Sidepodcast

Bahrain 2010 - Race Highlights

Our first Grand Prix of 2010 is complete and it was all about Ferrari as Vettel fell slowly backwards. The full results are up but relive the entire 49 laps with our Factbyte Factbox replay.

Chandhok Makes His Christine's Rankings Debut

It's been a busy week in Formula 1, with the demise of US F1 and the rise of HRT F1. Terrible name, interesting driver pairing. Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok were both present for the launch and some interesting tweeting occurred.

Elsewhere, there is movement upwards for Webber and Glock, whilst the McLaren boys finally get some points on the board - not all good though. I know plenty of people have been keen to see Hamilton and Button drop the 'N/A' status, and this is their week.

Notes:

1. If it's good enough for Senna, it's good enough for Timo: gaming and fitness collide.
2. A Lap of Bahrain with Mark Webber
3. It's not a great pic but I like it anyway: http://twitpic.com/16kpv1

This time next week we will have seen the first race of the season, so expect plenty of driver movements. If you spot anything I should include on the list then please let me know in the usual ways! I'm always open to suggestions.

Webber Reverses His Fortunes on Christine's Rankings

This week, I've been very impressed with Mark Webber, particularly after his debut onto the rankings last time around - with a minus score. The Australian not only updated his website, making full use of YouTube, but he also jumped headfirst into the Twitter-universe. Already he has used the word "arvo" and therefore I am awarding him plenty of plus points.

I also took several suggestions this week, as I hadn't managed to keep an eye on what everyone was up to. Hopefully I've credited everyone involved and there are links underneath the table to all the required supporting evidence.

Notes:

1. As pointed out to me by MrDavidCameron on Twitter here and here.
2. Lou let me know that Heikki has either had a haircut, or found a way to style his barnet better. Photo evidence here. The amusing conversation between Mike Gascoyne and Heikki Kovalainen, resulted in my favourite tweet of the week.
3. F1 Minute: Rosberg puts Mercedes on top, whilst Schumacher revises his opinion.

Testing is over now, so we might face a quiet week until the drivers start bigging up their chances for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Please keep your eyes peeled for fun and unusual things our boys might be up to. You can leave a comment, email me christine@sidepodcast.com or drop me a note on twitter: @mrschristine. See you next week!

Enhancing F1 Conversation in 2010

Just prior to the start of the new year, we discussed site performance improvements and plans for the future, specifically those related to the start of the 2010 F1 season. Today, with less than 12 days to go before action gets underway, we're adding significant enhancements to commenting functionality.

This morning we released updates to the site that make every single post across the whole of Sidepodcast "live enabled". That means whenever you read a post, or browse through comments relating to it, you'll be notified when anything new is added to the conversation. You no longer need to refresh the page to pick up new comments, the site does all the hard work for you.

Click to view pending.

Keeping It Real-time

In practice, whenever new information is posted, a pop-up notification will appear near the top of the window to let you know there are unread comments. Clicking on the notification will take you directly to the relevant information. Similarly, when contributing to the conversation, comments are added to the thread without the need for a page refresh. If you don't interact with the page for a period of time, updates will pause until you return.

In an ideal world, this is the system we would loved to have in place two or maybe more years ago, it's how the internet should work. Feel free to try out the process by leaving a comment below.

So Last Year

Ever since we started live blogging races back in March 2008, we've been looking for better and better means of commenting on events. Originally, we and many others, spent our days endlessly hitting the Refresh Page button, before the introduction of bespoke solutions such as the Live Commenting, Live... Thing and the Realtime Doohickey.

We now have the ideal means to further the F1 conversation. It is open, accessible and, most importantly, on by default to everyone who browses Sidepodcast. It just works.

Hover and click to share on Twitter.

One or Two More Things

In addition to the live updates, we've also made commenting easier and more social. Much like individual posts on the site, you can now share comments using Twitter. Hover over any comment and select the "share this" link to post to your microblog.

Not only that, we've added shortcut key combinations to speed things up. Shortcuts work in two modes. When you are typing a comment, the "Ctrl" modifier key provides the usual shortcuts you'd expect from a word processor. When the comment box is not in focus, single key presses perform various navigation actions.

Please note, that we're still working through the best use of key combinations and the above are subject to change. Finding memorable combinations of useful shortcuts that work across all browsers and operating systems can be tricky. Feedback in this area, is greatly appreciated.

More Than Words

It should be noted that, as with anything online, the more recent your browser the better your commenting experience will be. We're still testing, tweaking and improving as we go, and we're aware there are plenty of issues still to overcome. Mobile browser support can be, at best, considered experimental, and we're still working through various issues with older desktop browsers. It is also questionable whether the new functionality isn't an overkill on archived posts, again we'll adjust as we learn.

We are very pleased to have rolled out this new functionality before the F1 season begins. We're now able to create any number of threads for live events, sit back and join in the fun. Live commenting for every F1 session this year will begin in less than two weeks, just as it did in '08 and '09. This time around, though, joining in could not be easier and there is no excuse for not taking part.

We will see you in the comments.

F1 Debrief - Thick Green and Yellow

• Length: 39:15 
• Size: 36.1 MB 
• File: debrief135.mp3 
• Transcript: Coming soon 
• Torrent: debrief135.torrent 

Coming up this week, we discuss tyres, skipping races, Ferrari moaning, Doctor Who, green paint, plus a special Tremayne.

Intro

Everyone in the whole world is counting down to the season now, so it must almost be here.

Good Week / Bad Week

It's been a good week for Michelin as they're contemplating coming back into F1, although we can't figure out why. Also for Ferrari as Alonso really rates their car. It's been a bad week for race fans as the Abu Dhabi race is still safe, and for Alvaro Parente who is out of a reserve driver role.

News and Views

We consider the future of US F1 and Campos. US F1 don't seem to be struggling something chronic, and I'm not happy about their desire to miss four races. If they miss four then I want to as well! Campos, though, have found a way forward at least, but it seems as though they won't be the Campos we know and, erm, love.

Testing was mixed weather, starting out rough much to Ferrari's disgust. It improved towards the end of the week though, so we evaluate who was fast, who was slow, who James Allen rates, and the Lotus/Virgin battle.

Feedback

A quick hi to a Twitter user, plus an update on the McLaren hoody contest. We get a voicemail from Dan and an email from Tom regarding the green paint situation. Zach says we are mostly fun, whilst Lewis has a major Tremayne about Twitter and liveries. Adie has launched an online magazine, Peter wasn't keen on the CSI New York episode with added motorsport references, and Mike updates on his coverage in Canada. Finally in website feedback, Darryl is impressed, whilst Dr J wants a little tweak to the breakout threads.

Housekeeping

No real housekeeping except to say there's no show next week, because of Joe's meetup on Friday, plus the real important testing over the weekend. When we return in two week's time, it's the last show before the season begins.

Outtakes

Linkage

• Racing Eagles
• Heikki Kovalainen on Twitter
• Sidepodcast: A Sunny Saturday Afternoon in Jerez
• McLaren Fan Blog: McLaren Hoody Voting Round 2
• F1 Tailpipe: Introducing The F1 Weekender
• Autosport Digital
• WRC Video as recommended by Piotr
• Sidepodcast: In Search of the Iceman

Daily: 17th February 2010

It's back to work for Formula 1 today, and for us as well, as testing resumes in Jerez. So far the forecasts have suggested more in the way of rain, but there will be a dedicated thread for all testing talk along later. I'm hoping the weather clears up a bit as it's much more exciting when things are actually happening out on track. Anyway, here are some things we're talking about:

• Mr C has been busy updating Ye Olde Comments, so if you visit any blog page, you'll find that there are a couple of improvements. The buttons have returned, allowing easy quoting and italicising of comments without having to remember the code itself. There's also the option to share comments now, along with whole articles. If you hover over the comment you're keen on, hit that share link, it'll send you on over to Twitter so you can spread the words of wisdom. Good work, Mr C.
• Our resident comic genius Stuart Taylor gave us a new situation to ponder with his latest guest post. The premise behind the pictures, aside from the obvious, is that things could always be worse. Joe Saward has also posted an article about a similar subject, albeit a little more frustrated about the subject.
• Meanwhile, back to testing, it seems as though James Allen is going to attempt to switch on the auto refresh on his super duper Twitter page. To be fair, we are a little bit skeptical about how long his site will stay up for, but having looked at it now, the main page is down but the Twitter bit is still up. There is hope! It will be interesting to see how it works and it will add yet another element to the testing proceedings.

That'll do for now, let us know how you're week is going, and what you're doing post-pancake day. I will see you in the comments.

Daily: 14th February 2010

Today is Saint Valentine's Day, which is traditionally a time for celebrating love and stuff. As the Sidepodcast Daily Post is well into its second year, it means last years random act of kindness has come back to haunt me in the shape of "an annual tradition". So here I am writing another one.

According to the official Sidepodcast Calendar, today is also Milkybar Day. A day when I offer the gift of Milkybar in place of anything requiring much more thought, effort or expense. I'm a nice guy like that.

While I nip out to buy one, here are some things that have caught my eye this weekend.

• Yesterday we spent the evening watching the very lovely Danica Patrick take part in her first NASCAR Nationwide Cup race. Unfortunately the poor girl managed just 69 laps before getting caught up in another racing incident ahead of her, and that saw the end of her day's running. It also marked the end of our interest in the race. Did I mention how lovely she is?
• In Jerez on Saturday afternoon, Claire Williams said goodbye to the Twitter masses, as she boarded a plane for England. Boo for less tweeting next week, but at least she'll be able to poke the people running the teams website into action. Did I mention how lovely she is?
• Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata appears to be dropping our favourite World Champion a hint or three with this tweet yesterday. She points out that "a guy has to ask a girl what she wants and be willing to give it to her". Clearly Jessica's got her sights set on a Milkybar too. Did I mention how lovely she is?

I think tradition states at this point in the daily post, I say I'll see you in the comments. Unless there was anything else?

I guess I should mention Christine too.

Of course, I cannot pass up the opportunity to show my love for Ms. Christine Blachford. I get to spend heaps of my free time, day in day out, working closely with her on all sorts of fun projects, including this one, and she is a fantastic girl to be around. I cannot imagine writing or recording or working on things alone ever again, because everything we do and have done for the past three (and a bit) years has been a joint effort in every way and the results really do speak for themselves.

Everything that Sidepodcast has become is a direct result of Christine's amazing personality, she is gorgeous, and fabulous and brilliant all at once, and I really hope she understands that nothing I buy her today can show just how important she is to me - so a 49p chocolate bar will just have to do. I still have no idea why she agreed to marry me, but I'm so very glad she did. Did I mention how lovely she is?

Happy Milkybar Day, Christine x

Live: Jerez Testing - Day Two (February 2010)

Thursday sees the second day of testing in Jerez get underway. Teams, drivers and fans alike will almost certainly be hoping for better weather than day one produced. There's very little change on the driver front to look out for, with only Michael Schumacher and Robert Kubica the new faces in the crowd.

Yesterday saw the surprise introduction of the Williams live timing system. First day gremlins saw the site struggle to keep up with demand, but when it works it is rather fantastic. Williams weren't the only ones experiencing first days blues either, Virgin Racing managed just 5 laps on their F1 testing debut. Fingers crossed for a better run today.

Petrov had been scheduled to drive the Renault today, but good weather prompted the team to run the more experienced Kubica instead.

On track action begins at 9am CET (8am GMT).

Circuit Information

• Track length: 4.428km
• Corners: 13
• Lap record: 1:23.135 (Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Williams, 1997)

You'll find Circuito de Jerez located in South of Spain.

Drivers and Teams Attending

The following teams and drivers are confirmed for testing on Wednesday

Useful Links

• Official Circuit Homepage
• Williams Live Timing (official timing updates)
• Autosport Live
• F1 Today
• Motor 21
• The F1.com

Keep checking back for updates, news and pictures will be posted throughout the day.

F1 Debrief - LOL, Retweet!

• Length: 47:05 
• Size: 43.3 MB 
• File: debrief133.mp3 
• Transcript: Coming soon 
• Torrent: debrief133.torrent 

This week we discuss CBeebies, ARCA, exclamation marks, red vs orange, James Allen’s awesome Twitter thing, Kamui Kobayashi and Canadian coverage.

Intro

Our sincerest apologies, but this is definitely a Twitter heavy show.

Good Week / Bad Week

It's been a good week for the BBC, as they keep Anthony Davidson, and got to launch nothing at all. It's also a good week for Paul di Resta who was confirmed at Force India. It's been a bad week for Christian Klien and Nelson Piquet Jr, though, who are still outside of Formula 1.

News and Views

We have more launch coverage, with Toro Rosso revealing their year old Red Bull to the world during the test. Virgin Racing had an even worse time as their online launch didn't go very well at all, and even Twitter couldn't save them.

Also of note, testing was seriously popular which was unexpected, Twitter was huge, and Mercedes signed Heidfeld as their test driver.

Here's the updated table of our launch scores:

Feedback

A voicemail from Nick leads us into a discussion of GP2 vs F1, we get constructive criticism over our content and my pronunciation, plus some thoughts on how teams do and don't declare their fuel weights. We also almost get distracted by talk of LOST.

Housekeeping

There's a new rankings system in town, and it's based on some seriously technical algorithms, plus Kathi convinced Danny to start Fantasy WRC.

Linkage

• Jaime Alguersuari on Twitter
• Sidepodcast: F1 2010 Launch Coverage
• F1 Photos
• Virgin Racing
• James Allen's Twitter Thing
• Tweets of the Week
• Claire Williams on Twitter
• Media. Future. Change.
• Fantasy WRC
• Craig Scarborough on Twitter
• Sidepodcast: Introducing Christine's Rankings
• McRae Formula 5000

Daily: 7th February 2010

We spent most of last night watching some ARCA racing which was very confusing but also kinda fun. I don't know that we'll be following it particularly closely but sometimes it's nice to watch things that are a bit different. It was certainly interesting to see Piquet bashing into people. Anyway, here are some of the things we're talking about:

• Whilst catching up with the Quotes pages on F1 Minute, we introduced a new feature called Tweets of the Week. It does what it says in the title, by grouping together ten of the best F1 related tweets of the week, from our Twitter lists of journalists, drivers and teams. It's nothing revolutionary, but it's a nice way to keep up with what's happening from those who know.
• Yesterday also saw the debut of the brand new item on Sidepodcast - Christine's Rankings. In an attempt to rank the F1 drivers from best to worst, I have taken it upon myself to work out a very scientific and not at all superficial method of scoring them each week. It's going to be fun, and you can help. Find out more here.
• I've heard call for round-ups of the testing and launch action from the past week for those who were busy, and although I would always recommend F1 Minute first and foremost, it looks as though Adam Hay-Nicholls has written a collection of his thoughts as he catches up with all the happenings of the week. There are some interesting snippets in there, so get reading.

That should do it for now. Don't forget to sign up to Danny's new Fantasy WRC championship. You can't know any less than myself and Mr C, so it's just a bit of fun. After you've done that, I'll see you in the comments.