Allianz Blog Formula One

British Grand Prix - Allianz Ireland Preview

By: Michelle of Setanta Sports

This weekend sees the 66th edition of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and for many of the teams the ninth race of the season it is their home Grand Prix.

Lotus, Caterham, Force India, Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren and Williams are all based very close to the circuit and they will be hoping the proximity will increase their chances of success.

Of the current crop of drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are the most successful with two victories each, but Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, and Nico Rosberg have all taken the chequered flag at Silverstone.

Hamilton won here last year ...

Hamilton wins thrilling Silverstone battle

By: Dave of Setanta Sports

Lewis Hamilton emerged victorious from a thrilling race at the British Grand Prix, with Nico Rosberg finishing in second place.

Hamilton, starting from pole position, fell behind Williams drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas early on but a combination of lightning pace and astute strategy calls ensured that the current world champion was able to bring his Mercedes home at the head of the field.

A battling performance from Rosberg saw the German finish second and secure a one-two result for Mercedes, as Hamilton opened up a 17-point World Championship gap to his teammate.

With rain appearing ...

Sebastian Vettel Wins Frenetic Hungarian GP

By: Nick of Setanta Sports

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel recorded his second win of the season with victory at the Hungarian GP on Sunday.

The former world champion took the lead early in the first lap and held on to the end, ignoring all the excitement taking place behind him at the Hungaroring.

It was the German’s 41st Grand Prix victory, equalling Ayrton Senna in third place on the all-time list, with just Alain Prost (51) and Michael Schumacher (91) ahead of him.

Vettel dedicated his victory to Marussia driver Jules Bianchi, who died last week after months in a coma following a crash in the Japanese GP last year.

“Th...

Belgian Victory for Hamilton

By: Dave of Setanta Sports

Lewis Hamilton controlled Sunday’s race from pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix, securing victory in relative comfort.

Nico Rosberg recovered from a poor start to ensure a one-two result for Mercedes, but the German is now 28 points behind teammate Hamilton in the battle to win the Drivers’ Championship.

Lotus racer Romain Grosjean finished third, thanks in part to two expert passes on Williams driver Valtteri Bottas early on, either side of the opening round of pit-stops, along with fine overtakes on Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez.

The Frenchman, who was ninth on the grid, ultimately se...

Hamilton Secures Monza Win

By: Dave of Setanta Sports

Lewis Hamilton extended his World Championship lead over Nico Rosberg to 53 points by emerging victorious from the Italian Grand Prix, while the German suffered an engine failure.

Hamilton, starting Sunday’s race from pole position, was helped by a very poor getaway from Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, who had been alongside the Mercedes racer on the front row of the grid.

Sebastian Vettel, third in the other Ferrari after qualifying, finished in second place but was unable to put Hamilton under any serious pressure in the battle for victory.

Rosberg started from fourth place, following a qualifying o...

Vettel Victorious in Singapore

By: Dave of Setanta Sports

Sebastian Vettel’s superbly composed performance secured victory for Ferrari at the Singapore Grand Prix.

In a race of two safety-car periods, the second one caused by an attendee’s walk down part of the circuit, pole-sitter Vettel remained in control to defeat Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.

The Australian finished second, with Kimi Raikkonen coming home third in the second Ferrari.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was running fourth when throttle problems saw him drop towards the back of the field and, ultimately, out of the race.

On a weekend during which the usually dominant Mercedes outfit we...