations rushing through their final full-month of preparation for the 2010 Formula 1 season. The Renault F1 Team remained as one of the only returning Grand Prix teams yet to confirm drivers for both vehicles. Signing former BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica before the end of the 2009 Formula 1 season, the Renault F1 Team waited until the 31st of January to add Kubica's teammate. Alongside the Polish driver, Renault has committed to F1 rookie Vitaly Petrov to pair with Kubica.

Making his first big mark in the Russian Lada Revolution Championship, Petrov won pole in every round in 2004 and the overall championship in 2005. His latest accomplishments have been some standout runs made in GP2 races for both the European and Asia series. The 26 year old Petrov's young career is highlighted last season by a runner-up spot in the major GP2 championship behind Nico Hülkenberg (Hulkenberg has been signed to drive for Williams F1 through 2010).



Photo Credit: Andrew Ferraro /LAT Photographic

Petrov's addition comes on the team's introduction of the Renault R30 race car in Valencia, Spain. A rookie set become the first Russian driver to compete on the full 2010 Formula 1 schedule, Vitaly Petrov name was no stranger to Grand Prix insiders. At the end of 2009, Petrov was highly rumoured to be behind the wheel of a race car belonging to Formula 1 newcomer Campos Meta.

2010 Formula 1 Season to Feature Overhauled Points System

With 6 more cars set to compete in the 2010 Formula 1 season over last year, the FIA has devised a plan to improve odds for those new teams to score their maiden points. Starting with the first grand prix of 2010, Formula teams and drivers will be fighting for more point-paying positions at the finish. The top 10 finishers will all score points. While inclusive to the smaller teams, the new points ranking passes some of the largest rewards for podium finishers. The top 3 positions will also be contending for remarkably higher point values which allows a winning driver to gain a maximum 25 points.

The expansion of eligibility to 10 drivers and teams per race represents the first change in the Formula 1 points structure since 2003. From 1950 to 1991, the top 6 cars and drivers in each grand prix race were awarded points in a format that allowed the winning team to be credited with a maximum 9 points. The 10 point incentive for winning a race was added in the 1992 Formula 1 season and continued to be the standard since the end of this past season. Having only rewarded the top-6 since the inception of Formula 1, the FIA increased the eligible positions to 8th spot in 2003 by narrowing the points spread. Back in the 2003 season, the changes could have been motivated by the an attempt to curb the Formula 1 dynasty of Michael Schumacher's and Ferrari's championship dominance (which then existed at 3 straight crowns). The move to expand to 8 points-paying position also an attempt to reward teams, which were considered F1 back-markers, to compete deeper in the constructor points. The addition of 2 more points positions is certainly a measure to allow the 4 new Formula 1 teams an opportunity to overcome the 'goose egg' in the season's final standings.

2010 Formula 1 Points System

1. 25 Points
2. 20 Points
3. 15 Points
4. 10 Points
5. 8 Points
6. 6 Points
7. 5 Points
8. 3 Points
   
9. 2 Points
10. 1 Point
    

Calculating the 2009 Formula 1 results against to 2010 points system, current F1 World Champion Jenson Button would have won handily over Sebestian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello. While the top 6 drivers in 2009 Formula 1 in the points remains unchanged under the 2010 points, driver Kazuki Nakajima (who competed for the entire 2009 F1 campaign but failed to score a single point) would have left with 5 points under the revised standings.

The expansion of eligibility to 10 drivers and teams per race represents the first change in the Formula 1 points structure since 2003. From 1950 to 1991, the top 6 cars and drivers in each grand prix race were awarded points in a format that allowed the winning team to be credited with a maximum 9 points. The 10 point incentive for winning a race was added in the 1992 Formula 1 season and continued to be the standard since the end of this past season. Having only rewarded the top-6 since the inception of Formula 1, the FIA increased the eligible positions to 8th spot in 2003 by narrowing the points spread. Back in the 2003 season, the changes could have been motivated by the an attempt to curb the Formula 1 dynasty of Michael Schumacher's and Ferrari's championship dominance (which then existed at 3 straight crowns). The move to expand to 8 points-paying position also an attempt to reward teams, which were considered F1 back-markers, to compete deeper in the constructor points. The addition of 2 more points positions is certainly a measure to allow the 4 new Formula 1 teams an opportunity to overcome the 'goose egg' in the season's final standings.

The 2010 Formula 1 Driver Grid So Far

Since the checkered flag dropped on the 2009 Formula 1 season, the green flag flew to what has been one of the wackiest F1 off-seasons in recent history. Besides the addition of four new teams and the changing hands of the 2009 F1 constructor's championship, the driver's roster for the 2010 F1 circuit is a massive musical chair game including as much as four F1 World Champions. Red Bull Racing has is the only who has committed to the 2010 campaign with the same driver lineup from the 2009 year.

As of November 25th of 2009, the following list is the present complexion of the 2010 Formula one team rosters:

Mercedes Grand Prix (Formerly Brawn GP)

1. Nico Rosberg
2. ? (Michael Schumacher or Nick Heidfeld)


Red Bull Racing

1. Sebestian Vettal
2. Mark Webber


McLaren

1. Jenson Button
2. Lewis Hamilton


Ferrari

1. Felipe Massa
2. Fernando Alonso


Renault

1. Robert Kubica
2. ? (Romain Grosjean or Adam Khan)


Scuderia Toro Rosso

1. Sébastien Buemi
2. ? (Jaime Alguersuari, Daniel Ricciardo or Brendon Hartley are rumoured for the second seat)


Force India

1. ? (Neither Force India seat has been filled for the 2010 F1 season)
2. ?
Test and Reserve Driver Role. (Paul di Resta or JR Hildebrand have been invited by Force India to test for a role with the F1 team)


AT&T Williams F1

1. Rubens Barrichello
2. Nico Hülkenberg


Lotus F1 Team

1. Unknown (Lotus mentioned to have signed driver but name hasn't been revealed. Jacques Villeneuve Alex Yoong, Kobui Kobayashi and Jarno Trulli has been linked)
2. ?


Manor Grand Prix

1. Timo Glock
2. ? (GP2 series Lucas di Grassi is been mentioned)


Team USF1

1. ? (Argentina Touring Car champ Jose Maria Lopez is all but officially confirmed to drive first car. Rumours have also placed Jacques Villeneuve in Team USF1)
2. ?


Campos Meta

1. Bruno Senna
2. ? (Pedro De La Rosa has been courted. Driver of Campos sold GP2 team Vitaly Petrov could be a possibility)

Bridgestone leaving Formula 1 after 2010 season

After what will be 14 seasons of Formula 1 involvement, Japanese tire company Bridgestone will be withdrawing from the series.

Running brief but unsuccessful venture into Formula 1 in the 1970s, Bridgestone returned in 1997 committed to embedding themselves deeply into F1 history. Entering in competition with the incumbent tire supplier Goodyear, this first of two so-called tire wars occurred during the 1997 and 1998 season. Though Bridgestone went winless in 1997, the 1998 grand prix season fared far better as Bridgestone secured McLaren's Formula 1 operation under the supply banner. McLaren with driver Mika Hikinnen scored Bridgestone's first victory on their first outing together on route to the 1998 F1 World Championship. As Goodyear backed out of Formula 1 after 1998, Bridgestone went unchallenged in F1 competition for several years until Michelin reentered the sport (Michelin had previously introduced radial tires to F1 in the late 1970s). Since Michelin pulled out of Formula 1 following the 2006 grand prix season, Bridgestone has been the sole tire supplier in the Formula 1 championship series.

For the still distant 2011 season, Formula 1 will need to be courted by a new tire company to supply the grand prix grid. With Formula 1 likely to pursue a sole supplier in interests of race day equality and safety, there have been few indications to a successor to Bridgestone. Michelin is currently supplying tires to the A1GP series through 2012 but will probably not have resources to return to Formula 1. Tire companeies such as Dunlop and Pirelli have also had past involvement in Formula 1.

F1: Rubens Barrichello driving for Williams in 2010

Photo provided courtesy of Brawn GP


The iron man of Formula 1 having entered 288 grand prix races, Brazil's Rubens Barrichello will be driving for the AT&T Williams after a successful one-year tenure within the Brawn GP team in 2009. As At&T Williams hires Barrichello, the team's entire driver lineup will be shaken up as the second car will be piloted by Formula One newcomer Nico Hulkenberg.

Formula 1's most Rubens Barrichello has actively competed in the world's top open wheel series since 1993 starting with Eddie Jordan's F1 effort. Through 18 seasons of F1 competition, Barrichello steered vehicles for Stewart, Ferrari, and Honda formula one team (the operation Ross Brawn purchased in creating his championship race team). Barrichello's glory years presided within the Ferrari team between 2000 to 2005 where he played an honourable supporting role to Michael Schumacher. Winning 9 grand prix races with the Scuderia Ferrari, those were Barrichello's only victories until his two wins with Brawn GP. He finished the 2009 F1 season 3rd in overall points, Barrichello's best finish since 2004.

Experiencing seasons of dominance coupled with ongoing periods of F1 back-marker status, AT&T Williams are looking for success in 2010 to revive notes of past greatness. Along with the new drivers, AT&T Williams will be running under new momentum for 2010. Abandoning the underperforming Toyota powerplants, the team will be opting instead for a spec Cosworth V8 which four new F1 teams will also campaign. Barrichello will undoubtedly find himself as not only the #1 driver but a guide to the rookie Hulkenberg as well as the rehabilitation of the Williams F1 team.