Pulling enough interest out of the recent Sebastian Vettel/Fernando Alonso and Alpine/Aston Martin story to keep one awake was tricky business. Until Oscar Piastri blew French waters apart. “Jesus, this is a tepid stuff.” In the aftermath of Sebastian Vettel’s retirement announcement and the post-Hungaroring revelation that Fernando Alonso was moving from Alpine to replace … Continue reading “Alonso, Vettel & Piastri: Making a Story Out of a Story”
Category: F1 Opinion and News
“Notes: Winning at a Stroke”
One race winner and later F1 driver would, occasionally, use his trophy to satisfy certain urges publicly.
“Daniel Ricciardo, Tangled Webs, and the McLaren Conundrum”
A heady mix of a highly regarded and expensive, yet struggling driver, alongside the availability of a cache of youthful exuberance may be about to give McLaren a headache – albeit a good one, on the surface. But are the options available as refined or as speedy as the incumbent? “We ultimately just weren’t quick … Continue reading “Daniel Ricciardo, Tangled Webs, and the McLaren Conundrum”
“Actions and Consequences – for Juri Vips, Nelson Piquet Sr and everyone else” (updated)
Juri Vips’ actions during a live streamed gaming session resulted in his immediate suspension from Red Bull Racing activities, including the famed junior team. And rightly so. But how does one respond when one of the sport’s most respected members also commits such actions?
“Swapping One Noise for Another”
After an acrimonious three months, Formula One looks to move into a new era fresh from the criticisms of last season. But are these heightened tensions not part and parcel of hugely evocative fight?
“Guess Work is Not Good Work, Even If It Makes Sense”
At this juncture, as of 10am on Wednesday March 9th, 2022, it can be confirmed that Pietro Fittipaldi has not yet been confirmed as the replacement for the dumped Nikita Mazepin at the Haas F1 team. In fact, nobody has. Not that one would get that impression from many of the popular outlets online. There is an issue of trust when it comes to reporting news or updates, but all too often a thrust through one’s timeline ends up being a doom scroll through a field of copyists and guesswork. Even before Mazepin had been dropped by Haas, there were rumbling stories that Fittipaldi was to replace the Russian, but none of these stories were based on anything remotely solid. There was certainly nothing that one could reasonably use as a back-up for a news story.
“Actions Do Speak Louder Than Words”
Formula One announced today that it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter. It is a move that not only seals the fate of the final race at Sochi, but also kills the follow-up events at Igora Autodrom. But they did take their time.
“Cowering Under the Hard Dark Light of Money”
Formula One takes the money and hides and when the time is right, it adopts the right words and the right pleasantries, but struggles to match those words with action or authority. As I write this, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is delivering his best lamentable efforts in Prime Minister Questions and it reminds me that at a time of great horror, the world continues to play politics, as if it is a board game. Yet actions have consequences and the deals we do or are done in our name have consequences too. Our world spins upon the colour and scent of money, but in the end, money dripped in blood is still money. The value, however, is tainted forever.
“When Race Control Becomes the Story, Then the Story is Wrong”
There is a drastic problem eating away at the forefront of motorsport, particularly Formula One. Recent seasons has seen the narrative of numerous Grand Prix move from the track to that of Race Control and that is an issue that threatens to undermine the integrity of the sport. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when … Continue reading “When Race Control Becomes the Story, Then the Story is Wrong”
“Dignified Online? Oh, Come Now, we are Not Children”
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”
“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”