Schumacher Wins Monaco GP Pole But Webber Starts Out Front

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

An event unmistakably immersed in the glamour and pomp that Formula 1 aspires to capture with every trip on the premier open wheel racing tour, the Monaco Grand Prix has been since 1929 as one of the pinnacle events in motorsports. Manoeuvring the tight streets of the 2.075-mile (3.340-kilometer) circuit de Monaco, the unpredictable 2012 Formula 1 racing series braces for 78 laps for Sunday with the three-session time trial Saturday.

On the initial Q1 session, Nico Hulkenberg with his Mercedes-Benz powered Force India race car was at the top of the time chart. Hulkenberg’s lap time of 1 minute, 15.418-second, the Force India lead race car would later just miss the cut for the Q3 top-10 placing 11^th in Formula 1 qualifying.

The Q1 session was marred by the crash of Sergio Perez’s Sauber-Ferrari. “I was on my first lap, so was not pushing a lot.” said the Mexican driver who has been wearing a special helmet at Monaco honouring Roberto Gómez Bolaños. Perez went on to detail the incident by saying, “I went into the tunnel and had a lot of understeer and then I went into turns 13 and 14. Thirteen was quite fine but in 14 I just went straight and didn’t get the car to turn.” Colliding with the retaining barrier, Sergio Perez was sent to a nearby hospital. Medically cleared for Sunday’s race but unable to post a qualifying lap, Perez and the Sauber F1 team will have to rely on the race’s stewards approval to run. The second Sauber-Ferrari piloted by Kamui Kobayashi will start in 12^th for the team at Monaco.

Photo Credit: Sauber Motorsport AG

Felipe Massa took the Q2 session of Monaco Grand Prix qualifying by entering under the 1-minute, 15-second lap time range. Driving his Ferrari to a 1-minute, 14.911-second lap around the Circuit de Monaco, Massa was more than a tenth of a second faster than the Mercedes GP car of Nico Rosberg. In the final Q3 session at Monaco, the Mercedes GP cars came to life.

At the top of the qualifying time sheet, Michael Schumacher claimed his 69^th career Formula 1 racing pole. Performing a 1-minute, 14.301-second lap, Schumacher outran the Red Bull-Renault of Mark Webber by 0.080 seconds on Pirelli supersoft slick tires. However, due to a penalty during the last Formula 1 race in Spain, Michael Schumacher will be serving a five-grid position drop down the field. “It is simply a wonderful feeling to set pole after such a long time, and particularly here in Monaco. Okay, it has taken a little bit longer than I might have wanted in the second chapter of my career, but that makes it even sweeter. It’s just beautiful.” said Schumacher simply embracing his first qualifying triumph with the Mercedes GP team. “We already thought that this circuit should suit us, and it’s the perfect confirmation of all the work from every team member in Brackley, Brixworth and Stuttgart - a big thank you to every one of them, because this is a team result. Of course, it’s unfortunate that I won’t start from the very front but that’s how it is. I will do as well as I can. We know that overtaking is tough but with DRS and KERS, you might as well try it - and you can be sure I will.” declared the German driver.

Promoted to the preferential starting spot, Mark Webber will try to re-establish an effort that resulted with the 2010 race victory. Webber’s teammate Sebastian Vettel did not mount a Q3 qualifying effort and will start 10^th. Red Bull Racing has won the past two Monaco Grand Prix events.

Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes GP car will be starting alongside Mark Webber itching to recapture the top spot once the lights go out to commence the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix. Mercedes-Benz will also have the added effort of McLaren in the second row of the race as Lewis Hamilton will start third. Hamilton’s row of the grid will also feature the Lotus F1 Team’s Romain Grosjean. Fast throughout the weekend in Monaco, Grosjean first serious Formula 1 campaign has been one of great progress. Romain Grosjean’s fourth place starting spot while Fernando Alonso's Ferrari will be the last spot ahead of the pole-winning entry Michael Schumacher.

A race set 2pm local time (8 am Eastern time), the Monaco Grand Prix will start Sunday with a possibility of light rain.


2012 Formula 1
Monaco Grand Prix
Qualifying Results

1	7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
2	2 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
3	8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
4	4 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
5	10 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault
6	5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
7	6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
8	9 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault
9	18 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault
10	1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
11	12 Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes
12	14 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari
13	3 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
14	19 Bruno Senna Williams-Renault
15	11 Paul di Resta Force India
16	16 Daniel Ricciardo Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
17	17 Jean-Eric Vergne Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
18	20 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault
19	21 Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault
20	24 Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth
21	22 Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth
22	25 Charlie Pic Marussia-Cosworth
23	23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth
24	15 Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari

Michael Schumacher will serve a five-grid position penalty.
Pastor Maldonado will serve a ten-grid position penalty as a result of a practice incident at Monaco.

Rosberg, Mercedes GP Scores Milestone F1 Win in China

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Earning a reputation as a highly-competitive venue on the Formula 1 circuit, the 2012 season's visit to the 5.451-kilometer Shanghai International Circuit for the third race of the year ushers in a strong opportunity for the finest open wheel entertainment. With two of the Formula 1 series hallmark teams going to victory in the first two races of 2012, the Chinese Grand Prix weekend was turned electric when the Mercedes GP team scored their first pole as a constructor since 1955. Nico Rosberg, the squad's younger driving ace, would be under a lot of pressure Sunday starting on his first-ever grand prix pole in Formula 1 in 110 races. Bringing comfort to Rosberg on the front row, teammate Michael Schumacher (who qualified 3rd fastest in qualifying on Saturday) was promoted to 2nd on the grid for the Chinese Grand Prix when McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is forced to serve a five grid position penalty after a gearbox change.

The all-Mercedes GP front row at the 2012 Grand Prix of China led the 24 cars across the line on a dry Sunday afternoon. Launching from the standing start, Nico Rosberg stormed off the his grid position holding on to the lead while seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher slotted behind his teammate with little challenge heading into turn 1.
While the Mercedes GP cars enjoyed a picture perfect launch during the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, the same could not be said for the third place-starting Sauber-Ferrari piloted by Kamui Kobayashi. Having a terrible start on the Shanghai International Circuit, the Japanese driver fall to 7th during the race's initial lap. Kamui Kobayashi's loss with a gain for the McLaren-Mercedes of Jenson Button who managed to position his race car in a 1-2-3 scenario for Mercedes-Benz power on the first lap of the Chinese Grand Prix.

As Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher proceeded to pull away from race challengers early, several teams short-pitted including the Red Bull Racing team bringing Mark Webber in on lap 7. Leaders would pit after lap 13 with Schumacher's Mercedes GP entering to pits to the attention of his crew. With the pit stop being a precise ballet for replacing Pirelli slick tires, the coordination between the pit crew and the driver led to a costly misstep for Michael Schumacher's car. When the Mercedes GP car exited its pit stall, a wheel was left unattached and thereby rendered the vehicle undriveable by Schumacher. Pulling off track after just completing a few corners on track, Michael Schumacher retired from the Grand Prix of China as Mercedes GP were bracing for a big race outing. Michael Schumacher's early retirement from the race made him the only competitor not to finish the Chinese Grand Prix
Last year, the Shanghai International Circuit served as a prime showcase of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) rear wing as a method of increasing competitive passing in Formula 1. It took a while for the 2012 edition of the Grand Prix of China to revive the excitement of the 2011 event on track but there was indeed some great passing on track.

In the past two races, Mercedes GP has gained objection in the paddock from other teams for the use of a ducting system that enhances the DRS that funnels air back to the front of the W03 race car. However, with Nico Rosberg at the front for much of the grand prix, there was little chance to use the uniquely designed aerodynamic device.

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

As Rosberg led the Chinese Grand Prix comfortably over Lotus-Renault race cars at lap 29, A final round of pit stops took place for the race. When Jenson Button surrendered the race lead through lap 37, the McLaren-Mercedes driver was preparing for his final pit stop in his battle for a podium position. PItting on lap 40, Button suffered from a uncharacteristically long stop time lasting over 10 seconds. The McLaren team tire crew appeared to have struggled on the left rear corner of the race car as Button was released into 6th place on the racetrack. Through the final 16 laps, Jenson Button would work his way back to 2nd place in a very hotly-contested grouping for positions behind Rosberg.

Driving a textbook, error-free grand prix for a winning driver, Nico Rosberg crossed the start-finish line first at the Shanghai International Circuit with the Mercedes GP W03 race car for a momentous victory. Finishing 20.6 seconds ahead of Jenson Button, the Rosberg delivered Mercedes GP an inaugural podium-topping performance in their third season after buying the Brawn GP team. Son of 1982 Formula 1 driving champion Keke Rosberg, Nico's first Formula 1 victory is a rare opportunity where two generations of one family have won grand prix races joining the Hill and Villeneuve name.

With Jenson Button coming across the line in the runner-up position of the Chinese Grand Prix followed by his teammate Lewis Hamilton, McLaren has claimed podium finished in all three grand prix races held on the 2012 Formula 1 calender. The McLaren cars placed 2nd and 3rd in the grand prix allowed Mercedes-Benz power to dominate the podium of the 2012 Grand Prix of China.

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

In fourth and fifth place, the Red Bull Racing team cars of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel improved their grid position in qualifying but are still off from their performance benchmarks of the past two Formula 1 seasons. Passing Vettel on the final lap of the Chinese Grand Prix, Mark Webber is a beacon of light to the Red Bull-Renault RB8 this season as he finished 4th for the third straight race of 2012.

After completing just a handful of grand prix laps in the two races starting 2012, Romain Grosjean survived the entire Chinese Grand Prix's 56 laps and brought his Lotus-Renault across the line in 6th place. "It was a very good race, I really enjoyed it. To be up there fighting with McLaren and Red Bull is a great feeling and I’m happy to have got my season started properly." said Romain Grosjean. Lotus F1 Racing teammate Kimi Raikkonen was also a factor through much of the Grand Prix of China but suffered late tire degradation issues that dropped the Finnish driver out of a points-scoring position at the checkered flag.

A full team achievement for Williams F1, both drivers Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado collected points finishing securely in the top-10. 2012 Chinese Grand Prix winner Nico Rosberg made his Formula 1 debut with the Frank Williams racing outlet in 2006 and drove four seasons for the team ahead of his current tenure at Mercedes GP.

Photo Credit: Renault Sport

Topping the podium at the Malaysian Grand Prix a several weeks before, Ferrari and Fernando Alonso faced a harsher race in China. Alonso captured 9th on the Shanghai International Circuit finishing a second and a half ahead of Kamui Kobayashi.

A series where Lewis Hamilton is clinging to the top of the 2012 Formula 1 driver's championship tally with only 2 points over teammate Jenson Button after three races, the next grand prix is scheduled for the Bahrain International Circuit. The Grand Prix of Bahrain is set even under a cloud of uncertainty for whether the event will actually take place due to political and civil tensions in the country.


2012 Formula 1
Chinese Grand Prix
Race Results

1	8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
2	3 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
3	4 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
4	2 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
5	1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
6	10 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault
7	19 Bruno Senna Williams-Renault
8	18 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault
9	5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
10	14 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari
11	15 Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari
12	11 Paul di Resta Force India
13	6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
14	9 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault
15	12 Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes
16	17 Jean-Eric Vergne Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
17	16 Daniel Ricciardo Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
18	21 Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault
19	24 Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth
20	25 Charlie Pic Marussia-Cosworth
21	22 Pedro de la Rosa HRT F1
22	23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1
23	20 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault
24	7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP

Rosberg, Mercedes GP Team Scores F1 First Pole in Shanghai

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Since the majority purchase of the Brawn GP team after the 2009 season, Daimler-Benz has been struggling to get a grasp on the recipe for front-running team status in the world's premier open wheel racing series. In two full season, the new generation Mercedes GP group have been winless and without a Formula 1 pole for the constructor. Despite flashes of brilliance from the squad's all-German driver line-up of seven-time world drivers champion Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP steered into the 2012 Formula 1 season still searching for the vital pieces to grand prix racing success. At this weekend's Grand Prix of China, the third Formula 1 race of 2012, Nico Rosberg helped Mercedes GP conquer at least one of those important milestones.

In qualifying for Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, the Mercedes GP W03 race car were at the top of the time sheet through the crucial Q3 session. With a 1-minute, 35.121-second lap time, Nico Rosberg cycled the 5.451-kilometer Shanghai racetrack with the best lap of the 10 immediate challengers in the final qualifying round. Rosberg was more than half second faster than the second-fastest race McLaren-Mercedes machine driven by Lewis Hamilton.

The first pole for the Mercedes GP race team since its return to Formula 1 as a constructor, the success in Chinese Grand Prix qualifying is the first for a factory Silver Arrows squad since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix. Driver Nico Rosberg also scored his first career Formula 1 pole in 110 races competing on the grand prix schedule. “It´s a very special day for me because this is my first pole in Formula One, and the first for a Silver Arrow since 1955." said Rosberg in post qualifying. Putting extra garnish on the performance of the Mercedes GP team in Chinese Grand Prix qualifying, Michael Schumacher scored a third-fastest time. More impressively for Mercedes GP is the fact that an early race weekend gearbox change penalty on Lewis Hamilton's McLaren car allows Schumacher to be promoted to the front row of the grid alongside Nico Rosberg.   

With the majority of Chinese Grand Prix drivers and teams waiting until the last 3 minutes of the Q3 session to secure a top time, some of the front-running teams did not obtain the grid position they were hoping to have heading into Sunday's main race. The top-running Red Bull-Renault is Mark Webber who only collected a 7th place starting spot. Sebastian Vettel and his team embarrassingly missed the Q3 session altogether with a 11th fastest time. The Reigning Formula 1 champion has been fighting hard in this early 2012 season to find speed with his Red Bull Racing RB8 vehicle.

Scuderia Ferrari, the winning race team at the wet and tricky Malaysian Grand Prix event, had less to celebrate in Chinese Grand prix qualifying. Fernando Alonso barely broke into the top-10 with a 9th fastest time. In the same Saturday Formula 1 qualifying group at Shanghai International Circuit, Felipe Massa clocked the 12th quickest time. As the season is progressing, worries continue for Massa's future with the Ferrari Formula 1 racing team. Some rumour have indicated that current Sauber driver Sergio Perez could takeover the second Ferrari race car for 2013 or sooner this season. 

Mentioning the Sauber F1 team, the race squad continues to impress grand prix crowds early in 2012 as a refreshing addition to top-5 contention. With Sergio Perez delivering a high-profile second-place performance last race in Malaysia, the Mexican qualified 8th for the China race. Besting his teammate, Kamui Kobayashi showed off his understated skill by qualifying 4th behind Mercedes powered Formula 1 cars.

In fifth place for qualifying, Kami Raikkonen has placed his Lotus F1 Renault close to the front as the Finnish driver continues his reintegration with Formula 1. Teammate Romain Grosjean also posted a respectable 10th fastest run. Grosjean is still struggling to finish a grand prix in 2012. The Lotus F1 team has been connected to some interesting rumours this past week where its future in Formula 1 was in question. Group Lotus responded to blog speculation as "rubbish" declaring they're staying with the series until at least 2017.

The third race of the 2012 Formula 1 season, the Chinese Grand Prix is set for 3PM local time and 3AM Eastern time.


2012 Formula 1
Chinese Grand Prix
Qualifying Results

1	8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
2	4 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
3	7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
4	14 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari
5	9 Kami Raikkonen Lotus-Renault
6	3 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
7	2 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
8	15 Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari
9	5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
10	10 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault
11	1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
12	6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
13	18 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault
14	19 Bruno Senna Williams-Renault
15	11 Paul di Resta Force India
16	12 Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes
17	16 Daniel Ricciardo Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
18	17 Jean-Eric Vergne Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
19	20 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault
20	21 Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault
21	24 Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth
22	25 Charlie Pic Marussia-Cosworth
23	22 Pedro de la Rosa HRT F1
24	23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1

Lewis Hamilton will be assessed a five-grid position penalty for a gearbox change. Will start 6th in Grand Prix of China.

Hamilton Continues Early Season Hustle as Fastest in Malaysia Saturday

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

After the first round of the 2012 Formula 1 season in Australia, there were no longer any surprises between the grand prix teams. With Albert Park a memory (a most positive memory for the McLaren F1 team), focus has turned to the Sepang International Circuit where preparations to run the 56-lap Malaysian Grand Prix was centered on Saturday's qualifying.

Maintaining a perfect performance in 2012 Formula 1 qualifying, Lewis Hamilton flew to pole Saturday for the Malaysian Grand Prix. Taking the McLaren-Mercedes to the front of Sunday's race grid with a 1-minute, 36.219-second run in the Q3 qualifying session, Hamilton was 15/100ths of a second quicker than teammate Jenson Button. Opening the season big, the McLaren F1 team duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have stood on three podiums already in 2012.

The McLaren-Mercedes success came as a result of a successful battle against the full-factory Mercedes-Benz effort. Mercedes GP drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg were both impressive throughout qualifying around the 5.543-kilometer Sepang International Circuit. Schumacher was second-fastest in Q1 while Rosberg posted a third-quickest time in the Q2 session. When it came to the final Q3 session, Nico Rosberg struggled to an 8th place finish after locking up his Pirelli tires through the first turn. Posting a 1-minute, 36.461-second time in Q3, 7-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher soared to a third-place grid position (the highest qualifying spot for a Mercedes GP car since the team's formulation in 2010). Schumacher's first top-three qualifying effort since the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, the driver of the Mercedes F1 W03 was understandably positive in the post-time trial interview. "It felt nice being in the qualifying press conference for the first time in over five years! What is obviously more important would be sitting here again tomorrow," said Schumacher.

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Only the second race in the 2012 Formula 1 season, assumptions of the Red Bull Racing organization would indicate the team has lost their qualifying pace that was pivotal to a 2011 driver and constructor championship. The Red Bull-Renault of Mark Webber qualified 4th place for Sunday's race at the Sepang International Circuit. Lotus-Renault driver Kimi Raikkonen equalled Webber's 1-minute, 36.461-second time but had to settle for 5th place due to the Red Bull-Renault registering his time first. Raikkonen will relinquish 5 grid positions Sunday for a gearbox change. This is the second event in a row where Mark Webber out-qualified his teammate Sebastian Vettel. The two-time Formula 1 champion and last year's Malaysian Grand Prix winner Vettel could only muster an 8th place on Sunday's race grid. In Australia, Vettel importantly finished in 2nd place after 58 laps.

Continuing their struggles shown in the Australia Grand Prix qualifying group, the Scuderia Ferrari team drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have been unable to get a hold of the 2012 race car's tricky handling. Alonso's Ferrari made it into the Q1 session but could only mount a 9th fastest time on the Sepang International Circuit (Alonso will start 8th based on Raikkonen's penalty). Felipe Massa is starting in 12th place for Sunday's Formula 1 event. Massa's best finish in the Malaysian Grand Prix is 5th on three occasions.

The 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix will be a full grid Sunday of all 24 cars. Failing to make the field for the Australian Grand Prix, the HRT-Cosworth cars of Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan fared better in on the 5.543-mile Malaysian track.

2012 Formula 1
Malaysian Grand Prix
Qualifying Results

1. 4 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
2. 3 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
3. 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP
4. 2 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
5. 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
6. 10 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault
7. 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP
8. 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
9. 15 Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari
10. 9 Kami Raikkonen Lotus-Renault
11. 18 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault
12. 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari
13. 19 Bruno Senna Williams-Renault
14. 11 Paul di Resta Force India
15. 16 Daniel Ricciardo Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
16. 12 Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes
17. 14 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari
18. 17 Jean-Eric Vergne Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
19. 21 Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault
20. 24 Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth
21. 25 Charlie Pic Marussia-Cosworth
22. 22 Pedro de la Rosa HRT F1
23. 23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1
24. 20 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault

  

Vettel Blitzes Hamilton to Win Korean Grand Prix

Photo Credit: Nissan/Infiniti

 

After a wet and wild debut in Korea, the Formula 1 cars returns to the track for the fourth-to-last event in the 2011 schedule. Just completed in time last season, the Korean International Circuit narrow setup leaves little margin for driving error during an event highlighted by a race collision between Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg in 2010. A matured race track, the Korean Grand Prix assembles to run the 5.615 kilometer course learning only wet weather racing setups. While sunny skies were predicted prior to the event, the 2011 edition of the Korean Grand Prix would instantly reminds drivers and teams of the 2010 race as light raindrops sprinkled the track vicinity. Though a concern for Formula 1 teams all starting on dry weather slick tires, never would the precipitations extend beyond sprinkles.

 

In qualifying, the Red Bull Racing team met the wrath of McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton at the Korean International Circuit. Finally breaking Red Bull Racing's season's sweep of the pole position, Hamilton is well within the tight second place battle in the world championship points. Hoping to use the Korean Grand Prix as a chance to move closer to teammate Jenson Button currently in possession of the runner-up position in the Formula 1 driver points, the start of the race saw Hamilton taking a small advantage over Sebastian Vettel into the first corner. Immediately however, the Red Bull-Renault of Vettel stalked the McLaren-Mercedes and would take the lead over the completion of lap one. Drawing out a 1-second gap away from Lewis Hamilton, Vettel was able to resist a challenge from the Mercedes-engined race car with the assistance of the drag reduction system on the rear wing.

 

Deeper in the field at lap 14, there is a heated fight between the Mercedes GP car of Nico Rosberg and the McLaren-Mercedes of Jenson Button. On pit stops, the Mercedes GP launched Rosberg out ahead of Button's car but lost the position on the pit road exit into turn 1. Later in the lap, Rosberg determinedly reclaimed the place in the Formula 1 running order by passing Button's McLaren-Mercedes. Triumphant briefly, once the DRS system was enabled for Jenson Button on lap 16, Rosberg would fall prey to the McLaren driver into turn three. While looking like Nico Rosberg was in position for a good result after an unfortunate end in the 2010 Korean Grand Prix, his Mercedes GP car wandered home to 8th place. Indications suggested that Nico Rosberg was saving the fuel required for post-race testing late costing himself and the team several spots.

 

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

 

While one Mercedes GP car needed to conserve fuel to the end of the 2011 Korean Grand Prix, the team's second car driven by Michael Schumacher incurred a more dramatic end in the race. On lap 17, Schumacher was impacted into the third corner by the Lotus Renault GP car of Vitaly Petrov. Resulting when Petrov was drag racing Ferrari's Fernando Alonso down the long straightaway, the pair's attempt to outbrake each other into the corner resulted in a fast closing rate on the Mercedes GP. With Vitaly Petrov focused on the battle with Alonso, he slammed into the rear corner of Michael Schumacher causing a crash requiring a safety car on track. Both Schumacher and Petrov were out of the event while Fernando Alonso narrowly avoid damage.

 

Once the safety car period concluded on lap 20, Sebastian Vettel quickly rebuilt has race lead. By lap 44, the Red Bull-Renault held an 11-second on-track advantage on Lewis Hamilton. A tight 2nd through 4th place fight near the end of the Korean Grand Prix, the McLaren-Mercedes of second place Hamilton and fourth place Jenson Button had the other Red Bull Racing vehicle driven by Mark Webber sandwiched for position. Late in the race, the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso attempted to set a challenge against the rather stagnant 2nd to 4th place position battle. Alonso spent a great deal of time behind his teammate's Ferrari of Felipe Massa. Unable to pass Massa but being held up on the Korean International Circuit, Alonso was pitted and able to claim a spot ahead and quickly surged, making up ground on track. Closing to within 1.8 seconds of Jenson Button on the 49th lap, Fernando Alonso appeared to have enough speed to enter the 1-second DRS interval. While prospects of Alonso fighting for a podium position was real within final 5 laps, his Ferrari was unable to retrieve the competitors for any improvements on a 5th place spot.

 

Crossing the start/finish line over 55 laps, Sebastian Vettel took his 10th Formula 1 series victory for 2011. With Vettel's teammate Mark Webber taking the third and final podium position, Red Bull Racing were able to celebrate the lucrative manufacturers championship for the 2011 season over McLaren. Lewis Hamilton for McLaren joined the Red Bull Racing drivers on the podium in 2nd place.

 

With a Formula 1 championship recently clinched, Sebastian Vettel's tear on the 2011 grand prix could be magnified by the fact he now try even harder to add to his season's win total. Having now won 10 races with 3 races remaining, Vettel is mathematically capable of tying Michael Schumacher as the most winningest driver in a Formula 1 season.

 

 

2011 Formula 1
Korean Grand Prix
Race Results

 

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

Schumacher Splashes, Webber Wails in Belgian GP Friday Practices

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

After nearly a month off after completing the first 11 grand prix races of 2011, the Formula 1 tour convenes on the fast and lauded Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The Belgian Grand Prix ignites the powerful Formula 1 engines with Formula 1 vehicles which have undergone what was likely a sizable examination through the season's summer break.

A 19-turn course reaching 7.001 kilometers in length, the Belgium motorsport track presents technical as well as high-speed corners. Along the Kemmel Straight, speeds are expected to reach over 330 kilometers per hour (205 miles per hour). Providing difficult conditions for the Formula 1 drivers and teams to shake off their cobwebs, the first competitive sessions at Spa were performed in damp weather. Requiring valuable track time ahead of Saturday's qualifying and the Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday, Formula 1 teams were belted into their race machines setting the first track timed benchmarks of the weekend.

Provided with an initial practice session that was 90 minutes in length, the Mercedes GP cars were the only cars to trek out on the Spa-Francorchamp circuit early in the session. Able to run Pirelli stick tires on the then-dry Belgium surface, the Silver Arrows delivered two times in the 1 minute, 54 second bracket. Leading the Mercedes GP cars was the 7-time champion Michael Schumacher who was almost half a second faster than teammate Nico Rosberg on track. The lucky ones in the first practice sessions, rains quickly drenched the race track effectively protecting their top times against any challenges from Red Bull or McLaren race cars.

As rains pounded the Belgian Grand Prix course, the best efforts outside of the Mercedes GP duo was posted by the McLaren-Mercedes of Hungarian Grand Prix victor Jenson Button. Button was almost 8 seconds slower than the second fastest Mercedes GP car of Rosberg. More than 9 seconds under the pace of Michael Schumacher's dry track fastest time, the Red Bull-Renault of driver championship leader Sebastian Vettel and the McLaren-Mercedes of 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top-5 in the first practice.

Having been for the both part outclassed this season in the team by the younger Nico Rosberg, some speculation during the summer break eluded to Schumacher making an early departure from the Mercedes GP team. A little over a week ago, Michael Schumacher stated he will stay with Mercedes GP through the Formula 1 2012 season. This 2011 event at the Spa-Francorchamps circuits marks a 20-year anniversary since the famous German driver piloted his first Formula 1 car. Piloting a Jordon, Schumacher's career debut in Formula 1 started unimpressively with a retirement due to a faulty clutch. For the 2011 Belgian Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher is commemorating his first grand prix with a golden helmet.

For the second practice session in the afternoon, the Spa-Francorchamps surface conditions have improved enough where slick tires could once again for mounted to race cars. In this dryer afternoon practice, the top-16 fastest drivers at the conclusion of the 90-minute session outran Schumacher and his Mercedes GP car. At the top of the charts after Friday's second practice was the Red Bull Racing team. Piloted by Mark Webber to a 1 minute, 50.321 second fast time, the Renault-powered race car fended off the challenge of Fernando Alonso's Ferrari by 0.14 of a second. Most surprising in the second practice was the separation between the two Red Bull-Renaults on the time sheet. With Mark Webber delivering the team to their familiar position at the highest plateau of the practice charts, the car of reigning Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel could only muster a 10th fastest time.

The McLaren-Mercedes cars captured 3rd and 4th fastest times in the second practice despite that fact the pairing of Jenson Button as well as Lewis Hamilton each spent only 9 laps on track. Felipe Massa collected the 5th quickest time in the afternoon session ahead of Nico Rosberg's Mercedes GP car. The Sauber-Ferrari driven by Sergio Perez posted a 7th fastest laps ahead of the Force India-Mercedes drivers who captured 8th and 9th top times.

A third practice session ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix starts at 11 am local time (5 am Eastern time) followed by Formula 1 qualifying running at 2 pm (8 am Eastern time).

Friday Practice for Canadian GP Breeds Interesting Developments

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

The 7th race on the 2011 Formula 1 championship calendar, the Canadian Grand Prix represents the only time this season the most premier open wheel racing series visits the North American continent. Situated in the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on an island off the coast of Montreal, 24 drivers and cars arrived Friday to start the race weekend with two practice sessions.

An accustoming site throughout 2011 is the Red Bull-Renault of Sebastian Vettel at the top of every Formula 1 chart (practice, qualifying and the race). Following the first practice for the Canadian Grand Prix, the sight of Vettel's Red Bull-Renault against the start/finish line stretch represented a rare mistake in a near flawless season. While Sebastian Vettel started the grand prix weekend on a sore note, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion immediately rallied. In the second practice session Friday, Vettel recorded the second fastest time at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve course. “Canada is a very unique place. It’s not a real track because it’s on an island and also used for public roads." Vettel said detailing the track which has hosted the Canadian Grand Prix since 1978. The German racer compares the race course to the Australian Grand Prix's track saying "It’s a bit similar to Albert Park in Melbourne, as it’s mainly used for traffic with a second function as a race track. It’s very slippery there, the asphalt is very smooth and we saw last year that tyre degradation is huge, but it’s always good fun to go there." Racing in Canada, Sebastian Vettel shares "It’s a great race, the atmosphere is fantastic and the fans are very special"

Fully prepared with a counter-attack against the dominant Red Bull-Renault, the Friday practices shined light on a possible change to the course of the entire Formula 1 season to date. In the first practice, Mercedes GP showed some serious muscle in Montreal. The German factory team's Nico Rosberg was fastest with 7-time world driving champion Michael Schumacher piloting his Mercedes GP to a third fastest run. The track where Schmacher holds a Canadian Grand Prix record 7 wins, the driver comments “Montreal is a great city to visit and the Canadian Grand Prix is always one of those races where it feels like the whole city gets involved and creates a really nice atmosphere. The circuit itself is very much a stop-and-go scenario with much of the focus on top speed and braking."

Separating the Mercedes GP cars was the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. Alonso's teammate Felipe Massa also flew quickly around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for a fourth fastest time. In the second afternoon practice Friday, Alonso bettered his effort from the previous track session by placing the Ferrari at the top of the time sheet. Lapping the track at 1 minute, 15.107 seconds, Fernando Alonso was 0.369 seconds faster than the resurging Sebastian Vettel. Felipe Massa's Ferrari again was close to Alonso on the time charts just 0.494 seconds slower than the lead Ferrari Formula 1 car. In 4th and 5th, the Mercedes-Benz engined McLaren cars of Lewis Hamilton as well as Jenson Button were strong. In contrast to the strong showing in the first Friday practice, Mercedes GP team were deep down the session's results in 19th and 20th place.

A new ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend was the health of Sauber driver Sergio Perez after a hard crash near the end of the Monoco Grand Prix qualifying. Given medical clearance to run the Canadian Grand Prix, Perez returned to the track Friday driving his Sauber-Ferrari. Posting a very respectable 11th fastest time, it became evident to the Formula 1 rookie Perez that his recovery was not quite completed. Sergio Perez will sit out the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix and the Sauber F1 team has sought the services of last season's team driver Pedro de la Rosa to substitute.

The top-four drivers and cars were separated by just a little over one second in the first practice but the gap decreased to 0.8th of a second after practice two.

Revealed! Mercedes GP's MGP W02 2011 Formula 1 Car

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Taking over the team which was the 2009 Formula 1 Constructor Champion, Daimler-Benz rebirth of the Silver Arrows was a little off target. For what was essentially a first season, Mercedes GP would not win a 2010 grand prix event but did achieve a rather stout 4th place in constructor points after 2010 with driver lineup Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. 

Ahead of the physical launch of the 2011 Formula 1 race machine for Mercedes GP, a sneak preview image of the MGP W02 car has been presented with the above picture. Conforming to new rules allowing a driver-adjustable movable rear wing element and the optional inclusion of KERS, the MGP W02 will also be noted as excluding F Ducts (now banned by the FIA).

Set to be put through its paces at Valencia, Spain with returning Mercedes GP pilots Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, one of the goals for the Formula 1 team will certainly be to capture a first win for the Silver Arrows since 1955 Italian Grand Prix.

Webber Outlasts Others to Win Hungary GP

Photo Credit: Lotus Racing

A tight 70 lap race on the Hungaroring circuit, the Hungarian Grand Prix greeted the 2010 Formula 1 series running their last race before a nearly one month break until Belgium. With a lot of new equipment likely to roll out by the late August race, this is possibly the last opportunity where news honestly know where they stand on the F1 grid.


Rain and thunderstorms held off for the running of the Hungarian Grand Prix as the 24 car Formula 1 field took start topped by the two Red Bull-Renaults on the grid. With Vettel leading, the second Red Bull Racing car of Mark Webber fell under attack of the Ferrari belonging to Fernando Alonso. Alonso passed Webber spliting the Red Bull-Renaults through the opening laps of the Hungarian Grand Prix.


On lap 23, a major 2010 championship event occurred as Lewis Hamilton's McLaren-Mercedes lost power. Entering the Hungarian Grand Prix as the drivers championship points leader, Hamilton left the race just prior to 1/3 race distance. A rough day overall for McLaren, Jenson Button would finish 8th in the race after struggling to find speed for much of the race weekend.


Out front, Sebastian Vettel built his advantage over the field leading by 11.7 seconds at one point. Unfortunately for Vettel, his interval on second place would soon be erased once a safety car was deployed. As a result of debris on track from both a collision between Robert Kubica and Adrian Sutil, a scary incident where Nico Rosberg's Mercedes GP car lost a wheel on pit road neccesitated the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG safety car to gather the field. Making use of the period, many of the drivers were sent to pit road for service. However, in a mind-bending move, the Red Bull Racing stayed on track to take the lead. A radically different strategy from Vettel who had pitted, Webber was also running softer Bridgestone tires which were feared to be wearing out.


With Webber remaining in the lead as the field restarted, Sebastian Vettel eased back on the accelerator allowing him to either gain more momentum to pursue his teammate or allow his teammate to run away and leave the field. This action is considered a violation of the restart procedure Cited to be a radio communication breakdown where Vettel would have been caught off-guard by the restart, the FIA nonetheless had the German bring his Red Bull-Renault down pit road to serve a drive-through penalty.


As Vettel dropped down the running order, Webber led the grand prix and was in fact gaining major ground over the now 2nd place Alonso. With the softer tires holding together, Webber pitted on lap 43 with a 23-plus second lead allowing the Red Bull-Renault to hold top position. With the gap a deciding factor, Mark Webber won the 2010 Hungarian Grand Prix adding a 4th win to his breakout season. Joining webber on the podium, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso would come home 2nd and Red Bull Racing teammate Sebastian Vettel took 3rd place disappointed with the race-costing penalty. The second Ferrari of Felipe Massa would cross the line 4th at the Hungaroring in an important race for the Brazilian. A year following a nearly-career ending (perhaps life ending) on-track incident, Massa return in 2010 should filter out any remaining demons the driver has in Formula 1 racing.

The winding corners of the Hungarian circuit also allowed two Formula 1 rookies to present their best runs of the season. Driving for Renault F1, Vitaly Petrov crossed the line 5th following up a strong qualifying run on Saturday. Nico Hulkenberg also brought has Williams-Cosworth to a 6th place result. Interesting enough, these drivers were 1st and 2nd last season in the GP2 series with Hulkenberg winning the 2009 GP2 championship.

Along with strong efforts resulting for 2010 F1 rookies, veteran Formula 1 team BMW-Sauber, which started the season seriously in peril, also ended the day celebrating both cars within the top 10. BMW-Sauber's double point-scoring day, Pedro de la Rosa led the team past the line in 7th spot. Impressive, de la Rosa's teammate Kamui Kobayashi might be earning more respect following his 9th place charge. Overcoming a dismal qualifying effort as well as a team penalty, Kobayashi would hustle his BMW Sauber-Ferrari from 23rd to 9th at the line.


With some Formula 1 drivers enjoying landmark runs in Hungary, one of the sport's legendary drivers is enduring another rough performance. For other Formula 1 race, the driving of returning 7-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher has garnered the scrutiny of the FIA stewarts. Remembering the illegal pass for position at the end of the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this season, this latest incident at the Hungaroring involved an on-track battle with former teammate Rubens Barrichello. Sparring in a aggressive fight for a prized 10th and final points-scoring position, the Mercedes GP of Schumacher exercised a reckless block on Barrichello's Williams-Cosworth through the Hungaroring's front stretch. Having played 2nd driver when the pair were teamed at Ferari, Barrichello found no reason to accept their previous arrangement sqeezing by for the 10th spot. Not only losing the point, Michael Schumacher will lose 10 grid places in qualifying for the next race at Spa as well as the racing credibility for undertaking this potentially-dangerous maneuveur.

With his latest victory, Mark Webber leapfrogs the wounded Lewis Hamilton for the Formula 1 drivers championship lead by 4 points. Sahking up to become a tight fight for the 2010 drivers crown, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso are within 20 points of Webber with 7 races to decide the victor.

As mentioned before, the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship is on a extended hiatus until August 29th where they race the Belgium Grand Prix.


2010 Formula 1
Hungarian Grand Prix
Race results



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

2010 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Day 1 Wrap Up

Photo Credit: Lotus Racing

With equipment from 13 professional racing teams airlifted from the United Kingdom, the Formula 1 tour opens for the first time at Bahrain Grand Prix, setting the official benchmark for the 2010 grand prix season.

Even before the exotic Formula 1 cars took the track en mass for the first time in the 2010, driver news and team structure changes has supplemented a gossip-worthy off-season. For those who prefers to indulge their sights to the wild howls of the ultimate open wheel racing cars, the day one practice at the 6.299 kilometer Bahrain circuit finally delivers 24 Formula 1 drivers prepared for motorized battle. With top speeds extending into the 300 km/h range at the end of three straight sections, the Bahrain race track challenges the drivers through 23 turns with several designed to promote passing opportunities.

With day one providing two one-hour and a half opportunities to the 2010 Formula 1 teams to shake off cobwebs, the first practice of the year summoned quite a dumbfounded feeling to grand prix observers. Adrian Sutil set the top time driving the Force India-Mercedes around the Bahrain circuit in 1 minute, 56.583 seconds in the late morning practice.

Under two-tenths of a second behind Sutil, Fernando Alonso showed immediate command of his new Ferrari. With the veteran Ferrari driver Felipe Massa placing fourth fastest, the red cars wearing the prancing horse badges are determined to reverse the sub-par performance in 2009. While departed F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen prevented Scuderia Ferrari from going winless last year with a top podium finish at Belgium Grand Prix at Spa, the team's season started slowly in 2009 going scoring points for the first three event. In fact, at was the Bahrain Grand Prix of 2009 that allowed Ferrari to break the streak.

Sandwiched between the Ferraris was Robert Kubica piloting the Renault ride Alonso recently vacated. Flying around in third place, Kubica vastly outpaced rookie Renault F1 teammate Vitaly Petrov mustering only a 16th fastest time.

As the Force India car topping the time chart through the first Bahrain warm up, another surprise through the first practice was the apparent lack of speed shown by some 2009 Formula 1 front-runners. McLaren, Mercedes GP (formerly constructor champion Brawn GP) and Red Bull Racing were slower through the morning session. However, practice session 2 at Bahrain would allow these established teams to resurface.

Through the first day of preparation for the Bahrain Grand Prix, many eyes were on the Mercedes GP team who not only took over the former Brawn GP team but fostered the return of 7-time Formula 1 Drivers Champion Michael Schumacher. While Schumacher's first practice netted only a 10th fastest time, the German would pick up 7 spots through the quicker afternoon session.



A focused Michael Schumacher shows his game face
during F1 practice.
Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Schumacher's younger teammate Nico Rosberg put the Mercedes F1 factory team out front with a lap 1.2 seconds faster than the top mark set in the first practice session. With Mercedes GP making strong showing in session 2 shake downs with 1st and 3rd quickest times, McLaren-Mercedes (effectively downgraded to an engine customer as Mercedes-Benz plans to sell-back their McLaren ownership by 2011) filled out the top-4 as their drivers Lewis Hamilton claimed 2nd fastest and Jenson Button rested in the 4th spot. 2009 championship contender Sebestian Vettel brought the Red Bull Racing team forward on the second time chart.



Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

After winning the first practice session, Adrian Sutil could only bring his Force India-Mercedes up to 12th in the second practice. While Sutil was unable to back up the underdog effort in the afternoon of day 1, two drivers made some remarkable laps worth earning recognition. F1 Rookies Nico Hulkenburg for Williams F1 and Vitaly Petrov driving for Renault F1 placed 6th and 8th respectively.

As for the three new teams to Formula 1, their freshman initiation has been harsh. With Lotus Racing, HRT F1 and Virgin GP resting at the bottom of both practice sheets, these cars were 5 seconds or more off the pace. While the Virgin-Cosworth of Timo Glock led the 6-car grouping in the first practice, the Lotus Racing team was fastest in the second practice led by Heikki Kovalainen. In both practice sessions, the HRT-Cosworth of Formula 1 newcomer Karun Chandhok laid dormant started by hydraulic problems in the first session.

After three hours of day 1 practice, the widespread differentials on the time sheets has yet to pinpoint a single or smaller group of race teams who will be the rabbit for 2010. While in both practice sessions the Formula 1 teams were making honest efforts, it's important to note that there was varying capacities of fuel being carried by certain cars as they calibrate for qualifying as well as race setups.

Mercedes GP debuts Their Team F1 Car

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Guaranteed to be Formula 1's most watched team with being built from the foundation of last year's F1 Constructor Champion, Mercedes GP has been catching major headlines through luring 7-time World Driving Champion Michael Schumacher from retirement. At a January 25th event inside the Mercedes-Benz Museum located in Stuttgart, Germany the Mercedes GP team introduced a vehicle which they intend to honour the automotive history within the building's walls.

The first Formula 1 team to unveil their competition car for the 2010 grand prix season, Mercedes GP team drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg joined a Silver Arrow-inspired Petronas-sponsored MGP-W01 race machine. In front of a crowd of selected 600 guests consisting of 200 media members and 200 Mercedes-Benz Employees, driver Nico Rosberg brought light to the atmosphere stating "You can really feel the successful motorsport history of Mercedes-Benz here at the Museum in Stuttgart and to be part of the new Silver Arrows team and that racing heritage makes me feel extremely proud and motivated." Mercedes GP team principal and minority team owner Ross Brawn was also taken aback by the event. "With your first look around the Museum, you realise the fantastic racing heritage of Mercedes-Benz and we hope to be able to contribute to those successes going forward." This time last year Brawn, having bought the assets of the former Honda F1 team, showed off his one and only Brawn GP entry in much less fanfare.

Racing legend Michael Schumacher, looking forward to his first year of Formula 1 competition since 2006, sums up his motivation for driving a race vehicle with the famous tri-star badge. "I am convinced that MERCEDES GP PETRONAS will be in a very good position to fight for the championships this season and I will definitely give it a go. Driving for Mercedes-Benz again is like the closing of a circle for me as I started my racing driver career with the three-pointed star on my helmet. This is another reason why I cannot wait for the competition to get underway.”


Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

Following a previous article, I must apologize that I might have misled readers to believe that the Mercedes GP team were going to introduce their car in Valencia, Spain. In truth, the Mercedes GP car will be tested for the first time.

Involved in Formula 1 since 1993, The German car company maintained largely an engine supply role. Mercedes-Benz did acquire a 40 percent stake in McLaren, an ownership sum that will be sold back to the team for 2011. In the 2010 Formula 1 season Mercedes-Benz makes a return as an engine and chassis combination after a 55-year absence.

Michael Schumacher's Back in Formula 1 for 2010 at Mercedes-Benz GP Team

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP Petronas


As Mercedes-Benz bought up controlling stake in the 2009 championship contractor Brawn GP, the newly established Mercedes Grand Prix team (or Mercedes GP Petronas following a recent sponsor addition to the team) started with a clean driver slate for 2010 as both Rubens Barrichello and 2009 F1 Driver's Champion Jenson Button transferred to new teams. Adding Nico Rosberg exactly one month earlier (November 23rd), rumours immediately surrounded who will fill the second seat.

Appearing to be wild speculation at the time, Mercedes Grand Prix was mentioned to be wooing 91-time grand prix winner and 7-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher. Those rumours turned true today for an early Christmas announcement as Michael Schumacher returns to Formula 1 after 3 seasons off from the series. It's with little surprise that the newly commissioned Mercedes Grand Prix team could lure the 7-time World Champion driver from his uneasy retirement. Last season, Schumacher was slated to return last season in a relief effort for Ferrari filling in for their injured driver Felipe Massa. Those plans were derailed only by an incident riding a Superbike.

Completing an all-German driver lineup for a German-owned team, Schumacher's signing with Mercedes GP Petronas also reunites the legendary driver with his former technical director Ross Brawn. Traveling with the Michael Schumacher's landmark move from Benetton to Ferrari, Brawn was behind every victory the driver claimed in Formula 1. Schumacher's move to Mercedes-Benz is also one of nostalgic. In 1990, the Mercedes-Benz factory's revived Silver Arrows effort allowed than unknown German Michael Schumacher to have his first step on the world stage.


Photo Credit: Mercedes GP Petronas

A major score for Mercedes as well as to fans that followed the multiple record-holding F1 driver as he set those marks, Michael Schumacher's return to formula 1 has more than a few fans happy. In an interview on the Formula 1's official website, CEO of Formula One Management Bernie Ecclestone commented "I think it is fantastic for Formula One that he turned into a ‘comeback kid’." shortly following Schumacher's announcement. Other supporters to Schumacher's comeback even included his rival Jacques Villenueve who said in a Autosport.com interview "I don't see any reason why he shouldn't get back to be his old self again".

Turning 41 years old in January 3rd of 2010, Schumacher's reentry into Formula 1 will make him the eldest driver of on the circuit. In spite of modern preconceptions that auto racing is a young person's sport, improved safety and physical fitness regimes have veteran drivers in sports car racing and particularly NASCAR showing that age is only a meaningless number. In fact, Formula 1's past reflects three drivers over the age of 40 winning the World championship title. 40 or older for all five of his championships, the original F1 superstar Juan Manuel Fangio won his final championship at 46 years old. Therefore, it should no be a terrific shock if Michael Schumacher could storm to his 8th Formula 1 championship in 2010.