Sun. October 3, 2004
Silverstone No More at 54
Bernie Ecclestone, impresario of Formula One, has had the audacity to drop the British Grand Prix at venerable Silverstone from the Grand Prix calendar for the 2005 season. Weep for the British Grand Prix [GrandPrix.com]. Nigel Mansell called this move "an absolute disgrace."
I agree wholeheartedly. Silverstone was the home of the very first F1 world championship race in 1950 and has been the scene of some of the most famous races of all time. Ecclestone says that the race could still be restored to the schedule if the British Racing Drivers Club, owner of the circuit. can come up with an extra £1.5m. Just another slick, money-grabbing move by Bernie with complete disregard for the history and traditions of the sport.
Posted by glenn at Mon. July 12, 2004
Ferrari Rolls On
Michael Schumacher may be the only man left in Formula One who is still amazed when he wins. Sunday's British Grand Prix win was the German's 10th in 11 races this year, the 80th of his career and fifth in a row. Schumacher Makes It 10 Wins Out of 11 [theage.com.au]. Like last week's win in France, Schumacher used some blistering lap times -- setting fastest lap four tours in succession -- to pull out enough time to pit and remain in the lead. But at Silverstone on Sunday he was closely chased for much of the race by Kimi Raikkonen in a newly revised McLaren-Mercedes. No difference; the Schumacher machine rolled on anyway.
Tue. March 2, 2004
Another F1 Season Begins
Well, the 2004 Formula One season is just days away, and I still have not updated my Formula One Art & Genius web site. Sorry, fans. Here's some of the latest news and gossip. F1 Melbourne Diary [europosrt.com].
Mon. September 29, 2003
Six World Championships
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher is about to accomplish what, for Formula One motor racing fans, was once -- and for many still is -- the unthinkable. By winning yesterday's U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis, Schumacher needs only one point in the season's last race at Suzuka in Japan to walk away with his 6th World Championship title (and fourth in a row). [BBCSport.com].
The legendary Juan Manuel Fangio won five championships in the 1950s. Passing Fangio will make Schumacher literally a legend in his own time. Herald Sun: Schu on Brink of History [30sep03].
Thu. May 22, 2003
The Other Michael
He's led 398 laps in 13 races, the most of any racer, without a victory in the Indianapolis 500. [rpm.espn.com] 
He's saddled with the famed "Andretti Curse," begun by his father Mario, which mysteriously causes their machines to break -- over and over again -- agonizingly close to the checkered flag while leading. So Michael Andretti's last driving appearance at the Brickyard has got to be an emotional favorite in this weekend's Memorial Day classic. I know I will be cheering for him.
Mon. May 19, 2003
Ferrari's On Fire
Even a pit lane fire, caused by a malfunctioning fuel delivery rig, could not stop Michael Schumacher from notching his third consecutive Formula One victory of the 2003 season yesterday at the A1 Ring in Austria and pulling to within a hair's length of the lead for the World Driving Championship. Headline writers around the world had a field day, but the risk was a lot less than it seemed. Ferrari Fight Flames for Third Win in Row [Guardian Unlimited Sport]
Mon. May 5, 2003
I Luv My Car
BBC Sport - Schumi Grateful for New Car. After winning the Spanish GP, Michael Schumacher sang the praises of the new Ferrai F2003-GA.
Fri. May 2, 2003
The Reign In Spain
Ferrari answered any lingering doubts about their new car with a dominant display in Friday qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. [BBC Sport]. So far in 2003. Michael Schumacher has unexpectedly been eclipsed by Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren, but the tide seems to have turned with Ferrari's introduction of the F2003-GA.
Mon. April 28, 2003
Two Grand Prix World Championships?
Max Mosley says that a "Grand Prix World Championship" series is almost a certainty. He is "pessimistic that the existing Formula One team owners and Bernie Ecclestone will reach a compromise," and for that reason thinks "that GPWC will happen" by 2008. [Guardian Unlimited]
What a disaster this would be. Hasn't the Formula One crowd learned anything from the CART/IRL split in US open-wheel motor racing? Dividing the international driving world championship series in two would ruin it.
Both sides here need to stop grandstanding and come to their senses.
Sun. March 30, 2003
Mosley Makes Schumacher Look Mortal!
Richard Williams of the Guardian Unlimited writes that the rule change "wrinkles" introduced to Formula One over the winter may put an end to what he calls Ferrari's "deadening supremacy."
He's wrong about the first point but he's right that Michael Schumacher is probably a little worried. I will explore this more at Formula One Art & Genius later in the season. For now, I am betting on a 6th consecutive World Championship for Schumi, who has proved himself an expert at modern Grand Prix tactics and a clear leader statistically among all drivers in F1 history.