All the action of (after) the Italian Grand Prix

The Italian Grand Prix is always a bit special with a huge number of Ferrari fans in attendance. Everywhere you look, you will see the famous prancing horse and a sea of red flags but this year there was a slightly different shade of red on show. It's known as rocket red and it's the winning colour of McLaren. So why, when they haven't won a single race this year, was it so prominent? Quite simply, it was because this September marks the 50th anniversary since founder Bruce McLaren gave his name to this multi-championship winning team.

On race day it was the Red Bulls and Ferraris that dominated the front of the pack with Sebastian Vettel leading from pole to take yet another dominating win during his campaign to win a forth consecutive world title. After the opening stint in which Paul di Resta crashed his Force India at the second chicane ending his race prematurely, for the second time in a row, and Kimi Raikkonen pitting his Lotus for a new nose cone, after running into the back of Sergio Perez's McLaren at the first chicane. The Grand Prix was a pretty hum drum affair. It wasn't until the last ten or so laps that it began to get exciting again with Lewis Hamilton, having lost radio communication with the Mercedes team early on, and Raikkonen battling with team mates Jenson Button and Perez for the last points paying positions. Ultimately, it was Kimi and Checo that lost out, with Hamilton and Button crossing the line in 9th and 10th respectively. Vettel stood on the top step of the podium after the GP flanked by Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso and Red Bull team mate Mark Webber. Driver of the day has to be Sauber driver, Nico Hulkenberg who qualified in a very respectable 3rd place and went on to finish in 5th, after only being passed by the two Ferraris at the start of the race.

Two days after the Italian Grand Prix, 4th place finisher, Felipe Massa announced via Twitter that he would be leaving Ferrari at the end of the season. At the time of writing it is unconfirmed who would be taking his place but rumours abound that Kimi Raikkonen is most likely to be partnering Alonso next year. Me, I have my doubts, but I'm betting it won't be long before Ferrari reveal their 2014 driver line up.

UPDATE: Three days after the Italian Grand Prix and I thought I'd better have a peek on Twitter before posting to my blog. Just as well that I did as Ferrari have announced that Kimi Raikkonen WILL be Fernando's team mate next year. Shows what I know!

BRITISH Grand Prix 

The first Formula 1 Grand Prix took place at Silverstone in 1950, so it always feels a bit special when the F1 circus comes home to Blighty.


I'm keeping my fingers crossed that either Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton will keep Sebastian Vettel from the top step of the podium. So far, they are the only drivers to put a dent in the Red Bull driver's title hunt.


And it goes without saying that we'd all be over the moon to have a Brit win his home GP.

Spain again

So, Formula 1 returns to Spain for a second time, three seasons running, since 2009.




Valencia is a new track to F1, created primarily in response to double world champion, Fernando Alonso's popularity in his home country.




I never really liked the circuit much. That was until I bought the most recent F1 PS3 game. Now, having seen it from the driver's eye view, I have a newfound respect for Spain's second Grand Prix.




With Sebastian Vettel on pole and team mate, Mark Webber alongside, it looks as though it'll be another Red Bull whitewash. Only the McLarens and Ferraris stand a chance of spoiling the party. Keep your fingers crossed.

BBC's Turkish triumph

I know I should have posted something about the last Grand Prix, in China, especially as Lewis Hamilton stormed to victory, but there was so much on-track action that I felt unable to write anything that would do it justice.

I'm in the same position again this week but with the addition of my eldest son and best friend talking in each ear, almost from start to finish. I love them both but it makes it incredibly difficult to read the race strategies of each team. Luckily, I have Martin Brundle and David Coulthard to keep me informed.

The BBC1 team do a fantastic job with Formula 1. I grew into the sport when it was on ITV and only felt put out on the occasion that an ad break would disrupt an exciting battle (eg. Alonso and Schumacher at Imola in 2006(?)). But The Beeb have put on a stunning show, this season's efforts are even better than the last.

F1 title showdown

The 2010 Formula 1 drivers championship went down to the last race in Abu Dhabi. Going into the race, four drivers were in with a chance of walking away with motorsports greatest prize:
Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, was ahead on points, followed by Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, and Lewis Hamilton, McLaren.
It looked like it was Alonso's title to lose and that's exactly what he did. Both he with Webber pitted early, shortly after a safety car period that was brought out to deal with a first lap accident between Michael Schumacher and Tonio Liuzzi, and that strategy effectively ruined their race as they got stuck behind a few cars that had already pitted under the safety car. This led to some very exciting racing and many bold passing attempts, succesful and otherwise. Meanwhile, Vettel and Hamilton, who would need a miracle to be world champion a second time, kept their heads, in first and second position, and got on with the serious business of trying to win the race. Jenson Button crept into third to take the final place on the podium and as the four contenders crossed the finishing line, scoring their respective points, Formula 1 gained a new world champion, Sebastian Vettel.