I’m heading off to Silverstone to see the GT1 race at the revised Grand Prix circuit. Are you going to watch a race somewhere today? Planning a race trip soon? Let us know in the comments.
Links
Racing drivers have formula to build fortunes (The Times)
“Highest among current drivers is Jenson Button, the reigning world champion with wealth estimated at £43m. After a strong start to the season, Button leads the drivers’ championship, making him well placed to overtake Nigel Mansell and David Coulthard in the rich list. Both retired, Mansell and Coulthard are worth £50m apiece.”
Brundle: New Silverstone not miracle overtaking cure (Crash.net)
“I don’t think in F1 that it will generate a lot of overtaking if I’m honest because there are hardly any braking zones any more, but I think at national level racing it will generate some excitement and it’s good for the fans.”
Comment of the day
Good point from MtlRacer in the argument over Ferrari’s ‘subliminal’ Marlboro branding:
Regardless of whether the barcode is subliminal or not, there is absolutely nothing subliminal about the official team name, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.
Just the fact that Marlboro gets spoken/written in any official mention of Ferrari coming from the FIA, FOM, and Ferrari (not to mention other media sources), keeps the name of the tobacco company fresh in people’s minds.
MtlRacer
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
Two years ago today I wrote an article which provoked more comments than almost anything else I’d put on F1 Fanatic up until that time. Titled “The most hated man in Formula 1”, it was a piece about Lewis Hamilton.
I think the debate is still relevant today. Whenever Hamilton gets involved in anything even remotely controversial he becomes target for vitriol. To my mind, much of this is rooted in how much success he attained so quickly and the circumstances of his rivalry with Fernando Alonso in 2007.
Other insist it’s a manifestation of racism. For the most part I don’t agree, though you cannot discount that his race will be a problem for a small minority. I suspect this debate will run and run.
Ned Flanders
2nd May 2010, 0:34
Forget Coulthard, Button and Mansell- how the hell did Dario Franchitti make £36 million?!? I wonder if he’d swap it all for a shot at F1? (Probably not!)
Sideshow bob
2nd May 2010, 6:04
How the hell did Eddie Irvine turn his career into 80 million pounds?!
Bleu
2nd May 2010, 8:06
It’s not only his career. He has done some good investments afterwards.
DC
2nd May 2010, 9:23
Franchitti rather surprises me too. Winning the Indy 500 is a giant paycheck, but overall Indycar guys don’t seem to be really bringing in the dough. Perhaps he has made some good investments like Irvine.
sato113
2nd May 2010, 0:45
‘there are hardly any braking zones any more’
i have to disagree with brundle here. sure the abbey breaking zone has gone put now we have 2 more in its place. the one in the arena area and the one at the end of the wellington straight.
maciek
2nd May 2010, 10:05
No offense, but somehow my gut tells me go with Brundle’s opinion on the matter…
Red Andy
2nd May 2010, 10:19
I agree. I said the same thing – it will be good for MotoGP but won’t make any difference to F1.
Scribe
2nd May 2010, 11:30
The Loop is the problem, had they one massive braking zone after farm curver, or Ireland, whatever it’s called, an the the long straight down into Brooklands it would have been damn good.
Definate overtaking zone, but no! They should definatley sort F1 out a way to avoid the Loop, which is a rubbish name, an get a hairpin at Aintree.
Icthyes
2nd May 2010, 13:40
Yeh, I don’t see why they couldn’t have had the Abu-Dhabi style turn-hairpin (which I still think offers a good opportunity for an overtaking battle – see Kobayashi’s move on Button for example) for the bikes, but had a sharp, single turn hairpin á la Hockenheim for the F1 cars.
Icthyes
2nd May 2010, 13:42
Well, he’s right that it’s not a miracle cure, but I still think it will be better than the old circuit. Shame they couldn’t have just bypassed Abbey, kept Bridge but then made the track go down into a hairpin, and then back up to Luffield in the same way the Arena circuit does now. But Bridge had to be abandoned because of the bikes, and at the moment we couldn’t ask Silverstone to fund two new different configurations.
Scribe
2nd May 2010, 15:23
Well I missed the start of the GT1 championship race so im going to wait for them to put it all online, but the way it works out, I don’t think the loop will be too awful to prevent drafting down Welligton.
Still a hair pin would still be nice, an I think possible.
Icthyes
2nd May 2010, 20:11
You can even see how on Keith’s map here: https://www.racefans.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/New-Silverstone-Grand-Prix-Circuit-Image-with-Corner-Names.jpg
The point where the National and Arena Circuits meet, at the exit of Aintree – simply keep going past Village and you have a sharp point there. Of course, you’d have to remove the wall first!
sato113
2nd May 2010, 1:03
i do feel sorry for Hamilton in that respect. it’s a shame, because he’s probably the nicest driver in f1!
Kav
2nd May 2010, 1:45
I think Hamilton attracts a lot of criticism due to the way he portrayed himself in his first 2 seasons. He did seem quite arrogant at times which made him an easy target. You can’t really brush off your first impressions, whether it is with an F1 driver or someone you meet in your own lives.
However it must be said that Hamilton does seem to get involved in these controversial incidents, so I understand why he is made as a target for criticism.
Patrickl
2nd May 2010, 10:23
The point is that these incidents are MADE controversial because Hamilton is involved and some people hate him.
Vettel goes alongside Alonso in the pitlane during the 2008 German GP and not a bad word is uttered (apart from Alonso I would presume)
Cars have been driving side by side in the pitlane for years. There is nothing controversial about the situation, but now Hamilton does it once and suddenly it’s a big deal.
Vettel lies about Hamilton purposefully touching him in the pitlane incident (when it’s obvious that it was Vettel who did the pushing) and again, nothing is said about it.
steph
2nd May 2010, 10:56
I mostly agree with you Patrickl. It’s interesting it happened between these two and how it was generally perceived because Vettel is very much the darling of the F1 world right now while Lewis tends be be a love/hate character. I do think Vettel was more at fault than Lewis.
“Vettel goes alongside Alonso in the pitlane during the 2008 German GP and not a bad word is uttered (apart from Alonso I would presume)”
I can’t remember what was said afterwards but I think Alo was waving his arms about at the time so I can’t imagine he was happy, unless it was his way of saying “good on you” which I sincerely doubt. :P
Scribe
2nd May 2010, 11:40
Hamilton threw his arms up at Vettle, in the replay, I think he forgot after the hectic race but he seemed to think he’d been wronged in the pitlane.
It does seem true now that the “keen to touch me” comment was at best foggy recollection and at worst pure deception for the benefit of the stewards, an probably his fans as well. I’ve never been a massive fan of Vettle, always though his victories were boring an he’s a bit rubbish on the overtake but I’m properly going off him now.
Bigbadderboom
2nd May 2010, 12:36
Of completly the same opinion Scribe, I don’t think he brings anything of value at the moment (as a person) and my perception of Vettel is that he is becoming a little bit sneaky in the protection of the image he likes to portray, innocent little nice guy racer! not for me, hes as big a shark as the rest of them.
Icthyes
2nd May 2010, 13:51
Thirded. His first win was amazing, if unchallenged, but he’s never won by not being first into Turn 1, apart from Abu Dhabi, but then Hamilton had his brakes problem.
Vettel seems a nice guy, but I don’t see how his niceness is any more sincere than Hamilton’s. They’re both young drivers who believe they’re the best, it’s a fine line between massive confidence and arrogance, if indeed there’s any difference at all. I truly believe that even the most seemingly arrogant of F1 drivers aren’t actually being so; but if Hamilton is, then so is Vettel.
Kav
3rd May 2010, 1:26
I think you have to give Vettel a chance. He has only had one full season in a top car. Don’t forget that Hamilton had never won a race from a position other than pole until nearly mid way through his second season. It is Vettels second season in a top car, and so far he hasn’t had the chance to win “by not being first into turn 1” as he has had pole in 3 races, and in Malaysia he got the job done immediately. You can’t bash him for that.
I am certain Vettel will be able to pull off a storming drive from the back eventually, but you may have to wait a while as his qualifying is fantastic.
matt90
2nd May 2010, 2:06
I followed the subsequent link in the Hamilton article to one about Button. Interesting reading peoples opinions back, and how surprised they would have been to find him dominating a year later, and proving himself incredibly talented and tactiful this year too.
Kester
2nd May 2010, 4:15
In regards to Hamilton, I think for me at least it’s his arrogance that annoys me so much about him, although last year when he calmed down a lot, and seemed to start enjoying the racing for what it was, I really warmed to him.
Now this year he has seemed to have gone back to his arrogant, aggressive old style of racing which annoyed me so much.
He is a truly gifted racer and driver, he doesn’t need to do silly and sometimes reckless things to win a race, and I wish he would remember that sometimes.
W-K
2nd May 2010, 6:12
Do you think that Hamilton’s aggression possibly comes from his view of successful drivers he had witnessed.
If so then probably the blame lies with the FIA in not stamping on over aggressive driving in the past.
I cannot see any evidence that he has been overly aggressive, in comparison to say Senna (great), Schumacher (admired by many) or Alonso (some say the best driver around at present).
Scribe
2nd May 2010, 11:42
Or indeed Villneurve and Mansell, both faintly absurd in their agression, but so very good to watch.
steph
2nd May 2010, 12:13
I can’t really say who he’s taken inspiration from (whether consciously or not) but if I had to compare him to anyone I’d say Mansell for many reasons. However, for me it’s quite loose still as I very much feel every driver should be acknowledged in their own right although I accept comparisons will always come about.
Scribe
2nd May 2010, 15:45
I think Hamilton, when Hamilton says he’s growing up, what he’d like that to mean is that he’s developing the cerebral side of his racing. He’s always followed his teams orders, an in the age of refuelling that he was part of, true thinking racers mattered a lot less then when the master of the craft was racing, obviously that master was Alain Prost.
Senna was probably more of a physical racer than a cerebral one, but along with his natural gifts, the man had a brain on him, which ultimatley ment he could race with an better Prost.
Mansell was one ofs the most physical racers ever, which showed when Prost thouroughly trumped him at Ferrari.
Cerebral racers tend to beat the physical racers, Lauda could always beat Hunt over a season, Prost could always beat Mansell over a season.
The only way to consitantly beat a cerbral racer is either out think them, or mix fields, Senna could race Prost, Schumacher had Brawn. Clark beat fanatastically cerbral consitant racers Hill and Stewart not only by thinking on the same level as both, but also because his natural gifts ment he could out drive them 11/10ths.
So Hamilton, who I don’t think has proven himself a particularly cerebral racer, infact he often has to drive himself round strategy mistakes either he (China) or his team (Hockenheim) have made has the most magnificent oppourtunity at this point in his developmental stage, learn from Button, possibly be his number 2 for a season, so he can added good thinking race crafts to the natural talents he’s got that could make him one of the all time greats.
BasCB
3rd May 2010, 7:35
I think what Scribe says here is very much to the point. I think Hamilton needs to learn from Button so he will not have to push it so far only to get on the podium or in the points.
ajokay
2nd May 2010, 7:12
I’ll have my eye open for you Keith, Maybe see you at Silverstone today!
wasiF1
2nd May 2010, 8:27
Stewart hails “lion tamer” Button
http://www.espnstar.com/motorsport/f1/news/detail/item433586/Stewart-hails-%22lion-tamer%22-Button/
Patrickl
2nd May 2010, 10:27
Yeah, Button made two good pit calls.
Icthyes
2nd May 2010, 19:57
A bit interesting to deconstruct. Stewart is basically saying:
– Button has coped with moving to McLaren well
– Hamilton is probably the better racer
– If things go as they have been, Button will be champion again
I have tremendous respect for Sir Jackie, but his comments do feel a little “well, duh”. Not a criticism of Stewart, but I’m still waiting for a top opinion to ask “what happens if the kinds of races where Button did better don’t happen half of the time?”
Patrickl
3rd May 2010, 16:40
Indeed. It’s bizarre how “pundits” seem to form their opinion on 3 extraordinary races out of a total of 4.
I guess the problem is that they *have* to have an opinion and then just pick one and stick with it.
BasCB
3rd May 2010, 13:01
Nice to see Steward backing off from his pretty harsh comment made before the season started.
I am suprised how well Button is managing right now as well. I think being WDC got him up to a level we last saw right at the beginning of his career.
Jarred Walmsley
2nd May 2010, 8:28
Who is Johnny Dumfries, and I’m 17 and from New Zealand, which is why I haven’t heard of him
rampante
2nd May 2010, 8:59
A titled (Duke or Marquess)mediocre F1 driver who did much better in Le Mans and other endurance racing. He did only have 1 season in F1 with lotus (may have been more than 1).
The Dutch Bear
2nd May 2010, 10:17
He was in F1 for only one year, 1986. He was unfortunate to have Ayrton Senna as his team mate at Lotus. He was completely overshadowed by Senna. In 1988 he won the 24 hours of Le Mans in the Jaguar XJR-9 nr. 2 together with Andy Wallace and my fellow-countryman Jan Lammers. I only know this because of the internet, I’m younger than you are. (I’ll be 17 on May 31)
James_mc
2nd May 2010, 12:21
It should be noted that a significant portion of his wealth is likely to come from land/inheritance….
Nathan Bradley
2nd May 2010, 11:13
Nice article about Lewis Hamilton Keith, raises good points. (I wasn’t following the site back then, so this is the first time I’ve read it.)
I wonder if opinion might have been changed at all by his winning the World Championship, or whether it will have just fuelled both sides of the ‘love-hate’ debate even more?
Nathan
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd May 2010, 16:47
Petrol on the bonfire.
steph
2nd May 2010, 19:08
Anyone watch F2 today? Here’s an onboard that caught Ricardo Teixeira’s massive crash http://www.formulatwo.com/news/dramatic-onboard-of-teixeira-crash.aspx (scroll down and it’s at about 1.19)
Chaz
2nd May 2010, 19:39
So what happened to all the talk about Lewis being a potential billion dollar sports kid…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd May 2010, 20:23
The credit crunch!
BasCB
3rd May 2010, 13:03
Maybe if he keeps on running and avoids getting too much controvery (like agassi with drugs or Woods with his “sex addiction”) he will rake up a good deal of money.
He probably wont be on the British list by then, having moved to Monaco or Geneva or something like that.