Chatting to Peter Windsor - Part 2

Often dubbed ‘the voice of F1 Racing Magazine’, Peter Windsor has seen Formula 1 evolve and grow into its current state.

(c) SpeedTV

The sports evolution has happened at quite a rate, the sport is now drastically different to the one Windsor fell in love with as a child. But despite the changes and branding the sport “a mess” he has remained a fanatical fan of the sport, loving every minute of track action.. He has traded the rivalries of Niki Lauda, James Hunt and Ronnie Peterson for the current stars of Formula 1; Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. So what does he make of the 2013 season so far? Read on to find out…

F1 Prize Money set to be Restricted

Marussia and Caterham’s battle for a space in the top 10 looks to be heating up as reports have emerged of plans to restrict team prize money, meaning the team who finishes 11^th will earn no money at all.

(c) Octane Photographic

The current fund for teams finishing outside the top 10 currently stands at $10 million, a vital amount of money for back markers to move forward and develop their car and team.

Razia In Line for Force India Reserve Role?

Former Marussia F1 Team driver for less than a month, Luiz Razia, has revealed that he is in talks with Force India over a possible reserve or test role.

(c) Octane Photographic

The Brazilian came close to making his Formula One debut with the Banbury based Marussia squad but his contract was terminated during the winter testing season due to issues with sponsorship and funding.

Perez denies reports of apology given to Button

Sergio Perez has confirmed that he has not apologised to Jenson Button for their aggressive on track battle in Bahrain.

(c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

The two McLaren drivers made contact on numerous occasions during their 20 lap battle at the Bahrain International Circuit but Perez eventually managed to get through and finish in sixth place.

Mercedes F1 Simulator Run for Kubica

Former BMW Sauber and Renault F1 driver Robert Kubica has confirmed that he tested out the Mercedes F1 Simulator at their Brackley based factory.

(c) Daimler

There had been reports circulating that the Polish driver had tried out the simulator after a rival team member spotted him at Heathrow Airport. Kubica has yet to return to the cockpit of a Formula 1 car since his horrific rally crash in February 2011. 

Chatting to Peter Windsor - Part 1

Covering Formula 1 since the 1970s Peter Windsor is one of the most knowledgeable, experienced and talented journalists in the field. He has held so many respected job titles all over the sport, but I first came to know him as F1 Racing’s Grand Prix editor and columnist. I pretty much grew up reading Windsor’s articles; he was the one that actually suggested that I set up this blog in the first place.

(c) Autoweek

I had the privilege of chatting to Peter about all things Formula 1. It was both fascinating and exciting all at the same time, listening to his views and opinions. He has witnessed the sport evolve and expand, not always for the better in his view, into its current guise and is a true, lifelong Formula 1 fan. He branded the sport currently as being “a mess”, but despite that he loves every second of it. From free practice to the race itself, it has “always been exciting.”

Thailand next to join the Formula 1 calendar?

Formula 1 has continued to move away from its true heart, Europe, and travel to the East. Now officials in Thailand have confirmed the proposed route for their 2015 Grand Prix.

(c) Red Bull Racing

The 3.375 mile street track has been approved by the government and looks set to take place at night, much like the Singapore Grand Prix. Races in New Jersey and Russia are entering the 2014 calendar, which begs the question of what races will be dropped?

GRID 2 Multiplayer and Customisation Trailer Launched

Creators of the upcoming video game GRID 2, Codemasters, has launched another brand new trailer detailing the game.

 

(c) Codemasters

The latest trailer exclusively reveals the games multiplayer features as well as some fantastic customisation additions. Check the trailer out to see more about the game which comes out on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on May 31st.

Pirelli's Allocation Pick's and Spanish GP Tweaks

Formula 1’s tyre supplier, Pirelli, has announced that it will make changes to its hard tyre compound in a bid to make it more durable.

(c) Pirelli Media

The move comes after they also announced tyre allocations for the next three rounds of the season in Spain, Monaco and Canada.

Hamilton Knows Mercedes Can Win in 2013

Lewis Hamilton has expressed his confidence that Mercedes can win a Grand Prix in 2013.

(c) Mercedes AMG F1 Team

So far the Brackley based team has scored two podium finishes, both coming from Hamilton, in Malaysia and China respectively. Despite showing strong qualifying pace after the Brit and his team-mate Nico Rosberg took back-to-back pole positions at the past two races, their 2013 machine has failed to impress to the same degree in race trim.

Ricciardo Disappointed after Poor Showing in Bahrain

It all looked so good for him 12 months ago. Lining up sixth on the grid for his first Bahrain Grand Prix. But that ended in disappointment, as did his second attempt at finding success in the Bahrain desert.

(c) Octane Photographic

Daniel Ricciardo was one of the stars of the show in Shanghai one week earlier, but after lining up 13th on the grid he eventually slipped to 16th by the chequered flag.

Who Takes the 'Top Rookie' Title So Far?

We may only be four races in to the 2013 season, but it doesn’t take long to make an impact in Formula 1.

(c) Marussia F1 Team

The sport welcomed five new drivers to its family and with open arms, but who has impressed so far? I take a look at how the newbie’s have fared so far and who has turned heads for the right and wrong reasons respectively.

Vettel Flies to Russia for Grand Prix Venue Visit

2014 will welcome the Russian Grand Prix to the calendar and triple world champion Sebastian Vettel visited the Sochi circuit to see how preparations were going ahead of next July's race.

(c) Sky Sports F1

The Bahrain Grand Prix race winner jetted straight to Russia to check out the 3.649 mile street track that is currently being constructed. The race has a seven year contract and marks the end of a 30 year campaign to bring Formula 1 to Russia.

Whitmarsh Removes Threat of Potential Driver Conflict

Martin Whitmarsh has spoken about the possibility of an inter-team feud between Jenson Button and Sergio Perez after Sunday’s dramatic Bahrain Grand Prix.

 

(c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

The two drivers went into combat during a race that could have ended in tears for both parties. Button radioed his displeasure to the team but they decided to let the two world class drivers (rightfully) race. Whitmarsh said he was not worried about any potential arguments or conflicts within the team.

2013 Bahrain Grand Prix Weekend Report

There was little time to recover from the thrills and spills of China as the Formula 1 fraternity hopped straight onto a plane and jetted off to Bahrain for the fourth round of the 2013 season.

(c) Sky Sports F1

Despite the ongoing protests and controversy in Bahrain, the teams and drivers arrived in Bahrain with complete confidence in the FIA’s decision to return to the island country.

2013 Bahrain Grand Prix, Thursday Snap Shot

The Formula 1 paddock swiftly makes the hop over to Bahrain for the fourth round of the 2013 season.

(c) LAT

After a frankly brilliant Chinese Grand Prix, where Fernando Alonso went on to win in stunning style, the focus swiftly moved to Bahrain and this weekends race. The paddock was busy once again on Thursday with plenty of things on the agenda for both teams, drivers and journalists. Catch up on the action from the track with my Thursday Snap Shot.

Mark Webber - Top 5 of 200

He may be contemplating other options away from Formula 1 for the 2014 season but Mark Webber is still as fast as ever. The Aussie celebrated his 200th Grand Prix in Malaysia but he will actually be starting his 200th F1 race this Sunday in Bahrain.

With his 200th Grand Prix start closing in  I thought, why not revisit some of the peaks of his rollercoaster career in the sport? Here are my Top 5 races of 200, carefully collected as my personal favourite races of his career to date.

Williams Expect More Competitive Bahrain Showing

Williams Technical Director Mike Coughlan has shown optimism that the FW35 will work well at the Bahrain International Circuit.

(c) Williams F1 Team

The Grove based squad has so far suffered a terrible and pointless opening to the 2013 season, 11th place for Valtteri Bottas in the Malaysian Grand Prix being their best result so far. Could they be looking at another disappointing season similar to that of 2011?

Pirelli Make Swift Tyre Change

Well that's what it looks like, as Pirelli announce a change in the tyre allocations for the Bahrain Grand Prix. However the move had been decided some time ago.

(c) Pirelli Media

The Italian firm announced that the "option" tyre for this weekends race will be changed to the medium tyre, as apposed to the soft tyre which was previously allocated.

Kovalainen Makes Caterham Comeback

The Caterham F1 Team has announced the return of Heikki Kovalainen, who will replace Ma Qing Hua as one of the teams two reserve drivers.

(c) Octane Photographic

The Finnish driver will kick off his driving duties in Bahrain and Spain in First Practice. Alexander Rossi, the teams other reserve driver, will move to Qing Hua's GP2 seat at the Caterham junior squad.

JLF1 Blog on NewsNow

NewsNow is the UK's biggest news aggregation service, gaining over 100 million page views per month and with over 33,000 websites feeding their posts to the service.

It is updated on an automated basis, so when a post is added it will automatically appear on their feed. All your favourite Formula 1 websites, like the previously mentioned Autosport, Pitpass, Crash.net, GPUpdate and RichlandF1 to name just a few, can be seen on NewsNow and guess who's little old blog will join them from now on?

That's right, the JackLeslieF1 Blog will now appear on NewsNow (see right sidebar for the evidence). My work can already be seen on their through PureF1, VitalF1, RichlandF1 and F1Plus but to have my own personal blog on their is both fantastic and extremely exciting. Only three other personal blogs are on the site, Will Buxton, Joe Saward and Adam Cooper, and now that number rises (unbelievably) to four.

So check out NewsNow for all the latest articles posted on your favourite Formula 1 websites (plus my own), http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Formula+One, and for more information on the website, http://www.newsnow.co.uk/about/.

2013 Bahrain Grand Prix Preview

It's a swift change of direction for the Formula 1 paddock with back to back races in China and Bahrain.

(c) Sky Sports F1

The Bahrain International Circuit near Sakhir hosts the fourth round of the Formula 1 world championship, and it certainly has a big act to follow. The Malaysian Grand Prix was controversial in itself but the third round of the season in China was truly thrilling.

Perez "too polite" According to Whitmarsh

Team Principal of McLaren, Martin Whitmarsh, has said his second driver Sergio Perez is "too polite" on track and needs to "toughen up."

(c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

The Mexican is not currently exuding confidence after another mediocre showing in China. Perez has so far finished 11th, ninth and 11th in the opening three rounds of the 2013 season and that simply is not good enough, despite the MP4-28's obvious flaws.

Chinese GP Top F1 Pic's

Top F1 Pic's is a new feature to this blog, whereby I choose my favourite images from the past Grand Prix weekend and share them with you in an album on Google+. I'm a big fan of photography and some of the images taken at the Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix were truly stunning.

(c) Marussia F1 Team

Hopefully you enjoy flicking through my choices and be sure to let me know your Favourites on Twitter @JackLeslieF1. Check out my Top F1 Pic's selection here on my Google+ page: https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/105212377487476421860/photos/105212377487476421860/albums/5866663040103590193

Universal Pictures Release Second RUSH Trailer

The first official trailer for Ron Howard's upcoming Formula 1 film "RUSH" teased audiences with its quick pace and high drama. Now a second trailer has been released showing more of the film. 

(c) movieclipsTRAILERS

The two and a half minute long teaser trailer gives fans a bigger glimpse to the story and the quality of filming. It shows the emergence of the titanic battle between Niki Lauda and James Hunt in a brighter light and really builds anticipation for the film, set to be released in September.

2013 Chinese Grand Prix Report

After the drama of Malaysia the Formula 1 fraternity returned to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix and the battle was red hot.

(c) Sahara Force India F1 Team

A hive of activity surrounded Red Bull in the paddock as Vettel and Webber gave their views on the altercation from the previous race. Mercedes also had plenty of questions to answer on Thursday but most left the talking to the track and their performance. Here's my rolling weekend review of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, covering every session as it happens. 

2013 Chinese Grand Prix, Thursday Snap Shot

As usual on the Thursday of a Grand Prix the paddock was alive. It was a hive of activity as Formula 1 returned after a three week break, with plenty of activities to do for both the team and driver. 

(c) Sahara Force India F1 Team

It was pretty much Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel day in the paddock, much of the talk still being of the disobeying of team orders by Vettel at the last round. However alongside media duties drivers also had sponsor commitments, team and car preparation and of course the track walk. Here's a look at what everyone has been up to in the F1 paddock.

Potential TV Advert Opportunity for Button?

Jenson Button is well known for his questionable appearances in adverts for partners of his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team and with the announcement of a new sponsor could we see him appear in another one?

(c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

The Woking based squad announced a deal with men's shaving and lifestyle brand Gillette ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Interview: Conor Daly

Formula 1 has recently had a lack of American presence on the grid but Conor Daly is looking to stop that and has his sights firmly set on a drive in the sport.

 

(c) GP3 Series

Daly comes from a racing family, his Father raced in Formula 1 for teams like Tyrrell and Williams whilst his Mother raced jet ski's, but was never pushed into a career in motorsport by his parents. However he chose to on his own accord and has certainly proved that he has the racing gene. Click "read more" to see an exclusive chat to Conor ahead of his Indy 500 debut and his first season in GP2.

McLaren Under Pressure?

McLaren has admitted that they are under pressure to provide drivers Jenson Button and Sergio Perez with a race winning car.

(c) Octane Photographic

The Woking based squad has had a tough and difficult start to the season amid issues finding the potential of their evolutionary MP4-28.

Official Trailer for F1 Film RUSH

We all know about the fantastic "Senna" movie, but now another Formula 1 film is making its mark. "RUSH" looks at the incredible 1976 season and the highly competitive and exciting battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, the season where Lauda was horrifically injured in a crash at the old Nurburgring track.

(c) whitehousetelevision

Above is the official trailer for the film which was directed by Ron Howard. It is set to be released in September 2013.

Three Stop Chinese Grand Prix Predicts Hembery

Pirelli's Motorsport Director Paul Hembery has predicted a three stop Chinese Grand Prix.

(c) Octane Photographic

He sights the three stop strategy with the higher degradation of the 2013 Pirelli rubber but does reveal a two stop strategy could work. 

Can Marussia Score Points in 2013?

In reference to the article title, driver Jules Bianchi certainly thinks so.

(c) Marussia F1 Team

Talking to Sky Sports F1 on their weekly magazine show the Frenchman predicted points finishes for the Banbury based squad, but he did reiterate that they have to be realistic and it will be tough. They are obviously not targeting big points hauls but Bianchi shared his thoughts on the possibility of nabbing a point or two

2013 Chinese Grand Prix Preview

Beneath the Chinese smog lies the fiercely challenging and technically demanding Shanghai International Circuit which splits driver opinion.

(c) Sky Sports F1

After the drama and debate of Malaysia the Formula 1 fraternity now moves on to the Chinese Grand Prix after a short break to enable us to all catch our breath. The track is one which some drivers love but others struggle with. Some visit China for the first time whilst others are ready to tackle the test again. Whatever the feeling towards the circuit is, one thing is for certain. It always provides some great on track action.

Caterham Unchained - Bringing Fans Closer to the Action

With a huge choice of platforms to bring fans closer to the action, Caterham have done just that with their fantastic YouTube series. The Leafield based team are so far nine episodes in to their 2013 series, dubbed "Unchained."

(c) Caterham F1 Team

The video series documents Charles Pic, Giedo van der Garde and the teams racing season. Check out the fantastic ninth episode below, whereby Charles Pic visits the factory to prepare for the next race in China. 

Grosjean Pinning Hopes on Exhaust Upgrades

Being the obvious number two driver in the Lotus F1 Team, Romain Grosjean is pinning his early season hopes on the exhaust upgrade fitted to current championship runner-up Kimi Raikkonen's E21.

(c) Octane Photographic

The Finn took his upgraded Lotus to a race victory in Melbourne and finished seventh at the Malaysian Grand Prix, but Grosjean has yet to experience the car upgrades introduced at the second round of the championship.

Van Der Garde Believes Caterham Can Fight Back

After two rounds of the 2013 championship Caterham look to be propping up the order.

(c) Caterham F1 Team

However Giedo van der Garde, their newly signed driver for this season, believes that the green team can fight back and challenge rivals Marussia. 

Sauber Continue Insightful Cutaway Series

The huge rise in the Internet has given Formula 1 fans a fantastic insight into the once hugely secretive and hidden behind the scenes of the sport.

(c) Sauber F1 Team

Sauber have continued their fantastic Cutaway series, detailing the true insides of a Formula 1 car in all its technical and beautiful glory. Check out Episode 3 above as the team look at the drivers seats.

Be sure to check out episodes one and two as well, there are 15 in the whole series so lots to look forward to.

Red Bull Break Pit Stop Record

Red Bull have scoured through huge amounts of data and have unearthed the true and record breaking times of their Malaysian Grand Prix pit stops.

(c) Red Bull Racing

The team has revealed that five of their pit stops in Malaysia were below the former record set by McLaren, 2.31 seconds, at last years German Grand Prix held at the Hockenheim circuit.

Raikkonen to Red Bull?

The Formula 1 rumour mill has started to turn again after a short Easter break. The latest debate is a possible move to Red Bull for ice-cool Finn Kimi Raikkonen. 

(c) Octane Photographic

This comes after the "Multi-21" incident that took place between Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with a whole host of names being thrown into the fray should Webber leave the team at the end of 2013.

Button Still Hopeful of Title Challenge

Despite scoring just two points in the opening two races of the season, his worst start to a season since 2008, Jenson Button is still hopeful of mounting a title challenge in 2013.

(c) Octane Photographic

The Brit, who is trailing current championship leader Sebastian Vettel by 38 points, has had a tough start to the year due to the slow and problematic McLaren MP4-28.