It's not Goodbye.

Well it's Lewis Hamiltons last day at Mclaren. And its sad to see him go, But can understand why.

Lewis has been with McLaren since 2007, and has had 27 wins with the team. It's been a very good career so far. He wants to move and grow up as he says. But to Mercedes? sorry but I think this is a mistake but anyway!

He started off in karting before McLaren Signed him to the silver car and It was announced prior to the start of the season that Hamilton would be partnering defending double World Champion Fernando Alonso who had joined McLaren after leaving Renault. On his debut at the Australian Grand Prix, he finished third in the race, becoming the thirteenth driver to finish on the podium in his first F1 career! At the time, Hamilton broke Bruce McLaren's record of being the youngest driver to ever lead the world championship in 2008 .

It's been tough over the years for him, bad seasons Hamilton's relationship with McLaren team boss Ron Dennis dates back to 1995,[85] with the first indication that Hamilton was unhappy with his team and has been good seasons but he all ways came out fighting and driving throw the pack his skills will be very much missed at McLaren i'm sure .

But as he moves on to his new team he will have a tough season a head of him new car new team to get to grips with and that's on top of a new team mate, Nico Rosberg.  Nico is a very good diver but some times tends to be aggressive on track.

Maybe this will be a good partnership for each over Lewis hes leadership and Nico skills and ability to calm down on track.

I wish Lewis all the best
Mclaren will miss you and your driving skills . All the best for the 2013 season

Lewis Hamilton  career


Races   110 (110 starts)
Championships   1 (2008)
Wins    21
Podiums 49
Career points   913
Pole positions  26
Fastest laps    12
First race      2007 Australian Grand Prix
First win       2007 Canadian Grand Prix
Last win        2012 United States Grand Prix
Last race       2012 Brazilian Grand Prix
2012 position   4th (190 pts)

Too Much or Not enough?

Bernie Ecclestone says Formula 1 still has too many teams....

He would like one more team to pull out to bring it down to 10 teams. We have 11 teams at the moment for next season, but surely we need more teams not letting them go. More teams and more cars will surely make for a existing race and interesting season and harder so its not just vettel wining race's and championships time after time.

But Ecclestone said he would be happy to see another team drop out.

"It's just that 10 is easier to handle, for the promoters, for transport," he said. "We'd rather have 10, so long as we don't lose Ferrari."

Ecclestone said he had heard that HRT had gone into liquidation. Asked whether he believed it was possible a buyer would be found, he said: "I wouldn't wont to"

This is on the back of HRT Team going in to  liquidation and Mr Ecclestone suggesting that the number of European race tracks may go down in 2014.

Is it all about money? or is it just that 10 is easier to handle?
Has F1 changed this much from the old days when teams race and not worry about the money? Teams and drivers helping each other . Has this all gone?

And if it's about the money....  HRT were one of three teams to enter F1 in 2010 following attempts from the FIA to introduce a budget, and none of the three teams - which also include Caterham (formerly Lotus Racing) and Marussia (formerly Virgin) have scored a point since their debut.

So please F1 boss, can we get more teams and drivers? it's time to see women drivers! F1 needs to go back to just racing and the sponcers will follow, as more and more pepole fall in love with the sport then getting rid is not the way to go. Let us enjoy the whole experience!

Image from www.autoweek.com

(Quotes from BBC article)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20717038

2013 Pre-Season Testing Schedule

The pre-season testing schedule for the 2013 Formula 1 season has been confirmed, and as expected all three tests will take place in Spain.


This should see how the new cars will look and drive for the new 2013 season
And with all the updates thay tried during the 2012 season if some off that will come over to the new cars .


Will redball fix the alternator problem from last season???

Will Lewis Hamilton help Mercedes get to the front grid ?

And more important will mclaren sort out the reliability issues ones and for all ..

This will be a good year !!


Dates Circuit
05/02/13 to 08/02/13 Circuit de Jerez (Spain)
19/02/13 to 22/02/13 Circuit de Catalunya (Spain)
28/02/13 to 03/03/13 Circuit de Catalunya (Spain)

F1 tweaked next year's date's

2013 FORMULA 1 CALENDAR

17 March - Australia (Melbourne)
24 March - Malaysia (Sepang)
14 April - China (Shanghai)
21 April - Bahrain (Sakhir)
12 May - Spain (Barcelona)
26 May - Monaco
9 June - Canada (Montreal)
30 June - Britain (Silverstone)
7 July - Germany (Nurburgring/Hockenheim)
21 July - TBA
28 July - Hungary (Hungaroring)
1 September - Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
8 September - Italy (Monza)
22 September - Singapore (Marina Bay) *
6 October - Japan (Suzuka)
13 October - Korea (Yeongam) *
27 October - India (Buddh International)
3 November - Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
17 November - United States (Austin)
24 November - Brazil (Interlagos)
* Subject to confirmation

Entry list for the 2013 F1 Season

HRT owners Thesan Capital whose future now looks uncertain for the 2013 season which will be a shame I think as we need the smaller teams to make the races more interesting .

It's all to easy to have big teams and big money but we would only have 7 teams
On the line up . more teams mean more interesting races the smaller teams are just as good and wear are the new drivers
Going to get a seat in a F1 car if all the small teams go or have no backing ?

This is where Bernie Ecclestone should be
helping or looking into ways to keep teams like HRT going or new teams coming in to the sport ....

But Several drivers who have been confirmed by their respective 2013 teams are absent un till the drivers numbers have Been sorted out

The drivers are Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez at Sauber, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso, Charles Pic at Caterham and Timo Glock at Marussia

As for force India we may see some new faces next year or maybe so old faces .

But I hope we see some new teams as well soon F1 is changing and with 2014
I can only hope for the best

The FIA entry list in full so far are :

1 Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
2 Mark Webber, Red Bull
3 Fernando Alonso, Ferrari
4 Felipe Massa, Ferrari
5 Jenson Button, McLaren
6 Sergio Perez, McLaren
7 Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus
8 TBA, Lotus
9 Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
10 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
11 TBA, Sauber
12 TBA, Sauber
14 TBA, Force India
15 TBA, Force India
16 Pastor Maldonado, Williams
17 Valtteri Bottas, Williams
18 TBA, Toro Rosso
19 TBA, Toro Rosso
20 TBA, Caterham
21 TBA, Caterham
22 TBA, Marussia
23 TBA, Marussia

2013 looking to be a interesting year !

FIA - Formula One Statement

The FIA received a letter from Scuderia Ferrari, seeking clarification on Sebastien Vettel's overtaking manoeuvre in Sao Paulo on Sunday.

In the spirit of transparency and goodwill, the FIA wishes to make public the receipt of this letter.

The Federation also informs it has replied to Scuderia Ferrari, in the same constructive spirit, stating that as the overtaking manoeuvre was not in breach of the regulations, and therefore there was no infringement to investigate, it was not reported to the Stewards by Race Control

From FIA

Mclaren new car numbers

We'll be using numbers 5 and 6 next season. The last time we used them was 2004 that's when Kimi Raikkonen and
David Coulthard was driving for mclaren

We had the McLaren MP4-19 which had
Engine failures plagued the first half of McLaren's season, an issue related to the nature of the V10's installation and the car's tight rear-end packaging. As well as engine vibration, the cooling difficulties that had hampered the MP4-19's development remained and venting sufficient hot air from the sidepods was still a particular problem

And When Jenson Button impressed in his first year of team leadership at BAR with third place.

And mclaren fin 3rd in constructors
this not to be negative just a in sight in to the last time we used the numbers

We will fin on top 2013

Well Done McLaren what a 2012

Its been a long hard slog this f1 season, McLaren has had its ups and Downs.
But they finished with a bang, two fabulous wins, one for Lewis and one for Button .

The car has proven its self in the end, after reliability problems.

Then Lewis decided to go to Mercedes-Benz, for the 2013 season.

Then was the Pit problems with tyre changes, but they still got back on track hitting 2.3sec.

It was a good ride this year, a good result for McLaren even with all the problems thay have had over the year.

So thay can look at 2012 with heads held high and go into winter with the best result two back to back wins, fast pit changes and a car full of possibility!
And a new driver.......

2013 looks like it could be a good year !

2012 Brazilian Grand Prix

"It was crazy out there!"

182nd victory for McLaren

78th victory for McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Mobil 1 and Enkei

34th victory for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

15th victory for Jenson

7th victory of the season for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes



JENSON BUTTON

MP4-27A-03

Started 2nd

Finished 1st

Fastest lap 1m18.108s (+0.039s, 2nd)

Pitstops Two: laps 23 (3.81s) and 57 (2.63s) [Opt-Pri-Int]

Points 188 (5th)

"Everyone who took part in today’s race deserves respect – it was crazy out there!

"The conditions were always going to trigger plenty of action, because some cars could generate the required tyre temperatures and others couldn’t. So, for most of the race, you were on a tyre that didn’t feel quite right for the conditions, but for which the lap-times looked okay compared with those of the cars on the other tyre. I spent so much time speaking on the radio to my engineer, Dave [Robson], trying to understand what was going to work and what wasn’t.

"I had a lot of fun racing with Lewis, especially for the first 10 laps. We had a really good, clean fight. It’s a pity he wasn’t still there at the end – but it was nice to have such a great dice with him in our last race as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team-mates. And I really want to say this: ‘It’s been so good working with you, Lewis. Over the past few years, we’ve driven a lot of great races together. It’s been fab.

"Going back to the subject of today’s race, the Safety Car made life more difficult for us – we lost the 40-second buffer we’d built up – but then the rain really came down, and the race became all about choosing the best time to switch to the Inters.

"Then the challenge altered, and it became all about nursing the car to the end. There was a lot of standing water about, especially where Paul [di Resta] had his accident. I’d been through there on the previous lap and had a big snap too, which was a pretty scary moment.

"Last but not least, congratulations to Sebastian [Vettel]. To win three world championships in a row is a great achievement."



LEWIS HAMILTON

MP4-27A-04

Started 1st

Finished Ret, 54 laps – accident damage

Fastest lap 1m18.069s (1st)

Pitstops Two: laps 10 (5.83s) and 18 (3.34s) [Opt-Int-Pri]

Points 190 (4th)

"Huge congratulations to Jenson – and to Sebastian too.

"It’s a shame we weren’t able to seal second position in the constuctors’ world championship together, but we did our best. Congratulations to Sebastian, too – his team kept it together and, under a lot of pressure, they pulled through today.

"Now that the 2012 season is done and dusted, I feel a bit numb. It’s been a day of mixed emotions. I’m sad that I didn’t finish the race, but I’m excited about the future. I’ll miss my friends and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, but I’m optimistic about what lies ahead for me. I feel comfortable going into this winter because I feel I did a good job this year. I gave 2012 everything I had. I couldn’t have done anything more."

As for today, I don’t remember too much about the accident with Nico [Hulkenberg], but he came to see me after the race, which was nice.

"It’s been a brilliant experience to be a part of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team over the past six years. I want to thank everyone and sincerely wish everyone the very best for the future. They’ve been fantastic, so supportive, and they continue to do an amazing job. "So, to all of you at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I’ll miss each and every one of you."



MARTIN WHITMARSH

Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

"Jenson drove a millimetre-perfect race today, brilliantly managing the changeable and challenging weather conditions that always bring out the very best in him, and notched up his 15th grand prix victory as a result.

"Lewis was driving equally well when a coming-together with Nico cruelly ended his race. The points we thereby lost were what prevented us from overhauling Ferrari’s constructors’ world championship points total today.

"It would have been fantastic if we could have scored the one-two finish that was clearly within our reach but for that collision, not least for Lewis, whose superb record for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes warrants setting out here: 110 grands prix, 21 wins, 49 podium places, 26 pole positions, 12 fastest laps and 913 world championship points. On behalf of everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, we wish him well.

"As for Jenson, the superb winner of today’s race, I speak on behalf of everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes when I say how delighted we are that he was able to win here today, thereby book-ending his 2012 season with a magnificent victory to go with his season-opening win in Melbourne. He also won in fine style at Spa, of course.

"And here’s one for the train-spotters: Jenson has now scored more podium places in the three seasons he’s driven for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes [25] than he’d scored in the 10 seasons he’d driven for his previous teams [24].

"So there are many reasons for us to be cheerful today. We’ve won the season’s last two grands prix, both wins the result of our car’s sheer pace, and that achievement gives us an extremely solid platform from which to develop our 2013 car over the next few months in readiness for the new season.

"Finally, congratulations to Sebastian and commiserations to Fernando [Alonso]. Either of them would have been a worthy world champion. But, after a grand prix as thrilling and as suspenseful as the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, it’s fair to say that the ultimate winner today was Formula 1."


Thanks to mclaren.com

Mclaren 2012

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton 2012 season be for the final race of the year. And Lewis Hamilton final drive for McLaren

Mclaren win in Texas !

BACK ON TOP !

Well dun !

F1 Hero's over the years

Rush

Two-time Academy Award® winner Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon), teams once again with fellow two-time Academy Award® nominee, writer Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen), on Rush, a spectacular big-screen re-creation of the merciless 1970s rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda. The epic action-drama stars Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers) as the charismatic Englishman James Hunt and Daniel Brühl (Inglourious Basterds) as the disciplined Austrian perfectionist Niki Lauda, whose clashes on the Grand Prix racetrack epitomized the contrast between these two extraordinary characters, a distinction reflected in their private lives. Set against the sexy and glamorous golden age of Formula 1 racing, Rush portrays the exhilarating true story of two of the greatest rivals the world has ever witnessed—handsome English playboy Hunt and his methodical, brilliant opponent, Lauda. Taking us into their personal lives on and off the track, Rush follows the two drivers as they push themselves to the breaking point of physical and psychological endurance, where there is no shortcut to victory and no margin for error. If you make one mistake, you die. Also starring Olivia Wilde (TRON: Legacy) and Alexandra Maria Lara (The Reader), Rush is produced by Andrew Eaton (A Mighty Heart), Howard, Academy Award® winner Brian Grazer (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind), Eric Fellner (Senna, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Morgan and Brian Oliver (Black Swan) and executive produced by Cross Creek Pictures, Exclusive Media, Todd Hallowell and Tim Bevan. Universal Pictures will distribute the film in North America.


http://universalpictures.mobi/cocoon/projects/stand-alone/intl/universal/iphone/moviedetail.sel?contentid=31998243&movie=rush1

Final day of testing

The final day of testing in Abu Dhabi with Oliver Turvey and Kevin Magnussen.

Date Thursday November 8 2012

Drivers Oliver Turvey (am)/Kevin Magnussen (pm)

Location Yas Marina Circuit

Track length 5.554km

Laps 44 (Oliver)/51 (Kevin)

Km covered 244/283

Best laptime 1m42.827s (Kevin)



Programme

The final day of testing at Abu Dhabi continued the trend seen on Tuesday and Wednesday: namely, a series of detailed performance runs to assess the effects of some large, overnight mechanical changes.

Oliver Turvey continued our evaluation of a new front wing during the morning’s session, providing the team with some extremely useful feedback and data. In the afternoon, Kevin Magnussen returned to the cockpit following his first run in MP4-27 on Tuesday morning. The Dane concluded his run by running through a series of mechanical balance changes aimed at unlocking tyre performance.

Kevin clocked sufficient mileage this week to be able to apply for an F1 Superlicence.

Following the test’s conclusion, sporting director Sam Michael said:

“This week’s test in Abu Dhabi was extremely useful for the team Gary, Oliver and Kevin all drove with great discipline to enable us to gather a considerable amount of data, collectively racking up more than 1500km.

“In addition, all three days were trouble-free, which is a great testament to the ongoing resolve of our mechanics and engineers, many of whom have been away from home for several weeks, and who travel directly on to the USA for the final two races of the season. They are a credit to our team.

“Gary and Oliver are outstanding team players and continue to deliver strongly for us. In Kevin’s case, his pace, consistency and engineering feedback were all excellent. Given his performance, he certainly didn’t look like a guy who had never turned a wheel in a modern F1 car before the start of this week!”

Test dates Three days (November 6-9)



Pos
Driver Constructor Best time Laps
1 Davide Valsecchi Lotus 1m42.677s 86
2
Kevin Magnussen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m42.827s 51
3
Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1m43.093s 80
4
Robin Frijns Red Bull Racing 1m43.233s 53
5
Oliver Turvey Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m43.604s 44
6
Luiz Razia Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m45.286s 68
7
Alexander Rossi Caterham 1m46.485s 86

With thanks to www.mclaren.com

Day two of testing

Day two of testing in Abu Dhabi with Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey.

Date Wednesday November 7 2012

Drivers Gary Paffett (am) / Oliver Turvey (pm)

Location Yas Marina Circuit

Track length 5.554km

Laps 41 (Gary)/62 (Oliver)

Km covered 228/344

Best laptime 1m43.176s (Oliver)



Programme

Gary Paffett concluded his programme today, running in the morning’s session and continuing the work he kicked off yesterday afternoon. The team was putting more miles on a number of aerodynamic developments, including a new front wing, and evaluating revised suspension geometry, with an eye towards monitoring resultant tyrewear, degradation and heating.

Oliver Turvey continued the programme into the afternoon, clocking an impressive 62 laps.

Indeed, the team was particularly pleased with the input and response of both drivers – neither of whom have spent extensive time behind the wheel of MP4-27, and both of whom were immediately up to speed and able to provide excellent feedback to the engineers.

What’s next

The team will make further extensive set-up changes overnight before Oliver concludes his programme in the morning. Kevin Magnussen, who began the test on Tuesday morning, will return to the cockpit on Thursday afternoon, putting more miles on development parts.

Test dates Three days (November 6-9)



Pos
Driver Constructor Best time Laps
1 Antonio Felix da Costa Red Bull Racing 1m42.679s 61
2
Oliver Turvey Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m43.176s 62
3
Edoardo Mortara Lotus 1m43.418s 75
4
Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1m43.486s 93
5
Gary Paffett Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m43.771s 41
6
Johnny Cecotto Jr Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m44.569s 76
7
Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1m46.106s 72

Thanks to www.mclaren.com

Day one of testing

Day one of testing at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi as Kevin Magnussen and Gary Paffett take the stage.

Date Tuesday November 6 2012

Drivers Kevin Magnussen (am)/Gary Paffett (pm)

Location Yas Marina Circuit

Track length 5.554km

Laps 40 (Kevin)/44 (Gary)

Km covered 222/244

Best laptime 1m42.651s



Programme

The morning’s session was spent acclimatising Kevin Magnussen to his first run in a Formula 1 car. That meant a focus on a suite of gradual set-up changes, firstly to introduce Kevin to the behaviour of a grand prix car under different mechanical influences, but also to fine-tune the car’s set-up to his personal preference. The team were impressed with the Dane’s progress and aptitude. He completed 40 laps/222km.

Gary Paffett undertook the afternoon’s running, undertaking a challenging programme primarily focusing on evaluating a wide number of aerodynamic and suspension developments – either for imminent use in the final two races, or for future development for next year’s car. He completed 44 laps/244km.

Gary’s large workload also required a consistent baseline, meaning he drove without the benefit of DRS and some way below the limit in order to eliminate unwanted variables.

What’s next

Gary concludes his running tomorrow morning after the team completes a number of larger mechanical changes overnight. Oliver Turvey starts a similar programme in the afternoon.

Test dates Three days (November 6-9)



Pos
Driver Constructor Best time Laps
1 Kevin Magnussen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m42.651s 40
2
Antonio Felix da Costa Red Bull Racing 1m42.717s 79
3
Gary Paffett Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m43.407s 44
4
Robin Frijns Sauber 1m43.775s 78
5
Nicolas Prost Lotus-Renault 1m44.194s 55
6
Luiz Razia Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m44.691s 67
7
Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1m45.936s 57


Thanks to www.mclaren.com

MCLAREN NEWS

McLaren have been testing a new Front wing in Abu Dhabi with Oliver Turvy driving the car with new front wing on and Gary Taffeta driving the old spec wing ,  (see photos bellow)

this came on a day with Martin whitmarsh saying that McLaren will continue to use Mercedes engines for the foreseeable future ,

“It is going to be McLaren Mercedes fr quite a few years to come “he told The Daily Mail.

“Itis a good partnership and it works well. We've been together for 18years and it is going to continue for quite a few years to come .

“I think we have got a very good deal with them,but I think more importantly than that is we have got a good partnership.

“Obviously I've been involved with Mercedes personally. I ran the engine side sowe know the people, and we are proud to be part of the Mercedes family.”

will this bring McLaren on to top form with only two more race's left of the season

and the constructors the only thing McLaren has left to win , all I ask for is that McLaren go out this year with a bang and win the last two races for McLaren and for lewis Hamilton and Jenson button

with the new up date for the rest of this year and  too the new 2013 car hope this will bring a end to some of  problems with the 2012 car ,

Old  Front Wing 

New Front Wing 

Close-up Of The New Front Wing 

The FIA Stewards of the Meeting

2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
From The FIA Stewards of the Meeting To The Team Manager
The Stewards received a report from the Race Director that car 1 failed to return to the pits under its
own power as required under Article 6.6.2 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations.
The Stewards heard from the driver and team representatives and studied telemetry evidence that showed the reason why the car was stopped.
The Stewards accepted the explanation and considered the incident as being a case of force majeure.
However a report was received from the Technical Delegate that showed during post-qualifying scrutineering an insufficient quantity of fuel for sampling purposes.
The Stewards determine that this is a breach of Article 6.6.2 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations and the Competitor is accordingly excluded from the results of the Qualifying Session.
The Competitor is however allowed to start the race from the back of the grid.
Lars Osterlind Radovan Novak Derek Warwick Khaled Bin Shaiban

2013 Drivers and Teams

Vettel Red Bull Racing RBR-Renault
Webber Red Bull Racing RBR-Renault
Button Vodafone McLaren Mercedes McLaren Mercedes
Perez Vodafone McLaren Mercedes McLaren Mercedes
Alonso Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari
Massa Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari
Hamilton Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes
Rosberg Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes
Raikkonen Lotus F1 Team Lotus-Renault
Lotus F1 Team Lotus-Renault
Di Resta Sahara Force India F1 Team Force India-Mercedes
Hulkenberg Sahara Force India F1 Team Force India-Mercedes
Sauber F1 Team Sauber-Ferrari
Sauber F1 Team Sauber-Ferrari
Ricciardo Scuderia Toro Rosso STR-Ferrari
Vergne Scuderia Toro Rosso STR-Ferrari
Maldonado Williams F1 Williams-Renault
Williams F1 Williams-Renault
Team Caterham Caterham Renault
Team Caterham Caterham Renault
De la Rosa HRT F1 Team HRT-Cosworth
HRT F1 Team HRT-Cosworth
Glock Marussia F1 Team Marussia-Cosworth
Chilton Marussia F1 Team Marussia-Cosworth

Indian grand prix race report,

LEWIS HAMILTON

MP4-27A-01

Started: 3rd

Finished 4th

Fastest lap 1m28.944s (+0.741s, 5th)

Pitstops One: lap 32 (3.12s) [Opt-Pri]

Points 165 (5th)

"I don’t yet understand why I got such a poor start – it lost me ground and then I fell under attack from the guys behind. During the first lap, I was primarily focusing on not colliding with Jenson, then I saw Fernando [Alonso] in my right mirror. He was towing me from very far back. Even if I’d had a better start than I did, the guys in front were still maybe a bit too fast, particularly in the first stint.

"During that first stint I started having a downshift problem – I was having to change down with my right hand instead of my left, so the team elected to change the steering wheel at the pitstop.

"I’ve never had to change a steering wheel during a race before. We’ve done it in Barcelona testing before, but never in a race. Even so, the guys did it fantastically quickly, under immense pressure, so I want to say ‘well done!’ to them all. I took the wheel off before I’d even stopped the car, and threw it out of the car. The team then fitted a new one, I clicked it into first gear, and I was away – all in just a bit over three seconds flat.

"I tried to chase down Mark [Webber] in the closing laps, but by then it was too late and he was going too quickly for me to be able to mount a serious challenge. But I never give up, and, right until the very last corner, I thought I might just be able to catch him, but in the end it wasn’t to be.

"Still, I loved it out there today – I can’t remember the last time I’ve pushed so far, so hard, for so long, right on the limit – it felt great. It felt fantastic, in fact, to be in the middle of such a battle.

"I’m so proud of all the guys in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, too – it was a really great race."



JENSON BUTTON

MP4-27A-02

Started 4th

Finished 5th

Fastest lap 1m28.203s (1st)

Pitstops One: lap 25 (3.34s) [Opt-Pri]

Points 141 (6th)

"The start of the race was my highlight – there were just millimetres between Lewis, Fernando and me. I’ve never had a start quite like that before – unbelievably hard-fought – and none of us hit each other. It was so close, so tight, yet so clean. It’s just a pity that the rest of the race wasn’t as enjoyable!

"My first stint was pretty disappointing; I think maybe we struggled more on the Options [tyres] than the other runners did, so I couldn’t keep the guys behind me. I then made my pitstop earlier than anticipated, so that we could find a better balance on the harder tyre, but that didn’t work out because I got stuck behind Romain [Grosjean], which lost me more time.

"But getting fastest lap on the final lap was great, and I think there’s plenty of potential that we can build on and take with us to Abu Dhabi next weekend."



MARTIN WHITMARSH

Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

"We scored 22 world championship points here today, but we’d hoped to score quite a few more than that.

"We found it difficult to coax sufficient pace out of the Options, but our car was the fastest in the field on the Primes. The trouble was, by the time we were running on Primes, the gap to the cars ahead was a bit too large. Even so, Lewis pushed as hard as he possibly could in the closing stages, carving chunks out of the gap between him and Mark ahead, and, if the race had been just a few laps longer, I’m certain he’d have fancied his chances of getting past.

"Jenson, too, drove superbly, in difficult conditions, losing quite a bit of time while stuck behind Romain, but he made as rapid progress as Lewis did once he’d got onto Primes. Indeed, he drove the fastest lap of the race on the very last lap. It was McLaren’s 150th fastest lap in world championship grand prix racing, incidentally.

"Finally, here’s another stat for the train-spotters out there: today, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes tied Ferrari’s all-time record of 55 consecutive world championship grands prix in the points. We started that run in Australia in 2010, which race Jenson won for us of course; indeed, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has scored points in every single grand prix since Jenson joined our team.

"In Abu Dhabi, in a week’s time, we’ll be seeking to establish a new benchmark: 56 consecutive world championship grands prix in the points. In fact, of course, we’ll be aiming to do a bit more than that: there are three grands prix still to run this season, and you can be well sure that everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes will be doing his or her level best to win as many of them as we possibly can."

Info from

www.http://McLaren.com

French Grand Prix

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has stated the French Grand Prix could be back on the calendar as early as next year

But with the Los of New Jersey, United States . (For the moment)

The French Grand Prix (1906-1967: Grand Prix de l'ACF, 1968-2008: Grand Prix de France) is a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships. The last race was held in 2008.

Grand Prix motor racing originated in France and the French Grand Prix, open to international competition, is the oldest Grand Prix race, first run on 26 June 1906 under the auspices of the Automobile Club de France in Sarthe, with a starting field of 32 automobiles.

Well 2013 going to be a interesting one

So with the season going down to the last three races, it's a fight with Vettal and Alonso to be king of 2012.

While in the mean time poor old McLaren are not on top form with Hamilton's move to Mercedes in 2013. Which is a strange move ether way you look at!

But with Button, Sergio Perez and a new car, 2013 could be McLaren's year! We have seen a flash of brilliance form McLaren over 2012 time and time again!

Like today in the Indian race, Lewis had a steering wheel downshift failure so the McLaren pitcrew changed it (and the 4 wheels) in a 3.1s pitstop. Truly awesome!
Swapping the four tires on Jenson Button's car in just 2.31 seconds. Button didn't lose a single place on the grid. Doing 2.31sec on both cars in the German Grand Prix.

So I hear you ask if this is right, the stats prove that McLaren can be in winning team, what is going so bad for them?

To be honest with you I don't know. This was a winning team back in the 80's, McLaren was winning race after race. There has been problems with the new tyres, or is it the other cars are so much better than McLaren?

Mclaren have a issues with the mp4-12 Car, throw out the 2012 year gear boxes, tyres, body parts but still the stats say we should be wining?? 

Concorde Agreement 22/10/2012

2012 Concorde Agreement

During a constructive meeting, Jean Todt, the FIA President, in co-operation with Bernie Ecclestone, the Commercial Rights Holder, has presented to all F1 Team Principals the new structure of governance, including the new conditions of entry for the Concorde Agreement, starting in 2013.

All the participants in the meeting were encouraged to seek clarification which resulted in a fruitful and helpful debate on how the new structure would operate in 2013 and beyond.

A further important step has been achieved today to secure the future of the F1 World Championship which should lead to a final settlement to be reached between the FIA, the Commercial Rights Holder and the Teams in the coming weeks.
For Media Information Purposes - No Regulatory Value.




http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/f1releases/2012/Pages/f1-concorde.aspx

Honda and mclaren rumoured to join forces in f1 again

McLaren want to ditch Mercedes and reunite with Honda to save £8000
This could be interesting move as Mclaren had Honda engines back in 1988 .

The McLaren MP4/4 was a highly successful Formula 1 car that competed in the 1988 with Ayrton Senna at the wheel and help win the championship that year for him ..


The Woking based team's current engine supplier Mercedes, formerly a McLaren co-owner, will actually charge McLaren for the use of its 2.4 litre V8s in 2013,

A senior manager said at Suzuka that technically Honda is getting ready to return with a turbo V6 from 2014. Only the green light of the board is missing," said Auto Motor and Sport.

This will see Mclaren move a way from the Mercedes engine . Mclaren had teamed up with back in 1995 for the 2014 season if not maybe sooner ??

But The Mercedes deal allowed McLaren free engines until the end of 2012 and then a supply until at least 2015 at the going rate of around 8 million euros a year. So we will have to see in the next weeks or moths what they will do ...

But it will be interesting if they do change in 2014.

Susie Wolff's big day .

Yesterday, Wednesday 17th October 2012, saw Susie Wolff the second female F1 driver, take to the track at Silverstone.

Susie Wolff, who has been racing in DTM car series and also happens to be the wife of Williams’ executive director Toto Wolff, ran a test drive for the team yesterday. She hopes the test will inspire other female drivers. Some may say this is all a publicity stunt for Williams, but this is so much more, the fist time to see women racingF1 cars .

Susie started her career at an early age in 1996 with kart racing. She started racing in DTM in 2006 and just earlier this year, was announced as the development driver for the Williams F1 team. Seeing her move to driving an F1 car at Silverstone yesterday. Susie did 50km runs in the Williams F1 car and went on to compete lap after lap at Silverstone.

The first on the full wet tyres in damp conditions and the second on the dry tyres.

Speaking about the run, Susie said: "It was incredible to experience aFormula One car for the first time. I've done a lot of simulator worksince I joined the team but nothing compares to the exhilaration ofdriving the real thing. The conditions were a little tricky as it wasquite damp at the beginning of the run but the track soon dried out.The team also did a fantastic job preparing me, giving me all theinformation I needed so that I was always in control."

This was achieved while the tragic accident of Maria De Villota's accident is still fresh in our minds. Maria was also test driving the car at Duxford Aerodrome last July, in which saw her lose her right eye and almost losing her life.

Yesterday's events is all good news for women in F1, I think this is a start to something good in modern day racing and something F1 and the FIA should embrace with open arms. 
There is space for both as drivers and teams, I don't think we should go down the lines of men and women only teams, but have mix drivers and pit teams. This will make for a more compelling atmosphere in the pit's and  .Therehas only been five female racing drivers since 1958, the last on was back in 1992.

I think it's quite sad that we see women in all other forms of motor racing, Indy 500, 24 hours le mans, nascar and dtm so it should be allowed in F1.

                   A list of the only women drivers to drive F1 cars past and present !

                                 MariaTeresa De Fillippis 1958,1959

                                 LelleaLambardi 1974,1976

                                 DivinaGalica 1976,1978

                                Desirewilson 1980

                                 Giovannaamati 1992

                                  Maria De Villota 2012

                                  SusieWolff, 2012.

Maybe one day I'll see Susie Wolff or another female F1 driver on the podium or even world champion and we all should embrace that day ..

                                 

Well done Susie Wolff! May it be the first of lots of F1 drives.............

Followlink bellow for her official web page 
www.susiewolff.com

sky F1 pit change

thanks to skyf1.com

Official Twitter Accounts of McLaren personnel Formula One Team

- Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: @TheFifthDriver

- Paddy Lowe (Technical Director): @paddylowe

- Jenson Button: @JensonButton

- Lewis Hamilton: @LewisHamilton

- Gary Paffett (3rd driver): @GaryPaffet

- Oliver Turvey (Test driver): @OliverTurvey

Engineers

- Tom Stallard (Jenson’s Performance Engineer): @Tom_Stallard

- Dave Robson (Jenson Button’s Race Engineer): @DaveRobsonF1

- Will Joseph (Lewis Hamilton’s Performance Engineer): @Blondie_wdj

- Filippo Sapia (Lewis and Jenson’s Systems Engineer): @BigFil_f1

- Poole (Radio engineer): @poole_mulucky

Mechanics

- Marc Cox (Mechanic): @MarcCox

- Rory (Mechanic): @RoryClements

- Sam Dryden (Mechanic): @sam_dryden

- Benjamin Boast (Mechanic): @BennyBoast

- Giuseppe Marciante (Factory based travelling mechanic): @gsep123

- Danny (Trainee mechanic): @baffaboy1

- Marc Priestley (former McLaren mechanic through 2000 - 2009): @f1elvis

- Horse and Ferret (Online pub created by Marc Cox and Tom Briggs - funny! -): @HorseandFerret

Other

- Tom Briggs (looks after the tyres): @1derpony

- Warwick Pugh (Race Car Support Team Leader): @woozly

- Michael Collier (Jenson’s physio): @mikeycollier

- Barney Bear (Garage support): @peterobwright

- Clare Stubberfield (Race and test coordinator): @CStubberfield

- Stephanie (Race team IT): @steppy80

- Dan Connell (Global Product PR Manager): @Dan_Connell

- Thomas Pattison: @TDPattison

- Richard Collier: @gluvdup

McLaren Group

- MP4-12C Reviews: @12CReviews

- McLaren Automotive: @McLarenAuto

- Andy Wilby (Engineer at McLaren Automotive): @andywilby22

- McLaren Manchester (Official retail partner): @McLaren_Manc

- McLaren e-shop: @McLaren_Store

- McLaren GT: @McLaren_GT

- Absolute Taste: @AbsoluteTaste

With thanks to Karmen Legazpi @McLaren_Soul .....

New 2014 engine spec

Combustion engine specifications:
1600cc, V6
15000 rpm max
Direct fuel injection up to 500bar
Single turbocharger
Controlled fuel flow

Energy recovery and storage systems specifications:
Kinetic, 120kW on the rear wheels
Exhaust energy recovery linked to the turbocharger

lewis Hamilton is leaving McLaren ??

So we have heard the bad news that Lewis Hamilton is going to Mercedes. This is sad news but one I personally respect, He does need to grow up and develop as a driver. He needs to move on and get experience to be better.

What's funny is that people think he is doing this for money and because of the 2014 engine change.
This may be true, but the engine that Mercedes will develop, will almost defiantly will go in to the 2014 McLaren car.  McLaren have be using the same engines sins 1995, so the cars will have identical engines. 
The only advantage that Mercedes might over McLaren is at start, they will know from testing and pre tests what it is capable of from the start. Where as for McLaren, they will have to learn.

So it leaves money or to grow and learn as a driver and to be the best at his game. I just hope its to grow as a driver and not the money and celebrity status, as this will be a grate shame.
Only time will tell if he brings out his music and cloths line we will know he has changed.

Don't get me wrong, I like him as a F1 driver and wish him well for the 2013 season!

Singapore F1 out come !

Well that was another heart stopping, nail biting action! As normal we find the one we hope would win didn't. And the one looking like he is having a bad time, Mr Vettel, did.

Poor Hamilton was looking so good to win, P1 at start. Lap after lap he drove veary well only to have the gear box give out, and had to stop.

Only Button left for McLaren to take the battle to Redbull. He put up a strong fight to fly home 2nd and after two safety cars, he kept Alonso 3rd on the podium.

The only thing to come out of the race this year, is seeing how Paul Di Resta has come on this season. He came through the race defending 4th place. A worthy place this is for him.  He is a driver to keep a eye on next year as he can only get stronger and better, and with the right team and car very much go on to be a world champ!

This year is geting better and better. Who nows who will win the season? It is blown wide open now as we head for Chinese GP and back to back races. It can only get better... Wow!

the F1 2013 (dates and tracks to be confirmed)

1. Melbourne, Australia (March 17)
2. Sepang, Malaysia (March 24)
3. Shanghai, China (April 14)
4. Sakhir, Bahrain (April 21)
5. Barcelona, Spain (May 12)
6. Monaco, Monte Carlo (May 26)
7. Montreal, Canada (June 9)
8. The French Grand Prix(June 16)*
9. Silverstone, Great Britain (June 30)
10. Hockenheimring, Germany (July 21)
11. Budapest, Hungary (July 28)
12. Spa, Belgium (September 1)
13. Monza, Italy (September 8)
14. Marina Bay, Singapore (September 22)
15. Suzuka, Japan (October 6)
16. Yeongam, Korea (October 13)*
17. Buddh, India (October 27)
18. Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi (November 3)
19. Austin, United States (November 17)
20. Sao Paolo, Brazil (November 27)

Key = * F1 still in contract discussions

the best to come

Well what an F1 year this has turned out to be, with mclaren wining 3 races in a roll.... wow!
and with what I think is one of the best race tracks next weekend!

Singapore is a night race on a street circuit right hand track 5.073km (3.152 miles) 61 laps of non stop pressure and heart stopping racing. As they drive very close to the barriers on the road in humidity of 77c  and having to do 71 gear changes per lap, they will be trying to keep the car under control on the bumps of the road for near to 2hrs of non stop driving reaching speeds up too 290mph.

This has always been a hard one to predict a winner as the cars and the drivers are under a lot of stress. The cars you think will win, don't always make it to the end.

This is one of the best circuit to get the adrenalin going! As you watch the cars pull away at the start and reach speeds of 290mph, to the the 1st conner then brack to 90mph in seconds.

All I can say is, get comfy and enjoy the ride !

Sid Watkins 1928-2012

Professor Sid Watkins, who served as the FIA's Formula One Safety and Medical Delegate for twenty six years.


The things you did and brought to the F1 world over the years, words will never be enough to thank you.

Your with the worlds best and greatest drivers in F1!


Rest in peace sir

Half Way Point

So here we are at a turning point. The season and the constructors half way point to the season is nearly upon us. And The next two race's are key to them and McLaren.

We have to win or show we can...! We have the best two drivers in the world, the best team of engineers and the car has proven it is up to the job.

The pit crew are back to über fast changes, and with the best fans in the world McLaren can do this.

This is it time to dig deep. Forget the problems and trouble of the past, the time is now! I urge and pray that for the next two race's, all McLaren fans around the world will pull together, and stand behind the McLaren Team !

We will celebrate in a sea of rocket red again my friends.....

Photo from Wired.co.uk

Believe In McLaren

Well what a uk GP! Poor old McLaren.

Still not doing well, is this the drivers as some say, or is it the car, maybe the team....?

Well I think it's the car, not the team! The pit crew did a fabulous job, all coming in 3.04 sec for both Button and Lewis

So all is fine there. We know the drivers can do it! Button coming form 16th to fin 10th Lewis fin 8th so all that's left..... is the car ???

The 2012 McLaren MP4-27 until the new nose, was fast! Button came 1st in Oz all was well, but then came the up grade to the nose and it seamed to bring trouble to McLaren . This weekend saw mclaren put a whole host of up dates to the car but still can't keep up with Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and Lotus this is not good with F1 coming up to the 1/2 way.......

Could this be the end to the McLaren dreams of the constructors?

Or will thay come back stronger than ever?

Photo from zimbio.com

The maldonado prob

Well yet again we see Mr Maldonado Drive in to another car, one during a race and one during practise.


All the F1 drivers are chatting and saying that he is a worry on the track and hope that the FIA step in be for some one gets hurt or killed by him....


But yet again tonight, the FIA just gave him a fine and a "don't do it again".


What will it take be for the FIA take this by the horns and ban him for two race meetings or take his race licence away?


But he don't deserve the death threats by f1 fans, this is not football, it's a sport for gentlemen. 


We need to keep the sport for all to enjoy not threaten each other for saying what we think or feel.