BlogF1

It has been a while since I have posted, and for that I apologise - work pressures etc…

But, just because it has been a little quiet around here doesn’t mean nothing has been happening in the world of F1. In the time since the Malaysian Grand Prix, there has been a ’semi-scandal’ over flexible elements in the front and rear wings of some cars, Mercedes are trying to acquire the services of Nico Rosberg for 2007, Minardi may make a come-back, a breakaway series is looking unlikely as the ‘rebel’ teams sign up for 2008 and Juan Pablo Montoya is confident of his options for next year.
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BlogF1 seems to be getting a lot of hits from search terms like “ITV F1 Theme Tune”, and “What happened to Jim Rosenthal?”. So, to please some of the newbies who have arrived here looking for something that isn’t actually available on BlogF1, I thought I would do a quick five minute search myself to see what came up.

According to Desmond Elmes who commented on DoctorVee, the theme tune to ITV’s F1 coverage this year is Moby’s “Lift Me Up”. In previous years, it was a tune composed by the colourful-hatted Jamiroquai, and the BBC used a classic riff by Fleetwood Mac.

As for Jim? Well, it is reported that Mr Rosenthal decided to concentrate on boxing, which is a particular passion for the man, apparently. This is all I have been able to gleam from the interweb so far, but it would appear that he was not sacked, and that Jim just decided to work on other things.

I hope that answers some of your questions, but don’t stop searching, Googling and clicking - the more I know about what everybody wants, the better I can make BlogF1.

Update: F1-Blog.co.uk F1 Theme Music Page - From here you can download ITV’s tune in Midi, WMA or MP3 format. The BBC theme is also featured on this page.

The silly season begins in earnest as Horner confirms he is serious about hiring Juan Pablo Montoya for 2007 and beyond. With Fernando Alonso’s signed McLaren contract, there is only one seat left at McLaren, and Montoya hasn’t had the greatest two seasons with the squad. Juan Pablo has admitted to talking to other teams as well as Ron Dennis, and maybe Red Bull Racing would be a good choice for the Colombian. RBR have the cash, they will soon have the car just as soon as Adrian Newey can design one from scratch and the engine will hopefully be there when Ferrari work out the issues with it. Click here for ITV’s full article.

It is often said that Stirling Moss was the greatest driver to have never won the Formula One Drivers Championship. And is also said by many that Chris Amon was the greatest driver to have never won a race. So following that trend of thinking…

Will Anthony Davidson become greatest driver to have never received a full-time drive?

Born in 1979, Anthony has been competing in motorsport since the age of eight. He managed his first win in karts at the tender age of nine, and has been impressing people ever since with his talent and control. Anthony has won the Autosport/McLaren Young Driver of the Year award in 2000 and in the same year accepted a drive for Carlin Motorsport in the British F3 championship.
Late in 2000, the call from BAR arrived inviting the young driver to become their official tester, and Anthony has remained with the team ever since. He has competed in three Formula One races deputising for Alex Yoong in the Minardi in 2002 on two occasions, and also Takuma Sato in the 2005 Malaysian Grand Prix for BAR.
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Giancarlo Fisichella has followed his pole in yesterdays qualifying with a convincing victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix. Fisichella led for the majority of the race, only coming under attack in the final stint as team mate Fernando Alonso started to gain some ground on the Italian. At the chequered flag though, Alonso had to settle for second place, finishing ahead of Jenson Button in the Honda.
Juan Pablo Montoya finished for McLaren in fourth place after a rather disappointing race. Montoya had a quiet afternoon and never really looked to be on-form, although he did fair better than his team mate. Kimi Raikkonen retired from the race on lap one after being clouted by Christian Klien in the Red Bull. Following Juan Pablo across the line were Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher, the Brazilian leading the German home after starting from the back of the grid. Both Ferrari’s suffered heavily this weekend with engine changes, and this result from starting so far back was good for the squad.
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Giancarlo Fisichella has taken pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix in his Renault. The grid looks to be a good mix, with Jenson Button sharing the front row with the Roman, and Williams sensational rookie driver, Nico Rosberg claiming the third spot. Mark Webber shares the second row and starts fourth.
Juan Pablo Montoya out-qualified Kimi Raikkonen again, as the two rolled up fifth and sixth respectively. Alonso (who is experiencing some kind of fuel-rig problem at the moment) could only manage 7th, Klien popped his Red Bull into 8th and Jarno Trulli muscled his Toyota into 9th. The top 10 is rounded off by Jacques Villeneuve, who was promoted to 10th (I think) after Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard suffered engine related issues and took demotions on the grid. Michael will start 14th. I think.
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I’m starting to wonder if David Coulthard will ever be happy? It seems that at the start of every Formula One season, he has something critical to say about the regulations, the team or other drivers. I wish Coulthard would just put his head down and drive well instead of getting embroiled in silly political wars with F1’s governors.

It has been reported that the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix will be held at the Toyota-owned Fuji circuit, and not the now usual Honda-owned Suzuka track.

Suzuka has been home to the Japanese race since 1987, and is regarded by many fans as one of the best circuits in the world. In last years FIA-sponsored survey, Suzuka was only beaten to the top spot by Spa Francorchamps in Belgium. The circuit boasts some superb corners, such as the Degner corner, 130R, Spoon and the Esses. The circuit has provided some awesome races over the years, not least of which was its last race in 2005. The image of Alonso passing Schumacher Snr around the outside of 130R will be etched on my mind forever.

Fuji has been used before as the circuit of choice for the Japanese Grand Prix at the countries innaugral race in 1976, and again the following year in ‘77. The circuit is quite short and twisty, and in my opinion does not have the same calibre of corners as the Honda-owned Suzuka. But since being bought by Toyota, a reputed $168 million have been ploughed into updating the tracks facilities.

Bernie Ecclestone has apparently suggested that Japan could host two Grands Prix in 2007 in order to ensure that both tracks are used. Although personally, I firmly believe that Suzuka should host the race as it has a far superior track. As a fan, I don’t care if important delegates or team sponsors have to stand to watch the race rather than be seated in luxurious air-conned rooms. I care about the track, and the exciting racing it can produce.

That’s my view, but what do you think? Should Fuji be awarded the Grand Prix, should Japan be allowed to host two races?

It seems that 2006 is the year to start a Formula One weblog! First, yours truly gets an idea to do one, then Renault make the claim to be the first team to launch an online account of their season, and now Ferrari have got in on the act.

The are three blogs - Massa Blog, Ferrari Staff Blog and a site were fans can submit posts. This is an interesting idea, and I think it could prove popular. Renault’s blog has been very popular and the fans have really taken to them. Renault also occasionally respond to comments and questions. I can’t say that yet about Ferrari’s, but it has only been up for a few days.
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In response to the question, “Where should Kimi Raikkonen go in 2007?” 38% of voters felt the Finn should stay at McLaren and partner Fernando Alonso. 27% thought Kimi should drive for Ferrari and 19% went with me and said Toyota. Joint fourth with 8% of votes each were Renault and BMW Sauber.

Personally, I think he’s heading in Ferrari’s direction. Jean Todt has been quoted as saying Ferrari know about driver movements for next year, which implies they know where Kimi is going, as he and Michael Schumacher currently hold the keys to the top spots. To me, that means Kimi is going to be a Ferrari driver in 2007, and he’ll either partner Michael Schumacher, Valentino Rossi, or if Rossi declines the offer, they’ll probably keep Massa for another year. Although after Massa’s spin this afternoon, I can’t see him staying for the rest of the year!