Formula One news

Mercedes celebrates 100th anniversary of first win

The French Grand Prix in Magny-Cours this coming weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the first Mercedes Grand Prix win. On the 7th July 1908, Christian Lautenschlager drove his Mercedes Grand Prix race car to victory in the French Grand Prix in Dieppe. On the occasion of this special anniversary, McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will drive an original 1908 Grand Prix car in the drivers' parade - the Benz which in 1908 finished second.

The McLaren drivers already admired the 1908 Benz this weekend as they were posing for a number of photographers with the 100-year-old car. The race Lautenschlager won back in 1908 was a race held over 10 laps of almost 77 kilometres each. Total race distance was 769.889 kilometres and it took Lautenschlager 6 hours and 55 minutes to win the race. He had an average speed of 111.117 km/h. For comparison: The average speed in the 2007 French Grand Prix in Magny-Cours was 203.679 km/h.

The 1908 Mercedes Grand Prix race car was a four-cylinder in-line engine, displacement 12,824 cc, and twin camshaft below.

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• 11 Oct.
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  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Another double top ten for Toro Rosso
  • McLaren delighted with qualifying
  • Back row again for Force India
  • BMW hopes rest with Kubica
  • Alonso keeps Renault competitive
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice
  • Honda looking for more pace
  • Ferrari happy with Friday progress
  • Government will try and safe Canadian Grand Prix
  • Strong start for Toyota at home track
  • Renault shows encouraging pace at Fuji
  • Nakajima enjoys first day at Fuji Speedway
  • Glock fastest on Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Fuji
  • Hamilton leads first practice in Japan
  • Nakajima pleased with his first F1 season so far
  • Barrichello's advise to Senna: Do not join Honda!
• 09 Oct.
  • Massa focused ahead of vital race weekend
  • Raikkonen hoping for better
  • Button still waiting for Honda's driver decision
  • Canadian GP dropped due to a 'commercial disagreement'
  • New engine for Glock
  • F1 drivers: It's a shame to see Canada go
  • Ecclestone outlines dramatic F1 engine plans

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