The best and worst of ’09
OK, here we are, the right side of the winter solstice, and just two packets of mince pies away from Christmas.
The last few days have been spent meeting deadlines, standing in queues of other badly organised people and waking up thinking of another thing I’ve forgotten to do.
Now it’s time to put away the laptop, the phones and a hundred post-it notes reminding me to ask Lewis Hamilton if he really thinks it’s wonderful to have Mr Button as his team-mate.
To all our ‘bloggers’ thanks for an interesting and lively 2009 and I hope you have a great Christmas break whether you be in snow or sunshine, southern or northern hemisphere.
To get us all prepared for a new year here are my top five best and worst moments of the racing season just gone by.
Best five:
Valentino Rossi’s victory laps
The sight and sound of Aston Martin at Le Mans
Rick and Rob Hall in their Matras at Portimao
Jenson Button in the Brazilian Grand Prix
Fisichella chasing Räikkönen at Spa
Worst five:
Felipe Massa’s accident in Hungary
The whole Piquet Junior saga
The mess that Donington Park circuit has become
Mikko Hirvonen losing the WRC title by one point
McLaren’s Davey Ryan being sent home from Malaysia
How about yours? Merry Christmas, and have a great holiday.
Filed under: Blogs, Formula 1, Motorbikes, Rally
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. 
PHIL DARBY:
December 24th, 2009 11:58am
Best moment……….Sir Stiling Moss reaching 80 .
Worst moment …… the general public being informed that cheating and lying is rife in F1 .
Kenny:
December 24th, 2009 2:00pm
Best- Max Mosely’s retirement
Worst- Schumacher’s return
Merry Christmas.
R Tanveer:
December 24th, 2009 2:02pm
Best…
Raikkonen:
Kimi going around the out-side of the cars ahead at La Source and winning the Belgian Grand Prix in a dog of a Ferrari. The Ferrari was so bad and Kimi was in such awsome form that it made Schumacher chicken-out of taking the seat at Monza and left Fisi to fall on the Italian sword.
Worst…
Alonso:
Either Fernando has been totally over-rated as being the “most complete driver in F1″ (whatever sillyness that means)…OR…he is the biggest cheat in F1 in recent years who has been allowed to get away scott-free (”amnesty”) yet again as he was in 2007 with “Spy-gate”.
Fernando agreed to start the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix on 12 laps of fuel…What does that say about the Spaniard?
Answer: Either he’s dumb as a brick…or he’s a cheat. If he’s dumb as a brick, then he’s hardly the “Most Complete Driver On The Grid”, is he?
rob widdows:
December 24th, 2009 2:20pm
Keep them coming, guys! We have free speech as long as we are careful not to get into any defamation or libel, both of which can be expensive.
If you think it’s fun to watch Raikkonen round La Source, just wait till you see him in a snowy forest.
RW
Ian Garden:
December 24th, 2009 2:34pm
Best
Everything about Valentio Rossi – what does he have to do to be the BBC oversea’s personality of the year
Mosley’s departure
Goodwood
Motor Sport
Worst
Kimmi’s departure
Schumacher’s return
R Tanveer:
December 24th, 2009 2:41pm
Sorry Mr Widdows.
I love Grand Prix racing. I have loved F1 since I was a little boy growing up in Canada watching Gilles Villeneuve monstering Ferraris…and I can’t stand it when you have drivers doing what they did with e-mails in 2007 and at Singapore in 2008.
There is a common denominator in both instances and it’s too bad that people (including journalists) look the other way and sweep things under the rug simply because that common denominator happens to be a “World Champion”.
Regardless, the last thing I want is for Motor Sport Magazine (a publication which I have often picked up at the news stands since 1985) to get sued for defamation and libel.
Merry Christmas to you and all the team at Motor Sport Magazine.
God Bless you one and all.
Andrew:
December 24th, 2009 4:21pm
Best bits of 2009
Jenson’s drives in the early part of the season and at Interlagos
The motorsport podcasts (bit cheesy I l know, but they are superb)
Taking my 2 sons (aged 6 and 4) to croft rallycross and both of them loving the day. Start them early !
Rossi winning the Barcelona Moto GP on the last corner.
Prospect of Kimi in the WRC
Worst bits
Mclaren saga at Melbourne / Piquet scandal
- losing good F1 people in Dave Ryan, Ron Dennis and Pat Symonds.
The Donnington mess, thank God we still have a British GP.
Merry Christmas, keep up the great work guys
Santiago Fernández:
December 24th, 2009 5:06pm
Best of F1
- The order being shaken up.
- The sight of a Force India overtaking a McLaren on the run up to the Parabolica.
- Button winning the championship and having to race to achieve it (albeit to save himself from terrible qualifying performances).
- Webber’s recovery and first couple of wins.
- Seeing Felipe up and about after his terrible shunt.
Worst
- Anything ending with “-gate”
- All the regulations intended to help overtaking that failed.
- The fact that for a while mid-season, F1 was a soap opera that was interrupted every now and again by races.
- Politics in F1 that make top drivers look elsewhere for a job (Raikkonen being the most visible/recent example)
Andrew:
December 24th, 2009 6:27pm
Further to my earlier post, it would seem timely to remember the F2 race at Brands and the tragic accident involving Henry Surtees as a low point of 2009.
It certainly makes young Piquet’s act at Singapore in 2008 look even more outrageous……….
I should maybe clarify my earlier note re the podcasts – my comments were cheesy, not the podcasts themselves !!
I really hope the monthly podcasts return in 2010, along with some “free speaking” guests (Herbert, Warwick ?) and the occasional impersonations of Messrs Lauda & Stewart……
Mario Carneiro Neto:
December 24th, 2009 6:37pm
Best:
Schumacher Return
Having my question answered in a Podcast
Having my other question answered by Nigel the next day
Seeing Felipe Massa completely recovered
Seeing Sir Stirling reach 80 still a gentleman and still kicking ass
Bruno Senna in F1, along with new teams and excited new drivers
Worst:
Nelson Piquet, Nelsinho Piquet and all the Renault Drama
Max Mosely still having some kind of influence in motorsport (not the magazine, the sport itself)
Not being able to be at Goodwood hehehe
Ian Paternoster:
December 24th, 2009 7:52pm
The Best:
Jenson Button winning Formula One Championship title.
Being reintroduced to the Motorsport Magazine after a twenty plus year gap.
The worst:
Jenson Button not winning the Sports Personality of the Year Award (who is Ryan Giggs)
My mum breaking her wrist.
All the best for the New Year.
Ian.
cath:
December 24th, 2009 9:04pm
worst moment of 2009
schumachers return
best momoment watson podcast 81 comments bring him back
iain:
December 25th, 2009 1:50am
Rossi .. again! unbelievanle but fantastic to watch as it has been for the whole of this century.
Button in Brazil was good, just to show how good he CAN be .. whether he can do that every race – which he will have to do to beat Hamilton is another question.
Roebucks impersonation of Lauda
Morepowerigor:
December 25th, 2009 11:38pm
Best:
Brawn, née Honda, winning, and by a country mile. Tochigi must be soooo sad.
Jenson pulling his finger out (well, most of the season), and for having the nerve to move to McLaren for 2010
Seeing Mister DNF winning. Well, done Mark!!!
Seeing Schumacher M. falling off a bike, break his neck but surviving the crash still able to walk. You have no idea how lucky you are mister!
Worst
Cheating. All of you, even those who didn’t get caught. A plague on all your houses!!!
Alonso still being in business (would have been my comment in 2007, & 2008, too. Sorry Pedro, you might drive fast, but I remain unconvinced. Very ).
Hearing that Schumacher M. and Ross Brawn are back together again. Oh, dear.
Michael Spitale:
December 26th, 2009 1:01pm
Kimi at Spa was also great becuase of the reaction from Ferrari. I dare say they wished for once not to win a race. Stefano tried to be excited on the podium, but then went into Luca speech after the race. Only to be topped a full day later when Luca finally acknowledged “a great win for the team” HA!!! When Massa took 3rd in Germany they nealry had a parade for him, Kimi wins a race in that dog and they try everything in the book not to congratulate him directly.
Michael Spitale:
December 26th, 2009 1:03pm
…ah yes and a bad thing. FOTA. On the surface I loved it but in the end what did it really get them and us as fans? NOTHING! all it did was get rid of Max and threw in Max Jr. in Jean Todt. They claimed they wanted races back in the States, more fan interaction, all sorts of good, but fought for none of it in the end.
Patrick Kukla:
December 27th, 2009 2:13am
Hello friends at Motorsport
Best of 2009
Max Mosely moving on
Massa’s recovery from his injuries – great news
Mark Webber’s first win – Come on Aussie, Come on!!
Jody Scheckter’s humour
Worst of 2009
Max not leaving any sooner
The complete mess made of Donnington
2010 is already highly anticipated
How good will Kimi be?
How will Schuey go?
More wins for Mark Webber?
The end of pit refueling – definately a good thing – means I don’t have to get my abacus out just to watch a race.
Casey Stoner vs Rossi
And lastly – I want to see the return of Gigi Galli!
Thanks to the team at Motorsport – another great year of reading and podcasting – keep up the good work!
Paddy
John Saviano:
December 27th, 2009 3:45pm
Best – Max Mosley’s gone
Worst – Bernie’s not
Hamish Goddard:
December 27th, 2009 6:44pm
Best – Rossi’s last corner pass at Barcelona – which had me leaping around the sitting room punching the air, entirely alone..
JB’s overtaking his way to a World Championship.
The F1 driver menu that has developed for 2010 – in theory, 8 cars will start every race with a chance of winning it.. When was that last the case? 1985?
Worst – or at least the saddest..
Henry Surtees
The destruction of Donington Park.
The departures of Ron Dennis, Davey Ryan and Pat Symonds
rob widdows:
December 28th, 2009 11:26am
These are fun to read, and interesting. Those of you who mentioned the podcasts and the magazine itself win extra points……………………..!
It will soon be time for some of my “famous” New Year predictions, most of which will probably never come to pass. This coming year I shall try to achieve a hit rate of better than 50 per cent………
I cannot believe how many people have asked me, over the Christmas holiday, how Schumacher will fare on his return. I have no idea. But I will be amazed if it is anything but impressive. I am well aware that this is a very divisive issue among our regular readers………….!
I might have mentioned Mr Mosley under the banner of “Best Moments” but I’d rather wait and see just what Mr Todt has in store for the sport.
Sorry. Don’t want to worry you.
Anyway, all that aside, many thanks for all your contributions. I was given a globe for Christmas, presumably so that I could find my way to South Korea. Doesn’t look like the most enticing place to me.
RW
Spiro:
December 28th, 2009 6:43pm
Best
Rossi Champ once again
Stoner high sideing on the warm up lap hahahahaah (sorry I am Rossi fan)
Worst
Henry Surtees (God Speed)
Massa’s Accident (we nearly lost another racer)
G. Gearhead:
December 28th, 2009 10:41pm
BEST:
Max retiring…
Brawn, nee Honda, raising the benchmark…
No race at Magny-Cours….
The races at Spa, Interlagos and AbuDabi…
Vettel and Webber proving they’re racers…
Rosberg getting a hard-earned new ride for 2010.
WORST:
The Henry Surtees and Massa crashes…
No U.S. or Canadian races…
Valencia, Singapore, Shanghai and Malaysia…
Dearth of in-car videos for full laps…
The twilight finish at Australia…
Kimi’s obvious lack of effort excpt at his favorite, Spa.
Ian Garden:
December 29th, 2009 2:51pm
In my earlier post I meant to include amongst the best all the podcasts particularly those with Nikki Roebuck or should that be Nigel Stewart. Anyway please keep them coming on a regular basis. How about Alan Jones (when he is next in the U.K.) and Whizo Williams as guests for next year.
Simon Crosse:
December 29th, 2009 8:23pm
Best:
1 – Aston Martin winning the LMS
2 – Button and Brawn winning in F1
3 – Seb Loeb being made to work for his title!
4 – David Brabham finally winning Le Mans
5 – Turkington winning the BTCC title
Worst
1 – Massa’s accident
2 – The GT1 entry list in the LMS
3 – Hirvonen loosing by a point
4 – Brabham was driving a Peugeot! :-)
Tony Geran:
December 29th, 2009 9:55pm
Best
Seeing Webber win his first F1 race
Seeing “Mad Max” finally go
Listening to the Motor Sport podcasts on my ipod on the way to work
Finally hearing the Grand Prix du Roc
Seeing the F1 order overturned
Worst
Henry Surtees
Lie-gate, crash-gate and any other “gate”
Donington Park being vandalised with Ecclestone’s aquiesence
Schumacher’s return
Abu Dhabi – should we be more interested in surrounding architecture rather than the race track itself?
Andrew Tusting:
December 30th, 2009 11:30am
Best of the year
The sunday of the Goodwood Revival meeting: best racing of the whole year, superb cars, brilliant atmosphere and Buzz Aldrin!!
Jenson in Brazil
Worse
What has been allowed to happen to by far the very best track in the UK: Donington Park. An absolute disgrace by all those involved. Lets hope that the circuit will rise from the ashes again and that it becomes a fitting memorial to the memory of Tom Wheatcroft
Henry Surtees
Michael Hewison:
December 30th, 2009 12:55pm
best-
Bradley Smith
Valentino Rossi
Historic racing
worst
F1
Drood:
December 31st, 2009 10:27pm
Best of 2009:
Audi finally being beaten at Le Mans
Aston at Le Mans
Fisichella at Spa
Worst of 2009:
Henry Surtees
Abu Dhabi representing everything wrong with F1
Schumacher coming back
Sadly the latter is going to infect 2010 as well. I am disgusted that this odious confirmed cheat is being welcomed back with anything other than hostility and blanket condemnation.
He may ultimately be the final straw that keeps me from watching my first F1 season in 22 years of being a fan.
Kenny:
January 1st, 2010 5:42pm
Happy New Year, everyone.
Jorge Poe:
January 4th, 2010 3:05am
Best of 2009:
VW winning the Dakar
Brawn GP Team achievements
Rossi getting closer to Agostini
Peugeot at LeMans
Dirty Max vanishing act
Barring aero devices in F1
Massa’s luck
Kimi and Fisi at Spa, Vettel mastery and Barrichelo at Monza
Worst of 2009:
Henry Surtees
Donington loss
Schumacher’s abortion
McLaren Team Ethics
Sportsmanship loss
How I miss the 1500 Formula and specially those great drivers…
N.Weingart:
January 5th, 2010 5:25pm
Best of 2009:
Ben Spies brilliance in the WSBK
Great dices in MotoGP, particularly Rossi and Lorenzo.
Loeb’s comeback in the WRC was relentless, what a joy to witness a maestro in his element!
On the road circuits:
McGuinness and Donald’s lap records at the Isle of Man were the bravest things I saw this year.
Battle between Audi and Pueguot at Le Mans