BlogF1

A couple of days ago I set about looking back through the record books to see if the podium at the recent Italian Grand Prix had ever been achieved before. The particularly nice symmetry that adorned the Monza celebrations was seeing the three new 2008 winners all on the rostrum together; Kubica, Kovalainen and Vettel. The first article was meant to cover each applicable season, but there are quite a few to get through, so the post was split and this is the second instalment. Continue Reading…

In the comments to the previous post about the amount of first-time winners in any one season, Sidepodcast asked if there had been any time in the past that the Italian 2008 podium had been similar. The reason for “me” asking is because the podium we saw yesterday was actually quite special. Not only did it feature Sebastian Vettel on the top step for the first time, but it also featured the other two first-time winners from this year as well. Continue Reading…

I’ve been noticing a lot of curiosity on the Formula One websites, blogs and forums today, much of it centred around first time winners and maiden victories for teams. Given that Sebastian Vettel’s win has gone down with a lot of popularity, it’s hardly surprising. Also, Sebastian is the third new winner this year so far, which prompted Alex to ask on Sidepodcast if anyone knew the last time a season had four new winners… Continue Reading…

The F1 world has received a lot of publicity this week; some good and some bad, depending on your own view. But needless to say, just about everyone has an opinion on the penalty Lewis Hamilton received after his on-track skirmish with Kimi Raikkonen at the end of the Belgian Grand Prix. Many Formula One insiders have offered their view on the decision by the stewards to add 25s to Hamilton’s time, and the view from the paddock is just as mixed as the views from the fans. Continue Reading…

Yesterday I spoke about how I feel Bernie Ecclestone isn’t doing enough to promote Formula One online, highlighting what I feel are missed opportunities relating to the official Formula One website. The post generated a fair amount of interested and today, as promised, I follow-up my initial thoughts with an explanation to these two articles and a further look at a more traditional form of media - the printed publication, or magazine, if you prefer. Continue Reading…

Have McLaren always been super-friendly, but mis-interpreted through the press, or is Ron Dennis getting a bit soft in his old age? Either way, the McLaren boss has agreed to give 13 year-old Liam Fairhurst £50 of his hard-earned money for every fish the young lad manages to catch at the team’s lake, arcing around the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. The aim is raise as much money as possible for CLIC Sargent, a charity specialising in children’s cancer, its treatment and the care of the child and family. Continue Reading…

Having set up my desk for the Hungarian Grand Prix, I got thinking if I was the only one who organises the room around the grand prix whenever the cars take to the track. Below is a photo (excuse my lack of photography skills) which shows how my desk looked as the build-up to the qualifying started. It primarily includes my MacBook Pro, which is obviously essential for blogging to BlogF1, joining in with the LiveBlog and following Formula One Live Timing. Due to the limited space on the 15″ MacBook screen, I also utilise a separate 22″ Dell monitor (which was one of the best things I ever bought). I also rotate my TV slightly so I can see it from the desk. Continue Reading…

Last week I essentially closed BlogF1 and posted a note to the top of all pages on the site. The message is still there as I type this, but for future reference, it basically says that I am on hiatus until August. I appreciate however, that no explanation or reason was given, and for those who regularly read BlogF1 but do not necessarily know me, that may have seemed strange and probably turned you off from re-visiting. So, with things getting better, I hope you will allow me to briefly explain. Continue Reading…

Over the years Formula One teams have pitched their cars against some of the world’s most formiddable, and on occasion, fiercesome machines. The most common battle is associated with the car manufacturers who supply engines to the motor sporting world, and these companies will sometimes race an F1 car against a fast road-going car and a small hatch-back or similar. Let’s take a look at some of the vehicles Formula One drivers have found themselves racing against. Continue Reading…

Following on from their successful attempts of neightbourly love at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the year, McLaren have once again welcomed their next-door neighbours over for tea and cakes. The last time the Woking team did this was when they were positioned at the far end of the pitlane next to Force India and Super Aguri, but as they have now been moved back to the fifth garage, they decided to invite Red Bull Racing and Williams around for brew and a biscuit. Continue Reading…