Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mercedes Grand Prix searches for drivers while dispelling board's concerns]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/mercedes-grand-prix-searches-for-drivers-while-dispelling-board/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/mercedes-grand-prix-searches-for-drivers-while-dispelling-board/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/mercedes-grand-prix-searches-for-drivers-while-dispelling-board/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The new Mercedes GP car rendered - Click above to view in high-resolution

With two manufacturers leaving the series, four new teams joining the grid and a giant game of musical chairs amongst the drivers ensuing, the off-season between the 2009 and 2010 Formula One World Championships is packing in as much action as the racing itself. But few developments have garnered as much attention as the coup orchestrated by Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, withdrawing from McLaren after fifteen years as its active partner in favor of a more conventional engine supplier role, while buying over 75% of the Brawn GP outfit to enter the sport as a full manufacturer team under the Mercedes Grand Prix banner.

The acquisition has drawn public criticism from Erich Klemm, employee representative on the Daimler board and chairman of its Corporate Works Council, who decried the move as an unnecessary cost when money is tight and other automakers are withdrawing from the series. Chairman Dieter Zetsche responded that the acquisition of the Brawn team will give the company more exposure for less cash: The deal reportedly cost the German automaker some $336 million, but its operating costs are expected to drop to about $74 million annually by 2011, analyzed as far less than what Mercedes was contributing annually to the McLaren budget.

Zetsche might have more trouble, however, explaining to the board how their star driver slipped through their fingers and defected to the team they just ditched. McLaren just announced the recruitment of Jenson Button to team up with Lewis Hamilton for a twin-champ "super team," and Rubens Barrichello is off to Williams next season, leaving the new Mercedes GP team looking for new drivers. Considering they're the reigning champions suddenly flush with cash, they shouldn't have much trouble, though.

Zetsche and Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug are reportedly keen to capitalize with an all-German line-up, fueling speculation that Michael Schumacher could rejoin Mercedes (whose junior driving program gave him his start) and Brawn (who orchestrated all seven of his world championships). Nico Rosberg is thought to already have signed on to switch places with Barrichello, while Nick Heidfeld has been linked with a switch from the departing BMW to its arch-rival Mercedes. Toyota's Timo Glock was also reportedly in the running, but the young German driver signed with newcomer Manor GP instead. Haug has indicated an announcement will come within the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.

[Source: F1 Live]

Mercedes Grand Prix searches for drivers while dispelling board's concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barrichellobuttonbutton mclarenButtonMclarendaimlerDieter ZetscheDieterZetscheerich klemmErichKlemmglockhamiltonhaugheidfeldheikki kovalainenHeikkiKovalainenjenson buttonJensonButtonlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclarenmercedesmercedes gpmercedes grand prixmercedes-benzMercedesGpMercedesGrandPrixnick heidfeldNickHeidfeldnorbert haugNorbertHaugrubens barrichelloRubensBarrichellotimo glockTimoGlockzetscheWed, 18 Nov 2009 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: Getting Back to Work at the 2009 European Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/spoiler-alert-getting-back-to-work-at-the-2009-european-grand-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/spoiler-alert-getting-back-to-work-at-the-2009-european-grand-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/spoiler-alert-getting-back-to-work-at-the-2009-european-grand-p/#commentsFiled under: ,

2009 European Grand Prix at Valencia - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever come back from vacation only to feel like you need another vacation? We've all been there, so we can all empathize with the performers in the Formula One circus. After the last grand prix in Hungary, the premier racing series took a much-needed break for nearly a month, ostensibly to regain their energy and regroup for the final rounds.

But for most parties, the would-be vacation proved to be anything but restful. On top of all the usual off-track posturing that typically occurs between races, two teams had to replace their drivers, a former multiple world champion nearly came back out of retirement, a major automaker announced its withdrawal from the sport, a whole slew of legal battles were fought, and all the parties ratified a new comprehensive commercial agreement for the years ahead. So much for a vacation.

Recuperated or not, however, it was back to work this weekend for the 2009 European Grand Prix, held for only the second time at the Valencia circuit on Spain's sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, where everybody had something to prove. Follow the jump to read how it unfolded.


Gallery: 2009 European Grand Prix

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Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Getting Back to Work at the 2009 European Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Getting Back to Work at the 2009 European Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 euro gp2009 european grand prix2009EuroGp2009EuropeanGrandPrixbrawn gpBrawnGpeuroeuropeaneuropean grand prixEuropeanGrandPrixf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnegrand prixGrandPrixlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclarenmclaren mercedesmclaren-mercedesMclarenMercedesrubens barrichelloRubensBarrichellovalenciavalencia grand prixValenciaGrandPrixSun, 23 Aug 2009 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: Of Champions and Shadows at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/spoiler-alert-of-champions-and-shadows-at-the-2009-hungarian-gr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/spoiler-alert-of-champions-and-shadows-at-the-2009-hungarian-gr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/spoiler-alert-of-champions-and-shadows-at-the-2009-hungarian-gr/#commentsFiled under: ,

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

Jenson Button and his Brawn GP team cast a dominating shadow over the start of this year's Formula One World Championship, taking the checkered flag at six out of the seven races this season to take a commanding lead for the title. But as Button and Brawn cast a dark shadow over the competition, the skies over the paddock at this past weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix were darkened even further, with the drivers getting a taste of their own mortality after Felipe Massa was hospitalized with severe injuries to his head after being hit by a spring during Saturday's qualifying session.

Driving an F1 car - in a grand prix no less - takes an extraordinarily focused person, ignoring the laws of physics and all that can go wrong in order to even get some heat into the tires, much less extract the car's true performance potential. Winning a grand prix takes an even more rarified breed of individual, outgunning the other exceptionally talented and driven drivers to claim victory. Only 102 people have managed that feat in the history of the sport. But it takes a champion to see a fallen comrade and still marshal the fortitude to reel in the win.


Gallery: 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Of Champions and Shadows at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Of Champions and Shadows at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1ferrarifia formula one world championshipFiaFormulaOneWorldChampionshipformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnegrand prixGrandPrixhamiltonhungarian gphungarian grand prixHungarianGpHungarianGrandPrixhungaryhungary f1HungaryF1kimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmark webberMarkWebbermclarenmclaren mercedesmclaren-mercedesMclarenMercedesraikkonenred bullred bull racingred bull renaultred bull-renaultRedBullRedBull-renaultRedBullRacingRedBullRenaultscuderia ferrariScuderiaFerrariwebberMon, 27 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazing 1,500 fps video from the German Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/12/amazing-1-500-fps-video-from-german-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/12/amazing-1-500-fps-video-from-german-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/12/amazing-1-500-fps-video-from-german-gp/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above to watch the video after the break

Formula 1 is wicked fast, yet in super slow motion at 1500 fps, it can be almost as fun to watch. After the jump are two videos that are definitely worth your time. The first video shows the massive amounts of stress exerted on the F1 cars as they barrel around corners. At 1500 fps, they almost look as if they could come apart at any moment.

The second video demonstrates the importance of technique on the circuit. The video is an overlayed comparison of the third sector approaches of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton during the Friday practice session at the German Grand Prix. Vettel was faster than Hamilton through the first two sectors, but Hamilton passed him with a textbook brake and acceleration at the third chicane. Good stuff. Follow the jump for your viewing pleasure. Thanks to AC for providing us the original video after we inadvertently overwhelmed the servers at Axis of Oversteer!

[Source: Axis of Oversteer]

Continue reading Amazing 1,500 fps video from the German Grand Prix

Amazing 1,500 fps video from the German Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1 racingF1Racinglewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonsebastian vettelSebastianVettelSun, 12 Jul 2009 16:21:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: TAG Heuer names a winner in McQueen vs. Hamilton Duel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-tag-heuer-names-a-winner-in-mcqueen-vs-hamilton-duel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-tag-heuer-names-a-winner-in-mcqueen-vs-hamilton-duel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/video-tag-heuer-names-a-winner-in-mcqueen-vs-hamilton-duel/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

It's the stuff that dreams are made of. Gearhead dreams, anyway: Who would be the fastest between a racing icon of yesteryear and a champion of today? That's the question which Swiss watchmaker and longtime F1 sponsor TAG Heuer posed with its latest contest, The Duel.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the timeless Monaco wristwatch, TAG pitted two of its most famous brand ambassadors - the late great Steve McQueen and reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton - against each other with trick video editing. Online contestants registered their bets on who would win the virtual race, and three winners received a Monaco wristwatch, Hamilton helmet or a test drive in an F1 car. Follow the jump to watch the video and see which of the two TAG Heuer crowned as all-time champion of our imaginations. Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: TAG Heuer]

Continue reading VIDEO: TAG Heuer names a winner in McQueen vs. Hamilton Duel

VIDEO: TAG Heuer names a winner in McQueen vs. Hamilton Duel originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hamiltonhamilton v mcqueenHamiltonVMcqueenheuerlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmcqueenmcqueen vs hamiltonMcqueenVsHamiltonsteve mcqueenSteveMcqueentagtag heuerTagHeuerFri, 26 Jun 2009 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen moonlighting as cab drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/lewis-hamilton-heikki-kovalainen-moonlighting-as-cab-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/lewis-hamilton-heikki-kovalainen-moonlighting-as-cab-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/lewis-hamilton-heikki-kovalainen-moonlighting-as-cab-drivers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen in Vodafone's Taxi GP commercial - Click above to watch video

Vodafone has created an online game called Taxi Grand Prix that looks pretty neat. You choose a team of two actual taxi drivers on the roads in Great Britain, and when a race begins, the distance your two drivers travel whenever they have fares is added to your team's distance. Whichever team's drivers clock up 308 kilometers fastest wins.

To promote the game, the cell phone company has created a series of vids featuring McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen as boy racer black cabbies. In this intro spot, the two fight to get to a single fare in Spring Hill. Based on the amount of driving they do, it looks like the pickup is in Orkney. And while the spot is a bit of fun -- and the only time Heikki has been in front of Lewis all year -- the game itself looks a lot cooler than the commercial. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: The Sun]

Continue reading Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen moonlighting as cab drivers

Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen moonlighting as cab drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englandgamegamesgreat britainGreatBritainheikki kovalainenHeikkiKovalainenlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclarentaxitaxi gpTaxiGpvideovodafoneThu, 18 Jun 2009 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Oil Painting: Lewis Hamilton rendered in used Mobil 1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/oil-painting-lewis-hamilton-rendered-in-used-mobil-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/oil-painting-lewis-hamilton-rendered-in-used-mobil-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/oil-painting-lewis-hamilton-rendered-in-used-mobil-1/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Components from F1 cars - especially championship-winning F1 cars - don't go to waste. Collectors eagerly snap them up and put them on display as fast as the teams will release them. But in this case, the motor oil from Lewis Hamilton's title-winning McLaren-Mercedes MP4-24 was used to create a tribute to the driver.

The painting you see here (at right, click to view in high resolution) was commissioned by ExxonMobil from David Maculuso, who has been painting with recycled motor oil for several years. Macaluso describes the F1-spec Mobil 1 that ran through Hamilton's Mercedes V8 last year en route to the title as an ideal medium, the engine dirt suspended in the viscose giving the final work unique texture and depth. A limited run of 50 lithographic reproductions will be offered to the public, while the original will be displayed at ExxonMobil's pavilion at the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which conveniently coincides with National Oil Check Week in the UK. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: ExxonMobil]

Continue reading Oil Painting: Lewis Hamilton rendered in used Mobil 1

Oil Painting: Lewis Hamilton rendered in used Mobil 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exxonmobillewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmobilmobil 1Mobil1motor oilMotorOilrecycled motor oilRecycledMotorOilMon, 08 Jun 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[FIA imposes three-race ban on McLaren, then suspends it]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/fia-imposes-three-race-ban-on-mclaren-then-suspends-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/fia-imposes-three-race-ban-on-mclaren-then-suspends-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/fia-imposes-three-race-ban-on-mclaren-then-suspends-it/#commentsFiled under:


2009 Australian Grand Prix - Click above for a high-res gallery

The FIA World Motor Sport Counsel has issued, and then retracted, a three-race on ban on McLaren after an investigation discovered the F1 team mislead race stewards at the Australian Grand Prix.

The episode that led to the probe involved McLaren accusing Toyota's Jarno Trulli of overtaking Lewis Hamilton while the safety car was out, resulting in a 25-second penalty for Trulli and catapulting Hamilton to a third-place finish. Later, it was discovered that Hamilton had been in radio contact with his team, telling him to let Trulli pass. Hamilton was subsequently disqualified for lying to officials and soon thereafter made a public apology amidst rumors that the young champion would quit the sport. That didn't happen, and with the three-race ban retracted - unless additional evidence surfaces or another breach of the sporting code takes place in the next twelve months - McLaren and Hamilton are ready to race on May 10 at the Spanish GP.

According to the FIA, the council felt McLaren's handling of the situation, including the team's principal, Martin Whitmarsh, was "open and honest." You can find that gem, along with the rest of the FIA's statement in the brief release below the fold.


Gallery: 2009 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix


[Source: Formula1]

Continue reading FIA imposes three-race ban on McLaren, then suspends it

FIA imposes three-race ban on McLaren, then suspends it originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fialewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclarenthree race banThreeRaceBanWed, 29 Apr 2009 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Formula 1 fixture Ron Dennis quits McLaren Racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/report-formula-1-fixture-ron-dennis-quits-the-sport/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/report-formula-1-fixture-ron-dennis-quits-the-sport/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/report-formula-1-fixture-ron-dennis-quits-the-sport/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



McLaren F1 doesn't need to cheat to win, but for some reason they keep on doing it - cheating, that is. The team's most recent snafu is being called Liargate, and it has resulted in a McLaren sporting director being sacked, Lewis Hamilton talking of switching teams, Martin Whitmarsh fumbling to right the ship, and everyone expecting the FIA to sock McLaren with a scorching penalty.

The next act in the soap opera involves Ron Dennis. After 43 years in in the sport, the 61-year-old has just announced that he is exiting the company's racing operations, although he is reportedly adamant that the timing of his leaving the team is "purely coincidental." Buzz around the F1 campfire would indicate otherwise, with some suggesting that the move may be designed in part to curry favor with the FIA in hopes of showing the team some mercy during its hearing later this month.

Dennis isn't leaving the McLaren clan altogether, however. He will now work as executive chairman of McLaren automotive, which has been long rumored to be pursuing a new range of sports cars. The first model is still expected to arrive for 2011.

It is a regrettable way for Dennis to end four decades at the second winningest team in F1 history. However, in addition to trying to help the team avoid the FIA's wrath, the move is also expected to make Hamilton and his father much more amenable to remaining in the fold.

[Source: BBC | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

REPORT: Formula 1 fixture Ron Dennis quits McLaren Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewsf1fiaformula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOnelewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonliargatemclarenmclaren f1mclaren-mercedesMclarenF1ron dennisRonDennisThu, 16 Apr 2009 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Lewis Hamilton's future with McLaren said to be in doubt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/report-lewis-hamiltons-future-with-mclaren-said-to-be-in-doubt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/report-lewis-hamiltons-future-with-mclaren-said-to-be-in-doubt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/report-lewis-hamiltons-future-with-mclaren-said-to-be-in-doubt/#commentsFiled under: ,



Is Lewis Hamilton really on his way out at McLaren? The Daily Mail think it's a definite possibility. It seems the reigning World Champion still has some issues with his team after the so-called "Liargate" scandal robbed him of his hard-fought third-place finish in the season opener at Melbourne. We explained that scandal in our earlier post about the race, but briefly, Hamilton was allegedly told how to answer post-race questions about a safety-car passing incident by McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan. The team was found guilty of deliberately misleading the race stewards. Ryan was subsequently suspended and Lewis had all of his points taken away after offering an emotional public apology.

Normally, that would be that, but after another disappointing race in Malaysia, it seems Lewis and his manager/father Anthony are asking McLaren for a meeting. Speculation is that Hamilton may be asking for an early release from his contract -- if not immediately, than possibly at the end of the season. The Hamiltons are apparently concerned that the champion's personal reputation has been sullied as a result of the team's recent scandals. Anthony maintains that Lewis was merely following team orders, defying his own moral code in taking Ryan's advice. He adds that contractual obligations prevented Lewis from offering the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth when interviewed by the stewards. The fact that McLaren still faces further sanctions from the incident (including the possible suspension of team boss Martin Whitmarsh) could mean that Hamilton has more leverage in his negotiations.

If Hamilton does get out of his five-year contract, one scenario has him going to Ferrari, who is struggling even more than McLaren this season. We'd wager on Brawn GP making a bid, along with just about every other team as well. Whatever the outcome, we'll keep you posted.

[Sources: The Daily Mail, BBC, The Guardian]

REPORT: Lewis Hamilton's future with McLaren said to be in doubt originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dave RyanDaveRyanDavy RyanDavyRyanF1FIAFormula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOneLewis HamiltonLewisHamiltonLiargateMartin WhitmarshMartinWhitmarshMcLarenMcLaren-MercedesTue, 07 Apr 2009 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Hamilton, McLaren retroactively disqualified from Australian GP?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/hamilton-mclaren-retroactively-disqualified-from-australian-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/hamilton-mclaren-retroactively-disqualified-from-australian-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/hamilton-mclaren-retroactively-disqualified-from-australian-gp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The more things change, the more they stay the same. Last weekend's Australian Grand Prix, the season opener to the 2009 Formula One season, may have ushered in a new era in on-track competition, but the off-track politics are already back up to full swing.

Following the race, officials from the FIA convened to decide whether Toyota's Jarno Trulli had illegally passed McLaren's defending champion Lewis Hamilton behind the safety car. McLaren and Hamilton insisted the pass was illegal, but new evidence - namely radio transmissions between the two drivers and their pit crews - reportedly demonstrated indicated that Hamilton deliberately let Trulli by.

The new evidence was confirmed by a meeting of the FIA stewards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the second race of the season is scheduled to take place this coming weekend. Their decision? To take away Hamilton's and McLaren's points altogether, which may seem like a harsh punishment, but the stewards determined that Hamilton and McLaren had intentionally deceived the officials.

The adjusted rankings therefore bump Trulli up to third (in both the race results and the drivers' championship standings, since it was the first race of the season) and Toyota up to second in the constructors' championship, while McLaren remains outside the standings altogether as both their drivers were deemed not to have been classified in the race. Tune in on Sunday for our recap of the Malaysian Grand Prix, where hopefully the finishing order will actually be determined on the track and not in boardroom.

[Source: Autosport]

Hamilton, McLaren retroactively disqualified from Australian GP? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australian GPaustralian grand prixAustralianGpAustralianGrandPrixclassificationdisqualifiedf1fiafia stewardsFiaStewardsformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnehamiltonlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclarenmclaren-mercedesstewardstoyotatoyota f1ToyotaF1vodafone mclaren mercedesVodafoneMclarenMercedesThu, 02 Apr 2009 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: TAG Heuer pits Lewis Hamilton against Steve McQueen]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/video-tag-heuer-pits-lewis-hamilton-against-steve-mcqueen/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/video-tag-heuer-pits-lewis-hamilton-against-steve-mcqueen/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/video-tag-heuer-pits-lewis-hamilton-against-steve-mcqueen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to jump to the video
Pass by the local schoolyard and you're likely to hear a couple of kids arguing over which superhero would win in a fight, but continue down the street to the corner pub and the debate won't sound much different: Could __XX__ modern athlete beat ___XX___ legend. Of course, for both child and adult, the debate is entirely pointless, but imagination knows no bound... and modern technology can at least heighten the fantasy.

In this case, watchmaker TAG Heuer has taken two of its most famous brand ambassadors, the late, great Steve McQueen and reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, and put them together on screen in a fictitious face-off around Le Mans. The race results haven't yet been determined - there's a contest you can enter at the link below for a chance to win a new Monaco Gulf Chrono Limited Edition, one of Hamiltion's F1 helmets, or a chance to participate in an "F1 driving day." But even if you're not interested in the contest, you can watch the Robbie Williams-esque video after the jump for a good minute-forty's worth of entertainment.

[Source: TAG Heuer]

Continue reading VIDEO: TAG Heuer pits Lewis Hamilton against Steve McQueen

VIDEO: TAG Heuer pits Lewis Hamilton against Steve McQueen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>F1Formula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOneheuerLe MansLeManslewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmcqueenmcqueen hamiltonMcqueenHamiltonsteve mcqueenSteveMcqueentagtag heuerTagHeuervideoTue, 31 Mar 2009 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Hamilton, Schumacher slam new F1 scoring rules]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/hamilton-schumacher-slam-new-f1-scoring-rules/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/hamilton-schumacher-slam-new-f1-scoring-rules/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/hamilton-schumacher-slam-new-f1-scoring-rules/#commentsFiled under: ,



It appears that Formula One's new scoring system has few friends in the pitlane. Renault's Fernando Alonso and Toyota's Jarno Trulli have already blasted it, and now reigning champ Lewis Hamilton from McLaren and former champion Michael Schumacher have similarly disparaged the new system that awards the championship to whichever driver wins the most races. Hamilton went so far as to say, "I think it's a shame what's happening to Formula 1." We should note that had the new scoring system been in place last year, Ferrari's Felipe Massa would have been the driver's champ instead of Hamilton.

Schumacher said he liked the idea of making wins worth more, but couldn't imagine, "how it makes sense to eventually have a world champion who has less points than the driver coming in second." From our seat, Schumacher does have a point - a driver who collects 90 points with nine race wins and eight DNFs could beat the guy with 110 points who only won eight races. If nothing else, we can be thankful that, as Hamilton said, "Whatever the points system, I know that all Formula One drivers will always race our hearts out." Bring on the season already.

[Source: Daily F1]

Hamilton, Schumacher slam new F1 scoring rules originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drivers championdrivers championshipDriversChampionDriversChampionshipf1fiaformula 1Formula1lewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmichael schumacherMichaelSchumacherwmscFri, 20 Mar 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Wax On: Lewis Hamilton gets wax statue at Madame Tussauds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/19/wax-on-lewis-hamilton-gets-wax-statue-at-madame-tussauds/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/19/wax-on-lewis-hamilton-gets-wax-statue-at-madame-tussauds/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/19/wax-on-lewis-hamilton-gets-wax-statue-at-madame-tussauds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So, what's it take to get a wax statue of yourself at Madame Tussauds' museum in London? Exactly 300 separate measurements and an absolutely ridiculous $230,000. Oh yeah... managing to win a Formula 1 drivers championship probably helps your cause, too.

Lewis Hamilton, the youngest person ever to score an F1 driving title, has now been immortalized in wax at the aforementioned museum, joining life-sized figures of fellow racers Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher.

We've always found humanoid wax statues a bit off-putting, but we're sure young Hamilton feels honored to join such legends of motorsports. Plus, it will have to suffice until he wins his third championship, at which time McLaren has promised to give him his very own F1 LM supercar.


Gallery: Lewis Hamilton at Madame Tussauds


[Source: World Car Fans | Photos: Leon Neal and Tim Whitby/Getty]

Wax On: Lewis Hamilton gets wax statue at Madame Tussauds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lewis Hamilton controls F1 car via Blackberry Storm - Click above to watch video

Vodaphone is a huge mobile communications company, and it's also the primary sponsor of the McLaren Mercedes F1 team. The video after the jump shows just what their millions of dollars in sponsorship money can buy: a viral video staring Lewis Hamilton. Vodaphone makes the Blackberry Storm mobile smart phone, and the video kicks off with some office nerds who have hacked the Storm to control an R/C F1 car. They use the phone's built-in accelerometer so that turning the phone like a steering wheel controls the car's direction. The accelerator and the brake, meanwhile, are controlled via buttons on the phone's touch screen.

After publishing a video of their office grand prix on the web, the team of programmers is invited to the garage of McLaren Mercedes where team engineers have adapted the system to control Lewis Hamilton's actual F1 car. Hilarity ensues when Hamilton himself takes the car out on the track, sans driver, and does a lap behind the wheel of the Blackberry Storm. It's an amusing viral video and halfway convincing if we weren't willing to swear on our mothers that McLaren Mercedes would never allow its multi-million dollar F1 car to be controlled via a phone, let alone outfit the car with enough servos to actually perform the functions of steering, braking and changing gears. Follow the jump to watch for yourself. Hat tip to everyone and their mothers.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Lewis Hamilton controls F1 car via Blackberry Storm

VIDEO: Lewis Hamilton controls F1 car via Blackberry Storm originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberry stormBlackberryStormlewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclaren mercedesMclarenMercedesvodaphonevodaphone mclaren mercedesVodaphoneMclarenMercedesWed, 11 Mar 2009 14:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Hamilton gets the stamp of approval from Isle of Man Post Office]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/hamilton-gets-the-stamp-of-approval-from-isle-of-man-post-office/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/hamilton-gets-the-stamp-of-approval-from-isle-of-man-post-office/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/hamilton-gets-the-stamp-of-approval-from-isle-of-man-post-office/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Few countries have such unimpeachable car-crazed credentials than the Isle of Man. The semi-autonomous British island has no speed limits, boasts a fearsome TT road course, and is home to a handful of motorbike champions, former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell and even Jeremy Clarkson has a house there. Apparently, the love of motorsports hasn't escaped any crevice of Manx society -- not even the postal service -- which has announced it is issuing a set of stamps to honor Britain's new golden boy, recently crowned Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The six-stamp set, which will be released on January 15, will feature images from Hamilton's triumphant season, and follows the British Racing Greats which the Philatelic Bureau of the Isle of Man Post Office released earlier this year. A set of stamps might not quite measure up against the McLaren F1 LM supercar which Hamilton was promised as a reward for the title, but who knows, maybe letters will arrive at their destination a little faster with Lewis driving. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Isle of Man Post Office]

Continue reading Hamilton gets the stamp of approval from Isle of Man Post Office

Hamilton gets the stamp of approval from Isle of Man Post Office originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to watch the video after the jump

 The 2008 F1 Drivers World Championship was one of the most exciting in years. Over the course of its 18 races, several drivers and teams had noteworthy performances, with the championship ultimately being decided in the final corner of the final lap of the final race. Those who watched that the race in Brazil will undoubtedly remember the heartbreak of Felipe Massa's family and the jubilation of Lewis Hamilton's girlfriend. While some were quick to blame Timo Glock for his amazing reduction in pace into that final turn, others rightly know that a championship is about the whole season and not just one race. And what a season it was.

For some it was the realization of the promise that Lewis Hamilton showed in his rookie season before his inexplicable late-season collapse last year. For others it was pure devastation at seeing Felipe Massa rise to his own prominence at Ferrari only to see mid-season mistakes rob him of crucial points and ultimately the championship. We just came across a video clip called "Down to the Final Corner." It was compiled by Pistola and it lets you relive the season in about eight minutes. It's a collection of the highs and lows with some of the razzle and dazzle of F1 thrown in for flavor. We've posted it after the jump to remember the season that was. With all of the changes coming to Formula 1 for 2009, we might not see anything like it for a long time to come.

[Source: Vimeo]

Continue reading VIDEO: Relive the 2008 F1 championship in 8 minutes

VIDEO: Relive the 2008 F1 championship in 8 minutes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1felipe massaFelipeMassaferrariformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnelewis hamiltonLewisHamiltonmclarenFri, 12 Dec 2008 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[The Turns that Dreams are Made of: Hamilton's fantasy track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/the-turns-that-dreams-are-made-of-hamiltons-fantasy-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/the-turns-that-dreams-are-made-of-hamiltons-fantasy-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/the-turns-that-dreams-are-made-of-hamiltons-fantasy-track/#commentsFiled under:


Everybody's got their fantasy, but few ever get to live it out. For many of us, it might very well be taking the Formula One world title. That was Lewis Hamilton's dream, and he achieved it this year becoming the youngest F1 champion in history. A huge achievement, but a bubble burst. So Lewis needs a new dream, one that's almost sure to remain purely fantastic. And since he's mastered the crop of grand prix circuits on the calendar, you can guess what his fantasy might be: the ideal race track. And that's just what he's dreamed up.

Like some deranged G.I. Joe villain, Lewis' composite "super lap" takes bits and pieces from some of the world's most fearsome tracks and puts them in succession to make for the ultimate race track. Not surprising for a speed freak like young Lewis, most of the corners are fast and pile on the Gs. The turns are culled from Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps, the Monte Carlo street circuit in Monaco, Brazil's Interlagos, the Magny Cours circuit that used to host the French Grand Prix, England's own dilapidated Silverstone, and even two from Suzuka in Japan where Lewis has yet to race. What, no corkscrew from Laguna Seca? No hairpin from Montreal's Gilles Villeneuve circuit? No Carousel from the Nordschleife? Rookie.

[Source: Sky Sports, painting by Rob Ijbema - Car-A-Day.com]

The Turns that Dreams are Made of: Hamilton's fantasy track originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dream trackDreamTrackfantasyfantasy trackFantasyTrackhamiltonhamilton fantasy trackhamilton super circuitHamiltonFantasyTrackHamiltonSuperCircuitlewis hamiltonlewis hamilton dream circuitLewisHamiltonLewisHamiltonDreamCircuitmobil 1 super lapMobil1SuperLapsuper circuitsuper lapSuperCircuitSuperLapWed, 03 Dec 2008 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Oh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/oh-its-on-hamilton-vs-hoy-at-race-of-champions/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/oh-its-on-hamilton-vs-hoy-at-race-of-champions/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/oh-its-on-hamilton-vs-hoy-at-race-of-champions/#commentsFiled under: ,

British racing fans had lots of reason to celebrate this year. Not only did their golden boy Lewis Hamilton win the Formula One World Championship, but their star cyclist Chris Hoy took home three Olympic gold medals from the Beijing Olympics. But the ultimate face-off between man and machine is just gearing up as organizers of the annual Race of Champions have announced the two will face off next month at Wembley.

The race will pit Hamilton in a Mercedes road car against Hoy on his bike on parallel winding tracks. Although Lewis won't be driving his championship winning McLaren, he'll be running a few demonstration laps around the stadium for the fans in his first major public appearance after securing the championship. Since both Hoy and Hamilton will have to rush off to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, scheduled at the same time as the race, the showdown will take place as an opening act. And that's one heck of an opening act. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Race of Champions]

Continue reading Oh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions

Oh, it's on! Hamilton vs Hoy at Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris hoyChrisHoyhamiltonhamilton hoyhamilton hoy race of championshamilton hoy race of champions wembleyHamiltonHoyHamiltonHoyRaceOfChampionsHamiltonHoyRaceOfChampionsWembleyhoylewis hamiltonlewis hamilton chris hoyLewisHamiltonLewisHamiltonChrisHoymclarenmclaren mercedesMclarenMercedesrace of championsRaceOfChampionswembleyWed, 19 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[What does Lewis Hamilton drive?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/09/what-does-lewis-hamilton-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/09/what-does-lewis-hamilton-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/09/what-does-lewis-hamilton-drive/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Newly-crowned Formula one world champion Lewis Hamilton may have to wait a little while longer to get his hands on that bright orange McLaren F1 LM, but what does he drive in the meantime? Gunning for the title all season in the Mercedes-powered McLaren MP4-23, he certainly isn't lacking for a fast ride on the weekends, and he'd surely have his pick of any Mercedes car in the German automaker's vast lineup. But while the Mercedes SLR McLaren might be a natural choice, Lewis chooses to drive the daily grind in a diesel sport-ute. Specifically, a Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI. "At the track," explains Lewis, "I always drive on the limit, but on public roads I like to relax, kick back and cruise. The GL's perfect for that."

[Source: What Car?]

What does Lewis Hamilton drive? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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