Slightly later than usual – a round up of the F1 stories doing the rounds. (All links external).
Month: September 2006 articles archive
Flat Out, Flat Broke?? by Perry McCarthy reviewed
Posted onPerry McCarthy’s account of his often disastrous attempts to make it as a Formula One diver is littered with hilarious anecdotes.
Chinese Grand Prix 2006 preview
Posted onWith Michael Schumacher’s retirement confirmed, all eyes turn to the nail-biting championship battle between the Ferrari driver and reigning champion Fernando Alonso. For evidence of that, look no further than this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, where the Shanghai International Circuit owners have devoted a grandstand each specifically to supporters of Alonso and Schumacher. Schumacher may … Continue reading Chinese Grand Prix 2006 preview
Review: “The Last Road Race” by Richard Williams
Posted onI’ve always been fascinated by the Pescara track. It is an anomaly in Formula One history, used only once for a World Championship race. And, at 25.5 kilometres (15.8 miles) in length, the longest circuit ever used for F1 – though many might automatically assume that record belongs to the Nurburgring. So I was delighted … Continue reading Review: “The Last Road Race” by Richard Williams
No Japanese qualifying on ITV either
Posted onITV have delivered another blow to Formula One fans hoping to watch the thrilling denouement of this year’s championship live.The broadcaster will not show the qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix live. They are also refusing to show the same session for the Chinese Grand Prix live. As ever the only recourse for F1 … Continue reading No Japanese qualifying on ITV either
Review: “One-and-a-half litre Grand Prix Racing 1961-65” (Mark Whitelock)
Posted onThere is nothing new under the sun. Just as the FIA provoked intense debate when they imposed 2.4-litre V8 engines from 2006, so there was similar distaste over the imposition of 1.5-litre engines after the 1960 season. This new book from Mark Whitelock turns the spotlight on this “largely overlooked” period of Grand Prix history. … Continue reading Review: “One-and-a-half litre Grand Prix Racing 1961-65” (Mark Whitelock)
ITV drop live qualifying again
Posted onWith just three crucial qualifying sessions and three vital races left in 2006, British viewers won’t get to see at least one of them, thanks to ITV. Even though the qualifying session at Shanghai in China will be taking place very early in the morning in British time, ITV are not showing it live. The … Continue reading ITV drop live qualifying again
“The Cruel Sport” (Robert Daley, 2005)
Posted onHaving recently looked at Dr Stephen Olvey’s “Rapid Response” on safety in CART racing, I thought it would be a good time to review a similar book on the dangers of earlier Formula One. The Cruel Sport was first published in 1963. Journalist and photographer Robert Daley covered F1 for the New York Times but … Continue reading “The Cruel Sport” (Robert Daley, 2005)
“Rapid Response” by Stephen Olvey reviewed
Review
Posted onDr Steve Olvey’s book on safety developments in CART and IndyCar racing is a fascinating and thought-provoking read.
“Schumacher: The Life of the New Formula 1 Champion” (Timothy Collings, 1994)
Posted onCarrying on our recent theme of Michael Schumacher book reviews, this very early book dates back to the winter of 1994 when the German had just seized his first world championship. This book makes especially interesting reading in the light of everything Schumacher has accomplished in the 12 years since his first World Drivers’ Championship. … Continue reading “Schumacher: The Life of the New Formula 1 Champion” (Timothy Collings, 1994)
Inside Ferrari (Jon Nicholson with Maurice Hamilton, 2006)
Posted onFew of us ever get the chance to get up close to Formula One cars. Unless you can blag a paddock pass, it’s difficult to get much of an impression of what goes on behind the scenes at a race weekend. “Inside Ferrari” puts the inner workings of the Scuderia on display through 285 pages … Continue reading Inside Ferrari (Jon Nicholson with Maurice Hamilton, 2006)
“Team Schumacher” (Timothy Collings, 2005)
Posted onMichael Schumacher is heading for retirement, so place your bets now on how many new Schumacher biographies will be out in time for the Christmas market. There are plenty of books on the controversial seven-times champion already, though, one of the most recent of which is Timothy Collings “Team Schumacher”. This is not so much … Continue reading “Team Schumacher” (Timothy Collings, 2005)
F1 to adopt Champ Car tyres?
Posted onTyre manufacturer Bridgestone are proposing that Formula One adopts the same tyre rules as seen in the Champ Car World Series, in an attempt to improving the racing. Bridgestone are the exclusive tyre suppliers to Champ Car and provide two types of tyre for each weekend called the ‘standard’ and ‘option’ tyres, the latter with … Continue reading F1 to adopt Champ Car tyres?
Gallery: Spyker show their colours
Posted onGood news for Ron Dennis: Spyker, the new owners of the former Midland F1 team, have repainted the team’s cars in a suitably Dutch shade of orange. The old Midland F1 paint scheme looked like a cheap knock-off of McLaren’s gorgeous reflective chrome finish. Now it looks more like a cross between last year’s Dutch … Continue reading Gallery: Spyker show their colours
Turkey penalised with largest ever slap on wrist
Posted onThe organisers of the Turkish Grand Prix will not lose their rights to hold any races following the podium controversy at this year’s F1 race. Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was presented on the podium as the leader of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. Turkey is the only country in the world to … Continue reading Turkey penalised with largest ever slap on wrist
Trackside: Guess Schu?
Posted onLast week’s Trackside was about some German guy retiring. Michael something. Bit of a dab hand at the old Formula One. Enjoy! Related links Autotrader.co.uk – Trackside: Schumacher – was his best yet to come? (external) Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport / michael schumacher
Gallery: Not the Belgian Grand Prix
Posted onToday was supposed to be the date of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francochamps. The majestic circuit in the Ardennes forest was voted the best in Formula One by fans last year, but was dropped from the 2006 calendar. The circuit is one of the most demanding in the world. Its fastest sweeps and plunges … Continue reading Gallery: Not the Belgian Grand Prix
F1: It’s nepo-tastic!
Posted onThe trend of Formula One drivers’ sons making their way into the sport is nothing new. World Champions Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve both had celebrated lineages, as did Michael Andretti, although he failed to match the achievements of father Mario by some way. But the trend has taken off in a big way with … Continue reading F1: It’s nepo-tastic!
Alonso penalty: justice delayed
Posted onIn the dispute over Fernando Alonso’s controversial qualifying penalty at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix good sense finally prevailed, although good grace did not. The FIA announced that henceforth only drivers who deliberately impede another racer in qualifying will be punished. Seriously, could that not have come to that conclusion when they drafted that rule … Continue reading Alonso penalty: justice delayed
F1 in the news: Talladega Nights special edition
Posted onThis week in F1 in the news the NASCAR film Talladega Nights officially opens: We took a look at it last week but what is everyone else saying? (All links external)