McLaren will today launch an investigation into the penultimate-lap drama that robbed Lewis Hamilton of 18 valuable points in yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Hamilton was poised for second place at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya after driving a faultless race until a suspected left- front tyre rim failure plunged the 25-year-old into a tyre wall.

Formula One stars Jensen Button, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg are all set to make an appearance at the festival, which will boast a total of 80 drivers and riders in attendance when it opens on July 2.

Former F1 champions also expected to be present include Emerson Fittipaldi, Sir Jackie Stewart, Mika Hakkinen, John Surtees and Sir Stirling Moss.

Goodwood is billed as the world’s largest celebration of motoring culture, with stars from many major motorsports such as Formula One, World Rally Championships, Intercontinental Rally Challenge, NASCAR and the motorcycle Grand Prix.

From the world of rallying, Miki Biasion, Ken Block, Kris Meeke and Guy Wilks will be present, whilst Giacomo Agostini, Kevin Schwantz, Chaz Davies, Neil Hodgson and Trevor Nation will lead the lineup of motorcyclists.

In total, over 20 World Champions across all disciplines will be attending, and many will be tackling the 1.86 kilometre Goodwood hillclimb in both new and classic vehicles.

Mark Webber became the first driver to win from pole this season as the Spanish Grand Prix lived up to its notoriously dull reputation until late catastrophe struck Lewis Hamilton.

The past 10 winners of the race at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya have won from the top spot on the grid, with Webber emphatically enforcing that statistic with a lights-to-flag triumph.

It was the 33-year-old Australian’s first win this year, and third of his career, elevating him up to fourth in the championship, the 25 points for the victory almost as much as his haul from the first four races.

Hamilton should have grabbed the runner-up spot for the second successive race, only to suffer a suspension failure on the penultimate lap that plunged him into a tyre wall, with the Briton fortunately emerging unharmed.

That, though, was to the delight of the Spanish fans as Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso finished second, benefiting also from Sebastian Vettel suffering an issue with the front right of his Red Bull that dropped him to third.

McLaren will today launch an investigation into the penultimate-lap drama that robbed Lewis Hamilton of 18 valuable points in yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Hamilton was poised for second place at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya after driving a faultless race until a suspected left- front tyre rim failure plunged the 25-year-old into a tyre wall.

It means Hamilton now heads into Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix 21 points adrift of team-mate Jenson Button when he might otherwise have been only a point down.

“For Lewis, it was just one of those days,” said team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

“He drove brilliantly, an impressively disciplined yet excitingly combative performance.

“He posted the fastest lap of the race on his way to what would have been a richly deserved second place had he not been forced to retire within spitting distance of the chequered flag.

“The parts will now be meticulously analysed back at the McLaren Technology Centre.

“Until we’ve done that we won’t be able to make any definitive statements about what we think it was that caused the problem.”

It is not the first time Hamilton has suffered tyre issues as he hurtled into a tyre barrier at 175mph in qualifying for the 2007 European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

Several weeks later another puncture dropped Hamilton to fifth at the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.

After yesterday’s race the 2008 world champion admitted to being “absolutely blown away” by this latest problem, but has vowed to keep fighting.

“This is my third or fourth tyre blow out in my career. More than most people have in their whole lifetime,” said Hamilton.

“There was no warning, the car felt great, so it was a surprise and a very disappointing end to the race.

“Up until that point it was pretty positive. I was just cruising to the finish line and heading for some great points.

“It was looking like a great job for us, but then it’s never over until its over.

“Eighteen points and I’d have been right back in the championship battle, but as it is, I’m a little bit further back now.

“So I’m absolutely blown away that something happened on the last two laps of the race, but that’s motor racing.

“You just have to keep your chin up and look forward.”

Whitmarsh echoed Hamilton’s sentiments, appreciating McLaren are still in a very strong position in both championships despite a lights-to-flag victory for Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber.

“Naturally enough, all of us at McLaren feel a little disappointed to have lost 18 world championship points at the 11th hour,” added Whitmarsh.

“But there are nonetheless a lot of positives we can take from the weekend.

“We showed strong race pace, we’re still leading both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, and the next grand prix is at Monaco.

“McLaren has won that race no fewer than 15 times, significantly more than any other team in Formula One history.

“We’ll be racing on the famous streets of the principality in a few days’ time, and you can be sure we’ll be doing everything in our power to add to our win tally there.”

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Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone yesterday confirmed an agreement had been signed with Full Throttle Productions for the city of Austin to stage the race as part of a 10-year deal.

Ecclestone hailed it as a major commitment on the part of the Austin authorities, who have pledged to build the first ever dedicated Formula One facility in the country. “For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event,” he said. “It was 30 years ago that the United States Grand Prix was last held on a purpose-built, permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, which enjoyed great success.”

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He had team-mate Sebastian Vettel covered throughout, setting the fastest time in Q1, Q2 and the crucial Q3. But not by much. After the first runs in Q3, Webber headed Vettel with 1min 20.239sec to 1:20.342.

“Normally we battle all through qualifying but today I got in two solid laps,” he said. “It’s nice go into the second run knowing that you are already ahead.”

He did just that. Vettel ran first on their second sorties and jumped ahead with 1:20.101, but before the German had even returned to the pits Webber had supplanted him with 1:19.995. And he did not need reminding that for the last nine years the pole winner here has gone on to win the race.

The Australian dedicated the success to the mechanics in the team, who have had sleepless nights putting new parts on the cars as and when they have arrived over the weekend. “They’ve really worked incredibly hard, and that effort they are putting into the car is translating into lap times. The modern F1 car is not like working on a road car, it’s a very sophisticated piece of kit so small changes take a while, and the guys spend all weekend getting the cars prepared the best way they can. Collectively we are all doing our bit.

“Christian [Horner, the team principal] said: ‘You won’t drive a car like this round here too often, so go and enjoy it.’ I did!”

Vettel, as tough a competitor as they come, was philosophical, knowing full well that what really matters is the race. “Congratulations to Mark,” he conceded cheerfully. “Today he was not beatable. I did good laps but just not enough. A 10th of a second is not much but today it was a bit too much for me.

“It’s a long race, and for sure at the moment it looks comfortable but we know how quickly things can change so we have to keep the feet on the ground. Maybe we get some rain. Mark beat me too much in the last sector, so I’m looking forward to seeing the data and where I can find some time.”

All of the other teams had expected Red Bull to be quick, since they’ve had the fastest car all season. However, McLaren – who were third and fifth with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button – Ferrari, who were fourth and ninth with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, and Mercedes, who were sixth and eighth with Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, have all admitted in varying degrees to being astonished at the margin of Red Bull’s superiority on a track that generally highlights the form that can be expected for the next few months.

Ferrari also had the small matter of a £13,500 fine to deal with after Alonso almost crashed into Rosberg in the pit-lane during Q3. The stewards ruled that the Spaniard had made an unsafe release from the pits, one which forced the German to veer left and brake hard.

Hamilton meanwhile was pleased with McLaren’s best qualifying of the season, after pipping his old adversary Alonso for third, but also resigned about the gap to Red Bull – almost a second. “What can I say, they are extremely quick throughout the high-speed corners and ridiculously fast with more downforce than other teams,” Hamilton conceded. “They’ve also made a step on top of that. But our car has a lot of potential, and we’ll continue to work on it; there are many avenues we can go through to gain more downforce. We also expected the threat from Ferrari and Mercedes; they tend not to be so fast in practice but are always quick in qualifying.”

In particular, a revamped Mercedes allowed Michael Schumacher to do what everyone expected him to when his return was announced, outpace team-mate Rosberg who has had the upper hand thus far this season.

“Anything’s possible,” Hamilton said. “Our race pace is quite a bit better than our qualifying pace, but they [Red Bull] are very, very fast and have quite a big gap on us. There’s a chance at the beginning of the race, and if the weather hits us… We have to remain optimistic and score as many points as we can while they’re having their good days.”

Whistling to keep your spirits up? Perhaps. But with only one win thus far from the first four races, Red Bull are more than well aware that there can be many a slip ‘twixt cup and lip

Last updated: 13 Jun 2010 22:21 UK

Live MotoGP

There is nothing like watching sport live at the actual venue, it doesn’t matter what the sport is, it is so much better to see it ‘in the flesh.’ When you attend, you get the whole atmosphere, all the sights, sounds and smells, and, you can actually feel that buzz of excitement rippling through the crowds. With MotoGP, you can have tickets that allow you access to see what goes on behind the scenes and of course you will get to watch all the warm up and qualifying rounds. This will give you a taste of things to come and let you see who is in good form and who will be in poll position for the actual race. The race itself will be an event never to be forgotten and you will be there to see all the action up close and personal. Often there are races of a lower calibre before the main event and these can be very exciting and entertaining. You can see the racers of the future honing their skills and learning their trade.

Paddock Watching

Round the paddock there is plenty to see, including the teams who work behind the scenes on the bikes. It is fascinating to watch them at work as they really do work as a team and each person has his own job and knows exactly what to do and when so that the bike is back on the track as fast as possible. The smell of engines and rubber is very distinctive and nothing can prepare you for the noise, it is deafening but there is something so very exciting about the roar of the engines and it really does get your blood pumping. The speed is incredible and of course any accidents are fraught with danger and of course the danger is part of the appeal.

Racing Around the Globe

As there are so many locations around the globe, you really can have a very special holiday or if you prefer you can go away for a long weekend if the venue you choose is not too far away. It is certainly something you will never forget and you may even get a bit hooked, so can’t wait to plan your next jaunt!

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Motorcycle racing, whether it is WorldSuperBikes or MotoGP, is one of those specator sports that never fails to give one a real ‘buzz’. Watching those bikes zooming about, those death defying wheelies at 90mph and the way they take corners, just sets the blood racing. There is no better way to see this action other than live, and BigRock

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Since 1974, the Tissot Watch Company has been a part of many high-profile sporting events, beginning with their sponsorship of a race car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in France. The company is now known for its involvement in a variety of performance sports, including Formula One motor racing, ice hockey, and cycling. In addition to their role as the official timekeepers of the Tour de Suisse, Tissot also holds the official stopwatch on World Championship cyclo-cross racing, and the Mountain Bike World Cup. Their ongoing relationships with global sporting events has led the Tissot Watch Company to launch a testimonial program involving a number of sports stars, including international football champion Michael Owen. As the 2000 European Footballer of the Year, Michael has played for leading football clubs in England and Spain, and he is presently playing in the English Premier League for the world-famous Newcastle United.

Ten years ago, Tissot chose Michael Owen, and they have since chosen many others to join their team of Brand Ambassadors. Brand Ambassadors are chosen because they reflect the brand’s values of precision, performance, innovation and prestige. These are the values that have been at the crux of the Tissot brand since the company was founded in 1853, and just like the company itself Tissot’s Brand Ambassadors have consistently personified these values by pushing the boundaries of excellence and performance.

Another well known athlete on the Tissot team of ambassadors is Danica Patrick – the first woman to win a race in the IndyCar Series. Danica became the first female Tissot ambassador in 2005, and has recently extended her contract for another two years. In the male-dominated world of racing, Danica is known for her being fiercely competitive, while maintaining her stylish femininity. Nicky Hayden, who won the 2006 MotoGP World Championship, has joined the Tissot team as well. Currently in his 6th season with the MotoGP Championships, Nicky is known for pushing himself (and his bike) to reach new heights of excellence. Nicky, Danica, Michael and other iconic sports figures have embraced the Tissot brand because of its dedication to precision, technological excellence, and long history of innovation. But the Tissot team of Brand Ambassadors is not limited to the world of professional sports.

Two other team members are known for their personal style and passion for the arts. Asian beauty Barbie Xu, who became famous for her starring role in “Meteor Garden” is a rising star in television and cinema. Ms. Xu is often sought after by talk shows and magazines for her opinions on fashion, beauty, and culture, and of course her love of Tissot watches.

Another well-known actress, Deepika Padukone plays the role of Tissot’s brand ambassador for India, and is known as the “Face of Tissot” around the world. One of India’s most admired actresses, Deepika is also an international model. In March 2009, Deepika proudly launched the new Tissot T-Touch Expert at an event in Mumbai, India. When Ms.

Padukone announced the launch of the T-Touch Expert, she said it is more than just a watch. Calling it a “gizmo” that any traveler would want to own, Deepika said the new touch-screen timepiece made wearing a watch a more thrilling experience for her. She was especially impressed it its extraordinary functions. Among many fans of Tissot, Deepika praised this new breakthrough in timekeeping technology.

Tissot’s team of Brand Ambassadors represents a variety of talents, spanning the globe, but what binds them together is their passion for excellence.

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For additional information on luxurious Men’s and Women’s Tissot Watches visit www.WatchesOnNet.Com

The World Championship event Formula One race, held every March, has been delighting spectators since 1996, when the Australian Grand Prix hit the race circuit calendars. It hasn’t slowed down since. Not only does the racing event draw thousands of travelers and visitors from around Australia, but around the world as well, and every visitor is rewarded with more than just a car race.

Australia, especially Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, has much to offer visitors, including great weather, friendly people and world-class restaurants, hotels and amusements. Melbourne also offers a laid back atmosphere that caters to any budget. Visitors who come to see the now world-famous Formula One racing event often stay to enjoy the vistas, foods and sites that Australia has to offer.

For racing fans, the Australian Grand Prix is part of a Formula One racing circuit that includes the United States’ Indianapolis 500, the Malaysian Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur, the Grand Premio de Espa�a Telef�nica in Catalunya and warms up audiences for the ultimate in Formula One racing in Monaco with the Monaco Grand Prix held at the end of May 25-27 of 2007. The Monaco Grand Prix has gained the reputation of being the ultimate in Formula One racing as the most difficult and prestigious of the circuit. That one event within the Formula One racing circuit draws more people every year to a principality that is known for brilliant sunshine, fantastic beaches and unequalled luxury.

The Australian Grand Prix racing event takes place over several days and starts the annual Formula One World Championship. Held in the Albert Park, the site has long been popular with native Australian racing fans since the 1950s, and the race is viewed by millions of racing fans around the world. Known for its love of sports, Melbourne offers events and entertainments to suit any taste, all in an atmosphere known for its blend of rugged history and �Outback’ serenity with the newest and most popular in business and technology.

Pricing for event tickets are fantastic and offer visitors the choice of three different ticket pricing ranges and grandstands or flat grassland to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the world’s greatest racing events. The Australian blue sky and warm weather offers world travelers a respite to brutal winters elsewhere, and Melbourne nightlife offers treats and events to visitors who want to enjoy everything Australia has to offer after the engines have cooled and it’s time to relax and enjoy the ambience.

Thousands of travelers flock to Melbourne every year to witness the spectacular Australian Grand Prix and are also treated to the Carrera Cup, the Celebrity Challenge and the Aussie Racing Cars, as well as a myriad of events and entertainments that take place away from the asphalt and racing grounds. Melbourne pulls out the red carpet for this yearly event, and everyone is welcome to the Land Down Under for exquisite landscapes, great food and more than enough entertainment to please anyone.

This year’s race was won by Kimi Raikkonen in a Ferrari, but the Finnish driver’s exploits didn’t make as many headlines as debutant British driver Lewis Hamilton who finsihed third, the best Formula 1 debut for years.

The four days that cover the Australian Grand Prix provide spectators, no matter where they sit, with the fastest, loudest and most gifted Formula One race car drivers in the world as they rev their engines and prepare to battle for position on the track. Off track, tourists can enjoy the seashore or venture inland to see exotic wildlife, mingle with native Australians and enjoy the great outdoors in a land that offers a blend rustic ruggedness and the finest in luxury.

If you missed the Australian Grand Prix in 2007, make sure you clear your calendar for next year’s Formula One racing event, as the Australian Grand Prix is an experience that everyone should enjoy at least once in their lives.
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YourMonaco.com offers details about Monaco, including her Grand Prix. The Monaco hotels are already fully booked for the Grand Prix so anyone wishing to attend should consider hotels in Nice and make their way to Casino Square, Monte Carlo by train.