Classic F1 2011 - Sebastien Buemi

Sebastien Buemi, who has enjoyed a promising start to the new season with the Toro Rosso team, takes his turn in the hot seat in our new-look classic Formula 1 series.

For those unfamiliar with the format, BBC Sport has asked all the F1 drivers for their five favourite grands prix. Those choices will then be serialised before every race this season in order to whet your appetites for the action ahead. Highlights will be shown on this website and the red button on BBC television in the UK.

The first two drivers to reveal their top-five picks were world champion Sebastian Vettel and countryman Michael Schumacher.

Buemi - a 22-year-old Swiss - is next. He may not be as famous as Vettel or Schumacher but he has come up with some interesting choices.

Unlike Vettel and Schumacher before him, Buemi has, for the most part, picked races that he does not feature in - perhaps because he is in only his third season in F1.

Nor has he chosen the incident for which he is perhaps most famous for - the crash during practice for last year's Chinese GP when both wheels came off his car simultaneously.

What he has done is pick four iconic races from F1's recent history, plus an event that resonates particularly with him:

1) The 1989 Japanese Grand Prix, the first of two infamous collisions in title-deciding races at Suzuka between arch-rivals Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

This one was at the chicane - Prost turned in on McLaren team-mate Senna when the Brazilian tried to overtake him and the two collided. The Frenchman was out of the race, but Senna rejoined and went on to win, before being controversially disqualified, handing the title to Prost.

2) The 1990 Japanese Grand Prix, the second of two infamous collisions between Prost and Senna at Suzuka. This time, the two men only reached the first corner.

Senna, after being beaten away from pole position by Prost's Ferrari, was determined the Frenchman would not make the corner and barged into the back of his car at 160mph. The incident took both drivers out of the race and left Senna as champion.

3) The 1998 Belgian Grand Prix, a dramatic race from start-to finish, including what Buemi describes as "the biggest pile-up ever" on lap one.

The race is actually infamous for two incidents - the 13-car pile-up at the start that Buemi is referring to and Michael Schumacher's retirement after he had run his Ferrari into the back of David Coulthard's McLaren in appalling visibility.

The Scot was trying to let Schumacher lap him but the German, who could not see very well in the spray, did not realise his rival had slowed down and made contact. Given he was in a title fight with Coulthard's team-mate Mika Hakkinen, Schumacher sensed a conspiracy and charged down the pit lane to remonstrate with Coulthard. The two men had to be physically separated.

The incident left Damon Hill in the lead ahead of Jordan team-mate Ralf Schumacher. After team boss Eddie Jordan instructed Schumacher not to try to race Hill, the two finished one-two for Jordan's first F1 win.

4) The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix - famous for the nail-biting climax to the world championship, which hung in the balance until the final corner of the final lap.

With Ferrari's Felipe Massa driving to a dominant victory, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton needed to finish fifth to win the title. But the race did not go well for the Briton, who started the last lap in sixth, having lost fifth place to Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel.

In the Ferrari pit, team personnel - including Massa's father - celebrated as their man crossed the line. But then came a dramatic late twist. With rain falling increasingly hard, Hamilton, who was on wet tyres, closed inexorably on the Toyota of Timo Glock, who was struggling on untreaded dry tyres. Hamilton eventually passed the German as they accelerated out of Juncao corner on to the start-finish straight for the final time, prompting delirium at McLaren and despair at Ferrari.

5) The 2009 Chinese Grand Prix, which Buemi has picked for two reasons. Firstly, it was Red Bull's first win, with Vettel leading home team-mate Mark Webber.

Secondly, Buemi, who had made his debut in Australia just two races previously, scored points for the second time in his short career. He had finished seventh on his debut in a race marked by very high attrition. In China, he drove superbly to finish eighth on merit, ahead of Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Robert Kubica and Giancarlo Fisichella.

We have chosen one race to highlight by embedding it in this blog - and we have opted for the 2009 Chinese race. Long highlights are below, with links to shorter highlights underneath. There are also links to long and short highlights of Jenson Button's brilliant victory in last year's Chinese Grand Prix. This year's Chinese race is Sunday, of course.

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WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2009 CHINESE GRAND PRIX
WATCH SHORT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 CHINESE GRAND PRIX
WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 CHINESE GRAND PRIX

We are also making available the full BBC 'Grand Prix' highlights programme from one of Buemi's other choices - the 1989 Japanese GP. The programme is being broadcast for the first time since the evening of the race 22 years ago - and you can watch it here.

The classic races will be shown on the red button on BBC digital television in the UK from 1400 BST on Wednesday, 13 April until 0830 BST on Saturday, 16 April.

On Freeview, they will be available from 0415-0545 BST and 1915-2315 BST on Thursday, 14 April and 0040-0255 BST and 0435-0655 BST on Friday, 15 April.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/04/classic_f1_2011_-_sebastian_bu.html

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NASCAR Tickets - Danica Patrick Eyes NASCAR

IndyCar golden girl Danica Patrick's contract with Andretti Green Racing is up at the end of this season. She'll have a contract waiting for her come October, that's for sure, but where will the IRL's favorite female firecracker go once the smoke clears? Some signs are pointing to NASCAR, and although moving to the Sprint Cup Series is something that hasn't recently treated IndyCar drivers well, it may very well be where Patrick ends up at the end of this IndyCar season.

Patrick, whose contract is set to expire soon, has already expressed to the media that she's on the hunt for new enterprises and other ways to expand her racing career, and when it comes to NASCAR, more sponsorship money and viewership is most definitely involved. Recently speaking to the media about a possible switch to NASCAR from IndyCar, Patrick has said, "One of the things I think of is the exposure level that you get in NASCAR with the ratings and viewership. Their numbers are so much larger than ours, and with that comes a bigger following, comes more popularity, comes more demand for you to endorse other products. So I think it would be an exponential sort of growth." This statement, of course, leaves the racing world wondering if she's just in it for the money, and this is one question that must be considered when sizing up the Danica Patrick dilemma that is sure to come this fall.

Patrick would undoubtedly be an explosive attention-grabber should she make the switch to NASCAR, but even her dashing looks and stellar maneuverability on the racetrack in open-wheel cars may not be enough to save her from the vicious Sprint Cup Series, which has a track record of eating alive several IndyCar-turned-NASCAR drivers. Take fellow female IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher, for example. No, Fisher doesn't have even close to the same stellar racing record as Patrick, but Fisher's recent attempt to delve into NASCAR proved highly unsuccessful; not only did she not compete in a single Sprint Cup race, but she didn't even come close to seeing a Nationwide race, either.

Fisher made a statement (and seemingly a warning to Danica Patrick) concerning her sour experience with NASCAR, saying, "It's a very tough world; it's a 'Good Old Boys' world, a 'Good Old Boys' network. To be in that without any prior experience will be extremely tough. Unless you are bringing in a pot load of money, I don't think they are going to [give you a deal] right away."

The switch to NASCAR wasn't a pleasant one for former Indy 500 victor Dario Franchitti, either. Franchitti ultimately failed to make a successful switch from IndyCar to NASCAR last year and is back in the IRL racing with Target Chip Ganassi Racing this year, already proving his sustained worth in the IRL after a year off from open-wheel racing.

Three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish, Jr. is experiencing resistance from the NASCAR realm, as well, still struggling in his second season with the Sprint Cup Series, and Juan Pablo Montoya isn't much improved, either. Is the same ill-fated future in the cards for Danica Patrick should she switch to the much more competitive NASCAR realm next year?

While this is left uncertain, the only thing for sure is that Danica Patrick would cause quite a stir with the public and with ratings should she make the leap to NASCAR, as the raved-about top female driver is already a media target. Ken Cohn, vice president of Millsport, a sponsorship consulting agency in Charlotte, N.C., recently spoke of the Danica appeal to NASCAR, saying that her celebrity influence could have a huge impact on the racing realm should she make the switch to the Sprint Cup Series next year, saying, "She's not only well known; she's well liked.

Danica entering NASCAR would certainly provide the sport with a deep level of marketing impact, and it would provide NASCAR with one of the biggest stories of the year, generating a significant amount of media coverage, consumer and fan engagement, and corporate attention." For now, though, it's still a man's world in NASCAR. The Sprint Cup Series will go on no matter what, and NASCAR tickets are still available online, Danica or no Danica.

This article is sponsored by StubHub.com. StubHub is a leader in the business of selling NASCAR tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and special events tickets.

Article Source: NASCAR Tickets - Danica Patrick Eyes NASCAR

Source: http://www.articlespan.com/article/264660/nascar-tickets-danica-patrick-eyes-nascar

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Your F1 2011 questions answered - part I

Are the new rules a good thing? What are my views on the Hispania debacle at the start of the season? Do the new tyres leave too much rubber on the track? Which new driver has made the best impression so far? What's going wrong at Ferrari?

Watch my answers below.

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IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE UK, CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/04/your_questions_answered_-_part.html

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Gritty Webber on the comeback trail

At Sepang, Malaysia

There was only ever going to be one way for Mark Webber to prove he is capable of renewing his fascinating rivalry with his Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel in 2011 and that is on the track.

After a lacklustre weekend in Melbourne - where Webber qualified 0.8 seconds behind the German world champion and finished fifth in a race Vettel won easily - the Australian showed the first signs of a return to form by setting the pace on Friday in Malaysia.

Webber had arrived in Kuala Lumpur in an unusually monosyllabic mood, especially when he was asked for a post mortem of just what went wrong at the first race.

"I'm not going to make a meal of what happened in Melbourne, let's just talk about Malaysia," he warned the media throng.

The message from the no-nonsense Webber - who uses the alias Aussie Grit on social networking website Twitter - is that he was not looking for excuses for his damp squib of a start to the season.

As it happens, the Australian had a pretty good excuse. It emerged in Malaysia that he hauled his Red Bull around Albert Park with a broken rear suspension.

"There were some issues post-race with the car and the guys found a few things they weren't happy with," Webber told the BBC in an exclusive interview which will be aired during Sunday's race show on BBC One.

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Webber tells the BBC about having the hopes of a nation on his shoulders

"Seb and I have been covered by a fag packet here and there over the course of past sessions so I'm hoping - and looking to make sure - that Australia was my worse performance of the year. It just has to be. We cannot continue like that, being that far off."

Webber may have topped both practice sessions around Sepang's demanding curves and long straights but it is still too early to know whether he can make his advantage count on the circuit's unforgiving asphalt and under Malaysia's unpredictable skies.

Last season, Webber grabbed his first of five poles in Malaysia, only to hand Vettel victory at the first corner when, erroneously thinking he was clear of the field, he left the door open and his team-mate slipped into the lead.

Vettel is again breathing down his neck in Sepang, ending Friday just 0.214 seconds behind him, with McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton separating him from Webber.

Intriguingly, F1 insiders say the Red Bull rivals are protective about showing each other their true pace on Fridays, much to the chagrin of team boss Christian Horner, and only reveal which of them has the upper hand during qualifying.

Nonetheless, Webber will take a psychological boost from beating his team-mate on paper. Like last year, Red Bull once again have the fastest car and, if they can convert that pace into spoils on Sunday, the two team-mates could make it a private fight for the drivers' crown.

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Webber says there is very little difference between the top drivers

There were times last season when the pendulum swung in Webber's favour. He won four races and led the championship three times, only to finish third as Vettel conjured a breathtaking finish to take the title at the final race.

As Webber prepares to rejoin battle, the 34-year-old is drawing inspiration from last season's battle scars.

"It can only help only having a year that I went through," said Webber. "A lot of positives happen but of course it was very, very disappointing not to win the championship. A mountaineer could have a similar experience, to get so close to the top but not to look over the top.

"It takes time and reflection to get over that [but] if it doesn't make you stronger I'd be surprised."

The full interview with Mark Webber will be shown during BBC One's race programme on Sunday which begins at 0800 BST

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sarahholt/2011/04/webber.html

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Tickets- Mark Martin Wins at 50

At the young age of 50, three months and nine days; Mark Martin became the third-oldest winner in NASCAR history, snapping a 97-race winless streak by capturing a victory at Phoenix International Raceway. The NASCAR driver poked fun of himself after the race by telling the media he had no problems keeping up with the 25-year-olds. The Phoenix International Raceway champion started from the pole and led 157 of 312 laps. However, the 50-year-old did run into some trouble when officials erased his four-second lead over Tony Stewart with only 11 laps to go in the race. Mark headed for a pit stop and was worried about his lead. Get NASCAR Sprint Cup tickets and see Martin burning some rubber as he cruises to victory lane.

He emerged out of pit road in second place. Ryan Newman had been in the lead while his teammate, Stewart was just behind Martin, with only six laps left in the race. The 50-year-old driver felt the need for speed as he shot past Newman on the restart, heading towards victory lane. It was his first win since Kansas in 2005. The last 50-year-old to win a Cup race was Morgan Shepherd in 1993 at Atlanta, but who was the oldest driver to ever win a Cup race? Harry Gant holds the record as the oldest driver to win a Cup race. He was 52 when he won at Michigan in 1992.

Before Martin headed towards victory lane in Phoenix and secured a win, only three drivers at the ripe age of 50 or older won Cup races: Gant, Shepherd and Bobby Allison. Mark was greeted by NASCAR president Mike Hilton and several of his competitors after the race. His former boss, Jack Roush, came to congratulate him. So did former teammates Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, and Jeff Burton. It was Mark's 36th career victory, but his first victory without Roush by his side. He spent 18 years driving for Roush and decided to retire in 2006. The driver had a change of heart and wanted to come back and work for Roush, but his former boss had already secured his seat with another driver.

Stewart, who came in second place, told the media there's no shame in losing to a guy like Mark. The second place driver also added that the 50-year-old man works harder than any driver he knew. The praise continued in the garage for Martin, who is considered by many to be the greatest NASCAR driver to never win a championship. But that all changed at the Phoenix International Raceway. The Cup winner came back to the sport he dearly loved to see if he could claim glory on the tracks he driven around so many times. This is his first full season in three years; he spent the last two years in a part-time ride for Dale Earnhardt Inc., which prepared him for a long and demanding 10-month season. Rick Hendrick offered Martin a spot on his team and the key to the No. 5 Chevrolet after the man finished second four times in Phoenix. It looks like the fifth time was the charm.

This article was sponsored by StubHub. StubHub sells NASCAR Sprint Cup tickets, as well as many other kinds of sports tickets, concert tickets, special events tickets and theater tickets.

Article Source: NASCAR Sprint Cup Tickets- Mark Martin Wins at 50

Source: http://www.articlespan.com/article/263165/nascar-sprint-cup-tickets-mark-martin-wins-at-50

Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy

NASCAR Sprint Cup Tickets- Mark Martin Wins at 50

At the young age of 50, three months and nine days; Mark Martin became the third-oldest winner in NASCAR history, snapping a 97-race winless streak by capturing a victory at Phoenix International Raceway. The NASCAR driver poked fun of himself after the race by telling the media he had no problems keeping up with the 25-year-olds. The Phoenix International Raceway champion started from the pole and led 157 of 312 laps. However, the 50-year-old did run into some trouble when officials erased his four-second lead over Tony Stewart with only 11 laps to go in the race. Mark headed for a pit stop and was worried about his lead. Get NASCAR Sprint Cup tickets and see Martin burning some rubber as he cruises to victory lane.

He emerged out of pit road in second place. Ryan Newman had been in the lead while his teammate, Stewart was just behind Martin, with only six laps left in the race. The 50-year-old driver felt the need for speed as he shot past Newman on the restart, heading towards victory lane. It was his first win since Kansas in 2005. The last 50-year-old to win a Cup race was Morgan Shepherd in 1993 at Atlanta, but who was the oldest driver to ever win a Cup race? Harry Gant holds the record as the oldest driver to win a Cup race. He was 52 when he won at Michigan in 1992.

Before Martin headed towards victory lane in Phoenix and secured a win, only three drivers at the ripe age of 50 or older won Cup races: Gant, Shepherd and Bobby Allison. Mark was greeted by NASCAR president Mike Hilton and several of his competitors after the race. His former boss, Jack Roush, came to congratulate him. So did former teammates Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, and Jeff Burton. It was Mark's 36th career victory, but his first victory without Roush by his side. He spent 18 years driving for Roush and decided to retire in 2006. The driver had a change of heart and wanted to come back and work for Roush, but his former boss had already secured his seat with another driver.

Stewart, who came in second place, told the media there's no shame in losing to a guy like Mark. The second place driver also added that the 50-year-old man works harder than any driver he knew. The praise continued in the garage for Martin, who is considered by many to be the greatest NASCAR driver to never win a championship. But that all changed at the Phoenix International Raceway. The Cup winner came back to the sport he dearly loved to see if he could claim glory on the tracks he driven around so many times. This is his first full season in three years; he spent the last two years in a part-time ride for Dale Earnhardt Inc., which prepared him for a long and demanding 10-month season. Rick Hendrick offered Martin a spot on his team and the key to the No. 5 Chevrolet after the man finished second four times in Phoenix. It looks like the fifth time was the charm.

This article was sponsored by StubHub. StubHub sells NASCAR Sprint Cup tickets, as well as many other kinds of sports tickets, concert tickets, special events tickets and theater tickets.

Article Source: NASCAR Sprint Cup Tickets- Mark Martin Wins at 50

Source: http://www.articlespan.com/article/263165/nascar-sprint-cup-tickets-mark-martin-wins-at-50

Eddie Keizan Al Keller Joe Kelly Dave Kennedy

Send me your questions about F1 2011

Hello everyone,

What a start to the new Formula 1 season it has been! I am filming my first video blogs of the year on Monday. There's a lot to talk about and I'd love to hear your questions.

So if you have anything you'd like to ask me about the Formula 1 season so far, then please post your questions below.

All the best

Murray

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2011/04/welcome_to_2011.html

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