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So here it is…

December 17, 2011 by Joe Saward

The time has come to close down the blog for a much-needed Christmas break. If you want to keep up with Formula 1 over the holiday period, I suggest you type “Kingfisher Airlines” into Google News every day.

And watch out for the New Year’s Honours List.

I’ll be back, firing on all cylinders, on Monday, January 2.

In the words of Slade… (a rare source of inspiration, admittedly)

Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall?
It’s the time that every Santa has a ball.
Does he ride a red nosed reindeer?
Does a ‘ton up’ on his sleigh
Do the fairies keep him sober for a day?

So here it is: “Merry Christmas!”
Everybody’s having fun.
Look to the future now
It’s only just begun…

Hope the fairies keep you sober over the holiday break.

And watch out where you are going…

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Posted in Humour, Personal musings | 120 Comments

120 Responses

on December 17, 2011 at 09:20 Jakob Schmidt

Joe, have a very merry christmas and a happy new years too. Thanks for your contributions, we are on needles to see what 2012 will bring us.
on December 17, 2011 at 09:21 Jerry

New Years Honours list eh? Hmm . . . arise Lord Ecclestone of Bungay?
on December 17, 2011 at 09:23 JohnP

Thanks for all your efforts over the year Joe, it has been a privledge to receive you news on a regular basis.

To you and yours have a great Christmas and New Year.

Regards

John
on December 17, 2011 at 09:23 Chris Rockett.

Hey Joe, hope you have a great Christmas and a fantastic New Year. !!

I for one am already excited about the new F1 season and its aaaaaaaaaaages away yet! I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your efforts bringing us the latest on the clandestine world that is F1, keep up the good work
on December 17, 2011 at 09:24 Elephino

Have a great holiday.
on December 17, 2011 at 09:25 Bob Gardiner

… and a merry Christmas to you. Thanks for the most interesting blog (the only one I have continuously followed in 2011).

My Christmas will be at sea! No need of fairies here; we have a ‘dry’ ship.
on December 17, 2011 at 09:28 Rich2

Happy Christmas Joe.
on December 17, 2011 at 09:32 Gus82

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…………………

Thanks for all your efforts on the blog this year it really is appreciated.

Merry Christmas and have a good break Joe!
on December 17, 2011 at 09:37 tim Howard

Happy Christmas Joe and many thanks for all your hard work this last year. Enjoy your well-deserved break. Tim
on December 17, 2011 at 09:52 GP

Have a great Christmas, Joe. And thanks for your wonderful writings.
on December 17, 2011 at 09:52 Leigh O'Gorman

All the best over Christmas Joe. Enjoy the holidays and have a great New Year.
on December 17, 2011 at 10:10 DaveMyers

By the looks of it, Ryanair have killed Santa! Is there nothing they won’t stoop to? Hahaha!

Have a good break, Joe. Happy Christmas when it comes
on December 17, 2011 at 10:28 rludl

have a great christmas joe, been a pleasure to read your work over the past year and future to come
on December 17, 2011 at 10:46 Naty

Merry Xmas ! Good holidys!
on December 17, 2011 at 10:47 John (other John)

Well Joe et.al., here’s wishing you all & family a bloody great time and auspicious start to the New Year from mom and me. (she’s looking over my shoulder as i typed this intro.) I truly appreciate the connexion you regained for me to the sport, a value I did not expect to perceive, or even have a glimmer of from afar, but you did it, and in so doing became a household name here.

In honor of your efforts (and allowing i worked the night) now toasting you with a Bloody Mary.

Is guessing really needed as to the honors list?

But you lot deserve at least a Export Award.

With GP+ next year, go to town on the design. In the details, not the general format. No way change that radically. Really, it’s got legs, all the way. Mull over beatifying the simplicity, see Knuth, and Tschichold. If there was one single reference I could send, which encompassed all that, I would have got it to your doorstep already. I know some super designers, but legible elegant typography is a calling, no small part because of the hysteria of technicalia. Knuth’s Digital Typography, by the way, slags rotten so many major magazine names, and still holds true. So it’s not be all, end all, but get on that monograph, please. Nygaard plus your prose deserves it.

Turn it up!

much admiration, and blimming well done. Result! And with a Hitchens-esque twang of well meant irony, God’s Speed, whichever ideal you follow.

– j
on December 17, 2011 at 10:50 Gareth D

Merry Christmas Joe, look forward to reading more top class journalism next year!
on December 17, 2011 at 10:50 Teddy McCormick

Enjoy your holydays Joe !
on December 17, 2011 at 11:02 AT

Happy Christmas to my favourite F1 writer. And thanks for the e-magazines.
Look forward to hearing from you next year. Enjoy your break
on December 17, 2011 at 11:18 Steve

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to you Joe.
on December 17, 2011 at 11:20 Ollie

Merry Christmas Joe.
Thank you for another great year. I look forward to your insight in 2012.
on December 17, 2011 at 11:37 Travis Humphery

Enjoy your break.

Ignore all the negatives you had to put up with! I’m looking forward to (hopefully) seeing you in Melbourne in 2012.

Thanks for such a great year of blogging.
on December 17, 2011 at 11:54 Chris

Joe, fantastic blog – discovered it this year and hooked ever since. Have a good break and look forward to reading more in 2012. CHEERS
on December 17, 2011 at 12:11 David Hodge

From this reader of your blog Joe, thank you – a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. Is there any chance of you bumping into The Mole over the break?
on December 17, 2011 at 12:34 Nick Planas

Happy Christmas Joe! Thanks for the blog – I don’t comment often but I do read it all the time as a reliable source – your hard work is much appreciated.

You’ve got me thinking now…

Sir Ron Dennis?
Sir John Surtees?
Joe Saward OBE?
on December 17, 2011 at 12:37 Henk Ensing

Joe, a happy christmas and a roaring new year!

Regards,

Henk
on December 17, 2011 at 12:45 TimW

Have a good Christmas Joe, enjoy the break. Thanks for another great year of brilliant writing and unmatched insight into the F1 world.
on December 17, 2011 at 12:48 peteS2K

Have a great christmas Joe, thanks for all the hard work, the blog and GP+ have been excellent.

I look forward to more of the same in 2012
on December 17, 2011 at 12:59 APASapasAPAS

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

haha, great.(about KF airlines) Still more seats to be found out and to be lost.

You probably have left this now won’t be doing anymore, but…

1) Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year from Australia Joe! Thanks, it’s been great this year!

2) When are you coming back?

3) and maybe.. Care to guess what the biggest headline will be between now and then? I’m hoping for Williams and Caterham seats to go to Sutil and Senna.
on December 17, 2011 at 13:03 Bludd

Merry Christmas every one
on December 17, 2011 at 13:05 iain

Happy holidays Joe, sterling years work, enjoy the break!
on December 17, 2011 at 13:19 rpaco

Happy Christmas Joe.
Relax maybe you will have time to check out those links I emailed you re Amiens. If you missed them drop me an email.

F1 is going to be quite different for us in the UK next year, wht is left of it on the BBC will not be the same, we shall miss EJ JH and MB. But welcome Ant.
on December 17, 2011 at 13:23 David

Have a good break Joe, Thanks for all the effort this year on the blog

I might get some more work done now, knowing that there is nothing new to distract me from Joe!
on December 17, 2011 at 13:37 Julian F

Thanks Joe, have a great Xmas!
My F1-obsessed workmates and I have checked your blog daily over the last couple of years. Thanks for all of your hard work in 2011.

Cheers
Julian F
on December 17, 2011 at 13:44 Dave Shep

Have a good one Joe and thanks for all your hard work over the last year.

Dave.
on December 17, 2011 at 13:50 Simon Stiel

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and well done for the splendid work.
on December 17, 2011 at 14:04 TNH

Best of the Season to Joe Saward and family and friends! Thanks for a full year of great writing about racing and travel and intrigue and all the important stuff in life. Looking forward to seeing you over here in “the colonies” of North America in the not too distant future.
on December 17, 2011 at 14:11 Sarah Fenn

Thanks Joe. Have a great Christmas! See you on the other side.
on December 17, 2011 at 14:27 Will Ellingham

Buon Natale!
on December 17, 2011 at 14:32 Brian Lelas

Have a wonderful Christmas, Joe!
on December 17, 2011 at 15:01 Kai Clear

Have an awesome Christmas Joe, I look forward reading all your F1 fripperies and motorcar musings in 2012 ^_^
on December 17, 2011 at 15:07 Ben

Happy Christmas Joe. Cheers for the blog this year!
on December 17, 2011 at 15:15 Jefe

Happy holidays Joe and thanks for keeping us informed this year.
on December 17, 2011 at 15:24 Brent McMaster

Thanks Joe for your insight and reality checks. Gp+ and the blog are an important part of my F1 season; I appreciate the tremendous effort you (and your staff(?) and associates) put into both. There are so many F1 “news” sources that are all sizzle, no steak; yours is always a fine meal in an unpretentious setting.

All the best to you and yours.
on December 17, 2011 at 15:26 ed24f1

Thanks for your excellent work on the blog in 2011, Joe, have a good Christmas and New Year!
on December 17, 2011 at 15:52 Tom Adams

Have a good one Joe
on December 17, 2011 at 16:24 Canadian F1 Fan

Happy Holidays Joe.

Now, see if you can name that airline in the photo… no hints from Google either.
on December 17, 2011 at 16:41 Jakub

Merry Christmas, I hope those fairies are not too strict.
on December 17, 2011 at 16:53 folkdisco

Talking of all things Slade and christmas honours… I kissed Sir Noddy Holder on Wednesday night. Wrinkly rocker shouty xmas singing national treasure, I couldn’t help myself. I was polite, didn’t grab, asked him first. I did Florence Welch last year, but this is one better!
on December 17, 2011 at 17:46 iGOR_BdA

Someone is obviously obsessed about Mallya and his business…
- on December 18, 2011 at 08:28 joesaward
  
  Jobs in F1 depend on this person.
  And thanks for your Christmas greetings.
on December 17, 2011 at 18:52 packapoo

Hey Joe, enjoy the Season. Breakfast reading’s going to be off for a while, but it happens. Happy holiday.
on December 17, 2011 at 19:02 Colin

Merry Christmas, Joe. Enjoy the break.

This site is usually my first stop on the web in the morning. I really appreciate and enjoy your work, and look forward to a terrific 2012!
on December 17, 2011 at 19:24 Chris Warburton

Have a good break – thanks for the site, and insight.
on December 17, 2011 at 19:25 Duncan Snowden

Have an excellent Christmas, Joe, and thanks for all the insight, both here and in GP+; in particular, your posts about Bahrain: you really showed up the “mainstream” news boys whose job it is to report that stuff. This blog was by far the best place to find out what was going on over there.

Can’t say I’m looking forward to 2012, what with all the BBC/Sky awkwardness, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, and whatever happens I’m certain your blog will be the last F1-related thing I give up.
on December 17, 2011 at 19:45 George G.

Merry Christmas and Thank you for keeping us in the loop!!!
on December 17, 2011 at 19:50 The Kitchen Cynic

Enjoy your downtime. I’ll drink a whisky mac for you at some point over the holidays.
on December 17, 2011 at 20:42 thevillainf1

Best F1 blog around. Enjoy your well deserved holiday so you can kick off 2012 with more of this goodness!
on December 17, 2011 at 21:06 Geoff Page

Thanks for another year of the blog. Have a good break.
on December 17, 2011 at 21:08 rpaco

http://rpaco.wordpress.com/
- on December 18, 2011 at 08:32 joesaward
  
  Thanks. I watched it last week. Very interesting – and clearly there is a lot more to the story than the records reveal.
  
  Merry Christmas.
on December 17, 2011 at 22:24 Tim Robson (@TDRobson)

Thanks for a great year of news, Joe – have just downloaded GP+’s Year In Review for my Xmess reading list!

All the best for the season.
on December 17, 2011 at 22:29 Matt

Have a good one Joe,i really enjoyed the 2011 season and reading your blog and GP plus makes it feel even closer to touch.Roll on 2012 and have a merry Christmas.
on December 17, 2011 at 22:50 Paul

Have a great break, and thanks for all the postings through the year. Here’s looking forward to a great season of racing in 2012.
on December 17, 2011 at 23:06 John (other John)

Guys and gals, I might have a suggestion for handling the withdrawal symptoms: Go see Moneyball in the theater. (Girls get Brad Pitt, whoo!) But this one is really geek, all about statistics, and I reckon it might change some thinking about how you watch F1. Biased, as I think Lewis one of the few who can write a technical narrative. If Joe can change your thinking about F1 on a human level, this is insight into numbers from a human view. I got the book – not got far in – to feed my thinking, but really interesting from a end of season perspective. Lots to contemplate from a different sporting angle. P.S. DT, I hate you, really do, I got more books to read thanks to your reviews! – j
- on December 18, 2011 at 08:25 joesaward
  
  My advice is The Artist. It is a masterpiece. Great stuff.
  - on December 18, 2011 at 13:16 John (other John)
    
    Taken on board. Looks top. Right up my street. Thanks Joe & all best from us!
  - on December 26, 2011 at 23:52 Peter Coffman
    
    Great tip! Saw it today – a wonderful film! Happy Boxing Day and New Year!
- on December 20, 2011 at 17:35 Jodum5
  
  Eh, I’d suggest simply reading the book. Michael Lewis, the author, is incredible.
on December 17, 2011 at 23:12 Andy Roberts

Merry Christmas Joe! Thanks for a great year of insightful F1 reporting/blogging. See you in the New Year. Loving the end of year round-up too (best I make it last until the 2nd)!
on December 17, 2011 at 23:32 J Ellison

Thanks for the loads of real information.

Happy Holidays !!!
on December 18, 2011 at 00:31 The Mighty BS

Thanks Joe, and a Happy Holiday season to you and your family. Hopefully I will be getting my Christmas present early next year, when you come to Texas with the rest of F1 circus.
on December 18, 2011 at 00:34 noahracer

Our best wishes for a Happy Christmas this year. Thanks for all your hard work in 2011.
on December 18, 2011 at 04:17 csf

Happy Christmas Joe, bring on 2012!
on December 18, 2011 at 07:34 db9

Bad joke about Mallya’s company. I guess Vijay is the new number one on your list of mortal enemies, right in front of Lotus GP and Bahar.
- on December 18, 2011 at 08:24 joesaward
  
  No. In case you have not noticed, this person is in the news. If all you can do is snipe, I suggest you go and do it one someone else’s blog. I’m really not interested in people with nothing positive to say. Au revoir.
  
  Oh, and Merry Christmas to you too.
on December 18, 2011 at 08:08 el wehbi

Thanks Joe for all the great posts! Looking forward to more in 2012!
on December 18, 2011 at 09:00 smvs

Joe, in my opinion you on your own produce more interesting content than a whole site with several editors like Autosport. I just want you to know what all your effort is very much appreciated. Happy christmas from the Netherlands.
on December 18, 2011 at 09:06 Steve Dalby

Joe
Always love to read your views and love the way you handle those that do not see or appreciate your Blog.

Have a great break and you will be missed.

Happy Christmas and New Year.

PS
Just for the record I will probabaly check into the site at least 3 times a week… just because it is a habit…. after readin GP+ season review
on December 18, 2011 at 09:11 RDV

Miten sanoa humpuukia suomeksi? (Olettaen hiekkainen kynnet on suomalainen …) Hyvää lomaa, se on mielenkiintoinen 2012
on December 18, 2011 at 10:16 ididnt

Thank you Joe. A very happy christmas to you
on December 18, 2011 at 10:37 Steve Deakin

Hi Joe

At this time of year I’ll raise a glass (or two) to all the drivers, past and present, who have entertained us so much and, in some cases, lost their lives to motor racing doing what they loved best. Without them we wouldn’t be able to have the sort of debate we see here in your blog, would we?

A Happy Christmas to you and your colleagues!
on December 18, 2011 at 10:58 Michael Lea

thank you so much for the blog, Joe. Really interesting discussion and insight. Enjoy the holidays!
on December 18, 2011 at 12:02 Jack

Happy Christmas Joe, thanks for all the insight this year, look forward to next…
on December 18, 2011 at 12:26 Brawley

Enjoy the holiday season Joe as well as your time off from everything.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everybody.
on December 18, 2011 at 12:52 Richard

Noddy Holder, super

Not afraid that you’re giving away trade secrets when you suggest people Google Kingfisher Airlines every day? You’re just creating competition for your good self. Merry Christmas!
on December 18, 2011 at 13:40 Michael G.

I’ll add my good wishes to the list and my thanks for a great blog and magazine.
on December 18, 2011 at 14:47 Steve C

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from all your readers in central Texas in and around CoTA who have found your blog to be one of the best well written blogs out there.

See you in 2012…
on December 18, 2011 at 15:48 Ben Harris

Thanks Joe for all the great reading over the year here on the blog and in Grand Prix + , look forward to reading both again next year. Merry chrimbo and have a good one!
on December 18, 2011 at 17:05 rubbergoat

Merry Christmas to you Joe, and thanks for all the great articles, GP+ Magazines and Aside with Joe Podcasts this year.

Loving the Slade reference by the way – one of my personal favourite Christmas songs.

See you in 2012!
on December 18, 2011 at 18:57 Mike Wessel

Merry Christmas Joe,
I don’t know how you will keep the calluses on your fingers so when your back to can keep typeing like you do but I say for all of us we wait with baited breath.
Thank you for a great season of reading.
on December 18, 2011 at 19:19 Dan Shires

Merry Christmas and thank you so much for all the fab content this year, it’s been fantastic as ever!
on December 18, 2011 at 20:21 The Backmarker

Merry Christmas, Joe, and thanks for all your hard work in 2011 in bringing us your insights into what’s really happening in and around Formula One.

I really hope the New Year’s Honours List is going to recognise the enormous contribution of Professor Sid Watkins to improving safety in F1 over several decades.
on December 18, 2011 at 20:41 Ayrtonmyson

Sitting here enjoying a “cup of joe”!
Thanks for the insights and more….
Have a Good One Joe!
Merry Xmas
on December 18, 2011 at 20:51 Cris

Happy Christmas and New Year to you and your family. Hopefully we will all enjoy a more prosperous 2012. Enjoy the break and thanks for all your efforts this year. Looking forward to next season and hoping for an epic battle at the top of the grid.
on December 18, 2011 at 22:05 Andrew

Noooo – This happened last year – the black out – the pain – checking in three times a day and no blog – roll on next F1 season !!

Joe – love the blog – keep deleting the trolls – they have no idea what they are talking about!

Andrew
on December 18, 2011 at 23:00 Gridlock

Lord Saward has a nice ring but I’m hoping for at least Mssrs Surtees and Newey are honoured.

Lord Dennis of Project 4shire?
on December 19, 2011 at 03:45 Joshua Prisk

Glad you are taking a break Joe – Hope your Holiday is relaxing
on December 19, 2011 at 06:58 shawn84

Have a very Merry Christmas Joe! Thanks for a great blog, and I will of course be signing up for GrandPrix+ again next year…

Happy New Year!
on December 19, 2011 at 09:58 graham.reeds

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – enjoy your break and thanks for a very enlightening year!
on December 19, 2011 at 13:24 AndyH

Seasons greetings, all the best to you and yours Joe.
Top man keep up the stunning work and dont give the morons any of your cyberspace next year.
on December 19, 2011 at 15:55 HDM

It’ll be lonely this Christmas
without Joe to read
It’ll be lonely this Christmas
Lonely indeed
It’ll be cold, so cold, without GP+
this Christmas.

Have a great Christmas Joe, thanks for a year of excellent reporting.
on December 19, 2011 at 16:54 Chris D

Merry christmas !
on December 19, 2011 at 18:22 lewymp4

I’m a newcomer to your blog Joe, which I thoroughly enjoy, and plan next year to read on a daily basis……..Happy holiday!
on December 19, 2011 at 20:19 Ben Hall

Happy holidays, Joe
on December 20, 2011 at 12:47 Pedro_A

Happy Christmas and New Year Joe – and to all other readers! Looking forward to 2012 already!
on December 20, 2011 at 14:07 colin grayson

glam rock joe ?
never would have thought it of you !
personally I am at valencia en route to jerez for pre season testing ….7 weeks to get along the costa blanca /costa del sol in the sun ?…should just about make it

joyeaux noel et bonne annee a tous
on December 20, 2011 at 17:16 Kris

Merry Christmas Joe! See you next year!
on December 20, 2011 at 18:12 GeorgeK

A great year followed by a great Christmas and New Year to you and yours.

We’ll all be eagerly waiting for all your latest takes when 2012 kicks in.

Thanks again!
on December 21, 2011 at 08:45 Seventyr

Have a great Christmas one and all, and thank you for the blog Jo, I only “discovered” it this year, but its become a daily read.

Roll on 2012.
on December 21, 2011 at 15:42 Jerry

Have a great Christmas break Joe. To echo the comments above, I have also discovered your blog this year and found it to be invaluable. In the few days since you’ve been off air there seems to be a deafening silence of F1 news/rumours. And for any rumours which do arise it’s very difficult to ascertain their veracity without your insight!

Currently doing the rounds (lets see how many of these turn out to be true when you get back to your desk in January):

- Petrov to replace Trulli at Caterham (rumour courtesy of M. Brundle)
- Sutil refusing to sign for more than 1 year at Williams, as Ferrari have expressed an interest in him for 2013 (I don’t believe this one!)
- Alguesuari to be reserve driver at McLaren as HRT don’t want him, (again, can’t really see this one working out)
on December 21, 2011 at 21:56 Ambient Sheep

Somewhat belated wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you Joe. I finally scraped together enough unemployed pennies to subscribe to GP+ a few weeks ago, and am so glad I did. Quite apart from anything else, I have the archive to keep me company over the break! Hope to subscribe next year too.

How much F1 I’ll be watching in 2012 remains to be seen (although the news about Ben Edwards mean it might be more than I originally thought), but as Duncan Snowden said above, your blog will be the last F1 thing I will give up if that’s the direction I end up going in. Your writing is a source of constant joy to me, as it has been for over fifteen years now, and long may you keep it up.

My very best wishes to you, your friends and your family.
on December 22, 2011 at 10:03 LeighJW

Have a great Christmas Sir Joe.
on December 22, 2011 at 11:58 ron dennis

Have a nice christmas and a great new year, Joe.
Thank you for another year of your reports and stories.
I really enjoy reading your blog.
It’s one of the few places where you get real look into the politics and intriges at F1.
on December 22, 2011 at 22:53 Dale Daugherty

Merry Christmas Joe,

Hope your break is wonderful.

My friends and I in Austin can’t wait to see you in November, and I look forward to your coverage in 2012!

Cheers!
on December 23, 2011 at 11:50 I luv chicken

I’m guessing, a lump of coal for you, from Force India.
on December 23, 2011 at 14:13 Andrew

ok – I am bored now – can you post some news please ?!

I’ve even been on the Badger GP site – first time in months….
on December 24, 2011 at 00:02 Peter J

Hope you are enjoying your break Joe, I’m very much looking forward to your thoughts on the Ferrari end of season dinner in the new year. To me it sounded like Montezemolo said some things that made it seem very much like Bernie has had a word or two about paying a lot of money to split them away from FOTA. But as i’m no expert i look forward to your views on it.
on December 24, 2011 at 09:17 hansav

Merry Christmas and a happy new year Joe. I look forward to another year with your great blog and the wonderful GP+. If it wasn’t for these – and Motorsport including their fab podcasts I’m afraid my intereset for F1 would be slowly fading away. Fortunately it isn’t.
on December 25, 2011 at 07:22 Joris

Merry Christmas Joe! Also wishing you a very happy new year. Thanks for a great F1 year through the blog and GP+. Enjoy your break and look forward to all you’ll throw at us in the new year that is readable, be it blog posts, GP+ or books. I also look forward The Mole, if that is still going ahead. Here’s to an even more exciting 2012 F1!

Let us know when we can start subscribing for the 2012 GP+ season, as the magazine has become a must now.
on December 26, 2011 at 12:25 Grégory

Team Red Bull Racing will still crush during the 2012 season, as it will have Adrian Newey in its ranks, it will have a huge technical advantage over its competitors : http://www.wallpapersf1.com / RedBull-Racing? wallpaper = 631

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