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
Power Rankings
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
F1 Power Rankings: Monaco Grand Prix
After five races, we’ve seen five winners from five different teams. That might just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how unpredictable this season has been so far. After being one of the worst cars on the grid last season, Williams and Pastor Maldonado won the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite having a car that’s been referred to as a big red dog, Fernando Alonso is tied for the World Drivers’ Championship lead. Only two drivers (Alonso and Lewis Hamilton) have scored points in every race so far. It looks like anything can happen in F1 this year. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Spanish Grand Prix
After a three-week break which included the first in-season test session since 2008, the 2012 Formula One World Championship is set to resume with the European portion of the season. This weekend is the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya. This track is home to the majority of F1’s pre-season testing but a lot has changed since testing in February and March. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Bahrain Grand Prix
Somehow, someway the 2012 Formula One World Championship will race at the Bahrain International Circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix. After last year’s race cancellation as a result of the “Arab Spring” riots, the race was back on the calendar but was almost cancelled again because of violence and protests in the country. I think most of the F1 media and bloggers are a little surprised that the race is going forward but when there is money and commercial interests involved, we shouldn’t be shocked.
After last weekend’s dominant performance by Mercedes which included Schumacher’s fastest time in the 2nd practice, Rosberg’s pole, a front-row lockout and Rosberg’s maiden win, it looks as though they’ll be a contender on Tilke track this season. However, those McLarens still look fast and will be a threat to win as well. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Chinese Grand Prix
Two races into the 2012 Formula One World Championship and we only know that we know almost nothing. McLaren look to be the fastest but have yet to prove themselves on a permanent race circuit this season. Mercedes AMG are fast in qualifying when there’s unlimited DRS use which allows them to engage the front-wing F-duct. The Sauber appears to be the best of the rest but Williams could grab that spot if they had some luck.
This race could be the most important one to set the tone for the season if it’s dry. We’ve yet to have a dry race at a Tilke-drome and how you perform on Hermann Tilke-designed circuits is the biggest factor in success during the season. Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Malaysia Grand Prix
We’re only four days removed from the start of the 2012 Formula One World Championship. Despite how the pecking order looked after testing and qualifying, the top two teams were still McLaren and Red Bull. After that is anyone’s guess. The Mercedes are fast but lack reliability. The two Ferraris are difficult to muscle around a single lap but much quicker over the course of the race. And, most importantly, does last weekend’s race on a street circuit indicate the course this season will take? Continue reading
F1 Power Rankings: Australian Grand Prix
This weekend marks the start of another championship campaign. Since 1996, the Australian Grand Prix has been the first race of the Formula One World Championship season. Once again, the roads around Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, will feature the stars of F1 turning their wheels in anger for the first time in a season.
So to kick off 2012 World Championship, we take a look at the best and worst of Formula One in our F1 Power Rankings. 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
The Lowdown 