Tag Archives: dario

Jenson Button beats Lewis Hamilton to British Driver of the Year award

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No parting gift for Hamilton as Button beats him to British Driver of the Year award

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UPDATED:

10:48 GMT, 4 December 2012

Jenson Button was last night named British Driver of the Year beating outgoing McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the prestigious Autosport award.

Hamilton, who joins Mercedes in a controversial three-year deal next season, ended his McLaren career with more points, victories and pole-positions than his team-mate this term.

But it was Button who scooped the award for the third time in four years, seeing off competition from fellow F1 racers Hamilton and Paul Di Resta as well as Dario Franchitti, who won the Indy 500 for a third time this season, Touring Car Champion Rob Huff and DTM runner-up and McLaren reserve driver Gary Paffett,

Winner: Jensen Button has won the award for a third time in four years

Winner: Jensen Button has won the award for a third time in four years

TALE OF THE TAPE

Hamilton
Wins: 4
Pole positions 7
DNFs: 6
Points: 190

Button
Wins: 3
Pole Positions 1
DNFs: 2
Points 188

Button, who benefited from Hamilton’s retirement in Brazil to win the final race of the season, said:

‘It has been a very up and down year for us, but [winning in Brazil] was a great way to end the season and hopefully for all the guys working that’ll be good for 2013.’

After a disappointing season in 2011, Hamilton bounced back this term to enjoy arguably his best season for McLaren during his six-year spell with the British outfit.

But he was unable to mount a title challenge after retiring from the lead of three races at Singapore, Abu Dhabi and in Brazil, while a pit-stop gaffe and fuel error cost him big points at the Bahrain and Spanish Grands Prix.

Praise: Lewis Hamilton was backed by Button even though he is leaving for Mercedes

Praise: Lewis Hamilton was backed by Button even though he is leaving for Mercedes

And Button, who will be joined at McLaren by Sergio Perez in 2013, was quick to laud his outgoing team-mate after accepting his British Driver of the Year award.

Phil Duncan F1 blog

He said: ‘For me the excitement of going to McLaren was obviously in racing for the team, but it was also racing against Lewis. He’s unbelievably fast.

‘I love the role of being the experienced driver and that is definitely the case next year – I think I am the most experienced guy in F1 next year. Really looking forward to working with Checo [Sergio Perez] next year too, he has shown great speed and seems like he wants to learn, so it should be good fun.

‘I think this year we’ve shown there is a real heart to this team. They are so passionate about motor racing, they’ve been around for decades and achieved so much. They are very professional but they also have a lot of fun fighting for victories. It’s a big family and I didn’t expect that when I got there.’

Jensen Button beats Lewis Hamilton to British Driver of the Year award

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No parting gift for Hamilton as Button beats him to British Driver of the Year award

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UPDATED:

12:12 GMT, 3 December 2012

Jenson Button was last night named British Driver of the Year beating outgoing McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton to the prestigious Autosport award.

Hamilton, who joins Mercedes in a controversial three-year deal next season, ended his McLaren career with more points, victories and pole-positions than his team-mate this term.

But it was Button who scooped the award for the third time in four years, seeing off competition from fellow F1 racers Hamilton and Paul Di Resta as well as Dario Franchitti, who won the Indy 500 for a third time this season, Touring Car Champion Rob Huff and DTM runner-up and McLaren reserve driver Gary Paffett,

Winner: Jensen Button has won the award for a third time in four years

Winner: Jensen Button has won the award for a third time in four years

TALE OF THE TAPE

Hamilton
Wins: 4
Pole positions 7
DNFs: 6
Points: 190

Button
Wins: 3
Pole Positions 1
DNFs: 2
Points 188

Button, who benefited from Hamilton’s retirement in Brazil to win the final race of the season, said:

‘It has been a very up and down year for us, but [winning in Brazil] was a great way to end the season and hopefully for all the guys working that’ll be good for 2013.’

After a disappointing season in 2011, Hamilton bounced back this term to enjoy arguably his best season for McLaren during his six-year spell with the British outfit.

But he was unable to mount a title challenge after retiring from the lead of three races at Singapore, Abu Dhabi and in Brazil, while a pit-stop gaffe and fuel error cost him big points at the Bahrain and Spanish Grands Prix.

Praise: Lewis Hamilton was backed by Button even though he is leaving for Mercedes

Praise: Lewis Hamilton was backed by Button even though he is leaving for Mercedes

And Button, who will be joined at McLaren by Sergio Perez in 2013, was quick to laud his outgoing team-mate after accepting his British Driver of the Year award.

Phil Duncan F1 blog

He said: ‘For me the excitement of going to McLaren was obviously in racing for the team, but it was also racing against Lewis. He’s unbelievably fast.

‘I love the role of being the experienced driver and that is definitely the case next year – I think I am the most experienced guy in F1 next year. Really looking forward to working with Checo [Sergio Perez] next year too, he has shown great speed and seems like he wants to learn, so it should be good fun.

‘I think this year we’ve shown there is a real heart to this team. They are so passionate about motor racing, they’ve been around for decades and achieved so much. They are very professional but they also have a lot of fun fighting for victories. It’s a big family and I didn’t expect that when I got there.’

Nick Powell says he won"t get carried away by Manchester United debut goal

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I won't get carried away – my dad won't let me! United new-boy Powell keen to build on debut goal

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UPDATED:

09:38 GMT, 17 September 2012

Nick Powell says his dad will make sure he does not get too big for his boots after he scored on his Manchester United debut.

The 18-year-old midfielder scored United’s fourth goal in the 4-1 win over Wigan on Saturday and says he is keen to build on his dream debut – but insists he won’t get carried away with his good start.

Powell moved to Old Trafford in the summer from Crewe for 4million and is hoping to bring attacking menace to United’s midfield.

Dream start: Nick Powell celebrates with Robin van Persie after scoring on his debut

Dream start: Nick Powell celebrates with Robin van Persie after scoring on his debut

He told MUTV: ‘It was great to make my debut. To then cap it off with a goal is what I’ve been working for.

‘Dario (Gradi, Crewe’s director of football) used to say my game isn’t just attacking and defending, it’s about goals as well and I proved that last season and hopefully I can do that for United.

Pick that one out: Powell fires his shot from the edge of the area

Pick that one out: Powell fires his shot from the edge of the area

Despite his impressive cameo, however, Powell says he will keep his feet on the ground and continue learning from his elder peers. 'My dad will keep me in touch, I’ll tell you that

‘I’m just going to go home, have this great feeling and I’ll keep myself on the ground.

Experience: Ryan Giggs

Landmark: Paul Scholes

Learning game: Powell says hopes to improve after training with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes

'When I first came on it scared me a little bit, to be fair, because I’m only used to 5,000 people now and then, but it’s a great atmosphere – the fans are great. It wasn’t the hardest game because they made it easier for me but I’m happy to be on the pitch getting minutes.

'I learn every day, especially from the midfielders – Scholes, Carrick, Giggsy – they’re all great, they’ve all been through it and won trophies. That’s what I want to do, so I hope to learn off them every day.'

Euro 2012: Mario Balotelli has image created in Italian field

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Balotelli spurred onto glory by giant crop circle of his head in Italian field

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UPDATED:

07:34 GMT, 25 June 2012

Italy and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was spurred onto glory against England by a unlikely tribute before the game in Kiev.

An artist in his homeland ploughed a field to show show the back of the strikers head.

Dario Gambarini has used tractors to similar effect to create images of Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela among others in the past opted to create Balotelli ahead of the big game.

Support: Italian artist Dario Gambarin shows the back of the head of Mario Balotelli cut into a wheat filed near Verona

Support: Italian artist Dario Gambarin shows the back of the head of Mario Balotelli cut into a wheat filed near Verona

The 2,700 square metre piece was created in Castagnaro, near the artist’s native Verona.

Rather than show Balotelli’s face, however, Gambarini broke with tradition to portray the Manchester City striker’s trademark Mohawk haircut, with the word ‘Italia’ visible at the top of his shirt.

Sky high: The Balotelli creation was clear for all to see

Sky high: The Balotelli creation was clear for all to see

'I wanted to pay homage to all the Azzuri,’ Gambarini said. ‘But it seemed ideal to reproduce the blonde Mohawk of Balotelli on a field of threshed wheat.'

Balotelli scored the first penalty in Italy's 4-2 shoot-out win over England on Sunday night.

Dario Franchitti wins third Indy 500 title

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Franchitti wins third Indy 500 title and pays tribute to Wheldon

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UPDATED:

21:59 GMT, 27 May 2012

Scotsman Dario Franchitti claimed his third Indy 500 title on Sunday after seeing off Takuma Sato in a thrilling finale.

Sato pulled level with Franchitti on the first turn in the final lap but over exerted and flew into the outside wall.

Impact: Takuma Sato (right) spins on the final lap to leave Dario Franchitti out in front

Impact: Takuma Sato (right) spins on the final lap to leave Dario Franchitti out in front

Oh Sato: Takuma Sato crashes on the final lap

Oh Sato: Takuma Sato crashes on the final lap

Spinning out: Sato crashes into the wall

Spinning out: Sato crashes into the wall

That allowed Franchitti the opportunity to cruise home ahead of team-mate Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan.

In the winner's circle, Franchitti donned a pair of white sunglasses to honour British compatriot Dan Wheldon, last year's Indy500 winner who was killed in the final race of the 2011 season.

'I want to thank all the fans for saluting our Dan today,' said Franchitti. 'What a race.'

Home alone: Dario Franchitti goes clear to win his third Indy 500

Home alone: Dario Franchitti goes clear to win his third Indy 500

Franchitti bang, bang, bang: The great Scot after his third Indy 500 success

Franchitti bang, bang, bang: The great Scot after his third Indy 500 success

Tribute: Franchitti wearing the white sunglasses in honour of Dan Wheldon

Tribute: Franchitti wearing the white sunglasses in honour of Dan Wheldon

Rubens Barrichello confirms IndyCar switch

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Barrichello performs speedy U-turn as F1 veteran confirms IndyCar switch

Rubens Barrichello has officially confirmed his switch to IndyCar.

Barrichello was released by Williams at the end of last season to
bring to an end his 19-year career in Formula One, much to his bitter
disappointment as he still believed he had much to offer.

All change: Barrichello is moving to IndyCar after 19 seasons in Formula One

All change: Barrichello is moving to IndyCar after 19 seasons in Formula One

But following a couple of successful tests with KV Racing, the 39-year-old has decided to join the team co-owned by former CART champion Jimmy Vasser and Kevin Kalkhoven.

After previously insisting to wife Silvana he would never race on oval circuits, Barrichello has gone back on his word and will now compete in all 15 rounds of this year's championship.

That includes four oval tracks, including the renowned Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Silvana's scepticism would have increased following the horrific accident which claimed the life of Dan Wheldon in the final race of last year's series in Las Vegas.

According to the team, it was Barrichello's children who convinced Silvana their father should pursue his goals for this year.

End of an era: Barrichello appears to have driven in his last F1 grand prix

End of an era: Barrichello appears to have driven in his last F1 grand prix

Barrichello said: 'I am thrilled. I will start as a rookie, but I
think I will get better as the year progresses. My main thing is to be
an addition to the team.

'They have been doing very well. Tony (Kanaan) brought them to a
different level last year, so I hope with my contribution we can build
on this and take the team to another level.

'I am extremely happy and have a big smile on my face.'

Barrichello's arrival is undoubtedly a good news story for IndyCar as appreciated by four-times champion Dario Franchitti.

Via his Twitter account, Franchitti said: 'Great news @rubarrichello
is confirmed in @IndyCar. I think the competition level just went up
again!!'