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: , , , , , , ,



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 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20540353/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/race-recap-2013-chinese-grand-prix-a-test-of-tires-carnage-and/20540353/article-detail.xml 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 P1 goes around Top Gear test track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/mclaren-p1-goes-around-top-gear-test-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/mclaren-p1-goes-around-top-gear-test-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/mclaren-p1-goes-around-top-gear-test-track/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Think that the new McLaren P1 supercar seems pretty tremendous after following its launch in Geneva this year? We do, too. And now, after seeing the reaction the ultra-performance Mac has gotten from McLaren Formula One driver Checo (Sergio) Perez, we're even more excited for our chance at some seat time.

In this new video, Perez takes a few hot laps of the famous Top Gear test track at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in England. (Let the new Stig rumors commence.) The P1 in the film manages to look pretty lovely, even in full-body camouflage and, more importantly, draws some rave reviews from a driver that knows from quick cars. Follow on below for the full video.

Continue reading McLaren P1 goes around Top Gear test track

McLaren P1 goes around Top Gear test track originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mclarenmclaren p1sergio pereztop geartop gear test trackvideoTue, 19 Mar 2013 12:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20509886/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/19/mclaren-p1-goes-around-top-gear-test-track/20509886/article-detail.xml 20509886 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/mclaren-p1-top-gear-test-track-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/mclaren-p1-top-gear-test-track-628.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: , ,



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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula onejenson buttonmclarenmp4-28sergio perezFri, 01 Feb 2013 19:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20444798/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/01/mclaren-introduces-the-mp4-28-formula-one-w-videos/20444798/article-detail.xml 20444798 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/mclarenmp4-28_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/mclarenmp4-28.jpg <![CDATA[Hamilton in, Schumacher out at Mercedes F1 in $100M deal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/hamilton-in-schumacher-out-at-mercedes-f1-in-100m-deal/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/hamilton-in-schumacher-out-at-mercedes-f1-in-100m-deal/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/hamilton-in-schumacher-out-at-mercedes-f1-in-100m-deal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton chat during press conference

In 1995, a 10-year-old Lewis Hamilton walked up to McLaren team principal Ron Dennis and declared "I want to race for you one day." That fateful moment began a relationship between Hamilton, Dennis, and McLaren which culminated in the 2008 Formula One Championship. A relationship that, at least professionally, has come to an end.

Word from the UK's Telegraph is that Hamilton has left McLaren for the Mercedes-Benz factory team in a three-year deal that could be worth as much as $100 million. The departure of the 27-year-old driver from McLaren marks one of the biggest driver transfers in motorsport in recent memory. Though the German F1 team has won only a single race since returning to the sport in 2010, Hamilton and Mercedes both appear to be betting heavily on the turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 engine specifications for 2014.

The move has major ramifications for both teams. At McLaren, team principal Martin Whitmarsh said they had "no plan B" for their lead driver, however, it has already announced Mexican driver Sergio Perez as Hamilton's replacement in 2013.

The more controversial fallout is that Hamilton now replaces Michael Schumacher for next season. The seven-time World Champion first retired from Ferrari at the end of the 2006 season, returning to the sport in 2010 with Mercedes, where he has struggled. In reaction to the announcement, Schumi said that he would concentrate on the remaining races this season, and that he wished Hamilton well.

Hamilton's recent history with McLaren has been highlighted by salary disputes and comments on team tactics. Telegraph writer Tom Cary openly ponders the influence of XIX Entertainment - The London-based firm represents Hamilton, and stands to make more money from the new contract. As for Schumacher, there is no word on his plans after the current Formula 1 season.

Hamilton in, Schumacher out at Mercedes F1 in $100M deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onehamiltonlewis hamiltonmclarenmercedesmichael schumacherschumachersergio perezFri, 28 Sep 2012 10:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20336173/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/28/hamilton-in-schumacher-out-at-mercedes-f1-in-100m-deal/20336173/article-detail.xml 20336173 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/f1-drivers-schumacher-and-hamilton_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/f1-drivers-schumacher-and-hamilton.jpg <![CDATA[Did Ferrari order Sergio Perez to back off of Fernando Alonso in Malaysia?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/did-ferrari-order-sergio-perez-to-back-off-fernando-alonso-in-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/did-ferrari-order-sergio-perez-to-back-off-fernando-alonso-in-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/did-ferrari-order-sergio-perez-to-back-off-fernando-alonso-in-ma/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Stefano Domenicali and Sergio Perez

If you were watching the Malaysian Grand Prix early Sunday morning, you may have picked up on something that seemed a little fishy. Sergio Perez, who's only in his second year on the Formula One grid having debuted with Sauber just last season, was way up in second place, ahead of proven race winners and World Champions. That was surprising enough, but what raised some eyebrows is what happened when he closed the gap in front of him to Fernando Alonso, who was leading the race in the Ferrari F2012.

According to Autosport, after impressively whittling down the gap Alonso had opened up behind him, Perez (pictured above in the parc ferme with Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali) received a radio message from Sauber strategists advising him to be careful. Shortly thereafter, Perez went wide off the track and lost Alonso. The young Mexican pilot still finished second - an unprecedentedly strong finish for Sauber - but many wondered if the message wasn't a code passed on from Ferrari, which supplies Sauber's engines.

Of course, Sauber, for its part, is denying the rumors, but it wouldn't be the first time in F1 that a leading team had told a midfield or back-marker team to which it supplied engines to reel in one of its drivers in the interest of preserving the front-runner's position. We'll probably never know the truth, but one thing's for sure: Perez is a rising talent in Formula One, and Alonso had better get used to watching out for him.

Did Ferrari order Sergio Perez to back off of Fernando Alonso in Malaysia? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1ferrariformula 1formula onemalaysian grand prixperezsaubersergio perezteam ordersTue, 27 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20201219/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/27/did-ferrari-order-sergio-perez-to-back-off-fernando-alonso-in-ma/20201219/article-detail.xml 20201219 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/domenicali-perez_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/domenicali-perez.jpg <![CDATA[Sauber F1 goes Mexican with Carlos Slim and new drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/sauber-f1-goes-mexican-with-carlos-slim-and-new-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/sauber-f1-goes-mexican-with-carlos-slim-and-new-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/sauber-f1-goes-mexican-with-carlos-slim-and-new-drivers/#commentsFiled under: ,

New Sauber F1 driverThe dream of having an American team in Formula One may be dead, but that doesn't mean our friends South of the Border can't take a stab at it. A couple of years ago, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim was tied to potentially buying out Honda's F1 team when the Japanese automaker was preparing to withdraw from the sport. That deal never came to be, but the world's wealthiest man (having recently surpassed the likes of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett) appears to be moving in on the Sauber team.

After racing for years as an independent team, Sauber sold out to BMW a few years back, which then subsequently followed Honda off the grid, leaving Peter Sauber to support the team on his own once again. Strapped for cash, the team has been racing plain white cars largely without major sponsorship this season, but a new deal could secure the team's future.

The deal involves sponsorship from Slim's company Telmex for an untold amount. Along with it, Sauber has signed Mexican driver Sergio Perez to a race seat for next season. Perez won the national class in British Formula Three back in 2007, drove for Team Mexico in A1GP and has won several races in GP2, a series in which he currently sits second. He's never driven an F1 car, though, but will race alongside Kamui Kobayashi next season. The news leaves Nick Heidfeld without a seat yet again as Perez signs as well with the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Coupled with the recently-announced contract to bring in GP3 champion Esteban Gutierrez, who also races under the Mexican flag as the team's test/reserve driver for next season, the news gives the struggling Swiss team a decidedly picante flavor for the upcoming season.

[Source: Sauber]

Continue reading Sauber F1 goes Mexican with Carlos Slim and new drivers

Sauber F1 goes Mexican with Carlos Slim and new drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw-saubercarlos slimperezsaubersauber f1sergio pereztelmexTue, 12 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19669346/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/12/sauber-f1-goes-mexican-with-carlos-slim-and-new-drivers/19669346/article-detail.xml 19669346 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/100177fda_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/100177fda.jpg -1 2