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Friday, 12 September 2014
Thursday, 4 September 2014
On This Day in Formula One - 4 September
1960
Ferrari also dominated the 1960 Italian Grand Prix, Phil Hill leading home team-mates Ginther and Willy Mairesse for a 1-2-3. Wolfgang von Trips rounded off a great day for the Scuderia by finishing fifth in his F2 Ferrari behind Giulio Cabianca's Cooper-Castellotti.
1966
Ludovico Scarfiotti delighted home fans by taking his first grand prix victory at Monza. Scarfiotti and team-mate Mike Parkes qualified on the front row but Lorenzo Bandini made a great start from fifth to lead at the end of the first lap as Scarfiotti dropped back to seventh behind Denny Hulme. Then came the Italian's charge through the field and, aided by the retirements of first Jack Brabham then John Surtees, he led home Parkes. The biggest incident came on lap 17 when Richie Ginther suffered a tyre failure in the Curva Grande and his Honda crashed into the trees beside the track. The American emerged miraculously unhurt but his car was destroyed.
2005
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| Juan Pablo Montoya leads the start of the 2005 Italian Grand Prix. |
The Italian Grand Prix marked only the second time in history that every car that started the race was still running at the finish. It was won by Juan Pablo Montoya in his McLaren from the Renault's of Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella, who dedicated his podium finish to Michele Alboreto, the last Italian on the podium at Monza before him.
2009
The day Crashgate took off, with the announcement from the FIA it was going to charge renault following claims by Nelson Piquet Junior that he had deliberately crashed his Renault at the previous year's Singapore Grand Prix under team orders. The hearing was set for September 21 but by then Renault boss Flavio Briatore and engineer Pat Symonds had quit.
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
On This Day in Formula One - 3 September
1906
The birth in Maffersdorf (the in Austria-Hungary but now in the Czech Republic) of the legendary and brilliant Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the eponymous manufacturer. He also designed the iconic VW Beetle as well as Germany's Tiger tanks, earning him accolades from the Nazi party and internment by the French as a war criminal. He subsequently rebuilt the company after the war despite considerable obstacles, dying after suffering stroke in 1951.
1939
On the day Britain and France declared war against Germany, the last major European race for almost seven years took place with the staging of the one and only Belgrade Grand Prix. It was to be the last hurrah of the great Auto Union-Mercedes era as well and the final major win for the legendary Tazio Nuvolari.
1939
As Britain and France declared war against Germany, the last major European race for almost seven years took place with the staging of the one and only Belgrade Grand Prix. It was to be the last hurrah of the great Auto Union-Mercedes era as well and the final major win for the legendary Tazio Nuvolari.
1950
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| Farina became Formula One's first world champion at Monza. |
2003
Ralf Schumacher discharged himself from hospital against doctors' advice after he was involved in a heavy accident in Monza, where his car lost both rear and front wings at the second Lesmo corner. He was taken to hospital for precautionary checks and remained overnight for observation.
2004
It was Michael Schumacher's turn to suffer a huge accident during testing at Monza when the left-rear tyre of his Ferrari blew out at the end of the start/finish straight. Schumacher hit the barriers with the front and rear of the car, but left the accident unscathed.
2008
Formula One Management agreed a new deal with ESPN Star Sports for F1 television broadcasts in Asia. ESPN Star Sports was given exclusive Grand Prix broadcast rights in 24 Asian markets for the next five years in a deal that included internet, radio and mobile phone broadcasts as well as television coverage.
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
The Flying Finn - By Jake Davis
This fantastic weekly F1 Toon was designed and created by Jake Davis Creative. Prints are available in sizes A4, A3 and A2. Commissions are also available. If you would like to order a PRINT of this fantastic F1 Toon feel free to contact him via:
E-mail - davisjake@hotmail.co.uk
Twitter - @JakeDDCreative
Monday, 1 September 2014
On This Day in Formula One - 1 September
1985
A driver destined for greatness, Stefan Bellof was killed when he overstepped the mark in a sports car race at Spa, failing in a crazy attempt to overtake at the daunting Eau Rouge corner in his Porsche 956. Bellof was an electrifying driver, often on the ragged edge of control. He made it to Formula One in 1984 with Tyrrell and was challenging for victory at Monaco before heavy rain stopped play when he was third, thwarting both him and Ayrton Senna as they closed on Alain Prost. However, the Tyrrell team was found to have committed a technical irregularity and all his points were removed for the 1984 season. He won six times for Porsche en route to claiming the world title and was going for a sixth in 1985 when tragedy struck.
2002
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| Michael Schumacher celebrates his victory at the 2002 Belgian Grand Prix. |
2003
Cornelius Horan, the former priest who ran on to the track during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, was released from custody after six weeks on remand. The former priest believed that God protected him and the drivers when he was on the track. He also said that he would not have conducted his protest but a gate leading to the track had been left open - and that this represented a signal from God that he should invade the track.
2004
Michael Schumacher held a press conference to announce that he had no intention of leaving the sport he loves in the near future. "Apparently I'm supposed to announce my retirement here, but that is not the case," said Schumacher.
2007
Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya vowed to do his best to bring India into Formula One after teaming up with Spyker's director of Formula One Michiel Mol to make an 80 million euro bid for the cash-strapped team. "Team India is on the F1 grid," declared Mallya in a press conference. Mallya's dream became reality when his Force India team took the grid for the 2008 Australian Grand Prix.
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Safety in Formula 1: Medical (Part Eight)
Safety has not always been a paramount concern in Formula One, although there had been many tragedies, both for drivers and spectators. This article will focus on the ‘Medical’ facilities at Formula One Grand Prix. In the last few decades, however, accidents happen and there are medical facilities at every circuit in order to try and control any situation which may occur as a result of an accident.
According to F1.com, “As late as the early 1980s, medical facilities at many Grand Prix events were shockingly poor by modern standards. It has now become one of the top priorities at every race. The serious nature of some motor racing injuries means that speed of medical response is absolutely vital to saving lives.”
Around the circuit, there are several mobile response teams strategically placed which include four salvage cars (S-cars) and two rescue cars (R-cars) as well as two extrication teams. The four S-cars are equipped with a rescue cutter and fire extinguishing equipment whereas the R-cars are manned by a doctor, four paramedics and a driver which can reach any point on the circuit within 30 seconds.
The FIA's chief medical delegate, currently Doctor Ian Roberts, will be on stand-by in the medical car at the end of the pit lane. He can be quickly driven to the scene of any major injury. When Dr Roberts arrives at the accident scene he can gauge the severity of the accident immediately by looking at the warning light system located on the top of cockpit.
The Medical Car will follow the drivers around the circuit on the first lap, as it is considered as the most dangerous and crash-prone corners of the entire race and it will pull into the pitlane at the end of the first lap.
If a driver requires immediate assistance, he or she will be taken the circuit’s medical centre. It is staffed 24 hours a day during a race weekend and is equally equipped with the latest medical devices, including full resuscitation equipment and its own operating theatre, with orthopadedic surgeons, an anaesthetist and six paramedics. Drivers will often be sent to the medical centre for checks as a precaution regardless of whether they’ve emerged unscathed. It is up to the FIA to clear a driver to race and to ensure if he is physically fit to do so. Several drivers have had to sit out the rest of a Grand Prix weekend if they crash early on, and are even forced to sit out of the next race if they are deemed unfit due to a bad accident.
Local hospitals will also be on stand-by during the course of a race weekend so that very serious injuries can be transferred. A MedEvac helicopter manned by a doctor, two paramedics and a pilot is ready to fly at all times, a second helicopter is kept ready outside the circuit and four additional ambulances are posted around the race track. If conditions are such that a helicopter could not take off from the circuit or land at the hospital, due to fog for example, then the race cannot go ahead. Normally, this is a weather issue, fog or rain, and we saw this happen during Free Practice 1 at Circuit of the Americas in 2013. Cars were sent out at the start of the session but were told to return with ‘Red Flags’ due to the late arrival of the MedEvac helicopter.
Therefore, once can establish that Formula One racing is vastly safer than it used to be, and medical provision is a great deal better. That’s it for this article; I hope that you’ve enjoyed it!
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| The Medical Car lines up before the start of the Grand Prix. |
Around the circuit, there are several mobile response teams strategically placed which include four salvage cars (S-cars) and two rescue cars (R-cars) as well as two extrication teams. The four S-cars are equipped with a rescue cutter and fire extinguishing equipment whereas the R-cars are manned by a doctor, four paramedics and a driver which can reach any point on the circuit within 30 seconds.
Did You Know...that the safety of the spectators at Formula One races is controlled by approximately 150 security officials, in addition to approximately 130 medics and doctors?
The FIA's chief medical delegate, currently Doctor Ian Roberts, will be on stand-by in the medical car at the end of the pit lane. He can be quickly driven to the scene of any major injury. When Dr Roberts arrives at the accident scene he can gauge the severity of the accident immediately by looking at the warning light system located on the top of cockpit.
The Medical Car will follow the drivers around the circuit on the first lap, as it is considered as the most dangerous and crash-prone corners of the entire race and it will pull into the pitlane at the end of the first lap.
If a driver requires immediate assistance, he or she will be taken the circuit’s medical centre. It is staffed 24 hours a day during a race weekend and is equally equipped with the latest medical devices, including full resuscitation equipment and its own operating theatre, with orthopadedic surgeons, an anaesthetist and six paramedics. Drivers will often be sent to the medical centre for checks as a precaution regardless of whether they’ve emerged unscathed. It is up to the FIA to clear a driver to race and to ensure if he is physically fit to do so. Several drivers have had to sit out the rest of a Grand Prix weekend if they crash early on, and are even forced to sit out of the next race if they are deemed unfit due to a bad accident.
Did You Know...that two ambulances and a helicopter manned by a doctor, two paramedics and a pilot stand by throughout the race. A second helicopter is kept ready outside the circuit and four additional ambulances are posted along the race track.
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| Felipe Massa being airlifted to hospital following an accident at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix. |
Therefore, once can establish that Formula One racing is vastly safer than it used to be, and medical provision is a great deal better. That’s it for this article; I hope that you’ve enjoyed it!
Friday, 29 August 2014
On This Day in Formula One - 29 August
1947
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| The 1976 World Champion James Hunt. |
1976
En route to winning the title, Hunt won the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Two weeks after Niki Lauda came off the critical list following his horrific accident at the Nurburgring, Hunt trailed Ronnie Peterson and John Watson in the early stages of the race before both men dropped back, leaving Hunt to claim victory from Clay Regazzoni and Mario Andretti and close the gap between himself and Lauda to just 14 points.
1982
Keke Rosberg won the 1982 world championship with Williams despite winning just one race all season at the Swiss Grand Prix. The race was held in Dijon, France with motor racing still banned in Switzerland following the 1955 Le Mans disaster. Rosberg started eighth on the grid and overtook Alain Prost late on to secure victory.
1999
David Coulthard won the Belgian Grand Prix after clashing with team-mate Mika Hakkinen into the first corner. Hakkinen had qualified on pole but was slower off the line, allowing Coulthard to pull alongside. The pair then touched into the first corner as Coulthard muscled his way past on the inside. Hakkinen's second place allowed him to overtake Eddie Irvine by a single point at the top of the drivers' standings.
2004
Kimi Raikkonen took McLaren's first victory of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix but it was not enough to stop Michael Schumacher from securing his seventh drivers' title as he finished second ahead of Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello.
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
'No more Mr Nice Guy' - By Jake Davis
This fantastic weekly F1 Toon was designed and created by Jake Davis Creative. Prints are available in sizes A4, A3 and A2. Commissions are also available. If you would like to order a PRINT of this fantastic F1 Toon feel free to contact him via:
E-mail - davisjake@hotmail.co.uk
Twitter - @JakeDDCreative
On This Day in Formula One - 26 August
1979
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| Gilles Villeneuve continues on with a puncture on the rear of his Ferrari. |
Gilles Villeneuve cemented his cult-hero status at the Dutch Grand Prix when he refused to retire with a puncture, and instead drove a lap of the circuit on three wheels with sparks flying from the rear of his Ferrari. Villeneuve had been leading the race after a brave move on Alan Jones at Tarzan corner and looked set for victory until a spin on lap 47 dropped him to second. Villeneuve rejoined but two laps later he spun again, this time the rear-left tyre exploded and left the Ferrari strewn across the middle of the track. However, he didn't give up and raced back to the pits on three wheels, pulling wheelies along the way and making good time. When he returned to the pits, however, the suspension was too badly damaged to carry on and he was forced to retire. Jones went on to win the race ahead of Villeneuve's team-mate Jody Scheckter.
1984
Alain Prost won the Dutch Grand Prix to close within half a point of championship leader Niki Lauda. Nelson Piquet had taken an early lead but falling oil pressure forced him to retire early on, handing the lead to Prost. Meanwhile, Lauda picked his way through the field from sixth on the grid to finish 10 seconds off the pace of his McLaren team-mate. Lauda managed to maintain his half point lead for the remaining three races to take his third title.
1990
After three attempts the Belgian Grand Prix finally got underway with Ayrton Senna leading from lights to flag. At the first attempt Aguri Suzuki's Larousse started a chain reaction crash into the first corner that, via Nelson Piquet, shunted Nigel Mansell into the barrier. As everyone tried to avoid the accident the two Lotuses collided and then further around the first lap Satoru Nakajima parked his Tyrrell on a kerb. The red flags came out and the grid reformed. At the second start Paolo Barilla had a huge accident at Eau Rouge, leaving bits of his Minardi scattered across the track. Again the race director put out the red flag. Finally on the third attempt everybody got away without incident and Senna, as he had on the previous two occasions, sped off into the lead. His closest competitor was the Ferrari of Alain Prost who finished 3.5 seconds behind.
1996
One of the most iconic F1 sponsorship deals came to an end when the Philip Morris tobacco company announced it would not renew its sponsorship of McLaren in 1997. Philip Morris' European president said: "During our 23 years of sponsorship, the Marlboro McLaren team has had unprecedented success, winning nine drivers' world championships, seven wolrd constructors' championships and 96 grands prix. We are very proud of that record."
2007
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| Lewis Hamilton suffers with a puncture at the 2007 Turkish Grand Prix. |
Lewis Hamilton's title bid took the first of two major blows as a result of a tyre failure. He had been running in a comfortable third position at the Turkish Grand Prix, ahead of title rival and McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso, when his front left tyre failed at high speed. He dropped back to fifth, missing out on two points - the exact same margin he lost the championship by to Kimi Raikkonen. His second tyre failure, which stopped him taking the title on that day, came at the Chinese Grand Prix when he ran wide on the pit lane entrance with a balding intermediate. Felipe Massa went on to win the Turkish Grand Prix, ahead of Raikkonen and Alonso.
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
Monday, 25 August 2014
On This Day in Formula One - 25 August
1985
McLaren took a dominant one-two victory at Zandvoort ahead of Ayrton Senna in a Lotus. Niki Lauda led home Alain Prost by just 0.232 seconds after the pair ran nose-to-tail for the last few laps. Senna had led at the start but lost out in the pit stops as the McLarens worked their way through the field. Alain Prost went on to win the title comfortably.1991
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| Michael Schumacher got his F1 break driving for Jordan Sutton Images |
1996
Michael Schumacher took victory at the Belgian Grand Prix but only after a strategic cock-up cost Williams an easy win. Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill had locked out the front row and although Schumacher split the pair at the start Villeneuve had the faster car. However, a third of the way into the race the throttle on Jos Verstappen's Arrows pinned wide open and he crashed at 135mph. A safety car was called out and Williams radioed Villeneuve to come in, but somewhere over the vast expanse of the Spa circuit the message got lost and Villeneuve stayed out on track. As a result Schumacher took the lead and with Villeneuve concerned about some knocking noises from his Renault V10, he settled for second. After the race an elated Schumacher said: "I would not have bet anything for this to happen. There was no way I thought I could win this race. Spa is lucky for me."
2001
Founder and team principal of Tyrrell Racing, Ken Tyrrell, passed away at his home in Surrey. Tyrrell cars were a mainstay of the F1 grid from 1970 to 1998, taking 23 wins before the team entry was sold to British American Tobacco for the start of the 1999 season. It went on to become BAR, then Honda and eventually relived its glory days under the Brawn name. Jackie Stewart, who took all three of his world championships with Tyrrell as the team principal said: "Ken was the most important person in my life outside my family. Without Ken Tyrrell, I would not be where I am today."
2006
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| Vettel impresses on his F1 debut in the BMW Sauber. |
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
Friday, 22 August 2014
On This Day in Formula One - 22 August
1954
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| Juan Manuel Fangio on his way to win the 1954 Swiss Grand Prix. |
2001
Jordan announced that Benetton's Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella would trade places with compatriot Jarno Trulli and join the team in 2002 on a three-year contract. "Planning for the long-term future is vital and stability and continuity are key to success," said team boss Eddie Jordan in the statement. "I am overjoyed that Giancarlo has signed a three-year contract with us, as this gives Jordan and Honda a strong platform to build on." Mika Hakkinen's manager, Keke Rosberg, also announced that the Finn would stay on at McLaren in 2002.
2002
Ford vice president Richard Parry-Jones announced that the struggling Jaguar Racing team was not for sale. "Ford Motor Company management is not in negotiations and is not planning on the sale of Jaguar Racing," said Parry-Jones, responsible for Ford's Formula One commitments. The team was eventually sold to Red Bull in 2004.
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
Thursday, 21 August 2014
Slipstream SA Competition - Rules & Questions
Slipstream SA Formula 1 competition - WIN a Evolution of Scuderia Ferrari poster and a Scuderia Ferrari Formula One car (scale 1:43).
There will be 15 questions in total. 1 per day starting on the 8th August 2014. Once all 15 have been announced, please compile your answers and e-mail them to slipstreamsacompetition@gmail.com The deadline for entries is 3rd September 2014 at midnight. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries using a random number generator.
NOTE - Each question will be released on Twitter - @JunaidSamodien_ and will be posted on this blog as well!
RULES - 1] DO NOT answer the questions when they are posted. You are required to compile all your answers and send them to me once you've figured out the answer to the final question.
2] When sending your answers PLEASE attach your Full Name and Twitter Handle if you have one.
3] This competition is OPEN to anyone (Worldwide)
NOTE - Each question will be released on Twitter - @JunaidSamodien_ and will be posted on this blog as well!
RULES - 1] DO NOT answer the questions when they are posted. You are required to compile all your answers and send them to me once you've figured out the answer to the final question.
2] When sending your answers PLEASE attach your Full Name and Twitter Handle if you have one.
3] This competition is OPEN to anyone (Worldwide)
Most of all! Enjoy the Quiz and Goodluck!
QUESTION 2 - How many championship points did Scuderia Ferrari score in the 2013 season?
QUESTION 3 - What do these years represent? 1994-1995-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004?
Question 4 - Name the 3 subjects that Interested Michael Schumacher the most at school?
Question 5 - At what age did Michael Schumacher begin his karting career?
Question 6 - Which Formula 1 team gave Michael Schumacher his first taste at Formula One?
Question 7 - At which Grand Prix did Michael Schumacher announce that he would join Ferrari?
Question 8 - In 2000, who ended the twenty-one-year drought for Ferrari by winning the World Championship?
Question 9 - Name the designer who joined Ferrari on 17 February 1997?
QUESTION 1 - When was Scuderia Ferrari founded? (Year)
QUESTION 2 - How many championship points did Scuderia Ferrari score in the 2013 season?
QUESTION 3 - What do these years represent? 1994-1995-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004?
Question 4 - Name the 3 subjects that Interested Michael Schumacher the most at school?
Question 5 - At what age did Michael Schumacher begin his karting career?
Question 6 - Which Formula 1 team gave Michael Schumacher his first taste at Formula One?
Question 7 - At which Grand Prix did Michael Schumacher announce that he would join Ferrari?
Question 8 - In 2000, who ended the twenty-one-year drought for Ferrari by winning the World Championship?
Question 9 - Name the designer who joined Ferrari on 17 February 1997?
Question 10 - Who took over as Team Principal when Jean Todt left Ferrari?
Question 11 - In the 1995 season Michael Schumacher qualified in 16th place for the Belgian Grand Prix but in which position did he finish in the Grand Prix?
Question 12 - Ferrari achieved the record of the most one-two finishes with the same drivers. Name the drivers?
Question 13 - Which team did Ferrari supply with engines in the 1991 season?
Question 14 - Who was Gilles Villeneuve's team mate in the 1980 season? (Name the driver?)
Question 15 - In which year did Michael Schumacher become the only driver in Formula One history to finish in the top three in every race of the season?
Question 11 - In the 1995 season Michael Schumacher qualified in 16th place for the Belgian Grand Prix but in which position did he finish in the Grand Prix?
Question 12 - Ferrari achieved the record of the most one-two finishes with the same drivers. Name the drivers?
Question 13 - Which team did Ferrari supply with engines in the 1991 season?
Question 14 - Who was Gilles Villeneuve's team mate in the 1980 season? (Name the driver?)
Question 15 - In which year did Michael Schumacher become the only driver in Formula One history to finish in the top three in every race of the season?
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On This Day in Formula One - 21 August
1988
Future F1 driver Johnny Herbert's career was thrown in doubt after he was caught up in a huge accident at Brands Hatch in an F3000 race. Herbert's legs took the brunt of the impact and he was lucky not to lose one of his feet. He astonished doctors with his determination to recover and despite still struggling to walk properly, he finished a heroic fourth on his F1 debut for Benetton in Brazil in 1989.
2000
A biography of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone was pulled from publication after legal wrangles and allegations against the author by Ecclestone, according to a report in London's Times newspaper. Among several claims made in the book, is that the donation of one million pounds to the British Labour Party before the last election was an attempt to ensure Formula One was exempted from the banning of tobacco advertising, a claim which Ecclestone denies: "I gave the money because I was asked to by a third party," said Ecclestone. "I've always been Tory, though I actually think now that all Blair has been as prime minister is watered-down old Conservatism."
2005
Bernie Ecclestone continued his expansion of his Formula One Empire as Istanbul played host to the first ever Turkish Grand Prix. The new circuit proved an instant hit and Kimi Raikkonen went on to take victory from Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya. McLaren had looked set for a certain 1-2 but Montoya ran wide on the final lap and let Alonso through after damaging his undertray a lap earlier.
2007
BMW Sauber ended months of speculation by confirming Nick Heidfeld would remain alongside Robert Kubica at the team for 2008. "Both Nick and Robert have delivered very strong performances in the course of this season. They have played a decisive role in enabling the BMW Sauber F1 Team to firmly establish itself as the third best team in Formula One," said BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen.
[INFORMATION BY - ESPNF1.com]
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