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Category Archives: F1

Review: SENNA Documentary

SENNA is a documentary directed by Asif Kapadia that explores the life and death of F1 Driver Ayrton Senna.  Spanning his years as a Formula One racing driver from 1984 to his untimely death a decade later, SENNA explores the life and work of the triple world champion, his physical and spiritual achievements on the track, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he has since attained.  The film won the 2011 World Cinema Documentary Award at the Sundance Film Festival and the Best Documentary in World Cinema Audience Award at the 2011 LA Film Festival.  The film premieres in the US on August 12, 2011.  You can learn more about the film here.

Every NASCAR fan needs to watch this film.  There are countless parallels to this taken-to-soon F1 star and many of our own heroes.

Many NASCAR fans may start with the question – Who was Ayrton Senna? It is no secret that the typical stock car fan does not pay much attention to F1 so let me start my review of SENNA with a brief introduction about the man.

Ayrton Senna was a Brazilian born race car driver that many to this day say was the greatest driver to ever compete in Formula 1.  A three-time world Champion (1989, 1990 and 1991) he amazed fans and other drivers alike with his ability to constantly drive on the edge of his car’s ability.

If you do not immediately recognize the man you will remember his car.  Senna’s “Marlboro” paint scheme might be one of the most epic liveries in all of racing – along side the #43 STP paint scheme of NASCAR’s king Richard Petty.

Senna made his F1 debut in 1984 for Toleman-Hart Racing.   Many current-day NASCAR fans would consider this a “start and park” team at best and Ayrton took his natural talent and jumped to Team Lotus his second year in the sport.  While not a top-tier team, Senna won six races over three seasons at Lotus before jumping to F1 powerhouse McLaren.

It was at McLaren where Senna and his teammate Alain Prost started a feud that carried on for years and made the Kyle Busch / Kevin Harvick feud seem like tiddlywinks in comparison.  The two drivers battled each other from circuit to circuit leaving others in the wake of their 7 combined championships.

The film does a wonderful job by making you feel like you were there. The combination of vintage footage and current interviews give a play-by-play of each season that Senna and Prost battled for the podium.

In 1994 at the San Marion Grand Prix on the famed Imola circuit the 34-year old superstar lost his life.   To this day questions abound about what really happened to cause the crash but in the end a broken suspension part and six inches were all the separated life and death that day on the track.  Experts say Senna could have walked away from the accident if that part had not struck his helmet.

His death draws the most immediate parallel to NASCAR in the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr.   Both men, legends in their own worlds, lost their lives doing what they loved and their deaths changed both series in significant ways.

After Senna and Earnhardt’s deaths, both NASCAR and F1 embarked on unprecedented safety campaigns.   The proactive measures taken have resulted in safer cars and no driver has lost his life in either series since.

Both men were also living legends.  Popular with the fans both were also known to be fearless on the track.  Neither would ever make apologies.  The film shows Ayrton being interviewed by legend Jackie Stewart and Senna scolds Stewart for questioning his driving style. “If there is a gap, and you don’t go for it, then you are no longer a racing driver,” Senna said.

I actually think Senna’s life more parallels that of Tim Richmond than Dale Sr.  While we did not lose Richmond on the track his battles with the France family are very similar to what Senna faced in his battles with the FIA – the sanctioning body of Formula 1.

There is no doubt that Richmond and Senna left us too soon and both would have won more championships.  Many in NASCAR argue that Dale Earnhardt SR would not have won his seven championships had Richmond still be racing.  Similarly, one can argue that 7-time world F1 Champion Michael Schumacher would have fewer crowns if Aryton hadn’t died that day at Imola.

One of the most striking things detailed in the film are the battles between the FIA and Senna.  NASCAR fans today complain about seemingly inconsistent calls from race control,  but these complaints seem insignificant compared to some of the “rulings” that were made against Senna.

In the 1989 Grand Prix of Japan, Senna’s nemesis Alain Prost squeezed Senna off his racing line and into the run-off road near a chicane.  Prost’s car was terrible damaged and he was out of the race – the DNF would cost him the championship.  Senna, while damaged, continued on to win the race and the championship.(as it was flagged)

His teammate Prost quickly jogged to race control to protest.  Senna was stripped of the win, his championship and his license was suspended for 6 months.  The FIA ruled that Senna used the run-off road instead of the chicane and that was a clear violation of the rules.

The problem was that the FIA had selectively enforced that rule in the past.  There is footage from other races where other drivers took the same “escape” route without getting any penalty.  The FIA at that time was ruled by Jean-Marie Balestre and he always seems to rule in favor of Prost who was also a Frenchman.

At the 1990 Grand Prix of Japan Senna had taken the pole position.  Before the race, Balestre and the FIA moved the pole position to the dirty side of the track.

Can you imagine if that happened on a NASCAR restart??  Let’s say Dale Jr. was on the pole and wanted to start on the inside.  Then at the last minute, Mike Helton called over the radio and said the rules changed and Junior would have to start on the outside.

In spite of these political battles with the FIA and his on track battles with Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna became one of the best drivers in history and a real hero in his native Brazil.  When he died Senna was honored with a State Funeral.

Driven by his faith in God Senna’s life offers inspiration for even the most casual race fan.  Formula 1 fan or not, every NASCAR fan needs to watch this movie.   The in car footage showing Senna navigate the wet streets of Monaco is amazing and worth the price of admission!

WATCH THE TRAILER:

US SCHEDULE: see it near you!

The Coolest Basement Ever – Slot Track F1

credit White Lake Formula 1 Ring

When I was a kid – there was an adult down the street who had more toys than any of the kids – including this realy cool train set.  It had street and train crossings, a bridge and even little trees.  I was impressed.

Tonight I saw this on Autoblog.com.  To heck with trains – this is a custom made F1 slot car track.  It was made by James-Michael Gregory Harlan of Pontiac, Michigan and he named his creation – White Lake Formula 1 Ring.

He used a CNC machine to route all of the slots – check out pit road on the video – each pit stall has a seprate slot – plus two lanes in and out of the pits.  It is insanly impressive.

Here are some stats:

  • 1/32 scale
  • one lap is 145 feet
  • there are 19 turns
  • 2.5 feet of elevation change
  • full pits
  • lights for night racing
  • full painted enviroment

check out the video – turn your sound down….  and CLICK here for full image gallery

12 Hour Traffic Jams Predicited for US Grand Prix

by: Michael T. Myers

If you think the NASCAR traffic jams  are insane – wait until you see what’s awaiting F1 fans at the inaugural US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

12 hours in Traffic leaving the track…….

That is assuming of course that this track gets built.

According to a story on TheStatesman.com – local Travis Country Planners have done a traffic study and they think the traffic jams on race day could be up to 12 hours!

Twelve hours. That’s how long it would take fans on race days to get into, and then out of, the proposed Formula One track to be built southeast of Austin, according to a quick analysis of the site plan by county planners.

In addition local Austin officials are worried about  who would pay for road improvements and how many jobs the project might create, served to highlight the county’s frustration over the paperwork submitted by Full Throttle (track owner/promoter) — which is thus far so sketchy as to make planners’ jobs nearly impossible.

So this 12 hour figure is based on incomplete paper work……….  I for one am not sure that track will ever be built.

We have landed on the moon – We created pizza with cheese IN the crust -  will anyone ever solve the traffic jam?

Layout for Austin F1 Track Revealed

[ via Formula 1 Untited States Press Release ]

The team responsible for bringing Formula 1 racing back to the United States is pleased to reveal the track layout for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in Austin, Texas. Set to host the race from 2012 to 2021, Austin, Texas has proven to be an ideal location for Formula 1 racing in more ways than one. The natural landscape and elevation of Austin has allowed Tilke GmbH to design a one-of-a-kind track.

Members of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ team feel that racing fans the world over will share their excitement as the track details are revealed. “In the modern era of Grand Prix racing, I think this track layout and topography will be very special,” said Tavo Hellmund, Chairman of Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™. “It will have many of the elements of previous ‘classic’ circuits combined with the benefits of FIA-mandated safety for the competitors and spectators alike. Add in the amenities fans have come to expect, like rare, multiple-turn viewing opportunities for added value, and you have an ideal, world-class venue.”

“For the competitors, we’ll have all the ingredients necessary,” Hellmund said. “You’ll see fast turns that require commitment from the drivers and technical turns that will test the engineers from a set-up point of view. We have a good deal of elevation to make it not only scenic but challenging also, and the view of downtown Austin is wonderful as well.”

With a complete length of 3.4 miles, the track combines modern features with details reminiscent of traditional races from the 1960′s. The surrounding landscape will allow for a maximum elevation change of 133 feet, and the strategic combination of over 20 turns will please drivers and fans alike.

Complete details of the track layout can be found in the attached documents, which include an image of the track layout and a 3D version of changes in elevation. Details of the master plan and facilities will be revealed in the coming months.

Jacques Villeneuve to Drive Nationwide Race at Road America

Jacques Villeneuve and Boris Said (2009) - Credit Jason Smith/Getty Images

Braun Racing announced that former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will drive the No. 32 Dollar General Toyota in the upcoming NASCAR Nationwide Series’ inaugural event at Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wis.) and at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

Both tracks hold special meaning to Villeneuve. He earned his first career CART Series win at Elkhart Lake and the return to Montreal will mark his third career NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the world-renowned road course named after his father, Gilles Villeneuve, also a legendary F1 racer.

Last season in Montreal, Villeneuve qualified Braun Racing’s No. 32 Toyota Camry in the sixth position. Despite heavy rain conditions that enveloped the area for the second consecutive year, the highly-skilled driver brought home a fourth-place finish. He is a road course phenomenon with a tremendous amount of experience at both race tracks. A two-time winner at Road America in the CART Series (1994 and 1995), Villeneuve also claimed the pole position for the 1995 event.

“It’s great to be back driving with Braun Racing and Dollar General,” said Villeneuve. “Racing again after an exciting and fun race last year in Montreal, and now to also be doing the race at Elkhart Lake (Road America) where I won my first Indy race is going to be full of good memories. I am very much looking forward to it.”

In a career that has spanned more than two decades, Villeneuve has found success that can be rivaled by very few. He has captured world championships in both the CART and Formula One Series and was the winner of the 1995 Indianapolis 500. To win championships in both CART and F1, in addition to the famed Indy 500, is a feat that has only been accomplished by two other drivers.

“We are very happy to have Villeneuve back behind the wheel of the Dollar General Toyota at Road America and Montreal,” said Braun Racing owner, Todd Braun. “He is an extremely talented driver and has had very strong runs in our cars in the past. His experience and success at Road America will be a great asset to our team and its road course program.”?

[ via NASCAR Media Group ]

F1 Scheduled to Return to the US

[ via Formula1.com ]

image via F1-site.com

Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ for years 2012 through 2021.

“We are extremely honoured and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder. We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States. All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in Austin, Texas as a prestigious global event,” stated Tavo Hellmund, Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions, LP.

Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group stated: “For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success. Since then, Formula One has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. Lewis Hamilton won the last Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US.”

Mr. Hellmund added: “This is a case of the right timing in the right place. As many Americans know, Austin has earned a reputation as one of the ‘it’ cities in the United States. Austin features that rare combination of ideal geographic location and beauty. Its fine dining, world-renowned hospitality and excellent transportation infrastructure make Austin ideally suited to host and manage an event of this magnitude. Few cities if any in America could rival the connectivity of all the key elements needed for hosting a Formula 1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city.”

CONTINUE READING ……………………

2010 gears up to be great year!!!

[ via wheels.ca - Motorsport Writer ]

Schumacher’s return will reinvigorate F1, while more female drivers would rev up NASCAR, IRL

In 2010, Formula One auto racing will enjoy an almost serene year as compared to the one just ended.

The return of Michael Schumacher and the addition of four (maybe) new teams will put attention-attracting sideshows like race-fix scandals and manufacturer exits on the shelf.

It will – mostly – be about the sport again.

In other big-league racing, I suggest NASCAR’s premier series, the Sprint Cup, will see a new champion, which should give it a badly needed boost.

Meantime, it will be business as usual for the Indy Racing League, the two sportscar series – ALMS and Grand Am – and the top drag-racing series in the world, the NHRA.

But there won’t be all that much to get excited about. Too much same-old, same-old for my taste. Let’s take a quick look at each:

Formula one

It really will be a brand new Formula One we’ll see when the season opens in Bahrain in 10 weeks (March 14). That’s correct: 10 weeks – and that’s why the first thing we’ll discuss is whether or not all those new teams will make it onto the grid.

Lotus F1 appears to be the healthiest of the new group, primarily because it’s owned by people directly supported by the Malaysian government. Veterans Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen are the drivers.

Manor Grand Prix – which will compete as Virgin Racing because of a sponsorship arrangement with Richard Branson and his Virgin Group – also appears in good shape (it has extensive experience in Formula 3 racing) and has signed Timo Glock and Lucas Di Grassi as pilots…

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY…

Renault stays in F1

[ via autoblog ]

image via Autoblog.com

The Renault name will remain on the Formula One grid when the series resumes in 2010 thanks to a deal announced on Wednesday. There had been considerable speculation in recent months that Renault would shut down its F1 effort and follow Honda, BMW and Toyota out the door. These rumors hit a fever pitch after the “Crash-Gate” controversy and the sudden departure of primary sponsor ING. 

However, in the past couple of weeks it became plausible that Renault could stay in the sport although in a scaled down fashion. Luxemborg based Genii Capital will buy a majority stake in the team which will retain the automaker’s name. The exact percentage hasn’t been disclosed although the earlier speculation had Renault retaining only 25 percent of the team. 

Renault will retain the engine building operation and continue to supply the Red Bull Racing team in 2010. The press release is after the jump.   keep reading……..

Schumacher is Indeed F1 Bound

[ via Yahoo Sports ]

In news that’s certain to send thrills through worldwide auto racing fans, F1 champion and planet-level athletic hero Michael Schumacher will be returning to the track to drive for Mercedes next year, according to a report in the German daily newspaper Bild. Now, in the wake of the Tiger Woods scandal, we’re a bit gunshy about accepting news at face value, but this seems fairly solid: Schumacher and Mercedes have reportedly agreed to a one-year contract and will announce the deal sometime next week.

Schumacher’s people declined comment, while Mercedes gave only a cryptic “there is always speculation as long as one seat in our team is not taken.”

Earlier this summer, Schumacher considered a comeback with Ferrari, but killed that idea because of lingering injuries from a motorcycle wreck. At that time,we gave a little perspective about Schumacher’s impact on the world of motorsports, and since nothing’s really changed since then, we’ll reprint it here.     READ THE REST HERE……………….