Kinda forgot - was busy... - so I missed all but the last 10 laps of the race, scratch that, 6 laps because of an ad break.

Agreed, Valencia looks beautiful, but from what I saw the race would have been rather un-entertaining. Not even one crash, let alone retirement. I think that's the first race of the season where there hasn't been an retirement.

Good battle for 8th there at the end, Good to see Webber make the podium, but is it any suprise that he had problems, a fucked gearbox at the end. If he has to replace it, I think the commontators said he'll have to serve a 5-place position penalty at the begining of that race. Speaking of which, how bored did the commontators sound at the end, even though I only saw 10 laps, I thought it was rather un-interesting.

Quick question I don't understand. Why are they holding the "European Grand Prix" in a country that's already hosted/hosting a grand Prix race. Wouldn't it be more sensible to hold it in a country that isn't hosting a national race - I.e San Marino isn't hosting this season.

Also, just watching the post-race interviews. Does Mark Webber ever smile. Every time he's interviewed he seems such a grumpy bum. I understand he'd be fustrated finishing third all the time, and problems with his car, but he's yet to bloody retire this season.

[quote=Heineken] I think that's the first race of the season where there hasn't been an retirement. /quote]

Iirc it's the first time there hasn't been a retirement in a race since 2005.

Wow. That's gotta be a record of sorts. What, 5 and a half seasons. :-s

There was a minor fender-bender between Schumacher and Petrov early on in the race. New nose cone for Schu was the only outcome.

You get one 'free' gearbox change through the season, so it won't effect him just yet. But if he has to do it again within 5 races he'll be in trouble.

That's predetermined by the EU. If you recall, it used to be hosted at the Nurburgring in Germany and Jerez before that.

If I was in his shoes, I'd be frustrated too. I mean, no matter what he does his car is 1-2 seconds slower than a car that's meant to be identical. He's shown that he can lap faster but the car simply can't maintain the pace. I'd can understand why he's frustrated.

I believe China last year was the first time they didn't have a retirement. But only 23 cars started.

EDIT: it was Bahrain '09, Nakajima retired on the out-lap.

Edited by afromanGT: 27/6/2011 12:28:12 AM

2005 is correct for all cars crossing the finish line at Monza, Italy.

2011 F1 Season - Europe Grand Prix, Valencia, Spain

1. Sebastian Vettel - RBR-Renault
2. Fernando Alonso - Ferrari
3. Mark Webber - RBR-Renault
4. Lewis HJamilton - McLaren-Mercedes
5. Felipe Masa - Ferrari
6. Jenson Button - McLaren Mercedes
7. Nico Rosberg - Mercedes
8. Jaime Alguersuari - STR-Ferrari
9. Adrian Sutil - Force India-Mercedes
10. Nick Heidfeld - Renault
11. Sergio Perez - Sauber-Ferrari
12. Rubens Barrichello - Williams-Cosworth
13. Sebastien Buemi - STR-Ferrari
14. Paul di Resta - Force India-Mercedes
15. Vitaly Petrov - Renault
16. Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber-Ferrari
17. Michael Schumacher - Mercedes
18. Pastor Maldonado - Williams-Cosworth
19. Heikki Kovalainen - Lotus-Renault
20. Jarno Trulli - Lotus-Renault
21. Timo Glock - Virgin-Cosworth
22. Jerome d'Ambrosio - Virgin-Cosworth
23. Vitantonio Liuzzi - HRT-Cosworth
24. Narain Karthikeyan - HRT-Cosworth

Driver Standings

1. Sebastian Vettel - RBR-Renault = 186
2. Jenson Button - McLaren-Mercedes = 109
3. Mark Webber - RBR-Renault = 109
4. Lewis Hamilton - McLaren-Mercedes = 97
5. Fernando Alonso - Ferrari = 87
6. Felipe Masa - Ferrari = 42
7. Nico Rosberg - Mercedes= 32
8. Vitaly Petrov - Renault = 31
9. Nick Heidfeld - Renault= 30
10. Michael Schumacher - Mercedes =26
11. Kamui Kobayashi - Sauber-Ferrari = 25
12. Adrian Sutil - Force India = 10
13. Jaime Alguersuari - STR-Ferrari = 8
14. Sebastien Buemi - STR-Ferrari = 8
15. Rubens Barrichello - Williams-Cosworth = 4
16. Sergio Perez - Sauber-Ferrari = 2
17. Paul di Resta - Force India = 2

* Rest of Racers all equal on 0 points.

---

Constructor Standings

1. RBR-Renault = 295
2. McLaren-Mercedes = 206
3. Ferrari = 129
4. Renault = 61
5. Mercedes = 58
6. Sauber-Ferrari = 27
7. STR-Ferrari = 16
8. Force India = 12
9. Williams-Cosworth = 4
10. Lotus-Renault = 0
11. HRT-Cosworth = 0
12. Virgin-Cosweorth = 0

LOL, it's got nothing to do with the EU, it all about money (no surprises there). The 'European GP' is just a way to have a second race in a country where that would be a money spinner. When Nigel Mansell was on top of the pile they had a second race in the UK at Donington Park calling it the European GP. When Germany had a bunch of stars at the top (Schumacher brothers, H-H Frentzen etc) the Euro GP was held in Germany. Now the Spanish have shown an appetite for it thanks to Alonso and presto, Euro GP in Spain.
For years the San Marino GP was just a name for Italy's second GP. The track wasn't even anywhere near San Marino!

Which of course explains why it was held at Jerez in 1994 and 1997.

Moreover, in 1983 when it was held at Brands Hatch, Keke Rosberg was world champion. In 1994 when it was held at Jerez, Alain Prost was World Champion and in 1984 when it was held at Brands Hatch, Niki Lauda was world champion.

And which part of any of those examples doesn't include 'circuit owners threw wads of cash at Bernie'?

I never said it was solely reliant on which driver was popular at the time. ](*,)

If they wanted to cash in on the flavour of the month they'd have kept it in Germany for Vettel's fans. It's a decision made by the EU and that 4 foot tall git Ecclestone as to who's willing to brown nose the most.

Please explain to me how the European Union are involved in the selection of the host circuit of the European Grand Prix.#-o

They have the final say on where the race is held.

Since when? :?

I don't know. But when they pulled the pin on San Marino in 06 they talked about holding a second Italian GP in Florence and the EU said no.

Nice premise.

Losing half a second a lap at that stage of the race probably cost him a place.

Read article below

Edited by buddha69: 1/7/2011 05:03:47 PM

[size=7]Australian rookie Daniel Ricciardo will drive for Hispania for the rest of the season, with the exception of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, the Spanish Formula One team announced on Thursday.[/size]

The announcement coincides with Ricciardo's 22nd birthday on July 1.

Ricciardo has been working as a test driver for the Red Bull and Toro Roso teams and was given permission to cut his teeth in race conditions with Hispania.

"Hispania Racing and Red Bull Racing signed a collaboration deal today which allows young Australian talent Daniel Ricciardo to join the Spanish team as its official driver," said the official statement.

Ricciardo, who is slated to drive for Toro Rosso in 2012, is likely to team up with the Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi, replacing Narain Karthikeyan -- who will return for his home grand prix in India on October 30.

The Australian, who was born in Perth, will make his debut at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 10.

"It's a dream come true for me -- for the first time on an F1 starting grid," he told the team website.

"I had to pinch myself a couple of times to be sure that it's real. I'm excited and can hardly wait to drive at Silverstone.

"It's a new challenge, a new experience, a new team, but I'm ready and will give of my best in any event."

Hispania team boss Jose Ramon Carabante welcomed the loan deal as the start of a greater collaboration with Red Bull.

"This agreement is a reward for all the hard work Hispania Racing has shown since we started in Formula One last year," he said.

"We're proud that the Formula One world champion team has trusted us in their effort of developing their drivers. Let's hope that this is just the start of a fruitful relationship."

Ricciardo won the 2008 Formula Renault 2.0 Western European Cup and then moved to British Formula Three, where he won the 2009 championship by 87 points.

He then moved to Formula Renault 3.5, missing out on the 2010 title by just two points.

In 2011, after testing for Red Bull at the young drivers tests in Abu Dhabi, he was named as third driver for Toro Rosso

http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sports/formula-one/australian-rookie-daniel-ricciardo-will-make-his-race-debut-for-spanish-formula-one-team-hispania/story-e6frf3zl-1226085278821

Edited by buddha69: 1/7/2011 05:03:12 PM

Finally a talented Aussie driver in the F1. :)

I see what you did there...

Maybe he can do somthing useful for one of the teams.

The lad has skill, hopefully he can pick up a point or two.

British Grand Prix gonna be on this weekend. Really looking forward to it. Should be a really good race!!!

It's on Sunday, 9pm on ONE HD. Gonna be a good race!

Might be a good race!

So much sport this weekend! V8's sat and sun, Super Rugby final, tour de france, matildas, F1, plus afl and nrl...

I see why a-league is on over summer!

Interested to see how well Ricciardo does, and hopefully MW can repeat last years result.

Love Silverstone

Why must the GP be on AT THE SAME TIME AS THE MATILDAS?!

GP starts at 10. Will miss just over half of it.