One of the main talking points off the track in the past months has been the dispute between Lotus Racing and Group Lotus. Lotus Racing is the team which entered Formula 1 this year under the leadership of Tony Fernandes. Group Lotus is the company which looks after Lotus roadcars. Now let me make it clear, i'm no expert on all the legal matters which seem to dog the dispute between these two entities over who owns the right to the Team Lotus name. Quite frankly, it has been a story which has not really captured my interest and so haven't followed or indeed understood all the details involved. Neither do i know anybody involved so would not normally try and blog about such issues!
However i came across an interesting claim, by total chance, that Renault have already sold it F1 Chassis division and it will only make engines from now on. The sale was to Lotus, which we can presume is the Group Lotus company rather than the current F1 outfit. Of course this is not necessarily true but from what i can gather, it seems a pretty solid source and is from an employee from the team so likely is true. This would mean that Group Lotus have bought at least 50% and have a majority stake. When i first seen this i was surprised as my initial thought was that the Renault name was gone bar on the engines. However without agreement from all the teams they would not be able to change their team name without loss of FOM revenue from the season which has passed. One suggestion seems to be that Lotus would be the title sponsor of Renault on the team name so the team would be called 'Lotus Renault' like Mclaren have the name of 'Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' It would be questionable thought that people would use that name regularly but rather continue to know the team and call the cars by the name of Renault. It would likely be that the Enstone factory continued with the day to day running of the team whilst Group Lotus contribution would be more based on finance.
Still holding your attention? Good. As it stands, Lotus Racing want to change to Team Lotus, using the name made iconic by Clark, Andretti and Peterson amongst others. Of course this is challenged by Group Lotus and with both sides not backing down it could come down to a battle in the courts. How that will play out is anyones guess and of course the knock on effects of a verdict falling on either side could affect matters.
How will it affect things on the track? Well more investment for the 'Renault' team helps them put more into building on their 2010 season and giving Robert Kubica a car capable of wins. Even if a cash injection is forthcoming i still expect Vitaly Petrov to keep his seat. For Lotus Racing there has been good work done already in sealing a Renault engine deal and getting hold of some Red Bull technology as well so they will want to now move up and be battling with the midfield teams and be fighting for Q2 and getting points on the board.
For a detailed look at the Lotus/Renault situation i recommend a read of http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/the-renault-situation/
Friday, 3 December 2010
Group Lotus set for Renault buy in
One of the main talking points off the track in the past months has been the dispute between Lotus Racing and Group Lotus. Lotus Racing is the team which entered Formula 1 this year under the leadership of Tony Fernandes. Group Lotus is the company which looks after Lotus roadcars. Now let me make it clear, i'm no expert on all the legal matters which seem to dog the dispute between these two entities over who owns the right to the Team Lotus name. Quite frankly, it has been a story which has not really captured my interest and so haven't followed or indeed understood all the details involved. Neither do i know anybody involved so would not normally try and blog about such issues!
However i came across an interesting claim, by total chance, that Renault have already sold it F1 Chassis division and it will only make engines from now on. The sale was to Lotus, which we can presume is the Group Lotus company rather than the current F1 outfit. Of course this is not necessarily true but from what i can gather, it seems a pretty solid source and is from an employee from the team so likely is true. This would mean that Group Lotus have bought at least 50% and have a majority stake. When i first seen this i was surprised as my initial thought was that the Renault name was gone bar on the engines. However without agreement from all the teams they would not be able to change their team name without loss of FOM revenue from the season which has passed. One suggestion seems to be that Lotus would be the title sponsor of Renault on the team name so the team would be called 'Lotus Renault' like Mclaren have the name of 'Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' It would be questionable thought that people would use that name regularly but rather continue to know the team and call the cars by the name of Renault. It would likely be that the Enstone factory continued with the day to day running of the team whilst Group Lotus contribution would be more based on finance.
Still holding your attention? Good. As it stands, Lotus Racing want to change to Team Lotus, using the name made iconic by Clark, Andretti and Peterson amongst others. Of course this is challenged by Group Lotus and with both sides not backing down it could come down to a battle in the courts. How that will play out is anyones guess and of course the knock on effects of a verdict falling on either side could affect matters.
How will it affect things on the track? Well more investment for the 'Renault' team helps them put more into building on their 2010 season and giving Robert Kubica a car capable of wins. Even if a cash injection is forthcoming i still expect Vitaly Petrov to keep his seat. For Lotus Racing there has been good work done already in sealing a Renault engine deal and getting hold of some Red Bull technology as well so they will want to now move up and be battling with the midfield teams and be fighting for Q2 and getting points on the board.
For a detailed look at the Lotus/Renault situation i recommend a read of http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/the-renault-situation/
However i came across an interesting claim, by total chance, that Renault have already sold it F1 Chassis division and it will only make engines from now on. The sale was to Lotus, which we can presume is the Group Lotus company rather than the current F1 outfit. Of course this is not necessarily true but from what i can gather, it seems a pretty solid source and is from an employee from the team so likely is true. This would mean that Group Lotus have bought at least 50% and have a majority stake. When i first seen this i was surprised as my initial thought was that the Renault name was gone bar on the engines. However without agreement from all the teams they would not be able to change their team name without loss of FOM revenue from the season which has passed. One suggestion seems to be that Lotus would be the title sponsor of Renault on the team name so the team would be called 'Lotus Renault' like Mclaren have the name of 'Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' It would be questionable thought that people would use that name regularly but rather continue to know the team and call the cars by the name of Renault. It would likely be that the Enstone factory continued with the day to day running of the team whilst Group Lotus contribution would be more based on finance.
Still holding your attention? Good. As it stands, Lotus Racing want to change to Team Lotus, using the name made iconic by Clark, Andretti and Peterson amongst others. Of course this is challenged by Group Lotus and with both sides not backing down it could come down to a battle in the courts. How that will play out is anyones guess and of course the knock on effects of a verdict falling on either side could affect matters.
How will it affect things on the track? Well more investment for the 'Renault' team helps them put more into building on their 2010 season and giving Robert Kubica a car capable of wins. Even if a cash injection is forthcoming i still expect Vitaly Petrov to keep his seat. For Lotus Racing there has been good work done already in sealing a Renault engine deal and getting hold of some Red Bull technology as well so they will want to now move up and be battling with the midfield teams and be fighting for Q2 and getting points on the board.
For a detailed look at the Lotus/Renault situation i recommend a read of http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/the-renault-situation/
Legard to stay or go at BBC?
Having shown Formula 1 in the UK for over 20 years before losing the rights to ITV, many were pleased when the corporation regained the license to show the sport. Two seasons into this new era and the BBC coverage has been widely hailed by viewers as successful. Jake Humphrey has impressed with his presentation and enthusiasm for the role of leading the coverage. Eddie Jordan's antics in the pitlane have both annoyed and entertained fans whilst David Coulthard has got used to commenting on the drivers rather than be on track after his retirement. Ted Kravitz has continued with his role from the ITV days and Lee McKenzie looks after interviews, as well as doing features and even hosting in Japan this year.
In the commentary box, there is Jonathan Legard and Martin Brundle. From his retirement from F1 driving, Brundle has been a commentator and has been applauded for his excellence in the role with plaudits and awards. However the role of lead commentator has been the main media position to provoke debate amongst Formula 1 fans. After the departure of Murray Walker in 2001, James Allen stepped up from pitlane reporter to fill the breach. He would do the job for 7 years but come under fire from many as annoying to listen to and also for being too pro-British, particularly when Lewis Hamilton hit the scene. I felt Allen did a good job personally, he toned down his over enthusiastic character in his early years and whilst he did overdo things in regards to putting emphasis on what Hamilton was doing in the races, this was because the producers of the ITV F1 coverage wanted him to. Allen blogs regularly and still goes to many races and certainly has shown that he can have a neutral standpoint.
Jonathan Legard used to be the Formula 1 main correspondent for BBC Radio before moving onto covering Football. He then left that position to take the TV commentary position. It was a difficult opening period as he struggled to gel with Brundle and came under criticism for his repetitive nature. I do feel he was greatly improved this season and was better. He still had some issues, interrupting Brundle and getting his wires crossed with his commentating partner but in general i felt he improved. It's not an easy job calling a long and strategic grand prix and i feel some of the words aimed in his direction have been unnecessary. His blog and tweets are very insightful and he seems to have very good relationships with many people in the paddock. So his commentary may not be perfect but he does have strengths elsewhere.
Rumours have been constant without any concrete information. A few months back, reports were that Legard could face the axe at the end of the season with claims that Brundle was unhappy with the partnership. Then Legard tweeted about how he had been at a charity lunch for the Mechanics trust which would be featured on the 2011 BBC coverage which suggested he may be staying on. However this was counteracted by a claim that he had not been part of the filming. Then this morning some people were claiming that Legard was not having his contract (which expires at the end of the year reportedly) renewed. I tried to investigate these latest rumours earlier and all i could get was someone who claimed they had it from a 'second hand source' that Legard was definitely out and the search for a replacement was on.
If Legard does find himself out of the job, then several names will be in the running. As mentioned before, James Allen has previous experience of the role. Ben Edwards used to commentate for Eurosport and the now defunct digital F1 channel. He currently does BTCC commentary. Charlie Cox has been linked with the position and is believed to be good friends with Brundle but i'd be very surprised if he made the move from MotoGP to F1. David Croft could move up from radio but that would mean another recruitment search for the BBC.
All in all, it has been an excellent effort by the BBC with Formula 1. Ratings have been fantastic, many people have been drawn to the sport and things like the post race forum have provided extra analysis and insight into the sport. ITV did raise the bar with their coverage but the BBC have taken things to a whole new level. Whether Jonathan Legard remains with them on their successful journey for the 2011 installment remains to be seen. Many want him out but remember this man has been with the BBC for many years. The decision makers in this process will not decide to replace him without serious thought but certainly it is a situation to keep an eye on.
In the commentary box, there is Jonathan Legard and Martin Brundle. From his retirement from F1 driving, Brundle has been a commentator and has been applauded for his excellence in the role with plaudits and awards. However the role of lead commentator has been the main media position to provoke debate amongst Formula 1 fans. After the departure of Murray Walker in 2001, James Allen stepped up from pitlane reporter to fill the breach. He would do the job for 7 years but come under fire from many as annoying to listen to and also for being too pro-British, particularly when Lewis Hamilton hit the scene. I felt Allen did a good job personally, he toned down his over enthusiastic character in his early years and whilst he did overdo things in regards to putting emphasis on what Hamilton was doing in the races, this was because the producers of the ITV F1 coverage wanted him to. Allen blogs regularly and still goes to many races and certainly has shown that he can have a neutral standpoint.
Jonathan Legard used to be the Formula 1 main correspondent for BBC Radio before moving onto covering Football. He then left that position to take the TV commentary position. It was a difficult opening period as he struggled to gel with Brundle and came under criticism for his repetitive nature. I do feel he was greatly improved this season and was better. He still had some issues, interrupting Brundle and getting his wires crossed with his commentating partner but in general i felt he improved. It's not an easy job calling a long and strategic grand prix and i feel some of the words aimed in his direction have been unnecessary. His blog and tweets are very insightful and he seems to have very good relationships with many people in the paddock. So his commentary may not be perfect but he does have strengths elsewhere.
Rumours have been constant without any concrete information. A few months back, reports were that Legard could face the axe at the end of the season with claims that Brundle was unhappy with the partnership. Then Legard tweeted about how he had been at a charity lunch for the Mechanics trust which would be featured on the 2011 BBC coverage which suggested he may be staying on. However this was counteracted by a claim that he had not been part of the filming. Then this morning some people were claiming that Legard was not having his contract (which expires at the end of the year reportedly) renewed. I tried to investigate these latest rumours earlier and all i could get was someone who claimed they had it from a 'second hand source' that Legard was definitely out and the search for a replacement was on.
If Legard does find himself out of the job, then several names will be in the running. As mentioned before, James Allen has previous experience of the role. Ben Edwards used to commentate for Eurosport and the now defunct digital F1 channel. He currently does BTCC commentary. Charlie Cox has been linked with the position and is believed to be good friends with Brundle but i'd be very surprised if he made the move from MotoGP to F1. David Croft could move up from radio but that would mean another recruitment search for the BBC.
All in all, it has been an excellent effort by the BBC with Formula 1. Ratings have been fantastic, many people have been drawn to the sport and things like the post race forum have provided extra analysis and insight into the sport. ITV did raise the bar with their coverage but the BBC have taken things to a whole new level. Whether Jonathan Legard remains with them on their successful journey for the 2011 installment remains to be seen. Many want him out but remember this man has been with the BBC for many years. The decision makers in this process will not decide to replace him without serious thought but certainly it is a situation to keep an eye on.
Legard to stay or go at BBC?
Having shown Formula 1 in the UK for over 20 years before losing the rights to ITV, many were pleased when the corporation regained the license to show the sport. Two seasons into this new era and the BBC coverage has been widely hailed by viewers as successful. Jake Humphrey has impressed with his presentation and enthusiasm for the role of leading the coverage. Eddie Jordan's antics in the pitlane have both annoyed and entertained fans whilst David Coulthard has got used to commenting on the drivers rather than be on track after his retirement. Ted Kravitz has continued with his role from the ITV days and Lee McKenzie looks after interviews, as well as doing features and even hosting in Japan this year.
In the commentary box, there is Jonathan Legard and Martin Brundle. From his retirement from F1 driving, Brundle has been a commentator and has been applauded for his excellence in the role with plaudits and awards. However the role of lead commentator has been the main media position to provoke debate amongst Formula 1 fans. After the departure of Murray Walker in 2001, James Allen stepped up from pitlane reporter to fill the breach. He would do the job for 7 years but come under fire from many as annoying to listen to and also for being too pro-British, particularly when Lewis Hamilton hit the scene. I felt Allen did a good job personally, he toned down his over enthusiastic character in his early years and whilst he did overdo things in regards to putting emphasis on what Hamilton was doing in the races, this was because the producers of the ITV F1 coverage wanted him to. Allen blogs regularly and still goes to many races and certainly has shown that he can have a neutral standpoint.
Jonathan Legard used to be the Formula 1 main correspondent for BBC Radio before moving onto covering Football. He then left that position to take the TV commentary position. It was a difficult opening period as he struggled to gel with Brundle and came under criticism for his repetitive nature. I do feel he was greatly improved this season and was better. He still had some issues, interrupting Brundle and getting his wires crossed with his commentating partner but in general i felt he improved. It's not an easy job calling a long and strategic grand prix and i feel some of the words aimed in his direction have been unnecessary. His blog and tweets are very insightful and he seems to have very good relationships with many people in the paddock. So his commentary may not be perfect but he does have strengths elsewhere.
Rumours have been constant without any concrete information. A few months back, reports were that Legard could face the axe at the end of the season with claims that Brundle was unhappy with the partnership. Then Legard tweeted about how he had been at a charity lunch for the Mechanics trust which would be featured on the 2011 BBC coverage which suggested he may be staying on. However this was counteracted by a claim that he had not been part of the filming. Then this morning some people were claiming that Legard was not having his contract (which expires at the end of the year reportedly) renewed. I tried to investigate these latest rumours earlier and all i could get was someone who claimed they had it from a 'second hand source' that Legard was definitely out and the search for a replacement was on.
If Legard does find himself out of the job, then several names will be in the running. As mentioned before, James Allen has previous experience of the role. Ben Edwards used to commentate for Eurosport and the now defunct digital F1 channel. He currently does BTCC commentary. Charlie Cox has been linked with the position and is believed to be good friends with Brundle but i'd be very surprised if he made the move from MotoGP to F1. David Croft could move up from radio but that would mean another recruitment search for the BBC.
All in all, it has been an excellent effort by the BBC with Formula 1. Ratings have been fantastic, many people have been drawn to the sport and things like the post race forum have provided extra analysis and insight into the sport. ITV did raise the bar with their coverage but the BBC have taken things to a whole new level. Whether Jonathan Legard remains with them on their successful journey for the 2011 installment remains to be seen. Many want him out but remember this man has been with the BBC for many years. The decision makers in this process will not decide to replace him without serious thought but certainly it is a situation to keep an eye on.
In the commentary box, there is Jonathan Legard and Martin Brundle. From his retirement from F1 driving, Brundle has been a commentator and has been applauded for his excellence in the role with plaudits and awards. However the role of lead commentator has been the main media position to provoke debate amongst Formula 1 fans. After the departure of Murray Walker in 2001, James Allen stepped up from pitlane reporter to fill the breach. He would do the job for 7 years but come under fire from many as annoying to listen to and also for being too pro-British, particularly when Lewis Hamilton hit the scene. I felt Allen did a good job personally, he toned down his over enthusiastic character in his early years and whilst he did overdo things in regards to putting emphasis on what Hamilton was doing in the races, this was because the producers of the ITV F1 coverage wanted him to. Allen blogs regularly and still goes to many races and certainly has shown that he can have a neutral standpoint.
Jonathan Legard used to be the Formula 1 main correspondent for BBC Radio before moving onto covering Football. He then left that position to take the TV commentary position. It was a difficult opening period as he struggled to gel with Brundle and came under criticism for his repetitive nature. I do feel he was greatly improved this season and was better. He still had some issues, interrupting Brundle and getting his wires crossed with his commentating partner but in general i felt he improved. It's not an easy job calling a long and strategic grand prix and i feel some of the words aimed in his direction have been unnecessary. His blog and tweets are very insightful and he seems to have very good relationships with many people in the paddock. So his commentary may not be perfect but he does have strengths elsewhere.
Rumours have been constant without any concrete information. A few months back, reports were that Legard could face the axe at the end of the season with claims that Brundle was unhappy with the partnership. Then Legard tweeted about how he had been at a charity lunch for the Mechanics trust which would be featured on the 2011 BBC coverage which suggested he may be staying on. However this was counteracted by a claim that he had not been part of the filming. Then this morning some people were claiming that Legard was not having his contract (which expires at the end of the year reportedly) renewed. I tried to investigate these latest rumours earlier and all i could get was someone who claimed they had it from a 'second hand source' that Legard was definitely out and the search for a replacement was on.
If Legard does find himself out of the job, then several names will be in the running. As mentioned before, James Allen has previous experience of the role. Ben Edwards used to commentate for Eurosport and the now defunct digital F1 channel. He currently does BTCC commentary. Charlie Cox has been linked with the position and is believed to be good friends with Brundle but i'd be very surprised if he made the move from MotoGP to F1. David Croft could move up from radio but that would mean another recruitment search for the BBC.
All in all, it has been an excellent effort by the BBC with Formula 1. Ratings have been fantastic, many people have been drawn to the sport and things like the post race forum have provided extra analysis and insight into the sport. ITV did raise the bar with their coverage but the BBC have taken things to a whole new level. Whether Jonathan Legard remains with them on their successful journey for the 2011 installment remains to be seen. Many want him out but remember this man has been with the BBC for many years. The decision makers in this process will not decide to replace him without serious thought but certainly it is a situation to keep an eye on.
Monday, 29 November 2010
The F1 Christmas Selection Box
As the off season continues, here's some videos and pictures to hopefully amuse you through the winter break. Thanks to anyone who suggested or contributed content. Enjoy!
The F1 Christmas Selection Box
As the off season continues, here's some videos and pictures to hopefully amuse you through the winter break. Thanks to anyone who suggested or contributed content. Enjoy!
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Korea Sunday quotes: Ferrari
Sunday, October 24th 2010, 12:14 GMT
Fernando Alonso - 1st: "It is a great feeling winning this way, as it was a very difficult victory, given the track conditions. Especially at the start, the situation on track and in terms of visibility was really precarious. That was the most worrying time, because I knew it would be an achievement just to stay on the track. We had never driven here in the wet and so there was no reference point. Webber's retirement slightly changed our approach because, all in all, it would have been sufficient to finish on the podium without taking too many risks. The final stages were particularly difficult because half the track was almost dry and the tyres were getting ruined really quickly. I witnessed both Red Bull problems from very close up: in these situations you try and stay super-concentrated, because you are coming from a high speed corner and there is no time to think. Clearly, this was a great help for our championship chances, but luck proves that Formula 1 is not just about the maths! If you then think about what happened at races such as Valencia and Silverstone, you can really say that what goes around comes around. Now there are still fifty points up for grabs: Red Bull are still favourite, but we will continue to do our utmost and try to always get onto the podium. The car has improved so much in the second half of the year thanks to continuous updates: maybe we have come away with more than we expected, but we know the situation can change from one weekend to the next. All the same, these results are fully deserved by the team and my dream is to see everyone in it happy..."
Felipe Massa - 3rd: "A great result at the end of a very difficult race. I am very pleased, for myself and for the team. Fernando did a great job. After two poor weekends, I am happy to have stepped up onto the podium once again. I also want to thank the race director who did an excellent job of managing the situation, making the right decisions as to when to start the race and when to bring in the Safety Car at the right moment. By the end, it was almost dark and the intermediate tyres were deteriorating, especially the rears: there is a light on the steering wheel which is very bright and in these conditions it was quite distracting. We were a bit lucky, but we also did a good job, proving to be competitive even on this track. How will things go in Interlagos and Abu Dhabi? It's hard to say, as the two tracks are very different one to the other. It will be important to have a car capable of fighting for a podium place and then try not to make any mistakes."
Luca di Montezemolo: "What I am most pleased about is that we have shown that with determination, hard work, level headedness and the will to win, we can get out of the most difficult situations. We are a team that never gives up and we showed that yet again today," said the Ferrari President. "I want to congratulate the entire team, who worked in impeccable fashion, Fernando who was exceptional and Felipe who brought home a very important third place: it was great to see him on the podium with his team-mate and Chris Dyer. "Now however, we must keep our feet on the ground," continued Montezemolo. "The championship is still very open and we know we are up against very strong opponents. We will have to tackle the final two races with even higher levels of concentration, paying attention to every little detail."
Stefano Domenicali: "First of all, let's just keep calm about this! This has been a fantastic day, in which we have turned around the situation in the Drivers' championship and also, albeit partially, put us back in a stronger position in the Constructors' classification. However, we are well aware the hardest part begins now. There are two races to go: we must tackle them with the same ferocious determination which has seen us fight back in a way many thought impossible. I have said it so often in the past, but I want to repeat it even today: what counts the most in this final part of the season is for the team and the drivers to keep a cool head, along with reliability and concentration. This weekend we proved capable of doing that even in very unusual conditions like those we experienced today. We are up against very strong opposition, especially in the shape of a team that has managed to take 14 poles from 17 races: to be in this position with just two races to go is already significant. First of all I want to thank our drivers: they were great, not making the slightest mistake, managing a very stressful race in very difficult conditions. The team worked very well and the little problem at Fernando's pit stop was soon recovered on track. As usual, our thanks extend to our commercial and technical partners, starting with Philip Morris, the Santander Bank and Shell, the latter bringing us a new fuel here which also helped. Finally, I want to say it is an honour for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro to be the first name to go on the winner's trophy for the Korean Grand Prix, in a country that is expanding rapidly and a market that is also growing in importance in terms of our road cars.
Chris Dyer: "A really fantastic day, which shows how true it is to say that it's not over until it's over! Never give up is something we say all the time and we demonstrated it again here. Our drivers did an exceptional job in extremely difficult conditions, with virtually no grip or visibility in the first part of the race. When the race started, after the Safety Car came in, we began to run at a good pace, but then the race was neutralised again. We were a smidgen unlucky with Fernando, who just as in Valencia was unable to pit right away and had to complete another lap before coming in. At the pit stop, we had a problem with the two wheel nuts, which lost him a place to Hamilton, but then, partly due to the pressure Fernando was putting on him at the restart, we won it back. Everything went smoothly in this part for Felipe, who maintained his position. After that, both drivers managed the tyres in an excellent way, especially the Spaniard who was always capable of putting Vettel under pressure, until he retired. The final stages were very tense, because we did not know if the tyres would go all the way to the end and another stop would have compromised the result. It is hard to realise that after everything that has happened this season, Fernando is now leading the championship! We have two races ahead of us, against very strong opponents, but we have seen how our car has improved race after race. We must continue working in this way!"
source: autosport.com
Massa happy to have stepped up
Felipe Massa said he was pleased to have helped out his Ferrari team by finishing third in the Korean Grand Prix.
Although not in the title hunt himself, Massa has experienced a barren run of things recently and was happy to once again step onto the podium.
"A great result at the end of a very difficult race," said Massa. "I am very pleased, for myself and for the team. Fernando did a great job. After two poor weekends, I am happy to have stepped up onto the podium once again. I also want to thank the race director who did an excellent job of managing the situation, making the right decisions as to when to start the race and when to bring in the Safety Car at the right moment.
"By the end, it was almost dark and the intermediate tyres were deteriorating, especially the rears: there is a light on the steering wheel which is very bright and in these conditions it was quite distracting."
Although Massa owed much for his podium to the retirements of both Red Bull drivers and Nico Rosberg, he is hopeful of fighting for further podiums in the remaining two races.
"We were a bit lucky, but we also did a good job, proving to be competitive even on this track. How will things go in Interlagos and Abu Dhabi? It's hard to say, as the two tracks are very different one to the other. It will be important to have a car capable of fighting for a podium place and then try not to make any mistakes."
Source: ESPNF1
Friday, 14 May 2010
WLF1 Ring - Overview May 2010
I always like to have the first post on the blog be overview shots, especially when I know I'll be leaving this site alone for a while... its summer afterall so time to enjoy the fine Michigan weather. So here it is WLF1 Ring overviews. Until next time...
WLF1 Ring - Details
Here's a few shots of various upgraded places around the track. Turn 19 "James Boys" gets a scenic outer edge and billboards. The garage gets a 3rd floor (dare I say I ran out of space for two floors and am getting close to needing a 4th floor!) Also the garage ramps get more robust railings and blue trim pieces. Last place for the race is Park Ferme which gained a few visitors... and to the victor, the spoils!
WLF1 Ring - Triple Towers
Here's another case of hide the house to make the track look more complete. This time its the rear marshall access door. I started with a shelf anchored directly to the door and then added some 2 inch foam rock base. I made three buildings of decending sizes and oriented them along the door face. The left side of the left most building actually stays with the wall and door frame stationary while the remaining right half and other two buildings swing away with the door. This way for big race nights you can open the door for a marshall, otherwise its closed for a more complete scenic look. These buildings are all gatorboard with flat wood stock trim pieces. I did a few antennae platforms too to cover up some more of the door moulding. The buildings are elevated to accomodate a small lot to park a few cars on.
WLF1 Ring - Harlan Tech Center Upgrades
I left the HTC alone for quite sometime but recently revisited its structure. I never put the elevator doors on the original and the roof was a bit lacking in detail. Now you can see those added elements. Also I finally made the HTC sign which is a play on my signature. You can see the road way that leads up to it complete with manhole covers and a speed limit sign... 11 mph!? A little tip of the hat to my girlfriends nickname, Eleven. Recently I've been calling her Captain Slow though! ;)
WLF1 Ring - Track Terrace
This ones been waiting around for a long time... When I first did my lake surround of rocks and boulders I left certain areas flat and "available" for some future scenic. This is one of those areas, the Track Terrace. It sits adjacent to the Schumacher Esses and overlooks that section of the track. It also has two staircases leading down to circular waterfront platforms.
It's constructed of wood dowels, gatorboard and corrugated paper. Also the hand rails are silver solder which is easily pliable and not necessary to paint if you want a silver railing. Spectators here can enjoy the best mid speed corners on White Lake F1 Ring!
WLF1 Ring - Circle Lot Marshall Cover
Lately I've been working on hiding some of the substructure features of circuit. I race quite a bit with only a few guys and can actually marshall the track almost entirely from the drivers stations. So I began fabricating removeable or moveable scenic items beginning with the Circle Lot. This is a couple of 1/4 inch pieces of foam glued together and reinforced underneath with dowel rods. I scored the foam for concrete breaks and did a little rock and grass scaping to hide the edges when the cover is in place. Many people are quite surprised when I take out the Circle Lot for a big night of racing. The best of both worlds, good track access and complete scenic!
WLF1 Ring - Sector Towers
My original Sector Towers were one of the first structures to go up. A little hastily and spindely I might add so late this winter I upgraded the structure based off the originals. Some of this was prompted by me getting ever closer to sector timing for my circuit via a friend of mine, BT. We're not quite there yet, but the custom chip has been developed, Copper gaps are in (to register cars going past) and soon it'll be all up and running for lap timing as well as sector timing just like a real F1 race! The new structures were made primarily of stick and sheet balsa wood, a little styrene and graphics. They certainly look more robust and are easily spotted from the drivers stations.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
WLF1 Ring - Night Racing
Night racing is certainly as much fun as day racing on the Ring. I haven't taken specific night shots in quite some time although there has certainly been a lot of lighting added. These are really just more overview type shots but it gives a good sense of what to expect when lapping the circuit at night. Still a few more power issues for me to address though as some of the lights are not illuminating due to bad cell phone transformers or inadequate power. Both the cell and radio towers have red LEDs on top. Also the crane has a series of lights. Still though just small details that very few will notice. Of course I always notice them!
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