Posted on October 31st, 2006 by Oliver White
October 31st marks Halloween in a lot of countries, and this gives me the perfect excuse to post an article I have had in the works for a few weeks now. The link is tenuous, but I assure you it is there, somewhere.
While compiling the new and improved Circuits pages with Google Earth images, I found a fair few tracks that no longer exist. Often is the case that circuits become unpopular or can no longer be maintained or funded. They often fall into disrepair and get forgotten about. The relics of tarmac become a blot on what was formerly a landscape of worship for local motorsport fans. They can become places where children play hide and seek, or teenagers practice on their dirt bikes, with self-made ramps and jumps. Trees become over-grown, weeds poke up through the concrete and buildings crumble at the foundations. The air rests and the noise of over-powered racing cars is reduced to an echo in the mind. The smell of burning rubber and petrol are just a memory to the former living and breathing track that they inhabited.
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Posted on October 28th, 2006 by Oliver White
I have upgraded the voting feature on the left, and changed the question: Who will win the Australian Grand Prix next March? Am I thinking too far into the future? Possibly, but I found the progression of votes on the ‘Who will win the 2006 Drivers Title?’ question interesting. At the start of the season, it was pretty much even-stevens between Alonso and Schumacher, despite the Ferrari’s initial lack of pace. But then it waned in Alonso’s favour before returning to the German. Alonso eventually won the vote (and the title), but only by three votes.
I’ve set the cookie to last up until January 1st 2007. So you may vote again after that when testing times will start to become clearer. And don’t cheat - IP’s are logged! So get voting away.
Posted on October 26th, 2006 by Oliver White
It’s official folks! Ross Brawn - the technical expert and tactician behind some of the teams great wins in recent years - has decided to leave the Scuderia to focus his attention on his family. Paulo Martinelli will also leave the team, having designed some of the most powerful and most reliable engines to have ever been placed in a Ferrari. Paulo will move his engineering skills to Ferrari’s parent company, Fiat.
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Posted on October 24th, 2006 by Oliver White
In only 48 hours after one of the most fantastic end-of-season races, the news hasn’t stopped and there is a lot to talk about. For now, here are the best bits of what has been happening since Massa won, Alonso became champion, and Schumacher said ‘Goodbye’. Continue Reading…
Posted on October 22nd, 2006 by Oliver White
Felipe Massa has won his home race at Interlagos in Brazil, leading Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso over the line, with Jenson Button taking third place in an exciting, memorable and emotional Brazilian Grand Prix.
The scenes of shear pleasure that exuded from Massa as he jumped on his mechanics in Parc Ferme will remain with the 25 year old Ferrari driver for as long as he lives. Massa drove a sublime race that saw him lead from pole position to chequered flag. His dominance of the Interlagos circuit was reminiscent of his team mates career, as Michael Schumacher made his final charge in a Formula One car. Fernando Alonso has become the youngest back-to-back World Champion and takes with him the coveted Number One to McLaren, and the knowledge that he has, once again, beaten Schumacher in a straight fight.
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Posted on October 22nd, 2006 by Oliver White
1. Fernando Alonso - 134pts - World Champion
2. Michael Schumacher - 121pts
3. Felipe Massa - 80pts
4. Giancarlo Fisichella - 72pts
5. Kimi Raikkonen - 65pts
6. Jenson Button 56pts
7. Rubens Barrichello - 30pts
8. Juan Pablo Montoya - 26pts
9. Nick Heidfeld - 23pts
10. Ralf Schumacher - 20pts
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Posted on October 22nd, 2006 by Oliver White
1. Renault - 206pts - World Champions
2. Ferrari - 201pts
3. McLaren - 109pts
4. Honda - 86pts
5. BMW Sauber - 36pts
6. Toyota - 35pts
7. Red Bull Racing - 16pts
8. Williams - 11pts
9. Toro Rosso - 1pt
10. Spyker - 0pts
11. Super Aguri - 0pts
Posted on October 22nd, 2006 by Oliver White
1. Massa - Ferrari
2. Alonso - Renault
3. Button - Honda
4. M. Schumacher - Ferrari
5. Raikkonen - McLaren
6. Fisichella - Renault
7. Barrichello - Honda
8. De La Rosa - McLaren
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Posted on October 21st, 2006 by Oliver White
1. Massa - Ferrari
2. Raikkonen - McLaren
3. Trulli - Toyota
4. Alonso - Renault
5. Barrichello - Honda
6. Fisichella - Renault
7. R. Schumacher - Toyota
8. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber
9. Kubica - BMW Sauber
10. M. Schumacher - Ferrari
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Posted on October 20th, 2006 by Oliver White
After the initial shock of having the 2007 Formula One season calendar published way ahead of its typical end-of current-season date, people asked a lot of questions regarding the lack of circuits mentioned in the calendar. It was also noted that the proposed calendar had a four week gap between the third and fourth Grands Prix. And finally, Imola was not included.
The lack of circuits was easily worked out, given that Germany are intending to alternate their one race between both of their major facilities - Hockenheim and Nurburgring. The details were quickly finalised and all questions surrounding this were settled. Nurburgring will host the 2007 meeting, and Hockenheim will take over for 2008. The race will switch between both circuits thereafter.
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October 31st marks Halloween in a lot of countries, and this gives me the perfect excuse to post an article I have had in the works for a few weeks now. The link is tenuous, but I assure you it is there, somewhere.
