The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
Alonso is doing better than the rest of the also-rans.
Photos by Roberto Motta
We woke up one morning to find that our Italian correspondent Roberto Motta had sent us his photos from the F1 practice at Monza. Suddenly we realized that the season was almost over (it was MONZA already!) and we had yet to watch one race. [Read more…] about F1 Update: Roberto Motta Reports from Monza
Philippe Defechereux
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media and Planet F1
Before reaching Brazil, its grand and final destination, the 2012 Formula 1 season had already given us a thrilling cornucopia of high excitement. A relentless unfolding of momentous events throughout the year – eight different winning drivers and six different manufacturers, for instance – had already marked it for the history books once the teams had taken to the air in Texas only days earlier. And we all knew the World Driver Championship would be at last decided in São Paulo.
[Read more…] about Grand Prix of Brazil: All Great Things Happen in Threes
Getty photo from Interent.
By Philippe Defechereux
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media unless otherwise noted.
Grand Prix of the Americas: Splendidly, to the Finish!
Bernie Ecclestone always wanted the New York skyline in frame for a new attempt at conquering the U.S. market. After the inaugural “Grand Prix of the Americas” in Austin this past weekend, it seems that a Texas Hat Trick was a more perfect opener. New York will follow. The new Texas venue indeed proved a trifecta for Formula 1: world fans and the racing teams discovered a challenging, curvaceous, racy beauty of a new circuit; attendance on Sunday was full at near 120,000 spectators; last but not least, a thrilling “Race of World Champions” unfolded over 56 laps, leaving the Driver Title open until the season’s final event next Sunday in Brazil.
[Read more…] about United States Grand Prix 2012
Kimi's win, Vettel's race. Planet F1 photo.
By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media unless otherwise noted.
Amazing Abu Dhabi: November 4 2012
Kimi Räikkönen made off with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in great fashion. It was Kimi’s win, but Vettel’s race and Alonso’s loss.
[Read more…] about Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2012
A second place for Alonso in India.
By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
For a season that offered so much hope and competition just a few months ago, 2012 F1 has suddenly degenerated into another Red Bull Route with Vettel in charge. He’s on a roll now, the earlier problems with reliability seem to have faded, the speed has returned, and it is unlikely that even Alonso will catch Vettel for the Championship. After India, Alonso is now thirteen points behind Vettel for the Championship, and that has never been a lucky number in racing.
[Read more…] about Indian Grand Prix 2012
Red Bull Rising...
By Philippe Defechereux
Photos by Ferrari Media and Planet F1
Coming four days after a strong performance in Suzuka the previous weekend, and in parts thanks to a new “Double DRS” device, the Red Bull team arrived in Korea on Thursday as the favorites. Fans of the three other leading teams, especially Ferrari and McLaren, were hoping for a magic aero trick out of the proverbial magic bag. It was not to be. Still, the Korean race had plenty of intense moments.
Massa all the way.
By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
For what was a yawn of a race, the Japanese Grand Prix has certainly set up an exciting end to the 2012 Grand Prix season. That’s great for fans, Ecclestone, Red Bull, winner Vettel and the remaining five races on the calendar.
Not so good for Ferrari and Alonso, who is now going to have to fight tooth and nail for another crown. After being knocked out in Japan, Alonso is now a mere four points in front of Vettel for the World Championship. Every race, every position will now count heavily and each race may be a nail-biter.
[Read more…] about Japanese Grand Prix 2012
Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso
By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
Time Enough
If there is one thing we will remember about Singapore 2012, it will not be the great drive by Massa, not the winning excellence of Vettel, not the intelligent drive by Alonso for third, nor the sudden race-changing retirements of both Hamilton and Maldonado, nor that the race was foreshortened by the clock. [Read more…] about Grand Prix of Singapore
Shot of the race sent to us by Philipe Defechereux. Not sure who took the photo; if the photographer is out there our apologies, and you're hired!
By Pete Vack
After a full month away from the tracks, F1 racing returned to racing at Spa-Franchorchamps, one of the last of the real road racing venues.
[Read more…] about Belgium Grand Prix 2012
By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
After what must have been a frustrating weekend for many teams, Lewis Hamilton and company came up with the best handling chassis/tire combination; the pole, and the race was his.
[Read more…] about Hungarian Grand Prix 2012
Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button
By Pete Vack
All photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
Ferrari has the new—well, seven-month-old—F2012 well sorted out. Pirelli has introduced new tire compounds. And Alonso is proving to be the driver of the year, a champion of champions. All is well in Maranello.
[Read more…] about German Grand Prix 2012
Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, and Sebastian Vettel
By Pete Vack
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media
For being a pretty boring race, all in all, the British Grand Prix was a real nail-biter. Jimmy Clark would have felt right at home as thousands of Ferrari faithfuls chewed the keratin to the quick waiting to see if Webber would catch Alonso or if Alonso would hold off Weber. [Read more…] about British Grand Prix 2012