Button, Schumacher and Rosberg's F1 demo runs | F1 pictures

Jenson Button was greeted by thousands of Hungarian fans when he performed a demonstration run in his McLaren yesterday.

Button did doughnuts and hit a top speed of 200kph (125mph) on the roads near the Hungarian Parliament building during the event for one of McLaren's sponsors.

'It was a great pleasure for me to take part in such a huge festival featuring exciting programs in downtown Budapest,' said Button.

He drove last year's MP4-26 at the event.

Another driver putting on a display in a recent F1 car was Michael Schumacher, who entertained fans at the first round of the DTM championship at the Hockenheimring on Sunday.

Schumacher did a demonstration run in last year's W02 at the track which will hold this year's German Grand Prix.

Team mate Nico Rosberg drove a Mercedes W196 Streamliner ' an example of the last Mercedes to win an F1 race before his victory in the Chinese Grand Prix this year.

The DTM race was won for Mercedes by McLaren test driver Gary Paffett.

Here are pictures from both events.

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Jenson Button, McLaren, Hungary, 2012

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes, Hockenheim, 2012

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes, Hockenheim, 2012

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes, Hockenheim, 2012

Michael Schumacher, Ralf Schumacher, Mercedes, Hockenheim, 2012

Christian Vietoris, Robert Wickens, Michael Schumacher, Roberto Mehri, Mercedes, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W196, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W196, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W196, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W196, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W196, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W196, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W196, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, Hockenheim, 2012

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, Hockenheim, 2012

F1 pictures

• Button, Schumacher and Rosberg's F1 demo runs
• Mugello test day one in pictures
• Top ten pictures from the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend
• 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix in pictures
• 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying in pictures

View more F1 pictures

Images © McLaren/Hoch Zwei, Daimler/Hoch Zwei

Rate the race result: 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix | 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix weekend was the focus of a bitter row over whether the race should go ahead given the situation in the country.

This had a clear effect on the outcome of our regular 'Rate the Race' poll. Some readers gave the race the lowest possible rating in protest at it having gone ahead at all.

There was also a significant drop in the number of people participating in the vote at all ' a 21.5% fall compared to the first three races of the year. Several commenters said they had not watched the race on principle.

The race, which saw Sebastian Vettel hold off Kimi Raikkonen for his first win of the year, was rated 6.904 out of ten, the lowest of the season so far, but higher than the last three Bahrain Grands Prix.

In a post-race discussion dominated by the political side of things, here's what F1 Fanatic readers had to say:

The events surrounding the weekend ' from the protests, the violent suppression, the protester tragically killed, the trouble experienced by Force India and Sauber, the blackout of Force India, the propaganda act from the regime, and the announcement of widespread arrests of protesters and journalists ' have left a very bad taste in my mouth which has overshadowed the Grand Prix.
Lin1876

Others disagreed that F1's willingness to do business with the Bahrain government reflected badly on it:

I grew up in Bahrain and spent 27 years there. The unrest has been happening there since 1993. So because a country has its issues, we shouldn't have a sport there? So we shouldn't have had any of the Bahrain Grands Prix if that is what you're saying.

The only reason that this is been put all out of proportion is because of the media. Maybe we should stop the F1 in Brazil because of the Button issue last year, or maybe stop China F1 because they have to much poverty? F1 is is about racing not about a country's issues.
Will

Damonsmedley took issue with the claim that the situation in Bahrain was just a media creation:

There were police and security forces keeping everyone away from the track and out of Manama so F1 personnel wouldn't come across anything other than pleasant and smiling pro-F1 locals.

Some naive people in F1 seem to have fallen for it, but the majority saw through it. Journalists were reprimanded and many were taken aside and given a good talking to for mentioning everything happening outside the track.

One protester that died earlier had his body withheld from his family until the Grand Prix was finished. It's all very disgusting and calling this weekend anything other than a complete failure and disaster would be lying.
Damonsmedley

Some simply chose not to rate the race in light of the situation:

I agree with the sentiment that it should not have been held. It did go ahead though, and I would feel wrong giving it a mark of one for non-racing reasons. Therefore, I'm abstaining.
Estesark

As for the race, some were disappointed to see Raikkonen slip back in the final stint:

I didn't expect the performance of the Lotus cars. Raikkonen blew a chance of a victory, I think. Really hope Rosberg doesn't get a penalty, his defensive driving was a highlight of the race.
Matty No 2

The effect of tyres on the racing divided opinion. Some appreciated what was clearly a more exciting race than F1's last visit to Bahrain:

Better than your usual Bahrain bore-fest, but the tyres made the race exciting ' not the track. Some good action up and down the field but I was disappointed that Raikkonen's pace didn't hold up.
djdaveyp85

While others echoed Michael Schumacher's comments:

I appreciate the new tyres making the races exciting, but I fear we're starting to see a trend developing too far into the strategy side and less towards the racing side.

It didn't seem like anyone could really go flat out at any point in the race unless they wanted to shred their tyres.
Matt

And regardless of the developments in Bahrain since last year, there remain those who think F1 already had a good reason not to visit the circuit:

If it wasn't for Lotus, for the mishaps that threw McLaren in the middle of the pack and for the fourth different winner this season, I'm afraid this would have been an insanely boring race.

As a fan of European circuits I'm also convinced Bahrain is just the first on a list of circuits that we could very well do without.
Antonio Nartea

Past rate the race results

What did you think of the Bahrain Grand Prix? Should the race have gone ahead? Have your say in the comments.

2012 F1 season

• Button, Schumacher and Rosberg's F1 demo runs
• Rate the race result: 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix
• Live: Mugello test day two
• Mugello test day one in pictures
• Rain limits running on first day of Mugello test

Browse all 2012 F1 season articles

Image © Lotus F1 Team/LAT

Live: Mugello test day two | F1 Fanatic Live

Join us and follow the second day of testing from Mugello on F1 Fanatic Live.

All the teams ' with the exception of HRT ' are testing at the 5.2km circuit north of Florence in Italy.

Fernando Alonso was fastest yesterday but heavy rain kept teams from doing much running.

F1 Fanatic Live combines updates from the teams and drivers in real-time via Twitter with comments from F1 Fanatic readers and more.

Launch F1 Fanatic Live: Mugello test day two

Image © Marussia

Live: Mugello test day one | F1 Fanatic Live

Join us and follow the first day of testing from Mugello on F1 Fanatic Live.

All bar one of the teams are present at the test. In total, 13 drivers are expected to run, with Oliver Turvey and Gary Paffett sharing the day at McLaren, and Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher doing likewise at Mercedes.

Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso are also expected to run today, along with test drivers Jerome D'Ambrosio, Valtteri Bottas and Rodolfo Gonzalez.

F1 Fanatic Live combines updates from the teams and drivers in real-time via Twitter with comments from F1 Fanatic readers and more.

Launch F1 Fanatic Live: Mugello test day one

Image © Ferrari spa/Ercole Colombo

Pirelli: tyre rules may need bringing up-to-date | 2012 F1 season

Pirelli have suggested F1's tyre rules should be revised to improve the action on race weekends.

Last year F1's official tyre supplier raised the possibility of bringing back qualifying tyres to encourage drivers to set times in all parts of qualifying. However the plan failed to gain the support of teams.

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery told F1 Fanatic: 'We have said before that it is somehow frustrating for the fans to see that some of the top ten drivers do not go out any more in Q3 to save tyres.

'Whereas we also understand the teams' side ' it adds an extra element of strategy for them ' it might be worthwhile to open a discussion on whether the tyre regulations should be modified as today's rules were mainly written for a time when tyres lasted for a whole race.

'It is not our role though to push for changes but we are happy to discuss with the teams, the promoter and the federation should they feel a need for modifying the current tyre regulations.'

Hembery was speaking in response to this article:

• F1 should fix flawed rules before changing tyres

2012 F1 season

• Pirelli: tyre rules may need bringing up-to-date
• Live: Mugello test day one
• F1 even closer in 2012 than it was in 2010
• Mugello test crucial for Ferrari's championship chances
• Sauber confirm sponsorship from football team Chelsea

Browse all 2012 F1 season articles

Image © Pirelli/LAT

Red Bull to put fans' faces on their cars for charity | F1 Fanatic round-up

In the round-up: Red Bull offer fans the chance to put their pictures on Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber's cars at the British Grand Prix as they did in 2007.

Links

Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:

Faces for Charity

'On 6-8 July, both of Red Bull Racing's Formula One cars will be covered in a collage of pictures in a campaign for the charity Wings for Life. Red Bull Racing, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber invite you to join them in their race by adding your photo to their cars.'

See pictures of the Red Bull Faces for Charity car that raced at Silverstone five years ago:

• Pictures: Red Bull's 'Fans Car'

Barrichello: Massa will have a long career in Formula 1 (Autosport)

'Massa's appearance at the Sao Paulo IndyCar event at the weekend prompted talk that he could follow Barrichello's lead and move to the US-based category ' something that has been denied.'

A Tour of COTA with Tilke Engineering (The Austin Grand Prix)

'At just over 1km, approximately five-eights of a mile, the back straight is long and has a nice slight right slant to it in addition to some mild elevation change. Cars entering turn 12 will be passing each other at 200mph, making the area around turn 12 an entertaining place to watch the race.'

ScarbsF1 via Twitter

'Paddock rumour suggests McLaren have a mechanic adjustable rear brake duct to alter heat going into the tyre via the wheel.'

Marussia F1 team showcases technology used in Formula 1 (IT Pro)

'There are over 4,500 parts on each car, but constant enhancements mean this number rapidly increases throughout the season. Lee estimated around a third of the parts on the car change between the first and last race of the year.'

May's podcast with Derek Warwick (MotorSport)

'Straight-talking BRDC president Derek Warwick on current Formula 1, his career, his work for the BRDC and trying to punch Michael Schumacher's lights out.'

Original 1991 Scuderia Ferrari F1 raced by Jean Alesi (eBay)

Yours for a cool £600,000 (£975,000).

Comment of the day

Silverkeg is enjoying the unpredictable season so far:

What is immediately obvious from the races alone though is the tightening of the field. The chasm between front-runners and midfield from last year has disappeared. The midfield is completely unpredictable itself and the front running group has become larger with each team throwing points away and taking advantage at individual races.

This is what has added that extra bit of enjoyment to the races this season for me, the unpredictability. I thought we had lost underdog performances last year, I blamed DRS, but we have rediscovered it. I know I for one am loving it!
Silverkeg

From the forum

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On this day in F1

Emerson Fittipaldi won the Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama 40 years ago today for Lotus.

Jacky Ickx started from pole position for Ferrari but finished second, the only other driver on the lead lap. Team mate Clay Regazzoni was third.

Sauber confirm sponsorship from football team Chelsea | 2012 F1 season

Sauber have confirmed a new sponsorship deal with English Premier League football club Chelsea.

The C31 will race with Chelsea logos from the next round of the world championship in Spain.

Team CEO Monisha Kaltenborn said: 'A partnership like this between Formula One and Football has never existed before in this form, yet there are numerous commonalities and possible synergies.

'In either case we are talking about team sport at the highest ' and international ' level. The Sauber F1 Team and Chelsea FC are dealing with many of the same sporting and commercial topics and we want to strengthen each other in these areas. We are looking forward to exploiting these opportunities, and we congratulate Chelsea on making it to the final of the Champions League.'

Sauber dropped hints about the forthcoming deal by running the slogans 'Out of the blue' and 'True blue' on its cars' engine covers in the last two races.

The deal will also see Sauber logos displayed on advertising boards at Chelsea's stadium.

2012 F1 season

• F1 even closer in 2012 than it was in 2010
• Mugello test crucial for Ferrari's championship chances
• Sauber confirm sponsorship from football team Chelsea
• First win makes Rosberg the Chinese GP Driver of the Weekend
• F1 should fix flawed rules before changing tyres

Browse all 2012 F1 season articles

Image © Sauber F1 Team