2011 - a year of ups and downs, and in motorsport. Laughing and happy and, unfortunately, much mourned. Personally, my motorsport year was overshadowed by the accidental death of Dan Wheldons. A moment that everything had completely forgotten sport and I also replied to several days of mourning. It's hard on something to find the right words. And yet they were the moments that we like to look back. Moments for some of the difficult one years brightened in 2011, at least for the moment - the moment shots, so to speak.
Like every year, the racing team blog looks so back to the racing season in 2011 and picked out the raisins. This is the last part, which is why I also want to again take the opportunity to all users as well as my esteemed colleagues to wish you a happy and healthy new year!
Best race
Not an easy task, after a long season to pick the best race in person. Personally, I do it myself in such collections also always very difficult, so I now beg your pardon, that there will be several entries in different categories. Certainly, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an absolute hit. The times when it's quiet and it was concerned the spare car over the distance, are probably now over. What Audi and Peugeot have fired in 2011 for fireworks investigated in endurance sports like him. Personally, I was naturally very pleased that Andre Lotterer for the first time the hunt at the Rolex could decide with his team-mates for themselves. And this could also look at the end of Audi, which ran back to the serious accidents of Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller, fortunately for all involved, only two over-priced scrap heap.
Also high on my list is the Canadian Grand Prix Formula One. This race just had everything you could wish for. Overtaking, dramas, rain. Lots of rain even. A long, albeit entertaining break break (disgraced Eddie Jordon and Peter Lauterbach, Germany sky, our favorite Jacques Schulz with the most perfect imitation of Rihanna, to name just two highlights) and a compelling, almost memorable final round. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve makes for excellent entertainment anyway - the 2011 edition will be topped but difficult.
Memorable, and perhaps my secret number 1, however, was the 40th International Pokka GT Summer Special of the SUPER GT at Suzuka. 2011 by 1000 km or once shortened 700km to 500km, the Japanese demonstrated how such a gripping and well-balanced long-distance race can be. Certainly helped the rain, but also steady, dry conditions, the prediction of the winner would have been difficult. In the GT500 had chances to win all three brands, in all three sectors, the balance of power in different ways. And that's reflected also in the race then again, times were the Nissan up front, then the Lexus guys. In the end, ultimately Kogure and Duval won the Weider HSV-010 before Quintarelli and Yanagida S Road MOLA in the GT-R, which were then at the end of the season but still decide the championship for himself and the young team within the Nissan organization for the . The following highlights video can not even be reflected in the approach to the drama and excitement of the race, there is a good indicator of the action that we have seen so well in all other races of the year.
Best Finish
Again, I spontaneously fall like a more finishes. All runs of Fuji Sprint Cup were sensational and perfect for material Bebeissen full of nails. Then of course the finish line at the Canadian Grand Prix as Sebastian Vettel was nervous and under pressure in the final lap of Jenson Button made the decisive mistake - and gave the victory to the British. For Vettel, of course, critics were waiting for, though many of these beasts intelligence quickly forgot about that are also in motorsport only people on the go. And human errors happen. That being said: Buttons triumph was not only deserve, but in view of his outstanding comeback probably the best race of his career. The two IndyCar target intakes in Kentucky (Ed Carpenter won for the chronically under-funded team of Sarah Fisher) and the Indianapolis 500 (JR Hildebrand wift when lapping the car in the last turn of the last round in the Wall - Dan Wheldon wins his last race at the first commencement in the season), and I know the Indy 500 is not what ultimately was better: the finish or the "analysis" of the many self-proclaimed experts. The latter has of course taken care of for me, of course, for the most laughs. And then of course there was the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale at Homestead-Miami. At the end champion Tony Stewart broke all zero points before Carl Edwards. It better not even Hollywood could have written. In the race the way Truex Jr. was second matrix.
Best driver
Tough question. A very difficult question actually. If we here Sebastian Vettel up, then this corresponds to the truth, of course, is the same but also a safe bet. Needless to say Vettel has made this year again proved his class. Apart from the Canadian Grand Prix at times, he has made the least mistakes and always got the most out of his car. Of the role he was only at the Nurburgring, but that after his first appearance at the Red Bull two years ago at the same place, the experts should not have been surprising. Vettel and the ring that still does not fit quite right. The rest of the Formula One circus, in particular, his team-mate Mark Webber, who Heppenheimer left completely behind. Also do not forget I want Martin Tomczyk, who has not only his former private direct boss, the long nose shown, but also sporty finally brought to what he has for many years tried: DTM champion. One might joke about it just the title in the most popular touring car series took the inner and outer Galaxy ™, his hat (or cap) you have to prefer Tomczyk junior but still. Relegated to a B-car, he showed his potential. The move to BMW is not only logical but also exciting from a sporting point of view. If you can talk with DTM at all of supply. "Aw, Bernd schaffscht, even with the Danish Reifä?"
I do not want to forget Tony Stewart (questions?), Ronnie Quintarelli with Masataka Yanagida and of course Andre Lotterer. The latter not only drove one appropriate to the situation good-SUPER GT season (with the car was more just not possible), but also was crowned the first German Ralf Schumacher to have the title in the FORMULA NIPPON. Oh and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he also won. Good as it gets more comfortable.
Best team
Two words:. Vettel's Red Bull from view, one can probably deliver no more perfect job. If not for the word "but" would be, because there were other teams this year, which are neglected in the dominance of the red bull with injustice. Audi, for example, with the new R18 immediately won again in the 24 Hours of Le Mans , although one had a clear, technical gap for direct competitors Peugeot. The victory was thus not a matter of course. Stewart-Haas Racing has to be mentioned at this point also, which will indeed direct support from Hendrick Motorsports, in contrast to the Death Star team of Rick Hendrick, but a much better and were delivering for many, perhaps even amazing job. Few have Tony Stewart and his team expected such a performance in 2011. I would also like to highlight the MOLA team in the Super GT, which won its two drivers Ronnie Quintarelli and Masataka Yanagida this year, the GT500 class in both the driver as well as the team score. If Nissan already, then you have more expected Nismo and Co., but certainly not with Mola, finally it is here at a very young team GT500. Also worthy of mention and deal with applause hailed the team GSR & study with TeamUKYO in the GT300, which could heave with her BMW Z4 (in dashing Hatsune Miku-optic) after many years in both the driver as well as the team score a European brand up top podium. A fact which would certainly happen before you is the GT300 but was currently being implemented in Western hands, but so far only the team around Ukyo Katayama. With the JIMGAINER Ferrari had also this year a very strong competition. Hats off.
Overtaking the Jahrens
From the SUPER GT is (spectacular) overtaking is churning usual. As example would be 3-wide duels in the 130R, which not only sound crazy, but look even Sun Or the numerous duels at Fuji Sprint Cup. If I make up my mind but really, my choice would probably to Mark Webber on Fernando Alonso (overtaking in the Eau Rouge) and Sebastian Vettel with Fernando Alonso (around the outside of the Curva Grande with two tires on the grass) fall.
Friends of the Year
A video is worth a thousand words:
Enemies / duel of the year
It was not just the stupidest thing to do, but still damn dangerous: The climax of the feud between Kyle Busch and Ron Hornaday.
Scene of the Year
In addition to this here , of course double Effenberg Will Powers on the IndyCar Race Control, and in particular the "Director of Competition," Brian Barnhard.
Cost of the year
The development of the Aston Martin AMR-One. You can not throw money disastrous probably out the window ...
Also not to ignore: The last run of the GT1 World Championship in San Luis. Marc Basseng found it less funny .
Close behind: The Baltimore Grand Prix IndyCar. It will forever remain a mystery how you can do with a sold-out race so many losses.
Best moment of the year
Besides Andre Lotterers triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and its Kührung the reigning champion FORMULA NIPPON, especially the many who - despite the terrible year - smiling faces of the Japanese audience. Also high on the list: Ed Carpenter won the IndyCar race in Kentucky for the chronically under-funded team of Sarah Fisher.
Surprise of the Year
Certainly Trevor Baynes Cindarella win at Daytona 500 Then came not much left except a few Twitter messages, strange diseases, some body damage and a few great moments in the Nationwide Series - after a victory! - The most important race of the NASCAR season, he could still deserves to win. Stories written motorsport.
Disappointment of the Year
The entire sky-F1 transmission. Rarely has one seen so much potential veschenktes on German television. In particular, for pay TV also has a lot more than what was done in 2011, will be offered. Of the Einkürzungen after the Grand Prix of South Korea, never mind. And yet we all hope that they continue to make 2012 ...
Very close behind: the performance of Mercedes in Formula One. As Norbert Haug is still so much to talk about it, that one has the speed and Marc Surer and the sky-flat front of the spectators experts can certainly confirm. No, no. 2011 was also in 2010 as a set of x: Nothing. After all, there were a few shine hours, such as Michael Schumacher in Canada.
Representing at this point I would also like Kühren the laughing stock of the year: This strange "event" of the DTM at the Olympic Stadium in Munich. The whole thing is really so bad and become laughable, as they had imagined.
Langweiligstes race
The usual suspects. Valencia in Formula One, Pocono, although I like the atmosphere there very much in NASCAR in Sonoma IndyCar was also a very good sleep aid.
Race Control Moment of the Year
Of these, the DTM like every year, very many. The decision by Brian Barnhard, reboot, despite the heavy rain the IndyCar race in Loudon for a few rounds against the wishes of the driver who shot the bird off, however, completely. The result: chaos, carbon scrap and a clear statement of Will Power (see scene of the year).
Fortune Cookie of the Year
Not only photographers Allan McNish's terrible accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but all riders who could climb suffered a serious accident and still not seriously injured from her wreck.
Proverbs of the Year
Here I wish to express my colleague Stefan Tegethoff: Martin Reid's adoption by the tribute laps of the IndyCar and the grim reality of death, Dan Wheldons:
"Many people ask me why I always sign off 'Till we meet again.' Because 'Goodbye' is always final Sun Goodbye, Dan Wheldon. "
Wishes for 2012
From a sporting point of view a great, exciting and even thrilling year, hopefully with less serious injuries than this year.
At this point I would like once again the entire team Racingblog.de, especially Don Dahlmann, thank you for the great cooperation, support and opportunity. And then of course the readers and the many users in the chat, without which one can think of no other sporting events, racing days or more. We are a large, well-understand family has become. Something that is not a matter of course on the Internet. To a healthy and hopefully great year 2012! With this in mind: This is where the wheel goes!
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