In the round-up: Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are the biggest earners in their home countries.
Links
Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:
Hamilton is England’s highest sports earner (ESPN)
“The 2008 world champion earned $18,473,684 [11.1m] last year, as drivers made numerous appearances on the list for their respective countries.”
Williams sign ‘Spygate’ engineer Mike Coughlan as infighting escalates (The Guardian)
“In a conference call Parr told reporters: ‘Patrick has made it clear that he will be retiring this year. That’s nothing to do with the restructuring, it’s just the fact that he’s turning 65 and had already signalled that it’s time for him to move on to his next set of interests in life.’ But Head has since denied Parr’s claims, saying: ‘What you are telling me is news to me. I wasn’t aware that Adam had said that.'”
Formula One Grand Prix in Manama still on (Gulf News)
“Nada Ahmed Yaseen, acting assistant undersecretary for tourism of Bahrain, said: ‘It’s not cancelled, it’s only postponed. We will hear good news soon.'”
“Commenting on… ‘bias’ and ‘arrogance’. Your thoughts much appreciated on this one: http://tinyurl.com/6ja89br”
Via the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app
Our Day at Duxford; Team Lotus and Caterham (YouTube)
The sharp-eyed will spot yours truly skulking around in the background, three-and-a-half minutes in…
“We wanted a very international flavour to the brand and wanted it to feel like it’s an open invitation to Mexico, to Central and South America, and even Canada. The idea is to make it feel like it’s really everyone’s.”
Follow F1 news as it breaks using the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app.
Comment of the day
James despairs for the future of Williams:
I think Williams’ days are numbered. For me, putting the team on the stock market was a desperate move to generate funding. They’re using a pay driver who isn’t particularly rated by many and a driver who is certainly close to the end of his career.
The age of the privateer is over. Tyrrell, Lotus (under Colin Chapman), Arrows and Jordan are prime examples. Peter Sauber has made it quite clear he would like to leave F1 soon and is trying to secure the future of the team. It’s a shame, but it’s how the sport is evolving.
Today, even with the Resource Restriction Agreement, it’s all about the money – or lack of in some cases.
James
From the forum
Check out the F1 fan who has bought a 2007 Honda RA107 and is restoring it.
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Jack Sargeant, Martin Stanley, three4three and skodarap!
On this day in F1
Tiff Needell made his only F1 start on this day in 1980.
You can read more about his brief F1 career in his new book, reviewed here last week:
The footage below is from Needell’s failed attempt to qualify for the next round of the championship at Monaco:
Hamish
4th May 2011, 0:07
Cut your losses with Bahrain this year. Only negative can come from it.
RIISE (@riise)
4th May 2011, 0:13
I quite like TIff’s helmet.
Hamilton highest paid huh? What about David Beckham? Besides $18 Million isn’t that much compared ($18 Million not a lot..=P) to other years. I remember David Beckham earning $42 million in which Lewis earned $32 Million also.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
4th May 2011, 1:37
This (lower) figure is probably just their basic salary. Excluding private sponsoring and such.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
4th May 2011, 8:58
I quite like Tiff’s helmet as well, maybe it was an inspiration for that other topgear man in a white helmet ;) ?
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
4th May 2011, 0:31
According to the guy quoted in that Gulf News article, life in Bahrain has returned to normal, and tourists are steadily returning. Maybe I’m just a big cynic but I can’t help but feel a teensy bit sceptical about that.
I wish the regime would realise we’re not all idiots who are going to fall for every bit of crap they come out with. They could at least try and give their propaganda a modicum of plausiblity.
James
4th May 2011, 0:34
I thought the same. Remember the Iraqi Information Minister at the start of the Iraq invasion, 2003? Has that sort of feel to it…
Cacarella (@cacarella)
4th May 2011, 2:13
remember this???
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/cacarella/MA.jpg
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 7:25
Yep, shows exactly why it mostly backfires to claim something complicated and violent is over fast!
I find it just as improbable to think that violence is now gone and “things are getting back to normal” in Bahrain until November as it was to claim Iraq would be a democratic and piecefull place after that Bush speech.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
4th May 2011, 1:41
Apparently it’s mostly the Saudi’s going back.
Their press is probably not as overly negative about the situation as the UK press seems to be.
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 7:22
Well, they will feel at home, greeting all their own troops there!
topdowntoedown (@topdowntoedown)
4th May 2011, 10:41
For various reasons I find increasing Saudi influence in Bahrain more worrying than anything else…
James
4th May 2011, 11:28
Disagree. The Bahrain Press will want the world to believe that it’s getting back to normal there, because it’s destroying the country’s tourism industry and economy.
I think Government has an influence in the media in Bahrain, so they’ll love to tell the world that everything is fine, when they’re in fact looking through rose tinted spectacles.
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 12:17
I would say the Bahrain government does not have “an influence” in local media. After more or less taking over control of the only independant news paper they are fully in control now.
But actually what Patrickl writes shows it is not about being normal at all. The Saudi’s would be the first to support the government after first sending their troups to help, wouldn’t they?
Fixy (@)
4th May 2011, 14:42
If that was true they wouldn’t have needed an extra month.
Calum
4th May 2011, 0:36
The manufacturers have left, BMW, Honda, Toyota and Renault, and COTD suggests privateer teams are finished: will we actually have an F1 in place for future seasons if Williams, Sauber and Mallya pack it in, and Mercedes decide to leave following the footsteps of the last generation of manufacturers!
James
4th May 2011, 0:44
Manufacturers want to scale back and become profitable. That’s why the likes of Porsche and Honda have had half an eye on the 2013 regulations, to see if they can a) Profit from them and b) Make them releveant to their road cars.
I dont think we’ll see manufacturers as we have before, but we’ll see wealthy business people with their airlines, oil companies and fizzy drinks brands dictating, throwing the sort of money that manfacturers once did.
That’s not to say that privateers wont make a come back, I reckon that Mclaren might give it a shot in the future if they can get the road business rolling.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
4th May 2011, 9:01
I wouldn’t miss companies like Toyota, Renault or even BMW if companies like Honda and Porsche would return.
NDINYO
4th May 2011, 11:40
McLaren is now a manufacturer, no?
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
4th May 2011, 17:35
They’re getting there. The MP4-12c is a step in the right direction considering 2013 engine regulations are just around the corner.
George (@george)
4th May 2011, 17:49
When we mean manufacturer we generally mean mass manufacturer. McLaren make what, 1000 cars a year?
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
4th May 2011, 20:35
I was looking from a more providing their own engine point of view. Besides, Ferrari’s hardly sell like Renault’s.
wasiF1
4th May 2011, 1:25
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Jack Sargeant.He is the one & only person so far in my life who gave me the opportunity to write on blog.Thanks.
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 7:12
Happy birthday to you Jack! keep up the nice work.
And off course a happy birthday to Martin Stanley, three4three and skodarap as well.
Oliver
4th May 2011, 1:34
Interestingly, Kimi even earns more to keep his feet up.
RSWF1
4th May 2011, 3:10
Leftovers from his early terminated contract with Ferrari, $24million for the 2010 season…in essence Ferrari have paid $55 million for Alonso … nice budget cuts, considering thats probably more then HRT’s entire budget. Ferrari have paid $9,430 per Grand Prix km for Alonso, in 2010. Wouldn’t like to have been in that budget meeting.
RSWF1
4th May 2011, 3:26
Which equates to Alonso earning approx $838.23 per second whist at top speed.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
4th May 2011, 9:04
As good as Alonso is, that is overpriced.
By a lot.
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 7:14
I bet Montaya’s earnings only put him in between the top earners of officially declared income in Columbia!
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
4th May 2011, 9:04
Lol, you can say that again!
Martin
4th May 2011, 12:29
mind that there are talking about sportsmen only
RIISE (@riise)
4th May 2011, 15:09
Haha indeed, there are plenty of Columbians earning more than that in a year.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
4th May 2011, 4:01
We have our own racetracks, thank you very much!!! Just because it’s called “Circuit of the Americas” doesn’t mean it’s “more than a US grand prix”.
I hate that circuit already.
It doesn’t, it just feels horrid.
Maciek
4th May 2011, 8:18
My first reaction to the name when it was announced was that they were aiming at the Latin American market, and I think it’s a very smart move. Unfortunately, Americans are by now in the no-win situation where anything they say can be interpreted as arrogance. I think their name and approach is just a sign that the organizers know that they need more than just a United States audience to succeed.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
4th May 2011, 9:07
I think it is smart and I also think it is a fine name.
You may have your won tracks, but surely you can’t be saying that you don’t welcome a state of the art facility, purpose built for F1. It’s a good move for F1 and a good move for ALL of the Americas.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
4th May 2011, 9:42
Agree totally.
Mike
4th May 2011, 10:04
It is good, but I think “state of the art facilities” can be overrated. It would take a damn fine track to challenge Montreal.
topdowntoedown (@topdowntoedown)
4th May 2011, 10:42
And all the Latin Americans who will no doubt be employed at the circuit.
George (@george)
4th May 2011, 17:52
I agree with this pretty much, as long as the track is actually good, otherwise it would be blowing it’s own trumpet a little :)
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 7:18
A very telling sentiment from that article about Williams:
Also interesting to hear Head being not amused to learn Parr spoke about him retiring this year, as he had wanted to keep that out of the news for now. Possibly Parr had to say this to avoid claims of keeping informatino from the share holders?
Looks like Williams management is not really operating all that well currently.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
4th May 2011, 7:49
To be honest I’m a bit confused by the whole thng. First there was talk of immediate and drastic measures. In reality they’ve changed nothing in the short term, except that their technical people who are trying to improve the car ar all people that will be leaving the team at year’s end, Head included. I’m not sure how demotivating the technical staff is intended to be an improvement. Who knows though, maybe it’ll be magical and they’ll be right up at the front of the grid next year. Doubt it though.
Journeyer
4th May 2011, 16:44
When else can they make the change? Now is the best time so that it’ll already be the new team designing the 2012 car – that starts around June, when Coughlan comes in. Sam and Jon will need to continue doing well until they’ve found new jobs, because they need to somehow impress rival bosses.
Maciek
4th May 2011, 8:53
I thought your response was appropriate. It’s not as if you’re running a customer-based service and need to pander to idiots. The accusation of bias was just pulled out of thin air and then stated in the kind of confrontational manner that makes internet exchanges so much less pleasant than they could be. Taking out someone for their spelling in a normal exchange is inconsiderate. Taking out someone for their inability or unwillingness write properly when they’re being arrogant and insulting is only the tip of the iceberg of what could be said.
Rob
4th May 2011, 9:57
Totally agree – too many people think that someone is being ‘biased’ when they really mean that someone is ‘saying something I don’t agree with’
topdowntoedown (@topdowntoedown)
4th May 2011, 10:43
I freely admit I’m biased towards my opinion.
Otherwise I’d just be making noise.
Rob
4th May 2011, 11:30
That isn’t the same thing as accusing someone of displaying bias just because they say something you don’t like.
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
4th May 2011, 12:11
Clearly, that was a really ridiculous accusation that guy made, and I can see why Keith was so annoyed, but I think Oliver has a point.
The ‘can’t spell’ bit was unnecessary- for all we know he could be 7 years old, or dyslexic, or Japanese, or what have you. Also, loads of us are hiding behind a fake name. I myself am both hiding behind a fake name and unable to spell!
The rest of it I think was fair enough. But, I say in future let it go over your head and leave such petty squabbles to us readers!
Mark Hitchcock (@mark-hitchcock)
4th May 2011, 14:19
What??
Rob
4th May 2011, 16:37
Letting you into a secret here, but that isn’t actually Ned Flanders off The Simpsons…
Journeyer
4th May 2011, 16:44
Okily dokily! :D
George (@george)
4th May 2011, 17:58
This is pretty much how I felt too, two wrongs dont make a right as they say. Keith is human though, and I think anyone would get ****** after they got poked with the bias stick as much as him.
Petebaldwin
4th May 2011, 8:56
“We wanted a very international flavour to the brand and wanted it to feel like it’s an open invitation to Mexico, to Central and South America, and even Canada. The idea is to make it feel like it’s really everyone’s.”
haha. What!? “Everyone’s welcome. We’ll even let Canadians in! Just for the F1 though…..”
Icthyes (@icthyes)
4th May 2011, 9:45
My favourite part of Stepehen Fry In America is when he was at the 49th parallel and commented that there were no hordes of Canadians trying to get in ;)
xtophe (@xtophe)
4th May 2011, 12:01
A memorable moment indeed ^^
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 12:13
What with the recent election results, who can blame them for being a bit reserved about Canadians :-D
Cacarella
4th May 2011, 13:34
NDP!! NDP!!
Icthyes (@icthyes)
4th May 2011, 15:41
If anything, now the evangelist gun nuts have won they should be closer!
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 18:25
Yeah, but that is hardly the crowd that a modern day, glitzy and classy Austin GP will want to attract, is it?
Then again, maybe they can get all Canadians who do not like that in for a stay ;-)
sato113 (@sato113)
4th May 2011, 8:59
Hamilton and Alonso are the best, paid sportsmen
lol
WarfieldF1
4th May 2011, 11:10
what initially looked like Williams grabbing the bul by the horns and making much overdue changes; has quickly started to look like a team in meltdown ;-(
James
4th May 2011, 11:29
Just read that ESPN article. Kimi is one smart man! Still on $25,000,000 even after his Ferrari contract has finished. I would give anything to trade wealth and jobs with him about now!
Journeyer
4th May 2011, 16:46
Only for last year – Ferrari needed to pay him to leave so Alonso could take his seat.
choiMatthew (@choimatthew)
4th May 2011, 13:57
does Mclaren count as a privateer team?
OmarR-Pepper (@)
4th May 2011, 14:43
About the “bias” issue, Keith should strip out all the points of this “Senor Smoke” from the F1 Predictions Championship, and ban his blog comments for two years, till MrSmoke feels he can return, probably commenting on another blog, and then WE all trueF1 fanatics would start pointing our fingers at him. Then this guy would (for sure) say we are all biased.
PS: Sorry if I mispelled a word (:P)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
4th May 2011, 14:47
Sounds like Max Mosley’s kind of justice!
OmarR-Pepper (@)
4th May 2011, 14:51
LOL… Yeah you’re on the right to defend your job. As a teacher I have lots of cases where students blame you when they fail (for being absent, lack of attention, etc, etc) and I’m sure as a journalist you do hard work to keep this page alive.
BasCB (@bascb)
4th May 2011, 18:26
Respect for keeping the wild hordes at bay!
bosyber
4th May 2011, 22:23
My wife does the same for a living, not an easy job. Keep it up!
f1fanboy
4th May 2011, 16:03
That wages information is over 2 weeks old…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
4th May 2011, 16:11
Hadn’t seen it anywhere else before – have you got a link?
Scudderite (@scudderite)
4th May 2011, 22:31
This is where I saw it first – on 20/4/11 – http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6391145
GeorgeTuk (@georgetuk)
4th May 2011, 17:54
First time I have seen it and I am on alot of feeds but usually Fanatic is pretty close behind.
It usually includes a rubbish filter which means I do need to look at the drivel about everyone saying “Yes I love Turkey best country ever and best fans” like most PR canned comments are.
Sorry I went off on a tangent there, point stands F1Fanatic is best source.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
4th May 2011, 17:31
It’s going to take some serious money to top Raikkonens Ferrari pay cheque. He’s doing well out of WRC!
GeorgeTuk (@georgetuk)
4th May 2011, 17:55
Ha, I thought that as well, made me wonder at first but then I remembered.
I hope it was worth it…
GeorgeTuk (@georgetuk)
4th May 2011, 17:52
Nice to see that F1 drivers are the best paid in their countries, they are (mostly) professional and respectable. I am guessing but the footballers won’t be far behind, if anyone has watched recent Champions League and English fixtures the behaviour was appalling, different sport yes but all the fighting and swearing and deliberate cheating left me seriously doubting whether I will bother watching anymore.
I already gave up watching England internationals after the last World Cup, they were so bad I laughed!
Daniel
4th May 2011, 19:43
Surprisingly Raikkonen ($ 26m) is still best paid than any Formula 1 driver, even without Ferrari’s ‘pension’ that he received last year
Abe
4th May 2011, 20:37
You were well within your rights to defend yourself in whatever way you felt was right. While i feel the “can’t spell” part was irrelevant(though an edit button would have helped ;) ), maybe it was your way of showing your immediate frustration. I feel this is one of the best F1 sites wat with the relevant, unbiased and factual content that i find here.
And good luck to the guy restoring the F1 car though.
Byron R
4th May 2011, 21:40
Quoting Tony Fernandez in the video, he had just seen pictures (of the catherham) , but he bought the whole shebang . I guess buying the name truly was the whole reason.
bennie
5th May 2011, 12:10
Hamilton isn’t the highest paid British sportsman. He’s a resident of Monaco and I doubt he’s the top paid Monaco Sportsman.