Unanswered 'mysteries' in F1
Discussion
Rooting through some old motorsport mags' in the loft recently and was reminded of a few unanswered 'mysteries' surrounding F1. The ones that spring to mind so far:
1) How did Kimi Raikkonen come to obtain a superlicence for F1 having only completed 23 races in FRenault, thus not qualifying for one by a long margin?
2) What was the background to Button oddly announcing his return to Williams from BAR, then backtracking on this (it was said at the time there was something more to this but it never became apparent what).
3) What's happened to Nigel Stepney's book?
Any answers?
Any others?
1) How did Kimi Raikkonen come to obtain a superlicence for F1 having only completed 23 races in FRenault, thus not qualifying for one by a long margin?
2) What was the background to Button oddly announcing his return to Williams from BAR, then backtracking on this (it was said at the time there was something more to this but it never became apparent what).
3) What's happened to Nigel Stepney's book?
Any answers?
Any others?
StevieBee said:
1) How did Kimi Raikkonen come to obtain a superlicence for F1 having only completed 23 races in FRenault, thus not qualifying for one by a long margin?
Peter Sauber 'had a word' and was backed up by a few others (I think that MS might even have confirmed that he was impressed enough) to convince the FIA to give him a 'provisional' super licence for the first three races to see if he was good enough. He scored points in his first race...StevieBee said:
2) What was the background to Button oddly announcing his return to Williams from BAR, then backtracking on this (it was said at the time there was something more to this but it never became apparent what).
He was in the wrong car at the wrong time and wanted to be in the right car. His manager was also having something of a brain fart. Lot more tot his story as you say, although I will let another tell the tale.StevieBee said:
3) What's happened to Nigel Stepney's book?
No idea. That said he has been rather busy in recent years so might just be waiting for it. I suspect that there are also a few chapters that are best left unpublished for a few years until he is ready to retire from the sport.StevieBee said:
3) What's happened to Nigel Stepney's book?
Any answers?
Any others?
Ecclescake is a billionaire. Not a good idea to write a book which might potray any aspect of his sport in a negative light. Hell it would be easier for him to pay stepney off than than have a load of old muck raked up. Any answers?
Any others?
StevieBee said:
2) What was the background to Button oddly announcing his return to Williams from BAR, then backtracking on this (it was said at the time there was something more to this but it never became apparent what).
Imagine if that had happened! Button would not have won the WDC and probably wouldnt be driving a Mclaren now.jay85 said:
StevieBee said:
2) What was the background to Button oddly announcing his return to Williams from BAR, then backtracking on this (it was said at the time there was something more to this but it never became apparent what).
Imagine if that had happened! Button would not have won the WDC and probably wouldnt be driving a Mclaren now.Was an odd one. IIRC, he'd not long won his first race, the BAR car was improving - ended up coming second to Schummi in the championship I think.
thatone1967 said:
S18DMW said:
The Raikkonen story is explained in the current Autosport.
I saw his picture on the front page of Autosport at lunchtime.. is he wanting back in again?
ks.thewharftrader said:
Mystery to me at least:
Why do we have a European GP (held in Spain) and a Spanish one (did the same not happen with Germany a few years back)?
What's the mystery? There is a floating 'European' GP that goes to different circuits around Europe that are 'second best' to where the domestic GP is held. Donnington has held it in the past too.Why do we have a European GP (held in Spain) and a Spanish one (did the same not happen with Germany a few years back)?
thewharftrader said:
Mystery to me at least:
Why do we have a European GP (held in Spain) and a Spanish one (did the same not happen with Germany a few years back)?
it is an easy one: Alonso is so popular in Spain that Ernie saw the point of offering a second one to one of Spanish place (after great number of fans on GP Spain in Barcelona). Valencia decided they had a lot of money and as result we have GP Europe there and a standard GP Spain in Barcelona. Why do we have a European GP (held in Spain) and a Spanish one (did the same not happen with Germany a few years back)?
this days Valencia authorities don't know how to get out of the deal that is running till 2014
Denorth said:
thewharftrader said:
Mystery to me at least:
Why do we have a European GP (held in Spain) and a Spanish one (did the same not happen with Germany a few years back)?
it is an easy one: Alonso is so popular in Spain that Ernie saw the point of offering a second one to one of Spanish place (after great number of fans on GP Spain in Barcelona). Valencia decided they had a lot of money and as result we have GP Europe there and a standard GP Spain in Barcelona. Why do we have a European GP (held in Spain) and a Spanish one (did the same not happen with Germany a few years back)?
this days Valencia authorities don't know how to get out of the deal that is running till 2014
There used to be two Italian GPs (Monza and Imola). There used to be two German GPs (Nurburgring and Hockenheim). There used to be two French GPs (Dijon, Paul Ricard, Magny Cours etc and Monaco). One year there were THREE (a Swiss GP held at Dijon, a French GP helf at Paul Ricard and the Monaco GP). There are currently two Spanish GPs
In 1994 there were two Japanese GPs.
Of course, the "other" GP is always given an alternative title, such as European GP or Asian GP in order to ensure there is only one National GP in any one country.
Nick3point2 said:
What's the mystery? There is a floating 'European' GP that goes to different circuits around Europe that are 'second best' to where the domestic GP is held. Donnington has held it in the past too.
Indeed - the famous Senna GP at Donnington of 1993 was in fact the European GPMSTRBKR said:
What the hell has happened to Hamilton since the end of the 2009 season? I'm sort of joking, but also wondering what has actually happened to him.
I have a bad feeling that nothing really happened - he is just not improving, staying on the same level (fricking fast, but not consistent). In 2007-2009 the point score for winning WDC was really low. As soon as we have more consistent driver which is as fast as Hamilton (or at least very close), we suddenly see that Lewis is not scoring enough points during the season. Once Lewis became consistent, he wins WDC again. OR - once his opposition fails to score
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