Vettel's Sweet Path to 2011 Formula 1 Championship

Photo Credit: Nissan/Infiniti

Dominating the 2011 Formula 1 world championship scene, Germany's Sebastian Vettel bested the finest drivers in the world overall for this season. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka was the location where the talented Red Bull Racing superstar scored a convincing second-straight Formula 1 racing crown after 15 of the series 19-race 2011 tour. "I never imagined I would win one Championship and so to win this second one is amazing. I have a lot of good memories from Formula One, from watching it when I was young, to now and I feel fortunate and blessed to experience today." Said the new 2011 Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel celebrating his triumphs with the whole Red Bull Racing team.

Since his debut at the 2007 United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the beginning to what is guaranteed to be a long motorsport legend story was established. When BMW-Sauber regular driver Robert Kubica was injured after a Canadian Grand Prix crash, the race turned to a then little-known 19-year old German Formula Renault 3.5 driver to substitute. Sebastian Vettel was the young talent who qualified 7th and finished 8th gaining a single championship point his first grand prix start. Breaking a record in the first grand prix he raced, Vettel became the youngest Formula 1 pilot to score a Formula 1 point. Like the saying goes, "a star was born".

An eager, young driver having given the Formula 1 season a sample of his potential, Sebastian Vettel joined the Scuderia Toro Rosso team at the end of 2007. During a first full season in Formula 1 for a race team regarded mainly as a grand prix field filler, Vettel and the his Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso scored points in 9 of the 18 races on the 2008 schedule. Among the biggest point scoring races for Sebastian Vettel was the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. A wet race weekend with rain pelting the Italian circuit, Vettel sailed to pole and then to his first Formula 1 victory. The Toro Rosso team owner Dietrich Mateschitz decided the German was ready for a seat in Red Bull Racing (a team Mateschitz also owns).

Making himself at home with the Red Bull Racing team, Vettel took his second career victory from pole at the Chinese Grand Prix. As of the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, the German has claimed wins from 14 times from pole position. By the end of 2009 season, the Red Bull-Renaults driven by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber have begun to assert itself as a meaningful Formula 1 tour de force. In 2010, while much of the Formula 1 season favoured the team's more experienced driver Mark Webber, Vettel launched a late year push involving 3 poles and victories in the final 4 grand prix races. In what was the one of the tightest Formula 1 championship fights, Vettel prevailed by 4 points over Fernando Alonso.

Returning as the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel arrived like a steamroller to the competition. Winning 5 of the first 6 grand prix events, Vettel and the his #1 Red Bull-Renault claimed 143 of the series 150 available championship points in 2011. Even as technical rules are brought into the series pointed at slowing the torrent run of the Red Bull-Renault, Vettel kept has momentum storming to a potential to clinch his second straight Formula 1 championship during the 6th to last race. Winning that race (the Grand Prix of Singapore), Vettel fell just one point short of taking the 2011 World Driver's Championship.

Photo Credit: Nissan/Infiniti

Needing only to finish 10th or better to clinch the 2011 Formula 1 championship, Sebastian Vettel stormed to pole position through an unusual qualifying session at Suzuka. Attempting to strike for a 10th win for 2011, Vettel settled for a podium after being outrun by Jenson Button's McLaren and the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. The 3rd place finish granted the Red Bull Racing driver his second driver's title in only his 4th full season in Formula 1. Vettel remained strong enough to secure podium runs in all but 1 of the grand prix races after Japan. In a rarely seen feat, Sebastian Vettel went on to finish no worse than 4th place in the 2011 Formula 1 season's first 15 races.

"The first title will always be something special, always deep in your memory. This year has been a completely different year, whereas last year we allowed a lot of mistakes to happen, this year, even if sometimes let’s say the boat started shaking a bit, we kept it on course, we didn't allow those mistakes to really affect us." said the newly-crowned two-time champion Sebastian Vettel through a post race press conference in Japan.

Photo Credit: Nissan/Infiniti

When asked about overtaking 7-time Formula 1 World Champion and fellow German Michael Schumacher, Vettel demonstrates a remarkable amount of poise and maturity as a 24-year old driver. "I think speaking of Michael, you always need to back off a little bit because it is something very, very special, what he has achieved. So it’s hard to aim for that, but really I think the secret this year for me has been to go step by step, and that’s what we have to focus on in the future as well." said Vettel.

With 4 races remaining, Sebastian Vettel is still within reach of tying another milestone. If the German wins all of the final races in his Red Bull-Renault will collect 13 grand prixSchumacher's 2004 record. Vettel is currently tied for 3rd with his total 9 victories.

A certified Formula 1 superstar, Sebastian Vettel's passion erupted on Sunday declaring his feelings after the Japanese Grand Prix was, "I think that’s what life is about!".

Mark Webber Masters British Grand Prix Qualifying

Photo Credit: Steven Tee/LAT Photographic

 

Similar to what Charlotte Motor Speedway is to NASCAR and what the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is to INDYCAR, the Silverstone circuit is the port of call for many of the team participating in the Formula 1 series. with race shops near the track, the British Grand Prix is a homecoming of sorts for this very international series. Practicing under cloudy skies with sprays of precipitation on the historic 3.667-mile track, the formula 1 drivers and teams were looking past Friday to see more of the same weather conditions. Saturday's qualifying for the Formula 1 series found competitors with one eye on the track and another on the skies.

 

Timing their qualifying run with precision to the changing weather conditions, the Red Bull Racing team emerges from British Grand Prix qualifying taking the front row spots. Beating his championship-leading teammate for only the second time in 2011 qualifying, Australia's Mark Webber delivered a top time just before the track conditions would become too damp. Setting a new track record with a 1 minute, 30.399 second in qualifying on the current Arena track configuration, Webber defends his Red Bull Racing team's current undefeated record for grand prix poles for 2011.

 

Sebastian Vettel grabbed second place in a qualifying where the German show less race dominating pace. Perhaps affected by new Formula 1 rules which was said to have punished the Red Bull-Renaults, Vettel would not lead a single session of British Grand Prix qualifying session.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

 

 

As the Red Bull-Renaults appeared to be normalized to other top Formula 1 contenders, the Scuderia Ferrari cars driven by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa found all-new energy through the time trial. In the Q2 round, the Ferrari of Massa currently posted the top time over the Red Bull-Renaults. In the final round, Alonso found some additional speed to pass some Ferrari teammate concluding with a second row team sweep.

 

In the third row, Jenson Button posted more than acceptable time with his McLaren-Mercedes. Button's teammate Lewis Hamilton will start 10th as the slowest vehicle in the Q3 group. Providing a surprising companion to the 2009 Formula 1 world champion in the third row is Paul di Resta. Driving one of the Force India race cars powered by customer Mercedes-Benz engines, the rookie starts 6th at Silverstone.
While both Friday and Saturday provided rainy, rather dreary days for the Formula 1 tour, Sunday is forecast to be a much more favourable day for the British Grand Prix. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is set to roll at 1:00pm local time (8:00am Eastern time)

 

 

2011 Formula 1

British Grand Prix

Silverstone

Starting Lineup

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

Lotus Racing and Red Bull Racing Enter into F1 Gearbox Deal

Photo Credit: Lotus Racing

As the 2010 Formula 1 season has methodically drawn to a conclusion with four events still left to run, the freshman efforts of Virgin, HRT F1 and Lotus Racing remains in their own, slower class. In fact, not one car from the three before-mentioned team has even finished in the top-10 of any Formula 1 event. Running spec Xtrac gearboxes and identical Cosworth engines, these teams can operate on a lower-budget but   A tough deal for any hard-working auto racing team to accept season-long, the structurally-strongest member of the freshman contingency of Lotus Racing is already planning a radical shake up for 2011.

Having announced just recently the adoption of the 'Team Lotus' moniker starting next year, the Formula 1 organization has also been shopping for some new competitive hardware, namely an all-new engine. Late last week, Lotus Racing powerplant change for the 2011 season was confirmed  as the team and Cosworth confirmed a break up following the 2010 Formula 1 tour. Replacing Cosworth, questions on what engine manufacturer will supply the British racing green and yellow cars with power has fingered on the French automaker Renault.

Today, the Renault engines for 2011 seems all-but guaranteed through an indirect announcement relating to transmissions and other components. On their official Facebook site and Twitter, Lotus Racing presented a mild bombshell implying current Formula 1 constructor championship points leader Red Bull Racing will supply gearboxes and hydraulic systems to their efforts next season. Since Red Bull Racing runs Renault engines, it seems natural that Team Lotus will try to stay consistent with the dealer team.

Refurbishing their on-track commitment to Formula 1, this accompanies Lotus Cars' flashy appearance at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Indeed, we should expect some big things from the once world-class sport cars builder.

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

Hamilton and McLaren Takes Canadian GP Pole; Red Bull Qualifying Streak Ended

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

After sweeping the pole position spot for the first 7 races of the 2010 Formula 1 season, the Canadian Grand Prix rates as significant for Red Bull Racing as the event where their consecutive 1st place start streak ends. However, it did not occur without a stubborn fight from Red Bull Racing teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. Entering the final Q3 session, Sebastian Vettel stood only 3/100ths of a second slower than Lewis Hamilton's McLaren-Mercedes. However, as lap times continued to fall at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Hamilton lowered his own Q2 time by 4/10ths of a second. Enough to fend off the charge of the Red Bull-Renaults, his 1 minute, 15.105 second lap time in Montreal gave the Brit his first Formula 1 pole his the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year.

Making the Formula 1 pole in Montreal even more memorable for Lewis Hamilton was the fact his McLaren-Mercedes ran out of fuel coming back to the pits at the end of the Q3 session. Providing for an amusing picture as Hamilton was pushing his McLaren down the stretch along the Casino de Montreal. While an entertaining sight for fans, the F1 officials were not the least bit amused by the scene. The McLaren team was fined $10,000 for what is called exceeding the maximum allotted time for returning to pit road.

Settling with 3rd fastest, Sebestian Vettel was able to close on Hamilton with a time just 3/10ths slower than the McLaren-Mercedes, his teammate was able to sandwich his way between the two cars through Q3. 5th fastest after Q2 Mark Webber leap-frogged Vettel to led the Red Bull Racing's grand prix charge mustering a 2nd place front row position thanks to a strong Q3 showing.

In 4th and 5th Ferrari's Fernando Alonso as well as the second McLaren of Jenson Button are in excellent striking position to take advantage of any first turn collisions which might occur between the front row vehicles. With Circuit Gilles Villeneuve's first lap leading into a tight, slow Senna turn hairpin section, often breeds chao.

Deserving a chance to be mentioned, Vitantonio Liuzzi for Force India stormed to 6th on the starting grid. The defending race winner (the 20o8 race winner since there wasn't a 2009 event) Robert Kubica posted a 8th fastest effort. Winning the race with BMW-Sauber in 2008, Kubica's former team starts deeper in the grid with team cars in 17th and 18th place.



Photo Credit: Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic


In 2008, the team now known as the Mercedes GP team was the Honda F1 factory team. Since then, Brawn brought that shell of that team taking it to a championship in 2009 before selling majority control to Mercedes-Benz. Essentially the first race for the Mercedes factory team, the team had some encouraging runs in Friday practice and even a 4th fastest speed for Michael Schumacher in Saturday morning, the silver arrows were off target in Canadian Grand Prix qualifying. 10th fastest and about a second slower than the pole sitter, Nico Rosberg leads the team with Michael Schumacher shut-out of the Q3 time trial session in 13th place. Ross Brawn offered some perspective to the tough qualifying outing for Mercedes GP. "A very disappointing qualifying session for us today, particularly as I was quite encouraged by our performance yesterday and this morning. However when it came to qualifying, we just weren't able to put our laps together."



Photo Credit: Mercedes GP


Almost mid-way through the season, race teams of HRT, Lotus Racing and Virgin Racing are still presiding at the rear of grand prix events as they continue to search for competitive speed. However, in qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix, the speed differential between the teams have been closing. Within the top times of the top-23 Formula 1 times, 4.8 seconds separate much of the 2010 Formula 1 field.


Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying Results 2010 Formula 1

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

Red Hot Red Bull Driver Mark Webber Takes Monaco GP Pole

Photo Credit: Mercedes GP

With the tight streets of Monte Carlo providing an unique spectacle to see modern 21st century Formula 1 racing machines running on one of the tour's oldest race circuits, the Monaco Grand Prix captures the lavishness and starkness the series have long gravitated towards. While the Formula 1 tour in general has been brought to the realization of exploding team budgets through the 1990s and last decade, this is only allowing this perennial to cast itself as a brighter crown jewel.

Fresh off his pole and victory in Barcelona last week, Mark Webber carried momentum onto the narrow street course netting his Red Bull Racing car the preferred 1st place grid position in tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix. Webber's pole time in the Red Bull-Renault on the streets of Monaco matches the single lap time record set by Michael Schumacher in 2004 down to he one-thousandth of a second. As Webber scored pole, this meant the second race in a row that the Australian beat this teammate Sebastian Vettel. Vettel had it up to 3rd in the final qualifying session to just miss a 3rd consecutive Red Bull front row.

On Saturday, the Renault F1 team and Robert Kubica rose to life recording the fastest time in practice. Kubica attempted to repeat the performance through F1 qualifying. Coming roughly 3/10ths of a second short, the Renault settles for a well-earned 2nd place place dividing the two Red Bulls. "Second on the grid at Monaco is a great result for us. The car has been great all weekend and I think we got the most from it today." Robert Kubica proudly admits after the time trial session. Renault Team Principal Eric Boillier delightfully commended Kubica's effort qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix. "We are now looking forward to an exciting race tomorrow and hopefully coming away with a great result." Boillier voiced confidence for Sunday's Grand Prix.


Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT Photographic


While Webber, Kubica and Vettel showed the top pace in Saturday qualifying, one potential polesitter spent the entire session on the sidelines. After posting the fastest speeds on track through early weekend practices, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso collided with the retaining barrier in the Massenet section (also known as a wide turn 3) as an incident Alonso admitted was a driver's mistake. With the Ferrari F2010 too damaged to compete in qualifying, Fernando Alonso will start the race from the pit lane in a back-up Ferrari. The other Ferrari of Felipe Massa curbed a streak of declining qualifying efforts in 2010. Producing have second-best qualifying effort of the 2010 Formula 1 season, Massa slotted in 4th after Q3.

Having led the 10 driver group of the final Q3 session, Mercedes GP driver Nico Rosberg fell to 6th fastest for the final starting order. Rosberg was able to poke his Mercedes Formula 1 race car one position ahead of Michael Schumacher who is coming off his best finish of 2010 at the Spanish Grand Prix. Schumacher has won 5 Monaco Grand Prix races making him the winningest active driver of this prestigious Formula 1 event. Besides Schumacher, previous Monaco Grand Prix winners running this weekend includes Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli.


2010 Formula 1
Monaco Grand Prix
Starting Grid

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

Brian Vickers to Miss Dover Sprint Cup Race Weekend; Casey Mears in #83

Photo Credit: NASCAR

In a surprise off-track development, Red Bull Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup team will lack their most veteran driver for the Dover International Speedway event. On Thursday, the #83 car's driver Brian Vickers was hospitalized after the 7-season Sprint Cup veteran felt chest pains during preparation for a scheduled appearance at Walter Reed Medical Center. Red Bull Racing press representatives assured NASCAR followers through social networks on Thursday night that Brian Vickers is recovering well from a than-unnamed illness.



Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR

Early Friday, Red Bull Racing's Team's General Manager Jay Frye provided a more detailed account of Vickers' condition. "He was admitted Wednesday evening to the hospital. Currently he’s being given medication to dissolve the clots. He’s been thoroughly tested and given a clean bill of health." Frye enlightened the media. While doctors have not determined an exact reason for Brian Vickers' blood clots, symptoms seem to exhibit Deep Vein Thrombosis (keep in mind this is only an assumption). Deep Vein Thrombosis could be caused by a multitude of conditions such as damage to blood vessels caused by injury or trauma and prolonged time sitting (a series of four-hour races seated inside a stock car might be relevant).

Red Bull Racing has named Casey Mears as the substitute driver of the #83 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway this Sunday. No firm plans are being set for the upcoming races including the Sprint All-Star race (a race Vickers has qualified to run via his Michigan victory last summer) and the Coke 600 on May 30th. Jay Frye assured that Brian Vickers is in for the long-term for Red Bull Racing ultimately stating "Our main concern is his health.".

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

Renault Firms Up Plans for 2010 F1 Season

Photo Credit: Renault F1 Racing

In the midst of still savage climate in auto racing as auto manufacturers continue to struggle for profitability, Formula 1 has experienced 3 major departures through the past two seasons (Honda, BMW and Toyota). Desiring some stability, the FIA took comfort with French auto maker Renault reaffirming its commitment to the ultra exotic open-wheel series for 2010. However, this renewal by Renault to powering the Formula 1 grid came with a concurring announcement changing the nature of their relationship in the sport.

Renault F1, the French auto maker's factory team, will now be majority-owned by a private investment partner entering into 2010. Genii Capital, a Luxembourg-based group known as specialists of new technologies and brand imaging bought what is called a 'large stake' of the Renault F1 operation as the Renault factory looks to getting the best value for their sponsorship as one of the most expensive sports on earth. Genii Capital may also be remembered from earlier this year when they unsuccessfully attempted to buy assets of the bankrupt camera innovator Polaroid. It's believed that the name of the team will continue to be Renault F1 for 2010. Robert Kubica has already been signed to drive in the upcoming Formula 1 season with a second driver still yet to be named.

Buying out Bennetton in 2002 to stake their corporate name on a Formula 1 team, Renault F1 took back-to-back constructor championships in 2005 and 2006 thanks largely to Fernando Alonso's driver crowns.

Coinciding with the sale of a major stake in their namesake Formula 1 team, Renault confirmed that Red Bull Racing will continue to run the French powerplants in 2010. Following Red Bull Racing's best grand prix season with 6 victories and a 2nd place in the manufacturer points standings in 2009, this move seemed like a natural. In fact, going into the new Formula 1 season,
the thriving Formula 1 team has retained the final major piece to enter the 2010 season with essentially the same team as the previous year. In fact, with Brawn GP undergoing a massive corporate reshuffling which includes driver changes and the rebranding as Mercedes Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing could theoretically be heading for a banner year on the 2010 Formula 1 circuit. Having existed solely as an engine supplier in the 1990s, the last F1 customer team to grab a constructors championship was Williams F1 in 1997. Disturbingly though, Renault dropped their official engine support of Formula 1 at the end of that season.

Without making firm plans beyond next year, Renault's planning for the grand prix 2010 season could either be viewed most negatively as a gradual step out of F1, making it the third time Renault withdrew from the sport. However, in a more positive mindset, it is possible that Renault reduced funding (coupled with FIA attempts to cut costs in F1) could provide a better long-term plan for seeing the diamond badge on the grand prix tour.

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)

Vettel To Lead Formula 1 field at Japanese Grand Prix

Since the last Japanese Grand Prix was held at Honda's Suzuka circuit in 2006, the Formula One grid along with Formula One as an entity is heavily altered. With the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix returning to Suzuka after a two season stint on Toyota's Fiji Speedway track, this race looks again to make a sizable impact the complexion of driver and manufacturer standing as it had years prior. Three races remaining and Jenson Button enjoying a 15 point lead over fellow Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello, the championship is well within mathematical reach for the veteran Brazilian to triumph over the determined Brit.

Saturday Qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix in the dry was a departure from the weather of the previous day where remnants of storm system Ketsana soaked the Suzuka circuit. With the track conditions of Saturday being radically different than Friday, teams were desperate to get a handle on the faster track. Leading to three separate on track accidents. The most frightening as these incident occurred as Timo Glock sustained a heavy impact with 18th and final corner tire barriers on his first outlap. Conscious following the high-speed impact, Glock was taken to hospital as a precaution. Suffering only a cut on his left leg, the Toyota F1 team had test driver Kamui Kobayashi on standby before the Timo Glock's accident following concerns of a persistent illness Glock had on Friday in Japan. The safety and track crews at the Suzuka race course were busy all through the session which was complicated by several Formula One drivers who weren't addressing local yellow flags. While attempting to maintain what might have been their fastest laps in qualifying, the FIA reacted by handing down penalties demoting four drivers four positions down the grid. Receiving these penalties includes Adrian Sutil who had just set fastest time in the qualifying session. The Brawn GP pair of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello as well as Fernando Alonso with Renault are the others. Torro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi and the McLaren-Mercedes of Heikki Kovalainen have also had their qualifying results modified with five spot deductions for other incidents.

When grid scoring for the Japanese Grand Prix was modified, Team Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel captured the top spot with homeland manufacturer Toyota piloted into second spot by Jarno Trulli. Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton placed his McLaren-Mercedes in 3rd place while Nick Heidfeld rests in 4th driving the BMW Sauber. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen starts 5th in a difficult season for the Italian team. On the otherhand, Williams' 6th place in qualifying with Nico Rosberg is a great result for a team once the toast of Formula One Grand Prix racing.

A true of two fortunes, not registering times in the session was Vettel's teammate Mark Webber. Webber's Team Red Bull chassis was too damaged to compete in qualifying following a crash in a practice just prior. The 2009 German Grand Prix winner will have to start from the pit lane in his Renault-engined Red Bull car.

In the Eastern time zone, the Japanese Grand Prix is set to start at 1:00 am Sunday Morning.


2009 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying Order


1. Sebastian Vettel- Red Bull
2. Jarno Trulli- Toyota
3. Lewis Hamilton- McLaren
4. Nick Heidfeld- BMW Sauber
5. Kimi Raikkonen- Ferrari
6. Nico Rosberg- Williams
7. Robert Kubica- BMW Sauber
8. Adrian Sutil- Force India
9. Rubens Barrichello- Brawn GP
10. Jaime Alguersuari- Toro Rosso
11. Jenson Button- Brawn GP
12. Heikki Kovalainen- McLaren
13. Giancarlo Fisichella- Ferrari
14. Sebastien Buemi- Toro Rosso
15. Kazuki Nakajima-
16. Romain Grosjean- Renault
17. Fernando Alonso- Renault
18. Vitantonio Liuzzi- Force India
19. Timo Glock- Toyota
20. Mark Webber- Red Bull

Brian Vickers resigns with Red Bull amid major victory at Michigan

Up until this weekend, Brian Vickers and Team Rad Bull had been negotiating a contract extension in the early part of the year. Arriving at a deal more than a month ago, silly season speculation continued to surround Vickers as Red Bull had allegedly not signed the deal officially placing their lead driver back into the #83 Toyota. Obviously the win at Michigan International Speedway's Carfax 400 would haved certainly served as motivation in sending a pen in motion. Said to be a multi-year deal, Brian Vicker's future is clinched with a crucial second win. Though taking the Red Bull Toyota to a win in Michigan may be an unpopular moment in the backyard of the American three automakers, this victory was definitely better accepted by NASCAR fans than Vickers' first victory at Talladega when he steamrolled past than teammate Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr on the final lap in 2006.

Outside looking into the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup, Vickers' sits only 12 points behind Mark Martin for the coveted 12th place in the standings with only 3 races remaining.

Brian Vickers doubles up on pole awards at Michigan

For both 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup races being run on the 2 mile Michigan International Speedway Brian Vickers and the Team Red Bull #83 Toyota will lead the field to the green flag. Securing the pole for Sunday's Carfax 400, Brian Vickers also defends his 2008 pole for his third straight at the Michigan oval.

Being a race symbolic in distance to the three American auto companies, Vickers' Toyota Camry will be under full attack by four Chevrolet qualifying 2nd through to the 5th place spot. June race winner Mark Martin #5 Kellogg's/Carquest Impala leads the bowtie brand starting beside the Red Bull #83 on the front row. Giving the Target car runs similar in strength to the IndyCar team in past races, Juan Pablo Montoya continues to find the bulls eye timing in third. Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five. Last year's Michigan late summer race winner Kurt Busch starts in sixth position.

Two drivers provided big surprises through the Friday afternoon time trial session. Bill Elliott in a blue and white Wood Brothers #21 Ford Fusion bombed the top 10 in an echo two their past success at Michigan Speedway. With the limited scheduled #21 Ford rolling out ninth, 39th place is held by Kyle Busch who appears to be lacking the typical Joe Gibbs Racing speed in his #18 Toyota. Chances are that Kyle Busch will be in a hurry to get to the front.


With 44 cars vying to be part of Sunday's Carfax 400 field of 43 cars, the lonely driver and team out is Tony Raines #37 Dodge missing the cut by just 0.051 seconds.


Carfax 400 Starting Lineup
Sunday, August 16th 2009

1. Brian Vickers
2. Mark Martin
3. Juan Pablo Montoya
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Martin Truex Jt.
6. Kurt Busch
7. Ryan Newman
8. Joey Logano
9. Bill Elliott
10. Kasey Kahne
15. Dale Earnhardt Jr
17. Greg Biffle
18. Tony Stewart
21. Jeff Gordon
39. Kyle Busch