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Twenty years after winning the Italian Grand Prix in a Ferrari, Gerhard Berger was back on the Monza podium on Sunday, but this time as the very proud co-owner of the Toro Rosso team, for at just 21 years and 74 days, Sebastian Vettel had made history by becoming the…
Nigel Roebuck
It’s been Formula 1 all the way for Nigel – he started covering the sport in 1971. In the mid-1970s he worked for Graham Hill’s Embassy F1 team, before joining Autosport for whom he has written over 400 Grand Prix reports. Nigel joined Motor Sport full-time on Januray 1 2008. As well as reporting on F1 for national newspapers, he has written 19 books on motor racing. His insightful writing and candid interviews with the great names in racing have made him one of the recognised authorities on F1.
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While I admire a lot what he’s done for the sport, I was wondering why Bernie Ecclestone seems to have such a grudge against Silverstone? He seems to have a dig at the place at every opportunity he gets.
While it’s no Bahrain or Shanghai (thank goodness), the place has improved out of all recognition since I first went there, back in the mid-1980s. Donington is a lovely and historic circuit, but the amount of work needed to bring it up to even Silverstone’s current standard, never mind surpassing it, makes me rather pessimistic for 2010…
Nicholas Hogg
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It seems that for a long time the FIA rule makers have been going in the wrong direction. For example, instead of 2.4-litre V8s, why not leave it at 3-litre V10s and ban pneumatic valvetrains, which have no relevance to street cars? Lowering the rpm lowers the power, but the larger engine gives more torque (good out of corners).
It’s the same with refuelling (I completely agree with you). They say they want to improve passing, but then they do almost nothing. Like banning tyre warmers, that would have created more unpredictability and illustrated better driver car control; the FIA relented saying it wouldn’t help costs. What a joke – it’s not only about costs, it should be about better racing!
John Saviano
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Sep 15 2008
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Sep 8 2008
Grand Prix Special – Spa-Francorchamps, Nigel Roebuck
Let us begin with a simple fact – a simple fact this particular week, anyway. The penalty for almost causing a collision in the pitlane is a drive-through penalty. This we know because Bruno Senna was thus punished in Saturday’s GP2 race at Spa, and it cost him the race.
In…
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Aug 26 2008
Grand Prix Special – Valencia, Nigel Roebuck
In Budapest Felipe Massa lost what would have been a dominant victory when his engine let go with three laps to go, and when Kimi Raikkonen’s car smokily expired in the late stages at Valencia, all sorts of thoughts must have gone through Felipe’s mind. As it was, though, his…
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Have F1 drivers ever been completely ostracised by their contemporaries for something they have done on or off the track? I seem to recall Teo Fabi not being the most popular chap after the drivers strike in 1982. And then there are the better-known incidents such as Patrese at Monza in 1978.
Am I right in suggesting that this was a particularly disgraceful way to treat a driver, and a young one at that, in this manner?
Sam Smith -
How do you feel Juan Pablo Montoya’s modern achievement of having won races in F1, Indy/Champ Cars, NASCAR and at the Daytona 24 Hrs compares with those of other all-rounders such as Mario Andretti and Dan Gurney?
Jon Curry, UK. -
I’ve been a Williams fan since the demise of Team Lotus and wonder if Jenson Button had returned to the team, when Williams wanted him to, it would have been for the benefit of both parties?
I’ve just watched the Silverstone qualifying and, sad to say, remain unconvinced about Nico Rosberg although he clearly had car problems. Honda seem to be treading water despite promises about a bright future. What is your opinion?
David Stevenson -
Aug 19 2008
More racing means more money
Although, 10 or so years ago, Bernie Ecclestone said he would, “Never, ever, ever, put on more than 16 World Championship Grands Prix in a season”, that has been ignored for a long time now, and in 2009 there will be 19 races on the Formula 1 schedule, followed by…
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My favourite driver is Kimi Räikkönen, and I often hear him compared to James Hunt in attitude. I know nothing of James Hunt as I was too young when he raced. Can you tell me a little about him and how/if he is similar to Kimi?
Michael Spitale, USA
