Sidepodcast

Live: Red Bull Crashed Ice Final

We've discovered something new today from Red Bull - although this appears to be the final event. They haven't gone and invented another form of carbonated beverage, but instead they appear to have created a brand new sport. It looks like a cross between ice hockey and ski cross and involves skaters hurling themselves down a rather scary looking course.

We are quite excited about this prospect, and figured it couldn't hurt to have a live thread for it - especially as there will be a live web broadcast on RedBull.com.

We don't know that it's going to be any good, and we have no idea what the rules are or if there are any. If it turns out to be disappointing, we may just delete this thread and pretend it never happened!

Join us at 12:30am GMT for the live thread. More information available here.

Live: Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring 2010

The 12 hours of Sebring is ready to get underway and I'm sulking just a little as Team Peugeot Total haven't put Franck Montagny forward for this round. They're fielding two cars this year, which between them have locked out the front row.

Anthony Davidson is making his debut for Team Peugeot in the pole sitting 908 HDI, alongside Marc Gene and Alexander Wurz. There's also a lack of Audi action, which may take away some of the competitiveness of the race, but we'll still be watching to see how well our favourite F1 commentator will get on. Other ex-F1 names worth keeping an eye on include Sebastien Bourdais in the second placed Peugeot and Jan Magnussen who's son this week signed up to McLaren's young driver programme.

We'll be listening to all 12 hours of action via Radio Le Mans, whilst live timing can be found on the official ALMS site.

Additionally keep an eye on the official Sebring Raceway site for news. They're also on Twitter, as all good events should be! Our own motorsport Twitter list contains plenty of updates from those at the racetrack too.

Finally, there's a handy PDF circuit map and the always brilliant spotters guide courtesy of Andy Blackmore.

Do let us know if you're watching, as well as who you are cheering for.

Live: Bahrain 2010 - The Race

The first Grand Prix of 2010 is here and we are desperate to see what happens. Qualifying yesterday was great, so I can't wait to see what unfolds after such a great effort from Vettel and the two Ferrari boys.

Weather Update

So far, we've seen plenty of beautiful sunshine, really high temperatures, and quite a lot of dust as well. The track reached almost 50 degrees yesterday, and I'm expecting more of the same. Humidity looks lower than we've seen, but it's changeable.

One to Watch

Vettel is at the head of the grid and it's up to him to make the race his own. We have no idea what's going to happen in terms of strategy and tyre decisions, but with no refuelling, leading from the front is going to be a bonus.

Predictions Please

Who will get the first win of the year? Will there be any crashes? How will the first corner go down with 24 drivers heading for the same piece of track? Will there be any unexpected retirements? How will everyone handle the heat?

Circuit Guide

Bahrain Circuit Map

Don't forget that comments automatically update on this post, there is no need to refresh the page this year. You can also follow up-to-the-minute session updates via Sidepodcast's Factbyte Factbox

Live: Bahrain 2010 - Qualifying

Morning Practice was fascinating, as we watched a wheel fall of Glock's car, Chandhok have to wait and wait and wait, and Hamilton have to give up before the real qualifying setups began. If qualifying is up to its usual standard, we're in for a good one.

Weather Update

In continuing tradition, the weather will be hot and sunny. The temperatures go up and up, and with qualifying on at the same time as FP2, expect the track to hit the 40s pretty quickly. The humidity is lower today, though, although it seems just as dusty.

One to Watch

I don't know about anyone else, but I am keeping firmly glued to Nico's progress. So far he has outshone Michael in all sessions, and if he outqualifies Schumi, there's going to be a riot down in the Mercedes garage. It looks very likely this might happen, too!

Predictions Please

Who will get the glory of the first pole position of the year? Will Rosberg outqualify Schumi? Will drivers find themselves tripping over those new and slow cars? Will there be any surprises in the top ten?

Circuit Guide

Bahrain Circuit Map

Don't forget that comments automatically update on this post, there is no need to refresh the page this year. You can also follow up-to-the-minute session updates via Sidepodcast's Factbyte Factbox

Live: Bahrain 2010 - Free Practice 3

Friday was a relatively tame day in Free Practice terms, and the lack of tyres available to teams may see that trend continuing. However, we still found plenty to discuss, including the Rosberg vs Schumacher battle, and who would manage to get out of the garage at all.

Weather Update

The weather for Saturday looks to be an exact repeat of Friday, with the sun out and bright, visibility good and humidity high. The temperatures may be slightly cooler, but once the cars hit the track, it will likely heat right up again.

One to Watch

All eyes must be on Chandhok because the HRT driver didn't even manage to get in the car during either practice session yesterday, let alone make it to the track. He needs to participate in this first practice or he won't be allowed to continue in qualifying and the race.

Predictions Please

Will Chandhok make it out and how many laps will he complete? Will anyone fall foul of the dust and meet the barriers? What demands will Schumacher make today?

Circuit Guide

Bahrain Circuit Map

Don't forget that comments automatically update on this post, there is no need to refresh the page this year. You can also follow up-to-the-minute session updates via Sidepodcast's Factbyte Factbox

Live: Bahrain 2010 - Free Practice 2

Even if Free Practice 1 was a low-yielding round in terms of laps, there was still plenty of interesting things to chat about. You can relive the session via the brand new Factbyte Factbox highlights, and get ready for FP2.

Weather Update

Things took a turn for the scorching during FP1. The track temperature started around 30 degrees and shot up to 40 degrees by the end of the session. The air temperature remained around the 30 degree mark, so it's fair to say it's pretty hot out there.

One to Watch

Mr C was hilariously wrong about Webber, phew! I'd keep an eye on Michael Schumacher for this session as he appears to be slightly behind Rosberg at the moment. Pit lane suggests he was in a bad mood, and the car was bottoming out severely, so he's got some work to do.

Predictions Please

We didn't see anyone properly crash, the large run offs help that - will there be any accidents this afternoon? Will Sutil be able to retain his P1 position? Will Chandhok actually make it out of the garage? Let us know what you think!

Circuit Guide

Bahrain Circuit Map

Don't forget that comments automatically update on this post, there is no need to refresh the page this year. You can also follow up-to-the-minute session updates via Sidepodcast's Factbyte Factbox

Live: Bahrain 2010 - Free Practice 1

F1 is back and it's in Bahrain! The season returns with the desert replacing Albert Park as the opening round. Free Practice gets underway with 24 drivers ready to hit the track and show everyone what they can do.

Weather Update

Bahrain is all about the sunshine and FP1 should have good weather throughout. The temperature looks to be around the 30 degree mark, whilst humidity is high at roughly 85%.

One to Watch

When we were testing out the Factbyte Factbox, we ran through a dry run of today's Free Practice 1, and Mr C declared that Mark Webber was the fastest at the end. I am curious to find out if that comes true. If it is, Mr C is buying us a lottery ticket.

Predictions Please

It's the first proper track action of the year, we need to know what you think will happen. Who will be the first to fly off the track? Will all the cars make it to the end of the session safely? Who will be the fastest and get the first headlines of the year?

Circuit Guide

Bahrain Circuit Map

Don't forget that comments automatically update on this post, there is no need to refresh the page this year. You can also follow up-to-the-minute session updates via Sidepodcast's Factbyte Factbox

Live: Race of Champions 2009

We weren't all that impressed with the Nations Cup yesterday, but Mr C has already written about the whys and wherefores. I am not here to moan about the scheduling or the lack of atmosphere but simply provide the second half of our live commenting threads - for those that can overlook that stuff.

Sadly, I have no access to the video, but it was fun reading through your comments after the event. Keep it up!

Yesterday, the Nations Cup was won by the Schumacher/Vettel team who notched up their third consecutive victory. However, they haven't shown so well in the individual event previously, so it really could be anyone for the win!

Have fun, ignore our moaning, and enjoy the Race of Champions 2009.

Live: Race of Champions 2009 - Nations Cup

We covered the Race of Champions last year in great depth, and the event was a brilliant success thanks to the free streaming provided by Freecaster.tv. Here we are again, although the scheduling is vastly different, and not good for us at SPC Towers. Nevertheless, if you're about and fancy catching the Nations Cup, please join us in the live comments.

You'll find some familiar F1 faces in the cars today, as scheduled to take part are Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher. Plus, other favourites set to race include Tom Kristensen, Andy Priaulx and Yvan Muller.

Apparently this is also the first major international event to be held at the National Stadium in China since the Olympics, so it should be quite something to behold.

Radio Le Mans are covering the event, and if you have any more handy links, please share them in the comments.

Live: Abu Dhabi - The Race

It's been a McLaren weekend so far, despite a small glitch on Kovalainen's car. What can they achieve at this final race of the season.

Weather Update

We heard from Fourstar earlier in the Parade Lap and he confirmed that it is properly hot in Abu Dhabi right now... even hotter than yesterday.

One to Watch

If Vettel gets a good start, or if Hamilton suffers any setback to his strategy, it could turn the race on it's head. The Red Bull has more fuel on board, so anything could happen.

Predictions Please

Who will win the final race of the season? Will there be any major crashes? Will the pitlane exit cause any problems? Will Barrichello regain his second place in the WDC?