BlogF1

The Mass/J-Damper saga is one of Formula One’s more intriguing controversies, embroiling the Renault team back in 2006 and causing many heated debates among team bosses. However, while Renault have since been reluctant to try out similar technology after it was banned, other teams have been doing their own R&D into the device, especially given that when the Enstone team ran the nose-encased mass damper system, their pace improved by approximately 0.3s per lap; a country mile in Formula One language. Continue Reading

Ron Dennis has announced that from 2009 onwards, the McLaren team he runs will rotate their race staff around. The reason for changing the personnel present at the grands prix is because of the expanding calendar and the lack of a three-week summer break will not allow his employees enough time away from work to recuperate. Currently, we are on this three-week break and the drivers have probably all taken short holidays to relax and refocus. Likewise, the teams will have enjoyed some time-off as well, but as of next season, it will be regular one/two gaps between races from start to finish. Continue Reading

Heikki Kovalainen has taken his very first race win as the Hungarian Grand Prix threw up several surprises during the 70-lap grand prix. From the start it looked as though Felipe Massa would be the eventual winner having passed both McLaren’s into turn one on the first lap. However, with just three laps to go the Ferrari engine in Massa’s F2008 let go and the Brazilian was forced to retire. Kovalainen, who was chasing in second, was promoted to victor while Hamilton languished in fifth. Continue Reading

Heikki Kovalainen has taken his maiden grand prix victory around the Hungaroring, leading Timo Glock and Kimi Raikkonen on to the podium. In a race that was led by Felipe Massa from the start, it wasn’t until the third lap from the end that the race took it’s final twist with the Ferrari engine expiring. Lewis Hamilton suffered a puncture while chasing Massa mid-race and Renault managed to get both drivers in the points. Toyota are stronger and Kovalainen finally has his win. Continue Reading

McLaren look very strong on the front row of the Hungaroring grid. The pair of MP4-23 drivers appear to be hooked-up with the Hungarian circuit and the car is doing a good job on the tight and twisty corners. Ferrari have a lot of work do, especially as Kimi Raikkonen is back in sixth. Between himself and his team mate in third are Robert Kubica and Timo Glock. And just behind the Finn are Fernando Alonso - who has looked relatively pacey all weekend - and Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli, both in reasonably competitive cars. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton has taken pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, charging his McLaren around the Hungaroring in style and beating his team mate by 0.241s. Heikki Kovalainen locked out the front row for the Woking team with impressive style. McLaren appear to beack on pace now and Ferrari are struggling slightly. Felipe Massa managed to get third and didn’t look too off-pace, but Kimi Raikkonen once again had a troubled qualifying and only managed sixth in his F2008. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen have locked-out the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix. The pair appear to very fast around the twisty Hungaroring and while McLaren are quick, Ferrari are struggling slightly. Felipe Massa could only manage third while Kimi Raikkonen is back in sixth. Toyota are looking improved and contuning their pace from the two most recent races and BMW are mixed with Robert Kubica in fourth and Nick Heidfeld in sixteenth. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton took control of the second free practice session at the Hungaroring earlier today, the McLaren driver setting the fastest lap ahead of Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr. The Brazilian driver went well in the morning but managed to pop in a quick lap after lunch on soft Bridgestone tyres and team mate Fernando Alonso went fourth, just behind Hamilton’s team mate, Heikki Kovalainen. Ferrari could only manage fifth and sixth, however Kimi Raikkonen got the better of Felipe Massa this time around. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton has won the German Grand Prix around the shortened Hockenheim circuit. The British driver was followed over the line by Nelson Piquet Jr., the Brazilian rookie enjoying an upturn in performance and impressing the spectators with a mature drive. Finishing ahead of his much praised team mate will undoubtedly improve Piquet’s chances of being retained for the 2009 season. Finishing in third place was fellow Brazilian Felipe Massa. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton has captured pole position at the 55th German Grand Prix, held around the shortened Hockenheimring. Felipe Massa qualified second, just 0.2s off of the McLaren driver’s pace, while Heikki Kovalainen manged third in the sister MP4-23. Kovalainen was given a monetary fine of €5000 after he breached the refuelling regulations. Jarno Trulli impressed with a fourth fastest lap in Q3 while Fernando Alonso will line up fifth in the Renault. Continue Reading