Sidepodcast

Thursday Thoughts - New Tracks, Deleting Tracks

Before I get going on this, I want to encourage volunteers for the lead blogger over the coming weeks. We have five more Thursday Thoughts to come before the season gets underway, so if you fancy having a go at posing the question, then please sign up to the wiki. If you don't have a blog of your own, we'd be more than happy to host the guest post here. If you've already had a go at asking the question, you can sign up again, there's no limit to the number of attempts you can have.

Now, on to this week's question, asked by Dylan from Triple League Racing:

What track or tracks not on the current F1 season calender do you want added? Also, what current tracks need to go? And finally, if this isn’t enough, how many Grands Prix should F1 have?

This is a fabulous question but I am going to have to skip the first bit. Mr C and myself have long since said there are too many races. For mostly selfish reasons, the more races are on a calendar, the more we moan. We relish the off season almost as much as, or even more than, when the action is underway. Therefore, I don't really want to add any tracks to the calendar, but when it comes to taking some off, now we're on to something.

I feel a bit harsh singling out Abu Dhabi to be chopped before it even gets a second chance to host a race, but that first Grand Prix was so dire, I can't bear to think of it on the calendar in the future. It's an obvious selection, along with Valencia - two brand new circuits that promised a lot but left little to remember. Valencia, in particular, is so dull and grey that the only thing I would miss if it was dropped is the lime green building that lines the circuit.

Whilst we're throwing tracks away, we might as well get rid of China. The Shanghai International Circuit is nowhere near as bad as some of the two already mentioned, but it does have two very long straights that are quite dull, and there seems to be no atmosphere at the circuit at all. There's also too much will they/won't they news floating around about the track, and we have enough of Bernie's decisions with circuits that are actually good.

I'm tempted to knock Singapore right off there, too, but I think if the organisation was a bit better, it does have potential. The first night racing circuit is still a good title to hold, even if the novelty has worn off a bit now. Plus, it wouldn't be fair for Renault to forget their Singapore mishaps too soon, would it?

Another circuit that used to come under fire is Hungary, and I can see why. Initially I wanted to give Hungary a reprise, because there are other tracks that are much worse. Giving it a little more thought, though, I'm not at all impressed with how the circuit treats Felipe Baby. In 2009, he suffered the terrifying accident that saw him out of the car for the rest of the year. The previous season, his engine gave up heartbreakingly close to the end of the race, after such a fight from him that deserved the win. Instead, Kovalainen became the 100th different winner, and got his name in the record books. So, no, Hungary has to go too.

That's three circuits I want to get rid of, which is starting to get the calendar down to a sensible size. It would be impossible to judge the new South Korea track without seeing it, but I'd be just as happy if it wasn't ready in time. I also think I would get rid of Malaysia because they only gave me half a race in 2009. It wasn't necessarily their fault, but I had to mess about with half points for the rest of the season, and I do hold a grudge. So, what does my new and improved calendar look like?

It's shorter, obviously. I've taken the liberty of removing any back-to-back nonsense, because fortnightly racing is a sensible way to go about things. I've also chopped out the summer break, because we want to keep Peter Windsor happy, and Mr C and I rarely holiday anyway. Finally, I have re-ordered the races by number of laps.

That's the Sidepodcast Calendar. Short, and in an orderly fashion.

Circuit Character Cup - Round 1 - Monza, Shanghai, Interlagos, Valencia

Following on from the success of the first Character Cup, we are making things a little less personal by looking at the circuits themselves rather than those who drive on them. The matchups have been selected in a highly technical fashion (out of a hat) and the process can be viewed here.

From an admin point of view, there are 16 circuits, each from the 2009 calendar. We have dropped Abu Dhabi, as it hasn't yet been built, let alone had a chance to display what character it has. In this first round of matchups we will feature two battles - a total of four circuits. Each round will be up for 24 hours, with the poll being closed in time for the next round to appear - and that should be at 9pm BST each evening.

We'll be whittling the circuits down to crown the one with the most character, and you can follow the progress on the wiki. (Props to RG for creating the page almost seconds after the initial video was released.) Without further ado, let the voting commence.

Monza vs. Shanghai

This first matchup is a case of old versus new, as Monza has been a mainstay on the F1 calendar since the very beginning, whilst Shanghai appeared only in recent years. Whilst Monza may not have the facilities of the supposed state-of-the-art Chinese venue, there is a lot to be said for making your fans feel at home.

Interlagos vs. Valencia

It's impossible to write this little blurb about Valencia and Brazil whilst still remaining impartial. I am 100% certain which way the vote will swing on this one, and that would be the case even if the 2008 races at both venues weren't still reverberating around our minds.

F1 Digest 2009 - China GP

• Length: 13:14 
• Size: 12.2 MB 
• File: digest88.mp3 
• Transcript: digest88.pdf 
• Torrent: digest88.torrent 

The Chinese GP started out wet, but as soon as the Safety Car disappeared things got interesting. Red Bull's maiden win just topped off an excellent race.

The Race

After eight laps behind the Safety Car, the action got underway, and it was good to see a lot of scraps for position out on track. Unfortunately, this also meant a lot of spinning, incidents, and nose changes, but that all adds up to make a great event.

Team by Team

McLaren seem buoyed by their slight improvements, whilst Toyota can't wait to put this race behind them. Red Bull are obviously over the moon, and Brawn GP can't hide their disappointment, despite still finishing on the podium.

Live: China - The Race

With Vettel on pole position, we'll be looking for a fantastic race from start to finish? Will we get that though? There's only one way to find out and that's stay tuned!

Weather Update

The weather forecasts have all changed, and it looks as though there's a 50/50 chance of showers during the day in Shanghai. I rather hope it doesn't rain because we could do with a nice straight forward dry race, especially with such a fascinating grid.

One to Watch

Fernando Alonso is definitely the one to watch today, as his front row grid slot means he should get a good start. He is super light, but has no KERS, so the first corner will be important. Then it will depend on whether he can scamper away as to whether his light strategy will work out for him.

Predictions Please

Will it rain? Who will win? Will the Brawn GP boys claw back their victorious form? Will Buemi pick up any points? Can Alonso get a good start? These questions and more need to be answered.

F1 Digest 2009 - China Qualifying

• Length: 13:39 
• Size: 12.5 MB 
• File: digest87.mp3 
• Transcript: digest87.pdf 
• Torrent: digest87.torrent 

A surprise grid will line up in China after a really exciting qualifying session at the Shanghai Circuit. Vettel and Webber make it a Red Bull day, but the Brawns are ever present.

Free Practice 3

Still Nico Rosberg leading the way as he continues to assert his speed in the practice sessions. However, it wasn't plain sailing with a couple of drivers, Nico in particular, taking to the gravel at the pitlane entrance.

Qualifying

Vettel took P1 despite having to run very few laps, and Alonso snuck into P2 on a light fuel load. Kubica was an early casualty and Glock suffers the curse of the changed gearbox.

Team By Team

Brawn GP are wary of their competition but feel their strategy will work for them, whilst Renault celebrate that their engines are taking up the first three spots on the grid. Buemi is also happy, having completely outshone Bourdais and scraped into the top ten.

Live: China - Qualifying

It all hangs on Qualifying then, as Shanghai isn't known for it's superb overtaking. With drivers dropping KERS faster than they can blink, it'll be all about raw pace around the long straights in China.

Weather Update

It's all about the sunshine today, although there may be the odd cloud here and there. Nothing like the rain we feared might arrive, and the temperature should be higher than at any point this weekend as we get going in qualifying.

One to Watch

Timo Glock had major problems during FP3 that look as though they'll affect him going into qualifying as well. The Toyota's have had a troublesome weekend so far and although they've got the pace, they need to try and find some reliability as well.

Predictions Please

Of course the big prediction required today is the pole sitter for the race. However, will there be any major surprises dropping out in the first session? Will there be any surprises sneaking into the third session? Will the times compared to last year be so much faster?

Live: China - Free Practice 3

Free Practice 3 will be the closest we get to what may happen in qualifying, and most of the teams will be trying their best to get the setup to their liking before Q1 gets underway.

Weather Update

It doesn't look like the anticipated rain is heading inwards, with temperatures still cool, but at least dry conditions. Some have said a little bit of rain would spice things up, but it's so hard to wish for rain now we've been burnt.

One to Watch

Bourdais has had the measure of Buemi in both sessions so far, and it looks like he may have turned a corner. Last season it all went wrong for him after the first few races, so this year might be the opposite and we might start seeing good times for the Toro Rosso.

Predictions Please

Will the McLaren be able to bring their performance up to scratch again, or was that a one time only deal? Will Brawn GP still rule supreme? Who'll top FP3 and what does that mean for qualifying later today?

An Aside With Joe - Nobody Comes Here Unless They Have To

• Length: 21:20 
• Size: 20.3 MB 
• File: aside3.mp3 
• Transcript: aside3.pdf 
• Torrent: aside3.torrent 

Joe has journeyed to Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, and we catch up with the gossip from the paddock, especially now the diffuser row is essentially over.

We also discuss the Science Museum trip, how the Shanghai weather is looking, plus what there is to do on a Saturday night.

Linkage

• Grand Prix+
• Joe Saward’s Grand Prix Blog
• Joe on Twitter

F1 Digest 2009 - China Free Practice

• Length: 11:23 
• Size: 10.5 MB 
• File: digest86.mp3 
• Transcript: digest86.pdf 
• Torrent: digest86.torrent 

The McLarens put on an early show of improvement during FP1 but there's no stopping the Brawn GP boys as they continue to pick up the pace in Shanghai.

Free Practice 1

A very quiet start to the morning for us, but not so for McLaren, who showed that things are looking up. Hamilton got all the new toys whilst Kovalainen was left with the old car. All eyes were on Kubica and the Ferrari boys as well, though, for the respective inclusion and exclusion of KERS.

Free Practice 2

Another quiet session leads us to believe that this weekend in China isn't going to be a particularly exciting one. However, the Brawn boys were resurgant, as was Rosberg who finished second. When will he manage to translate his Free Practice pace to something special in qualifying?

Team by Team

Two driver quotes stand out, with Vettel enjoying himself out there (when most drivers were grumbling about the tyres), and Buemi who was experiencing the circuit for the first time. Other than that, most drivers are looking forward to the track being slightly improved tomorrow.

China 2009 - Schedule

Now we know that the rear diffusers are legal, there's an element of relief flowing through the F1 world. At least now we have a decision one way or the other, we can move forward, instead of pondering the results of previous races. Moving forward involves looking ahead to Shanghai, where we will be keeping an eye on any new diffusers on the teams that need them.

We cannot be held responsible for not meeting any deadlines suggested in this schedule, it is merely here as a guide to how the race weekend should shake up. All times are BST.

TV Schedule

More excellent coverage from the BBC and we'll no doubt be listening intently to what Legard has to say. Mr C has already admitted that it took David Croft four races to settle in when he commentated GP2, so we have to at least give Jonathan the same amount of time.

Podcast Schedule

With yet another early morning race here in the UK, we're still not in enough of a routine to put actual times into the schedule, but here's a guide as to what should be coming out when.

There's no Parade Lap until Europe, but Sidepodpanel makes it's triumphant return with a live stream on Sunday, and the edited version out later in the week.

If you're around during any of the sessions, please join us for live commenting. It makes all the difference to get so many viewpoints on what is happening as it happens. Also, don't forget that after each session you can post short summaries of the events of the day, and they'll get read out in F1 Digest.

Fingers crossed for a great race!