Luca di Montezemolo didn’t make the trip to Bahrain, but back home in Italia he will have been in a very fine mood on Sunday afternoon. A Ferrari 1-2 – and on the day Michael Schumacher began his comeback… it hardly gets better than this.
Three days earlier, as he… Read more
Sitting here watching the morning practice session in Bahrain, I am startled to see the new Lotus-Cosworth running round some eight or nine seconds off the early pace. That’s how hard it is to compete at the highest level, a stark reminder if any were needed.
The most fascinating aspect… Read more
Welcome to our March podcast with 1996 Formula 1 World Champion and current BRDC president Damon Hill.
He played a big hand in securing the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and has an interesting perspective on Formula 1 at the moment, a perspective he’s not afraid to air.
Enjoy… We… Read more
Is this the greatest grid we’ve ever seen in 60 years of Formula 1? That’s a key question we couldn’t resist asking within our 2010 Grand Prix season preview, the cornerstone of the April issue of Motor Sport.
Now, I know better than anyone that making ‘greatest ever’ claims risks… Read more
As the 2010 Grand Prix season beckons, most of my acquaintance are agreed that it’s been a very long time since we anticipated a year with such relish. Schumacher back… Alonso at Ferrari… Button with Hamilton at McLaren… four World Champions in the pack… the prospect of four highly competitive… Read more
Dear Nigel,
I’m going to be cheeky as I have two burning questions, hopefully you will answer them both?1. I’m still a little mystified by Jenson Button’s transfer given his genuine affection for ‘his’ old team. My only theory is that he had a strong inkling that Michael Schumacher was on the way, Nico Rosberg would be demoted to test driver, and it would have been him against Schumacher – in a team run by Schumacher’s old buddy! Knowing how all Schumacher’s team-mates got treated, what would you do… any thoughts on the truth of that?
2. I’ve just read Crashed & Byrned, the book about Tommy Byrne – what a talent we missed out on! How do you think he measured up to Ayrton Senna? And why did no other Formula 1 teams pick up this guy after his McLaren test?
Tim Davison
Dear Nigel,
I confess to being a huge fan and admirer of Alain Prost, both as a person but also for his driving technique. Former team-mates Eddie Cheever and Keke Rosberg speak in amazement at how he managed to be so quick and smooth without them really understanding how or what he was doing. And former engineers, including John Barnard and Patrick Head, speak in awe of how easy on the car he was.Have you ever been privy to information or been told first-hand exactly what Prost did differently and where it was he made up so much time? Was it under braking? Was it through certain types of corner?
I would be fascinated to know, as in-car footage of Prost doesn’t reveal the secrets to his technique.
Gavin
Dear Nigel,
Please tell me it isn’t true, the allegation that Pedro Rodríguez was running a 3.3-litre engine in his BRM when he narrowly beat Chris Amon’s March to win the 1970 Belgian GP.
If he had been running such an engine, how on earth would it have got past the scrutineers?There’s no chance, I suppose, of retroactively awarding the win to Chris Amon? (One of the greatest racing drivers, uncrowned or crowned, I’m sure you’ll agree.)
David Goddard
Welcome to part deux of the Motor Sport Hall of Fame audio podcast.
As I’m sure you’ll agree Brian is one of our best guests yet as the tales of his racing career are quite simply, jaw-dropping. We’re back next month on March 8 so do make sure you ask… Read more
The launch of the new Lotus Grand Prix car in London last week got me thinking. At last something has – I haven’t been inspired to put pen to blog in recent weeks.
Launches of new racing cars fall into two main categories – the absurdly lavish with dry ice,… Read more
Recent comments