And Then There Were 11...

UPDATE: This is the official 2013 Formula 1 World Championship Entry List
2013 Teams. No HRT

Also think it's strange considering Toro Rosso have announced both their drivers, Caterham have brought in Pic, and I'm driving for Lotus beside Kimi but it isn't coming up! Look at my profile photo, see I'm not lying!

"The 22-car list was published on the governing International Automobile Federation's website..."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/formula-1-hrt-set-quit-f1-left-entry-190154933.html;_ylt=AlNIThjkOl5_kWs3Y0Zb.6y48JF4;_ylu=X3oDMTQwY2g3cDVtBG1pdANGZWF0dXJlZCBNZWdhdHJvbiBGMSBTRgRwa2cDM2VkNTk4OTEtYTY2ZC0zMTNmLTgzZWMtMjJlMzNlYmZkODBlBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNtZWdhdHJvbgR2ZXIDYTEyNzBhZTAtM2JlYi0xMWUyLWJmYmUtOWM0MzBlMTQ4MDhi;_ylg=X3oDMTFnNmNrM2psBGludGwDZ2IEbGFuZwNlbi1nYgRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANmMQRwdANzZWN0aW9ucw--;_ylv=3

For those of you who maybe don't pay any attention to the back runners of Formula 1 (nobody  would think any less of you) yes there used to be a time when 24 perfect machines used to race around tracks all over the world! Well... 18 used to race competitively... 6 used to just... well... chill I suppose.

In 2010, the world of Formula 1 was graced by the premise of four new teams! One failed to even get a team together and never ever came to fruition. The other three however did form and we were all really, really excited! Until we actually saw the timing screens. Yes they were never going to be Red Bulls but we honestly didn't think anything could be this slow! I'll give you a quick history of the first two (sparing the technical details):

Virgin Racing & Lotus RACING (cannot emphasise the racing part close enough) started out with Timo Glock, Lucas di Grassi & Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli at the helm respectively. To put it gently, they happened to be off the pace... By a country mile... Country mile in light years terms... But any who in 2011 you knew them as Marussia Virgin Racing and TEAM Lotus, then in 2012 Marussia became the full team name and because of reasons unknown (code for BORING POLITICS) Team Lotus became Caterham, although I thank Christ for that. These teams have been making progress with Caterham giving us an exciting finish this season, in P11. All is well for these two (even though they are detrimental for the sport). The team at the centre of my topic tonight however seems to be knocking at deaths door. And I hope to God he answers it and puts us all out of our misery.

Hispania Racing started in 2010 with... Well they had four drivers in one season. Yep... FOUR. I n 2011 they became Hispania HRT and in 2012 they became HRT. As far as I can remember they always, always had  financial difficulties. But the real problem to every fan was, they made no effort. It's the simple fact. They hadn't gained anything in three seasons. There was no progression, no effort, no heart. They had no drive in the R&D room (sorry, bus stop) or on track. They held up more drivers than I've ever seen. They were truly tragic. 

I know you can't expect to win on the first attempt. And these things take time. But that's al right after one season. To not make the first race of the 2011 season, and then miss out because of the 107% rule is ridiculous. It's only called the 107% rule for political correctness. It's actually called the "if you don't make this time, get the f**k out" rule. And yet they persisted. Persisted in holding up many of our beloved drivers. Granted this season was the first when I supported one of their drivers. I know they Indians aren't known for fighting, but Karthikeyan should have kicked Vettel's back doors in for calling him an idiot. 

All this being said, I know Formula 1 isn't about fashion, but HRT managed to produce a really beautiful looking car. Putting aside the iconic black & gold of the Lotus, the HRT livery is simply gorgeous whatever it's inspiration was. But this is no excuse for the atrocities that have occurred over the last three seasons. I'm glad they're on their way out. I know it's not for definate yet, but I'm honestly content with losing these jokers.

 If Adrian Campos had any sense, he would merge with Marussia to not only overhaul Caterham, but maybe make a mark. I think Pedro de la Rosa would make a more than sufficient replacement for Pic, and with Caterham set to lose Kovalainen, I think PdlR and Glock would make a formiddable team (even though it is kind of still implementing HRT's "old driver" policy. 

To close, I shall bring in an impartial opinion. Kimi, what do you think of HRT and there development progress?

Well... That laughter says more than Kimi does in a year.

Talent Replacing Money!

"I don't see any reason why I can't do well in Formula 1." - Valtteri Bottas

Today I received the news that I had been waiting for since FP1 at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix. For those of you who have not heard, I shall not spoil the news for you:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20524465

Yes so at long last the ghost that is Sir Frank Williams and the powers within have decided that they finally have milked both the money cows that are Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna to the point where they can afford to let the latter go, and in his place appoint a driver with that one trait you think all drivers should have: TALENT.

Quick rewind back to 2010. The 2009 season had finished, we had a British champion in the ever impressive Jenson Button. Brawn transforms into Mercedes, but as an entirely new outfit with new executives and new drivers in Rosberg and God (Schumacher). Jenson (with no surprises) replaces the outgoing  Kovalainen at McLaren, leaving the other contributor to Brawn's championship double unemployed. Enter Williams.

Williams hire the ever consistent Barichello and the new exciting rookie, Nico Hulkenberg. We didn't know it at the time, but because it's clearer than a pane of glass now, the Hulk has got it! So they had a promising young talent, and Rubens had finally been able to shake his number 2 status (Mark Webber, Felipe Massa take note). They had a great 2010! The Hulk was on pole for goodness sake! It was a great time and things were looking good.

What went wrong in  2011? For reasons unknown, the team fell away. They collapsed. The Hulk had been dropped for the bank of Venezuela. It was a disaster unknown to this day. But no matter what you think or say, it was the last time (to date we see Rubens in a Formula 1 car). His replacement in 2012? A young boy who did not buy his seat with money (although it was plentiful) but with his name. I'll say no more other than, funding was low, so they increased their cash flow with a boost from Toto Wolff and the bank of Brazil. 

The disaster of that is Maldonado essentially ruined the majority of races or more importantly, endangered lives. And Senna? Lets just say it made us think we forged his application. Let's not forget, this isn't the first time Williams had hired a man who was detrimental to the sport. Montoya was no Keke Rosberg or Alain Prost but that's a different story.  But after everybody caught a grip, and Sir Frank Williams stranglehold over the team is loosening has resulted in THE best move for the team since hiring the wonderful talent that is Jacques Villeneuve (to name one).

I honestly believe Senna's exit is honestly far far too late. I would've loved to seen a mid season switch (first season in a long time we haven't had one) to give Valtteri Bottas a real showing. But I guess he doesn't need it. After all, he is Finnish. I would love to give him the title of the Flying Finn, but I believe this chap is still learning. He'll love to follow in the steps of Kimi Raikkonen, Keke Rosberg or Mika Hakkinen, and I believe he will. Watch this man, I guarantee you'll be well impressed.