F1

Lewis Hamilton tops standings after Canadian Grand Prix win

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Published June 11, 2012, in Sport

KEY - Lewis Hamilton's two-stop strategy set up his victory

KEY – Lewis Hamilton’s two-stop strategy set up his victory

PHENOMENAL Lewis Hamilton stormed to the top of the drivers’ championship leader board with a special win in the Canadian Grand Prix.

The McLaren ace becomes the seventh different driver to top the podium this season after overhauling rival Sebastian Vettel to seal a second Canadian triumph in three years.

Hamilton’s first ever career win came at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2007, and with Jensen Button clinching a first place finish last season, McLaren’s monopoly of Canada now stretches all the way back to Robert Kubica’s win in 2008.

That emotion inside, it’s like an explosion. It’s really just incredible. It’s what I love best about motor racing

Efficiency in the pits combined with Red Bull’s reluctance to stop more than once paved the way for Hamilton to collect 25 valuable points and hoist him above Fernando Alonso and into pole position in the standings.

After securing the 18th win of his career and the first of an up and down season, Hamilton said: “It’s a phenomenal sensation to come back to Canada and put on a performance like we did today.

“This win feels as good as my first Formula 1 victory back in 2007. In fact I’d say it’s one of the best races I’ve had for a very long time.

“I feel fantastic, to be honest. Just brilliant. I could hardly believe it when I was driving across the line.

“That emotion inside, it’s like an explosion. It’s really just incredible. It’s what I love best about motor racing.”

Hamilton twinned aggression and maturity to edge his war of attrition with Vettel.

His two-stop strategy proved pivotal as he capitalised on his rivals’ fading tyres to move from third to first in the final few laps.

“I always knew today’s race was going to be incredibly tough. So, in the first stint, I was really pleased that I could keep up with Seb, and at that point I already felt sure I’d be involved in the fight for victory.

“Our strategy was always for a two-stopper: we knew it was going to be the fastest way to get to the finish. I looked after my tyres really well today, and I used them knowing we were going to two-stop.

“I had 100 per cent control and understanding of what was happening in the race – it was one of our best races for that. I told my race engineer, Andy Latham, to keep the information flowing, and he was fantastic today.

“I always knew where I was losing or gaining time, which really helped.

“Every win is different. Every victory is new, special and fresh. And to see the team all wearing their Vodafone ‘rocket red’ victory T-shirts, knowing the guys back at the factory are doing the same, makes everything feel even more special.

“Finally, the support from the fans has been amazing – this victory is dedicated to them. I’m so grateful to be here today.”

Leicestershire racing car builder set for move to former McLaren facility

By:
Published June 8, 2012, in Other News

RELOCATION - McLaren GT are making the switch from Leicestershire to Woking

RELOCATION - McLaren GT are making the switch from Leicestershire to Woking

A RACING car builder from Leicestershire is moving into the former McLaren F1 ­assembly facility near ­Chertsey Road.

McLaren GT currently makes the £325,000 ­McLaren 12C GT3 at its factory in Bardon Hill, near Coalville.

In the past 12 months, it has built 25 of the cars and demand has been such that the business is relocating to premises next to the McLaren headquarters.

Andrew Kirkaldy, project director for McLaren GT, said it was the right time to move to a new base which, at 60,000sq ft, is five times the size of the current production line.

He said: “I am excited that McLaren GT will be establishing our operations so close to the home of McLaren racing.

“We have a new race car that comprises a unique package of F1-inspired technology and we are working with customers to ensure that the potential performance of the 12C GT3 is realised this season.

“This relocation underlines the commitment and support within the McLaren Group that is behind McLaren GT, and will be a benefit as we aim to offer a world-class engineering support service to our new customer teams.

We have to leave Coalville. The bigger we get, the harder it is to be so far away from the main McLaren business

“We plan to develop our manufacturing programme and are actively considering the production of multiple specifications of cars for worldwide racing in 2013.”

To accommodate McLaren GT’s expanding sales, marketing, design and manufacturing operations, the 60,000sq ft facility will provide office space, a large workshop area and preparation and test bays all under one roof, as well as a state-of-the-art engine development centre.

The site will also be home to a fleet of McLaren 12C sports cars, which are managed by McLaren GT and run as part of a customer test drive programme entitled Pure McLaren which operates at multiple locations across Europe.

McLaren GT, who currently employ 65 people, hope to move into their new facilities within the next few months.

Mr Kirkaldy added: “We expect to make the move in late September, and the new facility is being readied at the moment.

“We have to leave Coalville. The bigger we get, the harder it is to be so far away from the main McLaren business.

“We are about 65 people now and we are expanding all the time.

“There is a chance we may lose some people, unfortunately, but we are going to try to keep as many as we can.”