The All-Motorsport Power Rankings: Week 11

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Jenson Button of Great Britain and Brawn GP drives during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on March 29, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Wow!

I spent most the weekend open mouthed at what was evolving in Melbourne, with my sleep patterns in tatters, basically becoming nocturnal to see the start of a new era of Formula One.

And what an era it appears to be. New (or should that be old) names at the front, past champions fighting back in the pack, overtaking!. The only thing that re-assured me I hadn't slipped into a parallel universe was that Nelson Piquet Jr managed to have an accident all by himself!

Meanwhile, in Virginia Mother Nature made her case for an appearance in the Power Rankings. She's not, don't worry, it's very difficult to rank mythical figures.

15 Takuma Sato (Indycar (possibly))

TOKYO - MARCH 10: F1 driver Takuma Sato attends a Honda F1 2008 press conference at Grand Hyatt Tokyo on March 10, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. Honda supplies engines to the Super Aguri F1 team. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

Taku is looking to put together a deal to run some Indycar races.

IRL flagmen take extra training to improve upper body strength ahead of increased workload.

14 Sebastian Vettel (F1)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing drives during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on March 29, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Where ever he is, he is still apologising.

13 Casey Stoner (MotoGP)

PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 05: Casey Stoner of Australia and the Ducati Team turns out of a bend during the Australian MotoGP at the Phillip Island Circuit on October 5, 2008 in Phillip Island, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

I give you the most inappropriate prize in motorsport!

Casey topped the special qualifying testing at Jerez on his MotoGP bike.

And was rewarded with a new BMW car.

12 Bruno Senna (Le Mans Series)

Bruno got a Le Mans Series drive with ORECA last week after being snubbed by Brawn GP.

How do say ‘consolation prize’ in Portuguese.

11 Ryan Hunter-Reay (Indycar)

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Ryan Hunter-Reay driver of the #17 Rahal Letterman Racing Dallara Honda looks on during practice for the IRL Indy Car Series Nikon Indy 300 on October 25, 2008 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/

Tony George sees sense, Ryan gets ride, IZOD marketing department not fired.

10 Jarno Trulli (F1)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Jarno Trulli of Italy and Toyota drives on his way to finishing in third place during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on March 29, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Gett

Trulli’s audacious attempt to set a record for the number of penalties in a season gets off to a flying start, and there’s still the diffuser appeal to come!

Penalty One.
Penalty Two.
Penalty Three?

9 Craig Lowndes (V8 Supercars)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Craig Lowndes drives the #888 Team Vodafone Ford during race one of the Clipsal 500, which is round one of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, on the Adelaide Street Circuit on March 21, 2009 in Adelaide, Australia. (Pho

Won two of the V8 races supporting the Grand Prix at Melbourne, matching his team-mates domination in Adelaide.

One problem.

No points for Melbourne.

8 Will Power (Indycar)

HOMESTEAD, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Will Power of Australia sits aboard the #3 Team Penske Dallara Honda during the IRL IndyCar Series Spring Testing at the Homestead-Miami Speedway February 25, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images

Headed the last day of testing before St. Petes.

Helio, do not call this man as a character witness.

7 Lewis Hamilton (F1)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes drives during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on March 29, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Lewis is wandering around the paddock during the podium ceremony, hears the National Anthem.

“Why are they playing my song, I didn’t win?” he thinks.

Australian Grand Prix results

6 Tony Stewart (NASCAR)

MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 29: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at the Martinsville Speedway on March 29, 2009 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/G

Even from the TV cameras, I swear you saw Tony’s eyes light up as Hamlin and Johnson slid towards the wall.

5 Clint Bowyer (NASCAR)

MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 27: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #33 BB&T Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at the Martinsville Speedway on March 27, 2009 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Rusty Ja

Fifth at Martinsville, second overall.

It might be time to take notice of Clint Bowyer.

Martinsville Cup results

4 Denny Hamlin (NASCAR)

MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 29: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, passes Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, at turn four late during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at the Martinsville Speedway

Marcos Ambrose last week, Jimmie Johnson this week.

“Target” apparently considering switching sponsorship to the 11 car.

3 Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)

MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 29: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane with his wife, Chandra Johnson, after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at the Martinsville Speedway on March 29,

Jimmie denies basing beardy look on Jenson Button.

2 Rubens Barrichello (F1)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Rubens Barrichello of Brazil and Brawn GP drives on his way to finishing in second place during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on March 29, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark T

Brackley build bullet-proof car, Barrichello bounces Brawn off everything en route to second.

1 Jenson Button (F1)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Jenson Button of Great Britain and Brawn GP celebrates on the podium as he wins the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit on March 29, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty

With the BBC picking up F1 coverage, the UK lost adverts during races, so I decided to ease the transition by thinking of some during lulls in the proceedings.

This one sprang to mind.

“This is my quest, to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far”

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The All-Motorsport Power Rankings: Week 11

By
James Broomhead
(Analyst) on March 30, 2009

15 Takuma Sato (Indycar (possibly))

14 Sebastian Vettel (F1)

13 Casey Stoner (MotoGP)

12 Bruno Senna (Le Mans Series)

11 Ryan Hunter-Reay (Indycar)

10 Jarno Trulli (F1)

9 Craig Lowndes (V8 Supercars)

8 Will Power (Indycar)

7 Lewis Hamilton (F1)

6 Tony Stewart (NASCAR)

5 Clint Bowyer (NASCAR)

4 Denny Hamlin (NASCAR)

3 Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)

2 Rubens Barrichello (F1)

1 Jenson Button (F1)

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The All-Motorsport Power Rankings: Week 11

By James Broomhead (Analyst) on March 30, 2009

15 Takuma Sato (Indycar (possibly))

14 Sebastian Vettel (F1)

13 Casey Stoner (MotoGP)

12 Bruno Senna (Le Mans Series)

11 Ryan Hunter-Reay (Indycar)

10 Jarno Trulli (F1)

9 Craig Lowndes (V8 Supercars)

8 Will Power (Indycar)

7 Lewis Hamilton (F1)

6 Tony Stewart (NASCAR)

5 Clint Bowyer (NASCAR)

4 Denny Hamlin (NASCAR)

3 Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)

2 Rubens Barrichello (F1)

1 Jenson Button (F1)

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By
James Broomhead
(Analyst) on March 30, 2009

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