As we close in on the start of the 2012 Formula One World Championship, the cars, drivers and teams made their first appearance at a circuit on this season’s calendar. The Circuit de Catalunya is the home to the Spanish Grand Prix and to Formula One pre-season testing. With less than a month to go before the first race of the season, eleven of the twelve teams came to Barcelona to run their 2012 challengers. Continue reading
F1
Formula One: 2012 Jerez Test Recap
It seems like only yesterday that the 2011 Formula One World Championship ended at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Really, it almost was yesterday as we’re less than two-and-a-half months removed from the last race of 2011. However, the rules changes banning exhaust-blown diffusers and lowering nose heights has drastically changed the look of F1 to the point where you feel as though you’re years rather than months removed from last season.
Before the 2012 Formula One World Championship can start, we have to shakedown the new cars. That brought the driver and teams of Formula One to the Jerez circuit for the first of three pre-season tests of the year. Continue reading
The Nurburgring [Infographic]
The Nurburgring is a relic of motorsports long ago. It was christened “The Green Hell” by Sir Jackie Stewart who won there three times in eight Grands Prix, including his famous win in the rain and fog in 1968. The track is famous for its 21 kilometre, 150+ turn, Nordschlife (Northern Loop) Circuit which has claimed the life of 72 racing drivers as well as another three to twelve public driver each year. But it’s the danger and the history that are part of the allure of this legendary racing circuit.
After the jump is an infographic that gives you all the details on the world’s most famous and most demanding race tracks. Continue reading
Wednesday Link-Off: Catching Up
Writing a linkdump when you’re in a timezone completely opposite the rest of the blogosphere is harder than I expected. That’s why there’s fewer links than usual. That doesn’t explain how I completely missed Michelle Trachtenberg on the Maxim cover back in March. Why was I not informed?
We’ve all heard about the CFL alumni luncheon fight between Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca by now. Well, legendary pro wrestling champion The Iron Sheik is looking to make Kapp humble. (The 55-Yard Line)
The Star Wars: The Old Republic beta is out. Somehow, my sister got a beta invite and I, a moderately influential blogger, did not. Anyway, is it living up to the hype so far? (Forbes)
Looking for breakfast with a side of drama? Then Waffle House is the restaurant for you! (New York Times)
After the jump, Twitter’s latest casualty, the life of an NCAA walk-on and in the cockpit of an F1 racecar. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Brazilian Grand Prix
We’ve finally reached the end of the 2011 Formula One World Championship. After 19 Grands Prix over the eight months, F1 has reached the final round at Interlagos in Brazil for the Brazilian Grand Prix. There is still a mathematically alive three-way battle between Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber for second in the championship. Although if you’re really digging for a championship battle, Sauber and Toro Rosso are separated by 1 point for 7th in the Constructors’ Championship. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
We’re down to the final two races of the 2011 Formula One World Championship. This weekend, Sebastian Vettel could make it an even dozen wins on the season. Meanwhile, there is still a battle ongoing for second place in the World Drivers’ Championship. Jenson Button has a 13 point advantage on Fernando Alonso with Mark Webber a further six points back. That’s really the only battle left to watch unless you’re interested in the battle from 6th through 8th in the Constructors’ Championship. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Indian Grand Prix
With three races to go in the 2011 Formula One World Championship, both championships have been clinched. For the second year running, Sebastian Vettel is the World Drivers’ Champion and Red Bull Racing is the World Constructors’ Champion. Now, attention has turned to the fight for second place in the WDC as Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber are separated by 13 points for the right to be called the first loser. After all, second place is the first loser. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Korean Grand Prix
So the 2011 World Drivers’ Championship was settled this past weekend at Suzuka as Sebastian Vettel took 3rd place to clinch his second championship. Now the focus turns to who will win the final four races of the season and who will finish second in the championship chase. The first of those final four races is the second Grand Prix at the Korean International Circuit. Will it be advantage Alonso as he attempts to repeat his 2010 victory or will Button win back-to-back races to cement his hold on 2nd. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Japanese Grand Prix
There are only five races to go in the 2011 Formula One World Championship. Sebastian Vettel leads the World Drivers’ Championship standings by 124 points over Jenson Button which means that he only needs to score one point over the final five races to win the title. McLaren says that they want to delay Vettel’s coronation for as long as possible. The only way to do that is to have Vettel taken out. Could we see McLaren sabotage or Hamilton used as a kamikaze driver (not that he needs the encouragement) for the final five races to help Button chase after the title? Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Singapore Grand Prix
We have six races left in the 2011 Formula One World Championship. Both the World Drivers’ Championship and the World Constructors’ Championship are all but wrapped up. With a maximum 125 points left to be earned by the drivers, Sebastian Vettel leads the WDC by 112 points. All Vettel has to this weekend is finish on the podium and he’ll clinch his second championship. Meanwhile, Red Bull leads the WCC by 116 points over McLaren. It’s a long way from clinched but it’ll be hard for Macca to close the gap. Continue reading
The Lowdown 