Formula One 2008

[Mike]

Anthony Sutil. . . what a drive. Amazing performance to be written off by Kimi Raikkonen with 8 minutes left on the clock. The bloke was understandably inconsolable and Force India could really have benefited from the raised profile for the fourth place finish - it would probably have been very valuable for them. Kimi did actually suffer too by loosing the hold on the World Championship, he will be down but definitely not out.

It is such a shame but given the conditions I really don't think that Ferrari or Kimi were to blame, it was just a really unfortunate racing incident.

[Mike]

This BBC article has some comments from the drivers following the Monaco GP on Sunday regarding Sutil's unfortunate shunt from Kimi on the last 3 laps. Sutil has refused to criticise Kimi in what can only be described as a very gentlemanly manner. It happens and I hope he can do as well again.

Oh, on another note. David Coulthard came up with another classic line when interviewed. The question was 'What do you have to do to win a Grand Prix here at Monaco?'. To which is replied.

Finish ahead of all the other cars

Not quite what the interviewer meant but it was an entertaining comment in a medley of short driver opinions.

[mr_e]

My sister's really into the F1, so watched this with her in Brum... quality race! Seems bizarre, but Hamilton looks like he was helped by that early incident which forced him to pit. That and some superb driving.

With regards to Sutil, you could see Raikonnen lose the rear end coming out of the previous corner: there was no way he was going to get his brakes on in time. I think Sutil's correct not to criticise, as it wasn't malicious on Kimi's part. Unlike Alonso's frigging stupid shunting/ overtaking manouvre on one of the slow hairpins. I'm assuming Sutil and his team would've had some bonus from his sponsors (as well as the prize money), so it's harsh, but he'll hopefully take heart from a good performance.

It's the most excited I've been about an F1 race in a while!

[stimpsonslostson]

"I've been laughing - I said 'Dad, how do you crash a car at 30mph?'"
Lewis Hamilton after Dad Anthony stuck a borrowed Porsche in a hedge.

"It was unfortunate."
Hamilton not laughing four days later after crashing his car into the back of the unfortunate Kimi Raikkonen at the Canadian Grand Prix.

p

[Mike]

BBC are reporting that F1 drivers are having to pay a licence fee based on their entry to the competition with an extra per point that is won! Yikes, not only that but the cost of the licence has gone up from £1354 + £357 per point to £7858 + £1570 per point. That is amazing inflation, I know they earn a lot but Hamilton would have to pay £180,000 per year if he matches last years points. . . .

[stimpsonslostson]

Not really...
last year he was on a £500000 basic salary with a £10000 bonus for every point won. That was his rookie season and I'm willing to bet he's negotiated since then!...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... 705692.ece
suggests he's now on £10m basic (Plus bonuses, plus sponsorship...) So I reckon paying 1.8% in points tax isn't too bad!- Thats assuming its not in his contract that MacLaren cover this, and I BET it is!

p

[Mike]

It is one hell of an inflation to get to those figures. I know there is alot of money in the sport but this is immense! I was really surprised. I suspect they will get away with it becuase the drivers are so very wealthy at the moment.

[Fez]

look here http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04072008/ ... ngton.html racing fans, the british grand prix is finally being shifted to a race track with a bit of soul! donnington park is the dog's dangly bits compared to soulless silverton and a lot closer to home!

[BarcelonAl]

I've been to both Donnington and Silverstone for Touring Car races a few years back and can't agree more. Donnington seems to get it more than Silverstone. Should be an excellent venue when they fully modernise it...might make Silverstone's management pull their socks up to compete as well!

[Mike]

Here is a BBC article about the same thing. Damn the lack of internet at work. It will be nice to see the F1 at a new venue.

Lewis Hamilton admits that his 'competition' vs Alonso last year helped his driving mature. Well that is good, but we need results now Lewis - you are right, come back down to earth and start racing, not smashing into other's cars.

David Coulthard the oldest man on the racing track is now retiring and becoming a Red Bull consultant. He has won 13 races in his 237 race career and has been in the sport for over 13 years! It is an impressive (if not record breaking) statistic and it will be a shame to see him go.

[John Knight]

Now that was a good race (not just cos hamilton won)

Nobody can deny Silverstone and our weather combined brilliantly to give us an action packed British Grand Prix this weekend. Much rather see a wet grey british grand prix with cars sliding off backwards all over place than 60 laps of perfect repitition in the dessert. Looking forward to the first night race thats gonna be cool!

[Mike]

I missed the race but have it recorded. Maybe when Lizzie plays sims later I will watch it!

[Mike]

Lewis had a good race in Germany this weekend. He managed to do some amazing driving after the team made a small tactical error that put him in third place after a safety car and pits. He seems to do a lot better when I don't watch the race live. How weird is that?

[John Knight]

He seems to do a lot better when I don't watch the race live. How weird is that?

please continue to not watch the F1 it was brilliant.

[BarcelonAl]

mr_e and I listened to it on the radio...which was a little weird! I saw some of the highlights last night looked like a good race...well done Lewis!