Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2012 Monaco Grand Prix does the full Monte Carlo [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/27/2012-monaco-grand-prix-does-the-full-monte-carlo-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/27/2012-monaco-grand-prix-does-the-full-monte-carlo-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/27/2012-monaco-grand-prix-does-the-full-monte-carlo-spoilers/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Monaco Grand Prix

Formula One is boring, say the detractors. It's always the same drivers and teams who win. Nothing new ever happens. That's what they said, at least, until this season.

With an unprecedented six world champions on the grid holding a total of fourteen titles between them, this season has been one big wild card. So far five different drivers from five different teams took the checkered flags in the five races so far. And not all of them rank among the aforementioned champions.

But if the season has been unpredictable until now, would Monaco - traditionally the least predictable grand prix of all - prove even more so? Keep reading to find out.

Continue reading 2012 Monaco Grand Prix does the full Monte Carlo [spoilers]

2012 Monaco Grand Prix does the full Monte Carlo [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 May 2012 23:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 monaco grand prixf1formula 1formula onemonacomonaco grand prixmonte carloSun, 27 May 2012 23:43:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20246116/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/27/2012-monaco-grand-prix-does-the-full-monte-carlo-spoilers/20246116/article-detail.xml 20246116 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/monaco-wp-copy-1338174700_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/monaco-wp-copy-1338174700.jpg <![CDATA[Red Bull creates Racing Spy app]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/27/red-bull-creates-racing-spy-app/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/27/red-bull-creates-racing-spy-app/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/27/red-bull-creates-racing-spy-app/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Red Bull Racing Spy app screencap

Red Bull Racing employs a paddock 'spy' who keeps tabs on Formula One grand prix goings-on and gossip, in addition to having a front-row, behind-the-scenes seat in one of the sport's top teams. The energy drink firm has just given him a larger platform for his intel with the Red Bull Racing Spy app, available now for free on Apple iTunes.

It appears to cover all the angles, with race infographics, background and historical facts, galleries, race info and season calendar as well as real-time updates like track positions during the race. On top of which you can send the spy your own questions and "challenges." Who knows, the spy might be able to answer some of our own questions about the Alpine A110-50C/ZAR.

Scroll down to read the press release, head over to iTunes for the download. Android fans, your app is on the way.

Continue reading Red Bull creates Racing Spy app

Red Bull creates Racing Spy app originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 May 2012 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storef1formula 1formula oneitunespaddockpaddock spyred bullred bull racingred bull racing spyspySun, 27 May 2012 16:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20244468/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/27/red-bull-creates-racing-spy-app/20244468/article-detail.xml 20244468 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/redbullf1app_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/redbullf1app.jpg <![CDATA[Ferrari claims unofficial lap record at Laguna Seca]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/ferrari-claims-unofficial-lap-record-at-laguna-seca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/ferrari-claims-unofficial-lap-record-at-laguna-seca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/ferrari-claims-unofficial-lap-record-at-laguna-seca/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ferrari F2003-GA at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Setting the fastest lap on any race track is worth its share of bragging rights, but some are worth more than others. Like the Nürburgring Nordschleife, for example. Or the Top Gear test track. Or, on this side of the pond, Laguna Seca.

The Mazda Raceway near Monterey, California, is one of the most challenging circuits in the world. It's got a double-apex hairpin at the start, an off-camber sweep to the left and of course the dreaded Corkscrew that drops five and a half stories with tight turns at top and bottom. Little wonder, then, that its lap record is a subject of such contention.

The record was set at 1:07.722 by Helio Castroneves in 2000 behind the wheel of a Penske Champ Car. And that remains the fastest official time since the ones that followed were not set during an officially-sanctioned race weekend. But, in 2006, Ricardo Zonta drove the Toyota TF106 there to an unofficial new record of 1:06.039. Sebastian Bourdais took it back for the Champ Car series the following year at 1:05.880. But now Ferrari has taken the unofficial crown at 1:05.786.

The record lap was set during the Ferrari Racing Days event by veteran scuderia test driver and Le Mans winner Marc Gené, behind the wheel of the Ferrari F2003-GA, the car named for the late Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli with which Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello took seven grand prix wins and both titles in the 2003 Formula One World Championship. And now it can go down in history with another accolade to its history. See below for the official announcement.

Continue reading Ferrari claims unofficial lap record at Laguna Seca

Ferrari claims unofficial lap record at Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1f2003-gaferrariferrari f2003-gaferrari racing daysformula 1formula onegenégenelaguna secamarc genémarc genemazda racewaymazda raceway laguna secaWed, 23 May 2012 14:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20242904/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/ferrari-claims-unofficial-lap-record-at-laguna-seca/20242904/article-detail.xml 20242904 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ferrari-record-laguna-seca_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ferrari-record-laguna-seca.jpg <![CDATA[Yellow-Flagged: Formula One's French Grand Prix and IPO potentially on hold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/yellow-flagged-formula-ones-french-grand-prix-and-ipo-potentia/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/yellow-flagged-formula-ones-french-grand-prix-and-ipo-potentia/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/yellow-flagged-formula-ones-french-grand-prix-and-ipo-potentia/#commentsFiled under:



It is exceptionally rare for Bernie Ecclestone to be shown the yellow flag when it comes to his Formula One business dealings, but that's what happened with two of his projects. A month ago, Ecclestone agreed to terms with France's sports minister David Douillet to reinstate the French Grand Prix at the Paul Ricard circuit (which Ecclestone happens to own). The contract hadn't been signed while minor details were settled, but the plan was that the French GP would alternate with the Belgian GP starting in 2013.

However, with the defeat of French president Nicolas Sarkozy and the election of François Hollande, new reports suggest that everything from the previous regime will come under review. And it seems unlikely that Hollande, who was voted in by taxpayers who wanted more for their money and their economic pain, will agree to have the state subsidize the race. Said the president-elect, "I do not think the French state should be responsible for any financial outlay. There are enough issues to consider without spending tens of millions of euros on a grand prix."

And across the world in Singapore, the GP is safe but the planned F1 Initial Public Offering in the nation-state now has a question mark after it. The squalls in the market that have depressed stock markets everywhere have IPO insiders cautious on the endeavor. Word is that they'll see how the imminent Facebook IPO fares and how the market responds before making a decision. There is also the matter of the Mercedes-Benz not having signed the Concorde Agreement, and Daimler says it needs to get that settled before F1 can go public. According to Reuters, if the offering isn't conducted by June then it - and the estimated $2 billion it is expected to raise - might have to wait until next year.

Yellow-Flagged: Formula One's French Grand Prix and IPO potentially on hold originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernie ecclestonecvccvc capital partnersecclestonef1f1 ipoformula 1formula onefrançois hollandefrench grand prixinitial public offeringiponicolas sarkozysingaporeTue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20237414/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/15/yellow-flagged-formula-ones-french-grand-prix-and-ipo-potentia/20237414/article-detail.xml 20237414 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bernie-ecclestone-with-palm-1337094809_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bernie-ecclestone-with-palm-1337094809.jpg <![CDATA[Dramatic garage fire clouds Williams celebration at Spanish Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/dramatic-garage-fire-clouds-williams-celebration-at-spanish-gran/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/dramatic-garage-fire-clouds-williams-celebration-at-spanish-gran/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/dramatic-garage-fire-clouds-williams-celebration-at-spanish-gran/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fire at the Spanish Grand Prix

Yesterday's Spanish Grand Prix was an enormous cause for celebration for Williams. The Formula One team that was once at the very top of its game hadn't won a race since 2004, but it broke that losing streak when Pastor Maldonado claimed the checkered flag for the team against Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen and against all odds. But the celebrations in the team's garage were cut short when a massive fire broke out just after the race.

The fire erupted an hour and a half after the grand prix's conclusion as team members were toasting their victory in the garage on pit lane, sending smoke billowing out over the track. Members of other teams - Force India and Caterham chief among them - quickly sprung into action to help their comrades put out the fire. A total of 31 people were subsequently sent to the emergency medical center on site, with all but one treated and released. The remaining Williams team member is being treated for burns suffered in the incident and is expected to be sent back to the UK for further treatment in the coming days.

Officials are still looking into the cause of the fire, which reportedly emanated from the racecar that Bruno Senna drove until it was disabled in a collision with Michael Schumacher that took both cars out of the race. Suspicions center around a malfunction in the Kinetic Energy Recovery System. The incident is not the first time a Williams facility suffered from a fire, the factory back in Grove having caught on fire a few years ago. Scroll down to watch video of the incident in Barcelona this weekend.

Continue reading Dramatic garage fire clouds Williams celebration at Spanish Grand Prix

Dramatic garage fire clouds Williams celebration at Spanish Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barcelonaf1fireformula 1formula onespainspanish grand prixvideowilliamswilliams f1williams fireMon, 14 May 2012 13:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20237712/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/14/dramatic-garage-fire-clouds-williams-celebration-at-spanish-gran/20237712/article-detail.xml 20237712 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/espgp-fire_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/espgp-fire.jpg <![CDATA[A rookie challenges the champions at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/a-rookie-challenges-the-champions-at-the-2012-spanish-grand-prix/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/a-rookie-challenges-the-champions-at-the-2012-spanish-grand-prix/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/a-rookie-challenges-the-champions-at-the-2012-spanish-grand-prix/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Spanish Grand Prix

Every year the Formula One calendar incorporates new races at more far-flung locations around the world. Recent additions have brought the series to such locales as Abu Dhabi, South Korea and India. But the purists know that, no matter where it may roam, F1 is essentially a European series.

With the grands prix in Australia, Malaysia, China and Bahrain now behind us, the circus has come back home for the European section of the calendar that kicked off this weekend in Barcelona, Spain. Keep reading to see how it unfolded.

Continue reading A rookie challenges the champions at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix [spoilers]

A rookie challenges the champions at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 May 2012 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 spanish grand prixbarcelonaf1formula 1formula onegrand prixspainspanish grand prixSun, 13 May 2012 20:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20237197/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/13/a-rookie-challenges-the-champions-at-the-2012-spanish-grand-prix/20237197/article-detail.xml 20237197 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/spanish-gplead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/spanish-gplead.jpg <![CDATA[VW motorsport chief nixes F1 entry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/vw-motorsport-chief-nixes-f1-entry/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/vw-motorsport-chief-nixes-f1-entry/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/vw-motorsport-chief-nixes-f1-entry/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jost Capito at Volkswagen

Formula One teams come and go, but few have been the subject of such intense rumors as the potential participation of Volkswagen.

The German automaker is the largest in Europe that hasn't been part of the sport in recent history, and its executives have made several public declarations that entering the series in one capacity or another was under consideration.

That prospect appears to be off the table now, however, as the company's new motorsport chief, Jost Capito has nixed the idea. Capito, who recently joined VW from after leaving his position as head of racing and performance vehicles for Ford, is focused squarely on Volkswagen's new entry in the World Rally Championship.

That may not mean, however, that the possibility of F1 participation is off the table for one of the group's other brands, which include Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini.

VW motorsport chief nixes F1 entry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 May 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capitof1formula 1formula onejost capitovolkswagenvwSun, 13 May 2012 12:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20235896/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/13/vw-motorsport-chief-nixes-f1-entry/20235896/article-detail.xml 20235896 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/capito-vw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/capito-vw.jpg <![CDATA[Nico Rosberg explains F1 cars' unique seating position]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/06/nico-rosberg-explains-f1-cars-odd-seating-position/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/06/nico-rosberg-explains-f1-cars-odd-seating-position/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/06/nico-rosberg-explains-f1-cars-odd-seating-position/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nico Rosberg

The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team has been using its drivers to open up the dark world of F1, and in this video Nico Rosberg demonstrates what we've long suspected: the driving position in a Formula 1 car is outrageous, with drivers reclined on a carbon-fiber gynecologist's table pretending to be a seat.

Scroll down to watch Nico explain finding a balance between comfort and weight. And how it's kind of hard to see above the wheel.

Continue reading Nico Rosberg explains F1 cars' unique seating position

Nico Rosberg explains F1 cars' unique seating position originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 May 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1mercedes-benznico rosbergvideoSun, 06 May 2012 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20232038/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/06/nico-rosberg-explains-f1-cars-odd-seating-position/20232038/article-detail.xml 20232038 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/rosbergseatingvid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/rosbergseatingvid.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Bahrain Grand Prix races on despite the protests [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/bahrain-grand-prix-races-on-despite-the-protests-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/bahrain-grand-prix-races-on-despite-the-protests-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/bahrain-grand-prix-races-on-despite-the-protests-spoilers/#commentsFiled under: ,



At what point does a political issue become a moral one? And at what point, if any, should motor racing enter that debate? These are the questions that Formula 1 and all those involved have wrestled with since the Bahrain Grand Prix was put back on the calendar for this year.

Some argued that sporting competition should rise above such issues. Others decried the cold-heartedness of holding something as glitzy as an F1 race where government forces are brutally cracking down on protestors - particularly when the race itself is orchestrated by said government.

One way or another, however, the grand prix took place this weekend in Bahrain, entering the record books as the fourth round in this year's championship. Keep reading to find out how it unfolded.

Continue reading 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix races on despite the protests [spoilers]

2012 Bahrain Grand Prix races on despite the protests [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 bahrain grand prix2012 formula one world championshipbahrainbahrain grand prixf1formula 1formula onegrand prixsakhirSun, 22 Apr 2012 15:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20221325/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/22/bahrain-grand-prix-races-on-despite-the-protests-spoilers/20221325/article-detail.xml 20221325 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/bahraingp-12-web07_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/bahraingp-12-web07.jpg <![CDATA[Ecclestone mulling tennis-style Grand Slam races for F1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ecclestone-mulling-tennis-style-grand-slam-races-for-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ecclestone-mulling-tennis-style-grand-slam-races-for-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ecclestone-mulling-tennis-style-grand-slam-races-for-f1/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bernie Ecclestone

Ever get the feeling that not every grand prix on the Formula One calendar should be worth as much as every other? Aside from the bragging points that go with winning a race like, say, the Monaco Grand Prix, maybe the most prominent races should be worth more championship points, too? So says Bernie Ecclestone, according to the latest reports.

The notoriously outspoken F1 supremo is always hatching new ideas on how to make the series more interesting, and his latest borrows from the world of competitive tennis. The four most important tournaments on the tennis circuit - the Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon - are not only more prominent in every way than any other, but they're also worth more points for the players who win them.

Since the current calendar of 20 races is the most F1 has ever seen and regarded as the most it could possibly accommodate, could awarding more points for a handful of iconic races be what the proverbial doctor ordered to mix things up? Maybe, but identifying which races would get the honor would be another matter. Out of 20 races, we'd pick Australia, Japan, Britain, Monaco, Canada and Brazil as the likely candidates. Is this a good idea? Have your own list in mind? Let's hear your thoughts in Comments.

Ecclestone mulling tennis-style Grand Slam races for F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernie ecclestoneecclestonef1formula 1formula onegrand slamtennisFri, 20 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20219872/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/20/ecclestone-mulling-tennis-style-grand-slam-races-for-f1/20219872/article-detail.xml 20219872 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/ecclestone-media_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/ecclestone-media.jpg <![CDATA[Anonymous hacks official F1 website ahead of Bahrain GP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/anonymous-hacks-official-f1-website-ahead-of-bahrain-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/anonymous-hacks-official-f1-website-ahead-of-bahrain-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/anonymous-hacks-official-f1-website-ahead-of-bahrain-gp/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The group of hackers known as Anonymous issued a press release last night announcing their intent to hack and take down the official website for Formula One at formulaone.com for the duration of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Their reason? To protest the increasingly violent crackdown on the people of Bahrain by their own government.

As of this writing, formulaone.com is down as promised and another website, F1-racers.net, is displaying a message from Anonymous that claims responsibility.

In its press release, Anonymous addresses Bernie Ecclestone, president and CEO of Formula One, directly, promising the following:

Anonymous will turn your web site (www.formula1.com) into a smoking crater in cyber space. We will also jam your phone lines, bomb your E-Mail inboxes - and wreck anything else of yours we can find on the internet.

The group also calls upon fans of F1 to ignore the race by either not attending in person or watching it on television. They also appeal to the drivers themselves to protest the race by not crossing the starting line at the beginning of the race.

Last year's Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled due to civil unrest, and despite the increasing frequency of protests and severity of their crackdown leading up to this weekend's race, it has not yet been cancelled. As a result, activists, now including the Anonymous group, are using the motorsport's worldwide popularity to gain attention for their cause.

Scroll down to read the press release from Anonymous in full.

Continue reading Anonymous hacks official F1 website ahead of Bahrain GP

Anonymous hacks official F1 website ahead of Bahrain GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anonymousanonymous hackersbahrainbahrain gpbahrain grand prixbahrain protestsbernie ecclestonef1formula 1formula onehackedhackershackingFri, 20 Apr 2012 12:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20220495/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/20/anonymous-hacks-official-f1-website-ahead-of-bahrain-gp/20220495/article-detail.xml 20220495 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/143161878-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/143161878-opt.jpg <![CDATA[F1 race in New Jersey could be postponed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/f1-race-in-new-jersey-could-be-postponed/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/f1-race-in-new-jersey-could-be-postponed/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/f1-race-in-new-jersey-could-be-postponed/#commentsFiled under: ,

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at grand prix press conference

After years of doing without a grand prix in the United States altogether, Formula One is gearing up to return to these shores in a big way. The United States Grand Prix is set to take place later this year at the newly constructed Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. And next year, the Grand Prix of America is scheduled to join the calendar in New Jersey, just across the river from Manhattan. But will the Jersey race be ready in time?

According to the latest reports, that second grand prix in the U.S. could be pushed off until 2014. This according to a quote attributed to Bernie Ecclestone, the man who orchestrates the commercial aspects of the sport - including where the races are held.

While he was at it, Ecclestone also reportedly indicated that the French Grand Prix will be back on the calendar within the next couple of years. But rather than holding it at Magny-Cours where it was held from 1991 through 2008, the renewed French Grand Prix - absent from the calendar every year since - will go back to the Paul Ricard circuit where it was held in the 70s and 80s (a track which Ecclestone just happens to own himself).

The arrangement will, according to reports, alternate year-to-year with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

F1 race in New Jersey could be postponed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecclestonef1formula 1formula onefrench grand prixgrand prix of americanew jerseynew jersey gpnew yorkpaul ricardpaul ricard htttTue, 17 Apr 2012 18:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20217829/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/17/f1-race-in-new-jersey-could-be-postponed/20217829/article-detail.xml 20217829 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/christie-jerseygp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/christie-jerseygp.jpg <![CDATA[Spotter's Guide makes sense of the 2012 Formula One grid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/spotters-guide-makes-sense-of-the-2012-formula-one-grid/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/spotters-guide-makes-sense-of-the-2012-formula-one-grid/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/spotters-guide-makes-sense-of-the-2012-formula-one-grid/#commentsFiled under:

2012 Formula One spotter's guide

While the top four teams - you know, the ones that will be winning most if not all of the grands prix this year - have kept the same drivers, the same engines, the same sponsors and the same colors as last year, this year's Formula One World Championship has seen plenty of changes on the grid.

Lotus and Caterham have finally solved their naming-rights dispute, and both changed both of their drivers - including former World Champion Kimi Raikkonen coming back to F1. Scuderia Toro Rosso also dumped both its drivers, as did HRT, and Williams axed one Brazilian (Rubens Barrichello) for another (Bruno Senna). Virgin changed its name to Marussia, and Force India sold nearly half the team to Sahara.

Can't keep track of it all? Fortunately, YankeeF1 has provided us with spotter's guide for easy reference, showing each of the teams, its car and its drivers, plus a calendar of the grands prix this season and the color-coded tires. Keep it handy next race Sunday and you might just be able to make sense of it all.

Spotter's Guide makes sense of the 2012 Formula One grid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula oneinfographicspotters guideTue, 17 Apr 2012 14:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20216703/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/17/spotters-guide-makes-sense-of-the-2012-formula-one-grid/20216703/article-detail.xml 20216703 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/webcardriverguide2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/webcardriverguide2012.jpg <![CDATA[Shanghai'd at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/shanghaid-at-the-2012-chinese-grand-prix-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/shanghaid-at-the-2012-chinese-grand-prix-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/15/shanghaid-at-the-2012-chinese-grand-prix-spoilers/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Chinese Grand Prix

The one point that Formula One racing's detractors dwell on more than others is the monotony. How a gaggle of high-revving, state-of-the-art race cars speeding around circuits in some of the most exotic locales in the world could be considered monotonous, of course, would leave others scratching their heads, but that's what the haters hate most. And not entirely without reason. After all, each championship season tends to be dominated by one driver or another.

2008 saw Lewis Hamilton of McLaren and Felipe Massa of Ferrari battle it out for the title until the very last turn of the the very last lap of the very last race of the season, but for many years before and every year since it's been utter domination: five years of Michael Schumacher, two of Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, Jenson Button in 2009 and two years of Sebastian Vettel that bring us up to the present.

The question on every race fan's mind, then, is whether this year would again feature a single-team domination or whether we'd see another driver - or drivers - taking the lead. Heading out to Shanghai for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, only two races had already been decided, and each was won by a different man driving for a different team, and neither had won from pole. Would this round prove any different? Keep reading to find out.

Continue reading Shanghai'd at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix [spoilers]

Shanghai'd at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chinese grand prixchinachinese grand prixf1formula 1formula onegrand prixshanghaiSun, 15 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20216064/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/15/shanghaid-at-the-2012-chinese-grand-prix-spoilers/20216064/article-detail.xml 20216064 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/web2012-chinese-gp01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/web2012-chinese-gp01.jpg <![CDATA[Sebastian Vettel trades F1 for Kung Fu in martial arts film debut with Celina Jade]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/sebastian-vettel-trades-f1-for-kung-fu-in-martial-arts-film-debu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/sebastian-vettel-trades-f1-for-kung-fu-in-martial-arts-film-debu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/sebastian-vettel-trades-f1-for-kung-fu-in-martial-arts-film-debu/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Kung Fu Vettel: Drive of the Dragon with Celina Jade

There's no doubting the driving talents of one Sebastian Vettel. He won his first grand prix when he was still with backmarker team Scuderia Toro Rosso, and went on to win back-to-back World Championship titles for Red Bull Racing. Heck, he's even taken the Nations Cup at the Race of Champions with Michael Schumacher for the last five years running now. You might even call his skills the stuff of super heroes. But if it came down a bar fight, the grinning whiz kid wouldn't exactly inspire fear. (Not like Adrian Sutil would, anyway.) But his latest collaboration might stand to change that.

While in China for this coming weekend's grand prix, the reigning World Champion met up with action star Celina Jade for a little kung fu lesson. They even shot a short film called Kung Fu Vettel: Drive of the Dragon that's set to be released next month. And then they headed to the track so Vettel could return the favor.

The crossover is the first in a series of promotional events under the "Inspired Performers" banner, orchestrated by sponsor Infiniti. What any of this has to do with luxury automobiles is beyond us, but it made for a decent photo and video op, as you can see from the gallery above and the video teaser after the jump.

Continue reading Sebastian Vettel trades F1 for Kung Fu in martial arts film debut with Celina Jade

Sebastian Vettel trades F1 for Kung Fu in martial arts film debut with Celina Jade originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celina jadef1formula 1formula oneinfinitikung fukung fu vettelkung fu vettel: drive of the dragonmartial artsred bullred bull racingsebastian vettelvettelFri, 13 Apr 2012 15:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20213591/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/13/sebastian-vettel-trades-f1-for-kung-fu-in-martial-arts-film-debu/20213591/article-detail.xml 20213591 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/webdriveofthedragon01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/webdriveofthedragon01.jpg <![CDATA[Williams signs female test driver Susie Wolff]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/williams-signs-female-test-driver-susie-wolff/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/williams-signs-female-test-driver-susie-wolff/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/williams-signs-female-test-driver-susie-wolff/#commentsFiled under: ,

Susie WolffIn as male-dominated a sport as motor racing, women drivers are still a rarity - but not without their exceptions. Danica Patrick has become a household name in IndyCar and NASCAR, Vanina Ickx (daughter of legendary F1 driver Jacky) has contested Le Mans seven times, Sabine Schmitz is rightly known as the Queen of the Ring, and Natacha Gachnang has made a name for herself in Formula 3 and GT racing. But the latest announcement revolves around one Susie Wolff.

Driving for Mercedes-Benz in the DTM touring car series for the past several years, Susie has now been hired as a development driver for the Williams F1 team. In her new capacity, she'll be helping the team work out kinks in their simulator, the aerodynamics of the FW34 chassis and even undertake a full track test at an upcoming grand prix.

Now if you're thinking "Wolff and Williams - why do those names sound familiar together," you've got a keen memory. Toto Wolff is a board member and part owner of the team - and just also happens to be her husband. Follow the jump for the official announcement.

Continue reading Williams signs female test driver Susie Wolff

Williams signs female test driver Susie Wolff originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onesusie wolffwilliamswolffThu, 12 Apr 2012 18:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20214553/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/12/williams-signs-female-test-driver-susie-wolff/20214553/article-detail.xml 20214553 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/susie-wolffweb_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/susie-wolffweb.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus reveals terms of Genii-Proton deal while hitting back at rumors]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/lotus-reveals-terms-of-genii-proton-deal-while-hitting-back-at-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/lotus-reveals-terms-of-genii-proton-deal-while-hitting-back-at-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/lotus-reveals-terms-of-genii-proton-deal-while-hitting-back-at-r/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lotus F1 Team

There have been plenty of rumors surrounding the fate of Lotus and its relationship with its longtime parent company, Proton. Some are saying that Dany Bahar has been axed as CEO, that the company is undergoing bankruptcy protection, and that its involvement in Formula One has drawn to a close. Lotus itself is hard at work quashing those rumors - attributing most to the people at Caterham - but among them we have some juicy tidbits of information regarding its arrangement with the Formula One team formerly known as Renault.

Having sold most of its stake in its team to Genii Capital, Renault reverted to an engine supplier role the year before last, and Group Lotus stepped in as title sponsor, which is an interesting relationship for an automaker to have with an F1 team that it does not own or run itself - and not dissimilar to the sponsorship arrangement Infiniti has with Red Bull Racing. The deal has Lotus holding branding rights, merchandising license and title sponsorship with the team.

As part of the arrangement, however, Proton granted Genii a £30 million ($48 million) loan against which Genii leveraged the team's entire assets. So in addition to the 10 percent of the team which Proton has the right to buy at any time, it could take another 10 percent if Genii defaults on the repayment of its loan. But if Genii proves incapable of paying back Proton altogether, the Malaysian automaker could find itself in entire possession of a leading F1 team. Just what they'd do with it if it no longer owned Group Lotus, however, would remain to be seen. Scroll down for the full statement.

Continue reading Lotus reveals terms of Genii-Proton deal while hitting back at rumors

Lotus reveals terms of Genii-Proton deal while hitting back at rumors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onegeniigenii capitallotuslotus f1 teamprotonWed, 11 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20213435/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/11/lotus-reveals-terms-of-genii-proton-deal-while-hitting-back-at-r/20213435/article-detail.xml 20213435 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lotus-genii_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lotus-genii.jpg <![CDATA[Watch the filming of Niki Lauda's 'Ring crash for Ron Howard's <i>Rush</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/watch-the-filming-of-niki-laudas-ring-crash-for-ron-howards/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/watch-the-filming-of-niki-laudas-ring-crash-for-ron-howards/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/watch-the-filming-of-niki-laudas-ring-crash-for-ron-howards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ron Howard's Rush movie filming Niki Lauda crash

The production crew for Ron Howard's Rush recently stopped by the Nürburgring to recreate Niki Lauda's infamous Formula One crash during the 1976 Nürburgring GP. Lauda's car suffered a catastrophic failure on the second lap, launching him into the guardrail and placing his crumpled machine in the path of Brett Lunger's Surtees-Ford. The two collided and it wasn't long before Lauda was trapped in burning wreckage. Lunger and a handful of other racers fought to pull Lauda from the flames. Those on hand succeeded in rescuing the Austrian, and while he lapsed into a coma and suffered disfiguring burns, he was back in the cockpit within two months.

Just before the race, Lauda had pressed for a boycott of the dangerous race. The area in which the crash occurred is now known as Lauda Links.

Rush will follow the volatile 1976 F1 season and two of the primary characters that defined the year: Lauda and James Hunt. Hit the jump to see bystander video of the stuntmen in action.

Continue reading Watch the filming of Niki Lauda's 'Ring crash for Ron Howard's Rush

Watch the filming of Niki Lauda's 'Ring crash for Ron Howard's Rush originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1976 nurburgring gpf1filimingformula 1formula onegpjames huntnürburgringniki laudanurburgringnurburgring gpron howardrushrush movievideoWed, 11 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20213172/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/11/watch-the-filming-of-niki-laudas-ring-crash-for-ron-howards/20213172/article-detail.xml 20213172 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/rush-filming-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/rush-filming-628.jpg <![CDATA[CVC gearing up to sell 20% of Formula One with $2B Singapore IPO]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/cvc-gearing-up-to-sell-20-of-formula-one-with-2b-singapore-ipo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/cvc-gearing-up-to-sell-20-of-formula-one-with-2b-singapore-ipo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/cvc-gearing-up-to-sell-20-of-formula-one-with-2b-singapore-ipo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bernie Ecclestone in Singapore

Formula One has many homes: the Formula One Management company that controls its commercial aspects is based in London, the FIA that governs its sporting aspects is based in Paris, and you'd certainly have a point to make if you asserted its spiritual home was in Monaco. But none of these places are where its stakeholders are looking to float its Initial Public Offering. No, that place is Singapore.

CVC Capital Partners - the investment group that owns the majority of Formula One - has been toying with floating an IPO on the Singapore Stock Exchange for several weeks now, and according to reports is gearing up for the move. Both Bloomberg and Reuters are expecting that the stock issue would constitute about 20% of the business, likely to come mostly out of CVC's end which amounts to 63.4 percent, and not that of its manager Bernie Ecclestone whose stake comes to 5.3%. (Lehman Brothers holds another 15.3%, Ecclestone's ex-wife Slavica owns 8.5%, with the remaining 7.5% divided up between various minority investors.)

With the overall value of the business estimated at $10 billion, the 20% tipped to be offered on the open market is expected to bring in $2 billion in capital for its sellers, however CVC could opt for the minimum 15% to raise $15 billion. So... why Singapore? The vital Asian business capital has apparently been chosen to help F1 drum up support in the Far East, a region where grands prix are held in Malaysia, China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore itself.

CVC gearing up to sell 20% of Formula One with $2B Singapore IPO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernie ecclestonecvccvc capital partnersecclestonef1formula 1formula oneinitial public offeringiposingaporeTue, 10 Apr 2012 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20212504/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/10/cvc-gearing-up-to-sell-20-of-formula-one-with-2b-singapore-ipo/20212504/article-detail.xml 20212504 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/ecclestone-singapore_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/ecclestone-singapore.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus F1 no longer sponsored by Group Lotus, team to keep name]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/lotus-f1-no-longer-sponsored-by-group-lotus-team-to-keep-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/lotus-f1-no-longer-sponsored-by-group-lotus-team-to-keep-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/lotus-f1-no-longer-sponsored-by-group-lotus-team-to-keep-name/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lotus F1

Group Lotus will no longer sponsor Lotus F1, according to Autosport.com. The manufacturer pulled its endorsement shortly after parent company Proton announced the sale of Group Lotus to DRB-Hicom. Additionally, Proton won't purchase 50 percent of the race team as previously agreed.

The good news, however, is that Lotus F1 will continue to compete. Team owner Genii Captial has said it believes in the name, and that while it would prefer to not have to fund the team completely by itself, it is prepared to do so. The team has already signed Unilever and Microsoft as sponsors, though there's still room for a title sponsor to step through the door.

If that happens, Lotus F1 will have more cash flow than the team has ever had in the past.

As Autosport.com points out, Gerard Lopez, Genii Capital owner, had previously expressed interest in owning Lotus. Now that the company has a new owner, that seems to be more feasible. Even so, Lopez says he's not certain what the new owners intend to do with the brand.

Lotus F1 no longer sponsored by Group Lotus, team to keep name originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onegenii capitalgroup lotuslotus f1protonMon, 09 Apr 2012 08:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20210880/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/lotus-f1-no-longer-sponsored-by-group-lotus-team-to-keep-name/20210880/article-detail.xml 20210880 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lotus-f1-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lotus-f1-628.jpg -1 2