British F1 ace Lewis Hamilton begins the defence of his crown
Lewis Hamilton: “People say, ‘Do you want to do what Michael Schumacher’s done?’ He’s achieved an incredible amount, but I am not here to break Michael’s or Ayrton’s records. I’ve always said since I was a kid that I would love to be an F1 driver, then be a world champion and then to do what Ayrton did, which is to win three world championships. I look at Alain Prost and Sir Jackie Stewart and I would just love to be thought of in the same way. They are multiple world champions and one day I would like to have my name in that group."
Competition on Heikki Kovalainen's site
Nick Heidfeld: "Last summer, we tested the tyres with full downforce at Jerez and we really struggled to cope with the rapid wear on the back wheels. With the new car, these problems have been less severe than we expected. However, the temperatures this winter have been lower, and also, the old model wore the tyres down much faster because it had more downforce."
Max Mosley comes out all guns blazing after tumultuous year
Max Mosley on standing for FIA president again: “The truth is if you had a vote among the F1 teams I wouldn’t be at all confident. But F1 teams have never had a vote. Among the national sporting authorities there seems to be a very strong push for me to stay. I was reinforced again earlier this week. In one way it is interesting at the moment, but in another way if you don’t stop soon, at the age I am, you can suddenly find yourself in your seventies with not a lot of active life left. I will decide in the summer.”
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mkh1
21st March 2009, 23:41
Max promised us this was his last term in office. He should stick to it not stand before he does anymore damage to the sport.
Also how can the national bodies support Max? Are they run by silly muppet men just like F1?
Clive
22nd March 2009, 0:52
Yes.
Alianora La Canta
22nd March 2009, 22:29
Max promised last term would be his last term in office as well…
The national bodies support Max because their main concern is the events in their borders. Most of them don’t have a Grand Prix at this time, so a different event is “blue riband” for them. Many of the “blue riband” events are ones that you and I have probably never heard of, but their national sporting authorities think they’re critical because they make them look good and help their country’s sporting capabilities through competition.
If Max nurtures enough of these seemingly minor events, then he has all the backing he needs. Political principles such as allying with strength rather than weakness accounts for the rest.
It could well be that the majority of the World Council are brilliant at their jobs. However, that very skill and the nature of those jobs leaves them open to manipulation by one ambitious psuedopolitician (and Max is not the first).
DGR-F1
23rd March 2009, 9:00
Alianora – do we have proof that Max cares about any other motorsport apart from F1? He must be a pretty smooth talker to convice the national bodies he is supporting them since he has only ever been to one WRC rally, and as far as I can tell he has never visited WTCC or DTM events, not even A1GP or the dreaded Superleague Formula.
If he really has shown more than verbal support, then I will believe he deserves another term at the FIA, but until there is proof I shall continue to doubt his sincerity.
Oh, and maybe next year he will ask for a permenant Presidency of the FIA? Don’t say I didn’t warn you….
Owen
22nd March 2009, 3:12
Interesting article about Lewis. In anticipation of next week I’ve just watched last season’s dvd and one thing that comes across about Lewis in interviews is his defensive body language and how he seems to try and convince people he deserves to be there because he is quick rather than this silly ‘silver spoon’ title he gets.
This article may be the first signs of him growing up a little and being a bit more comfortable in his surroundings (although it was in the mirror so it could all be BS). What gets so annoying about the petty criticisms he gets over every word he’s quoted as saying is that he gets no slack even though he’s just a rookie that’s been thrust into the international spotlight.
Maybe this will lead to a more relaxed attitude on track, especially at the first corners!
rob
22nd March 2009, 9:23
Perhaps its because he now knows that he is fighting for 10th and no longer 1st :P
Lets see how legendary he is in a slower car.
pSynrg
22nd March 2009, 11:37
Rob, out of interest would you draw a comparison to an another legendary driver in a slow(er) car?
Paul Sainsbury
22nd March 2009, 11:48
If previous experience is anything to go by, he should be astonishing in an inferior car. But we can’t expect miracles. Even MS couldn’t compensate for uncompetitive tyres in 2005, and as a result he was mostly nowhere.
Loki
22nd March 2009, 13:56
But he was still 3rd in the overall championship (despite Fernando having over twice as many points). Given the circumstances, I’d say that’s damned good!
And Fernando himself gave us something to watch in the last few races of last year – the car had been improved and it wasn’t an amazing car, but it showed us how much the Alonso factor was worth. I believe McLaren will have caught up easily by the same time, if not before (and I mean Australia), Renault did last season.
Paul Sainsbury
22nd March 2009, 16:14
Well, one way or the other, it looks like a very exciting start to the season. If Lewis is somewhere midfield or near the back, expect some serious entertainment!
Chaz
22nd March 2009, 17:29
Good luck Lewis. I hope you achieve your goal.
I suspect Max will remain on a little longer…
PJA
23rd March 2009, 11:03
After Max won the no confidence vote last it shows that for whatever reasons he has enough support in the FIA to do whatever he wants. Personally I never believed him when he said he wouldn’t stand for election again and if/when he finally does step down I wouldn’t be surprised if he used his influence to make sure his preferred candidate was his successor.