Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Taming Monza at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/09/taming-the-monza-at-the-2012-italian-grand-prix-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/09/taming-the-monza-at-the-2012-italian-grand-prix-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/09/taming-the-monza-at-the-2012-italian-grand-prix-spoilers/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Italian Grand Prix

F1 tracks come and F1 tracks go, but F1 wouldn't be F1 without Monza. It's one of the oldest circuits on the grand prix calendar, and also one of the fastest. It has the chicanes and hairpins and long straights that make it one of the most exciting tracks in the sport. It's also the spiritual home of motor racing in Italy, which despite a dearth of drivers currently in the series, remains one of the most ardent fan bases for Formula One in the entire world. So with twelve out of twenty races completed thus far this season, the circus rolled in to Monza for the 2012 Italian Grand Prix. Read on to see how it went.

Continue reading Taming Monza at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix [spoilers]

Taming Monza at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 italian grand prixf1formula 1formula onegrand prixitalian grand prixmonzaSun, 09 Sep 2012 19:22:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20319431/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/09/taming-the-monza-at-the-2012-italian-grand-prix-spoilers/20319431/article-detail.xml 20319431 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/1280x800web_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/1280x800web.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Italian Grand Prix put the pedal to the metal [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/11/2011-italian-grand-prix-was-full-of-surprises-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/11/2011-italian-grand-prix-was-full-of-surprises-spoilers/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/11/2011-italian-grand-prix-was-full-of-surprises-spoilers/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 Italian Grand Prix

Over the last five years, four different drivers have won the Italian Grand Prix. All of them were on the grid for this year's race. In fact, if you go back for ten, the only Monza winner who isn't still in F1 is Juan Pablo Montoya, long since departed for the heavier machines and banked ovals of NASCAR. There's just something about the track just outside of Milan that puts champions in their groove and beckons them back again, year after year.

So, who would win this year? Would Michael Schumacher notch up his sixth win at Monza? Would Rubens Barrichello overcome all the odds to win his fourth? Would Alonso or Vettel rack up their third? Or would we see a new winner altogether? Follow the jump to find out.

Continue reading 2011 Italian Grand Prix put the pedal to the metal [spoilers]

2011 Italian Grand Prix put the pedal to the metal [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onegrand prixitalian grand prixitalymonzaSun, 11 Sep 2011 11:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20039776/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/11/2011-italian-grand-prix-was-full-of-surprises-spoilers/20039776/article-detail.xml 20039776 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/web013italy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/web013italy.jpg <![CDATA[Ken Blocked: Rally driver too big for F1 car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/01/ken-blocked-rally-driver-too-big-for-f1-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/01/ken-blocked-rally-driver-too-big-for-f1-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/01/ken-blocked-rally-driver-too-big-for-f1-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

ken block

Ken Block was prepared to suit up for some seat time in Pirelli's Toyota TF109 Formula One test car. Problem is, the car wasn't prepared to suit Block. The man is too large for the seat, which typically holds diminutive F1 pilots. No, he's not too fat, Block is just too tall to fit inside the car.

According to Autosport, Block was able to wrangle his Gymkhana-built body into the cockpit of the slim racer, but once team members tried to attach the steering wheel, fit issues became clear. Those who helped organize the test are looking into alternative vehicles for Block to drive. His test date was scheduled for August 5 at Monza's Italian Grand Prix. No word on whether the test has been pushed to a later date pending further modifications to the car or.... umm... Block.

Ken Blocked: Rally driver too big for F1 car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula onegymkhanaitalian grand prixken blockken block f1ken block f1 testmonzapirellitoyota f1toyota tf109Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19981378/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/01/ken-blocked-rally-driver-too-big-for-f1-car/19981378/article-detail.xml 19981378 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/kenblock1-1307966319_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/kenblock1-1307966319.jpg <![CDATA[Titans clash at the 2010 Italian Grand Prix [Spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/2010-italian-grand-prix-channels-the-clash-of-the-titans-spoile/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/2010-italian-grand-prix-channels-the-clash-of-the-titans-spoile/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/2010-italian-grand-prix-channels-the-clash-of-the-titans-spoile/#commentsFiled under: ,

2010 Italian Grand Prix
2010 Italian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

"When all is said and done," wrote the English poet Margaret Sackville, "monotony may after all be the best condition for creation." That may be, but it sure doesn't bode well for motorsport, where the domination of a single team can (and often does) lead to boring racing.

Enthusiasts tuning in for Saturday qualifying have been met with just such monotony, as Red Bull Racing has taken the pole in all but two races so far. The exceptions came when Lewis Hamilton took pole (and rode it all the way to the checkered flag) in Montreal, and this weekend, where the final starting grid could hardly have given the local fans more hope if Silvio Berlusconi, Leonardo da Vinci or Luciano Pavarotti had taken it himself. Follow the jump to find out how it went down.


Gallery: 2010 Italian Grand Prix

Continue reading Titans clash at the 2010 Italian Grand Prix [Spoilers]

Titans clash at the 2010 Italian Grand Prix [Spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 italian grand prix2010ItalianGrandPrixf1formula oneFormulaOnegrand prixGrandPrixitalian gpitalian grand prixItalianGpItalianGrandPrixmonzaSun, 12 Sep 2010 14:19:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19630158/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/12/2010-italian-grand-prix-channels-the-clash-of-the-titans-spoile/19630158/article-detail.xml 19630158 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/italyf1gpopeningweb630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/italyf1gpopeningweb630.jpg <![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: All That and More at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/13/spoiler-alert-all-that-and-more-at-the-2009-italian-grand-prix/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/13/spoiler-alert-all-that-and-more-at-the-2009-italian-grand-prix/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/13/spoiler-alert-all-that-and-more-at-the-2009-italian-grand-prix/#commentsFiled under:


2009 Italian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the midst of a Formula One season that's been anything but ordinary, how would you envision an ideal race to unfold? Ferrari and McLaren back on top? The two teams are responsible for most of the championships over the course of the past couple of decades, after all. The title-leading Brawn GP team taking another dominant victory? They've won over half the races so far this season. A new underdog to pull a surprise performance out of its hat? Nothing would surprise us at this point. Maybe some exciting wheel-to-wheel action and surprise spin-outs to shake up the order at the last minute?

How about all of the above? Because that and more is this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza had in store for race fans in one of the most exciting, surprising and pivotal races so far this season. Follow the jump to read how it unfolded.


Gallery: 2009 Italian Grand Prix


Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: All That and More at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: All That and More at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 formula one world championship2009FormulaOneWorldChampionshipf1featuredfia formula one world championshipFiaFormulaOneWorldChampionshipformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnegrand prixGrandPrixitalian grand prixItalianGrandPrixitalymonzaSun, 13 Sep 2009 13:48:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19159609/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/13/spoiler-alert-all-that-and-more-at-the-2009-italian-grand-prix/19159609/article-detail.xml 19159609 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/italiangp09-webopt-08_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/italiangp09-webopt-08.jpg <![CDATA[Rain Supreme: Big surprises at soaked Italian Grand Prix (SPOILER ALERT)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/rain-supreme-big-surprises-at-soaked-italian-grand-prix-spoile/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/rain-supreme-big-surprises-at-soaked-italian-grand-prix-spoile/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/rain-supreme-big-surprises-at-soaked-italian-grand-prix-spoile/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Italian Grand Prix

Racing fans are used to tuning in on the Saturday of a grand prix weekend to find the words "Scuderia" and "Ferrari" at the top of the qualifying list. But interrupted by the words "Toro Rosso"? Never. But that was only the first of many surprises at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel shockingly secured his first pole position thanks to some exceedingly brilliant driving joined with good strategy on the part of his Ferrari-powered Scuderia Toro Rosso team, which wisely stuck with the extreme wet tires on the rain-soaked Monza circuit while others experimented with intermediate treads. The young German's unprecedented qualifying performance put him in the record books as the youngest driver ever to secure a pole position, supplanting Fernando Alonso's previous record. But with so many other drivers with more experience and backed by teams with immensely bigger budgets, surely Vettel's lead would quickly be stolen by an established front-runner. Wouldn't it? Follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: 2008 Italian Grand Prix

Continue reading Rain Supreme: Big surprises at soaked Italian Grand Prix (SPOILER ALERT)

Rain Supreme: Big surprises at soaked Italian Grand Prix (SPOILER ALERT) originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f onef1FOneformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOneitalian gpitalian grand prixItalianGpItalianGrandPrixmonzamonza f1monza gpMonzaF1MonzaGpscuderia toro rossoScuderiaToroRossosebastian vettelSebastianVettelMon, 15 Sep 2008 10:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1313577/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/15/rain-supreme-big-surprises-at-soaked-italian-grand-prix-spoile/1313577/article-detail.xml 1313577 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/01_08_italy_gp_450op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/01_08_italy_gp_450op.jpg <![CDATA[F1 scandal? Michelin to Bridgestone: j'accuse!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/f1-scandal-michelin-to-bridgestone-jaccuse/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/f1-scandal-michelin-to-bridgestone-jaccuse/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/15/f1-scandal-michelin-to-bridgestone-jaccuse/#commentsFiled under:

The bizarre goings-on in the wake of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, which have included accusations (since withdrawn) of the FIA effectively "fixing" the world championship, took another twist this week, as French tire maker Michelin suggested that Bridgestone was using illegal chemical treatments to enhance the performance of its tires.

The latest controversy centers around a photograph of a Bridgestone tire technician, taken at the Italian Grand Prix, which shows the technician wearing the sort of protective apron and face mask normally worn to handle toxic chemicals. According to Michelin, none of the normal activities of a tire tech on a race weekend - mounting and dismounting tires, setting inflation pressures, and cutting open tires for post-race inspection - would require this sort of protection.

On the other hand, chemical treatment of tires to enhance traction - a prohibited practice known as "tire doping" - involves highly toxic carcinogens in liquid or aerosol form, and suitable protective gear would be highly advisable. Such chemical treatments are widely available (one such commercial product is shown at right) and commonly used by amateur racers to extend the useful life of their expensive race tires. And yes, it really works.

The FIA responded by saying that Bridgestone explained the unusual garb to the satisfaction of the governing body, and according to a spokesman, "We...have absolutely no concerns."

[Sources: Reuters, Autosport via Winding Road]

F1 scandal? Michelin to Bridgestone: j'accuse! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bridgestonef1formula 1Formula1italian grand prixmichelintire treatmentFri, 15 Sep 2006 11:52:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/669364/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/09/15/f1-scandal-michelin-to-bridgestone-jaccuse/669364/article-detail.xml 669364 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/tiretreatment2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/tiretreatment2.jpg -1 2