Monday 16 December 2019

New Motorsport Week article: 1962 - December F1 and the changing of the guard

Bilsen, Joop van / Anefo / neg. stroken, 1945-1989,
2.24.01.05, item number 913-9470 [CC BY-SA 3.0 nl
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en)]
As we creep towards Christmas, imagine that in the here and now the Formula 1 season still had a race to do. Imagine too that the F1 championship had yet to be decided, and it would be resolved in that lingering final round.

And imagine too that the race is to take place between Christmas Day and New Year.

Well in 1962, uniquely, all of this came together. And that was far from the only thing striking about the season, which was one of remarkable change.

For Motorsport Week I look back at the seismic season. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/25625

Thursday 5 December 2019

2020 F1 Betting Preview: More of the same from Hamilton and Mercedes?

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes ended another season on top
Photo: Octane Photography
As the sadly recently-departed Clive James once noted, the next Formula 1 season begins at the same moment the previous one ends. Not least for the betting-minded F1 fan, considering where’s best to place their money such as by scanning this Bodog review. Bodog is a big name in the sports betting industry and usually provides great odds for F1 races. So, with the 2019 campaign just finished, minds turn immediately to 2020.

The 2019 F1 season looked more of the same. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes won the titles again, the team winning 15 of the 21 races; Hamilton 11 of them. There are not major regulation changes for 2020, meaning the ‘feed in’ to next year should be fairly direct. And all this is reflected in Hamilton’s odds to be 2020 world champion, just 4/6.

Yet scratch the surface of 2019 and Mercedes’ dominance was not as the headline figures suggested. It often was not the fastest car, and instead relied on consistency, organisation and avoiding errors to beat its Ferrari and Red Bull foes. Hamilton indeed only got five pole positions – two fewer than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari appeared often to have the raw material to challenge Mercedes much more closely in the table. If for 2020 it can sort out its organisational problems – big ‘if’ – titles are plausible. And, with this, Leclerc is a possibly-generous 6/1 to be next season’s champion.

Can Max Verstappen (left) or Charles Leclerc (right)
topple Hamilton in 2020?
Photo: Octane Photography
His team-mate Sebastian Vettel is even longer at 15/2. His 2019 year was trying but he wasn’t outclassed by Leclerc, and is not to be written off.

Neither is the prodigious Max Verstappen, and some rated his personal 2019 as better than Hamilton’s. The key is whether his Red Bull will be up to the task. It often looked that way in the latter part of this year, with its Honda power unit appearing a match for the rest.

Then again Red Bull has a habit of starting seasons slowly which leaves it too far off the championship pace. Verstappen 2020 champion odds still look decent at 7/1.

And with Hamilton the clear 2020 favourite there’s another tantalising set of odds on offer – who will ‘win’ the drivers’ championship without Hamilton? Those odds look tempting: Leclerc is 7/4; Verstappen 2/1 and Vettel 3/1.

But what about the ‘incumbent’? Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas was a comfortable runner-up behind Hamilton in the table this year. He’s a full 5/2 to be another to deliver more of the same in 2020.

Saturday 30 November 2019

New Motorsport Week article: The 2010s - the decade that F1 tried, but never quite managed, to get it right

By Mark McArdle - originally posted to Flickr as Race Start!,
 CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/
w/index.php?curid=10643007
And so the latest Formula 1 decade is (nearly) over.

With that, for Motorsport Week I look back on the F1 decade that was.

It was a decade in which F1 was restless, forever wrestling with how it could be got right. But also never quite managing it.

You can check out my take on the state of the 2010s F1 nation here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/25404

Friday 29 November 2019

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

By Jitesh Jagadish - https://www.flickr.com/photos/
jiteshjagadish/5178417174/, CC BY 2.0, https://
commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12075188
Picking a classic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of yore is tricky. Partly as it's been on the Formula 1 itinerary for only a decade. But mainly that the Yas Marina circuit seems to be a place that militates against racing cars racing against each other.

In my latest F1 retro for Motor Sport Magazine I look at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix's most notable moment, which aptly owed much to not being able to overtake. The 2010 championship finale.

I tell the convoluted tale here:
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/alonso-loses-f1-title-vettel-call-was-pits-2010-abu-dhabi-grand-prix

Saturday 16 November 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Why Interlagos is so special

Eduardo Guarizo Pimentel [CC BY 2.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
Circuits come; circuits go. Particularly in recent times.

But somehow among it all Interlagos, host of the Brazilian Grand Prix, has lived on. And done so as a circuit apart.

It's a circuit apart in more ways than you might think too. So in my latest feature for Motorsport Week I explore the many ways that make Interlagos so very special.

You can have a read of my take here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/25224

2003 Brazilian Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

By Marlon Hammes, cropped/retouched by Morio - Interlagos
SP from flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/
w/index.php?curid=2751483
Interlagos has good claim to be Formula 1's equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle. Anything it seems can happen here, from the sublime to the - literally - ridiculous.

But no Brazilian Grand Prix squeezed so much craziness in as the 2003 edition - and it did so both into the race and afterwards.

In my latest F1 retro for Motor Sport Magazine I tell the incredible tale. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/news/f1/rain-fire-and-wind-change-2003-brazilian-gp-may-be-f1s-craziest-race

Monday 11 November 2019

Race of Remembrance report for Autosport and Motorsport News

Race of Remembrance at Anglesey was once again a motorsport event like no other, as is befitting of a meeting that calls itself 'a Remembrance Service with a race attached'.

The 12-hour endurance race last weekend was its usual eclectic mix of cars and fascinating stories.

And here for Autosport and Motorsport News here is my report on the race: https://www.autosport.com/national/news/147095/race-of-remembrance-lotus-wins-after-late-scare

Tuesday 5 November 2019

The top 4 golf courses every golfer should play in their lifetime

Image by rcc-ffm from Pixabay
Golfers should make an effort to play on major golf courses. It will enlighten them to do so as they learn about golf history and enhance their skills too. Whether you choose to play at the old golf course at St Andrews or the Royal Porthcawl in Wales, it is a good idea to play on major courses as it creates memories and allows you to see where the pros play in major tournaments. Major places with excellent golf courses include the US, England, and Scotland. Regular reviews on major golf courses in the world will help you identify the best course to visit.

Here are the top four golf courses every golfer should play in their lifetime:

1.    Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

The golf course is located in South Carolina. The main point of attraction is that it is near the ocean. Most golfers have ranked it as one of the toughest golf courses in the world. It is memorable as it was the host for Ryder Cup in 1991. The tournament is famous as one of the tournaments in which the US won over the European team narrowly. The PGA Championships for Rory McIlroy in 2012 was also held here. Golfers who have been to Kiawah Island Golf Resort conclude that it is a challenging and a good experience for golfers who value rough playing terrains.

Monday 4 November 2019

The Evolution Of F1 Circuits, by Leasing Options

As we roll on towards the latter stages of the Formula 1 calendar, Leasing Options thought it'd take a moment to delve into the history of some of the circuits on the calendar that have been raced on for decades to see how much they've changed since they were built.


Friday 1 November 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Greg Moore - the lost F1 legend?

By RickDikeman - Own work, CC0, https://commons.
wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59452146
Yesterday was an important, and sad, day in motorsport. As it marked 20 years since the his untimely passing of Canadian up-and-coming driver Greg Moore.

He certainly would have become a legend in US single-seater racing, and his future might even have been in Formula 1.

Five wins and five poles in four Champ Car seasons, and a best final championship position therein of fifth, don't support this. But you know what they say about lies, damned lies and statistics.

For Motorsport Week I look back at the lost legend. You can have a read about why Moore was so special here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/25042

Thursday 31 October 2019

1984 Dallas Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

By twm1340 - 1984 United States Grand Prix, Fair Park,
Dallas, Texas, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.
org/w/index.php?curid=3361655
These days the United States Grand Prix - the latest of which is this weekend - is pretty well established at the Circuit of the Americas, near Austin, Texas.

Yet F1 has had another Texan host, that for the Dallas Grand Prix in 1984. That one is often dismissed by history as a fiasco, crumbling track and all.

But it had bags of potential, and could have gone on to became one of F1's most important rounds.

For Motor Sport Magazine, in my latest F1 historic look-back, I tell the tale. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/formula-1-it-s-not-only-engines-whine-1984-dallas-grand-prix

Thursday 24 October 2019

1970 Mexican Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

By John Chapman (Pyrope) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2640878
In the latest of my Formula 1 retro look-backs for Motor Sport Magazine ahead of a grand prix weekend, I look at the Mexican Grand Prix's infamous 1970 edition.

It didn't have all that much to recommend it on-track, but it was notorious for what happened just off it. As it was, as Autocourse put it, "lined with human guard rails". Thanks to a vast crowd turning up, and them proving to be beyond control.

I therefore look back and tell the tale. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/history/f1/f1-race-lined-human-guard-rails-1970-mexican-grand-prix

Tuesday 15 October 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Formula 1’s only ‘cancelled’ race – the 1985 Belgian Grand Prix

PSParrot [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/2.0)]
It looked fleetingly last weekend like the Japanese Grand Prix could be called off, with the impact of Typhoon Hagibis.

But the race went on. As in Formula 1 it always does in the end. Literally, as it may surprise to learn that never once in F1 history has a race been scratched after the meeting has got underway.

Well, apart from one time. Sort of. Then the race did happen, but some three months after the Friday running.

This was the Belgian Grand Prix in 1985. In my latest for Motorsport Week I tell the story:  https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/24833

Thursday 10 October 2019

The rise of Mercedes in F1 from 1994-2019, by Hospitality Finder

If you want an immediate and visual sense of Formula 1 success over the last quarter century, then you won't find much better than this. Here's an impressive interactive graphic highlighting the ebb and flow, and particularly the rise of Mercedes in F1 from 1994-2019, with stats analysed and compiled by Hospitality Finder.

It starts with Benetton on top in its mid-1990s Michael Schumacher heyday; then Williams, McLaren and, especially, Ferrari striding forth. That's before Red Bull and then of course Mercedes start to step in. You'll also see the isolated victories of other teams sneaking in at the bottom...

The original interactive graphic can be found here.

Wednesday 9 October 2019

1994 Japanese Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

Martin Lee from London, UK [CC BY-SA 2.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]
The latest of my historic F1 articles for Motor Sport Magazine is here. And it's from the rich retro treasure trove that is the Japanese Grand Prix - the latest of which is this weekend.

And the one I've gone for is a classic tale of proving your doubters wrong. Damon Hill entered the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix viewed roundly as an impostor in that season's championship fight up against the imperious Michael Schumacher.

But in the most trying circumstances Hill showed he was much more than that.

I tell the tale via this link: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/i-was-driving-different-level-damon-hill-s-1994-japanese-grand-prix

Schumacher's Ferrari Controversies, by Ibrar Malik

In 1996 Michael Schumacher moved to Ferrari and by 1997 key former Benetton personnel like Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne (the B194 designer) and Tad Czapski (the engine electronics guru) joined him. Ferrari then went from being an occasional race winner to serial championship contenders over a sustained period. Questions have since been asked, why did Schumacher and his former Benetton colleagues stick together? Was it because they had sidestepped the rules in 1994 and did it subsequently at Ferrari? Dark rumours began to circulate that they somehow knew how to create an undetectable traction control implying they also may have achieved this in 1994.

When Schumacher initially arrived at Ferrari in 1996 he did work with its existing technical team. His sublime performances within a poor F310 car suggested the German's skill didn't solely rely on his former Benetton colleagues. This is confirmed by his then Ferrari teammate Eddie Irvine, "We were really in the shit in 1996. I remember when the car came out I said, 'That looks worryingly different from everyone else's car.' It turned out everyone else was right and we were wrong."

Schumacher won three races in this car which impressed teammate Eddie Irvine who later admitted, "That was the year that Michael really earned his money." 

Sunday 6 October 2019

24 Hours Junk Car Buyers

“There is no time like the present”, even if that present is the middle of the night. We live in a world that keeps running for twenty four hours seven days a week which means that you might find yourself needing to sort out things at home at odd hours. This can be especially awkward if you are looking to sell your junk car but are unable to call during regular business hours. Under normal circumstances you will end up postponing the sale of your junk car and that will only bring its value down. What you ideally need in this situation are some 24 Hours Junk Car Buyers and we just might know of one of the best ones around.

A True 24-hour Operation


Normally when a business promises to offer 24-hour service, chances are that they only offer basic customer service at all times and the actual work gets done only during regular business hours. This also means that you will have to make time during the day for the towing of your junk car which could mean precious loss of time and money. Cash Cars Buyer is an actual 24-hour business that operates outside regular business hours as well. This allows you to get your junk car disposed on your own terms for the best price too.

You Do Not Have To Incur The Wrath Of Your Neighbours


You do not have to announce to the entire world that you are getting rid of your junk car. A loud tow truck turning up at an odd hour to tow away your junk car can be a huge disturbance to those around you. Cash Cars Buyer is mindful of all of this and will work around your schedule but in such a way that they do not cause any disruptions to the normal life of people living near you. 

Quotes 24/7


Cash Cars Buyer is a true 24-hour operation in every sense of the word because it can be quite frustrating to wait hours or days to get a quote. That can lead to some indecision as well. That is why you can trust Cash Cars Buyer as you will get a quote for your junk car irrespective of what time is. Getting a good quote is half the battle and with this service, you can rest assured that the clock should not come in between you and a great quote for your junk car.

 

Nostalgic Connection


For many of us, our old cars hold a sentimental value that can't be measured in dollars and cents. These junk cars are often reminiscent of the days when we would pretend they were race cars, speeding down highways in our imaginations. The experience of playing car games with friends and family, whether it was making 'vroom vroom' noises as children or actually customizing them in video games as adults, gives our old cars a nostalgic connection. But as life moves on, so must we, and holding onto these vehicles can become more of a burden than a joy. The good news is, Cash Cars Buyer understands the emotional ties you might have with your old car and aims to give you a fair price. This allows you to let go of the past without any regrets, possibly making room for new 'car games' and adventures with a more reliable vehicle.

The idea is to connect the term 'car games' with the emotional ties and nostalgia people might have for their old cars. This makes it easier to discuss the services provided by Cash Cars Buyer in the article's overall context.

No Extra Fees


When something is very good, it usually comes at a price. Getting true 24/7 service when trying to sell a junk car can be a blessing but if it comes with hidden or special charges then it somewhat sours the entire experience. Cash Cars Buyer won't charge you for any of it. They will provide you with a quote any time be it day or night and arrange for a quick towing of your junk car and still offer it all without asking you to pay anything extra in the form of special charges for these added amenities. To learn more, visit their website.

Friday 4 October 2019

Inside Line F1 Podcast - Vettel or Leclerc: Who Would You Pick For Ferrari?

Charles Leclerc or Sebastian Vettel, who should Ferrari pick as its 'number 1' driver? We discuss our choices in this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, what would be yours? Tell us!

Also in this episode, we wonder if Ferrari would benefit politically and financially by not renewing Vettel's contract at the end of 2020. Should that happen, would Vettel be Red Bull Racing bound - after all, Max Verstappen could choose McLaren-Mercedes if Red Bull-Honda doesn't deliver to its promises. Lots of speculations, but also, a lot of possibilities.

Finally, Formula 1 is coordinating (or scheming?) to ensure positive communication around the attempted qualifying races in 2020. We can't fathom why they are hell bent on taking our joys away from the watching a Formula 1 car being driven on the limit! And of course, there's the What Wolff Said This Week section for your listening pleasure. Tune in!

(Season 2019, Episode 37)
Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes, audioBoom (RSS feed), Spotify and Google Podcasts for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour

Other points discussed:
1. Alexander Albon on pole position for a Red Bull Racing drive in 2020 - do you care? Because Max Verstappen doesn't
2. Is Jacques Villeneuve really in a place to talk about 'karma'?
3. Daniil Kvyat loses out for being a good boy with the FIA
4. Why 2019 form factor could matter in 2020
5. Silly of McLaren not to even bother trying to get Ferrari power for its cars 

Thursday 26 September 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Why Kimi Raikkonen is proof F1 should give experience a chance

Photo: Octane Photography
We often lament that youth doesn't get a chance in F1. But is it in fact more so that those from the opposite end of the driver age range don't get their due look in?

The F1 driver on average is younger than ever. And we have the case of Kimi Raikkonen, who is an extreme outlier, about to become an aged-40-something active F1 pilot. He's still vastly out-scoring his young Alfa Romeo team-mate.

Do Raikkonen's strong showings this year suggest that, on the contrary to the common discourse, F1 discards experience too soon?

In my latest for Motorsport Week I make the case. You can have a read of it here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/24595

2017 Russian Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

By The Russian Presidential Press and Information Office -
http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/54410/photos, CC
BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/
w/index.php?curid=58525254
For my latest retro classic F1 race article for Motor Sport Magazine, I had the tricky task of writing about a classic Russian Grand Prix. Tricky, as the Russian race has only been on the calendar since 2014 and, more to the point, in the time since it has hardly been known for providing thrilling fare.

But in 2017 we had a pretty decent one, on a couple of levels. Valtteri Bottas was just three races on from the F1 equivalent of winning the lottery, getting the Mercedes drive. However he already was under pressure.
Yet he always excels at the Sochi track and did do again. Not only did he lead his prestigious team-mate Lewis Hamilton by some way he beat what had looked like untouchable Ferraris to take his first ever F1 win. And he did so under extreme pressure.

For Motor Sport I tell the tale. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/bottas-makes-his-f1-breakthrough-2017-russian-grand-prix

What Motorcycle Parts are Checked at an MOT?


Owning a motorbike is a lot of responsibility. It is about taking care of your ride and ensuring it is legally fit to be on the road. MOT or Ministry of Transport test is an annual test for vehicle safety, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions. To avoid hefty fines of up to £1,000, you need to have annual motorbike MOT evaluation done. In the UK when your motorbike is older than three years you need to get MOT done every 12 months.

An evaluation of the overall condition of the motorcycle helps determine what parts need service and which should be replaced. Also, the cost of Motorbike MOT done by a mechanic is much lower and lets you know whether your motorcycle is roadworthy or not.

If you are wondering what all motorcycle parts are checked at an MOT, here’s a list:

Suspension and Steering

Foremost importance is given to suspension and steering as both are an important part for road safety of the motorbikes. Also, it is important for the safety of others on the road. Your mechanic will go through the most crucial parts that include head bearings, damping effect, swinging arm, forks, handlebars, grips mounting and shock absorbers. All these parts must be secured to your motorcycle and working normally. Any malfunctioning part will need complete replacement.

Thursday 19 September 2019

2010 Singapore Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

chensiyuan [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.
org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
My latest historic F1 review for Motor Sport Magazine is here, and this time it's for the forthcoming Singapore Grand Prix.

I resist the temptation to re-tell Crashgate for the nth time, and instead look back to the 2010 race. It's a race that stands up on its own merits. And Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel had a race of their own.

It wasn't one of those thrill-a-minute affairs, rather it was one of those ultra-intense ones. But no less gripping for that.

You can have a read of me telling the story here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/alonso-and-vettel-s-game-two-players-2010-singapore-grand-prix

Friday 13 September 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Why we shouldn’t write off Sebastian Vettel yet

How exactly could the Italian Grand Prix have gone worse for Sebastian Vettel?

Photo: Octane Photography
The fact that you have to think underlines just how regrettable it was for him.

And ever since, his time at Ferrari, perhaps even in F1, has been declared roundly as akin to the man slung over his associate's shoulder in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Either dead, or it'll be dead very soon as it's very ill.

But, ever the contrarian, I wonder if we're being premature. There remains a possibility that Vettel can recover. Although, for a few reasons, it'll be difficult.

And in my latest for Motorsport Week I explore what might lie next for Vettel. For good and ill. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/24403

Tuesday 10 September 2019

Leclerc and Verstappen are the Future of F1, by Nancy Miles

Let's all be frank – Formula 1 has turned boring in the past few years. Mercedes' dominance is great news for fans of the German manufacturer, but to be honest, its superiority has made F1 stale. There's obviously need for changes in order to make the championship more competitive. Sure, Michael Schumacher was dominant in the past with Ferrari, but now with five consecutive title doubles Mercedes is surpassing even that run. On the positive side of things, at least we've been blessed with the brightest young stars the championship has seen in over a decade – Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

Photo: Octane Photography
Verstappen, a Red Bull driver who won the Austrian and German Grands Prix recently, has been brimming with potential for a few years. Racing is in the 21-year-old Dutch driver's veins – he's the son of former F1 pilot Jos Verstappen. The youngest driver to compete in F1, Max Verstappen has been growing with each race and season. He's also the youngest race winner after claiming the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix when he was only 18.

With a pair of Austrian Grand Prix wins and a total of seven firsts in F1, Verstappen's odds at bookies have been constantly on the rise. Sure, his odds don't make him a major favourite for the title, but he's among the top four or five drivers. Verstappen may be lagging behind Lewis Hamilton, but is a much better option from a punter's point of view. Hamilton's odds are not very exciting @ 1/100, but Verstappen's (33/1), Sebastian Vettel's (150/1), and Leclerc's (175/1) look much better.

Thursday 5 September 2019

Autosport retro article on the Arrows A2

In this week's Autosport magazine you'll find a four-page in-depth retro feature by me in the Engineering supplement, exploring the extraordinary Arrows A2 from 1979.

MPW57 [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.
org/licenses/by/3.0)]
The A2 wasn't big on results - but it was very big on ambition as well as in striking looks.

I speak to those who were there at the time - including designer Tony Southgate, team boss Jackie Oliver and driver Jochen Mass - to explore why the car didn't begin to make good on its lofty aim of taking Arrows to the front of Formula 1 in a single bound.

And with it I look at a not-entirely fanciful sliding doors moment the A2 created with Williams, which at the same point of history was launching into its dramatic rise.

1971 Italian Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

By Unknown - http://60years.autosport.com/?year=1971,
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org
/w/index.php?curid=29477842
My latest classic Formula 1 race retro review for Motor Sport Magazine is here. This time it's for this weekend's race, the Italian Grand Prix.

Of course, there is no shortage of Italian Grands Prix in history to pick from, and - in a unique level of ubiquity - all but one are at Monza. But one even so stands out. The 1971 race.

Many cite it as the finest Formula 1 grand prix of all. For a long time it was the fastest. In more than one sense it was the closest too.

It even managed to be remarkable in other ways.

You can have a read of my take on the extraordinary race via this link: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/best-formula-1-race-ever-1971-italian-grand-prix

Tuesday 3 September 2019

New Motorsport Week article: When Jordan and Heinz-Harald Frentzen partied like it’s 1999

By Paul Lannuier from Sussex, NJ, USA -
Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Jordan Mugen-Honda), CC BY-SA 2.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4296965
Almost exactly 20 years ago something extraordinary, ever so briefly, looked a genuine possibility. A Formula 1 world championship for Jordan and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

This from a proper independent squad with a customer engine - and one routinely dismissed as a 'party team'. And from a driver who'd arrived washed up and derided.

Of course, for the title to be on it needed extraordinary circumstances as well as an extraordinary effort. The 1999 campaign provided both.

And with but a few cards falling another way they would indeed have scaled F1's ultimate peak.

For Motorsport Week I tell the tale. You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/24229

Sunday 1 September 2019

Scrap Don’t Sell Your Car

Is it time to get rid of your car? If your vehicle is on the brink of destruction then chances are you
will have a difficult time selling it. This is when you should consider scrapping your vehicle instead. There are so many cars on the road, it isn’t difficult to pick something up second-hand cheap. Therefore, if your vehicle is looking shabby and doesn’t run so well, you’re going to have a hard time selling it when there are so many other options available. If your car has reached the end of its lifetime, it could be time to send it to the scrap yard, and we’ve got some reasons why you should consider it…

You can make cash from scrapping your car 

It is not a very well-known fact that you can actually make some cash when it comes to scrapping your vehicle. When you sell your vehicle to a scrap yard, they are buying the item in order to recycle and re-use the different parts, as well as the metal. As long as the company are legitimate, all scrap yards should pay you for scrapping the vehicle and you shouldn’t have to pay a penny. The scrap yard will give you a valuation, collect the car for free and scrap it. To find your local scrap yard visit Car.co.uk

Although sometimes this may not be as much money as you hoped to get from buying it, it is after all guaranteed money. There is always a chance that it will take a while to sell your car, or you may not sell it at all. When it becomes difficult, you may end up selling your car off for cheaper than you expected anyway. On top of this, selling your car can be a lot of hassle and is no way near as simple as scrapping it. 

Splitting the car into parts 

Now you know that you can make money from scrapping your vehicle, but you could take this one step further and sell the parts separately. Say a scrap yard value your vehicle at £400, well it might be if you sold your tyres on their own they might fetch you £200. Then you sell your engine for a few hundred, the inner material makes you some money and there are several other parts that can make you cash on their own. By this point you can potentially double your earnings. 

All it takes is time and patience. It might take longer to sell specific parts before scrapping the vehicle, but it may certainly be worth it. If you don’t know the ins and outs of vehicles, it might be worth consulting someone that does so you know what you can remove yourself and which parts need an expert involved. You could even end up earning more than you would if you sold the vehicle to a buyer. 

People always need parts 

Just because you no longer need the parts to the car, it doesn’t mean that nobody else wants them. Think of how many times you’ve had a specific part of your vehicle break down and you’ve needed to have it replaced. Mechanics are always looking for good working parts that they can fit to other vehicles to repair them. Or you may even find a private seller that needs parts to fix their own car. There are a variety of possibilities that come with scrapping your car instead of selling it. 

Friday 30 August 2019

2002 Belgian Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

Whatever you think of Formula 1 at any given moment, you can almost certainly count yourself fortunate that it's not 2002.

By I, SilverArrows, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.
wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2437574
That was a soporific season; made so by crushing Ferrari domination combined often with rigorous Ferrari stage management.

Michael Schumacher's 10th win of the year, finishing just ahead of team-mate Rubens Barrichello in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, therefore may not strike as having much to sell it. But it pays to look deeper. It was in fact a stunning display of Schumacher's driving genius.

In my latest classic Formula 1 race retro review for Motor Sport Magazine, to coincide with the latest Belgian Grand Prix at Spa I look back at the 2002 equivalent, which had much more than meets the eye...

You can have a read of my take here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/michaels-masterclass-schumachers-domination-2002-belgian-grand-prix

Thursday 29 August 2019

4 new ways to watch F1 for the Belgium GP with F1 TV Pro

As any avid F1 fan knows, watching what's happening on the track is just the tip of the iceberg.

There's all that chatter on the radio. Then there's the telemetry data – and that subtle on-the-track edging between two cars to mark territory – or threaten the overtake. All the good stuff you can't see on a wide camera shot.

Until now.

What if, instead of just watching F1, you could experience it? Think about it: what if you got a live feed of the behind-the-scenes action? If you could tune into the heated team chatter once only for the Pit Wall.

In case you want to know more, we've got the download: 4 reasons should stop just watching F1 and start experiencing it with F1 TV Pro.

1. Watch live any two drivers head-to-head with Battle Mode

F1 has a lot of famous rivalries. Mika Häkkinen vs Michael Schumacher; Ayrton Senna vs Alain Prost.

With live Battle Mode, you can watch the race from the point of view of two drivers of your choice, so you can see every hair-raising second.

2. Get a direct audio feed of what's happening on the track and in the Pit Lane

Want to know what they're shouting on the radio? Want to hear the conversations that inform the decisions the drivers will make?

So don't just watch the race – hear what the race engineers are hearing. Or listen to Max or Leclerc colourfully complaining about each other. Or even Vettel complaining about penalties.

(There's never a dull moment.)

3. See more action and hear more commentary on the Pit Lane Channel

With the Pit Lane Channel, you can home in on more action – at home, sure, but also anywhere you've a connected device, such as a smartphone or tablet. So you never miss a moment no matter where you are.

The Pit Lane Channel provides essentially the same view as a Team Manager. In addition to the standard broadcast feed, you'll see live feeds from two additional onboard cams optimised to capture the hottest actions. Plus, Pit Lane Channel broadcasts dedicated professional commentary, so you can get schooled in F1 strategy from the world's experts while you watch. 

4. Get the telemetry straight from the Pit Lane


As you know, each F1 car is equipped with thousands of tiny data-gathering sensors that feed information to the pit. Everything from the drivers' heart rate to tyre temperatures is considered and discussed.

Now you can pull back the curtain and see exactly what the pros in the Pitwall see.

To learn more click here

Monday 19 August 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Why we shouldn't cry for Pierre Gasly or decry Red Bull

Photo: Octane Photography
After the recent Red Bull rumpus - Pierre Gasly being ditched forthwith to be swapped with Alex Albon, until recently of Toro Rosso - there was an outpouring of opprobrium.

That Red Bull was harsh; that it had ruined another of its drivers' careers...

But in my latest feature for Motorsport Week I take the contrary view, and explain why we shouldn't feel all that sorry for Pierre Gasly for being dropped, nor should we trash Red Bull's approach with young drivers.

You can have a read of my thinking here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/24085

Saturday 17 August 2019

Inside Line F1 Podcast - With Which Team Will Verstappen Win His F1 Titles With?

Photo: Octane Photography
Max Verstappen is in the form of his life. But with which team will his record-breaking Formula 1 career be with? Will he stay put at Red Bull Racing or jump ship to Mercedes or Ferrari? Red Bull Racing-Honda is exciting, but how soon before it can deliver a championship winning package to Verstappen?

Will Verstappen be as patient with Red Bull Racing as it was with him during his find-my-feet days? Could Mercedes use this opportunity to swoop in and sign Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton's successor?

Yes, lots of questions in this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast as we focus on Max Verstappen and his supposedly long future in Formula 1. We also talk about the Gasly-Albon swap and make a bold prediction of either Grosjean or Hulkenberg not having a seat in 2020. Finally, are McLaren hunting for the Triple Crown themselves? Tune in!

(Season 2019, Episode 30)
Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes, audioBoom (RSS feed), Spotify and Google Podcasts for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour

Sunday 11 August 2019

Retro on Nigel Mansell's best drives for Motor Sport Magazine

There are some drivers that it is almost impossible to be indifferent about. And Nigel Mansell is quintessential.

By Jerry Lewis-Evans - https://www.flickr.com/photos/
figsbury/9350241055/in/album-72157634767569482/,
CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/
w/index.php?curid=43891659
But whatever you make of him, almost no driver can drama have followed so closely and persistently as him. And this of course manifested in some of the most thrilling and aggressive drives ever seen.

So to mark Nigel Mansell's birthday the other day, for Motor Sport, with help from Jake Williams-Smith, I looked at eight of the best drives from Mansell's ever-dramatic career.

You can check out the selection here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/history/f1/nigel-mansells-best-drives

I also for Motor Sport recently marked Fernando Alonso's birthday by looking back at his astonishing win in the 2012 European Grand Prix at Valencia. You can check that out here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/history/f1/fernando-alonsos-greatest-drive-2012-european-grand-prix

Saturday 10 August 2019

Inside Line F1 Podcast - A Legit Hamilton Beater?

After years of waiting, does Formula 1 finally have a Lewis Hamilton beater in Max Verstappen? Frankly, we don't care who beats who as long as we have a battle to witness for the seasons to come. Sorry, Seb, but the narrative does seem to now be all about Verstappen vs Hamilton.

Photo: Octane Photography
In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we discuss Verstappen's talent, form and his psychological attacks on Hamilton. Is Nico Rosberg the new Jacques Villeneuve? Did Toto Wolff drop the biggest hint yet of his aspirations to becoming the next F1 CEO? Pierre Gasly deserves a hug and everyone needs to stop playing Helmut Marko. And finally, is Captain Planet Sebastian Vettel racing in the wrong motorsport series? Tune in!

(Season 2019, Episode 29)
Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes, audioBoom (RSS feed), Spotify and Google Podcasts for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour

Saturday 3 August 2019

1989 Hungarian Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

My latest classic Formula 1 race retro review for Motor Sport Magazine is here, and it's for the forthcoming Hungarian Grand Prix.

By Stuart Seeger from College Station, Texas, USA -
Explaining, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.
org/w/index.php?curid=5495613
The Hungaroring round hasn't always been everyone's cup of tea since landing as an F1 venue in 1986. But over time it's developed a knack of being the scene of great drivers putting in great drivers.

And few can have been greater than that of 30 years ago in 1989, when Nigel Mansell for Ferrari defied all odds to come through for victory.

Even for one whom drama followed as habitually as Our Nige, this one has good claim to be his most stunning drive of all.

You can read the tale via this link: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/history/f1/senna-realised-i-was-only-driver-he-couldnt-intimidate-mansells-majestic-1989-hungarian

New Motorsport Week article: Formula 1's Hungarian Rhapsody

By Derzsi Elekes Andor (talk · contribs) - Own work, CC
BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/
w/index.php?curid=15965571
The Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring is an interesting one. Really.

It long was dismissed as Formula 1's ugly duckling, 'Monaco without the houses' and the like. Yet there has always been a lot more to it than that.

And in my latest feature for Motorsport Week I explore just what it is about the enigmatic Hungarian Grand Prix. Why it's important, why it's captivating, why it grew to be a Formula 1 favourite.

You can have a read of my thinking here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/23914

Friday 2 August 2019

How to Choose the Best Car Speaker Size for Your Vehicle

The car is the next place we get to spend our time after work or if we are not at home. To some, the car doubles up as their workplace. Having to sit alone in the confinement of your vehicle for hours in silence can be boring.

You can solve this by installing a sound system to play music or connect it to the radio for updates and hear the latest news. The sound also keeps you alert, making your ride safer and fun. Since cars take up a chunk of our investment, you should not just install speakers haphazardly.

Make the effort of getting nothing but the best in the market. However, despite knowing the car speakers and even making the purchase, they might not be ideal for your vehicle. To ensure you get the best speaker size, consider implementing the following tips.

1) Know the Type of Speaker You Want
Photo by <a href="/photographer/sardinelly-
64706">sardinelly</a> from <a href=
"https://freeimages.com/">FreeImages</a>
You need the correct information to purchase the perfect speaker. A full range speaker comes packed with the whole system under one system while a component speaker comes separate components.

For DIY projects, the full range one is ideal since it is easy to install. In terms of the quality of sound, consider component speakers since they have proven to be the best.

The size is also a key factor as a speaker too small might end up getting overpowered by the woofer, and the system might not support a large one. Most standard speakers range between 3.5 and 6.5. However, lately, custom made pieces have no limits. The best 3.5 speakers can be installed anywhere in the vehicle, making them ideal for both small and big cars.

Thursday 25 July 2019

1958 German Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

Terry Whalebone from Bolton, UK [CC BY 2.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
My latest classic Formula 1 race retro review for Motor Sport Magazine's website has landed. That for the forthcoming German Grand Prix.

I look back at a classic. An incredible Nurburgring comeback win, chasing down the Ferrari pair from a seemingly impossible deficit to prevail. But it's not Juan Manuel Fangio, it's F1's forgotten genius Tony Brooks.

Twelve months on from Fangio's finest hour, Brooks took an about-as-brilliant 1958 German Grand Prix victory in his Vanwall.

You can check out the story via this link: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/history/f1/tony-brooks-greatest-victory-forgotten-genius-win-1958-german-grand-prix

Tuesday 23 July 2019

Which Nations Dominate F1 and WRC?, by Select Car Leasing

We're all familiar with the greats of the sport, but which countries can boast the best record on the track? Select Car Leasing has analysed how many drivers from each country have taken part in F1 and WRC and compared that total to each nation's population size, per every 1 million citizens. The stats revealed some big surprises.


Key Findings

-       The UK loves the track...with the second-best F1 participation rate, behind only Switzerland

-       Just five nations have won a title in both F1 and WRC... which are the UK, Finland, Italy, Spain and France

-       The UK and US represent almost half of the total motorsport participants since 1950... featuring a combined total of 418 drivers

-       The F1 bug hasn't yet reached China and India... Despite a combined population of 2.7 billion citizens, they've had just two F1 drivers

-       Where winter bites WRC is popular... Estonia, Sweden, Norway and Finland lead the line for participation

-       Estonia falling at the final hurdle... despite huge participation, the country is yet to win a professional WRC title

Thursday 18 July 2019

The Make-Up Of A Formula 1 Winner, by Just Tyres

With Formula 1 kicking off there's an audible buzz in the air that's got us wondering about all the cogs in the machine that turns out an F1 champion. So what does it take to be the best?

Just Tyres has analysed 50 years of F1 tournament data to find out what makes an F1 winner. Take a look below to find which countries have the most F1 champions, which teams have won the most races and what the peak age for winning is.


Source: Just Tyres

Sunday 14 July 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Forty years on - how Williams rose to the top

Suyk, Koen / Anefo / neg. stroken, 1945-1989, 2.24.01.05,
item number 930-4115 [CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en)]
This is a very a special British Grand Prix weekend for Williams. Sir Frank Williams' half-decade as a team boss is being marked, while the race takes place 40 years to the day since Williams took its first ever F1 win, which also was at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.

For Motorsport Week I look back four decades to how the team first rose to the top, which - strange as it may seem several championships later - was rather an unlikely rise at the time.

You can check the tale out here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/23644

Friday 12 July 2019

1965 British Grand Prix review for Motor Sport Magazine

By Eric Koch / Anefo - http://proxy.handle.net/10648/
aab4ce4c-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84, CC0, https:/
/commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66004918
My latest classic F1 race retro review for Motor Sport's website is here. And ahead of the British Grand Prix this weekend I look at the unparalleled Jim Clark winning the 1965 British Grand Prix.

Clark won the British race five times in his career, plus he bestrode the 1965 calendar year more generally. With these, you might assume his Silverstone win was a cruise. But like the man himself, there was much more to this one.

You can have a read of this extraordinary tale here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/history/f1/jim-clarks-feat-unparalleled-brilliance-1965-british-grand-prix

And as a bonus I also for Motor Sport explored five memorable races from the British Grand Prix's long history. You can check that out here: https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/history/f1/glory-guts-and-rain-magic-moments-british-grand-prix

The Evolution Of Silverstone, by Leasing Options

Now that the future of Silverstone as a Formula 1 track has been assured, it’s a perfect time to look back at how the track has changed since 1948.

Leasing Options has created an animation to show all of the many changes that Silverstone has undergone since racing began on the track, explained what the key changes were and listed our top five Silverstone Formula 1 moments.

The evolution of the Silverstone track

Key dates in Silverstone’s history
1948 - The First Grand Prix
The first grand prix at Silverstone took place in 1948, but the course was somewhat different and more terrifying than it is today.

Tuesday 9 July 2019

Inside Line F1 Podcast - 2020: Silly Season Begins

Photo: Octane Photography
Only nine races in and the silly season for the 2020 Formula 1 Season has already begun. Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon aside, we think Marcus Ericsson maybe involved in the musical chairs too. In fact, will we lay part of the blame for tyre issues in 2020 on Ericsson too? And poor Pierre Gasly, if he has to go, history has shown a higher probability for the mid-season than the end.

In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we also talk about Red Bull Racing's thoughtful training for their junior drivers and IF they are planning a senior driver program too. To help Williams, will Formula 1 introduce a point for the fastest pitstop? And why asking Gasly to 'CTRL + ALT + DEL' might not work. Tune in!

(Season 2019, Episode 26)
Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes, audioBoom (RSS feed) and Google Podcasts for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour

Thursday 4 July 2019

New Motorsport Week article: Why the Austrian Grand Prix provided F1’s salvation

Photo: Octane Photography
"Crisis? What crisis?" One thrilling race later and suddenly modern-spec Formula 1 doesn't seem so bad after all. F1, like drivers, is only as good as its last race it seems.

And yes, it's true that the Austrian Grand Prix did not in fact provide an answer to many of F1's fundamental and familiar ills. But it did hint at some of the solutions.

You can have a read of my take on all of that for Motorsport Week via this link: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/23511

Wednesday 3 July 2019

The F1 British Grand Prix: The most memorable moments from Silverstone

It's almost that time of the year again for the most exciting race in British motorsport, as Formula 1 turns its attentions to the United Kingdom and more specifically, Silverstone. The world-famous and historical track will once again play host to the British Grand Prix on July 14, whereby Lewis Hamilton will be looking for his sixth win on home soil.

By Carlina Xavier from London, England -
It's time for a comeback, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://
commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7196609
The Stevenage-born driver is arguably one of the finest to represent Britain in F1, and he has often been the focal point of Silverstone's finest moments. 2019's race will be the 55th time that Silverstone has held the British Grand Prix so ahead of the spectacle, let's take a look at some of the most memorable moments from Silverstone.

Hamilton's first win at Silverstone – 2008
There's no better place to start than remembering Lewis Hamilton's first-ever win at Silverstone in 2008, which was the same year he won his first drivers' championship as well. The 23-year-old had endured a difficult qualifying which meant he started in fourth position, but the latter stages of the main race demonstrated what Hamilton was all about. He took a commanding lead early on but the maturity in his driving in such bad conditions was a joy to behold, and he duly crossed the line to a rip-roaring applause from the home faithful. Think he'll do it again this year? British Grand Prix Betting is available right now for the latest and best prices.

Tuesday 2 July 2019

How To Find An Auto Lease That Fits Your Budget

An auto lease is an agreement where an individual is given an opportunity to rent a vehicle for an extended period of time. This agreed-upon period of time, in most cases, is between two to five years, after which the vehicle is returned to the initial owner or purchased for a lump sum that is determined at the time of the original agreement.

Photo by alex ringer from FreeImages
An auto lease can be compared in many ways to renting a house. The house doesn't belong to you, rather, it's rented for a specified period of time after which you're expected to vacate it or extend the lease agreement.

Bear in mind that there are penalties that apply if the auto lease terms such as exceeding the predetermined mileage coverage agreement are violated.

With that basic understanding of what an auto lease is, let's look at a few tips to use to find an auto lease that fits within your budget:

1.    Be On The Lookout For Leasing Specials
Leasing specials come into play when the lease formula is adjusted in such a way that enables you to pay lower monthly instalments or get a reduction in costs such as down payment and drive off fees. This way you can be able to lease newer and more luxurious vehicles which you initially wouldn't be able to afford.

Monday 1 July 2019

A Look At The Range Rover Sport PHEV


SUVs are currently the most popular type of car around which means that car manufacturers tend to take them very seriously. This also means that anything new that is introduced in this segment is done so after careful deliberation and planning which means that any change in SUVs is here to stay. On that vein, the Range Rover Sport PHEV represents a major shift in the mindset of both car manufacturers and the expectations of car consumers. After all, it is a freaking Range Rover powered by a hybrid engine.


Can Range Rovers and hybrid technology even co-exist?

This is the first question that would pop into people's heads when they hear that Range Rover is making a hybrid car. Why is it so shocking? Well, a Range Rover SUV is meant to go pretty much everywhere a car can fit and that means being driven through water and mud and everything in between, that could be difficult for the luxury brands engineers to manage. Powerwise, hybrids do not have any shortcomings but it is the part with the water that can raise eyebrows. Water and electricity do not exactly go hand in hand with each other but Range Rover hasn't gone at this half-cocked. The batteries are enclosed in a waterproof compartment and the Range Rover Sport PHEV will do everything a Range Rover is meant to do.

What the car is all about:

At its very heart, the Range Rover Sport PHEV is a luxury SUV with all the amenities and features you would expect from a premium car with the added benefit of being very economical and environment-friendly. The CO2 emissions are future proof as it is so low that even when stricter emission norms will be introduced, this car would still be acceptable and affordable to run. It can do an amazing 31 miles on just its battery power which is a phenomenal range for a car of its size and weight. Another amazing quality is the ability of this car to touch 85 mph on battery power alone. The sensation of such a big car powering to 85 mph with the characteristic silence of an EV is just otherworldly. The only quirk it has is that when the switch is made from electric to hybrid mode there is a noticeable delay while everything adapts but it is nothing that is earth-shatteringly bad. Overall, this is a very luxurious car that will allow you to drive silently and in an eco-friendly manner in the city and power through A-roads with plenty of grunt and ease.

What it means for the future:

SUVs are never going to be the same again as the Range Rover Sport PHEV is the perfect exhibition of a fully functional hybrid SUV and it is only a matter of time before more affordable hybrid SUVs hit the market. It also means that the day where a fully functional electric SUV becomes mainstream is not that far away and it is not a matter of if but a matter of when that will happen. Cars can rarely pack in so many surprises but the Range Rover Sport PHEV will definitely leave you with plenty of admiration and astonishment.