Blog Archives

F1 Farce as Alonso grabs controversial win over Massa

Posted on July 25, 2010
by

Why oh why do I bother watching an F1 grand prix when a blatant team order instruction over the team radio changed the result of the race? Barring a catastrophe after the first few laps Ferrari were going to end  with a great 1-2 result, my complaint is the way it happens.

Ok, Alonso was obviously quicker than Felipe Massa after the one and only tyre change from super soft to hard. Massa was struggling with the change of tyre and locked up on numerous occasions before Alonso passed him. Alonso may well have passed him but surely the FIA will want to investigate this sham of “no team orders”.

When the pair returned to the pits at the end of the race, Massa was clearly upset but held back what he probably wanted to say and do!

Massa, who trailed his team-mate by 31 points prior to the race, was told by Ferrari chief engineer Rob Smedley over team radio: “Ok…. So Alonso is faster than you. Can you confirm you understand?” – to which he responded by letting Alonso through on Turn Six two laps later.

Following the move, Smedley added: “Good lad. Just stick with it now, sorry.”

During the driver’s press conference Massa was asked to comment on the call afterwards, Massa, who was denied a potential win one year to the day after he fractured his skull in the Hungarian GP, said: “I don’t need to say anything about that. He passed me.”

Formula 1′s governing body the FIA, state in Rule 39.1: “Team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.”

If Ferrari thinks they can make excuses that team orders weren’t in operation they are taking all F1 fans and viewers for mugs. Smedley was clearly holding back and towing …

Comments Off

Not bad for a number two driver

Posted on July 15, 2010
by

Is F1 missing a beat ?

The British Grand Prix last Sunday was, apart from an incident strewn first couple of corners,  lacking of any real drama and a straight forward win for Red Bull. The big question before the race was not which team would win but which driver. Most pundits were clearly in the Sebastian Vettel camp, I wanted Mark Webber to win.

Despite a wonderful looking Silverstone cicrcuit, I am missing the cutting edge of the pitstops this season. Refuelling stops are a thing of the past and have taken a little drama and tactics out of the race. Will the fuel hose work? How quick can we refuel and get them out and will we remember to take the hose off the car before our intrepid drivers drive down pit straight oblivious to the flames following him as he “speeds” away!

There’s no drama anymore, or is there? Am I missing something? At the conclusion of the British Grand Prix and Mark Webber’s win the BBC broadcast those immortal words “Not bad for a number two driver”. Webber was clearly annoyed all week at what appeared to be team orders and a preference to Seb Vettel who was a handful of points ahead of the Australian in the standings.

It spurred Webber on and when he failed to take pole position in qualifying on Saturday (something that probably helped him on race day due to more grip on the outside) Webber was seething.  The difference between a world class driver and a regular driver is he (or she) can keep his (or her) emotions in check at the business end – for this Webber must be applauded.

 Red Bull Team Principal Horner claimed there weren’t any team orders but Webber wasn’t having any of it! However according to Webber’s …

Comments Off

F1:BBC reveals comprehensive coverage for 2009

Posted on February 24, 2009
by

Along with thousands of F1 petrol heads, I rejoiced at the demise of James Allen and the ITV coverage of F1 and with it the BBC’s re-capture of motorsports Jewel in the crown. At times it (ITV coverage) was brilliant but it also left us  shouting at the tv screen or tearing our hair out at the crazy decision to leave the race at critical times to feed the pockets of the ITV executives!

In what seemed to be an everlasting wait, the BBC have annouced the comprehensive coverage that will kick off in Melbourne next month (27th March). Check out the 2008 F1 Season Review Here.

F1 returns to BBC television for the first time in 12 years and there will be extensive coverage on network TV, red button, radio, online and mobile.

BBC One will carry live coverage of all 17 Grands Prix and every qualifying session except that in Brazil, which will be shown on BBC Two.

And every single on-track session can be watched on the red button or online.

Jake Humphrey will present the TV coverage, joined by 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard and former team boss Eddie Jordan as pundits.

The pit lane reporters will be Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie.

F1 fans will be able to customise their viewing experience through the BBC’s multi-platform offering with options such as: split-screen action; a live leaderboard; in-car cameras; choice of commentary; live online streaming; live text; interactive forums; circuit guides; and blogs. More information on all the options can be seen on the BBC website.

…
Comments Off

Michael Schumacher, Hero or Villain ?

Posted on September 11, 2006
by

A truly magnificent career is about to come to an end, brought even closer following his emphatic Grand Prix win at Monza yesterday. During the regular press conference for the podium finishing drivers, Michael Schumacher or Schumie to his friends announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season, three races down the line. I have to admit I was never a Schumacher fan for the first five years of his Ferrari career but something changed (and no I can’t remember why) and I have been a fan ever since. Not one of these crazy fanatical fans I add, simply a fan of great driving and tactical know how.

Schumie will be missed there’s no doubt not only for his driving but the knowledge he brings to Ferrari and the drivers as a whole, keen to look after everyone’s interest and safety. Sure he’s had his faults, no more so than when he decided to block Alonso on his final qualifying lap at Monaco. I looked at the tv screen stunned at what I saw and in real time I made allowances for the German telling myself, he didn’t do that on purpose did he ? If you were watching the qualifying session live or indeed the news bulletins for the next couple of days, it was filled with allegations of cheating from all and sundry and not least Renault boss Flavio Briatore. It was a mistake and a mistake that tarnished his reputation..

Along with Ayrton Senna, Schumacher is the best driver I have ever seen in Formula 1. I can’t compare him with Stirling Moss or any of the other older drivers; I simply didn’t follow their career because I wasn’t around! It’s always the same old case, doesn’t matter what the sport, could be …

[ 5 Replies ]