New Motorsport Week article: Forget the halfway house halo - F1 needs closed cockpits

My latest for Motorsport Week, inevitably, is about the halo.

Photo: Octane Photography

It's lingered for a while; been resisted at least once. But the FIA confirmed in the week that it's happening. Next year's F1 cars will feature them.

Few seem happy with this, and while I can understand to some extent how we've got here, there remains on this plenty we can question the FIA about.

Not least why after years of cockpit protection investigation the halo is the only show in town? And more broadly, why don't we go the whole hog and enclose the cockpit, rather than wrestle with halfway house solutions?

You can have a read of my take on it all here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/15392

Ayrton Senna Coin Collection by Rosland Capital

You may recall last season me telling you about premier precious metals asset firm Rosland Capital releasing and distributing The Formula One Collection, a limited edition series of F1 themed coin collections.

The Ayrton Senna 30oz gold coin

Building on these, Rosland Capital this year has a latest project, which celebrates the late great Ayrton Senna.

The limited edition Ayrton Senna coin collection, designed in collaboration with the Ayrton Senna Institute and with Formula One Management, features a 30 oz gold coin, a 2.5 oz gold coin, and a 2.5 oz silver coin, all featuring the legendary racer.

Minted by Swiss-based PAMP S.A., a portion of the proceeds will directly benefit the Ayrton Senna Institute. These limited edition coins are made available by precious metals dealer Rosland Capital.

For more Formula One coin news, follow along with Rosland Capital online on YouTube.

There are a few more images of the collection below. You can also find more information about the collection on Rosland Capital's website via this link: https://www.roslandcapital.com/f1/ayrton-senna-collection.

The gold and silver 2.5oz Senna coins

The 2.5oz silver coin

The 30oz gold coin in acrylic

Inside Line F1 Podcast - Ferrari and Mercedes Control Alonso's Fate In F1?

Ferrari & Mercedes don't seem interested in hiring Fernando Alonso's services for 2018. But by not willing to offer McLaren their power units for 2018, they're not helping McLaren (and hence, Formula 1) retain Alonso either. Are Ferrari and Mercedes controlling Fernando Alonso's fate in Formula 1? In fact, we think they are certainly controlling the 'competitive quotient' of Formula 1 too.

From power struggles, Formula 1 is now witnessing power unit struggles! In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal discuss Formula 1's partnership with Snapchat, the business of the F1 Live Events (we can't wait for the next one!), Formula 1 drivers releasing their personalised emoji packs (we can't wait for Raikkonen's) and how another 'Sebastian' might join the grid in 2018.

Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes and audioBoom for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour. 

Does Kimi Räikkönen have what it takes to make up points on the leaders? By Steven Critchley

Ten years ago a champion, today a relative also-ran. Kimi Räikkönen is perhaps one of the most underrated racers in the roster today. And with Finland's record for producing F1 talent, it may pain him particularly to see a less-experienced countryman – in Valtteri Bottas – occupying a coveted Mercedes car. Naturally, where Räikkönen's title win of 2007 is concerned, cynics would be quick to point out that it was won by just a single point, and afforded him in some part by a period of indifferent form for both McLaren drivers. Today, a long win-less run, spanning back to the 2013 season opener in Australia, as reported on BBC Sport, stands out as particularly galling for Räikkönen. Yet, until his retirement at the Spanish Grand Prix, Räikkönen's early 2017 form on was strong and consistent.

‘Kimi Räikkönen’ by Mark McArdle
via Flickr (CC-BY-SA-2.0)

Whether Sebastian Vettel's continued dominance over his team mate is part of some intricate Ferrari strategy remains to be seen, but as of 24 May 2017, where he is an 80/1 outsider (Source: Betway Sports), Räikkönen's ability to mix it with the elite remains firmly in question. Naturally, in light of the downturn in form he suffered at the end of 2016, with two retirements in the final four races, most experts would have dismissed Räikkönen's title hopes long before even the pre-season tests of 2017 began. These same 'experts' could forever analyse Räikkönen's situation, but the sole fact remains obvious – Räikkönen must begin winning races, and quickly.

Firstpost Video - British Grand Prix Review

The latest Firstpost Video Grand Prix Review is here. Mithila and Kunal of Inside Line F1 Podcast this time look at the British Grand Prix, including Lewis Hamilton's crushing win, the fun that took place far behind him, and the latest state of an intriguing championship fight. And Snapchat...

You can watch below:

British Grand Prix review for Motor Verso - Lewis's perfect day

For Lewis Hamilton the British Grand Prix was, as Lou Reed might have it, such a perfect day.

Photo: Octane Photography

Not only for himself, as usual crushing in his home event, but with what befell his title rival Sebastian Vettel. Suddenly there is but a point in it for the title and equally suddenly, having had a maddening time in the preceding two rounds, all momentum now seems with Lewis.

And who knows? With him all alone missing London Live in order to concentrate on his preparations for this one, perhaps Lewis reaped just what he sowed? He says stretching the Perfect Day theme beyond its limits...

Here's my review of it all for Motor Verso: http://www.motorverso.com/british-gp-2017-report-lewiss-perfect-day/

Do check out the Motor Verso site too; you'll find motoring news, car reviews and features - the team on the site carry out week-long test drives of the latest cars - as well as photos and videos of the machines.

British GP Report - Home run

Some fates seem set in advance. That, like Oedipus, no matter what you try to avert things you end still with the preordained outcome. Lewis Hamilton in the British Grand Prix benefited from just that, claiming his fourth home win in a row.

Lewis Hamilton cruised to victory
in a near-inevitable outcome
Photo: Octane Photography

Around Silverstone the Mercedes driver was as usual on another level. In advance we realised only the unusual could deny him, and nothing of that ilk materialised.

A poor start? It wasn't brilliant yet he held Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari off to lead. Rain? No - that stayed away (though as if to show how things smiled upon him, it arrived in a big way shortly after the chequered flag). You can guess the rest.

He simply moved clear. After the solitary stops he was more than 10 seconds away from the next guy. He won by 14. It was a Grand Chelem also - pole, fastest lap, win and led every lap. All appropriate. It was in more than one sense quite the home run.

And of course he was delighted. "That was amazing, oh my God, greatest day," Lewis beamed.

Silverstone Qualifying: Exercises in futility

Some things seem inevitable. Not only in having an insurmountable advantage, but also that over and above everything somehow will go for you. We got both this time, and it felt like something we'd seen plenty before. Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the British Grand Prix, as he always was going to.

Lewis Hamilton once again dominated in Britain
Photo: Octane Photography

The Silverstone circuit could be designed for the Mercedes, and it showed. But even of the Merc pair Lewis seems to have inherited Nigel Mansell's traits for his home round. Ensuring his adoring public is not disappointed by being on another level of all others. That for the rest it will be an exercise in futility for first place.

And Lewis got some luck he hardly needed, with not only the similarly-equipped Valtteri Bottas but also an expected close (a relative term) challenger Daniel Ricciardo getting five-place grid drops in advance for changing their gearbox, thus making the pole fight for them properly futile.

It looked in advance too that the British summer weather might be Lewis's only impediment, as rain was supposed to arrive for the end of quali. As it was it arrived for the start, as drizzled gathered minutes before the get-go. Yet it proved the most minor of irritants, particularly as it didn't hang around long.

New Motorsport Week article: Why Lewis Hamilton is the perfect Ferrari driver

Photo: Octane Photography

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. It started with Ben Anderson in Autosport interviewing Lewis Hamilton. And noticing that he said a few nice things about the Scuderia, as well as wasn't ruling out a Ferrari move one day.

It's a prospect that long since has been nagging at me. Not as any sort of contribution to silly season, instead that Lewis Hamilton has long struck me as an archetypal Ferrari driver. The sort that the tifosi would really take it their heart.

I outline my reasoning for thinking this way in my latest Motorsport Week. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/15261

British GP Betting Preview - Channelling your inner Nige

Perhaps you need to start listening to me. A disturbing number of calls in last week's Austrian Grand Prix betting preview came in: the Valtteri Bottas pole, the pole winning margin, Daniel Ricciardo to get on the podium, as well as Romain Grosjean and Lance Stroll to get points.

Lewis Hamilton has a very strong record at his home round
Photo: Octane Photography

And now we have the British round. As outlined in my event preview there are reasons to think Mercedes will be on top - both to do with recent form and with the Silverstone track specifically. While of the Merc pair there are plenty of reasons to expect Lewis Hamilton to dominate.

He appears to have inherited Nigel Mansell's old knack of finding additional resolve for his home race. And, oh yeah, he's won the last three British Grands Prix. Therefore the evens available for Lewis to win again looks rather like a steal.

His odds for pole are a little more swingeing, but might given everything still be worth backing at 11/17. The other Merc of Bottas at 7/2 to get pole appears a good outside bet.

Inside Line F1 Podcast - Ricciardo: The Only Happy Red Bull Driver

What does Max Verstappen need to do to finish a race this season? His dismal luck reminds us of Michael Schumacher's 2000 title campaign! Either way, it is time Verstappen goes woo-ing his Lady Luck, again. Maybe, Red Bull Racing needs to rename the RB13 to get rid of the bad luck!

In the Red Bull Racing ecosystem, Daniel Ricciardo seems to be the only driver 'happy'. Carlos Sainz Jr. had a public spat regarding his future; given Red Bull Racing's attitude, he should be glad it wasn't a public slap. As for Daniil Kvyat, he was let off leniently by the FIA for his 'torpedo' move, but will Red Bull Racing let him off as lightly?

In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal wonder how and why are people expecting Valtteri Bottas to be the third title contender for the season. Has he done enough to warrant a contract extension with Mercedes? Similarly, Fernando Alonso is in high demand. Maybe he should approach a multi-team contract option for 2018. You'll have to tune-in to understand this crazy idea of ours better.

Finally, McLaren have suggested that Formula 1 should purchase Silverstone. Given McLaren's recent Formula 1 decisions, we'd advise Carey & Team to just ignore that suggestion. Tune in!

Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes and audioBoom for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour.

(Season 2017, Episode 26)

Silverstone Preview - Patriot games

Every year at around about this time I experience conflict. I'm not one driven by patriotism, and this applies especially to F1 wherein nationalities have never mattered a jot to me. But even I cannot deny that there is something about the British Grand Prix.

There's something about the British Grand
Prix, and Silverstone
Photo: Octane Photography

It can't even be said that its hardy host Silverstone has universal appeal. It's not glamourous, nor picture postcard. Its look is rather lunar. The late Christopher Hilton once suggested, possibly harshly, that "people get emotional at Silverstone but not emotional about Silverstone. Even when they're trying to save it, they're doing it because they want the British Grand Prix to survive, not because emotion dictates Silverstone."

Yet still few refute that the Northamptonshire circuit bows to almost none in being part of the F1 furniture. And this is for a number of reasons.

Chief among these is that it is F1's home gig. Seven of F1's ten teams are based (or in Haas's case has a base) in Britain, and six of these are within a few miles of the Silverstone track. So are a myriad of companies that supply them in this sport's equivalent of silicon valley.