All of a sudden the World Championship calendar is starting to look more than a little unbalanced – and, some would say, unstable. As of now, the 2009 schedule contains 17 races (two fewer than originally envisaged), and for the first time a majority of them will be run outside…… Read more
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A world away from where we started
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“He was as good as Jim Clark”
Dear Nigel,
In June of 1977 I was wandering through the paddock of Mont Tremblant when I found myself standing in front the Wolf Can-Am car… These where those modified F5000 cars. (This was the weekend Brian Redman’s car got airborne on the back straight and Brian had quite an accident.) I remember looking directly into one driver’s eyes and he looked tired and frankly a bit scared. The driver of course was Chris Amon and I think this was his last motor race. I had seen Chris race in many Canadian Grand Prix and Can-Am races at Mosport and St Jovite. I had to wonder how such a talented drive ended up in that car. What are your recollections of the latter stages of Chris Amon’s career?
Craig Rowsell
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Struggling to stay in love with F1
Dear Nigel,
Not so much a question, but more a thank you.
I found myself at the British Grand Prix in 1984. I watched the cars go off on their warm-up lap and was blown away by the noise and power. They all stopped and went away for real, 20-odd turbo cars, popping and banging, sliding away.
From that moment I was hooked, and found every outlet that could provide me with information about F1. I discovered Autosport and read every article that you wrote. I discovered Gilles through you, bought every book and tape about him, even named a cat after him. I also noticed somewhat that F1 for you died the day he died. In my young mind I never really got to grips with this, just carried on my merry way, though still absorbing all you wrote…
Then for me, on May 1 1994, my F1 world fell apart. Although I was to attend many a race after this, my F1 world had finished. The flame had gone out and I understood what you went through at Zolder. Now I try to watch the races, but they leave me cold. Something that had touched me so deeply no longer has any meaning – it’s just cars trundling round…
Martin Poole
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Paul Newman, the driver
Dear Nigel,
I’ve been an avid reader of your ‘Ask Nigel’ columns since the Autosport days, so it’s great to see you going strong with Motor Sport. Keep it up. My question is this: following the sad news of the passing of movie and motor sport legend Paul Newman, just how good a driver was he?
It’s obvious he had more than a little natural talent, but do you think he could have become a top-line driver in either F1, CART or sports cars had he decided to hang up the acting shoes in favour of a full-time racing helmet? What did drivers who worked with him, the likes of Mario Andretti, Alan Jones and Dick Barbour make of his wheel skills?
Neil Briscoe
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Bourdais: as good as his Champ Car titles?
In recent weeks – and particularly, for very good reason, since the Italian Grand Prix – praise of Sebastian Vettel has been fulsome and widespread. No surprise there, for the youthful German has impressed at virtually every race, and as the competitiveness of Toro Rosso has improved (due in no… Read more
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Silverstone vs Bernie, what really happened…
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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FIA rule makers have been going in the wrong direction
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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When F1 drivers are ostracised…
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 -
Mario Andretti vs Juan Pablo Montoya
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. -
Button at Williams, Button at Honda
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
