End of an Era

First off apologies for the lack of posting recently, I have been rather busy with the real world. As for racing news – deep breath here we go:

First off Im sure everyone has read the sad news that John “Papa Smurf” Button passed away aged 70 at home of a suspected heart attack. A huge figure in the racing world and the F1 paddock (and UK TV coverage!) has been lost and my condolences to the entire Button family.

Secondly Bernie has been indited in Germany on Bribery charges and proceedings will likely start in a few months requiring him to divert his attentions there. It is likely that CVC will quickly line up a replacement now as its not good for business having criminal proceedings being pursed by governments against your CEO! Even if it turns out to be temporary (although at Bernie’s age unlikely) someone will have to take the reigns.

Next up the buzz has all been about testing and Lotus not testing in Jerez. Furthermore I have exclusive rumblings that McLaren are seriously considering testing in a traditional Orange livery before a switch away permanently from Mercedes silver next year to their original colours alongside Honda engines. No other teams have come out and stated non participation in the first test but with it being so early this year its likely that some other teams will join Enstone in sitting it out, whether by choice or by force. Furthermore even if the majority of teams do go to the first test its likely that some may pack up early when they encounter problems.

Next week will see the wraps coming off the 2014 cars, with almost all launches going to be online. Exciting times 4 wheel fans!

New Vintage from Valencia as the Spell is Broken

Following in the traditions of late, heres a late blog post!

It has taken Fernando Alonso to race 8 for a driver to claim a second win of the season – and much like the first it happened in slightly fortuitous circumstances. Sebastian Vettel had apparently resumed normal service as he secured pole position and sailed off into the distance – some 20 seconds in the lead! – however the altenator in his engine failed. Romain Grosjean then inherited the lead and looked set to claim his first victory, and the first of the season for the promising Lotus Enstone team. However the same fate befell the Frenchmans Renault unit and it too packed up, but it was Fernando who was there to pick up the pieces and as Lewis Hamiltons tyres fell away at the end of the race he was speared by Pastor Maldonado who looked destined for the podium but frittered away valuable points for the two.

It left the podium completely made up of Ferrari favourties as Fernando took the top step – former Ferrari world champion – Kimi Raikkonen picked up another 2nd place in his highly sucessful return to the top flight of racing. The final step was taken by – former multiple Ferrari world champion – Michael Schumacher for a well deserved first podium on his return to F1. Mark Webber picked up 4th to leave him 2nd in the standings, 20 points behind Fernando Alonso with Hamilton and Vettel in tow.

 

In other news Bernie completed a mastermind scheme of media manipulation to plaster the fanciful London GP idea over the newspapers while the German bribery trail came to its conclusion. Worringly for Eccelstone the German banker has admitted to taking bribes and sentenced to 8 1/2 years – the ramifcations could be huge for the F1 supremo as his Bambino trust is also involved which he apparently has no control over.