The bizarre world of the F1 media

The world of Formula 1 media is a difficult one these days. Everyone is cutting back because free news on the Internet has reduced conventional publishing to a shadow of its former self. What is most interesting is that there is some consolidation going on in the electronic world with a NASDAQ-listed company called Net …

Caterham to race in Abu Dhabi?

Although the crowdfunding for Caterham has raised only £1,868,807 (79 percent of the required total), it seems that the team will be racing at the final Formula 1 Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi next week. The team says that there is interest from "many potential buyers" and that by racing in Abu …

Fancy a run in an F1 car?

Belgium's Didier Theys never quite made it to Formula 1, but after a decent career in European Formula 3 and Formula 2, he headed off to the United States where he won the SuperVee and American Racing Series titles in the late 1980s, before spending nearly 10 years racing Indycars, while also creating a formidable …

The driver market (without mist and fog)

It is now fairly clear that almost all the F1 drives for next year are gone, unless the two small teams can be revived and that is looking less and less likely. Every day lost now is vital because the fewer days you have to develop the car, the slower it will be. If teams …

The plight of the little teams

So where are we at now with the two little teams which missed the last two Formula 1 races? It would help, of course, if the rules were not confidential (one wonders how the FIA managed to get recognised by the International Olympic Committee and other such bodies when the sport is completely lacking in …

Formula 1’s alcohol problem

The European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare), a group of 57 public health organisations from 25 European countries, who are all working on the prevention and reduction of alcohol related problems, has written an open letter to the FIA President Jean Todt to express concern about alcohol sponsorship in Formula 1, citing the involvement of Johnny …

An inspiration…

Formula 1 drivers are often inspiring individuals but few compare to the extraordinary Alex Zanardi. For those who do not know him, Alex finished second to Christian Fittipaldi in the Formula 3000 series in 1991. He tried to break into F1 with various teams before landing a seat at Lotus in 1993 and 1994. He …

Oh Bernie…

I had a pleasant day in New York, beginning in one of the hundreds of perfect old diners that can be found in the city, with booths and plastic flowers. The corned beef hash and eggs easy over and English muffins were great. This was followed by a walk through midtown on a crisp autumnal …

Between planes…

I'm in New York today, between planes, once again because of airline logic and frequent flyer mileage. I'm pondering a trip to Port Imperial as I have nothing to do except having lunch with an old mate and then getting back to the airport for a tea time flight to Paris. This being New York …

Five hours after the race…

Nico Rosberg won the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, hanging on to his win after intense pressure from Lewis Hamilton for the last 20 laps of the race. Hamilton had a spin half way through the race and was left to rue what might have been if that had not happened. Thus we have a …