The Malaysian Grand Prix was a real humdinger, with parallels back through the history of the sport Prost versus Senna and Pironi versus Villeneuve. Sebastian Vettel won the race – but he was not supposed to! Mark Webber had the race won and was cruising to victory when Vettel decided that he wanted the win.
Afterwards he admitted he was wrong… but he still has the World Championship points and Mark Webber was not a happy bunny. We give our opinion on the matter and talk to the people involved. Lewis Hamilton finished third for Mercedes, but reckoned that the place should have gone to Nico Rosberg. It was one of those days!
In addition we bring you an in-depth interview with Jenson Button
– a look at F1 and the automobile industry
– Looking back at the V8 engine era
– and the chaos and confusion at Mosport Park in 1973
Plus all the usual news and views about the F1 world, with no punches pulled, and the great photography of Peter Nygaard.
If you want to know more about GP+, simply click here.
joeblogsf1 
Salut et bonne après-midi / good afternoon sir.
thank you again for making the effort in attempting to capture some needed income by offering your virtual magazine at a cost that is worth it to those of us still addicted to this circus directed by clowns with ” too much money ” and selling it to chumps who identify with the classic battles that defined the heroes who are now long dead.
please continue your brave efforts at providing context to this silly show of excess in a time of spectacles that are in fact cartels of entertainment in my experience.
Maybe Vettel/Webber will turn into Prost/Senna. Or Prost/Mansell. Or Prost/Arnoux. One can only hope.
Just a thought Joe when you get time. It would be nice if the link on the cover photo above actually went to GP+ instead of just the pic itself.
What a silly state F1 has become. Other than the internecine arguments and weather this was as laughable an excuse for sport as I have seen in my 69’years. We don’t see other sports like football or basketball introducing random softer balls or indefensible handicaps triggered against opponents for good reasons. It is disappointing that the media have bought the story that fakery is appealing to fans. For me the push to provide entertainment over sport by random gimmicks insults the purity of racing. The old skills of forcing an opposing driver into a mistake or setting up a pass with skill and bravery was more exciting and entertaining than pushing a button or passing an opponent with crippled tires.
I don’t think this is true. Tennis has tried to limit serve speeds with different ball technology in order to make things “interesting”. Previously the games were all over in the serve and TV figures were dropping. Similarly with Golf – both balls and clubs are regulated and the best options (ie carbon composite clubs) are routinely banned. Again, as with the “super clubs” most drives could cover most holes in a single shot again affecting viewing figures.
The issue is that with F1 being such a technical sport probably more than any other, this stands out a lot more.
Joe, I paid my annual sub last year and I think it’s renewed for 2013, and I enjoyed the email updates, but I’ve never been able to open a magazine.
It’s on my iPad – when I press the photo it goes full screen but then nothing more – any suggestions?
Same here !
You have to visit http://www.grandprixplus.com and click on Subscribers then login to get the issue, clicking on the photo from here doesn’t take you to the latest edition unfortunately (I suspect it’s meant to).
Are you opening it up in iBooks?
I could NOT disagree more with the general sentiment that Vettel committed an egregious faux pas at Malaysia. And I have a feeling, after the dust has settled, that Seb will come back around to this point of view:
a) Vettel is a race driver NOT a glorified tire manager
b) He is a triple World Champion, something that I think solidifies his position as his team’s #1 driver; why should a #1 have to lay back and play second fiddle to the team’s #2 when the former is demonstrably faster?
c) Vettel understands (pity most don’t) that the points lost by finishing 2nd at Malaysia might cost him a World Championship at the end; Webber never has won and never will win a WC. Vettel’s decision was imminently LOGICAL.
d) If I were Ferrari I would send a secret emissary to Vettel to remind him (if he needs reminding): at Ferrari we do things differently. Our number 1 driver is our NUMERO UNO. When you come to drive for us you will NEVER be asked to sit behind your slower teammate in the name of…what? Propriety? “Good sportsmanship?” Not hurting a teammate’s feelings? (Give me a break!)
e) Since when if F1 not about being the fastest but about being…the friendliest?
I repeat: GIVE ME AN EFFIN’ BREAK!
a) They have to be seperate? Given the tyres, the best F1 driver has to be able to manage tyres just as they have to be able to drive fast on a saturday, or just as they have to change their driving technique to get engine blown throttle working, etc…
b) The teams said there isn’t a 1 and 2 driver. The team ruled that thye could race until the final stop and then it was holding positions. They have done this before. Because the teams said he isn’t and because the team’s rules said whoever is ahead at the final stop is ahead. Winning a WDC is a team game as well, he couldn’t have won it in a Sauber. And if he is requiring his number 2 as you put it toget out of the way, then he’s ahrdly deserving of being number 1 isn’t he? (given nothing strange happened otherwise)
c) RBR doesn’t have a 1 and 2 according to RBR. Thus they won’t sacrifice 1 drive for the other in the 2nd race of the season. Currentl Webber didn’t get a start last week and this week was faster. Sacrifice already? If Vettel is that good that he will jump leaps ahead then he can do that by himself rather than playing unofficial number 1 to get it
d) So if he goes to Ferrari while Alonso is there ???????? Ferrari have made it pretty official. They have given Massa a penalty, destroyed his stratergys etc…. RBR have said equal treatment. If you think Vettel needs to be treated like a King in only the second race while driving for a team that has dominated mostly the last 3.5 years then he probably doesn’t deserev to be F1 champion
e) Since sponsorship, since teams make rules and make the cars and by not respecting the team rules you are disrespeting the team.
I think you’re forgetting one thing – he was told to keep station. A true fight would have been letting Webber do the same and ‘may the best man win’. Otherwise you’re not wrong – but the team made the rules these days don’t they?
So your ok with drivers running the teams; just let Vettel do as he wants?
No
I think all of this makes sense, Richard. But…I think the issue here is two-fold:
1. Apparantly this arrangement was agreed between both drivers before the race. Whether or not one thinks that the arragement was RIGHT (based on similar points to yours above), Seb had made the agreement. Character is severely lacking if he then goes back on his word. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned! What he SHOULD have done (precisely because of your points, above) was said “No – if I can win without wrecking the car, I will do all I can to win”
2. Seb was told by his team to stay behind Mark. Right or wrong, that’s what apparantly happened. Red Bull brought him into F1, pay him and does anyone seriously think he’d be 3-times world champion if this particular team didn’t hire him? They have given him the titles, I think he is foolish if he thinks it’s ok for him to go against them – there are other drivers available, as they say.
Richard,
a) Technically Vettel (along with the other 21 F1 drivers on the grid) are glorified tyre managers this year
b) According to Red Bull, both drivers are treated as equals (not in practice all the time, but no one’s perfect). It’s also a new season, 2 races in, so there’s no proof that Vettel is absolutely faster. Consider Webber had been leading for a while, plus last year Webber was ahead of Vettel for a stretch in the championship.
c) So it’s logical to attack your teammate after you’ve been told not to by the people who pay your bills? To endanger the points for both cars, put higher wear & tear on all components when you’ve been told by the team to conserve?
d) In the name of the teammate had beaten Vettel and that if they’d been left to their own devices would have remained ahead as he had a lead of over 5s. Vettel’s quotes after the race would have been along the lines of “today Mark was quicker than me. I tried what I could but unfortunately we didn’t have the speed.”
e) It’s not a friendliness issue but a trust issue. You need to be able to trust your teammate not to attack when told not to, to not (almost) take both of you out in a reckless overtaking move (Turkey). Plus F1’s about the first to complete the race, which isn’t necessarily by the fastest car, for any number of reasons.
P.S. Have an effin’ Kit Kat 🙂
Isn’t about time that the FIA changed the rules on front wings? How more races will be ruined by these monstrosities with their fragile end plates pinging off (then they’re not puncturing the rear tyres of the car in front) or, as was seen today, falling under cars and dangerously launching them towards the barriers? A change in the rules would improve the racing and make it safer.
Vettel’s ‘apology’ certainly isn’t worth the air used to express it. Clearly we re going to feel the collateral damage from this for some time. At the very least Vettel has clearly demonstrated his disdain for the team: well it is HIS team, both in his thinking and as alluded to my Webber. Shame on him.
I watched with interest Sebastian Vettel in his first year in F1. I saw a likable young racer with talent to burn. Today I saw a young man who has lost sight of the value of the word ‘Honesty’ and Integrity’ and replaced it with the word ‘ ‘Mistake.’ I have never expected anything from politicians who regularly substitute the word ‘mistake’ for ever underhanded action they take in the pursuit of power,but I do expect more from my sportsmen.The sport doesn’t need another Michael Schumacher.
‘Bad Blood in KL’; that’s chillingly reminiscent of the infamous Autosport headline in the week after the San Marino GP in ’82…..’Bad Blood at Maranello’? (think I’ve remembered that correctly?). Sure that this edition of GP+ will be a good one.
I’ve not yet finished reading the whole of GP+ but must break off to applaud this weeks “tales from the coffin”, as it appears I am responsible for the gist of it’s title. I always enjoy Mr Doodson’s memories. Mind you it seems he has been reading my other posts regarding the financial health of F1 as well.
Vodafone is a company in which I nearly bought some shares a few years ago expecting them to rise spectacularly, but that never happened. The future was not Orange either, apart from Tango.
Brilliant issue and I can just imagine the number of comments you will be getting on the Webber/Vettel and Hamilton/Rosberg subject .I must thank your man Doodson for his kind comments regarding my contretemps with vodafone. Every time I see Luca di Montezemolo he smiles and holds up a telephone remembering the hapless Chris Gent. You and fellow readers will be interested to know that I am in the middle of a battle with this outfit right now, their latest money making trick is to continue charging after an account had been cancelled. And for good measure threaten to destroy my credit rating if I stop paying. Don’t take my word for it, ask the person at the call center in Stoke on Trent. As for McLaren they deserve a more reputable sponsor. As we live near Silicon Valley which is bursting with cash I would be happy to help any way I can.
Apple should sponsor McLaren.
McLaren have missed a trick.
They should have lifted Lewis’s car up and take off his wheels 😉
“Good afternoon Sir, which tyres would you like ?
“BTW they are 2m$ a set.”
“Oh, sorry Sir, you are not allowed to have OUR tyres, you know they are allocated….,
but never mind, we put you on a trolley and push you down the pitlane….
Regards,
“Martin”
one time F3 driver
P.S. PLEASE, please bring back MOLE !
So, those that thought Rosberg would get found out this year, what do you have to say now?
Let us see a few more races
Another fast issue and an interesting read, as always. Here’s a question that only you could answer, Joe. I could have sworn it was Norbert Haug I saw in the Andretti pits today in St Petersberg, FL. Do you know anything about this?
To all the non-subscribers… do subscribe – and then go straight to David Tremayne’s piece titled “Conduct unbecoming”.
Sez it all it does!
Hey Joe, aside from GP+, are you going to give us your thoughts on the Red Bull drama? Would love to hear your thoughts.
On an unrelated note, I have been reading your site for years and just this minute noticed on that the e in Joe in the header logo looks like a crash helmet. I should pay attention more.
I have been travelling since just after we published GP+. I will give some thoughts on the matter when I get to Paris
Excuse me, would you consider moving the Qualifying time sheet forward in relation to the Free Practice time sheets, to align with the text? You write about the qualifying first, but list the FP1 times first. I have to shuffle between pages to see the times you mention in the text.
Thank you,
Dave.
Thanks guys, I was chomping the bit to see what you guys had to say after watching the race. Am l correct in thinking that there is going to be a lot more news to report over the coming three weeks r.e. Webber/Vettel? Looking forward to it. RE Webbers comments; puts me in mind of Ruben’s situation after the Austrian GP in 2002. Many many things to think about.
Nice piece of history about the first (miss) use of the SC.
After the terrible accident at the 1973 British GP, which was the first GP stopped and restarted in F1 history, the CSI started to think of a new safety rule in case this happened again. The new rule introducing the pace car was introduced in Austria in 1973 and experimented there in practice.
Ironically, Peter Revson won these two most unusual (British and Canadian) GP in 1973.
For the Malaysia GP : no surprise.
Bad tyres = stall orders debacle.
Thank you Pirelli.
if seb were to lose the championship by 6 points that would be hilarious. webber is slower than vettel. period. there should be no discussion.
There is only one thing Mark Webber can do, and that is beat Vettel for the World Championship. That would be the right revenge.
Oh how things change.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93001
It’s crazy… They are racing drivers. Its hard to criticise them for doing what they are ultimately paid to do. However Seb probably realises that he’s not going to get much help from webber this year and when (not if) the situation is reversed he knows what’s coming. However their are both grown ups so man up, deal with it and move on.
As for the team order being ignored – that’s a matter for the team to sort out as it does make them look bad. I’ve never seen such a miserable lot on the podium – as someone else put it on another site, “they all looked like teenage boys who had all been caught sleeping with each others girlfriends”.
Another very substantial mag edition, v interested to see the direction major mms are taking on electric cars. In particular the one motor per wheel, which allows (at last) full braking energy recovery, this was in fact covered and allowed in the cost capped version of the F1 regs proposed by Max. Had those regs been taken up (or imposed) we should have had the forthcoming road cars reviewed in GP+ a few years ago.
Two guest writers in this edition, Lucy Genon from LG, and previously Force India, and Renault Sport amongst others, seems to have had wide experience in the shiny PR/Communications end of motor racing (from Linkedin) and presents Rob White’s words in an easy to read way.
Alison Hill however remains a bit of a mystery, an internet search reveals 20-30 doctors, biochemists etc then there is a BBC producer and consulting journalist author of Media Ready Media Savvy, with a very high internet profile. Then another ex-BBC journalist, now freelance, lobbyist, environmentalist head of comms for British wind energy. I don’t think she is either of those. Who is she? what are her F1, racing or journalistic qualifications? Nice neat piece. Could be followed up with team interviews re prospects for new Asian drivers.
Based on his public persona, Mark Webber is the first driver I’d pick to have a beer with but by hook or crook, the drivers like Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton will do a little bit more of “what it takes to win”, either by contractual #1 status or pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable.
You may not like them or respect them as fan but ultimately I would guess Lewis and Seb both had a wry smile to themselves away from the media; they are at the top because they won’t accept second fiddle no matter how many ‘apologies’ they issue for winning.
I can see why Mark Webber would lose all respect for Seb, but deep down I would guess that RBR aren’t too upset.
Joe, wrote all this a couple of weeks back in response to the long and messy “What do you think of GP+” thread but was too far from a sensible internet connection to hook my laptop too so it’s lain dormant as a draft email since then.
Being an engineering type, I’ve gone for a pretty formal feedback method which might make me look like a prat. Just work on the basis that stating the obvious is necessary more often than I’d hope in my line of work…
***********
Joe,
GP+ subscriber in 2012, blog commenter since around September 2011 (attracted by a couple of more sensible looking rumours gathered on the BBC F1 gossip column). I’ve every intention of renewing but time has been against me lately.
A few thoughts:
1) The typos issue
Obviously irritates a lot of people (I’m among them) and lessens the value and impact of the work somewhat. It’s bones in the fish course, not enough to make a three-Michelin-star meal worth binning, but enough to put the diner off.
Suggestion : Get hold of a reliable friend with English skills you respect and ask them to linger near a phone and a computer 4 hours after a race. Email the race report to them and ask them to email back corrections. At worst, I’d expect this to add 30 minutes. Said person won’t be as sleep deprived as you and your colleagues and can calmly sit with a cup of tea and pick out 95% of the mistakes. Something to try for a race or two perhaps – the upcoming flyaway races are perfect for this as a) your friends in Europe will be awake; b) your readership, mainly in Europe (assuming it’s similar to your blog) will be more likely to download the “release version” of GP+ on the Sunday afternoon/evening. Give it a couple of races, see what the teeming masses have to say.
2) Technical info
Most of what needs to be said about this has been brilliantly expressed by Richard Lawson above, and your counterpoint that it’s hard to find someone really qualified to speak on technical matters. I’d expand that to say that it’s difficult to tailor the technical level of the content to the technical levels of the target audience.
Suggestion : Consider chatting to contacts about putting together small technical pieces on certain aspects of what’s going on. Visuals are key where possible. A back burner project which you might have time to discuss with your colleagues in the unplanned break in the schedule.
3) Format
The PDF format is ubiquitous, doesn’t tie you to any one platform or delivery method and keeps things simple. That said, the Apple geeks have a point, and it’s a point which you should at least look in to. It’ll ultimately be a question of the cost and inconvenience of doing it versus a presumed small percentage increase in subscribers. You’ve seemingly got a good track record of following changes in media and technology already, but never be afraid to keep moving.
However, the page aspect ratio is also an issue – I know that on my tablet it’s a pain in the arse, because the screen is widescreen 16:10 (my phone is 16:9) and GP+ is.. I don’t even know, 4:3? PC monitors and laptop screens are moving in the same direction.
Suggestion : Give the Newsstand option a serious think. Keep an eye on the way the tech wind is blowing with respect to screen aspect ratio – it’s much easier to appreciate the awesome photography when it perfectly fills the screen. Another back burner point to discuss in July.
4) Archiving
Seems like a few people would like a better record of where to find what article. This doesn’t need to be updated when each issue is released, it could be done while setting up for a weekend on the Thursday in the press office. It wouldn’t require much technical skill. Not something to gain many subscribers with, but improves the experience of the fanbase which makes them more likely to push GP+ by word of mouth.
Suggestion : Pretty obvious : get an article index sorted on the GP+ site. It’ll take some work to set up at first, but shouldn’t be hard to keep up to date.
5) Previews
Personal preference here, but by a day or two after the race (when I get around to reading GP+), I’m usually more interested to know your outlook on the race(s) to come than the race just gone. I note that a few people have admitted to largely ignoring the race reports in GP+, which really isn’t a great surprise to me.
Suggestion : Try scribbling some sort of previews of the races to come. Give us an idea of the teams to watch, the drivers with good track records (pun unintended) at the circuits in question, remind us of previous races (the Kimi ice-cream incident?) and even bring up which rookies have done well on the circuit in question in junior formulae.
X) Feedback
Feedback is a dangerous thing. Public feedback even more so. It helps discuss things, but it also encourages you to come out and defend your position, which is often unnecessary. As Sam has pointed out, the majority of posts are positive already, often directly contradicting the negative ones. Diving in with curt ripostes like “You get what you pay for” doesn’t paint you in a positive light. It also, like most truisms, is at best a sweeping generalisation and at worse, very often false.
Most criticism, even short and sharp, can be learned from. Take Ben G’s comment. It’s not positive, or even particularly constructive, but there’s information there. He personally doesn’t value deeper written insight and prefers short sharp snippets – it’s a data point, not necessarily one you agree with or one you like but it IS a data point. Be grateful that he, and others, respect you enough to bother to post their honest opinions.
That said, take a good long look at rpaco’s link to the tree swing example : the frames you’re looking for are “what the customer ordered” and “what the customer wanted”. The skill of the truly great businessmen has been to know what people want, not what they say they want. The Bernie-esque “my way or the highway” attitude is valid, as long as you’re confident in your experience and entrepreneurial skills.
Suggestion : Treat feedback sessions with care. Take a step back and let the discussion run its course. Alternatively, set up an email address and ask people to email their feedback to you – you get to see the results but they don’t become a discussion. On the upside, you don’t have to defend your corner because no-one except you sees what has been written. On the downside it’s harder to discuss and flesh out points into clear information and also the barrier for participation rises slightly and you’ll get less emails than comments.