Changing the number of points that are given for finishing positions in Grands Prix could revolutionise how drivers approach races and fundamentally alter the meaning of the Driver’s Championship. It is something the governing body should very seriously consider. The Formula One rules have been in a state of flux since 2002. Not a year, … Continue reading Missing the points
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.
Editorial: No joy at Jordan
Posted onHaving slumped almost to the very back of the grid, Jordan are now not far short of being beaten by usual backmarkers Minardi. In theory, 2006 should bring a relaunch of the team as Midland F1 – but the current sorry state of affairs is not breeding much optimism. The European Grand Prix was a … Continue reading Editorial: No joy at Jordan
A1 Grand Prix Calendar Revealed
Posted onThe A1GP series, which is due to start this September, announced the provisional calendar for their 2005 winter championship this week. It promises to be the most internationally diverse motor sport series, even more so than Formula One. In all, twelve events are planned for the inaugural championship year, and the list of destinations makes … Continue reading A1 Grand Prix Calendar Revealed
Last-lap drama for Raikkonen hands Alonso victory
2005 European Grand Prix review
Posted onFernando Alonso kept Kimi Raikkonen under pressure throughout the European Grand Prix and capitalised at the last possible moment, when Raikkonen’s suspension shattered and pitched the Finn into the barriers. Alonso now has a 32-point advantage in the title race. From the outset the European Grand Prix looked like it was going to be McLaren-Mercedes … Continue reading Last-lap drama for Raikkonen hands Alonso victory
Liuzzi out, Klien back in
Posted onRed Bull have confirmed that Vitantonio Liuzzi will be replaced by Christian Klien after the European Grand Prix. This is the first time that a team have deliberately shared a single seat between two drivers since Ligier made a similar arrangement with Aguri Suzuki and Martin Brundle in 1995. Brundle started eleven races to Suzuki’s … Continue reading Liuzzi out, Klien back in
Monaco Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Posted onSo what was the big story after Monaco? The near-collapse of Renault? That stunning pass by Nick Heidfeld? Juan Pablo Montoya’s remarkable drive from 16th to 4th? Or just Kimi Raikkonen’s maiden win in the glamorous principality? If you answered, “none of the above,” then congratulations, because you kept in mind the British press’s negative … Continue reading Monaco Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
The FIA Survey: How to fix Formula One
Posted onThe FIA have launched a survey to canvas Formula One fans on their opinions of how the sport should develop in the future. F1 Fanatic sets out what changes need to be made to ensure F1 gets stronger and stronger over the coming years. As much as they suffer criticism for their handling of the … Continue reading The FIA Survey: How to fix Formula One
More bang for your buck
Posted onOpen this week’s Autosport, Motorsport News or Autocar at any page and you will see someone connected to Formula One talking about improving the show. Now we know that it isn’t going to happen, but there is a simple way to improve the ‘show’ at Grands Prix. The simple answer is to put on better … Continue reading More bang for your buck
Editorial: Bashing the bishop
Posted onA reputable bank, keen to promote their close alliance with a leading Formula One team, have rolled out a series of adverts to communicate to Formula One fans that they understand the complexities, the pressures and the demands of the sport. At least, that is what they tried to do. Because when you show an … Continue reading Editorial: Bashing the bishop
European Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Posted onSo what was the big story after Monaco? The near-collapse of Renault? That stunning pass by Nick Heidfeld? Juan Pablo Montoya’s remarkable drive from 16th to 4th? Or just Kimi Raikkonen’s maiden win in the glamorous principality? If you answered, “none of the above,” then congratulations, because you kept in mind the British press’s negative … Continue reading European Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Raikkonen secures Monaco win despite Safety Car stumble
2005 Monaco Grand Prix
Posted onKimi Raikkonen continued his assault on Fernando Alonso’s championship lead by winning the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix.
Aggregate qualifying finally axed
Posted onAn agreement between the teams at Monaco has finally given the unpopular two-session aggregate qualifying system the boot. As of the next round, the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, starting positions will be determined by a single qualifying session on Saturday where drivers will run with the same load of fuel they will start … Continue reading Aggregate qualifying finally axed
DC: Monaco is “normal”
Posted onDavid Coulthard, revelling in his newfound outspokenness since leaving McLaren, has hit out at the increasing sanitisation of Monaco. Since 2003 the notorious Monaco Armco barriers have been removed from several places and the Rascasse corner has been made less tight (see The Magic of Monaco, issue 11). “Now they have changed the last part … Continue reading DC: Monaco is “normal”
Villeneuve pushing Sauber
Posted onA classic example of how different media outlets skew stories in different ways. BBC Sport claim Jacques Villeneuve is demanding that Sauber spend more in order to become more competitive. Autosport-Atlas treat the story more gently, reporting that Villeneuve believes Sauber are struggling because of their lack of money (but, note the difference, not actually … Continue reading Villeneuve pushing Sauber
FIA want fans’ opinions
Posted onThe FIA are to launch a survey this weekend asking F1 fans what they want from the sport, ahead of the forthcoming new commericial agreements and rules packages. It will be opened for responses over the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. The FIA’s survey is supported by AMD (who also sponsor Ferrari) and Haymarket, who publish … Continue reading FIA want fans’ opinions
The Magic of Monaco
Posted onNot only is the Monaco Grand Prix the most glamorous event on the motor racing calendar, it is also a living piece of F1 history. Drivers have gone to battle in the impossibly tight confines of the streets of Monte-Carlo since 1929. Nine non-championship events were run at Monaco from 1929 to 1937, followed by … Continue reading The Magic of Monaco
Editorial: Red Devils
Posted onThey’re big. They’re red. They’ve got massive amounts of Vodafone cash behind them. They’ve done an awful lot of winning but have run into something of a dry spell lately. But that won’t stop them from demanding the lion’s share of the spoils. I’m writing about Manchester United, of course, the hugely successful British Premier … Continue reading Editorial: Red Devils
Monaco Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Posted onThere is an air of expectation as the F1 circus heads to Monaco. Runaway championship leader Fernando Alonso is starting to look vulnerable against the might of McLaren, and he may face similarly strong opposition from Italian Monaco specialists Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella. Kimi Raikkonen’s devastating pace sealed his Spanish Grand Prix win with … Continue reading Monaco Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Wurz in the wars
Posted onDavid Coulthard’s recent remark on the issue of safety at test sessions has been given greater resonance by a massive accident Alex Wurz suffered in testing at the Paul Ricard facility today. A suspected suspension failure threw his McLaren into a barrier at around 280kph (180 mph). The car was reportedly broken into several pieces … Continue reading Wurz in the wars
Toyota next to feel FIA’s wrath?
Posted onThere will be worried faces in Cologne tonight as the Toyota team await news from the FIA on how severely the team may be punished for racing for the past few seasons without a suitable licence. Although it appears to be only an administrative oversight that has allowed this to happen, the FIA do have … Continue reading Toyota next to feel FIA’s wrath?