May
13th
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Pastor Maldonado has won the Spanish Grand Prix, ahead of Alonso and Raikkonen
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May
13th
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Opel has offered to build the Citroen's C5 sedan in Ruesselsheim, Germany, to compensate workers for lost production of the Astra, a German newspaper said.
May
13th
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Sébastien Loeb took the first wins of his racing team after he won both French Porsche Carrera Cup races presented in the streets of Pau.
Loeb, who was making a one-off race in the championship, dominated free practice before before clinching pole position for both races.
The eight time rally world champion secured win in both races as well, on Saturday and Sunday, while his teammate Jean-Karl Vernay - 2010 Indy Light champion -, took second position in both rounds.
It was the first successes for Sébastien Loeb Racing Team, which is runs the European Le Mans Series and the French GT championship.
Loeb, who was making a one-off race in the championship, dominated free practice before before clinching pole position for both races.
The eight time rally world champion secured win in both races as well, on Saturday and Sunday, while his teammate Jean-Karl Vernay - 2010 Indy Light champion -, took second position in both rounds.
It was the first successes for Sébastien Loeb Racing Team, which is runs the European Le Mans Series and the French GT championship.
May
13th
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Giedo van der Garde (Caterham) won the first GP2 race presented this weekend in Barcelona thanks to a bold pit stop strategy.
The Dutchman, who started fifth place on the grid, ran third in the first part of the race behind poleman James Calado and Fabio Leimer, who were fighting for first position.
But Van der Garde and his Caterham team gambled on their mandatory pit stop when they choose to change only two tires, which helped Van der Garde to be back on track ahead of both Calado and Leimer, who also lost time in traffic.
Later, Leimer was penalized for having almost hit Calado in the pits, as both drivers stopped for their tire change at the same moment. The Swiss dropped down in the back of the field, and Stefano Coletti moved up to third.
Championship leader Davide Valsecchi was fourth ahead of Nathanael Berthon and Fabio Onidi. Max Chilton and Luiz Razia were seventh and eighth respectively, which allows the Brazilian driver to start from pole position for race 2 on Sunday.
Race results - GP2 (Barcelona)
1 - Giedo Van der Garde - Caterham - 37 laps in 1h00min22.966s
2 - James Calado - Lotus + 0.878s
3 - Stefano Coletti - Coloni + 3.811s
4 - Davide Valsecchi - Dams + 11.859s
5 - Nathanael Berthon - Racing Engineering + 15.795s
6 - Fabio Onidi - Coloni + 19.379s
7 - Max Chilton - Carlin + 19.768s
8 - Luiz Razia - Arden + 20.072s
etc.
The Dutchman, who started fifth place on the grid, ran third in the first part of the race behind poleman James Calado and Fabio Leimer, who were fighting for first position.
But Van der Garde and his Caterham team gambled on their mandatory pit stop when they choose to change only two tires, which helped Van der Garde to be back on track ahead of both Calado and Leimer, who also lost time in traffic.
Later, Leimer was penalized for having almost hit Calado in the pits, as both drivers stopped for their tire change at the same moment. The Swiss dropped down in the back of the field, and Stefano Coletti moved up to third.
Championship leader Davide Valsecchi was fourth ahead of Nathanael Berthon and Fabio Onidi. Max Chilton and Luiz Razia were seventh and eighth respectively, which allows the Brazilian driver to start from pole position for race 2 on Sunday.
Race results - GP2 (Barcelona)
1 - Giedo Van der Garde - Caterham - 37 laps in 1h00min22.966s
2 - James Calado - Lotus + 0.878s
3 - Stefano Coletti - Coloni + 3.811s
4 - Davide Valsecchi - Dams + 11.859s
5 - Nathanael Berthon - Racing Engineering + 15.795s
6 - Fabio Onidi - Coloni + 19.379s
7 - Max Chilton - Carlin + 19.768s
8 - Luiz Razia - Arden + 20.072s
etc.
May
13th
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From GMM
Stewards stripped Lewis Hamilton of pole position for the Spanish grand prix.
"This is such a disappointment. Today's qualifying session was one of the best I've ever driven," said the 2008 world champion, who has been relegated to the very back of the grid.
His McLaren engineer had instructed him to stop on the track with a "problem" after completing his pole lap.
It emerges that the team was worried Hamilton would not have enough fuel left in the car for the mandatory 1 litre FIA sample.
But rule 6.6.2 requires drivers to return to the pits after qualifying under their own power.
Sam Michael, the sporting director, argued a case of 'force majeure'.
The stewards said in a statement: "As the amount of fuel put into the car is under the complete control of the competitor the stewards cannot accept this as a case of force majeure."
"Since we accept that the stewards didn't agree with our interpretation of force majeure, we didn't contest their decision to penalise him," said team boss Martin Whitmarsh.
It means Pastor Maldonado inherits his first pole; the first for Williams since Nico Hulkenberg in 2010.
UPDATE: Following Hamilton's penalty the whole of the paddock reacted.
The Sun newspaper refer to the incident as a draconian "24-place grid penalty" imposed by the FIA after an "astonishing cock-up" by McLaren.
Writing in the Telegraph, Tom Cary said the severity of the disqualification "raised eyebrows", but agreed that "McLaren's mistake was horrendous".
He said it has been "a season of errors" by the famous British team, who are yet to get Hamilton's signature on a new contract beyond 2012.
"Hamilton must be seething," read an article in the Daily Mail newspaper, while The Times laid out McLaren's "catalogue of errors".
27-year-old Hamilton's "raw talent is being thwarted by mishap and cock-up," said journalist Kevin Eason.
"McLaren are lovely people but how the hell do they get themselves in this position?" wrote the Mirror's Byron Young on Twitter.
Even the non-English language media agreed.
"It was another great mistake by McLaren that could eventually cost Hamilton the championship," wrote Livio Oricchio in O Estado de S.Paulo.
Italy's La Stampa called McLaren's fuel gaffe a case of "harakiri".
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport added: "It was error number 13 for McLaren since last year".
While highly critical of McLaren's own-goal, however, the feeling in the paddock is that the stewards' penalty - although accepted by McLaren - was overly harsh.
"Back of the grid? Way, way too harsh", added Young on Twitter.
"Draconian penalty in my view," agreed PA Sport's Ian Parkes. "Dropping Q3 time would have sufficed."
Sky commentator Martin Brundle added: "(I) feel they should have deleted that (Q3) laptime only which would have put him sixth".
And excluding Hamilton from Q3 altogether would have put him 11th. Now, he will be "lucky to score a point", Auto Motor und Sport predicted.
In the Independent, however, David Tremayne noted: "Welcome to the draconian world of F1."
David Croft, the lead Sky commentator, said the FIA stewards had acted correctly.
"A good rule should be one that covers all eventualities with a penalty that acts as a deterrent which in this case is what happened.
"Too little fuel can't be tolerated," he added. "It seems harsh but had Lewis taken pole by one thousandth of a second, would it be harsh then?"
The Spanish fans - not Hamilton's biggest supporters dating back to his spats with Fernando Alonso in 2007 - were happy.
Asked on the El Mundo website whether the penalty was fair, 76 per cent answered yes.
Stewards stripped Lewis Hamilton of pole position for the Spanish grand prix.
"This is such a disappointment. Today's qualifying session was one of the best I've ever driven," said the 2008 world champion, who has been relegated to the very back of the grid.
His McLaren engineer had instructed him to stop on the track with a "problem" after completing his pole lap.
It emerges that the team was worried Hamilton would not have enough fuel left in the car for the mandatory 1 litre FIA sample.
But rule 6.6.2 requires drivers to return to the pits after qualifying under their own power.
Sam Michael, the sporting director, argued a case of 'force majeure'.
The stewards said in a statement: "As the amount of fuel put into the car is under the complete control of the competitor the stewards cannot accept this as a case of force majeure."
"Since we accept that the stewards didn't agree with our interpretation of force majeure, we didn't contest their decision to penalise him," said team boss Martin Whitmarsh.
It means Pastor Maldonado inherits his first pole; the first for Williams since Nico Hulkenberg in 2010.
UPDATE: Following Hamilton's penalty the whole of the paddock reacted.
The Sun newspaper refer to the incident as a draconian "24-place grid penalty" imposed by the FIA after an "astonishing cock-up" by McLaren.
Writing in the Telegraph, Tom Cary said the severity of the disqualification "raised eyebrows", but agreed that "McLaren's mistake was horrendous".
He said it has been "a season of errors" by the famous British team, who are yet to get Hamilton's signature on a new contract beyond 2012.
"Hamilton must be seething," read an article in the Daily Mail newspaper, while The Times laid out McLaren's "catalogue of errors".
27-year-old Hamilton's "raw talent is being thwarted by mishap and cock-up," said journalist Kevin Eason.
"McLaren are lovely people but how the hell do they get themselves in this position?" wrote the Mirror's Byron Young on Twitter.
Even the non-English language media agreed.
"It was another great mistake by McLaren that could eventually cost Hamilton the championship," wrote Livio Oricchio in O Estado de S.Paulo.
Italy's La Stampa called McLaren's fuel gaffe a case of "harakiri".
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport added: "It was error number 13 for McLaren since last year".
While highly critical of McLaren's own-goal, however, the feeling in the paddock is that the stewards' penalty - although accepted by McLaren - was overly harsh.
"Back of the grid? Way, way too harsh", added Young on Twitter.
"Draconian penalty in my view," agreed PA Sport's Ian Parkes. "Dropping Q3 time would have sufficed."
Sky commentator Martin Brundle added: "(I) feel they should have deleted that (Q3) laptime only which would have put him sixth".
And excluding Hamilton from Q3 altogether would have put him 11th. Now, he will be "lucky to score a point", Auto Motor und Sport predicted.
In the Independent, however, David Tremayne noted: "Welcome to the draconian world of F1."
David Croft, the lead Sky commentator, said the FIA stewards had acted correctly.
"A good rule should be one that covers all eventualities with a penalty that acts as a deterrent which in this case is what happened.
"Too little fuel can't be tolerated," he added. "It seems harsh but had Lewis taken pole by one thousandth of a second, would it be harsh then?"
The Spanish fans - not Hamilton's biggest supporters dating back to his spats with Fernando Alonso in 2007 - were happy.
Asked on the El Mundo website whether the penalty was fair, 76 per cent answered yes.
May
13th
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The Volkswagen Golf has long been a favourite among frugal buyers with Euro-car tastes. In its five-door format, this German-engineered compact provides those enthusiasts with the driving dynamics they covet and the versatility they need.
Something big from something small
Volkswagen has done a commendable job of creating as much interior volume in the Golf that two additional doors could provide without transforming the car into a milquetoast wagon for the family sect.
Redesigned last year, not much changed for 2012 but then again, not much needed to change. The Golf 5-door is a benchmark distillation of practicality, versatility and spirited fun - even if its 2.5L 5-cylinder powerplant is less than exhilarating.
The vehicle is capable of seating five adults, although four is more realistic unless squeezing three onto the 60/40 split-folding rear seat is necessary. The 2012 Volkswagen Golf 5-door offers plenty of headroom all around and generous stretches of legroom up front. As one might expect, rear legroom is adequate but not great.
Along with its ability to transport the human form, the 2012 Golf 5-door is capable of ingesting numerous other forms as well, especially when its rear seat is folded flat. The relatively square shape of the cargo bay enables it to ingest notably large items with ease.
My road bike fit nicely into the back of my tester without the need to remove wheels, as I often have to do when using compact vehicles to transport my fave two-wheeler.
Upscale cabin
Along with practicality, the Golf's cabin is noteworthy for its quality in both materials and assembly. Not so long ago, such surroundings were more the domain of upscale Euro rides, such as Audi. While my tester wasn't lined with leather, its seats were highly supportive, as VW seats always are.
Another characteristic of VW cabins, epitomized in the Golf, is straightforward logic-based designs. Three dials comprise the climate control setup, which makes life simple on the road. And it's there where the delight of the Golf shines through.
Behind the wheel
The Golf has always been an inspiring car to drive, and the 5-door version maintains that spirit. Volkswagen has managed to find a sweet spot between ride quality and handling prowess that emphasizes both dynamics without favouring one over the other.
The Golf is highly nimble around town and has underpinnings that add delight to open roads where curves are sought by driving enthusiasts like sockeye by salmon fisherman. This is the same great chassis that earns the much worshipped Golf GTI its reverence, albeit tamerw.
The quick-witted Golf 2.5L is only dulled by its somewhat lazy 5-cylinder gas engine. The normally aspirated mill produces 170 hp @ 5,700 rpm and 177 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm.
Power flows to the Golf's front wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. My tester was equipped with the autobox.
The engine/transmission combo left me feeling fine but not inspired. It seemed my tester would lazily depart from a standstill then over-compensate by delivering more acceleration than intended as the tachometer went past 3,000 rpm.
Although I adapted to this peculiarity, a more linear throttle response would help produce a more predictable feel to pulling away from a stop sign or traffic light. Still, the engine wasn't without its attributes, which included adequate operational refinement and suitable grunt.
Not a fuel miser
Fuel economy for the 2.5L powerplant is rated at 9.9L/100km and 6.2L/100km, city and highway driving respectively. My around-town duties saw me averaging something closer to 11L/100km; such is OK frugality but nothing to laud.
In my view, the powerplant of choice in the Golf is the optional 2.0L TDI diesel engine. It delivers outstanding performance and is rated at 6.7L/100km and 4.6L/100km city and highway driving respectively, plus it's fastened to VW's race-inspired DSG automated gearbox.
For those serious about economy, this engine/transmission pairing is a standout.
Golf's 19th hole
While I wasn't enthusiastic about my tester's powerplant, it's a capable mill that will undoubtedly serve the masses with subdued but sound performance.
Despite my 5-cylinder apathy, I really enjoyed driving the 2012 VW Golf 5-door and would recommend it to buyers seeking a Euro-inspired, moderately priced compact. The base Golf 5-door, termed "Trendline," is stickered at $21,475.
My Sportline version held an MSRP of $26,650 with the automatic transmission. It was also equipped with VW's $775 Connectivity Package, which includes mobile phone Bluetooth and media interface with iPod connectivity, along with steering wheel-mounted controls and a multi-function trip computer.
 |
Something big from something small
Volkswagen has done a commendable job of creating as much interior volume in the Golf that two additional doors could provide without transforming the car into a milquetoast wagon for the family sect.
Redesigned last year, not much changed for 2012 but then again, not much needed to change. The Golf 5-door is a benchmark distillation of practicality, versatility and spirited fun - even if its 2.5L 5-cylinder powerplant is less than exhilarating.
The vehicle is capable of seating five adults, although four is more realistic unless squeezing three onto the 60/40 split-folding rear seat is necessary. The 2012 Volkswagen Golf 5-door offers plenty of headroom all around and generous stretches of legroom up front. As one might expect, rear legroom is adequate but not great.
Along with its ability to transport the human form, the 2012 Golf 5-door is capable of ingesting numerous other forms as well, especially when its rear seat is folded flat. The relatively square shape of the cargo bay enables it to ingest notably large items with ease.
My road bike fit nicely into the back of my tester without the need to remove wheels, as I often have to do when using compact vehicles to transport my fave two-wheeler.
 |
| Redesigned last year, not much changed for 2012 but then again, not much needed to change. (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
Upscale cabin
Along with practicality, the Golf's cabin is noteworthy for its quality in both materials and assembly. Not so long ago, such surroundings were more the domain of upscale Euro rides, such as Audi. While my tester wasn't lined with leather, its seats were highly supportive, as VW seats always are.
Another characteristic of VW cabins, epitomized in the Golf, is straightforward logic-based designs. Three dials comprise the climate control setup, which makes life simple on the road. And it's there where the delight of the Golf shines through.
 |
| Along with practicality, the Golf's cabin is noteworthy for its quality in both materials and assembly. (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
Behind the wheel
The Golf has always been an inspiring car to drive, and the 5-door version maintains that spirit. Volkswagen has managed to find a sweet spot between ride quality and handling prowess that emphasizes both dynamics without favouring one over the other.
The Golf is highly nimble around town and has underpinnings that add delight to open roads where curves are sought by driving enthusiasts like sockeye by salmon fisherman. This is the same great chassis that earns the much worshipped Golf GTI its reverence, albeit tamerw.
The quick-witted Golf 2.5L is only dulled by its somewhat lazy 5-cylinder gas engine. The normally aspirated mill produces 170 hp @ 5,700 rpm and 177 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm.
Power flows to the Golf's front wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. My tester was equipped with the autobox.
The engine/transmission combo left me feeling fine but not inspired. It seemed my tester would lazily depart from a standstill then over-compensate by delivering more acceleration than intended as the tachometer went past 3,000 rpm.
Although I adapted to this peculiarity, a more linear throttle response would help produce a more predictable feel to pulling away from a stop sign or traffic light. Still, the engine wasn't without its attributes, which included adequate operational refinement and suitable grunt.
 |
| The 5-cylinder gas engine produces 170 hp @ 5,700 rpm and 177 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
Not a fuel miser
Fuel economy for the 2.5L powerplant is rated at 9.9L/100km and 6.2L/100km, city and highway driving respectively. My around-town duties saw me averaging something closer to 11L/100km; such is OK frugality but nothing to laud.
In my view, the powerplant of choice in the Golf is the optional 2.0L TDI diesel engine. It delivers outstanding performance and is rated at 6.7L/100km and 4.6L/100km city and highway driving respectively, plus it's fastened to VW's race-inspired DSG automated gearbox.
For those serious about economy, this engine/transmission pairing is a standout.
Golf's 19th hole
While I wasn't enthusiastic about my tester's powerplant, it's a capable mill that will undoubtedly serve the masses with subdued but sound performance.
Despite my 5-cylinder apathy, I really enjoyed driving the 2012 VW Golf 5-door and would recommend it to buyers seeking a Euro-inspired, moderately priced compact. The base Golf 5-door, termed "Trendline," is stickered at $21,475.
My Sportline version held an MSRP of $26,650 with the automatic transmission. It was also equipped with VW's $775 Connectivity Package, which includes mobile phone Bluetooth and media interface with iPod connectivity, along with steering wheel-mounted controls and a multi-function trip computer.
Key Competitors
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May
13th
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Volkswagen is convincingly running away with the fuel economy crown. After a Passat 1.6 BlueMotion managed to cover 2,457 kilometres across Europe on a single tank of diesel, an American couple from Houston, TX completed a 2,617 km drive to Sterling, VA without filling up even once.
Using a 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission, John and Helen Taylor drove their 2012 Passat TDI SE during daylight hours to experience normal traffic conditions. The pair took turns driving and didn't travel more than 14 hours per day.
''We're excited to have broken the record for the longest distance driven on one-tank of fuel,'' said John Taylor. ''The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip.''
The Taylors are true hypermiling champions and actually own more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records.
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| Photo: Volkswagen |
Using a 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission, John and Helen Taylor drove their 2012 Passat TDI SE during daylight hours to experience normal traffic conditions. The pair took turns driving and didn't travel more than 14 hours per day.
''We're excited to have broken the record for the longest distance driven on one-tank of fuel,'' said John Taylor. ''The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip.''
The Taylors are true hypermiling champions and actually own more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records.
May
13th
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Luiz Razia took advantage of his pole position to secure his second win this season in race 2 in Barcelona.
Razia inherited the pole position after he took eighth position in race 1.
The Brazilian driver maintained his lead from start to finish, and won his second race of the year, the first beign his victory in the opening round in Malaysia, which put him second in the overall standings behind championship leader Davide Valsecchi, who took third position on Sunday in Barcelona.
Nathanael Berthon had the pressure on Razia in the first part of the race, but the frenchman lost ground over the Brazilian driver, and finally had to concentrate on third place Davide Valsecchi. The Frenchman took his first GP2 podium finish.
Race 2 results - GP2 (Barcelona)
1 - Luiz Razia - Arden - 25 laps in 40min08.411s
2 - Nathanael Berthon - Racing Engineering - 5.256s
3 - Davide Valsecchi - Dams - 5.897s
4 - James Calado - Lotus - 6.575s
5 - Max Chilton - Carlin - 13.117s
6 - Giedo Van der Garde - Caterham - 14.362s
7 - Esteban Gutierrez - Lotus - 14.874s
8 - Stefano Coletti - Coloni - 19.223s
Etc.
Championship :
1.Valsecchi 129 points ; 2.Razia 104; 3.Calado 69; 4.Van der Garde 60; 5.Gutierrez 59; 6.Chilton 57; 7.Leimer 41; 8.Nasr 28; 9.Dillmann 27; 10.Coletti 26, etc.
Razia inherited the pole position after he took eighth position in race 1.
The Brazilian driver maintained his lead from start to finish, and won his second race of the year, the first beign his victory in the opening round in Malaysia, which put him second in the overall standings behind championship leader Davide Valsecchi, who took third position on Sunday in Barcelona.
Nathanael Berthon had the pressure on Razia in the first part of the race, but the frenchman lost ground over the Brazilian driver, and finally had to concentrate on third place Davide Valsecchi. The Frenchman took his first GP2 podium finish.
Race 2 results - GP2 (Barcelona)
1 - Luiz Razia - Arden - 25 laps in 40min08.411s
2 - Nathanael Berthon - Racing Engineering - 5.256s
3 - Davide Valsecchi - Dams - 5.897s
4 - James Calado - Lotus - 6.575s
5 - Max Chilton - Carlin - 13.117s
6 - Giedo Van der Garde - Caterham - 14.362s
7 - Esteban Gutierrez - Lotus - 14.874s
8 - Stefano Coletti - Coloni - 19.223s
Etc.
Championship :
1.Valsecchi 129 points ; 2.Razia 104; 3.Calado 69; 4.Van der Garde 60; 5.Gutierrez 59; 6.Chilton 57; 7.Leimer 41; 8.Nasr 28; 9.Dillmann 27; 10.Coletti 26, etc.
May
13th
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Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr made it two wins in two races for Muscle Milk Pickett Racing at Laguna Seca.
But the race at the front between Muscle Milk Pickett and Dyson Racing was overshadowed by a multi-way fight in the GT class - which saw Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner overcome a bad pitstop to emerge as winners of the six-hour race -.
Milner and Gavin's Corvette teammates Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia were also in the fight, so were BMW Team RLL's two BMW M3s and Porsche's Flying Lizard and Team Falken Tire teams.
"It was so tight in our class. You could never let off and think 'I'm alright now'," Gavin noted.
In the end, Magnussen and Garcia came home second, despite an even worse pitstop than what Gavin and Milner experience. Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller won the fight for the last step of the podium.
In P2, Level 5 Motorsports had such a good run, they even stole second place overall away from Dyson Racing's P1 team. Franck Montagny, in his debut ALMS race, Scott Tucker and Luis Diaz drove the class-winning HPD ARX-03b.
"The team is very prepared to fight for overall wins," Diaz confirmed.
Amusingly, or rather sadly, Montagny - who was driving both the team's cars - crashed No.055 prototype. Thanks to the work of the Level 5 mechanics, it still came home third behind Conquest's Morgan-Nissan, driven by Martin Plowman, David Heinemeier Hansson and Antonio Pizzonia.
Patrick Dempsey finished fourth aboard his team's brand-new Lola-Judd P2 prototype.
Colin Braun and Jon Bennet celebrated an in extremis win in the LMPC class, while Jeroen Bleekemolen, Bret Curtis and Emilio Di Guida won the GTC race.
Race results - Laguna Seca (ALMS)
1 - Luhr/Graf (HPD ARX-03a) - Pickett - 242 laps in 6h00min38.425s
2 - Tucker/Diaz (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 239
3 - Bennett/Braun (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 236
4 - Junqueira/Drissi (Oreca FLM09) - RSR - 236
5 - Popow/Kimber-Smith (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 236
6 - Guasch/Gidley/Hamilton (Oreca FLM09) - Pickett - 236
7 - Marcelli/Downs/Stirling (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 234
8 - Leitzinger/Dobson (Oreca FLM09) - PR1 - 232
9 - Gavin/Milner (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 232
10 - Magnussen/Garcia (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 232
11 - Mueller/Auberlen (BMW M3) - Rahal - 232
12 - Hand/Mueller (BMW M3) - Rahal - 232
13 - Sharp/Van Overbeek (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 232
14 - Bergmeister/Long/Lietz (Porsche 997) - Flying Lizard - 232
15 - Henzler/Sellers (Porsche 997) - Falken - 232
16 - Richard/Ende/Lewis (Oreca FLM09) - Dempsey - 231
17 - Fernandez/Turner/Mucke (Aston Martin Vantage) - Aston Martin - 230
18 - Neiman/Holzer (Porsche 997) - Flying Lizard - 230
19 - Miller/Maassen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Miller - 229
20 - Plowman/Hansson-Pizzonia (Morgan-Judd) - Conquest - 227
21 - Nicolosi/Vera (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 225
22 - Brown/Cosmo (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 224
23 - Dyson/Smith/Mowlem (Lola B12/60-Mazda) - Dyson - 222
24 - Curtis/Bleekemolen/DI Guida - 219
25 - Sofronas/Welch/Villeneuve (Porsche 997 Cup) - GMG - 219
26 - Faieta/Avenatti/Wagner (Porsche 997 Cup) - Competition - 219
27 - MacNeil/Lazzaro (Porsche 997 Cup) - Alex Job - 216
28 - LeSaffre/Faulkner/Bleekemolen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Green Hornet - 211
29 - Tucker/Bouchut (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 207
30 - Dempsey/Cocker/Foster (Lola B12/87-Mazda) - Dempsey - 202
31 - Prendeville/Mitchell/Da Costa (Radical SR10) - Libra - 185
32 - Hedlund/Krohn/Tandy (Porsche 997 Cup) - 178
33 - Cumming/Marsh (Porsche 997 Cup) - JDX - 119
34 - Ducote/Downs/Burgess (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 100
35 - Sweedler/Bell (Lotus Evora) - Alex Job - 67
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| ALMS.com |
But the race at the front between Muscle Milk Pickett and Dyson Racing was overshadowed by a multi-way fight in the GT class - which saw Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner overcome a bad pitstop to emerge as winners of the six-hour race -.
Milner and Gavin's Corvette teammates Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia were also in the fight, so were BMW Team RLL's two BMW M3s and Porsche's Flying Lizard and Team Falken Tire teams.
 |
| ALMS.com |
"It was so tight in our class. You could never let off and think 'I'm alright now'," Gavin noted.
In the end, Magnussen and Garcia came home second, despite an even worse pitstop than what Gavin and Milner experience. Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller won the fight for the last step of the podium.
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| ALMS.com |
In P2, Level 5 Motorsports had such a good run, they even stole second place overall away from Dyson Racing's P1 team. Franck Montagny, in his debut ALMS race, Scott Tucker and Luis Diaz drove the class-winning HPD ARX-03b.
"The team is very prepared to fight for overall wins," Diaz confirmed.
Amusingly, or rather sadly, Montagny - who was driving both the team's cars - crashed No.055 prototype. Thanks to the work of the Level 5 mechanics, it still came home third behind Conquest's Morgan-Nissan, driven by Martin Plowman, David Heinemeier Hansson and Antonio Pizzonia.
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| ALMS.com |
Patrick Dempsey finished fourth aboard his team's brand-new Lola-Judd P2 prototype.
Colin Braun and Jon Bennet celebrated an in extremis win in the LMPC class, while Jeroen Bleekemolen, Bret Curtis and Emilio Di Guida won the GTC race.
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| ALMS.com |
Race results - Laguna Seca (ALMS)
1 - Luhr/Graf (HPD ARX-03a) - Pickett - 242 laps in 6h00min38.425s
2 - Tucker/Diaz (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 239
3 - Bennett/Braun (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 236
4 - Junqueira/Drissi (Oreca FLM09) - RSR - 236
5 - Popow/Kimber-Smith (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 236
6 - Guasch/Gidley/Hamilton (Oreca FLM09) - Pickett - 236
7 - Marcelli/Downs/Stirling (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 234
8 - Leitzinger/Dobson (Oreca FLM09) - PR1 - 232
9 - Gavin/Milner (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 232
10 - Magnussen/Garcia (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 232
11 - Mueller/Auberlen (BMW M3) - Rahal - 232
12 - Hand/Mueller (BMW M3) - Rahal - 232
13 - Sharp/Van Overbeek (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 232
14 - Bergmeister/Long/Lietz (Porsche 997) - Flying Lizard - 232
15 - Henzler/Sellers (Porsche 997) - Falken - 232
16 - Richard/Ende/Lewis (Oreca FLM09) - Dempsey - 231
17 - Fernandez/Turner/Mucke (Aston Martin Vantage) - Aston Martin - 230
18 - Neiman/Holzer (Porsche 997) - Flying Lizard - 230
19 - Miller/Maassen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Miller - 229
20 - Plowman/Hansson-Pizzonia (Morgan-Judd) - Conquest - 227
21 - Nicolosi/Vera (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 225
22 - Brown/Cosmo (Ferrari 458) - Extreme Speed - 224
23 - Dyson/Smith/Mowlem (Lola B12/60-Mazda) - Dyson - 222
24 - Curtis/Bleekemolen/DI Guida - 219
25 - Sofronas/Welch/Villeneuve (Porsche 997 Cup) - GMG - 219
26 - Faieta/Avenatti/Wagner (Porsche 997 Cup) - Competition - 219
27 - MacNeil/Lazzaro (Porsche 997 Cup) - Alex Job - 216
28 - LeSaffre/Faulkner/Bleekemolen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Green Hornet - 211
29 - Tucker/Bouchut (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 207
30 - Dempsey/Cocker/Foster (Lola B12/87-Mazda) - Dempsey - 202
31 - Prendeville/Mitchell/Da Costa (Radical SR10) - Libra - 185
32 - Hedlund/Krohn/Tandy (Porsche 997 Cup) - 178
33 - Cumming/Marsh (Porsche 997 Cup) - JDX - 119
34 - Ducote/Downs/Burgess (Oreca FLM09) - Merchant - 100
35 - Sweedler/Bell (Lotus Evora) - Alex Job - 67
May
13th
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From GMM
Former F1 driver Mika Salo believes his Finnish countryman Valtteri Bottas is being groomed by Williams for a race seat -- in 2012.
When the Toto Wolff-managed Bottas, 22, was announced as the British team's 2012 reserve, Sir Frank Williams said he would practice on 15 Friday mornings and then "most likely" be replaced with a "more experienced driver" for the rest of those race weekends.
That more experienced driver would ultimately turn out to be Bruno Senna.
So with Brazilian Senna struggling so far in 2012, Salo has revealed he senses things could be about to change.
"Bottas is incredibly respected by the team," Salo, now a commentator for the Finnish broadcaster MTV3, said. "When I spoke with Frank Williams, he praised Valtteri to the skies, and said that he belongs in the races.
"I asked him when and he said it wouldn't be long[.] I read between the lines that he means this season," added Salo.
One major spanner in the works, however, is that Senna brings crucial sponsorship to Williams. "It is a difficult situation for Williams, where both drivers bring money," Salo acknowledged.
"But the good thing is that Frank Williams is not a businessman first, he is an old racing driver. He thinks about nothing else but how to make his team successful.
"Although Senna is a nice guy, he is not able to drive at the level that he needs to be at."
Former F1 driver Mika Salo believes his Finnish countryman Valtteri Bottas is being groomed by Williams for a race seat -- in 2012.
When the Toto Wolff-managed Bottas, 22, was announced as the British team's 2012 reserve, Sir Frank Williams said he would practice on 15 Friday mornings and then "most likely" be replaced with a "more experienced driver" for the rest of those race weekends.
That more experienced driver would ultimately turn out to be Bruno Senna.
So with Brazilian Senna struggling so far in 2012, Salo has revealed he senses things could be about to change.
"Bottas is incredibly respected by the team," Salo, now a commentator for the Finnish broadcaster MTV3, said. "When I spoke with Frank Williams, he praised Valtteri to the skies, and said that he belongs in the races.
"I asked him when and he said it wouldn't be long[.] I read between the lines that he means this season," added Salo.
One major spanner in the works, however, is that Senna brings crucial sponsorship to Williams. "It is a difficult situation for Williams, where both drivers bring money," Salo acknowledged.
"But the good thing is that Frank Williams is not a businessman first, he is an old racing driver. He thinks about nothing else but how to make his team successful.
"Although Senna is a nice guy, he is not able to drive at the level that he needs to be at."
May
13th
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From GMM
F1's astonishing season continues to live up to the hype, as a fifth driver and constructor on Sunday won the fifth grand prix of 2012.
Not only is the victory Pastor Maldonado's first, his walk up the steps at the Circuit de Catalunya was the first taste of the podium in his two-season F1 career.
It's also the first Venezuelan triumph in the sport's history, and a hugely popular victory for Williams, the once-great British team headed by Sir Frank Williams, whose 70th birthday was warmly celebrated in the paddock on Saturday.
"Boy did we need that," said Williams on BBC television.
And asked how he feels on Sky television, he smiled: "Relief."
"Some said Maldonado was a pay driver and he didn't deserve his place in formula one but they'll be eating their words now," commented former team driver David Coulthard.
"That was a fantastic drive," added Coulthard, referring to Williams' first win since Juan Pablo Montoya in 2004.
Williams enthused: "I didn't see him (Maldonado) make one single mistake."
"You can't really fault him," agreed Williams' 1996 world champion Damon Hill.
Amazingly, however, away from the champagne, Sebastian Vettel's sixth place leaves him at the top of the drivers' championship, and he is now neck-and-neck with Fernando Alonso, who finished second on Sunday in the improving Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton, who started dead last on Sunday and finished eighth, is third in the points classification, ahead of Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen.
Finn Raikkonen finished third on Sunday, and is the favourite to become F1's sixth different winner of 2012 in Monaco in a fortnight.
"We showed we still have the speed," the Lotus driver said after the Spanish grand prix. "If we had a few more laps, we could have fought for a victory."
Race results - Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona)
1 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 66 laps in 1h39min09.145s
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 3.195s
3 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 3.884s
4 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 14.799s
5 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min14.641s
6 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min17.576s
7 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min27.919s
8 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min28.100s
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min25.200s
10 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1 lap
11 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1 lap
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1 lap
13 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1 lap
14 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1 lap
15 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1 lap
16 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
17 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
18 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 2 laps
19 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 3 laps
Fastest lap by Romain Grosjean in 1min26.150s
Retirements
Lap 38 - Sergio Perez
Lap 36 - Charles Pic
Lap 23 - Narain Karthikeyan
Lap 13 - Michael Schumacher
Lap 13 - Bruno Senna
Drivers' championship
1. Vettel e Alonso 61; 3. Hamilton 53; 4. Raikkonen 49; 5. Webber 48; 6. Button 45; 7. Rosberg 41; 8. Grosjean 35; 9. Maldonado 29; 10. Perez 22; 11. Kobayashi 19; 12. Di Resta 15; 13. Senna 14; 14. Vergne 4; 15. Hulkenberg 3; 16. Ricciardo, Massa, Schumacher 2
Constructors' championship
1. Red Bull 109; 2. McLaren 98; 3. Lotus 84; 4. Ferrari 63; 5. Mercedes e Williams 43; 7. Sauber 41; 8. Force India 18; 9. Toro Rosso 6
F1's astonishing season continues to live up to the hype, as a fifth driver and constructor on Sunday won the fifth grand prix of 2012.
Not only is the victory Pastor Maldonado's first, his walk up the steps at the Circuit de Catalunya was the first taste of the podium in his two-season F1 career.
It's also the first Venezuelan triumph in the sport's history, and a hugely popular victory for Williams, the once-great British team headed by Sir Frank Williams, whose 70th birthday was warmly celebrated in the paddock on Saturday.
"Boy did we need that," said Williams on BBC television.
And asked how he feels on Sky television, he smiled: "Relief."
"Some said Maldonado was a pay driver and he didn't deserve his place in formula one but they'll be eating their words now," commented former team driver David Coulthard.
"That was a fantastic drive," added Coulthard, referring to Williams' first win since Juan Pablo Montoya in 2004.
Williams enthused: "I didn't see him (Maldonado) make one single mistake."
"You can't really fault him," agreed Williams' 1996 world champion Damon Hill.
Amazingly, however, away from the champagne, Sebastian Vettel's sixth place leaves him at the top of the drivers' championship, and he is now neck-and-neck with Fernando Alonso, who finished second on Sunday in the improving Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton, who started dead last on Sunday and finished eighth, is third in the points classification, ahead of Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen.
Finn Raikkonen finished third on Sunday, and is the favourite to become F1's sixth different winner of 2012 in Monaco in a fortnight.
"We showed we still have the speed," the Lotus driver said after the Spanish grand prix. "If we had a few more laps, we could have fought for a victory."
Race results - Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona)
1 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 66 laps in 1h39min09.145s
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 3.195s
3 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 3.884s
4 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 14.799s
5 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1min14.641s
6 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1min17.576s
7 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1min27.919s
8 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min28.100s
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1min25.200s
10 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1 lap
11 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1 lap
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1 lap
13 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1 lap
14 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1 lap
15 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1 lap
16 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
17 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
18 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 2 laps
19 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 3 laps
Fastest lap by Romain Grosjean in 1min26.150s
Retirements
Lap 38 - Sergio Perez
Lap 36 - Charles Pic
Lap 23 - Narain Karthikeyan
Lap 13 - Michael Schumacher
Lap 13 - Bruno Senna
Drivers' championship
1. Vettel e Alonso 61; 3. Hamilton 53; 4. Raikkonen 49; 5. Webber 48; 6. Button 45; 7. Rosberg 41; 8. Grosjean 35; 9. Maldonado 29; 10. Perez 22; 11. Kobayashi 19; 12. Di Resta 15; 13. Senna 14; 14. Vergne 4; 15. Hulkenberg 3; 16. Ricciardo, Massa, Schumacher 2
Constructors' championship
1. Red Bull 109; 2. McLaren 98; 3. Lotus 84; 4. Ferrari 63; 5. Mercedes e Williams 43; 7. Sauber 41; 8. Force India 18; 9. Toro Rosso 6
May
13th
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Michael Schumacher was penalized for his clash with Williams' Bruno Senna during the Spanish Grand Prix.
As Schumacher was trying an overtaking manoeuvre on Senna, he found himself ramming the back of the Brazilian's car under braking for turn one.
The stewards judged he was responsible for the collision and handed him a five-place grid penalty ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, in two weeks time.
"Obviously I am not happy with the outcome of the race as I think we could have achieved some nice points today," said Schumacher, who disagreed with the officials, in his team's press release.
"But then this is sometimes what you have to go through in racing. It is not easy to see from the TV replays but what happened from my viewpoint was that he went to the right to defend the inside line, and then suddenly, shortly before the braking point, went to the left."
As Schumacher was trying an overtaking manoeuvre on Senna, he found himself ramming the back of the Brazilian's car under braking for turn one.
The stewards judged he was responsible for the collision and handed him a five-place grid penalty ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, in two weeks time.
"Obviously I am not happy with the outcome of the race as I think we could have achieved some nice points today," said Schumacher, who disagreed with the officials, in his team's press release.
"But then this is sometimes what you have to go through in racing. It is not easy to see from the TV replays but what happened from my viewpoint was that he went to the right to defend the inside line, and then suddenly, shortly before the braking point, went to the left."
May
13th
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It was hard to tell whether Jimmie Johnson was happier for his boss, Rick Hendrick, for Hendrick Motorsports 200th victory or ending a 16-race winless drought on Saturday night in Darlington.
Since Johnson won in Kansas, last October, neither the five-time champion nor his team owner had been to victory lane.
"I can't believe we've won 200 of these things. I can't believe it took this long after 199," said Mr. Hendrick.
Johnson led a race-high 134 laps, pulling away from Denny Hamlin on a restart with three laps to go. It was his 56th Sprint Cup win putting him eighth on the all-time list.
"That guy's something," Johnson said about Hendrick in Victory Lane. "He said, 'We won 200. Let's get 250.' So glad to have it behind us and glad for this moment to be here for Rick, the company, all the people that have contributed to the 200th win. It's a special day," added Johnson.
But his biggest nemesis earlier was Tony Stewart. Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus, gambled at an earlier caution to stay on the track to keep his number one position. Johnson was told to save gas.
"In a fuel mileage race, when you see that No. 14, (Stewart) you always second guess yourself because he's so good at it. I was really concerned. I was just pacing myself in the mirror on what he was doing. Hoped that I had saved enough."
Stewart himself admitted he had fuel issues on the last stint allowing Hamlin to finish second. Kyle Busch was fourth.
Danica Patrick finished 31st in her second Cup race.
The race was caution free for the first 172-laps the longest green flag period, at the track known as "too tough to tame," since NASCAR has kept records.
After the race there was an incident in the pits involving members of the Kurt Busch's team and Ryan Newman's. NASCAR is investigating the facts leading up to that incident. No immediate action was taken.
Hendrick Motorsports first victory goes back to Martinsville, VA. with Geoff Bodine at the wheel in April of 1984. While that paper clip-shaped track has seen the most HMS victories - 18 -, sadly, it was on the way to a race there in 2004 that ten family members and HMS team members perished in a plane crash.
Hendrick dedicated the win to lose lost in that accident. After the race he was presented with a helmet autographed by all of his drivers (or family members) in HMS' 28-year history.
Since Johnson won in Kansas, last October, neither the five-time champion nor his team owner had been to victory lane.
"I can't believe we've won 200 of these things. I can't believe it took this long after 199," said Mr. Hendrick.
Johnson led a race-high 134 laps, pulling away from Denny Hamlin on a restart with three laps to go. It was his 56th Sprint Cup win putting him eighth on the all-time list.
"That guy's something," Johnson said about Hendrick in Victory Lane. "He said, 'We won 200. Let's get 250.' So glad to have it behind us and glad for this moment to be here for Rick, the company, all the people that have contributed to the 200th win. It's a special day," added Johnson.
But his biggest nemesis earlier was Tony Stewart. Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus, gambled at an earlier caution to stay on the track to keep his number one position. Johnson was told to save gas.
"In a fuel mileage race, when you see that No. 14, (Stewart) you always second guess yourself because he's so good at it. I was really concerned. I was just pacing myself in the mirror on what he was doing. Hoped that I had saved enough."
Stewart himself admitted he had fuel issues on the last stint allowing Hamlin to finish second. Kyle Busch was fourth.
Danica Patrick finished 31st in her second Cup race.
The race was caution free for the first 172-laps the longest green flag period, at the track known as "too tough to tame," since NASCAR has kept records.
After the race there was an incident in the pits involving members of the Kurt Busch's team and Ryan Newman's. NASCAR is investigating the facts leading up to that incident. No immediate action was taken.
Hendrick Motorsports first victory goes back to Martinsville, VA. with Geoff Bodine at the wheel in April of 1984. While that paper clip-shaped track has seen the most HMS victories - 18 -, sadly, it was on the way to a race there in 2004 that ten family members and HMS team members perished in a plane crash.
Hendrick dedicated the win to lose lost in that accident. After the race he was presented with a helmet autographed by all of his drivers (or family members) in HMS' 28-year history.
May
13th
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From GMM
The drama stepped up a notch even after the chequered flag in Barcelona.
A couple of hours after Williams' first win since 2004, something exploded in the British team's garage, triggering a major fire.
Team members and fire crews battled the blaze as paddock regulars scrambled away from the heavy smoke and police arrived on the scene.
The Telegraph's Tom Cary said on Twitter there are "multiple injuries".
It is believed Williams, Force India and Caterham staff - some of whom bravely fought the fire - are being treated in the medical centre, some for smoke inhalation.
An emergency helicopter will ferry others to hospital.
"Couple of our guys got injuries, burns and maybe one broken wrist, no news on Williams guys I hope they're ok," wrote Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen on Twitter.
Rumours indicated the fire could have been caused by a KERS explosion, or possibly fuel, as a burned fuel rig was pulled from the gutted garage.
The drama stepped up a notch even after the chequered flag in Barcelona.
A couple of hours after Williams' first win since 2004, something exploded in the British team's garage, triggering a major fire.
Team members and fire crews battled the blaze as paddock regulars scrambled away from the heavy smoke and police arrived on the scene.
The Telegraph's Tom Cary said on Twitter there are "multiple injuries".
It is believed Williams, Force India and Caterham staff - some of whom bravely fought the fire - are being treated in the medical centre, some for smoke inhalation.
An emergency helicopter will ferry others to hospital.
"Couple of our guys got injuries, burns and maybe one broken wrist, no news on Williams guys I hope they're ok," wrote Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen on Twitter.
Rumours indicated the fire could have been caused by a KERS explosion, or possibly fuel, as a burned fuel rig was pulled from the gutted garage.
May
13th
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From GMM
Dietrich Mateschitz has announced that he will join F1's board of directors once the sport is floated in Singapore.
It has been reported that, as part of Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren's new Concorde Agreement deals, the three top teams have been promised places on F1's decision-making executive board.
"If that is the case, I would go myself," energy drink mogul and billionaire Mateschitz said in an interview with Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.
"And I would suppose that for Ferrari it would be Luca di Montezemolo himself," he added. "But it's still in the deliberation phase."
According to the Reuters news agency, that phase might continue for some time, due to volatility in the financial markets.
"If the next two weeks are as bad as the last three, it will be unlikely it (the floatation) will go ahead this summer," an unnamed source said at the Circuit de Catalunya.
"If markets are on a negative trend every day, it's hard to sell an IPO," he added.
More confident is Toto Wolff, the minor shareholder of the Williams team, who is tipped to one day replace team boss Sir Frank Williams.
Asked about F1's planned IPO, the Austrian told Kleine Zeitung newspaper: "I would buy straight away.
Dietrich Mateschitz has announced that he will join F1's board of directors once the sport is floated in Singapore.
It has been reported that, as part of Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren's new Concorde Agreement deals, the three top teams have been promised places on F1's decision-making executive board.
"If that is the case, I would go myself," energy drink mogul and billionaire Mateschitz said in an interview with Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.
"And I would suppose that for Ferrari it would be Luca di Montezemolo himself," he added. "But it's still in the deliberation phase."
According to the Reuters news agency, that phase might continue for some time, due to volatility in the financial markets.
"If the next two weeks are as bad as the last three, it will be unlikely it (the floatation) will go ahead this summer," an unnamed source said at the Circuit de Catalunya.
"If markets are on a negative trend every day, it's hard to sell an IPO," he added.
More confident is Toto Wolff, the minor shareholder of the Williams team, who is tipped to one day replace team boss Sir Frank Williams.
Asked about F1's planned IPO, the Austrian told Kleine Zeitung newspaper: "I would buy straight away.
May
13th
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Dani Sordo (MINI) won on Saturday the Tour de Corse ahead of Skoda Fabia driver Jan Kopecky.
The Spaniard, who was making a one-off in Intercontinental Rally Challenge on a MINI prepared by french team SMG, concluded the event 17 seconds ahead of Jan Kopecky's Skoda Fabia, and more than 30 seconds ahead of local hero Pierre Campana aboard his Peugeot 207.
During the first day, Sordo was under pressure from Giandomenico Basso (Ford Fiesta) and championship leader Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda Fabia). But Basso was forced to retire after an incident in a road section on Thursday, then Mikkelsen lost more than three minutes when he went off on Friday morning, which let Dani Sordo alone in the lead.
It was Sordo's first major win on the international rally scene.
Tour de Corse - Final classification :
1. Dani Sordo (MINI) en 3h22min01.6s
2. Jan Kopecky (Skoda) + 17.9s
3. Pierre Campana (Peugeot) +32.4s
4. Bryan Bouffier (Peugeot) +53.5s
5. Mikkelsen (Skoda) +4min19.0s
6. Craig Breen (Peugeot) +5min28.7s
7. Jean-Marc Manzagol (Peugeot) +6min22.1s
8. Sepp Wiegand (Skoda) + 6min54.8s
Etc.
The Spaniard, who was making a one-off in Intercontinental Rally Challenge on a MINI prepared by french team SMG, concluded the event 17 seconds ahead of Jan Kopecky's Skoda Fabia, and more than 30 seconds ahead of local hero Pierre Campana aboard his Peugeot 207.
During the first day, Sordo was under pressure from Giandomenico Basso (Ford Fiesta) and championship leader Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda Fabia). But Basso was forced to retire after an incident in a road section on Thursday, then Mikkelsen lost more than three minutes when he went off on Friday morning, which let Dani Sordo alone in the lead.
It was Sordo's first major win on the international rally scene.
Tour de Corse - Final classification :
1. Dani Sordo (MINI) en 3h22min01.6s
2. Jan Kopecky (Skoda) + 17.9s
3. Pierre Campana (Peugeot) +32.4s
4. Bryan Bouffier (Peugeot) +53.5s
5. Mikkelsen (Skoda) +4min19.0s
6. Craig Breen (Peugeot) +5min28.7s
7. Jean-Marc Manzagol (Peugeot) +6min22.1s
8. Sepp Wiegand (Skoda) + 6min54.8s
Etc.
May
13th
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From GMM
Bernie Ecclestone claims he is close to reaching an agreement with Mercedes over the future of the German marque's involvement in formula one.
The parties have been at loggerheads over the F1 chief executive's refusal to offer to Mercedes the same Concorde Agreement deal reached with other top teams Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.
In response, it has been suggested not only that the situation threatened the sport's floatation plans, but that Mercedes could sensationally quit F1 at the end of this year.
"We are now 80 per cent there," Ecclestone told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag in Barcelona.
"The other 20 per cent, we will get there soon," he added.
"We have spoken with several Mercedes managers. I am sure we will see more of Mercedes in formula one."
Bild said the deal being discussed between Ecclestone and the Stuttgart based carmaker will see Mercedes in F1 at least through 2020.
Norbert Haug, however, sounded surprised.
"I have to apologise, but we don't want to give any information at the moment about the state of the negotiations," Mercedes' motor racing vice-president insisted.
Bernie Ecclestone claims he is close to reaching an agreement with Mercedes over the future of the German marque's involvement in formula one.
The parties have been at loggerheads over the F1 chief executive's refusal to offer to Mercedes the same Concorde Agreement deal reached with other top teams Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.
In response, it has been suggested not only that the situation threatened the sport's floatation plans, but that Mercedes could sensationally quit F1 at the end of this year.
"We are now 80 per cent there," Ecclestone told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag in Barcelona.
"The other 20 per cent, we will get there soon," he added.
"We have spoken with several Mercedes managers. I am sure we will see more of Mercedes in formula one."
Bild said the deal being discussed between Ecclestone and the Stuttgart based carmaker will see Mercedes in F1 at least through 2020.
Norbert Haug, however, sounded surprised.
"I have to apologise, but we don't want to give any information at the moment about the state of the negotiations," Mercedes' motor racing vice-president insisted.
May
13th
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Marc-Antoine Camirand crashed out of race 2 at the Grand Prix Électrique de Pau.
Racing in Europe for the first time of his career - thanks to the support of the GP3R -, Camirand took fourth in race 1 and was gunning for a podium finish on Sunday.
Sadly, he crashed his all-electric Andros Car Evo 2 out of the race.
"Going into turn 1, I gave the inside line to Franck Lagorce [with whom he was fighting in the early stages of the race], and heading for 2, he turned in on me," Camirand said.
"The Andros Car's suspension is somewhat fragile and the impact was enough to put me out of the race. It's frustrating, but that's the way it goes in racing."
Camirand, a nine-time winner in the streets of Trois-Rivières, wasn't the only one to retire. Only five out of the total 12 cars crossed the finish line. In the end, it was local hero Mike Parisy who won.
"I'm very glad I could keep up the way I did," Camirand added.
"The Grand Prix de Pau is a lot like the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. So now we know those electric Andros Car would work well at home."
Source: Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
Racing in Europe for the first time of his career - thanks to the support of the GP3R -, Camirand took fourth in race 1 and was gunning for a podium finish on Sunday.
Sadly, he crashed his all-electric Andros Car Evo 2 out of the race.
"Going into turn 1, I gave the inside line to Franck Lagorce [with whom he was fighting in the early stages of the race], and heading for 2, he turned in on me," Camirand said.
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| The all-electric Andros Car Evo 2 (Photo: Grand Prix de Pau) |
"The Andros Car's suspension is somewhat fragile and the impact was enough to put me out of the race. It's frustrating, but that's the way it goes in racing."
Camirand, a nine-time winner in the streets of Trois-Rivières, wasn't the only one to retire. Only five out of the total 12 cars crossed the finish line. In the end, it was local hero Mike Parisy who won.
"I'm very glad I could keep up the way I did," Camirand added.
"The Grand Prix de Pau is a lot like the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. So now we know those electric Andros Car would work well at home."
Source: Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
May
12th
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Pastor Maldonado will start the Spanish Grand Prix from pole, as penalty means Lewis Hamilton starts last
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May
12th
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Lewis Hamilton has qualified on pole for the Spanish Grand Prix, ahead of Maldonado and Alonso
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