Unlike the rest of Britain, apparently, I am not enthralled by the latest Jenson Button saga. For what it’s worth I hope he does drive for Williams next year, because he shouldn’t be allowed to worm out of the contract simply because the winds of fortune have changed. But the really perplexing aspect of the … Continue reading Silly season 2006
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 Grand Prix alternatives
Posted onI find nothing more frustrating than listening to over pampered Grand Prix drivers moaning about the amount of travel in their job, firstly, because the title World Championship indicates frequent flights, and secondly, because they get to race in China, Brazil and the USA. There are worse jobs. Over in Formula Vee ‘international’ extends about … Continue reading The Grand Prix alternatives
The gender mind-bender
Posted onMost people, when pressed to name a female in motor sport, would probably say Danica Patrick. But what about Louise Goodman or Williams public relations manager Ann Bradshaw? Women racing drivers may be few but women are growing in number throughout motor sport. Despite gender equality becoming increasingly apparent in all aspects of the workplace, … Continue reading The gender mind-bender
Unforced Errors
Posted onSo, if you were in Jenson Button’s position last Sunday you wouldn’t have crashed into the wall? Likewise I bet that if it had been you in the cockpit of the number 10 McLaren you would have ignored the team, pitted and won the race? Of all sports, motor sport is perhaps the easiest of … Continue reading Unforced Errors
Talking Money
Posted onThis week’s racing press has seen perhaps the biggest split since Ayrton Senna died, between those who ‘get’ racing and those who do not. I cannot believe those who comment that Kimi Raikkonen should have jeopardised a potential Grand Prix win by changing his damaged tyre. Newsflash: Raikkonen is a racing driver and he is … Continue reading Talking Money
Crash Testing
Posted onFor the casual fan it may seem that F1 testing is more interesting than the races. Seemingly every week there is some new controversy about testing. This week, David Coulthard has decided to share with the world his opinion that safety standards at F1 test days are not up to scratch. I do sympathise with … Continue reading Crash Testing
The Master and the Doctor
Posted onSix years into the new millennium and so far the top levels of four- and two-wheeled motorsport, Formula One and Moto GP, have been dominated by two men: Michael Schumacher and Valentino Rossi. Both have been practically unbeatable, but comparing them reveals intriguing differences. The first, obvious, similarity is their astounding successes and shared desire … Continue reading The Master and the Doctor
Flying the flag in the States
Posted onIt is perhaps a sad state of affairs that there are currently more British drivers enjoying successful careers in the Indy Racing League (IRL) and Champ Car than there are in the upper echelons of European single seater racing. Coupled with the ever-growing number of Brits in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and other … Continue reading Flying the flag in the States
So you want to be a Formula One driver?
Posted onWhen I first sat in a racing car three years ago I was certain that I was the next Grand Prix star in waiting and duly confirmed this (in my mind) by winning my first race. Since then the ascent to F1 has been slower than expected, hampered by a lack of money (a little) … Continue reading So you want to be a Formula One driver?
The Crash Awards
Posted onLike it or not, crashes will always be a part of F1’s appeal, as any form of motorsport, providing no one gets hurt. They are especially fascinating in F1, because these drivers are supposed to be the world’s best. It is in celebration of the fact that this isn’t always the case that we reveal … Continue reading The Crash Awards
British Formula Three preview
Posted onNot five years ago, the British Formula Three Championship was part of your golden ticket to F1 glory and the series’ stars were seemingly on the fast-track to Grand Prix stardom. But the arrival of the rival 3 Euroseries may have changed all that. Jenson Button, Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson are all recent British … Continue reading British Formula Three preview
Doin’ it for fun
Posted onOnce upon a time not so long ago, Formula One drivers could be seen in action nearly every weekend; in non-Championship Grands Prix, Group C Sportscars, Touring Cars or even just thrashing a Saloon Car for a bit of fun. But why no more? Even in the mid-90s Giancarlo Fisichella intermittently alternated between the International … Continue reading Doin’ it for fun
Villeneuve: Should he stay or should he go?
Posted onFew drivers split opinion in the way Jacques Villeneuve does. Some see him as a mercurial genius who livens up the Grand Prix paddock with his bravery and outspoken antics. Others feels he is a waster who talks better than he races. When he left BAR towards the end of 2003, most people agreed that … Continue reading Villeneuve: Should he stay or should he go?
The Nearly Men
Posted onThe Grand Prix greats are household names. Ayrton Senna, Juan Manuel Fangio and Jim Clark are legendary names throughout the world, and all three appear in our list of all-time greatest wins. But what about those drivers who never got to show their talent, had a career stuck in uncompetitive machinery, never made the big … Continue reading The Nearly Men
Tilke’s tracks
Posted onHermann Tilke takes some credit for eight of the current F1 tracks – but are they actually any good asks Ben Evans.