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
Valencia
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 Power Rankings: European Grand Prix
It’s back to Europe for the summer stretch of the Formula One World Championship. The European Grand Prix held around the streets of the harbour of Valencia is the fourth-to-last race before the annual summer break. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the worst races on the calendar. But with the KERS and double DRS zones, maybe there’s hope for this race. And hope is all 23 drivers in the field are clinging to if they think they can beat Sebastian Vettel. 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
F1 European GP: Bull Rush
The Red Bull Racing boys picked up their fourth 1-2 qualifying result of the season. They also picked up the lion’s share of the highlights in this race, though they finished at opposite ends of the field. Sebastian Vettel picked up the win while Mark Webber made a spectacular early exit. The big story of the race may have been the penalties handed out during and after the race. During the race one podium driver received a penalty but it didn’t affect his race. After the race, ten drivers were penalized but there wasn’t much shuffling around of the order. Continue reading
Formula 1: Valencia Testing Recap
The start of February meant the end of the moratorium on testing in Formula One. Seven of the thirteen teams entered in the 2010 World Championship were at the Circuito Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, to shakedown their cars. All of the teams there were in the 2009 Championship. There were teams looking to build on last year’s success and others looking for a complete turnaround. There were new faces in new places and some familiar faces making their return to action. So who looks best after the first three days of testing? Times and analysis after the jump. Continue reading
F1 European GP: The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
It all started so well for the McLaren-Mercedes team at the European Grand Prix. They locked out the front row and would have KERS to guarantee them the lead on a track that is notoriously hard to pass. However, the race results showed a mix of misfortune, mistakes, and strategy rather than just the qualifying results. In the end, it was Rubens Barrichello using a mix of strategy and taking advantage of mistakes to pick up his first win in five years. The race did show the continued improvement of McLaren and Ferrari. And, of course, there is all the silly season news and rumours that are kicking about with drivers trying desperately to find a ride for next season. Continue reading
The Lowdown 