In the first of a two-part feature we reviews and rate the 25 drivers who participated in the 2005 world drivers’ championship. The top ten will be revealed in the final issue of 2005.
Keith Collantine's articles on RaceFans
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing.
Chinese Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Posted onA constructors’ championship battle just isn’t as exciting as a drivers’ championship battle – so it was with the lacklustre Chinese race that got a lukewarm press response. Jim Rosenthal bade farewell to ITV after another year in which the broadcaster took a backward step. The most disappointing omission from almost all of the race … Continue reading Chinese Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Editorial: Come full circle
Posted onBrazilian Grand Prix, 2004: The last race of 2004, and one of the better ones in a dismal season. Nine of the ten teams agree to limits on testing, and there is optimism that the sole dissenters, Ferrari, will follow. Perhaps F1’s political Cold War is finally thawing? Fast-forward back to the present day and … Continue reading Editorial: Come full circle
Renault secures constructors’ title in forgettable finale
Chinese Grand Prix 2005 review
Posted onThe Formula One calendar was extended to nineteen rounds this year, but the sport would have been far better served by ending on the high of last weekend’s thrilling Japanese Grand Prix than the forgettable affair that was the Chinese round.
Editorial: Fantastic Formula One
Posted onWhatever problems F1 may face off the track, a scintillating Grand Prix like the one at Japan this Sunday is a sure-fire way to put things right. So how did the F1Fanatic editor rate it alongside the other memorable races he’s seen? Hungarian Grand Prix 1989 Podium: Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Thierry Boutsen This was … Continue reading Editorial: Fantastic Formula One
F1Fanatic Issue 30 now available
Posted onF1Fanatic issue #30 is now available, featuring: Japanese Grand Prix review Chinese Grand Prix preview Editorial: Fuelling the fire Media review #18 For all this and more visit www.f1fanatic.co.uk
Japanese Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Posted onIt may have been a thrilling race with a heart-stopping conclusion, but with the England football team in action on Saturday it was never going to get much coverage. The Independent at least open their sports pages with the race. “A classic demonstration of the art of Grand Prix racing” hails David Tremayne. Makes better … Continue reading Japanese Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Chinese Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Posted onThe most packed Grand Prix season ever finally draws to a close in Shanghai this weekend. After a successful inaugural race in 2004 the Hermann Tilke-designed venue gets the coveted end-of-season slot – but the jury’s still out on the circuit. Yes, it’s a colossal venue. Yes, the facilities are outrageously good. Yes, the ?���ܣ200m … Continue reading Chinese Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Last-gasp win for Raikkonen in sensational Suzuka race
2005 Japanese Grand Prix review
Posted onKimi Raikkonen took his best win to date in a race packed with scintillating overtaking, controversy and one sizeable shunt.
F1Fanatic Issue 29 now available
Posted onIssue 29 of F1fanatic is now available, featuring: Brazilian Grand Prix review Feature: Boring, boring football Japanese Grand Prix preview Editorial: Michael Park Media review #17 For all this and more visit www.f1fanatic.co.uk
Courting Valentino
Posted onLast weekend Valentino Rossi claimed his fourth consecutive Moto GP title and again fuelled speculation that he might switch disciplines to Formula One with Ferrari in 2007. It has been 20 years since anyone significant did this, and it would be fascinating to see how he performs. Mike Hailwood, Johnny Cecotto and, most famously, John … Continue reading Courting Valentino
Boring, boring football
Posted on?�?�?����?�?��ǣIt’s boring,?�?�?����?�?�?� they’re all saying. ”The same people win every time.?�?�?����?�?�?� F1 in ’02? Or even last year? Well, yes, but significantly these criticisms are being levelled at the 2005 Premiership football season in England. So should either sport pay any attention to the nay-sayers? The critics who insist that sport exists only to entertain … Continue reading Boring, boring football
Youngest-ever champion Alonso crowned
Posted onFernando Alonso has become the youngest ever Formula 1 world drivers champion at the age of 24.
A1GP: Brazil to the max at Brands Hatch
Posted onNelson Piquet Jnr won both A1GP rounds at the series’ inaugural double-header at Brands Hatch. He also set fastest race lap to give the Brazilian team a maximum haul of 21 points after two rounds. Although the first ‘sprint’ race did not live up to the hype of close racing and lots of overtaking, the … Continue reading A1GP: Brazil to the max at Brands Hatch
Brazilian Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Posted onBefore launching into this week’s media review, let us pause briefly to reflect on the magnitude of Fernando Alonso’s achievement: the youngest F1 champion ever, at just 24 years old, and the first from his country. A shame so few newspapers also paused to do him adequate justice. Unsurprisingly, the divide between the quality Formula … Continue reading Brazilian Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Japanese Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Posted onThe Japanese Grand Prix may not decide the drivers’ championship this year, but it has done on many past occasions. Even without the thrill of the showdown the challenging Suzuka circuit is an exceptional venue, which is more than can be said for its rumoured replacement in Fuji. Fernando Alonso may be on a post-championship … Continue reading Japanese Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Alonso claims title with third behind McLarens
2005 Brazilian Grand Prix review
Posted onFernando Alonso became the F1’s youngest ever drivers’ champion by scoring his 13th podium in 17 races at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos.
2005: Highs and lows
Posted onIt was a topsy-turvy season, when political unrest spilled out onto the race tracks, teams were bought and sold like stocks and shares, and the form book was turned on its head. We recall the moments that made 2005 – for the right and wrong reasons. Lows The United States Grand Prix Reams and reams … Continue reading 2005: Highs and lows
2006 Driver line-up latest
Posted onWith Jenson Button confirmed at BAR for next year, the 2006 driver market has almost completely fallen into shape. The next major slot to be filled is the second Williams-Cosworth seat alongisde Mark Webber. Williams third driver Antonio Pizzonia is hotly tipped, although his poor working relationship with Webber at Jaguar in 2003 and recent … Continue reading 2006 Driver line-up latest
Has FIA-AMD alliance scuppered McLaren & Toyota Intel deals?
Posted onAndrew Murray-Watson in the Sunday Telegraph wrote yesterday that McLaren’s remoured USD$50m deal with Intel has been thrown into jeapordy by the FIA’s recently announced ‘strategic partnership’ with Intel rival AMD (article). A similar, smaller deal between Toyota and Intel may also now be off the table. McLaren and Toyota, as non-tobacco teams, may already … Continue reading Has FIA-AMD alliance scuppered McLaren & Toyota Intel deals?