Friday at last and we have survived another week. It was quite a busy day on Sidepodcast yesterday as we told you some of our plans for the off season, and then came up with a brand new plan as well. It's all go here, I tell ya! Meanwhile, here are some of the things we're talking about:
We had our first breakout thread for a while yesterday as the FIA kicked off about the leaking of yet more information regarding Briatore. This isn't the first time they've said that leaking is bad, but what are they actually doing about it?
Joe reported on his blog that the FIA would be looking at overtaking (perhaps instead of leaking?) and they were assembling a crack team of consultants including Michael Schumacher and Hermann Tilke. Oh dear.
F1 Wolf has a post looking at the new Brawn merchandise now that they can scrawl Champions all over everything. I don't quite understand why Button's hat is completely different to the rest of the stuff, but if I had to have anything, I'd have that. Less highlighter, more blue. Good stuff.
That'll do it for now. As ever, let us know what you have planned for this weekend, particularly if it is exciting, but even if it isn't. We always like to know! I will see you in the comments.
I don't think we'll ever win the battle of convincing everyone the off season is brilliant, but instead, we can make it the best we possibly can. Last year, we had a quick run through of what we were planning to do, and then we reviewed what we had managed to achieve before the season began. This year we're going to do something similar.
Although it will be good to have news to talk about as the off season gradually progresses, we don't want anything like last year with constant speculation over who will buy or not buy Honda. I know there are teams out there waiting to be picked up, so let's hope these things can be sorted out smoothly. I'm not holding, my breath though.
While the F1 world rumbles on, we'll be busy with some awesome things, including (but not limited to):
The 2009 Season Review - you can (and will) be getting involved with this!
The return of Sidepodpanel - assuming the technology comes together in time
A review of our predictions from pre-season and a catchup with our New Year's Resolutions
Best of shows - you can suggest best of moments over on the wiki
Continual website improvements - Sidepodcast 3.0 is taking shape nicely
Preparations for the 2010 season - again, you can (and will) be getting involved with this!
Plenty of 2009 analysis and nostalgia
I'm sure there's more I've missed, and no doubt there will be plenty of impromptu ideas along the way. If there's anything you'd like us to have a go at, now is the chance to let us know. Also, why not share what you're planning to do with your off season, particularly if you are blogging your way through it, or taking a much deserved break.
Every now and then, you might hear us mention Must Comment Monday and wonder what it's all about. It is something we want to keep up all year round, but find difficult to do during the busy F1 season. However, now the off-season is well and truly here, it is time for MCM to make its triumphant return.
What is it all about?
If we learnt anything from the Interview with Bloggers series we did recently, it was that bloggers like comments. In many cases, they are the reason the blog exists in the first place. A comment can make a writer's day. Even if it doesn't agree with the sentiment of the article, some well-placed discussion is why we are on the web in the first place.
Must Comment Monday has been around for years, pre-Sidepodcast even. It's an initiative to turn readers into active participants rather than passive observers. Commenting only needs to take a few seconds, and it can make all the difference.
What does it involve?
It's really quite simple, and there are only a couple of guidelines to make things easier.
Comment on any blog post you read on a Monday that was written on that day.
If a writer publishes several posts a day (this means you, Joe), you only need to comment on one of them.
Try and further the conversation, but if you're really stuck, even a 'keep up the good work' can have the desired effect.
You don't need to comment on a blog that requires logins and/or signups. Although if you already have a login for the blog, then you probably should.
What is there to gain from this?
It's been said a few times before but if you're not a blogger, it's hard to explain how much a few words can mean. It can provide the inspiration to keep on going, and it's a great way of connecting with the person behind the words. Plus, we made a pretty badge, and I know you can't resist the badge.
Where's the best place to start?
Well, it's funny you should ask, but there have been a plethora of blogs popping up from Sidepodcast commentors of late. For Sidepodcast, the Must Comment Monday initiative is aimed at F1 blogs only, but there is nothing stopping you from spreading the love and commenting on other blogs as well.
There's an ongoing list of new and existing blogs over on the wiki, but here are some of our favourites to get you started. If you find any more, or if we have missed you out, let us know, and we'll pop you on the list.
We also ask bloggers themselves to take part in, and promote Must Comment Monday too. Feel free to either grab the badge above and post it on your own site, or have fun creating your own. You can link to this explanation, the dedicated page or blog about how comments make a difference to you as a writer and encourage more. By all means Tweet, Facebook or do whatever you can to promote more interaction in your blog.
Finally, come back and let us know your Must Comment Monday experiences - did you find new friends, new blogs, or new ideas? Or is the whole thing a bit of a chore. We want to know.
We have reached Sunday, and it is the first weekend of the off season. No racing to watch, but at least a chance to have a lie in, and relax. There was talk of feeling depressed at the lack of action yesterday, but there is no need for that. We have a great doohickey, lovely people to talk to and plenty of fun and games planned for the next few months. Be happy and savour the down time so the action is even better when it gets going again next year. Now, what comes next? Oh yes, things we're talking about:
In the comments, I mentioned a news item about Montoya, who was say he didn't think the NASCAR title was in his grasp anymore. Now, I know nothing about NASCAR and have a t-shirt that states it was boring, but I do care how Montoya is getting on. Does anyone else find that? If a driver from F1 moves series, do you still follow them? Or at least keep an eye on their progress even if you couldn't care less about their new gig?
Whilst we're on the subject of NASCAR, Toyota have said they are committed to that series, despite pulling out of F1 with little warning. They have had more success over there, of course, and will likely feel they are getting more value for money.
That's all for now. A few of us are off to the Mercedes-Benz day at Brooklands today, so keep an eye on the drop for pictures. I will see you in the comments.
As it is the off season now, and there is supposed to be a lack of news (eh-hem, are you listening teams? No news!), I thought it would be a good idea to have a bit of a game to play on Fridays, in place of Free Practice.
This week, I had an email from Iain who dreamt up this little game for us.
Here’s an idea for the off-season – things you never hear F1 drivers say.
I really love that sequence of second gear corners
There really aren’t enough tracks designed by Tilke in the calendar
I find that half a lap flat out at Silverstone a bit boring really
Hi Martin, well folks you’re not going to see any overtaking here, isn’t there a Bond film on the other channel?
You know what excites me most about a racetrack – the size of the garages...
I’m sure there’s a few more out there too!
So, what are your thoughts? What sentences would you never hear from a Formula One driver?
Also, if you have any ideas for Friday Fun games for the next few weeks, please let me know at christine@sidepodcast.com.
It is Tuesday and we are still talking about the Grand Prix at the weekend, although seemingly not for very good reasons. However there was plenty going on yesterday to keep us going. It won't be like that all off season! Here are some of the things we're discussing:
Williams announced their drivers for 2010, including Barrichello amongst them. We had a brokeout thread on this subject, but also Ollie managed to write a post on BlogF1 via a PS3 as his Mac is having some technical difficulties. That's some dedication for you!
Dan Brunell has published a summary of the season with a quick run through of everything we witnessed this year in just a few paragraphs. It's a good reminder of what we have seen in a year that's been dominated by controversy.
Over on Pitlane Fanatic, Maverick has written about the winner of the final race of the year. For the second GP in a row, the victorious driver has been overshadowed by other goings on, so let's not forget, Vettel did a good job.
That'll do it for now. The edited version of the weekend's F1 Debrief is available to listen to, which should pass some time for you. While you listen, I'll see you in the comments.
According to the Sidepodcommunity, anyway. A few days ago, we put up a poll to question whether this was the best off season, based on how our total comment count was rocketing upwards. The results are in and a whopping 98 of 119 people believe that this was, indeed, a great off season.
Was this the best off season ever?
Yes 82% (98 votes)
No 18% (21 votes)
Total voters: 119
The majority of opinion actually seems to be along the lines of - it was a good winter with plenty to discuss, but actually it was quite painful. What with the Honda saga dragging on endlessly, and the FIA's propensity to screw around with the regulations, it certainly hasn't been the easiest few months.
Also, as an update to the original post, Mr C informs me that we did, in fact, go on a Sidepodtour. It wasn't the one we had in mind, but we visited Autosport, checked out a KERS talk (or two, in his case), visited the odd F1 factory, and managed to catch up with Mark Webber at Silverstone. I suppose that makes the winter an unmitigated success.
Perhaps we should start counting down to the next off-season now?
Last night, in the comments, Mr C brought up the point that we have talked a lot during this off season. The comment count currently stands at 143,975, just a whisker away from hitting 144k. Steven Roy is also close to hitting the 2,000 comments over the past 30 days mark, which is not unheard of, but slightly unusual given the timing.
It is the off season, isn't it? It must be the best off season ever. Of course, the stress of following Honda, and the recent FIA madness may not make it the most enjoyable, but in terms of things to talk about, we couldn't ask for any more, could we?
So, let's make it official.
Was this the best off season ever?
Yes 82% (98 votes)
No 18% (21 votes)
Total voters: 119
For us, it has been amazing, fascinating and brilliant, even though we didn't achieve everything we wanted. We made a list back at the beginning of November, and I can tell you now - we didn't go on tour, we didn't resurrect Sidepodquiz, we managed just one interview, the intended redesign didn't happen (yet), and LCLT is still waiting for it's upgrade.
However, we've enjoyed some great conversations, and produced some fun shows, which is mostly down to you guys. And it doesn't stop here.
We've got more fun stuff coming up, including:
Live commenting Sebring on Saturday
More Sidepodpanelling
Live commenting the first GP of the season
The return of the Parade Lap (but not in Australia, so hush!)
F1 Minute / Big Picture going daily
The redesign / LCLT updates and other things that haven't happened yet
It's going to be brilliant, we're glad to have you along for the ride, and if you've had better off-seasons we want to know about them.
We've been away for the weekend, and appear to have missed out on a lot of commenting fun, but normal service has now been resumed - except for that emergency Debrief tonight. Until then, there seems to be plenty going on that needs discussing, although not all of it F1 related.
Sébastien Loeb never really entered on my radar until he tested in F1. I'd heard of him, as one hears of multi-champs, but now for the first time ever - he has brought rallying to Sidepodcast. You guys were commenting as he steered his team to a manufacturers championship, so I'd love to hear what is so appealing about rallying. Perhaps I can be convinced to join in some live commenting on it next year.
The annual Autosport Awards were dished out last night in London, and the BRDC award went to Alexander Sims. Never heard of him, what makes him worthy, and is he destined for F1?
Vettel picked up the rookie award, Hamilton is officially International Driver of the Year, and McLaren's MP4-23 won the gong for best car - although sadly the acceptance speech left much to be desired.
Dank offered up a link to Brundle's plan to save Formula 1. There's a mine of information there, some of it new, some of it not, but all of it from an insider who knows how things work. Let us know what you think of Brundle's suggestions and if you can come up with any better ones.
As mentioned above, we'll be back later this evening with a hastily scheduled Debrief show. Expect plenty of talk on Honda and all the recent goings on, but we'll cover all the usual F1 goodness. Until then, I'll see you in the comments.
We've not been around much today, and have only managed to keep an occasional eye on the comments. We'll tell you more about what we've been up to in this week's emergency show. Apparently, Honda didn't like the idea of us having a holiday. Having missed out on some of the conversations, I can only really guess at the topics fresh on everyone's mind:
Probably still Honda, and perhaps even Jenson Button's reaction to the news. I didn't realise he would be such a trooper, trying to rally everyone's spirits.
The standard engines are still weighing on my mind. I'm not sure I completely understand why and how it's all going to come about, but every bit of news we get seems to be making at least a tiny bit more acceptable.
The upcoming Jerez test next week. What are we expecting to see? More fugly BMW-style wings, or maybe an evolution of these that is more pleasing to the eye? Will the Red Bull foursome have made any revisions to the 2008 car or will they still be concentrating on testing out the drivers?
If I've missed the pressing news of the day, feel free to continue the conversation here. As ever, any thoughts and ideas you have are welcome, even if they don't fall under any of the categories mentioned above. We'll try and be in the comments more tomorrow, and check the upcoming schedule for details on the show.
