McLaren star optimistic he has turned a corner after Abu Dhabi victory
An optimistic Lewis Hamilton is hoping his victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is "the start of something good".


Hamilton produced a faultless display at the Yas Marina Circuit to take the chequered flag more than eight seconds clear of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

There is no doubt he suffered a slice of good fortune when world champion Sebastian Vettel, who had just made a perfect getaway from pole position, retired when a puncture caused suspension damage on the opening lap.

Hamilton at times came under pressure from Alonso, notably at the second pit stop when Ferrari kept the Spaniard on the track after he had pitted.

But any concerns were shortlived, with Hamilton delivering a double-clenched fist pump to salute his third win of a season which has been characterised by collisions, controversy and personal problems away from the track.

Earlier in the week, Hamilton had spoken of the "happy bubble" surrounding team-mate Jenson Button this season.

On Sunday he experienced something similar by being able to dedicate his latest victory to mother Carmen, who had travelled to the Middle East to watch the race.

"It is great to be able to win while she's here," said Hamilton in the post-race aftermath.

"I feel fantastic, ecstatic, really happy to be back up here (on the top of the podium).

"That was one of my best races, in terms of my own performance, not making any mistakes. I feel I didn't make a single mistake in the race.
Pressure

"What with the things that have gone on, the pressure I've been under, with the doubt that has surrounded me.

"I'm just massively proud to have put that kind of performance together, and to have come on out on top.

"I said to myself as I slowed down, just being able to hold off one of the best drivers in the world (Alonso) throughout the race is something that is very, very tough to do, so this is great."

Asked whether he felt he was back on track, Hamilton added: "It is early days yet, but hopefully this is the start of something very good.

"We've another great race ahead of us in Brazil and I just have to keep my focus on that, try to keep the momentum.

"But you know how it goes. Anything can happen. I just have to keep my mind on the game."

It is a mind Hamilton claims has been "clearer" this weekend, that he has had "less weighing on me, less thoughts on the issues and problems I've got".

He added: "I was just able to drive clearly. Obviously in the last race I had that mistake (collision with Felipe Massa), when I wasn't thinking straight.

"But this weekend I've been thinking straight, and I don't know if that's because I've had great support here or what, but it's been a positive feeling all week."
Difficult

Button also produced a fine performance, securing a place on the podium despite struggling with the loss of his KERS power boost during the race.

"It was a difficult race for me, as I had a KERS Hybrid issue, which is admittedly very rare for us," he explained. "After about 15 laps it stopped working - and that doesn't just affect your power out of the corners, it affects engine braking too.

"Fortunately, my engineer came over the radio and told me they'd found a way to make it work again - but it meant pushing lots of buttons on the steering wheel every couple of laps because it only returned intermittently.

"I'd arrive at a corner and not know whether I had any engine braking because I had no warning. So selecting the right spot at which to brake was tough.

"Although the problem made for a tricky drive for me, it also made it even more satisfying to manage to keep it together and end up on the podium," he added.

Despite Hamilton's win, Button's result guarantees that he will finish above his team-mate this season - something Hamilton has never before experienced in the decade he has raced single-seaters.

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Honda Gresini tetap akan hadir pada seri penutup yang akan digelar di Valencia pekan depan. Menyiapkan penghormatan untuk mendiang Marco Simoncelli, tim tersebut belum memastikan apakah akan turun membalap.

Honda Gresini melalui tim principal tim Fausto Gresini sempat memberi indikasi kuat kalau mereka tidak akan tampil pada seri penutup musim di MotoGP Valencia yang akan digelar 6 November mendatang. Kematian Simoncelli pada balapan di Sepang menjadi alasan dibalik keputusan tersebut.

Namun dalam pernyataan terbarunya, tim tersebut memastikan akan tetap tampil di Valencia. Namun apakah nantinya akan menurunkan pembalap saat race, hingga kini belum diputuskan.

Kehadiran di Valencia disebut kubu Honda Gresini sebagai bentuk penghormatan pada Simoncelli. Nantinya mereka bahkan berencana untuk tetap mendirikan garasi milik pembalap Italia itu.

Dikutip dari Crash, Honda RC212V bernomor 58 yang selama ini jadi tunggangan Simonceli juga tetap akan disiapkan sepanjang akhir pekan.

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Sesi Free Practice atau Sesi Latihan Motogp italia 2011 yang berlangsung selama dua sesi tersebut masing-masing sesi berbeda rider yang unggul, jika pada sesi free practice 1 Simoncelli keluar sebagai rider tercepat yang di urutan kedua Casey Stoner, namun lain halnya dengan sesi Free practice 2 atau sesi latihan yang kedua menjadi miliknya Dovizioso dan di susul oleh Toni Elias. Menariknya pada sesi latihan pertama cuaca sangat cerah sekali, namun pada sesi latihan kedua cuaca tiba-tiba hujan. Nah bagi anda yang ingin mengetahui hasil dari Sesi Latihan 1 dan dua berikut ini adalah hasil lengkap sesi latihan motogp italia 2011, dan sesuai jadwal motogp 2011 Bahwa untuk livenya akan berlangsung pada tanggal 3 juli 2011 ini, so jangan sampai ketinggal untuk menyaksikan:

Hasil Free Practice I MotoGP Italia
1. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 48.987s
2. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda 1m 49.027s
3. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda 1m 49.088s
4. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 49.251s
5. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 49.364s
6. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 49.810s
7. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 1m 50.104s
8. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro 1m 50.203s
9. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 50.629s
10. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki 1m 50.658s
11. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 50.683s
12. Randy de Puniet FRA Pramac Racing 1m 50.729s
13. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1m 50.780s
14. Hector Barbera ESP Mapfre Aspar 1m 51.153s
15. Toni Elias ESP LCR Honda 1m 51.868s
16. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 1m 51.876s

Hasil Free Practice II MotoGP Italia
1. Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team 1m49.272 6
2. Toni Elias LCR Honda MotoGP 1m51.937s + 2.665 10
3. Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 1m52.550s + 3.278 6
4. Alvaro Bautista Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m54.497s + 5.225 4
5. Randy De Puniet Pramac Racing Team 1m55.279s + 6.007 13
6. Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 1m58.334s + 9.062 2
7. Hector Barbera Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP 1m58.748s + 9.476 8
8. Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m59.812s + 10.540 2
9. Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2m06.386s + 17.114 2
10. Hiroshi Aoyama San Carlo Honda Gresini 2m09.337s + 20.065 3
11. Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2m10.026s + 20.754 2
12. Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2m26.938s + 37.666 2
13. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing No time
14. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team No time
15. Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team No time
16. Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini No time

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New Jersey - Amerika Serikat akan menjadi tuan rumah untuk dua seri F1 mulai musim 2013 mendatang. Kota terbaru yang akan menghelat balapan jet darat tersebut adalah New Jersey.

Kepastian ditunjuknya New Jersey sebagai salah satu seri F1 di musim 2013 muncul langsung dari gubernurnya, Chris Christie. Balapan tersebut akan digelar di jalan raya, yang membentang sepanjang 5.14 km melewati wilayah Port Imperial, Palisades hingga bagian selatan New York.

"Saya puas New Jersey akan menjadi tuan rumah Formula 1 mulai 2013, membawa salah satu olahraga paling populer dan menegangkan ke halaman rumah kami," sahut Christie seperti diberitakan Autosport.

"Saya bisa pastikan pada Formula 1 kalau ini akan menjadi keputusan paling bijak yang pernah mereka buat, untuk menggelar event ini di New Jersey," lanjut Christie.

Balapan di New Jersey akan menjadi seri F1 kedua yang digelar di Amerika Serikat. Mulai musim 2012 Paman Sam akan menggelar balapan F1 di Austin, Texas, yang waktu penyelanggaraannya adalah pada pertengahan November.

Balapan F1 terakhir yang digelar di Amerika Serikat adalah GP Indianapolis tahun 2007 lalu. Sebelumnya negara tersebut juga menjadi tuan rumah dalam selang 1989 sampai 1991, dan 1961 sampai 1980 yang dilangsungkan di Watkins Glen.

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The body of MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli has arrived back in Italy following Sunday's fatal accident in the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Simoncelli's father Paolo and fellow rider Valentino Rossi were aboard the flight that arrived at Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci airport on Tuesday.

They were greeted by Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Petrucci.

Devastated: Marco Simoncelli's father Paolo (left) is embraced by Italian Olympic president Giovanni Petrucci

Home: Airport officials remove the container with the coffin of Simoncelli on the Rome runway on Tuesday

Petrucci ordered a minute's silence before all football matches Sunday and players wore black armbands as a tribute to the young rider.

'On Sunday when we held a minute's silence there was a total demonstration of how much this kid was loved,' Petrucci said. 'We're here to demonstrate the love and affection for this kid.'


Simoncelli died of chest, head and neck injuries after he lost control of his Honda and swerved across the track, straight into the path of American rider Colin Edwards and Rossi.

Rossi, the seven-time world champion, was a good friend of Simoncelli's.

A public viewing of Simoncelli's body is planned for Wednesday in the city theatre of his hometown, Coriano, with the funeral scheduled for Thursday.

Tribute: A biker pays homage as the car with the body of Simoncelli leaves the airport in Rome

Rossi led the tributes for Simoncelli after he became the second high-profile death in motorsport in a week.


Simoncelli was killed exactly a week after British star Dan Wheldon died at the IndyCar 300 in Las Vegas.

Loss: Marco's father Paolo as the hearse drives away on Tuesday morning

The Gresini Honda rider lost control of his bike on the second lap of the circuit in Sepang and was hit by Edwards and Rossi.

The 24-year-old's helmet came off in the collision and he was taken to the medical centre for treatment, but died from his injuries.

Simoncelli suffered 'serious trauma' to the head, neck and chest in the accident.

The organisers cancelled Sunday's race as soon as the extent of Simoncelli's injuries became apparent.

Gresini Racing has now withdrawn its teams from the season-ending races at Valencia.

Team boss Fausto Gresini also confirmed his riders would miss the end-of-season tests which follow on from the November 6 races.

Shattered: Marco's girlfriend Kate at the Fiumicino Airport in Rome as his body returns home

'The only certainty is that my team won't participate in the upcoming Valencia Grand Prix and in the tests programmed after the race,' Gresini told Corriere dello Sport.

'Everything happened so fast. I'm lost for words. I know our job is dangerous, that risk is part of the game, but you always hope nothing happens.

'When it does happen and you find yourself in the middle of it, everything changes, it's difficult to accept it.

'The crash was caused by a sequence of incredibly negative circumstances, the bike that moved towards the inside of the turn instead of the outside, being run over on the widest track of the season.'

Hero: Fans laid flowers in Cattolica after the death of Mario Simoncelli

Rossi said: 'Marco was a star and I'll never forget him. There are a lot of memories that I'll hold onto. We were together everyday, we trained together and racing was our passion. We already knew that this was something that can happen.'

Rossi, who is struggling with Ducati this season, dismissed speculation that he might retire in the aftermath of the crash.

'I never said that. It was probably made up just to sell newspapers,' Rossi said.

Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa had a dispute with fellow factory Honda rider Simoncelli earlier this season, but news of his rival's death left last season's championship runner-up reeling.


Repsol Honda's Pedrosa said: 'In a tragedy like this there is not much to say. I just want to give my condolences to his family and all the people who love him.

Moment of horror: Simoncelli loses control on the second lap

Fall: Edwards spins off the track along with Simoncelli's bike as the 24-year-old Italian devastatingly lies motionless

'I've been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters. It was a fatal accident and everybody in the paddock remains in shock.

'Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and when you lose people on the way nothing has any meaning. It's clear that we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like this nothing matters.'

Newly-crowned MotoGP champion Casey Stoner added: 'I'm so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside.

'All I can say is how sorry I am for Marco's whole family. I can't imagine what they are all going through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close and pull through this tragedy together.'

Speaking at a press conference following the tragedy, medical director Dr Michele Macchiagodena said of Simoncelli: 'Because of the crash he had during the race, in which he was hit by other riders, he suffered a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest.

Agony: Marco Simoncelli's father is comforted as he waits outside a medical centre where the rider was taken following a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix

Sorrow: Honda team members (above and below) react to the sad news

'When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuscitation).

'Immediately in the medical centre, with the help also of the doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax.

'The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead.'

Simoncelli's compatriot and Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso said: 'I watched the images and I'm shocked: in a race you fight and push hard and disaster is often around the corner.

'Marco was a strong rider and he always pushed hard. We raced together since we were kids, I saw him always pushing to the maximum, he crashed many times, but without major injuries, he was seemed invincible. What happened today seems impossible.'

Simoncelli, who won the 250cc world championship in 2008, clinching the crown in Sepang, stepped up to MotoGP in 2010 and he finished eighth overall last season.

Losing control: Simoncelli (No 58) crashed on the second lap of the race, riding between Edwards and Valentino Rossi

Emergency: Race marshalls quickly arrive at the scene to assist the stricken Simoncelli

His death was the first fatality in MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.

When asked about Simoncelli's helmet coming off, race director Paul Butler said at the press conference: 'I think if I may reply, that will be for another occasion. Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated.'

Tributes poured in for Simoncelli from both MotoGP and the wider world of motorsport.

Formula One driver Mark Webber wrote on Twitter: 'R.I.P Marco A special talent that will be missed... Thinking of your loved ones, and all the motogp paddock..mark."


Britain's Jenson Button wrote on his Twitter account: 'R.I.P Marco... Such an exciting talent lost. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved in MotoGP. Motorsport can be so cruel...'

Wheeled away: Track officials remove Simoncelli's motorcycle after the dreadful accident

British rider Cal Crutchlow added on Twitter: 'RIP Marco Simoncelli ! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends.'

Cancelled: Rubbish covers the track after the race was abandoned early in Sepang

Delivering the news: MotoGp officials relay the tragic announcement

'An inconceivable death which has stunned Italian sport. For this reason we decided that all sport today should honor him with a minute's silence.'

A statement on the MotoGP official website read: 'On Sunday 23rd October, during the MotoGP race at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, San Carlo Honda Gresini's Italian rider Marco Simoncelli suffered a serious accident in which he received critical injuries.

'The race was stopped immediately with the red flag and Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him.

'Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time.

Support: Simoncelli's girlfriend Kate is consoled by a TV crew member following her partner's tragic crash

Agony: Simoncelli's mother Rossella is inconsolable

'Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss.'

Simoncelli, who won the 250cc world championship in 2008, clinching the crown in Sepang, stepped up to MotoGP in 2010.

A message on Simoncelli's Gresini Honda team website read simply 'CIAO "SUPER SIC"'.

The Rizla Suzuki team wrote: 'All at Rizla Suzuki are deeply affected by today's tragic events and send their deepest condolences to Marco's family and friends during this time of great loss.


'R.I.P Marco Simoncelli, 20 January 1987 - 23 October 2011 - A true competitor.'

Of the other riders involved, Edwards suffered a dislocated shoulder after being thrown from his bike, while Rossi managed to limp back to the pits.

Meanwhile, Rossi's mentor has denied the Italian great will be retiring from the sport in the wake of his Simoncelli's death.

Davide Brivio, Rossi's manager at former team Yamaha, responded to widespread internet rumours that the 32-year-old was too upset to carry on racing.

'Many are asking about Vale stopping races. This is absolutely not true and I'm sorry even that I have to explain it,' Brivio wrote on Twitter.

Tribute: A huge screen shows a picture of Simoncelli during a minute's silence at the Roma v Palermo at the Olympic stadium

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