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#bigpicture Big Picture: LMS Paul Ricard Test 2010

theracingline.net — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:35:21 +0000

The pre-season test at Paul Ricard is something of a tradition for the Le Mans Series. Typically it represents the first opportunity for the public to see the cars and drivers of the upcoming season, and the 2010 iteration was no different.

The Beechdean Mansell Motorsport team had their first fully public outing after a limited testing schedule at Portimao last month, with Nigel leaving most of the Ricard running to his sons Greg and Leo. Team Oreca will campaign two very different cars this season: a customer Peugeot 908 diesel and their own Oreca 01 chassis with AIM’s petrol V10.

Nigel Mansell was far from the only former Formula 1 star present, one-time nemesis Alain Prost was in attendance to keep a watchful eye over son Nico’s Rebellion Lola. Meanwhile, in the other corner of the Rebellion garage, Mario Andretti was on hand to offer grandson Marco support. The younger Prost and Andretti will share the #12 Lola at the 24 Heures du Mans in June. Jean Alesi and Giancarlo Fisichella took turns testing AF Corse’s GT2 Ferrari 430, taking the former Ferrari F1 pilots tally to five. As in 2009, 1996 Monaco Grand Prix victor Olivier Panis will contest the full LMS season and the 24 hours for Team Oreca.

2010 will also see the European debut of HPD’s ARX-01c chassis which Strakka Racing will campaign in the LMS and at La Sarthe and RML will utilise the HPD V8 in the back of their Lola coupe after two frustrating years with Mazda power.

Matech’s GT1 Ford GT driver lineup was also notable for being all-Swiss, and all-female. Cindy Alemann, Natacha Gachnang and Raël Frey will race together at the Spa 1000km and the Le Mans 24, while Belgian Vanina Ickx confirmed her seat in the Signature-Plus Aston Martin LMP1 for the same races.

Beechdean Mansell Motorsport Ginetta Zytek GZ09S

Jean Alesi has joined AF Corse for 2010

The Formula Le Mans cars will provide a fifth class in LMS races this year

Strakka Racing's HPD ARX-01c

Pitstop practice with a new car - the Le Mans-winning Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP - for Team Oreca

Rebellion Racing debut the 2010 Lola aero with a new livery

Promo shot headed by Nigel Mansell

Bruichladdich

Oreca's Peugeot 908 was fast - but not fast enough to beat the petrol-powered Oreca 01

IMSA Performance Matmut and AF Corse will do battle in a highly competitive GT2 field

The HTTT at Paul Ricard has long been an LMS test venue, but this year will host the first round of the championship with an 8 hour race

Former Le Mans winner Guy Smith joins Jean-Christophe Boullion and Andrea Belicchi in the #13 Rebellion Lola for the Ricard race and the LM24

Giancarlo Fisichella will race for AF Corse in 2010 alongside his Ferrari F1 testing duties

Oreca ran both the "Sprint" (pictured) and "Endurance" front aero on their 908 during the two day test

IMSA's GT2 Porsche

RML switch to HPD power and Dunlop rubber for 2010. As ever, Mike Newton and Tommy Erdos share driving duties

The Lowe's sticker and distinctive bright red and green helmet mark the return of Adrian Fernandez to European competition

Unlike the Michelin-shod works cars, Signature Plus' "customer" Lola Aston Martin LMP will utilise Dunlop boots for the coming season

The sunshine belied the low temperatures

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:01:04 +0000

The inaugural Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the end of the 2009 Formula One World Championship, and was also the first ever day-night Grand Prix. The race was won by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull, with polesitter McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton having retired due to a brake failure. Mark Webber took second, giving Red Bull their fourth 1-2 of the year, while World Champion Jenson Button rounded out the podium in third.

Jarno Trulli's Toyota prepares to pass under Yas Marina's signature hotel

Rubens Barrichello powers out of the "stadium" hairpin

Fernando Alonso struggles through another lap in his final weekend in the R29

Kazuki Nakajima passes the marina in Friday practice

Yas Marina's architecture produces some spectacular views - here Romain Grosjean is spied through the Yas Hotel canopy

Kimi Raikkonen heads Jaime Alguersuari in practice

The pitlane exit in Abu Dhabi is unique in that it is downhill...

... then turns sharply left into a tunnel under the track.

As most modern circuits, Yas Marina offers plenty of room for errors to be made with little penalty.

The stadium hairpin

Mark Webber passes underneath the walkway which connects two halves of the Yas Hotel

The Yas Hotel looked even more stunning at night - its canopy is made up of 5389 pivoting diamond-shaped colour changing LED panes

Fernando Alonso passes the Yas Hotel while a plane flies overhead

Kamui Kobayashi heads Fernando Alonso during Toyota's final GP weekend

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will be the world's largest indoor theme park when it opens in 2010

Kimi Raikkonen passes one of the VIP balconies

Sebastien Buemi had a satisfactory year in 2009, and will get another chance to impress in 2010

Romain Grosjean during the night practice session

Rubens Barrichello confirmed his third place in the drivers' championship by qualifying and finishing fourth at Yas Marina

Mark Webber finished second in the Abu Dhabi GP, a fine end to what was by far the Australian's most successful season

The sun sets over the Yas Marina Circuit...

...and on Toyota's participation in the Formula One World Championship

Sebastien Buemi drives into dusk

Sebastian Vettel celebrates his victory in the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; Jenson Button rounded off his championship year with a strong podium finish

Red Bull drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel celebrate their fourth 1-2 finish of the year

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Brazilian Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:44:32 +0000

São Paulo hosted the penultimate round of the 2010 world championship and as usual the Interlagos circuit didn’t disappoint. Jenson Button wrapped up the championship with a gutsy race after yet another disastrous qualifying that left him way down the grid. Mark Webber serenely picked up his second victory whilst a new hero emerged from Japan in the form of Kamui Kobayashi whose forceful driving instantly won him a place in the hearts of many race fans..

The Interlagos circuit is set amidst the city of Sao Paulo

Rosberg and Nakajima starred in wet qualifying until the last moment

Weary eyes dreaming of his first Ferrari?

Weary eyes regretting his current Ferrari?

Two Japanese drivers equals epic fireworks

Mark Webber robustly fends off Kimi Raikkonen at the start

Dammit where is Rubens?

Jenson Button's charge through the field about to be Kobayashied

It's all a blur in the pits for Sebastien Buemi

The skys the limit for the outgoing champion, who leapt from 18th on the grid to finish the race 3rd.

This requires bravery.... and extreme stupidity

Ice-cream, coke and Vodka just out of shot

Port to starboard sail...

Mark Webber racking up the laps in the wet practice

Against all expectations Kubica took his unfancied BMW Sauber to a strong 2nd

Kimi Raikkonen splashes through the pits during practice

Mark Webber quietly contrived to notch up his 2nd victory

Lewis Hamilton at work in the wet

Fixed grins from future team-mates

World Champions

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:12:18 +0000

F1 makes a welcome return to Suzuka for the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix. Red Bull were expected to spread their wings on the sweeping turns of the figure of eight based circuit and Sebastian Vettel duly delivered with Pole position and yet another peerless lights to flag victory. Jarno Trulli gave the Japanese crowd something to shout about with a well deserved 2nd place ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton in 3rd.

Nico Rosberg pilots his Williams past Suzuka's giant Ferris wheel

Timo Glock kept cool in the native way

Romain Grojean's lack lustre form continues to drown his future prospects in F1

The Ferrari mechanics service Kimi Raikkonen in the pits

This little accident proved costly to Webber's victory hopes

The championship leader under pressure

Heikki Kovalainen begins another lap

Robert Kubica threads his BMW Sauber through the tricky esses

A bout of Flu for Timo Glock meant that Kamui Kobayashi got to have a play in practice

Sebastian Vettel the dark horse at Suzuka

Kazuki Nakajima was quick in the wet during practice but flattered to deceive in the race

Giancarlo Fisichella had plenty of moral support if little else in Japan

Practice makes perfect

Romain Grosjean makes his way out of the garages

Jaime Alguersuari, fast but eractic

Is Heikki kovalainen running on borrowed time at McLaren?

Something tells me he's pleased?...

Rubens Barrichello is running out of time to make an impact on the championship

Mark Webber splashes through the rain

The spoils of victory

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:27:39 +0000

The second Singapore Grand Prix is the only Grand Prix of the season so far to take place at night. On the floodlit streets of downtown Singapore, it was Lewis Hamilton who claimed his second victory of the season followed by Toyota’s Timo Glock, who claimed a surprise second place. After winning last year’s race (but not without controversy), Renault’s Fernando Alonso finished in third. theracingline.net takes a look at one of the most photogenic grands prix of the season so far.

Romain Grosjean under the lights of the Singapore circuit.

Sebastien Vettel was penalised for speeding in the pitlane, which ruined his hopes of eating into Button's championship lead.

Timo Glock finished a surprise second in the Toyota TF109.

Neither Mark Webber nor Kazuki Nakajima were paying too much attention to the stunning and varied architecture of downtown Singapore.

Giancarlo Fisichella continued to struggle with the Ferrari and could manage no better than 13th place in the race.

Mark Webber shoots out of his pit garage for another lap of the street circuit.

Williams' Nico Rosberg rounds the final turn under the giant ferris wheel in downtown Singapore.

Silhouetted spectators watch one of the Red Bull cars flash past.

Timo Glock flashes past the pits.

Polesitter Lewis Hamilton climbs out of his car prior to the start.

One of the Toyotas bounces over the Anderson Bridge and past the glamorous Fullerton Hotel.

One of the Toro Rossos flashes past.

The Singapore circuit is one of the most varied on the calendar, with this stretch being the Esplanade.

Fisichella races past the Singapore City Hall.

Lights bounce off the Red Bull RB5, bringing out the vibrant colours on the livery.

As the natural light fades in Singapore, Rubens Barrichello's car is illuminated by several of the 1,600 lights around the circuit.

An overview of the lit-up streets of downtown Singapore. 108,423 metres of power cables, 240 steel pylons and around 1,600 light projectors illuminated the circuit.

Fernando Alonso corrects a slide during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Mark Webber crosses the Anderson Bridge on the Marina Bay circuit.

Sebastien Vettel under the grandstand between turns 18 and 19.

Timo Glock points his Toyota past the Fullterton Hotel.

An overview of downtown Singapore and the circuit in March 2008.

Nico Rosberg during qualifying. The German qualified an impressive third but could only manage 11th in the race.

One of the notable features of any street circuit is the bumps. Lewis Hamilton commented that the circuit was twice as difficult as the twisty Monaco circuit.

Fernando Alonso enters the final turn as the light fades during qualifying at the Marina Bay Circuit.

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Italian Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:46:56 +0000

Set in luscious parkland in Northern Italy, the historic Monza circuit has been, for many years, a power circuit where teams strip their cars down to the bare aerodynamic minimums to slip through the air quicker than their rivals. Despite the addition of various chicanes over the years, the circuit remains the only “power” circuit left on the calendar. And as expected, it was the powerful Mercedes cars which rose to the top. Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button completed their fourth one-two finish of the season with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen coming in third after Mercedes-powered Lewis Hamilton crashed on the final lap.

For two Italian drivers, this event was more than just a home race. Giancarlo Fisichella was handed a drive with Ferrari, replacing tester Luca Badoer who failed to show promise replacing the injured Felipe Massa, and Vitantonio Liuzzi was promoted to race driver for Force India.

Mark Webber had a poor weekend in Italy, failing to complete a single lap in the race.

Sebastien Buemi prepares to start the Italian Grand Prix from 19th position.

Jarno Trulli races underneath the historic banking on the Monza circuit.

Having sprinted into a lead early in the season, Jenson Button now sees his teammate and Sebastien Vettel looming large in his mirrors in the title hunt.

Kazuki Nakajima rides the kerbs during Friday practice.

Like the previous race in Belgium, the Italian Grand Prix is set within a forest.

Williams drivers Kazuki Nakajima and Nico Rosberg at the Parabolica corner pursued by Renault's Romain Grosjean.

Local driver Vitantonio Liuzzi gets the call to race the Force India VJM02 in place of the departed Fisichella.

Romain Grosjean finished a disappointing 15th for Renault in his first Italian Grand Prix.

Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi enters the flowing Ascari chicane.

Kazuki Nakajima sits in his Williams-Toyota FW31 in his garage.

Jarno Trulli during qualifying. The Italian qualified 11th and finished 14th.

Giancarlo Fisichella sits in his Ferrari, replacing the ill-fated Luca Badoer.

Romain Grosjean rounds the final turn at the Monza circuit.

Race winner Rubens Barrichello darts through the shadows cast by the trees at the Monza circuit.

Last year's winner Sebastien Vettel sits in his car named "Kate's Dirty Sister".

Nico Rosberg seen in the shadows of the parkland circuit.

Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position but failed to finish after crashing on the last lap.

Robert Kubica seen entering the last corner at the Italian circuit.

Rubens Barrichello speeds to victory on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Italy.

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Belgian Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:54:30 +0000

The historic circuit at Spa-Francorchamps traditionally sees an upset to the order of things in contemporary F1. Being one of the last tracks on the calendar to still have long sweeping curves, tight corners and a number of elevation changes, the victor of this race is normally one of the great drivers out there. In the case of 2009 it was no exception; Kimi Raikkonen took his fourth Belgian Grand Prix win in five years. However, this year was not without surprises. Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella surprised everyone by taking pole position and pushing Raikkonen all the way to the flag, eventually finishing less than a second behind the Finn.

Further back, championship leader Jenson Button endured a disastrous race. The Englishman got caught in a midfield scrap on lap one and suffered his only retirement to date this year, and his Brawn GP team mate Rubens Barrichello could only finish seventh. Stand-in Ferrari driver Luca Badoer once again managed to finish last, prompting questions about his speed.

Adrian Sutil's Force India hits the ground causing a trail of sparks as he qualifies for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Sebastien Buemi climbs a crest into view at the undulating Spa circuit.

One of the Toro Rosso cars speeds past the support race pit garages on his way for another lap.

World Championship leader Jenson Button endured a short but disastrous race, failing to complete even one lap.

Polesitter Giancarlo Fisichella lets everyone know which position he will be starting the race from.

Toyota's Jarno Trulli leaves the garage for another lap of the Belgian circuit.

After finishing the last two races, Jaime Algesuari failed to complete the first lap of the Belgian event.

Detail on the front of the McLaren-Mercedes MP4-24.

Despite failing to finish, Jenson Button still left Belgium with a 16 point lead over teammate Rubens Barrichello.

Enrico Zanarini, manager of Giancarlo Fisichella, erupts with joy after the Italian claims pole position.

Timo Glock splashes through the rain during practice for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Romain Grosjean hugs the kerb of the famous and challenging Eau Rouge corner.

Nico Rosberg disappears into the Ardennes forest for another lap of the 7.004 km (4.352 mi) circuit.

Despite the support of the fans, Toyota's only finisher was Timo Glock in tenth.

Sebastien Buemi lets everyone know how wet the circuit is.

Race winner Kimi Raikkonen rounds the La Source hairpin at the beginning of the Spa circuit.

Jaime Algesuari is spotted through the barrier on the ascent through Eau Rouge.

Nico Rosberg seen coming out of the forest during Friday practice.

A Toro Rosso mechanic waits with a wheelgun ready to receive one of their cars.

Lewis Hamilton clips a kerb as he begins the climb through Eau Rouge to the top of the circuit.

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 European Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:04:51 +0000

The 2009 European Grand Prix marked the F1 circus’ second visit to the Valencia street circuit, a semi-permanent racetrack in located in the port area of the Spanish city. Rubens Barrichello took the win for Brawn GP from third on the grid, his first victory since taking the flag for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix of 2004. The 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton finished second for McLaren-Mercedes, while 2007 world champion Kimi Räikkönen finished in third for Ferrari. Championship leader Jenson Button finished in seventh for the second race in a row, but extended his lead as Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel both failed to score.

The race saw the debut of GP2 Series driver Romain Grosjean, who replaced the sacked Nelson Piquet Jr at Renault and the Grand Prix return of Luca Badoer who had not raced since the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix. He replaced the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari.

Luca Badoer made his Grand Prix return, having not raced for 10 years

The Grand Prix circuit is the first major step in the development towards making Valencia's port area another Monaco

Rubens Barrichello once again got the best of Jenson Button, out-qualifying and out-racing the championship leader

Jarno Trulli had a dismal weekend in the Toyota, qualifying a lowly 18th and finishing 13th in the race

Romain Grosjean stepped up from GP2 to make his F1 debut with Renault

Mark Webber had a poor weekend, both qualifying and finishing in 9th place

Lewis Hamilton was fastest in all three segments of qualifying en route to pole position

Kimi Raikkonen put in another strong performance for Ferrari, moving up from sixth on the grid to take third place in the race

Valencia's port is steadily becoming more picturesque

Timo Glock's Toyota under the sunshine in Valencia

Kazuki Nakajima continues to struggle in 2009, qualifying 17th and finishing three laps down in 19th after various troubles

Romain Grosjean's debut was nothing to write home about, he finished 15th and was the final car home on the lead lap

Toro Rosso follows Toyota through turn 1

Luca Badoer's lack of pace was a frustration for race engineer Rob Smedley

Jaime Alguersuari's second F1 weekend was a struggle, he was slowest of all barring Luca Badoer

Barrichello's Brawn leads the pack in chasing down the McLarens of Hamilton and Kovalainen

Toyota had another poor weekend, with their cars coming home 13th and 14th in the race

Nico Rosberg put in a fabulous performance, taking fifth in the race from seventh on the grid

Jenson Button faced further damage limitation after a poor start from grid left him down the field. He eventually claimed two points for seventh place.

Nick Heidfeld has now finished every race since the 2007 French Grand Prix, an ongoing record

Luca Badoer was out of his depth on his F1 return

Mark Webber struggled all weekend

Rubens Barrichello was jubilant in celebrating his first win since 2004, in the process taking the 100th Grand Prix win by a Brazilian driver

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:39:56 +0000

The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend of 2009 was notable for many reasons, chief among them being Felipe Massa’s season-ending accident at turn four in qualifying. Fernando Alonso took a shock pole for Renault; McLaren’s renaissance was complete with Lewis Hamilton taking his first victory since Shanghai 2008 after a torrid first half of the season; Jaime Alguersuari made his debut for Toro Rosso, in the process becoming the youngest F1 driver in history and Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr competed in his final F1 Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton reveled in the pace of the revised McLaren, which has shown such promise in the previous round at the Nurburgring

Jaime Alguersuari became the youngest driver in F1 history when he made his debut for Toro Rosso, replacing Sebastien Bourdais

Toyota's Jarno Trulli

Mark Webber leaves his garage in the Renault-powered Red Bull

Felipe Massa suffered a season-ending accident in qualifying, after colliding with a spring shed from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn

Fernando Alonso's Renault showed impressive pace

Sebastian Vettel qualified a strong second, but retired before half distance in the race with suspension trouble

Jenson Button rounds turn 15

Wide view of Timo Glock in turn 2 in Friday practice

Kazuki Nakajima watches the times in qualifying

The Ferrari team send a message of support to their injured driver, Felipe Massa

Fernando Alonso took a surprise pole for Renault from the two Red Bulls, making it an all-Renault-powered top three on the grid

Mark Webber sits on the grid before the Hungarian Grand Prix

Timo Glock rounds the penultimate turn

Fernando Alonso's Grand Prix fell apart when he shed his right front wheel after a botched pitstop

Red Bull's Mark Webber

Nico Rosberg powers out of turn 9

Nelson Piquet, seen through the crash barrier in his final F1 GP

Lewis Hamilton took a spectacular win, the first for a KERS car and in the process cementing McLaren's place back at the front of the grid

Kimi Raikkonen piloted the sole Ferrari to second place, his best result of the season to date

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 German Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:30:26 +0000

Australian Mark Webber won his first ever Grand Prix at the Nürburgring after starting from pole and overcoming a drive-through penalty during the race. Team-mate Sebastian Vettel came home second in his home GP, giving Red Bull their third 1-2 of 2009 while Championship leader Jenson Button could only manage fifth.

Toyota's Jarno Trulli flies through the Michael Schumacher S in practice for the German Grand Prix, with the Dunlop Curve in the background

Photographing the photgraphers

Ferrari's Felipe Massa

Green light means go: Jarno Trulli leaves the pits in his Toyota

Sebastian Vettel helmet detail

Fernando Alonso cocks a wheel as he rounds the Castrol hairpin

The Brawn of Jenson Button is spied through the trees

Sebastien Bourdais leaves the garage during his final GP weekend

Nico Rosberg comes over a crest at his home Grand Prix

Another weekend, another Brawn-Red Bull battle

World Champion Lewis Hamilton waits in the McLaren garage

Mark Webber prepares for the race of his career

Rubens Barrichello leads after T1, having got the jump on pole man Webber

Robert Kubica pitstop

Pitstops are frantic business - here Toro Rosso mechanics go to work on Buemi's machine

Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello - for not the first time this season the Brazilian failed to capitalise on opportunity

Jarno Trulli

Heikki Kovalainen negotiates the Veedol chicane

Nelson Piquet - 18 months of underperforming will surely put his seat under pressure

Jenson Button faced damage limitation after a poor start, eventually coming home fifth

Mark Webber's comeback after an early drive through was nothing short of spectacular

Mark Webber celebrates becoming the first Australian F1 GP winner in nearly 30 years despite his drive-through penalty

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 British Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:53:38 +0000

The fast sweeping Silverstone layout suited the updated Red Bull RB5 while cold conditions hampered the Brawns producing what was a disappointing result for the championship-leading team. Button’s lead was reduced to a, still substantial, 23 points over Barrichello, who himself was now just 2 points ahead of Vettel. Webber was a further 3.5 points behind, while Brawn’s Constructors Championship lead was also cut.

Timo Glock's Toyota TF109 during Friday Practice

Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi

Into the evening haze

Toyota's Jarno Trulli pensively looks on

Fernando Alonso completes another lap of the Northamptonshire circuit

Kimi Raikkonen watches the other drivers between runs in practice

Timo Glock sets himself up for another run through the fearsome Copse corner

Kazuki Nakajima

Sebastien Bourdais feels the pressure, his time is running out

Kimi Raikkonen in discussion with his race engineer, Chris Dyer

Nick Heidfeld heads to the BMW Sauber motorhome after qualifying

Jenson Button powers around Club corner

Lewis Hamilton readies himself

Timo Glock prepares for the 2009 British Grand Prix

Lights out, the race begins

Mark Webber runs wide on the exit of the Abbey chicane

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen completes a pitstop

Sebastien Buemi in the Toro Rosso

ING Renault F1 Team pitstop

Christian Horner celebrates Sebastian Vettel's brilliant victory

Rubens Barrichello toasts his second place finish

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Turkish Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Despite losing the pole position battle to Red Bull’s Sebastien Vettel, Brawn GP’s Jenson Button continued his winning streak at the Turkish Grand Prix. The Briton has now claimed six victories in the opening seven races, giving him an almost unassailable lead in the World Championship.

Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber brakes heavily for a turn at the Istanbul Park circuit.

The pack snake through the opening turns at the start of the Turkish Grand Prix. Eventual winner Jenson Button and polesitter Sebastien Vettel have already put a distance between themselves and everyone else.

Williams driver Nico Rosberg leaves the pits for another lap of the Turkish circuit. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT)

Lewis Hamilton sits in his car watching the times during practice for the Turkish race.

Another disappointing race for Sebastien Bourdais saw the Frenchman finish in 18th place.

Fernando Alonso speeds out of his garage during Friday practice. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT)

The Toyotas of Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli are seen side-by-side in Parc Fermé after the race. Both drivers claimed points, with Trulli finishing in fourth.

Eventual winner Jenson Button exits the final chicane and powers down the main straight for another lap of the 5.34 km (3.32 mi) circuit.

Ferrari mechanics swarm over Felipe Massa's car during a routine pitstop for fresh tyres and fuel.

The sun sets over Turkey as seen from the Toyota trucks in the paddock.

Robert Kubica of Poland leaves the pits during Saturday practice. The BMW driver scored his best finish of the season so far with seventh place.

Nico Rosberg brakes for a turn in his Williams-Toyota. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar)

Nelson Piquet with his mechanics watch a screen during Friday practice. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro)

Kazuki Nakajima steers his Williams Toyota FW31 into the first turn at the Istanbul Park circuit. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar)

Fernando Alonso waits in his car. The Spaniard could only manage tenth place in the race. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro)

France's Sebastien Bourdais is seen in his car in the garage.

Kazuki Nakajima speeds past in his Williams FW31. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT)

Jenson Button slows and salutes his mechanics as he claims yet another victory in the unstoppable Brawn BGP001.

Red Bull drivers Mark Webber and Sebastien Vettel celebrate finishing second and third respectively in the Turkish Grand Prix.

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Monaco Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:54:48 +0000

With the first race dating back 80 years to 1929, Monaco is undoubtedly the jewel in Formula One’s crown. Its mixture of blind corners, and twisty streets and even a tunnel brings only the finest drivers to the victory box, with Graham Hill and Ayrton Senna being two of the race’s most famous winners. The victor this year was Jenson Button, bringing his total number of wins to five out of a possible six so far.

Kazuki Nakajima during practice for the Monaco Grand Prix (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT)

Sebastien Buemi of Switzerland and Scuderia Toro Rosso drives during practice for the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty)

Jarno Trulli navigates the chicane at the harbour. Toyota endured a dismal weekend, finishing with 10th and 13th places.

Spectators stand above retail outlets watching Sebastian Vettel race past in his Red Bull Racing RB5. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty)

Not for the first time this season, Rubens Barrichello was outclassed by teammate Button in the race.

A road racing specialist in American open-wheeled racing, Sebastien Bourdais struggled around the streets of Monaco. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty)

The Monaco circuit contains the tightest corner in Formula One, the Grand Hotel Hairpin.

Sebastien Buemi flashes past the crowd in his Toro Rosso during qualifying.

The armco barrier is never far away at the Monaco circuit, giving both drivers and fans a chance to see each other up close.

While most come for the racing, some come just for the sun. (Photo by Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT)

A reflection from a fireman's helmet shows Rubens Barrichello entering the pits at the Monaco circuit.

Sebastien Bourdais lifts a wheel at the downhill Mirabeau corner during practice. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty)

Nico Rosberg flashes through the tunnel; one of only two on the F1 calendar. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT)

Fernando Alonso races down to the chicane. The Spaniard could only manage seventh place in the race. (Photo by Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT)

Timo Glock navigates his way around the twisty streets of the principality.

Mark Webber races past the Casino towards Mirabeau on his way to fifth position. (Photo by Paul-Henri Cahier)

A playground for the rich: to park a yacht in the Monaco harbour on race weekend costs a cool $30,000.

Sebastien Vettel exits the Portier corner to enter the tunnel under the Grand Hotel. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty)

Sebastien Bourdais sits pensively in his car during practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso flashes past the numerous yachts in the always-filled Monaco harbour. (Photo by Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT)

Jarno Trulli steers his Toyota TF109 through the Tabac corner during practice.

Jenson Button was once again the class of the field; dominating the weekend with pole position and the race victory.

Sebastien Bourdais rounds Monaco's tightest turn. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty)

Despite the number of yachts being down on previous years, the Monaco Grand Prix still attracts a sizeable crowd of boats.

The tight and twisty Monaco circuit is one of the few street circuits on the Formula One calendar. (Photo by Paul-Henri Cahier)

The La Rascasse restaurant lends its name to the corner of the same name towards the end of the circuit. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT)

Having already negotiated his way up the hill, Sebastien Bourdais prepares to turn past Monaco's illustrious casino.

Sun, sea, sand and screaming engines: Monaco has it all. (Photo by Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT)

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Spanish Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:09:30 +0000

Formula One’s first trip back to Europe in 2009 is traditionally held at the Spanish track of Catalunya, near Barcelona. But the change in scenery did not produce a change in form for many of the teams, with Brawn GP claiming yet another 1-2 finish with the Red Bulls not far behind.

Jenson Button was again in a class of his own in Spain, claiming both pole position and victory.

Local hero Fernando Alonso only managed fifth place, but his fans seemed content with the result. (Photo by Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT)

Sebastien Buemi leaves the pits in his Scuderia Toro Rosso. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty)

Timo Glock flashes over the finish line in his TF109.

Mark Webber climbs out of his car in preparation for the 67 lap Spanish Grand Prix. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty)

Rubens Barrichello opted for a three-stop strategy in the race, which he claimed lost him the race. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT)

Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi kicks up some dust as he exits the pits for another lap of the Montmelo circuit.

Despite taking a 1-2 on the grid at the previous race, Toyota failed to impress with Timo Glock's 10th place finish.

Rubens Barrichello navigates turns one and two.

A collision on the first lap ended the races of both Toro Rossos, Adrian Sutil in his Force India, and Toyota's Jarno Trulli.

Despite running behind teammate Barrichello in the early part of the race, Jenson Button's strategy helped him claim the race victory. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT)

Mark Webber is pushed to his fifth position grid spot. (Photo by Paul-Henri Cahier)

Fernando Alonso during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. The Spaniard started from the eighth position. (Photo by Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT)

Timo Glock is wheeled back into the garage during practice for the Spanish Grand Prix

Ferrari mechanics swarm over Felipe Massa's car during a routine pitstop.

Sebastien Vettel endured a frustrating race behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who later conceded the position. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty)

Renault mechanics push Nelson Piquet's R29 to scrutineering on Friday evening. (Photo by Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT)

Despite leading teammate Jenson Button in this shot, Rubens Barrichello later finished behind the Briton.

#bigpicture Big Picture: F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2009

theracingline.net — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:18:55 +0000

The last of the flyaway races was also the first race which showed which teams have coped with the rule changes best. For the third time this year, Jenson Button claimed victory in his Brawn GP car, with Red Bull’s Sebastien Vettel and Toyota’s Jarno Trulli joining him on the podium.

Sebastien Vettel negotiates a tight corner in his Red Bull Renault. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty)

Bahrain's Grand Prix is the only race to be held in a desert.

Sebastien Bourdais encounters some debris entering turn 2 at the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Chairman of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, shakes Felipe Massa's hand in the garage.

Nick Heidfeld in his BMW Sauber F1.09 locks a brake entering a tight turn at the Sakhir circuit.

Sebastian Vettel nicknamed his car "Kate's Dirty Sister" after the Australian Grand Prix, and the moniker has stuck. (Photo by Vladimir Rys/Getty)

Nico Rosberg during practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the largely featureless Sakhir circuit. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT)

Red Bull have been one of the stars of the season so far, with Adrian Newey's RB5 proving to be a race winner in the hands of Sebastien Vettel. (Photo by Vladimir Rys/Getty)

Felipe Massa and Ferrari continued their dismal start to the season, with the Brazilian still yet to score in 2009.

Rubens Barrichello announced that he would be going into space on one of sponsor Virgin Galatic's flights.

Sebastian Vettel, winner of the Chinese Grand Prix, finished second during the Bahrain race. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty)

Nelson Piquet enters the garage before practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT)

The Williams-Toyota car is seen alone in the garage. The team lies eighth in the Constructors' Championship. (Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT)

The Bahrain race is the last of the "flyaway" races before the teams head to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty)

Jarno Trulli had a good weekend in Bahrain, taking pole position in qualifying and third place in the race.

Despite only qualifying in fourth position, Brawn GP's Jenson Button was the victor on Sunday, claiming his third win of 2009.

Sebastien Buemi takes his Scuderia Toro Rosso temporarily off the circuit into the sand at the Sakhir circuit. (Photo by Vladimir Rys/Getty)

Felipe Massa stops in his pitbox during practice.

Sebastien Vettel hits a kerb and launches his car during practice. The young German continued his impressive form with a second place finish.