Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button with 2012 McLaren Mercedes Car

Unveiled at the McLaren Technology Centre, the MP4-27 is the car that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes hope will deliver them back to the top of the rostrum in both the Driver’s and Constructor’s Championships. The two British drivers and former World Champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton also share their thoughts on the upcoming 2012 F1 season, what drives them and their team in their pursuit for excellence.

In addition, McLaren MD Jonathan Neale also gives a unique insight into the development of the MP4-27 and how it differs from last season’s car.

Despite rumours, both British drivers have opted to stay with the McLaren Team and race together in the forthcoming 2012 F1 season.

Both have proved their class by winninng the Formula One Drivers Championship in recent years, but it was 2009 title winner Jenson Button who finished with more points, behind eventual champion Sebastian Vettel.

But Lewis Hamilton told the Daily Telegraph he is confident and looking forward to the 2012 F1 seaon as he has addressed personal problems.

“Considering last year, from my own personal feeling, that I wasn’t performing at my best and I was still … when you look at the qualifying positions – what was it, 13-6? – my performances were pretty good,”.

The Formula One 2012 season starts on on 18th March with the Australian Grand Prix.

The Dakar Rally 2012

The Dakar Rally is now in its 33rd year and for the fourth consecutive year was held in South America.  The event started on the east coast of the continent in Mar del Plata, Argentina before moving through Chile onto the west coast and finishing with the final three stages being held in Peru, culminating with the 14th stage and award ceremony being held  the Peruvian capital of Lima.

This year’s Dakar Rally 2012 got off to a sad start when motorcycle rider Jorge Andrés Boero died following a crash towards the end of the first stage. This was the 21st fatality in the history of the Dakar Rally event.

Norway’s Pal Anders Ullevalseter won the final stage from Pisco to Lima, with Marc Coma in second place.  But the 33rd Dakar Rally was won for the fourth time by Frenchman Cyril Despres. His overall lead was enough to gain him a fourth title even though he could only manage a lowly 10th place on the final day.  Red Bull riders Marc Coma and Helder Rodrigues finished in second and third, respectively.

Following his fourth victory in the Dakar Rally Cyril Despres admitted:
‘This is without a shadow of a doubt the toughest Dakar I’ve ever raced in.’

Depres has previously won the Dakar Rally in 2005, 2007 and 2010; and came second in 2003 and 2009.

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Cyril Despres Wins Dakar Rally 2012

The Dakar Rally is an infamously wild and exciting race and this year the Dakar Rally 2012 has been as exasperating and exciting as ever before. It is an unprecedented fixture and renowned spectacle in the motor sport calendar. This year the event is 33 years old and for the fourth year running was held in South America.

The Dakar Rally is as much about endurance as it is skill as the riders race from coast to coast over the South American continent through deserts and across mountains as they head from Argentina across the Andes to Chile and Peru.

As the race comes to a climax it has been great to follow some of the leading riders in through their personal blogs.  The likes of the Giniel De Villiers, Marc Coma and Cyril Despres have all been a great read along the way. The Frenchman Cyril Despres first began riding Enduro in 1998 and in 2000 entered his first Dakar Rally.

This year’s Dakar Rally come to a close as the race completed its 14th and final stage from Pisco to Lima, and with it Cyril Despres won his fourth Dakar crown by winning the Dakar Rally 2012.  He finished ahead of fellow Red Bull riders Marc Coma and Helder Rodrigues in second and third, respectively.

Previously Depres has won the Dakar Rally on in 2005, 2007 and 2010; and came second in 2003 and 2009.

Steve McQueen - the King of Cool

MidAmerica Auctions, the world’s largest seller of antique motorcycles, will host the 21st Annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction and Races Jan. 12-14, 2012, at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

500 antique and classic motorcycles will be up for auction, including three motorcycles owned by legendary actor and biking enthusiast, Steve McQueen. Serving as guest of honor is his widow, Barbara McQueen, who will share memories of her famous husband and sign copies, Steve McQueen: The Last Mile. Joining her will be Steve McQueen’s biographer Marshall Terrill, who will sign copies of his 2010 book, Steve McQueen: A Tribute to the King of Cool.

Barbara McQueen’s photographs record a behind-the-scenes life of personal pleasures and enthusiasms. They include hitting the road in Steve’s pickup trucks, visiting collectors’ shows and swap-meets, driving 700 miles to view a rare World War I motorcycle, flying a vintage mail plane, and generally ducking out of Hollywood life.

The life and career of Steve McQueen is a classic example of the American dream made real: of a small town boy from abroken home triumphing over adversity to become one of the richest and mostsought-after superstars in the world. McQueen lived every day as if it were his last, and by doing so he lived an extraordinary life, both on screen and off.

Barbara McQueen’s “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile” tells the story of a simple love affair with life. Barbara, who had carved a very successful career for herself as a fashion model, met Steve McQueen in 1977. Together for less than four years, these rare and private photographs share Steve’s rugged, blue-eyed features him in a relaxed and uninhibited setting, doing the things he loved. Barbara’s photographs show a tough guy at peace but who retained an inner strength. In one particularly striking shot his hair is wild, his beard thick, and unkempt, and he is looking over his shoulder with a troubled vulnerability. Barbara catches him unaware perhaps in a deeply pensive mood.

MidAmerica Auctions have on display and for sale Steve McQueen’s Husqvarna, which he rode for the cover of the August 23, 1971 issue of Sports Illustrated as documented by factory and dealer bills of sale. Also available for auction will be two other Steve McQueen motorcycles – a 1938 Triumph Speed Twin and a 1940 Indian Four Cylinder. A 1970 Bell motorcycle helmet that was owned by McQueen will also be auctioned.

Barbara McQueen will be at the opening event dinner on 12th January and available through 14th January to sign books and greet fans.

Ultimate On Road Supercar Experience Days

So what are you getting the man in your life for Christmas this year? Or if you are a man, what are you hinting at getting from your loved one?

Among the obligatory wildly coloured socks and whacky but useless golf-related stocking-fillers there is at least one big present or gift that will stick out from the rest as something I really wanted or maybe a surprise, something I’d never thought about but is a perfect gift for a man surrounded by gadgets, CDs, clothes etc.

For my brother’s 40th birthday, the family all chipped in to send him on a full-day rally car driving experience.  I was fortunate enough to accompany him and experience the thrill, for what turned out to be an amazing day never to be forgotten.  Set alongside the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit he was taught how to accelerate and steer into corners and drive like a maniac around a figure of eight dirt track complete with potholes and bumps that shook you up more than the Saw theme park ride at Thorpe Park.  The real thrill, for both my brother and I came at the end of the day when we were each in turn driven around the track by the ex-pro turned advanced driving instructor, with his foot to the floor as he calmly explained what he was doing resulting in my white knuckles and fixed grin as I forgot to breathe throughout two laps of the circuit!  The drive was exhilarating and the experience of that special day will always be with me.

Since then, I have noticed a growth in so-called ‘experience days’ and it’s no wonder as they make for great gifts. Imagine the sheer excitement of driving one of the fastest, most prestigious supercars in the world. You don’t have to be a ‘petrol head’ to dream about driving a Ferrari, Lamborghini or, my personal favourite, a Maserati.

Companies like Cars On Demand offer the ultimate supercar driving experiences.  Their On Road Supercar Experience offers individuals the chance to drive the car of their dreams.  The Experience includes a full safety briefing, a demonstration of the car and then the ‘drive of your life’ with a choice of a one hour drive to a full weekend tour.

Cars on Demand Supercar Experiences

Cars On Demand have six cars at each of its three offices in Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Surrey. The supercars to chose from include a Ferrari F458 italia, Lamborghini LP560-4 Spyder, Mercedes SLS AMG, Ferrari 430 Spyder, Maserati Grancabrio and Porsche 911 Cabriolet.  Supercar Day Experiences start from just £79.95 for a one hour Porsche 911 drive to a full day with a Ferrari F458 italia at £1099.95.  The full day experiences include continental breakfast and lunch. All prices include VAT, fuel and insurance.

This looks like a bucket-seat full of fun and I for one will be showing this to my partner with the biggest hint I can muster.

The race got off to a bad start when Alvaro Bautista clipped Andrea Dovizioso’s back wheel on the first corner.  The collision also took out Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and Randy De Puniet.  Fortunately, no one was injured.

The Valencia Grand Prix was Casey Stoner’s 10th victory of the season.

All riders paid tribute to the Italian Marco Simoncelli who was killed in the previous meeting, the Malaysian MotoGP.

Valencia MotoGP – The Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana – Round 18

1 Casey Stoner (Aus) Honda 48mins 18.645secs
2 Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha 48:18.660
3 Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Honda 48:24.581

MotoGP 2011 Driver Championship Standings

1 Casey Stoner (Australia) Honda 350 points
2 Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 260
3 Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 228
4 Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 219
5 Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha 176
6 Valentino Rossi (Italy) Ducati 139
6 Marco Simoncelli (Italy) Honda 139
8 Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati 132
9 Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 109
10 Hiroshi Aoyama (Japan) Honda 98

“To wrap it all up at my home race and on my birthday is perfect.” Stoner told reporters after the race. Italian riders Marco Simoncelli and Andrea Dovizioso were second and third, respectively.

Stoner only had to finish in the top six to win the championship after the 2010 MotoGP champion rider Jorge Lorenzo missed the race after crashing out in the morning warm-up session that left him being rushed to hospital with a hand.

24 year-old Jorge Lorenzo, was concerned that the crash may have left him with a permanent disability.  He underwent plastic surgery on his left hand and will miss next weekend’s Malaysian MotoGP.

“After the crash I was very worried that I would not have full feeling in my finger again,” Lorenzo told reporters.

Casey Stoner wins his first MotoGP championship for Honda Repsol.  His previous victory was in 2007 riding for Ducati.

MotoGP Round 16, Phillip Island Australia Grand Prix

1 Casey Stoner (Aus) Honda 42mins 02.425secs
2 Marco Simoncelli (Ita) Honda 42:04.635
3 Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 42:04.879
4 Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 42:15.585
5 Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 42:33.311
6 Randy De Puniet (Fra) Ducati 42:51.225
7 Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati 43:18.739
8 Toni Elias (Spa) Honda 42:05.177
9 Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati 42:09.187
10 Karel Abraham (Cze) Ducati 42:45.142

Vettel got off to a flying start and took the lead on the first lap and went on to win his 10th race this season.

With both the Driver’s and the Constructor’s Championship already won this season Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull still have one record still in their sights.  Vettel has already been likened to fellow countryman Michael Schumacher and if he can win the remaining three races in India, Abu Dhabi and Brazil he will equal Schumacher’s record 13 wins in a single season.

Over the past few seasons the FIA have attempted to address criticism aimed at F1 being dull and races becoming predictable with less overtaking and thrills.  But next season it will be up to the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso and McLaren and Ferrari to catch the 24 year old Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull team.

With four races still remaining Sebastian Vettel’s third place finish in the Japanese Grand Prix behind Jenson Button (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), was enough to clinch his second title.

Mark Webber hasn’t had a bad season but it is his Red Bull team-mate that has a sensational season.  Vettel has won nine of the 15 F1 races so far this year, and managed to start in pole position on no less than 12 pole occasions.  That is an amazing record.

I still believe, given the same car, Lewis Hamilton would have been much closer to Vettel this season.  That said, Jenson Button’s achievements this year have been somewhat overshadowed by Hamilton courting the headlines for all the wrong reasons and Vettel’s sheer brilliance.

2011 F1 Japanese Grand Prix

1  Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 1:36.568
2   Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)  +00:01.160
3   Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault) +00:02.006
4   Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault) +00:08.071
5   Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) +00:24.268
6   Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP) +00:27.120
7   Felipe Massa (Ferrari) +00:28.240
8   Sergio Perez (Sauber) +00:39.377
9   Vitaly Petrov (Renault) +00:42.607
10 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes GP) +00:44.322

F1 Drivers Championship 2011

1   Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault) 324
2   Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 210
3   Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 202
4   Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault) 194
5   Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) 178
6   Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 90
7   Nico Rosberg (Mercedes GP) 63
8   Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP) 60
9   Vitaly Petrov (Renault) 36
10 Nick Heidfeld (Renault) 34

In a post-race interview Stoner said he hit a bump in the track which had 70% of its surface relayed after the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster back in April, following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

The current world champion, Jorge Lorenzo claimed second place.  Lorenzo is now 40 points behind Casey Stoner with just three races to go.

Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Japanese MotoGP race results

1) Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Repsol Honda 42′47.481
2) Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 42′54.780
3) Casey Stoner (Aus) Repsol Honda 43′05.861
4) Marco Simoncelli (Ita) Gresini Honda 43′11.031
5) Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Repsol Honda 43′11.172
6) Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha 43′25.085
7) Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati 43′26.648
Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 43′32.504
9) Hiroshi Aoyama (Jpn) Gresini Honda 43′36.555
10) Randy De Puniet (Fra) Pramac Ducati 43′46.503

MotoGP World Championship 2011

1) Casey Stoner (300 points)
2) Jorge Lorenzo (260 points)
3) Andrea Dovizioso (196 points)
4) Dani Pedrosa  (195 points)
5) Ben Spies (156 points)
6) Valentino Rossi (139 points)