Launching McLarens in Singapore

September 23, 2011 by Joe Saward

It is morning in Singapore and most of the F1 circus will be asleep at this time, not waking up for breakfast until about midday. I always live on the local time zone and so I have a few long days but I cannot cope with saying “Good morning” to people and eating bacon sandwiches at 3pm. So this morning I am at the Asian launch of the MP4-12C at the Conrad Hotel in Singapore and we have the rather odd situation of James Allen and I (colleagues for many years and “rival” bloggers) sitting side by side waiting for the event to begin, both blogging away. This is predominantly an affair for the local media but as James and I share an interest in the economics of F1 and the business around it, we are here to listen to what they have to say. The Asian markets are so strong at the moment that this is where the cars are going to sell best and so this is important for the company.

Posted in F1 Teams | 28 Comments

28 Responses

on September 23, 2011 at 2:35 am Elephino

I’m a little disappointed. I was hoping from the title that McLaren were using a catapult.
on September 23, 2011 at 2:36 am @ncsfoo

HAHA, “Don’t mention the war”
on September 23, 2011 at 2:37 am Bert - Go team Hesketh!!!

I can not imagine what issue you can have with eating bacon sandwiches at 3PM. Please explain.

Did you sit there and compare unique page counts,or what? At this point what is the interest in seeing another MP4 launch, unless you are in to people watching.

Cheers.
- on September 23, 2011 at 3:16 am joesaward
  
  Bert,
  
  The F1 circus lives on European time when in Singapore The race starts at 8pm, but treats it like 2pm. So work out when breakfast time will be.
on September 23, 2011 at 3:19 am Drew

I think It’s cool that even though you two are technically competing, you can still be friends. Not many jobs these days that allow you that freedom!
on September 23, 2011 at 3:29 am TNH

Joe,

This talk about time zones and bacon sandwiches for breakfast and all is so confusing. Let me just remind you of the recommendations of the famous “old Asian hands” -a trip to Singapore is not complete without a meal of chili crab at the Red House at the East Coast Seafood Centre. Tell them you are a friend of Mr. Nick Woods (the greatest fan of Manchester United in Asia), and they will serve you an extra pitcher of Anchor Beer-at cost of course.

Cheers from California-looking forward to seeing you in Texas!
on September 23, 2011 at 3:40 am Andrew

Shattered! My first two F1 sites to visit each day are Joe and James. Here I was starting to think of a Clark Kent / Superman scenario. That photo has destroyed that image!
on September 23, 2011 at 6:41 am Garry T

Joe its good to see that you live like a local when you travel, having been around the world a few times I always live the timezone I am in at the time.

I saw a Twitter from one of the BBC crew saying that they wouldn’t sleep on the plane so they could keep there schedule on Euro time thought it was pretty lame.

One good thing with Singapore Clean and good food
on September 23, 2011 at 6:47 am RobbieMeister

I think Bert was trying to say that Bacon Sandwiches are good at any time of the day……and I agree with him
on September 23, 2011 at 6:48 am David Hodge

That talk of bacon sandwiches is just making me feel hungry! The only two websites to visit each morning – glad you are both hard at it
on September 23, 2011 at 7:06 am Jo Torrent

Am I dreaming Joe ? You & James Allen next to each other and smiling. I noticed that your tone towards James has been gentler these last months but I didn’t know it was as romantic as what I’m seeing !!!

I’m happy though to see my 2 best F1 journos enjoying each other’s company.

BTW, here’s my perfect F1 magazine :

- James Allen : race report and race tactics analysis
- Joe Saward : F1 politics & economy and features about F1 history
- Craig Scarborough : F1 technology

If those 3 gather together and make a F1 magazine, many journalists in F1 will need to look for a new job.

P.S : given the ego some of you have, you’ll need someone on top to manage characters. I’ll be perfect for that job.
- on September 23, 2011 at 7:34 am joesaward
  
  Jo Torrent,
  
  James and I go back a very long. To the 1990s when we worked together at Autosport.
on September 23, 2011 at 7:35 am Ted the Mechanic

Andrew,
But who was your Superman?
on September 23, 2011 at 8:41 am Dave

Bacon sandwiches are a 24/7 food necessity – I’ve never seen one resiting the urge to charge down my throat outside the “traditional” hours of breakfast.
on September 23, 2011 at 9:14 am Shake n Bake

I cannot stop thinking about bacon sandwiches now, thanks a bunch!

Joe will you be publishing a pic of the two of you visiting Singapore’s famous “Four Floors” Saturday evening?

Actually you could do me a favour……the Tiger Beer glass I borrowed from a bar on Clarke Quay 10 years back has faded in the dishwasher, could you pick me up another one please? I will be in the Emirates lounge in Dubai late Sunday evening/early Monday morning which is probably when you’ll be there so I’ll swap it you for whatever British favourite you miss the most – a Lion bar perhaps?

Enjoy the race, and if you can publish the magazine in time for me to download it during my transit in Dubai I would be most appreciative
- on September 23, 2011 at 10:47 am joesaward
  
  Saturday evening is qualifying…
on September 23, 2011 at 10:20 am rpaco

Who took the photo Joe? Another journalist?
Nice to know you are still friends with James, a contrast to the fight in the pit lane between two photographers with huge lenses and monopods, which were being used as staves. Hope there is some footage captured.
on September 23, 2011 at 12:05 pm Ben G

I feel a caption competition coming on…
on September 23, 2011 at 12:28 pm KLM

Regarding Saturday evening, well played Joe, well played.
on September 23, 2011 at 12:36 pm Blackacre

Best two bloggers out there good to see you together. As you say, it is the stuff on F1 economics that is really different and what I look for from both of you.
on September 23, 2011 at 1:21 pm F430-FOX

One of you 2 guys in this picture looks very tired … I wonder if this is the guy who doesn’t want to adjust to the local timezone

Good to see you two getting along. and as someone suggested combining your skills for an F1 magazine would be a killer. But until then, I can happily do with visiting both of your Blogs on a daily basis.
on September 23, 2011 at 3:23 pm Steven Roy

Time this website started serving bacon sandwiches to its readers. Mentioning them all the time when I can’t have one now is just not fair.
on September 23, 2011 at 4:28 pm Eduardo Cordeiro

Nice to see both of you in the same picture. You’re not rivals to me: I follow both blogs eagerly every day

Thanks for all the work, chaps!
on September 23, 2011 at 5:09 pm Jim

Joe and James THE best F1 journo’s by a LONG way!
on September 23, 2011 at 5:55 pm f1fan1998

As a bit of a lanyard geek, I note that McLaren have spent the money here and used the same manufacturer as FOM do for the Paddock passes. Nice..
on September 23, 2011 at 6:14 pm Obster

Joe-this great pic makes my Friday!
You and JA are the best in the business. Both with refreshing and intelligent views of the scene. I read you both every day.
on September 24, 2011 at 8:39 am Phil R

Good to see you are both Apple users…
on September 24, 2011 at 9:51 am Biggus Jimmus

Jeessus, from the looks of that photo you two might want to cut back on the bacon a tad…