Countdown to the Indian Grand Prix http://indiangp.net While we wait for the Indian Grand Prix, keep coming here for F1 news posterous.com Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:05:57 -0800 Kimi 2.0 http://indiangp.net/kimi-20 http://indiangp.net/kimi-20
380409_10150570806018852_62904

For the first time ever, there will be 6 World Champions on the grid. I absolutely love the way Kimi drives! No holds barred. Somehow, I want to remember Kimi that way. 

Hope he doesn't disappoint millions of his fans. We now have one more reason to get ourselves to the Indian GP in 2012.

Hope Kimi 2.0 is as good as 1.0. That will do :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:05:00 -0700 Buddh International Circuit for dummies http://indiangp.net/buddh-international-circuit-for-dummies http://indiangp.net/buddh-international-circuit-for-dummies

So, for all the people who don't really watch each and every race in the F1 calendar, I am going to try and explain the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) and tell you why I think it is a great track.

Here are some stats:

  • The circuit is 5.14 Kms
  • 16 corners (4 low speed)
  • 60 clockwise laps
  • 2 DRS zones - 2 is better than 1 ;)
  • Upto 14% in elevation changes
  • Track width is almost 20 metres = Lots of room to overtake

India-gp-track
Please keep referring to the image above as I explain this track turn by turn. Also, I have a few more pictures of the track taken today by @MarussiaVirgin, which will help in better explanation.

Start

The race will start on the start-finish straight next to the pit lane. Not much different here compared to other circuits. 

T_1_2
The cars will then brake hard for Turn 1. T2 is a sweeping left hander which feels like a part of T1. T2 leads up to my most favorite corner of this track!

T_3
This is a blind apex corner. Basically, during cornering, it is very important for the driver to make sure his car hits the 'apex' of the corner. (The 'apex' is most often the geometric centre of the turn). Hitting the apex ensures the car takes the straightest line possible, thereby giving maximum speed when they exit the corner. There are two key issues with T3. As you can see from the picture above, the driver cannot see the apex when he is turning in (in fact he can only see the sky!) - hence he is turning in blind.

T3_exit T3_exit_view
See the full gallery on Posterous

This becomes more crucial, because the next part is one of the fastest part on the F1 calendar. A downhill straight where cars are expected to touch 320 km/hr! Add to this, it is a DRS zone! Mess up the exit from this corner and you mess up the entire straight and hence your lap time. Critical corner this!

T4
Real hard braking after the looong straight and the end of the DRS zone. Expect to see a lot of overtaking in this part. Place an ad in this part of the circuit to get maximum views :)

T4-5
Leading into T5, you can see how low the circuit has become. It is actually below the level of the pit lanes and the grandstand. Rollercoaster!

T8

 

T6 and T7 are a quick left and right hand turns leading into T8 and T9 and then another challenging turn.

T10 T11 Incline
See the full gallery on Posterous
Turns 10, 11 and 12 are 3 turns rolled into one huge 180 degree banked curve. The challenging part of this curve is, there is three apexes in this mega-curve and hitting each one is important to make sure you carrying enough speed upto the uphill T15. The spectators sitting in this granstand will have an awesome view of the cars trying to negotiate this curve.

T15
Turn 15 (another blind corner) then gives way to the downhill run towards the last corner and back onto the start-finish straight which is also a DRS zone.

There is going to be a lot of excitement due to the fact that it is a level playing field for each and every driver. Friday will be the first time all of them will be making an attempt to find the perfect racing line. 

Designed by Hernan Tilke, this track has been criticized to be another cookie cutter track. However, people appreciate the elevation changes in this track which gives it the opportunity to become really unique along with the fact that it can be the second fastest track on the calendar after Monza.

Let us look forward to a great race this weekend!

PS. I don't claim to be an expert. Don't take the title too sersiously :P

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:11:54 -0700 Two days to go! http://indiangp.net/two-days-to-go http://indiangp.net/two-days-to-go Today is Wednesday, tomorrow is Thursday and day after is Free Practice 1!

The first ever Indian Grand Prix will take off. The excitement is actually quite overwhelming in India. I think the sponsors and JayPee group are doing a great job in building the event up. I hope it lasts for years.

The preparations are going on at top speed at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC). From the latest pictures that have been tweeted about an hour back, they are down to the process of cleaning the track and painting the lines and the grids. All the teams have arrived and started setting up the Pit Garages. 

I am also posting some pictures taken by @F1PaddockPass. Don't be alarmed if the circuit looks in a state of disarray. All will be set and by tomorrow morning the lines will be painted. And day after tomorrow, for the first time ever, 24 F1 cars will roar to life! 

A few more news updates, Karun Chandhok will only be taking part in the Friday Practice and not the race. Narain will be there to represent the home crowd of course. 

The circuit itself has got quite a lot of positive reactions from drivers and fans. Even though it is being criticised as a Tilkedrome (more on this in the next post), it is being appreciated for its radical elevation changes and prospective high speed.

Will be posting a detailed layout of the circuit so that people know what to expect out of the race this Sunday. :)

Till then please enjoy the pictures :)

30648584 Puyd Wj9fv 8s4ut 31twy 665h S8frv 0wj9fv 4qdlk 5epls 85szz Va2q
See the full gallery on Posterous

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:55:00 -0700 Mark Webber's Lap of the Indian Grand Prix http://indiangp.net/mark-webbers-lap-of-the-indian-grand-prix http://indiangp.net/mark-webbers-lap-of-the-indian-grand-prix

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 02 Oct 2011 08:37:00 -0700 On-board lap of the Indian GP circuit http://indiangp.net/on-board-lap-of-the-indian-gp-circuit http://indiangp.net/on-board-lap-of-the-indian-gp-circuit
via youtube.com

As the Indian GP comes closer, all the fans and drivers are anxious as to what the new circuit will bring to the calendar. Personally, I am looking forward to the blind turn. After Austria was taken off, there are hardly any blind turns left in the calendar.

This video is from the game F1 2011. This is also what the drivers will use as simulation in preparation for the race. Well, more or less.

Less than a month left! :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Tue, 22 Mar 2011 07:43:15 -0700 Michael Schumacher explains 2011 F1 rules http://indiangp.net/michael-schumacher-explains-2011-f1-rules http://indiangp.net/michael-schumacher-explains-2011-f1-rules
via youtube.com

A nice video with a close up view of the DRS/ARW at work.

Only 4 more days to go! :D

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:00:18 -0700 Indian GP track update http://indiangp.net/indian-gp-track-update http://indiangp.net/indian-gp-track-update So here are a few more pictures of the progress being made at the Indian GP track. The last I had posted pictures, they had just about begun constructing the grand stand. In these picture you can see the definite shapes.

And oh ya, the first bit of tarmac has been laid! :D

Note: I have not clicked any of these pictures, credit to the photographer.

188497_197039333659720_1000006 189211_197039590326361_1000006 189582_197040060326314_1000006 200127_197039840326336_1000006 200661_197040206992966_1000006
See the full gallery on Posterous

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:33:00 -0700 The VJM04 explained by Force India http://indiangp.net/the-vjm04-explained-by-force-india http://indiangp.net/the-vjm04-explained-by-force-india
via youtube.com

I really hope this is a brilliant car on track! :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:30:00 -0700 Sebastian Vettel explains F1 KERS and DRS http://indiangp.net/sebastian-vettel-explains-f1-kers-and-drs http://indiangp.net/sebastian-vettel-explains-f1-kers-and-drs
via youtube.com

I really like the video. Though there is MUCH more to ARW than the little bit explained here.

Still, a very neat video! Watch it in HD.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Fri, 04 Mar 2011 07:48:12 -0800 Indian GP Tickets sale to start within a month http://indiangp.net/indian-gp-tickets-sale-to-start-within-a-mont http://indiangp.net/indian-gp-tickets-sale-to-start-within-a-mont The Indian GP got featured in the paper today. The Indian Express to be precise.

The focus of the article was sale of tickets. Apparently tickets will start selling online in about a month's time. 

As mentioned in my earlier post, it will have over 100,000 seats and the good things are:

  1. Most of them will be sold to general public
  2. They will be affordable for students

Thank God BCCI is not in charge of this! ;)

Save up!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sat, 12 Feb 2011 05:03:00 -0800 Countdown to the Indian GP! http://indiangp.net/countdown-to-the-indian-gp http://indiangp.net/countdown-to-the-indian-gp

It has really been ages since I have posted on this blog of mine. It is about the Indian GP and I haven't really found a lot of time to keep posting updates over here. I will now try to cram in as much as possible. So here goes.

  1. We will surely have one Indian driver in an F1 car at the Indian GP - Narain Karthikeyan. Atleast as of now, considering how things went for Karun last year
  2. Force India is looking really good and Vijay Mallya's dream of getting a Podium Place at the inaugural Indian GP is not far fetched at all. In fact, we would be disappointed
  3. The construction at the Jaypee International Circuit has been going on with full steam. Below are some pictures of the same. I am just crossing my fingers that it doesn't join Eden Gardens and the Commonwealth Games in the Wall of Shame. But I doubt that, considering it is being taken care of by a corporate house with its eyes on profits!
  4. The Indian Motorsports Marshals Club has finished its exercise of collecting volunteers as Race Marshal. They have received more applications (one of which is mine) than they can do justice to and will start selection soon
  5. Below is also a simulated flying lap of the Circuit with a voice-over by none other than the Brand Ambassador of the Circuit - Karun Chandok. The circuit design looks really good by the way. Tilke hasn't let us down!
  6. Ticket sales have obviously not started yet, but fear not, the GP can hold 150,000 spectators, so you will mostly get a seat. Just make sure you do not 'forget' to buy the tickets when sales open.

I am looking forward to this more than anything else this year! :-)

Please leave your comments if you planning to attend the Indian GP :-)

Jaypeeinternationalrace W6wli Sngff Picture001zd Picture074a
See the full gallery on Posterous

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:48:01 -0700 RC F1 car! http://indiangp.net/rc-f1-car http://indiangp.net/rc-f1-car
via youtube.com

It is quite obviously a fake. But a great idea for a viral from Blackberry and Vodafone.

Incidentally, Lewis is the brand ambassador for Blackberry Storm. I just wish they had more of him driving it. It would have wrecked the car for sure though!

Hat tip: Bhavik Chauhan.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sat, 15 May 2010 12:12:55 -0700 Pit Stop with Force India F1 http://indiangp.net/pit-stop-with-force-india-f1 http://indiangp.net/pit-stop-with-force-india-f1
via youtube.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:24:00 -0700 Championship Tally after Malaysian GP http://indiangp.net/championship-tally-after-malaysian-gp http://indiangp.net/championship-tally-after-malaysian-gp

Drivers’ Championship

 

Position Driver Points
1 Felipe Massa 39
=2 Fernando Alonso 37
=2 Sebastian Vettel 37
4 Jenson Button 35
5 Nico Rosberg 35
6 Lewis Hamilton 31
7 Robert Kubica 30
8 Mark Webber 24
9 Adrian Sutil 10
10 Michael Schumacher 9
11 Vitantonio Liuzzi 8
12 Rubens Barrichello 5
13 Jaime Alguersuari 2
14 Nico Hülkenberg 1
=15 Bruno Senna 0
=15 Sebastien Buemi 0
=15 Vitaly Petrov 0
=15 Jarno Trulli 0
=15 Heikki Kovalainen 0
=15 Karun Chandhok 0
=15 Pedro de la Rosa 0
=15 Kamui Kobyashi 0
=15 Timo Glock 0
=15 Lucas di Grassi 0

Constructors’ Championship

 

Position Team Points
1 Ferrari 76
2 McLaren 66
3 Red Bull 61
4 Mercedes 44
5 Renault 30
6 Force India 18
7 Williams 6
8 Toro Rosso 2
=9 HRT 0
=9 Lotus 0
=9 Sauber 0
=9 Virgin 0

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sat, 03 Apr 2010 04:42:59 -0700 Malaysian GP Qualifying http://indiangp.net/malaysian-gp-qualifying http://indiangp.net/malaysian-gp-qualifying After a topsy-turvy rain hampered qualifying meant that both the Ferraris and the McLarens are outside the top 15. The highest position any Former World Champion could get was 8th by the out-of-retirement Michael Schumacher. Only Red Bull seems to be the team who got it right among the front runners. The only thing all this assures is that we are in for a treat of a race tomorrow :)

Here are the qualifying results:
  1. MW
  2. NR
  3. SV
  4. AS
  5. NH
  6. RK
  7. RB
  8. MS
  9. KK
  10. VL
  11. VP
  12. PDR
  13. SB
  14. JA
  15. HK
  16. TG
  17. JB
  18. JT
  19. FA
  20. LH
  21. FM
  22. KC
  23. BS
  24. LG
So, AS starting at 4 and KC starting next to FM.

If this is not a mouth watering line up, I do not know what would be.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:00:36 -0800 24 Cars 12 Teams 19 Tracks 1 Winner http://indiangp.net/24-cars-12-teams-19-tracks-1-winner http://indiangp.net/24-cars-12-teams-19-tracks-1-winner Let me get the Qualifying Results for the 2010 Season opening Bahrain GP out of the way first:

  1. SV :)
  2. FM :)
  3. FA
  4. LH
  5. NR
  6. MW
  7. MS :)
  8. JB
  9. RK
  10. AS :)
  11. RB
  12. VL :)
  13. NH (Nico Hulkenberg)
  14. PDR
  15. SB
  16. KK (Kamui Kobayashi)
  17. VP (Vitaly Petrov)
  18. JA
  19. TG
  20. JT
  21. HK
  22. LG (Lucas di Grassi)
  23. BS (Bruno Senna)
  24. KC :)
Phew! That is a lot of cars!

So, I am looking forward to a lot of things this season. Every year I think we need more races and more cars. This year we got them.

Cannot wait for the lights to go green tomorrow!

Promises to be a spectacular season! I get that feeling :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:56:46 -0700 All set up for another brilliant race http://indiangp.net/all-set-up-for-another-brilliant-race http://indiangp.net/all-set-up-for-another-brilliant-race

An excellent qualifying session ended with Hamilton on pole followed by Sutil. Sutil had a brilliant Q3 but was let down by a small wobble at Lesmo resulting Hamilton beating him by 0.2 seconds. The Ferrari of Kimi was behind them on row 2. So the Force India IS better than the Ferrari :)

On the two drivers on new cars, Liuzzi managed an impressive 7th place but Fisi could only get 14.

Here is how they all line up for tomorrow:

  1. Hamilton (KERS)
  2. Sutil
  3. Kimi (KERS)
  4. Heikki (KERS)
  5. Rubens
  6. Button
  7. Liuzzi
  8. Alonso (KERS)
  9. Vettel
  10. Webber
  11. Trulli
  12. Grosjean (KERS)
  13. Kubica
  14. Fisichella
  15. Heidfeld
  16. Glock
  17. Nakajima
  18. Rosberg
  19. Beumi
  20. Algesuari

An exciting race ahead with the KERS powered cars predicted to gain 15 metres right at the start. Sutil better watch out!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:16:17 -0700 Final Practice - Sutil First, Fisichella Last http://indiangp.net/final-practice-sutil-first-fisichella-last http://indiangp.net/final-practice-sutil-first-fisichella-last

The final practice of the Italian GP has brought about an amazing irony. Fisichella who left Force India to join the team that beat him to the finish line in Belgium is now last. And the team he left is still first.

Adrian Sutil has just set the fastest time in the final practice session followed by a late bloomer Jenson Button who managed to up his pace only in the last ten minutes. Fisichella was dead last but to be fair, he had also crashed out in the middle of the session. By comparison, Kimi was 12th fastest. However, not yet sure if the KERS powered cars did use KERS properly in the practice sessions.

Well, the Ferraris seem out of pace, but the Brawns are trying to fight back.

We shall see in less than two hours when the Qualifying session for the Italian GP starts off.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:50:00 -0700 Fisichella to Ferrari http://indiangp.net/fisichella-to-ferrari http://indiangp.net/fisichella-to-ferrari

In a move that was expected to take place for more than a week now, GF has finally moved to Ferrari for the rest of the 2009 season. He will replace Luca Badoer who had one of the most disappointing stint in F1 ever.

GF thanked Force India boss Dr. Vijay Mallya for letting him go and allowing him to drive for Ferrari for the rest of the season. Mallya said he had made the decision to release his driver for the good of Fisichella and of Formula One racing, and not in exchange for any financial settlement. He also hinted that the 36-year-old’s Ferrari deal extends beyond 2009, suggesting a possible testing role for the Roman next season. Wow Dr. Mallya! Very generous indeed. He added that a competitive Italian driver in a Ferrari for Monza is a positive story for Formula One, which can only help raise the sport's profile in these difficult times.

If only everyone was this altruistic and level headed! But this is a masterstroke by the Indian boss. There was nothing that anyone could do to stop GF from moving to Ferrari and the smartest thing to do was the make the most of the situation. For sure GF has helped Force India in more ways than we can imagine. But for this exact reason it would be so hard to part ways with him and see him in a rival car. The best thing he did was to not charge any settlement fee.

Force India is truly Indian!

The next question would be, who would drive the now vacant car number 21? My guess would be Vitantonio Liuzzi who is the test driver. Well, my guess is as good as yours.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:25:38 -0700 Race of the season http://indiangp.net/race-of-the-season http://indiangp.net/race-of-the-season

So I finally manage to post about something that the whole world knows and is talking about.

It was a great weekend at the best race track in tha calendar and the result was more in my favor than I could ask for. Not only did Kimi win the race in the Ferrari, but Fisichella in his Force India managed a second place without much sweat. In fact he was good for the win too if Kimi didnt have the KERS to keep him ahead.

I dont want to say much about the race and the result. Everyone already knows about it and has read reams of newsprint regarding it. All I want to say is: Thank You Dr. Mallya!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1637375/36159_445049765755_509300755_5793694_4294987_n.jpg http://posterous.com/users/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala