A look back at the 2012 Formula 1 Airtel Indian Grand Prix race weekend
From the first practice session to the checkered flag, Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel dominated the 2012 Formula 1 Airtel Indian Grand Prix.
In this blog post we're taking a look back at the race weekend and wrapping up all F1 related news.
- On Thursday Mercedes revealed a special edition SLS AMG autographed by their drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. The changes in the car were limited to only visual fitments and everything remains untouched under the hood. This car will be displayed at the Mercedes AMG Sportscar Driving Academy and at some Star Drive Experience events.
- Michael Schumacher will not continue driving in F1. He's stopping with the last race of 2013 and heading back home.
- The Mercedes F1 W03 is constructed out of moulded carbon fibre with the wheels made out of forged magnesium. The Brembo brakes have both the disc and the pad made out of carbon. The seven speed, sequential, semi-automatic, hydraulic gearbox transfers the power to the rear wheels with the clutch plate made out of carbon too. The 2.4L V8 engine weighs just 95kg and can rev all the way to 18k rpm.
- 9 out of 10 corners between turns 5 and 14 on the Buddh International Circuit are taken at 200 to 250kmph.
- The maximum lateral force generated on the lap is 3.8 G in turn 13.
- The cars spend 8.2 seconds cornering in the double right-hander at turns 10 and 11.
- On Sunday Mark Webber reported the failure of KERS with 10 laps to the finish line and had to forfeit second position to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso who passed him on the straight.
- Michael Schumacher's race was essentially finished in the first few corners when he suffered a puncture after a minor collision with Torro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne. Schumacher's teammate Nico Rosberg finished outside the points in 11th place.
- The next race is in Abu Dhabi on November 4, followed by the American GP on November 18 and the season finale will be held in Brazil on November 25th.
Scroll through the gallery below to get a glimpse of the Indian GP 2012.