Imagine Formula 1 - Blog RSS (News)

Ricciardo and Vergne join Toro Rosso

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:36:20 +0000

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo and Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne have joined Toro Rosso for the 2012 season having impressed team principal Franz Tost in recent months.

The duo replace Sebastien...

By Chris White

Construction Begins on Argentinian Circuit

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:29:49 +0000

After the success of the Indian Grand Prix this year, and the new circuit in Austin scheduled to be ready in time for the 2012 season, we could be set to have another new circuit on the Formula One calendar by 2014.

Last week a ceremony was held 100km outside Buenos Aires in Argentina, to unveil plans for a new racing circuit capable of hosting F1 races, bringing the...

By Chris White

Force India Choose di Resta and Hulkenberg

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:37:27 +0000

Force India are the latest team to confirm the names of their drivers for the 2012 season, with Paul di Resta keeping his spot in the squad, and being joined by Nico Hulkenberg. The 24-year old German replaces Adrian...

By Chris White

Future Uncertain for di Resta

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:39:49 +0000

With several teams having already completed their line-ups for the 2012 season, Paul di Resta remains unclear on his future at Force India, claiming that the Silverstone-based team are yet to finalise their plans.

The Scot who impressed in his debut season, is expected to keep his place at the team, and be joined by...

By Chris White

Grosjean Joins New Look Lotus for 2012

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:40:46 +0000

Romain Grosjean will join Kimi Raikkonen in the new-look Lotus team for the 2012 season, with the former Renault driver becoming the final piece in the project for the former Renault squad.

Grosjean was dropped from the Renault squad after failing to impress back in 2009,...

By Chris White

No Changes to F1 Calendar in 2012

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:00:27 +0000

With doubts lingering over the future of the Bahrain Grand Prix in the Formula One calendar, as well as the new circuit in Texas for the United States Grand Prix, those concerned can now relax, with the provisional calendar for next season approved after a meeting of the World Motor Sports Council.

There were several...

By Chris White

Rowland Rewarded for Formula Renault Achievements

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:21:09 +0000

Teenage driver Oliver Rowland has been rewarded for his achievements in 2011 by being given the chance to test-drive an official McLaren racing car, having picked up the Autosport British Racing Drivers’ Club award.

19-year old Rowland finished as runner-up in the Formula Renau...

By Chris White

Raikkonen to Return to F1 Paddock

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:00:51 +0000

The 2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen is to return to the F1 paddock for the 2012 season, after a two-year absence. Raikkonen, who has 18 race victories and 62 podium finishes in the sport makes his return after leaving in 2009 for a career in rallying.

Having held discussions with teams such as Williams...

By Chris White

Webber Wins Season Finale

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:07:37 +0000

Australian Mark Webber recorded his first win of the season at the final race of the year at the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, forcing team-mate and world champion Sebastian Vettel into second after suffering gearbox problems.

Vettel took his record 15^th pole position of the...

By Chris White

Petrov Apologises to Renault

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:29:05 +0000

Russian driver Vitaly Petrov has apologised to his Renault team after criticising their strategies and upgrades during a television interview back home. The 27-year old driver has apologised to team bosses and the crew after what was described as a “heat of the moment” reaction to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Petrov, who finished la...

By Chris White

Ecclestone Ready to Axe US Grand Prix

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:31:08 +0000

The 2012 United States Grand Prix at the new Circuit of the Americas is on the brink of being axed according to Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone. The news comes on the back of details released by the circuit’s owners, stating that work on the circuit had been stopped.

Construction of the new circuit in Austin, Texas, has been halted over a contractual dispu...

By Chris White

Vettel's Record Hopes Go Bang

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:19:44 +0000

Double world champion Sebastian Vettel saw his hopes of the record of race victories in a season go bang – quite literally – in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as his rear right wheel suffered a puncture on just the second corner of the race.

The puncture caused sufficient enough damage to force the Red Bull driver to retire from the Grand Prix, his first non-finish in over a year, the last coming at the 2010 Korean Grand Prix.

Having qualified on pole position, the scene was set for Vettel to rack up his 12^th victory of the season, and he got off the line fastest, beating Lewis Hamilton into the first turn, only for all his hard work to go up in smoke by the time he entered the second.

The German admitted he felt “hurt” after having to pull out of the race, with “nothing we could have done better all weekend. We just need to look at what caused the puncture,” he said. “I had a good start and was happy up until that point. To lose the race that early on hurts a lot.”

Vettel was in pursuit of compatriot Michael Schumacher and his record of 13 race victories in a single season, with just one race left, the Brazilian Grand Prix in ten days time.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said that he didn’t know what had caused the puncture that brought an end to Vettel’s ambitions, other than “an instantaneous loss of pressure in turn two.”

On board footage of Vettel's puncture from Abu Dhabi:

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By Chris White

Hamilton Fends off Alonso for Abu Dhabi Victory

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:12:01 +0000

Lewis Hamilton returned to the top of the podium with a thrilling performance in Abu Dhabi to hold off the challenge of Ferrari rival Fernando Alonso after the double world champion Sebastian...

By Chris White

Former F1 Boss Wins Privacy Case

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:11:55 +0000

A court in Paris has passed ruling on the privacy case started by Max Mosley against the News of the World back in 2008, ruling in favour of the former Formula One boss.

Mr Mosley claimed that the now defunct newspaper violated his privacy by publishing a number of photographs suggesting that Mr Mosley had organised a Nazi-themed orgy. The 71-year...

By Chris White

Team Lotus and Renault Change Names for 2012

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:52:49 +0000

The long-running arguments over the use of the Lotus brand name in Formula One has finally been resolved for the 2012 season, with both Team Lotus and Renault changing their names for the new season.

At a meeting of F1 bosses, the new names were accepted, with Renault – spons...

By Chris White