Congratulations Sebastian Vettel, the 2012 Formula One Driver’s Champion

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Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing secured their THIRD consecutive Formula One Drivers’ and Constructors Championship in as many years.  At 25 years old, Sebastian Vettel becomes the youngest three-time Formula One Drivers’ Champion ever with none other than Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio in his company.

The 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix was an incredible spectacle and a true challenge for Sebastian Vettel, who suffered an early race spin and considerable damage to the left rear of his RB8 due to contact with Bruno Senna.  The weather played a huge role as did tire strategy, but Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing had enough pace to hold off the determined challenge of Fernando Alonso, who drove more brilliantly in an inferior car than I have ever seen.  Alonso’s drive was worthy of a championship, but Sebastian Vettel will take home the hardware in 2012.

Congratulations, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing.

Brazilian Grand Prix [Hopeful] Predictions

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Tomorrow’s Brazilian Grand Prix will be the final bookend to an epic 2012 Formula One season.

McLaren has locked out the front row in qualifying with Lewis Hamilton seizing pole position.  Mark Webber will start third and Sebastian Vettel, the Driver’s Championship leader by 13 points, will start fourth on the grid for the Brazilian Grand Prix.  Back in 8th position starts Fernando Alonso, the Driver’s Championship challenger.  Also starting on tomorrow’s grid for the Brazilian Grand Prix will be WET WEATHER (80% chance as of now).

The 2012 Formula One season has seen many different race winners and a Driver’s Championship tete`-a-tete´ between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, who are both vying for a third Driver’s Championship.  Although rain is hardly a guarantee that Fernando Alonso will make passes and command the Brazilian Grand Prix, it certainly will help his chances to bring down Vettel.  Mathematics aside, Alonso will need to sharply outperform Vettel or Vettel will need to suffer a mechanical (or driver) breakdown in order for Fernando Alonso to surpass the young German.  The Brazilian Grand Prix will see many storylines play out.  Lewis Hamilton will be extraordinarily difficult to pass given his outright pace and talent in wet conditions should the rain arrive on Sunday in Sao Paulo.

Although, statistically speaking, Vettel stands a high likelihood of finishing well in the Brazilian Grand Prix, the uncertainty of wet conditions, freak accidents, spray, mechanical reliability, and NERVES will all be biting at Sebastian Vettel, who must defend against Alonso’s attack.  Personally, the 2012 Formula One Driver’s Championship would be slightly more well deserved for Fernando Alonso, who has rung every drop of performance and speed from the technically challenged F2012.  Sebastian Vettel has run incredibly well with his signature focus and consistency, but tomorrow’s Brazilian Grand Prix will introduce arguably the most variables that we have seen yet in a grand prix during the 2012 season.  It would be absolutely incredible for Fernando Alonso to win the championship at Vettel’s expense and, hopefully, tomorrow will be a great show regardless of the ultimate champion.

Brazilian Grand Prix: Two-Horse Battle Between Vettel and Alonso Rages on

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The 2012 Formula One season will wind up with the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos in a likely display of high drama between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.  The 2012 Formula One season has and continues to be an absolute thriller, and the Brazilian Grand Prix is surely not to disappoint.  Here’s why.

Sebastian Vettel holds a slim 13-point lead over Fernando Alonso in the Driver’s Standings, which lead Alonso has kept tight in the past few grands prix.  Thanks to Lewis Hamilton’s absolutely brilliant, gritty performance in the U.S. Grand Prix, Vettel was denied the full 25-point bonus that goes to each grand prix winner.  In a way, Hamilton is becoming a valuable, daring wingman for Fernando Alonso.  Hamilton is clearly trying to exit McLaren on a high note, which he has confirmed already.  He will stop at nothing to wring out the MP4-27 for all of the raw speed it is worth right now, which is a considerable amount.  Hamilton could play the spoiler to Vettel in Brazil if he goes toe-to-toe with the young German in an effort to gain the top spot.  If Vettel and Hamilton tangle in Brazil, it could be disastrous for Sebastian Vettel in short order.  That is, of course, if the driving conditions are relatively clear cut.

Enter, the weather.

Rain is in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday during the Brazilian Grand Prix.  Not just a trifling rain, but a significant amount of rain.  And a high probability of rain on both days.  Although Sebastian Vettel is quite adept in wet conditions, Fernando Alonso is better.  He has already proven that he can bring the F2012 to victory in wet conditions earlier this year at the Malaysian Grand Prix, so why would a wet Brazilian Grand Prix be any different?  Well, Red Bull’s RB8 has improved significantly over the 2012 season, which would lead one to believe that a vastly improved RB8 should still give Alonso a run for his money in the wet this time around.  Vettel and Webber were mired (sarcastically) back from 5th to 10th places for much of the first half of 2012, but their pace has improved drastically since then.

So, if Vettel only needs to finish near or slightly ahead of Alonso to lock in the Driver’s Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix, wet or dry, this should really fall in the hands of Red Bull Racing, right?  Not so fast!  Don’t discount Lewis Hamilton and the usual wet weather theatrics that could cause a crazy result.  More significantly, consider Red Bull’s ongoing alternator problems that have resulted in DNFs for Sebastian Vettel.  He has retired twice and Webber recently retired in Austin at the hands of the overheating components.  Red Bull has struggled all year with reliability in this respect, and although they are switching to an updated alternator at Interlagos I am still skeptical.  It has been enough of a problem in recent past for Red Bull to warrant their “worried” status in the news.

So, the Brazilian Grand Prix has the potential for very, very thrilling action and results.  Weather.  Hamilton.  Mechanical reliability.  A slim points lead.  Pressure.  Alonso on the attack.  This is going to be a spectacular Brazilian Grand Prix and the perfect punctuation for an incredible 2012 Formula One season.

Return of the Mexican Grand Prix in 2014?

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Fresh on the heels of a very successful U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, there is news that a deal may have been signed for Mexico to host a grand prix as early as 2014.

Reports indicate that an agreement has already been brokered and signed by Bernie Ecclestone, Carlos Slim, Jr., son of the wealthiest man in the world since 2010, and representatives of the Mexican government.  These parties were seen on site at the Circuit of the Americas during the U.S. Grand Prix, and it is believed that the resounding success of the U.S. Grand Prix and resurgent Mexican driving talent were responsible for the Mexican Grand Prix talks.  There was a huge level of support at the U.S. Grand Prix for Sergio Perez, the rising star Mexican driver leaving Sauber for McLaren in 2013.  Sauber has and will continue to enjoy significant sponsorship from Telmex, of which Carlos Slim is the Chairman and CEO, and the Mexican government.  This sponsorship will apparently be staying with Sauber despite Perez leaving for McLaren, but it is widely suspected that the young Mexican, Esteban Gutierrez, a seasoned GP2 driver and reserve and test driver for Sauber, could fill the void left behind by Sergio Perez or take Kamui Kobayashi’s seat with the team.

One of the biggest hurdles facing Mexico’s return to the Formula One calendar, however, could be the apparent lack of a properly homologated racing circuit.

The last grand prix held on Mexican soil was in 1992 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, which is located in Mexico City.  The circuit has played host to major racing events including the ranks of NASCAR, but reports suggest that the original Formula One layout has been infringed upon and developed so as to preclude it from having sufficient runoff and space required for FIA certification.  Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez requires at least a new racing surface to be laid down and updated pit buildings, and the requisite study to assess the facility could take as much as six months time.  This might not be quick enough for a Mexican Grand Prix to slot-into the 2014 calendar.  The development and construction work, alone, at the Circuit of the Americas (from bare land to a fully-licensed FIA circuit) took from July 2010 all the way up to the U.S. Grand Prix weekend mere days ago.

Despite the fact that Carlos Slim (and by association Telmex) and the Mexican government have virtually unlimited funds to kickstart and propel planning and construction, the tight timeframe might simply be too short for Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.  Indeed, it is cheaper and more efficient to update an existing circuit to modern F1 standards than to start from scratch.  Many have floated the idea of building a brand new circuit in Cancun, Mexico, but it would likely not be finished in time for 2014.  Mexico is no stranger to Formula One.  Mexico has fielded very talented and popular drivers from the likes of Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez up through Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez.  The Mexican Grand Prix was a very popular race among drivers as well.

With renewed interest across the U.S.-Mexico border in Formula One, now is the time to strike for a Mexican Grand Prix.  Perez is moving on to a storied, prestigious racing institution at McLaren and Gutierrez could be the next rising Mexican star right behind him.  Mexico could have two horses in the Formula One race, so now is the perfect time to ignite interest in a wildly supportive Mexican and American fan base with races in Europe struggling to retain their financial foothold in the sport.  Russia and New Jersey are set to join the calendar in 2014, so Mexico is surely up against stiff competition especially since the Formula One calendar is fixed at 22 races.  The next few months will be very, very interesting to see what country (Mexico, U.S.A., or Russia) can jockey for a coveted spot on the F1 calendar.

2012 U.S. Grand Prix From the Turn 11 Grandstand

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The 2012 U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas produced some spectacular viewing opportunities from almost every part of the circuit, whether you had a seat in one of the many grandstands or a general admission ticket.  I was fortunate enough to sit in the Turn 11 East grandstand and watched the cars come down a sloping straight into one of the slowest, tightest corners on track.  As the cars downshifted in quick bursts with raw, unburned fuel often popping and pounding, the first half of the Turn 11 experience was quite exhilarating.  As the cars braked under heavy g-loads and negotiated the tight left-hander, drivers were quick to get back on the throttle because Turn 11 exited onto one of the largest straights in Formula One.  As the cars fly up through the gears it was mesmerizing to witness just how fast they accelerated from almost 60 mph up through top gear and near (or beyond 200 mph).  As some of my amateur filmmaking reveals below, the power to weight ratio of the modern (and even historic) Formula One cars enables brutal acceleration and deceleration, which this portion of the track really highlighted well.  Enjoy.

Turn 11 action (brief clip)

Reflection on the 2012 U.S. Grand Prix: A Jewel in Texas Hill Country

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It was the best of times and, well, the best of times at the U.S. Grand Prix.  Everything went off without a major hitch.  The circuit was incredible, traffic was well managed and predictable, the racing was clean and competitive, and the City of Austin, Texas knocked it out of the park this weekend.

Many, especially the promoters and track management at the Circuit of the Americas, seemed cautiously optimistic heading into the U.S. Grand Prix.  Rumors flew about, there was a bit of infighting, and the track’s construction progress seemed daunting, but a huge amount of credit is due to the thousands involved who worked tirelessly to pull off this weekend.  On the ground, fans were enamored with the circuit and the spectacle of grand prix racing.  Even sitting in the airport right now, people are still buzzing and conversing about many different aspects of the U.S. Grand Prix from the intoxicating wail of the engines to the mesmerizing pit stops.  Austin has been bitten by the Formula One bug.  The crowds were absolutely massive, and I doubt it will change for next year.

As I was standing in line at an airport security checkpoint, I began noticing members of the Caterham F1 team dressed in common uniform circling about and chatting as they moved through the terminal.  Their attitudes spoke volumes for the success of the weekend and the initial reception of the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas: Austin was a big hit.  Exchanging a few words with members of the Caterham F1 crew confirmed these inklings.

Now that the unknowns are in the rear view mirror and the U.S. Grand Prix was a resounding success, Formula One’s path will be much easier to cement in the United States, one of the biggest, relatively untapped markets for the sport.  Rumors are already circulating that Bernie Ecclestone has three grands prix in mind for the U.S. market:  Austin, New Jersey, and Southern California.  If the Grand Prix of America makes the 2014 calendar and reaches the levels of success and renown as the U.S. Grand Prix, it could be possible for the United States to host three grands prix in years to come.  Alternatively, if the organizers and fan attendance is more discordant for the Grand Prix of America is Weehawken, New Jersey, perhaps a second grand prix in the U.S. could alternate between venues.  Perhaps the Formula One brain trusts could resurrect the Long Beach Grand Prix street circuit in the future.

Regardless of the next few years, the U.S. Grand Prix has pulled off a tremendous feat.  If the grand prix was anything but a resounding success, both financially and from a sporting perspective, then my words would sound a bit more foreboding.  Fortunately, I think the U.S. Grand Prix will be enjoying a fruitful, long-term relationship with the Circuit of the Americas and the lovely, eclectic City of Austin, Texas.  For those new to Formula One, the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas is as good as it gets for spectators, race fans, and those looking to experiences an olfactory experience like no other.  Grab your tickets for 2013 because I suspect they will not last very long.

2012 United States Grand Prix: A Showdown Looming in the Desert

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With the United States Grand Prix making a triumphant return to the Formula One calendar in mere hours, the two-horse race between Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso is nearly at a boiling point.

Despite a gritty (and somewhat lucky) drive by Sebastian Vettel from the back of the grid in Abu Dhabi, Vettel’s once-24 point lead over Alonso has thinned a bit.  Although the points would not suggest that Vettel and Alonso are in a dead heat, Alonso’s position and attitude level the field, if not give him the advantage, with respect to Sebastian Vettel.  The reports from Austin, Texas already suggest that Fernando Alonso is very relaxed heading into the United States Grand Prix, which is the best possible mindset for a title chaser looking to add pressure to Sebastian Vettel.

 Red Bull Racing has battled some reliability problems with the RB8 throughout the 2012 Formula One season with alternator and KERS issues being the biggest offenders.  Despite having a disadvantaged design in the F2012 chassis, Ferrari, on the other hand, have been remarkably consistent in terms of reliability, pit stops, mindset, and execution.  Apart from Alonso being collected in accidents beyond his control in Belgium and Japan, Ferrari has demonstrated that it is a championship worthy team.  Alonso’s driving has set the tone for the season since Malaysia, and he has been nothing less than masterful behind the wheel of his Ferrari.  Absent mechanical failures, Sebastian Vettel has been nearly flawless with only a few exceptions when he momentarily lost his cool.

The verdict?  Fernando Alonso has nothing to lose at this point in the championship.  He and Ferrari can take more risks if they choose to or they can try to wear down Sebastian Vettel’s patience if they can get the F2012 close to the RB8’s gearbox at the United States Grand Prix.  The most delightful and terrifying aspect of the United States Grand Prix will be the uncertainty.  Uncertainty in pace, tire degradation, qualifying, and, of course, race incidents.  Red Bull’s RB8 has come on strong after the summer break in August, but it struggled mightily at the beginning of the season and in some of the hotter conditions on track.  With ambient temperatures in the 70s predicted for Austin, Texas during the United States Grand Prix, track temperatures could be on the middle to higher side (90s perhaps) depending on how strong the Texas sun sizzles.

 If the tires and track temperatures prove less favorable for Red Bull Racing’s RB8, this could be a wild card grand prix with Fernando Alonso poised to gain considerable traction in the WDC points standings.  If Sebastian Vettel is hampered by reliability issues at any point in the weekend, he could be set for an uphill battle through an unpredictable field and track.  Conversely, Red Bull Racing could absolutely nail the setup, escape mechanical issues altogether, and handily walk away with the Drivers (and Constructors’) Championships at the United States Grand Prix.  If Vettel qualifies well and gets a good jump on the first lap of the Grand Prix, he could walk away and settle into a blistering race rhythm all alone as he is now becoming famous for demonstrating.

While the United States Grand Prix is largely a two-horse race, it would be foolish to set aside the Lotus E20 and Kimi Raikkonen, who took his first victory after returning to Formula One last week in Abu Dhabi.  If Lotus have found the speed they have been promising the E20 is capable of delivering, it would not be surprising at all to see Kimi challenging near or at the front of the grid.

 As the normally scorching Texas sun rises in the desert on Thursday, November 16th, teams will be scrambling and pouring over data as the drivers shakedown the brand new circuit and their steeds.  Texas will play host to one of the fiercest battles in recent Formula One history, and there could not be a better stage or backdrop than the vast, intimidating landscape of Texas Hill Country for a Formula One showdown.

Teams are Setting up at the U.S. Grand Prix

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It’s official, the U.S. Grand Prix is just a few more days away!  Formula One teams are on the ground setting up in the pits, hospitality areas, and every other facet of a grand prix weekends; there are quite a few facets mind you!  Free Practice 1 will get underway in just over 2 days, and yours truly will be wheels up to view the U.S. Grand Prix in just under 48 hours!

Compare:

“Then” (U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen c.1960s)

The mighty Turn 1 at Circuit of the Americas:

“Now”

The return of the U.S. Grand Prix to the Formula One calendar at the Circuit of the Americas is a significant day for the sport, and for the U.S. fan base.  Formula One has not been to U.S. soil since an inglorious exit in 2007 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Formula One returns to the U.S. at the newly-completed Circuit of the Americas, which is set to put on a heck of a show.  Featuring a sharply-rising, seemingly blind Turn 1 and a host of other complexes emulating portions of famous circuits like Silverstone, the Circuit of the Americas will surely put on a good show.  Stay tuned for practice, qualifying, and race updates right here and on my Twitter feed (@BrakingLate).

Formula One is officially in town when Ferrari has its “mail” delivered trackside :)

Martin Whitmarsh Speaks out on Lewis Hamilton’s move to Mercedes

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Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave Vodafone McLaren Mercedes at the end of 2012 to join Mercedes beginning in 2013 has been the most controversial decision of the 2012 Formula One season.  Nobody, however, sounds more disappointed in Hamilton’s decision than the man who has mentored him since the age of 11, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

Hamilton apparently had a bit of discontent brewing with McLaren’s reliability and pace this year.  The rumors of a purported departed from McLaren–his longtime team and one of the best in the business–began toward the end of the summer this year.  Many thought Hamilton’s management company, which is more of a global branding house than a motor sports agency, were simply posturing to rake in as much money as possible for the 2008 World Drivers Champion.  McLaren reportedly put that rumor to bed by offering Lewis Hamilton more money than their first offer and that of Mercedes’ pitch.  So, as I understand, money might not have been the sole motivator for Lewis Hamilton’s switcheroo.

The 2012 Singapore Grand Prix revealed a bit of Hamilton’s frustration with the team, and certainly a few [key] infamous botched pit stops earlier in the season have not helped Hamilton’s patience with the team.  The MP4-27 suffered from a high-and-low season where it shined brilliantly at times with a clear advantage in raw speed, and the rest of the time it seemed a bit off pace or suffered mechanical failures.  His teammate Jenson Button can certainly relate to the feeling (Monza, anyone?).  Nevertheless, despite McLaren’s uncharacteristic inconsistency, Martin Whitmarsh is still at the reins of one of the most legendary and successful Formula One institutions.  Anyone in Hamilton’s shoes could appreciate the privilege of driving for McLaren.

So, where did Lewis Hamilton and Martin Whitmarsh diverge on the Briton’s future in Formula One?  Martin Whitmarsh had a few things to say about it recently:

“It is always bad to make a decision in the aftermath of a bad race,” Whitmarsh said.  ”He would be better off with us; we are the stronger team and we intend to beat him next year . . . You have to justify your decision. He is not going to say ‘Hey, they offered me more money’ . . . He is also not going to say he’s made an awful mistake.  I hope he thinks he’s made an awful mistake and I hope he thinks that next year.

 ”Maybe he is completely dispassionate about it, but my guess is we both will have very emotional moments in Brazil. I have known him since he was 11 and worked with him since his teens and I know we will both be very emotional after Brazil . . . We have had one or two emotional moments since the decision was taken and I believe, but you must ask him, that we have a very good relationship.”

Clearly, Whitmarsh is disappointed and emotional in Hamilton’s move.  But he also reveals that there was not much logic in why Lewis made the move.  Competitive advantage?  No. Money?  No.  Prestige?  No.  Respect?  Definitely not.  In a way, Martin Whitmarsh is revealing that Lewis Hamilton is and has been frustrated at McLaren, which motivated his move to Mercedes, a team without a proven track record or a guaranteed future in Formula One.  Hamilton, himself, has described it as him needing a new “challenge” in working from the ground-up to develop the Mercedes W04 and onward.  Whether Hamilton will succeed with Mercedes is a silly question right now, but whether he can endure frustrating seasons while developing a car (without a chance of winning) is less of question.  Hamilton may not be given preferential treatment over an equally young and hungry Nico Rosberg, who is still struggling to step out in the limelight despite bringing Mercedes its first win in Shanghai earlier this year.

Mercedes is going to be messy for Lewis Hamilton, and Whitmarsh is absolutely right in believing Lewis will consider his move an “awful” decision in little time.  Hamilton may also be keeping himself open to other opportunities by signing a 3-year deal with Mercedes, which is not short by any means.  However, with Fernando Alonso’s deal at Ferrari running through 2016, one could surmise that even a second seat at Ferrari for the younger Hamilton could be in the works at some point depending on how things go at Mercedes and when Alonso calls it a career.  There is no doubt that Lewis Hamilton is a very, very talented driver, but will his antics this season turn other teams like Red Bull and Ferrari away from him in the future should he once again decide to switch teams?  As a team principal, would you want an older Lewis Hamilton driving one of your cars?

United States Grand Prix Less Than One Week Away!

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Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas will kick off in just about ONE WEEK!

Formula One will finally return to U.S. soil after a less-than-ceremonious exit in 2007 at Indianapolis.  Over the years, Formula One has battled to gain the attention it commands around the globe here in the United States.  The longest running years of the United States Grand Prix were at the famed Watkins Glen International circuit in Finger Lakes Region of New York (1961-1980).  Many consider F1′s time at the legendary Glen to be the best years for grand prix racing in this country.  I would have to agree with that.  The Glen is a purpose built facility at over 3 miles long with challenging elevation changes, exciting complexes, and a mix of high speed and intermediate corners.  Does this sound familiar?  The Circuit of the Americas was designed and built largely on the same design principles, although many argue that Herman Tilke–F1′s circuit designer of choice–has his own personal homologation strategy that he applies across the board.  I disagree.

Could there be a better USGP Ambassador than Mario?!?!

Circuit of the Americas has already proven quite intriguing from what drivers have spoken about it, and most seem to be eager to explore its challenging layout beginning with the sharp rising, nearly blind Turn 1.  Circuit of the Americas is an amazingly complex track with sections that pay respect to other circuits around the world and create newfound challenges.  Putting aside the design, the organizers have clearly made a huge leap forward when compared to the United States Grand Prix organizers of yesteryear.  What Indianapolis, Long Beach, Phoenix, Dallas, and Detroit got wrong will be righted in Austin, Texas.  Circuit of the Americas met their tight construction deadlines, achieved the proper FIA homologation ratings, and have secured multiyear contracts to host races in Formula One, MotoGP, and V8 Supercars.

Pass!

In one week the world will witness a great revival at work as the United States Grand Prix returns to U.S. soil.  I cannot think of a greater circuit and urban venue to host Formula One and I am eagerly awaiting my time in the grandstands of Turn 11 this year!