LMRs F1 aspirations reignited in a big way

Earlier today it was confirmed that Le Mans Rennsport would be getting back into the Formula 1 racing scene amidst the Codemasters title F1 2013. After a dominating performance by the LMR Mercedes AMG Petronas team in the debunked XFOC, that saw IBlueJaBBrxI on the top step of the podium and Midnight LMR the points leader after only two rounds, the LMR squad left competition within XFOC after irreparable differences with the series ownership. Now the LMR management has gotten back together and decided to back not only a reentry into Formula 1 competition but to do it LMR style and go big. LMR will be sponsoring two teams, four drivers, in the upcoming F1 Racing Leagues, European Series and at least 1 driver in each of the other series within the league.


The first team will be the LMR Infinite RedBull Racing team which will field two RB9s for use by LMR co-leader, Midnight LMR, and long-time Formula Forza and TORA hot shot, II ALEX P II. Midnight was one of the initial LMR F1 drivers in the XFOC and has also been named Admin and Race Marshall for the European Series. ALEX is newly christened to LMR but has been a long time friend of the club and raced alongside many LMR members throughout his exploits in TORA and Formula Forza. Also ALEX and Midnight finished out the end of the first season of the F1RL together in RedBull (back when it was the USF1 League). The duo have undoubtedly the best pairing and strongest car on the grid so they will be looking to add a lot of wins and a championship to their record together.


The second team will be a continued collaboration between LMR and Mercedes as they field the LMR Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. McLaren will be fielding two MP4-28s that will be piloted by F1 veteran IBlueJaBBRexI and MPD Formula Forza driver, LMR Leadgodasse. JaBBR was the other half of the LMR Mercedes squad in XFOC and will be working hard to bring a less competitive chasis up to speed and helping Godasse get back in the rhythm of Formula racing. JaBBR has plenty of experience to share as he has competed in 3 seasons with the XFOC and made quite a name for himself by being nominated Driver of the Year in 2012.

LMR has raised quite a few eyebrows in the F1RL with fielding these particular two teams as anyone would guess that RedBull usually works hand in hand with Torro Rosso. But after lengthy discussions within the team it was decided to go this direction as it would cover a better performance curve and allow the team to basically have guaranteed point scores in every race. Now make no mistake, as with any LMR multi-team venture, these two teams will be racing each other and their teammates as well as the best the F1RL has to offer. We had a chance to catch up with the F1RL founder, GnomeDevastator, and get his insights on the new identity of the league and the big entry by LMR that rivals the Audi entry at Le Mans.


LMR- Gnome can you tell us some things about your series?

Gnome- "We created and maintain a suitable league that supports clean racing for all degrees of experience. We promote strong, competitive racing but also at a fun level"

LMR- Sounds great, now this season you have announced the opening of a website and three championships that will allow for guys in all time zones to be able to race. What was you motivation for this big change and what are some of the difficulties in trying to do so much all at once?

Gnome- Well its three times the work to run all three series, but I've got good help from the other admins. But having three series running opens up a lot more time to enjoy racing. It's not just about testing with a teammate anymore. It's about testing in a competitive environment three times a week for those of us that will do all three. Most of us will have a particular series we want to win and we will use the other series' to continue practicing and learning in the changing conditions"

LMR- What are you expecting to see different this season over the previous two? Also reports are saying that defending champion, F4H Drake, will be highly delayed in his start of the 2013 season, if he even starts it at all. Given his utter dominance this past year, how does this affect the championship in light of all the new changes?

Gnome- Honestly I can't tell if I'm happy that there will be more chances for different winners or if I already realize that his absence will take away from the league. Like a lot of the racers, Drake aids the other drivers with tuning and will practice with the guys for hours, giving them advice and tips, he really is an stand up guy. He is definitely fit for the league and we all wish him well in his personal endeavors and hope he will be able to return soon. On the other side of the coin though, it really opens up the championship to anybody's game. Of course the RedBull/McLaren partnership is strong but so to is the forces now in Ferrari and Mercedes. I'm looking forward to a very intense season and I'm fairly sure the season won't crown any champions till the final race or two.

LMR- As for you, this is your fourth season now of competition within F1, you started in the American F1 League and then created the USF1 League which has now been rebranded to the F1 Racing League. You have shown reasonable improvement throughout and have managed to lead a few races and podium a few races. Where and when is the elusive first win going to come and what are your goals for this season?

Gnome- Well everyone wants to win races and championships and I feel I am not far away from one or the other with the strong pairing I am now in at Ferrari. But those aside, my goals this season are to maintain lobbies where I have a purpose to finish well. Lobbies with clean drivers and people who enjoy the sport and want to get to know their fellow racers. I want to run this league from a racers stand point, creating the type of atmosphere that encourages people to come out and enjoy pushing the limits in a fun, clean environment without over-bearing rules and harsh penalties.

LMR- Again sounds great but I'm sure that will to win will push people sometimes

Gnome Things happen and we are aware of that but we try to ensure that none of our drivers are the aggressively overdone types that would force people off the road and block back and forth across the track. That type of driver is dealt with strictly and firmly.

LMR- Ok well thank you Gnome for your time and we can't wait for the European Series to start this Saturday at 4pm EST and the US Series starting Wednesday the 13th at 9pm EST followed by the epic Classic Series which will kick off on 18th at 9pm EST. This should be a great new year for the F1RL and a great entry back into Formula racing for Le Mans Rennsport.

Anyone wanting info to join or has friends who want to join, please visit the webpage at www.F1RacingLeague.com

Good luck chaps! Wish you all the best!

Yes today is round one of the USF1 series in the McLaren and yet I cant wait to start it.

Round 1 and 2 remember, 2 25% races. I think we are setup rather well:drinks: 

yeah I know the only issue is the McLaren not a fan here really struggling for pace I guess race pace will surfice atm

Good luck guys!

Had an awesome nice tonite won my first USF1 race at china and for McLaren and a 2nd after getting a lag spike on the track I would of won and I am now leading the championship by 10+ points so awesome evening tonite

  Great job James! Incredible racing! Way to raise the LMR flag when the rest fo us were away this weekend. Cant wait to have a full team effort this weekend in Spain and Monaco.

had another good day of f1 yesterday in nurburg and Budapest really happy with my double seconds and shocked myself in nurburg after a bad time in qually struggling to put a lap down and when I had it a lag spike appeared lost 4sec on it but I looked up nailed my start by the first corner managed 3rd on the first corner after getting attacked by a cone and almost spinning me I managed to sneak up on the inside and get second and then gaining an advantage on 3rd by pulling away then finishing second in that race.

Budapest I managed to get qually nailed and managed 2nd and coming into the race I managed to nail another good start by pulling into first for the first corner and managing to hold it in front for 5 laps until my tires started dieing on me and with alex on the primes meant he could last longer which meant he had the advantage longer so yet again 2nd place which im happy with.

Well done James you are a valued member of this team

Midnight LMR wrote:Well done James you are a valued member of this team

+1 mate

You are greatly valued on this team!

Nice one James hopefully I'll be join you on f1 in the next comeing weeks so hopefully you can show me the ropes

by the time the season starts I probably wont know how to drive either been so into the N12 I forgotten wat the next tracks are lol  

but ill try I guess

Good job james! the cheerleader co-captain is making me so proud    

 

LMR Panamera wrote:Good job james! the cheerleader co-captain is making me so proud    

why is it co-captain I thought I was captain of the cheerleaders everyone else fucked off lol. thx my young Javi.

well my frist set of races done not so good yet but will get better need more than a few hours befor i do a race lol but race number two picked up the pace and on the way up the filed be there with you soon midnight

lol i hope so. As this season is in its final month, just worry about your pace, consistency and driving craft. Get those assists off and transmission to manual so when the new season strts in Feb. you can make a real challenge to the title. Right now we sit LMR 1-2-3 in the Euro Series with Alex and I about to lock out the constructors title in the next week or two so you don't need to worry about your ride for next season, we will handle that.

Am slowly getting there now no abs tcs all moat off fully no it just the line to sort