P.U.R.E. Corporation, the new F1 engine supplier, will welcome Gilles Simon into its team as Technical Director from 1 August 2011. As part of a series of major developments for the engineering company, Gilles leaves his post as the FIA’s Director, Technical and Powertrain, and joins P.U.R.E. which will be supplying F1 teams with powertrains from the 2014 season when new engine regulations come into force.
Before the FIA, Gilles enjoyed an exceptional career at Scuderia Ferrari. From 2006-2009 he was Head of the Engine and Electronics Department; his other roles at Ferrari included Engine Project Manager (1994-1997) and Head of Engine Development (1997-2006) – both under the mentorship of the renowned Paolo Martinelli. During his tenure the team won six drivers’ and eight constructors’ FIA F1 World Championships.
After graduating with a PhD from l’Ecole des Mines in 1984, Gilles held positions at Renault in Research and Development and Peugeot, where he developed the V10 engine for the successful World Sportscar Championship, with the team achieving a 1-2-3 at Le Mans in 1993 and winning in 1992.
P.U.R.E. launched in May 2011 with the stated aim of developing high performance environmentally responsible powertrains, using F1 as the proving ground. The company was established by Chief Executive Craig Pollock, previously Founding Partner and Team Principal of F1’s B.A.R. team.
Craig Pollock, Chief Executive of P.U.R.E. comments, “This appointment marks another key milestone in the development of P.U.R.E. With Gilles Simon on board we have an exceptional and proven powertrain designer who has been instrumental in driving an environmentally friendly agenda into F1.”
Gilles Simon added, “Making F1 more environmentally friendly is a personal goal of mine. The 2014 powertrain regulations mark the biggest change in this area of F1 for a generation. This opportunity to develop the P.U.R.E powertrain is a fantastic challenge and allows me to go to back to my passion – designing engines.”
Jean Todt, President of the FIA said, “Gilles leaves the FIA with my thanks and best wishes. We have worked together on a variety of projects over many years, at Peugeot, Ferrari and at the FIA, and I know how much of his life has been devoted to his love of designing powetrains.
After a very fruitful 18-month period at the FIA where he has been able to leave a significant legacy in the 2014 powertrain regulations, Gilles has been offered an opportunity at P.U.R.E. that will enable him to make a substantial contribution to a new era in F1. I wish him a successful future.”
Lewis Hamilton’s victory in the German Grand Prix last weekend at the Nurburgring was he said, one of the best races he has driven, and I agree. Hamilton, so often in the wars, once again showed he is the best driver in the world by finishing in first place ahead of Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari and Mark Webber’s Red Bull.
Lewis Hamilton started in second place on the grid but made a great start and immediately passed Mark Webber. The race was an exciting one as Hamilton lost and regained the lead twice before winning his 16th F1 Grand Prix.
German Grand Prix
1. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:37:30.334 25
2. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 1:37:34.314 18
3. Mark Webber (Australia) Red Bull-Renault 1:37:40.122 15
It was Lewis Hamilton’s first victory since the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai and was made all the sweeter as Sebastian Vettel failed to collect any points. But with nine races to go in the F1 2011 season, even with the McLarens and Ferraris driving faster than the Red Bulls, it is difficult to see how anyone but Sebastian Vettel is going to be crowned champion come November.
FIA Formula 1 drivers’ world championship
1 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault) 216
2 Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault) 139
3 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) 134
4 Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 130
5 Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) 109
6 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 62
7 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes GP) 46
8 Nick Heidfeld (Renault) 34
9 Vitaly Petrov (Renault) 32
10 Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP) 32
There’s an interesting article on the BBC website where Mark Hughes suggests McLaren’s return to winning ways is not just down to the individual brilliance of Lewis Hamilton but also has to do with the teams’ choice of tyres.
The British Grand Prix – another Formula One race and another collision involving Lewis Hamilton; though not entirely his fault, it must be said.
Former world champions Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart have recently piped up that Lewis Hamilton is driving in a dangerous and life threatening way, but I disagree.
The chiefs of F1 are aware that the sport can be over regulated and dull, so needs excitement and drivers who are willing to take risks. But Lewis Hamilton’s style of driving is nothing new. It’s not that long ago that Michael Schumacher was being criticised for exactly the same driving style which also resulted with a larger percentage of collisions as he squeezed every driver, at every corner, in every race.
Furthermore, the great Ayrton Senna was also chastised for his aggressive racing style. Now Senna is heralded as one of the best F1 racing drivers of all time. But his great rival Alain Prost and other contemporaries raised complaints at the time suggesting he was driving dangerously and created accidents by attempting to overtake when other drivers would hold back. The same is said of Lewis Hamilton. Statistics show he manages to overtake more than any other driver so it isn’t a surprise that he is involved in more accidents.
That aggressive style of driving is great to watch and I believe should be promoted on the race tracks of Formula One. However, it may be my age or the fact that I have become a grumpy old man, but there appears to be a distinct increase in impatient and dangerous drivers on our roads today; something I feel has been increasing year on year. Is it because our lives are becoming faster and we find ourselves in a constant rush to get from A to B to C, or is it more to do with the importance drivers place upon themselves while remaining oblivious to all else that is going on around them?
As far as I’m concerned F1 is a very dangerous sport and by its very definition I expect to see exciting, sometime dangerous manoeuvres by highly skilled drivers. The very opposite of what I want to see on motorways and highways but unfortunately I see far too often. No wonder there is an increase in advertising for no win no fee solicitors to cope with the demand of road accidents. The most common discomfort in minor vehicle accidents is whiplash and some lawyers solely deal with whiplash compensation.
If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a vehicle accident there is plenty of information on the internet to help, guide and advice you on what you should do and what you are entitled to. A compensation calculator will give you an indication of what you can claim for, if you are the innocent party and involved in an accident.
Road accidents and car crashes are a part of everyday life, whether or not your name is Lewis Hamilton!
The two Vodafone McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton talk exclusively about their chances of closing the gap on championship leader Sebastian Vettel at this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone in this video interview.
The drivers reflect on their previous performances at Silverstone and what it means to them to perform at their own track and the obvious importance of doing particularly well in front of the British fans.
Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button @ Vodafone VIP Fashion Shoot
Vodafone VIP has set Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1™ drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button their toughest challenge to date. The teammates were tasked with styling, directing and photographing an eccentric high-end British Summer fashion shoot under the watchful eye of renowned stylist Valentine Fillol-Cordier.
Plunged head first into the world of fashion, the film follows Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button on set as, assisted by Valentine Fillol-Cordier, they style models Charlotte W and Eve Delf in iconic British-inspired outfits. Having put their styling prowess to the test, the drivers select props for the shoot with Lewis then taking the role of photographer and Jenson as photographer’s assistant.
Jenson was quick to get to grips with the outfit selection, as well as the intricacies of lighting, composition and camera setups, while Lewis also tackled his role confidently. “I’ve done several photo shoots”, Lewis commented, “so I kind of see how photographers behave and act. And obviously I’ve seen Austin Powers so that’s where I really took my inspiration from!” Both models seemed to have just as much fun as the drivers, with Charlotte W describing the day as “hilarious” and “completely different to any shoot I’ve ever been on”.
Previous Vodafone VIP online films have seen the drivers assemble their own F1™ car, and nab the best spots at their favourite festival by turning up in the depths of winter.
The film is just one element of Vodafone VIP, which gives customers access to the best of British festival, fashion and Formula 1™ events. Whether it’s the 2011 Formula One Satander British Grand Prix, music festivals or exclusive front row seats at London Fashion Week shows, Vodafone will be supplying customers with the hottest tickets and money can’t buy experiences. All Vodafone customers can register for Vodafone VIP by going online.
The film launches on the 27 June, ahead of the 2011 F1 Satander British Grand Prix on the 8th – 10th July.
