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Italian newspaper claims Alonso was at loggerheads with Ferrari at Indian Grand Prix

October 30, 2012 in DRS, F1, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, FIA, Formula 1, Grand Prixs, Indian Grand Prix, Teams & Drivers

By Ryan Bayona (Fernando Alonso) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) or CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsWith the grid swiftly moving on to the middle east for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi grand prix, there has been little time for the teams to celebrate, make excuses or to lick wounds in the wake of the Indian grand prix. This is understandable; it’s a new event demanding a new start and a clear focus.

One team which you would expect to be licking their wounds more than most is Ferrari. Their main man Fernando Alonso fell further behind in the title race, seemingly powerless to stop the charging bull that is Sebastian Vettel. The pressure put on Ferrari as a result of sunday’s (and previous) grand prix has been massive. When you have one of the largest car groups in the world as a parent company (Fiat), a reputation as a premium sports and F1 car maker to protect, and a passionate country behind you, this pressure is entirely comprehensible. That pressure almost became too much this weekend.

That is, at least, according to Italian newspaper La stampa. Read the rest of this entry →

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Indian Grand Prix: How can Alonso beat Vettel?

October 27, 2012 in DRS, F1, Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, Formula 1, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, McLaren, Red Bull Racing, Sebastian Vettel

By Nic Redhead (Flickr: Fernando Alonso) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

After qualifying for the Indian Grand Prix, it is certainly advantage Sebastian Vettel in the championship race. Qualifying on pole with a single scorching lap in Q3, Vettel confirmed Red Bull’s qualifying pace and delivered a stark warning to his nearest rival, Fernando Alonso. Despite appearing to have the second best pace of the leading constructors throughout the three practice sessions behind Red Bull, Ferrari found themselves behind McLaren too, leaving Alonso in 5th position. With no grid penalties this time around to help him, the Spaniard now has 3 cars between himself and Vettel, none of which are going to aid him in pursuing the German.

The question that the Ferrari management, strategists and mechanics will be asking in their debriefing is “how can Alonso beat Vettel?” Unfortunately, the answer will be, “he can’t”. Almost certainly the words “damage limitation” will be muttered in Italian too.

Vettel holds such a monopoly over the rest of the field now in terms of qualifying pace that it doesn’t necessarily matter if he doesn’t have the fastest pace on race day. Vettel will have a rear-gunner right behind him, in the form of the supposedly non-yielding Mark Webber. Even the most uninformed of pundits would be able to detect that that interview on Thursday was just fighting talk, and that he’ll be supporting Vettel. With his help, just like in Korea and Japan, Vettel can easily deploy the tactics which proved so formidable in 2011.

Read the rest of this entry →

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Indian GP qualifying: It all feels very last year…

October 27, 2012 in Bruno Senna, Caterham, F1, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, FIA, Force India, Formula 1, Grand Prixs, HRT, Jenson Button, Kamui Kobayashi, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Lotus, Mark Webber, Marussia, McLaren, Mercedes, Michael Schumacher, Narain Karthikeyan, Nico Hulkenberg, Pastor Maldonado, Paul di Resta, Red Bull Racing, Romain Grosjean, Sauber, Sebastian Vettel, Sergio Perez, Teams & Drivers, Toro Rosso, Williams

After this morning’s qualifying session for the Indian Grand Prix, most fans would be forgiven for thinking that they had been transported back in time. Just as in Korea and Japan, Red Bull dominated in a fashion reminiscent to 2011, securing another 1-2 result and confirming that, in qualifying trim at least, they are indeed in a league of their own.

Unlike Korea, it was Sebastian Vettel who took top spot, with Webber following closely behind. Their commanding performance crushed McLaren and, most importantly for the drivers championship, Ferrari, who could only manage 3-4 and 5-6 respectively. The result will be of particular concern for Fernando Alonso in fifth, who has three cars between him and Vettel. Read the rest of this entry →

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Pure emotions – the passion we call Formula 1

May 18, 2012 in F1, Formula 1, Guest Posts

I was sent this article a couple of months back and I knew it needed to be the first one to go on Niawm when it relaunched.

The passion and the writing is incredible and I think I speak for all of us when I say that we all feel the same way about Formula 1. 

So here it is:

Pure emotions – the passion we call Formula 1 by Antonia Grzelak

Spanish Grand Prix Crowd

All credit and thanks to antarc: http://www.flickr.com/photos/antarc/7192054822/

24 cars, 24 drivers and 12 teams – this is the formula of happiness for millions of people around the world. And those millions of people come together to watch the sport they love the most: Formula 1. It is often said that this is no real sport, just 24 cars driving around in circles. But what people who say this don’t realize is the fact that this sport is so much more. It’s not just a sport – it’s a lifestyle.

Don’t stop, there’s more!

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Australian Grand Prix: Race Report

March 18, 2012 in Australian Grand Prix, F1, F1 2012, Formula 1

Good Morning folks, there’s only one reason I’d be up this early and that must mean it’s time to go racing.

Time to discover the real pace of these cars and find out the Ferrari is really as bad as it was looking yesterday.

Lights out in Melbourne, go go go! 

Lap 1 - The two McLaren’s lead into the first corner, with Jenson Button taking the lead. Read the rest of this entry →

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HRT Will Not Race In Australia

March 17, 2012 in Australian Grand Prix, F1, F1 2012, Formula 1, HRT, Narain Karthikeyan

After three appalling Practice sessions and a dismal Q1, HRT found themselves well outside of the 107% rule. Read the rest of this entry →

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What Do You Think Of Sky Coverage So Far?

March 17, 2012 in F1, F1 2012, Formula 1

Qualifying has just finished and Sky’s coverage has been put to the test. Just wondering what fans thought of Sky’s coverage so far?

Not bad, I think I’m still annoyed that we can’t watch it on the BBC still. I’m getting pretty sick of them yapping on about ’5.1 surround sound’. – I don’t care Sky, that’s not why I’m watching you, I’m watching you because I have no other choice.

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Australian Grand Prix: Qualifying Report

March 17, 2012 in Australian Grand Prix, F1, F1 2012, Formula 1

Despite the three practice sessions which have gone before it, Qualifying is where the real excitement starts. Where we find out who’s been sandbagging and who’s really got the pace.

I feel it necessary to mention, that going into Qualifying, Ferrari mentioned on their Twitter that it will be hard for them;

“It is going to be tough for us, no reason to hide the truth” – @InsideFerrari

Are they really in trouble?

Q1

Green lights in Melbourne and Timo Glock for Marussia is the first man out on track, everyone else seems a bit apprehensive.  Read the rest of this entry →

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Australian Grand Prix: Practice 1 and 2 Round-Up

March 16, 2012 in Australian Grand Prix, F1, F1 2012, Formula 1, Grand Prixs, Teams & Drivers

After what feels like years without Formula 1, the season kicked off today in a soggy Melbourne, with Practice 1 and 2.

So here’s a brief round of up P1 & P2, with full times.

Practice 1 

The McLarens looked strong with Jenson Button doing a 1:27.560 with Lewis Hamilton close behind with a 1:27.805. Michael Schumacher was hot on the tail of the two McLarens putting in a 1:28.235.  Read the rest of this entry →

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Australian Grand Prix: Coverage Times

March 15, 2012 in Australian Grand Prix, F1, F1 2012, Formula 1

The start of the 2012 Formula 1 season is almost upon us. I’d be interested to know where you all are on the excitement scale of: indifferent to peeing your pants with excitement?

So without further ado, here’s where you can catch the coverage of the Australian Grand Prix from Practice through to the Race.

Please let me know if I’ve missed anything out and all times are GMT.

Practice 1: Friday 16th March 

Live coverage:

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