Showing posts with label motorsport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motorsport. Show all posts

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Lewis Hamilton: I'll get my season back on track in Valencia

Lewis Hamilton says he wants to get his season back on track and 'consolidate' in Valencia next weekend, after two concerned grand prix.
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The McLaren star's title bid has gone off the rails in recent weeks, starting with a disordered Monaco event that saw him twice penalised for colliding with rivals, and then making contentious comments about the race officials, for which he later apologised.

He hoped to make compensation with a great result in Canada, only to punt Mark Webber into a spin at the first bend, run wide while dicing with Michael Schumacher, and then retire with crash damage after a tangle with his team-mate Jenson Button - who went on to pull off a brilliant last-gasp victory.

Hamilton is therefore aiming for a calmer weekend in Spain to resolve things down again.

"For me, Valencia will be a weekend of consolidation after two disappointing results in Monaco and Canada," he said.

"Those two races were chiefly frustrating for me because we showed we had the pace to win both of them, yet I only came away with eight points."

He said the Spanish street track used for the European Grand Prix was one of his favourite venues, so would be the perfect place to mount a resurgence.

"I've always gone well at Valencia, finishing second there in every race, and I really enjoy offensive the track," said Hamilton.

"It's a hard circuit with no let-up, but that won't deter me as I'm really keen to get back on track and get back in the points.

"This race will be our third street circuit in a row, so expectantly it'll give me the chance to reverse the bad luck I've encountered in the previous two."

Hamilton added that he was now certain McLaren had the pace to beat Red Bull in a straight fight, after he hounded Sebastian Vettel to the flag in Spain, and given that Button came close to charming in Monaco and then pulled off his epic Montreal triumph.

"We've debatably had the fastest race car in the last three races, and that's really encouraging because I know that, when it's put to best use, I should be able to finish at the front," said Lewis.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Ducati's Mugello test tops with Rossi back on the GP12

Ducati’s Mugello test ruined with a beautiful, sunny day and ideal conditions. On Wednesday was Valentino Rossi’s turn back on the Ducati GP12, as he finished his third day of testing with the bike by turning 80 laps between 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., when the Tuscan circuit closed.

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Franco Battaini finished a series of tests with both the GP11 and the G12, while Vittoriano Guareschi followed Valentino’s progress from the box, along with Filippo Preziosi.

“It was another positive test,” said Rossi. “We had a number of things to try, counting a new step with the frame that I liked. The all-purpose feeling was good. I was already happy with the engine the first time I tried it, and now we’re also manufacture progress with the rest of the bike. Naturally, we’ll have to see when the others try their 2012 bikes, but as far as we’re worried, for the moment we’re pleased; our bike is previously good. Riding at Mugello is always a enjoyment. On top of everything else, the conditions today were ideal, so in addition to the good work we carried out—because I did 80 laps—I enjoyed my time riding. Compliments to the circuit for the new trappings; the main grandstand is actually nice, and of course I hope to see Mugello overflowing with fans for the race.”

“For this test we brought an efficient frame for Valentino to try,” echoed Filippo Preziosi, “along with several other interesting things, and I’m satisfied to report that we received positive feedback. The lap times were better than at the last test, which is added confirmation that we’re working in the right direction. A big thank-you to Valentino and Nicky, to all the guys on the Team, and Ducati, where they’re tremendously committed and are working really hard.”

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Kubica could go back for season finale

The Pole is undergoing remedy following his horrific accident during a rally in Italy in February. He spent two months in hospital after anguish life-threatening arm, leg and hand injuries.

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The 26-year-old's upturn is going well, according to his manager Daniel Morelli.

"Recovery is moving ahead positively," Morelli told Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport. "The right leg is fine: if that was the problem, then Robert would roughly be ready. No, that's not our worry."

Morelli also insists there is a chance that Kubica could drive in the final race of the season.

"The Italian GP is held in September, so it's in just three months' time, but we can imagine about the final race of the season," he said.

"In any case, when Robert gets in the simulator, he'll right away recognize whether he's able to come back, how and when, without the need of a stop-watch."

Meanwhile, Renault team boss Eric Boullier says they will only start creation plans for their 2012 driver line-up once they know if Kubica will be able to drive again.

"Robert is the key to this," explained Boullier. "We clearly are 100% committed behind Robert, and I have offered to put in place all the rehabilitation on the racing side for him to be contented before making the decision.

"We are now having debate with his management to see how we can do it. There is not always the same concern for everybody, but I would like to wait to see Robert's choice to see if he is back or not, and then work out if we go to a different plan or not."

He added: "I have been told he will be starting his full treatment in August, which is late. But we have to make a decision around then."

Monday, June 13, 2011

Hayden fourth, difficult sixth for Rossi

Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi ended the Air Asia British Grand Prix race fourth and sixth, correspondingly, with the Italian restrictive damage in a challenging weekend, while the American posted the fastest lap of the race and ended just off the podium.

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With the help of his team, Nicky Hayden found a good setup for the wet race, the only restriction causing him to lose contact with the battle for the podium were the particularly unfaithful conditions of the early laps, when he came close to crashing his GP11 on a couple of occasions.

Despite starting from the last row and not being completely contented with his bike’s setup, Valentino Rossi made up several positions and rode a proscribed race, collecting ten valuable points to retain fourth place in the series standings.

Nicky Hayden:

“To be honest, I really liked my chances for a podium in the rain today; if you’d have told me before the race that I could have fourth, I’d have said, ‘No thanks, I can do better,’ but I’m not dissatisfied with my ride. I didn’t get a great start because the clutch was jumpy, and for the first few laps, it was hard to see and to get heat in the tyres. I had a big instant on the exit of Turn 1 and actually jarred my shoulder pretty good, but I tried to hang in there. I saw Colin in front of me for the podium, and I really pushed. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever had the fastest lap on a Ducati, which is kind of cool even if you don’t get points for it. Full respect to Colin a week after breaking his collarbone, but I still don’t like him beating me for the podium! Thanks to the team. It hasn’t been an easy weekend for us, but we reserved trying and got a pretty good chunk of points. We’ll take it and move on.”

Valentino Rossi:

“Without a doubt, this weekend was the most hard so far this season, but we at least managed to do a good job of limiting the damage. Considering how we came into the race, sixth place is a fairly positive result that helps us to stay not too far from the top of the standings in fourth, which isn’t bad. We knew that my lack of experience here compared to the others would hurt us, but it’s also true that we haven’t managed to get better our setup as well as we should have. In fact, today Nicky managed to have a nice race and ride well, even setting the fastest lap, which demonstrates that the Ducati is spirited in the wet. We didn’t get better enough though, and that made it hard for me, as the bike was difficult to ride and I couldn’t push hard. We’re all in charge - me, the bike, and the team - so together we’ll try to improve and return to the level we were at in Le Mans and Catalunya as soon as probable, and then take another step forward.”

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Enthused Button wins Canadian GP marathon

Jenson Button rushed a sensational victory from Sebastian Vettel on the final lap of a Canadian Grand Prix that took four hours to whole and featured a red flag and four safety car periods.
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Pole-sitter Vettel led almost the entire distance through both segments of an strange race that was bifurcated by a rain delay lasting almost two hours. But when the final safety car period set up a 10-lap sprint to the finish on an almost-dry but still treacherous track, Button reeled in Vettel at a prodigious rate and harassed him into an uncharacteristic slip-up halfway round the last lap.

It capped a excellently tenacious, never-say-die drive from the McLaren driver, who overcame all manner of setbacks that necessitated six pit visits, including a drive-through penalty and collisions with team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, the final causing a punctured tyre.

Vettel improved from his last-lap miscue to finish a contented second, the top step of the podium eluding him for only the second time this season.

Mark Webber spent the whole race in recovery mode after get in touch with with Hamilton on the opening lap left him mired deep in the midfield, but the Australian gradually worked his way back up to an eventual third place.

He only just kept a charging Michael Schumacher at bay as the seven-time world champion put in the most persuasive performance of his Formula 1 comeback, holding second place at the final restart before falling victim to DRS-assisted passes.

The stirring finish was a fitting reward for the typically stoic and passionate Montreal fans, who endured the lengthy safety car and red flag periods, not to talk about teeming rain for much of the day.

Although it wasn’t raining a lot at the scheduled start time of 1pm and there was no substantial standing water, the officials left nothing to chance and deployed the safety car to give the drivers an opportunity to measure the conditions.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Hamilton eyes strong result

Hamilton was forced to make a handful of apologies in the wake of his controversial sixth-placed finish in the principality 10 days ago.
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Initially Hamilton "made peace" with the four-man panel of stewards after suggesting, via an obvious joke that badly backfired, that his skin color lay at the heart of their choice making.

The 26-year-old vented his frustration against the stewards after being penalized three times over the path of the weekend, and five times in six races this year.

Hamilton was given drive-through penalties - one looking back - for causing a collision with first Felipe Massa in his Ferrari and then Williams' Pastor Maldonado, the latter at a time when he was on course to score his first points for the team.

The McLaren star described the Brazilian and Venezuelan as "ridiculous" during his post-race outburst, later apologizing to both men via his Twitter account on which he had also been ill-treated in the aftermath of what unfolded.

Hamilton has already made it clear a invasion in one of his favourite races, the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, will help put the stigma of what happened in and after Monte Carlo behind him.

Aiming for a third win in five races at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Hamilton said: "Montreal is a very special place for me.

"It's where I took my first Formula One pole location and won my first race. I also won there last year from pole.

"I've always got on actually well with the track as the layout seems to suit my driving style.

"Perhaps even more prominently the fans in Montreal, and everyone in North America who makes the trip to the city, are some of the best in the world.

"They are so positive, helpful and friendly. My trips to the city have been some of my favourite experiences in Formula One.

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Bahrain set to learn Grand Prix decision

The Gulf kingdom was planned to host the opening race of the 2011 season but it was called off amid civil unrest.

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have asked Formula 1's governing body to rearrange rather than cancel its race.

However, driver Mark Webber has voiced opposition, writing on Twitter: "When people in a country are being hurt, the issues are better than sport."

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Red Bulls' Webber, third in the driver standings, continued: "Let's hope the right choice is made."

Former world champion Damon Hill has also said that the race should not go ahead, although the president of the British Racing Drivers' Club stated that he was not talking in an official capacity.

"This crisis is an chance for Formula 1 to show it cares about all people and their human rights," said Hill.

"True peace has nothing to do with creating calm through the use of aggressive repression.

"Bahrain has restored order but the methods have been questioned by many dependable journalists and human rights organisations.

"If Formula agrees to race in Bahrain it will forever have the disfigurement of association with repressive methods to achieve order.

"True peace can only be achieved peacefully. The right thing to do, in my view, is to not race in Bahrain until these doubts have been detached."

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Rossi and Hayden inspired for Catalunya

The Ducati Team riders are keenly anticipating this weekend’s Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya, at a circuit they both enjoy.

Both Ducati Team riders like the Catalan Grand Prix, citing both the track’s layout and the large crowds that forever heat up the Spanish races. Valentino Rossi, who did not take part in the 2010 round due to injury, has scored wins at the track in every class, collecting an inspiring nine victories and a further four podiums. Nicky Hayden also made the podium in 2006, on his way to the MotoGP title.
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Valentino Rossi:

“The Catalan Grand Prix is one of the nicest of the season, for a number of reasons: Barcelona is a beautiful city, the track is really nice – almost certainly my second-favourite after Mugello – and finally, as is always the case at Spanish races, the grandstands are packed with enthusiastic fans. I’m really happy to return to the track, since I had to watch the race from my house last year. I’ve always been quite strong at the track, so I have many nice memories, the most recent of which is the 2009 win after a great clash with Lorenzo. We’re very aggravated and we’re working really hard on the bike; step-by-step, we can see that we’re making progress. We know there’s still a lot of work to be done, but we need to keep annoying to get closer to the front.”

Nicky Hayden:

“Any race in Spain is huge, and Catalunya is no exemption. It’s a good track. I made the podium there in 2006, although I haven’t gotten the results I’d like there in recent years, particularly last season. I’m looking forward to it. The two weeks off have been okay, but I like this part of the season, with back-to-back races. The next month and a half is leaving to be busy, because this is when the season really gets going. Even though our end result wasn’t a lot better in Le Mans, I absolutely think we were closer to the front. Ducati hasn’t stopped functioning over the last couple of weeks, and we’ll see at Barcelona if we can keep going on the right path.”

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Sebastian Vettel triumphs after Monaco Grand Prix drama

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel won his first Monaco Grand Prix and pulled additional ahead in the championship.
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Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and McLaren's Jenson Button, who briefly led the race, had congested in on Vettel but a late safety car helped the German.

Alonso finished second for the first time in 2011, with Button third and Red Bull's Mark Webber fourth.

Lewis Hamilton became involved in a row over critical comments about stewards after finishing sixth.

The Englishman was called before officials for two separate incidents and, asked why he had been to see stewards five times in six races this year, he said, in fact in jest: "Maybe it's because I'm black. That's what Ali G says."

The race was poised for a exciting finish as Vettel, Alonso and Button were enclosed by less than a second and chasing each other hard. 

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Rossi’s right-hand man: Uccio

Instantly recognizable as Valentino Rossi’s friend and confidante, Alessio Salucci – otherwise known as “Uccio” in the MotoGP Paddock – discusses his connection with the nine-time World Champion in a special interview.

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How did the friendship with Valentino begin?

“It’s been a long time, it’s hard to remember! Vale’s been there since my earliest memories, our parents were friends and we almost grew up together. We’re from a little village and went to the same nursery, schools… we’ve always been very close.”

What are your earliest memories of Valentino?

“I have plenty! I remember that in nursery our friends often played football, but we would go to a downhill slope we knew and ride a tricycle down it! A group of us would go, me and three friends, one of whom was Valentino. It’s a memory that is well set in my mind, even at that age we were captivating big risks – there was a big turn to the left!”

How did the passion for bikes start?

“I was born around motorbikes, I have always loved them since I was a child. I didn’t like football, I liked (Kevin) Schwantz. It’s thanks to my father. In Pesaro everybody was a fan of Graziano (Rossi, father of Valentino) and because of this two-wheeled sport was more significant than any other. I did like F1, but I chose bikes because that was the path Vale took.”

What do you do during a GP weekend?

“My main role is to drive the motorhome to the races, even if this year it isn’t a motorhome but a truck used as a home as the old motorhome became too small. Over the winter we worked a lot on this new truck and I take care of it. It’s a big job as it’s more or less like a hospitality suite. I also take care of the leathers, gloves, boots, helmet… every detail so that Valentino can think fully on racing.”


Thursday, May 26, 2011

Fernando Alonso leads Lewis Hamilton in Monaco practice

Alonso edged out Lewis Hamilton's McLaren by 0.105 seconds with Nico Rosberg third fastest for Mercedes in front of Jenson Button's McLaren.
 
http://motogp-f1-races.blogspot.com/Sebastian Vettel had bettered Alonso in the morning but was half a second behind when the cars fixed the softer tyres in the afternoon.

Michael Schumacher was seventh fastest ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber.

Alonso, a two-time winner in Monaco, seemed resolute to bend the track to his will and hurtled his Ferrari round in one minute and 15.1234 seconds.

At last Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, he had led for 18 laps but in the closing stages found himself lapped by the Red Bulls and McLarens because of Ferrari's declining race pace, especially on the hard tyres.

Alonso was sure he could deliver a consistent challenge in Monaco because this is a track that demands mechanical grip and precise driving somewhat than aerodynamic efficiency - an area where Adrian Newey's Red Bull excels.

"He's magic round here," said Team Lotus reserve Karun Chandhok. "His hands are a blur at the wheel.

Chandhok, who was working for BBC Radio 5 Live as an analyst on Thursday, added: "Fernando is a real street fighter on the eventual street circuit on the calendar. He is a master of controlled aggression behind the wheel."

Alonso was not able to take part in qualifying in Monaco last year after a heavy crash through practice but he still managed to cross the line in sixth in spite of starting in the pit lane.


Monday, May 23, 2011

Hamilton: Don’t anticipate much from DRS in Monaco

Lewis Hamilton believes that the choice to allow DRS in the Monaco Grand Prix won't lead to a huge increase in overtaking.
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On the whole, the system has led to a obvious increase in passing manoeuvres during the season so far, although the location of the DRS zone in Spain at the weekend meant drivers found it more hard to use their blown rear wing to make a move for position.

There had been talk that DRS could be barred for the Monaco weekend given the nature of the circuit, but the FIA has established that the rear wing can be utilised in a zone on the start-finish straight during the race.

However, Hamilton said he didn't think there would be many DRS-assisted moves for place in the principality given the position and length of the DRS zone.

“I think the DRS zone at Monaco is only around 300 metres, so it's pretty short, and not really long enough to allow us to really get enough of a launch on the car ahead,” he said. “I think the aerodynamics will only really start functioning properly once we've reached the braking zone for Ste Devote, so I don't think we'll see too many DRS-assisted overtaking moves next weekend.”

Hamilton did add however that the new Pirelli tyres were probable to spice up the action on the streets of the principality.

“I think the tyres will probably give us the greatest scope for thrill and the best chance of passing,” the McLaren man said. “While I don't think the Super-Soft and Soft compounds will be as critical around Monaco as they were at a place like Turkey, I still think the drop-off we encounter as the tyres go off should create opportunities for overtaking.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Race - Vettel holds off Hamilton for nervous Spanish win

There may not have been as much overtaking as we saw in Turkey, but Lewis Hamilton made it a riveting Barcelona race on Sunday as he hounded Sebastian Vettel from the 20th to the 66th and final lap. The reigning world champion had to work every inch of the way as he took his fourth triumph of the season for Red Bull, and the two drivers were estranged by a mere 0.6s after more than 300 kilometres of flat-out racing.
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There was drama that the crowd loved at the start when Ferrari's Fernando Alonso rupture through from fourth place to slam down the inside of poleman Mark Webber going into the first corner. It was the lead up to a disappointing afternoon for the Australian, who had been focusing on keeping Vettel at bay and didn't spot the Ferrari in time.

Alonso kept it in the lead until his first of four pit stops on the 10th lap, and his second on the 19th, but thereafter the race was between Vettel and Hamilton, who stopped at first on Laps Nine and 11 and then 18 and 23 respectively, and also congested four times in total.

As they raced ahead, Alonso kept a aggravated Webber at bay, and McLaren's Jenson Button worked his way back from a awful start that dropped him originally from fifth on the grid to 10th at the end of the opening lap.

Alonso was third when he rutted for the third time on the 29th lap, and again he held off Webber, but the Spaniard soon scorched a set of hard tyres and gradually dropped away as he had to make his final set of hard Pirellis last from the 39th lap to the end.

Not so Vettel and Hamilton, who went at it hammer and tongs. The gap fluctuated between two seconds and half a second, but in a race in which DRS failed to produce as much overtaking action as had been predictable, a 0.6s to 0.7s stalemate set in over the final 15 laps and Vettel worked the traffic well to maintain this small but critical advantage after a super-cool drive.

Hamilton was a fearless second, and McLaren picked up the third podium place after three-stopping Button made the most of his final set of soft tyres to jump the slowing Alonso and Webber. Webber fought back at first after his final stop, but was 12.2s behind the 2009 champion by the flag, and Button in turn was 35s adrift of his team mate.

Alonso clung on to a lapped fifth place, ahead of the duelling Mercedes. Michael Schumacher kept team mate Nico Rosberg at bay to take his best result of the season with sixth, but by the end Nick Heidfeld's heady race from the back of the grid in his Renault saw him only four-tenths away from Rosberg.

It was a good day for Sauber, with Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi driving hard races for ninth and 10th, the Japanese driver clawing back after being delayed by a pierce picked up on the opening lap.

Renault's Vitaly Petrov dull from the points in the closing laps, but was too far ahead for Paul di Resta to challenge after another race in which the Scottish rookie contentedly beat Force India team mate Adrian Sutil as they both stopped only three times.

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Friday, May 20, 2011

Stoner on track again with Honda 2012 prototype

The original plan was to have a one day test with Stoner and one with Pedrosa, however, due to the outcome of proceedings from last weekend in Le Mans with Dani's injury, HRC determined to complete one more day with Casey and test rider Ito Shinichi in order to finish the intended testing program.

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With windy conditions and temperatures a little cooler than on Tuesday, Stoner ran 25 laps in the morning without any issues and Shinichi took over in the afternoon. HRC engineers were happy with the data acquired.

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

FIA press conference schedule - Spain

The grid’s two Spaniards, Jaime Alguersuari and Fernando Alonso, will join three rivals to face the media in Barcelona on Thursday, while on Friday it’s the turn of senior team personnel counting Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali and Williams’ Adam Parr to answer questions. The line-up in full…
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Thursday, May 19, 1500 hours local time (1300 GMT)
Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso), Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), Pastor Maldonado (Williams), Sergio Perez (Sauber) and Mark Webber (Red Bull).

Friday, May 20, 1600 hours local time (1400 GMT)
Jose Carabante (HRT), Jean-Francois Caubet (Renault Sport F1), Stefano Domenicali (Ferrari), Mark Gallagher (Cosworth) and Adam Parr (Williams).

The qualifying and post-race conferences with the top three drivers will take place right away after the respective sessions.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Rossi on track at Silverstone

Valentino Rossi made the most of his visit at Silverstone on Tuesday by carrying out a couple of stints with a Ducati 1198 bike.
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Valentino Rossi connected other great motorsports champions from the past and present in an inauguration ceremony for a new, ultramodern paddock structure at England’s Silverstone Circuit. The Silverstone Wing, as the British venue’s huge new facility is called, comprises spacious garages, a media center, offices, and an auditorium, and it will host the seventh round of the MotoGP world championship on June 12.

Rossi, who missed the track’s 2010 surrounding due to injury, used the occasion to turn some introductory laps with a World Superbike 1198 and, while that bike was in the garage for a check of its electronics, with a normal 1198 street bike, complete with license plate and mirrors. The Italian really enjoyed his track time—about thirty laps in all—as a way to get to know the circuit.

“I really had fun,” said Valentino Rossi before exit for Italy. “After a few laps with the 1198 Superbike, we had a problem with the electronics and decided to use the 1198 street bike that Ducati’s UK associate rushed to us. I really liked riding that bike here. The track is nice—difficult and very technical. It makes you work hard because there are very fast sections where having the right trajectory is important, and others that are very narrow where you have to have good grip under acceleration. The first turn is totally blind, and you must hold a very precise line, and in general the whole first section is really great, definitely the part I like most. In short, I enjoyed it, particularly because there were many drivers and riders who have great histories in motorsports, like John Surtees, who told me that he raced here in the ’50s. I wasn’t following racing then,” joked the Italian, “but he was great.”


Monday, May 16, 2011

Red Bull take Formula One back to Austria

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The last Austrian Grand Prix took place in 2003 at the A1-Ring. On Sunday, Formula One cars returned to the famous Spielberg venue as, revamped and upgraded, it began a new life as the Red Bull Ring, as long as a new home for national and international motorsport.

Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were amongst those present at the special opening event, showcasing their F1 machinery, along with Toro Rosso stable mates Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari.

“I was 14-years-old the first time I was at Spielberg for a Formula Konig race and I watched the drivers there with great enthusiasm, counting the Austrian, Bernhard Auinger,” Vettel told Red Bull Racing’s official website. “At that time I was very new to the Red Bull family. A lot of time has passed since then and it has tainted a lot.”

Vettel took time out to add his hand and foot prints to a special plaque for the Red Bull Ring’s ‘winners’ road’, as well as completing the obligatory demonstration laps for a soaked, but highly grateful crowd.

“I like the new track very much, as the core of the circuit remains the same,” added the world champion. “The downhill sections with the curves, which are still lynching to the outside, are very tricky, especially because today the track was wet. It would be very nice to drive a race here and I would be very happy if Formula One should return to the Red Bull Ring - if possible during my career!”

The original circuit, then known as the Osterreichring, opened in 1969 and staged its first Grand Prix the following year, with local hero Jochen Rindt drawing enormous crowds. Austria’s other world champion, Niki Lauda, won his home event there in 1984 and he returned on Sunday to win again in a special ‘legends’ race from compatriot and fellow F1 veteran Dieter Quester.

“It's really impressive what's happened here,” said Lauda. “I am very happy that the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg has been revitalized - it's a huge asset to the racing scene in Austria. The basic route is the same, but the whole course is in perfect condition and has similar current facilities to those in Bahrain.”


Sunday, May 15, 2011

MOTOGP: Rossi Scores First Ducati Podium

Valentino Rossi was satisfied as he not only put the Ducati on the box for the first time, but also beat former teammate/rival Jorge Lorenzo for the position.
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The French Grand Prix saw Valentino Rossi score his first podium finish aboard a Ducati, following a race that was noticeable by excitement and surprises. Nicky Hayden started from the fourth row, but higher to seventh place by the finish.

The Italian renowned his third-place finish after a weekend of hard work and constant improvement, during which he and his crew increasingly improved the bike’s setup until finding a good compromise for the race. Sixth at the end of the first lap, Rossi stayed just a few tenths from Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, who fought over fourth place until an event between Pedrosa and Simoncelli with ten laps remaining. At that point, the trio began battling over second place, and in the end, Valentino finished third, behind Dovizioso and winner Casey Stoner.

Nicky Hayden fought over sixth place with Ben Spies, and although he had to grant the position to his compatriot in the end, he was pleased with the development made over the course of the weekend.

In two days, on May 17, Valentino Rossi will be in action at Silverstone Circuit aboard a Ducati 1198, as the English track inaugurates a new paddock wing.

Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro Team) 3rd

“We’re very satisfied with this podium because we’re on the right path, and especially because I had fun today. I rode the Desmosedici well, I was fast in the technical parts of the track, I felt good from start to finish and I had good lap times. This morning we made a last change to the surroundings together with Jeremy and the guys from Ducati, and it helped cut another couple of tenths. I knew I could beat Lorenzo, so that was my goal. I also passed Dovi at one point, but I got a little puzzled and made a move on the penultimate lap instead of the last one. I lost my concentration momentarily, but in short, he got me again. Anyway, it’s fine like this; I’m happy for myself, for my team, for Filippo (Preziosi), and for all the boys at Ducati. This result boosts our morale. We still have to keep working and civilizing though, because there’s more to be done. I also have to get better and keep adapting my style to the Ducati, because I’m still not riding it as I should, but in the meanwhile, we’ll enjoy today’s nice race and podium.”

Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro Team) 7th

“We didn’t do ourselves any favors by starting 10th, but actually, we made a little step forward with the bike today. I got a polite start but was just really tight and lost some time. As the race got going, I was able to move up a bit and slowly bring back Spies and Colin. Colin edwards crashed, but once I got in front of Ben, I wasn’t really able to get down in the 34s and get away like I needed to. Seventh isn’t a great result for us, but I would say that overall, it’s almost certainly been our best weekend yet. When the track was cold, I was able to go quite fast—always in the top five in those conditions. I hoped for better in the race, but I’m looking onward to the next stretch; we’re about to really get into the season.”

Vittoriano Guareschi (Team Manager)

“We’re pleased with this weekend because we’ve already benefited from the first changes that we’ve made according to Vale’s requests. We had a nice race, maintained a good pace and took part in a nice battle. The team worked very well on the setup, which we changed every sitting and took a step forward each time—including one in the morning warm-up. We still have work to do, because this is only the start; there’s still a gap to make up, but anyway, we’re going in a promising direction. Nicky also confirmed that his feeling with the motorcycle has enhanced, and he made good progress on the bike over the course of the weekend.”

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