MotoGP Valencia 2009: Pedrosa celebrates

ap

Dani Pedrosa came into the Valencia season finale facing his worst ever MotoGP season in terms of race wins and lowest championship position since his rookie 2006 season.

The Repsol Honda rider had only taken one victory from the previous 16 rounds, compared with two wins in every other MotoGP season, and was sitting fourth in the championship - the lowest he has been since fifth in his rookie 990cc year.

But everything fell into place for the fast but frequently injured Spaniard in front of his home fans on Sunday, with pole sitter and third in the championship Casey Stoner crashing out before the race had even begun - leaving Pedrosa to claim a lights to flag victory.

In doing so, Dani vaulted ahead of Stoner by 14 points to match his 2008 ranking of third, behind Fiat Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, whom Pedrosa comfortably beat in Sunday’s race.

“It’s really great to finish off the season with a win, especially here in front of my home fans,” said Pedrosa. “I was waiting on the grid with my visor up and I was looking to the side for Casey to arrive, but the marshal in front of me was walking to the side and I was thinking: 'Where is he going!' So I assumed something had happened to Casey on the warm-up lap.

“In the first few laps I had to be careful because you have to warm up the tyres here, especially on the right hand side. But once that was done, we maintained a good pace and kept focused. In the last laps, the wind was strong and it would have been easy to make a mistake, but I was able to control the gap to Valentino and take this win.

“I was thinking back to Laguna Seca where Valentino closed the gap a lot, and I also knew that Jorge was catching Valentino too, so I just kept pushing. I’m very happy for the team because we struggled quite a lot in practice here, and yet we were able to win in front of all the Spanish fans. I’d like to thank the fans too.

“To get third in the championship is not what I was expecting but it’s a nice surprise, even though Casey wasn’t in the race. This season has not been easy and tomorrow’s testing will be important so that we can start 2010 in the best possible shape. This gives us a good start towards that,” he concluded.

With team-mate Andrea Dovizioso winning at Donington Park, 2009 was Honda’s most successful 800cc season in terms of race wins.

Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/08112009/23/pedrosa-celebrates-valencia-win.html

Read more!

F1 GP Abu Dhabi 2009: Button and Webber last lap duel

Jenson Button said involved a duel with Mark Webber at the end of the lap-lap Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Although not victorious in the duel, the Button still very pleased.

Button the world champion had to settle for third position just on the Yas Marina, Sunday (1/11/2009). Brawn Grand Prix driver was unable to achieve even better results for all his efforts over Webber in front of him was always able to be resisted.

Button business peak is present in the final lap. Button nose like a car stuck in the back of Webber's car and they even had time to wheel to wheel, though Webber was the one who eventually finish in second position.

"Some very exciting last lap for me. I can not maneuver critical, (but) I am very pleased with the fight and I was able to menyalipnya but Mark was always difficult to pass," said Button on ITV.

British driver was so happy because they considered that despite fierce duel involved, it remained in the corridor sportsmanship and no business "playing dirty".

"Although somewhat wheel on wheel with his car, we were still playing clean, it was perfect. I was disappointed not to position two, but I enjoyed the duel today."

"Today is like so a bonus after winning the world championship in Brazil and I am very happy to drive a very competitive this weekend," said Button.

Race live standing
P. Driver Team Time
1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:34:03.414
2 Mark Webber Red Bull 17.857
3 Jenson Button Brawn 18.457
4 Rubens Barrichello Brawn 22.735
5 Nick Heidfeld BMW 26.253
6 Kamui Kobayashi Toyota 28.343
7 Jarno Trulli Toyota 34.366
8 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 41.294
9 Nico Rosberg Williams 45.941
10 Robert Kubica BMW 48.180
11 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren 52.798
12 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 54.317
13 Kazuki Nakajima Williams 59.839
14 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:09.687
15 Vitantanio Liuzzi Force India 1:34.450
16 Romain Grosjean Renault at 1 lap
17 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India at 1 lap
18 Adrian Sutil Force India at 1 lap
19 Lewis Hamilton McLaren out
20 Alguersuari Jaime Toro Rosso out

Read more!

MotoGP Malaysia 2009: Rossi the world champion

Valentino Rossi, ensuring himself a MotoGP world champion in 2009 after occupying the third position in the Malaysian GP, Sunday (25/10/2009).

Rossi position in the race that was ultimately won by Australian pebalap Ducati, Casey Stoner. Meanwhile, Dani Pedrosa, was in second position. Rossi, Fiat Yamaha team pebalap already 38 points ahead of closest rival, Jorge Lorenzo, just need a big four positions to defend the world title.

Malaysian GP race was marked by the conviction of Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo. Second place in qualifying, Saturday, Lorenzo punishment for failing to occupy the position in time. Lorenzo himself eventually finish in fourth.

MotoGP racing was delayed almost an hour due to heavy rain which flushed the Sepang circuit. Previously, the weather was clear enough so that everyone can do the race Sunday morning warm-up session.

Results GP Malaysia, Sunday (25/10):
1. Casey Stoner Ducati 47m24.834s
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 14.666s
3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha + 19.385s
4. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha + 25.850s
5. Nicky Hayden Ducati + 38.705s
6. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki + 41.061s
7. Toni Elias Honda Gresini + 48.555s
8. Marco Melandri Kawasaki Hayate + 55.557s
9. Loris Capirossi Suzuki + 1m00.303s
10. Mika Kallio Ducati Pramac + 1m00.440s
11. Aleix Espargaro + Pramac Ducati 1m01.655s
12. Alex de Angelis Honda Gresini + 1m01.847s
13. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha + 1m10.778s
14. Gabor Talmacsi Scot Honda + 1m15.851s
15. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha + 1m50.672s

Failed to finish
Andrea Dovizioso Honda 14 laps
Randy de Puniet LCR Honda 1 lap

Read more!

F1 GP Brazil 2009 : Button New F1 Champion

Jenson Button finally come out as world champion Formula 1 race in 2009. Brawn Grand Prix drivers assess this achievement as an extraordinary thing.

Formula 1 is still left one more series, namely Abu Dhabi, the beginning of November. But Brawn Grand Prix has become a world champion after finishing 5th in the Brazilian Grand Prix, Sunday, October 18, 2009.

Button has won a total of 89 points that are not caught up again by its nearest competitor Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) (74 points) and Rubens Barrichello (72 points). Besides Button, Brawn team Grand Prix also featured as constructors champions this season.

"This is really incredible," said Button to the site Autopsort, Sunday, October 18, 2009.

"After what I achieved in the last few races, it can fix it. Racing is truly remarkable. My world champion!" he said.

Button started his career as a racing driver balapannya Gokart 21 years ago. He was always trying to win in every race. But Button admitted but never ever expect to become world champion in F1 racing.

"I never expected to be F1 world champion F1 driver because it is different from you. But today I can make it happen," said Button.

Button actually started the race at Interlagos than a disadvantage. Australian driver's start from the 14th position. Meanwhile, teammate, Rubens Barrichello at the start actually leading position.

The incident had happened a few drivers in the race early enough to help Button to increase ratings. Having had time to be in a position to-7 on the first lap, Button managed to maneuver at the end of the cloths so as to drive the sequence of 5.

Opportunity to be a wide open world champion after Barrichello slipped into the sequence of 8. While other competitors, Sebastian Vettel could only finish in 4th position.

Read more!

Australian GP 2009: Stoner win

Casey Stoner, Australian racing driver, led from start to end Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Sunday (18/10), which beat Valentino Rossi, the champion of the world.

Stoner, who climbed Ducati, won the race in his own country for the third consecutive year. Dani Pedrosa, the drivers of Spain, was in third position.

Marco Simoncelli, Italy racing driver who drove Gilera, won the 250 cc race. Julian Simon, the Spaniard, won the race 125 cc.

Australian MotoGP 2009 result:
Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1. Casey Stoner Ducati 40m 56.651s
2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha + 1.935s
3. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 22.618s
4. Alex de Angelis Gresini Honda + 32.702s
5. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha + 35.885s
6. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 38.482s
7. Marco Melandri Hayate Kawasaki + 44.451s
8. Randy de Puniet LCR Honda + 44.941s
9. Mika Kallio Pramac Ducati + 54.345s
10. Toni Elias Gresini Honda + 1m01.205s
11. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki + 1m05.417s
12. Loris Capirossi Suzuki + 1m05.950s
13. Gabor Talmacsi Scot Honda + 1m17.951s
14. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha + 1m17.985s
15. Nicky Hayden Ducati + 1 lap

Read more!

F1 GP Brazil 2009 Qualifying: Barrichello grabs home pole

Gallo/Getty

Rubens Barrichello has claimed pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, giving his championship-leading Brawn teammate Jenson Button a potential headache with just two races remaining to take the title.

Britain's Button, who is 14 points clear of the Sao Paulo driver, qualified a disappointing 14th in a marathon rain-delayed qualifying session that ranked as one of Formula One's longest.

The outsider in the title battle, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, is 16 points behind Button and will start in 16th place after being caught out by the weather.

Barrichello timed his first pole of the season, and first since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix, to perfection and is now well-placed to take the title battle down to the wire in Abu Dhabi.

Brazil GP qualifying positions

1 R Barrichello (BRA) Brawn - Mercedes
2 M Webber (AUS) RedBull - Renault
3 A Sutil (GER) Force India-Mercedes
4 J Trulli (ITA) Toyota
5 K Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari
6 S Buemi (SUI) Toro Rosso-Ferrari
7 N Rosberg (GER) Williams - Toyota
8 R Kubica (POL) BMW Sauber
9 K Nakajima (JAP) Williams - Toyota
10 F Alonso (ESP) Renault
11 K Kobayashi (JAP) Toyota
12 J Alguersuari (ESP) Toro Rosso-Ferrari
13 R Grosjean (FRA) Renault
14 J Button (GBR) Brawn - Mercedes
15 V Liuzzi (ITA) Force India-Mercedes
16 S Vettel (GER) RedBull - Renault
17 H Kovalainen (FIN) McLaren -Mercedes
18 L Hamilton (GBR) McLaren - Mercedes
19 N Heidfeld (GER) BMW Sauber
20 G Fisichella (ITA) Ferrari

Read more!

F1 GP Suzuka Japan 2009: Vettel back in title hunt

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel led from start to finish in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka to put himself back in the title frame with Jenson Button eighth behind Brawn team-mate and other title rival Rubens Barrichello.

Vettel has 69 points after the victory, achieved at a circuit at which he had never previously raced, with Barrichello two ahead on 71 and Button still clear on 85 with two grands prix remaining.

Jarno Trulli and Lewis Hamilton completed the podium, the Toyota man taking a place from the McLaren on the final round of pitstops. Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Rosberg and Nick Heidfeld filled positions four to six.

Following the race Rosberg was placed under investigation for a possible infringement which could have handed Brawn GP the constructors' title - however stewards decided not to take action against the Williams driver.

Vettel got away well enough to hold on to his pole position although he could have been passed by the KERS-boosted Hamilton, had Trulli not slowed the McLaren somewhat.

The reigning world champion managed to get past the Toytota however with positions four to eight as they were on the grid, occupied by Heidfeld, Raikkonen, Barrichello, Rosberg and Adrian Sutil.

Heikki Kovalainen, fighting for his future in Woking with fellow Finn Raikkonen tipped to return to McLaren at his expense, made up two places off the line thanks to his KERS then overtook Sutil's Force India on the first couple of laps to move into eighth.

Button and Kubica occupied the cars passed by Kovalainen and the Briton, who could have wrapped up the title had things worked out differently, wasted little time in passing the Pole.

Vettel was flying away from Hamilton at the front, while at the back of the grid Mark Webber - who had started from the pitlane - came in for a third stop after only four laps. The Australian had changed tyres before needing a loose headrest taping up; he then suffered a puncture.

Sebastian Buemi retired with a clutch problem before the first of only two major incidents in the race.

Sutil tried to move up the inside of Kovalainen in his lighter car and was closed off; they touched and the McLaren ran on to the grass as the Force India spun out for the second race in succession.

This time Sutil did not take anyone else out as he swung the car around and continued on - but both drivers were passed by a thankful Button.

Button had clear air to make up on the Renault of Fernando Alonso - like team-mate Romain Grosjean on a one-stopper - and cut the gap from 5.7s to almost two seconds with an intensive spell that set up his point-scoring finish.

After the first round of stops Barrichello found himself going backwards compared with Raikkonen ahead of him, with the gap from Button to the Brazilian down to five seconds with Rosberg between them.

Heidfeld jumped ahead of BMW-Sauber team-mate Kubica on the second round of stops - the latter had taken Kovalainen's place during the first round - and Trulli had little trouble coming through for second.

He pitted two laps after Hamilton, who had suffered an issue with his limiter it seemed on the pitlane exit.

Giancarlo Fisichella, who finished 12th for Ferrari, narrowly nicked a place from Kovalainen during the reshuffle - but the Italian was passed soon after on another weekend to forget following his move from Force India.

The second incident occurred with eight laps left: Jaime Alguersuari lost control of his Toro Rosso and smashed into the tyre barriers, finishing half on and half off the track in the wrecked vehicle.

That brought out the safety car for four laps as the wall was restacked by the assembled throng of marshals; with the field bunched together a four-lap race was in effect.

Raikkonen had a look at passing Hamilton for third but could not manage it, while Kubica was also unsuccessful as he had a nibble at Button and the Briton himself contented himself with a point lost in the title battle with Barrichello ahead of him.

However Vettel, cruising at the head of the field, could yet have the final say in an intriguing Formula One season if the Brawns are outclassed again in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Button claimed Rosberg had made up four seconds on him during the slowdown with Brawn needing only half a point to claim the teams' title.

"The race director reported to the stewards that... Nico Rosberg exceeded the time delta from when the 'safety deployed' message was displayed until crossing the safety car line," the FIA stated.

"The stewards met with the drivers and the team representatives and considered the telemetry data, GPS records, timekeeping and video evidence. This evidence showed a 'low fuel' message on the drivers display had overridden the time delta information preventing the driver from being able to accurately follow the timing information.

"However the telemetry data shows that the driver from a safety point of view had reacted adequately to the yellow flags and safety car boards. In view of this the stewards intend to take no further action."

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport


Race live standing
P. Driver Team Time
1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:28:20.443
2 Jarno Trulli Toyota 4.877
3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 6.472
4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 7.940
5 Nico Rosberg Williams 8.793
6 Nick Heidfeld BMW 9.509
7 Rubens Barrichello Brawn 10.641
8 Jenson Button Brawn 11.474
9 Robert Kubica BMW 11.777
10 Fernando Alonso Renault 13.065
11 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren 13.735
12 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India 14.596
13 Adrian Sutil Force India 14.959
15 Kazuki Nakajima Williams 17.973
16 Romain Grosjean Renault at 1 lap
17 Mark Webber Red Bull at 2 laps
18 Alguersuari Jaime Toro Rosso out
19 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso out

Read more!