Archive for July, 2009

Classic F1 – Spanish Grand Prix 1996

Watch highlights from the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix as Michael Schumacher wins his first race for Ferrari with a stunning drive in the wet.

7/29 :: Not much cushion

SPARTA, Ky. — Scott Dixon entered the race at Kentucky Speedway last year with a 65-point lead over Helio Castroneves in the championship standings. Then-Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon was third (115 points back).

Dixon doesn’t have such a cushion this week as he seeks to successfully defend the race win in the Meijer Indy 300 Presented by Red Baron and Edy’s. Dario Franchitti is three points back and Team Penske’s Ryan Briscoe is 14 points arrears with six races remaining.

Click it: IndyCar Series standings through 11 races

There’s been a different points leader after each of the past five races, and only Briscoe has led after two consecutive events (Texas and Iowa in June) all season.

“I just want to be leading the championship at Homestead,” said Dixon, pointing to the Oct. 9 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ”It’s good for pit position sometimes throughout the season and may come into play at some of these races that are coming up. You’ve just got to make sure that you’re consistent, don’t fall out of the chase or out of the championship part of it with two races to go.

“I don’t think it’s played too much on the mind of the team or myself or Dario. Every race you’re trying to do the best and you’re trying to win it. We got caught up in trying to drive for points last year, and we definitely lost a big margin that we had. You’ve just got to concentrate on getting the best points you can each race.” 

Dixon’s record-tying six victory of the season at Kentucky Speedway increased his points lead over Castroneves to 78, though that gap dwindled in succeeding races at Infineon and Belle Isle. The title was decided – for the third year in a row – in the finale at Chicagoland Speedway.

The dramatic ending on the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway oval saw Dixon close in on Castroneves over the final two laps, catching and passing the No. 3 Team Penske car when it ran dry of fuel through the final two turns. Dixon had led 151 of the 200 laps after starting from the pole in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car.

“It was strategy in the end, it was crazy,” Dixon reflected. “There was no way we were going to catch (Castroneves). He was half the track ahead of us. I knew our car was probably quicker than his, but not 20 miles per hour faster. It was nice to get it the way we did.”

Manager says Kubica now on the market

Robert Kubica’s manager says the Polish driver is now official on the market following the announcement of BMW’s exit from Formula 1.

Ralf hails Michael’s return as great

Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula 1 is the best news the sport could get, according to his brother Ralf.

Tight at the top in BMW M Award

Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi are the current frontrunners in the 2009 BMW M Award for best qualifier in MotoGP.

Alexander Wurz

Photos of the Formula 1 drivers and test drivers of the 11 teams of the 2007 season. Photo of Alexander Wurz, the Williams driver.

Kimi Raikkonen

Photos of the Formula 1 drivers and test drivers of the 11 teams of the 2007 season. Kimi Raikkonen drives for Ferrari.

Yamaha dominating Teams’ and Constructors’ championships

Looking back over the ten rounds of the 2009 World Championship to date, as MotoGP begins its short summer break, Yamaha’s dominance has been an evident trend thus far.

Official MotoGP09 game now available for your mobile

Quench your thirst for MotoGP action on the go with the new official MotoGP09 mobile game.

FOM Media release – clarification

In the closing minutes of the Q3 qualifying session for the FORMULA 1 ING MAGYAR NAGYDIJ 2009, the Official Live Timing system did not update the timing screens. This was due to the finish line sensor suffering mechanical failure in the form of a damaged cable.

Well established back up procedures ensured that no data was lost and complete results for the qualifying session were quickly established and released…