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The order of the day

July 26, 2010 by Leighton Irwin 2 Comments

Team orders were banned in F1 after 2002. The reason was fan outrage at Ferrari’s blatant and obvious orders to then driver Ruebens Barrichelo to allow Michael Schumacher to pass him and then their botched attempt at the US GP to stage manage the finish. Michael did have it in his contract that he was the #1 driver and his teamate had to defer to him. Up to that point team orders had been the norm. Back in the 30’s and mid 50’s if you disobeyed Herr Neubauer, the Mercedes Team Manager, on Sunday, you were unemployed on Monday.

After the rule was implemented for 2003 and beyond teams did on occasion manage to ‘arrange’ finishes. It usually occured late in the season when one driver had a good chance of winning the Championship and the other did not. However, the teams managed to do it in ways that were not too obvious, although on occasion suspisions were aroused. It could be done by the timing of pit stops, which was easier when there were more stops with refueling, which is now banned. Or a pit stop would be slightly botched allowing the team’s other driver to gain the spot. Sometimes there were subtle instuctions given such as be very careful of your brakes, we have a problem, or conserve fuel, we are close. Almost always those instructions came from the Team Manager or even as Eddie Jordan said from the team principal. He said when he owned a team and orders were given regarding a position he did it himself.

Well yesterday in the German GP Ferrari wanted Alonso to win but Massa was leading after a brilliant start from 3rd and passing both Alonso and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel in the first turn. For Massa it was a real boost as it was a year to the day he had almost been killed by a spring coming off of Barrichelo’s Brawn.
[Read more…]

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‘Crashgate’ Brings Massive Changes at Renault F1

September 23, 2009 by Tom Williams 1 Comment

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It just wouldn’t be Formula 1 racing if not for the drama, right? Crashgate refers to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix-the first F1 race held at night. Ferrari driver Felipe Massa started the race from pole. Former F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso, driving for Renault started from 15th, seemed a non-factor in the race. Alonso pitted early, and then on lap 13 Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. spun his car into the wall at over 100mph, bringing out the safety car, wrecking the pit strategies of the front-runners.

With Alonso’s early pit-stop ahead of the safety car, he was able to win the race. Sound fishy? The FIA thought so too. The World Motor Sport Council found Renault F1 guilty of conspiracy and race fixing. The team was also handed a two year disqualification from F1, suspended. Meaning if they screw up again, they are out.

[Read more…]

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Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Drivers set to Terrorize Valencia

January 15, 2007 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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The young driving team of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton will tear up the streets of Valencia today in a pair of McLaren MP4-21’s for the launch of the new McLaren MP4-22. This must be a dream come true for Mr. Hamilton, while it should be mildly amusing for Alsonso. One thing is for certain, the spectators had best bring ear plugs.

We’ll have pics as they become available.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes press release after the break
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Lewis Hamilton Lands F1 Seat with Mercedes McLaren

November 24, 2006 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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2006 GP2 Champion Lewis Hamilton has landed the number two seat for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team, alongside World Champion Fernando Alonso. Starting his career at age 9 in karts, Hamilton has been groomed for F1 by McLaren since way back in 1998. That gives the 21 year old a whopping 12 years of racing experience, with the last 9 years supported by McLaren and Mercedes. Talk about killer backing! The best equipment and driver’s coaches money can buy. Little wonder the kid shines! That said, you’ve got to wish him luck and hope he doesn’t get overshadowed by his team mate.

Press release after the break
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Alonso Agrees with The Garage

September 13, 2006 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Speaking to a Spanish radio show, Fernando Alonso backs up our feelings that while Michael Schumacher may be the best driver, he is indeed a poor sport.
“Zidane retired with more glory than Schumacher,” said Alonso, referring to the French footballer whose final professional match was marred by a red card for butting an opponent in this year’s World Cup final. “Michael is the most unsporting driver with the largest number of sanctions [against him] in the history of formula one. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been the best driver, and fighting against him has been an honour and a pleasure.”

Source Guardian UK

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Default Thumbnail“He stopped on the track? What’s wrong with that?” – Bernie Ecclestone

“He stopped on the track? What’s wrong with that?” – Bernie Ecclestone

May 28, 2006 by Gary Grant 1 Comment

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For those of you who haven’t heard, Michael Schumacher is at it again. Treating Formula One like his own little sandbox where he can do whatever the heck he wants, never receiving any retribution for his actions. Perhaps Flavio Briatore said it best when he said “because it’s this place & it’s Ferarri, nothing will be done”. Historically, Mr. Schumacher has been able to get away with his blatant bad behaviour. His poor sportsmanship has left a very bitter taste in the mouths of F1 fans all over the world. Why has he been able to do it? Because he drives for Ferarri and he is arguably the best driver of all time and the Bernie and Max show don’t have the stones to deal with him. They would rather play dumb & make comments like the one quoted in the title.

This time however, it seems that he may have gone too far. [Read more…]

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