Mercedes to be challenged in Singapore, really? Or is this yet another Ferrari-inspired pre-race PR hype? Singapore has been tagged as Red Bull Racing's track, and boy are we excited! Will we get to see some Verstappen vs. Ricciardo action (and will Red Bull Racing let it be a fair fight!)?
To keep his championship hopes alive, Nico Rosberg must fight against all odds in Singapore. Forget winning, he's not been on the podium here since eight years! At the same time, he had his 'first-ever' wins in Spa and Monza in the last fortnight, can he keep up that trend? We hope his 'FOMO' drives him to the top step on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton is good for Formula 1 and for our podcast. The last episode should have been called 'Lewis Hamilton's Team-Mate Wins In Italy' to get more people to tune in! In a lot of ways, Rosberg is fighting not only Hamilton, but an entire mentality in the paddock (and the million fans) who believe that Hamilton is meant to be World Champion.
Max Verstappen and Niki Lauda had a public face-off, will they visit a psychiatrist together to bond? Glad we're reminded that Verstappen is still a teenager by his typical teenage back answering. Given the lacking bromance between Lauda and Verstappen, we are glad that Verstappen didn't sign with Mercedes. But for how long can they remain apart?
We welcome the new owners of Formula 1 to Formula 1 and to the Inside Line F1 Podcast, of course. The new owners say they will evolve the business model of F1 to generate more revenue. We think they should also fix the regulations that don't allow us too much competition these days. They've picked up the profitable business of Formula 1, but will they be able to make the eco-system of Formula 1 stable and profitable too?
Also, will the American owners be at their toughest best when negotiating with the Russian Grand Prix organisers? Official Live Streaming (rather than just Official Live Timing) is the next big introduction that Formula 1 should make. Just btw, MotoGP has had theirs since almost a decade!
Speaking of the spirit of competition, did Mercedes actually help Ferrari improve? And if so, Ferrari were foolish to not seek help from Red Bull Racing too. Luckily they weren't so foolish so as to seek help from McLaren!
It certainly looks like a season of retirements - Massa, possibly Button and now Ecclestone too? Or will Ecclestone's be a sabbatical genuinely? One thing's for sure, we aren't retiring any time soon.
Tune In!
(Season 2016, Episode 29)
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Tuesday, 13 September 2016
Monday, 12 September 2016
Singapore Preview: F1's standout
We all know the one about the F1 calendar's gradual shift eastwards in the last decade or so. It hasn't always been loved either. Often with good reason.
But there's one such new-fangled race that can be considered not at all a failure. Instead it is a favourite and was thought part of the furniture in double-quick time. And the race is this weekend; the Singapore Grand Prix around the Marina Bay circuit.
There are several reasons why this is, but an overarching one is that it just seems very F1. Or rather very what F1 would like to be. It is a glittering, vibrant event in which the visuals rarely fail to look stunning. For several reasons, this one feels a lot like the Monaco for the new millennium.
Just like Monaco, Singapore is a city state that is a quintessential F1 host, to the point that you wonder at quiet moments quite why a Grand Prix wasn't established here decades ago (although a 'Singapore Grand Prix' under Formula Libre regulations existed between 1961 and 1973). It is glamorous, dripping with money and gives the impression of tearing towards the future.
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| The Singapore race has become iconic Photo: Octane Photography |
There are several reasons why this is, but an overarching one is that it just seems very F1. Or rather very what F1 would like to be. It is a glittering, vibrant event in which the visuals rarely fail to look stunning. For several reasons, this one feels a lot like the Monaco for the new millennium.
Just like Monaco, Singapore is a city state that is a quintessential F1 host, to the point that you wonder at quiet moments quite why a Grand Prix wasn't established here decades ago (although a 'Singapore Grand Prix' under Formula Libre regulations existed between 1961 and 1973). It is glamorous, dripping with money and gives the impression of tearing towards the future.
Sunday, 11 September 2016
New Grand Prix Times article: Time for Formula 1 to think beyond Bernie
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| Photo: Octane Photography |
But for all that some in and around F1 find a sport without Bernie impossible to comprehend, in my latest article for Grand Prix Times I outline that Bernie's case for being kept on is meagre. And that F1 in the long term will be better off without him.
You can have a read here: http://www.grandprixtimes.com/news/id/12851
Wednesday, 7 September 2016
The latest Lights to Flag Podcast - 2016 Italian Grand Prix Review
The latest episode of the Lights to Flag podcast has landed, and in this one Ewan and I look at the Italian Grand Prix just passed.
It was race that didn't thrill, but still the weekend gave us plenty to talk about, and Ewan and I explore various of them: among other things Lewis vs. Nico, whither Ferrari, as well as the many signs of F1's changing of the guard. You can listen by clicking play below.
As ever you can interact with the podcast via its Twitter account and on its Facebook page. If you want to appear on it give us a shout too.
And on next week's episode we'll be previewing Singapore, so if you have comments then get them to me via the various channels and we'll read out the good ones!
It was race that didn't thrill, but still the weekend gave us plenty to talk about, and Ewan and I explore various of them: among other things Lewis vs. Nico, whither Ferrari, as well as the many signs of F1's changing of the guard. You can listen by clicking play below.
As ever you can interact with the podcast via its Twitter account and on its Facebook page. If you want to appear on it give us a shout too.
And on next week's episode we'll be previewing Singapore, so if you have comments then get them to me via the various channels and we'll read out the good ones!
Tuesday, 6 September 2016
Inside Line F1 Podcast - Nico Rosberg Suffering From Major FOMO?
Nico Rosberg has done it again - surprised the hell out of us, that is. He won his first ever race at Monza, right on the heels of his first ever win at Spa. He also won his first Driver of the Day award! Is his FOMO, or 'Fear of Missing Out' driving him? The BIGGER question is, will it culminate into his first ever World Championship victory too?
The Inside Line F1 Podcast turns football analyst as we analyse the friendly match between 'F1 Stars vs. All Stars', held on the pit-straight in Monza. Fernando Alonso was the best player (because football does not need an engine), Jolyon Palmer scored an own goal (no surprises) and Max Verstappen was the best defender (did anyone get hurt?!) We wonder whether Daniil Kvyat was demoted to the bench!
Are Lewis Hamilton's starts from pole position jinxed? We talk about manual starts, the one thing making the 2016 season exciting (apart from Max Verstappen). Manual starts are awesome because you have some drivers gaining positions, others losing positions - and some just blaming the clutch!
The podium celebrations at Monza were more fun than the race itself. We loved Rosberg's podium performance (did it give Lewis 'Rockstar' Hamilton a complex?). If Rosberg ever applies to Ferrari, we are sure his Italian speaking skills will be helpful! We also tell you why Rosberg chose to sing that particular song apart from the fact that it is super catchy!
Why was Max Verstappen unusually subdued at Monza? Perhaps we should have a 'chat' with young Max, because everyone seems to want to have a chat with him! Was Daniel Ricciardo's overtaking move on Bottas THE move of the season?
Constructor battles are heating up as Ferrari closed the gap to Red Bull Racing and Williams continued to fight Force India. We give you our predictions on what lies ahead in these battles. How did Bottas's changed helmet help him beat Ricciardo in qualifying?
We have big news from the September 'silly season'. Felipe Massa announced his retirement from Formula 1, who will replace him at Williams? Jenson Button is taking a sabbatical next year, seems McLaren has a hard time letting go of its World Champion drivers. Button is going to spend 2017 doing what all retired drivers do - without calling it a retirement! Next in the line of retirements could be none other than Bernie Ecclestone - buzz has it that F1 is set to change ownership soon. Will that be for the better of the sport?
Tune in!
(Season 2016, Episode 28)
The Inside Line F1 Podcast turns football analyst as we analyse the friendly match between 'F1 Stars vs. All Stars', held on the pit-straight in Monza. Fernando Alonso was the best player (because football does not need an engine), Jolyon Palmer scored an own goal (no surprises) and Max Verstappen was the best defender (did anyone get hurt?!) We wonder whether Daniil Kvyat was demoted to the bench!
Are Lewis Hamilton's starts from pole position jinxed? We talk about manual starts, the one thing making the 2016 season exciting (apart from Max Verstappen). Manual starts are awesome because you have some drivers gaining positions, others losing positions - and some just blaming the clutch!
The podium celebrations at Monza were more fun than the race itself. We loved Rosberg's podium performance (did it give Lewis 'Rockstar' Hamilton a complex?). If Rosberg ever applies to Ferrari, we are sure his Italian speaking skills will be helpful! We also tell you why Rosberg chose to sing that particular song apart from the fact that it is super catchy!
Why was Max Verstappen unusually subdued at Monza? Perhaps we should have a 'chat' with young Max, because everyone seems to want to have a chat with him! Was Daniel Ricciardo's overtaking move on Bottas THE move of the season?
Constructor battles are heating up as Ferrari closed the gap to Red Bull Racing and Williams continued to fight Force India. We give you our predictions on what lies ahead in these battles. How did Bottas's changed helmet help him beat Ricciardo in qualifying?
We have big news from the September 'silly season'. Felipe Massa announced his retirement from Formula 1, who will replace him at Williams? Jenson Button is taking a sabbatical next year, seems McLaren has a hard time letting go of its World Champion drivers. Button is going to spend 2017 doing what all retired drivers do - without calling it a retirement! Next in the line of retirements could be none other than Bernie Ecclestone - buzz has it that F1 is set to change ownership soon. Will that be for the better of the sport?
Tune in!
(Season 2016, Episode 28)
Italian Grand Prix review for Motor Verso - Foreseeably unforseen
To again employ the increasingly-said F1 euphemism, that wasn't the most entertaining race.
Still there was intrigue around in the Italian Grand Prix if you dug a little. Not least that the outcome - a Nico Rosberg win - looked a world away for most of the weekend as his team mate Lewis Hamilton dominated. But even in the Englishman's qualifying afterglow the ways in which things could change very quickly could be foreseen, not least because we have witnessed similar already this year. That the Mercedes' starts haven't always been great, and if you lose places off the line in the modern sport it's very difficult to turn it around. For a few reasons.
And it turns out we're quite good mystics, as that's precisely what happened.
I give my take on it all in my latest Motor Verso race review, which you can read here: http://www.motorverso.com/italian-gp-2016-review-foreseeably-unforeseen/
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.
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| Photo: Octane Photography |
And it turns out we're quite good mystics, as that's precisely what happened.
I give my take on it all in my latest Motor Verso race review, which you can read here: http://www.motorverso.com/italian-gp-2016-review-foreseeably-unforeseen/
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.
Monday, 5 September 2016
Italian GP Report - Redressing the balance
To think that we were convinced that someone, somewhere, was smiling on Lewis Hamilton just lately. I guess this one in Monza you can file under redressing the balance. Yin and yang.
For most of the Italian Grand Prix weekend though it appeared that Lewis wouldn't need any of the luck that he might have been benefiting from in recent times. He looked on utterly dominant form, and rather relishing the fact too. Almost gleefully braking later than late and throwing his car expertly through Monza's chicanes. He certainly looked gleeful out of the car. And it all added up to a half second advantage over his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg next up in the final qualifying order, a margin between them almost unprecedented. And at a track with but a handful of corners.
And the two Mercedes were as per Sebastian Vettel's lucid words "in a world of their own". As with the gap between the two Mercs, this also was the expected situation but was manifesting itself to a greater extent than usual this time.
Yet even in the afterglow of Lewis's qualifying effort paths that diverged from his imperious march to victory could be, and indeed were, charted. The run to the first turn is a very long one here; the Mercs' starts have been of variable quality in 2016 thanks to an 'inconsistent' clutch.
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| Against the form of most of the weekend, Nico Rosberg triumphed Photo: Octane Photography |
And the two Mercedes were as per Sebastian Vettel's lucid words "in a world of their own". As with the gap between the two Mercs, this also was the expected situation but was manifesting itself to a greater extent than usual this time.
Yet even in the afterglow of Lewis's qualifying effort paths that diverged from his imperious march to victory could be, and indeed were, charted. The run to the first turn is a very long one here; the Mercs' starts have been of variable quality in 2016 thanks to an 'inconsistent' clutch.
Sunday, 4 September 2016
Monza Qualifying - Lewis's full beam
Lewis Hamilton bounced into the Monza press conference room, only to rather stop on his heels, confronted by a flat screen TV. It was showing onboard footage of his pole position lap for the Italian Grand Prix. Every perfect, and late, braking point. Every chicane negotiated with elan rather like the Mercedes was a yo-yo being expertly controlled on the end of its string.
Lewis stood aside and turned to the room of assembled hacks pointing at the screen with the broadest of grins and a satisfied nod of his head. The message was clear - did you see what I just did? Good, wasn't it? It was Lewis. It was.
Respective second and third-placed men Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel even with this sideshow trudged in what seemed a while later. It felt appropriate on a few levels.
Yep, if the Mercs this weekend at ultra-fast Monza were in Vettel's words "in a world of their own", similar could be said about Lewis in relation to his team mate. He's simply been on another level to everyone from around the mid-point of Friday, and if anything has seemed to stretch his advantage ever wider since.
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| Lewis Hamilton took pole position and positively beamed about it Photo: Octane Photography |
Respective second and third-placed men Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel even with this sideshow trudged in what seemed a while later. It felt appropriate on a few levels.
Yep, if the Mercs this weekend at ultra-fast Monza were in Vettel's words "in a world of their own", similar could be said about Lewis in relation to his team mate. He's simply been on another level to everyone from around the mid-point of Friday, and if anything has seemed to stretch his advantage ever wider since.
Thursday, 1 September 2016
The latest Lights to Flag Podcast - 2016 Belgian Grand Prix Review/Italian Grand Prix Preview
The latest episode of the Lights to Flag podcast is here, and in this one we look back at the Belgian Grand Prix as well as look ahead to Monza.
Host Ewan Marshall and I reflect on a Spa weekend and race that gave us plenty to talk about. And yes, Max Verstappen does feature... We also look ahead to the Italian race and just what is so very special about the Monza venue. You can listen by clicking play below.
As before too do let us know what you think, we're very keen to hear feedback. You can also interact with the podcast, such as by suggesting questions or letting us know your comments, via the Twitter account and on its Facebook page. If you want to appear on it give us a shout too.
Host Ewan Marshall and I reflect on a Spa weekend and race that gave us plenty to talk about. And yes, Max Verstappen does feature... We also look ahead to the Italian race and just what is so very special about the Monza venue. You can listen by clicking play below.
As before too do let us know what you think, we're very keen to hear feedback. You can also interact with the podcast, such as by suggesting questions or letting us know your comments, via the Twitter account and on its Facebook page. If you want to appear on it give us a shout too.
Italian Grand Prix Coin Collection by Rosland Capital
You may recall a few weeks back me writing about premier precious metals asset firm Rosland Capital releasing and distributing The Formula One Collection, a new limited edition series of F1 themed coin collections.
This collection includes individual one-quarter ounce gold coins to celebrate four of the most prestigious modern-day Grands Prix specifically.
And of course there are few as prestigious as Monza's Italian Grand Prix which takes place this weekend, and the limited edition .25oz gold coin celebrating the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix is now available.
Minted by Swiss-based PAMP and distributed by Rosland Capital, the front of each coin features the official Formula 1 logo, a striking representation of a 2016 F1 car, and the name of the event in Italian - Gran Premio d'Italia™. The obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the legal tender value of the coin, the year of issue, and the metal fineness.
You can follow Rosland Capital's Twitter page to stay up-to-date on more Formula 1 coin news, with releases for the Brazilian and United States Grands Prix to come.
And if you'd like more information or are interested in purchasing one of these then you can visit this page on Rosland Capital's website.
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| The limited edition gold coin celebrating the Italian Grand Prix |
And of course there are few as prestigious as Monza's Italian Grand Prix which takes place this weekend, and the limited edition .25oz gold coin celebrating the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix is now available.
Minted by Swiss-based PAMP and distributed by Rosland Capital, the front of each coin features the official Formula 1 logo, a striking representation of a 2016 F1 car, and the name of the event in Italian - Gran Premio d'Italia™. The obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the legal tender value of the coin, the year of issue, and the metal fineness.
You can follow Rosland Capital's Twitter page to stay up-to-date on more Formula 1 coin news, with releases for the Brazilian and United States Grands Prix to come.
And if you'd like more information or are interested in purchasing one of these then you can visit this page on Rosland Capital's website.
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| The Italian Grand Prix coin in its presentation card |
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| The observe side of the presentation card |
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