Just like at an FIA GT World Championship qualifying race at Silverstone in 2011, Sebastian Vettel showed why hot-headedness, a racing car and hand gestures are not common or advised behaviour in top-level motorsport. In the Silverstone situation, an angry Stefan Mücke (Young Driver Aston Martin) – recovering after a clash with JRM Nissan’s Richard … Continue reading “Vettel blurs the line in the sand”
Category: F1 Opinion and News
“Giovinazzi stays on for Chinese Grand Prix”
Sauber revealed last night that reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi is to stay on in place of Pascal Wehrlein for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix. Citing a lack of fitness following a truncated pre-season, Wehrlein withdrew from the Australian Grand Prix after Free Practice 2 – a situation born out of Race of Champions crash in … Continue reading “Giovinazzi stays on for Chinese Grand Prix”
“A new battle is afoot”
It may not have been the most dramatic of Grand Prix, but the events in Melbourne offered a sign that Formula One as a championship battle has been rejuvenated. All it needs to do now is turn on the races and keep it up. Easy, right..? It would not be a surprise if I was … Continue reading “A new battle is afoot”
“McLaren: A race through gritted teeth”
If their performance at Australian Grand Prix is anything to go by, McLaren-Honda’s winter of discontent looks set to add Spring, Summer and Autumn to that mix, but it is not all doom and gloom at Woking. While Fernando Alonso drove what he felt was one of the drives of his career and was happy … Continue reading “McLaren: A race through gritted teeth”
“Progress for Renault, but only small steps”
Following a difficult transition year in 2016, the factory Renault team look to have delivered some gains with the RS17, but midfield battles may be the peak for the French squad. “Our race result highlights that we were not as well prepared as our opposition and our lack of mileage and preparation, both during pre-season … Continue reading “Progress for Renault, but only small steps”
“A Brief Story About Antonio Giovinazzi”
Antonio Giovinazzi’s late call-up for Sauber for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix was certainly a surprise, particularly given the reasons for which Pascal Wehrlein was withdrawn. But had one told the Italian about his Formula One less than two years ago, it is doubtful whether he would have believed it. During the early stages of … Continue reading “A Brief Story About Antonio Giovinazzi”
“Australian GP: Wehrlein withdraws, replaced by Giovinazzi”
Sauber F1 team have decided to sit driver Pascal Wehrlein out for the rest of the Australian Grand Prix following the continued after effects of his Race of Champions crash. The German racer complained of a “fitness deficit” following the Friday practice sessions, leaving Sauber little choice but to bring in reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi for his Grand Prix debut.
“A short story about Nico Rosberg”
-- For no reason, this little story about Nico Rosberg popped into my head today, so I thought it would be nice to share it with you. -- Over the weekend of the 2015 DTM season finale at Hockenheim, then Mercedes racer (and future world champion) Nico Rosberg was brought in to take part in … Continue reading “A short story about Nico Rosberg”
“Conclusions from Singapore invaders”
During the second half of last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, a member of the public breached security and entered the circuit – a moment of madness that could have rewritten the race. Beyond the obvious alterations to the form of the event – the track invasion necessitated a second safety car period – the wandering … Continue reading “Conclusions from Singapore invaders”
“I Did Not Know Jules Bianchi”
I did not know Jules Bianchi. In acknowledging that, it is the case that I had met him on a few occasions, but at no stage did I ever know him – there is quite a difference. Over the years, there was plenty of stumbling along as I shadowed a few steps behind the young … Continue reading “I Did Not Know Jules Bianchi”
Jules Bianchi
It has been confirmed today Marussia Formula One driver Jules Bianchi passed away at the Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice.
“The Other ‘Drive of the Day'”
While much of the post-race talk of the Monaco Grand Prix focussed on Mercedes’ strategic mix-up that cost Lewis Hamilton the race win, one highly successful run went largely unnoticed in the melee. Starting from the pitlane, Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz slipped serenely up the order to eventually take home 10th place and one point come the final order.
“The Art of Being Human”
Despite what the Internet will tell you, simple human error and confusion cost Lewis Hamilton the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday. If nothing else, it was a timely reminder that at the heart of our sport lay not just computers, but banks of people making split-second decisions – and sometimes they get it wrong.
“F1: Lotus rue Malaysian struggles”
In what should be a period of improvement and consolidation for the Lotus Formula One team, the Enfield leave the Malaysian Grand Prix toward the rear of the Constructors’ table, with only the limp Manor behind them.
“Australian GP: McLaren take stock amidst struggles”
Fans who were so eagerly anticipating the renewed McLaren/Honda love affair should have been aware as to how tricky things might be at the start, but few in their wildest nightmares would have predicted yesterday’s horror show. In dreams, it was never supposed to be like this. The veteran Jenson Button ended the day 11th and last and two laps adrift of the victorious Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), while substitute teammate Kevin Magnussen never even made the start.
“Meanwhile, at school…”
Following on from its successful inauguration last year, American motor brand Infiniti has launched the second edition of the Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy.
“F1: Merhi joins Manor Marussia for opening rounds”
Former DTM racer Roberto Merhi has been announced as the second driver with the Manor Marussia F1 team today.
“F1: Alonso withdrawn from season opener”
McLaren Honda racer Fernando Alonso has been withdrawn from the season opening Australian Grand Prix following his test crash in Barcelona nine days ago.
“Further Details Regarding Fernando Alonso”
McLaren Formula One driver Fernando Alonso is on the road to a solid recovery in hospital following his test crash on Sunday. According to a release by the Woking-based team, the 33-year-old Spaniard has been chatting to family, friends and staff at the hospital; however it is unknown at this stage whether he will participate in the final pre-season test which begins later this week.
“The Power of Exaggeration”
Fernando Alonso’s crash on the final day of the second pre-season Formula One test at Barcelona did more than take him out of the rest of the running. It gave a speedy rise to unfounded speculation and exaggeration. It also displayed how sensitive the sport still is to developing stories surrounding driver care.