What a weekend that was! You just didn’t know where to look next!
There was young Sebastian Vettel in the rain at Monza, proving what a lot of people have been saying for a long time, especially those who knew him at BMW. Why did they let him go? Then there was Rossi in the rain at Indianapolis proving yet again what everyone already knows. The man is extraordinary. Then there was Allan McNish at Silverstone, giving Audi an unexpected and remarkable victory and proving what most people already know – the Scot is a pure racer, a real charger.
What a weekend for those who love motor racing, whether on four wheels or two.
There’s just no substitute for exceptional talent and that was plain to see as Lewis Hamilton raced through the field at Monza and Sebastian Vettel stayed later on the brakes, and harder on the throttle, than many of his more experienced colleagues. Fantastic. And he seems to be such a nice, normal young lad, as my Mother would have said. Let’s hope it lasts, and let’s hope Red Bull give him a decent car next year. For me, Monza remains one of the last few places where motor racing really feels like it should – dripping with atmosphere and the track itself a real test of a driver, even with all those chicanes. Fernando Alonso in the Renault was outstanding too, and the prospects for next season are thrilling, provided that the truly talented few have a competitive car.
Valentino Rossi doesn’t seem to need the best motorcycle. Once he had his eye in, had a feel for the tarmac, he just rode through the wind and rain as if it was just another day out on the bike. Indianapolis is another place with atmosphere, with history and with that extra something. The Americans appreciate a good bike racer, even if they don’t get the point of F1 racing, and they saluted a stunning ride from a unique talent.
A great day’s racing completed by a fabulous victory for Audi at Silverstone. On Saturday there was a sense they might just do it, the qualifying times much closer than anticipated given Peugeot’s recent advantage. But Allan McNish never gives up and at Silverstone he was just at his absolute best, he and team-mate Dindo Capello proving that on their day they are simply unbeatable. Couldn’t have happened to two nicer blokes and, again, this bodes well for a great season next year with Peugeot determined to finally get properly on terms with Audi. That will not be easy, but then they already know that.
So, an heroic weekend for our sport, and still lots to ponder and look forward to. Starting with the Goodwood Revival at the end of this week!
Fantastic race at Monza and an unbelievable result…right up there with Bonnier, Scarfiotti, or Brambilla. Except, I am sure that in Vettel’s case there is more to come. I think that all those guys who said after Spa-Francorchamps that they will never watch another Formula race ever again must feel pretty sorry right now.
Largely by accident, I watched the replay of the Italian f1 race on SPEED. It seemed to be an interesting and refreshing change of pace, but scarcely the sort of thing to be celebrated for eons or inclusion as part of the Pantheon of the Racing Gods.
This is not to take anything away from Vettel, who seemed to do a superb job of making the most of what was clearly His Day. If anything, Vettel’s showed just how dominant the top tier teams are that when The Unexpected actually happens from time to time, everyone goes ga-ga over it.
Sorry, no LMS or MotoGP viewing on my part. The MotoGP was also on SPEED, but I didn’t watch.
Instead, I spend most of the afternoon watching the happenings in New Hampshire, being interested in how The Shrub would fare after struggling in practice. Plus, there was the hope that someone besides The Usual Suspects might win, which is exactly what happened, Greg Biffle taking a richly deserved win.
I don’t know who masterminded that all these three events were scheduled with no collisions; but I’m sure he reads these pages and I thank him!
Hello Everyone
Hey, at last the old blogging gets a few nice responses! Well, it was a great weekend wasn’t it? And yes, well done the TV schedulers! Makes a change from tuning in to the NASCAR and finding Nigerian football.
But who the hell is The Shrub? Being a Brit, I am not always familiar with what’s happening in the USA, though I did work over there for some time and of course I love the atmosphere at places like Sebring, Indianapolis and Road America. I must take a bit more interest in these things!
Anyway, gotta go, busy week with Goodwood Revival and trying not be very envious of all those who are going to Singapore! I think it might be a great event. We’ll see.
RW
da Shrub has got to be Kyle Busch…..
no one talks much about his bro Kurt anymore!
Ah! I see. Yes, I guess I could have worked that one out myself.
I’ve just heard that Emerson Fittipaldi will be racing in the Tourist Trophy at Goodwood on Sunday. If it happens, it will be worth watching.
For all motorcycle fans, I can tell you that Freddie Spencer will not, after all, be racing at Goodwood this weekend.
And finally, as they say, there’s a new book out at the Revival tomorrow all about the first ten years of the event, and how the circuit came to be revived in 1998. I’ve seen it and it’s well worth a look.
Is it now time to put a few quid on Massa winning the 2008 F1 world championship? I think it might be.
RW
Rob, maybe you should put your money into the stock market instead, as crazy as it sounds. But the McLaren people are right…at least one of those Asian races is bound to be quite wet and Massa simply is no match for Hamilton in such conditions. Kubica and Raikkonen are too far back to do anything. Although I remember quite well what has happened a year ago, it would now be difficult for Hamilton to lose the 2008 title.
Hi Ales
First, a correction.
Freddie Spencer is racing at Goodwood this weekend. Along with Wayne Gardner, Steve Parrish, Mick Grant and Phil Read, Fast Freddie is out in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy races. Some line-up!
Put my money into the stock market? Well, yes, if I had some spare cash I might just do that. I am sure there are bargains to be had after the mayhem of the last two weeks. But what are they?
You say it would be difficult for Hamilton to lose the championship this year. I have to agree, but didn’t we all say that last year as well? I reckon it’s a tough call.
It has been a really wonderful weekend at the Goodwood Revival – sunshine, blue sky, great racing and sensational racing cars wherever you look. There is nothing else like it in the world.
RW