F1 Fanatic

In about a months time I will be starting a dynastie on F1 Challenge 99-02. I will begin my career in 1999 and probably retire at the end of 2008.

When I start my season I will post updates, news, race reviews regurly. Also please feel free to share your opinions and advice, every F1 driver needs fans! :)

Arrows confirm Morley for 1999

20th December, 1998

It has officially been confirmed by Arrows that Nic Morley will race alongside Pedro de la Rosa next year. This means that Arrows will enter 1999 with two new rookies, having seen Pedro Diniz and Mika Salo leave the team.

I am exited of having landed a drive for Arrows next year. Next year will be a learning season for me, in which I aim to also show I am a fast but consistent driver”,explained Nic Morley.

With the recent news Arrows have signed a major sponsorship deal with Repsol Oil, in addition to two new rookies; many in the paddock are pondering of what the Milton Keynes based team can achieve next year.

The unveiling of the Arrows A20 is expected on the the 12th of February, with both de la Rosa and Morley attending.

Coulthard destroys everyone after taking Australia pole

6th March, 1999

Mclaren driver David Coulthard has kicked off his season campaign in blistering form after beating Michael Schumacher to pole by a quarter of a second. Reigning world champion Mika Hakkinen could only manage third, while and impressive performance from Rubens Barrichello ensured the Stewart driver to fourth. Ralf Schumacher was fifth, ahead of Jacques Villenuve in 6th.

Nic Morley had a woeful qualifying session, in which he qualified in last place on the grid; three seconds behind 23rd placed Luca Badoer. In the meantime Morley also had a run in with Eddie Irvine, where the Arrows driver accidentally pulled to the side, in 7th placed Irvine’s path.

“What a complete moron, making an absolute moronic decision. While I was on my fast lap he was ahead, however instead of moving out of my way he veered into my path”., claimed Eddie Irvine.

“Qualifying was very difficult for me today as the car just handled like crap. I don’t see the need to apologize to Irvine, as I saw the replay and I had the right of way”, explained Nic Morley.

David Coulthard will be looking to beat Schumacher off the line and win the Australian Grand Prix, but can he?

Schumacher takes win after destroying Coulthards race

7th March, 1999

Michael Schumacher has won the Australian Grand Prix after a scintillating fight with Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard. Pole sitter Coulthard managed a good start, however was knocked into a spin by an over-ambitious Schumacher. Michael Schumacher took the lead from there and won the race just over a second from Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard.

Rookie driver Nic Morley had an undoubtedly atrocious debut. After making a decent start and taking advantage of the first corner incident, Morley had made his way into 11th spot. However pressure from Oliver Panis out the Australian driver into the gravel; falling down to 13th. A few laps later, Morley was holding off a viscous attack from Jarno Trulli and Pedro Diniz. After falling to pressure, Morley clipped two wheels onto the gravel and spun in front of many drivers. This ended the Arrow drivers race and many others.

Despite never seeing Morley in the race, Eddie Irvine has found a need to comment on the incident.

“It was pretty awful watching the replays and seeing so many drivers races being put in jeopardy by a driver, who quite frankly has no place in Formula One”, explained Irvine.

“I had no where to go. I think it was one of the Prost’s who distracted me by weaving behind me. Drivers should not be able to do that, and it needs to stop, it can cause accidents”, explained Morley.

Race Results

01 M.Schumacher Ferrari
02 M.Hakkinen Mclaren
03 D.Coulthard Mclaren
04 R.Barrichello Stewart
05 R.Schumacher Williams
06 H.Frentzen Jorden
06 J.Villenueve BAR
07 E.Irvine Ferrari
08 D.Hill Jorden
09 J.Herbet Stewart
10 O.Panis Prost
11 G.Fisichella Benneton
12 J.Trulli Prost
13 J.Alesi Sauber
14 A.Zanardi Williams
15 R.Zonta BAR
DNF P.Diniz Sauber Gearbox
DNF A.Wurz Benneton Suspension
DNF M.Gene Minardi Engine
DNF P.de la Rosa Arrows Accident
DNF L.Badoer Minardi Engine
DNF N.Morley Arrows Accident

Drivers Championship

01 M.Schumacher 10
02 M.Hakkinen 6
03 D.Coulthard 4
04 R.Barrichello 3
05 R.Schumacher 2
06 H.Frentzen 1

Constructor Standings

01 Ferrari 10
02 Mclaren 10
03 Stewart 3
04 Williams 2
05 Jordan 1

It was an immaculate performance by the two time world champion

Hakkinen beats Coulthard to Brazllian pole

10th April, 1999

Mclaren have dominated qualifying ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Mika Hakkinen took pole, only a tenth of a second ahead of his teammate. Australian Grand Prix winner Michael Schumacher managed 3rd, ahead of Stewart driver Rubens Barrichello. Frentzen qualified 5th, with Damon Hill in 6th.

Nic Morley qualified in 22nd place, however showed improvement as he was only two tenths of a second off Marc Gene. Pedro de la Rosa qualified 19th, once again ahead of his teammate. The qualifying session was not without controversy however; as Heinz Harold Frentzen plowed into the rear of Nic Morley.

“I was on my best lap and then I wen;t off the gravel. The next thing I notice is Frentzen knocking my rear wing off. It was silly from him, he cost me a better qualifying position”, explained Morley.

All eyes will be on the two Mclaren’s and Schumacher; who have made their mark of 1999 title challengers.

@JamieFranklinF1, the number of laps is on 30% (however thinking of moving it up as I am finding the races too short). I was initially using my Driving Force GT, however my pedals have broken :(, so at the moment I am using a PS2 controller :P

Also I have decided to post the race review video before I post the race review news; this way it may create some more suspense not knowing what will happen ;)

I will post Brazil race video soon!

@DaveF1, the game is very good, I’ve had it since 2003 and have only decided it to play it again recently. The AI are great as they really fight you.

Hakkinen leads a Mclaren 1-2 in Brazil

11th April, 1999

Mika Hakkinen has taken charge of the 1999 Driver world championship after winning the Brazilian Grand Prix; for the second year in a row. David Coulthard backed up Mclaren’s performance, by finishing less than a second behind his teammate. Home hero Rubens Barrichello completed the podium, to the delight of the crowd. However it was huge disappointment for the pole sitter Michael Schumacher, as the German had led every lap; only to pull into the pits due to a suspected gearbox failure.

Nic Morley had a better race, starting from 22nd; the Arrows driver made his way up into 14th. This was partly thanks to the first lap collision between Johny Herbert and Damon Hill. The two Benetton’s also had a miserable race, with Fisichella stalling on the grid and Wurz retiring from rear wing failure. More to the point however; Nic Morley drove a great race having taken a more aggressive approach, however this involved a few spins.

“What an incredible disappointment, I was leading and then we had a gearbox failure. Absolutely incredible.. or should I saw absolutely gut wrenching”, explained Michael Schumacher.

“I was happy with my race today and I finished ahead of Pedro, so it is proving that I am the one Arrows should be supporting. I was lucky to escape damage the first corner; a crash that for once I did not start”, explained Nic Morley.

Race Results

01 M.Hakkinen Mclaren
02 D.Coulthard Mclaren
03 R.Barrichello Stewart
04 R.Schumacher Williams
05 H.Frentzen Jordan
06 E.Irvine Ferrari
07 J.Trulli Prost
08 J.Herbert Stewart
09 J.Villeneuve BAR
10 O.Panis Prost
11 A.Zanardi Williams
12 R.Zonta BAR
13 J.Alesi Sauber
14 N.Morley Arrows
15 P.Diniz Sauber
16 P.de la Rosa Arrows
17 M.Gene Minardi
18 L.Badoer Minardi
DNF M.Schumacher Ferrari Gearbox
DNF A.Wurz Benneton Collision
DNF D.Hill Jordan Accident
DNF G.Fisichella Benneton Clutch

Drivers Championship

01 M.Hakkinen 16
02 M.Schumacher 10
03 D.Coulthard 10
04 R.Barrichello 7
05 R.Schumacher 5
06 H.Frentzen 3
07 E.Irvine 1
————–
16 N.Morley

Constructor Standings

01 Mclaren 26
02 Ferrari 11
03 Stewart 7
04 Williams 5
05 Jordan 3
—————-
10 Arrows