One of the most enjoyable things about blogging F1 is the community of like-minded enthusiasts that builds up around the blogs. I have blogged in other areas for many years and know that this is especially so when it comes to F1. Competition for traffic might be the norm between other bloggers but F1 bloggers support and encourage each other without exception.
F1 Fanatic on Twitter
An excellent instance of this co-operation and goodwill is demonstrated on Ollie White's blog, BlogF1, this week. Ollie is one of the most respected bloggers of F1 but never allows that to go to his head; in an article entitled BlogF1 Welcomes The Red Bullog To The F1 Blogosphere, he takes the time to enthuse over a newcomer to the blogosphere, The Red Bullog.
That shows the excellent spirit of F1 blogging at its best and it gives me a warm and cuddly feeling to be a part of such a community. We care, too, when another blogger hits problems and are always prepared to help. Duncan Stephen, of Vee8, has been pondering lately on how to balance the increasing demands on his time and energy; he has asked for suggestions in his article The future direction of vee8 and the response shows just how well-regarded he is by the F1 blog-reading community. It is clear that everyone wants Duncan to keep blogging, even if it has to be at a reduced rate.
In the F1 blogosphere, there is one blog that stands head and shoulders above the rest, however, and that is Keith Collantine's F1 Fanatic. Keith's prodigious and up-to-date output, his sensible and balanced articles, and the civilized conduct in his Comments system have made his blog the one everyone visits daily. F1 Fanatic is truly the F1 blog that sets the standard.
So the temporary closure of the blog while Keith searches for a more reliable web host has left us all desperate for his return. It is now three days since the disappearance of the site and I am suffering the withdrawal symptoms that must be common to all who follow F1 on the net. It has become so bad that I have even been induced to look at Twitter (something I have never visited before - the name puts me right off) in my desperation for news on the move to a new server.
I am sure that I speak for all in begging, from the depths of my F1 Fanatic deprivation, for the return of Keith to the F1 scene. Hurry back, Keith - we cannot do without you!