On The Podium

Day 29 - Who is going to win the current World Championship? WHO KNOWS? Its a new season, a whole new start to Formula One. But I'll stick to saying it'll be Sebastian Vettel because no matter what they say, when there's real talent, it weighs more than whether or not there's a good car. And I'm predicting Hamilton to start off really really well and possibly win the championship because of the specs of the new Mercedes engine. Then there's Alonso, who is slightly discontented with his team and his teammate, so we'll see what happens to him! 

Day 28 - Your favorite F1 moment My favourite F1 moment was seeing Niki Lauda back, fit and driving again at the 1976 Italian Grand Prix , after that horrific accident that nearly claimed his life just a few races before his comeback, in Nurburgring. It was my favourite because it showed me that if you do what you love to, not even a life-threatening accident which I’m sure can put a lot of psychological pressure, stop you from doing that one thing you love. It was inspiring to see a man giving it his all. Reminds me of this lifelong phrase: will power.. Use it or Lose it. 

The horrifying news of Michael Schumacher's crash while skiing hit like a bolt of lightning. The legendary Ferrari driver was on a holiday with his son when he lost control and struck a rock at high speeds and sustained major injuries on his head. Though he wore a helmet, Schumacher was severly hurt and was immediately air lifted to a hospital in Grenoble, France. Though he was concious, his reponding was not normal and by the time he arrived at the hospital, he had fallen into coma is what the intial reports say. After nearly 24 hours of the news, it has been reported that the seven time world champion is in an 'hour by hour' fight for his life. Due to the constant varions in report by the media, the horror-stricken doctors held a conference earlier this day and gave a generalized report for the world's media.  "At this moment we cannot say what Michael's future is" one doctor confimed in French. "We can say that his condition is life-th...

In a Vettel dominated season, it's hard to pick out the most exciting races. But it's needless to say that in a sport like Formula One, drivers can improve in every way. Regardless of which team or how experienced he is. While Sebastian did all the 'growing' staying in front, unquestionably there was a lot of action going on in the back which highlighted the season. Gutierrez performing well, Nico Hulkeberg's ecstatic end season finishes and a lot more. Here's the Top 5 Races of the season- 5) Australian Grand Prix The season opener was a thrilling race. With a heavy downpour that flooded the track to the bright sunshine on race day – it was like getting lost in the unknown. The Pirelli tires made exclusively for the 2013 season ate themselves up after the first 4 laps! And pole sitter Sebastian Vettel immediately lost positions and his teammate struggled to keep pace. The race saw 6 different race leaders at differewnt points in time and it was un...

Day 27 - Your favorite F1 quote "If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver" - Ayrton Senna It's probably what we miss the most in F1. The real racing where drivers push their cars to the limits without much concerns over tires, positions, etc. That's why I supported Vettel when he disobeyed team orders to overtake Webber anyway, because he was faster, he wanted to win. A very Senna-esque character trait that says few drivers are there, who still play the old ways. 

Day 26 - Best radio transmission Kimi Raikkonen  Kimi Raikkonen stirred up some laughter during a very serious grand prix at Abu Dhabi in 2012.  Kimi Radio1: "Just leave me alone, I know what Im doing!" Kimi Radio 2: "Yeah yeah yeah yeah Im doing (it) all the time. You don't have to remind me every second"

Day 25: Funniest Driver Funniest driver would go to 2 drivers at the same time: Sebastian Vettel, whose humor is just pure humor. And Kimi Raikkonen whose humor people love because its monosyllabic and his expression with answers are the ones to watch out for. ^That's Kimi on Top Gear. Sebastian Vettel might've been named the international driver of the year the last 4 years and not got booed, because his awards speeches here are gold. 

Day 24 - Least favorite rule change Credits to F1technical.net The V8s to V6s rule change has disappointed me the most. Probably when Sebastian Vettel said it, people couldn't (or wouldn’t) relate, but it is true, when you feel the power of the V8s roaring beneath your feet, it’s inspiring. It’s the most stunning thing and has been the engine that majority of the world heard. The V6’s now will be less powerful, less noisier, less exciting. It looked more of a cheap shot “let’s put an end to this Vettelization” by the FIA. And considering Jean Todt’s re-election has obviously made him a man who can show a rainbow to a blind man, he could have done this followed by the horrendous disgraceful double points rule for next season.  Happy Holidays!

There are a lot of reasons we can rewind and reminisce 2013 season. The last season on the V8 engines didn't go as per planned for most of us because there was one man driving with perfection every race - Sebastian Vettel- he was unbeaten, untouchable and dominant. So dominant to such an extent that Red Bull racing didn't need a Mark Webber to win the Constructors at all!  In other words, this German alone could have been a team and finish 2nd in the constructors and won the driver's all alone. But just behind him, half a lap behind were drivers like Alonso, who himself admitted that   "It's always good to know that you are recognised by your peers," Alonso responded, "but I think 2012 was the best in my career.  This season, there were times when I did not do well enough, such as when I could have had a little more performance, or when I made a mistake like in Malaysia." Lewis Hamilton, who made a shift from McLaren to Mercedes, had a phenomena...

Day 23 - Your favorite season and why 2010 – though 2012 was exciting as hell, 2010 was my favourite season because it was the last season when we saw real racing. The tires co-operated well, being Bridgestone, and allowed what fans wanted to see. It was also the last time when 3 drivers went into the finale, all having an equal chance at clinching the championship. It was the season when RedBull, the team which most of the paddock associated with a “carefree-party-team”, beat the mighty Ferrari and McLaren to be the best team on the grid. And since then, F1 has had a new member in the ‘top teams’ category.  1976 and 1989 would also be one of my favorite seasons!

Day 22 - Which backmarker team would you most like to drive for? Marussia – the best of the 2 backmarkers. They have raised their bar and are aiming at consistent P16s – P19s, and unlike Caterham who have a good result and then lose the momentum next race, Marussia performs.  

Day 21 - Which midfield team would you most like to drive for? Force India, in a way is like Red Bull they try constantly to bring something better. Given the right car, management and drivers, Force India is a team to watch out for. 

Day 20 - Which frontrunner team would you most like to drive for? RedBull Racing. RedBull is one team that doesn’t give up on any occasion- they keep developing, keep innovating and at the same time find a way to keep the team in one piece despite their two drivers who given the chance wouldn’t mind stabbing each other. The Milton Keynes based team, have an air of ‘Ever-worked-up-team’ and the air of a party team around them. Its not all work.  

Day 19 - Most striking F1 photo Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel

Day 18 - The best rivalry in F1 Vettel and Webber – Multi 21, Malaysia, Vettel wins – Webber retires - this pretty much sums up the unhealthy rivalry between the two. The bad blood started back in 2010 when Vettel rammed into his teammate in Turkey and since then, it was like watching a reality show. Or better – 2 school kids fighting. 

Day 17 - The best bromance in F1 Sebson – Jenson and Sebastian. With McLaren right at the end of all front runners, Jenson hasn’t been on the podium for a year. On the contrary, Vettel has been on the podium every weekend. There wasn’t a lot of Sebson this season, but doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be any next year! J

Day 16 - Your favorite driver not currently driving in F1 Robert Kubica!

Day 15 - Your most exciting race https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umJX24V6u1c Brazil 2012 – the anxiety and nervousness in the air was unexplainable. Every lap of the grand prix was worth watching and it was possibly the only grand prix that made me glue my eyes to the TV. Crashes, rain, safety cars, championship – all in a race is something you don’t get to see often. Sebastian Vettel’s first lap crash, Dasha Kapustina (Alonso’s girlfriend)’s excited jump and the Ferrari garage’s frustrated look when Vettel regained his car and started making positions! Priceless moments in F1 history.   

Day 14 - Thoughts and opinons of the politics in f1 ·          Teams should not be given a budget cap in 2015 – the best team should win and should have the freedom to spend how much ever in order to develop a stronger car for next season. ·          Tires should be made for RACING, NOT show! Reality check for Pirelli. ·          Team orders should be scrapped once and for all. They suck. They suck. They suck. 

(Sorry for the very late post!) Day 13 - Most tragic moment in F1 Jochen Rindt’s crash at the Italian  Grand Prix of 1970. He was so close to winning the championship, and he eventually did but he never got to see the prestigious Champion’s trophy. His post death championship is the first in Formula One. The championship trophy was presented to his wife, Nina. 

Day 12 - Your favorite rookie My favorite rookie this season would possibly be Valtteri Bottas . He was paired up with Pastor Maldonado- a race winner and I'm sure the pressure would have been on the rookie Dutchman. Nevertheless, throughout the season, he always seemed to have the upper hand and perform better than his  team-mate  despite having a car which was nowhere near what the Williams had  built  last season. The degraded relationship between Maldonado and  Williams  also meant he grabbed the  opportunity to play the political game and win the upper hand at Williams. The impressive P3 in Canada was his only highlight this season, but it still was an achievement to be proud of from a rookie point of view. He showed great fights along the way and grew as a driver worthy of a good drive. With  Williams moving for a Mercedes engine next season, along with Massa, we will hopefully see Bottas finish strongly. ...

Day 11 - For your dream team’s car, what colour/design livery would you have? My livery would be a deep blue with white highlights on it. The car has to look unique and be one of a kind. So blue being one of my most preferred colors, and white to ease the blue, will be a really good combination. Though I would love a pumpkin orange car with black livery/rear wing! Exciting! 

Day 10: My dream team Drivers : Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton Reserve driver : Kevin Magnussen Team principal : Guillaume Rocquelin (I know he's not a current team principal but I reckon he'd make a good one) Chief Technical Engineer :  Adrian Newey! Team Name : Apex racing

Day 9: The ugliest car on the grid I'd say the ugliest is Caterham. I don't know why, probably its because it's yuck green. 

Day 8: Prettiest car on the grid The prettiest car would be a tie between Red Bull and Lotus . Red Bull’s new purple side pod and sort of purple livery distinguish it from the other cars in the grid. Infiniti, which has become the title sponsor of Red Bull racing has replaced the previously blue “Red Bull” side pod with a new purple “Infiniti” side pod. Lotus has the most unique color combination- Golden and black which I say is the most innovative (in terms of establishing a new brand, like the black and golden Lots, like a Red Ferrari) on the grid which is full of single colored cars or double primary colored cars. It’s not shiny, but it’s a color of their own. So can be said for the Purple red bull. 

Day 7: Favorite circuit and why. How Suzuka's track overlaps itself (not a real image) Suzuka track I have two circuits that stand on the top step on the podium. 1) Suzuka - The Japanese circuit has always been a classic according to me. The '8' shaped circuit is a unique design on the grid because half the circuit is clockwise and the other half is counter-clockwise so the advantage for left handed and right handed drivers are equal. It's awesome seeing Sebastian Vettel flying on the track on the upper part of the track and then the other cars are half a lap behind and just under the race leader flying on the lower piece of asphalt. And then there's the Japanese grand prix atmosphere which is the best around the world. They're passionate and crazy.  1) Singapore , Marina Bay- Night race! Who doesn't love a night race? Bright red Ferraris and shiny silver Mercedeses blowing past the main grandstand under the floodlights -the best view ever. The t...

Day 6: Podium prediction for next race Next race is in Australia and it's in 2014. And had you asked me a few years before, I would've said Vettel, Hamilton and Button, but since we're talking 2014 - the first year of a new V6 era, I have no idea what the order will be! Probably after the first winter test, I can have a more reasonable prediction. But I certainly can say that the Mercedes and McLaren will be one of the fast cars next season, having seen their specs and stuff.

Day 5: Your favorite current team Though I'm a McLaren fan, I would say my current favorite team is Lotus. Admittedly, it's because one of my favorite drivers Kimi Raikkonen was driving for them, but 2013 opened my eyes to another reason why I believe Lotus is by far the best team on the grid. Well, first and foremost as any F1 fan would put forward as their reason- my favorite driver races there. But this year, it's also because Romain Grosjean lifted the bar pretty high. I'm happy to see that Lotus, like the olden days' McLaren, made the right decision to keep Grosjean despite all the ruckus he caused last year and nurture him to a top class driver who was the only challenger to Vettel in the 2nd half of 2013. The whole team works well, despite all the financial trouble that they were challenged with, the team never let themselves dissolve in the crisis and kept the team together- sort of.

Day 4: Most spectacular crash Every crash is spectacular in F1. Only from all the crashes did F1 evolve to be a safe sport. So, since when man invented car and racing began, accidents have been a part of the sport and often most looked forward to. One of the most spectacular crashes, which will be etched into every F1 fan's head is the crash when Ayrton Senna died in Imola 1994. The sight of Senna's Williams approaching the corner but goes flying off into the barriers is just haunting. It's still a mystery. How could a perfectionist like Senna, who drives with impeccable control, lose a car in such a way that it disobeys him? When the Brazilian's helmet hung from the car helplessly, Sid Watkins ran to the crash sight and saw him breathe his last breath, hours later when he announced that that was the last time we would see the champion on track again, thousands of fans around the world were faced with a loss. It was the last fatal crash in Formula One and hopefully n...

Day 3: My least favorite driver and why My least favorite driver would be Fernando Alonso . Yes, he's a great champion and I respect him, but Alonso's attitude is what puts me down. He complains way too much and refuses to accept his fault at times. You'd probably argue 'what about Vettel?' but he whines for a reason- when somebody's way too slow and is in front of him. Fernando may be the most popular driver on the grid, but his tactics and politics disgust me. The "psychological war" that he plays often turns out to be the most ridiculous thing ever and his inability to accept the fact that he's racing a fellow colleague, a driver and not an aerodynamicist is most frivolous. As I mentioned before, nobody can win championships in a car that's a few tenths or even seconds off pace. And thats probably why he never won a championship the last 4 years. But nobody said a car like that can't finish 2nd - and hence he's done it and finished...

Day 2: My favorite driver and why Sebastian Vettel is my favorite driver. And it's not because "oh look! 4 time champion! And he's great" reasons, but because I believe that if there has to be a champion he should be more than just a racer. The great thing about Vettel that people generally misunderstand or don't like is that he's a humble, humorous light hearted wild animal which can kill, I believe every world champion should be. He has the competitive arrogance which is necessary, he has the humbleness that sets him apart from the heady drivers on the grid, and his mind is strong enough to carry all criticism and still be as unbreakable like a wall. Most of all it's the insatiable hunger that he has to win at all costs that I admire in him. I could go on and on.. really. Don't forget that his speeches are gold! And so are his interviews! It's from the image that drivers create in their interviews with which fans decide who they prefer, so I...

Day 1 - Your earliest F1 memory My earliest F1 memory, mind you, MEMORY would be one of the races in 2004, when my dad was flipping the channels on a lazy Sunday afternoon I happened to pass by and see a couple of cars going around. I was 6, so I didn't see the race. But my dad called me and said "That's Michael Schumacher. He is a champion". F1 became  like meditation, a lifestyle, only after I saw a race live. Only since 2011. But I watched a race on TV in 2007 and Lewis Hamilton immediately became my favorite. But my first full season would be 2011. Pretty late.. but ah, you never know when you'll fall in love with a sport! ;)