Honda quits from Formula 1 - Put Honda F1 Team for Sale

Honda on Friday, 5th December 2008 have announced that they are quitting from Formula One and they will no longer in the race that means Honda F1 team on sale, actively involved in motorsport since 1960.

Japanese giant car-maker Honda's chief executive, Takeo Fukui, announced the shocking news of Honda's retirement from F1 at the company's headquarters in central Tokyo, Japan.

Dramatic slump in car sales world wide due to golbal financial crisis has forced Honda Motor Co Ltd to pull out the plug spending over £200 million per year on Formula One - F1 operation.

Honda's sudden retirement from F1 left the two Honda drivers, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello for the next season along with unemployment for the 600 employees located at Honda Racing headquarters in Brackley, Northamptonshire. Honda Racing chief executive Nick Fry has confirmed three overseas parties have expressed an interest in a potential buy-out, most likely from the Middle East.

Meanwhile another Japanese giant Toyota confirmed his continuation for Formula 1.

Massa won 2008 Brazilian GP but Hamilton is World Champion

In a thrilling race of season ending 2008 F1 season, Ferrari's Felipe Massa won the Brazilian Grand Prix but McLaren's Lewis Hamilton clinched 2008 Driver's Championship title by a single point at Interlagos circuit, Sao Paulo. Ferrari won the 2008 Constructor's Championship.




In the final lap Massa set to be champion as he drived superbly from start to finish as Hamilton was sixth but a very slow last lap from Tim Glock gave him the fifth place he needed and effectively decides the championship.

Fernando Alonso took the 2nd place and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen finished third to clinch the 2008 Constructor's Championship for Red Ferrari. Torro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel finished fourth followed by Hamilton at must needed fifth.

Race Summary:

Top 3 Drivers at 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix

Felipe Massa - Ferrari

Fernando Alonso - Renault

Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari


Standing after 18th Races in 2008:


Driver's Championship

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - 98 Points

Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 97 Points

Robert Kubica (BMW) - 75 Points

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - 75 Points

Constructor's Championship

Ferrari - 172 Points

McLaren-Mercedese - 151 Points

BMW - 135 Points

Massa takes Pole in 2008 Brazilian GP - Hamilton 4th in final race

Ferrari's Felipe Massa claims the crucial pole in the final race of 2008 F1 Championship and the fellow title contender and leader Lewis Hamilton of McLaren starts from the fourth position for the Race Day on Sunday in 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit.

Trailing Hamilton by 7 points, Massa put a brilliant performance to take pole and now overwhelming favorite to lead from the front and take the chequered flag on Sunday, barring mechanical issues, and then it becomes a question of where Hamilton finishes.

Massa and Hamilton go the same way before Brazilian used a new set of tyres to record a lap of 1m 12.368s and clinched pole. Raikkonen finished 3rd with 1m 12.825s and bisected two Ferrari's by Toyota's Jarno Trulli with with 1m 12.737s.

Heikki Kovalainen lines up fifth on 1m 12.917s in the second McLaren followed by Renault's Fernando Alonso with the timing of 1m 12.967s. Torro Rosso's drivers Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais finished 7th and ninth place respectively and bisected by Nick Heidfeld in BMW Sauber. Timo Glock completed the top 10 for Toyota.

2008 Brazilian Grand Prix Preview - Hamilton or Massa?

1 race to go in 2008 Formula One season and two driver are in the race of winning 2008 F1 Driver's Championship, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa and they will try their luck in the season ending Brazilian Grand Prix. Hamilton leading by 7 points to Massa.

If Hamilton win, he will become the youngest driver to win the title and only the second driver to win the championship in his second season, and the first Briton to take the crown since Damon Hill 12 years ago.

Hamilton also leading the season last year but lost Raikkonen in the last race. Technically, Hamilton needs only finish fifth even if Massa wins, in order to beat him by a single point.

For Massa, he has to win by 8 points difference with Hamilton and good thing is that his partner kimi is ready to help in the race if situation demands.

In the Construction Championship, Ferrari leading by 11 points to McLaren. McLaren needs one-two finish to have any realistic chance of securing both titles, whereas a third and eighth would secure the constructors’ crown for Ferrari.

2008 Brazilian Grand Prix - Circuit Details:

Sao Paulo

Race Date: 02 Nov 2008

Number of Laps: 71

Circuit Length: 4.309 km

Race Distance: 305.909 km

Lap Record: 1:11.473 - JP Montoya (2004)

Hamilton Won Chinese GP - 7 Points Lead over Massa

Lewis Hamilton of McLaren tighten the grip on 2008 Driver's Championship title as he won Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai circuit and extend his lead to 7 points with one race to go over closest rival Ferrari's Felipe Massa who finished 2nd. Raikkonen finished 3rd to take Ferrari's lead to 11 points in Construction Championship.

Hamilton started from pole and shown an error free race to cross the chequered flag ahead of two Ferrari's. Massa with the help of team-mate Kimi fought well to take the title race in the final race of the season at Brazilian Grand Prix after 2 weeks time.

Renault's Alonso finished fourth ahead of BMW's Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, whose title hope is over now, finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Tim Glock finished 7th for Toyota and Nelsinho Piquet got the final point of the race at 8th place. Same story for Force India F1 drivers Fisichella finished last at 17th place and Sutil retired after 13 laps.

Ferrai have taken a firm grip on Construction Championship with 1 race to go by 11 points over McLaren.



Race Summary:

Top 3 Drivers at 2008 Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton - McLaren

Felipe Massa - Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari


Standing after 17th Races in 2008:


Driver's Championship

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - 94 Points

Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 87 Points

Robert Kubica (BMW) - 75 Points

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - 69 Points

Constructor's Championship

Ferrari - 156 Points

McLaren-Mercedese - 145 Points

BMW - 135 Points

2008 Chinese Grand Prix - Hamilton takes Pole, Kimi 2nd

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton moves one step closer to clinch his maiden Driver's Championship as he grab pole position for the 2008 Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday, 18th October, 2008 in Shanghai. Hamilton put a brilliant performance to clinch the 13th pole position of his Formula One career with a lap of 1m 36.303s. Ferrari drivers Raikkonen and Massa will start from 2nd and 3rd respectively on Sunday's Race Day.

Hamilton leading the championship by just 5 points to closest rival Massa of Ferrari and 12 points to BMW's Robert Kubica, who finished 11th. Hamilton have to finish six points better off than Massa to become the F1's youngest world champion.

Renault's Alonso qulaify fourth followed by Mclaren's Heikki Kovalainen. Red Bull's Mark Webber initially qualified sixth, but he will drop to 16th due to a 10-place grid penalty incurred after an engine change.

That means Heidfeld is sixth in his BMW Sauber, with the Toro Rosso duo of Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais seventh and ninth, sandwiching Toyota's Jarno Trulli, with Renault's Nelson Piquet climbing into the top 10.

Toyota's Timo Glock will start 12th, with Rubens Barrichello 13th for Honda, the Brazilian's highest placing for 10 races, with Nico Rosberg 14th for Williams. The Force India duo of Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella again occupy the back row for the eighth time this season.

Chinese Grand Prix - 2nd Last Race of 2008 F1, Preview & Circuit Info

Two races to go in 2008 Formula One season and journey is moving to Chinese Grand Prix starting from Friday, 17th October to 19th October, 2008. Chinese GP is the 17th reson of the seaon, and consists of 56 laps of 5.451 km each.

The Championship is still wide open in both Driver's Championship and Construction Championship. In Driver's Championship it is now four way battle between Hamilton, Massa, Kubica and Raikkonen. If Hamilton win Chenese GP he will clinch the title.

In Construction Championship, Ferrari leading the race by 7 points with 142 points followed by McLaren and BMW with 135 and 128 poi nts respectively.

2008 Chinese Grand Prix Race, Circuit Details:

Shanghai

Race Date: 19 Oct 2008

Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.451 km

Race Distance: 305.066 km

Lap Record: 1:32.238 - M Schumacher (2004)

Alonso Won 2008 Japanese Grand Prix - Kubica 2nd

Two time World Champion Renault's Fernando Alonso won back to back races as he won 2008 Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway on Sunday, 12th October, 2008. Starting from fourth Alonso drive superbly to win two races in a row. Robert Kubica in BMW finished 2nd followed by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen on 3rd.

Driver's Championship is still wide open as leader Lewis Hamilton unable to pick any points after finishing 12th while rival Massa got one points as he finished 8th and lead reduced to 6 points. Ferrari retake the lead with 140 points from McLaren by 5 points, while BMW closing the gap with 128 points.

Nelsinho Piquet in 2nd Renault finished 4th while Jarno Trulli in Toyota at 5th place followed by two Torro Rosso's driver Sabastien Bourdais and Sabastian Vettel at 6th and 7th place respectively.

Force India F1 drivers Fisichella and Sutil again repeated the same story and unable to finish the race.



Race Summary:

Top 3 Drivers at 2008 Japanese Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso - Renault

Robert Kubica - BMW

Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari


Standing after 16th Races in 2008:


Driver's Championship

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - 84 Points

Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 78 Points

Robert Kubica (BMW) - 72 Points

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - 63 Points

Constructor's Championship

Ferrari - 140 Points

McLaren-Mercedese - 135 Points

BMW - 128 Points

2008 Japanese Grand Prix - Hamilton takes Pole, Kimi 2nd

2008 Driver's Championship leader Lewis Hamilton moved one step forward to clinch championship as he takes pole position in the 2008 Fuji Japanese Grand Prix on Fuji Speedway. Rival Felipe Massa start from 5th position for Race Day on Sunday, 12th October, 2008.

The McLaren driver took the time of one minute 18.404 seconds while Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen finished second with a time of 1:18.644 seconds.

Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen took third and Singapore Grand Prix winner Fernando Alonso fourth for Renault.

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica, will start sixth while Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock in Toyota claiming seventh and eighth respectively. Toro Rosso pair Sebastien Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais round out the top 10.

2008 Japanese Grand Prix - Preview and circuit Details

2008 Formula One season is in its closing stages as only 3 races remains in this calendar year and next F1 race is Japanese Grand Prix starting from Friday, 10th October, 2008 to Race Day on Sunday 12th October, 2008 on Fuji Speedway.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leading the 2008 Driver's Championship by 7 points to Ferrari's Felippe Massa. McLaren leading the 2008 Construction Championship to Ferrari by just a singal point.

This is the 16th race of the 2008 season and only 2 races left after that and championship is going to be me more interesting and dynamic with more aggression from all the team.

2008 Japanese Grand Prix Race, Circuit Details:



Fuji Speedway

Race Date: 12 Oct 2008

Number of Laps: 67

Circuit Length: 4.563 km

Race Distance: 305.416 km

Lap Record: 1:28.193 - L Hamilton (2007)

Alonso won Inaugural 2008 Singapore GP - Hamilton 3rd

Renault's 2 times world champion Fernando Alonso won the inaugural 2008 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix by displaying a superb piece of driving in the first ever race under lights in F1 history. Williams' Nico Rosberg took 2nd place and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton finished third to extend his lead to 7 points over rival Massa, who managed to finish on 13th position.

Alonso started from 15th position but drived superbly to won the 1st race of this season. Mclaren took the lead in Construction Championship by 1 point as Ferrari's both the drivers unable to to take point as Kimi retired and Massa finished 13th.

Toyota's Timo Glock finished 4th followed by Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel and Nick Heidfeld in BMW at 5th and 6th place.

Red Bull's David Coulthard finished seventh and Kazuki Nakajima took final point of the race in 2nd William's.

Force India F1 drivers Giancarlo Fisichella finished 14th and Adrian Sutil retired from the race in 49th lap.



Race Summary:

Top 3 Drivers at 2008 Singapore Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso - Renault

Nico Rosberg - Williams

Lewis Hamilton - McLaren


Standing after 15th Race in 2008


Driver's Championship

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - 84 Points

Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 77 Points

Robert Kubica (BMW) - 64 Points

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - 57 Points


Constructor's Championship

McLaren-Mercedese - 135 Points

Ferrari - 134 Points

BMW - 120 Points

Singapore Grand Prix - Massa takes Pole, Hamilton 2nd

In the inaugural 2008 Singapore Grand Prix - the 1st race in under lights, Ferrari's Felipe Massa displayed a stunning performance to take pole position for Sunday's Race Day while title rival Mclaren's Lewis Hamilton took 2nd position.

The Ferrari driver clocked a time of one minute 44.519 seconds in his final lap under the floodlights on the Marina Bay street circuit to finish sixth-tenths of a second faster than McLaren's Hamilton. Overtaking will be difficult in this circuit and its going to be crucial as Lewis Hamilton leading the 2008 Driver's Championship by just 1 point.


Kimi Raikkonen in 2nd ferrari finished strongly to take third. BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica will start in fourth place on the grid while McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen is in fifth.

Nick Heidfeld, of BMW Sauber, took sixth place while Italian Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel will start seventh in his Toro Rosso. Toyota's Timo Glock and Williams duo Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima complete the top 10.

Bad session for two-time world champion Fernando Alonso after the Renault driver's qualifying session was brought to a disappointing end.

Singapore Grand Prax Photos - F1's first Night Race

Find the some exclusive photos, pics of inaugural 2008 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix - first night race in Formula 1 history.

2008 Singapore Grand Prix - 1st F1 Race under light

The 2008 Formula 1 season is heading to Singapore and for new experience as the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix will be held under lights for the first time in the history of F1 from Friday, 26th September to Sunday, 28th September 2008.

This is the 15th race of the season and only 3 races remains after this. Circuit is new for all the drivers and in the night it is going to be a tough task for all the drivers and their team.

Lewis Hamilton leading the 2008 Driver's Championship by just a single point to Felippe Massa and both will try to win the race to take the lead. Ferrari leading the Construction Championship.

2008 Singapore Grand Prix Race, Circuit Details:




Race Date: 28 September 2008

Number of Laps: 61

Circuit Length: 5.067 km

Race Distance: 309.087 km

Lap Record: N/A

Vettel won 2008 Italian GP - Youngest driver to win F1 Race

Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel created history after winning the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at Monza to became the youngest winner in F1 history at the age of 21 year and 74 days.

Vettel surprised everyone after garbed pole position and performed a faultless race in a wet-weather to cross the cehquered flag to complete maiden win. McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen finished 2nd and Robert Kubica in BMW was 3rd.

The title contenders endured a frantic race, with Felipe Massa finished sixth in his Ferrari and drivers' leader Lewis Hamilton seventh for McLaren. Renault's Fernando Alonso finished 4th followed by Nick Heidfeld in 2nd BMW on 5th position. Final point of the race was garbed by Mark Webber in Red Bull.

Same story for Force India F1 as they finished last again here at Monza.

Race Summary:

Top 3 Drivers at 2008 Italian Grand Prix

Sebastien Vettel - Toro Rosso

Heikki Kovalainen - McLaren

Robert Kubica - BMW


Standing after 14th Race in 2008


Driver's Championship

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - 78 Points

Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 77 Points

Robert Kubica (BMW) - 64 Points

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - 57 Points


Constructor's Championship

Ferrari - 134 Points

McLaren-Mercedese - 129 Points

BMW - 117 Points

2008 Italian Grand Prix - Race and Circuit Details

2008 Italian Grand Prix is going to start from Friday, 12th September to Sunday, 14th September, 2008 at Monza circuit. This is the back to back race as Belgian GP finished last week with controversies as 2008 Drivers Championship leader Lewis Hamilton penalized by 25 seconds and race awarded to Ferrari's Felippe Massa.

Italian GP is the 14th race of the season and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton by just 2 points to Ferrari's Felippe Massa in Drivers Championship. In 2008 Construction Championship Ferrari with 131 points, leading by 12 points to McLaren 5 races to go.

Monza circuit consists of 53 laps with circuit length of 5.793 KM. So hope for a good race at Monza and watch out the battle between Hamilton, Massa and Raikkonen.

2008 Italian Grand Prix Race, Circuit Details at Monza:


Race Date: 14 Sep 2008

Number of Laps: 53

Circuit Length: 5.793 km

Race Distance: 306.720 km

Lap Record: 1:21.046 - R Barrichello (2004)

Massa won 2008 Belgian Grand Prix after Hamilton penalised for 25 sec

Massa won 2008 Belgian Grand Prix after Hamilton penalized for 25 sec

In one of the most dramatic race of the 2008 season Ferrari's Felipe Massa awarded the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix after stewards imposed a 25 second penalty to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, as he had taken the chequered flag but he was penalized into an incident on lap 42 of the 44-lap race.

Hamilton was penalized after stewards decided he had gained an advantage by cutting the final chicane in his late-race battle with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. Raikkonen crashed out shortly after the incident, having the led the most of the race. The final result of the race was Massa 1st, BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld promoted to second place and Hamilton falling to third.



With six laps remaining rain started and increased the thrill in the race as Hamilton and Raikkonen battled to win the race and with just 2 laps to go Kimi slid off into a wall, out of the race.

Fernando Alonso took fourth place in his Renault, followed by Sebastian Vettel for Toro Rosso, Kubica for BMW Sauber, Sebastien Bourdais in his Toro Rosso and Toyota's Timo Glock, finished 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respectively.

Race Summary:

Top 3 Drivers at 2008 Belgian Grand Prix

Felippa Mass - Ferrari

Nick Heidfeld - BMW

Lewis Hamilton - McLaren


Standing after 13th Race in 2008


Driver's Championship

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - 76 Points

Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 74 Points

Robert Kubica (BMW) - 58 Points

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - 57 Points


Constructor's Championship

Ferrari - 131 Points

McLaren-Mercedese - 119 Points

BMW - 107 Points

2008 Belgian Grand Prix - Ferrari fastest in practice

2008 formula one championship is an interesting stage as the championship heading to 13th race of the season to Belgian Grand Prix. The qualifying rounds will be held on Saturday and the Final Race Day on Sunday, 7th September 2008.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leading the 2008 Drivers Championship by 6 points closely followed by two Ferrari drivers Felippe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen with 64 and 57 points respectively. Ferrari leading the 2008 Construction Championship.

Ferrari led the first free practice session with the pace and Fernando Alonso also shown some pace in Renault on mixed weather.



2008 Belgian Grand Prix Race, Circuit Details:

Race Date: 07 Sep 2008

Number of Laps: 44

Circuit Length: 7.004 km

Race Distance: 308.052 km

Lap Record: 1:45.108 - K Raikkonen (2004)

Massa's Engine failure gives Heiki maiden Victory at Hungarian GP

Heikki Kovalainen scored a surprise victory on Sunday in a 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix that should really have been Felipe Massa's race as his Ferrari's engine failure stopped him to finish the race. Toyota's Timo Glock and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Felippa Massa started from 3rd place thrust his Ferrari past the front-row McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Kovalainen at the start, but a spectacular engine failure stopped him in the 67th lap of 70 laps race and allowed 2nd place Heiki to won his maiden victory.

Two times world champion Fernando Alonso finished 4th in his Renault while Championship leader Lewis Hamilton completed the race at 5th place. Piquet finished 6th in 2nd Renault followed by Jarno Trulli at 7th place and BMW's Robert Kubika grabbed the final point of the race at 8th place.

Force India F1 drivers Giancarlo Fisichella finished 15th and Adrian Sutil unable to finish the race.



Race Summary:

Top 3 Drivers at 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix

Heikki Kovalainen - McLaren

Timo Glock - Toyota

Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari


Standing after 11th Race in 2008


Driver's Championship

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - 62 Points

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - 57 Points

Felippa Massa (Ferrari) - 54 Points

Robert Kubica (BMW) - 49 Points


Constructor's Championship

Ferrari - 111 Points

McLaren-Mercedese - 100 Points

BMW - 90 Points

Hamilton takes Pole in 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix - Budapest

Lewis Hamilton takes the pole position in 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix and team-mate Heikki Kovalainen amde it one-two for McLaren, first time this year, for the Race Day on Sunday, 3rd August at Budapest circuit. Hamilton clinched his fourth pole position of the season and 10th of his career after a lap of 1 minute 20.899 seconds.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa finished third followed by BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica and Toyota's Timo Glock finished 4th and 5th respectively.

Out of form Kimi Raikkonen starts sixth in his Ferrari, with Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet seventh and 10th for Renault, sandwiching Red Bull's Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli for Toyota.

The Force India duo of Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil are again at the bottom of the grid and will start from 19th and 20th place respectively.

Of the last 10 races at Budapest, the man on pole has won six times, with Hamilton claiming one of those on his debut here last year.

2008 Hungarian Grand Prix - Circuit Details, Review at Budapest

2008 Hungarian Grand Prix is going to be held from Friday, 1st August, 2008 to Race Day on 3rd August, 2008, as the 2008 Formula 1 Championship is becoming more interesting due to close fight for the Driver's Championship.

Currently McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leading the championship with 48 points closely followed by two Ferrari Drivers Felippe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen with 54 and 51 points respectively. BMW's Robert Kubica is not far behind with 48 points.

Hungarian GP is 11th race of the season and 7 more races to go as total 18 races are scheduled in 2oo8. Hungarian Grand Prix consists of 70 laps with the circuit length of 3.81 KM covering total distance of 306.663 KM.




2008 Hungarian Grand Prix Race, Circuit Details at Budapest:

Race Date: 3rd August, 2008

Number of Laps: 70

Circuit Length: 4.381 km

Race Distance: 306.663 km

Lap Record: 1:19.071 - M Schumacher (2004)