win a drive by Martin Brundle and top tickets to the British race

SILVERSTONE - Next race: Great Britain, here's another competition about it. We have teamed up with Santander to give one lucky reader the chance to win a truly exhilarating and unique prize to celebrate the 2011 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix at Silverstone from 08 - 10 July.
One lucky reader will experience breathtaking speeds at Silverstone whilst riding shotgun in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with the English Formula 1 star and commentator, Martin Brundle. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is capable of reaching nearly 200mph, and can sprint to 60mph in under 4 seconds!
The fantastic runners up prizes are six pairs of tickets to watch the action from the Santander grandstand located on the Abbey corner on the new International pit straight on Saturday 09 July and Sunday 10 July.
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preview

Hamilton not able to overtake, never able to make a good start

VALENCIA - (Photo: Button in London at the McLaren showroom launch). Al contrario dell'ultima gara, sul circuito canadese Gilles Villeneuve, dove Button ha fatto una gara che neanche Villeneuve (ma i tifosi italiani McLaren di cui parlavo, hanno preferito difendere le buffonate di Hamilton), oggi a Valencia invece è stata noiosissima. Hamilton, oltre che incapace di sorpassare come ampiamente dimostrato, non azzecca mai una partenza, e si è fatto passare dalle due Ferrari, persino da Massa! Oltretutto ha consumato inutilmente le gomme in una parte della gara dove non avrebbe dovuto. Ovviamente una buona partenza dipende anche dalla macchina, ma è proprio la partenza dove un pilota può sopperire all'inferiorità della macchina, e quando uno come lui la sbaglia spesso, c'è qualcosa che non va nel pilota.
No comment sulle solite uscite del telecronista ferrarista interista Mazzoni, del tipo "Valencia ha bellissime spiagge, ricordiamo che Valencia è stata fondata dai romani" (che c'entra!)
Dai ferraristi ne ho sentita un'altra: siccome la Federazione sta cercando di penalizzare la Red Bull con regole per metterli in difficoltà (ma hanno vinto comunque, nonostante fosse l'ultimo circuito favorevole alle caratteristiche Ferrari) e lo fa chiaramente per avvantaggiare la Ferrari, i ferraglisti dicono che lo fa "perchè la Red Bull non è inglese"... ah! come se le macchine inglesi fossero aiutate! Il presidente della FIA, tanto per ricordarlo, è l'ex ferrarista francese Jean Todt, e le McLaren sono spesso e volentieri penalizzate. Tra l'altro, la Red Bull non è inglese eh, è MOLTO inglese: la sede è a Milton Keynes in Inghilterra, e colui che ha progettato questa semi-imbattibile macchina è un certo Adrian Newey, inglese, ex McLaren, praticamente l'unica persona che ha reso la lattina così forte, non mi vengano a dire che Vettel e Webber sono fenomeni. Fanno più o meno gli stessi tempi (grazie alla macchina, è così evidente), Webber è un vecchio pilota che stava per ritirarsi e fino a pochi anni fa guidava macchine da ultime file.
Tra l'altro, cambiare le regole "in corso" durante un campionato, è qualcosa di assurdo, addirittura regole tecniche, per le quali bisognerebbe riprogettare elementi tecnici.

L'Angelo Misterioso, Formula 1 fan

LIVERPOOL - Everybody knows John Lennon is Liam Gallagher's idol, some even say he thinks to be him, but it's not true. When asked about his favourite song, album, etc., it's always something by George Harrison (or maybe naming one by the Beatles was just too obvious), Liam even said he's inspired by his style (for Pretty Green clothes too). As album, the triple All things must pass (nothing ever lasts forever lol), and as song Something (Beatles times), the biggest love song ever, also according to the Italian origins legend Frank Sinatra.
Liam on All things must pass: "That’s the best post-Beatles album. We all like it and that, but that was the best sounding fucking one. It’s got tunes that make me cry."
And sometimes he also says, e.g. at the end of a Twitter twit: "Beware of darkness", as the song by George.
Noel Gallagher probably took the word Wonderwall from the psychedelic "Wonderwall music" soundtrack by George: he was also a film producer, as Liam will be soon, about the Beatles. It would be great to make a psychedelic film, I have some ideas thanks to Beady Eye's psychedelic Wigwam too.

Harrison driving a 1961 Lotus on Donington circuit in 1979

Harrison was the most psychedelic, India-influenced and mysterious Beatle, in a way (because introvert), and introduced the Indian sitar instrument in the Beatles music, also played by Oasis in songs as To be where there's life. Oasis also covered a Beatles song by George, Within you without you.
A curiosity: the song "Badge", co-written with Eric Clapton (they formed a close friendship in the late 1960s), was released on Cream's Goodbye album in 1969: George also played rhythm guitar on the song, and for contractual reasons, he was required to use the pseudonym "L'Angelo Misterioso" in Italian.
Pattie Boyd was wife of both George and Eric. She has claimed that she was the inspiration for love songs written by both musicians (but they didn't always agree): Harrison's "Something", "For You Blue", etc., and Clapton's "Layla", "Wonderful Tonight" and "Bell Bottom Blues".

Harrison had an interest in sports cars and motor racing. He was one of the 100 people who purchased the McLaren F1 road car, and would often attend Formula One races. He had collected photos of racing drivers and their cars since he was young: when he was 12 he attended his first race, the 1955 British Grand Prix at Aintree, in which Stirling Moss won his first Grand Prix. He wrote "Faster" as a tribute to the Formula One racing drivers Jackie Stewart and Ronnie Peterson. Proceeds from its release went to the Gunnar Nilsson cancer charity, set up following the Swedish driver's death from the disease in 1978. Harrison's first "important" car was recently sold at auction in Battersea Park, London. The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 was bought new and delivered to Harrison personally in 1965 at his Kinfauns estate in Esher, Surrey, England.
When I was a kid my favourite Beatle was Paul McCartney, 'cause he was the first one I've seen (and also met when we organized Literature Prizes, he also wrote poems), from Michael Jackson's duets in the '80s. And Paul had a pretty funny face, the girls liked him, so it was easy for a kid to take him as favourite one.
From George in those years I remember "I got my mind set on you", funny video for a kid.
But since I started to have a deep knowledge of the Beatles, I can say George is my favourite: the vast majority of their songs were "Lennon/McCartney", but his (22 in total) songs with them (also, Here comes the sun, While my guitar gently weeps, etc., and as solo artist My sweet lord, Wah wah, etc.), are precious stones in music history.

very Richard Ahscroft, and very thin

McLaren shop to open in Milan

MILAN - The first McLaren shop in Italy (in Milano there was a retailer already) to open soon www.milan.mclaren.com 

the other day in London

Button with ex caught by paparazzi

LOS ANGELES - Gossip, caught by the beady eye of paparazzi: here is Jenson Button and his ex-girlfriend Louise Griffiths sharing a laugh over lunch. They must have been reminiscing about the cheesy photoshoots and the tangerine suit the F1 star wore when they were dating in 2003. Their relationship ended just 3 months before the wedding.
The McLaren driver, currently seeing half-Japanese model Jessica Michibata (the couple was in crisis last year and split), was in LA on a stag do with his mates when he bumped into his ex.
By the look on her chops she might still be holding a flame for him. Actually, it's more of a raging inferno.
The former Fame Academy contestant is now a songwriter based in the States.

win VIP pass to Monza race

MONZA - Photo: races world is a nice world :)...
Another competition: there'll be a draw among those who'll get at least two Monza stand tickets from 15 June till 15 July, for 30 "paddock pass" and two lucky people could watch the race from the pit wall. Hell yea! :)
Is there anyone missing the "france gp"? Not really, it's years that fortunately disappeared from the world championship.

Il Gran Premio d'Italia ovviamente rimane a Monza, quello a Roma ce l'hanno nel mondo dei sogni. Una volta esisteva il Gran Premio di San Marino ma era in Italia, a Imola. Quindi possono sempre fare il "Gran Premio del Vaticano" haha.
Non c'è sindaco comunista che tenga, il Gran Premio è qui, già deciso da tempo.
Quando uno ha delle idee positive su qualcosa, ad esempio penso che Roma sia una bella città, ci pensano sempre gli italiani a far cambiare idea... su qualsiasi cosa. Se difendi Hamilton (come ho fatto), sbagli. Se critichi Hamilton (come ho fatto), sei razzista. L'Inghilterra è avanti anni luce anche su questo, l'integrazione razziale ha secoli di storia e non gli viene neanche in mente di pensare al razzismo se critichi una persona di colore.
Pensavo che gli italiani tifosi della McLaren la tifassero perchè è un grande team, e perchè è inglese, e perchè non ci piace la Ferrari, ecc., ma vedo che c'è gente che tifa Hamilton "perchè è nero"... una roba tutta italiana.
Button, sempre McLaren, in Canada ha fatto una gara che neanche Villeneuve e loro difendono le ultime buffonate di Hamilton, fanno abbastanza ridere.
Il razzismo al contrario, come quando stavano con Obama perchè  (poverino) "è nero"... (pensando addirittura che fosse un comunista). La battuta di Berlusconi su "Obama abbronzato" significava che il colore della pelle non conta, ma i sinistri ci metteranno secoli per capirla. O a smetterla di fingere di non averla capita.

Hamilton to join Ferrari

LONDON - I've been defending Lewis when everybody, in Italy and in England, was attacking him, for his Monaco race, full of controversial episodes. It was really too much, Lewis had to right to attack the opponents, it's a competition, not an old cars parade. And the penalties against him only, were quite ridiculous.
His joke about racism was not really funny (penalties because of racism), in fact he apologised (he was almost having a big penalty for that joke).
And now, to be always honest, having seen the Canada race, we have to say he's exaggerating with his attitude (and he himself even apologised again). It's good to have someone driving with passion, but also brains are necessary. Driving against other cars, it doesn't make you Senna, but more a kamikaze. It's quite easy for everyone to drive as inside a videogame, I think also me could be able eh... You don't overtake someone with crashing... overtaking is an art to learn. I can't see the point why the other cars should make him pass so easily.
Of course tabloids have been attacking him, and, a bit surprisingly, I see that now even many people in England don't like him anymore.
In Italy the people almost always hate him, also because of course they're mainly Ferrari fans and he's too aggressive. But the people who like him, are now defending him, even acting as victims ("because he's black"... ridiculous), when he's clearly guilty now, in fact Ron Dennis got angry with him. In Italy defending who is guilty is a classic...
They also said he's "the only driver"... but now he's making a fool of himself, looks more like a clown in circus.
Hamilton is no Senna, he's a home-made driver, made with money and videogames...
On the contrary, Button had one of the greatest races I've ever seen in my life, in decades, since Senna times.
You know, footballers but also (and especially) drivers often change team, so I don't think Hamilton will stay forever @ McLaren. As Beady Eye say, nothing ever lasts forever... even intelligent opinions can't be always the same.
In fact, I've heard rumours about him leaving, to join Red Bull in 2013 (he visited them the other day...), but it's always been said about him joining Ferrari (Massa the disaster will probably leave soon, everybody's tired of him). Hamilton's kit becoming red lately could be a sign... in fact Ferrari people are not denying a transfer (tough he's got a contract for 2012 included, but he can change).
He's got half the points of Vettel, so now we have to support Jenson for the championship.

from Zani: Paul Gallagher, driving with passion: Ayrton Senna

LONDON - A proper "speeding Beady Eye" article by the brother of Oasis, about the great driver of English cars only, Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, Williams. The Grand Prix jacket by Pretty Green (Paul is a fan of the brand) is clearly inspired by races.

Now I'm not a Motor Racing fan, the thought of 24 cars hurtling around tarmac in single file for a time,which then spring into life with the odd bit of dangerous driving and skill combined, didn’t appeal to a football fan like me, but watching the new documentary movie SENNA ($25=£15) changed my opinion slightly.
Ayrton Senna was a passionate Brazilian motor racing driver who started his life in go-karting and took that right through to the very top of Formula One racing. He was uncompromising, skilful and a bit of a stock car racer underneath. He didn’t care too much about his opponents or their reputations; he wanted to do one thing only and that was WINNING at all costs.
His much-vaulted battles with Alain Prost pretty much takes over the movie. It's refreshing to see a Frenchman like Prost talk candidly about his battles with Senna, his personal feelings about a man who was his rival, team mate and his friend over their racing period.
Some say the car maketh the driver, but when Ayrton Senna left McLaren to join Williams / Renault his whole driving skills were compromised by NEW electronic equipment.
The cars were different; it was basically an electronic gadget on wheels. Senna was left with no choice but to try and drive like he had always driven which was fast, and if you see a gap take it. With the new cars this wasn’t possible as their design would take over the natural runnings of the vehicle with cars spinning off the track becoming the norm.
Alain Prost won four world titles then retired because he didn’t want to share driving duties with Senna. Ayrton won three world titles and left to join Williams / Renault. After 6 months or so he learned to regret this decision. The cars were not right, the burning desire to equal Prost's four titles and the desire within him, even after witnessing the death of Roland Ratzenberger on the track some hours before, toyed with his mind.
Senna knew his car wasn’t right. He spent times with the designers to try and get the steering correct, this ultimately cost him his life at the San Marino Grand Prix on 1 May 1994 when he spun off and was killed by a faulty steering column. Nothing of this becomes clear in the movie, a lot of questions are left unanswered, the Marshalls, the medical people, could they have saved him by reacting quicker, he was just 34 years old.
The outpouring of grief at his funeral back in Brazil where some THREE MIILLION people turned out, brings it home that this man was loved in his country, revered in others he was a national and international hero worldwide.
The documentary is a fascinating insight into Formula One for any fan or any non-fan who was ever interested in the enigmatic and God loving Brazilian that was Ayrton Senna.

again, now a different video, introduction+song by Lucio Dalla (he also wrote one about Milan), an Italian singer from the same zone where Senna died in his beloved Italy (in Imola). Ayrton spoke a perfect Italian language, this song also says he decided to go away in a land of dreamers. I could never forget that day, but I prefer to remember the great person he was. Paul forgot to write that Ayrton was always helping poor people

McLaren-Button incredible race! McLaren in assetto da bagnato, Ferrari in assetto da illusioni

MONTREAL - Canada GP, breaking news. Before the race I said: McLaren are in rain setup, Ferrari are in illusions setup, lol. And I was so right.
As I said, Button deserved to win also in Monaco, here's a reward.
Even this time, it's always Hamilton's fault, according Maastricht the tv and tabloids. On the contrary, Button said he's sorry 'cause he didn't see Lewis.
Jenson won an amazing race which started at 7pm in Italy and ended at 11:15 (!), more than 4 hours (we thought until tomorrow at breakfast), because of rain, so it was stopped and the safety car was necessary several times.
At a certain point Button was in the LAST position, 5 stops plus even had a penalty because of speeding behing the safety car, and even 2 bad accidents, with his mate Hamilton and with Alonso, and the McLaren was almost broken. But in the final part Jenson was so fast, even seconds faster than the other drivers, and won on the final lap when Vettel was under pressure and made a mistake.

Prima della gara l'avevo detto: la McLaren in assetto da bagnato, Ferrari in assetto da illusioni. Credevano di vincere.
Guardare Kobayashi che tiene dietro Massa, e Alonso che s'incaglia come una tartaruga, non ha prezzo.
A un certo punto abbiamo pensato che saremmo stati ancora a vedere il Gran Premio domani a colazione.
Secondo i moralizzatori ferraristi, non ci dovrebbero essere sorpassi e piloti che lottano, e bisognerebbe fare una sfilata d'auto d'epoca in colonna, perchè loro vivono nel passato e credono ancora di essere i migliori, quando invece persino una lattina di Red Bull di pochi anni di età va molto più forte persino della "big name" Ferrari.
L'esperto, il telecronista principale l'interista Gianfranco Mazzoni: "Hamilton ha anche rovinato la gara di Button"... eh beh ma certo. Ha anche allargato il buco nell'ozono. Peccato (per Mazzoni) che abbia addirittura vinto.
Di lui Briatore diceva pure che era un "paracarro" (piccolo particolare: l'aveva preso lui). Da ultimo, con 2 incidenti pesanti e una penalizzazione, ha superato tutti, l'imbattibile Vettel compreso.
L'inviato in pista Ettore Giovannelli lo zimbello del circus: "attenzione! c'è una McLaren in difficoltà!" ... era il replay di Hamilton che cercava di superare Schumacher (con tanto si scritta "replay", forse deve cercarlo sul vocabolario).
Alla fine Mazzoni urla come avesse vinto la Coppa del Mondo per il 6.posto di Massa...

Da sottolineare l'inutilità di quella donna di nome Stella Bruno ai box: non se ne intende di automobilismo, non sa l'inglese, s'impappina pure con l'italiano, si agita per niente quando qualche pilota la mette sotto pressione, e non è neanche gnocca. La classica raccomandata in Rai. Cui prodest? A chi giova tutto ciò?

different year Formula 1 2012: 21 races, back in th USA, still speeding

AUSTIN - Not back in USSR as the Beatles were singing.
Old photo with Button's ex car, and ex tyres, a few years ago when there was still an United States GP.
As you probably know, last year a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas, to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ for years 2012 through 2021, on a brand new circuit.

An American F1 race was held until 2007 included (won by Hamilton on McLaren, @ Indianapolis) and now from 2012... Formula 1 avoiding Obama, lol. Just kidding.
This year will be the last year then the engines (and Obama :), both ending in November) will be replaced by greener and more fuel efficient turbo-charged ones.

Now here's the 2012 Fia Formula One World Championship provisional calendar, some say there are too many races (21 is a record), but I want even more.

11/03 BHR Bahrain
18/03 AUS Australia (Melbourne)
01/04 MYS Malaysia
08/04 CHN China
22/04 KOR Korea
06/05 TUR Turkey (to be confirmed)
20/05 ESP Spain (Catalunya)
27/05 MCO Monaco
10/06 CAN Canada (Montreal)
17/06 USA United States
01/07 ESP Valencia, Spain (European GP)
15/07 GBR Great Britain (Silverstone)
29/07 DEU Germany (Hockenheim)
05/08 HUN Hungary (Hungaroring)
02/09 BEL Belgium (Spa)
09/09 ITA Italy (Monza)
30/09 SGP Singapore
14/10 JPN Japan (Suzuka)
28/10 IND India
11/11 ARE Abu Dhabi
25/11 BRA Brazil (Interlagos)

oh it's some time I don't hear the "france gp" anymore...

win a VIP trip to the Goodwood Festival of Speed

GOODWOOD - (near the Isle of Wight). Revel in the long summer days at Goodwood Festival of Speed from the 30th June - 3rd July with Johnnie Walker.
We have teamed up with Johnnie Walker, a proud sponsor of McLaren team, to offer two tickets to a unique weekend at the world's largest car event at Goodwood's Festival of Speed, from 1st - 3rd July 2011. Johnnie Walker is offering you and a friend the chance to win behind the scenes access to the Festival of Speed Driver's Club, on 3rd July. The winner will be treated like a VIP whilst rubbing shoulders with the who's who in the world of motor racing from famous Formula One Drivers and Teams to top name celebrities.
You and your guest will also be granted VIP access to the Johnnie Walker Viewing Tower where you will experience the best views possible at Festival of Speed. Enjoy a drink away from the crowds whilst admiring all the action on the track.
After a weekend of cars, stars and motorsport royalty, you will receive a bottle of Johnnie Walker and be able to experience the smooth taste, which is regarded by experts as the ultimate Scotch deluxe whisky and the benchmark by which all others are measured.
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