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Tag: Lewis Hamilton

  • Hamilton takes points lead with win in Hungary

    Hamilton takes points lead with win in Hungary

    Lewis Hamilton is the points leader for the first time this season after a dominating victory in Hungary.

    He got the jump on pole sitter Nico Rosberg on the initial start and never looked back as the driver of the No. 44 Mercedes AMG Petronas car scored the victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix. It’s his 48th win in Formula 1 and fifth at the Hungaroring. It’s the first win for Mercedes at the track in the turbo-hybrid era (2014-present).

    Rosberg came home second in his No. 6 Mercedes. Daniel Ricciardo rounded out the podium in his No. 3 Red Bull Racing car. Sebastian Vettel came home fourth in his No. 5 Scuderia Ferrari. Max Verstappen rounded out the top-five in his No. 33 Red Bull.

    Kimi Räikkönen, after making contact with Verstappen late in the race, finished sixth in his No. 7 Ferrari. Fernando Alonso finished seventh in his No. 14 McLaren Honda. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished eighth in his No. 55 Toro-Rosso Ferrari. Valtteri Bottas finished ninth in his No. 77 William Martini Racing Mercedes. Nico Hülkenberg rounded out the top-10 in his No. 27 Sahara Force India Mercedes.

    Jenson Button was the only retirement from the race.

    Hamilton leaves Hungary with a six-point lead over Rosberg in the drivers’ standings. Mercedes leaves leading the constructors’ championship.

  • Hamilton Out-Duels Rosberg in Austria

    Hamilton Out-Duels Rosberg in Austria

    Nico Rosberg attempted to stop Lewis Hamilton’s pass on him going into Turn 2, but the block backfired, he lost his front wing and his teammate and main rival for the championship drove on to score the victory in the Austrian Grand Prix.

    It’s the 47th win in Formula 1 for the driver of the No. 44 Mercedes AMG Petronas car, first at the Red Bull Ring, 250th by a British driver, fifth by a British driver at the circuit and 94th career podium.

    Max Verstappen, who had been leading the race near the end, earned his third career podium finish and first for Red Bull Racing at their home circuit with a runner-up finish in his No. 33 RBR car. Kimi Räikkönen rounded out the podium in his No. 7 Scuderia Ferrari. It’s his 84th career podium finish.

    Rosberg brought his wounded No. 6 Mercedes car home to a fourth-place finish. Daniel Ricciardo rounded out the top-five in his No. 3 RBR car.

    Jenson Button brought his No. 22 McLaren-Honda home to a sixth-place finish. Romain Grosjean finished seventh in his No. 8 Haas F1 Team Ferrari. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished eighth in his No. 55 Toro Rosso Ferrari. Valtteri Bottas finished ninth in his No. 77 Williams Martini-Mercedes. Pascal Wehrlein rounded out the top-10 in his No. 94 Manor Racing Mercedes.

    Esteban Gutiérrez brought the other Haas car home 11th.

    Sebastian Vettel was leading the race when he suffered a right-rear tire blowout and hit the wall on the pit straight. He finished the race unclassified.

    Rosberg leaves Austria with an 11-point lead over Hamilton in the drivers’ championship. Mercedes leaves still leading the constructors’ championship.

  • The Final Word – Celebrating the Memorial Day weekend with cola, milk, wine and Bieber

    The Final Word – Celebrating the Memorial Day weekend with cola, milk, wine and Bieber

    It was the year’s greatest race day, with three major events taking place. The Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the World 600 could have meant a lot of couch time, never mind the latest episode of Game of Thrones, but I try to exercise while gazing at the tube. I mean, those sandwiches were not going to make themselves.

    The Formula One action in Monte Carlo, visually, was the best of the lot. Sure, as far as action goes, it featured the world’s worst pit stop when Daniel Ricciardo was ordered to pit for tires. Sadly, despite all the high-tech gadgetry, the engineering brainiacs upstairs failed to inform those poor wretches at track level, so no rubber was ready. The time wasted allowed Lewis Hamilton to take over the lead and that was about it. While it might have been another case of fast cars playing follow the leader, it was done at a track no one should be following anyone at such speeds, never mind attempting to pass. The narrow streets, the overlooking apartments, the tunnel under the Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel, and those Leonardo DiCaprio seducing yachts in the harbor, all combined to make this quite the spectacle.

    Then it happened. Down at track level were just a few special people. There were the teams, the top finishing drivers, Prince Albert II of Monaco…and Justin Bieber. Biebs. The man to whom Hamilton approached in celebration for high fives and back slaps. The man with whom Hamilton shared a drink from his huge bottle of champagne. Bloody Justin Bieber. My friends, the end of times are upon us.

    Next up was Indianapolis for the 100th edition of their annual classic. They had enough accidents to make one wonder if NASCAR did not institute an open wheel division. When contender Juan Pablo Montoya wrecked early, to be followed by Helio Castroneves, Townsend Bell and Ryan Hunter-Reay making contact on pit road to punt themselves out of the running, we were left wondering who might be there in the end. That proved to be the fuel saving 24-year old Alexander Rossi of California in his maiden voyage for Michael Andretti and partners. Last year he ran a handful of events in F-1, but probably bolted due to the threat of a Bieber appearance.

    Then it was time for the longest of the trio in Charlotte, North Carolina. 400 laps, 392 of them led by Martin Truex Jr. It was a lot like Monaco, with a widened track, fewer buildings and turns and no tunnel, along with some added fenders. Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski aided the bride in walking down the aisle. It might not have had the bang of the other two events, but it also did not have Justin Bieber. Anywhere.

    That was a good thing.

  • Hamilton breaks the bank in Monte Carlo

    Hamilton breaks the bank in Monte Carlo

    In a season that started off slow with disappointment after disappointment, Lewis Hamilton capitalized on the pit road blunder of the pole sitter to score the victory in Monte Carlo.

    The driver of the No. 44 Mercedes AMG Petronas machine took advantage of Red Bull not having tires ready when Daniel Ricciardo pitted and held off Ricciardo to win the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s the 45th career victory for the reigning world champion and second at the track for the resident of the principality.

    “Thank God that today went the way that I hoped,” Hamilton said after the race. “Big thank you to all the fans that came out today, really made the weekend, big thank you to my team for providing me with a great car to see it through to the end. Honestly, I’m lost for words really. I prayed for a day like this and it came true. I feel truly blessed.”

    Pole sitter Ricciardo had the race under his control from the start until a miscue on pit road by his team not having the tires ready cost him the lead and the win. Needless to say, he wasn’t happy after the race.

    “I don’t even want to comment on the race to be honest,” a dejected Ricciardo said. Thanks to the fans, thanks for sticking out in this weather. From the outside we put on a show. Shouldn’t have been as exciting as it was to be honest. Two weeks in a row now I’ve been screwed, so it sucks. It hurts.”

    Sergio Pérez earned his seventh podium finish of his career with a third-place finish at Monaco.

    “I’m extremely happy because my team has done a tremendous job with the strategy, with the calls, with the pit stops,” Perez said. “It’s been an amazing day for us, my their podium with the team, a special one to have in Monaco, especially in these race conditions. I want to dedicate this podium to our boss, Vijay Mallya. He has been very supportive during these times, and I really want to dedicate this one to him.”

    Sebastian Vettel brought his No. 5 Ferrari home fourth. Fernando Alonso rounded out the top-five in his No. 14 McLaren Honda.

    Nico Hülkenberg finished sixth in his No. 27 Sahara Force India Mercedes. Defending race winner Nico Rosberg finished a disappointing seventh in his No. 6 Mercedes. Carlos Sainz Jr. finished eighth in his No. 55 Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari. Jenson Button finished ninth in his No. 22 McLaren Honda. Felipe Massa rounded out the top-10 in his No. 19 Williams Mercedes.

    The two Haas drivers finished 12th and 13th.

    Rosberg leaves in the points lead with teammate Hamilton moving up to second just 22 points back. Mercedes continues to run away with the constructors fight as they lead Ferrari by 67 points.

  • Chance at ‘perfect season’ for Mercedes ruined on opening lap

    Chance at ‘perfect season’ for Mercedes ruined on opening lap

    What had been a “perfect season” for Mercedes turned into a disaster on the opening lap of today’s race in Spain.

    After locking up the front row in qualifying, the Spanish Grand Prix had the makings of another runaway race dominated either by Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg. On the initial start, Rosberg got off the line better and drove by Hamilton on the outside to take the lead in turn 1. Hamilton pulled back up to his teammate exiting turn 3 and dove to the bottom to make the pass going into turn 4.

    Rosberg moved down to block his advance and he ran onto the grass. Hamilton lost control of his car, spun out, crashed into the back of Rosberg and sent both of them into the sand trap.

    Toto Wolff, executive director of Mercedes AMG Petronas, said that Hamilton and Rosberg were “both upset for themselves and the team. They were both apologetic to the team. We lost a potential one-two, lost 43 points. It was just thrown away.”

    In response to whether Hamilton or Rosberg were fully to blame for the incident, Wolff said “No. It was a very difficult situation and difficult to analyze. There was not a clear cut thing. Coming out of the corner, Nico closed up the door, and then Lewis went on the grass. Definitely not 100% for one and zero for the other.”

    Niki Lauda, three-time world champion and non-executive chairman of Mercedes, laid the blame largely on Hamilton.

    “Lewis was too aggressive,” Lauda said after the crash. For both to be out after two corners is completely unacceptable.”

    Despite the wreck, Rosberg leaves Barcelona as the championship leader. Reigning world champion Hamilton fell to third with a 43-point deficit on his teammate.

    Neither driver has to leave his current residence for the next race, as Formula 1 heads to the streets of Monte Carlo. Rosberg goes into Monaco having won the last three races in one of the crown jewel races of the sport and not having finished worse than second in the last four.

  • The Final Word – NASCAR truly is a family tradition, as another Busch celebrates

    The Final Word – NASCAR truly is a family tradition, as another Busch celebrates

    Family. We often hear how NASCAR is a family sport, where drivers, their wives, and their kids all share in the experience behind the scenes. The family theme has dominated since the sport’s earliest years. I mean, it starts with the France family, as Bill, Bill, Jr., and now grandson Brian have held the reins of the family operation since the very beginning.

    Family. If you do not know the names of Allison, Baker, Bodine, Earnhardt, Flock, Wallace, Waltrip, and Wood, welcome to NASCAR. You must be a newbie, my friend. Might I suggest that you have some catching up to do.

    In 1954, Lee Petty won his first of three titles, while 10 years later his son Richard claimed his first of seven. Ned Jarrett was champion for the first time in 1961, with his son Dale taking the title in 1999. It was good enough for father-son tandems, so the siblings got into the act. Terry Labonte first claimed the crown in 1984, with brother Bobby taking his in 2000. Then, Kurt Busch, the 2004 king, was joined last Sunday by brother Kyle as the Sprint Cup series champion. That should take the edge off the family Christmas dinner next month.

    Only under this format could Kyle Busch win it all. He missed the first 11 races of the season as he mended a broken leg. In the not so old days, that would have been the end of his hopes. A win gets you in, almost, and he then stormed back to win four to get over one hurdle. Now, all he had to do was be within the Top 30 in points to cash those wins into a post-season berth. Busch then eliminated that barrier with a few races to go before the Chase. In the year he and Samantha extended their family with the birth of son Brexton, Busch won at Homestead to beat out runner-up and defending champ, Kevin Harvick to win it all. Did I mention that along with his wife and son, he was joined in Victory Lane by his parents and even got a post-event hug from brother Kurt?

    Family. That is what means more to Jeff Gordon that a fifth championship. Sure, he would have loved to have finished better than sixth in his last race and third in his last season, but what and who was more important were there for all to see. Ingrid, Ella, and Leo joined such motorsports royalty as Mario Andretti and Lewis Hamilton at center stage to wish farewell to an icon after a career of 797 consecutive starts and 93 victories. Few are able to quit while still at the top of their game. We saw a legend do just that at Miami.

    Family. Gordon is the bridge between Richard Petty, who ended his Cup career the same race Gordon began his, and 19-year old Chase Elliott. The youngster, who began his Cup experience this season and who takes over from Gordon in the No. 24, is himself the son of former champion Bill Elliott. By the way, Elliott won that race, 23 years ago, that saw both Petty and Gordon on the track together.

    Like in all families, we have had to say goodbye to loved ones over the years, like Lee and Adam Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allison, Buck Baker and, earlier this year, his son Buddy. Like in all families, roles change over time. This off-season team owner Richard Petty will be searching for a new driver for one of his teams, Jeff Gordon prepares to enter the FOX broadcast booth in February, joining Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip’s brother Michael closes his race team, Chase Elliott prepares to build on his family’s Hall of Fame legacy, while Kyle Busch, like his brother before him, becomes the face of the sport as its latest champion.

  • Lewis Hamilton Takes the Gold in Sochi

    Lewis Hamilton Takes the Gold in Sochi

    The world championship all but belongs to Lewis Hamilton after scoring the victory in Russia.

    The driver of the No. 44 Mercedes AMG Petronas car capitalized on the mechanical failure of teammate and pole sitter Nico Rosberg to score his 42nd career win in Formula 1. It moves him past his hero Ayrton Senna and ties him for third on the all-time wins list with Sebastian Vettel. Speaking of which, the driver of the No. 5 Scuderia Ferrari car finished runner-up. Last-lap mayhem allowed Sergio Pérez to take his Sahara Force India-Mercedes to his fifth career podium finish.

    Williams-Mercedes Felipe Massa and Red Bull-Renault’s Daniil Kvyat rounded out the top-five.

    Felipe Nasr, Pastor Maldonado, Kimi Räikkönen, Jenson Button and Max Verstappen rounded out the top-10. Fernando Alonso, who originally finished 10th, was handed a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits and was demoted to 11th. It cost McLaren-Honda their second double points finish of the season.

    This was one of the more bizarre races I’ve seen this season. It started on the first lap with a collision in Turn 2 involving the other Sahara Force India of Nico Hülkenburg and Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson. It forced the deployment of the safety car.

    On lap six, Rosberg retired from the race with a broken throttle. With Hamilton winning the race, it all but ends the title hopes for the German driver.

    A few laps later, Romain Grosjean got loose in Turn 3, overcorrected and slammed the wall. It forced the safety car to come out a second time.

    Another unusual note is that the super-soft Pirelli tires, which are supposed to wear out at a significant rate, lasted more than half the race for some of the lead cars. To put it another way, as NBC’s Will Buxton did, “this’ll send the OCD fans into a tizzy.”

    In the closing laps of the race, Martinsville broke loose. Carlos Sainz Jr., who was running in the top-10, had a brake failure and spun out in the same part of the track where he had a heavy wreck the day before. A piece of his wing fell on the track and required a marshall to retrieve it. Someone wasn’t paying attention to the location of oncoming cars because he about got hit by Sebastian Vettel. Daniel Ricciardo was running fifth when he had engine issues in the closing laps and retired from the race.

    It was the battle for the final podium step on the final lap that will stand out the most. Rounding turn 4, Kimi Räikkönen made contact with Valtteri Bottas and sent him into the wall. This allowed Sergio Pérez to take the final podium step. After the race, Räikkönen was handed a 30 second time penalty, moving him down to eighth. This gave Mercedes the Constructors’ Championship.

    After all was said and done. Lewis Hamilton left as the points leader. Sebastian Vettel moved past Nico Rosberg for second in the points.

    There is a chance Hamilton can clinch the drivers championship in two weeks at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. That race will be Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. on NBC.

  • The Final Word – Monaco, and Indy, and Charlotte, Oh My!

    The Final Word – Monaco, and Indy, and Charlotte, Oh My!

    It was the biggest day in motorsports, starting with the streets of Monaco, where they have been racing since 1929. Then, to Indianapolis, where they have been logging 500 miles this time of year since 1911. Finally, the long way home, the World 600 at Charlotte for the boys and girl with fenders.

    Overseas, Nico Rosberg claimed the prize for the third straight year. It helps when it is handed to you. During a late caution, the dominant car of Lewis Hamilton was called in for fresh tires. He had thought Rosberg and those immediately behind him had done the same. They had not. Nice call, team. Thanks a bunch. Surprise, surprise, surprise, as Gomer Pyle used to say.

    Gomer’s creator, actor Jim Nabors, performed “Back Home Again in Indiana” for the final time last year, but Juan Pablo Montoya was back in Indianapolis. An early mishap cost the former NASCAR performer what passes for a rear fender on his open wheeled car, forcing him back to 30th. That set the stage for his charge through the pack. With just three laps to go, he made his pass for the lead and claimed the crown he first won back in 2000.

    They have been racing 600 miles at Charlotte on Memorial Day weekend since 1960, the longest NASCAR event of the season. Martin Truex Jr. would have been the story, had he won after leading 131 laps. He did not. Kurt Busch led the way for 118, but no suds for him, either. In fact, five other drivers led more than Carl Edwards, but it was the man from Missouri doing the back flip in the end as he led the final 21 to take his first of the season, 24th of his Cup career. It might still be a bit premature, but what the heck. Welcome to the Chase, Mr. Edwards.

    Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Bruton Smith. The 88-year old owner of the Charlotte track, along with seven others on the circuit, will be inducted as part of the class of 2016. Joining him will be two-time champ Terry Labonte, the legendary Curtis Turner, six-time Modified king Jerry Cook, and 1970 Cup champion Bobby Isaac.

    Landon Cassill was still running at the end of the race in Charlotte. For another hour, 41 minutes, and 49 seconds, he continued to run the 14 miles between the track and the Hall of Fame. This time, the only rubber on the road was on his sneakers. This sounds like something my sons might do. I, on the other hand, am much too smart…and fat…and old…for that.

    If you want to win the Indianapolis 500, spend some time in NASCAR. Montoya won his second after 278 races in Cup and the XFINITY series over parts of the previous nine seasons. His Indy lead engineer, Brian Campe, was on the box as a crew chief for 22 Nationwide races in 2009, including seven for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Not a bad apprenticeship.

    Jeff Gordon was at Indianapolis, drove the pace car before returning to North Carolina. After getting out of the car, he will head to the broadcast booth to join Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip at FOX next season. I think they might be replacing the wrong guy, but maybe that is just me.

    So, what is next? The Monster Mile in Dover is slated for this Sunday, where everybody who has won there the past nine events also has claimed a Cup title along the way. In fact, over the past six years, the only non-champion to take the checkered flag there was Kyle Busch. Not a bad pick, come to think of it.

  • The Final Word – A Racing Junky’s Sunday, from Monaco to Indianapolis to Charlotte

    The Final Word – A Racing Junky’s Sunday, from Monaco to Indianapolis to Charlotte

    It is the greatest day on the motorsports calender. We begin in southern Europe, head over to the Midwest United States, then back to stock car’s heartland in the southeast. Using my vast wealth, I guess I could have dropped by to visit Prince Albert before firing up my Star Trek transporter to take in the action in the New World, but I could not help but notice that I have a fair sized television screen, a nice comfy couch, with a refrigerator and a washroom just feet away. I did not even have to wear pants…though I did. Welcome to how I spent my Sunday.

    The first stop on the world tour was Monaco, where they have been racing on the two-mile layout in Monte Carlo since 1929. My first impression was that they must be out of their damn minds. No room, lots of turns and elevation changes. The next thing that strikes you is the opulence to remind us of all those things some have that most of us do not. Anyone else notice the yachts? Then there were the sponsors, and as I watched I wondered what products I might be able to afford or want. I did notice Johnnie Walker.

    Visually it was stunning, but as for racing, it was more like stunt driving. It was all Mercedes as Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton led from the very start, with Rosberg taking his second straight Monaco victory as Hamilton held off a late charging Daniel Ricciardo with Red Bull. It was not my kind of racing, but it sure was one hell of a ride. If NASCAR could only put forth that kind of stimulating visual spectacular each and every week, they would never again have to worry about television ratings.

    An even older tradition continued as the Indianapolis 500 continued a competition that began in 1911. Twenty-seven-year-old Marco Andretti, still winless after eight attempts on this track, was considered the favorite going in, ahead of three-time winner Helio Castroneves. Former NASCAR full-timer Juan Pablo Montoya was also given a shot, at 8-to-1, but most fender fans were wondering how 30-to-1 driver Kurt Busch would do as he attempted the double, running both Indianapolis and Charlotte. Two hundred thousand were in the stands to watch 83-year old Jim Nabors who returned to sing “Back Home Again in Indiana” for the final time, and somewhere a bottle of milk was being chilled for the winner of the world’s biggest single day sports event. That turned out to be Florida’s Ryan Hunter-Reay, who passed Castroneves for the victory, with Andretti settling for third. Montoya brought it home in fifth, while Busch finished sixth.

    Oh, but Busch was not finished, not on this day. He was off to Charlotte, North Carolina and the Coca Cola 600 as the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champ had not even completed half of his on-track work just yet. Well, according to his engine, he actually was. It only lasted 400 miles before going up in smoke, same as that of teammate Danica Patrick. The trio who dominated much of the event finished on top, with Jimmie Johnson claiming his first of the season and 67th of his Cup career, ahead of Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth. It was an interesting race, an enjoyable race, but no surprises loomed at the end of the night. So concluded a memorable Memorial Day for televised racing.

    As they reset for next Sunday’s action in Dover, Joey Logano and Harvick continue to lead the way atop the Cup standings with a couple of wins apiece. 12 races in and still more than 30 drivers have a shot at the Chase, and all it would take is a visit to Victory Lane this upcoming weekend.

    SWEET SIXTEEN
    1 Joey Logano – 2 WINS – 378 Pts
    2 Kevin Harvick – 2 WINS – 345
    3 Jeff Gordon – 1 WIN – 432
    4 Kyle Busch -1 WIN – 408
    5 Carl Edwards – 1 WIN –  408
    6 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – 1 WIN – 394
    7 Jimmie Johnson – 1 WIN – 388
    8 Brad Keselowski – 1 WIN – 361
    9 Denny Hamlin – 1 WIN – 340
    10 Kurt Busch – 1 WIN – 215
    11 Matt Kenseth – 421 POINTS
    12 Brian Vickers – 365
    13 Ryan Newman – 361
    14 Greg Biffle – 351
    15 Kyle Larson – 344
    16 Austin Dillon – 334

    CONTENTERS & PRETENDERS
    17 Paul Menard – 328
    18 Kasey Kahne – 324
    19 A.J. Allmendinger – 314
    20 Aric Almirola – 312
    21 Clint Bowyer – 309
    22 Marcos Ambrose – 303
    23 Tony Stewart – 299
    24 Jamie McMurray – 286
    25 Casey Mears – 282
    26 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. – 258
    27 Martin Truex, Jr. – 251
    28 Danica Patrick – 218
    29 Justin Allgaier – 205
    30 Michael Annett – 179

    PARTICIPANTS
    31 Cole Whitt – 164
    32 David Gilliland – 160
    33 Alex Bowman – 152
    34 David Ragan – 150
    35 Reed Sorenson – 145
    36 Josh Wise – 133

     

  • DRIVERS AND FANS AGREE THAT MOBIL 1 CAR SWAP WAS UNBELIEVABLE

    *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

    June 20, 2011

    * *

    *DRIVERS AND FANS AGREE THAT MOBIL 1 CAR SWAP WAS UNBELIEVABLE*

    *Feedback Continues to Roll in One Week after Historic Event*

    * *

    *WATKINS GLEN, NY *– Local and global reaction to the Mobil 1 Car Swap at Watkins Glen International on June 14 continues long after the sound of Lewis Hamilton’s team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has faded away and Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet Impala wrapped up its first trip through the famed section known as The Boot. The overwhelming response has indicated that the Mobil 1 Car Swap at The Glen was an event that will last in the minds of the participants and spectators forever.

    From the moment the event was announced, the anticipation and excitement about seeing two of the best drivers in the world take a spin in the other’s car set mainstream and social media on fire. Race fans have flocked to the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York since the first race through the streets of Watkins Glen in 1948 and have made Watkins Glen International a name known worldwide. The remarks surrounding the Mobil 1 Car Swap at The Glen are just the latest example of the passion race fans have for WGI that make them the best fans in motorsports. From calling for the return of F1 to The Glen and wondering whether NASCAR will ever really run The Boot, the post-swap atmosphere has been almost as fun as the day itself.

    The best way to fully understand the significance of the swap is to get it directly from the people that were there to witness history. The following comments were collected during the event, through the official WGI Facebook page www.facebook.com/watkinsgleninternational, on Twitter at @WGI or emailed to racing@theglen.com.

    “The track is absolutely fantastic. It feels like a real classic. It just feels historic when you’re driving around. They don’t make tracks like that nowadays. When they build new Formula One circuits, they don’t build them like this.”

    *Lewis Hamilton, 2008 Formula 1 World Champion*

    “It was fun. That is truly an experience of a lifetime. I just can’t thank the people at Mobil 1 enough for helping facilitate this, everybody at Watkins Glen. I’m glad I didn’t know what these cars were like 20 years ago because I may not have put a fender on a racecar after that. I’m glad I had the experience and thankful to Lewis and his entire team for letting us do it.”

    *Tony Stewart, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and five-time Glen Champion *

    “I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn the track, even driving around in a normal road car it got my attention. It was slippery out there, two different track surfaces. I think this is a track that if you have a lot of laps here, you could be a real specialist.”

    *David Coulthard, veteran Formula 1 driver and BBC commentator*

    “I knew it would end too fast. It’s that proverbial event that happens and you sit there and say, ‘I don’t want it to end, I don’t want it to end.’ It was just amazing for these two to come out here and do what they did. Of course the biggest win today was for the fans, and that’s what it was meant to be.”

    *Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International*

    “Thanks so much, friends at WGI, for hosting the Mobil 1 Car Swap today. Both drivers were absolutely brilliant. I don’t think I will ever forget the way the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes sounded around the track.”

    *Seth Chaffee, WGI fan*

    “Thank you so much for bringing F1 to Central New York (and giving me an excuse to take a much needed day off of work).”

    *Michael Rock, WGI fan*

    “We just wanted to let you know we attended the Mobil 1 Car Swap. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. It was thrilling to see and hear a F1 car go around the track. We arrived early and stayed until the bitter end despite dismal weather. It was well worth it.”

    *Doug & Kathy, WGI fan*

    “I call it a success. It was emotional see that F1 car at Watkins Glen International.”

    *Todd Dailey, WGI fan*

    “Especially love the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23! Wow!”

    *Mark Watkins, WGI fan*

    “Thank you so much for making the Mobil 1 F1 and NASCAR Car Swap a reality!! Traveled from D.C. to The Glen, just for this event because I wanted to see a Formula 1 car back on the race track. The roar of the engines all across the track sent shivers down my spine. I’ll remember the event for the rest of my life and I’m so happy you made it happen.”

    *John, WGI fan*

    “So nice to see and hear an F1 car on the track again. Wish I had been there in person, but the SPEED coverage was great!”

    *Bruce, WGI fan*

    “Loved the program last night, those guys really seemed to dig the opportunity to drive alternative type of cars. It was so cool to see and hear an F1 back at The Glen!!”

    *Doug, WGI fan*

    “I loved it!!!!!!! We were there!!!!! We froze, but we loved it!!!!”

    *Lee Ann, WGI fan*

    “Yesterday was awesome, please bring F1 back to The Glen and please make NASCAR races run The Boot. Please!”

    *Garrett, WGI fan*

    “Look how many people showed up for just two cars? That should tell them something. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they bring F1 back and 24-hour races.”

    *Tesha Lewis-Chandler, WGI fan*

    “F1 back at The Glen would bring generations of fans back to The Glen in a heartbeat. How about it Bernie? Bring F1 back to The Glen!”

    *James McDougal, WGI fan*

    “The drivers had more fun than anybody!”

    *Elaine Sumner, WGI fan*

    “Lewis Hamilton would fit perfectly in NASCAR the way he drives. Very aggressive! He wouldn’t get penalized every time he bumps someone”

    *Steve Saquella, WGI fan*

    “It was awesome! Love it… thanks WGI”

    *Paul Trunzo, WGI fan*

    “Fantastic day, many thanks to all involved”

    *Tony Smidowicz, WGI fan*

    “WGI – Thank you for the Car Swap. Bring back F1 to The Glen.”

    *John “Mig” Migliaccio, WGI fan*

    “Hey, after seeing a stock car take The Boot today, maybe you need to talk to NASCAR into running that version instead. Hint. Hint. Great seeing a F1 car around The Glen too!”

    *Bruce Reynolds, WGI fan*

    Tickets for the 2011 race season at Watkins Glen International are on sale NOW! Fans can order their tickets or get more information by calling the WGI ticket office at 866-461-RACE (7223) or logging on to the official website, *www.TheGlen.com* http://www.theglen.com/. Gift certificates and track merchandise can all be purchased at The Shop located at 2 North Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen. The Shop is open Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-4, and closed on Sunday. Keep up with the latest happenings at The Glen by going to the official Watkins Glen International Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/watkinsgleninternational, and following WGI on Twitter, @WGI.