Tag: fangio

F1 2020: Turkish Gp Review – Hamilton, 7 times World Champion

At 2004 Belgian grand prix Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher became a seven times Formula 1 world champion. There was seemingly no end to the Schumacher/Ferrari behemoth and there was certainly no fathomable thought that one day the record could be matched.

Sixteen years later we stand in a moment that has seen Schumacher’s record equaled by Lewis Hamilton. The British drove as brilliantly as he ever has to deliver a stellar race victory in Turkey, which has taken him to an incredible seventh world title.

Mercedes and Hamilton may have ultimately climbed onto the top step of the podium in Turkey but it was far from the straightforward stroll to victory that most have become accustomed too. Saturday belonged very much to Lance Stroll as the Canadian driver snatched a breathtaking pole position in treacherously slippery conditions. His Racing Point teammate Sergio Perez was third on the grid while Max Verstappen was second quickest. As the race settled and Stroll pulled away to the tune of more than a second a lap Seb Vettel emerged in fourth from eleventh on the grid. The Ferrari seemed to come alive in the wet conditions as he easily held of Hamilton for the better part of the race. Meanwhile Valtteri Bottas’s afternoon is best forgotten as the Finn swapped ends at least four times in the race. As if to add insult to serious embarrassment Bottas was also eventually lapped by teammate Hamilton.

A rare mistake from Hamilton allowed Alex Albon and his Red Bull teammate Verstappen through into fourth and fifth with Stroll building a lead of more than ten seconds over the chasing pack after the first round of stops. It was during this phase of the race that Red Bull looked easily the favourites to win the race. Nevertheless, a rash decision from Verstappen to attempt an overtake on Perez around the outside of turn 11 sent the Dutchman into a spin and needing to pit for new intermediate tyres.

By lap 29 it was clear that the Racing Points were struggling with overheated inters as Albon, Vettel, and Hamilton quickly eroded the gap to the leaders. Stroll’s dilemma became greater the more the track dried. However, it wasn’t dry enough for slick tyres forcing just about everyone to fit new intermediate tyres in the second pitstop phase. But as Stroll faded dramatically from contention Hamilton and Perez persevered on the worn inters. But it was Hamilton who clearly had the better pace as he swept into the lead of the race and drove off into the distance.

Ferrari’s good pace was underlined by Charles Leclerc who charged into third place in the final few laps of the race. The Monegasque driver challenged Perez for second but failed to make the move stick and ran wide at turn 12. The mistake allowed Vettel, easily one of the best drivers of the day, into third while a disappointed Leclerc finished fourth. Carlos Sainz delivered an excellent drive into fifth for McLaren as Verstappen and Albon had to be content with sixth and seventh overall. Lando Norris made it a double points score for McLaren in eighth as pole-sitter and early race leader Stroll trundled home in a disappointing ninth. Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo scored the final point on offer in tenth.

The Turkish grand prix, its exceptionally slippery track surface, the wet weather and an on point Lewis Hamilton combined to deliver an unforgettable race. Eventually, Hamilton recovered from being a pitstop behind, wore his intermediate tyres down to slicks and won the race by a staggering 30 seconds. After fourteen seasons in the sport and 93 wins it was brilliant a drive as Silverstone in 2008 or Hungary in 2013 or Germany 2018. And there’s no sign that the motivation or the hunger is waning.

The perennial ‘who is the greatest of all time’ debate is sure to carry on. Is it any of Fangio, or Lauda, or Senna, or Schumacher? Or is it Lewis Hamilton? The answer is startlingly easy. It is none of them and all of them. In each of their respective eras these giants of the sport have defined Formula 1. There is no singular greatest driver of all time for the simple fact that all of these monumental achievements merit respect and reverence. Not least of all are the immense feats of one Lewis Hamilton. We are all indelibly privileged to bear witness to this greatness.

November 16, 2020
F1 2018: Belgium Gp Preview – Spa, Meaning of Brilliance

Good things are worth waiting for and they don’t come any better than the mythical Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the foothills of Belgium’s Ardennes.

Formula 1 returns this weekend after its nearly month long ‘shut down’ but while the racing on track may have ceased for a few weeks the sport that never sleeps has continued to churn at quite a dramatic rate.

For years if not decades the driver market has been one of the most intriguing aspects of the sport. Who would race where and when has relentlessly dominated paddock discussions, arguably, since the sports inception. So much speculation has surrounded driver moves that it even coined its own phrase to become known as the silly season. It’s been no less dramatic in 2018 and the last month either. First, Daniel Ricciardo astonishingly announced his departure from Red Bull to join Renault for the 2019 season. It’s a bold move from a confident driver and only time will tell if it was the right move for Ricciardo.

It wasn’t the least of the driver announcement over the break as Fernando Alonso too announced that he would be stepping away from the sport at the conclusion of the 2018 season. It appears that he may run a dual program that features racing in the World Endurance Championship and the IndyCar season as he tries to obtain the much-vaunted Triple Crown. His 17-year career in F1 has simultaneously been highlighted by brilliance and underscored by controversy but the fact remains that, for Formula 1, Fernando Alonso is undoubtedly a loss.

It’s been well known for a few months that Carlos Sainz will take over Alonso’s seat at McLaren where he is likely to be partnered by F2 driver Lando Norris for 2019.

Elsewhere the most high profile seat that remains officially open is at Ferrari and is currently occupied by Kimi Raikkonen. While rumours swirled early in the season that Charles Leclerc would be drafted into the team for 2019 it is looking fairly certain that Raikkonen will remain at Ferrari for 2019. In fact, rumours suggest that a 1+1 deal has been agreed to between the two parties. This means an assured seat for Raikkonen in 2019 and a team option to extend his contract for 2020.

It’s no great surprise that Raikkonen would be kept on given the way he has driven in 2018. Third in the championship standings despite two DNF’s and bulletproof consistency is likely what sealed the deal. It seems all the more fitting that F1 returns to action at a circuit where Raikkonen has won on four occasions.

The famed Spa circuit is an old-school masterpiece infused with the memories of a bygone era that tested man and machine to the absolute limit. While fabled corners such as Eau Rouge and Blanchimont may be easier to navigate in the 2018 era of F1 car it’s no less spectacular when it all comes together. It’s seven kilometer long lap is characterized by long straights and challenging fast corners against one of the most picturesque backdrops on the calendar.

Another unique and notorious characteristic of the Belgian grand prix is its changeable weather conditions. Such is the vastness of the circuit that it often simultaneously rains on one part of the track while it remains dry on another. The list of names who have won more than twice on the demanding Spa circuit is a short one that includes only the likes of Fangio, Hill, Raikkonen, Clark, Senna, and the great Michael Schumacher who won a staggering six times.

The undulating circuit and its distinctive power dominant demands bring Mercedes and Ferrari to the fore this weekend. Red Bull will have to work much harder to make an impact in the middle sector where its aero efficiency will be its biggest strength. For Sebastian Vettel it will imperative to stop Hamilton’s momentum and stem the loss of points to the reigning champion.

But there is every opportunity that neither Vettel nor Hamilton will be on the top step of the podium this weekend. After all it is a circuit where Kimi Raikkonen has always shone.

August 22, 2018
F1 2013: British GP Preview – Silverstone: The Heart of Motorsport

On this same Silverstone circuit legends such as Senna, Fangio, Stewart and Clark unleashed their virtuoso talents. The circuit, the ground, the grandstands, everything here is drenched in motorsport history and is considered one of the most unique racing venues in the world. The memories will linger forever but the times and the talents have changed as F1 heads into the eighth round of the 2013 season.

There wasn’t much wrong with the ‘old’ Silverstone layout, in fact, it was pretty darn special. The magnificent Copse corner, the breathtaking Maggots and Becketts section, ultra quick Stowe corner is enough to make any race fan nostalgic. Nevertheless, an upgrade in time for the 2010 grand prix vaulted the circuit into the 21^st Century and what is considered the modern Formula 1 era. But it wasn’t some wishy washy attempt. The major overhaul of the paddock area was slick and eye-catchingly impressive and the changes to the layout, importantly, retained the essence of what makes this place great.

It wouldn’t be Silverstone if the perennially unpredictable weather wasn’t a topic of conversation. The British weather is sure to have its say at some stage during the weekend and the forecast predicts showers for Friday with low temperatures present throughout the weekend.

Three weeks have elapsed since the Canadian GP but F1 is after all the sport that never sleeps. Sebastian Vettel has entrenched himself deeper into the Red Bull Racing family by extending his contract to the end of the 2015 season. Talks about who will partner the German continue as Mark Webber is yet to announce his plans for 2014.

Mercedes escaped the International tribunal in France with a mere slap on the wrist. The Brackley based team was called to the tribunal in Paris on the 20^th of June to explain a secret 1000 kilometer tyre test they had completed after the Spanish GP. Despite being found to be in breach of the sporting regulations Mercedes’ only penalty was a ban from the young driver’s test slated for mid-July. It seems tad light considering the possible advantage that they could’ve gained. Ironically, the two races following the Spanish GP, both street tracks, wouldn’t have given any indication if Mercedes’ had gleaned a genuine advantage from the test. Silverstone is a return to a ‘proper’ high-speed F1 circuit and should be a better gauge.

With any luck it will also be a return to proper racing instead of days spent in front of tribunals and waiting for verdicts. Patience is what Kimi Raikkonen has called for in his pursuit of the driver’s crown. The Finn has conceded a hefty forty points to Sebastian Vettel but believes that the title is still within reach. In pursuit of his quest Lotus is planning its biggest upgrade package of the year at this weekend’s race. Lotus’ track operations director, Alan Permane, laid out the parts that will be fitted to the car. “We have a tighter, figure-hugging bodywork package which should give some benefit; especially if the weather is quite cool at Silverstone. There’s a new front wing, suspension profiles and suspension upgrades in addition to various other aero upgrades, which combine to give us what should be our biggest step forward of the year.”

There are a few others drivers who will have the same desire for the top step of the podium. Mark Webber has been more than handy around Silverstone in the past and needs a good performance to bolster his lacklustre season. By having won the race on two previous occasions and the very fact that he is Fernando Alonso the Ferrari driver will be a factor.

There aren’t many things better than a grand prix in the very heart of motorsport; besides the fact that twenty-two of the world’s best drivers will add 52 more laps of history to magnificent Silverstone.

June 27, 2013