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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[Race Recap: 2013 Chinese Grand Prix a test of tires, carnage and a fight for second [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/race-recap-2013-chinese-grand-prix-a-test-of-tires-carnage-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/race-recap-2013-chinese-grand-prix-a-test-of-tires-carnage-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/race-recap-2013-chinese-grand-prix-a-test-of-tires-carnage-and/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, China, Infiniti, Lotus, Ferrari, Renault, Racing, McLaren

Formula One fans and commentators have spent the three weeks since the Malaysian Grand Prix discussing two things more than any other: that pass, and tires. Sebastian Vettel spent days giving his tongue an Olympic workout on the verbal gymnastics parallel bars before finally admitting he passed his Infiniti Red Bull teammate Mark Webber on purpose partly for reasons of payback, partly out of a desire to win - he doesn't apologize for it and he would do it again.

Then came those Pirellis - every single driver and team representative interview touches on how important it is to understand the tires and manage their degradation. Two races in, though, it seems no team has any clue yet how to make the race-weekend compounds work predictably. The only thing predictable about the soft compound tires that Pirelli brought to China was that they would last for six laps, and that led to an odd qualifying session with drivers reluctant to leave the pits or even set a time.

It also led to the first pole position for an Englishman in a Mercedes-Benz since Stirling Moss did it in 1955.

Continue reading Race Recap: 2013 Chinese Grand Prix a test of tires, carnage and a fight for second [spoilers]

Race Recap: 2013 Chinese Grand Prix a test of tires, carnage and a fight for second [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chinese grand prixchinese grand prixEsteban Gutierrezf1fernando alonsoforce indiaformula onegrand prixjenson buttonlewis hamiltonmclarenrenaultsaubersebastian vettelsergio perezMon, 15 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST

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20540353 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/china-f1-gp-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/china-f1-gp-1.jpg <![CDATA[McLaren introduces the MP4-28 Formula One [w/videos]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/mclaren-introduces-the-mp4-28-formula-one-w-videos/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/mclaren-introduces-the-mp4-28-formula-one-w-videos/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/mclaren-introduces-the-mp4-28-formula-one-w-videos/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Racing, McLaren

McLaren F1 hasn't gone into much detail on the changes included in its brand new MP4-28, which might cause a double-take since it has the same lines and paint job as last year's car. We're told, however, that under the skin it is a new beast, team managing director Jonathan Neale saying that instead of evolving last year's race-winning car it made more sense to be more ambitious and provide a more open-ended development track.

The front suspension is a pull-rod type like the one used by Ferrari, which is a change from last year, and the sidepods and rear bodywork are probably the most notable of the other upgrades. McLaren hopes the "deep and sweeping re-design" will avoid the mid-season slump of last year; the team had the fastest car to start and end the 2012 season, but it played catch-up during the meaty part of the year. As we can expect with probably every major team on the grid, upgrades are already planned, McLaren saying there's a big package being prepared for the second test.

Returning driver Jenson Button now leads the team after Lewis Hamilton's departure to Mercedes, and is paired with ex-Sauber driver Sergio Perez. Two videos below will get you a closer look at their steeds: The first video is the television presentation - the action starts at 31:52, the second gets some close-up shots of the silver bullet.

Continue reading McLaren introduces the MP4-28 Formula One [w/videos]

McLaren introduces the MP4-28 Formula One [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The track between the lakes, the Circuit d'Interlagos in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yet again served up a fitting finale to the Formula One season. There were all kinds of ways for the two Driver's Championship contenders - Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull and Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari - to win and lose during the 71 laps of the Brazilian Grand Prix, and that was before the rain, before the yellow flags and safety car periods, and before the accidents.

The World Championship lead swapped hands at least three times during the race. By the end of Lap One, in fact, it was a fair question if either driver would have hands, or a car, steady enough to hold it...

Continue reading 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix: The circle is complete, and what a circle it's been [spoilers]

2012 Brazilian Grand Prix: The circle is complete, and what a circle it's been [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 brazilian grand prixbrazilf1fernando alonsoferrariformula 1interlagosjenson buttonlewis hamiltonmclarenred bullsebastian vettelworld championshipMon, 26 Nov 2012 13:45:00 EST

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20388045 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/bgp1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/bgp1.jpg <![CDATA[Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button get animated in McLaren F1 cartoon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/lewis-hamilton-and-jenson-button-get-animated-in-mclaren-f1-cart/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/lewis-hamilton-and-jenson-button-get-animated-in-mclaren-f1-cart/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/lewis-hamilton-and-jenson-button-get-animated-in-mclaren-f1-cart/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Videos, Celebrities

F1 racers Lewis Hamilton an Jenson Button get animated for Sky TV intro

The UK's BBC and Sky TV channels have split the broadcasting of Formula 1 races. Naturally, each channel puts together promos to showcase the upcoming race, such as the Beeb's recent stellar effort before the Monaco GP. In advance of last weekend's British GP, Sky aired the first in a series called Tooned, which will follow the capers of team drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

The shorts are being produced with British visual effects firm Framestore, who've taken home heaps of awards silverware of their own for commercials, music videos and movies like The Golden Compass and The Dark Knight. There will be 11 more to appear throughout the rest of the season, scroll down to watch the first.

Continue reading Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button get animated in McLaren F1 cartoon

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button get animated in McLaren F1 cartoon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren MP4-12C Spider

July 3 is going to be a bad day to be a Ferrari 458 Spider or a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. That's because on that day one week from now, McLaren will be releasing a Spider of its own.

Seeing as how McLaren Automotive currently only makes on model, you have doubtlessly surmised by now that we're speaking of a MP4-12C convertible. The long-anticipated Spider version is coming fast around the bend - but it's a good thing the Woking-based racing-team-turned-exotic-automaker didn't opt to release it at Goodwood, seeing as how the entire country is flush with rain at the moment.

McLaren isn't saying much about its new roadster, only that it's essentially the same as the coupe, albeit with an open roof. We're expecting a rather innovative take on the folding hard-top when the 12C Spider takes its first bow on the third, but in the meantime, you can check out the high-resolution image above and the video with Formula One ace Jenson Button and the press release below.

Continue reading McLaren previews new MP4-12C Spider [w/video]

McLaren previews new MP4-12C Spider [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren MP4-12C Union Jack

McLaren has announced that it will debut the 2013 MP4-12C at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. Jenson Button will whip a production prototype version of the machine up Goodwood Hill on June 30. McLaren has nudged final output from 593 horsepower to 616, and revised the throttle and shift mechanisms for better response. Designers have also thrown in a few more color and interior options. Buyers may now slather their MP4-12C in Volcano Yellow, and the cabin can be trimmed in perforated leather and Alcantara. The 2013 model will also be available with a new diamond cut wheel finish.

In addition to pitting the new model against the hill, McLaren will display the 2013 MP4-12C in the Goodwood Supercar Paddock so fans can get a closer look.

The company will also show off its new 12C GT3 race car, complete with a Union Jack livery, as seen in the image gallery above. Check out the full press release below.

Continue reading Updated McLaren MP4-12C to debut at Goodwood

Updated McLaren MP4-12C to debut at Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jenson Button

As far as F1 drivers go, Jenson Button is no proverbial spring chicken. He's been on the grid since the turn of the millennium, having debuted in 2000 with Williams before spending two years with Renault, seven seasons with the BAR/Honda/Brawn team and now he's in his second season with McLaren. But after winning the world championship two years back, he's currently sitting second behind Sebastian Vettel in the standings for this year's championship.

It's clear that Jenson's finally found his groove, and he's in no rush to change teams again. So it should come as no surprise that the British driver and the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team have signed to renew their contract for several more years to come. Though we haven't seen a press release, the signing is being widely covered in the motorsport press. It's undoubtedly a smart move for both team and driver, and one that could bring another title back to Woking and into his trophy case in the near future. We'll be watching.

Jenson Button renews with McLaren originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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20074295 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/button-singapore_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/button-singapore.jpg <![CDATA[McLaren MP4-12C deliveries on schedule; Jenson Button makes sure of it]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/12/mclaren-mp4-12c-deliveries-on-schedule-jenson-button-makes-sure/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/12/mclaren-mp4-12c-deliveries-on-schedule-jenson-button-makes-sure/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/12/mclaren-mp4-12c-deliveries-on-schedule-jenson-button-makes-sure/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Celebrities, MISC

Jenson Button arrives at new McLaren dealership

The McLaren Automotive Company (MAC for short) is presently holding a string of dealership grand opening ceremonies on a city-by-city basis around Europe. We caught up with them in Milan, Italy, at opening ceremony number five of the planned thirty-five ceremonies worldwide.

Located in the "expendable income" part of town, the dealership is more of a boutique storefront with a McLaren logo above a couple of the entryways. On the main part of the floor in the corner window is the star car, the MP4-12C, painted silver with a nice burgundy red interior.

Beautiful folks abounded, making us feel even drabber than usual. Then the moment arrived when the police escorted a black MP4-12C to a corded-off bit of curb in front of the showroom. Up went the driver's side swan door and out came McLaren F1 driver and 2009 Formula One Drivers Champion, Jenson Button. Click through the jump to read more and watch a video of Button's arrival.

Continue reading McLaren MP4-12C deliveries on schedule; Jenson Button makes sure of it

McLaren MP4-12C deliveries on schedule; Jenson Button makes sure of it originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jensen Button drives an F1 car at Bathurst in Australia

Jenson Button laps Bathurst - Click above to view video after the jump

Jenson Button has become the first person to ever run an F1 car around Australia's legendary Mount Panorama Bathurst circuit. In an event organized by Vodafone, Button and Australian V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes traded laps in a 2008 McLaren MP4-23 car.

Button went out first and ran five laps of the circuit, clocking a best lap of 1:48 before coming in and giving Lowndes a turn. Lowndes' laps made him the first Australian to ever take an F1 car around Bathurst, beating Australian F1 superstar Mark Webber to the punch. Lowndes' best lap was a 1:49.

Click past the jump to see a video of Lowdes and Button's F1 laps, and some hot laps from Lowndes' Holden Commodore supercar.

[Source: YouTube via V8Supercars]

Continue reading Jenson Button becomes first to run Bathurst in an F1 car [w/video]

Jenson Button becomes first to run Bathurst in an F1 car [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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19887884 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/button-f1-bathurst_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/button-f1-bathurst.jpg <![CDATA[Radical new McLaren MP4-26 Formula 1 car unveiled in Berlin]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/06/radical-new-mclaren-mp4-26-formula-1-car-unveiled-in-berlin/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/06/radical-new-mclaren-mp4-26-formula-1-car-unveiled-in-berlin/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/06/radical-new-mclaren-mp4-26-formula-1-car-unveiled-in-berlin/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Racing

2011 McLaren MP4-26

2011 McLaren MP4-26 - Click above for high-res image gallery

While rival Formula 1 teams unveiled their new 2011 challengers at or before the recently test session at Valencia, McLaren opted to run its 2010 F1 car instead. The reason? Ostensibly to focus on the varied effects the new Pirelli tires. This week in Berlin, however, the British Formula 1 outfit joined the field and took the wraps off its new racer, the MP4-26, revealing a number of innovative and radical design elements.

In the German capital, the team rolled out the car in pieces and put it together in front of the gathered crowd (not unlike the funny Vodafone video starring Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton). McLaren used a plastic engine and exhaust system so as not to reveal all their secrets, but what we do know is that MP4-26 F1 car features a longer-than-usual wheelbase, an even higher nosecone than its rivals, and odd U-shaped sidepods. That last feature is designed to channel cleaner air to the new rear wing in an effort to regain downforce lost from the regulatory elimination of the double diffuser.

The MP4-26 is also the first McLaren Formula 1 car designed to accomodate Jenson Button's taller frame, since last year's racer was largely finalized before his release from Brawn GP. McLaren remains secretive on the rest of the design, releasing only the handful of images you can see in the gallery below. Has McLaren got enough tricks up its sleeve to drive Button or Hamilton to another title? We'll just have to wait and see.

Gallery: 2011 McLaren MP4-26

[Source: McLaren]

Radical new McLaren MP4-26 Formula 1 car unveiled in Berlin originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 formula one world championship2011 mclaren mp4-26f1formula 1formula onejenson buttonlewis hamiltonmclarenmclaren mercedesmclaren mp4-26vodafone mclaren mercedesSun, 06 Feb 2011 09:48:00 EST

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19830416 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/web630mp4-26front34_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/web630mp4-26front34.jpg <![CDATA[Formula One drivers loathe technology creep]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/05/formula-one-drivers-loathe-technology-creep/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/05/formula-one-drivers-loathe-technology-creep/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/05/formula-one-drivers-loathe-technology-creep/#commentsFiled under: Motorsports, Technology, Racing

2010 Red Bull Racing RB6

Are Formula One cars getting too sophisticated? A handful of drivers think so... and they're beginning to speak out about the technology creep invading their vehicles. A modern F1 car utilizes aerodynamics that are adjustable on the fly and a steering wheel fitted with more buttons than Jenson's last family reunion.

Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing feels that driving his car is akin to jailbreaking a phone. The drivers need 100% of their focus on the race, and pushing a button to adjust the rear spoiler can take away from that. Weber isn't alone with these feelings as Rubens Barichello and Nico Rosberg have expressed similar sentiments.

Driving a Forumla One car is one of the most demanding jobs on the planet. It takes levels of concentration far above what the average person expands on another round of Angry Birds. Adding greater levels of sophistication and complexity sounds like it makes the already difficult task of keeping the machine on the road that much harder.

[Source: Crunch Gear]

Formula One drivers loathe technology creep originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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19828113 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/webrb6_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/webrb6.jpg <![CDATA[McLaren MP4-12C enters production, Hamilton and Button celebrate [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/02/mclaren-mp4-12c-enters-production-hamilton-and-button-celebrate/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/02/mclaren-mp4-12c-enters-production-hamilton-and-button-celebrate/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/02/mclaren-mp4-12c-enters-production-hamilton-and-button-celebrate/#commentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Videos

McLaren MP4-12C at Goodwood

McLaren MP4-12C at Goodwood - Click above to watch the video after the break

The very first McLaren MP4-12C built for public consumption has begun to make its way through the production process. Chassis 01 isn't quite finished yet, as you can see by our high-res image gallery below, but it will be soon enough and McLaren plans to build up to 999 more in 2011.

Starting at $229,000, the MP4-12C is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 that produces 600 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Prototype versions have been out running at various locations and events, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed and a very snowy Top Gear Test Track.

To celebrate Chassis 01 entering production, McLaren has put together a short clip that highlights its past year of testing. Click past the jump to watch Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button put the McLaren MP4-12C through a set of workouts.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C enters production

McLaren MP4-12C enters production

McLaren MP4-12C enters production

McLaren MP4-12C enters production

McLaren MP4-12C enters production

McLaren MP4-12C enters production

[Source: McLaren, YouTube]

Continue reading McLaren MP4-12C enters production, Hamilton and Button celebrate [w/video]

McLaren MP4-12C enters production, Hamilton and Button celebrate [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jenson Button attacked

Here's what we know. According to The Press Association, reigning Formula One World Champion Jenson Button has survived an armed attack on the vehicle in which he, his father, trainer and manager were being transported back to their hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil after Saturday's qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Button was fortunately riding in an armored vehicle provided by his team, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, that was piloted by a police driver trained in avoidance techniques.

According to Button himself, the attack occurred while his vehicle was moving slowly past a shanty town in Sao Paulo. Six armed attackers, reportedly brandishing machine guns, attacked the vehicle, though Button doesn't mention whether shots were fired or his vehicle was hit. He has, however, praised his driver, who he says "bounced off about five cars" while ferrying the party from harm's way. That's quite a compliment coming from the reigning World Champion.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes also provided Button's teammate Lewis Hamilton with an armored vehicle and trained police driver. The precautions were reportedly taken on account of the high number of gun crimes in Sao Paulo. We're not sure if that's standard procedure for all F1 teams visiting Brazil this weekend, but we bet it will be in the future. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: UKPA]

Jenson Button escapes armed attack in Brazil originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 00:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton doing the Magic Bus thing to Silverstone - Click above to watch video after the jump

Now that the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team has two World Championship Winning drivers who don't hiss and break into hives when they hear each others' names, principal sponsor Vodafone is making the most of it. Recently the two built - and we use that word loosely - one of their own cars. More recently, for a spot of fun before Silverstone, Hamilton and Button hopped into a 1966 VW Camper and drove from the McLaren Technical Center to the track, stopping at a gas station along the way to hand out race tickets. You'll find the shenanigans in the video after the jump. Great tip, Focus!

[Source: Vodafone-McLaren F1]

Continue reading Video: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton hit the road to Silverstone in a VW Bus

Video: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton hit the road to Silverstone in a VW Bus originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1Formula1Jenson ButtonJensonButtonlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclarenmclaren F1MclarenF1silverstonesilverstone circuitsilverstone grand prixSilverstoneCircuitSilverstoneGrandPrixVodafonevodafone mclaren mercedesVodafoneMclarenMercedesMon, 12 Jul 2010 17:01:00 EST

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Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren crypt - Click above to watch video after the jump

Objects have a way of moving through time in a way that we as mere humans can only dream of. Given the proper storage environment, limited humidity, a little care and a lot of good luck, a car can sail through the decades without a scratch. While owners fade to dust and the powers that brought them from vision to reality wander from memory, the vehicles themselves continue on just as they were in the moments of their highest glory. If you've been very, very lucky, you just might have experienced something like the video after the jump.

While we doubt too many people get private tours of the McLaren storage center, it's entirely possible that you've had a one-on-one moment with a special car of some kind. Maybe it belonged to an uncle, grandfather or parent, or maybe you reached out and touched a famous racer while the museum guards weren't watching. Either way, it's easy to feel the weight of years slip off so that you might make a connection with another point in time.

A new video has cropped up showing Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton as they poke around in the McLaren garage, and what they find is something more than special. Hop the jump to see for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Heroes on Heroes - Hamilton, Button visit McLaren's crypt

Video: Heroes on Heroes - Hamilton, Button visit McLaren's crypt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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To the victor go the spoils. It's an age-old adage, and with good reason. But after winning the world championship last year, Jenson Button had another battle on his hands.

In negotiating his contract with Brawn GP for last season, Button reportedly agreed to a salary cut given the team's drastically reduced budget compared to the well-funded Honda years. A clause, however improbable it may have seemed at the time, was included in the contract that stipulated that, should Button win the championship, he'd be entitled to keep one of the cars with which he won it.

After the season was done, Button moved to McLaren and Mercedes bought the Brawn team, the chassis wasn't delivered. Offering instead to build Button a replica, the team reportedly claimed there weren't enough chassis to go around, so Button's company took the team to court.

The parties have reportedly since settled out of court and Button is due to take possession of his championship-winning car. But if you thought he had an easy ride to the title, claiming the prize apparently proved anything but.

[Source: ESPN]

Jenson Button sues Brawn-Mercedes for championship-winning car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnbrawn gpBrawnGpbuttoncourtf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnejenson buttonJensonButtonlegalmercedes gpMercedesGpThu, 24 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST

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Hamilton and Button try their hand at mechanics - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Grand Prix racing sure has come a long way since the old days of driving your car to the track, lining up on the grid and fixing problems yourself track-side. Just how far? Well, the two reigning world champions had to find out the hard way.

In a promotional video for McLaren's title sponsor Vodafone, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were left to hand-assemble their own F1 car, without any help. Shameless marketing ploy? Sure, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a watch, so check it out in the video after the jump, where you'll clearly see a better team dynamic than Lewis enjoyed with Fernando Alonso back in the day.

[Source: YouTube via PistonHeads]

Continue reading Video: Lewis and Jenson put their McLaren together themselves

Video: Lewis and Jenson put their McLaren together themselves originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bedazzled wheels and helmets

Lewis & Jenson's diamond-encrusted steering wheels and helmets, 2010 Monaco GP
Click above or below-right for high-res image gallery

We've seen F1 teams pulling all kinds of shtick in an effort to edge out the competition. But embedding diamonds into the helmets and steering wheels? Well, it seemed to work in 2008 for Lewis Hamilton, and he, for one, is hoping it'll work again this year at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix.

McLaren has partnered with Steinmetz Diamonds to carry off the bedazzling, creating commemorative wreath emblems for both its world champions. The results were unveiled on Wednesday at Steinmetz's villa in Monte Carlo, and both Hamilton and Button will be using them during this weekend's race. Only in Monaco, kids. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: McLaren]

Continue reading McLaren gives Button and Hamilton extra bling for good luck

McLaren gives Button and Hamilton extra bling for good luck originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 May 2010 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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19476151 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/web-absteinmetz-mclaren_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/web-absteinmetz-mclaren.jpg <![CDATA[Poll: Sir Richard Branson, Jeremy Clarkson best fit for UK transportation minister job]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/12/poll-sir-richard-branson-jeremy-clarkson-best-fit-for-uk-trans/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/12/poll-sir-richard-branson-jeremy-clarkson-best-fit-for-uk-trans/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/12/poll-sir-richard-branson-jeremy-clarkson-best-fit-for-uk-trans/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, UK, Celebrities, Humor

If you've stuck your head outside of the automotive maelstrom for half a second, you've probably caught wind of the fact that the UK is going through a major political shake up right now. Jolly Old has just appointed David Cameron from the Conservative Party as its new Prime Minister, and that means plenty of change is in store.. That also means that a new Transportation Minister is likely to pop up in the near future. According to a new AA/Populous pole, the Brits wouldn't mind seeing Sir Richard Branson or Jeremy Clarkson at the head of transportation.

The survey found that 26 percent of those polled could potentially see the head of the Virgin empire call the transportation shots. Even more surprising, Jeremy Clarkson pulled down 24 percent of the vote. It's hard to imagine a world in which Jezza calls the transportation shots. Caravans, hybrids, bicycles and most American vehicles would be forsaken in favor of Ariel Atoms and a selection of supercar hardware. You know, on second thought that doesn't sound so bad... minus the lack of nice American iron, of course.

The survey asked participants to choose between a list of 15 non-governmental celebrities and business people. While Branson and Clarkson took the lion's share of the votes, poor Jenson Button walked away with less than a six-percent vote of confidence.

[Source: Fleet Directory | Image: AFP/Getty]

Poll: Sir Richard Branson, Jeremy Clarkson best fit for UK transportation minister job originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 May 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ClarksonJenson ButtonJensonButtonJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonJezzaRichard BransonRichardBransonSir Richard BransonSirRichardBransonTransportation MinisterTransportationMinisterUK Transportation MinisterUkTransportationMinisterVirginWed, 12 May 2010 09:01:00 EST

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19470799 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/clarkson-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/clarkson-630.jpg <![CDATA[Live Shots: McLaren MP4-12C takes the stage at company unveiling]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/18/mclaren-mp4-12c-takes-the-stage-at-company-unveiling/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/18/mclaren-mp4-12c-takes-the-stage-at-company-unveiling/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/18/mclaren-mp4-12c-takes-the-stage-at-company-unveiling/#commentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, UK

McLaren MP4-12C at company unveiling - Click above for high-res image gallery

Early this morning, at least in the U.S., McLaren Automotive had a coming out party in its home town of Woking, England. We were there in person and witnessed the unveiling of not only a new sports car company, McLaren Automotive, but also its flagship product: The MP4-12C. This will be the first of an entire range of new McLaren sports cars, and the company best know for its exploits on the F1 race circuit appears to have built a doozy of a supercar to kick things off.

McLaren F1 drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were on hand at McLaren's technology center to pull back the sheet on the MP4-12C. The rear-wheel-drive supercar features a mid-mounted 3.8-liter V8 producing 600 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque with an 8,000-rpm redline. Comparisons with the legendary McLaren F1 will no doubt be made, but no performance numbers are available for the MP4-12C yet and, we suspect, their missions in life are not exactly the same. The MP4-12C appears to be a supercar you could live with on a daily basis, more like a Gallardo than a Murciélago (though we suspect it might leave both in the dust).

Since we were there, we also meandered about McLaren's facilities and captured stills of a bare MP4-12C chassis, rolling bodies on the assembly line, the XP11 prototype that was used for testing and various historical McLaren automobiles that were hanging out in the lobby. Check out the virtual tour of today's big event in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C At Company Unveiling

Photos by Vlad Savov / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Live Shots: McLaren MP4-12C takes the stage at company unveiling originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jenson buttonJensonButtonlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclarenmclaren automotivemclaren mp4-12cMclarenAutomotiveMclarenMp4-12cmp4-12cThu, 18 Mar 2010 19:56:00 EST

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