F1 Fanatic round-up: 11/3/2010
The clock is running out on the off-season. The 2010 F1 season starts tomorrow. Here’s our final pre-season round-up:
Links
Hanging out with two world champions (BBC)
Jake Humphrey on Michael Schumacher: “He said he wouldn’t have returned if he wasn’t fit enough, that the current crop of drivers aren’t special it’s the cars that are good, and, most ominously of all, that he is a better driver now than he was five years ago.”
The Coulthard commentary (Red Bull)
“I don’t want to pick on the new boys, but common sense says that turning up to the first race of the year without even having tested, as Hispania Racing will do in Bahrain, is a recipe for disaster.”
Jenson wins a Laureus world sports award
“Jenson won the Breakthrough of the Year Award, which recognised his achievement in taking his first world championship against considerable odds.”
Comment of the day
Pithy and to the point: John H on Ferrari bringing back their pit stop lights:
Ross Brawn wouldn’t have stood for this!
John H
Site updates
The live blogs are ready to go for tomorrow – remember you can follow every session live with us as-it-happens, just look for the live blog post on the site during each of the sessions.
As I’m running F1 Fanatic full-time this year I’ll be able to join in all the sessions and I look forward to seeing a lot more Friday practice sessions than before. See you in the live blogs…
Happy birthday!
No F1 Fanatic birthdays today. If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is by emailling me, using Twitter or adding to the list here.
On this day in F1
The 1990 season began on this day 20 years ago with some surprising names at the sharp end of the United States Grand Prix grid at Phoenix.
A McLaren on pole position was no surprise, except it belonged to Gerhard Berger rather than Ayrton Senna.
Alongside him was the Minardi of Pierluigi Martini. Third place was occupied by a Dallara (I wouldn’t expect a repeat of that performance for HRT with their Dallara-built cars on Saturday) belonging to Andrea de Cesaris.
Jean Alesi’s Tyrrell completed a surprising front two rows with fourth place in his Tyrrell which, like Martini and de Cesaris, ran on Pirelli tyres which proved surprisingly well suited to the street track. He held the lead for a good portion of Sunday’s race, before losing the lead to Senna in a memorable battle.
maciek said on 11th March 2010, 0:15
Aaahhh… Pierluigi Martini, Andrea de Cesaris – where have those poetic sounding F1 names gone to? Kamui Kobayashi ain’t bad, though.
Electrolite said on 11th March 2010, 0:19
I thought ‘Fernando Alonso’ always had a special ring to it myself :P
Ned Flanders said on 11th March 2010, 0:30
There’s something about Spanish- I personally think ‘Himey’ Alguersuari and Pedro de la Rosa have a nice ring to them too.
Then again, I don’t think any F1 name could beat Pierluigi Martini- great Italian name! Too many Germanic/ East European names in around for F1 poets to work with I imagine
SeattleChris said on 11th March 2010, 7:49
Emerson Fittipaldi, now thats a great racing name or Gilles Villeneuve as well!
If only there was a “fast” driver with the last name Speed! That would be perfection.
Calum said on 11th March 2010, 16:47
Scott was hardly a blisteringly quick racer, although he did record the fastest recorded speed on the strait at the Indy track in 07′s GP, he just couldnt lap fast!!
steph90 said on 11th March 2010, 8:50
Agree about the Spanish. Jaime especially has a nice ring to it although I get annoyed at myself when I can’t say his last name.
I like Guiseppe Farina, Rubens Barrichello and Alesi too
Ratboy said on 11th March 2010, 10:14
As keith will agree I had the same problem Steph, when I saw his name at Oulton Park a few years back I mistakingly called him Jamie aljazeera,I’d like to claim youthful naiveity but I was 21 :p
Ned Flanders said on 11th March 2010, 10:28
I definitely can’t say the name Alguersairi. When I try it sounds like ‘Algwashmurri’ or something stupid like that!
MondoL said on 11th March 2010, 11:32
In fact is more like Al-ger-swar-ee
Italian sounding names are the best (even if the pilot are not italian) Fangio, Alboreto, Fitipaldi, Andretti ah! thats glamour.
but for spanish people, nordic names ARE exotic. Mika Hakkinen. Mika! fantastic!
Icthyes said on 12th March 2010, 4:20
My nephew is called Jamie, but I always thought it looked odd with his foreign surname. Then when Jaime Alguesuari came on the scene at first a few commentators mis-pronounced his name as “Jamie”, at which point I thought Jaime would have been a wonderful way to spell my nephew’s name, complementing his surname. Not that my brother would have approved anyway!
Tom said on 11th March 2010, 10:16
Elio de Angelis and Riccardo Patrese had the best sounding names when I was a kid.
Gary Paffett could try changing his name if he wants to make it in F1.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 11th March 2010, 0:19
Maybe it’s just because there aren’t as many Italian drivers as there used to be?
K said on 11th March 2010, 0:39
Pedro de la Rosa surely?
Rubens Barrichello?
Recent Italian drivers haven’t quite reached the same heights as those from further back.
ianhaycox said on 11th March 2010, 11:38
and the Dutch driver, Hertz Van Rental
K said on 11th March 2010, 13:13
lol
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 11th March 2010, 8:20
I did track commentary on a club race once where one driver had entered using a pseudonym – Giancarlo Gofastio – which I thought was hilarious!
SamS said on 11th March 2010, 8:21
What about Nigel Mansell, it rolls off the tongue!
DanThorn said on 11th March 2010, 8:58
Teo Fabi is another great name – Michele Alboreto as well.
Ralf Schumacher? No. Just no.
Dr. Gonzo said on 11th March 2010, 9:05
Let’s not forget Trebor Crunchcog and T. Tom Meshingear who drove for Piero Martini’s fabulous Cyclops Racing Team!
Adam Milleneuve said on 11th March 2010, 9:12
“Rene Arnoux” is always by number one driver name, just flows off the tongue as does Vittorio Brambilla (the monza gorilla!)
more here: http://bit.ly/BestDriverName
K said on 11th March 2010, 11:45
Isn’t Giancarlo Gofastio a musician? Who was using the alias then? I seem to recall an F1 driver using a pseudonym in the not too distant past, maybe Schumacher?
Ratboy said on 11th March 2010, 14:26
Kimi used the name James Hunt a year or two back didnt he?
GeeMac said on 11th March 2010, 9:07
What about Eliseo Salazar! That’s a fantastic racing driver name.
Millsique said on 11th March 2010, 9:13
Tora Takagi anyone?
K said on 11th March 2010, 11:28
Only if you promise to add his nickname “Tiger”.
SeattleChris said on 11th March 2010, 9:55
Ahh, nice. “F1 is not a finishing school.”
Exactly my point from last weeks discussion about the new teams.
TomD11 said on 11th March 2010, 13:33
Yeah, there’s definitely something about the Italians: Elio de Angelis, Andrea de Cesaris, Michele Alboreto.
Hallard said on 11th March 2010, 15:16
…Luca Badoer
Ned Flanders said on 11th March 2010, 0:24
Wow the season starts tomorow!! I must admit I’m not as excited as I expected- I find races in Bahrain hard to get excited about. The season quite simply has to start in Melbourne, but unfortunately the one (rather small) chap who disagrees is the man in charge.
Here’s a completely random fact that I thought of before- all of the new teams announced by the FIA back in June have either folded or had a name change. We were promised Manor, USF1 and Campos, and instead we’ve got Lotus, Virgin and HRT!
K said on 11th March 2010, 0:41
lol It’s somehow an unsurprising occurrence with the new teams.
Enigma said on 11th March 2010, 5:44
I think that it was impossible to have Australian GP at this time for some reason (not sure which). So it was either season-opener on 28th march, or what we have. Every 4 years Bahrain is the opener.
gabal said on 11th March 2010, 7:32
Melbourne GP asked for the switch with Bahrain as Commonwealth Games were happening in Melbourne at the same time. Berine saw that the rating for first few races were up after starting at more euro friendly time and now we have Bahrain again as a season opener.
Adrian said on 11th March 2010, 8:42
Sorry but the Commonwealth Games this year are in India.
I think it was simply that Bernie couldn’t get the race started at the time he wanted if it was in Melbourne this weekend…
PJA said on 11th March 2010, 10:37
In 2006 the first time Bahrain had the season opener, it was because Melbourne were hosting the Commonwealth Games that year.
I think one of the reasons why Melbourne isn’t the season opener this year is because of the start time of the race it works better if it is after the clocks go forward.
K said on 11th March 2010, 11:35
I think you’ll find Australians really can’t get enough of the Commonwealth Games. They announced a national holiday on the day of the opening ceremony and passed a law that requires people to watch it. Even Aussie Rules Football games have been called off and Australians are flying back from the UK as we speak to be with their loved ones on the special day.
Tom said on 11th March 2010, 10:22
It’s because of the Winter Olympics.
Ned Flanders said on 11th March 2010, 10:31
I don’t think it’s to do with with the Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games or anything like that. Bernie E wants it earlier so more people watch the season opener than usual to build interest. It sort of makes sense, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it
K said on 11th March 2010, 11:36
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kodb8EIPps
MondoL said on 11th March 2010, 11:36
It makes you think why bother selecting the “best” project. Why no handling directly to most founded($$) project?
The selection process has proved totaly worthless! Another FIA hall of shame.
TomD11 said on 11th March 2010, 13:39
I’m with you Ned. I am excited, it’s just I’d be much more excited if Race 1 was in Melbourne. It’s just not the same, the season starting in Bahrain. There’s something special about getting up at a ridiculous hour to watch the cars race for the first time around Albert Park.
Icthyes said on 11th March 2010, 0:44
Will the live blog work on an iPod? I can’t run anything based on Flash, so I don’t have high hopes for much else, but it would be great if it did!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 11th March 2010, 8:16
The mobile version works on my Nokia N95 so I think you’ll be OK.
Myles Woerner said on 11th March 2010, 1:15
Also, the official F1 site was just updated. It may just be one of the few site updates that I’ve ever found to be better than the last version (along with this site, of course!)
sato113 said on 11th March 2010, 2:59
nah f1.com looks confused now
Prisoner Monkeys said on 11th March 2010, 4:17
Yeah, I like it, too.
macahan said on 11th March 2010, 13:25
phew.. New site design and not new layout. Everything is where it been as I can tell so far but has a nicer interface. I don’t mind change in design as long the layout remains. To have to get use how to find anything on a new layout is a bummer. I think that is one reason why so many grip on FB for example when they update because they move stuff around not just change how things are displayed and the feel of icons, frames etc but actually move things around to new places and move things into sub pages etc.
Calum said on 11th March 2010, 16:49
The Mclaren website has been finished, after months of “we are fixing this site for the new season, but catch up on 09 here” instead of a real website
Pablo said on 11th March 2010, 5:59
Jochen Rindt
Somehow this is a name that just says F1.
TomD11 said on 11th March 2010, 13:42
And Jody Scheckter, there’s just so many great names in F1′s past.
GeeMac said on 11th March 2010, 6:05
New season, new circuit layout, new teams, new cars, new team mates, Senna, Schumacher v the young pretenders… I simply can not wait!
Arun Srini said on 11th March 2010, 6:17
God Schumi, Lewis, Seabass, Alonso, Filepe OMG, can’t wait, 25 hrs more
ICE said on 11th March 2010, 6:33
I always thought that Kimi Raikkonen had a formula 1 base tone… It has Formula 1 written all over it
SeattleChris said on 11th March 2010, 7:52
YES. Kimi has a top 5 all time racing name! Especially with the Iceman thrown in. Sort of Die Another Day aura to it.
macahan said on 12th March 2010, 4:12
Ahhh Iceman will be missed this year. Whom else will have the guts and so much calmness to be sure we are not going racing due to rain and get out of race uniform, get dry and grab himself a ice cream bar while everyone else is outside in the rain getting soaked (Malaysia 09). People ridiculed him for that ice cream, but I think in a way he should had the last laugh because there was no more racing after all so a good call by Iceman…
gabal said on 11th March 2010, 7:36
Am I the only one who thinks Scumachers comment is a bit cocky? I always imagined it was a bit of an insult to him how well F1 has been without him. And I wouldn’t agree current crop of drivers are nothing special, they are definitely better then his competition in early 2000′s. Not to mention a certain Spanish driver who is now in his old team and who beat him hands down two times for the championship… Will he be forced to eat a humble pie soon?
GeeMac said on 11th March 2010, 7:42
It’s more than a bit cocky, but he is just playing mind games. He has always been good at that.
When MS gets to the first corner on Sunday, he’ll see how good the current crop of drivers are…
SeattleChris said on 11th March 2010, 9:05
Nowhere in the article were there actual quotes by Schumacher. To me, that says that this is just another writer trying to get headlines instead of just being a good journalist. I’m not saying he doesn’t think like that, but I would rather have him say it himself than this guy.
Dr. Gonzo said on 11th March 2010, 10:49
Humphrey was just blogging about having done taped interviews with Schuey and Button which I’m sure we’ll see as part of the BBC coverage this weekend. You’ll hear it from the horse’s mouth then.
BasCB said on 11th March 2010, 7:50
Shame about the names. Who would have thought, we would be looking at a shoemaker, a button and a massa on the front part of the grid and enjoying it. Not that Hamilton is such an impressive name (reminds me of Mark Hamil – Luke Skywalker in Star Wars)
BasCB said on 11th March 2010, 7:51
In the pictures posted on Autosport yesterday, i saw a tyre signed with the MS logo in petronas green paint, really crazy.
Terry Fabulous said on 11th March 2010, 8:14
The first race of 1990 followed on from 1989, one of the most turbulent, dramatic and ultimately thrilling Formula 1 season there has ever been.
I remember as a 13 year old watching the news broadcast to see the grid and being astonished at the names! At the time, the consensus was that Ayrton Senna was a dangerous nut lucky to be on the grid, Alesi would be a multiple world champion and Mansell had blown his big chance to be a World Champion.
Great times to be an F1 fan.
flotsky said on 11th March 2010, 8:24
Stirling Moss is the most poetic driver name for me, if it wasn’t a name for F1, it could easily have also been used by a member of De La Soul.
Wificats said on 11th March 2010, 9:46
Highlights of the 1990 Phoenix Grand Prix are currently available as part of the BBC’s classic grand prix blog series http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8558344.stm
rampante said on 11th March 2010, 9:52
A name and a half but one that always has a place in F1,
Wolfgang Alexander Albert Eduard Maximilian Reichsgraf Berghe von Trips.
1 day to go my fellow F1 crazies. Looks like a very interesting season. good luck to one a all.
Dr. Gonzo said on 11th March 2010, 10:20
With a tonguetwisting name like that it’s no wonder that he was just referred to as “Taffy” :-)