From bleacherreport.com
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Formula One French Grand Prix - Magny Cours
The French Grand Prix (Grand Prix de France) is a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships. Grand Prix motor racing originated in France and the French Grand... [more]
The French Grand Prix (Grand Prix de France) is a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships.
Grand Prix motor racing originated in France and the French Grand Prix, open to international competition, is the oldest Grand Prix races, first run on June 26, 1906 under the auspices of the Automobile Club de France in Sarthe, with a starting field of 32 automobiles.
The first World Championships were organized in 1925 with the French Grand Prix, the Italian Grand Prix, the Belgian Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. The French Grand Prix has been part of the Formula One championships since their inception in 1950. The race has been held at various racetracks throughout France, such as the Autodrome de Montlhéry. Since 1991 it has had its permanent home at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. The move to Magny-Cours was an attempt to stimulate the economy of the area, but many within Formula One complain about the remote nature of the circuit.
The 2004 and 2005 races were in doubt because of financial problems and the addition of new circuits to the Formula One calendar. These races went ahead as planned, but it still has an uncertain future.
On 29th March it was announced by the FFSA, the race promoter, that the 2008 French Grand Prix was put on an indefinate "pause". This suspension was due to the financial situation of the circuit, known to be disliked by many in F1 due to the circuits remote location.
Further, on 31 May, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that the 2007 French Grand Prix will be the last to be held at Magny-Cours. -- source www.wikipedia.org
French Grand Prix, Magny-Cours, 70 laps
1. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1hm30m54.200s
2. MASSA Ferrari +2.4s
3. HAMILTON McLaren +29.7s
1. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1hm30m54.200s
2. MASSA Ferrari +2.4s
3. HAMILTON McLaren +29.7s
4. KUBICA BMW +41.7s
5. HEIDFELD BMW +48.8s
6. FISICHELLA Renault +52.2s
7. ALONSO Mclaren +56.5s
8. BUTTON Honda +58.8s
9. ROSBERG Williams +1m08.5s
10. SCHUMACHER Toyota +1 lap
11. BARRICHELLO Honda +1 lap
12. WEBBER Red Bull +1 lap
13. COULTHARD Red Bull +1 lap
14. WURZ Williams +1 lap
15. KOVALAINEN Renault +1 lap
16. SATO Super Aguri +2 laps
17. SUTIL Spyker +2 laps
R. SPEED Toro Rosso +15 laps
R. LIUZZI Toro Rosso +42 laps
R. DAVIDSON Super Aguri +69 laps
R. TRULLI Toyota +69 laps
R. ALBERS Spyker +70 laps
Fastest lap: MASSA 1m16.099s
Linked from http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2007/6/6373.html
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Magny-Cours is just one of seven circuits to have hosted the French Grand Prix since it joined the Formula One calendar back in 1950. As speculation continues in the media over the future of the event, we look back at the raceâs long and glorious historyâ¦
The French event's original home was the ultra-fast Reims track, which had also staged Grands Prix in the pre-war era. The triangular-shaped circuit was fashioned from public roads and produced average speeds of well over 160 km/h, even in 1950. The inaugural championship race was won by Juan Manuel Fangio for Alfa Romeo, a feat he repeated the following year.
In 1952 Rouen-les-Essarts, another street circuit, held its first French Grand Prix, with Alberto Ascari unstoppable in his Ferrari. The Italian not only took pole position, he also led from flag to finish and claimed the fastest lap of the race.
For the following three events the race returned to Reims, with British driver Mike Hawthorn breaking Fangio's stranglehold on the circuit in 1953 after a close battle between the two, which saw them trade the lead countless times. Fangio took his revenge with victory in '54, there was no French race in 1955, and another Brit, Peter Collins, took the honours in 1956.
Between 1957 and 1964 the race moved between the two venues, Reims staging the Grand Prix five times and Rouen three. Among the names added to the winners' list were Tony Brooks, Dan Gurney and Jim Clark. Perhaps most notable though was 1961 victor Giancarlo Baghetti, who remains the only man to have won on his world championship debut.
Set in the scenic Auvergne mountains, Clermont-Ferrand hosted its first of four French Grands Prix in 1965. Jim Clark led from start to finish and when the race returned in 1969 fellow Scot Jackie Stewart did the same. Jochen Rindt was victorious the following year, while it was Stewart again for the circuit's final world championship appearance in 1972.
The spiritual home of French motorsport has always been Le Mans, venue for the famous 24-hour sportscar race. However, the Formula One world championship has visited the famous circuit just once, in 1967. The Le Mans-Bugatti track, as it was known, used only the start line and the pits of the traditional layout, with the rest of the lap comprising a purpose-built infield section. Jack Brabham took an easy win, but the circuit proved unpopular with drivers and spectators alike and never staged another Grand Prix.
Paul Ricard joined the Formula One racing calendar in 1971. Unlike its predecessors, it was a purpose-built circuit, boasting good facilities, though not a particularly inspiring track design. Jackie Stewart was its first winner, while Ronnie Peterson, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Mario Andretti and Alan Jones all took victories in the decade that followed.
During that time, the race switched between Paul Ricard and the Dijon-Prenois circuit, which debuted in 1974. Peterson took the inaugural win, but the sub-one minute lap time meant traffic was a problem. The track was duly extended for 1977, with Andretti victorious after John Watson's leading Brabham started to splutter on the final lap.
The 1979 race at Dijon was an all-French affair. Jean-Pierre Jabouille became the first Frenchman to win a world championship round on home soil and it was the maiden victory for national team Renault (and incidentally for a turbocharged car). However, the race will forever be remembered for the epic battle for second between Rene Arnoux in the other Renault and the Ferrari of Gilles Villeneuve. The latter finished ahead, but only after two of the most frantic closing laps in Formula One racing history.
When the race returned to Dijon in 1981, it was again a Frenchman who took the chequered flag as Alain Prost scored his maiden Formula One victory, again with home team Renault. It was to be one of six French Grand Prix wins for Prost, including three on the trot at Paul Ricard between 1988 and 1990.
Dijon hosted the Swiss Grand Prix in 1982 with Keke Rosberg taking his maiden Formula One win. The venue then staged its final French Grand Prix in 1984, when Niki Lauda got the better of Patrick Tambay's Renault to clinch victory.
For the following six seasons, Paul Ricard held the monopoly on the French Grand Prix. Nelson Piquet won for Brabham in 1985, before major changes were made to the track for the 1986 race following the death of Elio de Angelis in testing. Nigel Mansell was victorious for Williams that year and he did it again in 1987. Prost then dominated the final three Grands Prix at Dijon.
The race switched to its current home of Magny-Cours in 1991 as part of a project backed by President Francoise Mitterrand to bring much-needed income to the rural area. The rebuilt club circuit boasted an ultra-smooth surface and excellent facilities, even if drivers felt the track itself was a little unexciting.
Nigel Mansell was the first winner, the Williams driver emerging victorious after a tense battle with the Ferrari of Alain Prost. He was on top of the podium again for Williams in '92, while Prost made it three in a row for the British team in '93.
The 1994 event brought Michael Schumacher his first French Grand Prix win. It also witnessed the return of Mansell to Formula One racing after his success in the American CART series. He qualified on the front row for Williams, but ultimately retired from the race.
Schumacher then won three of the next four French Grands Prix, for Benetton in 1995 and for Ferrari in 1997 and 1998. Damon Hill was the man to interrupt his run, but only after the German had retired on the formation lap of the 1996 event with a blown engine.
Heinz-Harald Frentzen scored his first Jordan win at Magny-Cours in 1999, beating the McLaren of Mika Hakkinen and the Stewart of Rubens Barrichello into second and third respectively. Meanwhile, in 2000 David Coulthard was victorious for McLaren after successfully hunting down and passing Schumacher's Ferrari.
However, Schumacher was back on the podium in France in 2001 after a processional race that saw him take the lead from brother Ralf in the first round of pit stops. Kimi Raikkonen looked set for a maiden victory in 2002 until he ran wide on oil at the Adelaide hairpin with just four laps to go. The Finnâs misfortune handed victory, and with it a record-equalling fifth world title, to Schumacher on a plate.
It was a Schumacher victory again in 2003, but this time it was younger brother Ralfâs turn to stand atop the podium, for the second time in two races. He led home a dominant Williams one-two, though team mate Juan Pablo Montoya was less than happy with a late change in pit stop strategy which the Colombian felt robbed him of a chance of challenging for victory. He came home 14 seconds behind Ralf after easing off in the closing stages, with Michael Schumacher third, a further 5 seconds down the road.
In 2004, the older Schumacher sibling was back on the top step of the podium, after finishing less than nine seconds ahead of the Renault of pole-sitter Fernando Alonso. Rubens Barrichello in the second Ferrari finished in third. In 2005 Alonso was the leading light, taking his fifth victory of the season.
Last year, however, Schumacher regained his winning form in France, comfortably defeating Alonso on Renaultâs home soil. Though the Spaniard took second, mostly down to a clever two-stop strategy, Ferrariâs Felipe Massa came home third to increase the Italian teamâs chances in the title fight.
This season the championship battle is proving equally fierce, and the fight for victory on Sunday looks set to be a suitably dramatic send-off, should this weekend really turn out to be the last French Grand Prix held at Magny-Cours.
---
Magny-Cours is just one of seven circuits to have hosted the French Grand Prix since it joined the Formula One calendar back in 1950. As speculation continues in the media over the future of the event, we look back at the raceâs long and glorious historyâ¦
The French event's original home was the ultra-fast Reims track, which had also staged Grands Prix in the pre-war era. The triangular-shaped circuit was fashioned from public roads and produced average speeds of well over 160 km/h, even in 1950. The inaugural championship race was won by Juan Manuel Fangio for Alfa Romeo, a feat he repeated the following year.
In 1952 Rouen-les-Essarts, another street circuit, held its first French Grand Prix, with Alberto Ascari unstoppable in his Ferrari. The Italian not only took pole position, he also led from flag to finish and claimed the fastest lap of the race.
For the following three events the race returned to Reims, with British driver Mike Hawthorn breaking Fangio's stranglehold on the circuit in 1953 after a close battle between the two, which saw them trade the lead countless times. Fangio took his revenge with victory in '54, there was no French race in 1955, and another Brit, Peter Collins, took the honours in 1956.
Between 1957 and 1964 the race moved between the two venues, Reims staging the Grand Prix five times and Rouen three. Among the names added to the winners' list were Tony Brooks, Dan Gurney and Jim Clark. Perhaps most notable though was 1961 victor Giancarlo Baghetti, who remains the only man to have won on his world championship debut.
Set in the scenic Auvergne mountains, Clermont-Ferrand hosted its first of four French Grands Prix in 1965. Jim Clark led from start to finish and when the race returned in 1969 fellow Scot Jackie Stewart did the same. Jochen Rindt was victorious the following year, while it was Stewart again for the circuit's final world championship appearance in 1972.
The spiritual home of French motorsport has always been Le Mans, venue for the famous 24-hour sportscar race. However, the Formula One world championship has visited the famous circuit just once, in 1967. The Le Mans-Bugatti track, as it was known, used only the start line and the pits of the traditional layout, with the rest of the lap comprising a purpose-built infield section. Jack Brabham took an easy win, but the circuit proved unpopular with drivers and spectators alike and never staged another Grand Prix.
Paul Ricard joined the Formula One racing calendar in 1971. Unlike its predecessors, it was a purpose-built circuit, boasting good facilities, though not a particularly inspiring track design. Jackie Stewart was its first winner, while Ronnie Peterson, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Mario Andretti and Alan Jones all took victories in the decade that followed.
During that time, the race switched between Paul Ricard and the Dijon-Prenois circuit, which debuted in 1974. Peterson took the inaugural win, but the sub-one minute lap time meant traffic was a problem. The track was duly extended for 1977, with Andretti victorious after John Watson's leading Brabham started to splutter on the final lap.
The 1979 race at Dijon was an all-French affair. Jean-Pierre Jabouille became the first Frenchman to win a world championship round on home soil and it was the maiden victory for national team Renault (and incidentally for a turbocharged car). However, the race will forever be remembered for the epic battle for second between Rene Arnoux in the other Renault and the Ferrari of Gilles Villeneuve. The latter finished ahead, but only after two of the most frantic closing laps in Formula One racing history.
When the race returned to Dijon in 1981, it was again a Frenchman who took the chequered flag as Alain Prost scored his maiden Formula One victory, again with home team Renault. It was to be one of six French Grand Prix wins for Prost, including three on the trot at Paul Ricard between 1988 and 1990.
Dijon hosted the Swiss Grand Prix in 1982 with Keke Rosberg taking his maiden Formula One win. The venue then staged its final French Grand Prix in 1984, when Niki Lauda got the better of Patrick Tambay's Renault to clinch victory.
For the following six seasons, Paul Ricard held the monopoly on the French Grand Prix. Nelson Piquet won for Brabham in 1985, before major changes were made to the track for the 1986 race following the death of Elio de Angelis in testing. Nigel Mansell was victorious for Williams that year and he did it again in 1987. Prost then dominated the final three Grands Prix at Dijon.
The race switched to its current home of Magny-Cours in 1991 as part of a project backed by President Francoise Mitterrand to bring much-needed income to the rural area. The rebuilt club circuit boasted an ultra-smooth surface and excellent facilities, even if drivers felt the track itself was a little unexciting.
Nigel Mansell was the first winner, the Williams driver emerging victorious after a tense battle with the Ferrari of Alain Prost. He was on top of the podium again for Williams in '92, while Prost made it three in a row for the British team in '93.
The 1994 event brought Michael Schumacher his first French Grand Prix win. It also witnessed the return of Mansell to Formula One racing after his success in the American CART series. He qualified on the front row for Williams, but ultimately retired from the race.
Schumacher then won three of the next four French Grands Prix, for Benetton in 1995 and for Ferrari in 1997 and 1998. Damon Hill was the man to interrupt his run, but only after the German had retired on the formation lap of the 1996 event with a blown engine.
Heinz-Harald Frentzen scored his first Jordan win at Magny-Cours in 1999, beating the McLaren of Mika Hakkinen and the Stewart of Rubens Barrichello into second and third respectively. Meanwhile, in 2000 David Coulthard was victorious for McLaren after successfully hunting down and passing Schumacher's Ferrari.
However, Schumacher was back on the podium in France in 2001 after a processional race that saw him take the lead from brother Ralf in the first round of pit stops. Kimi Raikkonen looked set for a maiden victory in 2002 until he ran wide on oil at the Adelaide hairpin with just four laps to go. The Finnâs misfortune handed victory, and with it a record-equalling fifth world title, to Schumacher on a plate.
It was a Schumacher victory again in 2003, but this time it was younger brother Ralfâs turn to stand atop the podium, for the second time in two races. He led home a dominant Williams one-two, though team mate Juan Pablo Montoya was less than happy with a late change in pit stop strategy which the Colombian felt robbed him of a chance of challenging for victory. He came home 14 seconds behind Ralf after easing off in the closing stages, with Michael Schumacher third, a further 5 seconds down the road.
In 2004, the older Schumacher sibling was back on the top step of the podium, after finishing less than nine seconds ahead of the Renault of pole-sitter Fernando Alonso. Rubens Barrichello in the second Ferrari finished in third. In 2005 Alonso was the leading light, taking his fifth victory of the season.
Last year, however, Schumacher regained his winning form in France, comfortably defeating Alonso on Renaultâs home soil. Though the Spaniard took second, mostly down to a clever two-stop strategy, Ferrariâs Felipe Massa came home third to increase the Italian teamâs chances in the title fight.
This season the championship battle is proving equally fierce, and the fight for victory on Sunday looks set to be a suitably dramatic send-off, should this weekend really turn out to be the last French Grand Prix held at Magny-Cours.
Linked from http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2007/6/6370.html
---
The French Grand Prix has been a fixture on the Formula One calendar for over fifty years, but just how much do you know about its history?
- The French Grand Prix is one of the most historic races on the Formula One racing calendar, having been staged every year bar one (1955) since the inception of the world championship in 1950. Magny-Cours, which hosted its first race in 1991, is one of seven circuits to have held the event.
- The original Magny-Cours track, opened in 1960, was just over a mile in length and by 1969 the track record stood at just 49 seconds. The current circuit is 2.7 miles, or 4.411 kilometres, long.
- Nigel Mansell won the first French Grand Prix to be held at Magny-Cours for Williams, after a fierce battle with the Ferrari of Alain Prost. Williams remain the second most successful squad at the track, having clinched five wins, eight poles and five fastest laps. Ferrari have won the most at the Nevers circuit, with six victories, all courtesy of former driver Michael Schumacher.
- Magny-Cours is one of the toughest circuits on the calendar for brakes. The Adelaide hairpin alone sees drivers subjected to up to 4g as they brake from 300 km/h to 60 km/h. The French circuit also boasts an exceptionally smooth surface, which means the teams can run cars with stiff suspension and a very low ride height.
- In 1961, Ferrari driver Giancarlo Baghetti made history after winning the French Grand Prix on his world championship debut. Baghetti had started the race 12th on the grid. Ralf Schumacher (2001), Damon Hill (1993), Jochen Rindt (1968) and Lorenzo Bandini (1966) all scored the maiden pole position of their Formula One careers at the French Grand Prix.
- Red Bullâs David Coulthard has scored the greatest number of fastest laps at Magny-Cours. Coulthard clocked the best time at the French circuit every year from 1998 to 2002 for former team McLaren.
- This year, Formula One racingâs official tyre supplier, Bridgestone, will take 2,200 soft and medium compound tyres to Magny-Cours.
- Michael Schumacher has had the most success in France with eight wins. Alain Prost is the second most successful driver with six victories. Of the gridâs current crop of drivers only David Coulthard (2000), Ralf Schumacher (2003) and Fernando Alonso (2005) have won the French race.
- Although Rubens Barrichello has been on the French Grand Prix podium four times, he has never won the race. Fellow Brazilian Ayrton Senna was equally unlucky in France, only appearing on the podium three-times during his 11 year career.
- There are nine right-hand corners and eight left-hand corners at Magny-Cours. Drivers will spend 64 percent of the lap at full-throttle and will change gear a total of 37 times.
---
The French Grand Prix has been a fixture on the Formula One calendar for over fifty years, but just how much do you know about its history?
- The French Grand Prix is one of the most historic races on the Formula One racing calendar, having been staged every year bar one (1955) since the inception of the world championship in 1950. Magny-Cours, which hosted its first race in 1991, is one of seven circuits to have held the event.
- The original Magny-Cours track, opened in 1960, was just over a mile in length and by 1969 the track record stood at just 49 seconds. The current circuit is 2.7 miles, or 4.411 kilometres, long.
- Nigel Mansell won the first French Grand Prix to be held at Magny-Cours for Williams, after a fierce battle with the Ferrari of Alain Prost. Williams remain the second most successful squad at the track, having clinched five wins, eight poles and five fastest laps. Ferrari have won the most at the Nevers circuit, with six victories, all courtesy of former driver Michael Schumacher.
- Magny-Cours is one of the toughest circuits on the calendar for brakes. The Adelaide hairpin alone sees drivers subjected to up to 4g as they brake from 300 km/h to 60 km/h. The French circuit also boasts an exceptionally smooth surface, which means the teams can run cars with stiff suspension and a very low ride height.
- In 1961, Ferrari driver Giancarlo Baghetti made history after winning the French Grand Prix on his world championship debut. Baghetti had started the race 12th on the grid. Ralf Schumacher (2001), Damon Hill (1993), Jochen Rindt (1968) and Lorenzo Bandini (1966) all scored the maiden pole position of their Formula One careers at the French Grand Prix.
- Red Bullâs David Coulthard has scored the greatest number of fastest laps at Magny-Cours. Coulthard clocked the best time at the French circuit every year from 1998 to 2002 for former team McLaren.
- This year, Formula One racingâs official tyre supplier, Bridgestone, will take 2,200 soft and medium compound tyres to Magny-Cours.
- Michael Schumacher has had the most success in France with eight wins. Alain Prost is the second most successful driver with six victories. Of the gridâs current crop of drivers only David Coulthard (2000), Ralf Schumacher (2003) and Fernando Alonso (2005) have won the French race.
- Although Rubens Barrichello has been on the French Grand Prix podium four times, he has never won the race. Fellow Brazilian Ayrton Senna was equally unlucky in France, only appearing on the podium three-times during his 11 year career.
- There are nine right-hand corners and eight left-hand corners at Magny-Cours. Drivers will spend 64 percent of the lap at full-throttle and will change gear a total of 37 times.
Linked from http://www.formula1.com/race/circuitdetail/777.html
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In 1960 Jean Bernigaud built a racing circuit on farm land near to Magny Cours in the Upper Loire, France. The original track was just over a mile in length and by 1969 the track record stood at just 49 seconds. Bernigaud expanded the circuit to create two interconnecting tracks with a total length of 3.84 kilometres (2.39 miles). The new track was officially opened in 1971.
Magny Cours was the home of a whole generation of French motor racing stars in the 1970s. A race school was established in 1963 and famous graduates included Francois Cevert, Patrick Depailler, Jean-Pierre Jarier and Jacques Laffite.
The track hosted rounds of the European F3 championship but it was not until former President Francois Mitterand decided to invest in the flagging economy of the area, that Magny Cours was seriously considered for Formula One. A new motorway was built to link the track to the existing autoroutes and a huge industrial park was built to attract France's best racing teams.
The track layout remained the same but the corners were all changed, the track retaining its dual layout but now comprising a length of 4.26 kilometres (2.65 miles). In 1991 the French grand Prix came to Magny Cours and it has remained there ever since.
Situated in central Nievre region, the circuit is half way between Paris and Lyon. The two main airports are Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly, both in Paris, or alternatively the Satolas Airport in Lyon.
From Paris, using the A10 motorway, take the Bourge exit for the N76 to Pierre Le Moultier. Driving from Lyon and its Satolas airport, take the A6 to Paris, leaving at Macon Sud for the N79 and subsequently the D979.
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In 1960 Jean Bernigaud built a racing circuit on farm land near to Magny Cours in the Upper Loire, France. The original track was just over a mile in length and by 1969 the track record stood at just 49 seconds. Bernigaud expanded the circuit to create two interconnecting tracks with a total length of 3.84 kilometres (2.39 miles). The new track was officially opened in 1971.
Magny Cours was the home of a whole generation of French motor racing stars in the 1970s. A race school was established in 1963 and famous graduates included Francois Cevert, Patrick Depailler, Jean-Pierre Jarier and Jacques Laffite.
The track hosted rounds of the European F3 championship but it was not until former President Francois Mitterand decided to invest in the flagging economy of the area, that Magny Cours was seriously considered for Formula One. A new motorway was built to link the track to the existing autoroutes and a huge industrial park was built to attract France's best racing teams.
The track layout remained the same but the corners were all changed, the track retaining its dual layout but now comprising a length of 4.26 kilometres (2.65 miles). In 1991 the French grand Prix came to Magny Cours and it has remained there ever since.
Situated in central Nievre region, the circuit is half way between Paris and Lyon. The two main airports are Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly, both in Paris, or alternatively the Satolas Airport in Lyon.
From Paris, using the A10 motorway, take the Bourge exit for the N76 to Pierre Le Moultier. Driving from Lyon and its Satolas airport, take the A6 to Paris, leaving at Macon Sud for the N79 and subsequently the D979.
The 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button will drive alongside 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton for McLaren in an all-English line-up next season. Adamo Digby looks at the move and wonders if the current champion might have made a mistake in choosing what some view as Formula One's most difficult seat.
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From independent.co.uk
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It seems Kimi Raikkonen will not be competing in Formula 1 at least until the end of the 2010 season. With Ferrari signing Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa for the upcoming season, Raikkonen was forced to look elsewhere. It now seems though he will not join another team and instead will take a sabbatical.
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Making the dissolution of Brawn GP complete, Formula One world champion Jenson Button has stepped into the fun of being Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at McLaren for 2010. It’s probably been Formula One’s worst kept secret these past few weeks, but it’s official now: after Rubens Barrichello’s leave for Williams and Brawn GP’s sale to Mercedes-Benz, Jenson Button has left the team to join McLaren for the 2010 Formula One season. The legend of...
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From jalopnik.com
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Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen confirmed Thursday that he will take a one-year sabbatical from Formula One next season and said it's uncertain whether he will return in 2011.
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McLaren has confirmed that Jenson Button will join them on a "multi-year" deal, after Mercedes failed to agree to terms with the world champion.
Button will partner 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton in a dream team to rival Ferrari's line up of former world champion Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, while McLaren retain the numbers 1 and 2 on their cars.
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- Jenson Button Leaves Brawn GP; Joins McLaren Formula 1 Team (news.google.com)
