Jan 27, 2010
Dec 28, 2009
Dec 24, 2009
Michael Schumacher in a Mercedes - The Best Christmas Gift We Could Ask For
While manufacturers like BMW, Honda, Jaguar, and Toyota have abandoned Formula One, Mercedes has increased their efforts in the world's most popular form of racing by purchasing the 2009 World Championship Team, Brawn GP, to create Mercedes GP Petronas. With the McLaren team keeping Lewis Hamilton and adding 2009 World Champion Jenson Button it looked like it was going to be an easy decision who to cheer for in March. Now it has been announced that 7 time World Champion Michael Schumacher is coming out of retirement and has signed a 3 year contract to drive for Mercedes GP. Between this and the debut of the new US F1 Team, 2010 is shaping up to be a very interesting season.
Labels: Formula 1
Sep 10, 2009
Jul 27, 2009
McLaren Mercedes Is Back!
It has been a pretty bad year for the Mercedes-Benz factory Formula One team. Until now the only bright spot for Mercedes-Benz fans had been the performance of the Mercedes powered Brawn GP cars. With Lewis Hamilton's dominating win in Hungary last weekend it looks like McLaren Mercedes is back on top. It's a little late in the season but it looks like we'll have a lot more to cheer for in the upcoming races
Labels: Formula 1
Feb 16, 2009
F1 2009 - The Year of the Sebastien
With the announcement that four time Champ Car Champion Sebastien Bourdais will be returning to the Toro Rosso team, 75% of the drivers for Red Bull's two Formula One teams will now share the same name.
 Bourdais |  Vettel |  Buemi |
In addition to employing 100% of the F1 drivers named Sebastien, Red Bull also makes great promotional animations like the one they did for the first night race in Singapore. Now they have released a great overview of the many changes coming to Formula One in 2009.
I'll always be a Mercedes fan but Red Bull is definitely the underdog that I love to cheer for. For more info on their teams check out www.RedBullRacing.com.
Labels: Formula 1
Jan 21, 2009
Jan 20, 2009
VodaFone McLaren Mercedes 2009 Launch
2008 was a great season for our Formula One team. Our top driver, Lewis Hamilton, won his first drivers championship and the team made a great comeback from the controversy of the 2007 season.
The changes to the rules for the 2009 season are the most significant in several years and as a result the cars will look quite a bit different. The largest change can be seen in the updated rear wing that appears to be about half the size of last years. The new rules limiting the aerodynamics of the cars have added an interesting new feature in that driver adjustable front wing flaps will be legal for 2009. While this brings F1 cars one step closer to the airplanes they share so much technology with, it will also provide one more area for an amazing driver like Lewis Hamilton to show off his skills.
2009 will also see the introduction of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) to Formula One. These systems will store the energy used slow the car and then allow it to be used later for increased acceleration. The KERS device on the new McLaren Mercedes will be able to provide a boost of 80hp for 6.7 seconds per lap. Depending on the circuit this will decrease lap times by 0.3 to 0.5 seconds.
It's only 67 days till the first race of the 2009 season in Melbourne, Australia. I can't wait!
Labels: Formula 1
Nov 18, 2008
Sep 19, 2008
Singapore Night Race
Labels: Formula 1
Sep 7, 2008
Belgian Grand Prix
Wow! What a finish! After qualifying in first position, Lewis Hamilton spun in the early laps of the race and seemed to have settled in for a second place finish behind Kimi Raikkonen that would have maintained his first place position in the driver's championship. Then...
What a pass! Lewis went on to take the win with Felipe Massa in second and Nick Heidfeld in third.
--- Or so we thought ---
The FIA has penalized Lewis 25 seconds for the cutting the chicane before passing Kimi. Lewis came out ahead and since you can't gain an advantage by cutting the corner, Lewis let Kimi pass then re-passed him (like he was standing still). It's not his fault Kimi put it in the wall because he can't drive in the rain. :) This is all FIA politics. Things are only illegal if you hurt Ferrari doing them... Lewis finished in third place and remains the championship leader with 5 races to go.Labels: Formula 1
Aug 3, 2008
Heikki Kovalainen Gets First Formula 1 Win!
Lewis and Heikki qualified first and second respectively for today's F1 race at the Hungaroring putting them both in position for a great finish. On the start Felipe Massa's Ferrari jumped into the lead from third on the grid. Our drivers were maintaining second and third place until Lewis got a flat tire and lost a lot of time getting back to the pit lane. Lewis rejoined the field in 10th with enough fuel to finish the race. Through the next cycle of pit stops Lewis moved up to 5th where he would finish the race. With two laps to go the engine in Felipe Massa'a Ferrari gave up allowing Heikki to take the lead and the win. This was Heikki's first F1 win and he became the 100th driver in F1 history to win a grand prix. Massa's failure to finish also allowed Lewis to maintain the lead in the driver's championship. The McLaren Mercedes team also narrowed the gap in the constructor's championship, to first place Ferrari, to just 11 points.
Labels: Formula 1
Jul 20, 2008
Red Bull Air Race
I know it's off topic because Mercedes isn't involved, but if you love Formula 1 you should really check out Red Bull Air Racing. The races are aired a few months behind when they happen so I avoid the rebbullairrace.com site to prevent spoiling it. They've really stepped up the production value this year so check it out. On Dish Network set your DVR for Fox Sports channel 420 at 6pm et every Sunday. I just watched the second race of the nine race 2008 season so there is plenty left.
Labels: Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton Wins at Hockenheim and Retakes Championship Lead
After Lewis Hamilton's commanding win in the rain at the British Grand Prix, he came to this weekend's race in Germany in a three way tie for the Driver's Championship with Ferrai's Felipe Massa and BMW's Robert Kubica. Lewis started on pole with Heikki behind him in third. Lewis had a great start and by the end of the first lap he had opened a 1.8 second gap back to Massa in second place.
Similar to last weeks race where he won by almost a lap over second place, Lewis immediately pulled away from the field until an accident on lap 37 brought out the safety car eliminating his lead. When the pit lane reopened, almost all of the field pitted for tires and fuel to finish the race. Strangely, Lewis didn't pit. This meant that after the safety car pulled in he needed to open up a gap of about 20 seconds so that he could pit and remain in the lead. Lewis couldn't get that done and he rejoined the field after his stop in fifth behind his teammate. Amazingly, Lewis was able to make up a huge amount of time in just 10 laps and retake the lead. With this win Lewis has retaken the championship lead by 4 points over Massa who finished in third!
Labels: Formula 1
Jun 23, 2008
100th Anniversary Of The First Mercedes Grand Prix Win
At the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours last weekend Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton did a parade lap in the original 1908 Benz Grand Prix car to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Mercedes Grand Prix win.
Unfortunately, they couldn't dovetail that with a win this weekend but Heikki did fight throught to finish in 4th. Lewis finished 10th after being held back by a ten grid spot penalty for a pit lane accident in the last race and a drive through penalty for cutting a corner. Hopefully, we'll be able to break this short string of bad luck at the next race at Silverstone!
Labels: Formula 1
May 26, 2008
Lewis Hamilton Wins the Monaco Grand Prix
Formula One's visit to the streets of Monaco is always a highlight of the season. With the elimination of traction control this year's race was already going to be exciting. Then it started to rain. McLaren Mercedes drives Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen qualified third and fourth behind the Ferraris. Lewis jumped to second off the start. On lap six Lewis clipped a wall and damaged a tire forcing him to pit. Between the rain and accidents Lewis was able to take the lead and open up a 40 second gap. With the race almost over the Safety Car came out eliminating Lewis' lead. After the restart he easily held the lead and opened up a 3 second gap in the next eleven laps before the race was ended by the 2 hour time limit.
Heikki's car failed to get off the line for the formation lap so he had to start from the pit lane. He fought back to finish in eighth.
With this win Lewis Hamilton has taken the lead in the drivers' championship by three points. McLaren Mercedes has moved up to second in the constructors championship just 16 points behind Ferrari.
Labels: Formula 1
May 11, 2008
McLaren Mercedes - Turkish Grand Prix
On Saturday Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton qualified second and third respectively. Cool temperatures in Istanbul during the race weekend made for difficult tire decisions for all of the teams. As a result of this Lewis switched to a less conventional 3 stop strategy. With his lower fuel load he was able to make up most of the time lost in his extra stop to finish second between the Ferraris. This was one of the best races this season. I can't wait for Monaco in two weeks.
Labels: Formula 1
Mar 23, 2008
McLaren Mercedes Takes 3rd & 5th in Malaysian GP
Labels: Formula 1
Mar 16, 2008
McLaren Mercedes Takes 1st and 5th in Austrailian Grand Prix
What a Race! If this is what we can expect for the rest of the 2008 season - hold on! This was the first race without the aid of traction control and it really showed. Between crashes and mechanical failures only 7 of the 22 cars that started the race took the chequered flag.
The McLaren Mercedes Team stayed above all of this and kept one of their cars in the for the lead whole race. Our new driver, Heikki Kovalainen, put on a stunning performance. He led for 8 laps and posted the fastest lap of the race. Lewis Hamilton started on pole and led for 50 laps to take the win by more than 5 seconds. This puts him in the lead for the driver's championship and, combined with Heikki's fifth place finish, puts the Mclaren Mercedes Team well ahead in the constructors championship.
The large number of accidents also gave plenty of air time to the new 2009 SL63 AMG safety car. A Mercedes did lead every lap!
Labels: Formula 1
Mar 15, 2008
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Drivers Qualify 1st & 3rd in Melbourne
I just got done watching qualifying for the first Formula One race of the year in Australia. Our drivers are in great pole position for tomorrow's race. Lewis Hamilton is in first with Heikki Kovalainen behind him in third. The race starts at midnight Saturday on Speed channel.
Labels: Formula 1
Mar 8, 2008
Mercedes Debuts AMG Safety and Medical Cars For 2008 Formula One Season
Since 1996 Mercedes-Benz and AMG have supplied the official Formula One Safety Car and the 2008 season will continue this great tradition. Mercedes relationship with the world's most popular form of motor racing has provide huge awareness of the stunning combination of luxury and performance that all AMG models provide their owners. Taking over from the CLK63 AMG used in 2006 and 2007, the newly updated SL63 has been modified to take over the 2008 Safety Car duties. In addition the obvious addition of lights and safety equipment this SL has been stripped of it's retractable top mechanism and various panels have been replace with carbon fiber. These changes resulted in almost 500 pounds of weight savings.
Mercedes will also provide new wheels for Formula One's Race Doctor and first responders. Based on the C63 AMG wagon, that we don't get to enjoy in this country, the 2008 Medical Car carries a response team of four and emergency equipment as fast as possible to any accident.
Qualifying for the first Formula One race of the season starts in just 7 days.
Feb 27, 2008
Is Ron Dennis Out?
Rumors hit the net this morning that the team principal of McLaren Mercedes Formula One team, Ron Dennis, has been fired. The teams reasoning for this seems to surround Stepneygate and his handling of the team tensions between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. For me the huge role he played in bringing Lewis Hamilton up through the ranks to become one of the greatest rookie drivers in F1 history out weighs all of those issues.Labels: Formula 1
Feb 19, 2008
Ralf Schumacher to Race for Mercedes DTM!
It was announced yesterday that Ralf Schumacher will be racing for Mercedes this year in our DTM car! As an avid Formula 1 fan, I have watched Ralf race for years in the shadow of his brother, 7-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, and I am excited to see what he can do in the DTM series! His first race is April 13th at the season opener in Hockenheim. The Schumacher name is always good to have on board and he is certainly an experienced driver. We don't get much coverage of the series here but I can keep up online.Labels: Formula 1
Jan 7, 2008
Lewis Hamilton signs with McLaren Mercedes through 2012
It looks like Lewis Hamilton will be with our McLaren Mercedes F1 team through 2012. His stunning rookie season earned him a 3800% raise to a $27 million a year. He is a huge asset to the team and really made the 2007 season something to watch. I was worried that a without Michael Shumacher Formula One might lose something, but last year's three way battle for the championship was great. I really wish Lewis wouldn't have parked it in the gravel coming into the pits in China. That would have probably given him the championship and one more record breaking rookie first to go along with his many others he racked up. To review he had the most wins in a debut season at 4, most pole positions in a debut season at 6, most consecutive podiums from debut race at 9, and he's the youngest driver to ever lead the Formula One points championship. Lewis fits great with the Mercedes brand and I can wait for the first race of the 2008 season in Melbourne on March 16th.
Labels: Formula 1
