Filming for Ron Howard’s F1-inspired movie Rush has just wrapped up. The BBC interviewed the lovable Richie Cunningham recently and some kind soul has added it to YouTube for us all to see. You can watch the piece after the break. Howard reveals his lasting hope for Rush is that it is respected by true F1 fans.
Well, Richie, we can say, after watching the interview below, we’re pumped! Can’t wait for this to hit our movie screens.
Finally, it could be interpreted, Michael Schumacher (Mercedes AMG) has justified his return to F1 by claiming a quasi-maiden pole position in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix overnight. As ever, the closing seconds of the third qualifying period contained the high drama and the fairy tales.
Nico Rosberg (Mercedes AMG, 1:14.488) held provisional pole as the key drivers set off on their hope for glory. Who could beat Rosberg’s time? Not last year’s pole sitter and defending winner, Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), who dragged his bottom lip to P10, failing to even set a time. Not Fernando Alonso (Ferrari, 1:14.948), who suffered the indignity of being only one tenth faster than teammate Felipe Massa (1:15.049).
What about F1’s latest victor? We’re told Pastor Maldonado (Williams, 1:15.245) loves this place (he probably doesn’t any more, read on below). Alas, he’s just ahead of the bottom lip. Surely the all-conquering, but yet to actually win anything this year, Lotus cars could knock Rosberg off his perch? No, best they could manage was P5, Romain Grosjean (1:14.639), and P8, Kimi Raikkonen (1:15.199). Lewis Hamilton (McLaren, 1:14.583) popped in his head on the way to P4, to say, “Hey, I’m from McLaren, remember us.”
So that left the once, and possibly returning, great Michael Schumacher and Australia’s best mate Mark Webber to fight it out. The Aussie laid the first blow, displacing Rosberg (1:14.381). Yet, as soon as the cries of “Yes!” from Australian lounge rooms had died down, Schumacher dealt the killer blow (1:14.301) to claim yet another pole at Monaco, his fourth.
Sadly for Michael his use of Bruno Senna as a braking device in Barcelona achieved nothing more than another wasted race and a five spot grid penalty for the next race. It’s not quite shades of 2006 at Monaco, but Michael will start from P6 later tonight. Which means “our Mark” starts from P1. Last time he did that in Monaco he won the race. We can dream, can’t we.
Meanwhile, Maldonado has also had his knuckles whacked by race officials for an incident with Sergio Perez (Sauber) in Qualifying 1. The revised starting grid for tonight’s race can be seen here.
Michael, Mark and Nico share their thoughts in the post-qualifying press conference after the break, with thanks to the FIA.
[Pics: Mercedes AMG Petronas & Red Bull/Getty Images]
Management at the Nürburgring hopes to sign a new contract to extend their rights to host Formula One races. Currently the German Grand Prix alternates between the Nürburgring and Hockenheim, where the race will be held this year. A 10 year deal is on the table, which would mean at least five more races would be held at the Nürburgring.
Controversial track operators Kai Richter and Jorg Lindner say they have been involved in four difficult meetings with Bernie Ecclestone to see that F1 continues at the Ring.
Linder says the outcome is “very attractive” but adds the deal needs to be signed off by June, “Otherwise, Formula One could be gone [from the Nurburgring] for many, many years.”
[Source: motorsport.com]
A small white box found near the media centre, adjacent to the La Rascasse corner, at the Monaco Grand Prix last night raised suspicions and race organisers called on a bomb disposal expert to investigate. The area was quickly sealed off and after further investigation it was decided a controlled explosion to destroy the box was the correct course of action.
This incident follows from last year when an unattended bag was discovered on the morning of the race. Although, on that occasion the item was deemed to be of no danger.
[Source: BBC F1]
Word has come through that Italy’s Guardia di Finanza—that’s finance police to you and me—have raided the Autodromo Nazionale at Monza as part of an investigation into the circuit’s management, Sias SpA.
Suspicions have been arisen about some funny business regarding tax matters, dodgy invoicing and other shonky deals from as far back as 2007. It’s understood the fuzz have their eye on seven individuals and also took their raid parties to the homes of circuit officials, including circuit director Enrico Ferrari.
Alleged corruption in high levels of management in Italy? We’re shocked.
[Source: WCF]
This advertisement for the Valencia Gran Prix came our way via Jonathan Noble. It’s harmless, it’s cute, it’s a bit of fun.
Light ’em up girls!
When we first saw a link to this video a day or two back we were attracted by the promise of Nico Rosberg and Mika Hakkinen driving the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. A couple of F1 stars on one of motorsport’s most famous tracks; sounds like it could be okay, right?
So you can imagine our distaste when we saw what can only be described as the total shite dished up in this production. We challenge you to watch all 3 minutes and 27 seconds of it.
Worse, is the fact that Mercedes-Benz has been pushing this clip on media portals around the globe. Has anyone associated with Benz they actually watched it? Surely not, they’d be too embarrassed to admit to its existence if they had.
The only positive we can take from the footage is that the Monaco GP is on this weekend. Oh yeah!
Red Bull Racing owner Dietrich Mateschitz has joined Michael Schumacher in critisising Pirelli’s 2012 tyres. He says the sport has become more interesting for fans, but the teams are struggling to come to grips (haha) with the new tyres.
Speaking to Autosport, Mateschitz said: “F1 is more exciting and more unpredictable than ever before. Obviously, caused by the rule changes before the season, the top teams moved closer together. I always had confidence in the potential of our RB8 and I still have, no doubt.
“But everyone has to learn F1 again. It has become a kind of lottery to find out the window in which a tyre works.
“And I do not believe this just happens on purpose to create more overtaking and tension in the races. I suppose no-one really understands these tyres.”
[Source: Autosport | Pic: Mercedes AMG Petronas]
It’s always good seeing a new winner in F1. So well done to Pastor Maldonado for his victory in Barcelona. Williams, too, is certainly not unfamiliar with seeing its drivers stand atop the F1 podium, but it has been a long eight years between victory celebrations (Juan Pablo Montoya, 2004 Brazilian GP).
After a terrible run of results in 2011 we can’t imagine anyone inside Williams would have dared to dream they’d win a race inside the first five races of 2012.
So we thought it would be worth bringing you the post-race press release from Williams, in which Mark Gillan, Chief Operations Engineer, answers a few light and airy questions.
It seems Maldonado has won a lot of brownie points with the Williams top brass. Gillan described the Venezuelan’s drive as, “A master class from start to finish. He was strong all weekend, winning the race from pole despite a strong challenge from Alonso. One can’t ask anymore from a driver.”
There’s more after the break. Including some discussion about the aftermath of the post-race fire in their garage.
[Pics: Williams/LAT Photographic]
Ferrari’s post-race blog published after the Spanish Grand Prix has urged Felipe Massa to never give up. But not before it placed his output from the 2012 season to date firmly in the spotlight.
Interestingly, it starts with Team Principal Stefano Domenicali drawing inspiration from Manchester City’s dramatic last gasp victory to claim the English Premier League title. “You always have to believe you can do it, even when the evidence has you believe the contrary,” he said.
While watching the drama unfold in the EPL over the weekend we paused to reflect on Ferrari and Felipe Massa, too. Although, we had him in the role of the red half of Manchester who, for a brief moment, believed they had won the title, only to see it snatched away before the thought of victory had a chance to settle. Sao Paulo in 2008 anyone?
The blog goes on to make the point that this has been a desperately close start to the championship: “With everyone so close the distribution of points is much wider and consequently the leaders have fewer points. Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, the joint leaders of the Drivers’ championship, have 61 points from the first five races, the lowest figure since the new points system was introduced: Button had 70 in 2010, with Vettel even on 118 last year.”
Then it sinks a not-so-subtle boot into Massa’s points haul to date: “As for an analysis of the Scuderia’s performance and its two drivers, Fernando has always maintained a very high level (67 points and second place in 2010, 51 and fifth place last year) while Felipe’s drop off has made itself felt. The Brazilian had picked up 49 points two years ago and 24 the following year, while so far this season he has just 2.”
Finally, some delicate pressure is applied to Massa to increase his performance: “In Montmelo, Felipe was very unlucky, both in the race and in qualifying, but everyone, he more than anyone, is expecting a change of gear starting right away with the Monaco Grand Prix…”
Meanwhile, Adam Cooper reports former Force India driver Adrian Sutil was trackside in Barcelona and is known to have had discussions with Ferrari in recent weeks.
Now might be a good time to pull your finger out Felipe.
If you could have asked Sir Frank Williams how he would like to celebrate his 70th birthday you’d reckon a race win would have been at the top of his wish list. Of course, that wish did come true thanks to Pastor Maldonado, who added the distinction of being the first Venezuelan to win an F1 race. A nice way to achieve your first podium in the sport.
Sadly, though, the good times at Williams were short lived with that horrible fire which took place in their garage about 90 minutes after the race. We wish those affected a quick and full recovery.
With thanks to the FIA we bring you the full transcript from the post-race press conference at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix. It’s worth noting this was recorded before the Williams fire had started.
[Pics: Williams/LAT Photographic]
A serious fire in the Williams garage has forced the pitlane at the Circuit de Catalunya to be evacuated. The fire started well after the race had finished, which was won by Williams driver Pastor Maldonado.
It’s understood a loud explosion was heard immediately before the fire broke out. Sir Frank Williams was giving a speech to his team at the time.
Details are unclear as to the exact cause of the fire, but the image above shows the damage appears extensive.
It has also been reported that Williams and Force India personnel have been treated for smoke inhalation. At this stage no reports of serious injury have been confirmed.
[Source: Formula1.com | Pic: @PortalF1]
UPDATE: Two videos from Sky TV and the BBC have been added below, along with an official statement from the FIA which says a total of 31 team members from Williams, Force India and Caterham were treated, with seven being kept in hospital for treatment. A press release from Williams F1 has also been added.