Same engine? Think again

Looks like Bernie Eccleston is thinking about nothing but cost cuts these days. He has announced that F1 can see a single third party engine provider in a couple of years. While the underdogs are wooing, big players are booing this decision. Especially, Ferrari. They seem to be determined to do whatever they can to stop this from happening. Obviously I mean. Such a step means degradation of F1 to GP2 level. What is the difference then? Ultimately, engine is the soul of a car. Let them be different! The reason why F1 is so popular is because they see a ‘Ferrari’ racing a ‘Mclaren’. No one wants to see a ‘Ferrari chassis’ racing a ‘Mclaren Chassis’.

Couple of days ago, a gentleman published an article in Pune edition of Times of India. He was understandably disturbed by this decision. He put forth an interesting proposal-

1. Abandon sporting activities related to F1
2. Promote GP2 as F1
3. Make 21 clones of Lewis Hamilton
4. Put them in similar cars and race them
5. Thus cut down the budget!

This is what is going to happen if the ‘CRAZE’ for cost cutting continues!

Schumi Back on track

Yes..he is back. Not for racing of course..but he will be seen in Barcelona testing for Ferrari. Schumacher has been in touch with the Ferrari since his retirement after 2006 season. He was special technical adviser for Ferrari throughout the last season. Schumi fans like me were excited to see him in the Ferrari pits. And now he will be testing for Ferrari for the 2nd time after late 2007.

He is supposed to be a driver who knows the nerve of F1 cars. Also, he has driven a car without traction control in early stages of his career before it was banned by FIA in 1994. So his experience will be of immense importance to the Ferrari. Many of the current drivers had driven F1 cars without traction control. These include David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello, Trulli, Fisichella. Heidfeld and Alonso also had a brief experience in their debut seasons in F1. So there are quite a few ‘Pro’s around and Ferrari would really appreciate all the help they can get from the best guy behind the wheels.

24 at Daytona

Today I saw a new type of race. (new for me) It was titled Rolex 24 at Daytona. It was a 24hr stock car race on a closed track. Basically it was a typical NASCAR type oval track, only the space inside the oval was used to add turns (it had 14 turns according to the commentators). Teams were changing the drivers but still each driver was driving for atleast 2-3 hours at a stretch. It was 5.30am local time when i started seeing the highlights and there was not a soul inside the track except for drivers, crew and officials. So I thought for whom these drivers are driving for. People complain about Formula-1 being monotonous and boring (Forgive them O Lord!) , imagine there reaction on these kinds of races.

Later I learnt that this type of racing is called endurance racing. The purpose of this race is to determine who can drive farthest in a fixed time period, rather than the shortest time over a fixed distance as in most of the other races. Acceptable, I said, but still it is so boring! Rally races are fun because the tracks are damn good. But as far as I can see, no aim is achieved in this kind of racing than a very very long engine and tire test. Probably this was just a warm up session before the NASCAR season kicks off.

Oh and by the way, the winning team had a familiar face. Juan Pablo Montoya! Poor chap had to leave F1 because of inferior treatment as compared to Kimi by Mclaren. It was kind of cool to see him.

Formula-1 at night

I dont know why…but I always seem to prefer all kinds of sports in artificial lights rather than natural. Let it be Cricket, Football, Tennis or anything. I have always noticed, that the energy level of the crowd is always high for a Day-Night cricket match. Tennis seems to be tastier under floodlights. Somehow, the unevenness of the shadows during the day and the overall atmosphere seems rather unorganized. So artificial lights.

Now joining this league from this year is my dear Formula-1! This is like a perfect situation for racing. The only time you could have seen F1 cars under floods would be in the tunnel at Monte Carlo track, Monaco. Singtel Singapore GP makes its debut this season with the added feature of Formula-1 at night. The atmosphere at the track is going to be amazing! I really want to go there. But that will have to wait till next season (due to educational and PARENTal reasons).

Wait, there is more! Next year Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia is all set to become the 2nd circuit to host F1 at night. (Europe boasts of hosting more than half races a year. But from next season, Asia will boast itself of hosting 2 races at night out of 5!) . I think India should also consider its debut in 2010 season with race at night. Yes, that would be great!