Last year, I did a hypothetical experiment that looked at what would happen to the F1 title chase if Bernie Ecclestone insisted upon adopting NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup format. With Fernando Alonso coming up one race short of winning the title and Sebastian Vettel coming from third place in the standings to win his first title. So how would this year’s epic World Championship turn out under the NASCAR Chase for the Cup playoff format? I take a look at the 2010 championship, as well as every season dating back to 2003, after the jump. Continue reading
F1 2010
Formula One: Pirelli Tires Test
For the first time in 19 years, Pirelli tires took to the track on a Formula One race car. Just days after the final race of the season, most of the stars of F1 were back testing to get a head start on the 2011 season. Like it was toward the end of the season, Ferrari was the dominant car in this season as the Scuderia had the fastest car on each of the two days of the test. However, hot on their heels was World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Continue reading
Formula One: Young Drivers Test Recap
With the Formula One World Championship settled for another season, the teams took a well-earned day off. And then they were back at it on the Tuesday after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the Young Drivers Test. Not surprisingly, the team that seemed to have dominated the entire season dominated this test as well. However, we did get a glimpse at some of F1’s future stars as well. Continue reading
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Passing The Torch
The final race of the season didn’t need a contrived playoff format to produce proper drama in the final round of the 2010 Formula One World Championship. With the World Constructors’ Championship all wrapped up, the Red Bull duo of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel looked to steal the championship from Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. Vettel did all he could to win the title by speeding away from Alonso and Webber but it took a little bit of help for the German to win the World Drivers’ Championship. A bad strategy call dropped Alonso down the standings and it was Sebastian Vettel who won the 2010 Formula One World Championship. Continue reading
F1 Brazilian GP: We Are The (Constructors’) Champion
The Brazilian Grand Prix has a history of crowning champions. Since 2005, the World Drivers’ Champion had clinched his crown at the Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo. All eyes were on Fernando Alonso as he tried to claim his third championship. However, a third place finish leaves the championship open for the final race of the season. However, Red Bull Racing clinched the World Constructors’ Championship thanks to a one-two finish led by Sebastian Vettel who scored his fourth win of the season. Continue reading
F1 Korean GP: Yes, It Actually Happened
It wasn’t until twelve days before the Grand Prix that we actually knew that there would be a Korean Grand Prix. It turns out that saying that was relative, really. It seemed like driver that led the most laps was Bernd Maylander who drives the safety car. Rain mixed with a lack of adequate drainage of the track meant a pair of starts behind the safety car. It was Sebastian Vettel that was scored as leading the most laps until his Renault engine grenaded. That let Fernando Alonso through to win and take the Drivers’ Championship lead. Continue reading
F1 Japanese GP: Seeing Red (Bulls)
This weekend was all Red Bull Racing all the time. They dominated practice, qualifying and the race as Sebastian Vettel led Red Bull home in the team’s third one-two finish and first since the Monaco Grand Prix in May. While the race may never have been in question, the result did shake up the World Drivers’ Championship picture. Outside of the top five, the race didn’t disappoint as we saw a superb drive from a mid-pack driver and a demolition derby in the first turn of the race. Continue reading
F1 Singapore GP: Where The Streets Have No Name
Back in Germany, people were ready to have Ferrari thrown out of the sport for using team orders to get Fernando Alonso the win. After Alonso picked up his season win in as many races, it suddenly seems like a great idea. With his second win in the Singapore Grand Prix, the Spaniard vaulted himself right into the thick of the championship fight. Thanks to a clash between Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton, the title chase is wide-open again. Continue reading
F1 Italian GP: Forza Ferrari
In Italy, there is no team other than Ferrari. Sure, football (or soccer as it’s known in my half of the world) is the national sport but the national team is Scuderia Ferrari. The Tifosi were out in full force at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. And they went home happy as Fernando Alonso scored the pole and the win in his first Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari as the Scuderia put both drivers on the podium. Alonso’s win combined with poor outings for the championship leaders also gave us a much more interesting championship picture heading into the final stretch of the season. Continue reading
Formula One: No 13th Team (or Common Sense) for 2011
The long awaited announcement of who would take up the 13th grid slot in Formula One for the 2011 was as big a disappointment as US F1’s attempts to make the grid. The FIA has decided not to grant any of the applicants an entry into Formula One making this whole effort much ado about nothing. While Formula One tries to grow, the FIA’s red tape ties it down. Continue reading
The Lowdown 