The world has been missing a good racing movie. I mean, an actual good racing movie that shows the thrills and possible horrors of the sport. Ron Howard has brought together some amazing talent to make a film that’s less in a lesser talked about era of Grand Prix racing.
Lauda vs Hunt. I mean, Thor is now James Hunt! I cannot wait to see this movie. This is going to be amazing. What about you guys? Let us know in the comments.
Well keeping with my interest in Formula 1 new car launches, today Mclaren released the MP4-28 as the Woking team’s contender for the 2013 season.
Although it looks much like the MP4-27 from 2012, there are some key differences that really stand out. The easiest to point out off the cuff is the higher nose, new pull-rod suspension (see video) and redesigned side-pods to emulate Ferrari’s 2012 design.
I’m keeping this post short as you can find pictures of the new car all over the net. Plus this is the launch version of the car, so things will always changes before the first test and race. Anyway, see the launch video for the MP4-28 after the jump.
During the off-season, it’s always important to find someway to sharpen your racing skills for when the spring time returns. So over the weekend, I played some RFactor on a friend’s computer.
In my opinion, quality simulation games are a good way to improve your mental programming while racing on a budget.
We spent the afternoon practicing with classic Formula 1 cars, on tracks that we’d never driven before. It gave us some time to re-learn some of our old skills, and also create a list of new habits to start working on for the upcoming season.
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I can dig it. Plus Mclaren has to be able to laugh at something, with the slipping form that the real F1 team has been having in recent races. I’m surprised this cartoon didn’t mention anything about pit-stops.
Note: I also know that the website is rendering incorrectly. I’m doing my best to figure out the error, and hopefully I’ll have everything back up to speed soon!
Although none of us had ever met him, most of us who write for this blog love Aryton Senna. |StartingGrid| has written several articles about him, including a very special one which features photos from the San Marino Grand Prix taken by one of readers on that tragic day of May 1st, 1994.
Out of respect, I had planned to write an entire article about Senna. However, posts of that kind can be found all throughout the internet. I decided that today would be better spent in quiet reflection. Not only about the passing of Aryton Senna, but how we spend the rest of our time on this planet.
What does any of that have to with Ayrton Senna? Senna was a man who not only chased after his dreams. He spent his life pushing himself to become better, stronger and faster. His single-minded focus, belief and dedication moved generations of people throughout the world, and changed our perceptions about what one person could accomplish.
That impact should be respected and never forgotten. We should all strive to reach such greatness. Even if we fail to make it, those who do will be more successful than those who fail to try. So with those thoughts in mind today, take a moment to remember Senna.
Now, what will you do next?
There isn’t much to say about this car that I haven’t already talked about. That being said, enjoy! 
Today Mclaren launched their 2012 contender, the MP4-27. The hope is that the Woking-based squad can get a jump on the development race early on in 2012, rather than having to play catch up.
I’m sure that the team get tired of hearing the words ‘runner-up’, when they have winning infused in their DNA.
I’m not going to post about a bunch of launch pictures, because you can find them all over the internet today. I’m really rooting for Mclaren this year (as I do every year), because I’m really tired of seeing the Sebastian Vettel finger at the end of grand prix!
Come on, Macca! (I’m going to look for more detailed pictures later in the day, and hopefully try to have a more detailed discussion about this car.)
Thanks to LAT Photographic for providing this.
Did anyone watch the Korean Grand Prix? I thought that Hamilton and Webber’s battle was the most interesting part of the entire race!
I honestly didn’t know that Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton were battling back in Formula 3! Finding this video puts the battles between Hamilton and Vettel in the beginning of the Formula 1 2011 season in more perspective.
I wonder how much history do the two have together through the years?…
Fact- I love McLaren.
They are one of my favorite automotive brands. Passionate, intelligent, competitive and enthusiastic. McLaren represents a symbol of the automotive industry as a forward-thinker and a leader in new technological developments.
Today McLaren has officially opened the McLaren Production Center, development and production location for the McLaren MP4-12C. It’s a 20,000sq m facility, which churns out 6 MP4-12C a day. This facility is as beautifully designed, efficient and effective as the McLaren road car that it puts out.
Take a look at the demo video of the brand new facility.
It shows that they not only want to be winners in Formula 1, but winners in all areas of automotive development.
In my last post, I pointed out what I thought was a lame-duck marketing effort by Lotus Cars. Now I wanted to point out what I believe to be a much cooler marketing effort in motorsport.
One of Vodaphone Mclaren-Mercedes more active sponsors, is the drink company Johnnie Walker. The company has worked with Mclaren on a number of levels to develop some interesting campaigns, which melt the brands of the ‘cool’ Johnnie Walker with the high-speed competitiveness of Mclaren.
What makes it so good? Obviously the involvement with the drivers, and the racing team make for an engaging first step. However, take a closer look at some of the themes that prevail throughout, which hint at the level of success that these drivers and teams have achived. A success which reflects on positively on the sponsors that support them. As a bonus, I like the use of black/white imagery, which just make these videos interesting to watch.
Below are some highlighted marketing videos that have been developed through the Johnnie Walker sponsorship campaign, that I just wanted to feature for our followers this morning.
Lewis and Jenson detail the Singapore nightlife
Lewis explains how he gets prepared for a race weekend
How does Jenson feel about racing after winning the World Championship?
The Mclaren F1 was initially designed to be a road-car only. Thankfully, Mclaren loves to win too much to leave things as they are. Therefore in 1995, they designed the Mclaren F1 GTR race car to compete at LeMans.
Next to the Mclaren F1 LM, this car is one of my favorites. (Check out the pictures and videos below.)
Editors Note: If the gallery thumbnail photos are appearing weird, WordPress is having a problem with their servers. The images appear fine once you click on them, and hopefully the issue will be sorted soon.
Does anyone remember when Jenson Button was racing for Benetton, Renault or BAR-Honda? They said that he had talent, but was undisciplined.
They said that he wouldn’t amount to very much. They said a lot of things.
Looks whose talking now.
Formula 1 may be going through a summer break, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t had enough of it! I’ve spent some of my time doing research on former Formula 1 World Champions, learning about older teams and gaining an understanding for the heritage for the sport. (Click more to view video)
This video was taken on Jenson and Lewis on the build up for the British Grand Prix. While that race has been over and done with, I’m featuring it for an entirely different reason.
What this video really shows is the passionate and fighting spirit that these two guys have for racing. It shows how important it is to have a strong support team around you, as you’re developing and fighting for a dream. As a driver, or as just someone who loves racing, you have to show enthusiasm, as the challenges before you can be so great.
As you watch this video, take a moment and think about what excites you about the things that you love to do in life.
Use that as your energy to move to the next level.
*****
Sidenote: I promise, I do have some more ‘driving-technique posts coming up soon. I just need to make some time to finish one of them off.
Mclaren have classically come up with some interesting commercials with their Formula 1 drivers. Lewis and Jenson have built their own F1 car, raced slot cars and gone camping. Now they’re photographers and they are running their own photo shoot! Another video that just makes you chuckle.
Some classic lines here.
A few weeks ago, we featured a teaser video about Lewis Hamilton and Tony Stewart doing a car swap at Watkins Glen. Yesterday, the event finally happened with Hamilton driving the NASCAR and Stewart driving the MP4-23. Below is some video of the event.
Honestly, I had more fun enjoying watching Hamilton drive the stock car than Stewart in the Formula 1. Still fun stuff. Not as much as a branding success as Jenson Button taking the F1 car around Bathurst, but still a cool event nonetheless. I’m really hoping that Formula 1 uses this event to connect with the North American market in a stronger format than in the past. (Click on the title to see more video, as it comes in six parts.)
Today, Mclaren released it’s FIA GT3 competition version of the MP4-12C. I personally love this car, as it’s aerodynamically beautiful, while providing the awesome handling that Mclaren is known for infusing into their cars.
Rumor has it that 20 of these cars will be built in preparation for the 2012 season. I’d love to get my hands on one. (Check out the video after the jump)
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We’ve all seen it, but it’s an awesome thing to watch during lunch. (Video after the jump)
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This weekend, two Formula One drivers won our “Driver of the Weekend” award. Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber both put on master class performances in the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend, and deserve credit for their awesomeness. However, both earned this prize for different reasons.
Here is a car that I’ve been waiting for with baited breath. Mclaren’s MP4-12C. Below we have a brief highlight video of the car in action. (Check out the video after the jump)
Two current world champions meet up with a legendary car from the past. Check the video.
Recent find. I’ve got to say that Lewis knows how to get the job done. Hopefully, 2011 has more of these moves.
Lewis Hamilton’s 2010 Overtakes (Through Round 9) from Bernard Ecclesworth on Vimeo.
What happens when Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button try to build their own car without their team? This is one of my favorite Vodaphone ads, and since this Saturday has been about awesome car commercials, I want you to see this one too.
We’ve got our focus on the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, planning to put together a post for you in the coming days. So in the meantime we wanted to give you a grabbag of pictures, just so you know that we haven’t forgotten about you.
Enjoy the weekend, and watch the F1 race live if you can!
No matter what type of motorsport, the input of the driver is crucial to develop a successful racing car. As they are the one who are competing in the machine, it is important that the car matches their driving style as much as it does put down competitive laptimes.
Check out this video by James Allen, who talks about how important a driver is in the development of his team’s Formula 1 car. It’s a bit older video, but the impact is still there. With the 2011 Formula 1 race season starting this weekend, think about how each driver’s special feedback will affect the development of their car throughout the season.
When did it happen that a racing driver was managed more by his PR group, than his own emotions? Do you remember the interviews of Nigel Mansell, James Hunt or Aryton Senna? Those men spoke what they felt, and they made sure that everyone knew it. The classic greats had flair, style and more importantly were more honest than drivers of current.
Look at the interviews of Vettel, Hamilton and even Alonso. They seem pre-written, manufactured and just fake. Sometimes it’s important to measure your response, on behalf of the team or to keep moral high. Other times though, you just need to just speak up and let the world know what you think! Especially when someone has put your life at risk with a stupid move, or a serious mistake has been made.
Maybe it’s because fast racing drivers have become more common, so it’s easy to be replaced. Maybe some people are scared to defend what they actually think. However, we at the “StartingGrid” think that it’s more important for a driver to speak what is on their mind.
Speak honest, and drive honest. We know it’s easier said than done, but we wish it was more common in motorsport, versus the cookiecutter responses that we get now.
At the end of the day, they are the ones who are putting themselves at risk.
Here are some pictures and videos of some classic interviewers and drivers. Just think, when the mike is put in your face, what would you say?
Can you feel the essense of this image?
With the 2011 Pre-Season test sessions in the books, the time for real racing is upon us. The Australian Grand Prix is right around the corner now, and at the time of this writing, only 12 days away. Going into the new season, the question seems to be which team will be able to utilize the new Pirelli tires to the maximum? The teams have been working hard trying to make up for the lost aerodynamic downforce produced by 2010′s cars. The cars no longer have the Double Decked Diffuser, an added weight penalty, a set weight distribution, and KERS/Active Rear Wing to deal with. The drivers are sure to be busy in the cockpits, having already had a multitude of buttons and adjustments to make, but now sorting the new ARW with KERS will add an extra degree of difficulty.
The top teams have wracked up a massive amount of time with Ferrari constantly putting in 100+ lap days save for one incident with Felipe Massa’s prancing horse having it’s arse go up in flames. The team’s Ferrari 150* Italia features seemingly small cooling margins for aerodynamic gain and a re-worked rear suspension arrangement that still uses the pushrod cleverly sorted into a very small and compact package. Meanwhile the sidepods, bargeboards, and floor have been revised to clean up the airflow around the sides of the car.
Ferrari 150* Italia
Red Bull look again to be the favorites for the season, despite Mark Webber believing the Fezza are the team to beat, putting in consistent fast laps and blistering pace during long run simulations. Their RB7 chassis looks to retool some of the ideas used on the clever RB5 that was able to keep up with and beat the championship winning BrawnGP car of 2008. Again, like it’s predecessors, the RB7 is very clean cut, with very sleek and slender rear body lines to maximize the usage of their exhaust blown floor along with a very neatly packaged pullrod rear suspension. The team have decided to tighten up the rear body work to take full advantage of the air available to the rear diffuser and wings.
RedBull RB7
Mercedes looked to have set their mark with the fastest overall time in Barcelona at a 1.21.249 done by the reborn Michael Schumacher in the W02. The team have introduced a rehash of the Brawn001′s front wing element and sleeker side pods that have helped the team find a good chunk of time and have helped to put them right back in the thick of things. Ross Brawn has stated that:
“The car is more consistent now, we are able to make changes to it that have an effect. Everything is moving in the right direction.”
Read the interview here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9422249.stm
It will be interesting to see if they can turn their 2010 struggles into 2011 championship points.
MercedesGP W02
McLaren have had a bit of a struggle this pre-season, juggling the radical concepts of their heavily undercut floor along with their L-shaped cooling inlets. Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton have both admitted that their new MP4-26 contender may not be quite the contender they had hoped for. The reliability of the car has been shaky at best and the drivers have said that the balance of the car is not quite right. Although they may be struggling now, McLaren have always had a good reputation for being able to develop a car throughout the season from a zero to a hero.
McLaren MP4-26
Grading the pre-season thus far and how the top 4 teams have managed, I’d say that the Red Bull is still the favorite with Ferrari just behind. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ upgraded body work have seemingly put them ahead of McLaren. There is still some work to do for the Woking team and it will undoubtedly be an uphill battle as the other contenders will be developing as fast as they can.
Tomorrow, I will go through the midfield to review the Lotus Renault, Sauber Ferrari, Williams, Force India, and Scuderia Toro Rosso and see what they have done to bring them closer to the top.
Mclaren may be having trouble in Formula 1 right now, but in sports cars they are working with awesome sauce.
We here at “Starting Grid” love the MP4-12C roadcar, so the GT3 is just the perfect evolution for a 2011 racecar.
Although, just so you know that we haven’t gone crazy. “No, it’s not as cool as one of these…”
