Preview - German Grand Prix

The Hockenheimring hosts the 55th German Grand Prix and the tenth round of the 2008 World Championship. After negotiations with the rival German circuit, the Nurburgring, broke down the German Grand Prix was canclled for 2007. But it's back now and will alternate between the circuits each season. This year its in the Hockenheimring at Hockenheim, Germany. This is what to expect from a crucial half-way point in the season, with three drivers on equal points.

Last Years Race

There was not a German race in 2007.

Information

The German Grand Prix has a long history, with the early history dominated by the second world war. It has also seen many battles between the Hockenhiemring and the Nurbugring for the rights to the Grand Prix. After the war, Germany was disallowed to host an Grand Prix for the inaugural season, so hosted a F2 event at the Nurburgring before moving to F1 in 1951. In these days the original 12-mile Nurburgring Nordschleife was used. Often known as 'The Green Hell', the circuit saw many serious accidents and in 1970 the Hockenheimring hosted its first Grand Prix due to safety issues at the Nurbugring after the fatal crash of German driver, Gerhard Mitter. The Grand Prix returned to Nurburg but with increased safety concerns, the 1976 race would be the last one. Ironically, F1 Champion, Niki Lauda, was very nearly killed at that race but was saved by fellow drivers. The race went back to the Hokenheimring, making one more appearance at the newly designed Nurburgring before the circuit was given the European Grand Prix and F1 in Germany has remained at Hockenhiem ever since.

The 2008 Formula one Grosser Preis Santander von Deutschland is the 796th F1 Grand Prix. It is hosted between the 18th and 20th of July. The race will be 67 laps. Pole Position in 2006 was McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen with 1:14.070. Ferrari's Micheal Scumacher set the fastest lap of the race, 1:16.357.

Circuit

Big changes have been made to the Hockenheimring in recent years. These changes have been mostly unpopular, with a fast sweeping forest section cut-off making the track much shorter. The main strait is very short so it can fit in, what is effectively a stadium surrounding part of the track. The first corner is very fast with a decent exit being vital. Turns two and three lead out to the parabolika. The longest strait on the circuit, which comes as a result of cutting-off the large forest area of the track. The strait leads up to the tight hairpin where heavy braking is needed after the high-speeds of the parabolika strait. Turn five is flat-out as is the exit of the apex at turn seven. The cars then re-enter the stadium and slow down for the last few corners, where spinning an F1 car is all too easy to do. The drivers then arrive at the short main strait to complete the lap. The current distance of the circuit is 4.574km or 2.842 miles. The lap record is held by Kimi Raikkonen in a McLaren with 1:13.780 in 2004.

Championship

With the race at Germany starting the second half of the season, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa are all tied at the top of the championship with 48 points and Robert Kubica is only two points behind on 46. Its anybodies guess at the moment, but each driver will want to pull away as the deciding part of the season gets underway. The German Grand Prix has always been a unpredictable one but McLaren have been waiting ten years for a win here and they look to be the favourites. Heikki Kovalainen is in a good position to become the 100th Grand Prix winner this weekend.

News

Yet again, rain could play a deciding part of the weekend. Although forecasts are sketchy at best, some drivers will once again be wanting rain for a more unpredictable race. Five drivers have there home race in Germany, more than any other race, with Nico Rosberg, Sebastain Vettel, Nick Heidfeld, Adrian Sutil and Timo Glock wanting to impress in front of their fans.

Preview - British Grand Prix

Seeing as the British Grand Prix marks the half-way point of the season and that it is First F1's home race, I thought it would be a good idea to try a new layout for this week's race preview. All feedback is encouraged.

The 59th British Grand Prix marks the ninth round of the 2008 championship hosted at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, England. This years race marks 60 years of racing at Silverstone, but it was announced this week that next years race will be the last when the Grand Prix goes to Donnington Park in 2010. In this new style First F1 preview, I'll guide you through all the facts and preparation for the weekend.

Last Years Race
Lewis Hamilton started on pole in the 2007 British race, with world championship rivals, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso in second and third. Massa qualified fourth but stalled on the grid and started from the pit lane. Raikkonen was close but not close enough to take the lead form the Briton when the race began. Kubica, Kovalainen and Heidfeld were behind Alonso in fourth, fifth and sixth. Felipe Massa began his way back through the grid with an impressive display of overtaking. First was Albers, who was followed by Davidso, Button, Barrichello, Luizzi, Wurz, Speed, Rosberg, Coulthard and Trulli. Meanwhile at the front, Raikkonen was not letting Hamilton out of his sight, following his every move with Alonso close behind the Finn. Hamilton came into the pits but made a mistake and tried to leave too early. He recovered but lost time. Raikkonen pitted and comfortably took Hamilton for the lead. Kimi wasn't leading for long, as Alonso got in front of both of them after his pit stop. Alonso laps Scott Speed from the lead but Speed wasn't paying attention and made contact with Wurz giving the Austrian the position and retiring. Kimi Raikkonen got the jump on Alonso during his second pit stop and won the race in front of Alonso, Hamilton, Kubica, Massa, Heidfeld, and Kovalainen.

Information
The first British Grand Prix was held in 1948, before the official FIA Formula One World Championship began. When it did begin, in 1950, the Grand Prix was the first race on the calendar, making it the first official F1 Grand Prix. Since the inaugural season, the British Grand Prix has been included in every world championship season. The Italian Grand Prix is the only other race to have that statistic. From 1964 to 1986 the race alternated between Silverstone and Brands Hatch. The circuit at Aintree has hosted five Grands Prix with Silverstone hosting the rest.

The 2008 Formula One Santander British Grand Prix is the 795th F1 Grand Prix. It is hosted between the 4th to the 6th of July. The race will be 60 laps. Last years pole position lap time was set by McLaren's Lewis Hamilton with a time of 1:19.997. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest lap time in the race was 1:20.638.

Circuit
The Silverstone Circuit is a very old circuit which has seen many changes over the years to adapt to Formula One. Copse is the first corner which spreads the field out strait away, making first corner incidents less likely at Silverstone. A small mistake round the first turn will send you off the track in a strait line. The S bends of Maggots, Becketts and Chapel follow with the Hangar Strait taking the cars down to stowe. Silverstone is not very heavy breaking but Stowe is the heaviest braking corner on the track with deceleration of around 100 km/h. This also makes Stowe a good overtaking spot. After a few more short straits, drivers arrive at the Abbey chicane before entering the fast right-hand turn of bridge. Once past the final few corners the drivers head though turn 17 of Woodcote to complete the lap. The current distance of the circuit is 5.141km or 3.194 miles. The lap record is 1:18.739 set by Micheal Schumacher in a Ferrari in 2004.

Timetable

Championship
With four different drivers having led the championship, the 2008 season proves to be much wider open than last year. As expected, Ferrari brought home a 1-2 finish in France two weeks ago, and with Silverstone being another Ferrari circuit the Italian team should be happy. One thing the Italians don't have is the overwhelming support that is brought to Silverstone for the British drivers. Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Lewis Hamilton will all be hoping for a strong performance in front of their fans.

News
Silverstone always attracts a great atmosphere and often produces some great races but the British weather can always play a part. Rain has been stated as probable for Sundays race with the whole weekend overcast. In other non weather-related news, it has been confirmed the British Grand Prix will leave Silverstone after the 2009 race for Donnigton park in 2009. Bernie Ecclestone has said that the move will put British motor sport back on the map.

Preview - French Grand Prix

The French Grand Prix is back for the 58th time, and the very last time at Mangy-Cours, to hold the eighth round of the 2008 championship. This post looks at last years race (also meant to be the last at Magny-Cours), the facts and figures and the news, preparations and recent history of the French race.

Last Years Race
Felipe Massa got pole last year with Lewis Hamilton behind in second. Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica lined up on row 2 with the Renaults on row 3. Fernando Alonso started back in tenth. Raikkonen passed Hamilton on the start, taking second. Further back, Anthony Davidson made contact with Viantonio Luizzi sending his car out of control colliding with Davidson's Super Aguri. Luizzi retired but Davidson made it back round to the pits. Heikki Kovalainen nearly made a move round Giancarlo Fisichella but was spun from behind by Jarno Trulli. Kovalainen continued but Trulli retired. Meanwhile, Christijan Albers was pitting for Spyker but left the pits before the lollipop went up with the fuel rig still attached. He also retired. The Ferrais then pitted from the lead. Raikkonen got the jump on Massa to take control of the race. Hamilton finished in third, behind the Ferraris with fourth and fifth going to BMW. Fernando Alonso took seventh with Jenson Button getting Hondas first 2007 points in eighth.

Information

• Official Name: 2008 Formula 1 Grand Prix de France
• Date: 20-22 June
• Round: 8
• Circuit: Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
• Location: Magny-Cours
• F1 Race Number: 794
• Grand Prix Number: 58
• First Race: 1950
• Laps: 70
• Lap Distance: 2.74 miles (4.41km)
• Lap Record: 1:15.377, M Schumacher

Preparations and Predictions
With a Canadian Grand Prix that shook the championship standings around, things should begin to settle back to normal in France, but not to McLarens favour. McLaren do not have a good track record in the French race with only 3 French GP wins to their name. Hamilton being penalised ten places from wherever he qualifies, after the pit lane crash in Canada, will not help turn their record around. Ferrari do have a good track record at the circuit and will be hoping for a 1-2 finish to put some distance between them and their rivals. BMW will be wanting to continue their good form and will also now be battling for the championship. Ferrari looks likely to dominate in France, but we could be in for a surprise.

News
After the pit lane incident in Canada two weeks ago, both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton will start ten places back from where they qualify. Hamilton still seems optimistic about his chances saying “We’ve already looked at the best ways of optimising the strategy to help us move up the field and I guess I’ll just have to pass some cars if I want to get into the points." Bad weather is once again being predicted with Thunderstorms being predicted on Saturday and more heavy rain on the Sunday.

Preview - Canadian Grand Prix

The 39th Canadian Grand Prix is the venue for the seventh round of the 2008 championship. This weekend is the 30th anniversary of the Grand Prix being held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Lets take a look at the events of last year and the details of what to expect this year.

Last Years Race
The McLarens of Hamilton and Alonso lined up in on the first row with Heidfeld in third and Raikkonen in fourth. Kimi had a poor start and was quickly passed by his teammate, Felipe Massa. Alonso has a lock up from second and goes strait on a turn one. Hiedfeld moves up to second, whilst Raikkonen is taken again by Nico Rosberg. Jenson Button stalled on the grid. Mark Webber spins whilst taking Robert Kubica and Scott Speed retires after flying up the back of Alexander Wurz. Alonso again goes off a turn one giving his position to Massa. Adrain Suitil hit the barriers at Turn 8 and the safety car came out. Both Massa and Fisichella ignore the red light at the end of the pit lane and drive through. Kubica waits patiently, but too patiently and gets taken by Jarno Trulli when the green light come back on. Robert Kubica tries to take Trulli but gets it wrong and launches into the air. He slams against the barriers with high force and flips back across the track. Its a big accident and Kubica is helped out of the car and into an ambulance. He was unhurt but missed the next race. The safety car returns to the pit lane after Kubica's accident for the second time. Alonso and Rosberg are given 10 second stop-go penalties for entering the pit lane whilst it was closed. Fisichella and Massa are black flagged for leaving the pit lane under the red flag. They are disqualified. Luizzi brings out the safety car for the fourth time after hitting the wall of champions. Takuma Sato gets the better of Ralf Schumacher, but hes not done and overtakes Fernando Alonso on the strait. He takes sixth. Lewis Hamilton wins the race with Heidfeld second, Wurz third, Kovalainen, Raikkonen and Sato in fourth, fifth and sixth.

Information

• Official Name: 2008 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada
• Date: 6-8 June 2008
• Round: 7
• Circuit: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
• Location: Montreal
• F1 Race Number: 792
• Grand Prix Number: 39
• First Race: 1967
• Laps: 70
• Lap Distance: 2.70 Miles (4.36km)
• Lap Record: 1:13.622, R.Barrichello

Preparations and Predictions
As the half-way point of the season approaches, the championship is starting to close up. Ferrari will be hoping to continue their qualifying pace and push themselves further ahead. McLaren will want to build on their win at Monaco to make some space between them and BMW. Lewis Hamilton will also be looking for a win only after winning his first race here last year. BMW will also be looking for their first win, as mentioned in this post, they came close in Monaco and after a strong performance last year, this is the Grand Prix where they will want the breakthrough. With the top three teams all determined for a win, Montreal should be hosting a competitive race.

News
Due to my disability to stay in the country, or have any internet access over the week, I'm afraid that this post was written too early to share any pre-race related news.

Preview - Monaco Grand Prix

The most glamorous Grand Prix is back for the 56th time. Monaco sees host to round six of the championship. Once again all the news, preparation and a recap of last years race in the streets of Monte-Carlo.

Last Years Race
Fernando Alonso grabbed pole for 2007 race, with his McLaren teammate, Lewis Hamilton, behind him in second. Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella lined up on row two. Nico Rosberg and Mark Webber qualified in front of the BMW's on row four. After crashing in Quali one, Kimi Raikkonen started from sixteenth. The race started very cleanly with nobody failing to get round the first corner. Fernando Alonso stayed in the lead, while Nick Heidfeld snatched two places from Webber and Rosberg. Luizzi came very close to taking Raikkonen into the hairpin and had another try at Casino, only to crash into the barriers and retire. Within no time, the McLarens had pulled away and began lapping traffic at the back. At the first round of pit stops, Lewis Hamilton had his strategy changed from a one-stopper to a two-stopper giving him little hope of taking first from Alonso. The Spaniard went on to win the race leading Hamilton, Massa, Fisichella, Kubica, Heifeld, Wurz and Raikkonen.

Information

Official Name: 2008 Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco

Date: 22 - 25 May 2008

Round: 6

Circuit: Circuit de Monaco

Location: Monte Carlo

Race No: 791

First Race: 1950

Laps: 78

Lap Distance: 2.08 Miles (3.34km)

Lap Record: 1:14.439, M.Schumacher

BST Race Start: 13:00

Preparation and Predictions
A good qualifying performance is essential in Monaco. Overtaking opportunities are pretty much non-existent and the chances of the drivers improving on their starting positions are slim, quite the opposite to Turkey. Fernando Alonso has won the past two races, however his chance for three in a row is unlikely. It should all depend on his qualifying strategy. McLaren are the favourites for the race, having finished with a one-two last year. Ferrari are leading the Constructors championship by 19 points, with both their drivers on top in the standings. McLaren need to get a win in Monaco to stop the Italian team getting too far ahead.

News
Toro Rosso's Sebastain Vettel will carry a five place grid penalty after being forced to fit a new gearbox in the new car. The Toro Rosso STR3 makes it's debut in Monaco this week but a new transmission design is incompatable with the gearbox used by Vettel in the STR2B at Turkey. His French teammate, Sebastain Bourdais, will escape the penalty after failing to finish the Turkish race. In other news, Giancarlo Fisichella celebrates his 200th Grand Prix start, just two weeks after Rubens Barrichello made history with his 257th race. Only 11 drivers have broken the 200 race mark.

Preview - Turkish Grand Prix

The Turkish Grand Prix returns to Formula One for the fourth time. In the first MOF1 race preview I'm gonna give you a glimpse into last years race and all the facts and figures for the weekend plus an idea of what's happening and what to expect from Istanbul Park.

Last Years Race

Qualifying saw Felipe Massa Grab Pole position in a much later stage of the season in August. Lewis Hamilton lined up behind him with Kimi Räikkönen heading row 2 in front of Fernando Alonso. The BMW's lined up on Row 3 with Renault's Heikki Kovalainen behind in 7th. Massa made a brilliant start on the Sunday pulling away from Hamilton immediately and Kimi got the better of the Brit on the line pushing Lewis down to third. Alonso had an even worse start, however, pushed from Fourth down to sixth by the BMW's. Fisichella's Renault went out of control in turn one, touching the back of Janro Trulli in the Toyota. Four to five cars swerved of the track to avoid the drama, leaving Jarno at the back of the field. The Ferrari's wasted no time in pulling away and only Hamilton was in sight in third with Nick Heidfeld in fourth being threatened by Alonso who had managed to pass Kubica in the sister BMW. Alonso got the better of the German BMW driver in the pits and regained 4th. The Ferrari's continued to pull away and as Hamilton tried to catch them up he got a puncture. He left the pits in fifth behind Heidfeld and Alonso. Heikki Kovalainen managed to catch up to Hamilton's McLaren but failed to pass him before the end of the race. Felipe comfortably won the race with Kimi behind him completing the Ferrari one-two. Alonso joined them on the podium. Heikki finished 1 second behind Lewis and Rosberg completed the race in 7th, nine seconds behind the Renault. Robert Kubica couldn't match his teammates performance and finished 8th.

Information

• Official Name: 2008 Formula 1 Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix
• Date: 9-11 May 2008
• Round: 5
• Circuit: Istanbul Park
• Location: Istanbul
• First race: 2005
• Laps: 58
• Lap Distance: 3.32 Miles (5.34km)
• Lap Record: 1:24.770, J.Montoya
• BST Race Start: 1:00

Preparation and Predictions
The First Turkish Grand Prix was in 2005 and since then every driver that grabbed pole on the Saturday has gone on to win the race. I say every, Kimi grabbed pole and won the first race and since then the honours have all gone to Felipe Massa, winning his first race in Turkey, he has gone on to dominate the Grand Prix, saying on Thursday that he owns the track. With most of the predictions pointing to another wipe out by Ferrari, can Massa continue his run or will he be beaten by the sister Ferrari, McLaren, BMW or even the Renault, looking back to Spain. Unlike Spain, however, pole certainly doesn't guarantee a win. The circuit is widely considered as Hermann Tilke's best and overtaking opportunity's shouldn't be rare. It won't be easy for the pole-sitter to stay leading the pack.

News
Rubens Barrichello makes Formula One history this weekend as the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix marks his 257th Grand Prix start surpassing Ricardo Patrese's record of 256 making him the most experienced Formula One driver ever. He began his F1 Career in 1993 and is the only driver still in the sport to have raced with Ayrton Senna. Out of the current drivers, only David Coulthard is anywhere near his experience level with 30 less Grand Prix starts. In other news Heikki Kovalienen has been declared fit for the Grand Prix after his heavy crash in Spain saying "I am obviously very pleased with the decision by the FIA Medical Team, I arrived here today feeling confident that I would pass the FIA test as I feel 100 percent." and finally Giancarlo Fisichella will be penalised three grid positions for the race after exiting the pit lane under a red light during Free Practice 1 on Friday.