MotoGP News
Date: 16/December/2011
The FIM, governing body for the MotoGP World Championship, has announced that nine new ‘Claiming Rule Teams’ have been accepted for the 2012 season.
CRTs are a new grade of privateer constructor created in response to perilously small grids of fully-fledged prototypes.
Just 17 factory-built bikes from Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki were entered for the full 2011 season - and absences through injury meant riders were all but guaranteed a world championship point if they simply finished some races.
With the cash-strapped factories unable to respond, commercial rights holders Dorna Sports have championed the new CRT category to put more bikes on the grid.
It came just in time.
Suzuki pulled out its single entry at the end of the 2011 season, while the remaining three manufacturers are fielding a total of just twelve bikes for 2012 - two for each factory team, plus two ‘satellite’ bikes from each brand.
Twelve bikes would not be enough to justify world championship status, but the news that a further nine CRT bikes - plus one reserve - have been “approved” means that MotoGP should have at least 21 full-time riders next year.
These new entries are likely to be a poor competitive replacement for the ‘lost’ factory-built bikes, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Two established MotoGP riders - Colin Edwards (Forward) and Randy de Puniet (Aspar) - will be switching to CRT next year. They will be joined by three returning premier-class riders - Aleix Espargaro (Aspar), James Ellison (PBM) and Anthony West (Speed Master) - while Moto2 race winner Michele Pirro with ride a CRT bike for Gresini. The three other CRT places are still to be confirmed.
CRT bikes will be able to use more fuel and engine changes relative to the factory-built bikes. They will consist of modified Superbike engines in a prototype chassis, with Italian manufacturer Aprilia causing controversy by assisting in development of both an engine and chassis package.
CRT status is decided by the Grand Prix Commission and can be removed at any time while engines can be ‘claimed’ for a fixed price by any of the MotoGP manufacturers - a move designed to limit costs.
Other rule changes announced by the GPC were the opening up of in-season testing - now restricted only by the number of tyres - plus the announcement that a rider can effectively qualify for a race if he sets a lap time within 107% of pole during the Sunday morning warm-up session.
Bikes in all three classes - MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 - will need to run a red rear light to aid visibility in wet races, plus a widening of Race Direction’s powers to “impose penalties was extended to cover failure by any party to ensure the efficient running of events or for serious breaches of the regulations”.
Overtaking increase after F1 2012 rule change?
F1 News
Date: 8/December/2011
The final World Motor Sport Council meeting of 2011 saw confirmation of several expected F1 rule changes - plus one notable unforeseen amendment.
That was in terms of overtaking, with the attacking driver to be handed a further advantage (alongside the use of DRS).
From next season “Drivers may no longer move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.”
In one short sentence, the WMSC has thus removed the primary tactic used to prevent overtaking.
The usual response when a driver is under threat from a car behind is to move off the racing line to ‘cover’ the inside line. This forces the attacking driver to either try and brave it out around the outside, or to go even further inside the car ahead (if space is available).
In the past, the leading car has then been allowed to return to the normal race line in time for the corner. It is this second move which will now be illegal, meaning the driver ahead will have to choose between moving and staying off the racing line, or leaving the inside line open for the car behind.
Other changes included confirmation that exhaust tailpipes will be “strictly regulated” to ensure they provide little aerodynamic effect, a warning that all crash tests must be passed before taking part in pre-season testing, and a new three-day test session to be carried out during the season.
The 2012 F1 calendar was also “confirmed as previously published” meaning the sport intends to run a 20-race season, which will include a controversial return to Bahrain and F1’s debut at a new track in Austin, Texas.
Date: 8/December/2011
The final World Motor Sport Council meeting of 2011 saw confirmation of several expected F1 rule changes - plus one notable unforeseen amendment.
That was in terms of overtaking, with the attacking driver to be handed a further advantage (alongside the use of DRS).
From next season “Drivers may no longer move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.”
In one short sentence, the WMSC has thus removed the primary tactic used to prevent overtaking.
The usual response when a driver is under threat from a car behind is to move off the racing line to ‘cover’ the inside line. This forces the attacking driver to either try and brave it out around the outside, or to go even further inside the car ahead (if space is available).
In the past, the leading car has then been allowed to return to the normal race line in time for the corner. It is this second move which will now be illegal, meaning the driver ahead will have to choose between moving and staying off the racing line, or leaving the inside line open for the car behind.
Other changes included confirmation that exhaust tailpipes will be “strictly regulated” to ensure they provide little aerodynamic effect, a warning that all crash tests must be passed before taking part in pre-season testing, and a new three-day test session to be carried out during the season.
The 2012 F1 calendar was also “confirmed as previously published” meaning the sport intends to run a 20-race season, which will include a controversial return to Bahrain and F1’s debut at a new track in Austin, Texas.
Webber gets his win, Vettel rejects conspiracy theory
F1 News
Date: 28/November/2011
It was a case of better late than never for Mark Webber in Sunday’s Brazilian F1 season finale.
The Australian, a title contender in 2010, broke his 2011 victory drought at the last available opportunity - having taken advantage of a gearbox problem for Red Bull team-mate and world champion Sebastian Vettel.
“Obviously in motor sport you take them as they come,” said Webber. “It was actually brewing into a reasonable little battle with Seb. I’m not exactly sure when he started to have a few little issues, but obviously I can only control what I’m doing, so I kept pushing and then really it was down to covering off [third place] and making sure we loaded the tyres correctly to get to the flag.
“It’s been a pretty good year but not like 2010 obviously. So it’s a nice little tonic to finish the year on high and give the RB7 a bit of a send off, because it hasn’t had an amazing amount of memories for me. Today was a very special day and I’ll have that over the winter.”
Vettel, starting from a record 15th pole of the year, was notified of the need to nurse his gearbox early in the race, but still led the first 16 laps and - due to the pit stops - was credited as leading again as late as lap 59 of 71.
“It was during the first stint, at some stage, that I got the message ‘we have a gearbox issue’. It sounded pretty strong, pretty severe, so I turned down the engine and then immediately started to short shift and it just kept getting worse,” said Vettel.
“At some stage I said that ‘I feel like Senna in 1991 when he had to manage the gearbox problem around here’. Obviously it was different for him, he still managed to win his home race.”
Although Vettel crossed the finish line 16.9sec behind Webber, the young German was still 10sec ahead of McLaren’s Jenson Button - prompting one member of the media to suggest that the gearbox problem ‘might not be true’.
“I can tell you that I had a gearbox problem. I didn’t like the message but I had no choice,” replied Vettel. “Either you finish the race or you don’t. As I said, I turned down the engine, I felt happy in the car and I felt more and more able to understand the tyres and keep the pace reasonably well.
“I tried to stay as close as I could with Mark and then push where I was allowed to which was in the corners, because I was forced to use high gears and upshift earlier [when accelerating].
“Obviously it was more about getting the car to the chequered flag, but believe me, if I had the choice, I would have gone for the racing option.”
Webber didn’t think a problem had been faked to hand him a win, which ultimately moved the Australian one point ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso (fourth on Sunday) for third in the final championship standings.
“I’ve agreed with you [the reporter] many times this year, but not this time,” said Webber.
That opinion was backed up by Button, who wasn’t surprised that Vettel had been able to mask the problem.
“Viewing this from the outside, I can say whatever I want, but as a driver you learn to adapt to a situation,” he said. “If you’re told to save fuel, if you’re told to save brakes, you drive in a different manner. Many times this year we’ve saved fuel and you can pretty much match an earlier lap time... That’s what we’re paid to do.”
Button’s third place confirmed the Englishman as finishing second in the 2011 Drivers’ Championship, albeit 122 points behind Vettel.
Date: 28/November/2011
It was a case of better late than never for Mark Webber in Sunday’s Brazilian F1 season finale.
The Australian, a title contender in 2010, broke his 2011 victory drought at the last available opportunity - having taken advantage of a gearbox problem for Red Bull team-mate and world champion Sebastian Vettel.
“Obviously in motor sport you take them as they come,” said Webber. “It was actually brewing into a reasonable little battle with Seb. I’m not exactly sure when he started to have a few little issues, but obviously I can only control what I’m doing, so I kept pushing and then really it was down to covering off [third place] and making sure we loaded the tyres correctly to get to the flag.
“It’s been a pretty good year but not like 2010 obviously. So it’s a nice little tonic to finish the year on high and give the RB7 a bit of a send off, because it hasn’t had an amazing amount of memories for me. Today was a very special day and I’ll have that over the winter.”
Vettel, starting from a record 15th pole of the year, was notified of the need to nurse his gearbox early in the race, but still led the first 16 laps and - due to the pit stops - was credited as leading again as late as lap 59 of 71.
“It was during the first stint, at some stage, that I got the message ‘we have a gearbox issue’. It sounded pretty strong, pretty severe, so I turned down the engine and then immediately started to short shift and it just kept getting worse,” said Vettel.
“At some stage I said that ‘I feel like Senna in 1991 when he had to manage the gearbox problem around here’. Obviously it was different for him, he still managed to win his home race.”
Although Vettel crossed the finish line 16.9sec behind Webber, the young German was still 10sec ahead of McLaren’s Jenson Button - prompting one member of the media to suggest that the gearbox problem ‘might not be true’.
“I can tell you that I had a gearbox problem. I didn’t like the message but I had no choice,” replied Vettel. “Either you finish the race or you don’t. As I said, I turned down the engine, I felt happy in the car and I felt more and more able to understand the tyres and keep the pace reasonably well.
“I tried to stay as close as I could with Mark and then push where I was allowed to which was in the corners, because I was forced to use high gears and upshift earlier [when accelerating].
“Obviously it was more about getting the car to the chequered flag, but believe me, if I had the choice, I would have gone for the racing option.”
Webber didn’t think a problem had been faked to hand him a win, which ultimately moved the Australian one point ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso (fourth on Sunday) for third in the final championship standings.
“I’ve agreed with you [the reporter] many times this year, but not this time,” said Webber.
That opinion was backed up by Button, who wasn’t surprised that Vettel had been able to mask the problem.
“Viewing this from the outside, I can say whatever I want, but as a driver you learn to adapt to a situation,” he said. “If you’re told to save fuel, if you’re told to save brakes, you drive in a different manner. Many times this year we’ve saved fuel and you can pretty much match an earlier lap time... That’s what we’re paid to do.”
Button’s third place confirmed the Englishman as finishing second in the 2011 Drivers’ Championship, albeit 122 points behind Vettel.
‘No secret’ as Vettel makes pole history in Brazil
F1 News
Date: 27/November/2011
Sebastian Vettel, F1’s youngest ever double world champion, claimed a record-breaking 15th pole of the year during qualifying for the Brazilian season finale at Interlagos.
The Red Bull star, 24, beat team-mate Mark Webber by just under 0.2sec and in the process broke the single-season pole record set by Nigel Mansell in 1992.
Having equalled Mansell’s record at the previous Abu Dhabi round, Vettel had just one shot at moving ahead of the Englishman - and the achievement clearly meant a lot to the eleven-time 2011 race winner.
“I put everything into the last lap. It was very emotional when I crossed the line because I knew that whatever happens I gave it all and then we to wait for quite a long time to see if my time was good enough or not.
“Obviously it took the master in qualifying, Nigel Mansell, a couple of races less [to take his 14 poles] but this is a very special moment for me.
“You don’t really worry about records going into a season. You can’t set yourself a target like that. Those sorts of numbers feel like they are made for ever and it would be ridiculous to think you might be anywhere close to them at the start of the year.
“I said to myself going into qualifying that I want to make sure I get everything out of the car there is and if someone else beats me then he totally deserves it. I think that is the name of the game every time.”
Vettel’s consistent ability to raise his game to new heights during the third and final part of qualifying has even prompted speculation that the German has been using some sort of short-term setting advantage for his final runs.
Now that the qualifying season is over, Vettel was asked to reveal the secret behind his pole success.
“I don’t know. There is no secret,” he smiled. “We had a nice dinner on Wednesday before the weekend here and a couple of the mechanics kept joking ‘where is the bag, where do you keep these couple of tenths for Q3. Do you just take it out?’
“Generally this year I think I was able, most of the time, to put everything into that one lap, or final run in Q3. Sometimes you want a little bit more but all in all I was pretty happy with my days on Saturday and we had good Sundays as well so there is no secret.
“Once we go into qualifying we all seem to enjoy it. I personally love the moment when you go out for your final run. You feel it is different to any practice run, or Q1 and Q2. You are so excited, nervous, as you know that’s the lap. The build-up to it is great and then the lap itself is like a rush so I really enjoy that.”
But Vettel’s pole may count for little if the predicted rain arrives for the race.
“The weather is going to be a big question mark,” said Vettel. “We knew that going into the weekend. The last couple of years have seen special races and special weather, so looking forward to tomorrow.”
Jenson Button, who claimed his world title at Interlagos in 2009, will start third on the grid for McLaren. He is also predicting an exciting race.
“I always love racing here. It is such a good circuit for racing and really fighting and out of the last corner down into Turn One is very good for overtaking and obviously we have the DRS out of Turn three, so hopefully we can get these two tomorrow.”
Button has a ten point advantage over Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in the battle for championship runner-up. Alonso will start in fifth place, just behind Button’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Webber also has a slim mathematical chance of second place, being twelve points behind Alonso, although the Australian’s main aim will be to break his season-long losing streak.
“It would be good [to get the win],” he said. “The whole weekend has been pretty strong and it would be nice to keep the heat on Sebastian. Both of us got the maximum out of the car today. Unfortunately I could not look after Nigel and get pole, but looking forward to the race tomorrow.”
Date: 27/November/2011
Sebastian Vettel, F1’s youngest ever double world champion, claimed a record-breaking 15th pole of the year during qualifying for the Brazilian season finale at Interlagos.
The Red Bull star, 24, beat team-mate Mark Webber by just under 0.2sec and in the process broke the single-season pole record set by Nigel Mansell in 1992.
Having equalled Mansell’s record at the previous Abu Dhabi round, Vettel had just one shot at moving ahead of the Englishman - and the achievement clearly meant a lot to the eleven-time 2011 race winner.
“I put everything into the last lap. It was very emotional when I crossed the line because I knew that whatever happens I gave it all and then we to wait for quite a long time to see if my time was good enough or not.
“Obviously it took the master in qualifying, Nigel Mansell, a couple of races less [to take his 14 poles] but this is a very special moment for me.
“You don’t really worry about records going into a season. You can’t set yourself a target like that. Those sorts of numbers feel like they are made for ever and it would be ridiculous to think you might be anywhere close to them at the start of the year.
“I said to myself going into qualifying that I want to make sure I get everything out of the car there is and if someone else beats me then he totally deserves it. I think that is the name of the game every time.”
Vettel’s consistent ability to raise his game to new heights during the third and final part of qualifying has even prompted speculation that the German has been using some sort of short-term setting advantage for his final runs.
Now that the qualifying season is over, Vettel was asked to reveal the secret behind his pole success.
“I don’t know. There is no secret,” he smiled. “We had a nice dinner on Wednesday before the weekend here and a couple of the mechanics kept joking ‘where is the bag, where do you keep these couple of tenths for Q3. Do you just take it out?’
“Generally this year I think I was able, most of the time, to put everything into that one lap, or final run in Q3. Sometimes you want a little bit more but all in all I was pretty happy with my days on Saturday and we had good Sundays as well so there is no secret.
“Once we go into qualifying we all seem to enjoy it. I personally love the moment when you go out for your final run. You feel it is different to any practice run, or Q1 and Q2. You are so excited, nervous, as you know that’s the lap. The build-up to it is great and then the lap itself is like a rush so I really enjoy that.”
But Vettel’s pole may count for little if the predicted rain arrives for the race.
“The weather is going to be a big question mark,” said Vettel. “We knew that going into the weekend. The last couple of years have seen special races and special weather, so looking forward to tomorrow.”
Jenson Button, who claimed his world title at Interlagos in 2009, will start third on the grid for McLaren. He is also predicting an exciting race.
“I always love racing here. It is such a good circuit for racing and really fighting and out of the last corner down into Turn One is very good for overtaking and obviously we have the DRS out of Turn three, so hopefully we can get these two tomorrow.”
Button has a ten point advantage over Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in the battle for championship runner-up. Alonso will start in fifth place, just behind Button’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Webber also has a slim mathematical chance of second place, being twelve points behind Alonso, although the Australian’s main aim will be to break his season-long losing streak.
“It would be good [to get the win],” he said. “The whole weekend has been pretty strong and it would be nice to keep the heat on Sebastian. Both of us got the maximum out of the car today. Unfortunately I could not look after Nigel and get pole, but looking forward to the race tomorrow.”
Renault team boss attempts Kubica clarification
F1 News
Date: 26/November/2011
Lotus Renault F1 team manager Eric Boullier has attempted to clarify the situation regarding the return from injury of star driver Robert Kubica.
The pole has missed the entire 2011 season, after a rally accident in February left him with a partially amputated forearm, plus fractures to elbow, shoulder and leg.
Earlier this week the team issued a statement saying Kubica had informed the team that he will not be physically ready for the start of 2012 campaign.
The statement then added “Robert will remain a member of the LRGP family in 2012 and he is already, through his management, holding talks about renewing his contract for the following season.
“Although very disappointed by the news, Lotus Renault GP will start assessing its options and will evaluate the most suitable candidate to drive from the first 2012 winter testing session.”
While Kubica’s absence from the first race was clearly understood, some were confused as to whether Kubica had signed for 2012 or not - and whether he will miss all of next season or just the start.
On Friday at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Boullier stated: “We have a contract with Robert until the end of this year, terminating this year. This is why we are using our channel for the communication with him and we agree with his manager, Daniele Morelli, to issue a press release before this week, which was entirely approved by both parties before being released.
“The choice of the wording is my responsibility and I think the message was clear. We have waited for Robert. We would like Robert to be back. I think we are the first one who wish him well and he informed us that, unfortunately, he would not be able to be at the first test, which means he will not be able to start the season for me, so that’s it.
“I think the issue came up that some translation maybe was wrongly done in the far east of Europe and the message was really that he would not be able to be back in 2012 which is not the message at all. The message was clear. He will not be at the start of the season… but he may come back next year.”
However when asked if that scenario means that Renault will need to sign three drivers, rather than two, Boullier dismissed the idea: “Nothing like this.”
The comment that Kubica will “remain a member of the LRGP family in 2012” also seems to be less certain than it appeared. “I still have to sit down with Daniele Morelli to discuss or assess the situation for the future,” said Boullier.
Kubica’s injury marked the first of numerous setbacks for the former Benetton team, including performance troubles with the forward facing exhausts and a mid-season split from Kubica’s replacement Nick Heidfeld.
Renault starts the 2011 finale with Russian Vitaly Petrov ninth in the drivers’ standings, on 36 points. Renault has scored 72 points in the Constructors’ championship.
That compares with 136 points for Kubica (eighth in the championship) and 163 Constructors’ points for Renault during 2010.
“The results are not good and every time the season is not good enough there is some negativity,” confessed Boullier.
Slamming the teams on and off-track troubles this year, one reporter then asked the blunt question: Are you really convinced that you are the right person to do this job?
“I don’t know. You need to ask the people who employ me,” replied Boullier calmly.
Vitaly Petrov has a Renault contract in place for 2012, while present team-mate Bruno Senna and test driver Romain Grosjean are favourites for the second seat.
Date: 26/November/2011
Lotus Renault F1 team manager Eric Boullier has attempted to clarify the situation regarding the return from injury of star driver Robert Kubica.
The pole has missed the entire 2011 season, after a rally accident in February left him with a partially amputated forearm, plus fractures to elbow, shoulder and leg.
Earlier this week the team issued a statement saying Kubica had informed the team that he will not be physically ready for the start of 2012 campaign.
The statement then added “Robert will remain a member of the LRGP family in 2012 and he is already, through his management, holding talks about renewing his contract for the following season.
“Although very disappointed by the news, Lotus Renault GP will start assessing its options and will evaluate the most suitable candidate to drive from the first 2012 winter testing session.”
While Kubica’s absence from the first race was clearly understood, some were confused as to whether Kubica had signed for 2012 or not - and whether he will miss all of next season or just the start.
On Friday at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Boullier stated: “We have a contract with Robert until the end of this year, terminating this year. This is why we are using our channel for the communication with him and we agree with his manager, Daniele Morelli, to issue a press release before this week, which was entirely approved by both parties before being released.
“The choice of the wording is my responsibility and I think the message was clear. We have waited for Robert. We would like Robert to be back. I think we are the first one who wish him well and he informed us that, unfortunately, he would not be able to be at the first test, which means he will not be able to start the season for me, so that’s it.
“I think the issue came up that some translation maybe was wrongly done in the far east of Europe and the message was really that he would not be able to be back in 2012 which is not the message at all. The message was clear. He will not be at the start of the season… but he may come back next year.”
However when asked if that scenario means that Renault will need to sign three drivers, rather than two, Boullier dismissed the idea: “Nothing like this.”
The comment that Kubica will “remain a member of the LRGP family in 2012” also seems to be less certain than it appeared. “I still have to sit down with Daniele Morelli to discuss or assess the situation for the future,” said Boullier.
Kubica’s injury marked the first of numerous setbacks for the former Benetton team, including performance troubles with the forward facing exhausts and a mid-season split from Kubica’s replacement Nick Heidfeld.
Renault starts the 2011 finale with Russian Vitaly Petrov ninth in the drivers’ standings, on 36 points. Renault has scored 72 points in the Constructors’ championship.
That compares with 136 points for Kubica (eighth in the championship) and 163 Constructors’ points for Renault during 2010.
“The results are not good and every time the season is not good enough there is some negativity,” confessed Boullier.
Slamming the teams on and off-track troubles this year, one reporter then asked the blunt question: Are you really convinced that you are the right person to do this job?
“I don’t know. You need to ask the people who employ me,” replied Boullier calmly.
Vitaly Petrov has a Renault contract in place for 2012, while present team-mate Bruno Senna and test driver Romain Grosjean are favourites for the second seat.
Drivers' defend F1’s overtaking gizmos
F1 News
Date: 25/November/2011
The impact of new overtaking gizmos in F1 has been overwhelmingly positive, despite some criticism that overtaking is now too easy.
That was the view of three experienced F1 drivers, speaking on the eve of the 2011 season finale in Brazil this weekend.
The introduction of DRS (Drag Reduction System), which alters the rear wing of a closely-following car to allow a top speed burst, plus the return of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) have combined to deliver more overtaking in a single race than used to be seen in an entire season.
The ‘downside’ is that some feel the overtaking has become artificial, especially in situations where two DRS zones are in quick succession - resulting in a pass and then almost instant re-pass.
But such position changes, no matter how ’artificial’ in their creation, are seen as essential in keeping casual viewers from switching the TV channel. Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher certainly found little to criticise.
“To me, I think it is very obvious that we have improved big time,” said the Mercedes driver. “We have had incredible races this year. I take one particular example and I think it’s pretty fresh still, and that’s Korea. If you think about the fight that Mark Webber and Lewis had together over there; without DRS, it would have been nowhere close, we wouldn’t have seen anything. It would have just been a normal kind of old traditional race. It may not always work out perfectly, there’s a little room to improve the situation but in general it has contributed a lot to some great racing.”
Another world champion, Jenson Button, agreed: “Personally, I think it’s brought a lot to the racing. You obviously have races where you think it’s too easy to overtake, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives and I think we’ve had some great racing this season on circuits where we’ve never had overtaking before, especially with two competitive cars, you can have a bit more of a fight now.
“Even if it doesn’t make the pass for you, it can bring you a lot closer so that you can have a go elsewhere on the circuit. I think DRS on its own is good but personally I feel that having KERS has really helped us this year. I think we can really use it to our advantage, to overtake and obviously to try and block a position, so that, for me, has been as big as DRS.”
Home Brazilian star Rubens Barrichello is also a fan.
“I enjoy it very much,” said the veteran Williams driver. “I think it’s been an incredible year and the fact that in life, sometimes you can see people are never happy with that, because I heard for 20 years that there wasn’t enough overtaking in Formula One and all of a sudden I’m hearing people saying there’s too much!
“It’s just 18 races and they come up with numbers saying that there’s been a hundred overtaking manoeuvres so it looks a bit too easy, but I think it has been quite good. It’s still difficult to follow the car in front because the cars are going fast because of its aerodynamic balance, and whenever you have something that destroys that, you basically don’t follow the car, so the DRS has helped.
“It is true that sometimes it may make it too easy, sometimes it wasn’t enough, so I think the FIA had all the good numbers to make the show even better for next year.”
Another element in spicing up the 2011 track action has been an aggressive approach to tyre compounds from new exclusive supplier Pirelli. McLaren driver Button - one of the best at tyre conservation - preferred the dramatic wear-rates seen earlier in the year.
“I think that at the start of the season, especially, when we were trying to work out what the tyres were like and how many laps they would run and what the degradation was like, I think there was a lot of overtaking,” said the Englishman.
“It seems a little bit different now, the degradation of the tyre doesn’t seem to drop off a cliff like it did earlier this year. Maybe that’s just our car, I don’t know, but that’s the way it seems.”
Barrichello later quipped: “If you want to have the degradation I still have it! You can have [my car].”
Date: 25/November/2011
The impact of new overtaking gizmos in F1 has been overwhelmingly positive, despite some criticism that overtaking is now too easy.
That was the view of three experienced F1 drivers, speaking on the eve of the 2011 season finale in Brazil this weekend.
The introduction of DRS (Drag Reduction System), which alters the rear wing of a closely-following car to allow a top speed burst, plus the return of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) have combined to deliver more overtaking in a single race than used to be seen in an entire season.
The ‘downside’ is that some feel the overtaking has become artificial, especially in situations where two DRS zones are in quick succession - resulting in a pass and then almost instant re-pass.
But such position changes, no matter how ’artificial’ in their creation, are seen as essential in keeping casual viewers from switching the TV channel. Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher certainly found little to criticise.
“To me, I think it is very obvious that we have improved big time,” said the Mercedes driver. “We have had incredible races this year. I take one particular example and I think it’s pretty fresh still, and that’s Korea. If you think about the fight that Mark Webber and Lewis had together over there; without DRS, it would have been nowhere close, we wouldn’t have seen anything. It would have just been a normal kind of old traditional race. It may not always work out perfectly, there’s a little room to improve the situation but in general it has contributed a lot to some great racing.”
Another world champion, Jenson Button, agreed: “Personally, I think it’s brought a lot to the racing. You obviously have races where you think it’s too easy to overtake, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives and I think we’ve had some great racing this season on circuits where we’ve never had overtaking before, especially with two competitive cars, you can have a bit more of a fight now.
“Even if it doesn’t make the pass for you, it can bring you a lot closer so that you can have a go elsewhere on the circuit. I think DRS on its own is good but personally I feel that having KERS has really helped us this year. I think we can really use it to our advantage, to overtake and obviously to try and block a position, so that, for me, has been as big as DRS.”
Home Brazilian star Rubens Barrichello is also a fan.
“I enjoy it very much,” said the veteran Williams driver. “I think it’s been an incredible year and the fact that in life, sometimes you can see people are never happy with that, because I heard for 20 years that there wasn’t enough overtaking in Formula One and all of a sudden I’m hearing people saying there’s too much!
“It’s just 18 races and they come up with numbers saying that there’s been a hundred overtaking manoeuvres so it looks a bit too easy, but I think it has been quite good. It’s still difficult to follow the car in front because the cars are going fast because of its aerodynamic balance, and whenever you have something that destroys that, you basically don’t follow the car, so the DRS has helped.
“It is true that sometimes it may make it too easy, sometimes it wasn’t enough, so I think the FIA had all the good numbers to make the show even better for next year.”
Another element in spicing up the 2011 track action has been an aggressive approach to tyre compounds from new exclusive supplier Pirelli. McLaren driver Button - one of the best at tyre conservation - preferred the dramatic wear-rates seen earlier in the year.
“I think that at the start of the season, especially, when we were trying to work out what the tyres were like and how many laps they would run and what the degradation was like, I think there was a lot of overtaking,” said the Englishman.
“It seems a little bit different now, the degradation of the tyre doesn’t seem to drop off a cliff like it did earlier this year. Maybe that’s just our car, I don’t know, but that’s the way it seems.”
Barrichello later quipped: “If you want to have the degradation I still have it! You can have [my car].”
'Parties better' if Raikkonen returns
F1 News
Date: 10/November/2011
As rumours of a comeback by 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen continue to swirl, fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen gave an amusing reply to suggestions his main target for next year will be Williams.
Williams is the team that Raikkonen, who quit F1 at the end 2009, is being linked with for a shock return.
"For next year, the target ahead of us doesn’t change - whoever is driving in different teams," replied Team Lotus driver Kovalainen, speaking on the eve of this weekend's Abu Dhabi round.
"Obviously you’re referring to Kimi at Williams; I have no idea whether that is happening or not.
"What’s going on there… it doesn’t matter who is driving the cars in front of us. We are targeting the cars ahead of us, joining that group and hopefully sometimes being ahead if we have a good day."
Having given a suitably serious answer, Kovalainen then delivered the most entertaining line of the day:
"If Kimi decides to come back, I think the main difference for me will be that the parties after the races will be a little bit better!"
Raikkonen, now 32, raced for Sauber and McLaren before winning his world title with Ferrari. Dispute his lifeless persona in front of the cameras, Raikkonen he was known as something of a party animal.
Date: 10/November/2011
As rumours of a comeback by 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen continue to swirl, fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen gave an amusing reply to suggestions his main target for next year will be Williams.
Williams is the team that Raikkonen, who quit F1 at the end 2009, is being linked with for a shock return.
"For next year, the target ahead of us doesn’t change - whoever is driving in different teams," replied Team Lotus driver Kovalainen, speaking on the eve of this weekend's Abu Dhabi round.
"Obviously you’re referring to Kimi at Williams; I have no idea whether that is happening or not.
"What’s going on there… it doesn’t matter who is driving the cars in front of us. We are targeting the cars ahead of us, joining that group and hopefully sometimes being ahead if we have a good day."
Having given a suitably serious answer, Kovalainen then delivered the most entertaining line of the day:
"If Kimi decides to come back, I think the main difference for me will be that the parties after the races will be a little bit better!"
Raikkonen, now 32, raced for Sauber and McLaren before winning his world title with Ferrari. Dispute his lifeless persona in front of the cameras, Raikkonen he was known as something of a party animal.
'Sorry Ben!' - Closest finish ends 800cc MotoGP era
MotoGP News
Date: 6/November/2011
The last race of the 800cc MotoGP era was also the closest, ending in victory for world champion Casey Stoner by just 0.015sec at Valencia on Sunday.
The Repsol Honda rider looked set to claim his tenth win of the season with ease, but ever-present spots of rain intensified in the closing stages of the 30-lap race - washing away Stoner's ten-second lead in the process.
Stoner was then overtaken by Yamaha's Ben Spies after a bobble under braking with three laps to go, but kept in touch with the American and edged ahead by the tiniest of margins on the dash to the finish line.
The previous closest 800cc win had been a 0.069sec victory by Stoner over Valentino Rossi at Catalunya in 2007. There has only been one other race victory of less than one-second this season.
Stoner explained that he took 'risks that I haven't taken all season' to deny Spies.
"It rained the whole time in the race, but the amount of rain was different at almost every corner of every lap," he said. "I built up a good lead and felt but, then it got to the point where the rain got heavier - the rear of the bike came around several times and I backed off.
"Ben came past after I made a small mistake. He was looking great to be honest. I didn’t think I was going to get a chance to win. Then in the last half of the last lap I thought 'this is it' and just decided to go for it. Take some risks that I haven't taken all season.
"I was able to catch Ben going into the last turn, then got fantastic drive on the way out. I managed just to pip him on the line. Sorry Ben!"
Spies, who had shaken off Stoner's team-mates Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso to reach the front, was
"I made a couple of passes and then all of sudden Casey appeared in front of us. Followed him for a bit, then he made a mistake and I went by. It was still raining quite bad and without anybody in front of me it was hard to know how grip was on the track.
"The last two laps I just tried to stay consistent. Like he said, he took some risks and caught us. I tried to get a run out of the last corner, but we just lacked a little bit of steam going to the line. That's the way it goes.
"I'm happy to end the season like this after a horrible month and I'm looking forward to testing for next season," added Spies, who finished his second MotoGP season fifth in the championship.
Dovizioso finished third in the race and the world championship.
The much-maligned 800cc motorcycles - introduced in 2007 in an effort to reduce the speeds seen with the previous 990cc bikes, but delivering processional racing - will be replaced by 1000cc models for 2012.
Testing with the 1000cc bikes, which feature new technical restrictions to limit outright engine performance, will take place at the same Valencia circuit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Date: 6/November/2011
The last race of the 800cc MotoGP era was also the closest, ending in victory for world champion Casey Stoner by just 0.015sec at Valencia on Sunday.
The Repsol Honda rider looked set to claim his tenth win of the season with ease, but ever-present spots of rain intensified in the closing stages of the 30-lap race - washing away Stoner's ten-second lead in the process.
Stoner was then overtaken by Yamaha's Ben Spies after a bobble under braking with three laps to go, but kept in touch with the American and edged ahead by the tiniest of margins on the dash to the finish line.
The previous closest 800cc win had been a 0.069sec victory by Stoner over Valentino Rossi at Catalunya in 2007. There has only been one other race victory of less than one-second this season.
Stoner explained that he took 'risks that I haven't taken all season' to deny Spies.
"It rained the whole time in the race, but the amount of rain was different at almost every corner of every lap," he said. "I built up a good lead and felt but, then it got to the point where the rain got heavier - the rear of the bike came around several times and I backed off.
"Ben came past after I made a small mistake. He was looking great to be honest. I didn’t think I was going to get a chance to win. Then in the last half of the last lap I thought 'this is it' and just decided to go for it. Take some risks that I haven't taken all season.
"I was able to catch Ben going into the last turn, then got fantastic drive on the way out. I managed just to pip him on the line. Sorry Ben!"
Spies, who had shaken off Stoner's team-mates Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso to reach the front, was
"I made a couple of passes and then all of sudden Casey appeared in front of us. Followed him for a bit, then he made a mistake and I went by. It was still raining quite bad and without anybody in front of me it was hard to know how grip was on the track.
"The last two laps I just tried to stay consistent. Like he said, he took some risks and caught us. I tried to get a run out of the last corner, but we just lacked a little bit of steam going to the line. That's the way it goes.
"I'm happy to end the season like this after a horrible month and I'm looking forward to testing for next season," added Spies, who finished his second MotoGP season fifth in the championship.
Dovizioso finished third in the race and the world championship.
The much-maligned 800cc motorcycles - introduced in 2007 in an effort to reduce the speeds seen with the previous 990cc bikes, but delivering processional racing - will be replaced by 1000cc models for 2012.
Testing with the 1000cc bikes, which feature new technical restrictions to limit outright engine performance, will take place at the same Valencia circuit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rossi, Capirossi pay tribute to fallen friend Simoncelli
MotoGP News
Date: 3/November/2011
With the MotoGP paddock was still coming to terms with the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli, this weekend's Valencia season finale could be described as the race few want to take part in.
Popular 24-year-old Simoncelli was killed after falling into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi on lap 2 of the Malaysian Grand Prix, two weeks ago at Sepang.
Edwards will miss this weekend's race due to injuries, but Rossi - a close friend of Simoncelli - will return to the race track.
Difficult though it may be, most riders agree that racing is the best way to honour Simoncelli's memory.
"It’s good to be here in Valencia. It’s a strange feeling for everybody but I think it’s the best way to remember Marco," said Ducati rider Rossi, who wear a special helmet design this weekend.
“It’s been difficult, I’ve tried to stay as much as possible with Paolo [Simoncelli] and the family of Marco who are my friends.
"The feeling in Italy was unbelievable and great for Marco because a lot of people remembered him and demonstrated they liked him a lot on and off the track.
"In a bad moment like this the atmosphere was great with a lot of people who wanted to say ciao to Marco."
Rossi and fellow Italian Loris Capirossi both attended Simoncelli's funeral last week. Sunday's race will mark the end of Capirossi's long grand prix career - and he will ride with Simoncelli's number 58 on his Pramac Ducati.
“The situation is strange for everyone," admitted Capirossi. "We are all here and we try never to forget Marco - this is really important because he is part of our life and always tried to do his best.
"I want to use his number 58 on my bike for this race. I really hope he is happy about that and that I can achieve the same result as he could. I will do my best for him and after this race I will of course retire as planned.
"I am happy because after 22 seasons it’s a good time to stop. There are a lot of strong riders and it’s good to do something else.
“Like all stories start, they all finish and mine is finished.”
Sadly, Simoncelli's story finished far too early. The former 250cc world champion was only in his second season of MotoGP and had taken his best ever result, second place, just one week before his death.
Simoncelli had already re-signed to stay at Honda Gresini in 2012. The Gresini team unveiled a tribute to Simoncelli in their pit garage at Valencia on Thursday.
Date: 3/November/2011
With the MotoGP paddock was still coming to terms with the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli, this weekend's Valencia season finale could be described as the race few want to take part in.
Popular 24-year-old Simoncelli was killed after falling into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi on lap 2 of the Malaysian Grand Prix, two weeks ago at Sepang.
Edwards will miss this weekend's race due to injuries, but Rossi - a close friend of Simoncelli - will return to the race track.
Difficult though it may be, most riders agree that racing is the best way to honour Simoncelli's memory.
"It’s good to be here in Valencia. It’s a strange feeling for everybody but I think it’s the best way to remember Marco," said Ducati rider Rossi, who wear a special helmet design this weekend.
“It’s been difficult, I’ve tried to stay as much as possible with Paolo [Simoncelli] and the family of Marco who are my friends.
"The feeling in Italy was unbelievable and great for Marco because a lot of people remembered him and demonstrated they liked him a lot on and off the track.
"In a bad moment like this the atmosphere was great with a lot of people who wanted to say ciao to Marco."
Rossi and fellow Italian Loris Capirossi both attended Simoncelli's funeral last week. Sunday's race will mark the end of Capirossi's long grand prix career - and he will ride with Simoncelli's number 58 on his Pramac Ducati.
“The situation is strange for everyone," admitted Capirossi. "We are all here and we try never to forget Marco - this is really important because he is part of our life and always tried to do his best.
"I want to use his number 58 on my bike for this race. I really hope he is happy about that and that I can achieve the same result as he could. I will do my best for him and after this race I will of course retire as planned.
"I am happy because after 22 seasons it’s a good time to stop. There are a lot of strong riders and it’s good to do something else.
“Like all stories start, they all finish and mine is finished.”
Sadly, Simoncelli's story finished far too early. The former 250cc world champion was only in his second season of MotoGP and had taken his best ever result, second place, just one week before his death.
Simoncelli had already re-signed to stay at Honda Gresini in 2012. The Gresini team unveiled a tribute to Simoncelli in their pit garage at Valencia on Thursday.
F1 underdogs don’t want 'favours'
F1 News
Date: 28/October/2011
Representatives from some of the middle-ranking F1 teams have rejected the concept of handing them extra concessions to help compete with the likes of Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.
One proposal is that lower ranking teams could be allowed more time for testing, in order to help close the gap to the front runners, but Toro Rosso's Franz Tost thinks it isn’t that simple.
"I don’t think that if the teams which are running in the midfield get the possibility for more tests that it would increase their performance, or put them in front of the current best teams," he said.
"It’s always a combination. If you look at Red Bull, they have a fantastic team with Adrian Newey who is a fantastically good designer, they have one of the best drivers in their car, and the team itself is also doing a very, very good job.
"That means that this combination has grown up in the last two years and it’s not that you say now, for example, to any other team which is behind, ‘OK, we give you more tests and then you will beat them.’ "
Sauber's Monisha Kaltenborn felt that introducing a kind of two-tier rule system was against the sprit of F1.
"I think any such measures would basically distort the championship and the sport," she said. "Looking at our team, we know our strengths and we can be more flexible than bigger teams can, so we have to focus on them, seeing where the resources restriction [which limits spending] is going, these kind of measures. We need to wait for our chance and we need to be there then."
Williams chairman Adam Parr said it would be 'inappropriate' to receive any favours and that controlling the costs was his main priority.
"Just two thoughts: first of all we don’t expect any favours on the track, and I think it would be inappropriate to ask or suggest that," he said. "Where I do think the sport needs to work together is off the track and that includes the economics.
"So while I don’t think we should get any advantage, I think that having a sensible control over the total spending is logical."
Jean Francois Caubet of Renault F1 Sport believes the present F1 hierarchy will remain until major rule changes in 2014.
"I think you must wait until 2014 because in ’14 you will have new regulations, new chassis, new engine, probably a lot of creativity and things will be completely different in ’14," he explained.
"I think it will be something like a new Formula One and the gap will be very big in comparison to now."
Date: 28/October/2011
Representatives from some of the middle-ranking F1 teams have rejected the concept of handing them extra concessions to help compete with the likes of Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.
One proposal is that lower ranking teams could be allowed more time for testing, in order to help close the gap to the front runners, but Toro Rosso's Franz Tost thinks it isn’t that simple.
"I don’t think that if the teams which are running in the midfield get the possibility for more tests that it would increase their performance, or put them in front of the current best teams," he said.
"It’s always a combination. If you look at Red Bull, they have a fantastic team with Adrian Newey who is a fantastically good designer, they have one of the best drivers in their car, and the team itself is also doing a very, very good job.
"That means that this combination has grown up in the last two years and it’s not that you say now, for example, to any other team which is behind, ‘OK, we give you more tests and then you will beat them.’ "
Sauber's Monisha Kaltenborn felt that introducing a kind of two-tier rule system was against the sprit of F1.
"I think any such measures would basically distort the championship and the sport," she said. "Looking at our team, we know our strengths and we can be more flexible than bigger teams can, so we have to focus on them, seeing where the resources restriction [which limits spending] is going, these kind of measures. We need to wait for our chance and we need to be there then."
Williams chairman Adam Parr said it would be 'inappropriate' to receive any favours and that controlling the costs was his main priority.
"Just two thoughts: first of all we don’t expect any favours on the track, and I think it would be inappropriate to ask or suggest that," he said. "Where I do think the sport needs to work together is off the track and that includes the economics.
"So while I don’t think we should get any advantage, I think that having a sensible control over the total spending is logical."
Jean Francois Caubet of Renault F1 Sport believes the present F1 hierarchy will remain until major rule changes in 2014.
"I think you must wait until 2014 because in ’14 you will have new regulations, new chassis, new engine, probably a lot of creativity and things will be completely different in ’14," he explained.
"I think it will be something like a new Formula One and the gap will be very big in comparison to now."
High hopes on eve of F1's Indian adventure
F1 News
Date: 27/October/2011
Formula One will make history this weekend when the much-anticipated first ever Indian Grand Prix takes place at the Buddh International Circuit, on the outskirts of Delhi.
It's a massively important moment for both F1 and India, as the most glamorous and expensive sport in the world takes centre stage in one of the most important emerging economies.
The finishing touches were being put on the newly constructed 5.14km circuit as the F1 'circus' descended on Thursday and the overall mood is extremely positive - not least due to the challenging layout of the track.
"They've done quite a good job on the circuit," said Adrian Sutil, who drives for the 'home' Force India team. "I went around the circuit this morning and it all looked finished.
"For us it is very special and now since a few years we are doing better and better so India knows about our team here and now I think it is time to introduce Formula One here in India. Great weekend for us, many people watching us, and I look forward to it."
For home star Narain Karthikeyan, who will drive for HRT this weekend, it is a dream come true.
"I did not think in my career that I would be racing F1 in India and here we are just around the corner," he smiled. "The circuit is wide in some places, there are lots of different lines and I'm sure you are going to see lots of overtaking. It is definitely a very challenging circuit, with lots of run off areas and so on, so they have done a very good job, no doubt."
The most eye-catching part of the track layout seems to be the wide hairpins, which drivers' hope will encourage overtaking.
"It is pretty interesting," said Ferrari's Felipe Massa. "All these hairpins with very wide braking points, which you can choose two different lines. I think that is a very interesting for overtaking."
Massa's former team-mate and seven time world champion Michael Schumacher agreed.
"It is a new sort of philosophy for overtaking, making the circuits very wide at corner entry so that if you defend, the other guy choosing the outside line can take a good run at you at the end of the straight [after the corner]," explained the German.
"It offers a good tactical perspective for overtaking, for having a good show, and hopefully help make the Indian fans enjoy Formula One this weekend."
Free practice for the Indian Grand Prix takes place on Friday.
Date: 27/October/2011
Formula One will make history this weekend when the much-anticipated first ever Indian Grand Prix takes place at the Buddh International Circuit, on the outskirts of Delhi.
It's a massively important moment for both F1 and India, as the most glamorous and expensive sport in the world takes centre stage in one of the most important emerging economies.
The finishing touches were being put on the newly constructed 5.14km circuit as the F1 'circus' descended on Thursday and the overall mood is extremely positive - not least due to the challenging layout of the track.
"They've done quite a good job on the circuit," said Adrian Sutil, who drives for the 'home' Force India team. "I went around the circuit this morning and it all looked finished.
"For us it is very special and now since a few years we are doing better and better so India knows about our team here and now I think it is time to introduce Formula One here in India. Great weekend for us, many people watching us, and I look forward to it."
For home star Narain Karthikeyan, who will drive for HRT this weekend, it is a dream come true.
"I did not think in my career that I would be racing F1 in India and here we are just around the corner," he smiled. "The circuit is wide in some places, there are lots of different lines and I'm sure you are going to see lots of overtaking. It is definitely a very challenging circuit, with lots of run off areas and so on, so they have done a very good job, no doubt."
The most eye-catching part of the track layout seems to be the wide hairpins, which drivers' hope will encourage overtaking.
"It is pretty interesting," said Ferrari's Felipe Massa. "All these hairpins with very wide braking points, which you can choose two different lines. I think that is a very interesting for overtaking."
Massa's former team-mate and seven time world champion Michael Schumacher agreed.
"It is a new sort of philosophy for overtaking, making the circuits very wide at corner entry so that if you defend, the other guy choosing the outside line can take a good run at you at the end of the straight [after the corner]," explained the German.
"It offers a good tactical perspective for overtaking, for having a good show, and hopefully help make the Indian fans enjoy Formula One this weekend."
Free practice for the Indian Grand Prix takes place on Friday.
MotoGP in mourning as Simoncelli dies at Sepang
MotoGP News
Date: 23/October/2011
The MotoGP World Championship was in a state of mourning on Sunday evening following the tragic loss of one of its brightest and most exciting stars, Marco Simoncelli.
The flamboyant 24-year-old Italian lost his life when he slid from his Gresini Honda whilst holding fourth place on the second lap of the race, held at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.
What would normally have been a relatively harmless fall turned deadly when Simoncelli's bike regained traction after he fell and then swerved across the racetrack, pulling the former 250cc world champion with it.
Simoncelli slid straight into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, who had no time to avoid the fallen rider. The massive impact tore off Simoncelli's helmet and left him lying unconscious in the middle of the track, while a tumbling Edwards dislocated his shoulder.
Nine time world champion Rossi, a good friend of Simoncelli, was sent spearing off track but was able to keep control of his Ducati.
Championship organisers faced stiff criticism after the last two fatalities - Daijiro Kato (MotoGP) in 2003 and Shoya Tomizawa (Moto2) in 2010 - for not stopping the race.
There could be no criticism of the reaction on Sunday, with red flags immediately raised and Simoncelli taken by ambulance to the medical centre. Sadly, nothing could be done to save the popular young rider, instantly recognisable due to his Jimi Hendrix style hair.
An emotional Doctor Michele Macchiagodena, Medical Director for MotoGP, later explained: “I’m very sad to be here to report about the death of Marco Simoncelli, a friend. Because of the crash he had during the race, in which he was hit by other riders, he suffered a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest.
"When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR. Immediately in the Medical Centre, with the help also of the Doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local Doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax.
"The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead.”
Simoncelli, penalised earlier in the season for the hard-riding style that made him so popular with fans, had taken his best MotoGP finish of second place the previous Sunday in Australia.
Nicknamed 'Super Sic', SIC being the abbreviation of his name on the timing screens, Simoncelli had recently signed a new factory Honda contract to remain at Team Gresini in 2012.
Kato, the last premier-class rider to be killed, had also ridden for the Italian-based squad, run by former racer Fausto Gresini.
Date: 23/October/2011
The MotoGP World Championship was in a state of mourning on Sunday evening following the tragic loss of one of its brightest and most exciting stars, Marco Simoncelli.
The flamboyant 24-year-old Italian lost his life when he slid from his Gresini Honda whilst holding fourth place on the second lap of the race, held at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.
What would normally have been a relatively harmless fall turned deadly when Simoncelli's bike regained traction after he fell and then swerved across the racetrack, pulling the former 250cc world champion with it.
Simoncelli slid straight into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, who had no time to avoid the fallen rider. The massive impact tore off Simoncelli's helmet and left him lying unconscious in the middle of the track, while a tumbling Edwards dislocated his shoulder.
Nine time world champion Rossi, a good friend of Simoncelli, was sent spearing off track but was able to keep control of his Ducati.
Championship organisers faced stiff criticism after the last two fatalities - Daijiro Kato (MotoGP) in 2003 and Shoya Tomizawa (Moto2) in 2010 - for not stopping the race.
There could be no criticism of the reaction on Sunday, with red flags immediately raised and Simoncelli taken by ambulance to the medical centre. Sadly, nothing could be done to save the popular young rider, instantly recognisable due to his Jimi Hendrix style hair.
An emotional Doctor Michele Macchiagodena, Medical Director for MotoGP, later explained: “I’m very sad to be here to report about the death of Marco Simoncelli, a friend. Because of the crash he had during the race, in which he was hit by other riders, he suffered a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest.
"When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR. Immediately in the Medical Centre, with the help also of the Doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local Doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax.
"The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead.”
Simoncelli, penalised earlier in the season for the hard-riding style that made him so popular with fans, had taken his best MotoGP finish of second place the previous Sunday in Australia.
Nicknamed 'Super Sic', SIC being the abbreviation of his name on the timing screens, Simoncelli had recently signed a new factory Honda contract to remain at Team Gresini in 2012.
Kato, the last premier-class rider to be killed, had also ridden for the Italian-based squad, run by former racer Fausto Gresini.
MotoGP stars talk 'Rocky Movie' Marquez
MotoGP News
Date: 21/October/2011
Marc Marquez may be yet to start to a MotoGP race, but the 18-year-old's decision to delay a move to the premier-class until at least 2013 was the main talking point in the Sepang paddock on Thursday.
Marquez, the reigning 125cc world champion, has taken the Moto2 series by storm this year, mounting a magnificent comeback after non-scores in the first three rounds to briefly take the title lead.
The Spaniard will start Sunday's penultimate round just three points behind German Stefan Bradl, after keeping his championship chances alive by riding from last on the grid to third place in Australia.
But regardless of whether he takes the 600cc title at his first attempt, Marquez will stay on a Repsol-backed Suter in 2012, having opted against an early graduation to MotoGP with Honda.
Asked to comment on the decision, newly crowned double world champion Casey Stoner said it is possible to be successful in MotoGP without spending more than one year in the intermediate class.
"On paper I did two seasons in 250 [now Moto2], but one of those was my first season in grand prix," said Stoner. "After that I rode for two seasons in 125, then one season in 250, and then MotoGP.
"A lot of people say it was a mistake [to just do one year in 250/Moto2] but I don't think so. If you've achieved all you can achieve, then unless you want to win the championship, there is no reason why not to go up a class. That is their decision though and I'm sure he'll be joining us the year after anyway."
Other riders, including seven time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi, felt Marquez is doing the right thing - although partly for selfish reasons.
"I think he has made the right decision," said the Italian superstar. "If I am Marc I would do the same. First, because he is very young and has a lot of time. Second, it takes some pressure off this year, because if he is champion he is happy, but if not he can try again next year.
"Also it is so positive for us [in MotoGP] because it is one less Honda!"
Colin Edwards also had his own reasons for wanting Marquez to stay in Moto2.
"It's the best news I've heard all week, because I enjoy watching Marquez before I go out. If he's in the same race as me then I might not see him!" smiled Edwards.
"Watching him is like watching a Rocky movie or something. You get all pumped up seeing him come through the pack or whatever he does. He's definitely going to be a threat when he comes to MotoGP."
But Marquez is not without his critics, particularly for his aggressive all-out riding style, which contributed to a grid penalty in Australia, for smashing into another rider after practice had finished.
"I think he has a really good talent but he needs to arrive in MotoGP a bit calmer, because many riders start well but after a few crashes they go down," warned Andrea Dovizioso. "He will be a strong rider in the future but he needs to be careful about this."
Date: 21/October/2011
Marc Marquez may be yet to start to a MotoGP race, but the 18-year-old's decision to delay a move to the premier-class until at least 2013 was the main talking point in the Sepang paddock on Thursday.
Marquez, the reigning 125cc world champion, has taken the Moto2 series by storm this year, mounting a magnificent comeback after non-scores in the first three rounds to briefly take the title lead.
The Spaniard will start Sunday's penultimate round just three points behind German Stefan Bradl, after keeping his championship chances alive by riding from last on the grid to third place in Australia.
But regardless of whether he takes the 600cc title at his first attempt, Marquez will stay on a Repsol-backed Suter in 2012, having opted against an early graduation to MotoGP with Honda.
Asked to comment on the decision, newly crowned double world champion Casey Stoner said it is possible to be successful in MotoGP without spending more than one year in the intermediate class.
"On paper I did two seasons in 250 [now Moto2], but one of those was my first season in grand prix," said Stoner. "After that I rode for two seasons in 125, then one season in 250, and then MotoGP.
"A lot of people say it was a mistake [to just do one year in 250/Moto2] but I don't think so. If you've achieved all you can achieve, then unless you want to win the championship, there is no reason why not to go up a class. That is their decision though and I'm sure he'll be joining us the year after anyway."
Other riders, including seven time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi, felt Marquez is doing the right thing - although partly for selfish reasons.
"I think he has made the right decision," said the Italian superstar. "If I am Marc I would do the same. First, because he is very young and has a lot of time. Second, it takes some pressure off this year, because if he is champion he is happy, but if not he can try again next year.
"Also it is so positive for us [in MotoGP] because it is one less Honda!"
Colin Edwards also had his own reasons for wanting Marquez to stay in Moto2.
"It's the best news I've heard all week, because I enjoy watching Marquez before I go out. If he's in the same race as me then I might not see him!" smiled Edwards.
"Watching him is like watching a Rocky movie or something. You get all pumped up seeing him come through the pack or whatever he does. He's definitely going to be a threat when he comes to MotoGP."
But Marquez is not without his critics, particularly for his aggressive all-out riding style, which contributed to a grid penalty in Australia, for smashing into another rider after practice had finished.
"I think he has a really good talent but he needs to arrive in MotoGP a bit calmer, because many riders start well but after a few crashes they go down," warned Andrea Dovizioso. "He will be a strong rider in the future but he needs to be careful about this."
Edwards CRT MotoGP plans taking shape
MotoGP News
Date: 20/October/2011
On the eve of this weekend's penultimate round of the 2011 MotoGP season, at Sepang in Malaysia, class veteran Colin Edwards gave an update on his 'new adventure' for next season.
Edwards is the first and so far only rider to sign-up to ride one of the new cut-price 'Claiming Rule Team' bikes - the unfortunately bland name officially given to the new class of non-manufacturer entries, designed to boost flagging grid numbers.
Coinciding with the switch from 800cc to 1000cc engines, CRTs will be able to use more fuel and utilise more engine changes to help keep them on the same page as the horrendously expensive factory-built prototypes.
Edwards, 37, has been gently nudged from his happy home at Tech 3 Yamaha, but resisted retirement by signing to ride for Forward Racing Team, which is using the new CRT opportunity to step-up from Moto2 to MotoGP.
And the former double World Superbike champion has now revealed the engine and chassis combination that he will race with next season.
Edwards said: "It's a BMW-Suter, which is what I signed up for in the beginning and I'm happy to be working with those guys. It's probably not going to be competitive in the first race, maybe not in the last race either, but we'll work extremely hard to build it and test it.
"It's a new adventure and a lot of work. Sorting out personnel, crew chiefs, mechanics and all that. I'm accustomed to coming to a new team, signing a piece of paper, riding the motorcycle and going home! So it's a lot more work than I'm accustomed to.
"But at the end of the day our sport has a dream and a vision. I think everybody wants to see closer, competitive racing in MotoGP like it is in Moto2. Somebody has to start it."
The present MotoGP grid contains just 17 full-time riders, supported by four manufacturers - Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki.
All except Suzuki have confirmed they will remain in MotoGP next year, although exact bike numbers remain a mystery with some satellite teams struggling for the necessary budgets.
That loss could be CRTs gain, with some of the established independent teams now looking to follow in Edwards' footsteps, rather than try and find the much higher costs needed to lease a manufacturer bike.
The BMW-Suter lapped 3.9sec behind Casey Stoner's pace-setting 1000cc RC213V in August's Brno test.
Date: 20/October/2011
On the eve of this weekend's penultimate round of the 2011 MotoGP season, at Sepang in Malaysia, class veteran Colin Edwards gave an update on his 'new adventure' for next season.
Edwards is the first and so far only rider to sign-up to ride one of the new cut-price 'Claiming Rule Team' bikes - the unfortunately bland name officially given to the new class of non-manufacturer entries, designed to boost flagging grid numbers.
Coinciding with the switch from 800cc to 1000cc engines, CRTs will be able to use more fuel and utilise more engine changes to help keep them on the same page as the horrendously expensive factory-built prototypes.
Edwards, 37, has been gently nudged from his happy home at Tech 3 Yamaha, but resisted retirement by signing to ride for Forward Racing Team, which is using the new CRT opportunity to step-up from Moto2 to MotoGP.
And the former double World Superbike champion has now revealed the engine and chassis combination that he will race with next season.
Edwards said: "It's a BMW-Suter, which is what I signed up for in the beginning and I'm happy to be working with those guys. It's probably not going to be competitive in the first race, maybe not in the last race either, but we'll work extremely hard to build it and test it.
"It's a new adventure and a lot of work. Sorting out personnel, crew chiefs, mechanics and all that. I'm accustomed to coming to a new team, signing a piece of paper, riding the motorcycle and going home! So it's a lot more work than I'm accustomed to.
"But at the end of the day our sport has a dream and a vision. I think everybody wants to see closer, competitive racing in MotoGP like it is in Moto2. Somebody has to start it."
The present MotoGP grid contains just 17 full-time riders, supported by four manufacturers - Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki.
All except Suzuki have confirmed they will remain in MotoGP next year, although exact bike numbers remain a mystery with some satellite teams struggling for the necessary budgets.
That loss could be CRTs gain, with some of the established independent teams now looking to follow in Edwards' footsteps, rather than try and find the much higher costs needed to lease a manufacturer bike.
The BMW-Suter lapped 3.9sec behind Casey Stoner's pace-setting 1000cc RC213V in August's Brno test.
'Glum' Hamilton pricks Red Bull's pole bubble
F1 News
Date: 15/October/2011
Judging by body language alone, few would have guessed that Lewis Hamilton had finally ended Red Bull's 2011 pole domination in Korea on Saturday.
The McLaren star took his first pole of the season by 0.232sec, just the kind of boost the Briton needs to turn around a difficult run of incidents and criticism.
Or so it seemed. Despite the result, Hamilton struggled to raise a smile and faced repeated questions as to why he looked so glum.
"No, no. I am happy, I am happy," Hamilton replied, unconvincingly. "It’s been a tough second half of the season and it’s great to get pole. It doesn’t really mean a huge amount because tomorrow’s really what counts.
"Well it is probably one of the first positives I have had for a while and to be back on pole is a great feeling," added the double 2011 race winner. "But, as I said, tomorrow is the most important day. I have had some difficult races in the past so hopefully will try to redeem myself tomorrow.
"As long as we can get some really strong points for the team as they have put an incredible amount of effort into getting us to where we are today so a big thank you to them and I hope that tomorrow me and Jenson can repay them."
Newly crowned double world champion Sebastian Vettel will start second on the grid for Red Bull, with Hamilton's team-mate Jenson Button in third. Button has beaten Hamilton at the last five races.
Vettel will be seeking his ninth win of the year on Sunday, with Button chasing his fourth victory as he seeks to gain breathing room over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in the battle for second in the final standings. Alonso will start sixth.
Date: 15/October/2011
Judging by body language alone, few would have guessed that Lewis Hamilton had finally ended Red Bull's 2011 pole domination in Korea on Saturday.
The McLaren star took his first pole of the season by 0.232sec, just the kind of boost the Briton needs to turn around a difficult run of incidents and criticism.
Or so it seemed. Despite the result, Hamilton struggled to raise a smile and faced repeated questions as to why he looked so glum.
"No, no. I am happy, I am happy," Hamilton replied, unconvincingly. "It’s been a tough second half of the season and it’s great to get pole. It doesn’t really mean a huge amount because tomorrow’s really what counts.
"Well it is probably one of the first positives I have had for a while and to be back on pole is a great feeling," added the double 2011 race winner. "But, as I said, tomorrow is the most important day. I have had some difficult races in the past so hopefully will try to redeem myself tomorrow.
"As long as we can get some really strong points for the team as they have put an incredible amount of effort into getting us to where we are today so a big thank you to them and I hope that tomorrow me and Jenson can repay them."
Newly crowned double world champion Sebastian Vettel will start second on the grid for Red Bull, with Hamilton's team-mate Jenson Button in third. Button has beaten Hamilton at the last five races.
Vettel will be seeking his ninth win of the year on Sunday, with Button chasing his fourth victory as he seeks to gain breathing room over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in the battle for second in the final standings. Alonso will start sixth.
What's in an F1 name?
F1 News
Date: 14/October/2011
If you own an F1 team you can call your car whatever you want, right? Wrong.
In order to provide stability and prevent frequent name changes, teams must either get unanimous agreement from all their rivals or forfeit prize money associated with the previous identity.
The rules help stop cars, for example, being renamed annually to suit the latest title sponsor. So while the team name can be easily modified to include a title sponsor, changing the official Constructor name (Ferrari, McLaren, Williams etc) is no easy task.
But is the process too difficult and even open to abuse? A selection of team principals spoke about why the rules exist and the consequences of them during Friday's opening day of the Korean Grand Prix.
"We’re a team that has changed its name a number of times over the last 10 to 15 years," began Mercedes boss Ross Brawn. "We started as Tyrrell and that is the same company all the way through to now, with some variations of our name.
"I think it would obviously be very, very disappointing if a brand of the strength of Ferrari changed its name. But we know that’s never going to happen and if it suits the commercial purposes of teams to change their name and it helps them survive then we should consider it.
"We wouldn’t stand in the way of a sensible proposal. We don’t want any names that are perhaps derogatory to Formula One… but otherwise we have no strong views."
The discussion was particularly apt since the name Lotus is, confusingly, associated with two different teams this year - as a title sponsor for Renault and as a separate Lotus Racing (constructor) entry.
Although a court decision allowed both to use the name this year, the Renault constructor name is expected to be changed to Lotus for 2012, with Lotus Racing voluntarily switching to a new team and constructor identity (probably Caterham).
Red Bull principal Christian Horner, fresh from celebrating Sebastian Vettel's title defence last weekend in Japan, agreed that the current Lotus confusion should be sorted out - but warned that brand names must be protected.
"I think the situation is a tricky one in many respects because there are two sides to it. On one side, it doesn’t make any sense for a team to be called Renault when it isn’t Renault, therefore a name change in a situation like that makes sense," he said.
"I think that where Formula One needs to be a little bit careful is that the teams are brands and when the promoter is selling Formula One around the world, can sell Ferrari, can sell McLaren and now sell Red Bull Racing and Mercedes – they are all strong brand names.
"As Ross says, if there’s a logical, sensible reason then why not, but I think we also have to be careful that it just doesn’t end up in a merry-go-round and companies that have the same company number just change effectively [the] entrant name on a yearly or biannual basis."
Brawn then revealed that 'favours', which might be viewed as a form of blackmail, were made by some teams to ensure the change from 'Brawn' to 'Mercedes Benz' went ahead for 2010.
"I guarantee those teams that are trying to change their name [for next year] will have had approaches from other teams who want different favours paid in order to agree to the name change, and that’s not correct," he said.
"I know that happened to us when we wanted to change our name. People sought to get favours from that decision. That’s what we mustn’t have. If there’s a genuine reason why a team shouldn’t change its name, because it’s not in the interests of Formula One, that’s correct, there should be a proper debate. It needs to be done in an adult way and not used in a divisive way."
Second only to Ferrari in terms of F1 heritage is the McLaren team, which is taking part in its 700th grand prix this weekend.
"This is the 700th Grand Prix of McLaren, but in that time 107 teams have failed," revealed McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh. "Now that’s a sobering thought.
"I think we should be doing everything we can to help and facilitate teams and as Ross said, if they come up with a clearly silly, divisive name or a name that’s damaging to Formula One, then we should be able to use good judgement to prevent it.
"But if it’s clear that the name change facilitates the funding and the retention of that team within Formula One, then we shouldn’t use the polemics and politics of Formula One to prevent it."
Date: 14/October/2011
If you own an F1 team you can call your car whatever you want, right? Wrong.
In order to provide stability and prevent frequent name changes, teams must either get unanimous agreement from all their rivals or forfeit prize money associated with the previous identity.
The rules help stop cars, for example, being renamed annually to suit the latest title sponsor. So while the team name can be easily modified to include a title sponsor, changing the official Constructor name (Ferrari, McLaren, Williams etc) is no easy task.
But is the process too difficult and even open to abuse? A selection of team principals spoke about why the rules exist and the consequences of them during Friday's opening day of the Korean Grand Prix.
"We’re a team that has changed its name a number of times over the last 10 to 15 years," began Mercedes boss Ross Brawn. "We started as Tyrrell and that is the same company all the way through to now, with some variations of our name.
"I think it would obviously be very, very disappointing if a brand of the strength of Ferrari changed its name. But we know that’s never going to happen and if it suits the commercial purposes of teams to change their name and it helps them survive then we should consider it.
"We wouldn’t stand in the way of a sensible proposal. We don’t want any names that are perhaps derogatory to Formula One… but otherwise we have no strong views."
The discussion was particularly apt since the name Lotus is, confusingly, associated with two different teams this year - as a title sponsor for Renault and as a separate Lotus Racing (constructor) entry.
Although a court decision allowed both to use the name this year, the Renault constructor name is expected to be changed to Lotus for 2012, with Lotus Racing voluntarily switching to a new team and constructor identity (probably Caterham).
Red Bull principal Christian Horner, fresh from celebrating Sebastian Vettel's title defence last weekend in Japan, agreed that the current Lotus confusion should be sorted out - but warned that brand names must be protected.
"I think the situation is a tricky one in many respects because there are two sides to it. On one side, it doesn’t make any sense for a team to be called Renault when it isn’t Renault, therefore a name change in a situation like that makes sense," he said.
"I think that where Formula One needs to be a little bit careful is that the teams are brands and when the promoter is selling Formula One around the world, can sell Ferrari, can sell McLaren and now sell Red Bull Racing and Mercedes – they are all strong brand names.
"As Ross says, if there’s a logical, sensible reason then why not, but I think we also have to be careful that it just doesn’t end up in a merry-go-round and companies that have the same company number just change effectively [the] entrant name on a yearly or biannual basis."
Brawn then revealed that 'favours', which might be viewed as a form of blackmail, were made by some teams to ensure the change from 'Brawn' to 'Mercedes Benz' went ahead for 2010.
"I guarantee those teams that are trying to change their name [for next year] will have had approaches from other teams who want different favours paid in order to agree to the name change, and that’s not correct," he said.
"I know that happened to us when we wanted to change our name. People sought to get favours from that decision. That’s what we mustn’t have. If there’s a genuine reason why a team shouldn’t change its name, because it’s not in the interests of Formula One, that’s correct, there should be a proper debate. It needs to be done in an adult way and not used in a divisive way."
Second only to Ferrari in terms of F1 heritage is the McLaren team, which is taking part in its 700th grand prix this weekend.
"This is the 700th Grand Prix of McLaren, but in that time 107 teams have failed," revealed McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh. "Now that’s a sobering thought.
"I think we should be doing everything we can to help and facilitate teams and as Ross said, if they come up with a clearly silly, divisive name or a name that’s damaging to Formula One, then we should be able to use good judgement to prevent it.
"But if it’s clear that the name change facilitates the funding and the retention of that team within Formula One, then we shouldn’t use the polemics and politics of Formula One to prevent it."
Hamilton hoping to mend Massa relationship
F1 News
Date: 13/October/2011
Lewis Hamilton insists he still has plenty of respect for Felipe Massa and hopes they can 'be cool again', despite the Ferrari driver's colourful reaction to their on-track skirmishes.
Hamilton and Massa, rivals since their tense 2008 title battle, have clashed repeatedly this season - culminating in Massa publically confronting Hamilton in front of the TV cameras in Singapore.
To make matters worse, the pair made contract again at the recent Japanese round, when Hamilton failed to spot the Brazilian alongside him.
But while Massa has got madder, calling on Hamilton to be punished by the FIA, the Englishman - censored earlier this year for an ill-judged outburst after a frustrating Monaco Grand Prix - has kept his composure.
Hamilton again tried to diffuse the tension when asked about the situation with Massa on the eve of this weekend's Korean Grand Prix.
"I’ve always had respect for Felipe and still do today, regardless of the negative comments that he’s constantly coming up with," said Hamilton.
"It’s easy, in this sport, when you’re competitive and in the heat of the moment, to say things that perhaps you don’t mean, whether or not he does mean them. But regardless, I’ve tried to show respect, particularly in the last race, I’m very, very sorry for that.
"I really didn’t see him," Hamilton explained. "So by the time I realised he was on the left it was too late. I think I’ve been in the wrong place in the last few races.
"Perhaps if I was doing the right job I wouldn’t be in this situation with Felipe. But again, just all due respect and I hope that in the future we can put our guards down and he can be cool with me again. I’m cool with him, so I have no problems with him."
Hamilton, outperformed by team-mate Jenson Button this season, hasn’t been on the podium since his second victory of the season, in Germany.
"It’s been five bad races," he admitted. "I think it’s a combination of things. I put most of it down to myself and of course, there are times that you find yourself a little bit unfortunate."
Date: 13/October/2011
Lewis Hamilton insists he still has plenty of respect for Felipe Massa and hopes they can 'be cool again', despite the Ferrari driver's colourful reaction to their on-track skirmishes.
Hamilton and Massa, rivals since their tense 2008 title battle, have clashed repeatedly this season - culminating in Massa publically confronting Hamilton in front of the TV cameras in Singapore.
To make matters worse, the pair made contract again at the recent Japanese round, when Hamilton failed to spot the Brazilian alongside him.
But while Massa has got madder, calling on Hamilton to be punished by the FIA, the Englishman - censored earlier this year for an ill-judged outburst after a frustrating Monaco Grand Prix - has kept his composure.
Hamilton again tried to diffuse the tension when asked about the situation with Massa on the eve of this weekend's Korean Grand Prix.
"I’ve always had respect for Felipe and still do today, regardless of the negative comments that he’s constantly coming up with," said Hamilton.
"It’s easy, in this sport, when you’re competitive and in the heat of the moment, to say things that perhaps you don’t mean, whether or not he does mean them. But regardless, I’ve tried to show respect, particularly in the last race, I’m very, very sorry for that.
"I really didn’t see him," Hamilton explained. "So by the time I realised he was on the left it was too late. I think I’ve been in the wrong place in the last few races.
"Perhaps if I was doing the right job I wouldn’t be in this situation with Felipe. But again, just all due respect and I hope that in the future we can put our guards down and he can be cool with me again. I’m cool with him, so I have no problems with him."
Hamilton, outperformed by team-mate Jenson Button this season, hasn’t been on the podium since his second victory of the season, in Germany.
"It’s been five bad races," he admitted. "I think it’s a combination of things. I put most of it down to myself and of course, there are times that you find yourself a little bit unfortunate."
Stoner dismisses home Championship chance
MotoGP News
Date: 13/October/2011
Casey Stoner dismissed his chances of becoming a MotoGP world champion for the second time this Sunday, during his home Australian Grand Prix.
Stoner, the 2007 world champion, holds a 40-point lead over Jorge Lorenzo with three rounds remaining. That means that he can hand Repsol Honda its first world title since 2006 if he scores ten points more than Yamaha's Lorenzo on Sunday.
"My chances of winning the championship this weekend are very, very slim to almost none," he insisted. "Jorge has to finish fourth or worse and then I have to try and win the race.
"For me the most important thing is just to win the race. We didn’t win last time in Japan so we'll try and bounce back here"
Despite his comments, Stoner has an excellent chance of fulfilling his side of the championship deal. The Australian, who will celebrate his 26th birthday on Sunday, has won the last four Phillip Island MotoGP races, as a Ducati rider.
"It's a grand prix I always enjoy coming back to. Most people enjoy their home grand prix. There's a bit more stress and things to do, but we're looking forward to riding this circuit on a Honda," he said.
"It'll be our first time with the Honda here and we'll see how we do. Until we get out there we won’t really know. The last four years have been pretty successful. The track is a lot of fun and now we just have to wait and see about the weather - as usual!"
While Stoner is thinking only of race victory, Lorenzo has an equally clear target.
"I'm going to fight to the end to delay Casey's world championship for as long as possible," said Lorenzo on Thursday. "That means we need to fight for the win every weekend. It'll be tough, but we'll try."
Date: 13/October/2011
Casey Stoner dismissed his chances of becoming a MotoGP world champion for the second time this Sunday, during his home Australian Grand Prix.
Stoner, the 2007 world champion, holds a 40-point lead over Jorge Lorenzo with three rounds remaining. That means that he can hand Repsol Honda its first world title since 2006 if he scores ten points more than Yamaha's Lorenzo on Sunday.
"My chances of winning the championship this weekend are very, very slim to almost none," he insisted. "Jorge has to finish fourth or worse and then I have to try and win the race.
"For me the most important thing is just to win the race. We didn’t win last time in Japan so we'll try and bounce back here"
Despite his comments, Stoner has an excellent chance of fulfilling his side of the championship deal. The Australian, who will celebrate his 26th birthday on Sunday, has won the last four Phillip Island MotoGP races, as a Ducati rider.
"It's a grand prix I always enjoy coming back to. Most people enjoy their home grand prix. There's a bit more stress and things to do, but we're looking forward to riding this circuit on a Honda," he said.
"It'll be our first time with the Honda here and we'll see how we do. Until we get out there we won’t really know. The last four years have been pretty successful. The track is a lot of fun and now we just have to wait and see about the weather - as usual!"
While Stoner is thinking only of race victory, Lorenzo has an equally clear target.
"I'm going to fight to the end to delay Casey's world championship for as long as possible," said Lorenzo on Thursday. "That means we need to fight for the win every weekend. It'll be tough, but we'll try."
Button's battle, Vettel's war
F1 News
Date: 9/October/2011
Jenson Button won his third race of the 2011 F1 season at Suzuka in Japan on Sunday, but Sebastian Vettel more than made the point he needed to be crowned the youngest ever double world champion at the age of 24.
A harsh defence by pole sitter Vettel at the start dropped Button to third, before the Englishman recovered to claim his first dry race win as a McLaren driver by 1.1sec from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
While Alonso reeled-in Button during the closing stages, Vettel likewise put pressure on the Spaniard before ultimately settling for third (two-seconds from Button) to wrap-up the title with four rounds still remaining.
"To win the championship here is fantastic," said Vettel. "I am just so thankful to everyone in the team.
"One person that really stands out is my trainer Tommi Parmakoski. He was the one not allowing me at any stage to lose the grip, or think about things that are not in our control.
"Congratulations to Jenson, congratulations to Fernando. They also know how to drive as well and are doing a fantastic job, but I think this year we have always been just this one step ahead."
In contrast to last season, when Vettel snatched the title at the very final round, the young German has totally dominated in 2011, winning nine of the 15 races to date.
"Some people will draw the wrong conclusion, to say that we had a very easy run this year," said Vettel. "Things like this happen for a reason, not because things were easy for us. We had a very, very good car, no doubt, but we had an even stronger team.
"I think the car this year was less dominant than the car last year.
"Last year we had so many races where sometimes you may say we were unlucky but we made stupid mistakes as well, which cost us a lot of points.
"A championship is not one race, it’s a lot of races pulled together and I think that’s where the difference came from this year."
Vettel takes the record of youngest ever double F1 world champion from Alonso, who claimed he wouldn’t miss the accolade. "Now we will see who is the youngest three time world champion," shrugged Alonso.
For Button, his fifth win in McLaren colours was the perfect way to mark the signing of a new multi-year contract extension.
"It was a very exciting race and it wasn’t just down to being quick over one lap as tyre wear was massive. You really had to think through the race," said Button, now a twelve-time F1 race winner.
"I really enjoyed it out there. It is always a very special place to race, Suzuka, a fast, flowing circuit and it is unforgiving, so one little mistake and it is game over. This is one of the most perfect circuits in grand prix racing and also with one of the most special crowds as well.
"The Japanese people here have been so supportive of us and it is great to see so many fans here supporting this weekend and hopefully we have planted a small, good memory in their heads as it has been a very difficult year for them.
"To get the win here is one of my most special victories as I don’t think I have ever won a race on such a high-speed circuit, so it means a lot to me."
An hour and a half earlier Button had far less composed, radioing his team to say "surely he will get a penalty" after Vettel's start-line swerve sent him onto the grass.
"I thought he was coming across more than I expected and didn’t give me any room and I was on the grass. Maybe when I watch it back on TV I will have a different opinion," said Button.
"But at that moment in time, yes, I felt that it was a little bit more than was needed. But it was obviously fair, as the stewards said it was fair, so that’s it."
Vettel insisted the move wasn't malicious.
"I didn’t really see him," he explained. "By the time I saw him, I realised that maybe I was a little bit too far to the right and by then he was backing off."
A later incident between Button's team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who once again made contact with Ferrari's Felipe Massa, also went unpunished.
Date: 9/October/2011
Jenson Button won his third race of the 2011 F1 season at Suzuka in Japan on Sunday, but Sebastian Vettel more than made the point he needed to be crowned the youngest ever double world champion at the age of 24.
A harsh defence by pole sitter Vettel at the start dropped Button to third, before the Englishman recovered to claim his first dry race win as a McLaren driver by 1.1sec from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
While Alonso reeled-in Button during the closing stages, Vettel likewise put pressure on the Spaniard before ultimately settling for third (two-seconds from Button) to wrap-up the title with four rounds still remaining.
"To win the championship here is fantastic," said Vettel. "I am just so thankful to everyone in the team.
"One person that really stands out is my trainer Tommi Parmakoski. He was the one not allowing me at any stage to lose the grip, or think about things that are not in our control.
"Congratulations to Jenson, congratulations to Fernando. They also know how to drive as well and are doing a fantastic job, but I think this year we have always been just this one step ahead."
In contrast to last season, when Vettel snatched the title at the very final round, the young German has totally dominated in 2011, winning nine of the 15 races to date.
"Some people will draw the wrong conclusion, to say that we had a very easy run this year," said Vettel. "Things like this happen for a reason, not because things were easy for us. We had a very, very good car, no doubt, but we had an even stronger team.
"I think the car this year was less dominant than the car last year.
"Last year we had so many races where sometimes you may say we were unlucky but we made stupid mistakes as well, which cost us a lot of points.
"A championship is not one race, it’s a lot of races pulled together and I think that’s where the difference came from this year."
Vettel takes the record of youngest ever double F1 world champion from Alonso, who claimed he wouldn’t miss the accolade. "Now we will see who is the youngest three time world champion," shrugged Alonso.
For Button, his fifth win in McLaren colours was the perfect way to mark the signing of a new multi-year contract extension.
"It was a very exciting race and it wasn’t just down to being quick over one lap as tyre wear was massive. You really had to think through the race," said Button, now a twelve-time F1 race winner.
"I really enjoyed it out there. It is always a very special place to race, Suzuka, a fast, flowing circuit and it is unforgiving, so one little mistake and it is game over. This is one of the most perfect circuits in grand prix racing and also with one of the most special crowds as well.
"The Japanese people here have been so supportive of us and it is great to see so many fans here supporting this weekend and hopefully we have planted a small, good memory in their heads as it has been a very difficult year for them.
"To get the win here is one of my most special victories as I don’t think I have ever won a race on such a high-speed circuit, so it means a lot to me."
An hour and a half earlier Button had far less composed, radioing his team to say "surely he will get a penalty" after Vettel's start-line swerve sent him onto the grass.
"I thought he was coming across more than I expected and didn’t give me any room and I was on the grass. Maybe when I watch it back on TV I will have a different opinion," said Button.
"But at that moment in time, yes, I felt that it was a little bit more than was needed. But it was obviously fair, as the stewards said it was fair, so that’s it."
Vettel insisted the move wasn't malicious.
"I didn’t really see him," he explained. "By the time I saw him, I realised that maybe I was a little bit too far to the right and by then he was backing off."
A later incident between Button's team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who once again made contact with Ferrari's Felipe Massa, also went unpunished.
Vettel punishes Hamilton pole fumble
F1 News
Date: 8/October/2011
With just five minutes of Saturday's qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix remaining, the scene looked set for the first non-Red Bull pole of the 2011 season.
McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were holding first and second, as they had finished in all but one of the free practice sessions.
But champion-in-waiting Sebastian Vettel was able to overcome them both on his final lap to claim a twelfth pole of the year.
Vettel beat Button, fastest in every session prior to qualifying, by just 0.009sec, while a frustrated Hamilton was relegated to third after being denied even the chance of a final lap.
The Briton was overtaken on either side by Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber and Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher, as he entered the chicane with just seconds to spare before the end of qualifying.
The time lost as he took evasive action cost Hamilton meant the session ended before he could start his planned last lap. It looked like the Englishman had been caught napping, but Hamilton felt the others had acted dangerously.
"I felt I was in a position to at least fight with these guys [for pole] but it was a bit dangerous at the last corner where I had Mark attacking me and Michael down the outside," said Hamilton. "It was very, very strange and that’s really where we lost the lap.
"Jenson was in front of me. He slowed down to get his gap and I was coming up to the last corner, trying to make sure that I had a gap between me and him.
"Just as I was coming into the chicane I looked in my mirror and I saw Mark diving up the inside of me. I didn’t even see Michael, but as I gave Mark room, Michael nearly crashed into me on the left. So it was quite dangerous."
In contrast to Hamilton's negative body language was a glowing Vettel, who needs to score just a single point on Sunday to be crowned champion for a second year in succession.
"What a qualifying!" grinned the young German, who began the weekend badly with a crash in practice. "Yesterday I went off in the free practice and damaged the wing, so it wasn’t ideal to prepare the car for today.
"We sat down after the practice session this morning and fortunately got everything together and we were able to get everything, every single bit out of the car, which was crucial.
"I had a bit of a wobble in sector one, but then I made up for it in the second sector and we have been strong in the third sector, so, all in all, fantastic. We were able to extract everything we had today, which was just enough, so very happy."
Vettel continues to insist that he not thinking about 'making his point'.
"Regarding the point or no point, I am not really focusing on that," he claimed. "It is a long race. There are a lot of things that can happen and it is a very challenging track. I am looking forward to the race and not for the point."
Date: 8/October/2011
With just five minutes of Saturday's qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix remaining, the scene looked set for the first non-Red Bull pole of the 2011 season.
McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were holding first and second, as they had finished in all but one of the free practice sessions.
But champion-in-waiting Sebastian Vettel was able to overcome them both on his final lap to claim a twelfth pole of the year.
Vettel beat Button, fastest in every session prior to qualifying, by just 0.009sec, while a frustrated Hamilton was relegated to third after being denied even the chance of a final lap.
The Briton was overtaken on either side by Vettel's team-mate Mark Webber and Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher, as he entered the chicane with just seconds to spare before the end of qualifying.
The time lost as he took evasive action cost Hamilton meant the session ended before he could start his planned last lap. It looked like the Englishman had been caught napping, but Hamilton felt the others had acted dangerously.
"I felt I was in a position to at least fight with these guys [for pole] but it was a bit dangerous at the last corner where I had Mark attacking me and Michael down the outside," said Hamilton. "It was very, very strange and that’s really where we lost the lap.
"Jenson was in front of me. He slowed down to get his gap and I was coming up to the last corner, trying to make sure that I had a gap between me and him.
"Just as I was coming into the chicane I looked in my mirror and I saw Mark diving up the inside of me. I didn’t even see Michael, but as I gave Mark room, Michael nearly crashed into me on the left. So it was quite dangerous."
In contrast to Hamilton's negative body language was a glowing Vettel, who needs to score just a single point on Sunday to be crowned champion for a second year in succession.
"What a qualifying!" grinned the young German, who began the weekend badly with a crash in practice. "Yesterday I went off in the free practice and damaged the wing, so it wasn’t ideal to prepare the car for today.
"We sat down after the practice session this morning and fortunately got everything together and we were able to get everything, every single bit out of the car, which was crucial.
"I had a bit of a wobble in sector one, but then I made up for it in the second sector and we have been strong in the third sector, so, all in all, fantastic. We were able to extract everything we had today, which was just enough, so very happy."
Vettel continues to insist that he not thinking about 'making his point'.
"Regarding the point or no point, I am not really focusing on that," he claimed. "It is a long race. There are a lot of things that can happen and it is a very challenging track. I am looking forward to the race and not for the point."
Exhausts up, DRS down in F1 speed search
F1 News
Date: 7/October/2011
The biggest performance gains for F1 teams this winter are likely to come from how well they adapt to the new exhaust rules.
That's the view of Formula One design superstar Adrian Newey, who named the ban on 'blown diffusers' as the most significant design change for 2012.
A bitter row over blown diffusers - which channel exhaust gases under the car to increase downforce - erupted between the leading teams earlier this season.
A messy attempt to resolve the issue through rule changes at Silverstone then produced a public spat between Red Bull and McLaren - prompting a u-turn by the FIA, which allowed the status quo to continue until the end the season.
But from next year, exhausts will need to exit higher up in the car, which should reduce their aerodynamic influence.
"I think the restriction on the exhaust exit position is actually a very big change; it goes through the car," said Red Bull's Newey, whose F1 designs will have won eight world titles, for different three teams, when Sebastian Vettel wins the 2011 crown.
"Other than that, the regulation changes are significant but not huge. So, in that sense, the 2012 Red Bull will be an evolution, it will bear a family resemblance to the RB5, RB6, RB7 lineage," he continued.
The major change for this year was the introduction of 'DRS' rear wings, which can be manipulated to allow a brief top-speed boost if a driver is following an opponent closely enough at the start of a predetermined zone.
DRS has helped increase the amount of overtaking and also been an area of significant development, as teams seek to maximise wing performance with DRS both on and off.
"This was the first year using DRS so for all the teams it was a big learning curve," said Ferrari's technical head Pat Fry. "It was a big opportunity to make a difference against your competitors.
"The rules next year are exactly the same with the DRS so we will see the technology mature more. Probably we will see less differences between the teams in terms of DRS effect. But we will still find more bit by bit."
Date: 7/October/2011
The biggest performance gains for F1 teams this winter are likely to come from how well they adapt to the new exhaust rules.
That's the view of Formula One design superstar Adrian Newey, who named the ban on 'blown diffusers' as the most significant design change for 2012.
A bitter row over blown diffusers - which channel exhaust gases under the car to increase downforce - erupted between the leading teams earlier this season.
A messy attempt to resolve the issue through rule changes at Silverstone then produced a public spat between Red Bull and McLaren - prompting a u-turn by the FIA, which allowed the status quo to continue until the end the season.
But from next year, exhausts will need to exit higher up in the car, which should reduce their aerodynamic influence.
"I think the restriction on the exhaust exit position is actually a very big change; it goes through the car," said Red Bull's Newey, whose F1 designs will have won eight world titles, for different three teams, when Sebastian Vettel wins the 2011 crown.
"Other than that, the regulation changes are significant but not huge. So, in that sense, the 2012 Red Bull will be an evolution, it will bear a family resemblance to the RB5, RB6, RB7 lineage," he continued.
The major change for this year was the introduction of 'DRS' rear wings, which can be manipulated to allow a brief top-speed boost if a driver is following an opponent closely enough at the start of a predetermined zone.
DRS has helped increase the amount of overtaking and also been an area of significant development, as teams seek to maximise wing performance with DRS both on and off.
"This was the first year using DRS so for all the teams it was a big learning curve," said Ferrari's technical head Pat Fry. "It was a big opportunity to make a difference against your competitors.
"The rules next year are exactly the same with the DRS so we will see the technology mature more. Probably we will see less differences between the teams in terms of DRS effect. But we will still find more bit by bit."
'Better than ever' Button talks new McLaren deal
F1 News
Date: 6/October/2011
Jenson Button will be driving with the added confidence of a new multi-year McLaren contract during this weekend's Japanese F1 Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The 31-year-old Englishman moved to McLaren straight after his shock title success for Brawn GP in 2009.
Electing to go head-to-head with McLaren prodigy and fellow world champion Lewis Hamilton was seen as a risky move by many.
But Button has flourished at the Woking-based team, winning four races and holding second in the Drivers' Championship heading into this weekend.
Speaking at Suzuka on Thursday, Button refused to state the extract length of his new contract, but was happy to explain what it meant to him.
"I can’t give details. All I can say is that I am very happy," he said. "I think this is a great opportunity over the next couple of years to really work closely with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
"We are so close to fighting with Red Bull, but yet so far. I think it is good to have the continuity going forward for the next couple of years. It is going to help us take the fight to them next season, I hope. That’s what we are working towards.
"It’s been a good couple of weeks. I have been enjoying racing and it is nice to finally sign on the dotted line and get a deal in place for the near future."
Button, an F1 driver since 2000, believes he is driving better than ever.
"I thought I drove pretty well through my championship-winning season, but I’m definitely a better driver now: the experiences that I’ve been through - good and bad - since then," he explained.
"It’s pretty traumatic when you’re fighting for a championship and you’re struggling for pace, so the experiences I’ve been through and the confidence that I have now and the team that I’m working with - they definitely help my performances.
"Am I more content? I don’t know. I’ve been pretty content over the last few years, in terms of racing and in terms of private life, so that’s not making a difference."
Button has finished all eleven Japanese Grands Prix he has raced in, with his best result a third place with Honda in 2004.
"I would love to win here. It is a circuit, along with Spa and Monaco, that means a lot to all of us," he said. "Whether we are quick enough or not we will have to wait and see, but we are in the hunt and I am looking forward to a fun weekend."
If Button wins, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel still needs only a single point to wrap up his second successive title with four rounds to spare.
Vettel quipped: "Even if it is only one point, we need to make sure we get it. If someone wants to do me a favour they can push Jenson down the stairs later on!"
Button was more realistic: "I think it’s great, Sebastian thinking that I have a chance of winning the title. He’s probably the only person… It’s all but over."
Date: 6/October/2011
Jenson Button will be driving with the added confidence of a new multi-year McLaren contract during this weekend's Japanese F1 Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The 31-year-old Englishman moved to McLaren straight after his shock title success for Brawn GP in 2009.
Electing to go head-to-head with McLaren prodigy and fellow world champion Lewis Hamilton was seen as a risky move by many.
But Button has flourished at the Woking-based team, winning four races and holding second in the Drivers' Championship heading into this weekend.
Speaking at Suzuka on Thursday, Button refused to state the extract length of his new contract, but was happy to explain what it meant to him.
"I can’t give details. All I can say is that I am very happy," he said. "I think this is a great opportunity over the next couple of years to really work closely with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
"We are so close to fighting with Red Bull, but yet so far. I think it is good to have the continuity going forward for the next couple of years. It is going to help us take the fight to them next season, I hope. That’s what we are working towards.
"It’s been a good couple of weeks. I have been enjoying racing and it is nice to finally sign on the dotted line and get a deal in place for the near future."
Button, an F1 driver since 2000, believes he is driving better than ever.
"I thought I drove pretty well through my championship-winning season, but I’m definitely a better driver now: the experiences that I’ve been through - good and bad - since then," he explained.
"It’s pretty traumatic when you’re fighting for a championship and you’re struggling for pace, so the experiences I’ve been through and the confidence that I have now and the team that I’m working with - they definitely help my performances.
"Am I more content? I don’t know. I’ve been pretty content over the last few years, in terms of racing and in terms of private life, so that’s not making a difference."
Button has finished all eleven Japanese Grands Prix he has raced in, with his best result a third place with Honda in 2004.
"I would love to win here. It is a circuit, along with Spa and Monaco, that means a lot to all of us," he said. "Whether we are quick enough or not we will have to wait and see, but we are in the hunt and I am looking forward to a fun weekend."
If Button wins, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel still needs only a single point to wrap up his second successive title with four rounds to spare.
Vettel quipped: "Even if it is only one point, we need to make sure we get it. If someone wants to do me a favour they can push Jenson down the stairs later on!"
Button was more realistic: "I think it’s great, Sebastian thinking that I have a chance of winning the title. He’s probably the only person… It’s all but over."
Lorenzo: We will see how we are in some years…
MotoGP News
Date: 5/October/2011
After mild hysteria, from some quarters, the 2011 Japanese MotoGP passed off remarkably normally.
Just months earlier, the grand prix seemed in doubt as title leaders Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo headlined a rider rebellion by stating that they would not attend due to radiation fears.
The damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant is around 110km from the Motegi circuit, although independent reports insisted the radiation risk was 'negligible'. Stoner and Lorenzo, who ride for Japanese manufacturers Honda and Yamaha respectively, subsequently made a U-turn.
So too did Ducati's Valentino Rossi, MotoGP's biggest and most powerful name, who seemed content to let Stoner and Lorenzo be the public face of opposition for much of the debate, before suggesting that he too would not go when their resistance began to wane.
Ultimately Dorna (commercial rights), the FIM (Governing body) and IRTA (teams' association) held their nerve and were able to put on a show with all the uninjured MotoGP riders in place.
Stoner, who finished third in a race won by his Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, felt that the situation should have been handled better.
"The riders all got a lot of pressure many months ago, when the situation [in Japan] still wasn't clear," he said. "We all got our own opinions, from people we trust. The more time that passed, the more clear things became."
The only Motegi absentees were a few lesser known riders from the support classes, some mechanics and the majority of the Italian media.
However food and drink was imported by many teams to help sooth fears of contamination - and Lorenzo admitted he was only showering with bottled water.
"We are alright at the moment. We will see how we are in some years!" smiled the Spaniard, second in the grand prix. "Now we are ok and the situation seems ok, no radiation. Everything is good."
Stoner agreed with that assessment: "Everything here seems normal, but you don't see these things [contamination]. It's not easy to spot. But our trip here has been like normal and for sure next year will be clearer."
Given the destruction in the region, and the uncertainly hanging over the event, only 34,000 fans attended the race - but many held home-made signs thanking MotoGP for coming.
"My view about Japan has always been very good. I love Japan and I always like to be here," said Lorenzo.
The Japanese F1 Grand Prix will be held at Suzuka this weekend. The Suzuka circuit is around 400km from Fukushima.
Date: 5/October/2011
After mild hysteria, from some quarters, the 2011 Japanese MotoGP passed off remarkably normally.
Just months earlier, the grand prix seemed in doubt as title leaders Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo headlined a rider rebellion by stating that they would not attend due to radiation fears.
The damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant is around 110km from the Motegi circuit, although independent reports insisted the radiation risk was 'negligible'. Stoner and Lorenzo, who ride for Japanese manufacturers Honda and Yamaha respectively, subsequently made a U-turn.
So too did Ducati's Valentino Rossi, MotoGP's biggest and most powerful name, who seemed content to let Stoner and Lorenzo be the public face of opposition for much of the debate, before suggesting that he too would not go when their resistance began to wane.
Ultimately Dorna (commercial rights), the FIM (Governing body) and IRTA (teams' association) held their nerve and were able to put on a show with all the uninjured MotoGP riders in place.
Stoner, who finished third in a race won by his Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, felt that the situation should have been handled better.
"The riders all got a lot of pressure many months ago, when the situation [in Japan] still wasn't clear," he said. "We all got our own opinions, from people we trust. The more time that passed, the more clear things became."
The only Motegi absentees were a few lesser known riders from the support classes, some mechanics and the majority of the Italian media.
However food and drink was imported by many teams to help sooth fears of contamination - and Lorenzo admitted he was only showering with bottled water.
"We are alright at the moment. We will see how we are in some years!" smiled the Spaniard, second in the grand prix. "Now we are ok and the situation seems ok, no radiation. Everything is good."
Stoner agreed with that assessment: "Everything here seems normal, but you don't see these things [contamination]. It's not easy to spot. But our trip here has been like normal and for sure next year will be clearer."
Given the destruction in the region, and the uncertainly hanging over the event, only 34,000 fans attended the race - but many held home-made signs thanking MotoGP for coming.
"My view about Japan has always been very good. I love Japan and I always like to be here," said Lorenzo.
The Japanese F1 Grand Prix will be held at Suzuka this weekend. The Suzuka circuit is around 400km from Fukushima.
Pedrosa avoids chaos for Japanese MotoGP win
MotoGP News
Date: 2/October/2011
Japanese MotoGP winner Dani Pedrosa was the only rider in the top seven to complete the race without clashing with another rider, running off track or being given a ride-through penalty!
It was an emotional victory for the Repsol Honda rider, coming at the Honda-owned racetrack where he broke his collarbone one year ago.
"I'm super happy with this victory," said Pedrosa. "This is the first win at Motegi for both myself and Repsol Honda. I've had good and bad results and some bad injuries here, so to come back one year later and win is fantastic".
Pedrosa kept his nose clean to claim his third win of the season by over seven-seconds from Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo, who collided with Valentino Rossi at turn two of the race - sending the Italian megastar to the ground.
Lorenzo said: "I made a bad start, really terrible and lost a lot of positions and then I nearly crashed at the second turn when Valentino was too late on the brakes. I don’t know what happened."
Rossi refused to blame Lorenzo for the incident, which ended a run of 25 consecutive points finishes and also saw Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies pushed off track.
Rossi said: "Lorenzo went onto the grass slightly in Turn 1, and in the next turn he moved suddenly to get his trajectory right. He didn’t see me because I was slightly behind. When he touched me, it pushed me into Spies, who touched my front brake lever. It was normal racing contact, but I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Joining Pedrosa and Lorenzo on the podium was world championship leader Casey Stoner, who looked on his way to a ninth win of the season - until suffering a major scare, while leading, on lap 5.
As Stoner powered downhill some bumps sent his RCV shaking violently. The Australian kept control but couldn’t stop for the following turn and speared off into the gravel.
Stoner explained: "Everything felt good and the bike was fantastic. I saw Andrea [Dovizioso] had closed in a little so I thought 'right we'll go a bit quicker'. I came onto the back straight and I got a big 'tank-slapper'.
"The bike was shaking and my hands nearly came off the handlebars. Then when I went for the brakes there was nothing there. I pumped them up a couple of times and as the brakes came back I nearly went over the front."
Stoner kept control but had to paddle his way out of the deep gravel before rejoining the race in seventh. That quickly became fifth when Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli were both hit with a ride-through penalty for jumping the start.
"I cannot believe it. I have never had a jump start in my career and it happened today, in a race where I felt that I could fight for the win," sighed Dovizioso. "I don’t know why the bike moved a little before the green light."
“I saw Dovizioso move and let the clutch out just a tiny bit, but enough to be given a ride-through penalty," commented Simoncelli.
Cal Crutchlow in turn reacted to Simoncelli's movement and was also penalised.
While the Dovizioso and Simoncelli worked their way forward from the tail-end of the top ten, Stoner caught and overtook Nicky Hayden (Ducati) and Alvaro Bautista (Suzuki) to claim third.
Both riders made mistakes soon after; Hayden running off track and Bautista crashing out.
Those incidents allowed warring Honda riders Simoncelli and Dovizioso to reach fourth and fifth, while Spies - who had rejoined in last place after the Rossi incident - took advantage of the chaos to take sixth place, just ahead of Hayden.
Colin Edwards (Tech 3) in eighth place was thus the first rider after Pedrosa to avoid contact, stay on the race track - and stay out of pit lane.
"What a race that was!" smiled Edwards. "It seemed like each time I went round a corner somebody else was in the gravel! There was so much chaos it was just about surviving."
Date: 2/October/2011
Japanese MotoGP winner Dani Pedrosa was the only rider in the top seven to complete the race without clashing with another rider, running off track or being given a ride-through penalty!
It was an emotional victory for the Repsol Honda rider, coming at the Honda-owned racetrack where he broke his collarbone one year ago.
"I'm super happy with this victory," said Pedrosa. "This is the first win at Motegi for both myself and Repsol Honda. I've had good and bad results and some bad injuries here, so to come back one year later and win is fantastic".
Pedrosa kept his nose clean to claim his third win of the season by over seven-seconds from Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo, who collided with Valentino Rossi at turn two of the race - sending the Italian megastar to the ground.
Lorenzo said: "I made a bad start, really terrible and lost a lot of positions and then I nearly crashed at the second turn when Valentino was too late on the brakes. I don’t know what happened."
Rossi refused to blame Lorenzo for the incident, which ended a run of 25 consecutive points finishes and also saw Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies pushed off track.
Rossi said: "Lorenzo went onto the grass slightly in Turn 1, and in the next turn he moved suddenly to get his trajectory right. He didn’t see me because I was slightly behind. When he touched me, it pushed me into Spies, who touched my front brake lever. It was normal racing contact, but I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Joining Pedrosa and Lorenzo on the podium was world championship leader Casey Stoner, who looked on his way to a ninth win of the season - until suffering a major scare, while leading, on lap 5.
As Stoner powered downhill some bumps sent his RCV shaking violently. The Australian kept control but couldn’t stop for the following turn and speared off into the gravel.
Stoner explained: "Everything felt good and the bike was fantastic. I saw Andrea [Dovizioso] had closed in a little so I thought 'right we'll go a bit quicker'. I came onto the back straight and I got a big 'tank-slapper'.
"The bike was shaking and my hands nearly came off the handlebars. Then when I went for the brakes there was nothing there. I pumped them up a couple of times and as the brakes came back I nearly went over the front."
Stoner kept control but had to paddle his way out of the deep gravel before rejoining the race in seventh. That quickly became fifth when Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli were both hit with a ride-through penalty for jumping the start.
"I cannot believe it. I have never had a jump start in my career and it happened today, in a race where I felt that I could fight for the win," sighed Dovizioso. "I don’t know why the bike moved a little before the green light."
“I saw Dovizioso move and let the clutch out just a tiny bit, but enough to be given a ride-through penalty," commented Simoncelli.
Cal Crutchlow in turn reacted to Simoncelli's movement and was also penalised.
While the Dovizioso and Simoncelli worked their way forward from the tail-end of the top ten, Stoner caught and overtook Nicky Hayden (Ducati) and Alvaro Bautista (Suzuki) to claim third.
Both riders made mistakes soon after; Hayden running off track and Bautista crashing out.
Those incidents allowed warring Honda riders Simoncelli and Dovizioso to reach fourth and fifth, while Spies - who had rejoined in last place after the Rossi incident - took advantage of the chaos to take sixth place, just ahead of Hayden.
Colin Edwards (Tech 3) in eighth place was thus the first rider after Pedrosa to avoid contact, stay on the race track - and stay out of pit lane.
"What a race that was!" smiled Edwards. "It seemed like each time I went round a corner somebody else was in the gravel! There was so much chaos it was just about surviving."
Dovizioso, Marquez dodge MotoGP 2012 questions
MotoGP News
Date: 1/October/2011
Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez both did a good job of dodging questions about their intentions for the 2012 MotoGP season, on Saturday at Motegi.
Dovizioso is yet to re-sign for Honda and is set to lose his place at the factory team as it cuts back to two riders for the start of the new 1000cc era.
Repsol Honda was obliged to run three bikes in order to accommodate the arrival of Casey Stoner, alongside Dani Pedrosa and Dovizioso.
Honda had considered moving Dovizioso to a satellite team for this year, but the Italian refused to settle for anything less than the factory team seat specified in his contract.
That stance may be returning to haunt Dovizioso, since Stoner and Pedrosa are already signed for 2012 - while Gresini's Marco Simoncelli recently had his factory contract extended.
That seemed a clear indication that Dovizioso has now dropped below rising-star Simoncelli in the Honda hierarchy.
Dovizioso, a Honda rider throughout his full time grand prix career, looks prepared to accept a switch to a satellite team, which would almost certainly be LCR, but is insisting on continued access to the latest Honda machinery.
However LCR needs to find the budget to afford such motorcycles, while Dovizioso would almost certainly face a pay cut even if, as rumoured, HRC offered to pay his wages.
Dovizioso's main alternative is a move to Tech 3, Yamaha's only satellite team, where he could start a new relationship which might one day result in a return to full factory status.
Offers from both Tech 3 and LCR are said to be on the table, but so far Dovizioso is giving little away about his intentions.
"I still haven't decided," he said, before quashing rumours that he must make a decision by the end of this weekend. "There is no time limit."
While Dovizioso faces demotion, reigning 125cc world champion Marc Marquez is now within six points of the Moto2 title lead after a sensational rookie season.
Should the 18-year-old Spaniard win the 600cc title, as now seems likely barring a sudden revival by Stefan Bradl, many are speculating that Marquez could join MotoGP next season.
Marquez has strong Repsol backing and Honda won’t risk losing him to another manufacturer should he want to move. So far, Marquez insists he isn’t looking beyond the end of this year.
"I don’t know. Just at the moment I want to concentrate on Moto2. Next year we will see. At the moment I think Moto2 is my place," he said.
As a rookie, Marquez would need to join a satellite team for his first MotoGP season, but can still have access to the latest equipment and factory support.
While Dovizioso and Marquez dodged questions about their future, world champion Jorge Lorenzo has revealed he has been involved in a form of 'shower dodging' this weekend in Japan.
Due to concerns about radiation from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, around 110km away, the Yamaha rider confirmed that he has only been showering "with a bottle".
Date: 1/October/2011
Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez both did a good job of dodging questions about their intentions for the 2012 MotoGP season, on Saturday at Motegi.
Dovizioso is yet to re-sign for Honda and is set to lose his place at the factory team as it cuts back to two riders for the start of the new 1000cc era.
Repsol Honda was obliged to run three bikes in order to accommodate the arrival of Casey Stoner, alongside Dani Pedrosa and Dovizioso.
Honda had considered moving Dovizioso to a satellite team for this year, but the Italian refused to settle for anything less than the factory team seat specified in his contract.
That stance may be returning to haunt Dovizioso, since Stoner and Pedrosa are already signed for 2012 - while Gresini's Marco Simoncelli recently had his factory contract extended.
That seemed a clear indication that Dovizioso has now dropped below rising-star Simoncelli in the Honda hierarchy.
Dovizioso, a Honda rider throughout his full time grand prix career, looks prepared to accept a switch to a satellite team, which would almost certainly be LCR, but is insisting on continued access to the latest Honda machinery.
However LCR needs to find the budget to afford such motorcycles, while Dovizioso would almost certainly face a pay cut even if, as rumoured, HRC offered to pay his wages.
Dovizioso's main alternative is a move to Tech 3, Yamaha's only satellite team, where he could start a new relationship which might one day result in a return to full factory status.
Offers from both Tech 3 and LCR are said to be on the table, but so far Dovizioso is giving little away about his intentions.
"I still haven't decided," he said, before quashing rumours that he must make a decision by the end of this weekend. "There is no time limit."
While Dovizioso faces demotion, reigning 125cc world champion Marc Marquez is now within six points of the Moto2 title lead after a sensational rookie season.
Should the 18-year-old Spaniard win the 600cc title, as now seems likely barring a sudden revival by Stefan Bradl, many are speculating that Marquez could join MotoGP next season.
Marquez has strong Repsol backing and Honda won’t risk losing him to another manufacturer should he want to move. So far, Marquez insists he isn’t looking beyond the end of this year.
"I don’t know. Just at the moment I want to concentrate on Moto2. Next year we will see. At the moment I think Moto2 is my place," he said.
As a rookie, Marquez would need to join a satellite team for his first MotoGP season, but can still have access to the latest equipment and factory support.
While Dovizioso and Marquez dodged questions about their future, world champion Jorge Lorenzo has revealed he has been involved in a form of 'shower dodging' this weekend in Japan.
Due to concerns about radiation from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, around 110km away, the Yamaha rider confirmed that he has only been showering "with a bottle".
Bautista: Suzuki still silent on MotoGP 2012
MotoGP News
Date: 29/September/2011
Alvaro Bautista is hoping to convince Suzuki to remain in the MotoGP World Championship by delivering a strong performance in the factory's home Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi this weekend.
The Spaniard is Suzuki's only full-time MotoGP rider and, after breaking his leg at round one, has scored top six finishes in two of the last three rounds.
But he remains in the dark about Suzuki's plans for 2012, when MotoGP is changing from 800 to 1000cc engines. All other manufacturers, plus some of the new cut-price 'CRT' entries, are already track-testing their 1000cc machines in public.
By contrast, there has been only silence from Suzuki, which last won the premier-class crown in 2000 and hasn’t had a rider on the MotoGP podium since 2008.
"I hope to have news from Suzuki for next year, but still nothing is clear," said Bautista at Motegi on Thursday.
"I hope to make a good race here in Suzuki's home and maybe they can take the motivation from that to make a big effort and have a good bike for next year.
"We will see. At the moment nothing is clear and I have to wait to make a decision for 2012."
Bautista added that a 'good race' would be battling with the 'second group' of riders on Sunday, just behind the podium places.
"I think it is possible to be with the second group of Dovizioso, Spies and Simoncelli because to be at the top with Casey [Stoner], Jorge [Lorenzo] and Dani [Pedrosa] is impossible.
"Last year we did a good race, finished seventh. This year we are more competitive and I have more confidence in the bike. It is a good track for Suzuki so I hope to get a good result."
As well as Suzuki, Bautista has been linked with Tech 3 Yamaha and re-joining the Aspar team - with which he achieved great success in 125 and 250cc racing - for next season.
Former Suzuki MotoGP rider and present BSB title leader John Hopkins is also waiting for a decision from the factory. The American is hoping to return as a full-time rider in 2012.
On Thursday it was announced that Hopkins will again ride as a wild-card for Suzuki, during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang in late October.
Date: 29/September/2011
Alvaro Bautista is hoping to convince Suzuki to remain in the MotoGP World Championship by delivering a strong performance in the factory's home Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi this weekend.
The Spaniard is Suzuki's only full-time MotoGP rider and, after breaking his leg at round one, has scored top six finishes in two of the last three rounds.
But he remains in the dark about Suzuki's plans for 2012, when MotoGP is changing from 800 to 1000cc engines. All other manufacturers, plus some of the new cut-price 'CRT' entries, are already track-testing their 1000cc machines in public.
By contrast, there has been only silence from Suzuki, which last won the premier-class crown in 2000 and hasn’t had a rider on the MotoGP podium since 2008.
"I hope to have news from Suzuki for next year, but still nothing is clear," said Bautista at Motegi on Thursday.
"I hope to make a good race here in Suzuki's home and maybe they can take the motivation from that to make a big effort and have a good bike for next year.
"We will see. At the moment nothing is clear and I have to wait to make a decision for 2012."
Bautista added that a 'good race' would be battling with the 'second group' of riders on Sunday, just behind the podium places.
"I think it is possible to be with the second group of Dovizioso, Spies and Simoncelli because to be at the top with Casey [Stoner], Jorge [Lorenzo] and Dani [Pedrosa] is impossible.
"Last year we did a good race, finished seventh. This year we are more competitive and I have more confidence in the bike. It is a good track for Suzuki so I hope to get a good result."
As well as Suzuki, Bautista has been linked with Tech 3 Yamaha and re-joining the Aspar team - with which he achieved great success in 125 and 250cc racing - for next season.
Former Suzuki MotoGP rider and present BSB title leader John Hopkins is also waiting for a decision from the factory. The American is hoping to return as a full-time rider in 2012.
On Thursday it was announced that Hopkins will again ride as a wild-card for Suzuki, during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang in late October.
Massa, Hamilton clash spills off-track in Singapore
F1 News
Date: 25/September/2011
Lewis Hamilton's latest on-track controversy continued after the conclusion of Sunday's Singapore F1 Grand Prix, when he clashed with Felipe Massa in the post-race interview area.
Earlier, Hamilton had received a drive-through penalty for clipping Massa's Ferrari during an attempted overtake, which broke the McLaren driver's front wing and punctured Massa's rear tyre.
Hamilton went on to finish fifth, while a fuming Massa crossed the line in ninth.
"Again, he cannot use his mind," said Massa. "What he did could have caused a big accident. He's paying for it, but that's the problem - he still doesn’t understand."
The pair previously made contact in this year's Monaco and Silverstone races - with Massa coming off worse on each occasion. Massa had also criticised Hamilton after a near-miss in Saturday's Singapore qualifying.
"How many times has this happened with me and him this year? So many," Massa continued. "It's important the FIA is looking and penalising him every time he goes in the car. I told him [what I think] but he cannot even listen. Maybe his father can imagine…"
Still simmering, Massa then gate-crashed Hamilton's media debrief, slapping the Englishman on the arm and saying a sarcastic "good job, well done" while giving a thumbs-up to the cameras.
It was an inflammatory move that could easily have escalated as a stone-faced Hamilton spun around to confront the swiftly-departing Massa.
The Brazilian later justified his actions, saying: " I [had] tried to talk to him to clear the air but he walked away without even answering: so I told him what I thought when we found ourselves in the interview area."
Although Hamilton kept his composure, he left the media pen without giving interviews. The official McLaren press release later 'air-brushed' over both Massa run-ins, with Hamilton saying simply:
"I had fun picking off cars after my penalty, but it was frustrating to once again be down the field when I felt we had a car that could have challenged up at the front.
“For me, this weekend was a bit of a missed opportunity. As always, though, I’ll put it behind me – I’m already looking forward to Suzuka!”
The track incident had occurred after Hamilton pulled alongside Massa on the approach to a 90-degree left hander.
Massa, on the inside, was later on the brakes and as the pair peeled into the turn Hamilton made light contact with the Ferrari's right-rear tyre, causing the puncture. Few felt the move had been reckless.
Although they have sometimes attempted to project a friendly image, the rivalry between Massa and Hamilton dates back to their tense 2008 title battle, which Hamilton won by a single point.
Hamilton was driving with "RIP MH & CB" on his helmet, in memory of two friends who died recently - Martin Hines and Christian Bakkerud.
Red Bull's reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel led Sunday's race from start to finish and is now just one point away from defending his crown, with five rounds still to go.
Hamilton, winner of two races this year, is fifth in the standings, one place in front of Massa, who is without a podium this year.
Date: 25/September/2011
Lewis Hamilton's latest on-track controversy continued after the conclusion of Sunday's Singapore F1 Grand Prix, when he clashed with Felipe Massa in the post-race interview area.
Earlier, Hamilton had received a drive-through penalty for clipping Massa's Ferrari during an attempted overtake, which broke the McLaren driver's front wing and punctured Massa's rear tyre.
Hamilton went on to finish fifth, while a fuming Massa crossed the line in ninth.
"Again, he cannot use his mind," said Massa. "What he did could have caused a big accident. He's paying for it, but that's the problem - he still doesn’t understand."
The pair previously made contact in this year's Monaco and Silverstone races - with Massa coming off worse on each occasion. Massa had also criticised Hamilton after a near-miss in Saturday's Singapore qualifying.
"How many times has this happened with me and him this year? So many," Massa continued. "It's important the FIA is looking and penalising him every time he goes in the car. I told him [what I think] but he cannot even listen. Maybe his father can imagine…"
Still simmering, Massa then gate-crashed Hamilton's media debrief, slapping the Englishman on the arm and saying a sarcastic "good job, well done" while giving a thumbs-up to the cameras.
It was an inflammatory move that could easily have escalated as a stone-faced Hamilton spun around to confront the swiftly-departing Massa.
The Brazilian later justified his actions, saying: " I [had] tried to talk to him to clear the air but he walked away without even answering: so I told him what I thought when we found ourselves in the interview area."
Although Hamilton kept his composure, he left the media pen without giving interviews. The official McLaren press release later 'air-brushed' over both Massa run-ins, with Hamilton saying simply:
"I had fun picking off cars after my penalty, but it was frustrating to once again be down the field when I felt we had a car that could have challenged up at the front.
“For me, this weekend was a bit of a missed opportunity. As always, though, I’ll put it behind me – I’m already looking forward to Suzuka!”
The track incident had occurred after Hamilton pulled alongside Massa on the approach to a 90-degree left hander.
Massa, on the inside, was later on the brakes and as the pair peeled into the turn Hamilton made light contact with the Ferrari's right-rear tyre, causing the puncture. Few felt the move had been reckless.
Although they have sometimes attempted to project a friendly image, the rivalry between Massa and Hamilton dates back to their tense 2008 title battle, which Hamilton won by a single point.
Hamilton was driving with "RIP MH & CB" on his helmet, in memory of two friends who died recently - Martin Hines and Christian Bakkerud.
Red Bull's reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel led Sunday's race from start to finish and is now just one point away from defending his crown, with five rounds still to go.
Hamilton, winner of two races this year, is fifth in the standings, one place in front of Massa, who is without a podium this year.
New premises and new name for Team Lotus?
F1 News
Date: 23/September/2011
Team Lotus looks set for a new name and premises for the 2012 F1 season, but will always keep its spiritual home in Norfolk.
That was the pledge given by Group CEO Riad Asmat in Singapore on Friday, when he admitted that the team is likely to acquire a presence in the UK's Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire 'Motorsport Belt'.
Having enjoyed legendary success under the leadership of founder Colin Chapman in the 60s and 70s, the Lotus name disappeared from Formula One in the mid-1990s.
It returned in 2010, thanks to popular Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, who obtained a licence from the Malaysian-owned Group Lotus for an F1 entry under the moniker 'Lotus Racing'.
But the relationship quickly soured and the canny Fernandes, founder of Air Asia, then purchased the similar 'Team Lotus' name for 2011, when Group Lotus began title sponsorship of the rival Renault team!
Having two teams bearing the name Lotus was clearly undesirable, but both sides refused to give in and court action only confirmed they could each continue using their names in F1.
Whilst it is embarrassing for Group Lotus to not have total control of the Lotus name, Fernandes is more than aware that his team is now effectively providing millions of dollars of free branding for Group Lotus (which builds the Lotus road cars).
His solution seemed clear when he purchased Caterham Cars earlier this year. Caterham - a small British sportscar manufacturer - and Lotus have historical links, but are two completely separate brands.
By changing Team Lotus for Team Caterham (or similar) for 2012, Fernandes would have exclusive use of his F1 name, without throwing away all of the effort he has made in reviving the Team Lotus heritage.
That included being based in Norfolk, the traditional home of Lotus. Asmat explained that the present team HQ will continue, but that some form of additional premises will be found closer to the 'Motorsport Belt'.
"Our home is in Norfolk, in Norwich in Hingham, and that is, for sure, never going to change," he said. "That will be maintained as one of our parts, but as a team that is growing and progressing we need to look at how to get more efficiencies out of the team and one of the main areas is to be in the motorsport belt of the UK. It is something we are looking into and when the time is right we will make the necessary announcement. But for sure Hingham is our home."
The name change might sound simpler, but F1 identities are difficult to modify without sacrificing financial perks gained over past seasons - unless there is unanimous permission from other teams.
Perhaps for that reason, Asmat was coy on what his team would be called in the future.
"No decision as yet," he said. "We are still Team Lotus as you can see, but as my shareholders have mentioned we are open to anything and we will see how it progresses from this point.
"I guess there is a process that we all have to go through [to change the name] but as I highlighted, it is a process that we will undertake if and when the decision is made."
Date: 23/September/2011
Team Lotus looks set for a new name and premises for the 2012 F1 season, but will always keep its spiritual home in Norfolk.
That was the pledge given by Group CEO Riad Asmat in Singapore on Friday, when he admitted that the team is likely to acquire a presence in the UK's Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire 'Motorsport Belt'.
Having enjoyed legendary success under the leadership of founder Colin Chapman in the 60s and 70s, the Lotus name disappeared from Formula One in the mid-1990s.
It returned in 2010, thanks to popular Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, who obtained a licence from the Malaysian-owned Group Lotus for an F1 entry under the moniker 'Lotus Racing'.
But the relationship quickly soured and the canny Fernandes, founder of Air Asia, then purchased the similar 'Team Lotus' name for 2011, when Group Lotus began title sponsorship of the rival Renault team!
Having two teams bearing the name Lotus was clearly undesirable, but both sides refused to give in and court action only confirmed they could each continue using their names in F1.
Whilst it is embarrassing for Group Lotus to not have total control of the Lotus name, Fernandes is more than aware that his team is now effectively providing millions of dollars of free branding for Group Lotus (which builds the Lotus road cars).
His solution seemed clear when he purchased Caterham Cars earlier this year. Caterham - a small British sportscar manufacturer - and Lotus have historical links, but are two completely separate brands.
By changing Team Lotus for Team Caterham (or similar) for 2012, Fernandes would have exclusive use of his F1 name, without throwing away all of the effort he has made in reviving the Team Lotus heritage.
That included being based in Norfolk, the traditional home of Lotus. Asmat explained that the present team HQ will continue, but that some form of additional premises will be found closer to the 'Motorsport Belt'.
"Our home is in Norfolk, in Norwich in Hingham, and that is, for sure, never going to change," he said. "That will be maintained as one of our parts, but as a team that is growing and progressing we need to look at how to get more efficiencies out of the team and one of the main areas is to be in the motorsport belt of the UK. It is something we are looking into and when the time is right we will make the necessary announcement. But for sure Hingham is our home."
The name change might sound simpler, but F1 identities are difficult to modify without sacrificing financial perks gained over past seasons - unless there is unanimous permission from other teams.
Perhaps for that reason, Asmat was coy on what his team would be called in the future.
"No decision as yet," he said. "We are still Team Lotus as you can see, but as my shareholders have mentioned we are open to anything and we will see how it progresses from this point.
"I guess there is a process that we all have to go through [to change the name] but as I highlighted, it is a process that we will undertake if and when the decision is made."
Vettel: Singapore 'tougher than Monaco'
F1 News
Date: 22/September/2011
Sebastian Vettel is staying cool as he faces the first of six chances to defend his F1 title in Sunday's hot, humid and possibly wet Singapore night race.
The only grand prix to be held completely at night - Abu Dhabi starts just before sunset - Singapore has quickly become one of the highlights of the season for drivers and fans alike.
But that doesn’t mean it's easy.
On the contrary, at 5.073km the Marina Bay circuit is one of the longest on the calendar, and the race distance is equally extensive. Ever since it's 2008 debut, the Singapore Grand Prix has finished just minutes before the two-hour time limit.
Add in the punishing heat and humidity, plus the topsy-turvy time schedule and Singapore is rightfully considered one of the toughest rounds on the calendar.
"In a way it’s tougher than Monaco," said Vettel on Thursday. "The circuit is very bumpy. At some places there’s not a lot of room for mistakes and there are so many corners.
"It is one of the most difficult tracks for the car and for the drivers. It is a long, long way to the chequered flag.
"It's one of the biggest challenges we have. The focus of the driver has to be extremely high throughout the race. It’s very hot, the humidity is very high and, being at night, more difficult for your eyes."
Visibility could become even harder on Sunday if the predicted rain storms arrive, since spray from the cars would reflect the light being beamed down onto the track.
MotoGP, which holds a night race in Qatar each year, considers such reflection to be a 'red line' safety issue and only allows its grand prix to take place on a dry track.
Singapore's location, on the very southern tip of Malaysia, means accurate weather forecasts are unlikely to be possible until just before the race begins, adding tension to what is already a big weekend for Vettel.
The young German, winner of eight of the 13 rounds so far, has spent much of the season brushing-off title talk.
That is becoming increasingly difficult, since Vettel starts this weekend with a 112 point lead over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. Vettel will be crowned a double world champion at the age of 24 if he can leave Singapore with a lead of at least 125 points.
"'Would, could, should'. So far we haven’t won anything," stated Vettel. "We are in a good position but still some way to go. We have to do our normal job and try to achieve our best. A lot of people talk about [the championship], but certain things have to happen.
"It’s not the objective for this weekend," he insisted. "The target is to optimise our performance and then either we get surprised or not? I don’t feel any extra pressure trying to win the championship here."
While Vettel remains cautious, Virgin driver Timo Glock is ready to cash-in on what he believes will be a championship-winning drive by Vettel on Sunday.
"Sebastian managed to have a near perfect season up until now," said Glock, before revealing: "I have my money on him to win the championship this weekend, so he has to push for it!"
Date: 22/September/2011
Sebastian Vettel is staying cool as he faces the first of six chances to defend his F1 title in Sunday's hot, humid and possibly wet Singapore night race.
The only grand prix to be held completely at night - Abu Dhabi starts just before sunset - Singapore has quickly become one of the highlights of the season for drivers and fans alike.
But that doesn’t mean it's easy.
On the contrary, at 5.073km the Marina Bay circuit is one of the longest on the calendar, and the race distance is equally extensive. Ever since it's 2008 debut, the Singapore Grand Prix has finished just minutes before the two-hour time limit.
Add in the punishing heat and humidity, plus the topsy-turvy time schedule and Singapore is rightfully considered one of the toughest rounds on the calendar.
"In a way it’s tougher than Monaco," said Vettel on Thursday. "The circuit is very bumpy. At some places there’s not a lot of room for mistakes and there are so many corners.
"It is one of the most difficult tracks for the car and for the drivers. It is a long, long way to the chequered flag.
"It's one of the biggest challenges we have. The focus of the driver has to be extremely high throughout the race. It’s very hot, the humidity is very high and, being at night, more difficult for your eyes."
Visibility could become even harder on Sunday if the predicted rain storms arrive, since spray from the cars would reflect the light being beamed down onto the track.
MotoGP, which holds a night race in Qatar each year, considers such reflection to be a 'red line' safety issue and only allows its grand prix to take place on a dry track.
Singapore's location, on the very southern tip of Malaysia, means accurate weather forecasts are unlikely to be possible until just before the race begins, adding tension to what is already a big weekend for Vettel.
The young German, winner of eight of the 13 rounds so far, has spent much of the season brushing-off title talk.
That is becoming increasingly difficult, since Vettel starts this weekend with a 112 point lead over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. Vettel will be crowned a double world champion at the age of 24 if he can leave Singapore with a lead of at least 125 points.
"'Would, could, should'. So far we haven’t won anything," stated Vettel. "We are in a good position but still some way to go. We have to do our normal job and try to achieve our best. A lot of people talk about [the championship], but certain things have to happen.
"It’s not the objective for this weekend," he insisted. "The target is to optimise our performance and then either we get surprised or not? I don’t feel any extra pressure trying to win the championship here."
While Vettel remains cautious, Virgin driver Timo Glock is ready to cash-in on what he believes will be a championship-winning drive by Vettel on Sunday.
"Sebastian managed to have a near perfect season up until now," said Glock, before revealing: "I have my money on him to win the championship this weekend, so he has to push for it!"
Stoner credits Pedrosa, 'No risks by Yamaha' says Lorenzo
MotoGP News
Date: 18/September/2011
Dani Pedrosa may not be the most personable character in MotoGP, but it's hard not to feel sorry for the Spaniard.
A loyal Honda rider since his 2001 debut in the 125cc class, Pedrosa was HRC's most successful MotoGP rider from 2007-2010, when he twice finished title runner-up.
But just as the RC212V was looking like the bike to beat, towards the end of last season, in walked Casey Stoner for 2011.
The Australian has gone on to win eight of the 14 races this year, and has one hand on his second MotoGP title. Meanwhile Pedrosa's championship chances broke with his collarbone after a controversial accident at round four (Le Mans).
Some in the paddock believe Stoner's success proves Pedrosa should have achieved more with the Honda in previous years. However Stoner insists Pedrosa instead deserves credit for making the RC212V the machine it is today.
The Honda has won ten races this season, with the other four wins taken by Yamaha.
"I respect Dani a lot as a racer and the work that he has done with this bike is evident," Stoner said. "We don’t ride the same bike and there are some differences, but I only arrived here at the end of last year and have only changed a few small things with the settings.
"The Honda has been improving these past few years and, with Dani being the strongest rider, I'm sure most of the development was coming from him. It's a big credit to Dani that the bike is what it is today."
But Stoner then warned about the dangers of creating a bike to suit the needs of just one person.
"I don't think any bike should be developed around one rider," Stoner said. "You can't fill every gap that way. You need input from other riders. That's also why I really wanted Dani's opinion on next year's 1000cc bike."
Those words could be taken as both an explanation of why the RCV was inconsistent in previous seasons - too much concentration on Pedrosa - and a warning to Stoner's former team Ducati, currently struggling to make MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi competitive.
Barring disaster, Stoner is on target to claim Honda's first MotoGP title since Nicky Hayden in 2006.
Stoner holds a 44 point advantage over Yamaha's reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo, with four rounds and 100 points remaining. Lorenzo offered this insight into Honda's current supremacy:
"The Honda was already extremely fast at the end of last year," he began. "I would say they improved by one step at the end of last year, and then another step for this year.
"We, as Yamaha, have won the last three titles in a row so it was logical that we didn’t take so many risks with this year's bike. Honda has worked a lot and done a great job. At most of the tracks, they are a little further ahead than the rest."
Date: 18/September/2011
Dani Pedrosa may not be the most personable character in MotoGP, but it's hard not to feel sorry for the Spaniard.
A loyal Honda rider since his 2001 debut in the 125cc class, Pedrosa was HRC's most successful MotoGP rider from 2007-2010, when he twice finished title runner-up.
But just as the RC212V was looking like the bike to beat, towards the end of last season, in walked Casey Stoner for 2011.
The Australian has gone on to win eight of the 14 races this year, and has one hand on his second MotoGP title. Meanwhile Pedrosa's championship chances broke with his collarbone after a controversial accident at round four (Le Mans).
Some in the paddock believe Stoner's success proves Pedrosa should have achieved more with the Honda in previous years. However Stoner insists Pedrosa instead deserves credit for making the RC212V the machine it is today.
The Honda has won ten races this season, with the other four wins taken by Yamaha.
"I respect Dani a lot as a racer and the work that he has done with this bike is evident," Stoner said. "We don’t ride the same bike and there are some differences, but I only arrived here at the end of last year and have only changed a few small things with the settings.
"The Honda has been improving these past few years and, with Dani being the strongest rider, I'm sure most of the development was coming from him. It's a big credit to Dani that the bike is what it is today."
But Stoner then warned about the dangers of creating a bike to suit the needs of just one person.
"I don't think any bike should be developed around one rider," Stoner said. "You can't fill every gap that way. You need input from other riders. That's also why I really wanted Dani's opinion on next year's 1000cc bike."
Those words could be taken as both an explanation of why the RCV was inconsistent in previous seasons - too much concentration on Pedrosa - and a warning to Stoner's former team Ducati, currently struggling to make MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi competitive.
Barring disaster, Stoner is on target to claim Honda's first MotoGP title since Nicky Hayden in 2006.
Stoner holds a 44 point advantage over Yamaha's reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo, with four rounds and 100 points remaining. Lorenzo offered this insight into Honda's current supremacy:
"The Honda was already extremely fast at the end of last year," he began. "I would say they improved by one step at the end of last year, and then another step for this year.
"We, as Yamaha, have won the last three titles in a row so it was logical that we didn’t take so many risks with this year's bike. Honda has worked a lot and done a great job. At most of the tracks, they are a little further ahead than the rest."
No team orders for Ben Spies at Aragon
MotoGP News
Date: 17/September/2011
Jorge Lorenzo's 2011 MotoGP title hopes might be on the ropes, but he can expect no assistance from Yamaha team-mate Ben Spies in Sunday's Aragon Grand Prix.
Lorenzo, the reigning world champion, is 35 points behind Honda's Casey Stoner with five rounds and 125 points remaining.
Stoner is in awesome form and will start on pole at Aragon, while Lorenzo admits he is struggling this weekend and will line-up in fourth place, just behind Spies.
Spies, riding in his first season with the official Yamaha team, is just one point away from being mathematically eliminated from the title chase.
In Formula One, that would be enough for the Texan to be asked to sacrifice his own race in order to assist his team-mate.
But Yamaha claims it has 'never' used team orders and, speaking at Aragon on Saturday evening, Spies confirmed he has no intention of being reduced to a supporting role on Sunday.
"For me there's been no team orders," he said. "I think we saw that at Indy when I passed Jorge, and then at Misano when Dani Pedrosa was able to pass [team-mate] Casey.
"That's the way it should be. Everybody races for themselves. When a championship is won because somebody let somebody beat them, I don't think it means so much.
"I don’t plan on riding any differently on Sunday. Whoever is in front of me - whether it's a Honda, a Ducati or a Yamaha - I plan on trying to pass them."
Speaking earlier in the year, Stoner was equally against any artificial manipulation of the results.
"I don’t think there should ever really be team orders," he said. "It's not football. You're not all on the same team, playing for the same thing. We're each our own person."
But Lorenzo disagreed, saying team orders were appropriate towards the end of the season.
"If your partner can help you - and they are not fighting for the championship - we are a team, no? MotoGP is not football, but it is still a team and success for the brand is very important," said the Spaniard.
Date: 17/September/2011
Jorge Lorenzo's 2011 MotoGP title hopes might be on the ropes, but he can expect no assistance from Yamaha team-mate Ben Spies in Sunday's Aragon Grand Prix.
Lorenzo, the reigning world champion, is 35 points behind Honda's Casey Stoner with five rounds and 125 points remaining.
Stoner is in awesome form and will start on pole at Aragon, while Lorenzo admits he is struggling this weekend and will line-up in fourth place, just behind Spies.
Spies, riding in his first season with the official Yamaha team, is just one point away from being mathematically eliminated from the title chase.
In Formula One, that would be enough for the Texan to be asked to sacrifice his own race in order to assist his team-mate.
But Yamaha claims it has 'never' used team orders and, speaking at Aragon on Saturday evening, Spies confirmed he has no intention of being reduced to a supporting role on Sunday.
"For me there's been no team orders," he said. "I think we saw that at Indy when I passed Jorge, and then at Misano when Dani Pedrosa was able to pass [team-mate] Casey.
"That's the way it should be. Everybody races for themselves. When a championship is won because somebody let somebody beat them, I don't think it means so much.
"I don’t plan on riding any differently on Sunday. Whoever is in front of me - whether it's a Honda, a Ducati or a Yamaha - I plan on trying to pass them."
Speaking earlier in the year, Stoner was equally against any artificial manipulation of the results.
"I don’t think there should ever really be team orders," he said. "It's not football. You're not all on the same team, playing for the same thing. We're each our own person."
But Lorenzo disagreed, saying team orders were appropriate towards the end of the season.
"If your partner can help you - and they are not fighting for the championship - we are a team, no? MotoGP is not football, but it is still a team and success for the brand is very important," said the Spaniard.
Rossi reveals aluminium switch, will race in Japan
MotoGP News
Date: 15/September/2011
The rumours that Ducati will drop its ambitious F1-style carbon fibre MotoGP chassis in favour of a conventional aluminium frame were proven partially correct at Aragon on Thursday.
On the eve of round 14 of the 2011 season, struggling MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi announced that the front part of one of his Desmosedicis will be changed from carbon fibre to aluminium for this weekend's grand prix.
The decision to switch materials was made after Rossi tried the aluminium during a test on the 2012 1000cc Ducati at Mugello last week. With no more in-season testing of 800cc bikes allowed, Rossi now hopes that his positive feelings from the 1000cc test will be replicated at Aragon.
Rossi, who has struggled with the front-end of his Ducati all season, explained:
"We tested at Mugello last week where we tried something different with the bike to improve the front feeling and turning. The lap time was not so bad, I was a bit faster than last time, but especially the feeling was quite good."
But the Italian was quick to point out that the change doesn’t mean Ducati has scrapped its philosophy of using the engine as a major load-bearing part of the bike.
All other MotoGP bikes - from Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki - carry the engine inside a twin-spar aluminium frame.
Ducati has never used such a design, instead starting with a steel trellis frame in 2003, before making the engine 'stressed', then introducing carbon fibre for the front and rear (swingarm) sections from 2009 onwards.
"It is not a frame [like the Japanese bikes]," Rossi stated. "The philosophy of the Ducati remains the same, but the front part of the bike is a bit different. It is in aluminium and not carbon fibre like before."
Although he claimed to have felt improved feel from the aluminium, Rossi claimed that the change of material is mainly to do with speeding up the development process. Rossi is currently enduring his longest losing streak in MotoGP and has taken just one podium so far this season.
"The material is especially a question of time," he said. "Because we have to work a lot to try to understand the bike and with aluminium we need a lot less time to make modifications, compared to the carbon fibre.
"This is just the first step. We will keep working and try to come back and fight at the front."
Aragon was one of Ducati's best races last season, when Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden finished first and third. "Last year the Ducati was very strong and so we hope we can be closer to the top guys this weekend," said Rossi.
Changing subject, the #46 also confirmed that he will now race in the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, having earlier suggested he would not attend due to the risk of radiation from the damaged Fukushima power plant.
"I will go to Japan to race. All the tests have been negative so it looks quite safe," he said.
With 2011 title leaders Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner also retracting their early 'no-go' statements, a full 17-rider line-up is expected for the October 2 race.
Date: 15/September/2011
The rumours that Ducati will drop its ambitious F1-style carbon fibre MotoGP chassis in favour of a conventional aluminium frame were proven partially correct at Aragon on Thursday.
On the eve of round 14 of the 2011 season, struggling MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi announced that the front part of one of his Desmosedicis will be changed from carbon fibre to aluminium for this weekend's grand prix.
The decision to switch materials was made after Rossi tried the aluminium during a test on the 2012 1000cc Ducati at Mugello last week. With no more in-season testing of 800cc bikes allowed, Rossi now hopes that his positive feelings from the 1000cc test will be replicated at Aragon.
Rossi, who has struggled with the front-end of his Ducati all season, explained:
"We tested at Mugello last week where we tried something different with the bike to improve the front feeling and turning. The lap time was not so bad, I was a bit faster than last time, but especially the feeling was quite good."
But the Italian was quick to point out that the change doesn’t mean Ducati has scrapped its philosophy of using the engine as a major load-bearing part of the bike.
All other MotoGP bikes - from Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki - carry the engine inside a twin-spar aluminium frame.
Ducati has never used such a design, instead starting with a steel trellis frame in 2003, before making the engine 'stressed', then introducing carbon fibre for the front and rear (swingarm) sections from 2009 onwards.
"It is not a frame [like the Japanese bikes]," Rossi stated. "The philosophy of the Ducati remains the same, but the front part of the bike is a bit different. It is in aluminium and not carbon fibre like before."
Although he claimed to have felt improved feel from the aluminium, Rossi claimed that the change of material is mainly to do with speeding up the development process. Rossi is currently enduring his longest losing streak in MotoGP and has taken just one podium so far this season.
"The material is especially a question of time," he said. "Because we have to work a lot to try to understand the bike and with aluminium we need a lot less time to make modifications, compared to the carbon fibre.
"This is just the first step. We will keep working and try to come back and fight at the front."
Aragon was one of Ducati's best races last season, when Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden finished first and third. "Last year the Ducati was very strong and so we hope we can be closer to the top guys this weekend," said Rossi.
Changing subject, the #46 also confirmed that he will now race in the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, having earlier suggested he would not attend due to the risk of radiation from the damaged Fukushima power plant.
"I will go to Japan to race. All the tests have been negative so it looks quite safe," he said.
With 2011 title leaders Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner also retracting their early 'no-go' statements, a full 17-rider line-up is expected for the October 2 race.
Champion-elect Vettel shrugs off Monza boos
F1 News
Date: 13/Septembeer/2011
Sebastian Vettel may not have been the winner the Italian fans wanted in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, but the young German's eighth victory of the season has put him on the brink of defending his F1 title.
The Red Bull ace cut an emotional figure as he wiped his eyes on the top step of the Monza podium, the same place where he had celebrated his very first F1 win in 2008.
"Obviously the first win here was very special," Vettel said. "So to win here again, given the memories I have for 2008 is incredible."
The partisan fans saw things differently. Vettel and second-place McLaren driver Jenson Button were booed on the podium, while Ferrari's Fernando Alonso received a roaring cheer for third.
Vettel commented: "I think all the people who had a Red Bull shirt or flag were very happy, but the majority came here dressed in red. Fair enough, it’s Ferrari’s home grand prix.
"There were people who were very happy with our result, but I think the majority, after a while, didn’t enjoy the fact that we were enjoying ourselves. You could hear that. Jenson said to me that [the booing] is normal here."
"I’ve had it for the last two years," revealed Button, runner-up at Monza every season since 2009.
Vettel knows boos would turn to cheers in an instant if he switched to Ferrari, a team he has been linked with in the past.
Whilst in no hurry to break his Red Bull links, the 24-year-old confessed: "The only thing that could make today better is wearing a red suit, to really be appreciated by all the fans.
"We will see what happens in the future, but for now I am very, very happy and I owe a lot to Red Bull. They gave me the chance when I was just 12 years old and we go back a long way… but you never know what could happen in the future. We will see."
Of more immediate concern will be wrapping up his second F1 title in succession, a feat he can achieve next time out in Singapore.
Vettel stands 112 points clear of Alonso and will be champion, with five rounds remaining, if he can raise his advantage to 125 points on the floodlit streets of South East Asia on September 25.
"I think I will allow myself to say we are in a great position," said the ever-cautious Vettel. "I think if you ask Fernando or Lewis or Jenson or anybody, Mark, I think they would like to swap positions with me. But it’s over when it’s over, not before. I think look at last year was the best proof. You don’t know until the last lap of the last race.
"I think we will just do Singapore as we did all the other races this year. Go there and take it step-by-step and see what we can do. I love the circuit. It is very interesting so I am looking forward and we will see what happens then."
Date: 13/Septembeer/2011
Sebastian Vettel may not have been the winner the Italian fans wanted in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, but the young German's eighth victory of the season has put him on the brink of defending his F1 title.
The Red Bull ace cut an emotional figure as he wiped his eyes on the top step of the Monza podium, the same place where he had celebrated his very first F1 win in 2008.
"Obviously the first win here was very special," Vettel said. "So to win here again, given the memories I have for 2008 is incredible."
The partisan fans saw things differently. Vettel and second-place McLaren driver Jenson Button were booed on the podium, while Ferrari's Fernando Alonso received a roaring cheer for third.
Vettel commented: "I think all the people who had a Red Bull shirt or flag were very happy, but the majority came here dressed in red. Fair enough, it’s Ferrari’s home grand prix.
"There were people who were very happy with our result, but I think the majority, after a while, didn’t enjoy the fact that we were enjoying ourselves. You could hear that. Jenson said to me that [the booing] is normal here."
"I’ve had it for the last two years," revealed Button, runner-up at Monza every season since 2009.
Vettel knows boos would turn to cheers in an instant if he switched to Ferrari, a team he has been linked with in the past.
Whilst in no hurry to break his Red Bull links, the 24-year-old confessed: "The only thing that could make today better is wearing a red suit, to really be appreciated by all the fans.
"We will see what happens in the future, but for now I am very, very happy and I owe a lot to Red Bull. They gave me the chance when I was just 12 years old and we go back a long way… but you never know what could happen in the future. We will see."
Of more immediate concern will be wrapping up his second F1 title in succession, a feat he can achieve next time out in Singapore.
Vettel stands 112 points clear of Alonso and will be champion, with five rounds remaining, if he can raise his advantage to 125 points on the floodlit streets of South East Asia on September 25.
"I think I will allow myself to say we are in a great position," said the ever-cautious Vettel. "I think if you ask Fernando or Lewis or Jenson or anybody, Mark, I think they would like to swap positions with me. But it’s over when it’s over, not before. I think look at last year was the best proof. You don’t know until the last lap of the last race.
"I think we will just do Singapore as we did all the other races this year. Go there and take it step-by-step and see what we can do. I love the circuit. It is very interesting so I am looking forward and we will see what happens then."
Lorenzo 'No regrets', Stoner 'tired'
MotoGP News
Date: 4/September/2011
Jorge Lorenzo insists he has no regrets, despite his third victory of the MotoGP season looking like it has come too late in terms of his title defence.
The Factory Yamaha rider gained nine points on Casey Stoner at Misano, cutting the Honda's rider's championship advantage from 44 to 35 points.
But even if Lorenzo wins all of the remaining five rounds, second places for Stoner would be more than enough to secure Honda's first MotoGP crown since 2006.
Both Stoner and Lorenzo have failed to finish once this year. Stoner was knocked down by Valentino Rossi at Jerez, while Lorenzo crashed out of the wet Silverstone race.
Jerez aside, Stoner has been the model of consistency, finishing on the podium at the twelve other rounds and winning seven races.
Lorenzo's season has been more complicated.
The Spanish star recovered to sixth after being brought down by Marco Simoncelli at Assen, then slumped to fourth at Brno and Indianapolis after a bad tyre choice and off-form weekend respectively.
Without those 'dips' Lorenzo would be well within striking distance of Stoner, but the 24-year-old - who has firmly emerged from former team-mate Valentino Rossi's shadow this season - isn’t wasting time pondering ifs, buts and maybes.
"No regrets. I have the mentally where I don’t regret what I have done in the past," Lorenzo said of his championship chances.
"If you think about the mistake I made at Silverstone and what happened at Assen, then these last two races [Brno and Indianapolis]. Maybe we could now be very close to Casey.
"But he also crashed at Jerez and he has won seven races this year, so he deserves to have this advantage.
"Let's try to win the next races. It's not so easy, but if we can do that maybe at the end of the championship we will have more options."
Stoner showed a rare sign of weakness at Misano, when he faded from Lorenzo's rear wheel to a distant third place - behind team-mate Dani Pedrosa - after struggling with jet lag due to the hectic race schedule.
Stoner, seeking to add to his 2007 world title for Ducati, explained: "I haven’t recovered well from Indianapolis. It's been a difficult week with sleep deprivation.
"I tried to save as much energy as possible for the race and at first everything was going well. Then I started to pick up the pace and just got to the point where I started getting tired. Simple as that.
"I was weak under brakes and was running wide. That allowed Jorge to get away and I was still losing chunks of energy. I saw Dani was closing so I knew third place was the way to go today."
Round 14 of the season will be held at Aragon, Spain, on September 18.
Date: 4/September/2011
Jorge Lorenzo insists he has no regrets, despite his third victory of the MotoGP season looking like it has come too late in terms of his title defence.
The Factory Yamaha rider gained nine points on Casey Stoner at Misano, cutting the Honda's rider's championship advantage from 44 to 35 points.
But even if Lorenzo wins all of the remaining five rounds, second places for Stoner would be more than enough to secure Honda's first MotoGP crown since 2006.
Both Stoner and Lorenzo have failed to finish once this year. Stoner was knocked down by Valentino Rossi at Jerez, while Lorenzo crashed out of the wet Silverstone race.
Jerez aside, Stoner has been the model of consistency, finishing on the podium at the twelve other rounds and winning seven races.
Lorenzo's season has been more complicated.
The Spanish star recovered to sixth after being brought down by Marco Simoncelli at Assen, then slumped to fourth at Brno and Indianapolis after a bad tyre choice and off-form weekend respectively.
Without those 'dips' Lorenzo would be well within striking distance of Stoner, but the 24-year-old - who has firmly emerged from former team-mate Valentino Rossi's shadow this season - isn’t wasting time pondering ifs, buts and maybes.
"No regrets. I have the mentally where I don’t regret what I have done in the past," Lorenzo said of his championship chances.
"If you think about the mistake I made at Silverstone and what happened at Assen, then these last two races [Brno and Indianapolis]. Maybe we could now be very close to Casey.
"But he also crashed at Jerez and he has won seven races this year, so he deserves to have this advantage.
"Let's try to win the next races. It's not so easy, but if we can do that maybe at the end of the championship we will have more options."
Stoner showed a rare sign of weakness at Misano, when he faded from Lorenzo's rear wheel to a distant third place - behind team-mate Dani Pedrosa - after struggling with jet lag due to the hectic race schedule.
Stoner, seeking to add to his 2007 world title for Ducati, explained: "I haven’t recovered well from Indianapolis. It's been a difficult week with sleep deprivation.
"I tried to save as much energy as possible for the race and at first everything was going well. Then I started to pick up the pace and just got to the point where I started getting tired. Simple as that.
"I was weak under brakes and was running wide. That allowed Jorge to get away and I was still losing chunks of energy. I saw Dani was closing so I knew third place was the way to go today."
Round 14 of the season will be held at Aragon, Spain, on September 18.
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