Justin: My co-blogger and I decided on keeping a dignified silence over the last few weeks. Blogging on the ins and outs of F1 just sort of paled into insignificance with the 2 fatalaties that world motorsport has seen over the period.
F1 is as safe as it has ever been, but that doesn't mean the drivers don't understand that they take a risk everytime they go racing. They all know it and accept it and just hope nothing untoward happens. Vettel touched upon this during the Indian GP weekend. In fact, I must say that the F1 drivers observed an impeccable minutes silence on the grid and the top 3 of Vettel, Button and Alonso gave rather honest and moving tributes in the press conference. Both Button and Alonso looked visibly upset and choked at various points.
Lewis Hamilton even pointed out that if he were to die, he'd rather it be in an f1 car doing what he loves. Thats not a direct quote, but I do recall him saying something along those lines. So, we can at least be thankful that Dan and Marco both died doing what they loved to do. Both knew the very real risks. More than anything, their deaths serve as a reminder to everyone that there are very real risks involved with all motorsports.
Whenever a big accident happens, all fraterneties look to see how they can improve safety. It is clear that something needs to be improved in Indycar. 34 cars on a 1.5 mile oval was just asking for trouble. MotoGP safety cannot really be improved much as once a rider comes off the bike, theres nothing to do but hope nothing nasty happens.
I sort of understand the f1 driver mindset a bit. They get into the car and go as fast as they can, end of. They forget the risks, the negatives once inside the cockpit. When I go go-karting I just drive as fast and hard as I physically can. There have been many times where I've almost put it into the tyre wall, bouncing around a corner onto a main straight, exploring the limits...sort of aware that the wall is a risk, but at the same time not bothered by it in the pursuit of a very fast lap. It's reaching the extreme limit and pushing, pushing.
Anyway, with two races left, the tital is well over and its up to those left to fight it out for 2nd place. My driver of the year would be a choice between the top 3 or probably Paul Di Resta. He has had a fantastic debut year. Vettel is the youngest ever double world champion, Button has outdriven Hamilton all year and is driving the best he has ever drivem whilst Alonso is wringing the neck of the Ferrari to outdrive the third best car on the grid - he is ahead of two better cars in the championship.
Over to you co-blogger.
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