Google+ Jack Leslie F1: June 2014

30 June 2014

2014 British Grand Prix Preview

The ninth round of the 2014 Formula 1 season takes place at the Silverstone circuit, located on the Buckinghamshire/Northamptonshire border in Britain. 
© Octane Photographic
The challenging track will host its 50th Grand Prix this weekend and follows an exciting race weekend in Austria, which was eventually dominated by Mercedes.

29 June 2014

Reaction: FIA F1 2015 regulation changes

Overall, my reaction to the FIA’s earlier announcement of regulation changes approved by the World Motor Sport Council for the 2015 F1 season is mixed. 
© Octane Photographic
There are some decisions that I am happy with, but others have left me confused and a little annoyed. Here are my thoughts the main changes. 

27 June 2014

The opening eight races of the F1 2014 season in stats

We are almost at the half-way stage of the 2014 Formula 1 season and have so far been treated to some fantastic races. 
© Octane Photographic
Ahead of the next round on this year’s calendar, which takes place at the Silverstone circuit in Britain, here is a selection of statistics from the first eight races. 

25 June 2014

F1 drivers share thoughts on standing restart proposal

Several Formula 1 drivers shared their thoughts on the proposed new rule to introduce standing restarts over the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
© Octane Photographic
The plan, which is aimed to improve the spectacle of the sport, is understood to have been approved by the F1 Commission and will be sent to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for ratification, before it can be added to the 2015 regulations.

24 June 2014

2014 Austrian Grand Prix in pictures

The Red Bull Ring returned to the F1 calendar to hold the first Austrian Grand Prix since 2003. It was won by Nico Rosberg, with his team-mate Lewis Hamilton taking the runner-up spot.
© Octane Photographic
I was at the race reporting on all of the action for Richland F1. The track is in a stunning location and produced some fantastic photographs. Here is the race weekend in pictures (including some of my own).

22 June 2014

2014 Austrian Grand Prix Driver Reaction

The 2014 Austrian Grand Prix produced a surprise pole-sitter, but it was business as usual in the race result with Nico Rosberg taking the victory.
© Octane Photographic
Lewis Hamilton made it a Mercedes one-two, with Valtteri Bottas scoring his first podium. Here is a round-up of the driver's reactions.

2014 Austrian Grand Prix: Sunday

It may sound really cheesy, but covering the Austrian Grand Prix for Richland F1 has probably been the best experience of my entire life. 
I can’t believe how quickly it has all flown by; it doesn’t feel like I have spent four days at the Red Bull Ring. Sunday was a busy day but, as with all of the others, I enjoyed every second of it. 

21 June 2014

2014 Austrian Grand Prix: Saturday

Today was definitely my favourite day at the Red Bull Ring so far. I am really pleased with all of the work that I managed to get done and it was a fantastic qualifying session, with a surprise pole-sitter.
It was another early start, with a 5:45am alarm. We managed to arrive at the circuit at just after 7:30am and I got straight to work on a few news pieces.

20 June 2014

2014 Austrian Grand Prix: Friday

Following my F1 paddock debut on Thursday, practice day at the Red Bull Ring kick started with a 6:00am alarm. 
I was not only able to cover sessions from the race circuit for the first time, but I also got the chance to watch the cars from the side of the track and hear the new V6 Turbo power-units. 

19 June 2014

2014 Austrian Grand Prix: Thursday

Following yesterday's long road trip to Austria, today (Thursday) was my first day at the Red Bull Ring.

Walking through for the paddock was an incredible feeling. After all of my hard work and effort, it is a great feeling knowing that it has all paid off.

18 June 2014

2014 Austrian Grand Prix: Wednesday

My Wednesday kicked off with a 1.15am alarm, which I swiftly shut up. However, I accidentally fell back to sleep and woke up about 20 minutes later. Not the best start.

After a brief panic, I was able to finish packing before then hitting the road - the road trip to the Red Bull Ring had officially got under way. 

17 June 2014

F1 Flashback - Austrian Grand Prix Memories

The Austrian Grand Prix has appeared on the F1 calendar 27 times and following an 11-year absence, it has returned for the 2014 season. 
© Ferrari
The Red Bull Ring has changed drastically since it first hosted a Formula 1 race in 1970 - when it was then known as the Österreichring - but both layouts have created some incredible racing. Here are just a few memorable moments.

16 June 2014

2014 Austrian Grand Prix Preview

The eighth round of the 2014 Formula 1 season takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.
© Ferrari
It is the first Austrian Grand Prix to take place in 11 years, with the last F1 race in the country taking place back in 2003. 

Manager: Schumacher no longer in a coma

Michael Schumacher is no longer in a coma, his manager Sabine Kehm has officially announced.
© Octane Photographic
The seven-time world champion has left Grenoble Hospital, where he was taken following his skiing accident in the French Alps on December 29th, to "continue his long phase of rehabilitation".

13 June 2014

Hamilton: "I caught up before and I can catch up again"

Lewis Hamilton is confident that he can close the gap to his team-mate Nico Rosberg and reclaim the lead in the drivers' championship.
© Octane Photographic
The Brit retired from the last race in Canada due to complete rear brake failure, caused by a MGU-K problem. His team-mate extended his advantage at the top of the standings by finishing in second place, despite suffering a similar issue.

12 June 2014

2014 Austrian Grand Prix

As some of you may know, I will be going to the next round on the F1 calendar in Austria, reporting on all the action for Richland F1. 
© Red Bull/ Samo Vidic
This is something that I have been working towards for quite some time, so it is fantastic to see that all my hard work has paid off. 

11 June 2014

Video: Vettel and Ricciardo's Red Bull Ring guide

The next stop on the F1 calendar is Austria and the Red Bull Ring, which is obviously the home race for the team that has dominated the last four seasons.


In a new video, Red Bull Racing's 2014 drivers Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo give us their guide to the challenging 2.688 mile track.

9 June 2014

2014 Canadian Grand Prix in pictures

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve hosted yet another exciting and dramatic Canadian Grand Prix, with Daniel Ricciardo taking the win after the two Mercedes cars suffered problems.
© Octane Photographic
The 2.709 mile track is situated on a man-made island and in the middle of a park, so it always produces some stunning photography. Here is the race weekend in pictures:

2014 Canadian Grand Prix Driver Reaction

A dramatic Canadian Grand Prix saw Daniel Ricciardo score his maiden F1 victory after both Mercedes drivers hit trouble.
© Octane Photographic
Nico Rosberg managed to hold on to second in his ailing W05, while Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire. Here is a round-up of the driver's reactions:

7 June 2014

Video: Hamilton and Rosberg's off-track rivalry

Mercedes is currently dominating the 2014 Formula 1 season. The on-track rivalry between the Brackley-based outfit's race drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg has been dramatic to say the least and the intense battle for the world title looks set to go down to the wire.


But in this video for Mercedes partner Allianz,
one of the biggest insurance companies in the UK whose involvement in F1 started back in 2000, Hamilton and Rosberg were all smiles as they took their rivalry off-track to compete in several entertaining games in the pit garage.

6 June 2014

2014 Canadian Grand Prix Weekend Report

The seventh round of the 2014 Formula 1 season took place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada.
© Octane Photographic
It was the 45th Canadian Grand Prix to feature on the F1 calendar and the 34th to take place at the popular but very challenging 2.709 mile track.

Pirelli confirms tyre choices up to Hungary

Pirelli has confirmed the tyre nominations for the Austrian, British, German and Hungarian Grands Prix.
© Octane Photographic
The sport will return to Austria this season for the first time since 2003. The Red Bull Ring requires good mechanical grip and has a smooth track surface.

5 June 2014

2014 Canadian Grand Prix Thursday Snapshot

Following a short break to recover from the drama of the Monaco Grand Prix, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was a hive of activity on Thursday.
© Sahara Force India F1 Team
Drivers completed media commitments, met with their engineers and completed track walks ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, while mechanics prepared the cars for the opening practice session.

4 June 2014

F1 Flashback - Canadian Grand Prix Memories

The Canadian Grand Prix joined the F1 calendar in 1967. Following short stints at Mosport Park and the Circuit Mont-Tremblant, the race eventually found its permanent home in Montreal in 1978. 
© Williams Martini Racing/ LAT
It is one of the most popular events on the schedule and has produced some incredible moments. Here are just a few: 

Haas Formula to make 2016 F1 debut

Gene Haas has confirmed that his new Formula 1 team will make its debut in 2016.
© Getty Images
Haas Formula was originally granted entry for 2015 in April, but it was decided that joining the F1 grid next season would be too soon.

3 June 2014

Post-British Grand Prix test tickets now on sale

Tickets are now on sale for the two-day test that follows the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
© Octane Photographic
Four post-race events were scheduled after the ban on in-season testing was lifted for the 2014 season. 

Button encouraged by development rate at McLaren

Jenson Button says he has been encouraged by the rate of development at McLaren, ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.
© Octane Photographic
However, he admits that the Woking-based outfit is still "a long way from the leaders" and where it wants to be.

2 June 2014

2014 Canadian Grand Prix Preview

The seventh round of the 2014 Formula 1 season takes place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. 
© Williams Martini Racing
Following a short stint competing closer to home, the sport now briefly moves away from Europe for the first of two races this year in North America.