Surinder Thatthi, chairman of CACMS, and Morrie Chandler, president of the WRC have spoken to one another about the scruffy appearance of Loeb, particularly when the television cameras focus on him, which I’m sure you can imagine, is quite a lot.

I watched the WRC Mexico highlights last night and I have to voice my opinion on the poor appearance of Sebastien Loeb on WRC-TV. He was unshaven, scruffy looking and with unkempt hair!!

It is wrong…..when the FIA gives him global TV coverage to millions of viewers and to many children worldwide he is a hero and role model [...] I know there is a level of personal freedom one is allowed but I feel he is taking this too far and someone should talk to him or his team about this. Surinder Thatthi.

Chandler responded with the following.

Yes I watched the same as you did [...] Unfortunately it is not a problem that is unique to our sport as the same happens in football and other “male” sports.

Of course these persons are an insult to real males. My only solution is that we suggest to [rallying rights holders] ISC that the camera does not cover them close up. Morrie Chandler.

Chandler’s response was also sent to Simon Long, the ISC managing director, who took a lighter view of the situation.

I do feel that it is precisely Sebastien’s “ruggedly good-looking” appearance which has helped endear him to so many new and young fans both in France and around the world. Simon Long.

Autosport are reporting that it was news agency Reuters that saw the emails and have since published them. But isn’t this just a load of utter nonsense? I remember Jacques Villeneuve turning up to racing circuits looking like a teenager, baggy t-shirts and jeans to boot. The 1997 world champion would often dye his hair, and in fact it was bleached the very day he won his title. Johnny Herbert would also occasionally forget to stand close to his razor on the morning of a race, and I don’t think Nick Heidfeld even bothers anymore. Oh, and please let us not forget Fernando Alonso’s facial hair in 2006. While his little beard was neat and trim, it was also quite funny.

So what next? Are the FIA going to ban close-ups of Nick Heidfeld. Maybe they could photoshop images of Villeneuve so history will show a more smart appearance of previous racers? Maybe they could buy David Coulthard a multi-pack of Gillette blades and wag their finger at him until it fell off? The finger, that is.

Honestly, do me a favour FIA, shut up. I honestly didn’t think the actions of the governing body of the WRC or Formula One could get any more ridiculous. I’m afraid to say they just have. Shouldn’t the FIA be focusing on other things right now…?

Original article by BlogF1.

Villeneuve Was Lucky, But Heidfeld Should Be Worried

I’ve never really liked Eddie Irvine. He blew his chance at the world championship and seemed content to just earn money from his job rather than pursue his ambitions like someone possessed. He would often speak up when I felt he should keep quiet and focus on racing. He was a jack-the-lad, and these folk don’t really attract me.

Similarly, I was relieved when Jacques Villeneuve finally bowed out of Formula One. I stand by my statement that I’ve made many times over; he only won the 1997 crown because Mercedes placed woefully unreliable engines in the back of Hakkinen’s and Coulthard’s McLarens. And Villeneuve too came across as arrogant and egotistical. A trait I don’t enjoy in a person unless they have really earned it. In my opinion, Villeneuve hadn’t earned it and when BMW finally decided to replace him with Kubica, I smiled.

Today though, I thought about how F1 might be seen to a new fan, perhaps someone who is getting ready to watch the sport for the very first time next weekend. And I’ve come a startling conclusion. Well, it was startling to me given my distaste for Irvine and Villeneuve-esque types. The conclusion? Formula One doesn’t have much of a personality anymore.

Maybe I’m just missing the roar of engines and the colour of the weekend, but I cannot help but feel I’ve judged too strongly. Irvine and Villeneuve did add to the sport; they added a bit of vibrancy, spice, maybe even controversy. Now, I am well aware that F1 doesn’t need anymore controversy at the moment and I’m actually hoping for a boring year of good ol’ racing. Perhaps though, it could be coloured a little more with, say, a water fight in the post race press conference? Or a food fight centered around a drivers birthday cake?

It is possible that these things still happen, after all, the teams and drivers have to let off steam every now and then. But if these antics do take place, I don’t see them as often as I used to. The blame, if indeed there is any, could arguably be placed at the feet of McLaren and Ferrari following the tense dramas of 2007. But that shouldn’t stop Adrian Sutil replying to a journalist’s “how are you?” with a “I’m alright, I got laid last night”.

Another person who needs to accept responsibility for the perceived lack of personality in the sport is Max Mosley. Not allowing drivers to perform donuts after races. Not allowing drivers to stop on the parade lap to pick up a flag. I’m actually surprised he allowed Michael Schumacher to wear a red wig and for Villeneuve to dye his hair. What next, ordering Alonso to get a short-back-and-sides every other weekend?

Am I going a bit mad here? I am well aware I’ve just typed a post that basically says there aren’t enough food fights in Formula One, but I hope that doesn’t constitute being locked away. I am curious though, am I alone in my thinking? Are there enough food fights in Formula One?

Original article by BlogF1.

Are There Enough Food Fights In Formula One?

Original article by BlogF1.

Caption Contest: #26

When Jacques parted company with Formula One in 2006, the Canadian looked to America and NASCAR for a drive, at the time also declaring an ambition to win the Le Mans 24 Hour race to further add to his array of trophies. However, NASCAR has proven quite tricky for Jacques to get involved with, and it is thought Pollock has hindered the process through his demands. Craig has apparently insisted on being integral to the operation of the team Jacques would drive for, adding to the complications already in place.

A lot has changed in recent years. I’m older, and probably no longer need a manager to perform those duties that Craig has covered so well before; now that I’m married, I’m much more reliant on my wife, and more and more I’ve been working on a lot of that stuff myself.

Craig and I have been good friends for most of my life, and that doesn’t just go away; this is a friendly parting and we remain good friends. He has stuck with me through good times and bad, and I have a lot to thank him for. Jacques Villeneuve.

We’ve had a fantastic time together, sharing the highs and lows. I have always believed in Jacques’ driving ability and that will never change. NASCAR is a new challenge and even though I will not be with him, it is my intention to follow his new adventure. Go for it Jacques! Craig Pollock.

How this split will effect the other business interests the pair are involved with is yet to be seen; both are involved with a restaurant, club and car-care product distribution business. Pitpass are also reporting that the two of them may have been involved with the making of a film based on Jacques’s father Gilles, a legendary driver who was tragically killed when Jacques was young.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Villeneuve’s career now. He definitely hit a metophorical brick wall around the time BAR started to become unraveled, but now Jacques is taking a different approach we may see a reinvigorated racer returning to the ovals and circuits.

Original article by BlogF1.

Jacques Villeneuve & Craig Pollock End Professional Relationship

Nick entered the world of Formula One in 2000 with the Prost team. Partnered with Jean Alesi, reliability issues plagued both drivers all year and Heidfeld looked elsewhere for a drive in 2001. He found his way in to a Sauber with a three-year contract with the Swiss team, but after the retirement of double World Champion Mika Hakkinen, Nick thought he would be able to move in at Woking and take over the Finns position at McLaren. It wasn’t to be though, and Ron Dennis signed Heidfeld’s 2001 team mate instead, Kimi Raikkonen. Feeling upstaged by the young charger, Nick continued to battle on with the midfield team. He did manage a podium in Brazil and few points that saw him finish in eighth place in the 2001 title standings. However, the struggle at Sauber grew and the performance of the car slipped over the time Heidfeld was driving. By 2003, Nick was placed 14th in the standings with only half as many points he had garnered in 2001.

A change was needed, and reaching the end of his tenure at Sauber, Nick once again looked elsewhere for a drive. However, with his beaten reputation, few teams considered him. Jordan bit though, and Heidfeld signed a one year deal with the British team. In all honesty, Nick would have probably been better off taking a year out of F1. The EJ13 was a terrible car, and Nick could only muster 3 points from 18 races. Placed 18th in the title race, Heidfeld must have feared for his future, but a lifeline was handed in the form of a drive for Williams. Partnered with Mark Webber, Nick was rewarded for his efforts in the failing Jordan with a chance to reignite his career in one of Formula One’s most respected teams. Powered with the mighty BMW engine, things were finally beginning to look good for Nick.

In the first seven rounds of the 2005 championship, Heidfeld managed three podiums, compared to Webber’s one, Nick was looking like a hungry rookie all over again. At his home Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, Heidfeld took pole much to the surprise and elation of his fans, and he bagged a second place at Monaco, his best finish to date.

However, despite being in one F1’s top teams, the FW25 wasn’t as good as it should have been, and the results everyone expected didn’t materialise. Furthermore, it became apparent that the relationship between Williams and BMW was souring. And then an accident in testing forced Heidfeld to sit out two races. The bad luck continued when Nick was out training in preparation for his return. While out cycling he was hit by a car and Nick was forced to miss the final races of the year. Once again, bad luck struck the German. But once again, a life line was given to Nick, and to date, it is the last one.

BMW split with Williams at the end of 2005. With no obvious answer to their engine crisis, Nick left the team and joined BMW in their own venture. It would see a return to Sauber for Heidfeld as BMW had bought the outfit, and Nick returned to Hinwil to drive for the team.

A podium in Hungary, the beating of 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, 23 points and a thoroughly impressive season later, Nick is looking good for 2007.

With young Polish driver Robert Kubica keeping the pressure on Heidfeld, 2007 is starting to like a great year for the German marque. The team did exceptionally well in 2006, considering it was their first year as the new team. Nick drove some excellent races and generally kept it all together, not blinking when Villeneuve left in a huff, and not looking too concerned when new boy Kubica gained points on his first outing (although later disqualified for a technical infringement on the teams behalf).

Nick looks like a mature driver who would rather keep his head down and race rather than mouth off to whoever will listen. In fact, he is in stark contrast to his previous team mate Villeneuve, who would regularly voice his opinion to the media, be it good or bad.

I often hear that F1 needs these flamboyant drivers to keep it interesting, but I disagree. I’ve never had any fondness for Eddie Irvine, a driver who lives the playboy lifestyle, criticises fellow racers in his tabloid column and didn’t necessarily have the pace to win when it mattered. The same applies to Villeneuve loosely, and while there is a place in Formula One for these personalities, I fear that too many will cause the sport to resemble a zoo more than a well-oiled racing operation. Equally so, too many quiet-types will lead to thrill-seeking viewers turning over and watching NASCAR or the Red Bull Soap Box race.

But to those who choose to whine about drivers being dull and boring, while you may have a point, I expect Heidfeld to do rather well this year. The BMW is looking like an improvement over last year, and they have kept pace with developments and the other teams. They won’t be shooting for the title, but BMWs plan of aiming for 2008 looks to be on target, and all things going well, Heidfeld should be good for some race wins in a couple of years.

Well, that is what I think of Heidfeld and the general perception of quiet drivers. But what do you think? Is Heidfeld a potential race winner, or should he just sell insurance for a living? Do you prefer the loud-mouthed drivers like Villeneuve and Montoya, or do you watch F1 just for racing? Have your say in the comments below…

Original article by BlogF1.

Nick Heidfeld: A Certain Amount Of Respect