F1 & #MH370

F1 has started. 2014 season bring big changes in the cars. I mean big as huge!

New models with less aerodynamics. Slower cars. Less power. And of the things that I consider make the the show: the sound of the engines. 

FIA made changes to 'improve' technological systems but that fact doesn't help. Teams that are trying to fix problems with tires, now are proving their cars in the season, because the pre-season wasn't in off to do it. This weekend is Malaysian GP, in Sepang. And I consider that if the circumstances continue as Australian GP, this season will be the stranger in the last years.

Changing the sportive topics, the most of the teams are giving a message during this GP "Pray for #MH370". 2 weeks and that flight is still disappeared.

Not a marketing strategy. A message to all the world. There's not a better place to do it: Malaysia, where the plane were. 

The following pics are taken from the official Twitter accounts of each team.

Dakar 2014

Last saturday (january 18th) Rally-Raid Dakar finished it's 2014 edition. In South America as the immediatly past years. During it's 34 years, 6 were developed in South America, in four countries (Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia). This year all countries except Bolivia. And other important fact is that quads start running in South America, not in Africa.

This year's edition was the most difficult since Dakar arrived in South America, according to drivers. Long days (jan 5 - jan 18) marked the routes that cars, bikes, trucks and quads crossed. More than 400 participants and the best machines did a good competence. More than the half of competitors left the race.

In cars, MINI (with Xraidteam) were the leaders during the whole Dakar (the most). Drivers like Peterhansel and Roma (winner) lead all the race. Sometimes Sainz try but MINI were the best. 

In bikes Coma (KTM), Despres (Yamaha) and Barreda Bort (Honda) were the absolutely leaders. Coma won the race with a totally domain.

Finally in Trucks, Karginov (Kamaz) won. Kamaz won the last years, except 2012 (Iveco).

In quads, finally other pilot different of Patronelli Brothers could won. Ignacio Casale from Chile did it.

*Videos by #Dakar @dakar (http://www.youtube.com/dakar)

Taken from www.dakar.com

2014

Looking forward, 2014 will be an important year for many reasons around the world. Starting with politics, many countries celebrate it's presidential elections. Topics like Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, and north Africa will be exposed and will be the center of world's edge.

In sports, Soccer will mark an important point this year. Starting with the FIFA World Cup in June, in Brazil. Also soccer will include all the preparation against the world cup. An interesting UEFA Champions League and important players that will be known during the world cup. Sports will includ World Winter Games that will be developed in Sochi (Rusia). Formula 1 will have an important year (taking into account the changes in the teams) and Moto GP will be exciting (Lorenzo vs Marquez will be a good scenario).

In technology, Smartphones will mark an important year for Apple, Android and Windows. Blackberry will try to stay in the top. So will be amazing to pay attention for it. CES 2014, in Las Vegas, showed the good start of this year.

Many other things will be done this year. So This and more topics will be analyzed in this blog.

Keep connected!

Juan.

LeMans 2014

Last LeMans 24 hours race was simply nice. The best version in the last years. Audi won with a great car and after a hard race. But the only fact that darkened the race was the death of a pilot starting the race: Allan Simonsen.

Property of Audi AG/FB

Montmeló!

Spanish GP, last weekend was a new start of this 2013 F1 season. European stage has started and off course it's different from the first part that included races in Australia and Asia.

The quali in Montmeló was kind of surprise. Mercedes did a good job with Rosberg 1st and Hamilton 2nd, and after both of them Vettel, Alonso and Räikkönen.

But the race was different. Tyre strategy was the most important fact and since now will be an important aspect to analyze inside each one of F1 teams before each race left during 2013.

Picture property of FIA in FB.

Results of Spanish GP:

1. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:39:16.596 
2. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus +9.3s 
3. Felipe Massa Ferrari +26.0s 
4. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing +38.2s 
5. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing +47.9s 
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes +68.0s 
7. Paul di Resta Force India +68.9s 
8. Jenson Button McLaren +79.5s 
9. Sergio Pérez McLaren +81.7s 
10. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso +1 Lap 

Picture property of Ferrari in FB.

Ready to 2013 season!

The 2013 season is ready to start in march, in Melbourne, Australia.

Drivers are ready. Some changes in the teams that can fight in this long season to obtain the world championship!

Currently, the teams are training in Jerez (Spain). 

Official RedBull Racing YouTube Channel

Official McLaren YouTube Channel

Official MercedesAMG Petronas YouTube Channel

Official LotusF1 YouTube channel

Dakar organizers challenge

The most difficult race around the world (Rally-Raid Dakar) just finished two weeks ago in Santiago, Chile.
This year's race was great! But at the end the winners were the same as the last year. In cars Peterhansel (MINI), in motorbikes Despres (KTM) and in quads Patronelli (Yamaha).
The route was hard. It started in Perú, then Argentina and finally Chile, trough its deserts.
There's a lot of sand in those countries but there are not as many changes year by year since it arrived to S America some years ago.
The routes can be the same.
There are huge differences between Europe-Africa race and South America one!
There in Africa there is a lot of sand of the Sahara and the routes can be different. (Taking into account that Dakar were there 20+ years).
The challenge of the Dakar organization is to return to Africa!
In America they can design different routes (Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia) but is not in off for this race.

Video: Dakar Channel in YouTube

Video: Dakar Channel in YouTube

6 hours of emotions

The most important auto racing race in Colombia took place, as the last 27 years, last december 8th.

That race was in Tocancipá Speedway. And its principal characteristic is that the duration is 6 hours.

The race was the best I ever seen. In my opinion is the most competitive because in four categories there were good cars with good divers. A Daytona Protoype won the race and that was the fastest car during the 6 hours.

Here some pictures to describe the race.

BMW M3

Radical SR8

Mazda 3

Mini John Works

Renault Logan Turbo- Clío

Daytona Prototype

Bogotá International car Show

During november, International Bogotá's car show took place. Here some pictures. It was simply great!

Good end of 2012 Formula 1 season

The last race of 2012 season, in Interlagos, can be described in few words. It was simply great. Taking into account the long season with 20 races and all the good drivers in very good cars, 2012 was awesome. 

Image taken from FIA Facebook Page

But now looking Sâo Paulo, it was as it was predicted. Rainy.

There are many facts that made Interlagos intersting. Starting because the Driver's Championship wasn't decided. Sebastian Vettel had before the race 13 points with the second, Fernando Alonso. Alonso must finished in the podium, and Vettel with few points. That situation happened the most of the race, but finally Vettel did a good job and now he is the World Champion for 3rd time with Red Bull Racing - Renault.

Another fact is that Interlagos was Michael Schumacher last F1 race in his life. After 20+ years he started running he is almost done. 

Image taken from FIA Facebook Page. (MOTORSPORT - F1 2012 - GRAND PRIX OF BRAZIL - SAO PAULO - 23 TO 25/11/2012 - PHOTO : ERIC VARGIOLU / DPPI)

Taken from Mercedes AMG Petronas Facebook Page

Another special situations were that Sâo Paulo's race was the last for Lewis Hamilton in McLaren (who will drive next year in Mercedes), last race for Sergio Pérez in Sauber (who will drive next year in McLaren).

The rainy forecast in Interlagos decided the race. Tyre strategy was really important. Both Red Bull Racing - Renault and Ferrari failed in their strategies. But Finally they could know what to do.

Vettel had a terrible incident in the 1st lap. Fortunately he could continue driving. There were more incidents. Hamilton was beaten by german Hulkenberg (Force India), who made a good race. The best of the year.

Mark Webber, Vettel's partner drove in a bad way.

Taken from FIA Facebook Page. (MOTORSPORT - F1 2012 - GRAND PRIX OF BRAZIL - SAO PAULO - 23 TO 25/11/2012 - PHOTO : JEAN MICHEL LE MEUR / DPPI)

Vettel Won. He did a good job all the year with a good car. Alonso in the second position, in the Championship, did the best all the year but without the car to give a real battle. Raikkonen in 3rd position run as he knows. Hamilton showed he is a very good driver.

Next season will be better. There will be great drivers in nice teams!