Yardbarker: Formula One

Mika: Lack of championship spurs DC on

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:31:33 -0500

Mika Hakkinen believes one of the reasons David Coulthard continues racing is the lack of a world championship. In an interview with the Montreal Gazette, the former McLaren star expressed surprise some drivers stay in the sport so long, singling out his former teammate as an example.

Hamilton fastest at Paul Ricard

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:08:48 -0500

Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets in day one of testing at a Monaco-configured Paul Ricard, as teams focused on preparations for the unique Monte Carlo street circuit.

Ralf: Expert on number twos

Tue, 13 May 2008 18:53:08 -0500

Former F1 driver Ralf "Not-the-seven-time-world-champion" Schumacher, believes Ferrari has already put all its eggs in Kimi Raikkonen's basket, despite Felipe Massa's recent form.

Teams wrong to object to customer cars

Mon, 12 May 2008 21:45:08 -0500

Honda Racing boss Ross Brawn says those who voted down customer cars put their own interests ahead of the sport.

Massa the man in Turkey again

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:54:22 -0500

Felipe Massa took his third consecutive win in Turkey on a crisp but clear day at Istanbul Park. The Brazilian didn't put a foot wrong as he led from pole, and held off a three stop strategy from Lewis Hamilton to continue his mastery of the Turkish circuit.

3 for 4: Massa on pole in Turkey

Sat, 10 May 2008 14:15:05 -0500

Felipe Massa continued his mastery of Turkey, taking his third pole in four years Saturday.

Turkey: Ferrari leads in practice

Fri, 09 May 2008 20:31:10 -0500

Felipe Massa took the morning session, and teammate Kimi Raikkonen overtook gearbox issues to top the afternoon sheets, as Ferrari and McLaren battled for supremacy in Friday practice for the Turkish Grand Prix.

Kovalainen gets green light for Turkey

Thu, 08 May 2008 20:22:37 -0500

Heikki Kovalainen has passed his mandatory fitness test and has received the OK to race in this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix.

Kimi keeping it simple: Win

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:33:43 -0500

World champion Kimi Raikkonen is certain the competition has ramped up its efforts going into the Turkish Grand Prix. But the Finn has a simple response to that challenge: Keep winning.

Suzuki blasts Fry

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:51:36 -0500

The end of Super Aguri's Formula One effort leaves the grid with just 20 cars, but Aguri Suzuki didn't leave the without letting Honda Racing Chief Nick Fry know how he felt about his role in bringing about the end of his squad.

Super Aguri ceases operations

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:20:43 -0500

Aguri Suzuki announced today the Super Aguri F1 Team is ceasing racing activities with immediate effect.

The Most RIdiculous Car Crash Ever

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:22:30 -0500

I don't think I can imagine a more ridiculous crash than this one. The man in the car is Stephane Ortelli and he escaped serious injury from this crash, walking away (actually he probably limped) with only a broken ankle. This crash took place at Le Mans in the final hour of a 24 hour race. Make sure you check out the car that he almost hit when flew across the race track. That man was about a foot away from getting his head taken off. All parties involved were lucky this wasn't any worse.

PGA Who Is He? - EDS Byron Nelson Championship - TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas- Irving, TX

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:11:59 -0500

This week's profile is about Matthew Goggin, a name you may not know.

Max Mosley Saga Continues: Video Girls Speak Out

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:57:57 -0500

My favorite sports scandal continues to march on…FIA President Max Mosley, who faces a forced resignation due to that nasty Nazi-style-orgy-video, now thinks we should all just mind our business...plus, the "girls" in the video speak out to News of the World... Mosley: "I think most adults would say that whatever in that spectrum somebody does, provided it doesn't hurt anybody, provided it's consensual, provided it's among adults, provided it's in private, it concerns nobody but the people doing it." Okay, so I agree with that-what people do behind closed doors in their business, BUT-its not an issue of his privacy anymore- its an issue of tainting the sport. I cant event think of Formula One without thinking of Mosley's and his Nazi fetish. His perversion is an indication of a larger issue-a lack of compassion perhaps?

Formula 1 Recap Part 2

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:00:04 -0500

A nice recap of the front running teams in the front of the pack.

Formula 1 Team Update Part 1

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:08:00 -0500

This is the back of the pack teams and some analysis of the teams. More to come...

RIP

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:24:35 -0500

DEATHS IN F 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP In F1 history, from 1954 to 1994, 27 drivers have died during race or in free practice or qualifying session. In addition, spectators or track workers have died due to incidents in the 1953 Argentine Grand Prix, 1961 Italian Grand Prix, 1962 Monaco Grand Prix, 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, 1977 South African Grand Prix, 1977 Japanese Grand Prix, 1981 Belgian Grand Prix, 2000 Italian Grand Prix and 2001 Australian Grand Prix. 1954, July 31: Marimon, Onofre, 1954 German Grand Prix, during qualifying session 1958, July 6: Musso, Luigi, 1958 French Grand Prix 1958, August 3: Collins, Peter, 1958 German Grand Prix 1958, October 25: Lewis-Evans, Stuart, 1958 Morocco Grand Prix, in hospital six days after race accident 1960, June 19: Bristow, Chris, 1960 Belgian Grand Prix 1960, June 19: Stacey, Alan, 1960 Belgian Grand Prix 1961, September 10: Berghe von Trips, Wolfgang, 1961 Italian Grand Prix 1964, August 2: de Beaufort, Carel Godin, 1964 German Grand Prix, during qualifying session 1966, August 7: Taylor, John, 1966 German Grand Prix 1967, May 7: Bandini, Lorenzo, 1967 Monaco Grand Prix 1968, July 7: Schlesser, Jo, 1968 French Grand Prix 1969, August 1: Mitter, Gerhard, 1969 German Grand Prix, during qualifying session 1970, June 21: Courage, Piers, 1970 Dutch Grand Prix 1970, September 6: Rindt, Jochen, 1970 Italian Grand Prix, during qualifying session 1973, July 29: Williamson, Roger, 1973 Dutch Grand Prix 1973, October 7: Cevert, François, 1973 United States Grand Prix, during qualifying session 1974, March 22: Revson, Peter, 1974 South African Grand Prix, during free practice, one week before race 1974, October 6: Koinigg, Helmuth, 1974 United States Grand Prix 1975, August 17: Donohue, Mark, 1975 Austrian Grand Prix, during warm up session 1977, March 5: Pryce, Tom, 1977 South African Grand Prix 1978, September 11: Peterson, Ronnie, 1978 Italian Grand Prix, in hospital one day after accident 1980, August 1: Depailler, Patrick, 1980 German Grand Prix, during Alfa Romeo free practice, ten days before race 1982, May 8: Villeneuve, Gilles, 1982 Belgian Grand Prix, during qualifying session 1982, June 13: Paletti, Riccardo, 1982 Canadian Grand Prix 1986, May 15: de Angelis, Elio, during Brabham testing in France, The Paul Ricard Circuit 1994, April 30: Ratzenberger, Roland, 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, during qualifying session 1994, May 1: Senna, Ayrton, 1994 San Marino Grand Prix

CIRCUITS OF DEATH

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:06:36 -0500

DEADLIEST RACE CIRCUITS CIRCUIT DEATHS YEARS 1 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 8 1953 1959 2 Nürburgring 5 1954 1969 3 Modena Autodrome 3 1953 1961 Autodromo Nazionale Monza 1961 1978 6 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 2 1960 1960 Silverstone Circuit 1960 1967 Circuit Zandvoort 1970 1973 Watkins Glen International 1973 1974 Brands Hatch 1971 1977 Kyalami 1974 1977 Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari 1994 1994 11 Reims-Gueux 1 1958 Ain-Diab Circuit 1958 Charade Circuit 1959 Westmead Circuit 1962 Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez 1962 Circuit de Monaco 1967 Rouen-Les-Essarts 1968 Österreichring 1975 Hockenheimring 1980 Zolder 1982 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve 1982 Circuit Paul Ricard 1986 [edit] Notes ^ a b c d e f g The Indianapolis 500 was part of the World Championship from 1950 until 1960. In this context, an Indianapolis 500 "event" includes both the race itself and all the testing, practice and qualifying sessions in the so-called "month of May" leading up to the race. ^ International Trophy was not a part of the 1960 world championship. ^ Although both drivers died at the same Grand Prix, Alan Stacey and Chris Bristow were not involved in the same accident. Bristow died on the 19th lap after being thrown out of his car, a result of losing control of his car at Malmedy, while Stacey died on the 24th lap after a bird flew into his face and he lost control of his car. ^ Fifteen spectators were also killed in Von Trips' fatal accident. ^ At the age of 20 years, 8 months and 18 days, Ricardo Rodríguez is the youngest person to have suffered a fatal accident in Formula One. ^ Hocking was killed in a Formula One Testing Session He was killed one week prior to his first Formula One Grand Prix. ^ John Taylor died of serious burns a few weeks after the accident on September 8, 1966 in Koblenz, Germany. ^ Lorenzo Bandini died of serious burns three days after his accident . ^ Mitter was driving a Formula Two car. F2 cars were allowed to take part in the F1 race as part of a separate contest. ^ After his death, Jochen Rindt was declared champion after his rivals failed to overhaul his points tally four Grands Prix later. ^ The Brands Hatch Victory Race was not a part of the 1971 world championship. ^ As well as Tom Pryce, Jansen Van Vuuren, a teenage volunteer safety marshal, died in the accident after Pryce collided with him at high speed. ^ McGuire was killed in a Shellsport Formula One Race at Brands Hatch, which was not part of the Formula One Championship. ^ Shellsport Champioship Round 11 was not a part of the 1977 world championship. ^ Peterson died in hospital the following day. ^ Villeneuve died in hospital later that day.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:32:06 -0500

DO YOU REMEMBER THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME... The Beginning Michael Schumacher started out his racing career in the same way as all the great drivers, in karting. At four years old his father built him a kart and soon after enrolled him in the local kart club Kerpen Horrom. Michael's problem was that in Germany the regulations stated the minimum permissible age to obtain a kart license was 14. To get around this he obtained a Luxembourg license (obtainable from the age of 12). However in 1983 he obtained his German license and the year after he won the German Junior Kart Championship. From 1985 Schumacher drove for Eurokart dealer Adolf Neubert and once again took the title. In 1989 Michael signed with Willi Weber, whose team WTS he would drive for during 1989 and 1990 in the Formula 3 Championship. Weber paid the costs for both seasons (approximately 1 million DM). In the 1989 season Karl Wendlinger was champion, with Michael finishing 3rd behind Heinz-Harald Frentzen. During 1990 and 1991 Schumacher moved into sports car racing, instead of the more usual step up to Formula 3000. Many managers believed this would block his progression to Formula 1, but Weber believed that exposure to professional press conferences and dealing with the cars of 700bhp would be beneficial. Formula 1 The Belgian Grand Prix of 1991 at Spa was Michael's debut in the world's top racing series. His lucky break came as a result of Bertrand Gachot being imprisoned for spraying CS gas into a London taxi driver's face. Qualifying 7th, he unfortunately retired on the first lap from this race with clutch failure of his Jordan-Ford. Although Eddie Jordan wished to sign Michael to the team, Schumacher was advised by Weber to act cautiously, as Jordan was to use factory Yamaha power the following year. They suspected this engine might prove to be second class and they were proved correct. Subsequent to this Michael moved to the Benetton team, replacing Roberto Moreno. He competed in five more grand prix that season with Nelson Piquet as team mate. In 1992 Schumacher was partnered with Martin Brundle and his first victory was 1 year after his debut at Spa. During 1993 Ricardo Patrese partnered Michael, that being Patrese's last year in F1. Michael's second win came at the 1993 Portuguese GP. In the 1994 season with an under powered Ford Zetec V8 he took his first Driver's Championship, after the death of Ayrton Senna at Imola. It came after a season of several run-ins with the FIA and he was disqualified from the British and Belgian Grands Prix. Michael was also put under a two race ban during the Italian and Portuguese GP that year. The race bans were a result of not adhering to a black flag (driver disqualified) at Silverstone that year. Instead of coming in, he continued on to win the race - the team had hoped that a later appeal would overturn the disqualification and hence keep the victory he obtained. The disqualification was a result of Michael overtaking Damon Hill on the parade lap, a seemingly psychological manoeuvre. In a controversial last round at the Australian GP Michael entered leading Damon Hill by one point. On the 36th lap Schumacher made an unbecoming mistake and banged the wall, damaging his rear suspension. He made it back on the track and as Damon Hill came to pass him on the next corner, Michael turned in on the Williams car. Hill's front suspension was badly damaged and both cars were out of the race. Hence Michael gained the crown. The 1995 season was just as successful. Schumacher now had Renault power, to match the Williams and he dominated the season. It was marred however by several collisions between himself and Hill. In a particularly stupid overtaking manoeuvre Hill took them both out of the British GP near the start of the race. Having taken 9 GP wins, Michael finished the season to take his second Championship. The 1996 season saw Michael move to Ferrari with a reported salary of $30 million He stated the need for a new challenge as his reasoning, it being to return Ferrari to the pinnacle of motorsport. Eddie Irvine moved from Jordan to become his team mate in the same year. The Ferrari F310 car had poor handling and it was a testament to Michael's ability that he managed to gain three wins. One of his wins, at the Spanish GP of that year was a wet race and is regarded as one of the best drives ever. His method of attaining time from the car resulted in somewhat flamboyant and uncharacteristic driving, with oversteering et al. With a lack of competitors Hill finally managed to take the world championship. With Damon Hill being dumped from Williams in 1997, Michael's main rival became former CART champion Jacques Villeneuve. The Ferrari was more reliable and a somewhat less than spectacular early season for Villeneuve allowed Michael to provide a challenge. He took 5 GP wins and at the last race of the season Michael was ahead in the championship by just one point. Mid way through leading the race in Jerez, Schumacher's lap times began to drop off and concern was raised about the condition of his car. As Villeneuve came to pass on a corner, Michael turned in on him. His wheel banged the Canadian's sidepod but the Williams seemed undamaged. Michael wound up in a gravel trap and was out of the race, with Villeneuve finishing third to take the title. In a decision by the FIA Schumacher was disqualified from the whole of the season as punishment for his manoeuvre in that race. In 1998 the McLaren's dominating the season convincingly and Michael was the only driver to come near them to provide a challenge. With the Ferrari improving significantly throughput the season and being particularly faster in the second half, Michael gained 6 wins and 5 other podiums. With the later outlawed mini sidepod wings the Ferrari's took an historic 1-2 at the Italian GP at Imola that year. Michael's accident at the British GP in 1999 killed his chances of taking the title. Prior to that it looked very probable that he would take it. Looking back on the season and the relative performances of McLaren and Ferrari it seems likely he would have done so. The fact that Irvine was so close to Hakkinen in the championship at the end, surely indicates that Schumacher would have had it wrapped up long before, had he been able to compete. However he returned to drive the second two races of the season and astounded the paddock with his speed, leaving the pack behind. Excuses from drivers such as Coulthard and Irvine included that he'd had a nice rest at home and they were tired out after a full season of races. Karting History Year Position Championship 1984 1st German Junior Kart Championship 1985 1st 2nd German Junior Kart Championship Junior World Kart Championship 1986 3rd 2nd 3rd German Senior Kart Championship European Kart Championship (North Zone) European Kart Championship Final 1987 1st 2nd 1st German Senior Kart Championship European Kart Championship (North Zone) European Kart Championship Final Single Seater History Year Position Championship 1988 1st 2nd 6th German Formula König Championship European Formula Ford 1600 Championship German Formula Ford 1600 Championship 1989 2nd (=) German Formula 3 Championship 1990 1st DQ German Formula 3 Championship European Formula 3 Cup 1991 2nd All-Japan Formula 3000 Championship Sports Car History Year Position Championship 1990 DNF 5th (=) German Touring Car Championship Sports-Prototype World Championship 1991 DNF 9th (=) German Touring Car Championship Sports-Prototype World Championship Formula One History Year Position Points Championship 1991 12th (=) 0 F1 World Championship 1992 3rd 53 F1 World Championship 1993 4th 52 F1 World Championship 1994 1st 92 F1 World Championship 1995 1st 102 F1 World Championship 1996 3rd 59 F1 World Championship 1997 2nd (DQ) - F1 World Championship 1998 2nd 86 F1 World Championship 1999 5th 44 F1 World Championship 2000 1st 108 F1 World Championship 2001 1st 123 F1 World Championship 2002 1st 144 F1 World Championship 2003 1st 93 F1 World Championship

Rosberg fastest in final free practice

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:21:29 -0500

Nico Rosberg continued his strong performance in Bahrain during Saturday morning's final free practice session. The Williams driver was two tenths of a second ahead of Felipe Massa and Mark Webber. Lewis Hamilton seemed to focus on his race set-up, the Briton ended 18th.

F1 Bahrain grand prix betting tips

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:13:14 -0500

F1 is back in Bahrain for the third round of the the season, here are the latest odds and tips for this weekends race.

Ferrari Dominates in Malaysia

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:31:35 -0500

Sunday arrived with threats of heavy weather, and the possibility of another wild, chaotic F1 Grand Prix. Instead, Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari were the only storm raging at the Sepang circuit in Sepang, Malaysia. During the second round of the 2008 Formula One championship, the 2007 F1 World Drivers Champion strolled to an easy victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix after a brief, spirited intra-team fight.

Lewis Hamilton Has "Gods of Thunder" In His Corner

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:37:12 -0500

Kiss was on hand at the Australian Grand Prix and met Lewis Hamilton ... hit the link for picture and video ...

News that will change the world

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:12:36 -0500

"Formula 1: Coulthard purchase 40 underwear before debut. " *** All to no skid..................

Lewis Hamilton Greeted in Barcelona by Blackface and Wigs - Alonso Doesn't See the Big Deal

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:22:59 -0500

Another example of Europeans being outwardly racist. Lewis Hamilton, the black second-year McLaren phenom, was greeted in Barcelona at a practice session by fans in blackface and wigs wearing t-shirts reading "Hamilton's Family". Not only is that patently racist, it's not funny or original.

Lewis Hamilton Gives the 2008 McLaren a try

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:58:57 -0500

Lewis Hamilton seems to like the new 2008 McLaren F1 Car

100 million...no problem!?

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 06:26:30 -0500

McLaren say their performance on the track next season will not suffer as a result of the record $100 million (50 million pound) fine imposed on them for spying on Ferrari.McLaren, who were leading Ferrari in the Formula One constructors' championship before being stripped of their 2007 points and fined by the governing body on Thursday, have yet to decide whether to appeal. However, team boss Ron Dennis, who said they might "swallow" the fine in the interests of the sport, told reporters at the Belgian Grand Prix that McLaren would be as competitive as ever.

McLaren's Season Gone, Drivers Still Clear

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:52:49 -0500

This week the FIA World Motor Sport Council finally had the hearing about McLaren's alleged possession of confidential data of team Ferrari. The team was handed a stiff penalty, but both drivers are still in the running for the season championship. McLaren is disqualified from the 2007 constructor's championship and fined $100 million. Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, respectively first and second in the series championship, did not get penalized. They may still receive points for races as well as an untainted season championship, if either of them are in that position at the end of the season. I like the ruling. Unlike the NFL's Patriots situation, in Formula One, the team can be fined separately from the individual. True, the team's fine may hurt the individual's performance, but the drivers were not to blame, so they don't get punished. As a fan, I'm more interested in seeing the drivers succeed than the constructors, so I think this is a great move to save the fan base of this exciting season dominated by McLaren and Ferrari.

Hamilton driven to despair by Formula One spying scandal

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 06:57:44 -0500

Lewis Hamilton got out of his car after finishing second in the Italian Grand Prix yesterday and admitted for the first time that he fears his attempt to win the World Championship in his rookie season could be wrecked by the Formula One spying scandal... "I never actually thought I'd be sitting here saying I hate something about Formula One, but the politics and people wanting to be bigger than others is just incredible."

'serious consequences' if McLaren team don't confess all

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 03:38:51 -0500

The FIA has confirmed it wrote to Alonso, Hamilton and De La Rosa on August 31, specifically asking them to pass on the details of any documents or communications "relevant to this case and which make reference to Ferrari". If they don't, says the letter, "serious consequences could follow". It is one of the most unequivocally abrasive warnings the FIA has ever made.