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