Double Trouble

As we know by now, one of the more shocking regulation changes for 2014 was to offer double points to the top 10 finishers of the very last Grand Prix of the year.

The idea is that the motivation will increase competition, and make the championship fight extend longer, unlike the snoozefest's of 2011 and 2013 (yawn). 

There are conflicting beliefs within the paddock that the points system is here to stay, Ferrari's Luca Di Montezemolo says that it's only a temporary folly whereas Lotus and Eric Boullier are certain it's a permanent arrangement. 

It's only one more desperate attempt to make Formula 1 look interesting, when in actual fact it's making the sport look like an absolute joke. Imagine making tries in rugby worth double in the last ten minutes of a match, it's complete crazy.

Eddie Irvine was spot on when he said the sport is completely lost.What gripes me the most is that Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA have basically said that Abu Dhabi, and the Yas Marina circuit is worth more than Silverstone, Monza, Monte Carlo and Spa. Why should emphasis be placed on a below par circuit that has existed for all of 5 minutes, above REAL circuits?

Oh wow, you light up, cause that's what the fans want...

One thing is always for sure; leave it to Red Bell and Sebastian Vettel to shy away from the fact that this only helps them. 

I'm not saying they had any involvement with the decision making, that would be stupid-thinking. What I am saying is that Vettel coming out and calling it "absurd," and Christian Horner criticising the FIA is rather cheap considering they are the only ones who truly benefit.

Red Bull perform far better in the second half in a season. Asia is practically Vettel's playground, you know he's just going to pull maximum points every time. And with 3 wins in 5 races at Yas Marina, it's safe to say it's a Vettel track. What if Red Bull scrape by the whole season, get lucky (because we know it happens) at Abu Dhabi and steal it away undeservedly?! It says to the teams just give it your 100% at the last race of the season, it's worth the real points.


This is all assuming the order remains the same with the new engines however, maybe the change is so big that double points might actually prove to be a great thing in the sport. Right now, it makes it look weak.

It seems to me like this is a quick fix to a really terminal problem with Formula 1. Along with the introduction of the Vettel Trophy (trophy for most pole positions), these are just really bad decisions. If the FIA wants to emulate the success of other motor racing series', introduce interesting scenarios like reversed grids, or ballasts like in the BTCC, not something that belittles 18 races of hard work.

Kimi In, Massa Out

In the sheer space of an hour one long term driver has left Ferrari while a former champion comes home.

Felipe Massa announced tonight on Twitter that he would be leaving at the end of the year, and thanked his team and family for supporting him through 8 turbulent years.

Just Massa packs away his office supplies, the last man to win a world championship at Ferrari has came home, beating people like Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta for the seat.

The BBC has announced that Kimi Raikkonen has signed a one year deal with the option for 2015. As I mentioned previously the ideal scenario for Kimi would have been Massa as a team mate, but the prospect for a Kimi Raikkonen-Fernando Alonso line up is indeed mouth watering from the outside.

Inside our wonderful world of Formula 1 though, it creates a certain fear in the mind. Who gets the number 1 spot? I can't remember a time when Ferrari even thought of an equal driver policy. It's either on or the other and if Luca di Montezemolo & Stefano Domenicali had any sense they would give Raikkonen the role of number 1 driver.

He'll be a fresh albeit returning face, but he'll create a whirlwind of excitement for the Tifosi and the Ferrari team in Italy. At the end of the day, Alonso has nil championships at Ferrari, Kimi has 1. Fernando may have two overall but any bets should be with Kimi.

It would be hard not to be sad for Massa. I've never been a huge fan of him but I've always respected him. But I guess when your time comes you'll know about it. Here is is farewell message on Instagram: 

"From 2014 i will no longer be driving for Ferrari. I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together. Thank you also to my wife and all of my family, to my fans and all my Sponsors. From each one of you I have always received a great support! Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining 7 races. For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective! Thank you all. Felipe"

The person who will probably miss him more than Fernando Alonso is poor Rob Smedly. They were like brothers and can you honestly imagine Rob talking any nonsense from Kimi over the radio?

The bottom line is, Kimi still has championship potential in him. The key factor in all of this is James Allison. He is the most important factor for 2014. The fact him and Kimi are back together again can only mean positive things. 

I am honestly so excited for next season that I do not give a damn about this season. Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel should be very, very worried. That's only if the Alonso-Raikkonen situation is managed very carefully.

Bernie Ecclestone: COFFIN DODGER

"I'm 82 and nobody can deny that" - Bernie Ecclestone

Is this the face of pure evil?

If you're a rich Arab leader with money to wipe your arse with, then no, this man is your best friend who is near the top five on your Christmas card list. If you're a true Formula 1 fan then he is evil incarnate. This man wants to take the very essence of Formula 1 and turn it into a profit.

Growing Concern. Is Bernie Too Old?

After dear old Bernie was criticised heavily following his condemnation of Ferrari's outcry by their president Luca di Montezemolo (see previous blog), he's hit back by saying he isn't stopping any time soon. I'm going to explain why this is a very negative aspect and even though we're going through a golden era in the sport, why we're still going down the wrong path.

I'm going be straight up. I don't like Bernie. The way he conducts business is wrong and his agenda is up the left. This isn't opinion, this is fact. Bernie gets everything his own way. He rules by iron fist with no compromise. This has led to many atrocities that you may be completely unaware of.

In 1999, Formula 1 ventured into the desert for the first time in it's history. The Malaysian GP was the first to take place in that region of the world. I'm actually a fan of this race, I find it a great addition to the calendar. Bernie had the idea of expanding to newer regions in order to grow a new base. One of the primary rules of business I suppose. But he didn't stop there. In 2004 Formula 1 was introduced to the country of Bahrain. Let me sum this race up to you. If you're not Sebastian Vettel, sorry I spelt that wrong. If you're not Adrian Newey in a Red Bull, and you still get pole position, you will still win the race. That's how systematically boring it still is.

It didn't stop there. In 2009 we were given an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. What was the biggest attraction  It wasn't anything related to the track. All the hype was about a few lights on a hotel. Next year Korea hosted a Grand Prix and just last year, India received a Grand Prix! India?! They can't afford to feed their own people but they can host a race. What's my issue? These tracks do not fill out their capacity. Take a look at last years Indian race. Even just a clip on youtube. Now look at the stands. The majority of them are empty. Why do we continue to go back to these stupid Tilke designed desert races if the people there aren't interested? Because Bernie says so. A good friend of mine once said "bring the sport to the fans." But Bernie isn't about the fans. 

But the true reason why I despise this man originates from 2008. Some idiot thought it would be a genius idea to put a thousand flood lights and a few coloured boards around the streets of Singapore and call it  a race. It's awful. It is by far the worst Grand Prix in the sports history. The teams aren't very fond of it despite what they say on camera, I'm fairly certain very little people turn up for it an I'm damn sure the motorists hate the disruption to their journeys. So why is it there? Because it's all money in Bernie's back pocket!

These middle eastern races are replacing the very best race tracks in the world! Instead of classics like South Africa, France and San Marino we now have these ridiculous tracks with run off areas that carry the same speed as the race track. If you ran off track in Suzuka, your race was over. If you do it in Abu Dhabi, you benefit a few gain seconds and an illegal overtake which nobody sees.

It's terrifying to think that Spa was threatened with the axe this year after a difficulty with fees, but year after year it brings capacity crowds and an amazing race, while India brings more stray dogs than people and gets called a success. Based on this logic it's only a matter of time before Monza and Silverstone are replaced by races in Afghanistan or Tunisia. Even if Monte Carlo was the last classic track left on the calendar, you can bet any money Bernie would replace the principality with Iran just because they're able to provide him with plutonium in order to power whatever is keeping him alive.

It's time somebody replaced the tycoon with a real mind. The top of Formula 1 should not be headed by a little man constantly carrying bags with dollar signs around with him everyday. It should be ran by a racing icon. Someone who knows were the sport should be heading. Someone who says no to Bahrain and India, and yes to two German Grand Prix's and a return to Austria! Who do I honestly think should replace him? Michael Schumacher. And I'm not even going to state a reason because you know I'm right.

There is no doubt in my mind, Bernie has made Formula 1 the global sport it is. Commercial success is largely his. But he got greedy. Simple fact is he doesn't know what the fans want. Bernie you'll never know I exist, and will probably never read this. But I implore you, bring the sport to the fans.