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 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/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/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/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/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/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/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/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:53:51 -0700 Force India on Pole! http://indiangp.net/force-india-on-pole http://indiangp.net/force-india-on-pole

Nobody can believe it! GF is on pole position for the Belgium GP!

This pole is the result of an extremely quick car which was evident throughout the qualifying session. He was quickest in Q1 which is not a fuel dependent run and also 4th quickest in Q2 before taking pole in the dying seconds of Q3.

I hope all of you will be watching Force India take what can be their first podium finish. I really want them to win, but considering that this is the first time they have done so well, I am counting out the nerves and butterflies they would have built up in the past 24 hours.

I am with the Force! Are you?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:29:51 -0700 Its a silver European GP http://indiangp.net/its-a-silver-european-gp http://indiangp.net/its-a-silver-european-gp

As the topsy-turvy qualifying sessions continue, this time it was the silver McLarens which came out on top of everyone else once the dust settled. The Brawns needless to say are a close second.

However, the Brawns of RB (3rd) and JB (5th) are heavier than both the silver cars by almost ten Kgs. This means they can gain an advantage by pitting much later thanks to their heavier fuel load.

KR is the first of the Ferraris in 6th with his new teammate Luca Badoer (LB) down in last place.

The good news for Indian fans is that AS of Force India managed to reach Q2 and got a commendable 12th position for himself. His teammate GF is in 16th position.

Here is the final Qualifying result:

  1. LH
  2. HK
  3. RB
  4. SV
  5. JB
  6. KR
  7. NR
  8. FA
  9. MW
  10. RK
  11. NH
  12. AS
  13. TG
  14. Romain Grosjean (New Renault Drivier)
  15. SB
  16. GF
  17. KN
  18. JT
  19. JA
  20. LB

An exciting race ahead!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:46:47 -0700 Schumacher returns! http://indiangp.net/schumacher-returns http://indiangp.net/schumacher-returns Yes, it is true!

The Champ is here! He is making a return to the world of F1 to fill the seat vacated by the gravely injured FM. He will drive for the Italian team at the European GP in Valencia on 23rd August. He said that he will be driving for 'team loyalty reasons' at this unfortunate time.

MS last drove an F1 car in April 2008 and with the ban on in-season testing, he will not do so till 21st August for the Friday practice session.

Let us see what the greatest F1 driver of all time can do to this season's championship. :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 26 Jul 2009 06:46:12 -0700 LH wins with KR second http://indiangp.net/lh-wins-with-kr-second http://indiangp.net/lh-wins-with-kr-second

Finally we got a result from yore!

A McLaren in first place and a Ferrai in Second. MW however takes third place with a brilliant NR in fourth.

So the final classification is:

  1. LH
  2. KR
  3. MW
  4. NR
  5. HK
  6. TG
  7. JB
  8. JT
  9. KN
  10. RB
  11. NH
  12. NP
  13. RK
  14. GF
  15. JA
  16. SB

SV, FA and AS did not finish the race.

It is the first time that a KERS car has won a GP. Not only that, the second place car was also a KERS powered Ferrari. A good race for Ferrari after the horrific crash of FM yesterday in qualifying.

A great race!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:40:42 -0700 Pit Lane Poker! http://indiangp.net/pit-lane-poker http://indiangp.net/pit-lane-poker MW loses out due to a bad pitstop.

LH still in the lead comfortably.

JB just pit in from 2nd place.

KR now in 3rd place with JT still to pit in 2nd place.

And will somebody tell me what happened to the Hungaroring? There are more overtaking maneuvers here than ever before! And this is just lap 25!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:23:34 -0700 LH takes the race lead, FA has a disastrous pit stop http://indiangp.net/lh-takes-the-race-lead-fa-has-a-disastrous-pi http://indiangp.net/lh-takes-the-race-lead-fa-has-a-disastrous-pi

FA pit in lap 12 as expected, but unexpectedly had a disastrous pit stop as he lost his right front wheel half way around the track. It seems the wheel was not fixed properly in the pits resulting in him crawling back to the pits. This is effectively race over for FA as he comes out a lap down on the race leaders.

Hero to Zero in 12 laps!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:20:01 -0700 Formation set to change as FA light on fuel http://indiangp.net/formation-set-to-change-as-fa-light-on-fuel http://indiangp.net/formation-set-to-change-as-fa-light-on-fuel

Not only is FA light on fuel, due to which he got the Pole position, he also seems to have some issue with his fuel pump and his right rear tyre. LH is closing in on him in 2nd place and as a result pulling away MW and KR in 3rd and 4th.

Meanwhile AS has retired from the race.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:06:48 -0700 Alonso keeps the lead at the start http://indiangp.net/alonso-keeps-the-lead-at-the-start http://indiangp.net/alonso-keeps-the-lead-at-the-start

After the first lap, FA keeps the lead, with MW second and LH up to third with KR behind him followed by SV in fifth.

A major incident avoided as KR came in between the Red Bulls of MW and SV touching SV's front wheel forcing SV to back up and settle for fifth after the first corner. Yes, all this was in the first corner. Great starts by the McLarens and the Ferrari. Also, AS of Force India has to pit to repair some damage. That is effectively race over for him as he will have to work really hard to get anywhere.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:47:30 -0700 Felipe Massa fractures skull http://indiangp.net/felipe-massa-fractures-skull http://indiangp.net/felipe-massa-fractures-skull In a horrific crash caused by a loose spring from Rubens Barrichello's (RB) Brawn, bouncing off the track and then hitting Felipe Massa (FM) on his helmet. This caused him to lose control and go off the track at 260 kph. Even though he was found unconscious after the crash, his foot was on the brakes which is believed to slow him down to 100 kph before he crashed.

Massa was then taken to the hospital where it was confirmed that he has fractured his skull. Inspite of the latest carbon fiber helmet and the HANS (Head & Neck Support) device, which had come to a lot of criticism by drivers a few years ago, he has suffered quite an impact on his head. It is quite scary to imagine what would have happened had he not braked hard enough or was at a higher speed. RB, one of his closest friend and fellow Brazilian, felt really sad that the cause of FM's accident came from his car. Ross Brawn said it can only be described as a 'freak accident'.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:25:27 -0700 Ferrari might eventually contact Vettel http://indiangp.net/ferrari-might-eventually-contact-vettel http://indiangp.net/ferrari-might-eventually-contact-vettel
Stefano Domenicali has refused to rule out the possibility that Sebastian Vettel will one day reside in a Ferrari cockpit.

The widespread rumour of the moment is that Fernando Alonso is the closest outsider to a seat with the famous Italian team.

But when asked about 22-year-old Vettel, a two-time winner in 2009 for Red Bull Racing, Ferrari's team principal answered: "Never say never."

"I like him very much; his character is very positive and independent," Ferrari's team principal said of the German youngster.

"For his age he is far ahead both technically and mentally," Domenicali told Germany's Auto Bild.

The Italian acknowledged that Michael Schumacher, Ferrari's most successful driver in history and now an advisor to the Maranello team, holds his compatriot in high regard.
via en.f1-live.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:19:36 -0700 Hulkenberg set for F1 graduation http://indiangp.net/hulkenberg-set-for-f1-graduation http://indiangp.net/hulkenberg-set-for-f1-graduation
Nico Hulkenberg will make his Formula One debut for Williams next year if the British team activates a contract option, according to his manager.

Hulkenberg, 21, is managed by Willi Weber, who famously handled the ultra-successful career of Michael Schumacher.

The reigning F3 Euroseries champion currently contests GP2 with ART, the team run by former Ferrari boss Jean Todt's son Nicolas, and backed by traditional Schumacher sponsors including Dekra and Deutsche Vermogensberatung. Weber wants Hulkenberg to move into F1 next year. "I have not only held conversations with Williams," he told Sport Bild, "however if Williams takes up the option, we will drive there for certain."

Weber said he has had talks about Hulkenberg with every Formula One team ‘except Red Bull’.
via en.f1-live.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:17:47 -0700 Youngest F1 driver ever http://indiangp.net/youngest-f1-driver-ever http://indiangp.net/youngest-f1-driver-ever

Jaime Alguersuari will become the youngest Formula 1 driver in history when he makes his debut for the Scuderia Toro Rosso team as replacement for Sebastien Bourdais at the Hungarian Grand Prix, AUTOSPORT has learned.

Following a weekend of speculation about Bourdais' future, on the back of a disappointing first half to the campaign, Toro Rosso is expected to confirm within the next 48 hours that it has decided to part company with the Frenchman.

And although the team has decided that reigning British F3 champion Alguersuari will be slotted into the seat alongside Sebastien Buemi, an announcement confirming the plan is not expected until after the Spaniard has finished competing in this weekend's World Series by Renault race at Le Mans.

Toro Rosso has decided to give the youngster the race opportunity in spite of his lack of experience as it is the only way for him to gain experience in preparation for a full season in 2010, due to the in-season testing ban. The team has so far declined to comment on the situation.

There are also suggestions that Alguersuari's step up is being eased by Spanish oil company Repsol, who are personal backers of the youngster and are poised to tie-up a deal with Toro Rosso.

Alguersuari's step-up means he will make his debut at the age of 19 years and 125 days. It beats the previous record of 19 years and 182 days held by Mike Thackwell, who drove for Tyrrell in Canada 1980 - although was officially a non-starter after a first-lap red flag.

via autosport.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:16:33 -0700 The Official Formula 1 Website http://indiangp.net/the-official-formula-1-website-0 http://indiangp.net/the-official-formula-1-website-0
Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt has confirmed he will stand for the presidency of the FIA, Formula One racing’s governing body, when the position comes up for election later this year.

Current President, Max Mosley, announced on Wednesday that he will stand down in October from the post he has held since 1993. Mosley has endorsed Todt’s candidacy.
via formula1.com

Look out for more powerful men trying to take this coveted spot.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:22:01 -0700 Exciting qualifying session at the German GP http://indiangp.net/exciting-qualifying-session-at-the-german-gp http://indiangp.net/exciting-qualifying-session-at-the-german-gp

It was brilliant, with 5 people challenging for Pole in the last minute itself!

Thanks to the mountain weather at Nurburg, we were witness to a very exciting qualifying session with Mark Webber finally ending up at Pole.

Hamilton (LH), Button (JB), Barrichello (RB), Vettel (SV) and Webber (MW) were all challenging for Pole with RB on Pole for the longest time. However, in the last minute MW went fastest with all the other drivers after him coming close but getting second position consecutively.

Earlier, Q2 was one of the most topsy-turvy sessions ever. RB, who called that session a 'nice one' was on Pole then. The session that JB called 'sheer madness' saw Sutil (AS), get into the Q3 due to very lucky timing. AS eventually got a very respectable sevent position behind the two McLarens and ahead of the two Ferraris!

Here is a rundown for tomorrow's German GP:

  1. MW
  2. RB
  3. JB
  4. SV
  5. LH
  6. HK
  7. AS
  8. FM
  9. KR
  10. NP
  11. NH
  12. FA
  13. KN
  14. JT
  15. NR
  16. RK
  17. SB (Buemi)
  18. GF
  19. TG
  20. SB (Bourdais)

A hell of a race awaited!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:52:34 -0700 Force India finally in Q3! http://indiangp.net/force-india-finally-in-q3 http://indiangp.net/force-india-finally-in-q3

Finally, we have a FI in the Q3. Adrian Sutil drove a cautious and lucky lap to be the third fastest in Q2.

I say he was lucky because the mountain weather at Nurburgring is really not helping anyone with the rain playing hide and seek.

Adrian Sutil picked the perfect window between two rain spells and stormed a lap on slicks which turned out to be third fastest.

Once the qualifying is over, I will update you on the full results. Hope it goes all well for the FI!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:13:31 -0700 No break-away series! http://indiangp.net/no-break-away-series http://indiangp.net/no-break-away-series

So finally they have decided that they will not go ahead with the idea of having a break-away series (by they I mean the F1 teams).

As if we believed that there was ever going to be one! There is just TOO much money on the table!

It was a bluff and I don't know if Bernie bought it.

Atleast that is what I think.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/90487/040709vikas03.JPG http://posterous.com/people/160S1hfb8E9 Aditya Kandala Aditya Aditya Kandala