I’m back from Barcelona and ready for business as usual for the rest of the Grand Prix weekend. An interview with Timo Glock, which I did while I was out there, will be up on the site at some point over the next few days in addition to our usual coverage.
Here’s today’s round-up:
Links
Whiting unhappy with Vettel pit move (Adam Cooper)
“After the race both drivers received a reprimand from the FIA stewards, but sources say that Whiting made it clear in Friday night’s drivers briefing in Spain that he wasn’t happy with what Vettel had done, and indicated that a repeat would earn a more serious punishment than a reprimand.”
F1 Returns to Old Europe (New York Times)
“The contrast to Asia, the Middle East and Australia has so far been rude. Having attended all four of the races so far this season, I felt a huge sense of letdown when I returned to this more traditional venue. Some critics have panned the series for planting races in countries like Bahrain, Malaysia and China. But no sooner did we arrive in Europe than we found ourselves facing problems those ambitious new circuits and countries do NOT have.”
Oracle chief plans F1-style makeover for America’s Cup (Financial Times)
“‘Formula One is one model,’ Mr Coutts told the Financial Times. ‘It will be a dramatically different product.’ He said the cup should not be seen as an ‘arms race’ and stressed the need for cost-cutting. Mr Ellison is reported to have spent some $100m winning the cup this year.”
“I think Jenson is very underrated in a way. Some people are, which is funny. [Felipe] Massa is underrated, the same with me, and it’s for nothing. It’s something that is created in Formula One, and it’s difficult to understand why. It could be he is a nice guy, and maybe there is this image in Formula One that only the bad guys win.”
Part-time DJ Alguersuari in tune with F1 (Reuters)
Captian Capslock comes clean: “Sometimes I don’t realise the caps are on but sometimes it’s because I like to shout. I like to be very warm, to let people understand what I’m doing … I get crazy sometimes.”
Comment of the day
Eddie Jordan’s criticism of Nico Hulkenberg prompted further criticism from readers, including Ned Flanders:
This is what Eddie Jordan said about Hulkenberg’s crash:
"I can’t understand what Hulkenberg is thinking with that off, why can’t he lift off and ease up? Does he not realise he has the whole team and the sponsors to look after – it’s just stupid. I get quite angry about this – he might have the hump because he doesn’t have all the upgrades in that Williams but he still needs to keep his head. I built Nico Hulkenberg up so much at the start of the season, I really expected big things from him – he has let me down."
Whoah, calm down Eddie. I think we can forgive a rookie for crashing in a pretty difficult corner. It’s only a practice session anyway. There’s no point crying over spilt milk!
Ned Flanders
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Miguel!
On this day in F1
The eighth of May is one of those dates which has a particular resonance for F1 fans, as it was on this day in 1982 that Gilles Villeneuve was killed during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Read more: Gilles Villeneuve: His victories remembered
Icthyes
8th May 2010, 0:16
Salut Gilles.
ned, that’s your second COTD isn’t it? Well done!
On the NY Times blog, these were his problems:
One guy commented that he could get international wireless internet, to which Spurgeon replied he had an iPhone. I don’t know what arrangements you have Keith, but that seems pretty amateurish to rely on one service and have no back-ups.
He then moans about motorhomes without actually saying what’s bad about them. I know negativity sells more these days, but it’s taking it a bit extreme!
BasCB
8th May 2010, 6:32
I understand he was gutted, after working his ass out to get some articles ready. But i am sure there are a lot of places in Barcelona where internet was working.
Sure for new venues the internet is always working for him, but from last years i heard a lot of complaints about china, sometimes Malaysia as well. Off cours Belgium had some issues last year, as it had all new buildings.
The Motorhome issue, is a little strange as you say. He starts about the motorhomes but the only thing not fine about them is, that Renault uses the old one from Toyota, some teams have only temporary units and the new teams offer older or shabby motorhomes.
BasCB
8th May 2010, 6:45
But the stories he wrote before finding out about the internet not working are good.
The one about the Ferrari factory is nice and the short interview with Luca about Ferrari is interesting.
Nothing new in the piece about the Barcelona track, but maybe after writing that it is everybodies favorite track, he felt extra gutted about not having internet.
A shame about that.
Bullfrog
8th May 2010, 11:16
Yep, his stuff’s usually worth reading, that one was an angry blip for me. I hope he enjoys his weekend in Monaco…
Reminded me of the annual whinge about the facilities at Silverstone. Have they upgraded much this year, or (getting their priorities right) have they just done the track, with the new pits etc to come in 2011 or 12?
thestig84
8th May 2010, 0:42
EJ’s comments on the Hulk were a bit ott. I am getting used to him a little more after last year but sometimes left wondering if he actually like cars of has much technical interest in the sport!?!
He said turbos were old hat and not representative of the future, has he not seen how road cars are developing? Instead suggesting upping the rev limit via a push to pass button. Not sure how long term that would be and exactly how it would work with the engine limit.
However THE single most annoying thing he rants on about is this 55% agreed downforce cut which he thinks the teams agreed on. What??!! Why does nobody correct him? No team has or would ever agree to this. It is impossible for a start, they all produce different levels so how would it be worked out.
What he means is the Overtaking Working Group produced rules that they hoped would reduce downforce by around 55%. That was their job, it is then the teams job to do whatever they can within the rules to claw it back….that is F1. How 5 live and the BBC let him continually make this up drives me mad. How on earth did he run a team!!??
Sorry rant over!
matt90
8th May 2010, 3:34
Ediie Jordan infuriates me. Today he was especially speaking nonsense.
Ned Flanders
8th May 2010, 0:58
Nah I think it’s my first actually… and most of it was just copy and pasted from the BBC! But I think I have a point, I wish EJ would just keep his mouth shut sometimes.
Lots of interesting stuff in the round up today. Early May seems like the time for tragic anniversaries, a week ago it was Senna, now it’s Villeneuve’s death. Two of the best drivers ever to die at the wheel of an F1 car.
Also I’m starting to become a fan of Jaime Alguersuari. Not only is he doing a pretty good job this season but I like his enthusiasm, and I like his taste in music too!
I think he should form an F1 band. He can be the DJ/ producer, the aforementioned EJ can be the drummer, Damon Hill lead guitar, and Jacques Villeneueve as the singer! (and if they need a dancer then Nick Heidfeld is available)
BasCB
8th May 2010, 8:03
I am starting to get a liking for him as well.
OK he behaves like a kid, but he still is. He is starting to do some nice driving in that car, you can see him improving.
Also he pretty open to the media, through Twitter, Facebook but also giving interviews a lot.
For the band, maybe they could get some of the current grid together. Adrian Sutil could play some Piano solos, i think Glock plays some instrument as well, although i am not sure.
VXR
8th May 2010, 1:17
“I think Jenson is very underrated in a way. Some people are, which is funny. [Felipe] Massa is underrated, the same with me, and it’s for nothing. It’s something that is created in Formula One, and it’s difficult to understand why. It could be he is a nice guy, and maybe there is this image in Formula One that only the bad guys win.”
This is particularly true among the younger ‘fans’ in F1. Maybe those that never really saw just how good Barrichello was before he became number two to that other ‘bad guy’ in F1.
Todfod
8th May 2010, 7:59
I really dont think it has anything to do with the ‘good guy vs bad guy’ image. Its simple –
Rubens – Puts in good performances, but has never put in ‘wow’ performances or done anything in the likes of Alonso, Schumi, etc.
Fans love drivers that are passionate and aggressive, and Rubens just doesn’t display it anymore.
Jenson – Lets face it. Jenson isn’t the most deserving WDC in formula1 right now. And he is underrated only because he as not as quick as the top league of drivers. Nothing to do with his image whatsoever.
Felipe – I hardly think he is underrated. If
Rubens was comparing him to his teammate, he will appear underrated, just because his teammate is far superior.
LookingSpiffy
8th May 2010, 1:34
Alliteration-tastic! :D
sato113
8th May 2010, 1:39
the quali coverage times on the bbc f1 website are wrong. wrong by 1hr 5mins to be precise!
Icthyes
8th May 2010, 3:02
Programme starts at 12:15 BST. Qualifying then starts at 13:00. Seems right to me.
polishboy808
8th May 2010, 3:12
No news on Kubica and Ferrari? On speed they said he has an “option” with Ferrari that he can sign till January to replace Massa.
polishboy808
8th May 2010, 3:36
Woops just now realized i wrote January, I meant July.
macahan
8th May 2010, 3:43
http://www.crash.net/f1/news/159455/1/kubica_has_signed_ferrari_option_reports_claim.html
But isn’t Tuttosport the same rag that said for the last 2 years or so that Alonso signed with Ferrari before it actually finally happen?
rampante
8th May 2010, 11:19
Tuttosport is not the best sports broadsheet here but it is owned by the Agnelli family and since they still own Fiat they very rarely get ferrari info wrong. This story has been going about here for months and it it more probable that he will sign for 1012. Kubica is very popular here, has an Italian manager and raced for several years in Italy before F1.It was also seen as an option if Massa never recovered fully after his accident. He also speaks very good Italian and is on the media here a lot.
Finally To Giles, my favourite driver of all time and the saddest day I’ve had in F1. Sei un Grande.
BasCB
8th May 2010, 7:25
Thanks for posting the article about the Americas Cup Keith, as i like sailing as well.
From the article i am not sure about the reference to F1, though, maybe he is referring to the need to do something by talking to each other (as seen between FIA and FOTA wit FOM only in the last couple of months) and more involvement of the participants.
Maybe they could team up with Bernie on some events, make Abu Dabhi and Singapore a stop on the Americas Cup schedule, starting before or after the F1 race. And giving Valencia some shine would be nice as well.
MacLeod
8th May 2010, 11:06
If someone is not improving his time in the FI team soon he will be replaced by the testdriver.
Rits
8th May 2010, 21:41
Indeed! I said it a few weeks ago, but people bashed me saying he’s scored points! Well, I definitely saw something that made me say he risks losing his drive soon.. Today was just another example.
MacLeod
10th May 2010, 9:53
I hear sometimes somethings in the Holland connections and i think it’s closer then people think. FI wants points and a podium place this year. If Monaco isn’t going well the next race has a extra british driver.
Mike Craig
17th July 2011, 20:35
Great read, very unfortunate about the situation but still interesting none the less.