Even Kimi Raikkonen agreed that the Turkish GP was an exercise in tedium not seen in F1 since, oh, the Hungarian GP three weeks ago. Aside from Hamilton’s puncture it was a largely incident and interest free two hours. Furthermore what little glimpses you did get of the grandstands showed them to be largely empty. … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: A classic season – on paper
Ben Evans's articles on RaceFans
Motorsport commentator Ben is RaceFans' resident bookworm. Look out for his verdict on the latest motor racing publications on Sundays.
The Ben Evans Column: Bull
Posted onOne of the more entertaining F1 side shows of past weeks was the spat between Scott ‘not got any’ Speed and the Red Bull junior team, which has led to Speed’s departure from the Toro Rosso. Speed is latest in a string of Red Bull-backed drivers who have been rushed into F1 and failed to … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Bull
The Ben Evans Column – The best of the worst
Posted onIn my Formula Vee adventures this year I have raced against some very good and very bad drivers. Thanks to the heats and finals format I often get to see the slower drivers in action, and believe me some of them are awful. There is one gentleman in particular who went a lap down when … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column – The best of the worst
The Ben Evans Column: Watching a real race
Posted onOnce again this season the Hungarian GP provided more off-track talking points than on-track action as the evil Alonso viciously blocked the blessed Lewis in the pits delaying him by a couple of seconds at the end of qualifying. Part of the gamesmanship found at the top of any professional sport, you might say. But … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Watching a real race
The Ben Evans Column: Rant
Posted onMaybe its because of my bad run of results in Formula Vee, or maybe its because, Canada and Europe excepted, Formula One is rather boring this year, but I have spent the past couple of weeks feeling unusually indifferent towards motor racing. I think partly its because once I start feeling a bit down towards … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Rant
The Ben Evans Column: Safety First
Posted onRobert Kubica’s crash in Canada and Ernesto Viso’s horrific shunt at Magny-Cours last weekend highlights the importance of making motor sport as safe as possible. Ben Evans looks at what could be done better. As somebody who regards Tennis as something enjoyed only by extremely boring people, I have hugely enjoyed Wimbledon being rained out … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Safety First
The Ben Evans Column: Excuses, excuses
Posted onAt Indianapolis two weeks ago Ralf Schumacher turned left when he should have turned right and took out David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello. His verdict? “A racing accident.” But he’s not the only driver to cook up a fabulous excuse for a shunt. Even hardened race fans like myself must have impressed with Valentino Rossi’s … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Excuses, excuses
The Ben Evans Column – Canadian crash-fest
Posted onIn between the Canadian Grand Prix crashes a bit of racing did go on at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Read our columnist Ben Evans’ thoughts on the race. Unless you’re Ralf Schumacher…
The Ben Evans Column – Thoughts on Monaco
Posted onThe Monaco Grand Prix was everything and nothing that F1 should be. The glamour and sheer exhilaration of the cars flying around the streets was tempered by the shameless commercialism of the event and the total absence of overtaking. The darling of the British press Lewis Hamilton believes he was robbed of the win by … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column – Thoughts on Monaco
The Ben Evans Column: 2007’s fantastic four
Posted onDespite its lack of on-track excitement, this F1 season has so far provided a number of fascinating talking points. In particular the psychological battles between the four top drivers promise to be as intriguing as those between Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet twenty years ago. Coming into this season you would … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: 2007’s fantastic four
The Ben Evans column: F1 gets streetwise
Posted onOnce again F1 looks like it’s about to dip its toes into the murky waters of the street race. Not since 1991 has there been more than one street track on the calendar – the glamorous Monte-Carlo track, which is benchmark for every other street race in the world. So can F1 make the formula … Continue reading The Ben Evans column: F1 gets streetwise
The Ben Evans column – The most exciting motor sport
Posted onSince the racing season started again I have gorged myself on the many fruits of motor sport. A lot of it has been edge-of-the-seat stuff So I’ve compiled my favourite ten must-watch series. Obviously the boundaries are fast and loose, but it’s my column so my rules. For example I’m including both cars and bikes … Continue reading The Ben Evans column – The most exciting motor sport
The Ben Evans Column – Super Bikes
Posted onCursed ironic timing. Last weekend – the most Motorsport-tastic of the year so far with F1, GP2, World Superbikes, British Superbikes and more – coincided with a visit from some non-F1 Fanatic friends. (Yes, I do have some). My proposed schedule for Saturday and Sunday was rejected – admittedly it was a little Eurosport heavy … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column – Super Bikes
The Ben Evans column: Malaysia’s winners and losers
Posted onWe’re two Grands Prix into 2007 and already a fantastic four way battle for supremacy is shaping up. However, this is yet to translate itself into a decent race. Unlike Melbourne the Sepang race was highly watchable, but aside from the opening exchanges between Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton it was hardly exciting. The bulk … Continue reading The Ben Evans column: Malaysia’s winners and losers
The Ben Evans column – Which path to F1?
Posted onAt this time of year I’m usually foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the new Formula Three season. But this year I can’t summon up the enthusiasm for a trip to Oulton Park to see the British series get underway – much less the Eurories later in the year. Both series seem low on … Continue reading The Ben Evans column – Which path to F1?
The Ben Evans Column: Musings on Melbourne
Posted onAfter the months of anticipation the opening shots of 2007 were fired in what was a very ordinary Australian Grand Prix. There was little ‘racing’ to speak of and the front-of-field positions running the same form as they did at the end of 2006 – apart from Honda. Despite the absence of on-track excitement there … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Musings on Melbourne
The Ben Evans Column – A crucial year
Posted on2007 could be F1’s most important season for decades. With a revitalised driver market and no prospect of Michael Schumacher dominating, F1 has the opportunity to win over new fans, and bring back those that switched off in the years of Ferrari dominance. At the same time there is a sense that the sport is … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column – A crucial year
The Ben Evans Column: The alternative 2007 preview
Posted onIn just a few days the 2007 motor-racing season will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix. And boy, does it promise to be a good year. I’m not talking about Ferrari’s radical design or the new McLaren line-up – because that has all been done to death. No I’m going to highlight some of … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: The alternative 2007 preview
The Ben Evans Column: When 1984 flattered to deceive
Posted onBefore a racing wheel has been turned in anger 2007 is already shaping up to be one of the most interesting seasons for a long time. The deck has been well and truly shuffled with many new drivers in new teams. And for once it’s not just confined to the minor men – there is … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: When 1984 flattered to deceive
The Ben Evans Column: The truth about testing
Posted onAs the F1 pre-season testing continues apace (or, if you’re Honda, slowly) it seems a good time to share my 10 unbreakable rules of testing – and top tips. These will apply to every test session you ever attend in the UK. Certainly they have been true at each test day I’ve been to.