2009年4月30日 星期四
感動的聲音
Pedrosa wants to prove competitiveness after Japan result
Last year’s winner at Jerez, Dani Pedrosa has not finished outside the top two at the southern Spanish circuit since his move up to MotoGP in 2006, but with the Repsol Honda rider still fighting to get 100% fit another first or second place at the Gran Premio bwin.com de España would be a significant achievement.
去年在Jerez贏得冠軍,Pedrosa自06年升上GP後不曾在這個南西班牙塞道低於第二名完賽,這位力豹士Honda 車手還是努力讓自己在100%的狀態在西班牙站去取得另一個第一或第二名,這對他會是個有意義的目標。
Pedrosa has fought back from adversity before and his third place at Motegi on Sunday, the Spaniard crossing the line just four seconds behind race-winning compatriot and rival Jorge Lorenzo, was a big step forward for the factory Honda star.
Pedrosa 已經從逆境中站起來,在週日的Motegi 賽道取得第三名,僅僅在冠軍Lorenzo後方四秒通過終點線,是這位Honda 廠隊明星車手的一大進展。
After a visit to HRC last week with his new team-mate Andrea Dovizioso the pressure was on for both riders at the weekend and given Pedrosa’s recent injuries and his problems in practice and qualifying his great start to the race and his stamina over 24 laps were reasons to be cheerful.
在上週出診回到HRC與他的新隊友 Andrea Dovizioso 一起工作,週末時間壓力就一直在兩位車手身上,考慮到Pedrosa的新傷和練習時的問題,排位之後非常好的起跑和24圈賽程中的韌性,這都是要為他喝采的原因。
Nonetheless, the former 250cc and 125cc World Champion was typically pragmatic as he previewed another huge weekend in MotoGP, remarking, “It was great to get such an encouraging result in Japan right before we go to Jerez because now we have some momentum which we must try to maintain. Still, despite getting on the podium at Motegi, which I was really pleased with, we mustn’t kid ourselves that we are fully competitive just yet.”
但是這位前250和125世界冠軍還是很務實的看待下一個GP比賽週末,評論說"在我們前往Jerez前,可以在日本站得到如此令人振奮的成績真的是很棒,因為我們現在需要試著去維持比賽的動力。儘管在Motegi 站上頒獎台,而我非常的高興,我們還是不能告訴自己我們非常有競爭力了"。
“We struggled quite a lot in the practice sessions at Motegi and we’re under no illusions that we have to keep working hard to bring our package up to its full potential,” stated the man from Barcelona. “Having said that, I’m really looking forward to Jerez and it’s always a very special experience for me to race there. The fans are so passionate and give me and all the Spanish riders incredible support.”
"在Motegi 的練習時間我們遇到很多問題,我們對於要努力的把車上套件發揮它應有的潛力這件事沒有任何疑問","在之前的評論後,我非常期待前往Jerze,在那裡比賽對我來說一直是個特別的經驗,車迷非常的熱情並且給我和其他西班牙車手非常大的支持"。
Pedrosa’s highly consistent Italian colleague, Dovizioso also arrives at Jerez in a positive frame of mind following two fifth place results in his first two races as a factory rider. For Dovizioso, progress in Japan came in the form of reducing the margin of 27 seconds by which he trailed race winner Casey Stoner in Qatar, to just a nine second gap to Lorenzo last Sunday at round two.
Pedrosa的義大利隊友 Dovizioso 一樣帶著正面的態度迎接Jerez 站,成為廠隊車手後他在前兩站得到了兩個第五名。對Dovizioso來說,在日本站縮短了與卡達站跟冠軍Stoner相差的27秒,與日本站冠軍Lorenzo只有9秒的差距。
“At Motegi we proved that we can fight hard for the whole race giving 110 per cent effort,” commented the MotoGP sophomore. “I was happy about the race result in Japan because we succeeded in closing the gap to first place, but we still have to work to improve the machine package. In Japan we couldn’t actually do any development on the bike because of the bad weather conditions which affected most of the sessions.”
"在Motegi 我們證明我們可以拿出110%的努力在整場比賽中奮戰",這位GP二年級生評論。"我對日本站的結果非常高興,我們成功的縮短與第一名的距離,但是我們還是要努力增進賽車性能。在日本站,因為天氣關係,我們實際上沒有辦法對車子做任何的改進"。
“There’s still a lot of things we need to test, including some new parts. Obviously we’ll have to see what we can get done at Jerez, while also working on the set-up for the race. The Jerez circuit is not one of my favourite tracks, but I will still give it my all this weekend.”
"還有很多事需要我們去測試,包括一些新部件。明顯的,我們必須看看我們在Jerez可以有什麼成果,包括對於比賽的設定方面。Jerez 賽道不是我的最愛的賽道之一,但是我還是會在這個周末全力以赴"。
2009年4月29日 星期三
Suspended three race ban for McLaren
Accepting the decision, Whitmarsh commented: "I would like to thank the FIA World Motor Sport Council members for affording me the opportunity to answer their questions this morning. We are aware that we made serious mistakes in Australia and Malaysia, and I was therefore very glad to be able to apologise for those mistakes once again.
“I was also pleased to be able to assure the FIA World Motor Sport Council members that we had taken appropriate action with a view to ensuring that such mistakes do not occur again."
The full statement from the FIA:
The following decision was taken:
“Having regard to the open and honest way in which McLaren Team Principal, Mr Martin Whitmarsh, addressed the WMSC and the change in culture which he made clear has taken place in his organisation, the WMSC decided to suspend the application of the penalty it deems appropriate.
“That penalty is a suspension of the team from three races of the FIA Formula One World Championship. This will only be applied if further facts emerge regarding the case or if, in the next 12 months, there is a further breach by the team of article 151c of the International Sporting Code.”
The full reasons for this decision will be issued shortly.
2009年4月28日 星期二
Spencer proud to be part of Honda heritage
The Polini Grand Prix of Japan was a big occasion for Honda, the company celebrating their 50th anniversary of Grand Prix participation in 2009. MotoGP Legend Freddie Spencer was on track before Sunday’s racing to help mark the event and found time to catch up with motogp.com after a brief demonstration ride on his old NS500.
日本站對Honda 是個盛大的慶典,今年將會慶祝GP參賽滿50周年。GP傳奇車手Freddie Spencer 也會在周日前出現在賽道上參與這個活動,會在簡短的跨上NS500賽車展示之後接受motogp.com訪問。
Spencer was joined by fellow former Honda World Championship riders Naomi Taniguchi (who rode for Honda in 1959) and Kunimitsu Takahashi (the first Japanese Honda GP winner, in 1961 in the 250cc class) on track, showing off their bikes to a delighted Motegi crowd.
Freddie Spencer 會和其他騎乘Honda的世界錦標賽車手一起參加活動,在Motegi 觀眾前展示他們的戰駒,其他車手是Naomi Taniguchi (1959年騎乘Honda 賽車)和Kunimitsu Takahashi (在1961年 250CC等級,得到 Honda 的第一個日本站冠軍)。
Having declared his “Isle of Man TT race challenge” to his employees in 1954, Soichiro Honda saw his dream become a reality as the firm first competed in a GP under the management of Kiyoshi Kawashima at the challenging British race meeting in 1959.
參加"曼島TT大賽"在1954年得到冠軍,1959年由 Kiyoshi Kawashima 為車隊總管參加英國站,在這第一場GP大賽,本田宗一郎看到他的夢想轉化為真實。
In 1983, Spencer won Honda’s first world 500cc riders’ and constructors’ titles since the company’s return to GP racing after withdrawing briefly in the late 1960s, riding the NS500. The American went on to win the 1985 championship with seven victories from 11 races, again with Honda.
196年代晚期短暫退出GP後,在1983年 Spencer 騎乘NS500為 Honda 贏得第一個 GP500 車手和車隊冠軍,這位美國車手在1985年繼續騎乘Honda 賽車在11場比賽拿下7個冠軍,再度得到世界冠軍。
Asked for his thoughts on the 1959-2009 Honda anniversary, Spencer commented, “To be a part of it is incredible and Mr Honda’s dream was to race at the Isle of Man TT and to compete in the World Championship when he started in his garage. To ride out there with Takahashi and Taniguchi and to have won Honda’s first 500cc title is a special and humbling experience, so I feel very fortunate.”
對於Honda 1959 -2009參賽50年的周年的看法,Spencer 表示"身為其中的一份子真是令人難以置信,並且本田宗一郎先生的創立公司時的夢想就是參加曼島TT大賽和參加世界錦標賽的競爭行列。一起和 Takahashi 和 Taniguchi 度過那段時間並贏得Honda 第一個500CC冠軍是非常特別和謙虛的經驗,我感到非常幸運"。
Giving his view on the current factory Honda presence in MotoGP Spencer added, “Dani (Pedrosa) has shown that he can win races but unfortunately he has been injured recently and with the young rider Andrea (Dovizioso) stepping up this year I think he is showing he has the speed. The confidence and the communication of the team, the riders and HRC is getting better and that is how you improve the equipment and improve your performance.”
對於現在 Honda 在MotoGP 的廠隊的車手的看法,Spencer 補充說 "Dani 已經展現了他是可以贏得比賽的能力,可惜的是他最近一直為傷所擾。另一位年輕車手 Andrea 今年升上廠隊,我想他正在展現他是有速度的。從車隊的信心和訊息來看,車手和HRC正在進步,這就是你如何改進車子和增加競爭力"。
2009年4月27日 星期一
BMW Sauber rue wretched Bahrain race
After a poor performance during qualifying (Kubica 13th, Heidfeld 14th), the German-Swiss team decided to put both drivers on one stop and start on the harder tyre. But their hopes of benefiting from the strategy came to an abrupt end when the duo became embroiled in a collision at the first corner with Williams’ Kazuki Nakajima.
“My race was destroyed after corner one,” explained Kubica. “I was between Nick and another car, we touched each other and I destroyed my front wing. Then after the crash there was a miscommunication with the pit crew. I asked to come in straight away, but was only able to pit after the second lap. Then the race was very difficult, as for a long time I was in a heavy car on prime tyres. We were really nowhere with our pace.”
“The result is a disaster, although we were unlucky with the collision in the first corner,” added Heidfeld. “At first I thought the suspension was broken, but I only had to have a new nose fitted in the pits and then continued. The first half of the race with the harder tyres was difficult, but the softer compound made it a little bit easier. However, it is another race to forget and we all hope for improvements in Barcelona.”
BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen commented: “We knew it would be another difficult race weekend for us, and it was also clear the danger of a collision would be higher the further down the grid we were. As we feared, both our drivers had early collisions and as a result the race was practically over.
“During the pit stops we gave them a lot of fuel and sent them out with hard tyres, because the only chance of getting back into the race would have been during a safety-car period. But even if this had happened scoring a point would have been impossible. We are now concentrating on the next race in Barcelona, where we will compete with a new aero package.”
With just four points scored from their 2009 season, BMW Sauber lie sixth in the standings and are left with a substantial deficit to make up as they head to the Spanish Grand Prix later this month, with leaders Brawn GP already on 50.
2009年4月24日 星期五
Moriwaki present Moto2 project at Motegi
The new Moriwaki MD600 bike was presented to media gathered at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan on Friday, with the Japanese firm announcing plans to participate in the forthcoming Moto2 class, which is set to replace the current 250cc category.
新的Moriwaki MD600 賽車週五在日本站發表給媒體,日本車廠也宣告這輛車將參加之後的 Moto2 等級,而Moto2將會取代目前的 250 C.C 等級。
The 600cc 4-stroke bike was presented as a third evolution of the prototype machine developed by Moriwaki Racing and built by Moriwaki Engineering, with a view to involvement in Moto2, initially as chassis suppliers and later as competitors.
這輛 600 C.C賽車是自原型車後 Moriwak 賽車部門研發的第三版本,並且由Moriwak 工程部門製造,以參加Moto 2賽事,初期將為車架製造者,之後會加入競賽。
The press conference was attended by Moriwaki Engineering’s President and Team Owner Mamoru Moriwaki, in addition to Mamoru Moriwaki (Director and Team Manager), Akira Kato (Large Project Leader), Koji Takahashi (R&D Manager), Satoru Takafuchi (Production Manager) and Shogo Moriwaki (Test Rider).
發表會上有 Moriwaki 工程總監和車隊所有者 Mamoru Moriwaki 出席,之外還有Mamoru Moriwaki(車隊領導)、 Akira Kato (專案領導人)、Koji Takahashi (設計主管)、Satoru Takafuchi (設計主管) 和 Shogo Moriwak (測試車手)。
The Japanese factory have experience of racing in MotoGP, having participated in the premier class from 2003 to 2005 with wild card appearances made by Olivier Jacque and Andrew Pitt - in addition to Japanese riders - on the MD211VF. The firm also have significant experience in the Japanese national championship and in various Asian racing series.
這家日本車隊有在GP等級參賽的經驗,2003到2005年有以外卡資格參加初級的比賽,車手是 Oliver acque 和 Andrew Pitt 還有其他日本車手,車子是MD211VF。他們在日本的國際系列賽和幾個亞洲系列賽事都有豐富的經驗。
2009年4月23日 星期四
Lola considering Formula One return in 2010
“The announcement that Formula One teams may opt for a prudent, financially responsible ‘cost capped’ regime from 2010 has resulted in us deciding to fully evaluate the opportunity to develop a car to compete in the FIA Formula One World Championship,” said Martin Birrane, Executive Chairman of Lola Group.
“The current necessity for Formula One to adopt a responsible approach in times of economic uncertainty has created the ideal conditions for us to consider developing a car for the World Championship.”
Lola, whose last F1 entry came at the 1997 Australian Grand Prix, have appointed new key staff to the project and allocated some of their top engineers to the evaluation. The company already has at its disposal a Formula One standard wind tunnel, latest Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis equipment and a seven-post dynamic chassis rig.
“Lola possesses the technical resources, capability and know-how to develop cars capable of competing at the very highest levels of international motor sport, including Formula One,” added Birrane. “We are therefore embracing the WMSC’s timely announcements and assessing a relevant programme for F1 with a view to making formal entry in the coming weeks.”
In addition to Formula One involvement spanning the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, Lola’s racing heritage includes production of championship-winning and one-make formulae cars for Champ Car in America, Formula Nippon in Japan, Formula 3000, Formula 3 and A1GP in Europe. The company currently produces the race-winning LMP1 and LMP2 sports cars competing in both the Le Mans Endurance Series and American Le Mans Series.
2009年4月22日 星期三
完全不得閒阿
Confident Stoner taking nothing for granted
A victory in Qatar and confidence in the setup of the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 have made for a happy Casey Stoner heading to round two in Motegi, but the former MotoGP World Champion has reiterated that he is taking nothing for granted.
在卡達站的勝利和 GP9 讓人信任的設定讓高興的石頭人帶著領先到第二站Motegi 賽道,但是這位前世界冠軍表示他還沒有設定任何的假想敵。
Stoner has set his sights on a stronger start to his 2009 season to that made in 2008, and thus far things appear to be going according to plan. Motegi represents something of an unknown for the new ‘big red bike’, however, and the Australian is assured but cautious in his approach to the Polini Grand Prix of Japan.
石頭人已經將眼光專注在2009年的開季,之後的事再依照計畫進行。Ducati 新賽車對 Motegi 賽道是很陌生的,無論如何,這位澳洲人自信而小心的準備日本站的到來。
“We haven’t tested here in preseason whereas we had in Qatar, so we’ll see how we get on starting from zero, with less practice time available. I’m fairly confident, the set-up we found in testing has worked well at different kinds of circuits so we should have a decent base setting to work from at Motegi,” states Stoner. “In any case, we won’t take anything for granted - we’ll keep working hard together and stay focused.”
"我們季前在這裡沒有測試過,在卡達有測試過,之後我們就知道從零開始能得到多少成果,而且還是很有限的練習時間。我有相當的自信,我們在測試時找到的設定在不同的賽道都跑的不錯,所以我們在Motegi 應該會有個不錯的起始點",石頭人聲明。"在任何情況下,我們不會預設立場,我們還是一樣團結合作並且集中注意力"。
Early signs show that reigning titlist Valentino Rossi will be the key man for Stoner to beat in 2009, although there has been no ruling out of any rider yet by the Ducati Marlboro man.
先前的情況表現了現任冠軍羅西將是石頭人在2009年必須打敗的關鍵對手,即使現在這位Ducati 車手還不能排除任何一位車手的可能性。
“At this stage Valentino has been the hardest rival in testing and we know that Valentino will always be there, but people should always expect the unexpected,” he warns. “You don’t know what other riders are capable of, so we will see how the beginning of the season goes during the first few races and understand who is going to be competitive and who is not, and then focus on the toughest challenger.”
"在現階段,羅西是最強勁的對手,而且我們知道他會一直繼續維持下去,可是人應該要一直追求那似乎到不了的目標",石頭人這樣的預告說。"你不知道其他車手的潛力,所以我們會觀察前幾站的開站表現,來了解誰是真正的對手和誰不是,之後專注在這強悍的挑戰者"。
Stoner’s second place at last year’s Japanese round was his first podium in the premier class at Twin Ring Motegi.
石頭人去年在日本站第二名的成績是他在GP前的 Motegi 賽道第一次站上頒獎台的成績一樣。
2009年4月21日 星期二
Theissen: BMW Sauber undecided on diffuser changes
Theissen was vocal in his opposition to the designs being run by Brawn, Toyota and Williams, but says he accepts the FIA decision. However, while the likes of Renault and McLaren already had revised diffusers on their cars in China, BMW Sauber are taking a more circumspect approach.
“The diffuser is the rear end of an entire aero package beneath the car,” Theissen told the team’s official website. “The concept is complex and only works if all the components up-stream - in the front area of the car - also are fully integrated.
“At the end of the day, it takes a far bigger effort than just copying a component and fitting it to the car. To channel the airflow beneath the car to the rear in a way that a double-decker design diffuser really produces more downforce, the entire aero package - from the front wing to the rear - has to be fully revised.”
Like most of the seven teams running single-deck diffusers, BMW Sauber began work on a revised design several weeks ago. Despite this, they are yet to decide whether it will be incorporated into the revised aero package they are planning for next month’s Spanish Grand Prix.
“This work represents an interplay between our design department and the aerodynamicists,” explained Theissen. “Our staff in Munich and Hinwil are working flat-out. As planned, we will travel to Barcelona with a new aero package. Nonetheless, it has not yet been determined to what extent a modified diffuser solutions will be integrated there.”
BMW Sauber have experienced a tough start to their 2009 campaign, scoring just four points from the opening three races, putting them fifth in the constructors’ standings.
2009年4月20日 星期一
Ducati reveal details of carbon fibre frame
The most significant innovation of the DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP9 is the monocoque frame in carbon fibre composite.
Ducati DESMOSEDICI GP9的最顯著革新就是碳纖維複合材料車架。
The technical selection of this type of frame is the next step in the advancement of the bike that has undergone previous major developments in its GP3 and GP7 versions.
在GP3和GP7的研發後,車架材料的選擇是賽車下一階段的發展目標。
The concept of the engine casing has been the guideline of the DESMOSEDICI project. The objective is to create a chassis set-up in which each element carries out a specific function, to obtain the desired rigidity with as little weight as possible, thus attaining maximum efficiency.
引擎的發展雛型已經有了DESMOSEDICI 結構。發展目標是建立一個車架,車架的設定由每個元件來調整,以最輕的重量來達到設計的強度,這樣才能有最大的效益。
The engine, the main frame, the rear sub-frame, the rear suspension system (comprising swing-arm and linkage) and the front suspension system are the main components of the bike.
引擎、主車架、後輪副車架、後避震系統(包含搖臂和連桿)和前避震系統是一台車的主要部份。
The basic idea is to abandon the classic concept of the chassis as the element that connects all other elements, in favour of a design in which the engine is the central element to which the main frame, rear sub-frame and rear suspension system are individually connected.
基礎構想是跳脫車架傳統概念,由車架將每個部分連接起來的想法。而是改用引擎為車架的核心元件的方向,後副車架和後避震系統則分別組合上去。
The GP3 was unique in having a rear swing-arm that was attached solely to the engine. In particular both the swing-arm pivot and the suspension linkages were connected directly to the engine without any attachment to the main frame.
GP3的後搖臂設計為單獨依附在引擎本體上。特別是搖臂樞紐和避震連桿都直接連接到引擎上沒有連接到車架。
The GP7 featured a main frame that was totally detached from the rear sub-frame. Basically the engine was the central element of the bike. The main frame was used as link between the engine and the steering head. The rear sub-frame linked the engine to the seat and to the footpegs and controls. The two frames, main and rear sub-frame, that were still linked to each other on the GP3, were now only attached to the engine on the GP7, meaning that they were smaller and lighter.
GP7的特徵是主車架和副車架完全分開。根本上來說,引擎是賽車組成的核心元件,主車架只用來連接龍頭,副車架連接引擎和座椅、腳踏和檔桿等。主車架和副車架,在GP3上有互相連接,在GP7上只有和引擎連接,表示現在的系統將更小、更輕。
On the GP9 the main frame is formed to connect the engine to the steering head. The main frame now also incorporates the air-box in one single construction. This monocoque construction allows the air-box to function efficiently within the main frame.
在GP9上,主車架作用是連接引擎和龍頭。主車架結構現在再加入一個空間,這樣的結構可以讓主車架效率提高。
Choosing to utilise the carbon fibre composite technology to create the frame means that, on the one hand, one can mould the piece into the desired form without incurring enormous equipment costs and, on the other hand, varying levels of rigidity and torsional characteristics can be attained simply by altering the type, the number and the directional orientation of the carbon fibres, using the same equipment.
選擇使用碳纖技術來製造車架有其他優點。一方面,分為各個零件就可以不用花費龐大的的費用來製造,另一方面,修改車子鋼性和抗扭曲強度就更簡單了,用相同機台,改變碳纖類型、數量、方向就可以達成。
In testing carried out up until now the GP9 guarantees greater precision and stability in breaking and on entering corners. We maintain, however, that only by using it to race on the various world circuits will we be able to properly evaluate the potential of this technical solution. Employing the said technical solution in competition at the maximum level is the only way to effectively assess it in all its aspects.
從測試到現在,GP9保證煞車和過彎更為穩定和精準。我們認為,無論如何只有讓車子實際在所有賽道下場比賽才能衡量這個技術的潛力。在最高競爭性的賽事中用上這個技術是唯一全方位衡量價值的方法。
2009年4月16日 星期四
Ferrari: diffuser decision will mean ‘fundamental’ changes
Ferrari, along with three other teams, had disputed the legality of the double-decker designs, thought to be worth at least half a second per lap. Now, after the FIA’s International Court of Appeal (ICA) gave the designs the all-clear, the world champions say they have no choice but to modify the F60.
"Unfortunately this decision forces us to intervene on fundamental areas of the car's design in order to be able to compete on an equal footing with some of the teams from a point of view of the technical regulations,” said team principal Stefano Domenicali. “And that will take time and money.”
The Court’s findings come as another blow to Ferrari, who have had a torrid start to their 2009 season, with neither Felipe Massa nor Kimi Raikkonen scoring in the first two races. In a bid to turn things around, the Italian team have already restructured their operations ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix and the diffuser verdict now brings even more work.
“We will now double our efforts to get the team back to the highest level of competitivity," added Domenicali, who saw Massa and Raikkonen finish second and third respectively behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton in Shanghai last year.
2009年4月15日 星期三
Superb win for Stoner in Qatar Monday night race
As the action in the premier class of the 2009 FIM MotoGP World Championship finally got underway, at the spectacular Losail International Circuit on Monday night, it was Casey Stoner who took the headlines, completing a hat-trick of season-opening wins in Qatar.
2009 MotoGP 終於開跑了,第一場在壯觀的 Losail 國際賽道的週一晚間開始 。這場在卡達的比賽,由石頭人演出帽子戲法,竿位起跑並拿下冠軍。
Following the exceptional postponement of the opening MotoGP contest of the year due to rain in the Arabian desert, Monday evening witnessed the first race in the new single tyre supplier era, but it was a familiar story with Stoner crossing the line first, ahead of World Champion Valentino Rossi.
因為在阿拉伯沙漠的大雨,讓 MotoGP 賽程特別延期。在週一晚間見證了單一輪胎供應商時代的第一場比賽,但是石頭人跑在世界冠軍羅西前面衝線的戲碼還是一樣熟悉。
A ruthless Stoner took the holeshot from pole and had built up a two second gap at the end of the first lap. The 2007 World Champion’s victory never looked in serious doubt as he controlled the race from the front, having been the fastest rider in every session over the weekend. Stoner’s winning margin was more than seven seconds at the end of a brilliant performance, casting aside any doubts about his fitness after winter surgery on his left wrist.
石頭人從竿位出發,在第一圈就拉出兩秒領先。這位2007年的世界冠軍的這場勝利不容質疑,他從一開始就掌控了整場比賽,在整個週末的任一個時段裡都是最快的車手。石頭人最後領先了七秒展現了驚人的實力,把冬季時關於左腕的手術影響健康的質疑拋到一邊。
Completing the podium behind the front two was Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha colleague Jorge Lorenzo repeating his rostrum result from his MotoGP debut in the opening race of 2008, in his first race on Bridgestone tyres.
頒獎台上的第三位是Rossi 的隊友Jorge Lorenzo,複製了他在2008年的GP首戰成績,這是他第一次用普利司通輪胎。
Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Colin Edwards started his seventh season in MotoGP riding solidly from sixth on the grid to finish fourth on his own Bridgestone debut, making it three Yamahas in the top four.
Yamaha衛星車隊車手Colin Edwards開始了他在GP的第七年生涯,強猛的從第六位出發以第四名完賽,這也是他第一次用普利司通輪胎比賽,這樣一來前四名中有三位Yamaha車手。
Also on new tyres and with a new factory bike Repsol Honda’s 2009 signing Andrea Dovizioso was fifth, fading slightly in the second half of the race having run in third place for several laps.
一樣初次使用普利司通輪胎和Repsol Honda廠車的Andrea Dovizioso以第五名完賽,在比賽中段跑在第三位維持了幾圈,之後開始往下掉。
There was a good performance from Alex de Angelis, crossing the line sixth having qualified ninth at the start of his second year with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team. Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen also made a decent start to the year with his improved GSV-R machine in seventh.
Alex de Angelis 表現了不錯的實力,第九位出發以第六名完賽。這是他的第二年GP賽季,在 San Carlo Honda Gresini 車隊。Suzuki 車隊Chris Vermeulen今年有個不錯的開始,駕駛GSV-R以第七名完賽。
An excellent MotoGP debut from satellite Ducati rider Mika Kallio, meanwhile, saw him end up as the best placed rookie in eighth for the new look Pramac Racing outfit.
Ducati 衛星車隊的 Mika Kallio 在首戰表現很好,他以第八名完賽,表現最佳的新人,騎著Pramac Racing 的新塗裝賽車。
On factory machinery and returning to the Honda Gresini team this year, Toni Elías may be disappointed not to have done better than ninth, whilst Frenchman Randy de Puniet brought the satellite LCR Honda RC212V home three seconds behind the Spaniard to complete the top ten.
今年駕駛工廠賽車、回到Honda Gresini 車隊的Toni Elías 對沒有得到更好的結果感到失望,他以第九名完賽。法國車手Randy de Puniet 駕駛衛星車LCR Honda RC212V在西班牙人Toni Elías後面兩秒完賽得到第十名。
Dani Pedrosa, riding with knee and wrist injuries, battled through the pain barrier to pick up some important points in eleventh spot. On his Ducati debut, Pedrosa’s former team-mate Nicky Hayden also did well to complete the race in twelfth, given the back and chest injuries he suffered in a huge highside crash in qualifying on Saturday. The brave 2006 World Champion even set his best time on the last lap.
Dani Pedrosa帶著膝蓋和手腕的傷上陣,希望能得到一些分數,最後以十一名完賽。Pedrosa 前隊友Nicky Hayden在他駕駛Ducati首次出賽,考慮到他的背和胸在週六的排位賽的Highside意外受傷,以十二名完賽是很不錯了。這位2006年的世界冠軍還頑強的在最後一圈跑出個人最佳時間。
Sete Gibernau finished 13th on his MotoGP comeback with the satellite Ducati Grupo Francisco Hernando team, unable to push into the top ten due to his ongoing shoulder injury.
Sete Gibernau 在重回GP後替Ducati衛星車隊Ducati Grupo Francisco Hernando 車隊出賽,得到十三名。因為他的肩傷讓他不能進入前十名。
Marco Melandri made his first appearance for the Hayate Racing Team and ran off track early on but battled back well to finish in the points in 14th.
Marco Melandri 在Hayate Racing 車隊首次出賽,在比賽前段跑出賽道,最後奮戰回到第十四名。
Commencing his 20th Grand Prix season Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi crashed out on lap eight and was unable to rejoin the race.
Suzuki 車手 卡比羅西開始了他的第20年GP生涯,在第八圈轉倒而退出比賽。
After a weekend off the MotoGP riders next reconvene at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan for round two, which takes place at the Motegi circuit from 24th-26th April.
一週後車手將在日本的Polini Grand Prix再次聚首參加第二場比賽,地點是Motegi 賽道,時間在四月24-26號。
2009年4月13日 星期一
Ask the Expert - BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica
Q: Approximately how many Polish people watch you race every week?
Robert Kubica: More than three million? That would be my guess, but I haven’t looked at the figures lately.
A modest answer, but sadly incorrect - the real number is up to four million people, more than 10 percent of the population.
Q: Polish television sports reporter Tomasz Lorek placed you fourth in a list of most famous Poles of all time. Who was ahead of you in the ranking?
RK: Sure the Pope and Lech Walesa - and, as that particular reporter loves speedway, it’s surely somebody from there.
Two out of three ain’t bad - the reporter actually said: ‘I would estimate that he is the fourth most famous Pole of all time in terms of worldwide fame, behind the last Pope, Lech Walesa, and maybe the chemist lady, Marie Sklodowska [better known to the non-Polish world as Marie Curie]’.
Q: For how many years has your boss Dr Mario Theissen worked for BMW?
RK: It must be a long time. How old is he now? 56. If he started when he was around 25 that should make it 31 years.
Close enough for half a mark - the actual answer is 32.
Q: In poker, what does the term ‘ducks’ stand for?
RK: A pair of twos! That’s an easy one.
Correct
Q: You’re a fan of bowling, but which pin is commonly known as the kingpin?
RK: The central pin. Another easy one!
Correct
Q: How many pairs of sunglasses does your team mate Nick Heidfeld own?
RK: Oh! Only last weekend he had seven different pairs. Must be around 30, for sure.
Correct - Kubica clearly knows his team mate well, 30 is indeed the correct answer after we questioned Heidfeld
Q: If you search your name on Google, can you guess how many results it brings up?
RK: I’ve no clue!
Incorrect - modesty won’t get you anywhere in this game - last time we checked the answer was 2,780,000.
Q: In 2005 you won the Renault World Series, how many victories did you score that season?
RK: Four.
Correct
RK: Formula Renault 2002 in Vallelunga in April.
Correct
Q: How much does an official Robert Kubica cap cost on BMW Sauber’s website?
RK: Too expensive! 20 Euro?
Incorrect the price is actually 25 Euro
Q: What are Nick Heidfeld’s two children called?
RK: Juni and Joda
Correct
Q: You are a big fan of world rally champion Sebastien Loeb. But who is his long-time co-driver?
RK: A Monegasque. Daniel Elena
Correct
Q: Christian Klien is sitting on the bench again this year as BMW Sauber’s third driver, but how many Grands Prix has he started during his Formula One career?
RK: Christian? Something around 48?
Very close, so half marks - it’s actually 46
Q: Although BMW originally developed aircraft engines, when did the company build its first motor vehicle?
RK: Around 80 years ago?
Again, close enough for half marks - they built their first motorbike in 1923, but became an automobile manufacturer in 1928.
Q: BMW boasts a striking headquarters in Munich, what is the design of the building meant to represent?
RK: Engine cylinders
Correct - four of them in fact.
RK: That is easy - 5 minutes 20 seconds.
Correct - O’Sullivan’s achievement took place in the first round of the 1997 World Championship.
Q: Coming back to bowling, in the classic bowling movie ‘The Big Lebowski’, who plays Jeff Lebowski, more commonly known as ‘The Dude’?
RK: I don’t know.
Incorrect - it was Jeff Bridges.
Q: You still love karting, and you lived in Italy for quite a while. Which Italian is the current world karting champion?
RK: Marco Ardigo
Correct - he won the title in 2007 and 2008.
Q: Staying on an Italian theme, what is BMW’s connection to the recent remake of the classic car film ‘The Italian Job’?
RK: Can you repeat that? No idea.
Incorrect - it featured three new Minis as the getaway cars and the Mini is made by BMW.
Q: Your race debut came in Hungary 2006 after Jacques Villeneuve left the team. Where did Villeneuve finish on his race debut in Australia 1996?
RK: I know this one - it was not bad. He nearly won! Second
Correct - he finished second, having started from pole for Williams.
Final score: 17.5 points from a possible 25
Ask the Expert rating: 70%
Current leader board:
1. Robert Kubica - 70%
1. Sebastian Vettel - 64%
2. Nick Heidfeld - 57%
1. Sebastian Vettel - 64%
2. Nick Heidfeld - 57%