Piquet just part of the problem
We are known, locally, as Team Renault. On one side of the garage is a bullet grey Scenic, on the other a deep blue Modus.
And we are not alone. Our immediate neighbours have a Scenic too, while down the road they chose a Clio.
We don’t wear Renault jackets and hats, nor do we have ING stickers on our cars. On my key ring, however, I do have a very nice solid steel model of the R28 given to me at last year’s Chinese Grand Prix. That’s about as far as it goes.
I am also a big fan of Fernando Alonso. As a racing driver, anyway.
So what am I to do when my wife starts to speak of replacing her Scenic? Am I to drop her from the team? I don’t think so. Am I to plead lack of funds in these difficult times? Yes, I think that would be reasonable. We have run this car virtually problem-free since 2006, so I simply decide to change the subject.
But what if she were to deliberately crash the thing into a wall? Would I then be persuaded to buy a new one? Surely she would not sink so low in her efforts to get her hands on a shiny new Renault, complete with the ‘luggage nets’ she has always wanted but which didn’t come as standard this time. I tell myself that to deliberately crash a car into a wall, even on the narrow lanes around our home, is not as simple as it may sound.
It seems, however, if young Mr Piquet’s allegations are to be believed, that these are the depths to which modern Formula 1 motor racing has plunged. Of course we know these are allegations and the case will come before the FIA next week, but there is, I sense, a deeper and more serious subject here.
Let’s forget Renault, F1 and the Piquets for a moment. We are increasingly seeing the desperate lengths to which modern teams and individuals will go in order to win. In football we have players throwing themselves to the ground in order to win a penalty kick. In rugby union we have players smearing their faces with false blood in an attempt to alter the results. In cycling we see superman climbing the Pyrenees at great speed, only to discover he has been taking drugs. And so it goes on.
Parallel with these examples of ‘sporting’ behaviour, we have gargantuan sums of money being poured into sport, from commercial sponsors and television companies desperate to get their hands on the best games and events. Money talks, money makes the world go around. Or it did. And TV ratings are the God that is worshipped by the advertising agencies who represent the brands who wish us to buy more and more of their products.
Only young Piquet knows if he was actually asked to drive his Renault into a concrete wall. Whether his allegations are true or false, it is merely a symptom of a desperate desire to win. At all costs. There is not enough money in the world, apparently, but there is too much cash sloshing around in top-level, televised sports.
May the best man win. Sounds very old fashioned now. Perhaps, in these times of correctness, and when everything and everybody has to be ‘appropriate’, we need a new phrase. May the best person win? But, above all, we must try to prevent sport becoming pure business.
Rob was brought up on racing, being taken to Goodwood as a small child and devouring his father’s copies of Motor Sport. During a career in newspaper, radio and TV journalism he created the ‘Track Torque’ motorsport show on radio and was Indycar commentator for Eurosport before co-founding the Festival of Speed and Revival events. He was marketing director of the Goodwood Road Racing Company. 
Alastair Warren:
September 14th, 2009 12:02pm
I have a yellow and blue plastic Renault watch from the mid 90s somewhere. It’s a bit like a throwaway copy of a Swatch. I’ve a friend that’s had a 1999 Clio 1.6 RXE from new that’s still quite happy with it.
I am finding it difficult to get upset about these claims of Singapore 2008. The differences between a team throwing one race, and the governing ‘body’ throwing, or influencing a whole championship are what exactly? Isn’t it just a case of ‘business as usual’? Jake Humphrey on the BBC used the soap opera analogy when discussing Singapore 2008.
‘But, above all, we must try to prevent sport becoming pure business.’
The WMSC has persons that have commercial interests on it doesn’t it? So disentangling the business interests from those charged with safeguarding any sporting element of F1 may prove difficult.
rob widdows:
September 14th, 2009 2:17pm
Point well made, and point taken.
But throwing a race in this manner, if the allegations are true, is potentially dangerous for both drivers and spectators and marshals.
I am quite simply reinforcing the oft-made point that there is too much “business” in modern sport.
Not new, but worth saying. I think.
RW
Michael Spitale:
September 14th, 2009 2:36pm
F1 is looking more and more like pro wrestling here in the States. We had McLaren getting Ferrari docs, Stpeney telling Macca when Ferrari were pitting at races, insane penalties for Macca…. Mosley with prostitutes, now we have crash gate…..
I hate to say it, but whenever you have the hundreds of millions flaoting around a sport people seem to act poorly, or perhaps I should say…. in their own interest
Alastair Warren:
September 14th, 2009 3:06pm
Not a gripe Rob, I just find it increasingly difficult to focus in on Singapore 2008, rather than driving 1/4 of a mile up the road and seeing it from there. Stepping back it seems just another example of why F1 is on a downward spiral.
Agreed it may have endangered innocents stewarding the event, or spectating behind the fences but for Mosley to say that such allegations jeopardise and undermine F1 as a whole can’t be seen in isolation from some of the highly illogical and partial rulings made by the FIA this century.
I think Webber made an interesting comment on the BBC coverage about this. The difference between intentionally driving into a wall versus another driver are what?
Didn’t I read in Motor Sport of a driver intentionally driving a car into the wall at a European race to save themselves the bother of having to drive round for the remaining laps as they just couldn’t be bothered? Wasn’t that driver a revered hero?
Rob, imagine the coffers were swelling at Rob Widdows Motors Inc. having benefitted massively from the government scrappage scheme. Would you want Rob Widdows Motors Inc. in F1? Would you want the Rob Widdows Motor Inc. brand on the side on an F1 car?
ian:
September 14th, 2009 3:23pm
It’s one of the drawbacks of having too much money in the sport and too many large corporations involved. We as consumers are also to blame by acting like mindless droids obsessed with buying more and more possesions that we don’t really need and thus feeding constantly into the consumerist merry go round.
Bigger isn’t always better and more isn’t always neccesary and until we all get a sense of perspective and moderation society will continue feed into this view. Motoracing is only a microcosm of society as a whole and only reflects back at us the world we live in and contribute to. The willingness to break the rules in order to win or cheat to gain an advantage in sport is only a public extension of what has become acceptable in society in general, the only challenge is to not get caught. The correctness you speak of is the shallow Facade behind which lies the Hipocrisy of modern life, so we can expect nothing to REALLY change until we all do.
rob widdows:
September 14th, 2009 4:16pm
You are both right, indifferent ways. Money corrupts and money is power, and the combination never was a wonderful commodity in the wrong hands.
I hear what Webber is saying. But we must bear in mind, if the allegations are true, that this episode was allegedly designed to stop the entire race, bring out the safety car, and allow a back marker with a pre-planned strategy to win the race.
Anyway, whatever. We shall see what transpires.
Should I suddenly come into a lot of money, which is unlikely, I will not be sponsoring anything or anybody. I will be taking more days off and spending more time on Greek islands.
Meanwhile, will keep our Renaults, whatever the outcome of this sorry affair.
Time to come up with a new topic. I know, this is more cheerful, I am off to McLaren this week for a chat with Mr Dennis and then it’s the Goodwood Revival which is always utterly wonderful. Nobody would have driven a car into a wall on purpose in the 1950s and 60s. Far too dangerous.
RW
Santiago Fernández:
September 14th, 2009 4:48pm
What may or may not have happened before the race at Singapore last year is just the natural evolution of the “win at all costs” mentality that has been present in the sport only this time not just from the drivers side (like what was illustrated time and time again by Senna and Schumacher), and like Rob points out, we probably didn’t see this happening in other times simply because drivers would have had (far) worse chances of being killed, and also because the methods of “helping your team out” were a bit different, in part by the characters attracted to F1.
Call me old school (or crazy) but I’m of the people who value as much as the way you win as the win itself! The win at all costs mentality, and the business version of it, that constantly pushes for better results at the expense of the workers, or that seeks a fatter bottom line, in what ever way possible, invariably makes me feel sick, but, as stated before, these are both product of the presence of money.
…Hopefully Mr. Dennis can arrange a little demonstration of the MP4-12C; I think that would prove quite distracting!
Michael Spitale:
September 14th, 2009 5:02pm
Rob,
When you head to McLaren make sure to find Mr. Whitmarsh and tell him to hurry up and get Kimi signed for next year!
Alastair Warren:
September 14th, 2009 5:24pm
Was it Canada 2008 where the use of the Safety Car raised a few eyebrows? If the Safety Car has been used to artificially perk up an otherwise boring race should we really be that disapproving of a team doing such a thing?
Rafael:
September 15th, 2009 5:39am
I just don’t understand, what was in it for Piquet? A 2nd year drive after a proven bellow par performance? any way I’m just glad to see another young fellow with basically no time in the car making a good impression.
Another thing I don’t understand is all this morale talk by the same guys that have showed they are there to win no mater what (almost), have you all forgotten the common practice of using 2nd drivers to block and slow opponents?, world championships won by crashing the opponent?, blocking the driver behind by what even means?, what about Ferrari’s veto and special earnings?, what about all those hard to explain stewards decisions like the ignominious sanction to Alonso for giving a tow to Massa is qualification?
We have almost seen it all and I still don’t understand why they are so committed into disgracing their own show, shouldn’t they ought to do their laundry in closed doors and then, and only then, do the expiation of the guilty in the public square?, shouldn’t this be the task of the wise men running the show?
Rich:
September 15th, 2009 9:26am
First, on the three men to stand before Monday’s show-trial. If the allegations are true then they should no longer be welcome in the sport. Let us not forget that this is not the first time that these men have been involved in scandals surrounding questionable ethical practise.
But whilst it seems that Briatore, Symonds and Piquet are in the wrong here I would like once again to express my extreme disappointment at the handling of this saga by the governing body. This barrage of press leaks, whilst making for titillating reading, are nothing short of disgraceful and a reminder that this sport will never be clean whilst Mosley (and by extension Todt) are controlling it.
Patrick Head on the Renault saga:
“The FIA have raised this, I hope that what goes on in Paris and whatever punishments are handed out can be looked at and stand up to scrutiny. If the regulators of F1, which is not just the regulators of the car but the race, if they are not thought to be proper regulators then it calls into question lots of things.”
This latest sorry tale represented a chance for the FIA for once to be seen to act properly, impartially and emphatically in the interests of Fomula One.
Instead we get all the dirty tricks that are the hallmark of a Mosley vendetta. A man who can so little countenance being beaten at his own game by the very people that he so poorly serves, he is determined to take them all down with him. The only one he couldn’t get to was Montezemelo.
Having said that, these men would be untouchable had it not been for their own indiscretions. People have often mentioned that F1 needs a “changing of the guard.” Perhaps this applies not only to the toppermost echelons of the governing body, but to the team management as well.
This sort of behaviour has been par for the course for the last decade or more under the Todt-Ferrari- Mosley era. I would say it is the behaviour of men who have had to fight their whole lives to get to where they are and stamp on the fingers of those below them every step of the way. In this world you take every chance you can to gain an advantage.
Perhaps now is the time for a new era of ethical conduct fostered by men who have only know the privilege of working in modern formula one and as such can have the perspective to make the sport better for all rather than to look after number one above all others. As much respect as I have for the likes of Dennis, Williams, Briatore, etc. perhaps it is time for them all to step aside, and as for Todt….
rob widdows:
September 15th, 2009 10:27am
I feel privileged, or at least lucky, to have so many intelligent and articulate bloggers. Different ages, different outlooks, and opposing opinions, but all well worth reading. Thank you, wherever you may be in the world.
Patrick Head so often sums it all up very succinctly and the quote above is no exception. There is little more that can be said, especially while we await the judgement from the FIA next Monday. None of us would be keen to be summoned before the FIA to justify any of our remarks that might be construed as prejudicial. Or would we? No, I think not………….
All my colleagues who were in Singapore that night are of the opinion that it was a very strange incident. But that is a long way from proving a single thing. No doubt there will be much else to chew on before the season closes in Abu Dhabi. It’s by no means over yet, folks, especially as engines are becoming a rather precious commodity.
A run out in the MP4-12C? I should be so lucky. I will be examining the car with Mr Dennis but I’m quite sure we shall not be venturing beyond the gates of the McLaren Technology Centre. It looks, on paper, to be quite a car. As you might expect.
I will not speak to Martin Whitmarsh because I already know what he will say. But, for what it’s worth, I somehow think Raikkonen will go to McLaren and that Alonso will go to Ferrari. This is pure speculation as I am not at all sure how Raikkonen would feel about joining a team that is now very much geared up to Hamilton. Maybe he will simply walk away and have some fun in a rally car. Who knows? He does.
In closing, I must say I am pleased to see how many of us are fed up with everything having to be ‘appropriate’ or ‘correct’. As some of you say, to get to the top, it is sometimes necessary to step right to the edge. But not, I feel, at literally any cost.
RW
Adrian Muldrew:
September 15th, 2009 10:49am
Thanks Rob for a very thoughtfully written piece.
I’m glad to see someone, in the shape of Alastair, finally touch on something that I am surprised no-one else, anywhere, has mentioned during the Piquet controversy, as far as I can see – i.e. the safety car.
I have always detested the safety car, which exists ostensibly for no other purpose than to kow-tow to the TV schedulers, but of course it was quickly realised that as a by-product it could also shake up races
in a way actual overtaking had long since ceased to do.
We can all think of races in which probable victories, many of them beautifully crafted, have been quite unfairly lost in an instant upon the introduction of the dreaded Merc.
If there had been no safety car rule, there would have been no possibility for anyone to do what has been alleged at Singapore. That’s not to absolve those involved for a second, if they are guilty (though of course two out of the three have already been absolved, but that’s quite another story). But it’s just to say that the best way to stop the manufacture of artificial results, maliciously or otherwise, is to take away the tools with which they are manufactured in the first place.
rob widdows:
September 15th, 2009 11:17am
Yes, absolutely, from many points of view such devices as safety cars do manipulate the results. But they also create excitement for the TV auidence in an era when excitement can be a little thin on the ground.
Rather like football, a decision can go against you, or it can work for you. And, strangely, what comes around comes around. I mean, you can gain from the safety car, and you can lose by the safety car. Or the ‘dreaded’ Merc as you call it. I think that Ferrari, Renault, BMW, Red Bull, Toyota and Toro Rosso would all refer to anything Mercedes as dreaded right now. That engine is clearly one step ahead as we speak.
Next year there will be no re-fuelling. This means one less ‘device’ to catch our attention in a processional race. But, there will be different strategies to consider such as the old-fashioned approach to a race – look after the tyres, look after the car and well, just refer to videos of Prost and Lauda………………………
Methinks that a fast, intelligent and consistent driver will be a much-valued person next season.
RW
rob widdows:
September 15th, 2009 11:32am
A shift of gears.
We have a new name to conjure with.
QADBAK. Yes, Qadbak. It is a Swiss-based investment company. You may not be familiar with this company but you will be. Qadbak has just bought the BMW F1 team.
Much to the relief of the BMW board in Munich, I imagine.
Qadbak, which represents the interests of both Middle Easter and European families, closed the deal yesterday and it seems the name of Sauber will be retained, keeping the ever-enthusiastic and long-suffering Peter Sauber in the game.
I wonder who, are these “families” represented by Qadbak? We shall possibly be told, or not. But it’s a vote of confidence in F1, and that is good news.
So, the BMW question mark is taken away. It remains to be seen what Toyota and Renault decide to do.
RW
Michael Spitale:
September 15th, 2009 11:46am
Rob,
You brought up an interesting point about #1 drivers when you mentioned Hamilton and Kimi. Would you agree it is fair to say #1 will mean less next year with no more fuel based Q3 sessions when all drivers who make Q3 will be on empty tanks? Also all drivers will start the race with the same fuel. Right now the #1 driver on each team picks his strategy for fuel in Q3 as well as pitting in the race…. I think next year will close the gap to #1 and 2 drivers, and unless they choose to fix the race on track like Ferrari used to it will be a tighter field.
rob widdows:
September 15th, 2009 2:36pm
Yes. And no.
Yes, because, as you say, the qualifying will be a very different kettle of fish.
No, because there will always be some kind of race plan in place which will favour the man considered most likely to win. And that man is often the clear number one (as in Schumacher) or the favourite (as in Hamilton, and hakkinen before him) or simply the man who comes to dominate the garage (as in Senna, Prost, Lauda and Schumacher).
But yes, of course the new season will be very different. Tyres will be crucial, as ever, but so will performance combined with frugality and reliability.
In the case you mention – Raikkonen with Hamilton – I just think that Hamilton is The Man at McLaren and that in many small ways they will favour him to win.
Remember what happened when Alonso went to McLaren. It was a disaster. OK, Alonso is a very different animal from Raikkonen, but all the same I know that history tells us – over and over again – that top teams cannot live with two “number one” drivers.
Except possibly, in the case of Andrretti and Peterson at Lotus, but they were different days and Peterson valued loyalty as well as success.
So,I believe that, despite the new rules, the laws of the jungle will prevail and there will, in the top teams, be that shade of difference.
We shall see. Long time away.
RW
Adrian Muldrew:
September 15th, 2009 4:58pm
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your reply. I certainly didn’t intend to sully Mercedes-Benz in using the expression “dreaded Merc” – they just happen to be the ones supplying the (in my view dreaded) safety car, and someone has to do it. If memory serves me correctly (which it maybe doesn’t), it used to be another company which did so, but they provided something too slow….
I’ve nothing but admiration for what Mercedes are achieving in F1 right now, and it’s going relatively unremarked upon. On the Monza grid, six of the first seven, from three different teams, were Merc-powered. Had Lewis not had his last gasp accident, the podium would have been a Merc lock-out. If Red Bull do eventually join the Silver Arrow club, we’re looking at the possibility of the same unit crowding out the points places in a way not seen since the days of Cosworth’s near-monopoly.
And let’s not forget the lads in Brixworth who largely put the thing together – something else that gets mentioned all too rarely.
Adrian Muldrew:
September 15th, 2009 5:10pm
Sorry, I should have said “lads AND LASSES” at Brixworth!
(And that’s not just being politically correct in this case – which nonetheless leads us nicely back to Rob’s article!)
Santiago Fernández:
September 15th, 2009 7:47pm
I was also thinking along the same lines as Adrian just after Hamilton crashed, it was so close to become a Merc only podium in Italy. The engine and it’s KERS is a jewel of a machine, a far cry from 5 years ago when the Merc V10 kept breaking up in the MP4-19A(or in the very fast MP4-20).
But I think the engine front next year will be very interesting, Cosworth is set to appear, and let’s remember the last V8 they made was quite a marvel at the beginning of the season, and now it doesn’t have to worry about keeping up a furious update schedule. And I can’t see Ferrari just sitting around and doing nothing about their (apparently thirsty)engines.
And regarding the safety car, pitstops and other devices for “show”, in my mind it’s just a product of the compromise required by the people with money; it’s the same in other areas, let’s take arts. My view of arts is that art itself just IS; exists for it’s own sake and if the viewer/listener finds it entertaining, well, that’s something extra. The commercial vein of arts usually can interchange “artist” with “entertainer”. It’s the same(in my opinion) with racing, a race team, left to it’s own devices will make damned shure it dominates and wins everything it can (Ferrari from 2000-2004 is a clear example), it’s up to external forces to make it entertaining, that is, racing can be entertaining as a by-product and it shouldn’t be the main consideration from the get-go.
John Miller:
September 16th, 2009 6:39am
I note that the Piquet affair is being handled with Mad Max’s usual subtlety.
Press briefings, leaks, prejudicial comments by MM himself on matters that would be sub judice in a proper court.
And now we have, not only Piquet being granted “immunity” (it’s not wrong for a driver to volunteer to crash his car), but also dear old Pat Symmonds.
Fairly obvious, then, to identify the real target, the one in the blue shades left peering over the parapet.
Wasn’t he the chap who was a key player in the FOTA/FIA confrontation?
Adrian Muldrew:
September 16th, 2009 11:50am
I want to come back at some point and comment on Santiago’s excellent post, but right now all I can fopcus upon is the stunning news that has just come out of Enstone, with Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds falling on their swords.
Not completely surprising, after everything that has gradually seeped out, but still stunning, even in the current F1 environment.
I totally agree with John’s comments. I said in one of my earlier posts that the fact that two of three protagonists had been absolved in advance was “another story” to what I was then discussing, but it isn’t to this post. It’s central to it.
So what is left to say?
Well, first of all, a huge misdemeanour (I hesita
Adrian Muldrew:
September 16th, 2009 12:02pm
I want to come back at some point and comment on Santiago’s excellent post, but right now all I can fopcus upon is the stunning news that has just come out of Enstone, with Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds falling on their swords.
Not completely surprising, after everything that has gradually seeped out, but still stunning, even in the current F1 environment.
I totally agree with John’s comments. I said in one of my earlier posts that the fact that two of three protagonists had been absolved in advance was “another story” to what I was then discussing, but it isn’t to this post. It’s central to it.
So what is left to say?
Well, first of all, a huge misdemeanour (I hesitated to type “crime”, but possibly that wouldn’t be hyperbole) has just been admitted and punitive action will have to be taken against somebody.
With immunity granted to Piquet and Symonds, that somebody can only be Briatore. Without knowing the full facts, I cannot say if that is fair or not, but let’s just say there are so many reasons why I am uneasy with the way in which the FIA has offered selective immunity (not for the first time in controversies like this) in a way which could be described as coercive.
Thirdly, as John and countless others have said, the way in which somebody, seemingly at the heart of the FIA, has progressively leaked the evidence in advance of the hearing is wholly unwelcome and goes against all laws of natural justice.
And fourthly, I cannot help but feel that what we are witnessing is just the genie’s head emerging from the bottle and that all sorts of unsavoury stuff from the last fifteen years or so is now going to start coming out. I don’t say that with any relish whatsoever, but I think it is what will happen with so many bitter and ruthless old men now being left with nothing to lose on the sidelines.
Dave Cubbedge:
September 16th, 2009 12:31pm
scandal and F1…..seems to be the norm these days.
it is not new. what about 1983? I’ve read stuff in the past from a well-respected jounalist where some team used illegal fuel to become successful – funny how some of the names involved then and today are the same….
Alastair Warren:
September 16th, 2009 1:02pm
Adrian Muldrew typed:
‘Thirdly, as John and countless others have said, the way in which somebody, seemingly at the heart of the FIA, has progressively leaked the evidence in advance of the hearing is wholly unwelcome and goes against all laws of natural justice.’
Which has me wondering what Craw and Stoker are thinking backing Todt so he can continue Mosley’s ‘good works’?
‘Piquet just part of the problem’? Just as the FIA are part of the problem too?
Michael Spitale:
September 16th, 2009 1:34pm
I am stunned that Stepney, Flavio, Coughlin and Symonds are all out of the sport in 2 years… These were long time cornerstones of the sport… I fear they deserve what they got but none the less it is amazing.
Adrian Muldrew:
September 16th, 2009 2:12pm
Alastair, you are so right to wonder. Craw’s support is particularly disappointing and baffling, given that he was seen as the potential new broom to sweep clean not so very long ago.
But what of the presence of Carlos Gracia’s name in Todt’s would-be cabinet as well? Senor Gracia is the man who told Spanish radio, only two months ago, “unless Max has gone even more mad, I don’t think he’ll back Jean Todt because we all know where he comes from and who he’s linked to”
So, short of Gracia going mad himself, what has made him change his mind so radically?
Strange times.
Alastair Warren:
September 16th, 2009 3:08pm
What use is the election if Max just changes rooms to become a bulwark of the FIA senate?
Should we bother putting F1 through another annual MoT safety check? The time has come to send it to the recyclers and claim the government rebate for scrapping an out of date clunker?
I’ve a relative going to the Revival this weekend. The other weekend they took their first born to the Brighton Speed Trials. Cars and motorcycles race down the sea front and set a time and velocity. Where’s the corruption, rigging or rule bending there? At the moment the Brighton Speed Trials have a wholesome honesty and integrity that F1 can only dream of.
Kevin:
September 17th, 2009 12:06am
If I held an RAC MSA licence I’m not certain that I would feel that my views were being represented correctly by Mr. Stoker’s appearance on M. Todt’s cabinet list. Thankfully my licence is stamped “Motorsport Ireland”………..
Back to the original subject, shuntgate.
So, what if Renault are thrown out of the results of Singapore 2008? Rosberg and Williams get well deserved victories, and Lewis wins the championship by an extra couple of points.
But what if the GP is declared null and void? Not entirely unlikely, as the Safety Car affected the results for everyone. Lewis loses the championship to Massa.
Mosley’s work is not yet complete………….
rob widdows:
September 17th, 2009 11:07am
This is going very well, so many thanks for all your interesting and pithy comments. What a farango! I am just extremely sorry that Pat Symonds had to resign. Such a talented and intelligent man surely has a place in Grand Prix racing, even if he was involved in some way in the Singapore Bunfight. I have always considered Mr Symonds to be one of the saner, and wiser, members of the circus.
Interestingly, Martin Brundle, for whom I have the utmost respect as an observer, reckons that Piquet Minor is now unemployable in F1. I hope the same is not true of the Reanault designer.
Anyway. Long way to go on this one, I suspect.
I’ve been away at McLaren and now I’m off to Goodwood, hence the radio silence.
In passing, however, I predict that Kovalainen will not be racing a McLaren next year. And I predict that the new McLaren MP4-12C will set a completely new standard for cars in this sector. By which I mean cars that go extremely fast and cost upwards of £150,000. The MP4-12C is hugely impressive in its engineering detail and its use of new technologies, many of which will make it the ‘greenest’ supercar by a long way. I sat in the car yesterday. I want one. Badly. Dream on…………..
When this ‘blog’ began I mentioned the Renaults in our village. My neighbour mentioned to me last night that his youthful son is the person most likely to crash his Renault into a wall. But not deliberately.
Tally Ho!
RW
Steve:
September 17th, 2009 3:17pm
Can somebody please explain to me why Max is still in office?
Surely by granting a secret veto over the technical rules to one competitor, at a time when that competitor had an unprecedented dominance in the sport, he’s demonstrated that he’s totally unsuited to head up the governing body. This revelation should have seen him instantly dismissed but the 21st century seems to be designed so fraudsters can prosper.
Alastair Warren:
September 17th, 2009 3:35pm
With regard to the new McLaren, CAR Magazine have an interview with Ron Dennis and he does an impersonation of Dave Richards? Will Mr Richards be the new Grande Fromage at Renault? I liked that metallic orange shade on the Rover 600 and facelifted Nissan Primera, but not sure about it on the new McLaren. It’s an £88 million Euromillions rollover on Friday……..
Some of the press seem to be going overboard about the fall out of Singapore 2008, citing risk to life and limb. In the next podcast is it possible to have some informed perspective on it, and how it compares to the other crimes against F1 we’ve seen this century please?
Murmurings that Massa was the 2008 WDC when he was gifted 2 points after Hamilton had the audacity to actually race at Spa and another point for driving into Bourdais at Fuji are making F1 a seriously unfunny joke.
Dave Cubbedge:
September 17th, 2009 3:58pm
Maybe it is about time we revisited Tripoli 1933?
Alastair Warren:
September 17th, 2009 4:16pm
What happened there Dave Cubbedge? 1933 just has me thinking of the seaplane races and the forerunners of the Supermarine Spitfire.
dave cubbedge:
September 18th, 2009 3:47am
well, the story is complicated and the best interpretation I have seen in recent times is in the suffix to the 1933 chapter in Paul Sheldon and Duncan Rabagliati’s ‘A Record of Grand Prix and Voiturette Racing’ volume 3. I’ll try and give the abridged version here. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
In an effort to give Italians a chance to become rich, a lottery was established in conjunction with this race, which was being held at a new track built at Mellaha after an absence of two years. I believe the prize was 3 million lire. Tickets were sold throughout the land – no one knows exactly how many or how much money was raised, but two weeks before the race in a big ceremony, thirty ‘winners’ were selected and each one associated with a driver in the race. Within a week, Nuvolari, Varzi and Borzacchini arranged a meeting with their respective ticket holders and made a pact that if any of the three won, the money would be split amongst all, or six ways.
The race itself did not necessarily show evidence of a ‘fix’, Varzi and Nuvolari having another one of their tremendous 1933 battles, Varzi winning by a few feet. But, the story of the meeting had been leaked to the press, so everyone knew beforehand that the result was suspect. Other drivers in the race had also been contacted by their respective ticket holders with offers!
In the end, no action was ever taken against the conspirators, but rules were made to protect the integrity of the sport, any kind of pre-meditated plan would result in disqualification. Oh and in the years that followed, the lottery was drawn immediately before the race!
According to Sheldon and Rabagliati, this in the only known example of a ‘fixed’ race.
Until Singapore 2008….
Davdi Hock:
September 18th, 2009 4:07am
Thank you Rob for the tone, the framework for discussion, you set here. Quality posts indeed as you point out above. I’m not particularly a reader of blogs but this is the most reasoned I’ve seen—and courtesy and respect for one another is never a bad thing either. I grew up in the US with Road & Track magazine many years ago, and Henry Manney’s writings were treasured. Then I got away from this world for a few years and now with MotorSport I feel the same as I did for dear HM III. Thanks to all you wordsmithers there.
Santiago Fernández:
September 18th, 2009 5:07am
I remember watching a 1 hour special about that race sometime ago, but for some reason I tought it was closer to WWII (1939). In any case, it is also a relevant example of race fixing, you can’t really be surprised that either Varzi or Nuvolari would win the race, if their cars held together.
But speaking of race fixing, wouldn’t Austria 2002 fall under the same category? The no.2 HAD to give the no.1 driver the victory, and it was in a year that Ferrari was dominating, it was hardly the same as trying to sneak in a victory in an otherwise lacklustre season. In any case, I feel sorry for Symonds and Briatore (even though I don’t really like Mr. Briatore’s public persona), I’m confident that the upcoming teams will value a person of Mr. Symond’s skill, I only hope the other poor guys in Viry and Enstone don’t have to pay for this. And I agree with Martin Brundle that Piquet Jr. can kiss his hopes of another race seat goodbye.
And I’m envious of Rob, the MP4-12C is a new favorite of mine, it looks right, seems to make the right numbers and considering Mr. Dennis’ attention to detail, it should be a very good car…now all I need are an additional 149,990 quid to get one….and then an extra amount to get a 458 Italia to bench-mark it :)
dave cubbedge:
September 18th, 2009 11:25am
yes Austria 2002 would, but Duncan and Rabagliati wrote their volume before 2002…
and I forgot about that one…maybe on purpose, so ugly an incident it was.
Alastair Warren:
September 18th, 2009 11:52am
Austria 2002 was so early in the season there was no need to gift that win to Schumacher. ‘We weren’t racing today’ said Ross Brawn. I am not sure who was the biggest loser that day.
Going back to the 2008 Singapore GP surely the press realised it was a stitch up at the time? It’s just a reminder not to believe everything the press, print or say?
Dave Cubbedge:
September 18th, 2009 12:16pm
I seem to recall even the SPEED TV guys, Bob Varsha, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett making a ‘joke’ about it when it happened. It certainly was at that time a seemingly bizarre set of circumstances.
and I so wish Rubens would’ve just put the hammer down that day at the A1-ring and defied Todt’s command…..
Alastair Warren:
September 18th, 2009 6:19pm
Renault to sponsor Bowls?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gxLPUZzNdn5qaKvVF4BXwIZNgIcg
João Sena:
September 18th, 2009 10:32pm
This is not respectable news from the sport we love but please do not turn it as the 9/11 of Formula 1.
Do not act as virgins.
First of all it is positive that those closely involved are rejecting this kind of behaviour and heads are already falling. Flavio and Pat won’t recover and their presence on the sport shouldn’t be aloud.Ok!
If the “system” was able to absorb this kind of events as business as usual we should be worried.
This is not Wrestling on wheels so we reject the behaviour. So what?
Crime should be treated as crime and some aspects that contributed for this events should be preventively withdrawn but we must be realistic about the original sin and if we allow money on the game we have to be prepared to deal with crime.
Don’t over react invading Iraq for nothing because this is not the 9/11.
All of us always new that between us there were guys that didn’t really loved the sport for the sport and are there mostly for the money. Of course the show needs that lousy thing called money and ethics should prevail.
Do not give the arguments for Renault and others to give up the sport because for them this is not really a sport but business and we got along with the paradigma.
Just a thought
João Sena
Rich Ambroson:
September 19th, 2009 8:50pm
While we’re going back in time (Austria 2002), how about we meander a bit further back and ask about Charlie Whiting, and his role in the 1983 South African GP? A championship was on the line, and I seem to recall allegations of illegal fuel in the Brabhams?
Rich Ambroson:
September 19th, 2009 8:58pm
I ask the question above, as it seems to have come to light that Piquet Sr. is now claiming to have told Charlie Whiting about it last year in Brazil. Why was no action taken sooner? Because Piquet Jr. would not sign a document admitting to his role at the time?
Seems that if there were any suspicion about this, the FIA has been quick to call inquiries w/o a driver signing anything before. Was it politically advantageous to the hierarchy at the FIA to hold on to this until it could be used against a potential adversary (say, a team principle that has been critical of the FIA’s “leadership”)?
Also seems very interesting how may folks from those old Ecclestone-owned-Brabham days are involved in this one…
Rich Ambroson:
September 19th, 2009 9:38pm
Sorry, one more clarification. In my second post I was referring to Piquet Sr. bringing “Crashgate” to Whiting’s attention in Brazil last year, not the “ancient” history of Kyalami. As would be clear, those two already would be in the know…
Apologies again for my loose grammar and poor use of pronouns. My attention is divided between college football here in the U.S. as well as baseball.
I suppose that is a comment on how much F1 has lost me. Thanks Max. Thanks Bernie. Job well done…
Rich Ambroson:
September 19th, 2009 9:41pm
Alistair, regarding Austria 2002 being early in the season—wasn’t Australia 1998 even earlier in that respective season?
rob widdows:
September 21st, 2009 4:25pm
Hi guys (don’t think we have any lady bloggers yet) just to say that we have a new record of responses to my original story on cheating in sport. So thanks, and let’s try to keep it going.
Just back from Goodwood Revival. This is, bar none, the absolute best motor racing event on the planet. And, talking about the planet, I met Buzz Aldrin at the Revival – one of the highlights of my weekend. And there were many – this event just gets better and better.
More later. Got to catch up with what happened in Paris today. I for one will be glad when the whole sorry saga goes away.
Let’s hope we have a good, clean race on Sunday and no messing around under cover of darkness.
RW
Rich Ambroson:
September 21st, 2009 4:34pm
This really makes me wish that FOTA had stood firm against the vindictive leadership of the FIA. For the person who actually committed the crime to get off with immunity, while those he seemingly extorted into doing so take the shaft, (especially after Charlie Whiting sat on the info until it was expedient to use it) is the very last nail in my coffin for the FIA.
I am done with what is currently called Formula One. Should a true Grand Prix series re-emerge that retains the old values of sporting ethics and doesn’t place commercial values above all else, I’d be interested.
Unfortunately in this day of “bling” and the elevation of thugs and gangsters into the popular spotlight, I don’t foresee that happening. Thank goodness for the historic articles in Motorsport, and the availability of footage from seasons past when there was once a sport called Grand Prix Racing.
Alastair Warren:
September 21st, 2009 5:10pm
What are we saying Rob? Cheating is good for keeping F1 in the media spotlight? What’s that old chestnut about publicity?
It’s odd that the BBC are carrying the line that F1 couldn’t afford to lose F1? Well it didn’t stop the massive fine on McLaren did it? And Renault were in possession of McLaren designs via Phil Mackereth?
Max is saying that F1 could have afforded to lose McLaren?
It seems the FIA work on the same basis as Council issuing parking fines? Admit it and pay up early and get a discount?
Alastair Warren:
September 21st, 2009 5:11pm
Typo! Please excuse me:
‘It’s odd that the BBC are carrying the line that F1 couldn’t afford to lose RENAULT?
Michael Spitale:
September 21st, 2009 8:39pm
Rob,
Do you prefer Goodwood to Monterey?
Tim Burton:
September 21st, 2009 8:54pm
I may be mistaken, but I very much doubt that offences of the kind committed by Pat Symonds and Flavio Briatore are anywhere near as unique as the FIA claim. What is unusual about all this, is the contemptable behaviour of Nelson Piquet Jnr. Thanks to his inability to accept responsibilty for the disappointing start to his F1 career, two men who have devouted much of there lives to the sport are now gone; Formula One itself has been brought into disrepute and an important manufacturer has been embarrassed to the extent that its future in the sport is in doubt. The ’spectators could have been injured’ point does not really stand up to much scrutiny either. Everyone knows that there are often accidents at motor races, and surely no F1 fan could have failed to notice that drivers sometimes cause, or at the very least risk, accidents. Spectators accept these risks when they enter the circuit. This is just another round in Mosely’s war against his enemies and the sooner he is gone the better.
Alastair Warren:
September 21st, 2009 9:10pm
I agree with Rich Ambroson above, the teams should have made much more of their FOTA alliance.
Who really benefits from the malpractice of the FIA? I can’t see many winners really.
dave cubbedge:
September 22nd, 2009 12:54am
funny Rich, I brought up the 1983 issue early on in this blog, but no one wanted,could, or maybe dared to comment on it….
Nigel knows……
Alastair Warren:
September 22nd, 2009 2:23am
Renault sponsored by Teflon?
Rich Ambroson:
September 22nd, 2009 2:51am
Dave, sorry, I missed your initial reference. I wonder if “Our Nige” (with all due respects to Il Leone) is in a position to do an expose on this entire sordid affair and all the connections involved. As Tim Burton has noted, the fact that Piquet Jr. has done a lot of damage with allegations that frankly still seem misplaced—and even if true, he was spineless enough to implement—and has gotten off with immunity.
Yet another sad way F1 seems to reflect society at large. Where are my rose tinted spectacles? I find the current landscape to be a bit bleak…
Alastair Warren:
September 22nd, 2009 12:54pm
Are Renault the victims here? Barrichello was broadcast on BBC radio and TV saying ‘Somebody wants Briatore’s head’. Renault escape censure as the objective of the exercise has been achieved?
rob widdows:
September 22nd, 2009 2:43pm
NO! Cheating is not good for F1, or any other sport, and in this case the old chestnut is complete balderdash.
Yes, 1983, a point well made by Dave. Nothing much changes when all around us everything appears to change. Of course we all know, don’t we, that there has always been cheating in motor racing and F1 has been no exception. It is partly a matter of Mr Mosley having certain agendas, but that does not alter the magnitude of the offence, it simply puts another slant on the final outcome.
It may be alleged that Mr Mosley has certain targets. But we are not in a position to confirm, deny or even speculate on what those might be.
As I said some months back, things will change. But it will take time. We are at the nadir of a particular era and the only way from here is up. Over the next few years there will be many changes in the way that this business is run, some forced upon it by external events and some from within. I firmly believe that Grand Prix racing will eventually emerge in better shape.
I have just dispatched a new blog which will be on line today or tomorrow. Hopefully we will all have some comments to make. Meanwhile, this has been a most interesting and rewarding debate, I think. Hope you agree, whatever your own opinions may be.
To rid yourselves of skullduggery and vendettas, I suggest you watch some old videos of some great races and try to catch the TV coverage of the Goodwood Revival. Now that IS FUN.
RW
a.eglington:
September 22nd, 2009 5:31pm
So Alonso is innocent! Does it not seem slightly odd that he never queried his extremely light fuel load and extremely early pit stop strategy?(Well not in public) or am Ibeing unkind to the man who coulden’t wait to go public in the Spygate saga.
Dave Cubbedge:
September 22nd, 2009 5:42pm
My dream one day is to make the trip to Goodwood and soak up the atmosphere, maybe bottle it! Been reading the Motor Sport archives on DVD, so the rich aroma of the history of the sport is always near in these messed up times….
BTW, just read Jenks’ extraordinary account of the 1955 Mille Miglia in the MS archive and all I can say is, Stirling, Happy Birthday and you will always be my hero! I was born two months after that epic drive, but reading DSJ’s article made me feel like I was there!
Rich Ambroson:
September 22nd, 2009 6:17pm
Rob, as ever, thank you for your insight. And inspiration—I’ll be watching some of the great History of Motor Racing films by Shell, with the great Bill Mason narrating.
Dave, I’d also love to get to Goodwood someday. I’ve been lucky to attend the Monterey Historics several times, my favorite time being 1991, when Fangio was featured. Having the good fortune to briefly “meet” him, I can testify that he had all the charisma one reads about. And kindness. He signed the autobiography of his I brought along, and a few other items, and smiled and joked briefly with me and his old mechanic from the Alfa days.
Now, that’s a good motor racing memory.
And Dave, yes, and DSJ is wonderful reading!! May I echo your (now for me, belated) Best Wishes to Stirling Moss for HIS recent completion of 80 laps around our sun.
John Saviano:
September 22nd, 2009 10:37pm
What Renault did, and it certainly appears they did everything to “throw” a race using very dangerous tactics, is disgusting. That being said, it seems a weird punishment for what was obviously a gross violation of any sport, compared to how the book was thrown at McLaren. Essentially somebody gave McLaren some trade secrets – and they looked at them. For that (which they shouldn’t have done) they were threatened with expulsion, a $100 mil fine was levied, etc. The comparison simply doesn’t make sense. Of course, this is the same FIA/WMSC that has been randomly asserting penalties during races (remember Bourdais?), did nothing when Todt “threw” a race publicly (talk about bringing the sport into disrepute), never adequately punished Schumacher for gross transgressions, has given Ferrari “veto power”, let Ferrari off the hook when they clearly were running illegal software, tried to punish J Villeneuve for speaking his mind … and that’s only what I can remember off the top of my head
Can we please bring the Bernie/Max era to a close? I remember how bad we thought Balestre was – by present comparison, I’m not sure.
Rich Ambroson:
September 22nd, 2009 11:42pm
John, regarding Todt “throwing” a race publicly, one could add Oz 1998, and perhaps even Jerez 1997 into the mix.
Santiago Fernández:
September 22nd, 2009 11:45pm
I’m glad this sordid ordeal is over, or at least, the whole trial/speculation part of it. I continue to feel very sorry for Mr. Symonds, he deserves better, but that whole “endangering the safety” part of the argument is just BS, if you go to a motor-race there is a chance you might get hurt, end of story.
Since Dave brought up DSJ, I’ve also been reading a bit of him lately, specifically his “Racing Driver” book, which was recently republished in paperback form. He is a great story teller, and I’m very much enjoying the book, I’ll probably have to find some more stuff made by him to read.
And I have to say that I am VERY envious of Rich for having met Fangio! I would have loved to had such a chance! What’s the quote about never meeting your heroes because they’ll dissapoint you? I mention it because from all I’ve heard, it most certainly didn’t apply to Fangio!
Alastair Warren:
September 23rd, 2009 1:57am
I think the press are being ‘managed’ over this story. I’ve just listened to a BBC radio discussion which had a contributor from another automotive sporting publication. It contained comparisons with McLaren having Ferrari information and that fine while of course not a mention of Renault being in possession of McLaren data.
Perhaps the Renault brand was due some mud?
It’s a bit weird that those that place so much store in apologies and contriteness seem completely devoid of it themselves?
Santiago Fernández:
September 23rd, 2009 2:03am
Speaking of Goodwood….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIoAHTsf-Z0&feature=player_embedded
David Hock:
September 23rd, 2009 4:40am
I don’t understand why there’s not more fuss made about NP’s saying he told Charlie White about this last year. NP and CW know each other, it’s not like some anonymous tip. Assuming it’s true, given the stakes, I just wonder how the lack of acting on this by the FIA would be viewed in any other professional sport of this caliber. Where was all their righteous sound and fury then?
Dave Cubbedge:
September 23rd, 2009 12:40pm
maybe they knew, but were trying hard to keep it under wraps to preserve the finishing order of the race because to change it would mean to change history where the world championship is concerned….very NASCAR-ish of them if true.
over here in NASCAR land, you can lie, cheat and steal and if you win the race and get caught all you get is a big fine and maybe a suspension. the fans almost always leave the track knowing the result.
Speaking of real racing – Goodwood is one thing, but this weekend at Eldora Speedway in west-central Ohio, USAC is running their Four-Crown event for sprints, midgets and silver crown cars. There will be action aplenty on the 1/2 mile dirt and they have the best cheddarwurst in the land! America at its’ best. I can’t wait!
Rich Ambroson:
September 23rd, 2009 4:30pm
Santiago, Fangio most certainly did not disappoint. He will always be for me the very epitome of what a Grand Prix driver is. Nuvolari, Moss, Ascari and Villeneuve are my other favorites, but I’ve only briefly chatted with Stirling in the paddock. Moss was so besieged with other fans, I felt fortunate to gain an autograph and a genuine smile. He was also the very best.
But Fangio—such a very special person. All the things you see in interviews of other drivers that knew him—the light that comes in their eyes when they speak of him—it is all true, he had that special something.
He drove the W154 so fast in his 80th year, the folks following in a modern sports car filming him spun out at Laguna Seca in 1991. :-)
Dave Cubbedge:
September 23rd, 2009 6:34pm
Rich, you and I speak the same language! As I am sure many others here do as well…..
Rich Ambroson:
September 23rd, 2009 7:23pm
Thank you, Dave. I am thankful to Motorsport and Rob Widdows (and all the backroom folks) for this arena where we can speak that language with each other.
Cheers!
Santiago Fernández:
September 24th, 2009 12:05am
What a marvelous scene! El Maestro driving a race car the way it should be,even at an advanced age! I wonder what he tought when he saw his chase car spin out.
That scene made me remember this video of him in a W196 racing Jack Brabham ,at another exhibition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbc5U6wTfUw
…and him at Monaco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRc18SfbnIM&feature=related
And I also would like to thank Rob, the Motorsport team, and you guys for making this such a great place to learn and to share our passion! There are many forums and blogs on the Internet, but few of such a consistently high quality! (and troll free!)
rob widdows:
September 24th, 2009 9:05am
Morning/Afternoon/Evening All
WOW! This is truly a great blog. I’m struggling to keep abreast of it as I rush around the place talking to racing drivers and looking at racing cars.
Anyway, thanks everybody and it was great to read that you appreciate the writings of Denis Jenkinson who has always been a hero of mine. Of course his report on the Mille Miglia was a prime example of how write that kind of story – but every month his Continental Notes were just a joy to read as well. He was very observant and had a real understanding of racing and racing cars. I try to emulate him but it’s not easy……………………….!
And Moss. Well, if you don’t appreciate the talents and achievements of Stirling Moss then you don’t understand what it’s all about. If you live in the UK, listen to what he says on the ITV programme about the Revival (next Tuesday night on ITV4). Very interesting and I have rarely seen him so animated in recent years. He is genuinely a legend.
My new disptach should be ‘on line’ today so hopefully we can all have something new to mull over.
Meanwhile I am deep into my interview with Ron Dennis which appears in the December edition of the magazine. But I’ll be dropping in and out of here when I get the chance.
It’s a beautiful autumn day here in little old England.
I’m almost glad I’m not in Singapore.
RW
rob widdows:
September 24th, 2009 12:49pm
Cheddarwurst? What the hell is cheddarwurst?
I trust this is not some outrageous American replica of our beloved English cheddar? Please put my mind at rest, or I will have to go to Ohio.
I have eaten rumbledethumps, but not at the races. This is a rather good mixture of potato, swede, and savoy cabbage topped with mature cheddar cheese, all bashed together and inspired by an ancient Scottish recipe. It’s good.
In spite of the cheddarwurst I would love to be at Eldora for the races. I just love those half-mile dirt ovals, I mean that’s REAL racing. When I went to Indy I took some off to go to one of these tracks and boy, did I have a great night.
I sat in the front row, wanting to be as close as possible to the action, but I soon moved back a few rows. A midget car in a four-wheel drift sure as hell creates a wonderful shower of dirt. Exciting, but you need a helmet on in the crowd.
If any of you want to get a fix of some seriously dramatic sport, get yourself to an American midget car oval. Wheel to wheel under the lights, a capacity crowd wooping and hollering, and some mighty fine racing. Can’t beat it. They do overtaking and opposite lock. In fact they are hardly ever straight. Magic night out.
Where were we? Oh, yes, Charlie Whiting, a former Brabham mechanic, should have believed what Nelson was telling him. They go back a long way. But I’m quite certain that Mr Whiting has very good reasons, in his role with the FIA, to act as he did.
RW
Dave Cubbedge:
September 24th, 2009 7:09pm
Well, the origin of the Eldora Cheddarwurst is probably way too simple – take a bratwurst and inject it with some kind of soft cheddar and there you are! Add onions, relish, mustard and ketchup and a cold American beer and presto, instant Americana. And I’m afraid it is as far removed from a good English chaddar as one can get, but as far as track food goes, it is right up there at the top.
Ask Patrick Head about USAC midget car racing. Back in 2002 they held an event the night before the USGP called the Twin 25’s at the paved 1/2 mile oval at what is now called O’Reilly Raceway Park. Two 25 lap midget features where the winner of the first race started dead last in the second with a $50,000 bonus if he could win the second. I walked in with Mr. Head that night and told him he was going to be entertained. In the first race, Dave Steele (a pavement expert) won going away. In the second race, Steele started last, but worked his way up and by lap 20 or so was in the lead! Of course, there were a couple yellow flag situations that bunched up the field, but to come from last to first in ANY race is quite a feat.
So, American cheddar it has to be, but I’ll take along a Boddington’s (or two) to wash it down. Fair?
Alastair Warren:
September 25th, 2009 10:46am
As a Renault owner Rob we need your opinion on the ING decal bereft Renault. Renault looks good sideways on at turn 17?
rob widdows:
September 26th, 2009 4:43pm
Absolutely fair Dave. Boddingtons is a fine beer. I do not drink beer any more, except Guinness which is technically a stout, when I did drink beer I often enjoyed a Bod!
Hope you have/had a great weekend at the races.
Night racing in Singapore? Forget it. If you want to go night racing, go to America, to Nascar or to the midgets on the half-mile ovals.
The track in Singapore looks like the perimeter road of a huge prison camp. All you can see is wire fences, concrete walls and arc lamps.
RW
Dave Cubbedge:
September 28th, 2009 12:29pm
What an intersting blog this has been. I think we’re way off topic by now, but just to cap it off, Eldora was almost perfect on Saturday night, weather excellent. Track was a bit dry, would’ve been better suited to the winged cars, but in one of those strange yin/yang things, they ran on the tacky track Friday night. In any case, a great end to our spectating season.
And that Cheddarwurst was the bomb!
As for Singapore……great helicopter shots on the TV coverage here and some good results for teams who needed them (except Red Bull!), but as far as racing goes it left me wanting more.
Alastair Warren:
September 28th, 2009 12:35pm
Do QPR get as many penalties? The result was the consequence of penalties and infractions. Is the track suitable for racing on? F1 is like Kickstart that BBC televised moto cross competition where the riders got penalties for touching cones or putting their feet down?