sepang

Urmariti in direct cursa de Formula 1 de la sepang, [detalii...]

Lewis Hamilton recorded the fastest time in both practice sessions in sepang to lead [detalii...]

We have just witnessed one of the most thrilling races in recent Formula 1 history, but not everyone is happy with the changes that helped make it so. sepang, renowned for its changeable weather conditions during the Malaysian Grand Prix with high temperatures and humidity, failed to deliver any rain of note during qualifying or [detalii...]

Italianul Valentino Rossi s-a declarat multumit de evolutia din prima zi a testelor programate pe circuitul malaysian de la sepang, in pofida clasarii la peste o secunda in spatele australianului [detalii...]

Germanul Michael Schumacher crede ca intrecerea de la sepang se va transforma intr-o adevarat loterie daca previziunile meteo care anunta ploaie in ziua cursei vor [detalii...]

Lewis Hamilton a impus timpul de referinta si in a doua sesiune de antrenamente libere de la sepang, britanicul de la McLaren-Mercedes coborand stacheta la 1:34.175 pe turul de circuit. Rezultatele antrenamentelor libere. Marele Premiu al Malaysiei [detalii...]

In ziua secunda a testelor de la sepang (Malaysia) cel mai bun timp i-a apartinut tot italianului Valentino Rossi, care i-a devansat pe cei doi reprezentanti ai echipei de uzina Ducati, Casey Stoner si [detalii...]

Spaniolul Jorge Lorenzo, liderul la zi al clasei MotoGP, a stabilit cel mai bun timp in calificarile Marelui Premiu al Malaysiei de la sepang, urmand a pleca pentru a sasea oara in acest sezon din prima pozitie a grilei [detalii...]

Australianul Casey Stoner a fost cel mai rapid in toate cele trei zile de teste de la sepang, urmat de coechipierul sau de la Repsol Honda, Dani [detalii...]

Pilotul australian al echipei Red Bull, Mark Webber, a fost cel mai rapid in calificarile Marelui Premiu al Malaysiei, desfasurate, sambata, pe ploaie, si va pleca de pe prima pozitie a grilei de start a cursei de la sepang, a treia etapa a [detalii...]

Pilotul Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) va ocupa prima pozitie pe grila de start a Marelui Premiu al Malaysiei, a doua etapa a Campionatului Mondial de Formula 1, dupa ce a fost cel mai rapid in calificarile care au avut loc, sambata, pe circuitul de la [detalii...]

Marco Simoncelli (Honda) a decedat astazi la spital dupa ce a fost implicat intr-un accident socant in cadrul Marelui Premiu de Moto GP de la sepang.Acesta a pierdut controlul motocicletei sale si a cazut chiar in fata americanului Colin [detalii...]

Pilotul Repsol Honda, australianul Casey Stoner a reusit cel mai rapid timp in testele de la [detalii...]

Formula 1 returns to sepang for the 13th Malaysian Grand Prix with defending champion Sebastian Vettel looking to record his fourth win in a row. The 23-year-old stormed to victory in sepang last year as McLaren and Ferrari misjudged a rain-hit qualifying session which left them at the back of the grid for the race. [detalii...]

Spectacol total in Marele Premiu al Malaeziei! Valentino Rossi a simtit din nou gustul victoriei, dupa o cursa superba pe circuitul de la sepang, insa Jorge Lorenzo e cel care a declarat "Game Over" in acest sezon, castigand primul sau titlu de campion mondial de la clasa [detalii...]

Prima iesire pe circuit a pilotilor de la MotoGP din 2011 a avut loc la sepang, intr-o sesiune de teste ce a durat trei zile. Italianul Marco Simoncelli a reusit cel mai rapid [detalii...]

Campionul en-titre Sebastian Vettel e de neoprit. Plecat din pole position, germanul de la Red Bull s-a impus pe circuitul de la sepang, castigand al doilea titlu consecutiv in Malaezia, dar si al doilea din acest sezon. Britanicul Jenson Button (McLaren) si-a adjudecat pozitia secunda, urmat pe podium de Nick Heidfeld (Renault). Dupa ce s-au ciocnit cu zece tururi inainte de final, Fernando Alonso si Lewis Hamilton au incheiat pe locurile sase, respectiv [detalii...]

Fostii coechipieri Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) si Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) au fost penalizati de catre comisarii cursei de la sepang, ca urmare a incidentului lor din Marelui Premiu din Malaezia. Dupa ce s-au ciocnit cu zece tururi inainte de finalul cursei, cei doi rivali au primit cate o penalitate de 20 de secunde fiecare. Aceasta penalizare nu ii afecteaza locul al saselea din cursa lui Alonso, insa il retrogradeaza un loc pe britanicul Lewis Hamilton, pana pe [detalii...]

Take a virtual lap round sepang with Renaults Robert [detalii...]

Sau, altfel spus, cum castiga Red Bull fiecare sesiune de calificari din 2010 indiferent de [detalii...]

Sebastian Vettel a castigat in sfarsit pentru Red Bull astazi in Malaiezia dupa ce a pleacat al treilea de pe grila de [detalii...]

Spaniolul Dani Pedrosa va porni din prima pozitie a grilei de start, duminica, in Marele Premiu de Motociclism [detalii...]

Red Bull din nou in pole position - Mark Webber cel mai rapid in calificarile oprite pentru cateva minute de [detalii...]

Sebastian Vettel va pleca din nou din pole position in cursa de maine de la sepang, dupa o lupta cu Lewis Hamilton pana in ultima secunda a [detalii...]

Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher confident he can take his chances if rain falls on sepang circuit this [detalii...]

Hispania Racing Team au fost prima "victima" a reintroducerii regulii de 107% in etapa intai, insa spera ca istoria sa nu se repete si la [detalii...]

Dupa ce ieri McLaren incheiau pe prima pozitie ambele sesiuni de antrenamente, Red Bull au revenit in topul clasamentului cu ocazia ultimei sesiuni de [detalii...]

Trioul Repsol Honda format din Stoner, Pedrosa si Dovizioso domina clasamentele testului de la [detalii...]

Echipa de uzina Honda nu va putea conta pe principalul pilot Dani Pedrosa in Marele Premiu al Malaysiei, clasa MotoGP, programat la sfarsitul acestei saptamani pe circuitul de la [detalii...]

Pilotul italian Marco Simoncelli s-a inregistrat inaintea cursei fatale de la sepang din camera sa de hotel, salutandu-si fanii si asigurandu-i ca totul va fi bine in cadrul acestei [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia - Sebastian Vettel said on Wednesday he hopes to see the finish line at Sundays Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix after being denied victory by technical problems in the first two season [detalii...]

Red Bull driver on front of grid for Malaysian GP but Button and Hamilton must start near the [detalii...]

Presa italiana de luni isi exprima durerea pentru moartea pilotului Marco Simoncelli, care a incetat din viata pe circuitul de la sepang (Malaysia), in timpul Grand Prix-ului de [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia - Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull won the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix Sunday, coming home ahead of team- mate Mark Webber to register the sixth Formula One victory of his [detalii...]

Sebastian Vettel a castigat duminica Marele Premiu al Malaeziei de la sepang. Neamtul a trecut pe locul intai imediat dupa start, in fata lui Webber, care a incheiat al doilea. Pilotii de la Red Bull au mers de la inceput si pana la final in [detalii...]

Lewis Hamilton completes dominance of Malaysian GP practice by topping timesheet in the afternoon [detalii...]

Italianul Marco Simoncelli, care a murit duminica pe circuitul de la sepang in urma unui accident grav, se adauga unei liste lungi de piloti decedati pe diferite trasee moto. Nu mai putin de 41 de piloti si-au gasit sfirsitul in ultimii 61 [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia - Sebastian Vettel aims to come third time lucky and Michael Schumacher wants to prove that he didnt come out of retirement to race in anonymity when the Formula One stops in Malaysia for the third race of the season on [detalii...]

As Formula 1 prepares to ship over to sepang for the Malaysian Grand Prix in two weeks time, it is time to reflect on the much-anticipated season-opening race in Melbourne. Red Bulls raw pace was to be expected given their performance in winter testing and it was no real surprise to see Sebastian Vettel dominate [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia - McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton turned in the speediest time Friday in the first practice session ahead of the Malaysian Grand [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia - McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton set the fastest times in both practice sessions Friday ahead of Sundays Malaysian Formula One Grand [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia - McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton set the fastest times in both practice sessions Friday ahead of Sundays Malaysian Formula One Grand [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia - Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull put the technical problems that dogged Red Bull in the first two races of the season behind him Sunday with an impressive victory in the Malaysian Grand [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia - Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull put the technical problems that dogged Red Bull in the first two races of the season behind him Sunday with an impressive victory in the Malaysian Grand [detalii...]

Sebastian Vettel nu isi mai incapea in piele de bucurie, la finalul cursei de la sepang. El a obtinut a doua victorie din tot atatea posibile in 2011, conducand ca si in Australia de la start si pana la final. La 23 de ani abia poate inchiria o masina [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia -Mark Webber drove a Red Bull to the pole position for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix as rain played havoc with Saturdays qualifying and sent Ferrari and McLaren to the back of the [detalii...]

Germanul Sebastian Vettel a obtinut, sambata, cel mai bun timp in calificarile Marelui Premiu al Malaysiei. Pilotul echipei RBR-Renault a oprit cronometrul la 1:34.807, depasindu-l pe britanicul Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) cu doar 104 miimi [detalii...]

Presa italiana de luni isi exprima durerea pentru moartea pilotului Marco Simoncelli, care a incetat din viata pe circuitul de la sepang (Malaysia), in timpul Grand Prix-ului de [detalii...]

Pilotul australian al echipei Red Bull, Mark Webber, a fost cel mai rapid in calificarile Marelui Premiu al Malaysiei, desfasurate, sambata, pe ploaie, si va pleca de pe prima pozitie a grilei de start a cursei de la sepang, a treia etapa a Campionatului Mondial de Formula 1. El va [detalii...]

Pilotul spaniol Marc Marquez (Derbi) a castigat Marele Premiu al Malaysiei la clasa 125 cc, a 14-a etapa a Campionatului Mondial de Motociclism Viteza, disputat, duminica, oe circuitul de la sepang, informeaza AFP. Marquez, in varsta de 17 ani, a fost urmat de compatriotii sai [detalii...]

Repsol Honda domina si ziua a doua a testelor de la sepang prin Dani Pedrosa si Casey [detalii...]

Pilotul Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) va ocupa prima pozitie pe grila de start a Marelui Premiu al Malaysiei, a doua etapa a Campionatului Mondial de Formula 1, dupa ce a fost cel mai rapid in calificarile care au avut loc, sambata, pe circuitul [detalii...]

sepang, Malaysia -Mark Webber claimed the pole position in a Red Bull on Saturday for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix as rain played havoc with qualifying and sent Ferrari and McLaren to the rear of the [detalii...]

Motociclistul italian Marco Simoncelli (24 de ani) si-a pierdut viata intr-un accident suferit in timpul Marelui Premiu al Malaysiei, au anuntat organizatorii. In turul 2 al cursei, Simoncelli a cazut la iesirea dintr-un viraj, apoi a fost lovit de Colin Edwards. Transportat imediat la spital, cu elicopterul, Simoncelli nu a putut fi [detalii...]

Toata Italia si-a luat adio astazi de la copilul teribil al sporturilor cu motor, Marco Simoncelli, decedat duminica in timpul unui accident groaznic pe circuitul de la sepang. Familie, prieteni, vecini, cunostinte, oameni care nu l-au cunoscut niciodata au asistat la funeraliile [detalii...]

Pilotul australian Mark Webber de la Red Bull va pleca din pole position in Marele Premiu al Malaysiei, dupa ce a fost cel mai rapid in calificarile de sambata. In schimb, nume grele precum Hamilton sau Alonso vor pleca printre ultimii, din [detalii...]

Dupa ce a scapat victoria printre degete in primele doua etape ale sezonului 2010, Sebastian Vettel a urcat astazi in sfarsit pe prima treapta a podiumului, in timp ce Red Bull pot rasufla usurati in privinta fiabilitatii, mai ales dupa dubla extrem de convingatoare din [detalii...]

Dupa "botezul" F1 din urma cu doua saptamani in care pneurile Pirelli au rezistat mai bine decat se asteptau echipele, producatorul italian spune ca e posibil sa vedem pana la patru pit-stop-uri in etapa a [detalii...]

La cei 23 de ani ai sai, pilotul Jorge Lorenzo s-a incoronat, duminica, la sepang (Malaysia), campion mondial la MotoGP, devenind astfel doar al doilea spaniol care castiga titlul suprem la categoria regina a Motomondialului in cei 62 ani de existenta [detalii...]

Britanicul Lewis Hamilton a trecut repede peste dezamagirea de la Melbourne si a stabilit cel mai bun timp in ambele sesiuni de antrenamente de vineri, de pe circuitul de la sepang (Malaezia). Campionul din 2008 a oprit cronometrul la 1 minut si 34.175 secunde, fiind urmat la mai putin de jumatate de secunda de Vettel, Rosberg, Button si [detalii...]

Michael Schumacher believes Australian GP had positives But Melbourne qualifying spoiled by too conservative a set-upMichael Schumacher has said he has a good feeling about Sundays Malaysian grand prix despite struggling his way to a single point in Australia in the second race of his Formula One comeback season."I take a lot of good aspects from the race weekend in Melbourne," the seven-times Formula One world champion, back in the sport with Mercedes at the age of 41, wrote on his website."Of course that does not show at first sight but looking into our weekend more deeply, I find we did improve quite well and have a good reason to be quite satisfied - just not from the pure result obviously."The German, who finished 10th at Albert Park after having to fight back from last place when he had to pit at the end of the first lap to replace a broken front wing, said his race had been compromised by problems in qualifying."I think both Nico [Rosberg, his team-mate] and me could have been ranked two to three positions better," he said."I had a too conservative set-up in the end which was too much concentrated toward the race, plus I had a tear-off strip stuck in my front wing which too cost me some time. And going into the race from those better positions would have meant fighting for the podium."All that means that we are not too far away and I am quite confident there will be more to come."The German, whose team-mate Rosberg finished fifth and ahead of him for the second time in two races, was optimistic for sepang."Going to Malaysia we know that clearly we improved our pace since Bahrain, which is a good feeling," he said."It was a lot of fun fighting in Melbourne, even if it was just for one point, and I will enjoy fighting again in sepang. We would like to show another good race."Michael SchumacherMercedes GPFormula OneMotor sport guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Valentino Rossi a fost criticat de oficialii Yamaha pentru ca a exagerat in duelul cu Jorge Lorenzo in Marele Premiu al Japoniei si, potrivit unor persoane apropiate pilotului italian, citate de publicatia spaniola As, despartirea sa de Yamaha ar putea avea loc mai devreme, dupa cursa de la sepang, cu trei etape inainte de finalul [detalii...]

Germanul Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) a obtinut al doilea pole position consecutiv din acest sezon, stabilind cel mai bun timp in ultimele secunde ale sesiunii de calificare de la sepang. Britanicul Lewis Hamilton va pleca de pe locul secund in Marele Premiu din Malaezia, urmat de Webber si Button. Spaniolul de la Ferrari, Fernando Alonso, va pleca de pe locul al [detalii...]

Campioana in 2009, Fiat Yamaha a prezentat, joi, motocicletele YZR-M1 cu care italianul Valentino Rossi si spaniolul Jorge Lorenzo vor concura in sezonul 2010 in Motomondialul de Viteza. Pe circuitul din sepang (Malaezia), acolo unde pilotii din MotoGP sustin trei zile de teste oficiale, oficialii team-ului si-au dezvaluit obiectivul: pastrarea [detalii...]

"Un mare campion a murit pe circuit. Marco Simoncelli si-a pierdut viata la sepang", a titrat presa internationala despre disparitia pilotului italian. In varsta de doar 24 de ani, Simoncelli (Honda) a murit, duminica, in timpul Marelui Premiu al Malaysiei la MotoGP. "Era ca un frate mai mic pentru mine" - Valentino [detalii...]

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won an enthralling battle with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton to steal pole for the Malaysian Grand Prix by just one tenth of a second. Vettel bettered Hamilton’s time of 1m34.974 in the McLaren by just 0.104 seconds on the very last lap at sepang. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirmed his [detalii...]

The happiest day of my life says new champion Rossi ends winless run but Stoner crashes out Jorge Lorenzo today secured his first MotoGP title after finishing third in the Malaysian round of the series at sepang.The Spaniard needed to finish ninth or better to clinch the championship on his Fiat Yamaha, helped by the absence of his closest rival and compatriot Dani Pedrosa due to an injury suffered in the last MotoGP round in Japan.The reigning champion, Valentino Rossi, a team-mate of Lorenzo, won the race in a time of 41min 03.448 sec, with Rossis fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso second for Repsol Honda.Lorenzo started the race on pole and led through the first half of the race before the Italian duo went past him. He said: "I was really impressed to be at the front and not to lose any time until the end of the race."But when the tyres started sliding I thought: Today we have to finish the race and get the maximum a rider can get in the motorcycle world."Today is the happiest day in my life and we have to celebrate it."Casey Stoner endured a horrible day. The Australian crashed out on the final corner of the opening lap, but the race was an enjoyable experience for Rossi, who recovered from a poor start in which he dropped from sixth on the grid to 11th to win the race.It was his first race success since victory in the opening round in Qatar six months ago - his longest run without a win in MotoGP in a season badly disrupted by the broken leg he suffered in the Italian grand prix.Rossi told autosport.com: "To get back to victory, and also to win this race, is very important for me. It makes me so, so happy."Ben Spies was fourth on the Tech 3 Yamaha while the rookie Alvaro Bautista equalled his seasons best performance by finishing fifth on his Rizla Suzuki.MotoGPMotor sportValentino Rossi guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Casey Stoner a fost cel mai rapid pilot in prima zi de teste oficiale ale Motomondialului de Viteza, clasa MotoGP, de pe circuitul din sepang, Malaezia. La bordul noii sale motociclete, Honda RC212V, australianul a oprit cronometrul la 2:01.574, fiind urmat de campionul en-titre, Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha). Dani Pedrosa (Honda) a incheiat prima zi de teste cu al treilea timp, in vreme ce Valentino Rossi (Ducati), inca nerefacut dupa operatia suferita la umar, s-a clasat abia pe locul al [detalii...]

Alonso says there will be no quick fix after struggle in Malaysia There is not much time to change: I expect a difficult weekendFernando Alonso is not expecting to see an upturn in Ferraris qualifying pace in China this weekend after a disappointing Malaysian grand prix.Alonso, who finished sixth in sepang, one place behind his team-mate Felipe Massa, said: "There is not much time to change cars so I expect difficult pace, a difficult weekend again. The race is long."We arrive in China knowing that it will be difficult but we will have some opportunities if we do things right."Ferrari appeared to be Red Bulls nearest challenger in pre-season testing but their dismal qualifying pace thus far has arguably been the biggest surprise of the campaigns opening weeks.At least in race trim the new Ferrari appears to have some grunt, with Alonso enjoying good tussles with both Red Bulls Mark Webber and McLarens Lewis Hamilton in the race, albeit aided by the fact the Australian had lost his Kers and the Briton was battling excessive tyre wear."We need to keep working in a good direction as we did [in Malaysia]," Alonso continued. "In Australia we were not quick enough in qualifying, [while] in the race we were struggling a lot and were 40-50 seconds behind the leader."I left sepang much more happy because we were fighting with them. We did not expect to be fighting with them, so there is a very positive atmosphere now in the team."Ferraris president, Luca Di Montezemolo, has tipped his team to dredge up an "amazing response" to their early-season problems."I am definitely not satisfied with the way the season has begun, but I have complete faith in the people here," Di Montezemolo told Ferraris website."I am sure there will be an amazing response. I know everyone is working flat out and I have great faith in the human and technical strengths of our people. I believe the period when the most we can hope for is a podium will soon come to an end."Looking ahead to China, however, Di Montezemolo shared Alonsos caution, saying: "I hope we see some improvement, especially in qualifying. But I reckon that will be difficult as I dont think Ferrari can turn it around in the space of a week."Fernando AlonsoFerrariFormula OneMotor sport guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Championship leader believes car is set up well Button cautious about repeating heroics in the wet Fernando Alonso believes the quality of the Ferrari car is responsible for the early lead he has opened in the Formula One world championship. The driver, in his first season for the team, followed up his season-opening win in Bahrain with a fourth-place finish in the Australian Grand Prix three days ago.Ahead of the next round in Malaysia on Sunday, Alonso holds a four-point lead over his team-mate Felipe Massa, with the McLaren duo of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton six and 14 points adrift respectively."Its been an incredible start to the season," said Alonso. "I definitely didnt think Id be leading the championship after two races. This situation is way more than I had expected."As far as Alonso is concerned, it is all thanks to a near-perfect car. "In Bahrain and Australia we showed we are competitive at the highest level," he added. "We can only be pleased and proud of what we have done so far, not just at the track, but also back at the factory over the winter."The F10 has proven to be very good, even on a semi-street circuit like Albert Park. Its an easy car to drive. It is reasonably easy to find a good set-up for any type of track. On top of that, it is very consistent, in that its handling doesnt change much between qualifying and the race."That should be a very important factor over the course of the year as there is a world of difference between trying to do a quick time with a minimum fuel load on Saturday afternoon and starting the race with a full tank on Sunday."Add in the factor that the car is not too hard on its tyres and that completes the package. Im not too sure exactly where we are compared to the others, but one thing is for sure, weve definitely got off on the right foot."Crucially for Alonso, Red Bull Racings reliability issues have aided his cause as Sebastian Vettel should have scored back-to-back wins, only to suffer problems. The Spaniard is now simply looking to build on solid foundations."Theres no time to relax," he said. "But our target is simple: to carry on doing what we have done in the first two races. It wont be easy, but we must trust in our ability to get the job done."The likelihood is Alonso and the rest of the field will have to cope with another wet grand prix at sepang, as occurred a year ago. On that occasion the race was stopped after 31 laps - which led to half points being awarded - due to persistent heavy storms. Although the race starts an hour earlier this year, at 4pm local time in an effort to try and avoid the rain, a Malaysian Meteorological Department spokesman is predicting the worst."The rain is expected to start around 4pm and normally lasts two hours," he said.Button won the rain-affected race at sepang last year but the British driver is cautious about his chances of repeating his success."I think we travel to sepang mindful that the characteristics of the circuit probably wont suit our car as well as it will suit some of the others, but Im confident that, once again, well be fighting at or near the front," Button said.His team-mate, Hamilton, added: "Last year we saw what could happen once the weather took over. While Im hopeful that this years race will be run in the dry, you can never discount the threat of rain. Either way, I think well be competitive."Michael Schumacher has conceded his Mercedes car is less competitive than others on the grid and believes a podium place "probably is the maximum we can look for at the moment."He says the Mercedes is having difficulty following other cars closely and overtaking is "almost impossible unless someone makes a mistake." However he insisted that he was "quite happy Ive made the maximum out of my possibilities ... We still can fight for the championship."He says the car will be upgraded by the Barcelona race in early May. Schumacher currently has nine points from two races.Fernando AlonsoFerrariFormula OneMotor sport guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Lewis Hamilton quickest in both sessions in sepang Sebastian Vettel is second fastest, Jenson Button fourthLewis Hamilton completed his dominance of practice today by topping the timesheet in the afternoon session ahead of this weekends Malaysian Grand Prix.The 2008 world champion was fastest in the morning session on the sepang circuit ahead of Mercedes Nico Rosberg, and again set the pace in the afternoon with a time of 1min 34.175 secs.Hamilton clocked that time midway through the session to boost his confidence ahead of tomorrows qualifying following a frustrating race in Australia last weekend."It was probably the best feeling I have had in the car around this circuit," the 25-year-old said. "We have a good programme and we stuck to it. I am still trying to get an understanding of the tyres but generally it was a good feeling."Sebastian Vettel set the second fastest lap of 1:34.441secs after initially complaining of a problem with the power steering in his Red Bull. There were reliability woes for Vettels team-mate Mark Webber though, as the Australian was forced to park his car in the gravel with less than 30 minutes of the session gone due to suspected engine failure.Rosberg set the third fastest time while the world champion Jenson Button was fourth.The seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher once again failed to get the better of his Mercedes team-mate Rosberg as he took fifth.Australian GP runner-up Robert Kubica was sixth in his Renault while championship leader Fernando Alonso improved one place from the first session to go seventh fastest for Ferrari.Toro Rossos Sebastien Buemi, Vitaly Petrov of Renault and the Force India of Adrian Sutil completed the top 10.Practice times First session1. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, McLaren, 1 minute, 34.921 seconds, 19 laps; 2. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Mercedes, 1:35.106, 19; 3. Jenson Button, Britain, McLaren, 1:35.207, 25; 4. Michael Schumacher, Germany, Mercedes, 1:35.225, 14; 5. Robert Kubica, Poland, Renault, 1:35.402, 22; 6. Mark Webber, Australia, Red Bull, 1:35.479, 22; 7. Adrian Sutil, Germany, Force India, 1:35.955, 20; 8. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Ferrari, 1:35.959, 20; 9. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Red Bull, 1:36.043, 19; 10. Sebastien Buemi, Switzerland, Toro Rosso, 1:36.100, 20.1Second session1. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, McLaren, 1 minute, 34.175 seconds, 27 laps; 2. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Red Bull, 1:34.441, 28; 3. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Mercedes, 1:34.443, 30; 4. Jenson Button, Britain, McLaren, 1:34.538, 24; 5. Michael Schumacher, Germany, Mercedes, 1:34.674, 30; 6. Robert Kubica, Poland, Renault, 1:35.148, 34; 7. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Ferrari, 1:35.581, 34; 8. Sebastien Buemi, Switzerland, Toro Rosso, 1:35.660, 39; 9. Vitaly Petrov, Russia, Renault, 1:35.872, 20; 10. Adrian Sutil, Germany, Force India, 1:35.957, 32.Formula OneLewis HamiltonJenson ButtonMotor sport guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

McLaren drivers unworried by Sebastian Vettels early success Were getting closer with fine-tuning, says ButtonRed Bull will not dominate Formula One in the way Ferrari did with Michael Schumacher, who won five straight titles for the Scuderia at the beginning of the century, according to McLarens Jenson Button.Button, whose smooth second place at the sepang circuit went almost unnoticed amid the mayhem of pit stops that surrounded him during yesterdays Malaysian grand prix, said: "When Michael won so many races the Ferraris were just so fast. Everyone thought Red Bull were going to walk away with it because they were so strong but I dont think it is the case now. They still have a little bit in hand but we are closer and we will keep pulling them back."And Button is confident McLaren can start closing the gap in China this weekend. He said: "We can hopefully take the fight to them in China. Im sure F1 wants that and Im sure the Red Bull wants a challenge and not to have it all there own way."This team has the facilities. Look at how quickly we have improved the car and we are not stopping there. There are a lot of exciting things in the pipeline."There is a professional optimism about most teams in Formula One - it is what big pay packets and lucrative sponsorship deals demand. But the McLaren drivers, Button and Lewis Hamilton, seem genuinely upbeat about closing the gap that exists between themselves and the Red Bull cars - evident on Sunday - by the time the circus returns to Europe next month, if not before.McLaren made a dramatic improvement to their car before the opening race in Australia and Button, who won in China last year, added: "Red Bull will develop their car but so will we. It is a helluva challenge. Its only two races in, with 17 left and most years it goes down to the wire."Sebastians [Vettel] got a reasonably good lead now but we are getting closer and closer- I know he backed off at the end, but if you see our pace throughout the race we were as quick as him. . We are making progress. We have good pace. We dont yet have the best out of the car but were getting close with fine tuning. We also have upgrades coming. It looks exciting for China, which will be the same sort of circuit."Hamilton, added: "My aim for these first three races is to be as close as possible to Seb until I get my new upgrades, whenever they come, so I can start winning. I have had the pace on everyone except Vettel this weekend. I was just a bit unfortunate."Meawhile both McLaren drivers enjoyed the multi-tasking that melting tyres, KERS and the adjustable rear wing brought to the race in sepang. Hamilton, when asked if the new rules were making it all artificial, replied: "I dont think so. I think it was a good race and it must have been exciting to watch."Button added: "Its good. Theres a lot more to racing than there was three years ago. I hope the fans can understand what is going on. It was confusing for us because there was so much going on. Its very strange but its good."It was it very tricky out there. There is a lot in terms of team strategy but also the driver has to know what strategy he is on and understand the tyres and push them to the limit for a set period of time. Its not all about being flat out every lap, which you could say is not that exciting, but I do find it very exciting."Button added: "Even with three laps to go you might think the tyre feels great, I will push but as soon as you do it is gone, you have fallen off a cliff. Then you have two laps with massive understeer and youre five seconds off the pace, which happened to me in Malaysia."Watching other cars on old tyres when you were on new tyres was hilarious, because they were all over the place and you could pick them off easily. It was a lot of fun."McLarenJenson ButtonLewis HamiltonMotor sportPaul Weaver guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]

Silverstone to host British round on 17 June Four races in Spain, two in USThe MotoGP world championship will start under floodlights in Qatar once again next year and end at Spains Valencia circuit, the series organisers said on Wednesday.The governing International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) issued a provisional 18-round calendar with no new additions and four Spanish races.The United States has two races, now separated by three weeks, at Laguna Seca in California and Indianapolis.Provisional 2012 calendar15 April* Qatar29 April Spain (Jerez)6 May Portugal (Estoril)20 May France (Le Mans)3 June Catalunya (Barcelona)17 June Britain (Silverstone)30 June** Netherlands (Assen)8 July Germany (venue to be confirmed)15 July Italy (Mugello)29 July*** US (Laguna Seca)19 Aug Indianapolis26 Aug Czech Republic (Brno)16 Sept San Marino (Misano)30 Sept Aragon (Motorland Aragon, Spain)14 Oct Japan (Motegi)21 Oct Malaysia (sepang)28 Oct Australia (Phillip Island)11 Nov Valencia (Ricardo Tormo)* Evening race ** Saturday race *** MotoGP only, no other classes Spain (Jerez), Portugal and Germany are all subject to contract.MotoGPSilverstoneMotorcyclingMotor sport guardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More [detalii...]