The tight battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen for the 2021 Formula One World Championship is growing in intensity and with it, the heat builds among rivals. But the animosity between the fanbase overshadows even the rivalry. There is little doubt that the promoters of Formula One, Liberty Media, are rubbing their hands with … Continue reading “Dignified Online? Oh, Come Now, we are Not Children”
Category: F1 Opinion and News
“Thoughts on Naomi Osaka, Motor Racing and Sport’s Relationship with the Media Machine”
There is a living in hell in press conferences. It is probably that a great many people don’t really want to be in them at all. It is the pointlessly repetitive nature of it all. The empty lame duck questions that question nothing and answer even less. The open-ended queries that are so vague, so … Continue reading “Thoughts on Naomi Osaka, Motor Racing and Sport’s Relationship with the Media Machine”
“Yuki Tsunoda and The Art of Calm, Patience and Experience”
Yuki Tsunoda’s post-qualifying outburst during this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix earned him no favours with his AlphaTauri team. If the Japanese rookie is to lift himself out of his current dip, he may need to call on elements he does not have in his personnel possession – particularly calm and experience. This is where his team needs to come in.
“Is Nikita Mazepin Good Enough for F1? Well, That’s Complicated…”
Few drivers have courted as much controversy on their promotion to Formula One as Nikita Mazepin. The Haas racer debuted in F1 with a desperately poor personal reputation, but does this correlate with his on-track analysis? The answer is rather complicated. Even beyond that, questions are raised, such as, "When is any driver good enough … Continue reading “Is Nikita Mazepin Good Enough for F1? Well, That’s Complicated…”
“Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton Expand Diversity Foundation”
Reigning Formula One world champions Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have agreed to expand their joint commitment to improving the representation of minority ethnic groups in UK motorsport. This expanded commitment is due to take the form of a joint charitable foundation, which is designed to support wider diversity in motorsport and nurture talent that would … Continue reading “Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton Expand Diversity Foundation”
“George Russell: The Art of Winning – In Spite of Losing”
George Russell may not have won the Sakhir Grand Prix on Sunday, but his efforts in replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes may have formerly confirmed his potential. It may have also gone a great distance to settling his driver from 2022 onward. “Very quick, very tidy. Great potential.” As the 2015 European Formula 3 season … Continue reading “George Russell: The Art of Winning – In Spite of Losing”
“A Grand Portimão Cop-Out”
Of the drivers competing at this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix, Lance Stroll, Antonio Giovinazzi, Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Alex Albon all raced there in F3 in early September 2015. Yet despite the nods to it in various record books and websites, none of the above group managed to race on the Grand Prix layout … Continue reading “A Grand Portimão Cop-Out”
“F1: Nico Hülkenberg’s Last Shot to Somewhere”
Sergio Pérez’ COVID-19 diagnosis may have given Nico Hülkenberg two shots to prove himself again in Formula One. But even if he takes them, what is the long-term hope for a driver who was once considered ‘the next German star’?
“OPINION: F1 – Renault Driver Selection is Symptom of Banality Disguised as Ambition”
Rumours are rife that Renault may be ready to announce Fernando Alonso to replace the departing Daniel Ricciardo on Wednesday. But is this indicative of Renault’s need for experience amidst restructure or something far more banal? It may have slipped by many in recent months, but as it stands, there is still a vacant seat … Continue reading “OPINION: F1 – Renault Driver Selection is Symptom of Banality Disguised as Ambition”
“OPINION: Bringing it All Back Home”
This may come as something of a surprise, but while motorsport’s return to action amidst the Coronavirus slowdown is welcome, the breath and silence the enforced break offered will be missed.
“F1: It Was Clear for Me to Change My Life – Gerhard Berger”
Gerhard Berger may be fondly remembered as one of the jokers of Formula One’s past, but with ten victories over the course of fourteen seasons, he is also one of the most highly respected drivers of the 1980s and 90s. Now 60 and long retired as a Formula One driver, the Austrian tells World in … Continue reading “F1: It Was Clear for Me to Change My Life – Gerhard Berger”
“F1: Williams recruit Simon Roberts from McLaren”
Simon Roberts will join Williams Racing from June 1st as Managing Director of their F1 programme.
“F1: For Kubica and the Fairytale, the Dream is Over”
Robert Kubica’s decision to leave Williams at the end of this season may prove to be the final hurrah for the Polish driver. It is a sad epilogue for a driver who looked so promising and whose potential was unfulfilled. The writing has been on the wall for quite some time. Such has been the … Continue reading “F1: For Kubica and the Fairytale, the Dream is Over”
“F1: Haas re-sign Grosjean”
American Formula 1 squad Haas F1 have re-signed Romain Grosjean, continuing a partnership with Kevin Magnussen for the 2020 season. With seats disappearing fast, it is a move that pushes Renault refugee Nico Hülkenberg to the sidelines. Romain Grosjean has signed for another year with the Haas Formula One team, despite what has been a … Continue reading “F1: Haas re-sign Grosjean”
“F1: Is Ferrari’s Inner Fight Already Over?”
Incredible as it may seem, August 26th marked a year since Sebastian Vettel last won a Formula One Grand Prix, when he triumphed at Spa-Francorchamps. In that year, his form has been blighted by errors and a marked loss of form, while new teammate Charles Leclerc goes from strength-to-strength. But is this the continued sign … Continue reading “F1: Is Ferrari’s Inner Fight Already Over?”
“F1: Thoughts on Gasly, Albon, Red Bull and Maturity”
Monday’s announcement that Alexander Albon was to replace Pierre Gasly at Red Bull Racing may not have been the biggest shock in the world, but its timing most certainly was. With Monday morning came another change in Red Bull’s Formula One roster, as Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly swapped seats at Red Bull and Toro … Continue reading “F1: Thoughts on Gasly, Albon, Red Bull and Maturity”
“Defining Valtteri”
Valtteri Bottas finished 5th in this year’s Formula 1 Driver’s Championship, a long way distant of team leader and champion Lewis Hamilton. Has the highly rated Finn been broken or is something else holding him back? ---- “When it's so close, you start to think about every lap and every corner after the race, trying … Continue reading “Defining Valtteri”
“Thoughts on The Peter Principle and Ferrari”
Sebastian Vettel’s and Ferrari’s descent from Formula One championship contenders to also-rans since July has been painful to watch. But is this form truly a surprise or the reality of a team and driver combination having reached their Level of Incompetence? There is a concept known as The Peter Principle, more commonly known today as … Continue reading “Thoughts on The Peter Principle and Ferrari”
“F1: Kerb extension laid at Parabolica”
Following a lengthy drivers meeting yesterday, an additional kerb has been added to the exit of Parabolica for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. With drivers using the excess run-off at Parabolica to obtain a better drive onto the start-finish straight, it was agreed to add an additional kerb to dissuade competitors from going too far … Continue reading “F1: Kerb extension laid at Parabolica”
“A Misunderstood Question”
‘What are your expectations for the season ahead?’ (or variations thereof). It is a question that I despise and there are certainly better ways of asking it, but no matter what, it is a very clumsy query that make me curl up inside. Season preview guides are often vacuous efforts, that recall past results and … Continue reading “A Misunderstood Question”