The McLarens showed up this weekend with some new updates which had them fastest in Friday’s opening practice. The Red Bulls had been showing strong pace and Fernando Alonso said that the RB8 was the fastest car since the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, a fast car can only get you so far. Sometimes, having the fastest driver is all you need. After disappointment in the final stretch of the British Grand Prix, Alonso fought off the pressure to pick up his third win of the season. Continue reading
Ferrari
F1 European GP: Hometown Hero
For the first time this season, we have a repeat winner. It was only appropriate that the driver who has gotten the most out of his equipment this season and was racing in a home race was the first driver to win two races this year as Fernando Alonso picked up the surprise win. For a race on the streets of Valencia, this race was full of drama with passing and crashing a regular occurrence. The race will also be remembered for Michael Schumacher scoring the first podium of his comeback as he scored a hard-fought third place finish. Continue reading
F1 Malaysian GP: Slip and Slide
A race that would have been very straight forward for the McLaren if it stayed dry became an instant classic thanks to the changing conditions of the Sepang Circuit. In the end, it wasn’t the Mercedes-powered cars that led the way but the Ferraris that were in front at the end of the race. The first driver across the line was Fernando Alonso but he wasn’t the star of the race. The real hero of the day was Sergio Perez who hounded Alonso home to finish in second. Continue reading
F1 Australian GP: New Season, New Running Order
For the first time since 2010, we’re back with our trademark Formula One race recap and analysis posts. And what a time to bring these back because the running order has been mixed up once again. One thing that hadn’t changed when the checkered flag fell was that the two teams at the front are McLaren and Red Bull. The British squad won the day today with Jenson Button leading the way home. Continue reading
Formula One: 2011 Barcelona Test 2 Recap
With the Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled because of political unrest, pre-season testing was extended for Formula One. All 12 teams were in attendance for the final test which was once again held at the Circuit de Catalunya, host to the Spanish Grand Prix. Not surprisingly, Red Bull and Ferrari were the fastest looking cars once again. However, a few more teams laid down some times to show that they wouldn’t be pushovers either. Continue reading
Formula One: 2011 Barcelona Test Recap
For the second straight test, the teams were overshadowed by off-track F1 news. This week’s testing played second fiddle to debate over the postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix because of protests in the country. On-track, however, testing was a battle between Red Bull and Ferrari as last season’s two top teams look set to cement their place at the top of the standings. Continue reading
Formula One: 2011 Valencia Test Recap
The first day of February brought an end to the moratorium on Formula One testing. All twelves teams took to the track for the first group test of the season. Not all team ran their 2011 car or even their most up to date aerodynamic packages but there are a few takeaways from the first test fo the 2011 season. Continue reading
Formula One: Pirelli Tires Test
For the first time in 19 years, Pirelli tires took to the track on a Formula One race car. Just days after the final race of the season, most of the stars of F1 were back testing to get a head start on the 2011 season. Like it was toward the end of the season, Ferrari was the dominant car in this season as the Scuderia had the fastest car on each of the two days of the test. However, hot on their heels was World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Continue reading
F1 Korean GP: Yes, It Actually Happened
It wasn’t until twelve days before the Grand Prix that we actually knew that there would be a Korean Grand Prix. It turns out that saying that was relative, really. It seemed like driver that led the most laps was Bernd Maylander who drives the safety car. Rain mixed with a lack of adequate drainage of the track meant a pair of starts behind the safety car. It was Sebastian Vettel that was scored as leading the most laps until his Renault engine grenaded. That let Fernando Alonso through to win and take the Drivers’ Championship lead. Continue reading
F1 Italian GP: Forza Ferrari
In Italy, there is no team other than Ferrari. Sure, football (or soccer as it’s known in my half of the world) is the national sport but the national team is Scuderia Ferrari. The Tifosi were out in full force at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. And they went home happy as Fernando Alonso scored the pole and the win in his first Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari as the Scuderia put both drivers on the podium. Alonso’s win combined with poor outings for the championship leaders also gave us a much more interesting championship picture heading into the final stretch of the season. Continue reading
The Lowdown 