Through a race of attrition, and the most drama I have seen in 1/2 in the first lap that I have ever seen, Jenson Button has emerged as World Champion with his 5th place finish at the 2009 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix, bringing along with him the Constructor’s Championship to Brawn GP, one of many F1 history firsts that were accomplished this past weekend. The drama really stared with torrential rain on Saturday during a record-setting 3 hour qualifying session, where the usual suspects for the top five to 8 positions were found qualifying in 14th (Button), 16th (Vettel) and 18th (Hamilton). Following this was the drama filled first lap which saw Trulli go off in a track taking Sutil with him, who in turn took out Alonso. Trulli was then seen immediately running up to Sutil’s crashed car where aggressively confronted Sutil for causing the crash. While this may or may not be true, Trulli was fined after the race for US$10,000 for his behavior. Following these incidents, the safety car was brought out. Through the first few corners, both Kovalainen and Raikkonen were involved in racing incidents which caused them to pit. Heikki however, was let go to early, and proceeded to rip out the fuel hose while the car was still being fueled (a-la Massa in Singapore 2008). He proceeded to spill fuel through the hose down the pit straight, where Raikkonen’s Ferrari caused the fuel to ignite in a brief but entertaining ball of fire. And that was all in just the first lap! The face ended with Webber taking the chequered flag, however, it’s Button who is the one really celebrating after setting F1 history by becoming a driver at a new F1 team to win both the Driver’s and Constructor’s Championships. Mercedes, who powers the Brawn team, and is rumored to be interested in becoming a larger partner with the team next season, were thrilled by this. Norbert Haug, VP of Mercedes Motorsport, has a gem of a quote, “For the second year in a row, car number 22, driven by an Englishman and powered by a Mercedes-Benz engine has finished fifth in Brazil to win the world championship – what an amazing list of coincidences”. (Found on F1-Live)
Above is the product of a Russian design student working with coachbuilders Zagato on a concept that revives the Iso Rivolta nameplate to produce the Marella concept, with a Corvette ZR1 engine in the front pushing it from behind with its 640 bhp V8.
It looks interesting, fast, but it’s something I am having a hard time falling in love with…maybe it’s the slightly bugged out look to the whole car? (Found on Autoblog)
Citreon has made some poor cars, but it has a couple gems (namely the GTbyCitreon which is BRILLIANT!). Even greater is their suspension system which can smoothen out some of the roughest roads out there. (Found on Autoblog)
I am genuinely excited to see the Aston Martin Rapide (again… now that it’s not a concept). I want to see what it looks and sounds like. Because this video has me really excited. I wouldn’t also mind seeing what the blokes at Top Gear think about it either…
I must have missed this in the process of moving from Pittsburgh back to Hong Kong, but production shots of Aston Martin’s Rapide have been unveiled on the web. Posted on their Facebook page, Aston Martin’s first four-door sedan looks stunning. Having seen the concept back in 2006 at the Detroit Auto Show, the car looks truly stunning and elegant, and in my opinion, kicks Porsche Panamera’s sorry little ass. This car looks infinitely better both inside and outside. (Found on Autoblog)
This is one great clip of dueling cars, made more amazing by the fact that those cars are the new Ferrari 458 Italia in Scuderia Red and Modena Yellow. So pretty. So fast. Watching them wring the car around the track, the speedometer dial rising and falling, the interior camera work, and the engine roaring in the back… this is basically car porn. (Found on Autoblog)
