It’s the first day of practice for the British Grand Prix today.
Also later today I’ll be sharing my first look at the Codemasters’ forthcoming F1 2011.
Here’s the round-up:
Links
Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:
Silverstone plans major upgrade
“With the second phase of Silverstone’s redevelopment – focused around the new £28 million ‘wing’ pits and paddock complex – now complete, attention is shifting to a wider update that will include hotels, a new kart track, music arenas, car showrooms and experience centres.”
The secrets behind Red Bull’s winning machine (The Guardian)
“It is here that the car in which [Mark] Webber crashed so spectacularly in Valencia last year was pieced together again, Humpty-Dumpty-style, before it was raced once more. ‘Cost efficiency, always,’ [Christian] Horner says.”
Sauber F1 Team, 2011 British GP, drivers’ preview (YouTube)
British GP – Conference 1 (FIA)
Daniel Ricciardo on beating the 107% time in Q1: “I haven’t thought about that at all. I hope I’m more than capable of qualifying in that percentage. I don’t fear it will be a problem. It’s my first time in the car and I do expect it will be different to what I’ve driven before. I don’t expect it to be the Red Bull that I drove in Abu Dhabi for the junior tests. Vitantonio [Liuzzi’s] done a good job this year and he’s qualified all the time so if he’s able to qualify then I hope I can too. It hasn’t even crossed my mind.”
Bill Boddy MBE 1913-2011 (MotorSport)
“Motor Sport is deeply saddened to announce the death at the age 98 of Bill Boddy, the mainstay of the magazine throughout most of its existence. Universally known as WB, Boddy was officially the Editor of Motor Sport for an astonishing 55 years, from 1936 to 1991, during which time he made the title an opinionated and highly influential voice in the worlds of racing and motoring.”
“Sad to learn of the death of MotorSport magazine’s Bill Boddy, a terrific motor racing writer with a vast knowledge of the sport’s history.”
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Comment of the day
SupaSix-1 wants to see more post-race celebrations from drivers:
The last time I saw any driver doing doughnuts after the race was Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone in 2009 after the chequered flag – He wanted to basically excite and say thanks to his British fans (at the Luffield corner) which was fantastic and it shows how much Lewis adores his loyal fans.
SupaSix-1
From the forum
A discussion on nationality and driver support here: Are there any Italian or Spanish Hamilton fans?
From the archive
A look back at Keke Rosberg’s record-breaking lap of Silverstone in 1985:
Happy birthday!
No F1 Fanatic birthdays today. If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is by emailling me, using Twitter or adding to the list here.
On this day in F1
The organisers of the 2012 Austin Grand Prix will be hoping their race goes better than the only previous Grand Prix held in Texas did.
Keke Rosberg won the race on this day in 1984, but the circuit was torn to pieces in fierce heat and many drivers crashed.
Here’s some appropriately cheesy eighties coverage:
Read more about the race here:
Calum
8th July 2011, 0:05
Back the Brits!
That’s what I say in regard to who I support in F1!
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
8th July 2011, 3:45
I’d have read this before posting that! :P
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
8th July 2011, 0:09
off topic, but:
i feel some degree of vindication for mad max
Cacarella
8th July 2011, 2:04
off topic even more but:
Has anyone clicked on the ‘Asian Beauties’
banner ads? I’m too scared to try.
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
8th July 2011, 3:06
the calm before the storm, or the eye of the hurricane? pick one, dammit!
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
8th July 2011, 3:11
whoops, misfired my reply :P
MVEilenstein (@mveilenstein)
8th July 2011, 5:02
No. Tipped Keith to the ads; said he’s looking into it.
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
8th July 2011, 8:29
Yeah I’ve been getting those too! At first I thought “what on Earth have I been looking at on the internet to return those suggestions?!” – but I’m glad to see it’s not just me! :P
James (@jamesf1)
8th July 2011, 0:11
Not to blow my own trumpet, but it is my birthday today ;)
On a less self-indulgent note, very happy to see that Silverstone are building for the future, or at least planning too. The plans look very exciting. THe idea of the music venue is brilliant (F1 Rocks at Silverstone in the future? that would be epic), karting facilities and hotels. Ok, I probably wont be able to afford a hotel room, but it’s an excellent proposition anyhow.
I would say this race is safe for some time now. Long live the British GP.
JustAnF1Fanatic (@justanf1fanatic)
8th July 2011, 1:18
Happy Birthday dude
I agree, i would love to go to silverstone and spend all day watching F1 and all night listening to Rock bands!
US_Peter (@us_peter)
8th July 2011, 6:45
Happy birthday!
BasCB (@bascb)
8th July 2011, 6:56
Ha, happy birthday James!
Yep, looking very solid for Silverstone.
Gridlock
8th July 2011, 0:13
Oooh new F1 game time already?
I use real life pole laps from YouTube to get the hang of tracks on the game, and then play the game to get a feel for the upcoming real life GPs (which corner’s which, etc) :D
TommyC
8th July 2011, 3:17
and after the weekend you jump in the Red Bull and see if you can match/beat Vettel’s pole time…
Well, at least I do.
Calum
8th July 2011, 0:17
How about getting some better grandstands Silverstone! I would be put right off buying an expensive covered grandstand because of all the roof pillars, which obstruct views for photographs and just viewinf the racing.
I’d like to see steep grassy banks installed around some parts of the perimeter of the track so you can sit high up and look down on the track, like you see on the grassy banks at Spa – great for the atmosphere!
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
8th July 2011, 0:30
that video was sublime. from economaki’s outfit to “thanks, david hobbs. now, here’s david hobbs” to the track map in the dead center of the pole lap footage to nigel mansell in his underwear. this one has it all!
Cacarella
8th July 2011, 1:57
I loved Chris Ekonomaki’s outfit!
The brown socks with shorts!?!
My new favorite quote in history is now…
Brian the Snail
8th July 2011, 17:26
So I just watched the whole race. What about Mansell passing out as he fails in his attempt to push his car over the line to for 5th place. What a guy!!
David-A (@david-a)
8th July 2011, 1:36
I agree with the COTD, it’s nice to see doughnuts like in other series, but sadly, with this emphasis on picking up rubber to meet the minimum weight and not stressing the engines, we rarely see it.
Here’s Button celebrating his championship in style :)
Fixy (@)
8th July 2011, 10:38
Did they penalize Button? If not what’s the problem in doing burnouts?
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
9th July 2011, 8:23
It looks a bit silly in my opinion. Never excited me. Button only the other day was saying how he feels he might pull a few donuts if he wins.
Sam
8th July 2011, 2:24
Looking forward to the F1 2011 preview Keith. Im seriously debating whether to purchase a racing wheel for the game, so your input will be valuable
ajokay (@)
8th July 2011, 2:55
Wow, those plans for Silverstone’s next step look absolutely epic. I cannot wait to enjoy all those facilities when I’m rich and in my 30’s.
Malibu_GP
8th July 2011, 3:49
@Sam it has been My experience that all the top driving games are more fun with a quality wheel. I’m gonna grab F1 2011 when it becomes available. It’s pretty cool that Keith gets to beta test it. The only beta testing My Partners and I have ever done is on PhotoShop ( since version 1) and other related design and animation software. Can’t wait till Sunday, hopefully We will see mixed weather conditions. I’ve been spending a great deal of time in Seattle (rain) and am in need of a bit of Sun. If anyone can de-throne SV for a weekend, it will be a welcome change.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
8th July 2011, 6:49
That’s about all we’ve got here, that said it’s been pretty nce this week, and the first 4th of July I can remember that was sunny in my entire life.
Sam
8th July 2011, 10:36
Yea we just had some weird flash rain in New York while the sun was out. Seems rain is in vogue at the moment!
Paulipedia
8th July 2011, 7:35
Picking up my tickets tonight courtesy of Air Asia. Fist British GP in 5 yrs, woo hoo
Keith (in NY)
8th July 2011, 18:08
One thing that struck me, looking at the new proposed Silverstone, was that the muddy field we used to park in is now an “Experiental Centre”. Whatever that is. I have a late 1950’s program coated in mud from there – definitely an “experience”. I wonder how far away parking is now?
Chaz (@chaz)
8th July 2011, 19:16
Hey Keith. Check this out. I thought you may want to put this cool story on tomorrows round-up…
http://cleantechnica.com/2011/07/08/kers-equipped-pedal-car-brings-f1-to-the-bike-lane/
Anarchi Tekt
9th July 2011, 4:33
That new pit complex building, the “Silverstone Wing” is hideously fugly, void of architectural merit, and seriously embarrasing, compared to other circuits’ cutting-edge architecture.
Silverstone: still home of the scaffold pole! 1948-2011.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
9th July 2011, 8:23
A hotel would be fantastic but i’m guessing well out of my price range! Woodlands campsite is brilliant value for money however, so a nice alternative.