Rubens was competing against Felipe Massa on a different stage

Felipe was able to cross the finish line after a total of 644 laps and about 11 hours of continuous racing, with the help of his team mates Lucas di Grassi and Julio Campos. Lucas di Grassi is a tester for the Renault Formula One team and Julio Campos is a Stock Car Lights racer. In combination with his win last week and the birth of his new son Felipinho Massa early this week, he has had a really great two weeks and is probably wondering what is next for him. Felipe did take the time to dedicate his wins and future to his new son and told the world how much he loves his new son in enough ways to get a smile from all on hand.

The win at Granja Viana was is actually his second; he also won this race in the 1997 inaugural race, at the young age of sixteen. This year second place was claimed by former Toyota F1 racer Ricardo Zonta, while Rubens Barricello finished third this year. This win must feel pretty good for Massa, after missing the final eight races of the 2009 Formula One season, and helps to get him ready to try to win it all during the up coming 2010 Formula One season.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Felipe Massa Racing Again

Jenson Button is getting ready for the biggest weekend of his life, so far!

Jenson Button is in position to achieve his ultimate dream of becoming 2009 Formula One Grand Prix World Champion after a season that started hot but has cooled off in the later stages of the season. Jenson Button is in the enviable position of holding his own fate in his hands. All he has to do is perform up to his ability and stay out of the way of lady luck’s bad side and he should be able to finish well enough in the last two races of the year to close the door on his competition. This would leave his two rivals for the world title Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello looking in and thinking about what could have been.

There are only a maximum of 20 points available in the remaining two races and if Button can finish no worse than third in the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, he’ll be 2009 Formula One Grand Prix World Champion. At present Button is 14 points ahead of Barrichello and 16 points ahead of Vettel, and although a third place finish isn’t easy, it’s well within the reach of his car. Button needs to stay within himself during this race and not be drawn into a battle to win if the chance isn’t within his reach. He needs to grab whatever points the track and his competitors give him, and not be overly aggressive in his pursuit of a win. The big picture for him and the team is the championship, which they can win by finishing ahead of Barrichello and Vettel.

If he can control his emotions and race within the ability of his car he’ll be the 2009 Formula One World Champion. If he gets drawn into a personal battle to win the race, he could find himself looking back one day and thinking about what could have been.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Jenson Button Poised to Achieve his Dream

Hamilton was able to increase his lead after a series of early fast laps but this advantage disappeared during his first pit stop for fuel on Lap 15. Sutil and Raikkonen were also on a one stop strategy and stopped on Lap 17 and Lap 19 respectively. After these three drivers pitted, the Brawn GP race cars were in front until they pitted on Lap 28 for Button and Lap 29 for Barrichello.

This was the part of the race that determined the winners and losers, with the Brazilian taking the win and the Englishman being the bride’s maid. Button was 2.1 seconds behind Barrichello before they pitted and 4.2 seconds after. Barrichello pulled away after they both pitted and went after Hamilton, Raikkonen and Sutil, who had passed them while they were in the pits, but they still had one stop scheduled.

Hamilton decided to try his luck on Lap 34, but when he emerged from the pits behind the Brawns, the writing was on the wall. Hamilton couldn’t see the writing though and he went after the win like it was his. He and Button took a large chunk out of Barrichello’s 5.4 second lead and slowly reeled him in. Button and Barrichello were under control at this point but Hamilton was riding an edge that was about to cut into him. Trying to cut a corner a little too sharply, Hamilton lost control of his McLaren and spun out, hitting the inner wall and bringing to an end his chances for a win.

Rubens Barrichello crossed the line ahead of Button for his second victory of the 2009 Formula One season and reduce Button’s lead in the championship race to 14 points.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Barrichello Wins Italian Grand Prix

Felipe Massa is feeling a little better after his high-speed crash in qualifying rounds for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix being held at the Hungaroring. The Brazilian racer went off the track and into the wall on Turn 4 late in the second session after a rear damper spring came loose from the car of Ruben’s Barrichello in front of him and hit him on the helmet at over 200 mph. Medics were quick to get to the racer and get him on his way to the hospital for treatment and this may have been the difference between life and death or maybe permanent injury. Were happy to report that Felipe is up and walking and if everything went okay, he should be home and enjoying a little tender loving care from friends and family.

Felipe Massa feeling better

He has been in Budapest’s AEK hospital since Saturday, where he underwent emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on his fractured skull. On Monday, he was brought out of the artificial coma he had been put in to speed his recovery and allowed to breath on his own. Tuesday, doctors confirmed that he had opened and could see out of his injured left eye, which is a possible good sign for his continued racing career. On Wednesday, it has been announced that Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo was coming to Hungary to see how Massa is doing on behalf of the company and fans that keep sending their best wishes for Massa’s health and return to racing.

Ferrari also announced on Wednesday that Michael Schumacher had agreed to return to help out Ferrari and Massa during their time of need and will begin training for the upcoming European Grand Prix. This seven time world champion will of course have to go through tests to see if he is still fit enough to race, but looking at him and having watched the man for years, fitness isn’t likely to be a problem. Schumacher hasn’t driven for Ferrari and never driven their current car the F60. I am sure the other competitors are hoping that this stint with Ferrari doesn’t reignite Schumacher’s love for racing and put the competitive spirit back into his veins. They have seen what can happen when he starts to enjoy himself and with the current Formula One championship being such a chaotic affair, if he got on a role, you never know what might happen.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Felipe Massa Feeling Better

Lewis Hamilton just warming up?

Hamilton battled through the race, showing the spirit and drive that makes him a world champion, but kept losing ground to the Brawn cars, no matter how well he drove. Starting 18th on the grid Hamilton fought through the race, narrowing avoiding trouble when Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica collided, and was happy to capture six points despite his cars problems with competing.
Give the world champion and his crew a few races to get the car back up to speed, and for him to get an idea of how he has to drive to compete, and he’ll be back strong and competing for the world championship again.
The Australian Grand Prix was an excellent learning lesson for Hamilton, he had to come from behind to reach third, along with a little bad luck for other drivers and good luck for him, but showed patience in hanging in and keeping his car in one piece and on the road. Give him time, probably by the third Grand Prix we’ll see him starting to pick up speed and momentum, and start to close the point’s gap on the fast-running Brawn offerings.
By the time the Grand Prix of China comes around expect the Formula One point’s race to be a lot closer and Brawn’s race team to be sweating a little more then they are at the moment. Hamilton will certainly not give up, despite his car’s problems competing, and its not uncommon for him to come from sixth or seventh in a race, so coming from behind in the Formula One point’s race, is just the kind of challenge the British love.
Images newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Lewis Hamilton Ready to Challenge