Cinderella Story

With the first weekend of Formula One racing wrapped up, I still find myself needing to question ‘did it really happen.’

This weekend has been surreal. I honestly don’t remember such a game changing moment as we witnessed. Pre-season testing has been more or less spot on, something that doesn’t always carry forward into the season.

Brawn’s one-two is nothing short of a fairytale. The whole story is sort of thing that you expect from a Hollywood blockbuster, not Formula One. It just isn’t supposed to happen, barring an intervention from Mother Nature.

Fortune as well as skill was on their side. I was surprised how long it took for the safety car to be pulled out after Nakajima found the wall. That being said, Jenson Button drove superbly; with only a slight hiccup in the pits his only blotch on his copybook. Barrichello had an eventful day but still came home second. Even watching, you can sense that feel good buzz that is around the team right now.

On the podium, we saw real emotion between the two. Not the fake stuff we often see between team-mates up there. Both were genuinely happy for each other. And why not! Up to a few weeks ago, both were written off. Button criticised for not exploring other options, Barrichello considered ‘past it’. Now they are the toast of Formula One.

It was great to see that the paddock is happy for them. I can’t remember a time where we say cars applauded down pitlane as they headed up to their parking slots. It was a wonderful gesture from the teams in a day and age where people are more likely to snipe at each other rather than pat them on the back.

As for the pre-season championship contenders, Ferrari looked strong at times. At the time of writing, we are still waiting to find out what happened to Massa. Somehow, I’m not surprised to see Raikkonen fight the wall. His race drew too many similarities to those he raced last year - quick when he wants to be, but also quick to find the wall.

Lewis Hamilton is another who deserves a pat on the back. In an inferior car and assisted by retirements, he drove the sort of race that a world champion should. He picked up valuable points that will aid his fight to retain the title down the line.

Alonso was steady if unimpressive. Kubica was the only one of the five who looked an actual threat, until he stuck it up the inside of Vettel and the two of them took each out. That isn’t the way to win championships.

As for KERS, I definitely find myself on the fence about it. To me, the way it was explained and how it affects the weight would concern me that it would alienate certain types of drivers – for example Mark Webber and Robert Kubica, because of their stature.

That been said, in the race, you could see where those using KERS could use it to their advantage. It’s definitely something to watch over the coming races. Much the same can be said about the new aero-packages.

Qualifying was brilliant. I haven’t enjoyed a quail session like that in years. It was fantastic with the field so close that not even the perceived front runners could play it safe. If the gaps stay like that for the rest of the year, it will definitely make Saturday watching mandatory!

Malaysia is next weekend, at the wonderful starting time of 9am GMT. Got to love the lie in!

Five Down...

Five races into the Nascar season and a number of traits are already developing.

The end of Bristol is always a nerve wracking time, with the dreaded Top-35 standings coming into play. Up until the fifth race, teams who were in the Top-35 last season are guaranteed a starting spot. From the sixth race on, the Top-35 is based on the current year’s owner standings.

Much like Formula One, it has been difficult to gauge how things would sort themselves out when we got racing. The testing ban adds a lot of unknown factors in the run up to a season. Already, we are seeing cases where it may be having an effect. Going into Martinsville, I want to pick out the major trends to watch over the rest of the season.

Kyle Busch is back!
It is like the last ten races of 2008 never happened. (For those of you who don’t know, the #18 crashed and burned in The Chase.) Kyle is back to what he does best, winning races – and not just in the Sprint Cup. He has already secured victories in the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series. If he keeps up this pace, he could easily surpass the twenty-one wins in all competitions he took last year.

Of course, winning races in the regular season is one thing, what the #18 have to prove is that last year’s Chase was a once-off. He can all the races he wants now, but at the end of the day people remember the champion.

Jeff Gordon is back (too)!
Last season was struggle for the four time champion, who clearly was at odds with the Car of Tomorrow. Yet, despite a lack of pre-season testing, Gordon has been on fire this year. A victory is just around the corner for the #24. His consistent run through the first five races sees him perched on top of the standings, with four top-10’s out of five so far.

Rookie Struggles
I spoke above concerning where the pre-season testing ban appeared to be having an effect. Judging by the performances of Logano and Speed, the two official participants in the Rookie of the Year have both failed to set the world alight.

I still think it was too much, too soon for both. Red Bull obviously hasn’t learned from the grooming troubles with AJ Allmendinger. Speed was poor towards the end of last year, a clear indicator that there would be trouble. The Formula One exile could have done with cutting his teeth in the Nationwide Series for a year.

The same can be said about Logano. The much heralded talent has been trust into the spotlight and has yet to shine in it. All the talent in the world can’t save you from feeling the psychological knocks you take when things go bad.

Going into Martinsville, Logano is just inside the Top-35, insuring him that he will be in the field. A good result is necessary for the youngster, which may not possible on the unforgiving short track. Scott Speed finds himself on the outside looking in and will have to make the race on time.

For the second season in a row, it appears that there will be another lacklustre year for Rookies. Coincidently, Nascar has been using the new car for two years now. Is there a link? Or is it the lack of testing that is really hindering the class of ’09. Maybe Nascar should take a page out of the Indy Racing League’s book, and offer rookies additional practice sessions to make up the miles.

Stewart a success, so far
I couldn’t have predicted we would see Smoke inside the Top-12 at this early stage. Despite backing from Hendricks, I expected teething problems with the new team. But judging on Stewart’s first five, it looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat.

Team-mate Newman has been less fortunate in the luck department, with a myriad of issues giving him cause to sweat going into Bristol. A strong result has elevated him up the rankings and if the car stays together, both cars have the speed to give the front runners something to think about.

Roush Woes?
It has been hard to read the Ford super-team so far. Two wins opened the season courtesy of Matt Kenseth but the championship hasn’t been set ablaze in the way I thought it would. On top of it all, the team has had to deal with a slew of reliability issues in the engine department.

Carl Edwards has been consistent, but has shown none of that raw speed that saw him win nine races last year. The likable Missouri native still finds himself fifth in the standings. Kenseth has gone steadily backwards since his back to back wins. Biffle, Ragan and McMurray, who were all tipped for stand out years currently, find themselves mired mid-back. Granted, it is early days in the season, but gaps can quickly become too big to bridge.

Money
With the world finances up a certain creek without a paddle, it was an easy guess that by this stage, we would be looking at the loss of teams due to lack of sponsorship.

The first victim at the time of writing is Travis Kvapil. Kvapil drove most of last year unsponsored in the Yates #28. His reward was the transfer of his points to his new team-mates to ensure they made it. The Yates car qualified on time for four of the five races. Despite a valiant effort on his part, he could not get the car in top-35. It was announced at Bristol that if no sponsorship was found, the team would shut up shop.

While money isn’t an issue with the #98 Yates car, it does offer a worrying trend. Paul Menard, backed by his family company, strode in and took owner points from what was David Gilliland’s car. Now for the ironic twist. Menard is sitting outside the top-35 while Gilliland, the man he replaced, has got a guaranteed starters spot for Martinsville.

On a happier note, Richard Petty Motorsports announced during the week that they had pieced together sponsorship to run Allmendinger for additional races. That is great news, as long term readers of the blog will know I have been championing Allmendinger’s case for a full time ride.

The Californian currently stands 16th in the points, ahead of full-time team-mates Elliott Sadler and Red Sorenson. The latter finds himself down in 29th position. I wonder, if Sorenson continues to underperform, will we see Allmendinger in the famed #43 by seasons end.

New Team, Same Result
One question I had to ask during pre-season was – why break up a successful partnership. Clint Bowyer and the #07 team have been one of the talking points over the last few years.

Allegedly, sponsors wanted specific drivers. Mears had raced with Kellogg’s sponsorship during his time with Hendricks, which apparently didn’t sit all that well with new sponsor General Mills. So the drivers were swapped, landing Mears in a team that had made the Chase for the past two years and Bowyer with a new group.

I think that Bowyer is one of the most under-rated drivers in Nascar at the moment. His first five of the season go a long way to proving that. Bowyer finds himself third in the standings and continuing to pump out the consistency that has made him a Chaser for the past two years. Mears is around 25th, once more showing that he doesn’t have what it takes at this level.

F109 Countdown: McLaren

McLaren:
2008 Results
Best Finish: 1st (Lewis Hamilton x5,Heikki Kovalainen x1)
Points Scored: 151
Championship Position: 2nd
2009 Drivers: Lewis Hamilton & Heikki Kovalainen

Last, but not least, we finish up the F109 Countdown with McLaren, just seven days until the start of the new season.

If we are to believe what we have seen in pre-season testing, McLaren are going to struggle mightily at the start of the season. Do I believe that will be the case? No. I’m firmly of the belief that they are sandbagging. Now, maybe they won’t have the ultimate pace, but I find it hard to believe they won’t be in the thick of things.

It has been usual to see them hovering near the bottom for most of the pre-season. For a team like McLaren, which strives for excellence, it is out of character. But not impossible.

In the past, I’ve catalogued how McLaren have failed to produce winning cars consecutively. Last year was actually a change in the norm when they produced a championship contending car. So maybe there struggles are real, and that they will be in trouble.

I still have a hard time believing it. As I mentioned in previous articles, they have known well in advance how things were going to play out. For a team the size of McLaren, I can’t imagine they would take their eyes off the ball that much.

If they are, it will be intriguing to watch how their drivers react. Especially Hamilton. Not since Schumacher have we seen a driver with such raw talent on the grid. But, sceptics will point out that he walked into a winning ride, so how he deals with what is paraded as an ‘uncompetitive car’ will be a true showing of his talent.

If it is a poor car at first, I still expect him in the hunt. Personally, I think great drivers are defined by what they can do when they are not in the best car. I read how Senna did it; I watched when Schumacher did it. Even Alonso pulled some stunning results in a dodgy Renault. This could be a real chance for Hamilton to really cement his legacy and prove to any doubters regarding his skill.

As for Heikki, I would definitely class him as a driver who needs to perform this year. There was too many up’s and down’s from the Finn last year. While the early stages of the season could be put down to bad luck, some of his latter season runs, where he was needed to back up Hamilton, were poor.

Now with a year within the team, there will be no excuses for him. He has to put it out there and show he can match Hamilton. He has to contend for victories. Any less will be a failure.

F109 Countdown: Ferrari

Ferrari:
2008 Results
Best Finish: 1st (Felipe Massa x6, Kimi Raikkonen x2)
Points Scored: 172
Championship Position: 1st
2009 Drivers: Felipe Massa & Kimi Raikkonen

If there is one thing that has become a trend during the history of Formula One, it is how well Ferrari adapts to rule changes. During my reading of Formula One’s history, Enzo Ferrari always ensured his team were ready to adapt.

It has been a trait that has been carried forward since the great man’s death. Of course, one can easily say that a good reason for this is that Ferrari was often away from the top of the field, thus had good reason to be ready for the rules.

If pre-season testing is anything to go by, the Italian team will be fine. It has only been since McLaren have come out and claimed they weren’t looking too rosy for Melbourne that Ferrari has hinted similar problems. Both have used the ‘we were fighting for a championship excuse’.
Honestly, I’ve never bought that excuse. At the end of the day, these are two biggest teams in Formula One. There is no excuse for it, nor is there any point complaining about it. They know the situation well in advance. It is up to them to plan accordingly.

Felipe Massa went from a driver many felt would be lucky to survive the year into a realistic championship contender. I always knew the Brazilian was fast, but I often questioned whether he had the end product in him to fight for it.

Last season, he proved many a doubter wrong. I still feel that Massa lacks something. Whether he gains it, I don’t know, but I don’t think anyone will ever doubt his credentials from this point on. He blitzed his highly rated team-mate, took the most wins in the season and was within thirty seconds of being world champion

It will be interesting to watch just how Massa bounces back from that defeat.
As for Kimi Raikkonen, what can I say really? The Finn was shambolic for most of the year. He came out of the box roaring, but by the middle of the season, that roar had died to a whimper. He looked disinterested, unmotivated and on his way to retirement.
Then he went off a signed a new deal.

If I was Ferrari boss, I would’ve cut my losses and paid Raikkonen off to bring Alonso in. Unfortunately, that decision isn’t mine to make. I feel Raikkonen has lost a lot of respect in the paddock after such a terrible year where he just didn’t seem to give a shit.
Much like Massa, he will be one of the stories to watch in 2009. Will Kimi bounce back, or will he simply drive for a paycheck. I hope for the sake of his legacy, it is the former. But for some reason, I expect the latter.

F109 Countdown: BMW

BMW:
2008 Results
Best Finish: 1st (Robert Kubica at the Canadian Grand Prix)
Points Scored: 135
Championship Position: 3rd
2009 Drivers: Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld

Of all the teams, I feel that BMW are the ones who have no excuses regarding their 2009 performance. The team very publically dropped development on last year’s car after they achieved all their goals, much to the annoyance of Kubica. By all accounts. This is the year that BMW prove that they have what it takes to regularly contest with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren.

They were first out of the traps to run their new challenger and at the forefront of the KERS technology race. When many teams were hoping for the KERS system to be delayed, it was BMW that forged ahead with the desire to use the system. I can’t blame them. They got the jump on everyone so why would they want to lose that development because nobody else was on the ball.

In Robert Kubica, they have a driver who is more than capable of winning world titles. I think whether that will be with BMW, we will learn this year. Like I said, there are no excuses for them this year. Given how vocal Kubica was towards the end of last year, he will expect to maintain the challenge over the course of the season.

Let us not forget, the Pole was still in contention for the title until the final rounds of the championship. No wonder he was left scratching his head as BMW basically gave up on his chance for the title. He is many people’s pick for the title. I would rate him in my top three. I do wonder whether, at this early stage in the career, he is just at that level to take it.

Nick Heidfeld came in for, what I would definitely label as unfair criticism last year. The German finished only fifteen points behind his much heralded team-mate. Yet alls we kept hearing was about how bad he was in comparison and that he might be on the chopping block. Compared to the other team-mates of championship contending drivers, he was the closest.

If the BMW is as good as it should be, I wouldn’t be surprised if the veteran finally takes a deserved victory. He is a driver who has earned his due over the years and not simply walked into a championship winning car as others around him have. If he can improve on his qualifying form, I foresee a great year for ‘Quick Nick’.

Common Sense to Prevail?

It appears that common sense may prevail regarding the new gimmicky Formula One rules.

After FOTA questioned the validity of the new system, the FIA announced that they would be willing to defer the new system for a year. It still wouldn’t be a perfect solution, but with a delay, it could allow for a realistic system to be put in place.

The ‘gold medal system’, which is basically what it is, has been universally condemned by drivers, teams, pundits, world champions and most importantly of all – the fans. The FIA make a big song and dance about wanting to get more in touch with the fans and then turned around and slapped them in the face. Motorsport forums across cyberspace have been set alight with disdain for the new systems.

What disappoints me most is that we are at a stage in the sport where cooperation is vital. With FOTA, we have the teams working together like never before. Could you imagine Ferrari and McLaren working side by side for the perceived ‘greater good’ a few seasons ago? If I wore a hat, I would definitely be tipping it to the teams for their concentrated unified front to try to make things better for the sport.

The FIA on the other hand, are left with egg on their face. Actually, I’d say they have the full Irish breakfast on it. I don’t think I have read one article that has stated support for the gimmicky system. We don’t need gimmicks for the sport. It has last this long on a traditional points system, so why change it now?

Better yet, what is wrong with the FOTA proposal? It was simple to understand and instilled that need to push for spots because of the additional points gained. How many fans will end up scratching their head at the end of 2008 is the driver with the most points doesn’t win? Formula One does not need to be driving fans away.

Just admit it – you cocked up. Take your lashings in good stride and give the people what they want. It is the people who you claim you want to make the sport better for. Here is a grand suggestion. Ask us, before you act.

F109 Countdown: Renault

Renault:
2008 Results
Best Finish: 1st (Fernando Alonso x2)
Points Scored: 80
Championship Position: 4th
2009 Drivers: Fernando Alonso & Nelson Piquet Junior

The French team definitely feel under the adage of a season of two halves in 2008. More than any other team, Renault benefitted from maintaining development on their challenger as last season dragged on. Their car went from one that could just about make points into a race winning contender.

But the question remains – will their late 2008 push affect their opportunities in 2009. Many of the teams around them gave up focusing while Renault kept on pushing the development. For a team in Renault’s position, it might be considered an odd decision. I suppose one reason for it was to show Alonso they could take him back to the top of the podium.

A feat they achieved twice last year. The team has been quick to hum and haw about their 2009 credentials, like so many others. Will they offer Alonso a title contending car? That is always up for debate. Honestly, even if Renault had spent half a season developing the car, I would be sceptical. They have claimed in the past that they have devoted development time to the next year, only to fall flat on their faces.

If they give Fernando Alonso a car that can get a sniff of a win, you can be sure the Spaniard will take it. He may have his critics, but there is no denying his talent. At the moment, I think he is the best all round racer in the sport. While his Singapore victory required some luck, he still had to make build the gap. In Japan, Alonso looked at his imperialistic best. I expect more of the same from Alonso, who will no doubt have the hunger and desire to prove to his doubters that he is still one of the world’s best.

He will once more be partnered by Nelson Piquet Junior. The Brazilian is one of the drivers I feel is in last chance row. A late season surge in performance probably saved his career, which at one point looked like it might end before the season did. It isn’t like Renault would be troubled to find a replacement, with any number of youngsters under contract to the French team.

In some ways, it is often best to go with what you know, rather than another unknown quantity. As I have said numerous times, when there are big changes to the regulations, it is often best to try to maintain as much continuity as possible. Still, I feel that if Piquet fails to deliver in the first half of the season, he may find himself on the outside looking in.

F109 Countdown: Toyota

Toyota:
2008 Results
Best Finish: 2nd (Timo Glock at the Hungarian Grand Prix)
Points Scored: 56
Championship Position: 5th
2009 Drivers: Jarno Trulli & Timo Glock

Last year Toyota finally looked to have turned a corner. After an impressive 2005 season, the Japanese giant has been in the doldrums. Hopes are high that they might actually achieve something this year.

They haven’t been shy about talking up the TF109. Granted, that probably isn’t anything new for Toyota who have talked the talk, but rarely walked the walk. More often than not, early promise has faded into mid-field obscurity.

In 2008, the team appeared to buck the trend. A podium a piece for their drivers was bolstered by a season long ability to score points. Only five times last year did Toyota not have at least one of their drivers in the points. At this stage, Toyota needs to perform. With Honda’s pullout, many eyes rest on Toyota as the next to pull the plug. Recently, the team has stated that they were close to a similar decision.

Toyota is entering its eight year of Formula One. Yet, we still wait for them to do something noteworthy. Pole positions and podiums are all well and good, but everyone remembers the winners. Given the success Toyota has found in Nascar, I’m surprised they haven’t focused more of their efforts on that side of the Atlantic.

Like the majority of teams, Toyota has chosen to retain both Trulli and Glock. I figured Trulli was on the chopping block at the start of last year. Instead, the Italian shocked everyone with some great early season runs. It was the sort of performances that we rarely see from him. Too often, he goes to sleep mid-race, showing only glimpses of the raw speed he has.

Then I realised, his contract was up at the end of 2008. It seemed like once he was more or less assured to stay with the team, the old Jarno returned. Maybe Toyota needs to threaten him with the sack before every race to get the most out of him.

With Timo Glock, Toyota has an aspiring star that has the potential to make it big. His early season struggles were soon forgotten as he found his feet at the top level. By the end of the season, he was regularly beating his vastly experienced team-mate. His podium at Hungary was not a case of good fortune, but on the skill of the German.

If Toyota has a car that is competitive, maybe, just maybe, they will finally break their duck and win that first race. It’s time to put up, or shut up.

Medals in sheeps clothing

The old saying goes, ‘good things comes to those who wait’. Well, the Formula One community has waited, and what we got was a slap with a raw fish. But I suppose, that isn’t anything new.

We have a new way of determining the winner of the Formula One title – by wins. So, basically, it’s Bernie’s gimmicky medal plan, without the medals. Honestly, I don’t know what to think of it. I’m just shaking my head in complete disbelief that sport which is seen as the pinnacle of motorsport is reducing itself to this.

I was full of hope for the FOTA proposal for the points would go through. Their idea was to reintroduce a larger gap between the points offered for the highest positions. Honestly, that system should never have been dumped. Sure, Michael Schumacher broke it when he won the season by France one year.

But the biggest complaint I have always had about the current system was that it encouraged drivers to settle. If you are in second, sure why push for first when you are only gaining two points. Second issue was that if someone built up a safe lead, they could spend the second half of the season taking it easy since the ability to gain points was small given the points structure. At least with the old four point gap, you had reason to hunt someone down rather than play it safe and save the engine.

But no, apparently alls we deserve is Bernie’s system with a wash of paint off it. Don’t get me wrong, I think wins are valuable. But what is the point in someone bothering to race from the back for points when these ultimately don’t matter at all in the championship hunt, unless there is a tie for wins.

My biggest concern is, with this points system, coupled by the testing ban, could lead to the field stringed out and we end up with one dominant car. Technically, someone could actually win the title by mid-season. All that it will take is nine straight victories. This is as bad a decision as it was to change the points system a few years ago. People need to learn that if something isn’t broken, don’t fix it for the sake of it.

F109 Countdown: Toro Rosso

In a slight change from the norm, I am running the next team preview early. The main reason for which is that the FIA are planning to vote on a potential new points system (yah!) and don’t fancy being kyboshed with doing two articles later.

Toro Rosso:
2008 Results
Best Finish: 1st (Sebastian Vettel at the Italian Grand Prix)
Points Scored: 39
Championship Position: 6th
2009 Drivers: Sébastien Bourdais & Sebastian Buemi

Toro Rosso defied all expectations last year. This is the Red Bull junior team. It was supposed to show flashes of brilliance, but at the end of the day the main Red Bull squad was supposed to be top dog. It’s like a sibling rivalry. No matter what happened, the older sibling is usually expected to come out on top.

The team started last year with a hybrid of their older car, choosing to delay the introduction of their 2008 challenger. Usually, this is a bad sign, leaving a team lagging in the development race. Once again, Toro Rosso bucked the trend. The STR3 in the capable of hands of Vettel scored points regularly. It wasn’t even a case of just there by circumstance. It was there on raw speed.

And to think, this was the team that this time last year, was up for sale. Since then, the team has publically been taken off the market, although Red Bull owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, is willing to listen to the right offer. After the performance of the team last year, I’m surprised that more elements of the Toro Rosso team weren’t moved over to the main Red Bull squad to improve it.

Can they produce the same last year? That is going to be a tough one. Despite sharing common traits with the Red Bull car design, their challenger was launched a month later. Running with a hybrid car is all fine and dandy, but you don’t pick up the same data as with the actual car. I don’t think it was an ideal situation to leave Bourdais hanging as long as they did as well.

The former Champ Car champion is given another chance to impress this season. All in all, it was a wise decision. I always feel a team can benefit from sort of continuity on the driver front. His end of season performances merited another shot. Granted, he only scored points in one of them, but he put that car in the last session of qualifying the same as Vettel.

It makes this season make or break for the Frenchman. He has to turn promising speed into consistent points. I feel he has a better chance than his would-be replacement, Takuma Sato. The Japanese drive has shown flashes of speed in the past. Unfortunately, he also brings flashes of head pains to mechanics that have to repair the car.

The team continue their adoration of anyone with the name ‘Sebastian’ with replacing Vettel with GP2 series driver Buemi. The Swiss driver finished sixth last year, but won two races. Prior to Christmas, he headed the field in testing, although as I have said many times before, I don’t put much stock in times until we get to the real racing.

What would concern me about him is that he did finish sixth in GP2. There were five other drivers ahead of him, none which will be on the Formula One grid this year for varying circumstances. It definitely makes me wonder if he will make the grade.

I envisage a tough year for the team. I doubt they will reach the highs of last year. If they level out and find consistency which brings them points, it will be a good result for the team that used to spend all their time rooted to the rear of the field.