F1 Formula 1 Gossip

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Get involved:

Bishop Yinkus: A heart in the mouth wheel to wheel drive from Vergne and Riciardo.... Loving the last race of the season.
Alex: Top stuff between Vergne and Ric, love seeing that, awesome.

Rhys: Wife's waters have broken! I only got to see the start and we're off to hospital! Go on Lewis!! I'll be back as soon as I can.....
Jamie: I'm with Rhys! missing F1. Today's excitement is in the labour ward.

Paul: The whole season summed up in one corner. Rosberg is quick but Hamilton is the better racer. Game on.
Emily Russell: Superb start from Lewis Hamilton. I do want him to win the title but primarily today I'm cheering on the Williams boys. Come on!

David McMillan: Great start from Lewis. It is now officially squeaky bum time.
Luke: Watching the race in a pub as the car broke down, winning!!!!

Duncan: Foolishly volunteered to be the expedition supervisor for my daughter's Duke of Edinburgh Award. Currently sat at the back of a workshop, during a full day's training, following the GP via live text on my mobile like a naughty school boy.

Ryan: Watching the text commentary at a christening trying to do it secretly come on Lewis!
Tom: Watching the GP whilst drawing Christmas Cards! Procrastination evident.
David P: Following the race on the BBC Sport app in a taxi on the way to Heathrow! Come on Lewis!

 

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Who has been the driver of the season?
This vote is now closed. Here are the results:

Lewis Hamilton
66.4%

Nico Rosberg
5.4%

Daniel Ricciardo
18.4%

Valtteri Bottas
8.5%

Felipe Massa
1.3%

 

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• Lap 49
  Nico Rosberg is currently seventh, with Lewis Hamilton leading. So as it stands, Hamilton will win the title. But what if Felipe Massa catches Hamilton and the two bang wheels, forcing Hamilton out? That would mean Rosberg would only need fifth to win the title. Just saying.
  

 

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Hamilton wins world title

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Monday, 24 November
Lewis Hamilton's family react to the world title.....

Lewis Hamilton's grandmother Eulisia, who lives in Grenada, told BBC Radio 5 live she was not able to watch her grandson become world champion for the second time.

"We did not get to see it, it was so sad," she said. "We only get a few races on TV. We were very disappointed we did not get the last one.

"I got a lap-by-lap commentary on the computer and followed it from there. I was so nervous sometimes I had to get up and go and do something, then come back."

What the papers say after Lewis Hamilton wins the 2014 world title

Greatest day of my life - Hamilton joins the sporting greats by winning his second world title, says the Daily Telegraph. Hamilton said: "I'm hoping that I get to go and see the Queen again."

The wheel deal - Lewis joins the greats with his second F1 title, says the Daily Mail. Legendary British ex-F1 driver Sir Stirling Moss said: "To our new British champion I say: 'Well done, old boy'."

On top of the world - Rocket man Hamilton off to a flier to clinch title, says the Daily Express. "Within two seasons, Hamilton's promise has been fulfilled," writes Nick Stamford. "And Hamilton can finally fend off any fears he would finish his career a one-hit wonder."

Champion Hamilton toasts the 'happiest day of my life' - Mercedes flier sees off rival Rosberg to become first Briton for 43 years to win world title twice, says the Guardian. "The opportunity for further glory lies ahead on a trajectory that will perhaps be a little smoother," writes Richard Williams. "The story is far from over."

Abu Dhabi Doo - Tearful Hamilton is crowned king of F1, says the Daily Mirror. "In the end, it was so simple," writes Byron Young. "Lewis Hamilton did not have to fight for it."

'Greatest feeling ever' - Hamilton's joy as victory in Abu Dhabi secures second F1 world title, says the Independent. "Lewis Hamilton loves Maya Angelou's famous poem 'Still I Rise', and perhaps its lines that best summarised his ascent to a drivers' second World Championship," writes David Tremayne.

Royal seal of approval for King Hamilton - Rosberg driven to tears as rival roars into history books, says the Times (subscription required).Hamilton said: "My family came and surprised me at breakfast, which was a great thing. I wanted them to be here."

Hamilton the king: £100m Lew deal - new champ to cash in, says the Sun (subscription required). "Lewis Hamilton will celebrate his F1 world title by opening talks on a £100m new deal," writes Ben Hunt.

Lew Beaut - Lewis Hamilton leaves Nico Rosberg in his wake, says the Daily Star. Hamilton said: "I hardly slept on Saturday night (before the race). I went to bed about 1am and woke up at 5am and went for a run."

Other gossip

Lewis Hamilton allowed himself a single celebratory drink with his family on Sunday night, before vowing to return even stronger in 2015.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Mercedes will return to the UK and reflect on the season before starting contract talks with Hamilton next week.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso says the reputation he has for being difficult to work with is wrong and thinks the door will stay open at Ferrari for a return.

Carlos Sainz Jr could be unveiled within days as Toro Rosso's new driver for 2015.

Felipe Massa thought he and Williams were on course to end the 2014 season with victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

McLaren's Jenson Button tweeted on Monday morning: "I'm not done yet!! There's still so much I want to achieve in this sport," as his future in the sport remains uncertain.

Nico Rosberg tweeted a picture of his crew and suggested he is already thinking about next season: "Mega boys. Thank you guys for this year. #2015bigPush"

Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat tweeted: "Always thinking about Jules." Driver Jules Bianchi is no longer in an artificial coma and is breathing unaided after suffering severe head injuries at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Caterham are staying in Abu Dhabi for the post-season test which begins on Tuesday, with Britain's Will Stevens driving.

After his final race for Ferrari, Alonso chose to swap his helmet with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.
Alonso is expected to drive for McLaren next season.

Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo swapped helmets after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

 

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Tuesday, 25 November
Lewis Hamilton: Relationship with Rosberg 'tougher' than Alonso.

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg helped push him to new levels but admits it was tough to make their relationship work.
He also had a turbulent time at McLaren in 2007 with team mate Fernando Alonso.
But Hamilton says his 2014 experience with Rosberg was "maybe tougher" after the pair clashed on and off the track.

Caterham buyer could put team back in business 'within weeks'
Formula 1 team Caterham are in talks with a potential buyer who could put them back in business within weeks, according to their administrator.
They entered administration last month with 230 staff later made redundant.
"I am honestly talking to somebody who would like to take this over within the next month," administrator Finbarr O'Connell said.

Abu Dhabi GP: Red Bull wing design deemed deliberate.
Red Bull were disqualified from Abu Dhabi qualifying because their front wing was deemed to have been designed deliberately to break the rules.
Officials found a spring concealed in both sides of the wing that allowed two flaps to move downwards when at speed.

Fernando Alonso says it was difficult to cope with the emotions of his final race for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi.
The Spaniard, who is leaving the team after five years, said the start of the race was particularly hard.
"It was the worst moment," the 33-year-old said. "We fired up the engine and the mechanics stay there with the tyre blankets to the last minute.
"Two guys at the front, I saw they were looking at me, eyes shining. It was difficult to put first gear and start."
Alonso is to join McLaren next season, although his move has not yet been announced by the team or the driver himself.
King Juan Carlos of Spain, who is close to Alonso, said on Spanish television on Sunday that the two-time champion had told him he had signed for McLaren.

Jenson Button says his late father John would be furious that the driver faces an uncertain Formula 1 future.
The Briton's involvement in the sport is in doubt with McLaren yet to make a decision on next year's drivers.

 

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Wednesday, 26 November
A leading German website says the F1 Commission, meeting in Geneva this week, will scrap double points from next year.

Force India tested a new display system, developed by Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The 'Info Wing' is a small carbon fibre component designed to fit to the top of the airbox and could be used to display race information, such as a driver's name and position.

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier says the "huge potential" of the new Honda engine can return the team to title-winning ways.

Ex-Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso says the fact his former teams are always willing to keep "one door open" for him proves he is easy to work with.

Carlos Sainz Jr hopes his test for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday will help him land a drive at their junior team Toro Rosso alongside Max Verstappen next season.

Denmark is the latest country to express an interest in hosting a Formula 1 race.

Marco Mattiacci leaving his role as Ferrari team principal after just seven months in charge with Maurizio Arrivabene taking over.
Why?.....Ferrari are not saying.
Maybe this comment by Raikkonen earlier in the year is a pointer.

'It's f*** all to do with that': Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen hits out at critics after disappointing start.
The Finn has scored just 11 points in the four races to date and lies in 12th in the standings, with many feeling he lacks the motivation to continue to succeed
Questioned about his drive the usually sanguine Finn fumed:
"It's f*** all to do with that," snapped Raikkonen who is struggling to come to terms with new Ferrari racer.
"I don't know why you always come up with motivation - if I didn't have motivation I wouldn't be here."
"We haven't had a single race where we've been happy with everything''
Tension is rising at Ferrari with the arrival of new boss Marco Mattiacci, 43.

 

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Saturday, 29 November
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has broken his contract by visiting Ferrari's garage during Tuesday testing in Abu Dhabi, according to his Red Bull boss Helmut Marko. The Red Bull driver will be part of the Italian team next season.

Sebastian Vettel spent some time with Ferrari, the team he will race for next season, on the final day of the Abu Dhabi test earlier last week

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier says Jenson Button's points and qualifying tally against Kevin Magnussen is still not enough to guarantee him a place alongside Fernando Alonso in 2015.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso says Ferrari should be favourites to win the championship every year due to the talent they have at their disposal.

Former F1 driver Mark Webber says Mercedes handled the fight between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for the world title "impeccably".

Williams performance chief Rob Smedley says while all Formula 1 teams are pushing front wing rules to the limit, the FIA has deemed his own squad's design legal.

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko says the illegal front wing flaps on the car in Abu Dhabi were the result of a "naive" interpretation of the rules.

Marko adds that Max Verstappen's 2015 Toro Rosso team-mate will be announced on Monday.

British GP3 champion Alex Lynn says Red Bull will still try to help him race in Formula 1 despite Carlos Sainz Jr being set for the vacant Toro Rosso drive.

Marussia's incomplete 2015 car design has been revealed after the team's financial collapse.

Brazilian Felipe Nasr says Sauber's decision to sign him for 2015 was based on driving ability, rather than how much money he could bring to the Swiss team.

The season may be over, but the hard work continues for the drivers. Romain Grosjean was at the Lotus factory on Thurday, while Valtteri Bottas spent Friday working the Williams simulator.

 

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The Williams F1 team scored 6300% more points in 2014 compared with 2013. That's impressive.

They also had 100% less Maldonado.

 

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Jean-Eric Vergne replaced by Carlos Sainz Jr. at Toro Rosso for 2015.

Can't think why, JEV was the model professional.

 

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I think he out performed his car too, much like Alonso has had to for the last few years. Sad to see him go.

Tony.

 

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Lewis Hamilton

British Champion in 1995 at age 10.
Two time Formula 1 World Champion in 2014 at age 29.

 

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Top Gear

Your most popular video this week? Lotus jumping a lorry over its F1 car. No, really.

 

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Sunday, 30 November
Newly crowned F1 drivers' champion Lewis Hamilton has welcomed talk of a grand prix through the streets of London, with the Mercedes driver saying it would be "even better" than F1's other street races.

Four-time F1 drivers' champion Sebastian Vettel has made his first appearance as a Ferrari driver at Maranello, when he got behind the wheel of a 2012 car at the team's Fiorano test track.

Jean-Eric Vergne is setting his sights on a switch to IndyCar for the 2015 season after losing his seat in the Toro Rosso to Carlos Sainz.

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean looks the picture of contentment as he tweeted: "End of the season means some family weekend! Looking forward to some relaxing time with Marion and Sacha."

Double F1 champion Fernando Alonso has teamed up with Ferrari engineer Andrea Stella and McLaren test driver Stoffel Vandoorne to compete in the Dubai Kartdrome 24 Hours, the final round of the 2014 Endurance Challenge.

McLaren's Jenson Button is on a leisurely road trip after the stresses of the F1 season and has stopped off at the picturesque Puligny-Montrachet in the Burgundy region of France from where he tweeted this photo with fiancé Jessica Michibata.

Jenson Button and Jessica Michibata announced their engagement in February

 

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WEC 2014 Interlagos 6H - Mark Webber Crash [HD]

View: http://youtu.be/fRiPVMQE-wg

 

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Monday, 1 December
Formula 1 team Caterham will be allowed to compete in 2015 with this year's car - if a buyer is found for the team.
The outfit have been given special dispensation to make it easier to find a buyer.
It means potential purchasers will not be under pressure to build a new car for next season.
Administrator Finbarr O'Connell said: "That is of interest to all the parties I'm talking to. It gives them a choice, an easier start to get into F1."

With the season over and the Championship decided in his favour, Lewis Hamilton has revealed his friendship with Nico Rosberg is back to normal after tension throughout much of the season.

Meanwhile Rosberg has vowed to be "back on the offensive" against Hamilton in 2015.

Hamilton insists he has no plans to end his tax exile despite criticism following his second world title triumph.

Administrators for the Marussia team, who ceased trading last month despite an attempt to attend the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, are planning to auction off the team's assets and equipment later this month.

Carlos Sainz Jr says the fact that he was initially overlooked by Toro Rosso in favour of Max Verstappen means nothing now that they are 2015 Formula 1 team-mates.

The Lotus advent calendar features miniatures of drivers Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado.
"Who do we have behind door number 1? It's Mini Romain and Mini Pastor of course!"

The opening window in the Lotus F1 team's advent calendar

 

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Lotus gained 100% Maldonado in 2014 leading to a 97% reduction in points, compared to 2013.

Coincidence?

"In the interests of fairness, it should be taken into account that the 2014 car was also a massive pile of crap - they would probably have done better literally driving a pile of crap!"

 

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Tuesday, 2 December
Red Bull gave departing driver Sebastian Vettel an espresso coffee cup, a pair of tight red Speedo swimming trunks and some sunglasses among other items as the German made his final appearance at the team's factory before beginning a new era at Ferrari.

Sebastian Vettel visited the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes on Tuesday to say his final goodbyes before beginning a career at Ferrari.

Vettel says his first experience of driving a Ferrari was like a "fairytale" after completing his first days of testing at Fiorano.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said this season has been the "most challenging" for the team since the Milton Keynes-based outfit joined the sport in 2005.

Caterham Sports, the British company which designed and built cars for the Caterham F1 team, was sold for just $1.60 (£1) according to recently released legal documents.

F1 teams have been called to a summit meeting on 18 December in a bid to find a breakthrough in the sport's cost crisis.

Romain Grosjean, who will remain at for Lotus next season, says he was in talks with teams including Ferrari.

F1 teams and governing body the FIA have given the green light for the introduction of the virtual safety car (VSC) in 2015, following successful late-season tests.

Ex-F1 driver Rubens Barrichello, 42, won his first title in 23 years when he triumphed in the 2014 Brazilian Stock Car Championship.

BBC F1 co-commentator and ex-F1 driver David Coulthard will compete at the Race Of Champions in Barbados later this month.

Lewis Hamilton tweeted: "British Champion in 1995 at age 10. Two time Formula 1 World Champion in 2014 at age 29. #WeMadeIt #TeamLH #44Forever."

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo spent the morning out on his bike in the south of France. Amid beautiful blue skies, he tweeted: "Not bad for December weather!"

 

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Uploads from MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS by MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS 1308 videos.


MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS with Lewis Hamilton and 3 others at Mercedes-Benz Museum
Published on Dec 2, 2014
Get the best seat in the house as Lewis and Nico take us on a tyre-destroying tear-up of the Stuttgart streets at Mercedes-Benz Stars and Cars 2014!

View: http://youtu.be/BGq4dHaaOZk

 

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Wednesday, 3 December
Lotus have been having some fun now that the season's over. Alongside the team's Twitter advent calendar, they've also provided mocked up thoughts of their troublesome E22 car, which scored just 10 points in 2014.

Team boss Christian Horner says Red Bull's ability to win three times in 2014 despite a troubled pre-season ranks as "one of our biggest achievements".

Wednesday's FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting could be the stage for a major debate over the escalating costs of competing in Formula 1.

American driver Alexander Rossi is set to put his Formula 1 aspirations on hold in favour of securing a seat in the IndyCar series in 2015.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso could follow Nico Hulkenberg's lead in splitting his F1 duties with competing at the Le Mans 24 hours next year.

Williams have signed yet another new sponsor with Avanade joining the team from Lotus.

Marussia driver Max Chilton says the team are "running out of time" if they want to return to the grid in 2015.

Chilton: "We're trying our best to make sure we get the team through the winter and avoid liquidation"