2012 was a classic...
Video by AutoMotoSportVK
Monday 9 November 2015
Sunday 8 November 2015
Day seven: Red Bull 2016
Rumour is that they now have an engine for next year.
It is to be a Renault engine, but Red Bull will upgrade it at their Milton Keynes HQ through the year, rather than Renault have anything to do with it.
Blimey.
What will they do?
As far as I am aware they don't have an engine department. Time to recruit. Quickly.
What will they do? Add rocket boosters to it? Give it go-faster stripes?
Will Red Bull be able to make an engine go quicker than Renault ever could? Doubt it.
Still, when you are up shit creek, you have to grab the only paddle left.
It is to be a Renault engine, but Red Bull will upgrade it at their Milton Keynes HQ through the year, rather than Renault have anything to do with it.
Blimey.
What will they do?
As far as I am aware they don't have an engine department. Time to recruit. Quickly.
What will they do? Add rocket boosters to it? Give it go-faster stripes?
Will Red Bull be able to make an engine go quicker than Renault ever could? Doubt it.
Still, when you are up shit creek, you have to grab the only paddle left.
Saturday 7 November 2015
Day five and six: Fighters
So, I missed my blog yesterday - whoops!
I've written separately on blogs about drivers who inspire me, who I call legends.
It's drivers that fight. They fight their way past others, they never give up because they simply just do not know how. It's drivers who are tough.
Niki Lauda - The toughest driver ever to grace a track in my opinion. My eyes well up, I'm not ashamed to say it, when watching Rush; particularly at the moment he finishes 4th in Italy after being practically burnt alive just a few races before. He emerged from the car and the wounds on his face, nowhere near fully healed, were bloody! This guy is the toughest fighter out there, past or present.
In fact, all the drivers I have followed throughout my life have the fighting/ never give up attitude (perhaps aside from Damon Hill who was always quite a smooth driver and a pretty placid chap off track - though, he certainly fought back hard against Schumacher!).
Nigel Mansell - Perhaps the most balls out racer in recent times. He used to muscle his way past people. Piquet at Silverstone in 87...just wow. He would not be intimidated by anyone, ever. One of the most famous bits of footage from "yesteryear" (snigger) is him and Senna at the first Barcelona GP in 1991, side by side for the whole start/ finish straight. Neither willing to yield.
Gilles and Jacques - Like father like son (Murray Walker says so himself). Both these guys existed to race. Both had a fighty, on the ragged edge style. Both liked exploring the limits of the car.
Witness Jacques setting himself the target of going through Eau Rouge flat out during his leaner BAR times, just because it was something to do!
Video from "Formula Spy" - though he won't get much traffic as nobody reads this :-).
Video by John Cash
Alonso - Valencia 2012 - What a fighter!! Erm there are loads of tribute videos to this drive alone.
I've written separately on blogs about drivers who inspire me, who I call legends.
It's drivers that fight. They fight their way past others, they never give up because they simply just do not know how. It's drivers who are tough.
Niki Lauda - The toughest driver ever to grace a track in my opinion. My eyes well up, I'm not ashamed to say it, when watching Rush; particularly at the moment he finishes 4th in Italy after being practically burnt alive just a few races before. He emerged from the car and the wounds on his face, nowhere near fully healed, were bloody! This guy is the toughest fighter out there, past or present.
In fact, all the drivers I have followed throughout my life have the fighting/ never give up attitude (perhaps aside from Damon Hill who was always quite a smooth driver and a pretty placid chap off track - though, he certainly fought back hard against Schumacher!).
Nigel Mansell - Perhaps the most balls out racer in recent times. He used to muscle his way past people. Piquet at Silverstone in 87...just wow. He would not be intimidated by anyone, ever. One of the most famous bits of footage from "yesteryear" (snigger) is him and Senna at the first Barcelona GP in 1991, side by side for the whole start/ finish straight. Neither willing to yield.
Gilles and Jacques - Like father like son (Murray Walker says so himself). Both these guys existed to race. Both had a fighty, on the ragged edge style. Both liked exploring the limits of the car.
Witness Jacques setting himself the target of going through Eau Rouge flat out during his leaner BAR times, just because it was something to do!
Video from "Formula Spy" - though he won't get much traffic as nobody reads this :-).
Alonso - Valencia 2012 - What a fighter!! Erm there are loads of tribute videos to this drive alone.
Thursday 5 November 2015
Day four: Daniel Ricciardo - future world champion...
... If Red Bull doesn't bugger off next year and leave him without a drive or having to bog off to Indycar.
Wednesday 4 November 2015
Day three: Random ramblings...yesteryear...
1. Are Ferrari really going to be challenging Mercedes consistently for race wins next year? I just can't see it personally.
2. Will McLaren actually make any progress next year? Consistent points scorers at least? Hmmm. Unsure.
3. Will Alonso and Button last the year if McLaren show absolutely no signs of progress? Perhaps not.
4. My co-blogger recently went to "An evening with Nigel Mansell". Where he spoke about his life and times in and out of F1. He spoke about his book too, which is fantastic. He talks about "yesteryear" an awful lot mind.
Go Red 5!!!!!!!
2. Will McLaren actually make any progress next year? Consistent points scorers at least? Hmmm. Unsure.
3. Will Alonso and Button last the year if McLaren show absolutely no signs of progress? Perhaps not.
4. My co-blogger recently went to "An evening with Nigel Mansell". Where he spoke about his life and times in and out of F1. He spoke about his book too, which is fantastic. He talks about "yesteryear" an awful lot mind.
Go Red 5!!!!!!!
Tuesday 3 November 2015
Day two: Red Bull are up shit creek without a paddle
And have nobody to blame but themselves...
I saw an article on the BBC today where Christian Horner stated Red Bull were right on the cusp of not being able to fully prepare for 2016.
It's the old five to midnight on the clock and they are still faffing around trying to find an engine for next year.
In it for racing and F1 or in it for marketing?
I ask myself, and indeed you, would a pure racing team such as Williams have thrown their toys out of the pram so far and loudly when their engine partner falls below their expectations?
Perhaps they might. But would a pure racing team completely tear their engine partner to shreds in public and actively look to turn the relationship so toxic that there is no other alternative than to dissolve the partnership - even though there are zero obvious alternatives to give you an engine?!
No, I don't think so.
In this aspect alone, Red Bull really must stop whinging and either put up or get the hell out of F1.
I don't like them...but...
They have been a breath of fresh air for F1 in some terms. Though, they nearly killed my interest in the 2013 season when Vettel dominated the last half of the season like Hamilton has this season.
I despise Helmut Marko and think Horner needs to grow his vocabulary above and beyond "Yeah, no, absolutely!".
I strongly disliked the blatant favouring of Vettel over Webber, even in 2010 when Vettel was not a champion. Just look at Turkey that year - blatantly Vettel moved into Webber, and everyone bar the actual team owner blames Webber!
All that said, Dietrich Mateschitz more often than not seems like a sensible chap.
F1 will survive without them
Will it though? I would like to hope so...But at the same time, if they leave and take Torro Rosso with them, thats four pretty racey cars that in all probability will be replaced by backmarker teams - making the Mercedes procession ever more straightforward.
So, I'd rather Red Bull raced next year for sure. Plus in Ricciardo and Kvyat, they have two hugely talented guys. And indeed Verstappen and Sainz Jr.
In it to win it, else we'll pack up and go home
If Williams doesn't win, they try and get back to the top as they exist to race.
If Red Bull stops winning, they may pack up and go home as they exist to market a product.
I mean, sure we have had quit threats from huge teams in the past, but that was different. That is because they didn't like rule and regulation changes.
Red Bull have turned their engine partnership so toxic, they had to divorce without having a replacement in mind! Stupid idiots.
They whinge that Mercedes and Honda don't want to do a deal. They don't have to do anything!!
Well, rumour is that Honda do but are being blocked by Evil Ron - snigger.
Ferrari want to supply them with a 2015 engine. Doh. That has gone down like a lead turd in Milton Keynes.
VW....not any more!!
The big rumour was they would take Ferrari engines of some sort for two years, then VW would come in and buy Red Bull out.
Not any more. You try losing £3 billion then coming into F1!!
So, as the clock strikes twelve, the latest is they may have an unmarked Renault engine after all.
Will they be on the grid next year?
One thing for sure is that Evil Bernie is doing all he can to help.
I saw an article on the BBC today where Christian Horner stated Red Bull were right on the cusp of not being able to fully prepare for 2016.
It's the old five to midnight on the clock and they are still faffing around trying to find an engine for next year.
In it for racing and F1 or in it for marketing?
I ask myself, and indeed you, would a pure racing team such as Williams have thrown their toys out of the pram so far and loudly when their engine partner falls below their expectations?
Perhaps they might. But would a pure racing team completely tear their engine partner to shreds in public and actively look to turn the relationship so toxic that there is no other alternative than to dissolve the partnership - even though there are zero obvious alternatives to give you an engine?!
No, I don't think so.
In this aspect alone, Red Bull really must stop whinging and either put up or get the hell out of F1.
I don't like them...but...
They have been a breath of fresh air for F1 in some terms. Though, they nearly killed my interest in the 2013 season when Vettel dominated the last half of the season like Hamilton has this season.
I despise Helmut Marko and think Horner needs to grow his vocabulary above and beyond "Yeah, no, absolutely!".
I strongly disliked the blatant favouring of Vettel over Webber, even in 2010 when Vettel was not a champion. Just look at Turkey that year - blatantly Vettel moved into Webber, and everyone bar the actual team owner blames Webber!
All that said, Dietrich Mateschitz more often than not seems like a sensible chap.
F1 will survive without them
Will it though? I would like to hope so...But at the same time, if they leave and take Torro Rosso with them, thats four pretty racey cars that in all probability will be replaced by backmarker teams - making the Mercedes procession ever more straightforward.
So, I'd rather Red Bull raced next year for sure. Plus in Ricciardo and Kvyat, they have two hugely talented guys. And indeed Verstappen and Sainz Jr.
In it to win it, else we'll pack up and go home
If Williams doesn't win, they try and get back to the top as they exist to race.
If Red Bull stops winning, they may pack up and go home as they exist to market a product.
I mean, sure we have had quit threats from huge teams in the past, but that was different. That is because they didn't like rule and regulation changes.
Red Bull have turned their engine partnership so toxic, they had to divorce without having a replacement in mind! Stupid idiots.
They whinge that Mercedes and Honda don't want to do a deal. They don't have to do anything!!
Well, rumour is that Honda do but are being blocked by Evil Ron - snigger.
Ferrari want to supply them with a 2015 engine. Doh. That has gone down like a lead turd in Milton Keynes.
VW....not any more!!
The big rumour was they would take Ferrari engines of some sort for two years, then VW would come in and buy Red Bull out.
Not any more. You try losing £3 billion then coming into F1!!
So, as the clock strikes twelve, the latest is they may have an unmarked Renault engine after all.
Will they be on the grid next year?
One thing for sure is that Evil Bernie is doing all he can to help.
Monday 2 November 2015
30 days, 30 blogs...Day one: My love for F1 never really dies
Justin:
It has been a while!
I last blogged about the Hungarian GP back in late July. Since then, I've, more often than not, gotten a little frustrated watching F1.
In a fair few races there was a distinct lack of unpredictability about the race for first. Essentially, due to Hamilton's dominance over Rosberg, there was no racing for the win.
There has been racing galore through the field, but fun though that is, I really get off on the race for the win.
It only takes a moment to restore the faith
Maybe my deep passion for F1 allows it too easily back into my good books, who knows. Before Austin and Mexico City, I actually fell asleep during a couple of races.
Austin was an insane race from start to finish. From early on, the two Red Bulls got into the mix and certainly upset the Mercedes running order.
Capgate was hillarious! One can understand Rosberg being frustrated and angry with himself and that probably enhanced his feeling of annoyance at being run out of road by Hamilton at the start.
The race in Mexico City - erm, wow! Every time the cars raced through the baseball stadium section, where the cars go between two massive grandstands, you could hear the roar of the crowd.
The podium celebrations taking place in that area, rather than the pit straight, was a pure stroke of genius. F1 is back in Mexico.
So, as part of a series of challenges I am setting myself over the next 30 days, one of those is to compose an F1 blog every day. No matter how long or short, any or all F1 topics may come up.
There is plenty going on in F1 right now to chat about, plus the fact I currently have four F1 books on my coffee table to read.
Here are a few pics from Hungary that I took, to remind us all where I last left the blogging.
Catch you tomorrow.
It has been a while!
I last blogged about the Hungarian GP back in late July. Since then, I've, more often than not, gotten a little frustrated watching F1.
In a fair few races there was a distinct lack of unpredictability about the race for first. Essentially, due to Hamilton's dominance over Rosberg, there was no racing for the win.
There has been racing galore through the field, but fun though that is, I really get off on the race for the win.
It only takes a moment to restore the faith
Maybe my deep passion for F1 allows it too easily back into my good books, who knows. Before Austin and Mexico City, I actually fell asleep during a couple of races.
Austin was an insane race from start to finish. From early on, the two Red Bulls got into the mix and certainly upset the Mercedes running order.
Capgate was hillarious! One can understand Rosberg being frustrated and angry with himself and that probably enhanced his feeling of annoyance at being run out of road by Hamilton at the start.
The race in Mexico City - erm, wow! Every time the cars raced through the baseball stadium section, where the cars go between two massive grandstands, you could hear the roar of the crowd.
The podium celebrations taking place in that area, rather than the pit straight, was a pure stroke of genius. F1 is back in Mexico.
So, as part of a series of challenges I am setting myself over the next 30 days, one of those is to compose an F1 blog every day. No matter how long or short, any or all F1 topics may come up.
There is plenty going on in F1 right now to chat about, plus the fact I currently have four F1 books on my coffee table to read.
Here are a few pics from Hungary that I took, to remind us all where I last left the blogging.
Catch you tomorrow.
Sunday 16 August 2015
Hungary - A 30th Birthday to remember
Justin:
Well, instead of asking what Hungary offered up as a race, it would be much simpler to ask what did it not offer?
Not much, is the answer. It had everything. Overtakes, rocket launches at the start, prangs, offs, people surging through the field, safety cars...overtakes, prangs...best race of the year!
I was there to witness it all first hand. What a race to pick to go and see live!
It was bloody hot, with the Friday and Saturday reaching 38/39 degrees centigrade - with a track temperature of 59 degrees centigrade. That is insane.
We were sat in a stand (never figured that one out) at the first chicane - turn 5 or 6 I think? I couldn't believe the roar when the cars came round on lap one with the Ferrari pair leading the way.
The roar was even louder when Lewis binned it into the kitty litter. Video here:
You can hear me shouting "Was that Hamilton??!!". The video screen was a way down the road and whilst you can identify people via their helmets (though my co-blogger seemed befuddled by the clear distinction between Nico's black helmet and the white one of Lewis), in the first lap melee I lost track in the crowd eruption.
Finns and Ferrari
I'd say 90% of fans were Ferrari fans of some description and there were a mighty load of Finnish people supporting Kimi. They don't appear to notice that Bottas is of the same country.
Nico
A huge lost opportunity here for Nico. Ok he couldn't keep up with the Red team and was nowhere near as quick as Lewis all weekend. After Hamilton went off, there was bags of time between the two drivers, but for some reason Nico just couldn't catch the guys ahead and seemed to fixate on what Lewis was up to behind. As it happened, drama unfolded late on for both as Hamilton received a drive through in his most error-strewn race since 2011 and Rosberg...oh Nico.
It was difficult keeping track of who was where sometimes so the first we saw was a Mercedes tootling around with a puncture...or was he just going really slow when he came by us?
I'm happy
Alonso - legend. Pushing his car back to the pits after it conked out in qualy then hauling it to a superb 5th place on Sunday. You could see in qualy and indeed in the race that he was pushing to the limit, the McLaren dancing..skating...off the kerb coming out of the chicane as it accelerated away. Beautiful watching F1 at this part of the track. Oh, and on the Thursday evening pitwalk (we got there despite a walk of death across hills and fields for 40 minutes through an electrical storm) I saw Alonso sat in his car. Awesome.
Jules - #17
The minute of silence in his memory was observed beautifully by all of the 80/90,000 fans at the circuit. I couldn't believe how silent it was and how emotional it all was. That's what I love about F1. We all follow different drivers and teams, but we all love F1. Jules was a part of what we love.
Next stop = Belgium.
Well, instead of asking what Hungary offered up as a race, it would be much simpler to ask what did it not offer?
Not much, is the answer. It had everything. Overtakes, rocket launches at the start, prangs, offs, people surging through the field, safety cars...overtakes, prangs...best race of the year!
I was there to witness it all first hand. What a race to pick to go and see live!
It was bloody hot, with the Friday and Saturday reaching 38/39 degrees centigrade - with a track temperature of 59 degrees centigrade. That is insane.
We were sat in a stand (never figured that one out) at the first chicane - turn 5 or 6 I think? I couldn't believe the roar when the cars came round on lap one with the Ferrari pair leading the way.
The roar was even louder when Lewis binned it into the kitty litter. Video here:
Finns and Ferrari
I'd say 90% of fans were Ferrari fans of some description and there were a mighty load of Finnish people supporting Kimi. They don't appear to notice that Bottas is of the same country.
Nico
A huge lost opportunity here for Nico. Ok he couldn't keep up with the Red team and was nowhere near as quick as Lewis all weekend. After Hamilton went off, there was bags of time between the two drivers, but for some reason Nico just couldn't catch the guys ahead and seemed to fixate on what Lewis was up to behind. As it happened, drama unfolded late on for both as Hamilton received a drive through in his most error-strewn race since 2011 and Rosberg...oh Nico.
It was difficult keeping track of who was where sometimes so the first we saw was a Mercedes tootling around with a puncture...or was he just going really slow when he came by us?
I'm happy
Alonso - legend. Pushing his car back to the pits after it conked out in qualy then hauling it to a superb 5th place on Sunday. You could see in qualy and indeed in the race that he was pushing to the limit, the McLaren dancing..skating...off the kerb coming out of the chicane as it accelerated away. Beautiful watching F1 at this part of the track. Oh, and on the Thursday evening pitwalk (we got there despite a walk of death across hills and fields for 40 minutes through an electrical storm) I saw Alonso sat in his car. Awesome.
Jules - #17
The minute of silence in his memory was observed beautifully by all of the 80/90,000 fans at the circuit. I couldn't believe how silent it was and how emotional it all was. That's what I love about F1. We all follow different drivers and teams, but we all love F1. Jules was a part of what we love.
Next stop = Belgium.
Sunday 28 June 2015
30th Birthday party in Hungary!
Justin:
In two F1 related moments, following one after the other, my summer really kicked off in big time stylee.
I went to see Fleetwood Mac on June 24th. They opened with The Chain. A long time classic with F1 fans. It brought tears to my eyes - such an emotive song. I'd been waiting years to see them and built it up in my mind. The gig was even better than I could have ever imagined.
When I returned from Fleetwood Mac, on June 25th, UPS delivered 4 grandstand seat tickets for the Hungarian GP weekend. Booyaa!
According to the tickets, it will be a massive party as Hungary is celebrating its 30th Grand Prix this year. It will be a pleasure to be a part of it.
In a third F1 related incident, I appear to have loaned out my book "The Limit" and I have somehow lost track of who has it. Fellow blogger Phil Smith - is it you? If you reply with your usual "It's me", it will be a relief. I know you have my other book "Chequered Conflict"...right?!
Season so far
In my last post I remarked that I couldn't see anyone beating Hamilton this year, with the form he was in. Rosberg won in Spain, lady luck helped him win in Monaco, Hamilton was quicker in Canada and Rosberg was the faster guy in Austria.
Three wins in the last four races has seen Rosberg peg back Hamilton and only ten points separate the two now.
It was the manner of Rosberg winning in Austria that made a lot of people sit up and take notice. He buried Hamilton off the start and was quicker all race, all weekend in fact. Hamilton was on the backfoot for the first time this year. Ok, it all fluctuates, one will be quicker than the other and vice versa from race to race.
I think Rosberg has finally got his shit together now. It is time for this title fight to get going!
Elsewhere McLaren toil still, as do Red Bull.
Hulkenberg won LeMans, which surely increases his stock for a top drive next year - though I hear Ferrari are looking at Bottas.
Races have been a tad dull this year so far. Let us hope for more Rosberg vs Hamilton antics up front to liven shit up a bit!
Formula E?
No...just...no.
Richard Branson thinks this will be bigger than F1 in a few years. No Richard, no!
As my number one bullet point on a long list, it has a lot of drivers who are not good enough for F1 or who never got there in the first place (perhaps harsh on Bruno Senna and JEV, but hey, life is harsh chaps). It has pure novelty value in having Senna, Prost and Piquet on the same grid again.
Though, my opinion on Nelson Piquet Junior is only higher than my opinion of Flavio Briatorie..just.
I believe Jarno Trulli has taken time away from winemaking to take part. Combining hobbies eh.
And lastly..
When I informed a good friend that the tickets had arrived, he texted back saying "Will Alonso finish in the points?".
I replied "Compared to Belgium (when the three amigos last rode to a GP in 2012), just getting around the first lap will be a bonus!".
Though in his McLaren, that might be a wish beyond the capability of his machinery.
Hungary. 2015. Let's do this.
(That said, of course, it is the British GP next weekend - how could I forget? So, Rosberg to win?).
I'll sign off with this statement of fact.
You do not win three races in three years at Monaco if you are but a "very good" driver.
In two F1 related moments, following one after the other, my summer really kicked off in big time stylee.
I went to see Fleetwood Mac on June 24th. They opened with The Chain. A long time classic with F1 fans. It brought tears to my eyes - such an emotive song. I'd been waiting years to see them and built it up in my mind. The gig was even better than I could have ever imagined.
When I returned from Fleetwood Mac, on June 25th, UPS delivered 4 grandstand seat tickets for the Hungarian GP weekend. Booyaa!
According to the tickets, it will be a massive party as Hungary is celebrating its 30th Grand Prix this year. It will be a pleasure to be a part of it.
In a third F1 related incident, I appear to have loaned out my book "The Limit" and I have somehow lost track of who has it. Fellow blogger Phil Smith - is it you? If you reply with your usual "It's me", it will be a relief. I know you have my other book "Chequered Conflict"...right?!
Season so far
In my last post I remarked that I couldn't see anyone beating Hamilton this year, with the form he was in. Rosberg won in Spain, lady luck helped him win in Monaco, Hamilton was quicker in Canada and Rosberg was the faster guy in Austria.
Three wins in the last four races has seen Rosberg peg back Hamilton and only ten points separate the two now.
It was the manner of Rosberg winning in Austria that made a lot of people sit up and take notice. He buried Hamilton off the start and was quicker all race, all weekend in fact. Hamilton was on the backfoot for the first time this year. Ok, it all fluctuates, one will be quicker than the other and vice versa from race to race.
I think Rosberg has finally got his shit together now. It is time for this title fight to get going!
Elsewhere McLaren toil still, as do Red Bull.
Hulkenberg won LeMans, which surely increases his stock for a top drive next year - though I hear Ferrari are looking at Bottas.
Races have been a tad dull this year so far. Let us hope for more Rosberg vs Hamilton antics up front to liven shit up a bit!
Formula E?
No...just...no.
Richard Branson thinks this will be bigger than F1 in a few years. No Richard, no!
As my number one bullet point on a long list, it has a lot of drivers who are not good enough for F1 or who never got there in the first place (perhaps harsh on Bruno Senna and JEV, but hey, life is harsh chaps). It has pure novelty value in having Senna, Prost and Piquet on the same grid again.
Though, my opinion on Nelson Piquet Junior is only higher than my opinion of Flavio Briatorie..just.
I believe Jarno Trulli has taken time away from winemaking to take part. Combining hobbies eh.
And lastly..
When I informed a good friend that the tickets had arrived, he texted back saying "Will Alonso finish in the points?".
I replied "Compared to Belgium (when the three amigos last rode to a GP in 2012), just getting around the first lap will be a bonus!".
Though in his McLaren, that might be a wish beyond the capability of his machinery.
Hungary. 2015. Let's do this.
(That said, of course, it is the British GP next weekend - how could I forget? So, Rosberg to win?).
I'll sign off with this statement of fact.
You do not win three races in three years at Monaco if you are but a "very good" driver.
Saturday 28 March 2015
2015...so far, so average..?
Justin:
At the start of the year I tipped Rosberg to come back stronger this year and push Hamilton even closer for the world title.
At this point in time, I cannot see anyone other than Hamilton winning the world title.
He steamrollered Rosberg in Australia and is threatening the same again this weekend in Malaysia. He is on a roll of 7 wins in the last 8 GP's.
Rosberg needed a strong weekend this weekend, but no matter what he does or how strong he is, Hamilton has an answer.
Lewis didn't get as much prep time during the free practice sessions, but still stuck it on pole. Job done.
Nico will have to use everything at his disposal to try and put Lewis off his game. It's a different dynamic to last year, in that Lewis has the confidence of a world champion and with Nico giving soundbites such as "yeah, he is driving like a champion" - fighting talk that is not.
Having said that, there was a brief bit of petty handbags again as Nico disrupted Lewis' final pole run, then Lewis got in Nico's way a bit. Whether either was deliberate, who knows, but they were both piddling around for clear track position to get a clean lap.
McLaren
Interesting looking at the pictures on BBC when Alonso hopped out of his car, Ron Dennis turned around as if to address him and Alonso walked off. Whether he knew he was there is another matter.
There is still loads of speculation about Alonso's testing crash. McLaren say there was nothing wrong with the car at all. He stated this weekend that he felt the steering go heavy. Everyone else has written about this, I'll leave it to you to decide whether you want to let this rest or not.
I'm not exactly looking forward to watching two world champions piddle around fighting to see who finishes next to last (assuming the Marussia's conk out).
Red Bull and Renault
Who knows what the future holds for these two? Rumours abount that Renault want to purchase Toro Rosso and have it as a works team. What definately seems to be the case, is that this is a marriage of convenience right now.
Ferrari
Ok, you would have to say Vettel seems to have made the right move. Red Bull have gone backwards and Ferrari have gone forwards.
I still say he ran away from Red Bull. He admitted in an interview today in fact "there were a couple of things on the other side" - alluding to him not being too happy at being beaten soundly by Ricciardo. But, heyho, Ferrari now seem to be the closest challenger to Mercedes.
With Rosberg seemingly in Hamilton's pocket for the time being, Ferrari entering the fray is the only hope we have of a good season.
Driver of the day in Australia had to be Felipe Nasr. Awesome stuff!
Is F1 in good health?
My co-blogger and I were talking about this the other day. I'm not sure F1 is in great health right now. 15 cars started the race in Oz. Not great. McLaren are floundering at the back, Bernie is having a pop at "disgraceful Marussia", no German GP...
Bernie goes where the money is - ie the money paid by whomever to stage a race. He doesnt go where paying fans are. The stands and viewing areas were pretty empty in Malaysia FP. OK, possibly a naff example as it's one of the more popular newer races and is generally well attended for qualy and the race.
The old one of Monza again being under threat has come round again. Talk about ripping the heart out of F1. Spa, Silverstone, Suzuka, Monza, Monaco...these are the essence of F1 and must stay.
That said, I'm not sure about the special "bargain" price of £99 GA for a weekend at Silverstone. Most European races are cheaper. It cost me £82 for a 3 day grandstand seat in Hungary!
The reverse is that you have a lot of interesting teammate battles this year - Kimi Vs Seb, Alonso Vs JB....Ricciardo seems to have the measure of Kvyat for now. Nico needs to come back and sort Lewis. This season is shaping up like last season without the Mercedes battle - not good!
Predictions for Malaysia? As they line up on the grid - Lewis, Seb, Nico.
At the start of the year I tipped Rosberg to come back stronger this year and push Hamilton even closer for the world title.
At this point in time, I cannot see anyone other than Hamilton winning the world title.
He steamrollered Rosberg in Australia and is threatening the same again this weekend in Malaysia. He is on a roll of 7 wins in the last 8 GP's.
Rosberg needed a strong weekend this weekend, but no matter what he does or how strong he is, Hamilton has an answer.
Lewis didn't get as much prep time during the free practice sessions, but still stuck it on pole. Job done.
Nico will have to use everything at his disposal to try and put Lewis off his game. It's a different dynamic to last year, in that Lewis has the confidence of a world champion and with Nico giving soundbites such as "yeah, he is driving like a champion" - fighting talk that is not.
Having said that, there was a brief bit of petty handbags again as Nico disrupted Lewis' final pole run, then Lewis got in Nico's way a bit. Whether either was deliberate, who knows, but they were both piddling around for clear track position to get a clean lap.
McLaren
Interesting looking at the pictures on BBC when Alonso hopped out of his car, Ron Dennis turned around as if to address him and Alonso walked off. Whether he knew he was there is another matter.
There is still loads of speculation about Alonso's testing crash. McLaren say there was nothing wrong with the car at all. He stated this weekend that he felt the steering go heavy. Everyone else has written about this, I'll leave it to you to decide whether you want to let this rest or not.
I'm not exactly looking forward to watching two world champions piddle around fighting to see who finishes next to last (assuming the Marussia's conk out).
Red Bull and Renault
Who knows what the future holds for these two? Rumours abount that Renault want to purchase Toro Rosso and have it as a works team. What definately seems to be the case, is that this is a marriage of convenience right now.
Ferrari
Ok, you would have to say Vettel seems to have made the right move. Red Bull have gone backwards and Ferrari have gone forwards.
I still say he ran away from Red Bull. He admitted in an interview today in fact "there were a couple of things on the other side" - alluding to him not being too happy at being beaten soundly by Ricciardo. But, heyho, Ferrari now seem to be the closest challenger to Mercedes.
With Rosberg seemingly in Hamilton's pocket for the time being, Ferrari entering the fray is the only hope we have of a good season.
Driver of the day in Australia had to be Felipe Nasr. Awesome stuff!
Is F1 in good health?
My co-blogger and I were talking about this the other day. I'm not sure F1 is in great health right now. 15 cars started the race in Oz. Not great. McLaren are floundering at the back, Bernie is having a pop at "disgraceful Marussia", no German GP...
Bernie goes where the money is - ie the money paid by whomever to stage a race. He doesnt go where paying fans are. The stands and viewing areas were pretty empty in Malaysia FP. OK, possibly a naff example as it's one of the more popular newer races and is generally well attended for qualy and the race.
The old one of Monza again being under threat has come round again. Talk about ripping the heart out of F1. Spa, Silverstone, Suzuka, Monza, Monaco...these are the essence of F1 and must stay.
That said, I'm not sure about the special "bargain" price of £99 GA for a weekend at Silverstone. Most European races are cheaper. It cost me £82 for a 3 day grandstand seat in Hungary!
The reverse is that you have a lot of interesting teammate battles this year - Kimi Vs Seb, Alonso Vs JB....Ricciardo seems to have the measure of Kvyat for now. Nico needs to come back and sort Lewis. This season is shaping up like last season without the Mercedes battle - not good!
Predictions for Malaysia? As they line up on the grid - Lewis, Seb, Nico.
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