Awesome thread!
Q: You must choose a city for a new Formula One street circuit – which city, anywhere in the world, do you choose, and why?
New York. Formula One is still very underexposed in North America even with Austin coming next year, just think it would be awesome racing round the Big Apple, might capture the public’s imagination a bit more.
Q: If you could choose one former world champion as your team mate, who would you choose and why?
I was tempted to go for Sir Jackie too, absolute motor racing legend but I think I would pick Niki Lauda. He was a special driver, maximised every aspect of his talent to the full and his racecraft was in my opinion up there with Prost’s as the best of all time. He would be an excellent driver to learn from.
Q: Formula One innovations of the past – ground effect, active suspension, turbocharging, six wheels, the list goes on. If you could bring back one past innovation, what would it be and why?
Bigger engines and smaller wings! Definitely would decrease the amount of aero grip available if I had my way.
Q: What innovations would you like to see in the future?
KERS has been a good innovation, and they should continue looking at renewable technologies. Ground affects looks a no go, but if I were in charge DRS would be banished forever!
Q: You can only drive at one circuit for the rest of your life – which circuit, past or present from anywhere in the world, do you choose?
Suzuka. Technically demanding, super fast and the amount of history about the place due to title deciders make it a special circuit. Silverstone in its old configuration second.
Q: Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Tyrrell, March are just some of the teams that have departed the sport. Which former team would you most liked to have raced with and why?
Can I say Lotus in their heyday? I know they’re on the grid now but its not the same. Perfect racing philosophy.
Q: You have to design a new F1 circuit, combining all your favourite corners from other tracks around the world. Which three corners are top of your list and why?
1) 130R – Suzuka. It’s still amazing although they can now take it flat.
2) Maggots/Becketts complex – Silverstone. Watching cars go through there in full flight must be unbelievable, incredible direction change.
3) Tamburello – Imola. Must have been absolutely terrifying in the 80′s and 90′s with less grip. Proper corner.
Q: You can travel back in time and compete in any decade of Formula One racing, from the 1950s to the 1990s. Which decade would you choose and why?
1980′s I think. Cars were ridiculously powerful, less aero grip and incredibly deep field of talented drivers. Like to think I could hold my own!
Q: If you could pick two Formula One greats of the past (from different eras) to watch race against each other, who would you pick?
Michael Schumacher vs Ayrton Senna. Senna’s era was ending as Schumacher’s was starting so I’m having this on a technicality. Personally I think Jim Clark is the greatest driver of all time but this would be the greatest matchup. As team manager I would stipulate no team orders and equal machinery for both, wonder how Michael would react against such a fast teammate. And whether Michael would push Senna as much as Prost did.
Q: If you were a team boss, which current driver would you pick first for your team (excluding yourself and your current team mate)?
Lewis Hamilton. Give him a good car on a par with the others in the field and he is the best driver out there in my opinion (over Vettel.) He’s also not frightened of a competitive teammate like Alonso is so the team could compete for the WCC.
Q: Just 19 of the world’s motor racing circuits feature on the current F1 calendar. You can add one more. Which circuit do you pick and why?
I want Imola back. Or old school Hockenheim before they sanitised it into its current pale imitation.
Q: You are having a dinner party and can invite four people from the world of motorsport, past or present. Who do you invite?
Ayrton Senna
Niki Lauda
Jackie Stewart
James Hunt
Q: You are given the chance to drive any legendary Formula One car of the past (excluding those made by your own team). Which car would you choose?
JPS Lotus ’79 from 1978.
Q: Rooftop swimming pool, bowling alley, revolving sushi bar – just some of the features most F1 motorhomes don’t possess. If you could add one thing to your team’s motorhome, what would it be?
Adrian Newey.
Q: Imagine you have just won the world title. Where would you go for your celebratory meal and what would choose from the menu?
No idea, not really the partying type. Probably just hit the local Wetherspoons and take it from there!