It has been 19 years since that tragic weekend in Imola. May 1st 1994, I remember where I was, I remember what I was doing. It was a grey, rainy and miserable day. The entire weekend smelled like dirty wet socks. April showers failed to bring May flowers as the damp feel in the air translated into a numb weekend devoid of any color.
I had celebrated my 20th birthday just a few days before. I remember the excitement of another Grand Prix weekend, which was always a big deal in my house (still is). My father and I share this special bond as we are both massive Motorsports fans. In fact, I credit my father for my passion for everything that goes fast, especially on wheels.
We were still in a state of disbelief after Roland Ratzenberger’s death during qualifying in San Marino. It had been the third F1 driver death in the span of a decade or so. My father and I wondered if it just wouldn’t have been better to simply cancel the Grand Prix under the circumstances and perhaps even out of respect for Roland and his family. Reluctantly, I would imagine, the decision to continue was taken.
Ratzenberger sat helplessly in his car as a passenger. His front wing broke off and lodged itself beneath his race car under the heavy load on the back straight. It had been damaged on the previous lap. Failing to manipulate the direction of his car, he slammed into the wall at over 300km/h. The Austrian crashed out of qualifying, pushing harder and harder to gain that last grid spot for his Simtek team. He eventually succumbed to his skull fracture injuries.
If any of you watched the Malaysian Grand Prix, you may have witnessed a similar incident when Alonso’s wing wedged itself beneath the Spaniard’s front wheels. It too had become detached after contact on the previous lap. A decision not to pull the double world champion into the pits to replace the broken wing luckily did not cost Alonso his life. A foolish call. How quickly some forget the dangers of Motorsports and the stark reality of its permanence.
This decision to continue with San Marino Grand Prix still haunts us all. One day after the tragedy, the Formula One world would mourn the loss of legend. Perhaps the best driver ever to climb into the cockpit of a Formula One car. Those closest to Senna, now admit that the Brazilian was preoccupied with thoughts of Roland’s death. Failing to finish the first two races, Senna was clearly under pressure to perform. Up to even moments before his own passing, thoughts of Roland’s death, Barichello’s massive crash and the accident at the start of the San Marino Grand Prix must have been an enormous weight on Senna’s mind.
Nonetheless, a pensive Senna sat in his car ready to compete at the highest level. After the debris from the first lap crash where Pedro Lamy slammed into a stalled J.J. Lehto had been collected, the race restarted behind the safety car. For six laps, the field crawled around the Imola circuit, losing brake temperature, losing tyre pressure and running hot. As the chasing pack was released, Senna lead a young Michael Schumacher into the Tamburello corner where the Brazilian left the track and met his tragic end.
You will find many articles, posts, tributes and videos about Senna and his death. There are many theories behind what caused the crash and subsequently his premature passing. I urge you to search for those written by people who were present, who knew Senna, or competed against him. They will do a far better job of conveying the reality and emotions of this sad event. It took the death of one of the sport’s greatest champions to incite change and proper consideration for safety. Ultimately, Senna’s death prompted the rule changes which have given us the end product that F1 has become today.
I will never forget this day. I will never forget hearing the words, “Formula One’s Ayrton Senna has been pronounced clinically dead”, which were uttered by a local news broadcast. I had never heard the term “clinically dead” before. I wrote these words down with the date and time on a notepad. Afraid that I might one day forget. I don’t know why. I still have this notebook. I have not once opened it again to that page. I find it difficult to write this without stirring up emotions.
I was not a big fan of Senna during his time in Formula One, I was selfishly and naively wishing my favorites to win. I can say it now, I was just too bloody stupid to realize the greatness that I had been witnessing. Surgical precision, unfathomable performances witnessed but not understood. Senna’s death was an awakening for me personally. It was the moment I began to understand that I must learn to love the sport over any driver or team. Never again would I miss the opportunity to appreciate exceptional talent in any form of Motorsports.
I had been a Gilles Villeneuve fan since I was a young boy. His death was one I never understood until I was older. His loss is one I mourn more today than ever before. Senna’s loss was monumental but not without purpose. His death may well have saved many lives in Formula One and has left a legacy which has imparted an unmistakable mark on the sport.
Sadly, his mortality bestowed the label of Legend on Senna far before his time. Tragedy has a way of making us reflect, ponder and remember. There were many sides to Senna, the driver, the person, the family man. Make no mistake, Senna was a true racer; ruthless, dedicated, committed and brilliant.
To Gilles, Roland and Ayrton and all our Motorsport heroes that left us all before their time, you may be gone but you shall never be forgotten.
Author: Ernie Black
I had started to write this post with different intentions. After a few paragraphs I realized that the best course of action is just to say this…
The first of May, marks that dreadful day,
When Ayrton Senna, passed away
One of the greatest, we may ever have seen
Precise and methodical, he made winning routine
So focused was he, that he’d be entranced
With severe tunnel vision, his car tip-toed and danced
His battles with Prost, pushed them to new limits
Ahead of the pack, by not seconds but minutes
A rain master of sorts, remember Monaco?
In heavy rains , he put on a show
Brazil ’91, with only 6th gear
A wet victory, for his home fans to cheer
It’s been 19 years, since the legend’s death
In the hearts of his fans, despite his last breath
A moment of silence, for the F1 great
As he looks down on us, from behind Heaven’s gate
AUTHOR: Ernie Black
TWITTER: @TheF1Poet
Last season, some of my readers and I tracked which driver won on which Pirelli compound. Not that one could really make any real assumption based on the compounds alone, but it was fun to play devil’s advocate and hypothesize.
Here is this year’s chart to date followed by last season’s chart, just for shits and giggles as they say. I will continue to update this as the season progresses. If nothing else, it can be used as reference.
2013
| Grand Prix | Pirelli Compounds | Winner | ||
| Australia | (Melbourne) | super-soft | medium | RAI |
| Malaysia | (Sepang) | medium | hard | VET |
| China | (Shanghai) | soft | medium | ALO |
| Bahrain | (Sakhir) | medium | hard | VET |
| Spain | (Catalunya) | medium | hard | |
| Monaco | (Monte Carlo) | super-soft | soft | |
| Canada | (Montreal) | super-soft | medium | |
| Europe | (Valencia) | |||
| Great Britain | (Silverstone) | |||
| Germany | (Hockenheim) | |||
| Hungary | (Budapest) | |||
| Belgium | (Spa-Francorchamps) | |||
| Italy | (Monza) | |||
| Singapore | (Singapore) | |||
| Japan | (Suzuka) | |||
| Korea | (Yeongam) | |||
| India | (New Delhi) | |||
| Abu | Dhabi (Yas Marina) | |||
| United States | (Austin) | |||
| Brazil | (Interlagos) | |||
2012
| Grand Prix | Pirelli Compounds | Winner | ||
| Australia | (Melbourne) | medium | soft | Button |
| Malaysia | (Sepang) | hard | medium | Alonso |
| China | (Shanghai) | medium | soft | Rosberg |
| Bahrain | (Sakhir) | medium | soft | Vettel |
| Spain | (Catalunya) | hard | soft | Maldonado |
| Monaco | (Monte Carlo) | soft | super-soft | Webber |
| Canada | (Montreal) | soft | super-soft | Hamilton |
| Europe | (Valencia) | medium | soft | Alonso |
| Great Britain | (Silverstone) | hard | soft | Webber |
| Germany | (Hockenheim) | medium | soft | Alonso |
| Hungary | (Budapest) | medium | soft | Hamilton |
| Belgium | (Spa-Francorchamps) | hard | medium | Button |
| Italy | (Monza) | hard | medium | Hamilton |
| Singapore | (Singapore) | soft | super-soft | Vettel |
| Japan | (Suzuka) | hard | soft | Vettel |
| Korea | (Yeongam) | soft | super-soft | Vettel |
| India | (New Delhi) | hard | soft | Vettel |
| Abu | Dhabi (Yas Marina) | medium | soft | Raikonnen |
| United States | (Austin) | hard | medium | Hamilton |
| Brazil | (Interlagos) | hard | medium | Button |
I wrote this for us, the many, the proud the fierce and the loud. Formula One is about to start another great season. History will be made, a champion shall be crowned and we shall all bear witness to another epic battle for the championship titles. For all of you that have petrol coursing through your veins, this is for you...
Back by popular demand!
A humorous look at how to identify F1 Drivers.
Yesterday I was listening to PitStopRadio with special guest Craig Scarborough. Craig is a technical wizard when it comes to Formula One. He is known to thousands of his fans as Scarbs (twitter: @ScarbsF1) for whom he explains technical aspect of the sport we love in easy to understand terms.
Wily. Here is a word which most people from my generation associate with an infamous cartoon. Wile E. Coyote was a well-known antagonist from one of my favorite Looney Tunes cartoon series with the Road Runner. Of course, as a child, I never made the connection between the character’s name and its clever if not deceitful traits.
Now that I understand the definition of the word “Wily”, it all makes sense. I decided to include the definition of the word from two well-respected online sources for your convenience.
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Oxford Dictionary: Definition of wily – adjective (wilier, wiliest) : skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully
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Meriam-Webster Dictionary: Definition of wily (adjective) : clever at attaining one’s ends by indirect and often deceptive means
Doesn’t that describe Mr. Ecclestone to a certain degree?
A little known fact is that Mr. E was automobile and motorcycle salesman in his younger days. He had this unbelievable skill to sell. An incredible judge of character who was able to talk his way out of any situation or into anyone’s wallet. Bernie was able to evaluate any vehicle and do two things incredibly well. The first was to be able to purchase the vehicle from the owner at a ridiculously low price while make the seller feel as though he/she struck a deal. The second was the ability to sell that same vehicle for a lofty profit while making the buyer feel as though he/she had also struck a deal. Bernie never grew emotionally attached to anything. He saw each vehicle as an opportunity to make money.
Recently there has been a lot of talk about Bernie and CVC reconsidering their position to float Formula One on the Singapore stock exchange. Due to the less than hospitable global economic climate in recent years, they decided to forgo the initial attempt at floating F1. They now feel the time may be right to move forward again at some point this year.
There will certainly be questions asked about the current state of the sport, its financial situation and of course the succession plan for Mr. E when he is no longer the driving force behind F1.
For many years, very few people have asked the question of what happens to F1 when Bernie is no longer around? Bernie hasn’t really been in any ill-health and there has never been a reason to believe that he had lost interest in running the show. Recently however, the question has been raised publicly. The 82-year-old Brit is not getting any younger for starters, but that isn’t the really the reason.
It might have more to do with the implications of the bribery scandal and the possible repercussions if Bernie is indicted. Gerhard Gribkowsky, a German banker, confessed to taking bribes from Bernie Ecclestone in 2006 over the sale of F1 to CVC. It is possible (although it seems unlikely) that Ecclestone could be forced out either at the hands of the court or FOM board members.
So what happens if and when Bernie is gone? Well, some believe Bernie will never give up and will never die. Intent on remaining at the helm of F1 defying death like a cockroach surviving nuclear holocaust. The reality is that Formula One will likely fall into some sort of corporate structure. It will likely be generic and bland, governed by vote by a bunch of suit and tie types that haven’t the foggiest clue.
Bernie can never be replaced. No person alive has his wiliness. No one can enter into negotiations like Bernie, financially undress the other party and walk out with an iron-clad deal, all while the other party feel as though they came out ahead. No one.
You see, Ecclestone also knows how to manipulate the media. Every time he needs to negotiate a deal for a Grand Prix, he makes a simple statement or two that media jump all over. For instance, before negotiating a deal with Australia, he might mention that Bahrain would be willing to host the F1 season opener. The weather in Melbourne doesn’t lend itself to hosting a GP during it’s winter months, so it would likely want to retain its position as the F1 season opening round.
Any time F1 is in the news is a win for Bernie. Even if it’s not all positive, it still gets people talking about the sport. No one has the networking skills nor the Motorsport network that Bernie has built over what seems like a lifetime. No one knows the history or the people of F1 places and things or deals. He is a one man F1 band that holds all the key and their secrets.
Much like his days selling motorcycles and cars after WWII, Bernie doesn’t get emotionally attached. He knows new markets like Russia and Thailand could easily take the place of just about any circuit on the current F1 calendar. Nothing is sacred except perhaps the Monaco GP, but I reckon it too could be replaced…far easier than Bernie could.
Author: Ernie Black
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Here is the Bahrain GP review F1 Poem. F1 fans had much to get excited about. We witnessed some great wheel to wheel battles and great action. Ferrari had a dismal day and Lotus has further established itself as a title contender.
With Shanghai behind us and another great race
The championship hunt is picking up pace
It was off to Bahrain, for some fun in the sand
Sadly not enough fans, to fill a single grandstand
With Nico on Pole and penalties dealt
The desert heat, was certainly felt
Alonso and Vettel, made a cracking good start
But the Spaniard’s race, fell quickly apart
His DRS flap, was stuck open wide
A back to back win, would now be denied
There were epic battles and wheel to wheel scraps
By Perez and Button and a few other chaps
Shockingly Massa, wasn’t more animated
When twice his rear tyre, delaminated
His plan was crippled and in utter shambles
Unable to make use, of his hard tyre gambles
Lap after lap, Vettel managed his lead
His rivals again, would have to concede
His desire to win, Vettel could not disguise
As he glanced at the podium with bedroom eyes
It was Vettel who had, this win in the bag
He was first to see, the chequered flag
Kimi and Romain, would complete the top three
Savouring this, like a nice spot of tea
Force India aiming, to be best of the rest
Di Resta in fourth, adding to his points quest
Followed by Lewis, Perez and Webber
Then Alonso in eighth, who could do no better
Rosberg and Button, rounded out the top ten
In less than three weeks, they’ll all try again
The Pirellis were fine, no need to complain
When F1 touches down in beautiful Spain
It’s early days still and too close to call
But F1′s title race, is turning into a brawl
Author: Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
I conducted this interview last season in a five part mini series. I’ve had some requests to recompile it in one article for easier reading. It has been wildly popular for many reasons. For one, Kate Walker is a very interesting subject. She answers these questions honestly and candidly. Readers will be surprised by some of the answers and F1 journalist hopefuls get an inside look at what it really means and takes to cover Formula One around the globe.
Here is the original interview:
As Formula One fans, many of you have heard the name Kate Walker and most certainly have read her work. If you haven’t, I urge you to visit www.f1katewalker.com. Not just beauty and brains, this F1 journalist has a wealth of worldly experience already, as well as, the credentials that make her the total package. This pretty face can talk the talk and walk the walk.
I put together a series of interview questions that I plan to use for a few different F1 journalists. I did this in order to give us (the readers), a different perspective on some of the F1 journalists some F1 fans follow, admire and aspire to be. It will most certainly be interesting to see how different their paths have been to get to the same destination and what sets them apart from each other.
Some of what you are about to read; will open your eyes to what it takes to be an F1 journalist. Peeping through the keyhole of one of the most amazing occupations in the world of motorsports that offers the most wonderful experiences and intangible rewards. Strap on your safety harness and join me on this journey as I slip into the cockpit of the F1 fast lane.
Welcome to the Kate Walker Project
Who is Kate Walker?
Kate, it’s relatively safe to say that F1 has for decades been primarily a sport where women have not been drawn to professionally. Where did your interest in F1 stem from and what made you want to chase the circus around the globe?
My introduction to F1 came about thanks to an ex-boyfriend who was into the sport. When we first got together I used to slag him off for wasting his weekends watching cars go round in circles for hours on end, and he told me I couldn’t have an informed opinion until I’d sat down and watched a race. That was in 2007.
So he got me to watch a race (can’t remember which one…) and it was more interesting than I’d thought it would be. By 2008, the boyfriend was pulling the duvet over his head and begging for more sleep while I was trying to wake him up to watch free practice from Australia/Japan/China.
I was hooked, but figured that F1 would be out of reach for someone like me. Then, around Spa 2009, I discovered an old article that Joe Saward had written in which he outlined the backgrounds of a number of F1 PRs. Those mentioned all had backgrounds like mine – bilingual, international schools, a childhood spent travelling the world. So I figured I might be in with a shot. I decided to wait until the end of the season, and the minute the chequered flag fell in Abu Dhabi I emailed all of the teams with a copy of my CV for consideration as a trainee press officer.
Two teams sent me a ‘thanks but no thanks’ email, and the other ten failed to reply at all. So I decided to get in on my own. Because 2010 was going to be the FIA’s Year of Women in Motor Sport, I approached girlracer and offered to write for them for free if they could get me a press pass. I figured it was the best chance I had to get in, and it worked. (Yes, I am that conniving.)
Give us a brief history about who you are and where you’re from. What do you want your fans and followers to know about YOU?
Oh, god. I’m a bit of an odd one in background terms, because I grew up all over the place. My dad was a political correspondent, so we got sent to wherever the story was. So I was born in London, then moved to Moscow, Washington DC, and Brussels. Then when I left home I moved to Oxford, London, Brighton, back to DC, back to Oxford, and then to southwest France, before recently relocating back to London. I blame my travelling childhood for my desire to find a job that didn’t leave me stuck in one place all the time.
As for who I am? Ummm. I’m a writer, a show-off, a narcissist. I fancy myself to be an intellectual, but I love immature jokes. I’ve got a degree in politics and philosophy, and a professional background in news editing, traditional publishing, and online media. I am obsessed with music, of a host of different genres, and I’m one of those pretentious idiots who mostly likes bands no one else has heard of. Sometimes because no one else has heard of them
Welcome to the second part of the Kate Walker Project. In this chapter, we will dive into Kate’s story of how she ended up with a career in Formula One and the steps she took to get there which you will not believe. Kate takes us though an interesting and winding road that despite her best efforts to avoid a career in journalism, ended up landing her a dream job she now, simply cannot imagine not doing.
If you’re reading this and your interested in one day being an F1 journalist, keep reading. Kate will now open the door to that keyhole you were looking through earlier into the world of Formula journalism. Chances are, if you have a question about a career in F1 journalism, about the money, advice etc…she answers it here:
Why did you decide to be a (sports/F1) journalist?
I never decided to be a journalist. In fact, I spent as much of my life as possible trying to avoid it! It’s a career that runs in the family, and I was desperate to avoid following in my parents’ footsteps. Now look at me…
What steps did you take to achieve your goal?
As much as I say I tried to avoid journalism, there were always signs. After uni, I started out working as a sub-editor for a wire service, and then got roped in to writing pieces when staff were on leave or off sick. That turned into regular writing duties. But before I became a real journalist I ran off to the internet, where I started managing a blog network. I started writing pieces to cover leave and absences, and it just snowballed from there. In terms of achieving my F1 goal, I decided I wanted to work in the sport, got rejected by all the teams when I applied for PR work, so figured that journalism was my only way in. So I started writing daily pieces for girlracer while still at my day job, we applied for (and eventually got) F1 accreditation, and I handed in my notice at work the day I got back from my first grand prix.
What are your most and least favourite things about your job?
For this question I’m going to have to copy and paste a reply I gave to @IlariaF1 when she interviewed me last year, as I don’t think I could put it any better than I did then.
There are so many amazing things about this job that it’s hard to know what to pick.
- I love the feeling I get every time I approach a circuit and see a sign saying ‘F1 media and personnel’ and realise that it applies to me!
- I love the fact that I can go to a team motorhome for breakfast or a cup of coffee and chat to senior personnel about their strategy for the weekend, or their fears about their car at ‘x’ circuit.
- I love working with F1 journalists whose writing I have long admired and having them treat me as an equal. Sometimes they even ask me for advice, which is an amazing feeling.
- I love waking up in a foreign country and not remembering where I am this week.
- I love sitting in an empty media centre early in the morning and feeling the floor start to rumble as the cars are fired up below me.
- I love walking into the paddock and smelling the combination of bacon, fresh rubber, and motor oil that means it’s a race weekend.
- I love the energy of the paddock, and how inspiring it is to be surrounded by hundreds of people who are the best in the world at what they do and love it with a passion.
Basically, I guess what it all boils down to is that I love the combination of adventure, hard work, intelligence, and passion that makes up a life in Formula 1, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
When it comes to what I like least, well… These things are as much a part of the job as the good bits, so I can’t hate them too much, but if I could get rid of long-haul flights in economy, 5am wake-up calls (especially when you’ve gone to bed at 3am), and the terrifyingly expensive cost of travelling to all the races, my life would be perfect.
For many F1 fans, you are living a dream. From the outside looking in, it would seem you have a pretty cool gig. Would you recommend this career to someone else, why or why not?
Absolutely. It’s the best job there is, no question. It’s not something everyone’s cut out to do – the travel takes it out of you, and you need to be able to rock up to the track after a night on the red-eye and settle straight down to a 12-hour day of work, so if sleep deprivation is an issue then stay away. Same if you want to have a work-life balance, or hobbies, or a social life. But if you’re willing to sacrifice a ‘normal’ life with things like weekends and lie-ins, then the benefits of F1 outweigh the negatives a million times over.
If you think that normal is boring, and you’re willing to work your socks off for huge personal reward with little financial gain, then this is the job for you. But forget about marriage and kids. They’re incompatible with a life that sees you on the road for a minimum of 100 nights a year.
What advice can you offer young (or old) wannabe Kate Walkers out there, looking to follow in your footsteps?
Write, write, write, then write some more. You need to get into the habit of writing whether or not you’re feeling inspired, and you need to develop the ability to write quick and accurate copy to deadline. After Shanghai I wrote sixteen pieces in four hours, as I needed to hit the airport for my flight, and they all ran unedited from their submitted form. You need to be able to deliver without crafting every phrase, and that’s something that comes from practice.
The other piece of advice is to save as much money as you can. If you want to break in like I did, you’ll need to be prepared to pay your own way at first, as the outlets that can afford to pay for your travel aren’t going to take a chance on an untested writer without any contacts. So you’ll need to find someone who can get you accreditation in exchange for you covering the travel costs, which means you need to have a whole lot of money saved up for flights, hotels, and food.
With so much competition in the journalism and media fields, it seems like it is an employer’s market. How’s the money? Without numbers, would you say F1 journalists make a substantial income or would you say one might struggle to raise a family on one income?
Hahahahahaha! Money. Ha. In order to attend all the races, you’re looking at a travel budget of at least £20,000 a year. So you need to earn that to do the job, then earn money for things like rent and bills, before you can think about any sort of ‘profit’ to spend on things like food, clothes, and having a social life. This is not a life that will make you rich, unless you win the lottery. But I’d rather have empty pockets and a head full of memories than the other way round.
Do you think you’ll ever get tired of doing what you do?
Apparently there’s a five-year threshold. If you make it past five years, odds are you’re in the sport for life. I’ve not hit the five-year mark yet, so I can’t tell you whether or not I’ll stumble at that particular hurdle, but I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. I’d rather be a high-class hooker than go back to my old life of 9-5 behind a desk. At least there’s the chance of some travel…
Are all your expenses covered and how does one go about getting paid if working independently?
I’m a freelancer, so I cover all my expenses and hope that I sell enough stories to break even by the end of the season. I probably spend as much time coming up with ideas and trying to sell them to newspapers and magazines as I do actually writing. You just have to hustle for work, and hope that you’re providing your outlets with a good enough service that eventually they start coming to you with commissions. But it takes a long time to build up a reputation – I’ve been doing this for three years now, and I’m nowhere near that point.
Behind The Glitz And Glamour
What is the most interesting story you have ever written?
My favourite was one we decided not to run. I’d dug up an awful lot of background information on someone tangentially associated with F1, and none of it was flattering. A lot of it was criminal. But because the person in question had way better lawyers than I could ever afford, we decided it was safest to kill the piece.
Who was your favourite interview subject?
Heikki Kovalainen, partly because he was my first F1 interview, and partly because he’s an all-round lovely person to interview. There are some drivers who make it perfectly clear that they don’t want to be doing an interview they’ve agreed to, but Heikki is a consummate professional.
Keeping a reader interested in a story is difficult, especially in the internet age with so many ways to get information. You seem to be quite successful in capturing your audience’s attention, what’s your approach?
Thanks for the compliment! I guess I just try to write without taking it all too seriously. I mean, when it comes down to it, all we’re doing is writing about a bunch of rich guys playing around with expensive toys. And it’s easy to forget that when you’re in the middle of it. We’re not helping to overthrow oppressive regimes, or fighting for political freedoms – we’re having a blast while travelling the world. I also try and link stories to whatever randomness is burbling through my head at the time, which is why I’ve written F1 articles referring to Aristotle, Hamlet, and the plays of Noel Coward.
How long do you normally work on each of your stories? Do you have a general guideline you follow for length?
Ideally, I’d make all of my pieces 800 words. But sometimes pieces just don’t go on for that long – there’s always a point in the middle of writing when I know there’s nothing more that I can add without just writing in a pathetic attempt to up my word count. Unless I’m doing a feature, I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than an hour writing a piece. Researching takes longer, of course.
Do you ever feel uninspired?
Constantly! And that’s when you’ll see two or three days go by without anything up on my site. Because while there’s always something to write about, I refuse to be one of those people who just rehashes press releases, or rewrites something Autosport have already covered. If I can’t find an original take on a story, I won’t bother covering it. Why waste my readers’ time with material they’ve already seen elsewhere?
Have you ever had to endure any dangerous situations? Are you hesitant for instance about going to Bahrain this season?
I was in a car behind Button when he got attacked in Brazil in 2010 – that was pretty scary. There have been loads of dangerous situations on the road, as the standard of driving internationally isn’t quite what I’m used to in Europe. With luck, the FIA’s Decade of Action for Road Safety will help change that.
Perversely, I like those nervous moments when you’re not quite sure whether you’ll make it out alive. Maybe it’s the thrill-seeker in me, but I always feel most alive after a near-death experience, whether or not it’s linked to F1.
As for Bahrain, I’m more concerned that our presence there will lead to violence for ordinary Bahrainis than I am worried about my personal safety. I expect the country to be on military lockdown, and I think we’ll probably be safer there than we are anywhere else. Because if anything goes wrong this weekend, FIA, FOM, and the Bahraini royal family are going to have a lot to answer for, and they know it.
Have you ever had issues with customs when traveling abroad to new and very foreign countries, say perhaps China?
The last thing you want, after a 30 hour plane journey, is to be interrogated by customs officials. But something about my exhausted appearance drew the attention of a Japanese border control officer, which is why I spent Wednesday evening draping my knickers and socks across Nagoya Airport.
Arriving in Japan was somewhat surreal. I had visited the country as a backpacker in my student days, and found the immigration procedure pretty unremarkable. But in the intervening years, security got a lot tighter.
The first thing I noticed, walking off the plane, was the giant thermo-meter (like a thermometer, but for full body scans) at the gate. Signs explained that they were taking our temperatures to make sure we weren’t bringing any infections with us into Japan. Naturally, as I walked through it, I sneezed. Oops. Nothing to see here, officer, just some sinuses run ragged by three flights and 30 hours in transit.
Queueing up at passport control, we were treated to a mini video explaining the new entry procedures. Much like the United States, Japan now demands that all incoming passengers have their fingerprints and photograph taken. Refusal means you’re sent back to your point of origin on the first available flight.
I began preparing myself for the inevitable interrogation, but was pleasantly surprised to discover the process was no more troublesome than flashing my passport at Heathrow. Making my way over to the baggage carousel with a completed customs declaration, I naively assumed I was home and dry.
Home and dry until it came to getting through customs, that is. Everyone in the queue ahead of me handed over their yellow forms and was waved straight through, so I was surprised to be asked to open my suitcase for inspection.
‘Why are you here?’ the customs man asked. ‘For the Grand Prix,’ I replied. He had no idea what I was talking about until I started making car noises while mimicking turning a steering wheel. ‘The Grand Prix? How much was your ticket?’ he asked. When I explained that I had a press pass, things got strange.
Rummaging through my suitcase, the customs official started going through the books I’d brought with me, reading the blurbs on the back. I don’t think that a selection of thrillers and crime novels constitutes contraband, so it was strange to see my choice of reading material undergo such a thorough inspection.
Next came my jeans. He went through all of the pockets, turning them inside out until he found a tiny fleck of tobacco inside one of the seams. God knows how it got there, or how long it had been there, but it was with this discovery that my interrogation began in earnest. The customs man brought out a laminated sheet of paper showing photographs of a variety of illegal drugs.
‘Do you know what these are?’ he asked. ‘Some drugs,’ I replied. ‘I haven’t got anything like that with me.’
Having already been through my suitcase, he knew that was the case and agreed with me. Nonetheless, it was time for a pop quiz. When I confessed that I couldn’t identify the random selection of white powders, but assumed that the tablets pictured were probably Ecstasy, he asked me if I’d ever smoked cannabis. When I admitted to some Amsterdam experimentation in my student days, he zipped up my suitcase, wished me a pleasant evening, and sent me on my way.
Bizarre.
Where are your favourite places to visit on the F1 calendar? First for the circuit/race and second for visiting and just walking about?
Japan is my favourite country, and was long before F1 came into my life. So I love the fact that I now get to go every year. Singapore has become one of my favourite cities in the last couple of years – I love the food, the city itself, and the people I’ve met there. I didn’t get to spend enough time in Shanghai this year, but I could tell from the short amount of time I was in town that it’s a place I could fall in love with very easily. I’m looking forward to going back in 2013 and discovering it properly. As for visiting for the circuit, you can’t beat Spa. I remember the first time I went there, walking out of the media car park, turning my head, and seeing Eau Rouge disappearing up into the mist. I got shivers down my spine, and still do every time I think of it.
Where do you encounter the most enthusiastic fans? Where is there the most F1 energy?
There are so many places! The Japanese fans are crazy-passionate, to the extent that I’ve been asked for my autograph leaving the paddock, just because I’m part of the circus. The tifosi in Monza are something else entirely. Spanish fans go mental whenever Alonso’s around, while Britain, Canada, and Australia all have really passionate fans.
Part 4 of this mini series dives into two areas peripheral to the sport and the job. Both however, have a huge impact on work itself and can make life as an F1 journalist on the road easy OR hell in perpetual motion. As you have read thus far in this feature, it’s not all peaches and cream out there. Journalism is a cut throat business, stories are difficult to come by and harder to sell given the fierce competitive nature of the beast. I ask Kate about her co-workers who happen to be her immediate competition. Some of the answers may surprise you. The second area of questions revolves around the tools used to make it possible to get the job done, see what technology this pro uses to capture the story.
The people:
You work around difficult conditions with so many competitive journalists trying to get the same information and story. Do you have colleagues that you share information with?
I was surprised to discover how friendly the press room is, to be honest – we all share information, scoops, and stories, although it’s understood that the person who found it gets to use the information first.
Who are some of your favourite people to work with?
Couldn’t possibly say. I respect and admire too many people in the press room to be able to list them all, and they’ve all got different skills and virtues. The thing about F1 is that you have to be good at what you do to get in – you don’t get time-wasters. So the press room is filled with a couple of hundred talented, intelligent, and passionate people, and it’s a privilege to consider myself one of their colleagues.
Who (people or team) are the most willing to give you their time?
That depends on how well they’re doing at the time. When a team is winning, they’ve got loads of demands from the media, so it’s harder to get their attention. Same thing if it’s a team’s home grand prix – they have to focus their efforts on the local media, rather than on the F1 press corps.
As we mentioned before, there are not many women in the sport, how tight are you with the other females in F1 media and do you all get along well together?
There’s not really a male v female split in F1. I mean, there aren’t many women, and so we do look out for each other, but everyone in the press room looks after everyone else. Away from the press room I hang out with a mostly male group, but that’s not because I don’t get on with the women. The BBC crew stay in hotels together and tend to hang out together, the Sky lot do the same. Fleet Street journos make up one group, and the freelancers make up another. So we split down employment lines, not gender lines. That being said, the women I know in F1 are absolutely lovely. In UK media, both Jennie Gow and Natalie Pinkham are great to chat to. I’ve not met Georgie Thompson yet, as the broadcast journalists are kept in a separate part of the paddock from the print and radio types.
Do you work with any photographers at all to uncover stories? How does it work if you need photos to use for your articles? Permissions, royalties?
I tend not to use photos for my pieces, mainly because I can’t afford to.
The technology
Would you consider yourself a techie/geek? Do you embrace technology or still use the trusted notepad and pen approach?
Total geek. Always have been, always will be. But that doesn’t mean I ignore paper and pen – I always have a notebook on me, and use it to make notes of time-cues in recordings that I might want to transcribe for a piece.
What sort of technology do you like to use most? Laptop? iPad? Digital Voice recorder? etc..
I’ve got an HTC Sensation that I love like it’s my baby. I use it for photos, social media, and as a Dictaphone. Then I’ve got my big laptop (an old Toshiba that will need to be replaced pretty soon) and a Linux netbook. I don’t take both computers to races – the big laptop comes on flyaways when I can take a carry-on bag on the plane in addition to my suitcase, while the netbook is for European races when all of my stuff has to get squeezed into the carry-on. I will *not* pay to take a suitcase on a budget airline. I refuse to use Apple products; I’m passionate about open-source technology and hate the way they operate as a company.
Things Get PERSONAL
Living out of a suitcase for many months out of the year must be difficult. What do you miss most about being on the road the most aside from your bed?
Mostly it’s my bed. When I’m not travelling, I’ll get up in the morning, put some clothes on, and then get back into bed to do my work for the day. I try not to move when I’m not on the road, to the extent that I text my flatmates and ask them to bring me cups of coffee. If it’s not my bed, then the thing I miss most is my kitchen. I find cooking really soothing, and last year I went from Monaco to Interlagos without cooking a single meal. (In terms of the season, I mean. I didn’t hop on a plane from Nice to Sao Paulo.)
How does Kate achieve Work-Life balance? Or does that even exist for someone who covers Formula One?
Yeah, that doesn’t exist. At least, not for me. Some people might have figured out a way, but I haven’t.
How difficult are relationships?
They don’t happen. I was in a relationship when I started in F1, but had to end it because I never saw him. When we were in the same country, I was glued to my laptop, to the extent that he used to joke that he associated my presence with the sound of keys clacking.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? How do you clear your head and keep fit?
There isn’t really any time when I’m not working. I usually work from the moment I wake up to around midnight, seven days a week, and that’s when I’m at home. The hours are much longer when you’re at the track – I often work till 2/3am and then have the alarm set for 6am so I can get back to the circuit.
When I do have time off – I have to force myself so I don’t burn out – then I do a lot of cooking (especially baking). I like watching cartoons like South Park, Family Guy, and American Dad, and I’m a voracious reader. It’s one of the things I like about the travel – I can burn through a couple of books on a flight, and it’s the main time ‘off’ that I get.
Keeping fit is something other people do. I walk a lot and live on strong coffee, which is why I’m not fat. Given the amount of crap I eat on the road I should be the size of a house. Fortunately, I can’t afford to eat much, crap or otherwise.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? What happens after F1?
After F1? There is no after F1! I can’t imagine myself doing anything different. If, for some reason, F1 stopped as a sport, then I’d do my best to get involved in either MotoGP or WRC. I like travelling the world listening to engines and smelling motor oil.
As for in ten years, I’d love to be an F1 commentator. Not that I’m on the right career path, as I’m not involved in TV or radio, but it’s a fantasy of mine. Plus I don’t know if TV viewers could handle my style of potty-mouthed commentating… If I can’t do commentary, then I’d just like to be doing what I’m doing now, but with more respect and more money (both of which are earned in time).
Ultimately, what would make Kate Walker happy/happier/happiest?
I’m pretty satisfied with my lot as it is, really. I mean, if I found a bag with several million dollars in unmarked, non-sequential bills by the side of the road, it would be great to know that all of my travel expenses were covered for the rest of my life, but there’s nothing better than doing what I do.
I get to travel the world doing something I’m passionate about, hanging out with a group of passionate and inspiring people who are the best in the world at what they do. Life doesn’t get any better. Because while I work an insane number of hours for very little money, it doesn’t feel like working. At least, not in the way that my previously secure but very boring decently-paid job did. I often have to pinch myself to make sure this isn’t the world’s most complicated dream – how on earth did I wind up getting to spend my life doing something this amazing?
Thank you all for following me through this incredible journey. I have always had much respect for F1 journalists that sacrifice so much to bring us the stories about our beloved sport, and now have much more. Thank you to Kate for taking the time out to answer my questions.
Kate, you are an inspiration to many of us. Keep up the great work! I for one, wish you much success and happiness in life and F1.
Authors: Ernie Black & Kate Walker
TWITTER: @TheF1Poet, @F1Kate
Blogs/Sites: http://thef1poet.wordpress.com , www.f1katewalker.com
Here is a quick chart on the pit stops in Bahrain that I compiled. It shows who pitted when and what compound was fitted. If nothing else, it shows the overall consistency of compound life. It also gives us a brief overview of who was more gentle or harsh on their tyres on this particular circuit.
As we can see, Kimi Raikkonen and Paul Di Resta were able to get away with running a two stop strategy. This makes a strong argument supporting that the Pirelli tyres may not be as sinister as they are being made out to be. Given the right setup, it is possible to make better use of the P-Zeros.
| Driver | Start | Stop 1 | Stop 2 | Stop 3 | Stop 4 | Stop 5 |
| VET | MED | Lap 10 Hard | Lap 25 Hard | Lap 42 Hard | N/A | N/A |
| RAI | MED | Lap 16 Hard | Lap 35 Hard | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| GRO | HARD | Lap 8 Hard | Lap 27 Med | Lap42 Med | N/A | N/A |
| DIR | MED | Lap 14 Hard | Lap 36 Hard | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| HAM | MED | Lap 10 Med | Lap 22 Hard | Lap 38 Hard | N/A | N/A |
| PER | MED | Lap 10 Hard | Lap 20 Hard | Lap 39 Hard | N/A | N/A |
| WEB | MED | Lap 8 Hard | Lap 21 Hard | Lap 37 Hard | N/A | N/A |
| ALO | MED | Lap 7 Hard | Lap 8 Hard | Lap 24 Hard | Lap 39 Hard | N/A |
| ROS | MED | Lap 9 Hard | Lap 20 Hard | Lap 33 Med | Lap 44 Med | N/A |
| BUT | MED | Lap 9 Hard | Lap 21 Hard | Lap 34 Hard | Lap 46 Med | N/A |
| MAL | MED | Lap 10 Hard | Lap 23 Hard | Lap 39 Hard | N/A | N/A |
| HUL | HARD | Lap 12 Hard | Lap 26 Med | Lap41 Med | N/A | N/A |
| SUT | MED | Lap 1 Hard | Lap 18 Hard | Lap42 Med | N/A | N/A |
| BOT | HARD | Lap 13 Med | Lap 29 Med | Lap 47 Hard | N/A | N/A |
| MAS | HARD | Lap 10 Hard | Lap 17 Med | Lap 28 Hard | Lap 36 Med | N/A |
| RIC | MED | Lap 9 Hard | Lap 25 Hard | Lap 41 Hard | N/A | N/A |
| PIC | MED | Lap 11 Hard | Lap 23 Hard | Lap 35 Hard | N/A | N/A |
| GUT | HARD | Lap 1 Hard | Lap 16 Hard | Lap 33 Med | Lap 43 Med | N/A |
| BIA | MED | Lap 9 Hard | Lap 22 Hard | Lap 36 Hard | Lap 48 Med | N/A |
| CHI | MED | Lap 10 Hard | Lap 23 Hard | Lap 37 Hard | Lap 46 Med | N/A |
| VDG | MED | Lap 2 Hard | Lap 14 Med | Lap 24 Hard | Lap3 7 Med | Lap 46 Hard |
| VER | MED | Lap 2 Hard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
I also did a quick analysis of pit stop delta timing between race winner SebastianVettel and Fernando Alonso. Vettel had a total pit stop delta time of 1:04.856 vs Alonso’s 1:26.803. This is a difference of 21.947 seconds. Alonso finished the race in 8th position, 37.5 seconds behind Vettel.
If we were to assume that Alonso would not have had to make an additional stop for his malfunctioning DRS, (providing all other circumstances being equal) we can assume that Alonso would have been (approx.) 15.553 seconds behind Vettel. That gap would have put the Spaniard six seconds behind Räikkönen and four seconds ahead of Grosjean. The issue Alonso experienced with his DRS may have well cost him a podium finish in Bahrain.
Of course this is all theoretical. There is no way to know what else may have happened. I wouldn’t know how to calculate how much time Alonso lost running the better part of two laps with his DRS flap wide open. I don’t know if Alonso might have been able to run in clear air or if he would have spent more or less time in traffic. His battles with Perez and Button may have cost him time as well.
Could he have challenged Räikkönen or Vettel? I suppose we’ll never know.
Author: Ernie Black
I recently wrote a post for RichlandF1.com that I wanted to share with you all.
The article touches on a few points and generally focuses on the FIA’s attempts to spice up the Formula One show. Not everyone will agree with me and that’s fine, but it would be difficult to argue or fault the FIA for not trying to appease fans. Does anyone remember the FIA AMD Formula One Fan Survey in 2005? Take a moment to read the article, the link is below, at the very least, it is F1 food for thought.
Whether you like the end product or the means in which it took to get Formula One to the stage it is currently at now is really a side argument. The reality of the situation is that something had to be done to win back fans. The Schumacher years brought some fans closer to the sport, introduced new fans to F1 but also lost the interest of other fans. Processional races where overtaking was largely seen only during pit stops was taking some of the excitement out of the sport. Driver aids made cornering speeds too high and unsafe and took the element of driver error out of the overall equation. Cyclically speaking, this made overtaking even more difficult.
I for one applaud the FIA for its efforts. Although I am not a big fan of DRS and KERS, I can agree that at least the playing field is level for everyone. All parties must adhere to the same rules and have the same tools. Pirelli has been criticized for the high degradation rate of some of their compounds. Some have added to their complaints that the tyres don’t allow for flat-out racing. One must accept the fact that Pirelli have provided what was requested by the FIA. As a result, the last few seasons have offered some of the best racing and on-track battles that F1 fans have had the opportunity to witness in a long time. We often overlook the fact that some teams and drivers get away with making fewer stops than others. This to me is a clear indication that some teams (such as Lotus) do a better job managing their tyres than others. Therefore, the onus should be placed on the engineers and designers to adapt.
You can read the article HERE
Included in the article is a recent quote from Kimi Räikkönen regarding the Pirelli tyres and the ongoing debate.
Author: Ernie Black
Fernando Alonso – Scuderia Ferrari
Have you ever had one of those days? Have you ever felt as though, no matter what you did, you simply couldn’t win. I think the term is, “Can’t win for losing” which is defined by www.urbandictionary.com as, “A phrase meaning that things would be going great for you if they weren’t going so badly.”
The above term comes to mind at times when we think back at certain Formula One Grand Prix’. For instance, Ferrari had a day to forget in Bahrain this past weekend. On lap seven, Felipe Massa damages his front wing end plate. The damage is not critical but the car’s handling is slightly impacted. Just one lap later, teammate Fernando Alonso is forced to pit because his DRS wing was stuck wide open. This would only be the beginning of what would prove to be a difficult, challenging and rather fruitless day for the Scuderia.
On lap nine, Alonso is forced to pit again as his DRS fails to close after having been engaged. Fernando is forced to compete for the rest of the race without the use of DRS which placed the Spaniard at a severe disadvantage.
On lap eleven, Massa pits together with Vettel but is unable to exit the pits and re-join ahead of Button while Vettel is able to sneak out ahead. In just seven laps, (lap 18), Massa is forced to pit again for a delaminated right rear tyre. After gambling with a tyre choice and starting the race with the hard compound tyre as opposed to the medium, Massa’s potentially advantageous strategy is nullified.
Stuck in midfield traffic, both Ferrari drivers battled to gain positions to sneak into the points while the race leaders increase their lead.
Massa suffers yet another right rear tyre failure and is forced to stop for new rubber on Lap 37. Things seem to be going from bad to worse for the
team and the struggling Brazilian who had started the race with much promise.
On lap 40 Alonso and Perez both had pitted for tyres, after which a great battle took shape. There was some very impressive and “edge of the seat” racing from Alonso, Button and Perez around lap 47. Without the use of DRS, Alonso somehow found a way to get himself into the points.
On lap 54 Perez and Alonso continue their epic battle and there was some contact. Perez may have been a wee bit aggressive as he pushed Alonso wide and off of the circuit. The sandy off-road excursion certainly did not help the Spaniard’s degrading tyres.
Ferrari finished the race with only one of its drivers collecting points with Fernando Alonso crossing the line P8 and Felipe a distant P15. Both drivers, having made four pit stops, two (each) of which, were unscheduled.
Sometimes, you just can’t win…
Sidebar:
I should mention, as a side note that Sergio Perez slots into the category of not being able to win for losing as well. The Mexican had been told by his team to be more aggressive. They wanted him to abandon his overly conservative approach and see a little more fight from him. In so doing, Perez came under fire from his team, team-mate and rivals for perhaps being too aggressive. Some fans and pundits defended the young McLaren driver. They argued that Perez did not break any sporting rules and instead provided some great action.
Author: Ernie Black
Again, inspired by Pirelli’s Racing Manager, Mario Isola’s Bahrain Preview, I decided to put together this poem. It’s rather difficult to do this in verse, so it certainly not my best work. As Pirelli is such an important partner of the sport we love, I wanted to at least try to offer something in the way of a dedicated Pirelli Bahrain GP Preview.
Off to Bahrain for round number Four
Let’s check in with Pirelli to see what’s in store
Pirelli has decided to make a small change
And bring two harder compounds from their F1 range
Teams will be running the mediums and hards
While carefully guarding their pit strategy cards
Conditions are hot and the asphalt abrasive
And some sand on the track may be quite persuasive
Turns four to seven will require some wits
No precision driving through these twisty bits
Under heavy braking as the cars are slowed
Turns one and ten produce incredible load
Traction is tested to the furthest extent
As into turn one, the cars make their descent
From 300 kilometers to just 65
In under three seconds as the cars skid and dive
Gravitational forces of at least 5 Gs
As the Pirelli P-Zero’s handle pressure with ease
It’s not tyre wear which will cause some frustration
As the rear tyres may suffer thermal degradation
The hard compound tyres should last seventeen laps
Without sacrificing speed through the circuit’s speed traps
The mediums instead should last roughly fifteen
When the track rubbers in and isn’t too green
A three stop race is what is expected
But one more or one less will not be rejected
Author: Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
BALLZ Visual Radio is one year old
The party we’re throwing will be rather bold
We’re heading to the beautiful, Coco Rico Resort
Sipping cocktails on the beach, I’m happy to report
This bash is too big, for just one afternoon
It will run from the 29th of May to the 2nd of June
We’ll broadcast live from Ponta Do Ouro Bay
You can join the BALLZ crew and party all day
It can’t be contained, by just four walls
If you want to partake, just show us your BALLZ
Show us your love for BALLZ Visual Radio
Submit it online and you’re all good to go
Get creative and clever and think out of the box
A picture, a video, or a song that rocks
Wear your BALLZ on your socks without shoes on your feet
Wear a BALLZ sign on your back on the corner of the street
Fly a BALLZ kite or paint BALLZ on your cheek
If you win you will join us, in Mozambique
This is my entry, to join in on the fun
Hoping to sit with my BALLZ on the beach in the sun
Send in your submissions online today
To LIVE@BALLZ.CO.ZA
Author: Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
It seems not long ago, I sent congratulations to Former Williams F1 Chairman Adam Parr for the success of his book, The Art of War – 5 Years in Formula One.
Now, it is again time to congratulate him as he has accepted the role of Executive Director at Sported.
If you have not heard of , allow me to catch you up quickly. Sported is a charitable foundation which assists British athletes in achieving excellence and results at competitions, in particular, in the Olympics. It also works at ensuring their repeated success in subsequent competitions.
Sir Keith Mills is the Sported foundations founder and chairman. He and his team have made Sported the leading organization in the drive for Olympic excellence.
Wishing Adam and Sported much success in building a great sporting legacy for Britain and it’s athletes.
Follow Adam Par on Twitter: @adam_s_parr
To donate, get involved or become a member, visit the Sported website at : http://www.sported.org.uk/
I’ve been fortunate to be able to welcome Octane Photographic as an official partner this year. Their hard work, dedication, high quality and above all, passion is inspiring.
I’m very much looking forward to finally meeting Craig and Leanne in person in a few weeks time. I’m hoping everything pans out as planned. In the meantime, I want to introduce F1 fans to the amazing people behind the brand.
If you or someone you know is interested in the high-quality, high-resolution output produced by Octane Photographic, please find the contact information below.
I was able to steal away a few spare minutes with co-founder Leanne Wilson and took the opportunity to ask a few questions. Let me then, introduce you all to Octane Photographic Ltd.
History:
Q. Leanne, give me some history on where, how and why Octane was born
Craig and I had been in contact for a few months via the McLaren Fan Forum, we chatted about photography and over time we saw what each other could do with a camera. I was in my final year at University at the time, and wanted to get away before the final term so thought that ASI would be the perfect chance.
Craig needed a second for a newspaper which he was shooting with at the time, so he thought it was the perfect chance for us to work together.. Over the few months leading up to ASI we thought about ‘if we, could we’ make a go of ‘this’ photography thing. After a successful event shooting for the newspaper we thought why not! We planned to set aside weekends to cover events, especially with me being in final year I couldn’t take much time off while finishing my degree… Our 1st event trackside together was British GTs/ F3s at Oulton Park in 2010>
People:
Q. Who is Octane? Who are your partners?
Octane Photos is myself and Craig and we cover the ‘Headline’ championships. We do have two associate photographers who help us out from time to time on events. They would cover the British Championships which clash with the bigger events when we are out of the country, 90% of the work on octane photos website is Craig and mine.
What:
Q: What events does Octane cover and who covers what?
Octane photos mainly work within the single-seater championships, we like to build a stock of images of the up and coming kids that hope to be in F1 one day. Not only covering the championships, but from time to time we will sponsor a driver who has talent but maybe not the cash flow behind them. Last season we sponsored Kieran Vernon. Our main interests are single seaters and historic F1, though we do like to shoot bikes and GTs.
Where:
Q: Where is Octane heading? Where will Octane be in 5 years
We are taking each Motorsports season as it comes but we would like to grow our contacts and be known as a large supplier of single-seater formulae images across the major championships. Also if time allows us we would like to attend more bike championships
Personal:
Q: Give me some history behind you and what brought you here.
Both being interested in Motorsports, F1, Photography, these things brought Craig and I together via McLaren fan site… and then not just only octane photos started but we became a couple….. and now getting married.
Message:
Q: What message do you want to convey to the public and potential clients?
‘Capture the moment, not just the image’ is our companies tagline, some of the events which we attend have amazing atmospheres, like Monza or Le Mans, sometimes its about capturing the fans reactions and interactions with the sport. Or sometimes its about capturing the real speed which the cars pass at…. or the beautiful sunlight which bounces off the cars which are polished to the highest standard or the low sunlight which casts a golden warm glow over the track. Or at night seeing the light trails disappearing off into the distance at speed. We want to capture these moments and convey them to our media outlets so an image can speak volumes within a written piece or for our fans on Facebook and twitter to enjoy and share these images…..
Contact:
Leanne Wilson – Director and Creative & Social Head
BA HONS degree in 3D Design, UK MSA accredited, MSV and Donington Park season accredited media.
Craig Boon – Director
Craig Boon, accredited as UK MSA Media as well as a member of NUJ, also season accredited media for Donington Park and MSV circuits.
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Author: Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
Let’s quickly recap the Chinese Grand Prix
It was Formula One’s, round number three
Where Mercedes ruled, just one year ago
Would they do it again? Well, now we all know
Lewis took pole, for his new German team
His first win for Mercedes, would be quite the dream
For the Shanghai circuit, his car seemed to be moulded
But it’s not quite how, this Grand Prix unfolded
As the cars lined up and the lights went out
They launched off the line madly, scampering about
Fernando and Massa, were led by the Brit
Kimi’s start was just dreadful, one would have to admit
Pit stops ensued as teams played out their plans
Strategies from the pits were in Pirelli’s hands
Our friend Aussie Grit was in total dismay
Despair and disgust best described his day
For his unsafe release, Red Bull was fined
As one wheel flew off, Webber parked and resigned
Some fabulous drives, entertained a few fans
Sadly not many people were in the grandstands
Hulkenberg led the race, for just a few laps
Daniel Ricciardo flashed through the speed traps
Bianchi impressed as is now expected
And Button showed us all, why he’s still well respected
Oddly Vettel chased points instead of the win
Catching Lewis by the hair of his chinny chin chin
Alonso’s Ferrari, crossed the line first
His DNF in Malaysia had now been reversed
Kimi followed closely, just ten seconds back
With Hamilton third, then the rest of the pack
Some rather enjoyed the fine TV feed
Nando’s girlfriend’s quite sweet, I’ll gladly concede
DC on the podium, should have just asked some questions
Instead of spicy, suggestive and risque suggestions
It was all in good fun, and good for a laugh
Not nearly as bad as Seb’s f-bomb gaffe
The championship race has been blown open wide
Who might win the crown is for you to decide
It’s early days still, as we’re off to Bahrain
More protests are planned but F1 won’t abstain
Action on and off track which will be hard to beat
A cracking new season, we’re all in for a treat
Author: Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
Formula One Event Time Table
Friday April 19
Practice 1 10:00 – 11:30
Practice 2 14:00 – 15:30
Saturday April 20
Practice 3 11:00 – 12:00
Qualifying 14:00
Sunday April 21
Race 15:00
Circuit Facts and Details
Race Date: 21 Apr 2013
Circuit Name: Bahrain International Circuit
First Grand Prix: 2004
Number of Laps: 57
Circuit Length: 5.412 km
Race Distance: 308.238 km
Lap Record: 1:30.252 – M Schumacher (2004)
Inaugural Race: 2004
Most Wins Driver: Fernando Alonso (3)
Most Wins Constructor: Ferrari (4)
GP Cancelled: 2011 (Civil Unrest)
2012 Race Winner: Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:35:10.990
2012 Fastest Lap: Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:36.379
Rosewater (Waard) is used in the place of Champagne for podium celebrations.
Friday April 19
Mostly Sunny Hi 33°
Precipitation 0%
Wind: NNW 11 km/h
Gusts: 18 km/h
Max UV Index: 10 (Extreme)
Saturday April 20
Mostly Sunny Hi 33°
Precipitation 0%
Wind: N 8 km/h
Gusts: 16 km/h
Max UV Index: 10 (Extreme)
Sunday April 21
Mostly Sunny Hi 35°
Precipitation 1%
Wind: ESE 8 km/h
Gusts: 13 km/h
Max UV Index: 10 (Extreme)
With Formula One in Shanghai this weekend, my official partners, The Code 20 will be on hand to host the Shanghai Grand Prix Closing Party. In honour of this epic event , I think the time is right to share this poem with you all.
The Code 20
Please allow me, to introduce you
To “The Code 20″ in it’s poetic debut
The stage shall be set, with this brief description
An exclusive world, behind mysterious encryption
It’s a 007, type of event
With exciting, exotic and seductive content
It’s the ultimate party, for Formula One
Where drivers and teams, kick back and have fun
With partners Ritz Carlton and Dom Perignon
The night shall continue from dusk until dawn
The Champagne that flows, is the highest of grades
From Moet and Mumm and of course Ace of Spades
Johnnie Walker and Pirelli, are always near
As are Jose Cuervo and Belvedere
It’s red carpet treatment, with incredible flair
It’s an “invitation only” type of affair
It’s not your typical, “night at the pub”
It’s the “Forbidden City”, at the M1NT Club
Chinese Lanterns and dancers in cages
And Martini glass pools with performers on stages
“Trapeze from Paris” or “Maison Burlesque”
And Gladiator costumes which are quite Romanesque
No photos allowed, this is not done for show
What might be in store? No one shall know
The F1 elite and all welcomed guests
Will feel their hearts beating, right through their chests
While dancing all night and swaying their hips
It’s always the highlight of their F1 trips
The stories and memories will always be plenty
At every event born of “The code 20″
Author: Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
RACE STEWARDS
GARRY CONNELLY: Deputy President, FIA Institute ; Director, Australian Institute of Motorsport safety; F1 and WTCC steward; FIA World Motorsport Council Member
STEVEN CHOPPING: Former VP/Chairman Judicial Advisory Committee of the Confederation of Australian Motorsport, Permanent chairman of the stewards panel for the V8 Supervar Championship
MARK BLUNDELL: Former F1/LeMans/Cart Driver
COMPLETE TIME TABLE
Thursday 11th April
Formula One Press Conference 15:00
Formula One F1 Autograph Session 16:00 – 17:15
Friday 12th April
Formula One Practice 1 10:00 – 11:30
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia First Practice Session 12:00 – 12:30
Formula One Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 12:35 – 13:30
Formula One Practice 2 14:00 – 15:30
Formula One Press Conference – Press Room 16:00 – 17:00
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Second Practice Session 16:00 – 16:30
Promoters Activity Public Pit Lane Walk – 3 Day Ticket Holders Only 17:15 – 19:00
Saturday 13th April
Formula One Team Pit Stop Practice 09:30 – 10:30
Formula One Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 09:30 – 10:45
Formula One Practice 3 11:00 – 12:00
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Qualifying Session 12:25 – 12:55
Formula One Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 13:00 – 13:45
Formula One Qualifying 14:00
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia First Race (12 Laps or 30 Minutes) 15:30 – 16:05
Sunday 14th April
Formula One Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 11:00 – 12:15
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Second Race (12 Laps or 30 Minutes) 12:30 – 13:05
Formula One Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 13:15 – 14:00
Formula One Drivers Track Parade 13:30
Formula One Starting Grid Presentation 13:45 – 14:15
Formula One National Anthem 14:46
Formula One Race 15:00
F1 MEDIA & PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
Press Conference 15:00
FRIDAY
Practice Session 1 10:00-11:30
Practice Session 2 14:|00-15:30
Press Conference 16:00
SATURDAY
Practice Session 3 11:00-12:00
Qualifying 14:00-15:00
Followed by unilateral and
press conference
SUNDAY
Drivers’ Parade 13:30
Race 15:00-17:00
Followed by unilateral and
press conference
CIRCUIT INFO
Race Date: 14 Apr 2013
Circuit Name: Shanghai International Circuit
First Grand Prix: 2004
Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.451 km
Race Distance: 305.066 km
Lap Record: 1:32.238 – M Schumacher (2004)
2012 Chinese GP NOTE:
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes – 7th Gear with DRS rev-limit at 313kph
2012 Chinese GP Pole Position:
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes Q1: 1:36.875 Q2: 1:35.725 Q3: 1:35.121 Laps: 11
2012 Chinese GP Winner:
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes Time: 1:36:26.929
2012 Chinese GP Fastest Lap:
Kamui Kobayashi – Sauber-Ferrari – Lap: 40 – Average Speed 196.314 kph – Time: 1:39.960
2012 Chinese GP Fastest Pit Stop:
Mark Webber – Red Bull Racing-Renault - Lap: 6 – Total Time: 20.474
Pitlane speed Limits:
Practice/Qualifying: 60kph
Race: 100kph
Credit: FIA
Friday 12 April 2013
Practice 1 10:00 – 11:30
Practice 2 14:00 – 15:30
Saturday 13 April 2013
Practice 3 11:00 – 12:00
Qualifying 14:00
Sunday 14 April 2013
Race 15:00
Live Timing:
http://www.formula1.com/live_timing/
F1 Videos
http://www.formula1.com/video/race_edits/
Circuit Details:
Race Date: 14 Apr 2013
Circuit Name: Shanghai International Circuit
First Grand Prix: 2004
Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.451 km
Race Distance: 305.066 km
Lap Record: 1:32.238 – M Schumacher (2004)
2012 Chinese GP NOTE:
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes – 7th Gear with DRS rev-limit at 313kph
2012 Chinese GP Pole Position:
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes Q1: 1:36.875 Q2: 1:35.725 Q3: 1:35.121 Laps: 11
2012 Chinese GP Winner:
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes Time: 1:36:26.929
2012 Chinese GP Fastest Lap:
Kamui Kobayashi – Sauber-Ferrari Lap:40 Average Speed 196.314 kph Time: 1:39.960
2012 Chinese GP Fastest Pit Stop:
Mark Webber – Red Bull Racing-Renault Lap: 6 Total Time: 20.474
Credit: Formula1.com
Free Practice Friday
Hi 20°
Mostly Sunny
Precipitation 0%
Wind: E 8 km/h
Gusts: 16 km/h
Max UV Index: 9 (Very High)
Qualifying Saturday
Hi 24°
A mix of sun and cloud
Precipitation 0%
Wind: SSW 13 km/h
Gusts: 18 km/h
Max UV Index: 8 (Very High)
Race Day Sunday
Hi 24°
Partly cloudy with sunny periods
Precipitation 3%
Wind: N 11 km/h
Gusts: 26 km/h
Max UV Index: 8 (Very High)
I recently announced The Code 20 as one of my official partners. It’s time to give you a little insight into The Code 20 with a proper introduction.
Many of you may be asking what it is or who it is or even what it may be about. Well wonder no longer. I have the privilege to bring to you the exclusive One on One with The Code 20.
Ok, in the words of my lovely friend and The Code 20 founder Elena , “Let’s Rock n’ Roll”!
The Code 20 – 1 on 1
What is “The Code 20″
THE CODE 20 is a series of themed, Avant Garde parties that take place after the Formula 1 races at top venues in selective cities around the world.
The name derives from the maximum number of races that take place in the F1 calendar. ‘The Code’ adds a mystery to the events as it is for those from within the paddock, for those who know. THE CODE 20 is a world of exclusivity – by invitation only–
One cannot buy tickets, you must be invited. The high end access passes vary for each event in terms of design and they are circulated throughout the paddock. In Austin they were dog tags, in Shanghai last year they were play cards in wax TC20 stamped envelopes. Guests must present them at the door to gain access.
The Code 20 is not just another night out with a boring and expensive bottle service. We travel all over the world to research, to dig out rare talent from different countries to create themes to the event, to bring on crazy shows….
For instance,at the first event in Shanghai in 2011, the theme was Forbidden City. M1NT club was decorated with Chinese lanterns, we built a cage where the dancers were dressed as exotic birds, we brought a Lady Gaga impersonator from Amsterdam. Last year, it was Maison Burlesque, this year ‘Trapeze from Paris’.
In Montreal, our hand-made dancers’ costumes were inspired by the movies TRON and Gladiator. In Monaco, we brought the infamous extravagant club THE BOX. In Austin, the whole paddock danced wearing LED American flag sunglasses…
How long has The Code 20 been rocking the F1 scene?
This is the 3rd year. It has taken place in Shanghai, Monaco, Montreal & Austin.
What events does The Code 20 specialize in?
Only EXCLUSIVE Formula 1 after parties (currently three events only per year)
Who are The Code 20‘s key partners/sponsors?
International and Nation sponsors include: Dom Perignon, Ritz Carlton,MUMM champagne, Ace of Spades Champagne, Belvedere & Moet, Pirelli,Jose Cuervo, Biotherm Homme, Chopard, UBS, Johnnie Walker, Sennheiser and the list goes on….
What’s different between The Code 20 and others that offer similar services?
The Code 20 is not pretentious and not for everyone. It is unconventional. It is not at all corporate. No photography is allowed. One does not come to be seen; one comes to be themselves. Guests come to simply enjoy the night after a hectic weekend at the track without worrying about the media. No advertising is needed, we are fortunate to be in high demand.
Who attends the parties, who are the events for?
- Formula 1 drivers
- Team owners
- Paddock crews
- F1 Sponsors
- F1 family
- Local “A” list socialite
How long does it take to organize the events?
- Four months for each event
How many people does it take to make the events a success?
Many! The event is successful only if it is well-organized in extreme detail with close collaboration with the venue.
If someone has never heard of The Code 20, how would you describe the company?
Whatever happens at THE CODE 20, stays at THE CODE 20! It is really the one exclusive place that all the teams come together. They are relaxed after the race, they mingle with local “A-Listers” and enjoy unique performances. They are really themselves.
What is the ultimate goal of The Code 20?
To bring on even more breathtaking performances and always create unique concepts. I have had people from the paddock telling me that it was the best party they have been in their life…that is the pay back for me.
Where do you see the company in the future?
We would like to add a couple more events in the F1 party calendar.
How do you position the company strategically for F1? Is it the ultimate event?
It is the event full of surprises,high end, classy and Avant Garde. Guests never know what to expect or what they will experience. It has the reputation of being the topic of discussion the next day by guests, at the airport on their way to the next f1 destination…
Do the parties take place only on the Sunday?
Yes, only post race. Drivers don’t generally go out any other day.
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EXCLUSIVE – THE CODE 20 POEM HERE
Thank you to Elena for her time and efforts in giving us this incredible insight into the world of F1 exclusivity.
Elena Chatzikonstantinou, M.Sc
Founder/CEO
THE CODE 20
http://www.thecode20.com
Follow on Twitter @thecode20
http://www.Facebook.com/thecode20
Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
Well F1 fans, were in for a treat
The Malaysian Grand Prix, was less than discreet
Let’s go back to the start, when the lights went out
And cars slipped and slid, as they weaved about
The track was slippery and rather wet
Pirelli Inters were, the safest bet
It was four cars a breast, as they launched off the line
At the end of lap one, Alonso’s wing was not fine
It dangled and dipped and then just as expected
It got stuck under the car, when it became disconnected
Out came the slicks, as the track became dry
But there was pit lane drama, as pit stops went awry
Force India had, a day to forget
Their troubled nuts, were their biggest regret
Button had issues, with one of his nuts
Driving off with three wheels, surely took guts
Hamilton’s error, wasn’t quite as extreme
He just stopped by to say hi, to his old team
The rest of the race, wasn’t quite as exciting
But drama unfolded, with some inner team fighting
Near the end of the race, two bulls were ahead
Followed by the Mercedes, by a 12 second spread
Team orders in play, there was absolutely no doubt
But that’s not how it happened, to play itself out
The call from pit wall, was “Multi 21″
That’s Red Bulls code, for “This race is done”
I guess Vettel did not get, the radio transmission
He misunderstood, by his own admission
Vettel passed Webber, as Mark was just cruising
He was a sitting duck, which was rather confusing
Meanwhile at Mercedes, Nico was quicker
Stuck behind Lewis, he was told not to bicker
On the podium, it was a sad sorry sight
It was quite obvious, something just wasn’t right
The drivers were sombre, as they went through the drill
Vettel might have been dead, if Mark’s looks could kill
No storybook ending for the Malaysian Grand Prix
More drama to follow, in F1′s round number three
Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
I wrote this next poem for Pirelli. I was inspired by Mario Isola’s Pirelli Malaysian GP preview video yesterday. I’m pretty certain a tyre preview has never been written in verse. I hope you enjoy it.
Pirelli brought tyres, for the whole F1 gang
There are Inters and Wets, for inclement weather
Some drivers prefer it, the wetter the better
The hard compound tyre, with bright orange trim
Are considered the options, if the weather’s not grim
They are softer and faster, than they might appear
Up to five tenths quicker, than they were last year
The primes are made, of a medium compound,
Trimmed in sexy white letters, all shiny and round
They too are softer and much more aggressive
Those P-zero tyres, have been simply impressive
In Malaysia, the tarmac’s abrasive and rough
Making predicting pit strategies, a wee bit tough
Pirelli have done, what has been requested
In Formula One they are heavily invested
The impact they’ve made, cannot be denied
Improving the action on circuits worldwide
Formula One is already in Sepang and ready to go for round number two of the 2013 Championship chase. In Australia, we saw again how teams and drivers are challenged by more than simply weather and circuit conditions. Tyre management has become key. It is no longer a job left to the driver alone. Engineers and designers are charged with the task of creating a car that is fast, reliable, easy and tyres. Being easy on tyres however, is not enough either as the cars must be designed in a way to allow for ample heat to be generated to allow them to work optimally within a certain range.
Pirelli has done a spectacular job of providing Formula One with exactly what the FIA had requested. In turn, they have provided F1 fans with some of the most exciting and unpredictable racing we have seen in years. Some may disagree, and that’s fine, it’s a matter of opinion.
As the poem indicates, there is only one step between compounds in Malaysia as opposed to the two steps we saw in Australia. Pirelli have brought the hard Pirelli P-Zero trimmed in orange, and the medium Pirelli P-Zero trimmed in white. The Hard tyre is softer than last seasons compound. In fact Pirelli have indicated that it is similar to the medium compound from last year. It should be somewhere between three to five tenths quicker than last season’s hard tyre.
The medium P-Zero is considered the prime compound for this round. It too is softer and more aggressive. A three stop pit strategy is expected by most teams. Rain may play it’s part in Malaysia however as per usual. Malaysia offers some challenges. The abrasive tarmac causes excessive wear and thermal degradation.
It should be another cracker!
Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
Formula one kicked off with a bang
Now it’s back to back races as it heads to Sepang
Kimi’s on track for his title assault
That win in Australia is in the vault
Alonso is aiming and shooting to thrill
He’s focused and ready to fire at will
Vettel sits quietly, a few points back
He’s within range to mount an attack
Massa did well, he deserves some props
And Ferrari had two, of the fastest pit stops
Lewis did well in his first Grand Prix
With his new team, Merc AMG
He’s looking quite clever, having left his old team
Which is bewilderingly struggling, as it may seem
A battle is brewing between Sutil and Di Resta
Whose time at Force India won’t be fiesta
So what’s in store, for the Malaysian Grand Prix?
Will it be too hot and sticky, due to humidity?
Might Button be praying, for a thunderstorm?
Might rain help McLaren, improve its poor form?
Will Raikkonen add, to his points lead?
Will Red Bull find, more top end speed?
Will Caterham have something up their sleeve?
A good finish at home, they’d like to achieve
It’s a home race of sorts for Mercedes
Where it’s many fans, they will try to appease
Only time will tell, what is in store
While teams and drivers on tyres wage war
Changing conditions and wet weather threats
Don’t worry Pirelli with their Inters and Wets
It’s all up for grabs and a big question mark
Just as it was, in Albert Park
Ernie Black
Twitter: @TheF1Poet
Fernando Alonso – Scuderia Ferrari
| Year | Driver | Team |
| 2012 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari |
| 2011 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault |
| 2010 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault |
| 2009 | Jenson Button | Brawn-Mercedes |
| 2008 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari |
| 2007 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2006 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault |
| 2005 | Fernando Alonso | Renault |
| 2004 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2003 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2002 | Ralf Schumacher | Williams-BMW |
| 2001 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2000 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 1999 | Eddie Irvine | Ferrari |
Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia
Circuit Name: Sepang International Circuit
Race Date: 24 Mar 2013
First Grand Prix: 1999
Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.543 km
Race Distance: 310.408 km
Pitlane speed limits
Practice and qualifying: 60km/h
Race: 100km/h
Lap Record: 2004 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW; 1:34.223
DRS: Two Zones; The DRS sectors will be between turns 15 and 1 and then between turns 14 and 15.
F1 Time Table:
| Practice 1 |  |
Fri 10:00 |
| Practice 2 | |
Fri 14:00 |
| Practice 3 | |
Sat 13:00 |
| Qualifying | |
Sat 16:00 |
| Race | |
Sun 16:00 |
Online live timing link : http://www.formula1.com/live_timing/
For more information, visit the official Formula One website. or visit; Malaysian Grand Prix – http://www.malaysiangp.com.my – Klia Pahang, Malaysia – +60 3-8778 2200
Hello Gearz fans from the Ballz Nation
Get into formation and don’t dare touch the station
Sasha and Disi are in charge of narration
Of this “cyber airwave” assassination
Formula One, is back with a vengeance
There’s no time for hiding or sitting on fences
Drivers and teams, prepare their defenses
No lap times set, under false pretenses
Bringing weapons and tricks for focused offenses
Whatever it takes, without sparing expenses
A fan’s delight, as it teases all senses
Making hearts flutter, as the race commences
You’re fingers twitch, as the lights go out
In Albert Park, we cheer and shout
Vettel from pole, had zero doubt
But Webber’s poor start gave him reason to pout
Massa launched quickly, and danced about
Up to second he climbed, with a snarling snout
Alonso and Kimi, had reasons to grin
And McLaren seem to be, in a nasty tail spin
The Mercedes team, not far from Berlin
Thought they had, what it took to win
Rosberg retiring, was such a sin
Hammy’s third stop, was a knock on his chin
The victory was claimed by a flying Finn
The mysteriously charming Kimi Raikkonen
Across the line second was a man from Spain
Former Champion Alonso did not complain
Third was Vettel, whose Bull suffered no pain
This kid has an insatiable, thirst for champagne
Unfortunately Massa,missed the podium again
And Hamilton was fifth, much to his disdain
Sixth then was Webber whose drive was mundane
His abysmal start, he just can’t explain
Seventh was Sutil, with his career restart
Next was Di Resta, who took it to heart
Button was ninth, who drove hard and smart
But his McLaren seemed, to just fall off the chart
Romain tenth, he played his points part
Lotus bookends the points, like modern art
Off To Malaysia, no time to waste,
Back to back races, much to Sasha’s taste
With Disi’s presence, he’s often graced
They’re never caught, but often chased
Ernie Black
@TheF1Poet
