So it’s Time for the “Bird” Grand Prix
Excuse the title. You know that feeling you have 3 days after Thanksgiving? After 20 plus sandwiches and countless varieties of leftovers? You don’t want to see or hear the “T” word.
That’s me.
For the last 10 or so days I’ve read and seen every variant of the “T” word in news headlines announcing F1’s return to action and I’m sick of it. So… after three weeks absence Bernie’s circus returns to action at a new venue for the Istanbul Grand Prix. Or the “T” word Grand Prix, or the “Bird” Grand Prix, whichever you prefer.
As I write this - about 2 hours before qualifying - the Mclaren’s have shown they are still on pace and Jenson Button posted the second fastest time for BAR Honda. The Toyota’s suck and so do the Ferrari’s. Michael Schumacher spun once more and is a full 2 seconds off pace. It would seen the already skiddish Bridgstones are that much more so in Istanbul.
And with that, I have some catching up to do on a few of the noteworthy events from the last few weeks.
Tongue firmly planted in cheek George called the official announcement that Rubens Barrichello would drive for BAR Honda in ‘06 “stunning.” The signing puts Takuma Sato on notice, start racking up points or it’s sayonara.
In the always interesting world of Jacques Villeneuve he maintains complete confidence he will be with Sauber in “06. He may be justified but Peter Sauber still has a few quotes flying around about Jacques’ lack of pace. Now that Jacques’ checks have a BMW signature on the bottom line anything is possible. Regardless,Villeneuve has been offered a backup plan, as a movie star. While talking to La Gazzetta dello Sport Jacques revealed a movie is being made about himself and late father Gilles Villeneuve. Rumor has it that “heartthrob” Leonardo DiCaprio is likely to play Jacques. “I’m the King of the….,” never mind. I won’t be waiting in line for those tickets.
Rubens ride, Jacques ride, Sato’s ride… might as well keep the theme going. Kimi’s got a new “ride,’ allegedly I should add. In Kimi Raikkonen’s never ending quest to make the front page of the entire world’s tabloids, it’s alleged Kimi has turned in his old “ride,” 24 year old wife and former ‘Miss Scandinavia,” for a brand new now slightly used 19 year old “ride” called Dora. Allegedly - there’s that word again - old “ride” caught Kimi jump starting new “ride” in his Helsinki home. As expected everyone has offered the normal “no comment,” or the “we don’t respond to rumors,” ruse.
What you say there is no politics in this F1 update? I’ll catch up with Bernie and Max at a later date. Qualifying is drawing near, I want to see if Kimi’s new or old “ride” is in the paddock cheering him onto the… er… first starting position.
Formula One, Auto Racing, Sports
Nice post, glad you’re back on all cylinders.
Kimi rules! If I ever grow up I want to be like Kimi. A throw back to the era when racers drove hard and played even harder. This kind of “pub” must be killing the suits at McLaren. But if he wins, will they try and change his entertaining ways? I doubt it, they will merely try and contain the damage.
As for Jacques, he always did wear rose colored glasses, didn’t he? I’ll be extremely stunned if he is racing anything next year. In the silly season shuffle he might catch a ride somewhere, but where I can’t foresee.
“Nice post, glad you