Happy Birthday Schumi!  43 today.

Raikkonen Renault bound?

So Lotus Renault GP are responsible for the return of Mr Monosyllable to F1.  It was music to my ears the day I found out he was leaving  F1 to join the World Rally Championship.  Now the music has been replaced by a dull, monotonous sound.

When Raikkonen joined Ferrari, they went from having a driver who involved himself completely in the team and the development of the car, to one who turned up, drove the car and went home again. 

His contract at McLaren was terminated a year early in favour of Jenson Button.  And why not?  Button is personable, marketable and as a good a driver. 
In these money driven times a driver has to be worth the money, they have to bring the cash in through sponsorship and endorsements.  Media hating Raikkonen just hasn't got the commitment needed for F1. I sincerely hope that he doesn't have the commitment needed to reach the required fitness level over the winter.

His own words: "I got the feeling from the start that the people involved in rallying are more interested in the sport and what is happening on the stages, rather than creating bullshit stories"  
So why are you coming back then? 

Season highlights

It's that time of year again.  The time when I have to be content with F1 magazines and season reviews to give me my fix.  March is a long way away...
2011 was a great season, despite Vettel's runaway success.  Here are my personal top 5 highlights.

5. Vettel's puncture in Abu Dhabi.  Was good to see a different winner for a change.

4.  Webber's overtake on Alonso at Eau Rouge.

3. Jenson's win in Canada.

2. Schumacher running 2nd in Canada.  Just missed out on a podium.

1. 20 years since his debut, Schumi fights his way from 24th to 5th at Spa, overtaking Rosberg on the way.  Fantastic!

Money versus talent

I know money is extremely important in F1, the amount it takes to run a successful team is outrageous. But is it not ludicrous when talent like Nico Hulkenberg ,who got pole position in Brazil 2010, is overlooked for a seat in favour of chinny chin chin Maldonado just because he can offer the reddies?

First pole position for Williams in 5 years and he gets dropped!?

What is with Williams?  Now they are keeping the chin meister over Barrichello, even though he has underperformed in comparison, because he brings the bolivar.  It seems that it is money versus talent and money is winning.
Williams are not the only team.  50 % of the teams on the grid had not announced driver line up for next year at the close of season.  What are they waiting for?  Are they working out who brings the biggest bucks?
Teams hire drivers who bring money but do they bring talent?  If you have talent in a team and you are gaining points finishes, the team will be rewarded financially.  Which approach do you take?  I know which is morally better and I know which provides higher quality racing.

Webber wins in Brazil!

Yay! Am really happy for Mark Webber, hopefully this is the win that will spur him on for next season.  Let's see some of his 2010 confidence resurface to topple Vettel from his perch.

Has time tocked for Barrichello?

Having no contract for 2012 what will become of Rubens?  There is talk of him trying to find money to pay for a drive next year.  This just seems desperate and a man of his character and experience should bow out with more dignity.  Isn't Interlagos the perfect place?

Barrichello gets pole in Brazil in 2003.

Pole position in the rain.  Brazil 2009

First race win 

This is how Rubinho should be remembered.

Gold 2 at the Hungaroring

Race day.
Oh the rain!  Out of 26 races in Budapest it has only rained twice before, so it seemed weird turning up with waterproofs. Would you call it karma that we got wet in Budapest so we get the first dry race in twenty years in Spa? 
Lots of good places to watch the race from at the Hungaroring but we choose Gold 2 grandstand for these reasons...





Driver track parade.

Wheeling Lewis to the grid.

Alonso feeling relieved after having a wee.

Farting around with Ferraris.

And of course Schumi baby. 
And all that before the race even starts!

Was a great race, perhaps made more interesting by the rain.   Obviously gutted that Schumi suffered a broken gearbox on lap 26, but very much enjoyed Button's win, especially as it was his 200th race and a fitting anniversary of his first F1 victory in Hungary 2006.

                Another great reason to sit in Gold 2.  No need to run to see podium action.




These people did run.  What a fantastic atmosphere.  Love it! 

                                                   Can't wait for next year...