T’was the night before Christmas and Medders was lit! He slipped on an “Elf Onesie” which didn’t quite fit
Luke Smith sat by the tree, he wasn’t too far behind, polishing off the last of the Yamazaki, that he could find
Lawrence Barretto set the table while sipping champagne, he was chipper and giggling and feeling no pain
Nate Saunders sat on a chair, just outside the door, listening to a Podcast, nobody asked for..
Jess McFadyen couldn’t stop grinning, as Jon Noble channeled Elvis and just wouldn’t stop singing
Jenny Gow went for a run as she just couldn’t deal, she hit the store for red wine, to go with her meal
Crofty got stuck in the chimney in his new Santa suit, trying to deliver the gifts as Saint Nick’s substitute
Mark Sutton tried to rally the team, tempting Ian Burrows and Codders with Kahlua Ice cream
Dinner was just about done when Buxton stormed in, carrying 2 bottles of juice and 3 bottles of Gin
All Martin Brundle could do is just shake his head, if you can’t beat’em just join’em, he quietly said
He pulled up a chair, smiled and sat down, as he poured himself a tall glass of Ginger and Crown
Buxton pulled Swales out of the chimney with care, falling through the ceiling with grace and flare
The team gathered round the table and dinner was served, licking wounds from a year, which no one deserved
Crack another bottle and pass it around, no one leaves the party until we’ve all hit the ground.
I wish you a future both prosperous and bright, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night
Details:
Let’s get the details out of the way first. The cost of the e-book is only £1.99 and available on Lulu.com (HERE). It is NOW available in the iTunes iBookstore. It’s in ePub format which makes it compatible on virtually any mobile device including your smart phone.
The story behind the book:
I started to write F1 poetry many years ago then began posting them to this blog. It all really started as an idea by Peter Windsor. It was he who originally read my F1 poems on his online program, The Flying Lap. He suggested I should compile my poems and publish a book. He has given my poems a voice and shared them with his audiences across the globe.
The eBook is a collection of poems written to summarize the 2012 Formula One season. However, that is only part of it. It includes F1 related poems composed for friends, partners and just for fun.There are tribute poems to Ayrton Senna, Gilles Villeneuve and Mario Andretti, Bernd Maylander, Alan van der Merwe, Dr. Gary Hartstein, Charlie Whiting and of course our favorite F1 Tech guru Craig Scarborough. There are fun F1 poems to which celebrate the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Valentine’s Day and Christmas. I’ve even included promotional poems written for and used by Pepe Jeans, McLaren and GPTours.
Please take a moment, click on the LINK if you’re curious and read the preview.
Thank You kindly,
Ernie Black (@TheF1Poet)
T’was the night before Christmas and at the top of pit lane, sat Lewis Hamilton’s cherry red plane
Inside was Russell and Toto and Schumacher, Mick. Wearing number 3 sweaters, gifted by Danny RIC
They arrived to celebrate F1 Christmas cheer. As did Albon and Stroll who brought cases of beer
Helmut and Horner didn’t want to be rude, so they offered to cater this gathering’s food
Mario Andretti was in charge of the tree, which stood tall on the podium for all to see
Gunther sang Christmas carols and festive psalms which was bloody hilarious as he dropped several F-Bombs
Max brought some treats and Checo brought more. But Max was in front, and did not hold open the door
Lando was under the weather but still made an appearance, and Tsunoda wore a V5 T-Shirt he bought on clearance
Bottas came too, with beard shaded like toffee, carrying carafes full of Kahiwa Coffee
As the evening continued the cocktails were flowing. Zhou, Ocon and Gasly were quite tipsy and glowing
Sainz and Leclerc, started off strong at the bar, but eventually fizzled like a dim falling star
Alonso and Vettel, the two wylie old legends, stayed clear of the bar to avoid any regretful transgressions
K-Mag and Nico laughed at events from the past but Latifi doubts this camaraderie will last
They all gathered round exclaiming “We Race as One” wishing a happy Christmas, to everyone!
Nothing serious here, just some fun in tough times, hoping you enjoy these corny ass rhymes:
It’s lights out and a… wait! AUS GP is a no go! What? Seb on a plane before practice? Oh hell no!
This year has been bat shit crazy, pun intended. It’s the season which started, after it ended!
The world’s been shutdown and we’re all on lock-down, we’re all wearing masks as we venture about town
Everyone’s waiting for F1 to comeback, everyone’s waiting to see some action on track
Staying at home with no where to roam, from the bed to the kitchen to the shop to the throne
At least Jon Noble didn’t miss driver announcements, those hours in flight are always a bit tense
Luke’s been reading and writing and baking and running, half marathon done and I’m not even punning
Jess left Matt & the gang to advance her career, we wish her well with a beer and good cheer
Oh by the way, if you didn’t already know, Will Buxton started his own online cooking show
This pre-season/off-season/no season thing, is causing some serious strain and suffering
Charles is confused, there is no dispute, the lad’s playing video games in a banana suit
It’s working Charles, you’re in a good luck tsunami, you drive for Ferrari and the new face of Armani
I mean look, you’re the new number one! Out with the old, this deal is done.
You’ve got the run, you won’t be outdone and you’ve got a new mate running shotgun
It’s a good thing your rich, you’ll need to pay Charlotte back, for her subscription to Twitch
Right, well, as if nobody knows, Ferrari started a game of Dominos.
The reason Seb’s in the shadows, only Binotto knows.
Why the four-time champ is on the sidelines requires reading between some rather tight lines.
But in the meantime, in the headlines, was the expected news about Carlos Sainz
We knew the news before it broke, once we heard about that Aussie bloke.
No mirrors or smoke, no magical cloak, just a hint of genius, that masterstroke
So Sainz to Ferrari it’s plain to see, and Danny’s gone from a farm to MTC.
It will be interesting to see this all play out, with the obvious fallout and potential blowout
And what of the empty seat, down at Renault? Who will bring the talent and much needed dough?
Will Seb end his days in yellow and black or will Alonso be mysteriously lured back?
Let’s pause to get serious, for some recognition for those in our sport who have been on a mission
I’d be remiss if I failed or missed, to acknowledge how F1 jumped in to assist
Mario Isola assumed the role, of full Paramedic, when things got hectic during this global pandemic
Drivers and staffers delivering meals, as life’s more precious than racing automobiles
Rivals abandoning their simulators, to retool operations, to make ventilators
Masks and shields and other equipment, showing care and concern through total commitment
We all came together in one way or another, even offering support as a sister or brother
Flattening the curve is what F1 does best, nailing that apex with the throttle depressed
So Martin and Crofty, warm up those vocals, the pints are chilling, in all our locals
It’s one for the money and two for the show, it will soon be lights out and away we go!
‘Twas the night before Christmas and Kimi was lit! He crawled in for a nap in his new Sauber cockpit.
Niki’s stockings were hanging from the Mercedes Garage ceiling. They were bright red and furry and surprisingly appealing.
Ross Brawn was nestled, all snug in his bed. Jean Todt slipped into his onesie, coloured cranberry red.
When from the paddock, arose such a clatter, Charlie sprang from his chair to see what was the matter.
Away from that button and straight out the door, he ran so quick, his feet skimmed off the floor.
Beside Fake Charlie he stood stood, in complete disbelief.
Staring at a buck-naked Santa, barring a frozen fig leaf
The moon shone off his belly, giving off a warm glow, giving luster to the fresh fluffy, new-fallen snow
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,And he laughed when they saw him, in spite of himself;
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, exposing all four of his cheeks, which were Ferrari red.
Matteo mumbled something about compliance and risk, while he ran from the Comms office, at a pace which was brisk.
He led Santa inside, from the stark wintry cold, As they all laughed hysterically and uncontrolled
What happened to you? Asked Brundle inquisitively. Santa timidly grinned and responded apprehensively.
It turns out he had had, a few cocktails too many. His memory was blurred after drink number twenty
He needed something to wear and a lift back home, before circling the globe from Shanghai to Rome
There are gifts to pick up and deliver, he sternly pronounced. Toto issued team orders, as soon as this was announced.
Luke Smith’s coffee, kept all focused and warm. While Buxton checked weather for the forecasted snow storm.
Jason Swales found something for Santa to wear. While Bernd warmed up his pace car, so Santa arrived with some flair
Back home, safe and sound, in the frosty North Pole. He readied his reindeer, with a warm soup bowl.
He exclaimed, while hungover with a touch of frostbite…
“Merry Christmas F1, and to all a good night!”
An F1 poem about the Team Orders issued by Mercedes in the Russian GP.
Team Orders aren’t merely semantics
They’re a necessary evil, in F1 tactics
Decisions are made, through mathematics
Though we saw how easily they enrage fanatics
The truth is this, it really is a team sport
And a decision like this, seems to hold court
As social media and pundits hold the fort
It’s an age old argument which might be sold short
Every point counts, so extend that lead
You must feed the greed in order to succeed
For it’s points which wins crowns, not just speed
Thank Bottas for the victory he was forced to concede
Had you been the man with two headsets adorned
You’d find it difficult at best not to feel scorned
It would have been less dramatic if his drivers were forewarned
But full points are best in the bag then to later be mourned
Photo Credit: Octane Photographics
Formula One finally returns this week, to a magnificent circuit which is rather unique.
When I was a child (many… many years ago) we were doing an exercise in class at school. We were told to reach as high as we could possibly reach. We all did so, while being measured against the wall, where a ruler had been affixed.
Then we were instructed to reach even higher. Without questioning our instructor or her instructions, we all attempted to outreach ourselves. Interestingly, we all (but a few) were able to reach slightly higher than previously measured. This was an important life lesson for me. One which I still remember and one which (obviously) Williams F1 racing has nonetheless also learned.
It wasn’t long ago (2013) that Red Bull Racing broke the 2 second barrier with a pit stop of 1.923s in Austin Texas at the US Grand Prix. The same team which had set the record earlier that season at 2.05s. Changing all four wheels on an F1 car, wiping a visor, clearing the sidepods etc… is a daunting task in twice that time. With the pressures of losing (or gaining) track position omnipresent and notwithstanding, F1 teams continually push the envelope. Even when improvement appears to be unreachable, you have teams such as Williams F1 who dig deeper to find that fraction of a second to prove that impossible is nothing.
Williams has been simply unbeatable in the pits this season. They have consistently recorded the quickest pit stops in F1 in every single race. The law of diminishing returns however continues to be proven as even sub-2 second pit stops aren’t always enough to make a difference on the track. Even still, Williams sits in 4th overall, 31 points ahead of a surging Force India and 50 points back of a hopeful Ferrari.
I tip my hat to the Williams team and in particular, their pit crew.
Montreal Canada, Canadian GP F1 Media Centre.
I have had the good fortune of being able to attend my home F1 Grand Prix a total of 30 times over the years. I know that statement ages me. As a fan of the sport since the age of 4, I’ve bore witness to some amazing races around the circuit which bares the name of one of my F1 heroes. Not long ago, I have had the pleasure of being able to make the transition from fan to media. For a few years, I was able to cover the races as well as being able to interview and get to know some of the sport’s most interesting personalities.
In the past 26 consecutive years, I have missed going to only 2
Stared down by Ross Brawn – it was slightly intimidating.
home races. In 2009, Formula One did not grace us with a race and in 2011 when I was on my honeymoon (I would have missed 1987 since the race was not held, but I had no chaperone back then able to take me). Over the years, I have been an ambassador to the wonderful world of F1 in Montreal to many people who would have otherwise not attended. My incessant pestering about how incredible the experience is was enough to convince them to now make the annual pilgrimage to Montreal. The atmosphere is truly electric, the city completely surrenders itself to Formula 1, with street parties, live bands, events etc…
This year (2016) I will miss attending the race for the third time in that 26 year span. This is one of those times in life where F1 must come second. I have decided to forgo the Grand Prix to stay home and spend some quality time with my 8 month old son. Passing up on my “guy time”, the over-indulgence, endless pints a
nd debauchery is difficult for a 40+ year-old, with an inexplicable and insatiable passionate for Formula One to give up. However, in this world of high pressure, fast pace, shifting priorities etc… which takes us away from our families, swallowing the bitter pill of not going to my beloved home race is much easier to swallow for some extra time with my family.
I’m going to seriously miss the GP experience. Many of you may also feel the same as I do. One’s home GP is just more special than all other races. I will miss the many friends I’ve made over the years who never fail to meet up with me for a pint, Buxton’s bash at Hurley’s, Elena’s “The Code20” after party… all of it. But I tell you one thing, I’m looking forward to introducing this great experience and the world of F1 to my son, the same way my father did with me. It’s not often, but sometimes F1 must come second.
After the shortest off-season, F1 is back. Eager to get racing again and back on track.
They all turned up down under with their poker faces, to start this campaign of 21 races.
There were names we knew well and others we still don’t, including Renault who arrived on a surfboard-like boat.
Wearing a yellow sport suit, nicely pressed at the seams, hoping to rekindle its F1 championship dreams.
A few changes this year for which we must be aware, three tyre choices and a new qualy … which made most of us swear.
Free practices were wet with few cars running. So qualy was to be flat-out run and gunning.
Well that wasn’t the case, in fact qualy just sucked. Even F1’s strongest supporters thought it was all kinda F… Mucked.
The race was quite brilliant right from the start. Ferrari jumped both the Mercs and raced with true heart.
Until Kimi’s turbo caught fire and toasted his lid, and till Seb spun Margherita ending his P2 bid.
One can argue the race was Ferrari’s to lose, but in the end it just looked like another Merc cruise.
Rosberg led Hammy for a cool 1-2. Seb rounded the podium which was the most he could do.
Props to Ricciardo, for his solid race pace and to team Haas for snagging points in their first ever race.
Max was quite – the lippy young man, but he didn’t appear to break any rules set in the new radio ban.
And what about that crash that left us all in shock. How the hell did Alonso just crawl out and walk?
Now it’s off to Bahrain, with more questions to ask. Where overhauling Mercedes will be another tall task.
And it’s back to the qualy format we had last year so I’ll celebrate F1’s return with another cold beer.
T’was The Night Before Christmas, When All Through Pit Lane
There Were No Milk And Cookies, Just Bottles Of Champagne
The Stockings Were Hung, By The Podium With Care
Hoping New Power Units, Soon Would Be There
Bernie Was Sleeping, Safe And Sound In His Bed
As 52 Race Calendar, Bounced Around In His Head
Jean Todt In His Onesie, Was Checking His List
As He Made Plans To Rule With A Soft Iron Fist?
When From The Paddock, Arose Something Quite Smelly
Sebastian Vettel Did Donuts, With Tyres From Pirelli
Away To The Pits, We Flew Like A Flash
We Heard Something Resembling, A Very Loud Crash
With The Light Of The Moon, It All Became Clear
Kimi Found Gelato, Then Dropped All His Beer
Charlie Whiting Appeared, At Race Control
He Had Just Arrived, From The Frosty North Pole
All Dressed In Red, White Hair And No Beard
With Shiny Black Boots Which Ron Dennis Revered
His Eyes Were A Twinkle, With A Smile On His Face
He Began Yelling And Screaming, For All To Come Race
All Drivers And Teams, Rushed Quickly And Came
As The Stern Race Director, Called Them By Name…
Now Vettel Now Lewis, Now Button And Nico
On Kimi On Daniel, On Bottas And Nando
To The Front Of The Grid, And Standing By
Chained Up Like Reindeer, And Prepared To Fly
They Took Over For Santa, Who Had Become Ill
He’d Been Forced On Stress Leave, After That Race In Brazil
Bernd Modified His Silver Arrow Pace Car
With A Red Light In Front, Which Seemed Somewhat Bizarre
Alan And Doc, Followed All From Behind.
In The Medical Car, With Heated Seats Reclined
Charlie Was Strapped, To The Top Of Their Merc
With A Bag Full Of Goodies, And A Huge Silly Smirk
In The Blink Of An Eye, With Tyres Still Smoking
They Dashed Off The Line, And Left Charlie Choking
DRS Was Enabled, And ERS Was Engaged
But No Contracts Were Signed, Which Left Bernie Enraged
They Landed On Rooftops, In Perfect Formation
Like A Storybook Tale, With Murray Walker Narration
The Chimney Was Tight, Charlie Just Didn’t Fit
So He Delegated Duties, To Our Friend Aussie Grit
From City To City, And Home To Home
From Melbourne To London And Shanghai To Rome
The Fuel Cells Were Freezing, As They Sputtered And Shivered
But They Were Jolly And Quick, As All Gifts Were Delivered
Back To Pit Lane, For Festive Celebrations
As The F1 Crew, Beat St. Nick’s Expectations
Not A Word Was Spoken, As They Got The Job Done
Christmas Was Saved, Thanks To Formula One
From @TheF1Poet, I Say With Delight
Happy Christmas To All, And To All A Good Night
#CiaoJules
It goes without saying that the untimely death of such a young and promising young driver is a tragedy. The loss of any life which could have been avoided is tragic. Arguably, all if not mostly all accidents are avoidable. We enter the realm of “ifs”,”could’ves” and “should’ves” but in reality there is no way of knowing the outcome.
For instance, questions were asked whether the safety car should have been deployed while Sutil’s car was being recovered on the rain soaked afternoon in Japan after he had spun on lap 42 just outside of turn 7 (Dunlop curve) . Could that have been enough to change Jules’ fate? Reports after the investigation indicated that Bianchi did not slow enough through the double yellow flags …how is that quantified? Who’s to say that slowing further would not have resulted in the same tragic event?
Ultimately, the whys and hows and even ifs are irrelevant now. Gone is a young star taken before he was able to shine his brightest. Talents and potentials left unexplored, un-celebrated and unrealized. We are left with the memories of P9 for Marussia by a smiling young man who was loved by many and will be remembered by all.
On a personal note, I was fortunate to spend some time over the last few years in the F1 paddock. In that time, a very friendly and polite Jules gave me the time of day. He laughed at my stupid jokes, was amused by the idea of my F1 poetry, and found time to sit and chat even if only for a brief moment here and there throughout the GP weekend. I met him at the Montreal FOTA Forum thanks to my mate Oliver Weingarten. He shook my hand, smiled and signed his card. I’ll never forget how he recognized me in the paddock the very next day, stopped… smiled… and waved hello.
This first day of May, we are reminded of that sad and dreadful day, when the legend passed away. The silence was deafening in our state of dismay, it’s been 21 years for which for him the champagne would no longer spray.
He was not just a driver but so much more, the fiercest competitor to his very core refusing to lift off the throttle which was constantly pinned to the cockpit floor. With fluid motion, raw aggression and immeasurable grace, only crossing the line first brought a smile to his face.
We remember him in black and gold, showing signs of pure brilliance to behold…awaiting his chance to be unleashed and uncontrolled. And greatness we witnessed without shadow of doubt, when in 88 he joined McLaren and ended his championship drought. Together with Prost they won all but one race in their championship bout.
Brazil ’91, with only 6th gear, a wet victory, for his home fans to cheer. A rain master of sorts, remember Monaco?, In heavy rains, he put on a show.
So focused was he, that he’d be completely entranced, with severe tunnel vision, his car tip-toed and danced. Methodically preparing his approach to be the most advanced and winning the hearts of his fans who remained mesmerized and romanced. One of the greatest, we may ever have seen.
His rivalry with Prost had started, their war had begun. The fiercest battles ever to be fought in Formula One. Round after round their ammunition were their nerves and their right foot the gun in monsoon conditions or under the blazing sun he refused to lose, be outrun or outdone. His battles with Prost pushed them to new limits, ahead of the pack, by not seconds but minutes.
A moment of silence, for the late F1 great, as he smiles upon us, from behind Heaven’s gate while imagine him flying towards the flag along the pit straight. He was the ultimate master of this Motorsport game, competing only to win and not for fame…his spirit shall live on… Ayrton Senna was this legend’s name.
Photo Courtesy © Octane Photographic Ltd
Its 12 am in Albert park. Friday morning and all is dark
Not a soul to be found walking pit lane. No sounds to be heard, except that of the rain
Just hours ago, the paddock was jammed. Pit lane was full, garages were crammed
The air thick with excitement, one could slice with a knife. As F1 2015 came quickly to life
Photographers scrambling, snapping pictures real quick. Their cameras and flashes, went clickity click
Trying to stay dry In the “on and off” rain. Umbrellas and ponchos could be found in pit lane
Interviews were conducted by the usual pros. But no one had secrets,they would gladly disclose
Smiles all round as F1 returns. Even from those, who have their concerns
Just a fly on the wall as I sit here and wait. For the sun to come up and go through the gate
Observing all people with my un-trained eye. For my readers at home, I’m their F1 spy
In just a few hours my wait will have ended. The start of this season Is inexplicably splendid
To all teams and drivers, everyone in F1, Here’s to you and the season which has not yet begun
To fans round the world, who impatiently wait, here’s to you and the season which promises to be great!
Photo courtesy of © Octane Photographic Ltd
2015 F1 Winter Testing in the Rear-view Mirror
Photo Credit to Octane Photographics Inc.
That’s it and that’s all, the F1 preseason is done. It’s off to OZ to begin the 2015 campaign of Formula One.
A topic which has been and will continue to be discussed, is whether or not Alonso has been or still is concussed.
No one seems to know for certain what the problem might actually be. But it’s serious enough for K-Mag to replace him in the Australian Grand Prix.
So what have we learned from these F1 winter tests? It’s hard to say as teams hold their true pace, close to their chests.
Mercedes appear to be a second clear of the chasing pack. They’ve managed to stay ahead enough to keep everyone back.
Ferrari have made gains but they’ll still fall short. I would wager to say they’re under a second behind or something of the sort.
Red Bull are quick but Williams are still quicker. And the picture at McLaren is blurred as the mud is thick if not thicker.
Lotus looks good in its black and gold, now powered by Mercedes, they will make a statement which will be considered quite bold.
Toro Rosso and Sauber have also improved but it is all relative in preseason and pace is easily misconstrued.
Force India can surprise they just might do so. They need pace to get sponsors to keep their act in the show.
Pirelli can influence things with their choice of compound. Unpredictable good racing, we hope makes up for the lack of sound.
Now a moment to send our wishes of recovery and good health to our friends, to Alonso, Schumi and Jules we hope you receive the love and support your F1 family sends.
Dream BIG – and chase it! A poet and a legend…
If you take one thing away from reading this, let it be the knowledge that if you work hard at a goal, it is achievable. Your dreams may not always be all you believe them to be but you owe it to yourself to chase them…
Everyone has dreams, ambitions and goals, though not everyone chases them. Do not fail to chase your dreams. Often you’ll find they are attainable, though likely not easy.
I have recently celebrated three years as The F1 Poet. In these three years I have published a book (The F1 Book of Poetry), written almost 500 F1 poems, gained media accreditation via the FIA for Formula One, met wonderful people and had wonderful experiences that money can’t buy.
My dream was to one day become an F1 journalist. Like many of you, F1 is one of my passion. I love to read and I love to write about it. A friend of mine helped me discover a hidden talent of mine… corny poetry. I became quite passionate about it actually and wrote poems about everything.
One day I decided to marry these two unlikely passions and The F1 Poet was born. My goal was to use F1 poetry to gain attention and interest in my writing. It worked. I gained a very small amount of fame, nothing like Twitter legend Fake Charlie Whiting (@Charlie_Whiting), nonetheless, enough to have people in the paddock actually know who I am.
It was the poetry and this blog which brought me closer to my dream. I was approached by several websites after my poetry became an almost regular feature on a web show called The Flying Lap, hosted by former F1 Ferrari and Williams man Peter Windsor. It was Peter who encouraged me to write the book. My work has been featured in magazines, websites, holiday greeting cards, radio shows (namely Ballz Visual Radio with Sasha Martinengo in South Africa) etc… I’m grateful to all who have supported me and continue to do so.
This project has offered me the opportunity to walk amongst my heroes and interview the most interesting F1 personalities. I have had breakfast with Mario Andretti, handed my Gilles Villeneuve tribute poem to his son Jacques, and my James Hunt tribute poem to his son Tom. I have forged relationships with many great people.
I realized that at my current age of 40, starting a new career in journalism although possible would not be realistic,. It would not be fair to my family to take the cut in pay and be away from home for months on end. In my daily life, I pay the bills as a global Disaster Recovery specialist in the IT field. I’m still very serious about motorsports in general and will continue to write poetry and features. Most of my work can be found at Richland F1, GPWeek and an e-Magazine called e-Racing Magazine which I started with my good Aussie friend, Trent Price.
I will continue to represent Canada in the F1 Paddock as long as they’ll have me. I am happy in the knowledge that for a short while in my life, I walked where few have walked. Many bucket list items have been checked and it’s all thanks to The F1 Poet Project.
A Tribute to Senna
F1 Fan Open Letter to Santa
Dear Santa, let me start by saying, I’ve actually been quite good.
I mean far better than Bernie, that much should be understood.
I’ve watched every race, even the ones at the “crack of stupid” in the morning.
I must admit however, I may have said unpleasant things without thought or warning.
In my defense, I’m very passionate and maybe a bit obsessed with Formula One.
It gets me excited, it doubles my heart rate, and may cause me to become slightly
undone.
This year for Christmas, I’ve thought about it and I have just a few wishes.
So when you arrive, you’ll find podium Champagne instead of milk and cookie dishes.
First on the Christmas gift list for this big F1 kid.
Is to get Jules, Marussia and Caterham back on the 2015 F1 grid.
Next is my wish for a safe and competitive season with no double points finale.
Call me a traditionalist, but I tend to like the regular points tally.
I want to see Ron and Fernando play nice at McLaren all season long
I want to hear these new power plants get louder and sing a new song
Then I want a championship winning 1.6 Litre turbo charged power plant.
So I can drown out team owners and Bernie when they argue and rant.
I want Kimi to do all his own “unfiltered and raw” race commentary
I want Button and and Jessie to just pick a date and finally marry
Without sounding greedy, let me make one more request for fans worldwide
How about more access at races and the return of FanVision on the side
And last but not least, I want no protests, no boycotts and everyone to commit,
I want tail happy cars, no team orders and all drivers and cars on the absolute limit.
Thanks Santa, I’ll be waiting for you on the podium at the end of pit lane
You’ll be happy to know I ditched the milk and cookies for some nicely chilled champagne.
As F1 fans this time of year, we begin to get the shakes and suffer from withdrawal from our beloved sport. With Christmas upon us and in the spirit of F1 and the holidays, I have re-written a Christmas poem for all F1 fans. I sincerely hope you all enjoy this twist on a classic.
T’was The Night Before Christmas, When All Through Pit Lane
There Were No Milk And Cookies, Just Bottles Of Champagne
The Stockings Were Hung, By The Podium With Care
Hoping Newey’s Designs Soon Would Be There
Bernie Was Sleeping, Safe And Sound In His Bed
As Recent Courtroom Proceedings, Bounced Around In His Head
Jean Todt In His Onesie, Was Checking His List
As He Made Plans To Rule With A Soft Iron Fist?
When From The Paddock, Arose Something Quite Smelly
Sebastian Vettel Did Donuts, With Tyres From Pirelli
Away To The Pits, We Flew Like A Flash
We Heard Something Resembling, A Very Loud Crash
With The Light Of The Moon, It All Became Clear
Kimi Found Gelato, Then Dropped All His Beer
Charlie Whiting Appeared, At Race Control
He Had Just Arrived, From The Frosty North Pole
All Dressed In Red, White Hair And No Beard
With Shiny Black Boots Which Ron Dennis Revered
His Eyes Were A Twinkle, With A Smile On His Face
He Began Yelling And Screaming, For All To Come Race
All Drivers And Teams, Rushed Quickly And Came
As The Stern Race Director, Called Them By Name…
Now Vettel Now Lewis, Now Button And Nico
On Kimi On Daniel, On Bottas And Nando
To The Front Of The Grid, And Standing By
Chained Up Like Reindeer, And Prepared To Fly
They Took Over For Santa, Who Had Become Ill
He’d Been Forced On Stress Leave, After That Race In Brazil
Bernd Modified His Silver Arrow Pace Car
With A Red Light In Front, Which Seemed Somewhat Bizarre
Alan And Doc, Followed All From Behind.
In The Medical Car, With Heated Seats Reclined
Charlie Was Strapped, To The Top Of Their Merc
With A Bag Full Of Goodies, And A Huge Silly Smirk
In The Blink Of An Eye, With Tyres Still Smoking
They Dashed Off The Line, And Left Charlie Choking
DRS Was Enabled, And KERS Was Engaged
But No Contracts Were Signed, Which Left Bernie Enraged
They Landed On Rooftops, In Perfect Formation
Like A Storybook Tale, With Murray Walker Narration
The Chimney Was Tight, Charlie Just Didn’t Fit
So He Delegated Duties, To Our Friend Aussie Grit
From City To City, And Home To Home
From Melbourne To London And Shanghai To Rome
The Fuel Cells Were Freezing, As They Sputtered And Shivered
But They Were Jolly And Quick, As All Gifts Were Delivered
Back To Pit Lane, For Festive Celebrations
As The F1 Crew, Beat St. Nick’s Expectations
Not A Word Was Spoken, As They Got The Job Done
Christmas Was Saved, Thanks To Formula One
From @TheF1Poet, I Say With Delight
Happy Christmas To All, And To All A Good Night
Photo taken at COTA Paddock – 2014 @TheF1Poet
Sitting around with some F1 fans last week, we did some chin wagging over a pint, discussing the long-awaited announcement from McLaren’s driver lineup. The discussion was quite heated and I was accused of not being cynical enough because I chose to see the brighter side of 2015 at McLaren. So, for shits and giggles, I give you ramblings of F1’s cynical bastard….
(Disclaimer: no substance, just fluff. Meant to infuriate those looking for a reason to argue)
Formula One is a soap opera which successfully blurs the lines of a reality TV and dramatic situation comedies. We can all sit back and pick moments from the sport over decades which at times seemed scripted. We had it all. Moment which were dramatic, serious, comedic, tragic and yet real. We the fans, whether in the stands, in the media or sport, are all family. We celebrate victories with jubilation and a sense of entitlement. However defeat discomfits, annoys or depresses us just as easily. At times, I’m certain we can all relate at the fact that certain events make some of us all a little cynical….
It was thought that the reason for Alonso to move on from Ferrari was to afford the two-time world champion the opportunity to challenge for more championships and not squander the remaining few of his best years rebuilding a team (again). This is certainly a valid reason for both parties to part ways. It should not be considered selfish on Alonso’s part after having given Ferrari some incredible performances and near championship winning seasons. From Ferrari’s point of view, it would be a selfless gesture to allow the Spaniard to chase his dreams knowing full well that the team is clearly at least two seasons away from possibly being a contender (given the engine freeze rules (loopholes notwithstanding)).
Vettel is the young bird who leaves his nest for which he has been developed and enjoyed much success for potentially greener pastures and a new challenge. Some argue since he’s had his arse handed to him by his team-mate this year; his move is nothing more than a way out. Others argue that he’d been signed years ago by Ferrari and Mattiacci’s handling of Alonso opened the door for this move to take place. Whether his spelled his ultimate ousting from the Maranello based team is still an unfounded theory and up for interpretation.
McLaren announces Button and Alonso as drivers and Magnussen as test reserve driver. Button received massive support to remain in the sport from both peers and fans most notably Alonso, who stated it, would be beneficial to have Jenson around to help speed up the development of the new car. Isn’t this whole thing selfish? Button will likely be demoted to number 2 driver (let’s not kid ourselves), to develop a car he may never get the opportunity to compete with for a championship. Let us not forget that no matter how gracious Magnussen was in receiving this news, it essentially spelled the end of his F1 dream. No true competitive race car driver will ever accept a test role without a hint of distaste after having competed in the sport, regardless of how good or bad their performance may have been. My heart goes out to Kevin, but as they say, “Them’s the breaks”. As sad as it is for many of the F1 drivers that will not be returning, we must remember none of them have to worry about their mortgage or making the rent by the end of the month.
If it is true that Alonso left Ferrari for the purpose of not wasting his best years. Then the move to McLaren makes no sense. He himself gave many signs of understanding that his new team may not be ready to challenge. He was quoted on Marca.com as saying “it’ll take time to reach our goals” when explaining the challenge. And it is this that has cynical bastards like me thinking this move was nothing more than political. Like many before him, Ferrari’s revolving door stops for no one. Kimi, Schumi and now Alonso either walked out or were escorted out of the famous front gates with the little prancing horse in Modena. It’s never easy to leave Ferrari, just ask Lauda… One can only hope for the sake of both Alonso and Button, that Honda is able to offer McLaren a reliable, competitive and fuel-efficient power-plant for 2015. Otherwise, we’ll all have to wait for two more seasons for the engine freeze to thaw. Would it not then be ironic if Vettel and Ferrari had the package to beat while Alonso struggled at McLaren, or worse, fell out of favor with Ron Dennis again? Time heals all wounds but some scars never disappear.
Some say there is no place for egos in F1, though we all know, somehow, they are essential to success. I consider the seat swap at Ferrari from Alonso to Vettel, lateral at best. It’s not to say I don’t believe in Vettel or think little of him, but I believe Alonso is better. He has matured as a person and he is well aware of his potential. There was a time McLaren fans had nothing but disdain and perhaps even hatred for this man who I predict will be their new hero. It will be similar for Ferrari fans with Vettel as it was for Williams fans when Senna made the switch from McLaren.
This year was difficult for Vettel. Next year won’t be easy either, especially if Kimi gets out in front often. I believe Vettel did some growing up in 2014 and may have been made to eat a slice of humble pie in the process. Let’s all hope next season gives us all reasons to cheer…but I doubt it.
JOHN MARTIN TO PERFORM LIVE AT AMBER LOUNGE AUSTIN
Elevating the glamour and excitement of the US Formula One Season, John Martin, the voice of
global super group, Swedish House Mafia, will headline Amber Lounge Austin, the Original F1 after
party during the 2014 Austin Grand Prix.
John Martin, best known for bringing international fame to Swedish House Mafia by lending his
powerful vocals to their no.1 hit ‘Don’t You Worry Child’, will perform live over two nights in front of a
glittering crowd of A-List celebrities, F1 drivers and VIP guests.
“I am so excited to be invited back to perform at Amber Lounge. No destination
captures the glitz and the glamour of Formula 1 quite like this event!” – John Martin.
DJ Micky from St. Tropez and internationally-renowned DJ Lora, the latter having accumulated an
impressive league of celebrity fans, including Sir Paul McCartney and Kim Kardashian, will be
supporting John as he performs his biggest hits.
Amber Lounge Austin has reinforced its reputation as the ‘it’ lifestyle destination during the Austin
Grand Prix. As the Formula One approaches the end of the season, temperatures will rise both on the
custom-built Circuit of The Americas, and off it, as the top F1 drivers and A-List celebrities celebrate
the glamour of Formula One at Amber Lounge Austin.
EVA’S HEROES SIGNED AS THE OFFICIAL CHARITY PARTNER OF AMBER LOUNGE AUSTIN 2014
Amber Lounge is honored to announce the Official Charity for Amber Lounge Austin 2014, Eva’s
Heroes. Co-founded in 2006 by acclaimed Hollywood actress, Eva Longoria, Eva’s Heroes is an
organization dedicated to enriching the lives of those with intellectual special needs by providing
an inclusive setting built on four tenets: interact, grow, learn, and love. Based in San Antonio, the
organization helps teens and young adults integrate and flourish in society.
“We are grateful to Amber Lounge for partnering with Eva’s Heroes to help spread awareness and raise funds for children with special needs. The global brand of Amber Lounge helps us reach a wider audience to spread our advocacy.” – Eva Longoria.
At Amber Lounge, to be held over the 2014 United States Grand Prix, on Saturday 1st and Sunday
2nd of November in the heart of Austin, representatives of Eva’s Heroes will attend the event and
have the chance to spread awareness of their cause to Amber Lounge’s highly exclusive and
influential clientele. The organization also hosts special events throughout the year that serve as
fundraisers contributing to the enhancement and growth of Eva’s Heroes programs.
As Amber Lounge benefits from catering to the F1 fraternity and the world’s most recognized
names in entertainment, giving back to charity has become an integral part of the company’s
core philosophy. Over the years, Amber Lounge has raised substantial funds for various notable
charities including the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Special Olympics, and the Nelson Mandela
Children’s Fund.
To support this wonderful cause, kindly follow this link – http://www.evasheroes.org/get-involved/make-a-donation and Donate to Eva’s Heroes!
AMBER LOUNGE AUSTIN 2014
Over the past ten years, Amber Lounge has established itself as one of the world’s most exclusive parties exclusive. Globally recognised as being the most luxurious Grand Prix weekend experience available, Amber Lounge’s 2013 locations include Monaco, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Austin. While each Amber Lounge event has its own distinct atmosphere, all feature a clientele that includes the who’s who of the celebrity, social, sporting and F1 worlds.
Taking over select venues at each destination, the concept is to create the ultimate nightlife experience that not only includes an exciting party but also high profile fashion shows, gourmet dining and live entertainment. Run over two or three nights, each bespoke venue has the Amber Lounge signature style – a unique setting, a luxurious club, a tranquil chill out terrace and a stunning water feature and backdrop.
WHAT’S ON:
After an unforgettable inaugural event in 2013, Amber Lounge will return to the Lone Star State for a stylish weekend of decadence with unrivalled service, which is guaranteed to leave the A-list audience mesmerized. Amber Lounge Austin will be held on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of November 2014, as the action moves from racetrack to dance floor. VIP guests will find themselves rubbing shoulders with F1 drivers, Hollywood stars, supermodels and business magnates throughout the evening’s glamorous entertainments, which will include a live performance from superstar vocalist John Martin, known for his work with Swedish House Mafia.
The star-studded debut of Amber Lounge Austin in 2013 saw 14 Formula One drivers including Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button, Daniel Ricciardo, Mark Webber and Alexander Rossi and international stars Gerard Butler, Adrian Grenier, Matt LeBlanc and world renowned celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, amongst many other stars, attend the event.
EVENT INFO:
Dates: Sat 1st and Sun 2nd November 2014
Times: 10.30pm – LATE
BOOKINGS:
Email: austin@amber-lounge.com
US booking number +1 737 333 0627
Phone: (+377) 9777 1634
http://amber-lounge.com
Jules Bianchi – Marussia F1 Team. Image Credit : Octane Photographics Ltd.
Not feeling overly inspired to write poetry after the Japanese GP
The race lost its appeal by the end of lap 43 for me
Something was off, right from the start of the race
Running behind the safety car with some struggling to keep pace
I hate that feeling you get when there’s absolutely nothing you can do
They say hindsight is 20/20, there’s no doubt that’s most definitely true
F1 fans fiercely defend against rivals and will go to war with ease
But we all come together like family in exceptionally difficult times like these
But the show must go on, as the old adage states
Teams are already at work behind the Sochi circuit gates
Heavy heads and hearts through the world of F1
Even the lightest carbon fiber panel feels like it weighs over a tonne
We all await positive news from Mei General Hospital
The smallest and insignificant sign of improvement would please us all
I feel for presenters and pit lane reporters at this weekend’s race
A monumental task to appear immune from this tragedy, with a smile on their face.
Everyone at Marussia, our thoughts are certainly with you too
It is difficult for many to comprehend what you closest to Jules must be going through
To Jules, our prayers for a return, at the most expeditious of rates
We expect your full recovery as the seat to your red chariot awaits
#ForzaJules
Jules Bianchi – Marussia F1 Team – Japan 2014 – Image Credit : Octane Photographics Ltd.
A day F1 fans would love to forget…but shouldn’t
It’s been over 20 years already since that tragic Grand Prix weekend in Imola when Formula One lost both Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. It could have been three had Rubens Barrichello not survived his sensational crash at full flight. It was a huge loss to the sport and a massive wake-up call to everyone, which prompted a massive emphasis to be placed on the sport’s safety. It must be said that Formula One has become extremely safe. The FIA and Formula One as a whole have done an outstanding job thankfully with respect to Motorsport safety.
Since then, we’ve had some close calls which instigated discussions but which did not result in any significant steps being taken. In 2009 in Hungary, a suspension spring from Barichello’s car came off during qualifying and struck fellow Brazilian Felipe Massa’s helmet. Somehow and thankfully, Massa survived. The idea of enclosed cockpits was tossed about but nothing was done as a consequence. Perhaps it is because Massa recovered and the incident was a very uncommon occurrence.
Let’s fast forward to 2012 when Maria DeVillota suffered a massive head injury at Duxford Aerodrome during an F1 test for Marussia. She eventually recovered, albeit with the loss of an eye, sense of smell and taste. In October of 2013 (one year after making her first public post recovery appearance), she suffered full cardiac arrest which is believed to have been caused by the detachment of brain mass from her shunt. It was yet another reminder of the sport’s danger and perhaps another missed opportunity to address a safety concern.
At the Belgian Grand Prix in 2012, the vision of Romain Grosjean careening across the front of Fernando Alonso’s car upside still haunts me. The racing incident happened in a split second and could have nearly cost Alonso his life, for but a few inches. The closed cockpit chatter resumed again. Clearly there is a concern about driver safety in Formula One due to the open cockpit but closing may not necessarily be the answer.
Jules Bianchi’s serious crash in Japan this weekend reopens the discussion of safety. It wasn’t impossible to predict that it could have happened. Where one car crashes, another may follow, especially in rainy conditions where aquaplaning turns F1 pilots into mere passengers in a blink. The race could have been run sooner in drier conditions, some suggested. Others questioned why the race was being run at all on Sunday with the risk of the Typhoon ever present. Bianchi’s head injury could not only be career ending, but life threatening as well.
I don’t always agree with Niki Lauda, in fact twice in the paddock, I’ve been slightly intimidated by him and phrased my sentences and questions carefully. Niki has a certain bluntness about him but he does make sense most of the time (whether we admit it or not). Today he was quoted as saying, “Motor racing is dangerous…We get used to it if nothing happens and then suddenly we’re all surprised.” It doesn’t take much reflection to agree with that statement.
Often, something tragic must happen before some sort of action is taken. Certainly, we can all relate as it is normally the same situation in our home lives or in the office. Someone has to fall down a set of stairs before a handrail is installed, for instance. Both the FIA and Formula One are very proactive, and in some cases, also reactive. It’s a fine line which is difficult to balance. Not all situations can be predicted or protected against, but perhaps today’s incident may spawn more cautious decisions in the future when racing in inclement conditions.
As we wait for a whisper of confirmed positive, news from Mie General Hospital in Suzuka Japan and/or the FIA, we are notified of the death of former F1 driver Andrea DeCesaris. As you may have read by now, DeCesaris was killed almost instantly just outside of Rome in a motorcycle crash. The Italian raced for 14 years from 1980 with a number of teams including some big names such as Alfa Romeo, McLaren, Ligier, Minardi, Brabham, Jordan , Sauber and Tyrrell. Although unrelated to F1, this tragic death should serve as a reminder that we are all at risk of death or injury, be it on a roadway or race circuit. Let us remember this day, be cautious and alert.
Please be safe out there.
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada. Friday 6 June 2014. Lotus F1 Team – EMC – World Copyright: Alastair Staley/LAT Photographic. ref: Digital Image _79P7333 – courtesy Lotus F1 Team
For all of you interested in Information Technology AND Formula One, this is for you. Here is an interview which I conducted earlier this year and was recently published in GPWEEK.
Earlier this year I attended the EMC World Conference in Las Vegas. While roaming around the pavilion, I noticed a Team Lotus F1 race car. Obviously I developed severe tunnel vision as I marched steadily towards it with reckless abandon, uninterested in the wake I left behind from my determined course.
As I marveled at the E21 as I do each time I’m up-close and personal with an F1 car, I was struck by an idea. Why not take my experience in the IT field and marry it with my passion for Formula One?
Each time I’m in the F1 paddock, I’m in awe over the efforts and technologies required to pick up and move this wonderful circus around the globe. Rarely however, do we ever get an insight on the other side of the technology that keeps this sport moving at the speed of the times.
I made some calls and sent some emails and eventually received a replies from my friend Andy Stobart at Lotus F1 team and my friends at Burn Energy Drink, with a name and contact information for the team’s account manager at EMC, Jonathan Keighley. I reached out to Jonathan and he agreed to answer of few technical questions with regards to how EMC helps empower the Lotus F1 team from the Information Technology perspective.
Q: Technology is a massive ingredient to the formula of F1’s success. More than just the bits on the car, there are so many components used both at headquarters and track-side. What EMC gear is normally found track-side typically? Does it change for fly-away races?
A: In partnership with VCE, EMC has successfully implemented and continue to support a VBLOCK at the track-side for Lotus F1 Team. VBLOCK is a converged architecture consisting of storage and provisioning from EMC, switches and servers from Cisco, and VMware virtualization software running on the servers. The VBLOCK is pre-architected and does not change in its setup per race; however the workloads that are required from the VBLOCK changes in regards to Lotus F1 Team’s requirements. It provides a powerful platform for the running of workloads such as data analysis. The simplified architecture improves the automation and orchestration of workloads as well as a reduction in the space, power and cooling required at track-side to run the equipment.
Q: Is data replicated from track-side to headquarters synchronously via Recover Point or do you use a virtual appliance to mimic a physical appliance?
A: Data is currently replicated between the track-side environments and the data-centers using a 3rd party application.Syncplicity provides the Lotus F1 Team with secure file transfer internally (within Enstone) and externally between 3rd part suppliers / partners – not between track-side and the data-centers.
Q: EMC has an impressive variety of technologies under its corporate umbrella including VMWare, Networker, Avamar, Data Domain, Atmos and Mozy Pro to name just a few, can you share with us what EMC technologies are provided to EMC’s F1 program and give us a brief description of how each of them are applied?
A: Vblock – Utilized within the data-center and track-side environments providing converged and standardized compute, storage, network and virtualization technologies from Cisco, EMC and VMware. Vblock systems provide the core compute and storage capacity that underpins the various IT services being delivered.
Data Domain – Provides the Lotus F1 Team with the ability to backup and archive data within the data-center environments.
Atmos / Cloud Tiering Appliance (CTA) – Atmos is used to provide the Lotus F1 Team with a Cloud storage tier. Used in conjunction with the Cloud Tiering Appliance, Atmos provide the Lotus F1 Team with the ability to tier their data based upon policy.
ViPR SRM – Provides the Lotus F1 Team with the ability to monitor and report on all aspects of the IT infrastructure environment from a single console.
EMC VPLEX – Provides continuous availability and data mobility between the two data-centers.
Syncplicity – Provides secure file transfer and synchronization internally within the Lotus F1 Team and externally between 3rd party suppliers / partners
EMC Data Protection Advisor – Provides end-to-end visibility of the data protection environment in terms of monitoring, analysis and reporting.
Q: Many may believe that because the technology is used in such an elite sport such as Formula One, that it may not be feasible for smaller budget enterprises. That’s not the case at all though given technologies such as virtualization, deduplication and snapshots. The overall benefits of which considerably reduce the amount of physical infrastructure and therefore physical and carbon footprint as well as cost. How have these technologies helped Lotus with their technical requirements?
A: One of the most compelling reasons companies of all sizes partner with EMC is due to our breadth of products and services that are not only complimentary to each other but can also be tailored to fit the size of requirement demanded from them. EMC prides itself on giving our customer options; understanding a customer’s business needs and objectives and mapping them to technology that is tailored to bring them true value. Whether you are a Formula 1 Team or small law firm the ability to reduce cost is paramount, embracing new technologies that can reduce physical infrastructure will inevitably deliver cost reduction and in an ever conscientious society also their impact on the environment. With the introduction of VBLOCK into the Lotus F1 Team they saw double the performance and double the capacity within the same DC footprint. The reduced power consumption and size of their track-side VBLOCK also allows them to consume less and deliver more, whether that be transportation costs or footprint within the pit garage.
Q: How do EMC and Lotus tackle critical issues like uptime/high availability and redundancy?
A: Clearly high availability and resilience of the IT infrastructure are of paramount importance to the Lotus F1 Team as any downtime can have a critical impact on the development of the car or in the case of track-side have a direct impact on the competitiveness of the car. As such the architecture has been designed in such a way that both data-centers are active with the ability to migrate workloads non-disruptively to cater for both planned and un-planned outages as well as ensuring that all resources are utilised effectively.
Q: Follow up question, what happens if a disk array were to fail track-side? Has EMC ever had to assist Lotus with recovering data?
A: Each EMC VNX array has redundant components so that no single point of failure can cause the array to fail. In the case of track-side, a complete standby track-side environment is available if required.
Q: If a component fails, does the team carry hot spares or are they serviced by EMC support in the nations they are currently racing in?
A: Component failure would be dealt with using a combination of both on-site spares and local EMC support depending upon the nature of the component failure.
Q: When traveling to different contents, there are different power requirements, how do you deal with the change in infrastructure between North America/Europe/Asia for instance?
A: This is dealt with by the local infrastructure and facilities teams at each location.
Q: Does Lotus employ EMC staff to support the IT efforts track-side?
A: At this stage no but it is being currently considered with Lotus to ensure the partnership is followed through right from the factory through to track-side.
Q: Tell us what your role is and how you help find the best EMC solutions for Lotus to use in this traveling circus we all love so much.
A: My role within EMC is the Account Manager for Lotus F1 Team. With me, I have an extensive and credible team supporting all we do with Lotus F1 Team; from supporting the current infrastructure to growing the partnership further. An F1 Team is a complex place with unique requirements that are ever changing in such a fast paced world. As the partnership enters the second year we are still learning about the team, thinking you know all you can, would be a grave mistake. We aim to ever understand the challenges they have and how we can, through IT, give them competitive advantage. In essence I am responsible for leading and growing the EMC-Lotus F1 Team partnership; further developing the technical collaboration with the objective of ensuring the Lotus F1 Team gain competitive advantage. For Lotus F1 Team, the IT program is the foundation on which they have adapted to the 2014 regulation changes, awarding it the best opportunity to compete for the World Championship. We now have the building blocks in place in regards to infrastructure – now we can begin to build on this.
A warm thank you to Jonathan, EMC, Lotus F1 Team and Burn Energy Drink.
ROSBERG ON POLE USING MEDIUM TYRE: BOTH MERCEDES ABLE TO SAVE
TYRES IN Q2 AND KEEP A NEW SET FOR THE RACE
WARM WEATHER CONTINUES IN QUALIFYING AT SUZUKA
TWO PIT STOPS IS THE QUICKEST STRATEGY IF THE RACE REMAINS DRY:
TYPHOON PHANFONE IS STILL A THREAT
Suzuka, October 4, 2014 – For the eighth time this year, there is an all-Mercedes front row, with Nico Rosberg leading Lewis Hamilton. Both drivers used tyre strategy during qualifying, being the only people able to complete just one run in Q2 on medium tyres, nominated together with the hard tyre this weekend. As a result, Rosberg and Hamilton are the only drivers in the top 10 to have a new set of medium tyres for the race.
The warm conditions seen yesterday continued during qualifying, with ambient temperatures of 27 degrees centigrade and a track temperature of 38 degrees at the start of the session. Only the Mercedes, Williams, McLarens, Red Bulls and Ferrari of Fernando Alonso used just the hard tyre to get through Q1.
From that point on, all the drivers used the medium tyre only: now reckoned to be just over half a second quicker than the hard, with the performance gap between the two compounds having come down as a result of track evolution.
The medium tyre is likely to be the most crucial one for the race – so the drivers tried to keep as many fresh sets as possible, because of the high thermal degradation. In Q2, only the Mercedes drivers were able to save a set of medium tyres (compared to the others) by completing just one run. Like all the Q3 runners, they did two runs in the final session. Rosberg set his pole lap on his second run, and although the track was getting progressively faster, nobody was subsequently able to beat it.
Williams’ Valtteri Bottas, who qualified third, was the only other person apart from Hamilton to get to within one second of pole. In the final free practice session this morning, Rosberg was again fastest using the medium tyre.
Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery said: “Once more, there were no big surprises today – on the track at least. The performance gap between the two compounds has come down slightly, as we anticipated, but the medium is still expected to be the main race tyre. That’s assuming it doesn’t rain of course, and there is still a strong element of doubt about this because of the nearby typhoon. So it could be a very different story tomorrow and it’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”
The Pirelli strategy predictor:
A two-stop strategy looks set to be best for the 53-lap race (which was also the winning strategy last year). The optimal strategy is to start on the medium tyre, change to the medium again on lap 22 and finally to the hard on lap 42. Some teams might try a three-stopper, in which case the quickest way is to start on the medium tyre, change to medium again on lap 18, medium again on lap 33, and finally hard on lap 47 – although this is theoretically around seven seconds slower. If it rains, the strategy goes out of the window: it then becomes a question of anticipating and reacting to changing conditions as best as possible. If conditions are cooler than they have been today and on Friday, this could also affect levels of degradation and therefore strategy.
Fastest compounds in FP3:
| Rosberg | 1m33.228s | Medium new |
| Hamilton | 1m34.210s | Hard new |
| Alonso | 1m34.439s | Medium new |
Top 10 tyre use:
| Rosberg | 1m32.056s | Medium new |
| Hamilton | 1m32.703s | Medium new |
| Bottas | 1m33.128s | Medium new |
| Massa | 1m33.527s | Medium new |
| Alonso | 1m33.740s | Medium new |
| Ricciardo | 1m34.075s | Medium new |
| Magnussen | 1m34.242s | Medium new |
| Button | 1m34.317s | Medium new |
| Vettel | 1m34.432s | Medium new |
| Raikkonen | 1m34.548s | Medium new |
Lotus F1 Team partner Burn Energy drink has been cooking up a little something with the Lotus F1 Team, and this is it! A nice little video with Romain Grosjean, Pastor Maldonado and a very ‘special guest’.
Here’s the link: http://youtu.be/cW7CkgvFmyc
#FuelYourFire
As requested and promised, here is the Belgian Grand Prix race review in verse. Enjoy
It’s been a little while since I’ve penned an F1 rhyme
I’ve been working on projects; I simply haven’t had the time
Excuses aside now let’s get cheeky some
And walk to the beat of this rhyming F1 drum
During the break (which felt like forever),
Ecclestone and his lawyers got quite ballsy and rather clever
For Bernie, “Pure Genius”, is the term I’d use to describe
Avoiding a conviction of bribery by offering the courts…a bribe
So off to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix
Boy I’ll tell you, there are very few places that I’d rather be
The awesome Eau Rouge, Les Combes and La Source
Everyone expected to feel the mighty Mercedes’ Powerunit’s force
It was just as expected in qualy, as all stars were aligned
Beating their chest, Mercedes in front with the next best, 1.898s behind
Conditions on Sunday were dry with obvious tension in the air
Would turn one cause havoc, for the dueling Mercedes pair?
Drama ensued before the race ever commenced
Alonso’s crew broke grid rules thus a penalty was dispensed
It would be a stop and go slap on the Spaniard’s wrist
I have no doubt that Alonso was quite rightfully pissed
He was off the line and just in time, to avoid starting from pit lane
I’ll wager he and his team were silently praying for timely rain…
Lights on, Lights out, away they scampered
Nico’s get away appeared to be somewhat HAMpered
Nico and Lewis collide on lap number two
The smoke you smell was from Toto Wolff whose gasket then blew
Hamilton suffered the brunt of the unexpected shunt
As his puncture was a huge blow to his world championship hunt
Rosberg however would not escape unscathed
With broken front wing in Karma’s smiled he bathed
How neither of these drivers would end up winning this race
Is nothing short of disaster to Mercedes management’s disgrace
But let’s not forget about the rest of the field
Who battled like warriors with just swords and no shield
Epic overtaking manoeuvers, of pure bravery and skill
And Kimi whipping his red horse beyond its capability and will
The day however would belong to man from down under
Who’s been known to be called F1’s great smiling wonder
Daniel Ricciardo from the Red Bull stable who’s writing his own fable
Has been steadily climbing up F1’s World Driver’s Championship points table
Now, I’m not going to suggest that he just might win the title
But he’s making it clear to Mercedes that scoring maximum points is now absolutely vital
I’ve been told that for an F1 Poet, I haven’t been writing much F1 Poetry.. It’s true, I’ve been fortunate enough to have such great access to so many interesting Formula One related people that I’ve been busy interviewing and forging new relationships. As a result, my analytical side has recently taken over my creative side and the result has been a lack of poetry.
Some readers may know that I write for several F1 websites and run social media feeds as well. What some may not know is that this year, I’ve taken on work as managing editor of a WEC and Formula E eMagazine as well. Therefore, the lack of free time has taken its toll on my poetry.
For those of you who enjoy my feeble attempt at humours Motorsport poetry, I promise to have something for you this week. This season and all the action on and off the track has given me plenty of material.
Stay tuned… F1 Poetry coming up!
Quick thoughts on today’s Belgian Grand Prix before I hit the road and leave my keyboard behind for a day or two.
Spa-Francorchamps is one of my all time favourite F1 venues. It would be the perfect “Welcome back” from the summer break for Formula One and its fans. The Belgian GP normally provides an exciting race so why should the 2014 edition be any different?
Drama and excitement was present from before the start. The Mercedes duo were poised for another 1 -2 finish as they sat at the front of the grid before the lights went out. They remained confident with the knowledge that they were over a full second clear of the rest of the field in terms of pace.
The drama unfolded quicker than Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s linen napkin at dinner. Ferrari mechanic’s working feverishly on Alonso’s car beyond the warning before the parade lap cost the Spaniard a five second stop and go penalty. This would pale in comparison to the story about to unfold after the start of the race however. Hamilton and Rosberg tussling at the front eventually came together causing damage for both cars. A glimmer of hope shot across the chasing pack. It was obvious that Hamilton suffered the most damage as he limped back on a shredded Pirelli tyre for almost an entire lap. His race wasn’t just compromised, it would eventually be over before the end in a prudent move to save his power unit.
The race itself was entertaining. It was filled with comic book bravery and daft overtakes which brought fans to their feet off the edge of their seats. The racing action seems to have silenced the critics about the new F1 power unit “noise” and phallic inspired noses.
Important notes from today really are that despite having inferior power and pace, Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo claimed his third victory. The importance of this accomplishment in a season dominated by Mercedes power is truly worthy of a mention. Kimi seemed to have his breakthrough moment finishing ahead of Alonso and nearly missing out on a podium. Finally I have to congratulate Bottas for yet another podium for Williams. He’s handing Massa his ass in a sister car and showing well for his Grove based team. The young Finn appears confident and mature, interviewing calmly and well spoken. His comments about knowing that they are building for the future shows that neither he nor Williams are finished working toward their goals yet.
The podium was an unpleasant place for Rosberg as he was greeted by booing fans several times. It was awkward for Eddie Jordan as well as he conducted the interviews but nothing would wipe the smile off the face of Ricciardo who stood on the top step admiring all the Aussie flags waiving back at him.
After the race, more drama followed as expected. Most of us were awaiting the impending “ShitStorm” at Mercedes and of course, just when we all thought the worst had past, the media got its story. Comments made by Hamilton about Rosberg admitting to have had deliberately made contact to “prove a point” kicked the media into a dizzying frenzy. Toto Wolf later mentioned that Nico’s comments were misconstrued. It could be damage control or it could be genuine. Either way, the FIA should have an obligation now to investigate what happened.
Opinion:
There are clearly those that don’t have issues with fans booing. I completely understand and respect that fans and spectators have a right to their opinions, and have a right to express it. My view however is that some decorum should be exercised when doing so. Surely there are classier ways than booing during a podium interview. Sometimes, silence is the best way to make a point.
The F1 Poet - Ernie Black 