My Motorsport Blog

Ferrari, McLaren and BMW drivers have resorted to wearing “cloaking devices” at the race track looking at Massa’s “beardy” it would seem. Could this be due to the the first practice rounds that we have had? What a surprise to see dark horses Williams, Brawn, Toyota and Red Bull “hogging” the front row and making life difficult for the high budget front runners of the past.

The cars look cleaner and I am glad to see the return of slick tyres to the formula. The “hype” about KERS and the concerns about the “reg” changes will be exposed this weekend and it is time fans agree we need a change to the sport that suit us and the spectators.

There are questions asked about the continuity of the Brawn car and I think we should accept the fact that Ross is not an idiot and has the knowledge and experience on how to run a team. To question his business acumen at this stage will be the same as to doubt his racing abilities,  which,  Mercedes Benz have already shown is in no doubt with their agreement to supply engines to the team. I think Mercedes after the practise rounds must be in no doubt that they have made the right decision.

The only aspect of the sponsorship to Ross Brawn’s team which I believe might come from Virgin and Richard Branson I do not like, is that he, Richard, sat on the fence waiting to see if Brawn GP were going to be succesful with the car specs, and if the appeals against the diffusers will be acceptable. I appreciate that this would have been a business decision but it is not a sport in which a sponsor can sit on the fence and wait to see which way a decision will go.

Once again Ross, well done and I believe you will be there for years to come. If I did not know better I would say get Rory and Michael together and go out there, chew bubblegum and kick some ass.

At this stage I have to say that most of the focus has been on the Brawn car but the threat is not just from that quarter and we have to keep eyes on Williams and Toyota who have something to prove. I really wish the FIA and the proposed or anticipated appeal against these guys are not successful and we can get racing.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!!

The 3rd March 2009 is fast approaching and this would be the day when the doors at Brackley could finally close for the Honda F1 Team. In the meantime talks with Honda and Richard Branson’s Virgin Group over a possible buy-out continue and yet we have USF1 to make some sort of an announcement on its plans by the 23rd March 2009. I do not see them joining the F1 fraternity soon and believe it would be a non starter even if it would be in 2010.

Also in doubt would be the continued sponsorship from Petrobras, the Brazilian petrochemical company which has supported Honda in recent years and whom have indicated that they would not support a privately owned team. I do not think the current economical climate is a issue for Petrobras so could it be the proposed owners?

However, would the Honda F1 team be on track for the opening round of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship in Australia if a sale is agreed? They certainly spent time developing this car to the end of 2008 and beyond, then another question would be, who would be their drivers?

Jenson Button has certainly played a major part in the development but would he be the right driver to take the team forward and will Bruno Senna cope in F1 if given the chance. If Virgin do succeed in the buy-out I would like to see young Senna in the drivers seat and maybe another from the GP2 series like Lucas di Grassi or even Romain Grosjean. Let’s get the youngsters to stir the pot in the F1 world. That is if they can afford the Formula One Super Licence fees which bring me to another subject.

Formula One licence

How many have paid their fees? ……..All of them would be the answer to the question because they would not be allowed to participate since fees had to be paid by the 1st November 2008 with some exceptions.

Now I have to be careful on how I say this but since Max happens to be on a European crusade to ensure the sanctity of his privacy and on the one in a million chance that he reads this blog only a man of complacency and great arrogance with a total indifference to others in a world outside of his own can make a statement to the effect

 ”A driver who does not want, or cannot afford to pay for, a F1 super licence, has many alternatives,” Mosley said. “Apart from Formula One, there are a large number of series and championships where a professional racing driver can earn a good, sometimes very good, living.

“Way to go Max!!!!!! I wonder if a “NEWS PAPER EDITOR” might not do a better job than you as “Ill Presidente” of the FIA

So with the actual Formula One 2009 season to start in March I see the FIA Regulations book were studied and Toyota and Williams are playing around with rear diffusers which have other teams grumbling. 

And we still have KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) which Williams have decided they might only implement after 6 races. So much speculation and guesses but we will have to see the real effect of this in the actual race in Melbourne. Wonder if this will also be available to boost the cars at the start?

One area in which the rules have changed and to which I am very grateful for is in the return of slick tyres. Just a pity they do not implement more than one manufacturer to supply the tyres as well.

Another area of improvement is the allocation of eight engines to a driver for a season, which, exclude the four supplied for testing. I still think they should just allocate 8 engines to each driver, however, if a change of engine is made after qualifying it should not mean a automatic start from the rear of the grid. Once your 8 engines have been used this can then be applied.

The new dimensional regulations should also make the cars look more like the traditional F1 cars we all remember before the “Bull Horns” on the nose cone and “Viking Ears” on the Engine cover appeared……I hope.