Considering that Formula One race car design has been standardized through the regulations over the last number of years, you’d be forgiven if you didn’t know that the Formula One cars of 2012 are very different than the original cars of 1950. To show the evolution of the cars that are at the pinnacle of world motorsport, we have a video and infographic showing how the cars, engines and steering wheels have changed over the years. Continue reading
Formula One
F1 Power Rankings: German Grand Prix
We’re two races from Formula One’s annual summer break. This year’s German Grand Prix marks the return to the Hockenheimring after a year’s absence due to alternating the race with the Nurburgring. Heading into this weekend’s race, it looks like the season is going to come down to a battle between Ferrari and Red Bull. As always, a battle at a Tilke-drome will show who has the best chance at a title right now. Continue reading
Formula One: 2012 Silverstone Young Drivers Test Recap
As a cost-saving measure, some teams had proposed holding the annual young drivers test at Silverstone after the British Grand Prix rather than holding in Abu Dhabi after the season ended. However, not all the teams agreed with the proposal so we were left with three of the smaller teams sticking around after the British GP to test some potential future F1 stars. Continue reading
F1 British GP: Seeing Red (Bull)
From the start of the race, it appeared as though Fernando Alonso would storm off to his second-straight win. However, the race isn’t won until the drop of the checkered flag. A poor call on strategy cost Alonso the race as Red Bull outsmarted Ferrari which allowed Mark Webber to pick up his second win of the season. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: British Grand Prix
The ninth round of the 2012 Formula One World Championship brings the series home to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. With eight teams having factories located in England, this race is the de facto home race for not just most of the teams but essentially the whole series. If you were to rank the races by prestige, this race would definitely be on the podium so everyone will be gunning for the win this weekend. Continue reading
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 Power Rankings: European Grand Prix
Over a three race stretch, the 2012 Formula One World Championship went from the historic street circuit in Monaco to the exciting and unpredictable street circuit in Montreal to the dreadfully boring streets of Valencia for the European Grand Prix. The streets around Valencia’s harbour and America’s Cup port were probably selected to mimic the harbour atmosphere of Monaco. Unfortunately, Monaco is a challenging and historic track. Valencia is boring enough to help even the worst insomniac. Perhaps the combination of Pirelli tyres and DRS could save this race. Continue reading
F1 Canadian GP: Rubber, Rubber Everywhere
Like the last few years, the story heading into the Canadian Grand Prix was tyres. This year, tyres weren’t expected to be as much of an issue as the pre-race talk suggested that a one-stop strategy was ideal. It turns out that the winning strategy was two stops. Lewis Hamilton used the fresh tyres from his two-stop strategy to beat the one-stop strategy of Fernando Alonso to the win. Hamilton’s win also made it seven different winners from seven races so far this season. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Canadian Grand Prix
After six races, we’ve seen six different race winners and six different drivers set the fastest lap of the race. It looks like removing downforce through the exhaust-blown diffuser ban has levelled the playing field as parity is at an all-time high. With any one of a number of drivers capable of winning any given Sunday, it’s hard to figure out who are the best drivers in F1 right now. I suppose that’s why this week’s F1 Power Ranking has so much change in it. Continue reading
2012 F1 Canadian GP: Drivers And Teams Primer
For the second part of our preview of the 2012 Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, we take a look at the drivers and teams who will be contesting this weekend’s race. There weren’t many changes as the front of the grid since last year’s race as the top four teams and Sauber retained their 2011 driver line-up. The other seven teams had at least one new driver join their team.
So today, we look at the drivers, teams and their 2012 seasons so far. Continue reading
The Lowdown 