Archive for the ‘McLaren Mercedes’ Category

7th race of the season is in Indianapolis on Sunday at 13.00 in the local time.

About the Circuit

Time difference: GMT -5

No of Laps: 73

Race Distance: 306.016 km

Lap Record: Rubens Barrichello (BRA), Ferrari, 2004, 1min 10.399

Directions: Located in speedway at the north-east corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road, seven miles north west of downtown Indianapolis.

History: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway circuit is long recognised as the home of US motor racing and joined the Grand Prix circuit in 2000 after a number of track modifications. America had previously been part of the F1 circus for many years hosting races at Long Beach in California and Watkins Glen on the East side as well as high-profile ‘car park’ circuits such as Detroit and Phoenix. The latter’s appearance on the schedule in 1991 was so disastrous when a sparse crowd attended that F1 officials were determined to get the race hosted at The Brickyard. The original oval track opened in 1909 and became host to the famous Indianapolis 500 in 1911. However, after 1998, organisers constructed a track across the infield to add to the stadium section to leave drivers with a true F1 test.

The Race

Friday

Practice 1 : Lewis Hamilton 1:12.628 ranked #3

Practice 2 : Lewis Hamilton 1:12.309 ranked #2

Also, Hamilton got the 2nd best times in each sector after Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton talking after Friday’s pratices : “As this was the first time I have ever driven at the Indianapolis track I spent some time just getting to know the circuit. The really tricky bit is the mid-section as it’s very tight and twisty. We spent our time fine tuning the set-up and evaluating the two different tyre options provided by Bridgestone this weekend. In the first part of the second session I ran a little wide and did some minor damage to the aerodynamic fences which took a little time for the guys to repair. We have a pretty good idea of where we are going, and it looks like we should be competitive, but as always Friday is only the start of the weekend - there is a long way to go.”

Saturday

Lewis Hamilton has done it twice in a week and have got the pole position before tomorrow’s Indy race. Alonso is second, Massa 3rd. Go on rookie, do it again!

Practice : Lewis Hamilton 1:12.378 ranked #3

Qualifying : Lewis Hamilton 1:12.331 ranked #1

Lewis Hamilton talking after qualifying : “To be on pole once again within a week is fantastic - I like North America! The fans here have been so enthusiastic and supportive for the team, and I hope they enjoyed today. I screamed into my helmet when I got the confirmation from the team of the pole position. It’s a challenge to come to a track for the first time, and I have learnt new things every single corner and every single lap. I knew I had to push very hard in my second run in Q3. The car is working well, and the team has done a great job - for us to have both cars on the front row is a real advantage, and hopefully the team will be able to make the best of it in tomorrow’s race.”

Line up after qualifying :

1 L Hamilton (GB) McLaren 1:12.331
2 F Alonso (Spn) McLaren 1:12.500
3 F Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:12.703
4 K Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:12.839
5 N Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:12.847
6 H Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 1:13.308
7 S Vettel (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:13.513
8 J Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:13.789
9 M Webber (Aus) RedBull-Renault 1:13.871
10 G Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:13.953
11 D Coulthard (GB) RedBull-Renault 1:12.873
12 R Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:12.920
13 J Button (GB) Honda 1:12.998
14 N Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1:13.060
15 R Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:13.201
16 A Davidson (GB) Super Aguri-Honda 1:13.259
17 A Wurz (Aut) Williams-Toyota 1:13.441
18 T Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda 1:13.477
19 V Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:13.484
20 S Speed (US) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:13.712
21 A Sutil (Ger) Spyker-Ferrari 1:14.122
22 C Albers (Ned) Spyker-Ferrari 1:14.597

Sunday

Lewis Hamilton did it again! Welldone boy, 2nd victory in 7th race.

Lewis Hamilton talking after the victory : “It just keeps getting better and better - what an amazing week this has been. I can’t believe that I have won and am so incredibly grateful to the team who have worked to hard to continue the development which has seen us taking one-two here today. Everything went right; start, pit stops, strategy and I’m really happy. I was under pressure all the way from Fernando (Alonso) and we were both pushing as hard as possible.

“I made a good start to maintain the advantage but Fernando was right there. In the second stint Fernando managed to get really close when my tyres were graining, and he had a go at the end of the straight, but I was able to keep him behind. It’s been a long and hot day, but I have really enjoyed myself and the support from the fans.”

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Winning his first F1 grand prix victory Hamilton said : “I’m on another planet after this - I simply can’t find the words to describe what it feels like to win my first Formula One race. The team has done a fantastic job and I’m so happy to be part of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes family. I made an OK start off the line - nothing spectacular but managed to get a good exit out of the first corner and whilst mayhem was happening around me I was able to keep my cool and focus. Obviously I’m pleased that my good friend Robert is OK after his accident. It seemed like every time I opened up a bit of a gap the Safety Car came out and I had to start all over again. It was only a few laps from the end I realised that victory was within my grasp and I started noticing things like the fans cheering and when I crossed the finishing line it was amazing. I now have to stay focused and keep up the good work. It’s been an incredible start to my Formula 1 career so far but I know there is a tough season ahead of us. Finally thanks to the entire team at McLaren and Mercedes-Benz for all the hard work they have put into the car – it’s an absolute pleasure to drive and be part of such a winning combination.”

“King of the road” it reads on today’s Time newspaper and they claim Lewis Hamilton has got his firts step in being the icon of the new era.

Lewis is leading the drivers championship with 48 points. Go on Super Human!

 

 

Bernie Ecclestone has compared Lewis Hamilton to seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher – but doubts he will lift the title in his debut season. Read the rest of this entry »

In Monaco, afther the fifth race of the season Lewis Hamilton got the second place after other McLaren Mercedes driver Fernando Alonso with 1:15.905. While Ferrari driverFelipe Massa got the third place.

Now, two McLaren drivers, Hamilton and Alonso are sharing the leadership with 38 points and 33 points owner Massa follows them. McLaren also leads constructors table with 76 and Ferrari is the second with 56 points.