Grand Prix

We’re big fans of both cars and coffee here at Gizmag, so it’s only fitting that we give a mention to the Espresso Veloce Machine – an espresso machine billed as a tribute to the 1990's Grand Prix race car engines which powered racing legends like Ayrton Senna, and Michael Schumacher.  Read More

The 2013 Formula One racing season begins March 17 at Albert Park in Melbourne in front of a crowd likely to include around 330,000 race fans at the Australian Grand Prix. With only minor changes made in the Formula One regulations for this year, the differences between the F2012 and Ferrari's 2013 entry, the F138, are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But even though the casual eye will not perceive a great deal of difference in the F138, most of the parts and systems have been revised to maximize performance while maintaining Ferrari's admirable reliability.  Read More

From javelin throwing, archery and chariot racing in ancient times, through bicycle, motorcycle and automobile racing in recent times, as new forms of human endeavor develop around a new technology, there's always a competition to be found. Wingsuit flying is little more than a decade old, but the spectacular nature of the endeavour has been brought together in a new competitive sport which will have its first outing with the formation of the World Wingsuit League, which will hold its first Grand Prix on October 13-14 in Hunan Province, China when the 16 best wingsuit pilots in the world will race against the clock.  Read More

Mercedes Benz won its first Formula One Grand Prix for 57 years in China today, completing the successful comeback many thought it could not achieve. Winning driver Nico Rosberg took pole position for the race ahead of teammate and seven time champion Michael Schumacher, before driving a calculated race to put the Silver Arrow back in the winners circle.  Read More

With the world's most watched event, Formula One, returning to lounge rooms across the globe today, Mercedes is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its dominant 1937 W125 Grand Prix car - the Silver Arrow had a 595 bhp turbocharged, desmodromic 5.7 liter straight eight which comprised one third of the car's 750 kg dry weight. Launched at the Grand Prix of Tripoli (yes, in Libya), the car was a technological marvel for its day, and averaged 132 mph at its first outing - amazing images and actual video of the 1937 Tripoli Grand Prix.  Read More

In a sign of the times, Ducati has announced it will be selling two very recent Ducati Desmosedici GP machines at auction. The bikes, a GP11 2011 factory Desmosedici which brought Valentino Rossi his only top three finish of the 2011 season, and the other a 2010 model GP10 which Casey Stoner took to victory in the 2010 Australian Grand Prix, are subject to an undisclosed reserve. The buyer will be required to enter into a confidentiality agreement.  Read More

Even long-time admirers of Enzo Ferrari's sleek, red roadsters might be surprised to learn that he also lent his expertise to create what is still, nearly 60 years later, the fastest raceboat in its class, the one-of-a-kind ARNO XI hydroplane. Developed in 1952 by wealthy Italian industrialist Achille Castoldi and Ferrari Grand Prix racers Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi, the speedy craft, propelled by a 4500cc V12, handily won the world speed record the following year. Now, carefully restored to its original condition, the ARNO XI will soon go at auction to the highest bidder - an honor that's estimated to cost the buyer a cool US$2 million (or more)!  Read More

Joint Indian-English company Agni Motors’s claim of making quality, high efficiency and high performance electric motors gained massive credence today when it clearly bested the world’s fastest electric motorcycles to win the first clean emissions (AKA electric) motorcycle Grand Prix at an average speed of 87.434 mph. It’s place in history is assured by the landmark win, but it was the team’s dominance that was most surprising. It averaged 10 mph faster around the 37 mile course than its closest rival and established itself as the first superstar company to emerge in a fledgling giant industry.  Read More

The era of electric motorcycling began today when entrants in the first clean emissions Grand Prix proved their viability by lapping the famous IOM TT circuit in excess of 80 mph during the first practice session for Friday's race. The honours in the first ever session went to the Indian Agni Motors entry based around a 2007 model Suzuki GSX-R600 road bike frame and fitted with two Agni 95 motors and 63 70AH Kokam lithium-polymer batteries. Rated by the team at around 40-50 bhp, the bike was the first electric motorcycle to complete a lap of the 37 mile course, with Team Agni rider Rob Barber averaging 84.81 mph to the time sheets.  Read More