The classic names of F1 are all returning to the sport: Senna, Mansell, Prost, Piquet, Lauda and more could all be a feature on the grid one day. A quick search threw up 20 such drivers in the lower echelons of motor sport that could break into F1. Can you think of any others? Two … Continue reading F1’s famous names return
Damon Hill articles archive
Hamilton’s debut trumps Villeneuve’s
Posted onJacques Villeneuve made an outspoken attack on Lewis Hamilton two weeks ago. His words were widely criticised by many drivers, and were probably no more than Villeneuve looking for a bit of attention ahead of his Le Mans 24 Hours debut. But perhaps they also concealed a hint of envy at Hamilton’s stellar debut, which … Continue reading Hamilton’s debut trumps Villeneuve’s
F1 at Goodwood 2007
Posted onIt’s almost time for the Goodwood Festival of Speed and as ever there will be a host of F1 cars and drivers present. All four of Britain’s current F1 racers will be present plus a host of Formula 1 cars. Here’s a taster of what you can see this year:
Michael Schumacher and Zinedine Zidane
Posted onMichael Schumacher will give the retired French international footballer Zinedine Zidane a passenger ride at the French Grand Prix. You can’t miss the irony. Both retired last year despite stoking great controversy in their swansong seasons. Schumacher was thrown to the back of the grid at Monte-Carlo for deliberately blocking the circuit. Zidane was sent … Continue reading Michael Schumacher and Zinedine Zidane
F1 in the news 35: Damon on his dad
Posted onAmong this week’s press was a brilliant interview with Damon Hill in which he talks candidly about the loss of his father Graham and how he came to terms with it. Plus construction work at Spa is delayed by rain, the farming techniques of an ex-world champion, and a new F1 magazine.
Debate: Should Ecclestone buy Silverstone?
Posted onNigel Mansell made a return to racing action at Silverstone last weekend at the wheel of a Ferrari F430 in the FIA GT championship. He and Silverstone were synonymous in the Mansell-mania years of 1987-92. In that time he scored some of the most memorable home victories the circuit ever saw, and the crowd mobbed … Continue reading Debate: Should Ecclestone buy Silverstone?
F1 in the news 32: Honda hunt Brawn
Posted onDesperate to get out of their rut, Honda might make a big-money move to bag Ferrari’s Ross Brawn when he returns from sabbatical. Also in the news this week, Jackie Stewart tells Lewis Hamilton to leave Britain, Bernie Ecclestone threatens to leave Sepang, and everyone a Honda goes to a night club.
Murray Walker – the full interview
Posted onLast month I had the opportunity to interview Murray Walker for Auto Trader. I met the legendary commentator at his home in Hampshire and conducted an interview which ran on the Auto Trader website. Here now is the full, unedited transcript of that interview with Murray’s answers quoted in their entirety.
F1 in the news 27
Posted onIn the F1 headlines this week, an Aston Martin F1 team, the future of the British Grand Prix and F1 drivers going stock car racing. Plus, Bernie Ecclestone picks this year’s championship winner…
F1 2007 Preview: Three lions & a Scot
Posted onProud Scotsman David Coulthard is the elder statesman of Britain’s four Formula One drivers this year. This is the most British drivers at the start of a season since 2000, when Coulthard and Jenson Button (the a rookie) were partnered by Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine. It’s an exciting prospect for British fans – but … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: Three lions & a Scot
F1 2007 Preview: The defecting champion
Posted onFormula 1 in 2007 is all about change – and the change that I find most fascinating of all is Fernando Alonso’s defection to McLaren. It’s a very rare thing indeed to see a reigning champion switch teams. In the last three decades Alonso is only the fifth champion to make such a change. The … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: The defecting champion
The Ben Evans Column: Forgotten stars of F3
Posted onPerhaps it’s because my 2006 season finished really early (my last race was in October) or perhaps it’s because I’m incurably sad. But I have spent the winter yearning for any racing-related activity. Thus far I’ve staved off the brutal pangs of withdrawal by reading motor sport books, going to Autosport International and visiting abandoned … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Forgotten stars of F3
F1 in the news 21
Posted onA sackful of stories in the F1 news this month. Including interviews with Bernie Ecclestone, Damon Hill, Juan Pablo Montoya and Lewis Hamilton plus possible future Grands Prix in Abu Dhabi and Greece, Prodrive getting ready to make their F1 debut in 2008 and loads more.
GPWC goes the way of Premier 1 GP
Posted onIn 2006 the grinding tedium of the merciless political row between the FIA and the Grand Prix Manufacturers’ Association (GPMA) finally ended in a ceasefire. And not a moment too soon – the last thing we needed was another Indy ’05 or, much worse, the GPMA’s stated threat of a ‘Grand Prix World Championship’ breakaway … Continue reading GPWC goes the way of Premier 1 GP
Gallery: Autosport International 2007
Posted onFirst order of business in the new year for an F1 fan is the hike to the Birmingham NEC for the Autosport show. As ever F1 Racing have a splendid F1 display on – this year it’s a re-creation of the Monza start line with eleven cars representing each time. OK, most of the cars … Continue reading Gallery: Autosport International 2007
Gallery: Donington Grand Prix Collection
Posted onThere are 68 days days of grinding, fingernail-chewing tedium until the new Grand Prix season starts. Happily, F1Fanatic can recommend two ways to enliven the tedium. One is to head off to Autosport International at the Birmingham NEC this weekend (see below for ticket information). But also make sure you don’t let the off-season pass … Continue reading Gallery: Donington Grand Prix Collection
The Ben Evans Column: Christmas Cheer
Posted onMany of you will have read our recent guide to festive presents for the Formula One fan. Sadly your typical catalogue of F1 presents consists of either rushed biographies of drivers who have retired, or season reviews the remind how many hours in front of the TV over the past year could have been condensed … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Christmas Cheer
“Grand Prix Year” (Damon Hill with Maurice Hamilton, 1994)
Posted onThe controversial 1994 season provoked at least two noteworthy ‘insider’ books: Damon Hill’s Grand Prix Year and Steve Matchett’s Life in the Fast Lane. Together they tell the stories of the two championship-contending teams that year: Williams (Hill) and Benetton (Matchett). And they make for an intriguing comparison with each other.
Damon Hill interview
Posted onDamon Hill speaks about Formula One technology, test driving the Williams-Renault FW14B, how to improve Formula One cars and much more. He’s not a fan of grooved tyres… This is the full transcript of an interview that was published in Trackside on Auto Trader two weeks ago (see below). Read on for the full interview.
Trackside: Hill and Goodwood
Posted onIn this week’s Trackside a day at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Plus, the interview with Damon Hill, the full transcript of which will be available here later. Related links Autotrader.co.uk – Trackside: Glorious Goodwood (external) Autotrader.co.uk – Trackside Special: Damon Hill Interview (External) Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport … Continue reading Trackside: Hill and Goodwood