F1rst Class News

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F1

As those who have read this blog for a while will know, I am a big F1 fan.  When people first hear this news it has been known to causes scream of horror from certain quarters.  Well you need scream no longer for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have become the first F1 team to become carbon neutral.  Yes an F1 car which does about 4mpg is carbon neutral, you can read all about it here.

I can hear the cynical comments already, however please note that if Vodafone McLaren Mercedes didn’t have the income from a successful F1 team then they wouldn’t have the money to fund the projects.  Should you remain a cynic and drive a car then read the following bit again.  A F1 car whizzing around a track in excess of 200mph – in the big scheme of things – is better for the environment than your car unless, that is, you own one of the very few carbon neutral models.

More recently, we were recognised by the government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, which publishes a performance league table of more than 2000 participating British businesses: we were ranked 92^nd overall.

Most significantly, we were not only the highest-placed Formula 1 team in the scheme, but also the highest-placed automotive manufacturer – a not inconsiderable feat.

Past And Present

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F1, Photography, The UK

One of the days of our holiday was spent at Silverstone where we revelled in classic cars giving us some fantastic racing. It was the kind of stuff that F1 has been failing to give for at least a couple of years now. As the classic cars from past years raced around the track, we were treated to the full joys of racing, cars overtaking each other, spins and burning rubber. On virtually every lap of every race there was overtaking which had us cheering the drivers on, or spins which had us urging them to get the car back out onto the track. It was true sport, people enjoying themselves out of love for the cars and the sport first and foremost.

We had a fantastic day and both left wondering why F1 was no longer as much fun – until today – the Hungarian Grand Prix just proved to us that F1 can still be fun. Give the cars a bit of rain so that the drivers have to slow down and race instead of engage auto pilot, and sheer enjoyment flowed. Okay, okay so I might be over simplifying it a bit but, lets be honest driving an F1 car today is as much about computers as fitness. Back in the days of the classics it was man and machine against the track and the elements – plain and simple. If a bit of rain, along with the uncertainty of whether or not there might be some more, is what it takes for F1 to regain some of its fun, then I for one will be doing a rain dance before the race in Istanbul in 3 weeks time!

The icing on this particular F1 cake?

The fact that Jensen finally got his well earned first F1 victory under his belt – well done Jensen – although I am sure you are too busy celebrating to be reading this!

Canadian Grand Prix

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F1

The Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Canada saw the usual excitement, the champions’ wall again played its part and those marbles from the tires were obviously in danger of becoming a major safety hazard. Yet again however it was the antics of the two Schumacher brothers that marked the day.

What was Ralf playing at? He reminded me of the Sunday afternoon drivers down country lanes doing 20 miles an hour and getting in the way of everyone else who was trying to do the speed limit! He obviously had a problem with the car and yet kept pootling around the circuit only coming off after he had actually caused an accident.

And in my book, at least, Michael was totally out of order in the time he took to get back onto the grid after the parade lap. There has been quite a bit of that over this past season, maybe it is time they looked at penalising such behaviour.
Having said all that it was a far more enjoyable and entertaining race than Silverstone was.

Monaco

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F1

Well that was the most exciting F1 race in a while not only was there some racing – which is a skill in itself around the streets of Monaco – but also there was a string of events to keep us on the edge of our seats wondering if DC was going to manage to get a podium position or not.

Shame for Webber but reliability is all part of winning the race too, and even though I am not a Schumacher fan, I have to admire the way Michael fought his way back up the field.

Roll on Silverstone.