Dakar vehicles arrived to Argentina

Most of the vehicles participating in the fourth South American Dakar Rally, which this year will be run in Argentina, Chile and Peru, was presented yesterday at the port of Zárate, on the banks of the Parana River.

The ship "Sao Paulo", with 680 vehicles including cars, motorcycles, quads and trucks (competition, support and the organization itself), landed in Zárate on ​​ Monday. That day at 8 am they started the "landing" and eleven hours after the job was done.

"Everything is ready and the Dakar 2012 will be a feast for all Argentines from its launch at Mar del Plata on January 1st," said yesterday the Minister of Tourism, Enrique Meyer. The machines will be stationed untill December 27, when they depart to Mar del Plata.

"To change the city of the start, Mar del Plata instead of Buenos Aires, was an idea that we suggested some time ago, is very good for the country" Meyer said.

About 60 workers participated in the task of landing vehicles that brought the ship from the French port of Le Havre, it was "a very clean operation" as defined by Albert André, institutional relations manager for Delta Dock Complex.

André said that "every year since 2009, when they came for the first time, things are going good" and stressed that the "enthusiasm" of those responsible for carrying out this task does not diminish over time, "or with the hot weather".

To the 680 vehicles that arrived at the port, we have to add those arriving by land in these hours from neighboring countries, or by air, such as cutting-edge equipment like BMW, Mini or Hummer.

All vehicles will be on the north breakwater of Mar del Plata on December 28, 29, 30, and 31 the activity is concentrated in the Dakar Village, which is mounted at the Naval Base in the city.




The official start will be on December 31 in front of "Hotel Provincial", as a party is expected to be enhanced in its concurrence by the mass of tourists who annually visit Mar del Plata for the summer.

Once the January 1, competitors will leave the "Plaza Colón", in the formal beginning of the rally, headed toward the Pampa as part of the first stage, a first day which organizers say will be no surprises and, as usual, will be a fast one.

Then the rally will go to San Rafael (Mendoza), San Juan, Chilecito (La Rioja) and Fiambalá (Catamarca), the last stage in Argentina before crossing into Chile through Paso de San Francisco. Check the Rally Stages here: Dakar Rally Route

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2012 Mercedes Benz w100F (fangio)

This is the Mercedes W100F. It is a virtual creation and renewed car that Formula One champion Juan Manuel Fangio raced in 1954 and 1955 F1 seasons.

W100F design seeks to combine the concepts of the two race car "bodies" that Mercedes-Benz used in Fangio´s car. The car has this two configurations: The W196 with open wheels, and the W196 Stromlinie (or "Monza Type") with aerodynamic body and wheel covers, also adding elements of current F1 cars.

From the beginning, the idea was to make a "retro" design but based on the most distinctive lines of the three models mentioned to get a modern-day interpretation of them.

The transition between the lower and upper curves and reverse curves generates a volume that give the distinctive appearance to the W100F.
The front of the body is not covered, freeing the lower aerodynamic structure to improve air flow and strengthen the concept of "body covering the chassis."
It also cover other concepts of the 1950 decade Silver Arrows, as the elevation of the body behind the pilot, half-height windshield, the air vents behind the front wheels, or the use of aerodynamic fins, which were already present in the open wheel version, it also generates a reminiscence with current F1 cars.
Nowadays F1 cars inspired to solve the "lower" aerodynamics of the W100F, with the front wing that supports and makes the air flow to the lower keel-shaped pontoon, extending and widening to the sides of the body, and channels the air towards the rear diffuser and to the side and rear winglets.
Moreover, this duality between simple and clean body, and the elaborate aerodynamic at the back of the car, is reinforced with the use of different materials: aluminum body and carbon fiber, which also will give a highlight to the simple lines of the body.
The sport version of the W100F, called "Monza", takes the concept of the air intake of the W196 openwheel, which is an asymmetric one, while the street version "Stradale" uses symmetric optics.

Mercedes-Benz W100F contemplates the use of a V8-biturbo or higher in the case of Monza version, rear-wheel drive, 7-speed sequential gearbox and independent suspension push-rod type.

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Best of crash 2011

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Interlagos Circuit future improvement?

After Stock Car driver Gustavo Sonderman died at Interlagos Circuit, Brazilian authorities confirmed that they had a decision to alter the Curva do Cafe corner earlier this year, but there was no further action on this decision.

Here is the proposal, made with Photoshop, where the straight continues beyond the lake, uses the old Curva 3 and Juncao around the lake and joins back at Ferradura (current turn 6).

The reality is that Interlagos management have to find €50m to improve the track. They will have to accomplish the standard for 2014, that is when its contract is up for renewal.

The improvements as far as we understand are this:

* Re location of the pit complex. (Reta Oposta straight)
* Pit complex to have the standards of new Silverstone/Suzuka ones.
* New pit straight to be lengthened arround 940meters from its current 780meters
* Grandtsand at current T4 to be demolished
* Track to be brought closer to 4.8km from its current 4.3km
* Track to go arround the lake and join on current T5
* Bico De Pato to be reprofiled to a shorter style to allow embankment works at "Subida dos boxes" to make that corner flatter/straighter
* General improvement in drainage: Curva do Sol and Merghullo are bad ones on wet conditions, propper un-driveavle.

All this should increase lap time from arround 1:14 to 1:16, and reduce laps down from 70 to roughly 64.

Interlagos Circuit is a track that needs an update. The track would be a real hard test, it would be hard on engines and lets remember its the last race of the calendar. It would be a race that teams would have to go one way, optimize for the straights and loose time in the twists or optimize for the twists and be compromised in the straights. Also with the weather system at Interlagos Circuit, anything is posible. It would give us one hell of a track that Brazil could be proud of (once again).

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Button is confident that McLaren is at the level of Red Bull

Jenson Button is confident that McLaren can challenge Red Bull in all the remaining circuits, having overtaken Red Bull in the Grand Prix of Japan.

Button achieved his third victory of the season in Suzuka, beat world champion Sebastian Vettel, despite that the German started from the pole position.
Vettel had to settle for third place behind Fernando Alonso for Ferrari, after struggling with the degradation of its softer tires.

Button believes McLaren has raised its level in high-speed tracks, where Red Bull has been stronger in recent years.

"I think our overall pace, with a good strategy and good care of the tires, has been quite good at high-speed circuits," said Button.

"I think our car works well in high-speed circuits. In high-speed corners we were always behind Red Bull, and thought: how the hell are they doing that? '. Then we went to Spa and we were very competitive. And the same thing happened in Suzuka.

"Our car worked very well, and in the first sector of the lap we were faster than Red Bull for the first time in three years. So I think our car is competitive in general"

Button, who has eclipsed his team-mate Lewis Hamilton in recent races, is considered the driver that its taking most care of the tyres this year.

"I do not know. I think if we were on the last year tyres, this year I would be very happy anyway," he said.

"I do not know, perhaps they suited to my style. It's hard to know. However, in some circuits I have struggled with tyre wear, so it has not always been the way I like."

The McLaren driver also believes that the Korean Grand Prix will be very hard on tires, and he thinks that the drivers could be forced to make up to 5 stops.

"It will be difficult. The soft tires are very difficult, especially to do many laps, so the supersoft option will be interesting. We may see a lot of stops here. Up to five stops maybe"

"Qualifying will be interesting too. And then we are going to India, a fast circuit like Suzuka and temperatures of 35 degrees, so it's going to be like Suzuka, but even hotter, so it will be more hard on tires.

"So we have a couple of difficult races to come. It is not just pure speed, its more a matter of if we can take care of the tires or not."

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Button confía en que McLaren este a la altura de Red Bull

Jenson Button confía en que McLaren pueda desafiar a Red Bull en todos los circuitos restantes, después de haber superado a Red Bull en el Gran Premio de Japón.

Button logro su tercera victoria de la temporada en Suzuka, superó el campeón del mundo Sebastián Vettel, a pesar de la largada desde la pole que tuvo el alemán.

Vettel tuvo que conformarse con la tercera posición por detrás de Fernando Alonso de Ferrari, después de luchar con la degradación de sus neumáticos más blandos.

Button cree que McLaren ha elevado su nivel en pistas de alta velocidad, donde Red Bull ha sido más fuerte en los últimos años.

"Creo que nuestro ritmo general, con una buena estrategia y buen cuidado de los neumáticos, ha sido bastante bueno en circuitos de alta velocidad", dijo Button.

"Creo que nuestro coche funciona bien en circuitos de alta velocidad. En curvas de alta velocidad siempre estábamos detrás de Red Bull, y pensábamos: ¿cómo diablos lo están haciendo? '. Luego fuimos a Spa y fuimos muy competitivos. Y paso lo mismo en Suzuka.

"Nuestro coche ha funcionado muy bien, y en el primer sector de la vuelta éramos más rápidos que Red Bull por primera vez en tres años. Así que creo que nuestro coche es competitivo en general"

Button, que ha eclipsado a su compañero de equipo Lewis Hamilton en las últimas carreras, restó importancia a los neumáticos de este año.

"No sé. Creo que si estuviéramos con los neumáticos del año pasado, este año yo sería muy feliz de todos modos ", dijo.

"No sé, tal vez se ajustan más a mi estilo. Es difícil de saber. Sin embargo, en algunos circuitos he lidiado con el desgaste del neumático, por lo que no siempre ha ido a mi manera."

El piloto de McLaren también considera que el Gran Premio de Corea va a ser muy duro para los neumáticos, y él piensa que los pilotos podrían verse obligados a realizar hasta 5 paradas en boxes.

"Va a ser difícil. Los blandos son neumáticos muy difíciles, en especial para hacer muchas vueltas, así que con el extra suave va a ser interesante. Se podrán ver un montón de paradas aquí. Hasta cinco paradas tal vez"

"La calificación va a ser interesante. Y luego tenemos el gran premio de la India, que es un circuito rápido como Suzuka y con temperaturas de 35 grados, así que va a ser como Suzuka, pero aún más caliente, por lo que será más duro para los neumáticos.

"Así que tenemos un par de carreras difíciles por venir. No se trata sólo de la velocidad pura, es si se puede cuidar los neumáticos o no."

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Hamilton needs to bounce back

The 2008 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton expects to return to the top this weekend at the Grand Prix of Korea. He wants to end his streak of five races without a victory since winning the German Grand Prix in July.

The Briton has since met with the president of the FIA, Jean Todt, more than it seems, and has been involved in a number of accidents, some minor and some specific to a driver as talented behind the steering wheel.

The next race on the calendar is at Yeongam circuit, it is complicated and still relatively new to the Grand Prix of South Korea, the race last year was a complete failure and was won by Fernando Alonso for Ferrari, after Sebastian Vettel suffer a very rare engine failure. Hamilton was second in that race, and this year will be, no doubt at all, more competitive race after the Grand Prix of Japan, where he finished fifth after starting the race with a car that seemed able to beat the Red Bulls. At least, the McLaren was able to beat the Red Bulls, but it was the McLaren of Button.
Lewis Hamilton will work hard to win a race in the 4 remaining, but has never won in any of the four remaining ciruits of this season. Only Alonso has won the Grand Prix of Korea, nobody has won a Grand Prix in India before, Sebastian Vettel has won the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, and Raikkonen (2007), Massa (2008), Webber (2009) and Vettel (2010 ) have won the Brazilian Grand Prix. Of course, these are just statistics that do not represent at all what can happen once the five red lights go off, but if Hamilton wants to end this season with a good taste and end their losing streak, a win is a need !

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Hamilton necesita ganar

El Campeón del Mundo del 2008, Lewis Hamilton, espera regresar a la normalidad este fin de semana en el Gran Premio de Corea. Quiere poner fin a su racha de cinco carreras sin victorias desde que ganó el Gran Premio de Alemania en julio.

El británico se ha reunido desde entonces con el presidente de la FIA, Jean Todt, más de lo que parece, ya que desde entonces ha estado involucrado en toda una serie de accidentes, unos leves y otros propios de un piloto con tanto talento detrás del volante.

La próxima carrera del calendario es en el circuito de Yeongam, es complicado y todavía relativamente nuevo para el Gran Premio de Corea del Sur, una carrera que el año pasado fue un fracaso completo y fue ganado por Fernando Alonso de Ferrari, después de que Sebastian Vettel sufriese una falla en el motor muy poco común. Hamilton fue segundo en esa carrera, y este año será, sin duda, una carrera más competitiva después del Gran Premio de Japón, donde terminó quinto después de comenzar la carrera con un coche que parecía capaz de batir a los Red Bulls. Por lo menos, el McLaren fue capaz de ganar a los Red Bulls, pero fue el McLaren de Button.
Lewis Hamilton va a trabajar duro para ganar una carrera en las 4 que restan, aunque nunca ha ganado en ninguno de los cuatro ciruitos restantes de esta temporada. Sólo Alonso ha ganado el Gran Premio de Corea, nadie ha ganado un Gran Premio de India antes, Sebastian Vettel ha ganado el Gran Premio de Abu Dhabi, y Raikkonen (2007), Massa (2008), Webber (2009) y Vettel (2010) han ganado el Gran Premio de Brasil. Por supuesto, estas son sólo estadísticas que no representan para nada lo que pueda suceder una vez que las cinco luces rojas se apaguen, pero si Hamilton quiere poner fin a esta temporada con un buen sabor y terminar su mala racha, una victoria es una necesidad!

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Lauda: Webber is the right team mate for Vettel

Keeping Mark Webber in the RedBull team for the 2012 season with the double world champion Sebastian Vettel was the correct decision.

That is the claim of triple world champion Niki Lauda, referring to the recent extension of a one year contract the “35 years old australian” signed with Red Bull's.

Webber, after defying the championship season of 2010, could not win a single Grand Prix this season compared with the nine victories of Vettel with a sister car.

But the expert Lauda supports the decision of the heads of RedBull to renew his contract.

"On a good day Mark is very fast and pushes Sebastian enough to keep developing the car," said Niki Lauda.

"I see it as a very good combination of drivers," added Lauda.

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Lauda: Webber presiona bien a Vettel

Mantener en el equipo a Mark Webber para la temporada 2012 junto al bicampeon del mundo Sebastian Vettel, fue la decisión correcta.
Esa es la afirmación del triple campeón del mundo Niki Lauda, en referencia a la reciente prórroga de un año de contrato que firmo RedBull con el australiano Mark Webber de 35 años de edad.

Webber, después de desafiar el campeonato de la temporada del 2010, no ha podido ganar un solo gran premio en la presente temporada en comparación con las nueve victorias de Vettel en un auto Red Bull idéntico.

Pero el experto Lauda apoya la decisión de los jefes de RedBull de renovar su contrato.

"En un buen día de Mark es muy rápido y empuja a Sebastián lo suficiente para mantener el desarrollo del auto", dijo Niki Lauda.

"Yo lo veo como una muy buena combinación de pilotos", añadió Lauda.

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Briatore:Vettel not the best

Flavio Briatore says that Sebastian Vettel is not the best Formula One driver of this era, despite dominating the 2011 season.
Sebastian Vettel was crowned champion of the world with a third place in Japan last week, and this was his second worst result of the season.








Despite having an incredible record of nine wins in fifteen races, former Renault team, Flavio Briatore, believes that Vettel is the third best driver in the category behind his favorite driver, Fernando Alonso, and Lewis Hamilton.

"Vettel is a good driver," said Briatore. "But he won because he had the best car to drive, the Redbull machine is phenomenal. If we imagine a race in which all the drivers has the same car, Vettel would be behind Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton."

Vettel has also won 12 poles this season, and Briatore admits that Vettel is the fastest man to get around fast, and also mentions faster than Hamilton and Alonso.

"In a one lap analysis, I mean a lap of qualifying, he is the best, with Hamilton second and Alonso third."

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Briatore:Vettel no es el mejor

Flavio Briatore dice que Sebastian Vettel no es el mejor piloto de Fórmula Uno en la actualidad, a pesar de dominar en la temporada 2011.

Sebastian Vettel se corono bicampeon del mundo con un tercer puesto en Japón la semana pasada, y este fue su segundo peor resultado de la temporada.





A pesar de tener un increible récord de nueve victorias en quince carreras, el ex director del equipo Renault, Flavio Briatore, cree que Vettel es el tercer mejor piloto en la categoria detrás de su piloto favorito, Fernando Alonso, y también detrás de Lewis Hamilton.

"Vettel es un buen piloto," dice Briatore. "Pero él ha ganado porque ha tenido el mejor auto para conducir, el Redbull es una máquina fenomenal. Si imaginamos una carrera en la cual todos los pilotos tuviesen el mismo coche, Vettel estaría detrás de Fernando Alonso y Lewis Hamilton."

Vettel también ha obtenido 12 poles durante esta temporada, y Briatore admite que Vettel es el hombre más rápido para obtener una vuelta rapida, y además menciona a Hamilton como mas rápido que Alonso.

"En una vuelta de clasifiacion es el mejor, con Hamilton segundo y tercero Alonso."

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Thursday Photos 2011 Korean Grand Prix

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