Tonight I’m going to a preview of the Rainer Schlegelmilch F1 photography exhibition in London. If you’re in the area you can win tickets to the same event.
We’ve had so much interest in them the event organisers have bumped our prize allocation up from five pairs of tickets to 20 pairs! The deadline for entries is noon today so enter now: 24 hours to win F1 exhibition tickets.
Also today I’m visiting Codemasters about their soon-to-be released F1 game. If there’s anything you want to know about it see the forum thread below.
Here’s today’s round-up:
Links
New Ayrton Senna film trailer (Portuguese)
Nick Heidfeld on Pirelli (F1.com)
From before his move to Sauber was announced: “It is no secret that I’m not doing these tests for money but in order to pave my way back into a cockpit for 2011. I am helping Pirelli to develop their tyres – I give them my comments, they implement them, and so we improve the tyres step by step. That should be an asset for many teams.”
BBC Formula One commentary partnership (Daily Mail)
“Aussie Charlie Cox, who does MotoGP for the Beeb, is being mooted as a possible replacement for the popular Legard, who retains the support of other members of the BBC Grand Prix team.”
Formula 1’s Ross Brawn, Directors Shared $31 Million After 2009 Title (Bloomberg)
“Brawn was among directors to get the payout in March after the team made a 98.5 million-pound profit for 2009, the filing today said. Jenson Button won the drivers’ championship and Brawn Grand Prix took the constructors’ title as sales soared 38 percent to 234.5 million pounds.”
Comment of the day
Oliver raises an interesting point following the news of Nick Heidfeld’s return to Sauber: Who was the last driver to re-join the same team twice during his career? Answers in the comments…
Sauber has sacked Heidfeld twice already. Amazing he is still going back that route.
Oliver
From the forum
I’m off to see Codemasters about “F1 2010” today so if there’s anything you want to know about the game post it here: Questions on Codemasters F1 2010
Site updates
Apologies for the down time yesterday. This was again due to a problem with the site hosting that was out of our control. Rest assured the matter is being pursued with the hosts.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to SiY!
On this day in F1
The Belgian Grand Prix was held on this day 25 years ago. That race was originally scheduled for a few months earlier but was postponed after the track surface broke up.
Ayrton Senna scored his second career win in an exciting wet/dry race, the second Grand Prix to be held on the shortened Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Senna’s rapid getaway at the start was aided by Nelson Piquet spinning his Brabham in front of the rest of the field:
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
15th September 2010, 0:30
Fisico left Jordan twice 1997 and 2003… and returned to Force India in 08…
so in a way, he also re-joined the team 3 times.
Ned Flanders
15th September 2010, 0:35
Yeah I was going to say Fisichella too. But the thing I was going to take issue with was, did Sauber actually sack Heidfeld at the end of 2009?
I assumed Heidfeld turned down the drive in hope he might get the Mercedes 2nd driver role alongside Rosberg. I know de la Rosa has his uses as a test driver, but surely Peter Sauber wouldn’t have chosen him over Heidfeld?
BasCB
15th September 2010, 6:50
I do think Sauber stated he was not interested in keeping Nick from the moment he took over the team.
But to be fair, by then Nick was already allmost certain to sign with Mercedes (as you say).
Jim
15th September 2010, 8:05
Would it not be Mansell going back to Williams in 1991 and again in 1994?
Tim
15th September 2010, 8:45
Yes, unless you count Alain Prost and McLaren – joined in 1980, re-joined in 1984 and tested for the team a few times in 1996.
Jim
15th September 2010, 19:26
Another recent one would be Pierluigi Martini’s Minardi spells
85 – Minardi
86-86 – out of F1
88-91 – Minardi
92 – BMS
93 – 95 Minardi
Tombong
15th September 2010, 0:32
Honestly, if BBC are planning to replace Legard, please get Ben Edwards in the commentary!
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
15th September 2010, 0:36
You have to bear in mind that when it comes to sports commentary, you need a certain line-up: the everyman and the former pro. Martin Brundle is the former pro, and you just can’t have two of them sitting in the commentary box because you run the risk of alienating the casual viewers who may not know much about the sport. Brundle does a good job of breaking new viewers in when he remembers to (he usually only does it after tyre stops), but you need an everyman alongside him. I don’t know what role Edwards or Cox fill, but the BBC won’t replace Legard with a second former pro.
Hamish
15th September 2010, 0:42
Guys, Im willing to take one for the team and fill the commentary role.
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
15th September 2010, 1:43
I’ll second that! He does a great job and he is one of my favourite commentators. I reckon the two of them would make a great team. But Croft or Allen would also be great. I also hope that if Chandhok doesn’t replace Liuzzi then the BBC will hire him. He has really impressed me so far.
Tombong
15th September 2010, 4:44
Agree. that’s why Ben Edwards probably the best candidate to fill that role (everyman).
Chris P
15th September 2010, 8:38
Another vote for Ben Edwards or Crofty from 5 Live.
Sush Meerkat
15th September 2010, 9:44
My vote goes to Charlie Cox’s who is hilarious in MotoGP, to the point where when Stoner passed Hayden (on the same team) he said “There goes Stoner, riding a Ferrari”.
The Genuine Jim
15th September 2010, 10:57
Edwards is decent, he makes a good Murrayesque squeal when things get exciting, but if Charlie Cox gets in I will jump for joy. I’ve just been watching my tape of the 2000 season BTCC review and he is simply awesome, though he seems to have toned it down a bit when I’ve seen the Motogp.
sato113 (@sato113)
15th September 2010, 12:02
how aboutt John Watson?
tobinen
15th September 2010, 16:10
Drop Legard, he’s next to useless. I’d like to see Ted Kravitz have a go.
Not a fan of Edwards or Croft TBH.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
15th September 2010, 0:32
It seems the Legard story is gathering a little pace. I’m not so sure about Charlie Cox but we’ll give him a go.
Ned Flanders
15th September 2010, 1:03
The Mail is, I’m sure everyone will agree, a crappy little newspaper, but the one thing about it that I really used to enjoy was Charles Sale’s column. He knows his stuff, he has his contacts… and you know what they say, there’s no smoke without fire
BasCB
15th September 2010, 7:41
Now “pitpass” reported this as well (http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=42028), not that they always have top notch information, and here they are reffering only to the daily mail.
BasCB
15th September 2010, 7:42
What about this guy Charlie Cox, anyone know him? Perhaps one of our down under commenters can shed some light on that?
Sush Meerkat
15th September 2010, 9:45
BasCB, Charlie Cox does the MotoGP, he’s hilarious and he knows when to keep quiet and let someone else talk.
BasCB
15th September 2010, 9:51
That would be really good for a change, to give Brundle the time to do give his view. And being funny sounds nice for a change as well.
Mike
15th September 2010, 12:34
Sounds very good, funny would be good ^^.
As long as he lets Brundle give his insights, which are almost always perfect. And his voice does not jar my mind as Legards does…
US_Peter
15th September 2010, 0:32
Can’t wait to see the Senna film. I can’t see it getting any kind of theatrical release in the US though unfortunately.
robbertmd (@robbertmd)
15th September 2010, 0:39
popular Legard? Not commenting on his commentary, but he seems the only one not doing anything besides the main commentary (altough it’s funny Jake now announces Brudnle first and then Legard). Brundle has a grid walk, commentary, post race forum and certain features. Same with EJ, DC. Seems a bit strange.
DGR-F1
15th September 2010, 9:42
Thats a BBC presenter trick, as you name the person you are handing over to second -you see it in many of the news programmes.
Perhaps his contract is only for the commentary, but doesn’t he have a blog too?
Hairs (@hairs)
15th September 2010, 0:40
“The popular Legard”.
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Well.
I’m sure he’s a nice bloke. And the team (Andrew Benson) think he’s great. But the bloke next to him in the commentary box clearly doesn’t. The dejection was clear in Martin’s voice last weekend, and he and Jake are the jewels in the BBC F1 crown. Legard is easily replacable.
Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty Crofty….
Karun Karun!
(to paraphrase Steph on twitter)
Ned Flanders
15th September 2010, 1:06
I’m sure he is a nice guy, and I’m already starting to feel sorry for him, but of course there is no room for sentiment.
Besides, he’s had 2 years of getting paid to travel the world and watch F1… he should be feeling sorry for us chumps sat at home watching on TV. There, I feel much less sympathy already!
bosyber
15th September 2010, 14:09
I thought the “popular” might be referring to the BBC F1-team, who according to that article, support Legard staying on. But maybe he has a core of fans who need to have the hills pointed out to them and adore him from his earlier career?
mitchibob
15th September 2010, 4:08
I have to agree…. Crofty has been awesome! Karun has also been a lot more impressive in commentary than he has been in the car perhaps (although, still more impressive in the car than the “should be sacked”-on Yamamoto).
Joey-Poey
15th September 2010, 5:46
I keep hearing all this talk about Karun doing so great on commentary. I just wish I could hear it somehow over here in the states D:. All I’m able to listen to is the BBC1 broadcasts that get posted as torrents. At least, as far as I know.
cyanide (@cyanide)
15th September 2010, 7:00
Some of the old Star Sports broadcasts had Chandhok doing the commentary alongside Steve Slater. Grab a few of last year’s races and you will hear him.
BasCB
15th September 2010, 7:43
In FP those were with Chandhok in the team again all day.
bosyber
15th September 2010, 14:10
He was replacing, sort of, Davidson, who had a race somewhere, wasn’t he?
Invoke
15th September 2010, 19:38
@bosyber During the Monza weekend Karun replaced Ant (who was off racing as you mentioned) for every session. His presence alongside Crofty & Ant during free practice sessions has significantly increased since Yamamoto took his seat. In my opinion he does an excellent job and the three together have a great chemistry. It certainly looks like the BBC know they work well together, and I’m sure he receives the first phone call when the beeb are trying to fill that third seat in the commentary box.
@Joey-Poey Have you tried accessing the bbc iPlayer recordings through a uk proxy (if you can find one that works)? The Italian free practice sessions are still available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search?q=formula+1&filter=tv
gDog
15th September 2010, 0:46
Kimi fans, is it time to rejoice…?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/86688
Ned Flanders
15th September 2010, 1:08
When Autosport says something, I tend to believe it. Therefore, I’m inclined to believe that the chances of Kimi Raikkonen signing for Renault in 2011 are pretty high
manatcna
15th September 2010, 2:47
Agreed Ned, But Renault are saying it’s only an option at this time, and they are keen to keep the Russian connection – but if they have plenty of money, who knows, it could happen.
rayan
15th September 2010, 4:00
ya i agree that renault are getting source from russia,but my question is why the finns go and approach renault for sponsoring them under the condition of a seat to kimi.
Ed
15th September 2010, 3:27
But most F1 media sources were certain that Kimi would be at McLaren this year, and it didn’t happen, so I don’t think anyone should get ahead of themselves.
manatcna
15th September 2010, 0:56
No. Renault only see him as an option
manatcna
15th September 2010, 2:48
see post above….
Ned Flanders
15th September 2010, 0:57
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=534633&fbid=159737404043716&id=100000223715213&ref=nf#!/album.php?aid=35213&id=100000223715213&page=3
As I mentioned in the round ups last week I’ve just been to Monaco (yeah, sorry for going on about it!), and I’ve just uploaded all the photos I took there onto Facey B.
They don’t really show much you won’t already have seen- except me and my friends messing about which isn’t particularly exciting. But if anybody wants to see them the link should work. And sorry in advance for the Ferrari one, but I just couldn’t resist!
David-A (@david-a)
15th September 2010, 1:12
I’ll just pretend “the Ferrari one” was the picture of the wheel rim. Sweet! :D
US_Peter
15th September 2010, 2:35
Nice pics. Thanks for posting, it did really help get a better idea of how steep some parts of the circuit are, both headed up at the start of the lap, and coming down into the chicane.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
15th September 2010, 10:45
Haha, I loved the Ferrari one, so cheeky!
Ned Flanders
15th September 2010, 12:18
Oh if there are any regulars on here who want to add me as a cyberfriend, go ahead, just make sure you let me know which name you go by on here or I’ll be confused!
Hamish
15th September 2010, 2:51
Nice Senna trailer.
Now my friends may see this guy that I worship as more than “just a racing driver”.
gDog
15th September 2010, 3:55
What do you mean “more than just a racing driver?”. What more is there? Except for maybe astronaut.
Hamish
15th September 2010, 4:34
I’m not even going to waste my time replying to that.
Adrian
15th September 2010, 7:38
I think what gDog meant was that noone is JUST a racing driver…they’re all exceptional…granted some are more exceptional than others and Senna was right at the top of the pile…but none of them are JUST racing drivers…
mitchibob
15th September 2010, 3:55
Legard popular??!?! With who? The Beeb need to ditch him fast! At least replace him with someone who actually knows how to read the timing board! He’s absolutely useless. Having dinner with a driver or two before the race does not seem to fill in any gaps of his knowledge of the sport. He needs to be got rid of fast!
clairvvoyant
15th September 2010, 4:56
Hello f1 fans, can anyone tell me if the senna film will be released in europe and when?thank you,can’t wait to watch it.
Hamish
15th September 2010, 5:16
Me thinks any film company with half a brain would release it worldwide. Judging by the stories on the net it looks like late this year it will be released, and more than likely in cinemas.
US_Peter
15th September 2010, 5:45
Well the imdb article only has the Japanese release date listed.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1424432/
Hopefully release dates will start to show up there for the rest of the world soon.
John H
15th September 2010, 6:38
Wow, that look by Prost at 1:24 on the trailer… hadn’t seen that footage before.
Calum
15th September 2010, 8:38
I beat the daily mail, check yesterdays round up ;)
Also, why am I not able to post comments when I use my usual email address? I have had to get another one? :/
Who is everyone backing for the title this year? For me it’s Hamilton and Button, gotta back the Brits :)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th September 2010, 8:51
Drop me a line using the contact form or leave a comment below. telling me what your other email address is and I’ll look into it.
Meander
15th September 2010, 8:54
I’ve been a fan of Heidfeld for all of his carreer, but I have a bit of a problem with the Pirelli path to a drive in 2011. TBH, he has had like what? 2 days of running on them? And they’re not yet the definitive spec I presume. If he gets cut from the project now because of the Sauber deal, what advantage can a team gain from signing him for 2011 that any other driver will not have caught up to after the very first 2 days of testing?
After the rational chess move that was the Pirelli deal, the Sauber switch seems rather hurried and rather than profiting from the extra testing with the tires he now has just a handful of races to get acclimatized to the car and show his worth… And if he fails now I think he’ll definitely end his carreer.
PS. On the other hand, patiently waiting and trusting the situation ultimately did absolutely *nothing* for him at Mercedes last winter. Perhaps he’s learned from that and wants to avoid that happening ever again.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
15th September 2010, 9:20
Because he wasn’t signed for his knowledge of the Pirellis. He’s only tested the preliminary build stage, and while the final product will be based on the data he gathered and the feedback he provided, they will be so different to the tyres Heidfeld tested that any data he has on-hnad would be worthless.
Why can’t people understand that?
Icthyes (@icthyes)
15th September 2010, 10:48
It does seem that Pirreli will keep him on though, so it becomes a valid reason again. I’m sure Sauber wouldn’t re-sign him without knowing the score, one way or the other.
IDR
15th September 2010, 8:54
Keith,
Every time I get into the site using my iPhone appear the mobile version and since some days, there is no possibility to change to standard one.
I remember some of us pointed out that problem and I think there was no answer from you.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th September 2010, 9:03
I’m aware of the problem and working on it. Can’t give you a promise on when it’ll be sorted though.
IDR
15th September 2010, 21:15
Ok, thanks keith. Just to be sure you were aware.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th September 2010, 9:00
Can anyone who speaks Spanish explain what’s going on here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfIkZxE7fdk
Butler258
15th September 2010, 9:14
I like Charlie Cox, but i like him on the MotoGP with Steve Parish, they are great together, i dunno how he would work out with Brundle, i dont think it would be brilliant.
Maciek
15th September 2010, 9:22
How a bout a Lego trailer for the Senna film?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyU_jHng8NE
I wasn’t sure at first, but the author managed to make it respectful and funny at the same time. Nice. Can’t wait for the movie.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th September 2010, 9:40
Fantastic! Lego Balestre is hilarious.
BasCB
15th September 2010, 9:42
That’s a very nice find. I like the humor of it, Balestre is great.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
15th September 2010, 11:46
Durango confirm Villeneuve’s plans to buy a team:
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=386995&FS=F1
They claim Hispania and Virgin are the most likely candidates. I don’t think he’ll get Virgin, though – they get really incenced whenever someone suggests they won’t be around in 2011.
Red Andy
15th September 2010, 13:01
If he buys Virgin he can replace that stupid daisy on the front wing supports with a maple leaf….fine with me! :D
Mark Hitchcock
15th September 2010, 12:21
If they replace Legard with Cox then they’ve somehow managed to find the one person I like listening to less.
Might as well start a “Bring back Legard, all is forgiven” campaign now.
It’s all his bloody catchphrases I can’t stand.
SiY
15th September 2010, 12:32
Thanks for the birthday shout!
I find Cox entertaining, but only encounter him in small doses and am not a big MotoGP fan. Truly sick of Legard now though, especially his limited vocabulary. “Oh, there’s a problem there [pause]…” seems to cover any spin, incident, breakdown, driver running wide or big crash.
Red Andy
15th September 2010, 13:06
Poor Legard. I’ve never had a problem with him personally, it’s certainly not an easy job he’s doing and I think on the whole he has improved massively since the start of 2009. Certainly he and Brundle talk over each other far less than they used to, they have obviously built up something of a rapport even if some people continue to make baseless claims along the lines of “ZOMG I bet Martin wants to DECK HIM right now!!1!!11”
I think many of the people calling for Legard to be sacked have forgotten how truly awful James Allen was.
My personal preference for commentary is still Mark Cole and Carlton Kirby from Motors TV, but that is a mere pipe dream!
HounslowBusGarage
15th September 2010, 15:20
No please, not Kirby. Anything but that.
I’d much prefer Ben Edwards. He’s a journalist/broadcaster first and foremost with an eye to the main story, matched with a knowlegable enthusiasm for the sport.
And he has never said “Pushing on”.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
15th September 2010, 21:31
But will it be enough?
Steph (@)
15th September 2010, 18:33
“I think many of the people calling for Legard to be sacked have forgotten how truly awful James Allen was.”
Just the thought of the possibilty of the BBC asking Allen makes me shudder.
Sparkyj23
15th September 2010, 18:57
Ask Codemasters if they will have a in-car view with visors that get dirty like we had in f1 97?
Sparkyj23
15th September 2010, 18:58
And if car failures will be relevant ie keep crashing the curbs will lead to a suspension failure?
sato113 (@sato113)
15th September 2010, 15:40
just pre-ordered f12010 on ps3 through f1fanatic!
LewisC
15th September 2010, 16:33
Just heard I’ve won a pair of the tickets to the photography exhibition! Woohoo! :D
Gavin Campbell
15th September 2010, 17:06
popular johnathan legard?? I’ve never met anyone who thinks he’s any good!
Jim
15th September 2010, 19:30
I see Fiat have given Fernando and Felipe a new car each http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/fernando-and-felipe-each-get-a-new-abarth-695-tributo-ferrari/
No news of if Fernando’s has a faster engine, but there is a feature on Felipe’s where it will interupt his CD to say sorry when someone overtakes him on the motorway
andy55
16th January 2011, 4:55
Tonight I
eli52
16th January 2011, 4:56
Tonight I