Videos: Interviews with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button after Qualifying at Chinese GP 2011

Lewis Hamilton says it's going to be "a serious battle" going into Turn One of the Chinese Grand Prix as he qualifies in third place behind McLaren team-mate Jenson Button and Red Bull's championship leader Sebastian Vettel



McLaren's Jenson Button says his team "have done well to wring the best out" of his car as he qualifies second behind Sebastian Vettel for the Chinese Grand Prix, and plays down the fact he has used one more set of tyres than team-mate Lewis Hamilton in third insisting he his happy with his choice of strategy



Source: FiftyBuckss

Räikkönen and NASCAR: What Formula 1 is saying

While Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants Michael Schumacher in NASCAR, he himself dismisses this - Jenson Button believes in Kimi Räikkönen

The NASCAR switch from Kimi Räikkönen, was the major theme of recent days in the United States. The Sprint Cup aces, especially the new leader Kyle Busch, took the imminent arrival of former Formula 1 World Champion very positive. The 31-year-old Finn, who has three test days behind him will give his debut in the NASCAR Truck Series on 20 May in Charlotte.

NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking forward to Räikkönen - and has another proposal: "It would be nice if Michael Schumacher would come here and get involved in a trial," Earnhardt suggested on the edge of the NASCAR weekend in Texas. "All of us would really like to see that. Since it would not matter if you think something is right or wrong. All would look at it." But this idea will remain a dream: "I'm not a fan of cars with roof," Schumacher said tersely in Malaysia.

But there are also NASCAR insiders in the current Formula 1 paddock. One who knows exactly what Räikkönen is getting into is Narain Karthikeyan. The Indian driving for HRT Racing did nine truck races last year. He never got into top 10 and was voted at the end of the year – thanks to an international online voting - the most popular truck driver 2010 as a complete surprise.

"It will not be easy for him," warned Karthikeyan. "It is very difficult there. He's clearly a talented driver and he is doing it right. He has looked for a good team and is testing a lot. He has now tested on the Rockingham Speedway, but Charlotte will then open his eyes. It's scary when you chase at full speed through the corners. If you drive all the time over 300 km/h, it is really hard work. But he will be quick there."

Jenson Button showed much understanding: "Kimi seemed to be happy to leave Formula 1. Maybe he wanted to have it more relaxed. He will find that in the states for sure. For drivers who are accustomed to slicks and wings, it is always difficult to drive all of a sudden in the NASCAR oval." Button also doesn’t show any prejudice, "These guys do that all their lives and they are no nose pickers.The change was difficult for many. Juan Pablo has taken a little while, but now he is competitive. I'm sure with Kimi it will be the same. He will prove his talent."

Felipe Massa agrees with Button largely. "I expect that he will not have it easy," said Massa. "It is something completely different and he has to start from scratch. The situation is quite different and a NASCAR is driven differently." Also the Brazilian compares the new situation with Montoya.

"Montoya had a few years his hands full, only now he can fight for the top 10. It is a completely different world. Kimi has certainly a great talent, but there he first has to learn. If he manages to do that, he may succeed in this series. First of all, he will start in a lower class if I have been informed correctly. We'll see. Apart from that of course I wish him all the best."

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg hasn’t thought about NASCAR. "It does not come to question for me. I don’t think I would enjoy. But if Kimi enjoys it and the races are exciting, it is certainly a great story. So why not?" The 20th May will provide more information when Räikkönen has done his first race on the fast 1.5 miles oval in Charlotte.

Source: Motorsporttotal
courtesy: Miezicat

Video: Press Conference in Malaysian Grand Prix 2011

Sebastian Vettel won the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix. Calling it a great day, the Red Bull racing driver credited the good start for the result. Second place McLaren driver Jenson Button called the 2011 Malaysian GP a confusing race



Source: espnstar

Malaysian GP Press Conference schedule

Felipe Massa and Jenson Button will get an early chance to discuss their opposing views on the DRS when they face the press on Thursday

Thursday, April 7 - 15h00:

Sébastien Buemi (Toro Rosso)
Jenson Button (McLaren)
Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
Jarno Trulli (Lotus)

Friday, April 8 - 16h00:

Eric Boullier (Renault)
Ross Brawn (Mercedes)
Paul Hembery (Pirelli)
Christian Horner (Red Bull)
Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber)
Colin Kolles (HRT)

Saturday, April 9 - post qualifying:

Three fastest drivers from qualifying.

Sunday, April 10 - post race:

First three finishing drivers.

Source: Planet-F1

Hamilton denies team-mate fall-out is looming

Lewis Hamilton has downplayed concerns that McLaren could be in for a rough season should their MP4-26 move to the front of the pack

Despite having two World Champions on the payroll in Hamilton and Jenson Button, last season proved to be a harmonious one for McLaren.

Many believe this was because the McLaren drivers were not regularly squabbling over race wins while Button's quest was further undone by his poor qualifying performances.

But should McLaren's new MP4-26 prove to be a regular race winner, F1 commentator Martin Brundle reckons the duo will soon find themselves fighting on the track - and off it.

Hamilton, though, is adamant himself and Button can avoid the pitfalls that befell Red Bull rivals Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber when they were fighting each other for race wins in 2010.

"We're both racers, but we're both sensible," the 2008 World Champ told the official F1 website.

"We both know that to win in Formula One you need the best equipment. Is there any sense in Jenson and me fighting against each other if it damages our chances of having the fastest car?

"As we've said all along, we need to work together to develop our car, move it into the best possible position, and only then can we start thinking about the World Championship. What's the use in battling tooth and nail over 10th place?

"Having said that, Jenson and I also get on very well together - we've both grown up within British motorsport, we've shared a lot of the same experiences and it's brought us to the same point in our lives, driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and doing our very best to win the World Championship for ourselves and our team."

As for whether McLaren's MP4-26 will rise to the front, Hamilton insists it's too early to tell.

"Performance is relative. You can pull out all the stops over the winter and still not know what shape you'll be in at the first race.

"All I can say is that every single person within our organisation has been flat out to ensure the car is the best it can be.

"Will that be good enough? We won't know until we get to Bahrain next month."

Source: Planet-F1

In the hands of fans - Vodafone McLaren Mercedes reveal of the MP4-26

Source: vodafone

The Transmission - Singapore Video Diary

Jessica Michibata, Jenson's girlfriend, gives us an inside view of preparations for the Singapore GP


Source: vodafone

Practice One: Button leads the way at Monza

Jenson Button proved that it's not just on paper that McLaren are expected to be quick at Monza, it's also on the track

McLaren arrived at Monza with many of their rivals expecting the Woking outfit to lead the charge, which is what Button did with his 1:23.693.

The reigning World Champ finished ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, although only just as the margin between the two was 0.097s. Lewis Hamilton was third quickest, a further two-tenths off the pace.

As for Ferrari, the home team in Italy, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were eighth and ninth quickest, the final two drivers to get within a second of Button's P1 time.

Michael Schumacher was tenth for Mercedes GP, 1.063s off the pace.

Report: Practice at Monza began with the track temperature sitting at 16'C as Sebastien Buemi got proceedings underway and was quickly followed out by the chasing pack as they completed their installation laps. Michael Schumacher set the first timed lap of the morning, a 1:31.396 for the Mercedes GP driver who almost collected Jaime Alguersuari as the Toro Rosso driver made his way out of the pits. Schumacher lowered the benchmark to a 1:28.150.

After a few minutes of silence, Schumacher ventured out again, this time clocking a 1:26.038 while Alguersuari claimed second place. However, both were dropped as Lewis Hamilton put in his first time, a 1:25.816 for the McLaren driver and his new high-downforce wing. Nico Hulkenberg put his Williams into fourth place before both himself and Alguersuari leapfrogged Schumacher up the order. Hamilton improved to a 1:24.990.

With more drivers heading out, Sebastian Vettel took second place, Nico Rosberg third, Kamui Kobayashi seventh, Mark Webber eight, Pedro de la Rosa ninth and Felipe Massa tenth. However, the timesheets were soon changing as Webber improved to third, Rosberg missed the optimum braking point for the Roggia chicane and Vettel closed the gap to Hamilton to just 0.001s. The German continued lapping, taking the P1 slot with a 1:24.450.

Rubens Barrichello became the first casualty of the session as his Williams FW32 lost drive, forcing him to stop on the side of the track at the exit of the second Lesmo.

Jenson Button joined the battle at the top of the timesheets, slotting into second place while Robert Kubica took fourth place before he was dropped one by Webber. Vettel lowered the benchmark time to a 1:23.872. Button overhauled Vettel at the top with a 1:23.756. Kubica moved up to third place ahead of Hamilton, Rosberg, Fernando Alonso, Force India tester Paul di Resta, Webber, Massa and Hulkenberg.

With thirty minutes remaining in the session, Bruno Senna had yet to set a time, spending most of the session stuck in the pits with a brake problem while neither Lotus Racing driver had completed more than an early installation lap due to hydraulic problems.

Schumacher headed out again, moving up to seventh place. However, he dropped as Hulkenberg improved to sixth and Pedro de la Rosa to seventh. Senna finally clocked a time, taking 22nd place, while Heikki Kovalainen went 23rd, leaving just Jarno Trulli without a time to his name. However, he joined the pack, taking 20th place.

Alguersuari almost became the second casuality, however, was able to get his car out of the gravel at the Parabolica. Senna, though, did become the second as he stopped out on track just after the exit of the first chicane.

Practice One ended with Button in the P1 slot with a 1:23.693. Vettel was second, 0.097s slower than Button, while Hamilton was third.

Times:
01. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.693 28 laps
02. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:23.790 + 0.097 27 laps
03. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.967 + 0.274 25 laps
04. Kubica Renault 1:24.120 + 0.427 25 laps
05. Rosberg Mercedes 1:24.129 + 0.436 30 laps
06. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:24.446 + 0.753 26 laps
07. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:24.512 + 0.819 19 laps
08. Alonso Ferrari 1:24.543 + 0.850 24 laps
09. Massa Ferrari 1:24.648 + 0.955 22 laps
10. Schumacher Mercedes 1:24.756 + 1.063 26 laps
11. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:24.841 + 1.148 28 laps
12. di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:24.923 + 1.230 23 laps
13. Petrov Renault 1:25.292 + 1.599 25 laps
14. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:25.318 + 1.625 29 laps
15. de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1:25.320 + 1.627 20 laps
16. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:25.334 + 1.641 24 laps
17. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:25.897 + 2.204 19 laps
18. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:26.772 + 3.079 19 laps
19. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:26.898 + 3.205 12 laps
20. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:26.956 + 3.263 17 laps
21. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:27.374 + 3.681 14 laps
22. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:28.256 + 4.563 8 laps
23. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:28.516 + 4.823 4 laps
24. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:29.870 + 6.177 17 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Lewis Hamilton insists McLaren will not treat him preferentially

Lewis Hamilton celebrates the 14th grand prix victory of his career at Spa.

Lewis Hamilton said he will not receive preferential treatment from McLaren despite opening up a significant lead over his team-mate Jenson Button following yesterday's Belgian grand prix.

Hamilton won his third race of the season and the 14th of his career to move three points clear of Mark Webber with six races remaining. Button was left feeling despondent after he crashed out for the second successive season at Spa.

Button was on course to finish runner-up when he was speared from his left-hand side by an out-of-control Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull who had misjudged his braking in attempting to overtake.

Yet with 150 points still available, Hamilton said McLaren will not favour himself over Button until the situation dictates otherwise.

"I get the same treatment as Jenson and that enables us both to score maximum points so I don't feel there should be any preferential treatment," Hamilton said. "Obviously the team do the best they can to the maximum for each of us. There's no more they can do."

Hamilton dismissed the suggestion the title race is now between himself and Red Bull's Webber, who had to be content with second after starting from pole. Along with Button, Vettel and Fernando Alonso also failed to score a point, with the German finishing 15th and the Spaniard crashing out in the wet late on.

Hamilton is now 31 points ahead of Vettel yet despite the cushion he added: "You've seen in the last few races how quickly things can change. We still have a long way to go and there are still many points to be grabbed by any of the drivers who are fighting for the title.

"Clearly for me my closest rival in the championship is Mark in terms of points, but I still think the championship is open. Obviously we want to make sure that's not the case after another few races."

The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, described Hamilton as "the luckiest man in Belgium" after the 25-year-old narrowly avoided collision with a barrier. As the rain came with 10 laps to go, Hamilton ran wide on the greasy surface and on to the gravel at Rivage, coming within inches of hitting a wall.

Hamilton said: "That was the biggest moment for me. I made it all the way out to the wall and just clipped it a little with the edge of my wing. I was very fortunate to get away with that. I was very blessed. The Lord definitely had his hand over me there."

Source: The Guardian

Happy campers - Lewis and Jenson's tent time-trial

Source: BBC

Inside track catch up with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton ahead of the German Grand Prix™

Source: VODAFONEUK

Lewis Hamilton keen to distance himself from rival Jenson Button

Lewis Hamilton has said that he feels uneasy about his slender lead over McLaren team-mate Jenson Button going into this weekend’s German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

Despite having beaten Button in five of the past six races — the only exception being Barcelona where Hamilton would have beaten him but suffered a late puncture while second the 2008 world champion still finds himself just 12 points clear of his team-mate at the top of the standings.
“It’s strange,” said Hamilton on a trip to Italy with his popstar girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger. “I’ve had four solid races – two wins and two second places – and yet I’m only 12 points ahead. We’ll have to see how it goes but if I can increase that gap a bit I’ll certainly be happier.”

While team orders are banned in Formula One, it is customary at a certain point during the season for the team to start favouring their lead man. The proximity between Hamilton and Button, however, means McLaren are a long way off that point and team principal Martin Whitmarsh saidon Monday he did not expect the situation to change soon.

“Not yet,” Whitmarsh replied when asked if McLaren regard Hamilton as their de facto No 1. “I’m sure Jenson hasn’t given way to Lewis’s championship charge. He’ll want to win this weekend, he’ll want to move that momentum back in his favour – and that’s how it should be.

“Jenson has proven he’s a great racing driver, a great reader of the race and also someone who can recover from 14th to fourth [at Silverstone]. He is phenomenally quick and someone who has a lot of determination.”

Whitmarsh added that he expected his cars to run the ‘blown diffuser’ package, which the team abandoned after Friday practice at Silverstone.

Hockenheim’s low-grip surface and slower corners do not necessarily play to Red Bull’s strengths as much as Silverstone’s high-speed turns but Whitmarsh still expects them to set the pace.

“Red Bull clearly are the principal challenge at the moment, but I don’t dismiss the others [Ferrari or Mercedes],” he said.

Source: The Telegraph

Al Murray Pub Landlord With Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton + Radio 1 DJ's in BBC Silverstone Video

Source: BBC - SiIverArrovv

Interview with Hamilton and Button before the 2010 British GP

Source: NextgenAutovideos

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton square up on GMTV

Source: GMTV

Silverstone - A Little Training

Source: OfficialMcLarenVids

Silverstone 2010 - A Little Guide

Source: OfficialMcLarenVids

Our heroes, past and present - Button, Hamilton and Senna's MP4-4

Our two world champions make a surprise visit to the world's greatest garage. Amongst the hundreds of historic cars, they are stopped in their tracks by Senna's legendary '88 car.

Source: OfficialMcLarenVids

Canadian GP: Hamilton takes his second win

Lewis Hamilton won arguably the race of the season, surviving the heated action, tyre changes and argy-bargy to claim his second Canadian GP win

The battle off the start line for the lead was between Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso while behind them it was a great deal more physical with drivers banging into each other as they tried to get through the first corner.

Hamilton held onto the lead but had to give it up as he shot into the pits with Alonso close on his heels. The duo were side-by-side on the way out with Alonso taking the position off the McLaren driver. However, it didn't last long as Hamilton overtook him on the track and maintained his advantage over the Ferrari driver through their second stops.

The duo, though, emerged behind Mark Webber as Red Bull opted to put their driver on hard and more hard tyres, hoping he could build a lead over those using the more fragile softer rubber. The hard/hard call meant Hamilton and Alonso just had to bide their time, waiting to pounce when Webber finally came in for his softer tyres.

In the end they didn't have to wait as they caught the Aussie hand-over-foot and Hamilton passed him into the first corner with the Spaniard quickly following suit. From there it looked to be a straight fight between the McLaren and the Ferrari for the victory before a backmarker caught Alonso unaware and Jenson Button leapt onto the mistake, taking P2 and securing McLaren's second successive 1-2.

Alonso had to settle for third, ahead of Vettel, Webber, Robert Kubica, Nico Rosberg and Sebastien Buemi, who actually led the race for a lap.

The results, though, will only be confirmed after the stewards investigate an incident between Robert Kubica and Adrian Sutil and another between Schumacher and Felipe Massa. And that will only be done in the hours after the race.

Results:

01. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1h33:53.456
02. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 2.254
03.Alonso Ferrari + 9.214
04. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 37.817
05. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 39.291
06. Rosberg Mercedes + 56.084
07. Kubica Renault + 57.300
08. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
09. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
10. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
11. Schumacher Mercedes + 1 lap
12. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1 lap
13. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
14. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
15. Massa Ferrari + 1 lap
16. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth + 2 laps
17. Petrov Renault + 2 laps
18. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth + 4 laps
19. Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth + 5 laps

Did Not Finish

Glock Virgin-Cosworth 50
Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 43
De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 31
Senna HRT-Cosworth 14
Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2

Source: Planet-F1

Prac One: Button seizes early advantage

Jenson Button set the early pace as F1 returned to Montreal, clocking a 1:18.127 to finish Practice One ahead of Michael Schumacher

With the drivers complaining of an extremely dirty track, it wasn't until halfway through the session that the big-named drivers finally ventured out. And then the battle was on to see which of the two McLaren drivers would dominate.

Eventually it was Button who emerged ahead of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, however, the McLaren 1-2 did not last as Schumacher nosed in, taking second place, 0.158s off the pace.

Nico Rosberg was fourth quickest ahead of Sebastian Vettel, Robert Kubica, Fernando Alonso and Tonio Liuzzi.

Report: The first practice session for the Canadian GP got underway under dark skies and with the track temperature sitting at 23'C. The circuit was dry after Thursday's rain as the drivers ventured out for their installation laps, taking a first look at some of the newly resurfaced areas including the Senna S, Turn 6 and the hairpin.

With the drivers complaining of how dirty the track is, Heikki Kovalainen liking it to "a rally Finland stage", they all headed back into the pits, waiting for someone else to start the cleaning process. Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi got the ball rolling when, more than 30 minutes into the session, he clocked a 1:28.723. Jaime Alguersuari joined the action with the two trading fastest lap times while Nico Hulkenberg took third ahead of Bruno Senna and Sebastien Buemi.

Halfway through the session, Hulkenberg led with a 1:21.107, ahead of Kobayashi, Rubens Barrichello, Buemi, Alguersuari, Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen, Senna and Karun Chandhok. But they weren't only the top nine - they were also the only nine to have set times.

Reigning World Champ Jenson Button was the first of the big boys to venture out, sparking a run from his rivals. Michael Schumacher immediately went quickest with a 1:19.814 before he was beaten by Lewis Hamilton by 0.106s. Button claimed fourth place, Mark Webber eighth, Nico Rosberg fourth and then Button took over the P1 slot, making it a McLaren 1-2. Felipe Massa put his Ferrari into fourth place while Fernando Alonso could only manage 13th.

Hamilton returned to the front of the pack, breaking into the 1:18s while Schumacher went second and then lost it to Button. Alonso climbed to fourth place while Sebastian Vettel was down in 14th place. The Red Bull racer, though, improved to eighth on his next lap as slowly but surely the top four teams took over the top eight positions on the timesheets.

With thirty minutes remaining in the session, Button claimed the P1 slot off Hamilton, Rosberg had moved to third ahead of Schumacher and Massa fifth in front of Alonso. Vettel claimed another place and Robert Kubica took eighth place while Webber had a close encounter with the Wall of Champions.

Alonso, another to take a peek at the Wall, improved to third place but opted to check out the grass on his next lap. Vitaly Petrov was another to decide that the grass needed mowing. His Renault team-mate Kubica climbed to sixth place while Adrian Sutil broke into the top eight.

Lucas di Grassi brought out the first yellow flags of the session as his Virgin broke down out on track and Pedro de la Rosa almost collected a Force India as his spun at the hairpin. Schumacher moved up to second place, 0.158s behind Button.

The final five minutes saw Vettel improve to seventh place, Liuzzi to eighth, Schumacher ran wide, Vettel almost kissed the Wall and then ran straight on at his next attempt, Rosberg went fourth and Vettel fifth.

Times:

01. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:18.127 23 laps
02. Schumacher Mercedes 1:18.285 + 0.158 19 laps
03. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:18.352 + 0.225 19 laps
04. Rosberg Mercedes 1:18.356 + 0.229 23 laps
05. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:18.549 + 0.422 27 laps
06. Kubica Renault 1:18.662 + 0.535 19 laps
07. Alonso Ferrari 1:18.726 + 0.599 21 laps
08. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:19.097 + 0.970 25 laps
09. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:19.282 + 1.155 31 laps
10. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:19.313 + 1.186 19 laps
11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:19.373 + 1.246 12 laps
12. Massa Ferrari 1:19.511 + 1.384 21 laps
13. Petrov Renault 1:19.549 + 1.422 24 laps
14. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:19.609 + 1.482 26 laps
15. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:20.186 + 2.059 33 laps
16. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:20.320 + 2.193 27 laps
17. de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1:20.584 + 2.457 21 laps
18. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:20.823 + 2.696 28 laps
19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:21.869 + 3.742 24 laps
20. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth 1:21.977 + 3.850 27 laps
21. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:22.543 + 4.416 12 laps
22. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:22.701 + 4.574 28 laps
23. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:22.713 + 4.586 20 laps
24. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 4 laps

Source: Planet-F1