F1 loses its charm & MotoGP is in…

I have been an ardent F1 fan since 2003 and have enjoyed the pitched battles initially between Fernando Alonso & Michael Schumacher and later on between, Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton & Fernando Alonso. True, Kimi was lucky to win in 2007, so was Lewis in 2008. Both Massa & Lewis got the break of their lives with Ferrari & McLaren. It is also true that both in 2007 & in 2008, the championship was decided outside the track. But still, what’s happening in 2009 is a disappointment. What would you call three former world champions who are about 50 points behind the current leader with the season just about touching the halfway mark?

F1 has always been the pinnacle of the Glamour & Sport combination. There’s big money involved and the sport itself is life-risking. But for championships & race results to be decided in court rooms & by stewards is just the slap on the face a fan doesn’t want. And as if that wasn’t enough, we have Brawn GP (although it is run by one of F1’s greatest minds, Ross Brawn who was instrumental in creating the Schumacher Charisma), a team whose existance was under question just about two months before the season start. And now, their drivers are 1 & 2 with three 1-2 finishes out of 7 races already – pathetic? Not to deny the fruits of their hardwork but it is disgusting that 8 teams can’t even compete with them because their interpretation of a stupid diffuser rule was different from the Brawns & Red Bulls. What a pity?

And then, the 2010 season only promises to be an even bigger flop – Mr. Max Mosley (caught performing a Nazi influenced BDSM fetish orgy last year) the President of the FIA (F1’s governing body) has a great idea to ensure proper competition – a budget cap (which is I believe less than 50% of what Ferrari & McLaren, the 2 top teams until last season spend currently) that would put the underprivilaged teams at par with the top ones. If there was a stupid decision ever to kill a sport, Max would qualify hands down.

Defeating the argument is the current season – with all their budgets & technical superiority, Ferrari & McLaren stand 4th & 6th in the championship. So money alone, isn’t clearly the distinguishing factor.

The ticket prices are too high leading to empty stands, crowd favourites aren’t winning anymore & recession is hitting sponsors who are backing out of the sport & their deals all of which is leading to a severe strain on the financials already. Max is planning to deliver that death punch on F1 which would probably see the sport actually dying. But whatever happens, it would be an achievement for Max.

On the other hand, MotoGP is awesome – I haven’t seen a single race till date that has been decided off track, the four-pronged battle for the title last year between Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo & Dani Pedrosa was a treat to watch. Though Dani & Jorge dropped out of contention, the track battles between Rossi & Stoner was vintage stuff. The MotoGP US Grand Prix 2008 at Laguna Seca was like watching Lord Shiva perform his rudra dance on earth – amazing!!! And once again Rossi, Lorenzo & Stoner are back at it this year with 9 points seperating the top three racers – now that’s what we call competition.

I mean its ok if your favourite doesn’t win every race – it is important for the sport to win. And MotoGP does just that. I would recommend all of you to watch the races – the next one is at Catalunya this Sunday. Watch it and am sure you’ll get addicted.

It’s over for 2008…

I hate to admit this but it is well & truly over.

Kimi can forget about winning the 2008 championship now and should focus on his 2009 campaign. With innumerable regulations that are going to be enforced, if he starts working immediately, he will get an headstart over his rivals. That said, he must help Felipe Massa & Ferrari retain the World Driver’s & Constructor’s Championships.

A lot has been said about Kimi’s motivation running out and his apparent lack of interest in racing, he proved both factors wrong yesterday. However, in F1, it isn’t enough if you are a natural talent and a great driver; you have to be in a car that is better than others, which I do not think is what Kimi has. As a fan, I do not have blind faith in him – I seriously believe that he is the best of the current lot. At the same time, Kimi has been big-time unlucky. McLaren was unreliable when he was driving for them and now it is Ferrari.

Also, I accept that Kimi drove a poor last 2 laps for which some of the reasons are that being the leader, he had no idea of the deteriorating braking points and track conditions – what he could have done is to have let Lewis go and then follow him in the manner which Lewis did with Kimi – this is easier said than done, but actually, at the end of the day, it was Lewis’ caution that won him the race than the natural instincts of Kimi. Nevertheless, he would have learnt his lesson.

I felt stricken when I saw the Ferrari alongside the wall and a couple of tears rolled down my eyes as the camera showed a disappointed kimi walking back to the pits. This is a serious situation from which I believe Micheal Schumacher should nurse him out of. Every Tom, Dick & Harry is criticizing him, speculators are out for his blood, other drivers hoping he’s sacked and the press brutal. Never a socialite, Kimi finds himself in an awkward position – he is the reigning world champion and yet, he has no friends, the pressure is on him and he is not able to focus!

I think he needs a few quiet days – away from all the noise, he needs to spend time with his car, mechanics and if possible, Schumacher.

And actually, since no one expects him to win the championship now, a lot of pressure is off his back. He can just be himself and who know, he might just spring a surprise!!

Hope it happens…

Rossi thrills again…

The San Marino Grand Prix turned out to be just a shade less than what Rossi fans like me would have dreamt of – a lap 2 overtaking maneuver on Dani Pedarosa, a mini slide from which he recovered and then in hot pursuit of his rival Stoner until Stoner crashed out, very similar to Brno. Casey is now making this a habit whereas what we want is a repeat of Laguna Seca. Unfortunately, no other rider (though Pedarosa & Lorenzo shine occasionally) seem to be up to challenge these guys meaning it is a different race for these two every time. The challenge is minimal.

Anyways, all the best Rossi, well on your way to a 6th World Championship title.

F1 GP @ Valencia

Formula 1 goes to the brand new Valencia Street Circuit for the 2008 European Grand Prix. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes start favourites based on current form but beware: don’t count the Prancing Horses out just yet. The master of combacks Kimi Raikkonen has been wounded by the press and would be bubbling to prove them wrong.

Also, street circuits tend to produce surprise results with the safety car often playing a big part.

FRI Practice 1	13:30
FRI Practice 2	17:30
SAT Practice	14:30
SAT Qualifying	17:30
SUN Race	17:30

All in Indian Standard Time.

MotoGP @ Brno

Its Stoner & Ducati on Pole with the Valentino “Doctor” Rossi on his Fiat Yamaha right behind him. After the battle at the Laguna Seca, beware folks – it could be another thriller. And like most faithful MotoGP fans, I will be rooting for Rossi. All the best Valentino, I know you can do it.