ThePitcrewOnline

11th December 20163rd July 2017

Auf Wiedersehen 2016

GP ABU DHABI F1/2016 – ABU DHABI 27/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

Abu Dhabi was the final pit-stop for the Formula 1 teams and fans. After a very long season, the longest in Formula 1 history, and 21 races, the 2016 season belongs to the past. After a dramatic finale, Lewis Hamilton took the last chequered flag of the season, but Nico Rosberg was the big winner.

The German finished second and celebrated his first world title, but he decided to retire a few days after the race. Rosberg’s decision to retire from Formula 1 surprised the majority of the fans and the press. Nico decided to retire from F1, before the final race, but he kept it secret between him and his family.

How did everything start

MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) – 20/3/16
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

As I said earlier, 2016 was a long season, we saw the five lights for 21 times and some of these races were very dramatic and emotional. From the beginning it was clear the Mercedes will dominate once again, hence the title would be decided between Hamilton and Rosberg.

The odds were with the Brit, as he won the 2014 and 2015 title and he was in a top form, whilst Nico didn’t seem able to challenge him.

Everything changed in the kangaroos’ land, at the Australian Grand Prix Nico Rosberg made a strong and a very promising start, but he didn’t stop there. The German won the first four Grands Prix, whilst at the same time Lewis Hamilton had to fight for points due to mechanical issues.

In Russia, Hamilton had a problem with the MGU-H unit in Q2 and he qualified tenth. Despite the problems that Lewis faced, he managed to climb up to the second position and finish ahead of Kimi Raikkonen.

After the Russian Grand Prix Mercedes’ drivers scored 157 scored combined, Nico Rosberg was leading with 100 points and Hamilton scored only 57 points.

Max Verstappen, The magic Dutch

GP USA F1/2016 – AUSTIN (TEXAS) 23/10/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

Rosberg’s winning streak stopped in Spain, a collision between him and Hamilton on the opening lap, forced both drivers to retire and allowed to Max Verstappen to shine and become the youngest driver who wins an F1 race.

The Dutch had been promoted from Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing after the Russian Grand Prix, and he had the pleasure to win his first Grand Prix in F1 in his debut with Red Bull. After a thrilling racing, Max showed a very mature side of his personality and with his great driving skills, he managed to stay ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and take the chequered flag in Spain.

After Spain, Hamilton made his first attempt to comeback in the championship. The Brit won two consecutive races in Monaco and in Canada respectively. Nico Rosberg struggled in Monaco and the heavy rain allowed him to finish only seventh.

In Baku, it was Rosberg’s turn to take the chequered flag and win the European Grand Prix, whilst Hamilton made a mistake on the qualifying session and started the race from tenth place and finished fifth. That gave the chance to Nico to increase his gap in the championship.

Hammertime

GP BRASILE F1/2016 – INTERLAGOS (BRASILE) 12/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

In Baku, Hamilton released his hammer and he won the four remaining races before the summer break. Lewis won in Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, and Germany. After an amazing comeback, the three times world champion had the chance to enjoy his summer holidays as he was now leading the championship. The scores were Hamilton 217 and Rosberg 198 points.

In Spa, Hamilton started from the back of the grid, after massive grid penalties, but he managed to recover and finished third, while Rosberg had a quiet evening and took the chequered flag.

The German won in Monza and in Singapore as well, these results moved him up to the first place in the championship, just eight points ahead of his team-mate.

In Malaysia everything was under control for Lewis Hamilton, he was leading for 40 laps, but on the 41st lap, his engine suffered a bearing failure and had to retire the race.

That was a big hit for Hamilton’s chances to win the title. Daniel Ricciardo took advantage of Hamilton’s retirement and won the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The final countdown

In Japan, Rosberg won for the last time in 2016. After a thrilling race and a bad start from Hamilton, Nico increased his championship lead to 33 points. Max Verstappen finished second, behind the German followed by Lewis Hamilton.

The scores after the Japanese Grand Prix were: 313 for Rosberg and 280 for Hamilton.

The German had the upper hand and the only thing that he had to do in the four remaining races was to finish in the top 3. That was what exactly happened, Lewis Hamilton won in USA, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

That was not enough as Nico Rosberg finished second in all these races and celebrated his first world title in Formula 1.

Get Ready for 2017

A few days after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the world champion decided to retire and focus on his family. Now Mercedes are looking for Hamilton’s new team-mate, which will probably be Wehrlein.

The 2016 season was not very exciting, the sure thing is that 2017 will not be the same. Massa, Button and Rosberg will be watching the new season from their sofa or from their ex-teams paddocks.

The new regulations will shake the things up, wider tires, more downforce, and fastest cars will make the 2017 season more interesting and fascinating.

Enjoy the break and wish you Merry Christmas.

Victor Archakis – @FP_Passion

(Images Courtesy of Pirelli F1 Media)

8th December 20163rd July 2017

Topsy Turvy 2016 For Toro Rosso

GP ITALIA F1/2016 – MONZA (ITALIA) 04/09/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

If one had to pick a team that became, in the first part of the season at least, the personification of the rollercoaster that is F1, it would have to be the Scuderia Toro Rosso (STR).A change in power unit decision saw a quickly prepared car for the longest season in F1 history. That would be the least of the major changes for the much-loved fan favorite team in 2016.

ALL SYSTEMS GO:

STR started the season with Spanish driver Carlos Sainz and the “kid wonder” Max Verstappen who both immediately got into the swing of things, with a double points finish in Australia, bringing up the last two points paying positions.

As the team rolled on into Bahrain, the Dutch driver brought home the STR in a strong 6th place, ahead of the more fancied teams, which in hindsight was a precursor for the year to come… but more on that later. Sainz however found himself on the end of a retirement, which be bounced back from in China, with a strong 9th place just behind his teammate. The significance of China was not just their finishing positions, but the fights with Mercedes, Ferrari and their bigger sister Red Bull.

SCRIPT CHANGE:

Russia 2016 and the infamous “Torpedo-gate” fallout would change the 2016 landscape for STR. The race itself saw a non-finish for both cars, but it was the going-on’s with their former driver Daniil Kvyat in the RBR that would prove to be the bigger issue for the team.

A collision between Sebastian Vettel and Kvyat saw the Russian face a tirade of criticism and the extraordinary decision was taking to move him back to STR and replace him with Verstappen in a Red Bull team swop.

Kvyat went from villain to hero as many F1 fans and pundits supported him, during what was a difficult phase for the young star.

OLD FRIENDS REUNITE:

Sainz and Kvyat had started their professional racing careers together and their reunion at the Spanish Grand Prix saw STR bring home a double points finish with Sainz in a magnificent 6th place and Kvyat in 10th. STR had double reason to celebrate as former driver Verstappen took the win to become the youngest man to win an F1 race.

Kvyat’s “other” home race, like so many drivers is the playground of Monaco. Unfortunately luck did not favour the Russian as a crash with Kevin Magnussen saw him retire. Sainz on the other hand brought the STR home in 8th place.

The Canadian Grand Prix saw Sainz power his way from 20th to 9th which, considering the nature of the Montreal track, was as good as a win in his books. Kvyat meanwhile continued with a difficult run of form ending the race 12th.

Not having any major team shifts for the rest of the season the STR results were:

Austria: Sainz 8th Kvyat – Retired due to mechanical failure

Silverstone: Sainz again 8th while a happy Kvyat brought the car home in 10th

Hungary: Sainz in what must have felt like his customary 8th place wth Kvyat in 16th

Germany: Sainz 14th and Kvyat 15th in a race which saw the lower speed of the STR catch them out

Belgium: Sainz 15th and Kvyat retired

Singapore: Sainz 14th after being hit by a flying Force India and Kvyat a happy 9th

Malaysia – Sainz P11 and Kvyat P 14

Japan – Sainz P 17 and Kvyat P13 both suffered from the STR’s speed deficits compared to their rivals

USA – Sainz P6 and Kvyat 12th on a day in which the Spanish driver staked a claim for driver of the day

Mexico – Sainz P16 and Kvyat P18

LAST THROW OF THE DICE:

GP BELGIO F1/2016 – SPA FRANCORCHAMPS (BELGIO) – 28/8/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

Brazil saw a rain dance of note work for Sainz as he crossed the line in 6th place following one of the most bizarre races in F1 history. Kvyat finished P13 after the stop go nature of the race did not suit him

Abu Dhabi was a curtain call to forget as both drivers retired from the race, ending this chapter of F1 for the STR as they, and the other teams march to a new look F1 in 2017.

With both drivers confirmed for 2017 (unless a Rosberg style announcement is made), STR find themselves enjoying the perfect balance of youth and experience. The 2017 boost in engine power should see this team challenge for a podium or two in the not to distant future.

Rhea Morar

(Images Courtesy of F1 Media)

7th December 20163rd July 2017

Godfrey and LED Solutions prepare for exciting 2017

Long Eaton’s Ben Godfrey will be remaining in the National Superstock 1000 class for 2017, but this time he will be on a bigger and better than ever package, with big backing from LED Solutions, from Leicester.

Godfrey had a 2016 which saw him in and out of the Stock 1000 series, starting with Morello Racing, before rounding out the season with his own team, which was also led by LED Solutions sponsorship.

The 21 year old finished joint 18th in the series last year, although with just 5 races where he competed. For 2017, the team which is run by Godfrey himself, will feature a 7.5 tonne lorry which will be used for hospitality and garage space. The rule changes in the class for the upcoming season will allow the team to play around more with the settings of the bike. There will be a huge colour scheme change and will see the team with Bitubo suspension and on the BMW.

Godfrey is the development rider for Austin Racing, who are also supporting the team for the upcoming campaign. Other sponsors include: Signet signs, Vape HQ, Austin Racing Exhausts, Held Rider Equipment, Shark Helmets, Daytona Boots, RnG Crash Protection, Pro Fibre Fairings and MHP Engineering.

The team are also on a look out for a second rider, and are in talks with several; one of them is the very well known A Someone! As well as looking for a second rider, the team are always looking for new sponsors. The Pit Crew Online looks forward to keeping up with Ben and the team for the 2017 season, and wish him and everyone around him a very successful year.

Thanks to Pete Boocock for the image.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

7th December 20163rd July 2017

Opinion: Rosberg’s retirement leaves Mercedes with a welcome headache

GP BRASILE F1/2015 – 14/11/15
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

When Nico Rosberg announced his shock retirement from Formula One at last week’s FIA gala, he left not only the sport’s fans scratching their heads as to the identity of his replacement, but also his former employers’.

After all, despite being the most attractive package on the 2017 grid, Rosberg’s cockpit will not prove an easy one to fill: his successor must be able to cope with the pressures of a frontrunning team, play an active part in defending Mercedes’ world titles from Red Bull et al, provide a worthy and motivational challenger to Lewis Hamilton without upsetting the team dynamic, and – most importantly – be contractually available at such short notice.

With such specific criteria to meet, it’s no wonder Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe and Niki Lauda are currently bracing themselves for a stressful December that has nothing to do with Christmas shopping queues on Brackley High Street.

Do they stick to their driver development plan and hope Pascal Wehrlein’s inexperience is outweighed by his existing familiarity with the team? Try to lure a more established midfield talent like Bottas or Sainz into a number two role beside Hamilton? Or even chase a box office star like Fernando Alonso, knowing full well the results will come with their fair share of fireworks? Each one of the choices before them is far from ideal, with risks aplenty as well as benefits.

However, the flipside to Rosberg’s sudden retirement is that it presents the Mercedes management with a golden opportunity to resolve certain intra-team issues that have developed over the last few seasons.

With a free seat available, Toto Wolff and his peers now have a clean slate with which to approach their professional relationship with Lewis Hamilton. The free-to-race policy governing Hamilton’s and Rosberg’s time together was clearly a source of great anxiety for the Mercedes pitwall, but so long as the partnership remained a successful one for the Silver Arrows, there was no way Wolff could water down that policy without triggering an outcry from all camps of F1 fans.

But for 2017, the Mercedes rules of engagement are up for complete renegotiation. Wolff has already stated his lack of enthusiasm for replacing Rosberg like-for-like with another world champion – and with another world champion’s ego, of course – and hinted he would prefer a more defined driver hierarchy “a bit like Ferrari at the time of Schumacher and Massa”.

If that’s the new direction Wolff envisions for the Silver Arrows, now is the time to take it. Team orders are hardly what any F1 fan wants to see at the front of the grid, but at least for Mercedes next year there would be some justification to it, given the extraordinary circumstances into which Rosberg’s replacement is about to be thrown.

Indeed, 2017 could be billed as something of a trial period for a new, more cooperative Mercedes, allowing someone like Wehrlein or Bottas time to adjust to being parachuted into a team with everything to lose but without the added pressure of going toe-to-toe with Hamilton for the drivers’ championship. Then, at the end of the season, Wolff, Lowe and Lauda could meet again and decide if they want to return to the old way of parity or continue as they are.

Although many spectators – including Bernie Ecclestone himself – would rather see Fernando Alonso join the Silver Arrows for a fairytale tilt at a third world title, the likelihood is that Mercedes will steer towards calmer waters instead, leaving Formula One to look elsewhere along the grid for the box office battle of 2017.

James Matthews

6th December 201626th June 2017

Hayden Paddon End of Season Interview

Hyundai Motorsport
2017 Team Launch
Monza, 1st December 2016
Hayden Paddon
Photographer: Sarah Vessely
Worldwide copyright: Hyundai Motorsport GmbH

Welcome to my end season catch up with the young, fast Kiwi, Hayden Paddon. After his best season at the top the rallying world, he took some time out of his busy end of season schedule to answer some questions about his year.

This year he showed much improved consistency securing three podiums which also included a first win! On all other events, he also improved his finishing position by one to two positions compared to the 2015 season.

Warren

Firstly, out of all of your drives this year, which one, other than your first victory are you most proud of?

Hayden

Poland – it was off the back of two very bad rally’s and was mentally very tough. To come back with a podium was a big relief.

Warren

Regarding your first victory, which was in Argentina, was it a surprise to take the win there, especially that you beat Seb in such a great way in the power stage?

2016 FIA World Rally Championship / Round 04 / Rally Argentina // April 21-24, 2016 // Worldwide Copyright: Hyundai Motorsport

Hayden

Of course, to win in that matter was a dream come true. Even today it’s something that I’m very happy about, but of course 1 win is never enough and now that we have the taste – we want more.

Warren

Now a question about your use of Twitter. After each event, you hold an Ask Paddon session and reply to fans. Are you surprised how many fans ask questions and what is the most surprising question you’ve been asked?

Hayden

Yes, it’s great to interact with the fans and that people get involved – i really enjoy it. Generally, most questions are pretty straight forward but I don’t hide behind any questions or comments. I like being up front and honest.

Warren

This year at Rally de Catalunya, you showed much improved pace on tarmac, finishing in 4th compared to 6th the year before. What would you put this down to?

Hayden

During Corsica, we discovered we were going backwards with our tarmac driving. So, during that rally we reverted back to a way of driving the car that was more natural, and ever since that it has clicked a lot better. Still room for improvement, but to be ahead of Thierry and Dani on some of the tarmac stages in Spain was a good step

Warren

Right, comparing this year’s car, with the 2017 Hyundai, what are the main things that are most noticeable from behind the wheel?

Hayden

Obviously, the extra power is the first thing, and the extra width of the car. The active diffs are also very nice and allow us to tune the car more individually for different drivers, which is suiting my style quite nicely.

Warren

Recently, you answered one of my questions during your Ask Paddon twitter sessions regarding the amount of km’s of testing in the new car, and you answered at the time around 800km’s over tarmac and gravel. On which surface, have you done more than the other?

Hayden

I have only done 1 day of testing on tarmac – it has mostly been on gravel. We will have 2 more days before Monte, but not a lot.

Warren

How surprised were you when Volkswagen pulled out of the championship?

Hayden

Just like everyone else – very shocked. It come very suddenly and unexpectedly

Warren

Which driver do you get on with the most out of the current crop of drivers?

Hayden

I think most drivers get on well. I have a good friendship with our team mate Dani and it’s good to work with someone who is very open and not afraid to offer me advice and help. But generally, all drivers get on.

Warren

Now that you and John have won your first WRC event, what are your hopes for next year in regards to results?

Hayden

We need to keep making steps forward – the closer we get to the top the smaller and harder the steps get. We are searching for more speed in 2017 – more stage wins and of course many more podiums.

Warren

Have you been following any other motorsport championships through this year?

Hayden

I follow most forms of motorsport, although with how busy our schedules are its sometimes hard to follow closely. Formula 1 I have always enjoyed to keep an eye on and local rally championships back in NZ

Warren

Lastly, what is the latest news on the possibility of a return of in the next couple of years of the WRC to New Zealand?

Hayden

It’s looking promising and everyone in the service park is positive about this. Of course, there are a lot of formalities taking place behind the scenes but we have done everything we can. We are all hopeful for 2018.

I’d like to thank Hayden and Katie, his PR manager for taking the time to answer my questions. If you’re not already following him on Twitter, I recommend you do. Finally I wish him and his family a Happy Christmas and Great New Year.

Warren Nel

@Warren_S_Nel

2nd December 201626th June 2017

Hyundai launch 2017 WRC Challenger!

WRC

December 2, 2016

Warren Nel

Yesterday, Hyundai launched their new WRC car at the Cathedral of Speed in Autodromo Naz Monza!

Unlike last year’s car, it’s based on the three door i20. With completely new regulations, the car has been completely re-designed. More power, lighter and with new mechanicals as well, there is an air of anticipation as to what they could achieve with this car.

Hyundai says

‘The technical new regulations for 2017 have been introduced to enhance the overall spectacle of WRC even further than before, with cars sporting an aggressive new look. While changes have centred on improving aerodynamic and mechanical grip, there has been an increase in engine power from 300 to 380bhp, a reduction in the overall weight of the car, and the re-introduction of the active centre differential.’

The new car has done 6000km of testing this year! Hayden Paddon recently told me that he’d done 800km himself.

Last year saw the team take two victories in Rally Argentina with Hayden and also Thierry who won Rally Italia de Sardegna. The team also picked up a number of podiums, meaning that they’d finish second in the Manufacturers championship. 2016 was a very good year for the team.

The drivers said at the launch;

Hyundai Motorsport
2017 Team Launch
Monza, 1st December 2016
Thierry Neuville
Photographer: Sarah Vessely
Worldwide copyright: Hyundai Motorsport GmbH

Thierry Neuville said: “I have high hopes for our new Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, which is the product of a lot of hard work from everyone in the team. I am optimistic it will help us to continue our momentum in the competitive WRC. My initial impressions of the car in testing were very positive. The changes in regulations have allowed us to make improvements in key areas, such as aerodynamics and rear stability. The increase in power is incredible while the additional grip and driveability gives us more confidence to push. For the spectators, there will be a visibly marked difference in terms of the car’s speed. I can assure you we will be able to feel it in the car too! We had a very positive 2016 season, and I was delighted to finish the season second in the Championship. Of course, from here there is only one place to go, and we want to be firmly in the fight for the title in 2017.”

Hayden Paddon commented: “My target for 2017 is to continue the improvements we showed during this past season. I want to start challenging for more rally wins and demonstrate more consistent speed throughout the year. The Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC is enjoyable to drive and I think it will be more exciting for the spectators too. I like that the cars will be more tuneable to each driver and driving style. The new regulations will help to make the sport even more appealing to a new generation of motorsport fans. With more radical looking and sounding cars, I think we will be able to attract a younger fan base that may not have been so familiar with rallying before. On a personal note, I feel happy to remain part of the Hyundai Motorsport family. We all know each other very well and we grow stronger all the time. There is a great team spirit and it’s amazing to work with such a highly-motivated group of people.”

Hyundai Motorsport
2017 Team Launch
Monza, 1st December 2016
Dani Sordo
Photographer: Sarah Vessely
Worldwide copyright: Hyundai Motorsport GmbH

Dani Sordo said: “We are all looking forward to this new season. It will be a fascinating one for everybody with the new technical and sporting regulations. With such a significant change, we will have to wait until the first rallies of the Championship to see how things develop, but I am confident. When I first tested the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, I was taken aback by the speed of the car. The more powerful engine and increased grip from the aerodynamics are impressive. I am sure this will be an exciting season to be a WRC spectator as well as for us inside the car! It’s very special for me to remain part of the Hyundai Motorsport team. It’s more than just team; it really is like a family. We work very well together and the atmosphere is incredible. The people in this team are some of the best in the business, so we have everything we need for a competitive car and a successful 2017.”

Hyundai Motorsport
2017 Team Launch
Monza, 1st December 2016
Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan
Photographer: Helena El Mokni
Worldwide copyright: Hyundai Motorsport GmbH

Team Principal Michel Nandan said: “We are heading into a new era for the sport with the biggest change to the regulations for some time. It’s a great new technical challenge and one that we have tackled with enthusiasm. It’s an opportunity to put into practice everything we have learned and experienced in the past three seasons. All teams are starting from scratch so we are on equal footing. Having finished in second position in 2016, we want to demonstrate our ability to fight for the Championship in 2017 – and we are confident the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC will help us do just that.”

So, can the team build on their success last year and challenge for both titles? With Citroen coming back full time and M-Sport WRT who will definitely be stronger next year, they will find it tough.

Not long before we find out now!

Warren Nel

@Warren_S_Nel

Hyundai Motorsport 2017 Team Launch Monza, 1st December 2016 Photographer: Sarah Vessely Worldwide copyright: Hyundai Motorsport GmbH

1st December 20161st August 2017

Parc Fermé

My thoughts on my season as a fan…….

So, before I begin may I just get this out the way from the off.

The Formula One season this year, like the last few seasons was…well…pretty poor entertainment if I am being truthful. If you are a regular reader of any of my columns or features, you will know that as a 40 year Formula One and racing fan in general, that sentence causes me a lot of pain. Yes folks, I’m sorry to dampen your bonfire with bodily liquid, but F1 is just a processional damp squid in its current form. It’s boring. Let us hope the regulation changes next

season change all that. I live in hope.

Then we have what was essentially the talk of the season. Hamilton and Rosberg. As I type that sentence I am shaking my head.

I have sat there and seen on social media some fans of Hamilton and Rosberg swap insults and abuse. Most of them have not got an absolute clue what they are talking about, but it is not even worth trying to intervene or offer any kind of intelligent insight into the shenanigans this season because….well….some of these fans are morons and it just would be a big waste of time for any true racing fan to even get involved. Basically the fans I am referring to who just want to enter into some kind of “Jeremy Kyle” style rant need to get a grip of themselves. This is racing….if you don’t understand the basics of that, then I feel sorry for you. If you feel you are one of those fans who I am talking about then please go and sit down, do some reading and even educate yourself in motor racing. Once you have reached any decent level of “being a fan” you may return to talk with the adults.

The few pleasures and highlights of my season watching F1 were Pascal Wehrlein, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen and before any bright sparks start throwing “Red Bull fan” assumptions in my direction, I can assure you I am certainly not. Verstappen, in my eyes is one of the most exciting, if not THEE most exciting thing to happen to F1 in the last 10 years. Formula One needs Max Verstappen.

Moving swiftly on. Where did my enjoyment come from? Where was the passion? What made my skin tingle in this gut busting, goosebumping and adrenaline fuelled world of motor racing?

I can’t start off any thoughts without first being extremely patriotic and saying a massive congratulations to a British world champion in Jonathan Rea who took back-to-back World Superbike titles with his nine race wins and only being off the podium three times. An immaculate defence of his title. Take a bow Mr. Rea, take a bow.

This brings me nicely on to another British rider, but this time in the world of MotoGP.

Mr Cal Crutchlow.

Now, this may have passed non-two wheeled by, but he is the first British rider to win a premier class Grand Prix race since the late, great Barry Sheene. Not only did he achieve this feat in the Czech Republic, he went and repeated it in Australia to add to the two second places he achieved in Germany and at his home GP in Great Britain. He finished 7th in the World Championship, he finished ahead of two “factory” riders in the shape of Iannone and Aleix Espargaro. Add to this that leading up to the German Grand Prix, he had retired four times and was nowhere to be seen in the top half of the points. Whether the birth of his child had anything to do with his change in form is subject to speculation, but my what a fantastic performance for the remainder of the season. Well done Cal, you did us proud.

British Superbikes – If you don’t follow British Superbikes you should. If you have no idea what the series is like. Find out. In 2016 it delivered, massively delivered. Entertainment wise it was on par with any racing series you will see on the planet, it delivered (take note Formula One) drama on the track, not off it.

The return to the championship of Leon Haslam, he eased himself back in after Laverty and Hickman won the first two races of the season, then the season bubbled and the ingredients were added and it was from here that the “Michelin Star” entertainment was delivered right up to the last race of the showdown as Shakey Byrne and Haslam went head-to-head. Outstanding entertainment.

We move from two wheels to four wheels.

The three series that gave me the most pleasure this season were (in no particular order), the British Touring Car Championship, World Endurance Championship and World Rallycross.

Again Formula One, please take note of above championships, they p**sed all over you for entertainment and value this season……again.

In BTCC it was just an epic battle at the top, Shedden, Tordoff, Jackson, Turkington, Collard and Neal and interesting to see how the Subaru’s developed over the season. On a personal level I was so chuffed to see one of my favourite racing drivers Rob Austin battling with big names, but for me it was the emergence of Michael Epps and Jake Hill who really impressed me this season, both of them fantastic racers, great craft and thoroughly nice blokes. Watch out for them both in the future, brilliant racing drivers.

My endurance season kicked off with that EPIC……and I use that word in all its meaning…..Corvette battle at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The entire race itself was just brilliant, but that radio message from the team for both drivers, “You’re free to race, keep it clean” – Formula One, another note you need to take. That radio message itself made my skin bubble, I sat forward on my chair like an excited child on Christmas Eve and I found myself shouting at the television “Yes! Yes! Now that’s a radio message. Come On!!” – Again, I’m not even a Corvette fan, but my god as a racing fan that radio message was music to my ears. Those Corvettes certainly listened and OH MY GOD!!!! – What a finish to the race. Superb.

I move to Le Mans, again regular readers of any of my ramblings will know that I regard the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the greatest race in the world. Little did we know that this would be Mark Webber’s last Le Mans. As always the great race did not let its fans down. I was on live comms for The Pit Crew Online along with my band of fellow merry men and we enjoyed every single second of the race. What made it so special was interacting with the teams, drivers and some sponsors through the race itself. Then came the heartbreaking moment for Toyota. I watched opened mouth as the car came to a halt. I really felt for the team and its fans, the most emotional end to a race I have seen in a long time, if not ever. That hurt, that really hurt. As a great driver once said “To win Le Mans, first you have to finish.” – heartbreaking but oh so true.

For me, the most entertaining series of the entire year was World Rallycross. I can’t put into words how exciting it was. There was more action in one lap at any RX event than there was in an entire season of…….well you know what I was going to say (take note F1).

I had the absolute pleasure of attending RX Lydden and it was one of the most fantastic experiences of my racing life. Standing inches away from Ken Block as he spoke to his mechanic, the Ford Focus RS up on jacks. I interviewed Timmy Hansen, spoke to Niclas Gronholm, I even got my picture taken with him and his dad, two-time WRC champion Marcus. I bumped into Andrew Jordan (of BTCC fame), had a bit of a chat and wandered off. The big one was yet to come, yes…..my interview on top of the Monster Energy tower with Petter Solberg. The man is an absolute gentleman. Oh….I forgot….I even got involved (accidentally) in the scrutineering of cars before they went on track.

The action on track was mind-blowing, the turn-around in races is phenomenal and the access is unbelievable. The entire season was just breathtaking from start to finish and then there was the overtake of the century in any racing series. Yes THAT overtake, around the outside by Kevin Eriksson at Estering. It was audacious. It was spectacular. In fact the commentator on the race summed it up perfectly. “Outrageous!” If you haven’t seen it then I suggest you go on You Tube, it will just blow your mind!

It is on this note I have to say thank you for the memories to Mark Webber, Felipe Massa and to a certain extent in Formula One, Jenson Button. That said, with the news that Button, Webber and a certain Mr. Coulthard are allegedly setting up their own rallycross team, I am full of excitement. Welcome to the right side of racing.

That, ladies and gentleman, was an eventful year of racing. Some big pluses for me. My interviews took a huge turn as I got to interview the likes of Mario Andretti, Zak Brown and Bradley Smith. Next year is going to be even better.

But, Formula One, please try to keep up because you are being left behind and as my first love of motor racing I really don’t want you to be ridiculed as much as you are now. It’s time to fix up and look sharp because there are racing series out there that on action, entertainment and value are making you look silly.

Oh and those Hamilton and Rosberg fans I referred to earlier. Just grow up and have a word with yourselves.

Neil Simmons

@world_racing

30th November 20163rd July 2017

Red Bull end of season review

There was not much optimism for Red Bull coming into the 2016 season as power unit problems forced them to slip down the pecking order and their partnership turned sour with Renault the previous year

“I didn’t expect to finish top five but you do the best you can and if the car is good enough obviously you can do better, “said Ricciardo.

The Australian finished fourth in his home grand prix but Red Bull’s reliability issues were again highlighted as Daniil Kvyat had to retire without completing a lap at Albert Park due to an electrical problem.

In Bahrain, Ricciardo ended the race in fourth for the second grand prix in succession whilst Kvyat completed his first race of the season to finish seventh.

The Russian Red Bull driver managed to grab his first podium of the season as he finished third behind Rosberg and Vettel in Shanghai. Ricciardo was in fourth place just ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.

Russia was one of the worst performances for Red Bull in 2016. Daniil Kvyat crashed into Sebastian Vettel’s car twice during the race. Ricciardo finished the race in 11th due to Vettel hitting the Australian as a result of Kvyat actions. Subsequently the Russian did not complete the race and was demoted to Toro Rosso after bad incidents in China and Russia.

Max Verstappen took over from Kvyat and Red Bull never looked back. “You know when you get that opportunity you just go,” Verstappen said of the switch. “The media was saying about the move and it was now up to me to prove them wrong and yeah in one way it was a very relaxed weekend as well because it took a lot of pressure off. I approached it as a learning weekend and I think so far it has been going pretty well from there onwards.”

The Dutch driver won his first race in Barcelona and Ricciardo finished fourth. Verstappen said: “It is something, you know it helps a lot, I think, a victory, it’s not everything because I mean you have to prove yourself over a whole season and then again and again but it’s something you know you come into a new team and then you win the race it’s like ok well at least it’s a very good start.”

In Monaco. Ricciardo completed the race in second after securing his first career pole position but Verstappen crashed out. “One thing I hadn’t yet done was a pole,” said Ricciardo, “so to do that in Monaco made it probably more special to get my first pole.”

Verstappen and Ricciardo finished fourth and seventh place in Canada. Next time in Baku, Ricciardo pipped his team mate to seventh as the 19-year-old was eighth.

Max Verstappen showed he has years of driving nous above his tender years as he performed admirably to finish second in Austria. Ricciardo finished in fifth. The Dutchman was beginning to show signs of genius as he equalled his position in Austria at Silverstone. His team mate had to settle for fourth.

In Hungary, Ricciardo came out on top as he finished third whilst young Verstappen finished two places behind him in fifth. At Hockenheim, the Red Bull pair captured second and third ending Mercedes dominance.

Daniel Ricciardo split the Mercedes pair again as he finished second to Nico Rosberg in Belgium. Verstappen was 11th.

Monza was the next destination but neither driver could secure a podium finish as Ricciardo and Verstappen finished fifth and seventh respectively.

In Singapore, Red Bull bounced back from the disappointment at the Italian Grand Prix as Ricciardo finished second to Nico Rosberg. Verstappen was just behind Vettel in sixth.

Ricciardo won his first race of the season in Malaysia and Verstappen completed the first Red Bull 1-2 since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix. At the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen took his fourth second place of the year while Ricciardo ended the race in sixth.

United States was the next stop on the Formula One calendar and Ricciardo completed the race in third. Verstappen had to retire his car after 28 laps due to a problem which brought out the Virtual Safety Car.

In Mexico, Ricciardo finished in third as Red Bull locked out the second row with Verstappen in fourth. The 19-year-old then drove a stunning wet weather race in Brazil to finish third. Ricciardo had to settle with eighth.

At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Red Bull signed off their brilliant season with Verstappen and Ricciardo finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Verstappen was just pipped to fourth in the standings by Abu Dhabi podium finisher Vettel, whilst Ricciardo’s strong season restored him to the overall third he enjoyed in 2014. Red Bull-TAG finished the year a marked improvement on 2015, soundly beating Ferrari to best of the rest.

Dominic Rust

GP GIAPPONE F1/2016 – SUZUKA 08/10/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

29th November 20163rd July 2017

Abu Dhabi GP: Is Hamilton really at risk of losing his Mercedes seat?

GP ABU DHABI F1/2016 – ABU DHABI 26/11/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

As emotions soured and champagne flowed in the wake of Nico Rosberg’s world title glory on Sunday, the soap opera that is Formula One couldn’t resist blowing into the Mercedes garage one last note of bitterness to round out the year.

With a world championship on the line, the events and fallout from the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were always going to be a talking point long after the chequered flag had fallen. But even I hardly expected to wake up on Monday morning to a global media aflame with reports that Hamilton was now facing the sack for his actions at the weekend.

The seed for these reports comes from comments made by Toto Wolff shortly after the race. When speaking to Channel 4, Wolff said that Hamilton’s public refusal to heed pitwall instructions to protect the race win risked setting a precedent for “anarchy” within the team: “Undermining a structure in public means you are putting yourself before the team. It is very simple. Anarchy does not work in any team.”

Wolff then added that he has not yet decided whether to let the matter lie given the circumstances of the championship battle, or to uphold the team rulebook as if Abu Dhabi were any other race in the season.

It is not the first time we have been here, of course. At the end of 2015 Wolff issued a stark warning to both of his drivers that if the tense dynamic of their championship rivalry showed signs of hurting the team, he would be forced to consider a change in lineup. Team unity is a key part of Wolff’s Mercedes philosophy – irrespective of stature, everyone must be prepared to play the team’s game before their own.

It’s worth remembering that Wolff’s “anarchy” comments on Sunday night were not just a reaction to a single isolated incident. Relations between Hamilton and the Mercedes hierarchy have been tenser than ever this season, with the Briton’s conduct in the media serving to drive a wedge between him and Wolff. Incidents such as Hamilton’s accusatory reaction to his early engine failures and “Snapgate” in Japan have left Mercedes fighting PR fires all year – even as late as the final press conference of the season, when Hamilton suggested there was a shady reason behind Mercedes shuffling his and Rosberg’s garage mechanics around that he would one day reveal in a tell-all memoir.

Add to that the torrent of social media abuse to which Mercedes has been subjected by Hamilton’s more hardcore fans each time the Briton suffers the slightest misfortune, and you can understand why Wolff might be beginning to tire of the turmoil that comes hand-in-hand with his star driver.

GP UNGHERIA F1/2016 – BUDAPEST (UNGHERIA) 22/07/2016
© FOTO STUDIO COLOMBO PER PIRELLI MEDIA (© COPYRIGHT FREE)

But although in the past rumours of shock changes to the Mercedes lineup have come to nothing, much of that was because of the relationship built on mutual need between Hamilton and the team – a relationship that has fundamentally changed this season.

When Hamilton signed with Mercedes back in 2012, he was very much a necessary asset for the team. The Silver Arrows had been operating as a full works team for three years, but for all their high hopes with Michael Schumacher had still not made their mark beyond one victory and a handful of podiums. Heavy investment was coming for the beginning of the V6 turbo era in 2014, but the team still needed a figure like Hamilton – a world champion and winner of multiple Grands Prix – who could inject the kind of momentum that Schumacher sadly couldn’t and become the team leader Rosberg was not yet ready to be.

But fast forward four years, and that situation is no longer present. With three constructors’ and drivers’ titles to its name, and not to mention fifty-four Grand Prix victories along the way, Mercedes is no longer in need of a star driver to galvanise its potential: indeed, by placing Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon into F1 this season, Mercedes has already shown it is eyeing up the next challenge of fostering a young talent through its ranks and preparing for a future without Hamilton or Rosberg.

Furthermore, Rosberg’s triumph in the world championship this year after being soundly beaten by Hamilton in 2015 has shown that Mercedes is not reliant on one driver for success, should a change in the lineup need to happen.

So, now possessed of both motive and opportunity, is Mercedes about to make its most surprising driver announcement since hiring Lewis Hamilton four years ago?

If you ask me, I doubt it. With a world title to defend amidst a radical regulations overhaul in 2017, the last thing Mercedes wants is to throw a brand-new driver into the mix. The team has everything to lose by doing so: especially when Ocon, however talented, only has nine Grand Prix starts to his name, and there are still serious question marks about Wehrlein’s ability to settle his ego into a Formula One team.

However, that won’t be the case for long: by the time Hamilton’s current contract runs out in 2018, both Wehrlein and Ocon will have put several seasons’ experience under their belts. And once that next generation is in place, Hamilton will find his platform for negotiating a renewed deal that much smaller, whilst Wolff will no doubt have a long list of incidents like those in Abu Dhabi compiled against him.

But whoever ends up driving the Mercedes over the next few years, I don’t think we’ll be done with the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix just yet.

James Matthews

29th November 20161st August 2017

WRX DRAFT 2017 CALENDAR

2016 FIA World RX Rallycross Championship / Round 12 / Rosario, Argentina / November 25 – 28, 2016 // Worldwide Copyright: IMG/McKlein

The FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy has announced its draft calendar for 2017.

The calendar, which is subject to confirmation by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, consists of 12 rounds including an all-new race at Killarney race circuit in Cape Town, South Africa (11-12 November). The 2017 season will begin two weeks earlier than in previous years, with Barcelona forming the opening round for the first time (1-2 April).

The teams will then cross into neighbouring Portugal for round two at Montalegre which will take place on 22-23 April. A return to the legendary Hockenheimring follows, which will see World RX join the highly-acclaimed DTM series again for its season-opening weekend (5-7 May).

No date changes have been made to World RX rounds in Great Britain, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Canada and France. The Latvian RX round will take place two weeks earlier next year, with the event scheduled on 16-17 September. Buxtehude in Germany will once again form the penultimate round of the World Championship, and will also take place two weeks earlier (30 September – 1 October).

The 2017 season will finish in Cape Town as rallycross visits the continent of Africa for the first time (11-12 November). Building on the success of this year, the FIA European Rallycross Championship will again run at five World RX rounds as it did in 2016, but with Loheac joining the series in place of Belgium (Spain, Norway, Sweden France and Latvia).

The Super1600 Championship will comprise of six rounds (Portugal, Belgium, Sweden, France, Latvia and Germany) while the competitive TouringCar series will be made up of five events (Spain, Belgium, Great Britain, Norway, and Germany). RX2 – the newly-branded RX Lites Cup – will follow a revised calendar in 2017 and include seven rounds, two of which will be held outside of Europe for the first time (Belgium, Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Canada, France and South Africa).

2017 WORLD RX CALENDAR*

1. SPAIN – BARCELONA – 1/2 APRIL

2. PORTUGAL – MONTALEGRE – 22/23 APRIL

3. GERMANY – HOCKENHEIM – 4/5/6 MAY

4. BELGIUM – METTET – 13/14 MAY

5. GREAT BRITAIN – LYDDEN HILL – 27/28 MAY

6. NORWAY – HELL – 10/11 JUNE

7. SWEDEN – HOLJES – 1/2 JULY

8. CANADA – TROIS-RIVIERES – 5/6 AUGUST

9. FRANCE – LOHEAC – 2/3 SEPTEMBER

10. LATVIA – RIGA – 16/17 SEPTEMBER

11. GERMANY – ESTERING – 30 SEPTEMBER/01 OCTOBER

12. SOUTH AFRICA – CAPE TOWN – 11/12 NOVEMBER

Neil Simmons

@world_racing