McLaren's Jenson Button reignited the spark in his bid for the 2012 F1 championship by taking a dominate light's to flag victory at this afternoon's Belgian GrandPrix in SPA. Button started the race from pole position and left the field trailing following a first corner incident that whipped out his team mate Lewis Hamilton, Romain Grosjean (who appears to have caused the crash) Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who was lucky to escape injury after Grosjean's Lotus flew over the cockpit of the Ferrari narrowly avoiding the Spaniard's head.
The incident also involved the two Sauber driver's of Kamui Kobayahsi and Sergio Perez, who had started second and and fourth for the Swiss team. Back on track Jenson managed to build a sizeable gap from the charging Force India pair of Nico Hulkenberf and Paul Di Resta with Kimi Raikkonen struggling in the Lotus.
Michael Schumacher made a fantastic start to the race getting into the top five after starting the race from 13th on the grid. RedBull's Sebastien Vettel made a great start from 10th on the grid and had a great on track battle with team mate Mark Webber to finish the race in 2nd second place picking up his first podium finish since the British GrandPrix. Webber finished the race in 6th pace.
Despite picking up his sixth podium of the season, Kimi Raikkonen admitted after the race that it had been the most difficult race of his comeback season so far, however his team sang his praises after the race. Kimi has now moved ahead of Hamilton in the driver's championship and the resulted has helped Lotus pull away from Ferrari in the battle for 3rd in the championship. So despite it being a difficult day at the office for the Enstone based team they can come away from it happy in the fact that they remain on target for this season and have continued to show that they are one of the most improved team's of 2012.
When you consider where the team were at this stage last season, where they only managed to pick up two podium's in the entire year, in 2012 they have picked up eight podium's in 12 races and Kimi has finished every race so far.
I am delighted that the next race in Italy is only a week away. It is going to be interesting to see what happens there as it too like SPA is a high speed circuit. Going into today's race Alonso had a lead of 40 point's in the championship over Mark Webber and due to his DNF today he is now 24 point's ahead of Vettel who overtakes Webber in the championship with eight races to go it is all still to play for. Kimi has now overtaken Hamilton and is now in fourth in the championship. Vette in second and Kimi in 4th are separated by just eight points.
Lotus, who are currently third in the Constructors Championship have extended their advantage over Ferrari in fourth to 8 points despite not having won a race so far this year.
This post not only sees a fantastic result for Jenson Button and McLaren but it also marks a milestone for the BJF12012 Blog as it marks my 200th post, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has looked at my posts since I started this I absolutely love writing the blog and can't wait to bring my thought's on the next race.
BREAKING NEWS: Romain Grosjean receives one race ban
It has been announced in the last few minutes that the driver of car No. 10 Romain Grosjean has been handed a one race ban following the first corner crash during today's Belgian GrandPrix. The Lotus team have confirmed that test driver Jerome D'Ambrosio will take his place for next week's Italian GrandPrix.
Lotus have accepted the decision and will not appeal it.
In other post race news, Paster Maldonando has been given a double grid penalty for causing a crash with the Marussia of Timo Glock following the William's driver's jump start. He will be demoted 10 places on the grid in Italy.
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Friday, 31 August 2012
F1 back on track...Well not quiet!!
So today saw the eagerly awaited return of on track action as the Formula One circus rolled into SPA, Belgium after the five week Summer break. It was set to be fascinating day of practice that was until the heaven's opened up this morning and led to limited track action in FP1.
The yellow flag's came out during the session as Felipe Massa's engine blew just as it came to a close. It was extremely unfortunate for the many fan's who had travelled o the circuit for practice. Following first practice the condition's became terrible and there was no on track action.
At the end of the day RedBull announced that they had to change Mark Webber's gearbox which will come as a blow to the Aussie as he will receive a five place grid penalty. The RedBull driver is currently second in the championship standing's 40 point's behind Fernando Alonso and only two points ahead of team mate Sebastien Vettel.
I can't wait to see how Mark gets on in SPA he overtook Alonso in spectacular fashion going through Eau Rouge at last year's race so he is going to need a repeat performance this year to ensure that he can stay ahead of Vettel and try and close the gap to Fernando Alonso. As I have mentioned previously, heading into this weekend's race from 2nd to 5th are only separated by eight points.
The Lotus team announced that they will not run their new Double DRS device on Sunday due to the lack of running on Friday. I believe that they will really see a benefit from the device at next weekend's Italian GrandPric in Monza. I believe however, that with the other update's that the team have brought to the race this weekend will compensate for not using the Double DRS and I am certainly hoping that the team will be able to to sort out their qualifying performances.
In my opinion, SPA along with Monza are two of the only really traditional high speed cicruit's left in Formula One. SPA has a great mix of high speed corners and straight's along with slow corner's including the famous bus stop chicane which in wet conditions can be extremely tricky for the drivers.
The yellow flag's came out during the session as Felipe Massa's engine blew just as it came to a close. It was extremely unfortunate for the many fan's who had travelled o the circuit for practice. Following first practice the condition's became terrible and there was no on track action.
At the end of the day RedBull announced that they had to change Mark Webber's gearbox which will come as a blow to the Aussie as he will receive a five place grid penalty. The RedBull driver is currently second in the championship standing's 40 point's behind Fernando Alonso and only two points ahead of team mate Sebastien Vettel.
I can't wait to see how Mark gets on in SPA he overtook Alonso in spectacular fashion going through Eau Rouge at last year's race so he is going to need a repeat performance this year to ensure that he can stay ahead of Vettel and try and close the gap to Fernando Alonso. As I have mentioned previously, heading into this weekend's race from 2nd to 5th are only separated by eight points.
The Lotus team announced that they will not run their new Double DRS device on Sunday due to the lack of running on Friday. I believe that they will really see a benefit from the device at next weekend's Italian GrandPric in Monza. I believe however, that with the other update's that the team have brought to the race this weekend will compensate for not using the Double DRS and I am certainly hoping that the team will be able to to sort out their qualifying performances.
In my opinion, SPA along with Monza are two of the only really traditional high speed cicruit's left in Formula One. SPA has a great mix of high speed corners and straight's along with slow corner's including the famous bus stop chicane which in wet conditions can be extremely tricky for the drivers.
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Petrov could quit Formula One
Russian driver Vitaly Petrov could quit Formula One at the end of this season. That's the claim of his manager Oksana Kosachenko. Petrov replaced the ousted Jarno Trulli at the Caterham team and has expressed interest in staying in Formula One beyond this year.
The Caterham team have yet to announce their 2013 driver plans. Heikki Kovalainen is expected to stay with the team for a fourth season, however the Finn is looking to see some improvement in the team's performance. Petrov may have some competition from Caterham's test driver Giedo Van Der Garde and American Alexander Rossi who is expected to be driving the Caterham car in Friday practice for the American GrandPrix.
Another key factor in Petrov's decision will be his sponsorship situation as it has become more difficult in recent years for driver's to raise sponsorship money. His manager has also stated that he needs to get some more support from Russian fans. So we'll have to wait and see what happens.
Petrov made his F1 debut with the Renault team in 2010 and scored his first and to date only podium at last year's Australian GrandPrix.
In other driver related news if as expected Felipe Massa loses his Ferrari drive we could see him racing in the American IndyCar Series in 2013 alongside former F1 driver's Rubens Barrichello, Takuma Sato and Justin Wilson.
Former F1 driver and London 2012 Paralympian Alex Zanardi has announced that he would love the opportunity to race in the Indianapolis 500. The two time CART champion lost both his legs in a near fatal accident during a race in 2001. It would be absolutely brilliant to see Alex Zanardi racing at the Indianapolis 500 so watch this space.
The Caterham team have yet to announce their 2013 driver plans. Heikki Kovalainen is expected to stay with the team for a fourth season, however the Finn is looking to see some improvement in the team's performance. Petrov may have some competition from Caterham's test driver Giedo Van Der Garde and American Alexander Rossi who is expected to be driving the Caterham car in Friday practice for the American GrandPrix.
Another key factor in Petrov's decision will be his sponsorship situation as it has become more difficult in recent years for driver's to raise sponsorship money. His manager has also stated that he needs to get some more support from Russian fans. So we'll have to wait and see what happens.
Petrov made his F1 debut with the Renault team in 2010 and scored his first and to date only podium at last year's Australian GrandPrix.
In other driver related news if as expected Felipe Massa loses his Ferrari drive we could see him racing in the American IndyCar Series in 2013 alongside former F1 driver's Rubens Barrichello, Takuma Sato and Justin Wilson.
Former F1 driver and London 2012 Paralympian Alex Zanardi has announced that he would love the opportunity to race in the Indianapolis 500. The two time CART champion lost both his legs in a near fatal accident during a race in 2001. It would be absolutely brilliant to see Alex Zanardi racing at the Indianapolis 500 so watch this space.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Kimi excited to return to SPA
Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen says that he is looking forward to racing in SPA this weekend and is hoping that he will be able to give the Lotus team their first win of the season. Kimi has had great success in SPA winning the in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009.
The King of SPA as he has become known says that the circuit is Belgium is his favourite F1 venue. So far this season, the Finn has been on the podium five times and has finished every race bar one either on the podium or in the points.
The Lotus team are currently third in the Constructor's Championship and Kimi is currently fifth in the driver's championship while Romain is in eighth..
The Lotus team are currently third in the Constructor's Championship and Kimi is currently fifth in the driver's championship while Romain is in eighth..
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Massa will NOT race for Ferrari next year according to reports in Italy
Felipe Massa will not be racing for Ferrari next year according to reports in the Italian media. According to some of the reports Ferrari have apparently allowed their option on Massa for 2013 to lapse. Massa has said that if he can not drive for Ferrari next season he will leave Formula One.
I think Felipe Massa should move to America and get a drive in IndyCar alongside fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. There has been no word on Massa's future with Ferrari so this is all speculation. He really needs to up his game for the remaining 9 races of the season.
I think it be very difficult for Felipe to get on to the podium this season as the action has been extremely competitive this season. So far this year his team mate fernando Alonso has had three wins and is currently leading the championship whereas Felipe Massa's last podium came at the 2010 Korean GrandPrix when he finished third.
So we'll have to wait and see what happens at the end of the season.
I think Felipe Massa should move to America and get a drive in IndyCar alongside fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. There has been no word on Massa's future with Ferrari so this is all speculation. He really needs to up his game for the remaining 9 races of the season.
I think it be very difficult for Felipe to get on to the podium this season as the action has been extremely competitive this season. So far this year his team mate fernando Alonso has had three wins and is currently leading the championship whereas Felipe Massa's last podium came at the 2010 Korean GrandPrix when he finished third.
So we'll have to wait and see what happens at the end of the season.
Monday, 27 August 2012
8 point's separate 2nd to 5th heading to Spa this weekend
So this weekend sees the eagerly awaited return of competitive Formula One action as the team's head to Spa for the Belgian GrandPrix. It has been very quiet in relation to Formula One news over the last five week's with the manadatory two week factory shutdown. However in other sports we've had the excitement of the London 2012 Olympic Games and just last weekend we had the return of the Premiership in England.
All the team's will have update's this weekend. The Lotus team will be debuting their new double DRS system so they will be hoping to be competitive from the word go.
The weekend's race is going to be extremely exciting due to the fact that Mark Webber who is second in the championship is only eight points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in fifth. Meanwhile in the Constructors championship Lotus are only one point behind McLaren who are in second place. Lotus are also 3 points ahead of Ferrari.
With two races in the next two week's the Belgian GrandPrix is going to be a crucial race for the team's and driver's and could very well give us an indicator as to the direction of this years Driver's championship as we head to Singapore toward the end of September.
All the team's will have update's this weekend. The Lotus team will be debuting their new double DRS system so they will be hoping to be competitive from the word go.
The weekend's race is going to be extremely exciting due to the fact that Mark Webber who is second in the championship is only eight points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in fifth. Meanwhile in the Constructors championship Lotus are only one point behind McLaren who are in second place. Lotus are also 3 points ahead of Ferrari.
With two races in the next two week's the Belgian GrandPrix is going to be a crucial race for the team's and driver's and could very well give us an indicator as to the direction of this years Driver's championship as we head to Singapore toward the end of September.
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Enstone Expect driver's to stay in 2013
The Lotus F1 team are confident that both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean will remain at the team in 2013. There has been a lot speculation surrounding Kimi Raikkonen during the season linking the Finn with a return to Ferrari, however the 2007 champion who is back in F1 after two years away from F1 has a contract with the Lotus team for 2013 and his boss Eric Bouiller is fully confident that he will be with the team next year.
Romain Grosjean who is also back in F1 after a two year break has endured a difficult comeback year however he has been on the podium three time's and is expected to be at the team next season. I fully expect both driver's to be at the team next season as they have been the most consistent pairing this season.
The Lotus team have scored 106 points in the last five races, the most out of any other team on the grid and have yet to record a in this season. The team are only one point behind McLaren who are second in the championship.
At next weekend's Belgian GrandPrix, the team will use their double DRS system and that will be great to watch as they driver's come out of Eau Rouge. It could prove to be a race that Kimi Raikkonen will win provided the team can sor out their qualifying performance. Kimi has four wins at SPA to his name and I have my fingers and toes crossed that he will be able to win the race.
The team have certainly sorted out the power steering issues that Kimi has had this season. Kimi is in a great position in the championship just 46 points behind Alonso with 225 points still to play for. He has a new race engineer in Mark Slade who he worked with during his time at McLaren and that is certainly working as Kimi has been on the podium five times this season and finished every single race.
In my last post I said I would reveal which five driver's have completed every lap this season. They are Kimi Raikkonen for Lotus, Nico Rosberg Mercedes, Mark Webber RedBull Racing, Fernando Alonso Ferrari and Jenson Button McLaren.
Romain Grosjean who is also back in F1 after a two year break has endured a difficult comeback year however he has been on the podium three time's and is expected to be at the team next season. I fully expect both driver's to be at the team next season as they have been the most consistent pairing this season.
The Lotus team have scored 106 points in the last five races, the most out of any other team on the grid and have yet to record a in this season. The team are only one point behind McLaren who are second in the championship.
At next weekend's Belgian GrandPrix, the team will use their double DRS system and that will be great to watch as they driver's come out of Eau Rouge. It could prove to be a race that Kimi Raikkonen will win provided the team can sor out their qualifying performance. Kimi has four wins at SPA to his name and I have my fingers and toes crossed that he will be able to win the race.
The team have certainly sorted out the power steering issues that Kimi has had this season. Kimi is in a great position in the championship just 46 points behind Alonso with 225 points still to play for. He has a new race engineer in Mark Slade who he worked with during his time at McLaren and that is certainly working as Kimi has been on the podium five times this season and finished every single race.
In my last post I said I would reveal which five driver's have completed every lap this season. They are Kimi Raikkonen for Lotus, Nico Rosberg Mercedes, Mark Webber RedBull Racing, Fernando Alonso Ferrari and Jenson Button McLaren.
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