This is a rare gem of a clip from the 1982 Monaco Grand Prix. Watch the closing laps as iconic commentary duo Murray Walker and James Hunt attempt to keep you up to date with who is winning the race! This should get you in the mood for tonight’s 2008 Monaco Grand Prix.
Tag: Formula 1
The FIA have recently appointed Anthony Scrivener QC to undertake an independent review of the News of the World’s allegations that Max Mosley was involved in a Nazi-style sex romp. Since the allegations came to light Mosley has been under increasing pressure to stand down as FIA President, with many claiming his reign is now untenable. Several F1 teams have issued public statements declaring they have lost support in Mosley continuing at the head of the FIA. As with most things in Formula 1 these days, the appointment of Anthony Scrivener has attracted fierce debate, with many F1 insiders believing he would not be the independent investigator the FIA claim. One F1 source left their opinion perfectly clear by stating, “Everything is an inside job under Max’s rule.â€
At the completion of Scrivener’s report it will be issued to all voting members of the FIA who will determine Mosley’s fate by secret ballot. It has been reported that this ballot will take place in early June.
Source: TimesOnlineÂ
Could the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix be heading to Sydney’s Eastern Creek International Raceway? Or will it be up the creek after Melbourne’s contract ends in 2010? As they say, all will be revealed in the fullness of time. In the lead up to the 2008 Melbourne Grand Prix there had been plenty of speculation about Australia’s future as an F1 host. One of the major issues with a race down under is the television schedule it creates back in Europe, with a broadcast time in the wee hours of the morning. This year’s race was delayed some 90 minutes to allow a bit more sleep in for European F1 fans, and next year’s race will be further delayed. Mr Formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone, has all but demanded Melbourne run the Albert Park race under lights so as to further enhance the viewing pleasure of European television audiences or face losing the event. Mr Melbourne Grand Prix, Ron Walker, would probably like to do what Bernie says, but the costs involved with lighting up Albert Park are cost prohibitive and as a result it is hard to put forward a case for the Melbourne Grand Prix existing beyond 2010. So where does that leave the future of Formula 1 in Australia?
The continuing Max Mosley orgy saga shows no signs of letting up. Several Formula 1 manufacturers have issued official statements condemning Mosley’s sexcapades, while the Crown Prince of Bahrain has personally written to the F1 supremo telling him “I feel that under the current circumstances, it would be inappropriate for you to be in Bahrain at this time.†This statement, powerfully issued just days before the Bahrain Grand Prix, leaves Mosley in a virtually untenable position.
Further adding to his woes are the revelations that BMW and Mercedes-Benz have issued a joint statement asking the FIA for a response to their President’s “disgraceful” actions. Toyota went further by stating “Toyota Motorsport does not approve of any behaviour which could be seen to damage Formula 1’s image, in particular any behaviour which could be understood to be racist or anti-Semitic.”
Honda also hit out at the embarrassed and embattled Mosley in their statement, which read, “The Honda Racing F1 Team is extremely disappointed by recent events surrounding Mr Mosley and we are concerned that the reputation of Formula One and all its participants is being damaged. We request that the FIA gives this matter careful consideration and reaches an immediate decision in the best interests of F1 and motorsport.”
Mosley has taken legal action against News of the World—which broke the story last Sunday—and has claimed any Nazi connotations as being “entirely false”.
Source: BBC, TimesOnline
Update: FIA to hold Mosley crisis meeting, BBC
In news surely set to rock the FIA to its foundations, several media outlets are reporting that FIA President Max Mosley has been captured role playing in Nazi-style sex orgies. The 67 year old former Oxford scholar’s extra curricular activities have been exposed by UK newspaper News of the World and reveal the F1 supremo was apparently whipped into a frenzy by as many as five prostitutes while allegedly screaming orders in German. It looks like a nasty sordid affair that will become either a minefield of legal briefs or bring a terribly indecent ending to Mosley’s power over Formula 1.
The News of the World expose includes secretly captured photographs and video filmed last Friday, forming a damning case for Mosley. I bet he hopes news of his long lost twin brother will be the next news item to shock the world of motorsport. Oh dear. Unsurprisingly, news reports are calling for Mosley’s resignation.
Source: The Age, Australia and News of the World, UK
Update: Bernie stands by sex-claim Mosley, Daily Mail, UK
The big improvers at the start of the 2008 Formula 1 season so far have been the BMW Sauber team. Robert Kubica all but took pole position in Melbourne and Nick Heidfeld followed up this promising sign finishing the race in second place. The following weekend in Malaysia, the team continued their good form with Kubica taking second place and Heifeld placing in the points in sixth place.
This promo clip from the excellent BMW-web.tv site gives a small insight into the BMW F1.08. Okay, it’s a fluffy promo piece with little in terms of technical detail, but it is worth a look!