F1 Insight
Formula 1 analysis and race pondering
596 posts
- Drivers
Lauda Forgets
The pronouncements of Niki Lauda always amuse me. No matter what the story, the F1 journalist can rely upon Niki for a viewpoint and it's usually a dubious one. His latest foray as the expert with all the answers is…
- Teams
BMW's Challenge
Today is BMW day. The big story is the unveiling of BMW Sauber's challenger for 2008, the F1.08. And it seems that I am getting into the habit of this being the only launch that I take much notice of. While other teams…
- Misc
Ferrari at Fiorano
There is an excellent video of the first shakedown test of the Ferrari F2008 on Axis of Oversteer - it's well worth watching, absolutely fascinating stuff. And not just for the car; there is more footage of Kimi…
- Teams
The Force Is With Us
I have a good feeling about Force India, in spite of the team's awkward name. There are excellent signs emanating from the revitalized outfit, not the least of which is the news today that Vijay Mallya, co-owner with…
- Misc
Thursday, Thursday
Thursday seems to be a bad day for me. I blame it on the explosions of brilliance on the first three days of the working week that leave me exhausted, but it may just be coincidence that Thursdays rarely find me with…
- Regulations
The Engineers' Complaint
In pointing out that F1 is a balance between driving skills and technological expertise yesterday, I gave the story very much from the F1 enthusiast's point of view. Listen to any large group of F1 fans and you will…
- Regulations
Traction Control and Safety
Over at F1 Fanatic , Keith Collantine has sparked a lively debate by pointing out that Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa seem to disagree about the effects of banning traction control (TC). I have had my say on the matter…
- Cars
New Car Launches
'Tis the season of F1 launches and, on Sunday, Ferrari led the way with their F2008, fittingly enough. Today McLaren were hot on their heels with the MP4/23 - the two protagonists of 2007 remain locked in battle, it…
- Politics
In the Red Corner...
Apparently, Jean Todt has been maintaining that he and Luca di Montezemolo get on well , even though they might disagree on occasion. This is to counter recent rumors that the pair have fallen out. Todt, Michael and…
- Teams
Michael Bartels Stirs the Pot
A minor story yesterday sparked a surprising amount of comment in the forums: Michael Bartels complained that Mercedes seems to ignore German drivers when a seat at McLaren goes begging. He points to the recent choice…
- Teams
Resolutions at Toyota
A Happy New Year to all my readers! And on this, the first day of 2008, I hear that Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota team boss , has been given two years to bring some F1 success to the Japanese giant. The cynic in me…
- Drivers
The Explosive Vettel
This week Formula 1 Linksheaven has a very good article on the rookies of 2008 , Nelson Piquet Jr, Kazuki Nakajima, Timo Glock and Sebastien Bourdais. If you want to know more of their backgrounds, this is the one to…
- Drivers
Flavio, Fizzy and Jos the Boss
Very little has happened in F1 over the Christmas period; perhaps only the continuing speculation regarding the Force India drive being of any real interest to the fans. Giancarlo Fisichella has been confirmed and…
- Politics
Merry Christmas, Max
Christmas approaches and the F1 news machine goes into hibernation mode; all around me the bloggers are packing up and disappearing for the duration, while I wander through the news sites, marvelling at the obscure and…
- Politics
Formula One and Formula Green
I see that one of Bernie's babies has hit problems: the Valencia race may be ruled out , thanks to a protest lodged by the Spanish environmental group, Formula Verda. Regardless of the outcome of the objection, this may…
- Teams
Super Aguri Survives
Autosport has an interesting article on the Super Aguri team today, including several revealing comments from the managing director, Daniel Audetto. Super Aguri turns the corner For instance, his mention of the drivers,…
- Politics
The End of the Affair - Renault and McLaren
Max Mosley's suggested cancellation of the February meeting regarding the McLaren 2008 car has now been accepted by the FIA . Presumably, this means that the unsavory saga of the spy cases is over and it can recede into…
- Teams
Three Choices for Force India
Assuming that Adrian Sutil is a definite for Force India, the contest for the second seat seems to have come down to three, all experienced F1 drivers. This is one more sign that Vijay Mallya is serious about F1 and…
- Drivers
Kovalainen at McLaren
Weeks of speculation have ended with McLaren's announcement that Heikki Kovalainen will be in the second McLaren for the 2008 season. He was always the obvious choice if Alonso went to Renault, although Nico Rosberg…
- Politics
McLaren Apologizes
Now that McLaren has sent its open letter of apology to the FIA and the inspection report has been published, no doubt I am expected to eat humble pie and take back all that I have said on the matter. Well, I admit to…