Vive la Révolution?

What now for Formula 1 in Asia

12/09/2013 by Ryan Gault

The greatest empires always feel the need to expand, no matter if its half way across the world for exotic spices and herbs, or exotic money. Formula 1 may not have command over one-fifth of the world, but it’s ever growing global expansion has had major effects on the sport.

Chaos at Silverstone compounds a week of logistical failure for UK motorsport

Thousands miss practice stuck in Northamptonshire tailbacks

06/07/2012 by Mr. C

The opening day of the British Grand Prix was blighted by traffic problems that saw many fans missing out on one or both F1 free practice sessions at the Silverstone circuit. Fans were still reportedly queuing to get into the venue at 17:00 local time, many hours after track running had ceased.

Tinkering with Tilke's circuits

What affects F1 overtaking and whether the tracks can be tweaked

27/03/2012 by David Chubb

Many F1 fans have many things to say about Tilke's circuits with the general consensus being that they are boring and don’t promote exciting racing. This is possibly correct with the majority of his company's designs; they have given us places like Valencia and Bahrain. So why are they boring? Generally the problem is that his circuits either don't create enough of a challenge or don't provide any easy places to overtake on. There are many roots to these elusive qualities, so what are they?

Five things to look forward to in 2012 (Part 4) - The US Grand Prix

F1 attempts another return to the US this season

15/03/2012 by Christine

In my new book Pocket F1 Handbook : Guide to the 2012 Grand Prix Season you'll find a top ten list of things to look forward to in the coming year, highlighting what may be different and better from 2011, and what could make this year in Formula One stand out. As the first race draws ever nearer, over the next week, I'll select five items from that list - expanding on them and building up to the brand new F1 season. In this penultimate post, we look at a very welcome return to F1 (and I'm not talking about Kimi).

Five reasons boombastic Singapore is the future of F1

How the night race is changing the face of Formula One

19/08/2011 by Christine

Formula One will return from its summer break at the much-loved Spa-Francorchamps, but for me, it is the Singapore Grand Prix where the sport will come back with a bang. Since the introduction of F1's first night race in 2008, organisers at the Marina Bay circuit have continued to find new ways to keep the fans entertained. Here's my list of five reasons why this year's event looks to be the best yet, and other circuits should take note.

Silverstone 2011 - Upgrade incomplete?

Evaluating the changes to the British Grand Prix circuit

15/07/2011 by Joe Ryland

The new look Silverstone is fantastic. In my view, the track now has the best looking pit complex of anywhere, and the new part of the track creates a new opportunity for overtaking which some would say was needed at the circuit. These improvements are great, and came at a huge expense, but the BRDC still have greater ambitions with loads more additions in the pipeline.

The Crown Jewel of the Crown Jewels

Building the anticipation to the Monaco Grand Prix

25/05/2011 by Lukeh

You may have noticed this, but the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo is coming up this weekend. It's the one race weekend where people call the track the crown jewel, a track so deep in history and heritage with the sport with it's iconic streets, the landmark views and just a historic place for the sport to reside once every year.

F1 in China - How long can it go on?

A lack of fans and less than stellar racing can't continue forever

15/04/2011 by Christine

The main overriding memory I have of Free Practice this morning is the disappointment I felt that the Expo advertising on the grandstands towards the end of the track had been replaced. Rather than promoting an upcoming event, they now promote the area the circuit is in instead.

Bahrain International Circuit withdraws from round one of 2011

The political situation in Bahrain sees the F1 race postponed

21/02/2011 by Christine

After days of speculation, Bahrain International Circuit have confirmed their withdrawal from hosting the season opener for the 2011 F1 season. With political tensions in Bahrain growing, there was always a question mark over the ethics of running the event, and with fears that the circuit may be targeted, safety was of paramount concern.

Does Albert Park have a chequered future?

Analysing the economic and government issues facing the Melbourne race

24/01/2011 by Adam Burn

Australian Formula 1 fans got a shock over the weekend... In a Sunday newspaper article, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne made some rather out of the blue comments regarding the future of the Australian Grand Prix in his city.

Track Back - Autodromo Nazionale di Monza

A closer look at the legendary Italian circuit

15/01/2011 by Adam Burn

Several words come to my mind when I think of Monza - speed, history, death, passion.

Track Back - Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

From a road circuit to a top of the range racing circuit

03/01/2011 by Adam Burn

Head north from Chicago, across the state line from Illinois to Wisconsin, through Milwaukee, all the while following Lake Michigan. You'll eventually find yourself in Sheboygan County, one of those wonderfully named places America has no trouble coming up with. The city of Sheboygan calls itself amongst other things "Bratwurst Capital of the World" and "City of Cheese, Chairs & Children". Add that one to the "only in America" file...

Track Back - Adelaide Street Circuit

The history and appeal of the Australian racing circuit

24/12/2010 by Adam Burn

If Bathurst was the track that got me into motorsport, Adelaide was the track that got me into Formula 1 - somewhere in the early 90's as I recall. Australian TV viewers were in this period graced by the presence of F1 royalty in the commentary box - Sir Jackie Stewart and Alan Jones. Not to mention the legendary Australian sports commentator Darryl "Big Daz" Eastlake.

Track Back - Old Hockenheim

A fanfare for the original German circuit

12/12/2010 by Adam Burn

Klaxons. When I first came across these annoying things, I had no idea what they were called. The one place I'd always notice them was at Hockenheim. Put a sock in it you Germans, I'm trying to watch a race!

Track Back - Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland, Ohio

Mixing the world of corporate jets and racing cars

05/12/2010 by Adam Burn

6L/24R. 6R/24L. BKL. Pieces of information you'd usually associate with an airport and not with a race track. But for a long time, until 2007 in fact, the two came together. For 51 weeks a year, Burke Lakefront Airport (BLA) was an airport fronting Lake Erie that serviced mainly corporate jets and air taxis. But for that other week, it was a racing circuit.

Track Back - Mount Panorama in Bathurst

A new series looking at some of the best racing circuits

28/11/2010 by Adam Burn

Track Back is my new series on the circuits I've loved over the years. This first article is about the track that hosts Australia's Great Race - Mount Panorama in Bathurst. When you look at the Mount Panorama circuit from a map, it's surprising to see that it's actually upside down. As you approach from the Sydney side of Bathurst, you can see the large Mount Panorama sign just below "the top of the Mountain". It's always given me this feeling as if I'm getting close to the Holy Grail - I guess it wouldn't be unlike a movie buff driving into Hollywood and staring up towards the Hollywood sign!

Korean Grand Prix - The before

First impressions of the brand new track, and the last minute preparations

20/10/2010 by Christine

Since the Korean Grand Prix was confirmed, we've been eagerly awaiting our first glimpses of the track and as always, Twitter has come to the rescue. Teams, drivers, journalists and fans alike are all swarming towards the circuit and providing us with excellent insight as they do.

Ten reasons Singapore is fabulous despite Flavio's best efforts

Renault may have ruined it, but the Singapore GP still rocks

21/09/2010 by Christine

There have only been two Singapore GPs at the modern circuit, and both have been completely dominated by controversial escapades by Renault. I touched upon this in the recent mini series episode dedicated to the track, where once again, Renault was the only thing worth talking about.

Remembering Hockenheim

The best and worst moments from the German track's history

23/07/2010 by Turkey Machine

Formula One has some old stalwarts in the field who will remember the good old days of Hockenheim when it had mile long straights and demanded the very best from the engines and as low a downforce configuration as you could get away with

Everybody loves Monte Carlo

What is it that makes the principality so popular?

15/05/2010 by Christine

You'll have noticed that here at Sidepodcast Towers we have not been very forgiving towards F1 of late. We've explained our reasons many times, and I am not about to do so again. I haven't watched either of the last two races and I don't feel an ounce of regret because of it. (Except maybe missing out on lots of Rob.)