Prepare for launch...

Right - put the 31st of January in your diary, F1-heads, and stand by for excitement overdose. In contrast to the days of yore, and in line with the frugal time in which we live, quite a few of the teams will launch their new cars in Valencia that day, before the test session there kicks off the next day.

I can see the logic. But I do miss the heady days when a new McLaren would be dangled precariously over Spice Girls wearing precariously dangly costumes (Which reminds me, I need to get a new hacksaw). Or on the deck of a yacht. Or something equally stupid, pretentious and expensive. With champagne and celebs in attendance, whilst Team Principal and drivers stood next to the new car looking equal amounts of bemused, amused and frightened, and grateful journo's took pictures of scantily-clad dancing girls and asked insightful questions like "can you win in this car?" before it had even been driven. Where was I...?

I guess the worst bit will be them all launching on the same day. I dunno - you wait ages and then all the F1 buses arrive at once. Still, I'm damn excited! Squeeeeeeeee!

(It's belated Christmas present from big bro night! Midge Ure's "Answers To Nothing" remastered double CD.)

Comments

Malaysian Grand Prix - Vettel hot, but not bothered

Malaysia. It's always hot, and it always rains. Except the 2nd part is no longer true (unless you count the drizzly bit around lap 14). Saturday's qualifying session had highlighted the fact that Red Bull and McLaren seemed well matched on pace, but also that Ferrari were struggling. Whilst Vettel bagged another pole, followed by Hamilton, Webber and Button, Alonso was only 5th, and Massa 7th, with Nick Heidfeld an excellent 6th on the grid between the two red cars. At this point, I would like to break momentarily for a small rant: How many times do I have to say Heidfeld is good? Why wasn't he given a top drive years ago? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?! ARE YOU BLIND!!!?? Ahem. The Hispanias somehow managed to a) turn up b) remember to bring cars c) get both of them on the track d) actually get both of them within 107%. Pretty remarkable really. Oh, and it didn't rain. Race day looked a more likely candidate for a drop of the wet stuff. The start was exciting, with

I know I'll regret this...

For @Feisty_Onion @BroughtonLass @LizWestmorland Me... before the grumpiness set in. Have a great weekend.

Senna bags Willy drive?

The great thing about F1 rumours is that they change every 5 minutes. Just last week it was looking like Barrichello might be back in at Williams, as new engines, tech staff and a general reshuffle would mean they needed someone who actually knew what they were doing in an F1 car. Which rules out Maldonado, obviously. Now it looks like Senna might be about to get a seat with the team where his Uncle lost his life. I'm sure Bruno's mum must be delighted. I don't hold with all this superstitious mumbo-jumbo though, and with the extraordinary level of safety in modern F1 cars, Bruno should be pretty safe. There is one significant problem with Williams signing him though - and this is going to be a bit unpopular I suspect - Bruno isn't very good. Yes, he put in a couple of reasonable performances with Renault, but Nick Heidfeld (ah... Nick and his lovely beard...) would have been able to do likewise, has he not been dropped. And then they dropped Senna too. Thi

grumpyf1

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