Summarised F1 news from across the internet: 22nd November 2016
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Previously on TJ13:
Max Verstappen eases Sebastian Vettel over the F1 hill
https://thejudge13.com/2016/11/17/kimi-knew-what-he-was-doing-but-seb-got-the-job-done/
https://thejudge13.com/2016/11/21/mclarens-new-no-1/
Lauda: “I cannot remember any other seasons where we produced so many stories.”
Believe it or not, F1 wasn’t always better back in the day – The myth of F1’s Golden Age
People have a tendency to say “it’s not like it used to be,” but one cannot help but ask whether these people have selective memory. They remember what they want to. In Formula 1 terms, there is a belief that there was once a golden age. But when was it?
FIA deputy race director Herbie Blash will have attended around 750 races and has been in the paddock the longest.
“I think the best time for me was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when the cars were so different,” he says. “The designers had freedom, and there were different engines. I remember one year, Brabham scored a 1-2 in Canada with a BMW engine in one car and a Ford engine in the other. That cannot happen today. We had some drivers who were really very special—obviously Ayrton Senna, but also characters like Nigel Mansell and James Hunt. We hardly ever see the current drivers. They hide in the motor homes.”
Mercedes F1 team non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, a hero to many fans, is not interested in the past. “Who cares?” he says. “We live today, and we have kids who will live in the future. Only old wankers talk about the old days.
“From my point of view, F1 has never been producing races like it has this year,” he says. “I cannot remember any other seasons where we produced so many stories.”
McLaren-Honda prepping for Button’s ‘farewell race’
The capital of the United Arab Emirates will offer its lavish backdrop to Jenson Button ultimate Grand Prix before the 2009 world champion heads to semi-retirement.
“As we know, it’s farewell for now and not goodbye, and we’ll be working side by side with him over the coming year, when he’ll be as close to the team and our developments as ever.
“Nevertheless, it’s a poignant step in our history together and an opportunity to celebrate his 17 seasons in the sport, seven with McLaren, and celebrate his many achievements on track.
“We’ll certainly miss him in the garage, but we look forward to continuing our relationship and the exciting projects we’ll be working on together in 2017.”
TJ13 comment: With the rumour that Fernando Alonso has already signed a deal with the Porsche WEC team, perhaps we’ll see JB sooner than we think?
Rosberg: I have to treat it like any other race
Currently boasting a twelve-point lead on the Drivers’ Championship, Nico Rosberg has insisted nothing has changed in terms of race preparation and will aim to approach the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix just like any other.
“Obviously, the result in Brazil wasn’t the one I was going for,” said Rosberg.
“But Lewis did a great job and second place wasn’t a disaster in the end.
“I’m looking forward now to Abu Dhabi. It feels great to be in the World Championship battle with Lewis for a third year in a row. I will give it everything to end the season with a win.
“I’ve had a great week, relaxing and catching up with my family and friends, so I feel like I’m in a good place.
“In Brazil, after the race, I was joking that I would still be taking things one race at a time. But, the more I think about it, the more that’s actually not as crazy as it sounds.
“I have to treat this like any other race. Doing a good job on a Grand Prix weekend is always a challenge. Nothing in this sport is easy, so this won’t be any different and I still have to go all out for a good result.”
On This Day in F1 Lite – Williams cleared in Senna trial 1999
An appeals court upheld the acquittals of the Williams technical director Patrick Head and former team designer Adrian Newey in the 1994 death of Formula One star Ayrton Senna.
The prosecution had alleged that a poorly modified steering column broke as the Brazilian driver entered a curve, causing him to lose control and crash. Newey, Head, team owner Frank Williams, and three race officials were originally cleared in December 1997. But prosecutors had renewed their request for one-year suspended sentences for Newey and Head, arguing the pair was to blame for the steering column.
The original verdict absolved the defendants by ruling they did not commit the crime with which they were charged. Monday’s ruling changed the formula, saying no crime took place. The court found that a series of factors contributed to Senna’s accident, including the speed at which the car was traveling, the wear on the tires, and the unevenness of the track.
Credit: ESPN
“I think the best time for me was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when the cars were so different,”
and then…
“Only old wankers talk about the old days.”
Thanks for the confirmation, Niki.
Two different people.
Herbie Blash is the source of the first quote.
“I cannot remember any other seasons where we produced so many stories.”
I can. 76,82,83,86,89,90…………….