Looking forward to attending the 2012 USGP in Austin?
Might be a good idea to let the Austin City Council know you're coming.
As with any ambitious enterprise, the naysayers are getting a little bit noisier. There's a vote coming up that could stifle all of our travel plans.
Certainly, anyone who has followed the Grand Prix circus for several years knows the pitfalls of dancing with one particular devil who goes by the name of Bernie. There is good reason to approach this deal with a great deal of caution.
However, I personally believe Austin will be a fantastic venue for the United States Grand Prix.
I also believe Tavo Hellmund and the team of businessmen behind the venture are taking the proper steps to give the USGP a permanent home that will do justice to the sport . . . and give US motor sport fans a chance to see the most technologically advanced cars on the planet perform at the upper threshold of their design.
That sort of thing will sell itself, and it would not surprise me to see the USGP at Austin top the list of all annual GP's in terms of attendance.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
2 decades in . . .
I'd been meaning to post a few thoughts on Michael Schumacher, and his drive in Montreal could not have come in more timely fashion.
Schumacher did not arrive in F1 quietly. After his stunning debut with Jordan, two world championships with Benetton, sheer domination at Ferrari, and every controversial incident along a career which has spanned two decades, one could be forgiven for not seeing what remained to be accomplished.
When 2010 proved difficult if not out right embarrassing, Schumi became a target of doubt and skepticism from many of this most ardent supporters. As Eddie Jordan so aptly stated, "a falling god now railing against his own mortality and risking that of others," 2010 served up plenty of ammunition for those who preferred that he had remained mythologically invincible in retirement.
2011 hasn't exactly been a return to the good ol' days. Mercedes is not on par with Red Bull, McLaren, nor Ferrari. Schumacher and teammate Nico Rosberg have so far struggled consistently in the midfield trying to peck their way into the higher order of those trailing Sebastian Vettel.
Schumi's perseverance to carry on despite losing immortality is indeed rare in this world which we live. His willingness to face trial, humility, and defeat might ultimately prove a stronger testament to his sportsmanship than hiding safely behind mythology in retirement.
I'm glad he's back and F1 is a better place as a result. It is clear to me that he loves driving, competition. I am certain that he's still determined to show the "kids" on the grid that he still has what it takes.
I don't know that it is humanly possible for Schumi to return to the driver he was several years ago, but his drive in Montreal reminded me of the world champion who won, outright, the first 3 Grands Prix I attended.
If only the Mercedes was capable of winning this season, it would be great to see Schumi back on the podium.
Schumacher did not arrive in F1 quietly. After his stunning debut with Jordan, two world championships with Benetton, sheer domination at Ferrari, and every controversial incident along a career which has spanned two decades, one could be forgiven for not seeing what remained to be accomplished.
When 2010 proved difficult if not out right embarrassing, Schumi became a target of doubt and skepticism from many of this most ardent supporters. As Eddie Jordan so aptly stated, "a falling god now railing against his own mortality and risking that of others," 2010 served up plenty of ammunition for those who preferred that he had remained mythologically invincible in retirement.
2011 hasn't exactly been a return to the good ol' days. Mercedes is not on par with Red Bull, McLaren, nor Ferrari. Schumacher and teammate Nico Rosberg have so far struggled consistently in the midfield trying to peck their way into the higher order of those trailing Sebastian Vettel.
Schumi's perseverance to carry on despite losing immortality is indeed rare in this world which we live. His willingness to face trial, humility, and defeat might ultimately prove a stronger testament to his sportsmanship than hiding safely behind mythology in retirement.
I'm glad he's back and F1 is a better place as a result. It is clear to me that he loves driving, competition. I am certain that he's still determined to show the "kids" on the grid that he still has what it takes.
I don't know that it is humanly possible for Schumi to return to the driver he was several years ago, but his drive in Montreal reminded me of the world champion who won, outright, the first 3 Grands Prix I attended.
If only the Mercedes was capable of winning this season, it would be great to see Schumi back on the podium.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Button Up
One week on from Montreal and I'm still struggling to grasp the visceral experience the Grand Prix du Canada provided. My synapses are overloaded. Analogies, ironies, realizations come and go. Hopefully by submitting this post, I'll capture a few of those fleeting thoughts before they are gone.
This was my 8th Grand Prix . . . actually 7th, but I'm including one day of qualifying in the wet at Monza in '08.
As I've purposely chosen to expend creative energy photographing Grands Prix, I've discovered that although distant, the camera somehow more closely engages me to the sport. Every Grand Prix weekend has supercharged my mind, body, and spirit into overdrive. Rarely have I felt alive as I do hoofing briskly around a Grand Prix circuit with a heavy bag full of camera gear, and Montreal proved no exception.
On several points, Montreal gets very high marks. The atmosphere was palpable. The Grand Prix drew significant numbers of seasoned hard core fans whose passion for F1 felt light years from casual. The anticipation was contagious, and that energy made this spectacle equal to all of my Grands Prix prior.
It is fair to suggest, however, that attending the Canadian Grand Prix does not quite compare to the overall experience of attending Spa, Monza, Imola . . . all Grands Prix that I've been fortunate to witness live. For all of the wonderful things about Montreal and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the highs of my personal experience at the 2011 GP are mapped against unexpected snags and frustrations like the throttle/brake map from Vettel's pole position lap.
I've never been to a Grand Prix where my swings from awe to struggle occurred so abruptly. Although I'd give the Grand Prix du Canada my stamp of approval, I would caution that it isn't quite as easy on the heart rate and wallet as other Grands Prix I've attended. I'm not saying that we did not have a wonderful time, only that it came with a healthy dose of patience and determination on our behalf.
Specific to my photographic endeavors on Friday, I'd been well advised to pack a lunch for an all day ass whoopin'.
Of all the Grand Prix circuits and road courses I've been to, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve must rank as the least accessible. The general admission areas are incredibly limited and offer a poor vantage on the circuit. The double layer of fencing doesn't help matters. A slow shutter may defeat one layer of fencing, two is another matter.
From a purely spectator point of view, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve offers a lack of elevation change, significant closed infield areas, almost non-existent accessible perimeter vantage points. They've done a great job with the grandstand seating to combat that problem, but as the course runs like a flattened football, it can be hard to find seating that offers perspective on both speed and change of direction at the same time.
Although we fared very well at Stand 33, one basically has to drive a few slow laps on PS3 to make an intelligent choice of seating. I would highly recommend that should you find the GP looming in your future, get online and buy tickets months in advance, because the best stands fill up fast.
Fortunately, the drama which soon unfolded during this year's Grand Prix ran a gamut of emotion which could have been appreciated from sitting in a tree.
Who would've guessed that what initially appeared to be one of Jenson Button's sloppiest efforts in recent memory . . . including two accidents, a drive through, and general lack of pace . . . would transform into the sort of late race charge that legends are made of?
At the time, I could not tell whether Jenson had a purposed hand in the Hamilton affair, but I was dead certain that he'd done Alonso wrong.
With the benefit of DVR replay, I now feel pretty strongly that he was innocent in regard to Hamilton's contact, and that in coming together with Fred, blame could be assessed equally . . . purely a racing incident.
That said, Button's performance over the weekend had been far from exemplary. Having been called off my photographic battle by Montreal's strangely zealous security, I was more than surprised upon returning to my seat to realize that he was staging a DRS enabled comeback through the field that will be remembered for years to come.
With our fantastic vantage on the high speed sweep from turn 5 into braking for turn 6 and the rotation through the chicane into turn 7, I'd noticed that Vettel was fighting his Red Bull Renault under braking. His tires were knackered and the back end was trying to break away. It was clear that whatever happened, he could not stray off the dry line.
Final lap. Vettel and Button sweep hard and fast through turn 5 into our field of view, on the limit. Vettel brakes and again the Red Bull steps out. He immediately leaves his braking to arrest the car's wary state, but this leaves him carrying too much speed into the corner and he runs wide . . . wide enough to push his outside wheels off the dry line.
At that point I'm not certain what happened next, but Seb blipped the throttle to either push his nose toward 7 or to arrest a sacrificial slide he already felt coming.
Right before our very eyes, Vettel's certain victory slung off his rear wing like so many tiny droplets of St Lawrence rain, and Button powered through into the lead.
That single moment, merely yards beneath our seats, instantly erased the sore muscles I'd developed schlepping my camera gear around for four days. It made the fiasco with our hotel (another long story) trivial. It gave me peace to accept that perhaps in this one instance, it was OK to simply enjoy being there.
Finally, I would be remiss to ignore a cautionary observation.
Despite Button's amazing surge to the top step in this out board motoring affair, it reinforces my question as to whether DRS has ultimately changed F1 for the better. Having followed the sport as passionately as I have for so long, I think I'd prefer it shelved as a great idea that went a touch too far.
This was my 8th Grand Prix . . . actually 7th, but I'm including one day of qualifying in the wet at Monza in '08.
As I've purposely chosen to expend creative energy photographing Grands Prix, I've discovered that although distant, the camera somehow more closely engages me to the sport. Every Grand Prix weekend has supercharged my mind, body, and spirit into overdrive. Rarely have I felt alive as I do hoofing briskly around a Grand Prix circuit with a heavy bag full of camera gear, and Montreal proved no exception.
On several points, Montreal gets very high marks. The atmosphere was palpable. The Grand Prix drew significant numbers of seasoned hard core fans whose passion for F1 felt light years from casual. The anticipation was contagious, and that energy made this spectacle equal to all of my Grands Prix prior.
It is fair to suggest, however, that attending the Canadian Grand Prix does not quite compare to the overall experience of attending Spa, Monza, Imola . . . all Grands Prix that I've been fortunate to witness live. For all of the wonderful things about Montreal and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the highs of my personal experience at the 2011 GP are mapped against unexpected snags and frustrations like the throttle/brake map from Vettel's pole position lap.
I've never been to a Grand Prix where my swings from awe to struggle occurred so abruptly. Although I'd give the Grand Prix du Canada my stamp of approval, I would caution that it isn't quite as easy on the heart rate and wallet as other Grands Prix I've attended. I'm not saying that we did not have a wonderful time, only that it came with a healthy dose of patience and determination on our behalf.
Specific to my photographic endeavors on Friday, I'd been well advised to pack a lunch for an all day ass whoopin'.
Of all the Grand Prix circuits and road courses I've been to, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve must rank as the least accessible. The general admission areas are incredibly limited and offer a poor vantage on the circuit. The double layer of fencing doesn't help matters. A slow shutter may defeat one layer of fencing, two is another matter.
From a purely spectator point of view, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve offers a lack of elevation change, significant closed infield areas, almost non-existent accessible perimeter vantage points. They've done a great job with the grandstand seating to combat that problem, but as the course runs like a flattened football, it can be hard to find seating that offers perspective on both speed and change of direction at the same time.
Although we fared very well at Stand 33, one basically has to drive a few slow laps on PS3 to make an intelligent choice of seating. I would highly recommend that should you find the GP looming in your future, get online and buy tickets months in advance, because the best stands fill up fast.
Fortunately, the drama which soon unfolded during this year's Grand Prix ran a gamut of emotion which could have been appreciated from sitting in a tree.
Who would've guessed that what initially appeared to be one of Jenson Button's sloppiest efforts in recent memory . . . including two accidents, a drive through, and general lack of pace . . . would transform into the sort of late race charge that legends are made of?
At the time, I could not tell whether Jenson had a purposed hand in the Hamilton affair, but I was dead certain that he'd done Alonso wrong.
With the benefit of DVR replay, I now feel pretty strongly that he was innocent in regard to Hamilton's contact, and that in coming together with Fred, blame could be assessed equally . . . purely a racing incident.
That said, Button's performance over the weekend had been far from exemplary. Having been called off my photographic battle by Montreal's strangely zealous security, I was more than surprised upon returning to my seat to realize that he was staging a DRS enabled comeback through the field that will be remembered for years to come.
With our fantastic vantage on the high speed sweep from turn 5 into braking for turn 6 and the rotation through the chicane into turn 7, I'd noticed that Vettel was fighting his Red Bull Renault under braking. His tires were knackered and the back end was trying to break away. It was clear that whatever happened, he could not stray off the dry line.
Final lap. Vettel and Button sweep hard and fast through turn 5 into our field of view, on the limit. Vettel brakes and again the Red Bull steps out. He immediately leaves his braking to arrest the car's wary state, but this leaves him carrying too much speed into the corner and he runs wide . . . wide enough to push his outside wheels off the dry line.
At that point I'm not certain what happened next, but Seb blipped the throttle to either push his nose toward 7 or to arrest a sacrificial slide he already felt coming.
Right before our very eyes, Vettel's certain victory slung off his rear wing like so many tiny droplets of St Lawrence rain, and Button powered through into the lead.
That single moment, merely yards beneath our seats, instantly erased the sore muscles I'd developed schlepping my camera gear around for four days. It made the fiasco with our hotel (another long story) trivial. It gave me peace to accept that perhaps in this one instance, it was OK to simply enjoy being there.
Despite Button's amazing surge to the top step in this out board motoring affair, it reinforces my question as to whether DRS has ultimately changed F1 for the better. Having followed the sport as passionately as I have for so long, I think I'd prefer it shelved as a great idea that went a touch too far.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Not just racing . . .
Continuing with my efforts to encourage the contributions of others, here's a great post from Traci as we prepare to attend the Grand Prix of Canada:
F1 - Not just racing, but a cultural event
Some people are drawn to F1 by the cars. I was drawn to F1 by the locales. Before discovering F1, my perception was that all racing was basically the same. I soon realized how wrong my assumption was - F1 cars are the fastest, the drivers are the best, and the diverse international locations provide a uniquely appealing backdrop for this exciting sport.
As I began to follow F1 and its yearly trek to circuits from the Middle-Eastern kingdom of Bahrain to quaint and charming European towns such as Spa and Imola, I discovered that F1 is not merely racing at its finest, it's a cultural event. Each circuit has its own individual personality and offerings. In Monza, each morning I looked forward to getting a cappuccino or espresso and a brioche alla crema at one of the many vendors lining the way into the circuit. For lunch, nothing could beat a delicious pomodoro e mozerella or prosciutto e mozerella panino and a walk through the beautiful park between events.
At Spa I looked forward to amazing grilled sausages cooked right before our eyes, accompanied by grilled peppers or onions or both! Later, a sweet smell drifting across the circuit led me to Belgian waffles made to order at little stands around the track. No matter where I am, in the evenings, I always enjoy trying the local cuisine and mingling with other international race enthusiasts. I can't forget one night in Imola, eating simple but delicious pizza at a small restaurant near the circuit, where next to us sat a whole table of German race fans singing German songs, and drinking Italian beer.
I have made some wonderful friends along the way, and this weekend, look forward to a new city, a new circuit and new friends. See you soon Montreal.
Traci Carroll
Dear Lewis
Were you truly victimized by Alonso at McLaren, or was it your intent to simply make things appear that way?
When you unfathomably rammed Raikkonen at pit exit in Montreal '08, did it ever occur to you that an apology might be in order?
Pointing your finger at your team and pouting about FIA double standards, was that really the most productive manner in which to address the missteps of Melbourne '09?
Do those occasional verbal radio assaults toward your team ultimately provide you with better cars and bullet proof strategy?
You are immensely talented. Your competitive spirit burns bright. You are admired the world over, but I must ask . . . have you looked in the mirror lately?
You fooled me. I thought you'd matured . . . learned to respect your competitors, your team, your self. I thought I recognized traces of growth, and started believing that you were becoming a true sportsman.
After Monaco I'm no longer quite so sure.
I understand that you are young. I understand that you were frustrated. I understand that in certain moments, we all say things that we later regret. I also understand that by referencing a fictional comedic persona, you thought you were being cynical and that everyone would recognize the absurdity of your remark.
Might I offer a suggestion for Montreal? Spend a few moments looking across the McLaren garage to your team mate. Spend a few moments considering the pressure he is under, listening to him, and observe how he handles the constant scrutiny of playing your understudy.
Finally, I might suggest ripping a few of the pages from your hero's playbook. Throw them away. Senna was great, but many times petulant. He was human. No one does everything right, and what did not work for him certainly does not work for you.
Sincerely,
Disappointed
When you unfathomably rammed Raikkonen at pit exit in Montreal '08, did it ever occur to you that an apology might be in order?
Pointing your finger at your team and pouting about FIA double standards, was that really the most productive manner in which to address the missteps of Melbourne '09?
Do those occasional verbal radio assaults toward your team ultimately provide you with better cars and bullet proof strategy?
You are immensely talented. Your competitive spirit burns bright. You are admired the world over, but I must ask . . . have you looked in the mirror lately?
You fooled me. I thought you'd matured . . . learned to respect your competitors, your team, your self. I thought I recognized traces of growth, and started believing that you were becoming a true sportsman.
After Monaco I'm no longer quite so sure.
I understand that you are young. I understand that you were frustrated. I understand that in certain moments, we all say things that we later regret. I also understand that by referencing a fictional comedic persona, you thought you were being cynical and that everyone would recognize the absurdity of your remark.
Might I offer a suggestion for Montreal? Spend a few moments looking across the McLaren garage to your team mate. Spend a few moments considering the pressure he is under, listening to him, and observe how he handles the constant scrutiny of playing your understudy.
Finally, I might suggest ripping a few of the pages from your hero's playbook. Throw them away. Senna was great, but many times petulant. He was human. No one does everything right, and what did not work for him certainly does not work for you.
Sincerely,
Disappointed
Friday, May 27, 2011
Misc thoughts on Monaco
Monaco
As usual, I'm very much looking forward to Monaco. I'm glad world titles aren't ultimately decided there, but the F1 mecca certainly encompasses everything that is F1: the glamour of the Mediterranean, cars sliding around impossibly tight corners, and dozens of internet posts about . . . you guessed it . . . a general lack of overtaking.
When I think back over the memorable moments Monaco has provided . . . Niki Lauda's remarkable recovery from a puncture to finish 2nd in an era when a single pit stop virtually assured one's doom . . . the nose to gearbox fight between Senna and Mansell for victory in the closing laps of '92 . . . I relish the potential these insanely tight, winding, steeply rising and falling streets have to surprise and astonish.
Perhaps then Monaco transcends annual regulation tinkering and is more about history and anticipation than the latest debate du jour. It is a spectacle . . . one that I hope to experience very much in person one day.
Spain
Fernando Alonso's start and fight to steal the lead into turn 1 was one of the most inspired displays of raw talent I have seen in a long time. Given Alonso's knowledge that his car could not keep pace with Red Bull and McLaren on the extremely technical Catalan circuit, I find his fighting spirit rare indeed. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the best. Ferrari have their man, and I can only hope that they will provide him with a capable car soon.
Barcelona certainly appeared less chaotic than the prior two Grands Prix. I'm guessing that this is because Pirelli served up a more stable compound? Thoughts?
Where O' where has Kimi Raikkonen gone?
I watched my very first NASCAR Truck race . . . well let's be honest, I fast forwarded through it. That just about sums up anything that I have to offer on the topic.
Cheers
As usual, I'm very much looking forward to Monaco. I'm glad world titles aren't ultimately decided there, but the F1 mecca certainly encompasses everything that is F1: the glamour of the Mediterranean, cars sliding around impossibly tight corners, and dozens of internet posts about . . . you guessed it . . . a general lack of overtaking.
When I think back over the memorable moments Monaco has provided . . . Niki Lauda's remarkable recovery from a puncture to finish 2nd in an era when a single pit stop virtually assured one's doom . . . the nose to gearbox fight between Senna and Mansell for victory in the closing laps of '92 . . . I relish the potential these insanely tight, winding, steeply rising and falling streets have to surprise and astonish.
Perhaps then Monaco transcends annual regulation tinkering and is more about history and anticipation than the latest debate du jour. It is a spectacle . . . one that I hope to experience very much in person one day.
Spain
Fernando Alonso's start and fight to steal the lead into turn 1 was one of the most inspired displays of raw talent I have seen in a long time. Given Alonso's knowledge that his car could not keep pace with Red Bull and McLaren on the extremely technical Catalan circuit, I find his fighting spirit rare indeed. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the best. Ferrari have their man, and I can only hope that they will provide him with a capable car soon.
Barcelona certainly appeared less chaotic than the prior two Grands Prix. I'm guessing that this is because Pirelli served up a more stable compound? Thoughts?
Where O' where has Kimi Raikkonen gone?
I watched my very first NASCAR Truck race . . . well let's be honest, I fast forwarded through it. That just about sums up anything that I have to offer on the topic.
Cheers
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Round 4: Great race, but . . .
In the space of three weeks and two highly volatile Grands Prix, my concern regarding the new state of F1 may have been justified at Istanbul.
IMHO this season's recipe is an over correction. Grands Prix previously sedated by the artificial restriction aerodynamics wrought against wheel-to -wheel combat now look vulnerable to staging a new artificiality. Almost in an instant we've flipped from the hapless guy behind to the defenseless guy in front. Turnpike, interstate-style overtaking is too close to becoming the new vogue and modus operandi in F1.
Prior the start of 2009, the FIA implemented the directives of the "Overtaking Working Group," a collection of influential FOTA members assembled to alleviate the numbing effect of aerodynamic technology upon the sport.
The cars were redesigned with smaller rear wings, smaller front tires, and bigger front wings to greatly reduce turbulent wake, improve front grip, and increase competition. Winglets and additional aero aids were outlawed. In theory, all should have provided the car behind an aerodynamically stable environment in which to attack the car ahead.
There was just one problem. Typical of F1's on-going political warfare, a couple of the slicker players discovered and exploited a loophole in the new regulations which allowed the use of super diffusers.
The turbulence produced by these ground sucking vacuums proved that neither the teams nor the fans had gained much of anything from the zillions spent reshaping wings and cutting winglets. Wing and tire sizes were insignificant in comparison to the ground effect advantage diffusers were known to insure.
Expensive wind tunnels may prove to be the legacy of F1's manufacturer era, but it remains striking that simple aerodynamic regulation has proven so difficult to implement with temperance.
I contend that not all of what we witnessed at Istanbul was good for the sport. Webber's relieving Alonso from 2nd place was simply too easy. That is but one example. We need close racing where neither the attacker nor defender carry a handicap.
No single DRS element alone handicaps an opponent. It appears only that when combined with tires that degrade at exaggerated rate and frequency do we see some drivers at certain times as defenseless we did approaching Turn 12 in Turkey.
F1 is on the right course. There were plenty of dramatic moments outside of the DRS zone. Within that zone, there were battles enabled by the 2011 mix which weren't rendered completely false in the process.
Mark Webber's still talking about it.
IMHO this season's recipe is an over correction. Grands Prix previously sedated by the artificial restriction aerodynamics wrought against wheel-to -wheel combat now look vulnerable to staging a new artificiality. Almost in an instant we've flipped from the hapless guy behind to the defenseless guy in front. Turnpike, interstate-style overtaking is too close to becoming the new vogue and modus operandi in F1.
Prior the start of 2009, the FIA implemented the directives of the "Overtaking Working Group," a collection of influential FOTA members assembled to alleviate the numbing effect of aerodynamic technology upon the sport.
The cars were redesigned with smaller rear wings, smaller front tires, and bigger front wings to greatly reduce turbulent wake, improve front grip, and increase competition. Winglets and additional aero aids were outlawed. In theory, all should have provided the car behind an aerodynamically stable environment in which to attack the car ahead.
There was just one problem. Typical of F1's on-going political warfare, a couple of the slicker players discovered and exploited a loophole in the new regulations which allowed the use of super diffusers.
The turbulence produced by these ground sucking vacuums proved that neither the teams nor the fans had gained much of anything from the zillions spent reshaping wings and cutting winglets. Wing and tire sizes were insignificant in comparison to the ground effect advantage diffusers were known to insure.
Expensive wind tunnels may prove to be the legacy of F1's manufacturer era, but it remains striking that simple aerodynamic regulation has proven so difficult to implement with temperance.
I contend that not all of what we witnessed at Istanbul was good for the sport. Webber's relieving Alonso from 2nd place was simply too easy. That is but one example. We need close racing where neither the attacker nor defender carry a handicap.
No single DRS element alone handicaps an opponent. It appears only that when combined with tires that degrade at exaggerated rate and frequency do we see some drivers at certain times as defenseless we did approaching Turn 12 in Turkey.
F1 is on the right course. There were plenty of dramatic moments outside of the DRS zone. Within that zone, there were battles enabled by the 2011 mix which weren't rendered completely false in the process.
It might just be that 2011's formula for overtaking may need a simple tweak . . .
Mark Webber's still talking about it.
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