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Grand Prix of Brazil: All Great Things Happen in Threes

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Philippe Defechereux
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media and Planet F1

Before reaching Brazil, its grand and final destination, the 2012 Formula 1 season had already given us a thrilling cornucopia of high excitement. A relentless unfolding of momentous events throughout the year – eight different winning drivers and six different manufacturers, for instance – had already marked it for the history books once the teams had taken to the air in Texas only days earlier. And we all knew the World Driver Championship would be at last decided in São Paulo.
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United States Grand Prix 2012

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Getty photo from Interent.

By Philippe Defechereux

Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media unless otherwise noted.

Grand Prix of the Americas: Splendidly, to the Finish!

Bernie Ecclestone always wanted the New York skyline in frame for a new attempt at conquering the U.S. market. After the inaugural “Grand Prix of the Americas” in Austin this past weekend, it seems that a Texas Hat Trick was a more perfect opener. New York will follow. The new Texas venue indeed proved a trifecta for Formula 1: world fans and the racing teams discovered a challenging, curvaceous, racy beauty of a new circuit; attendance on Sunday was full at near 120,000 spectators; last but not least, a thrilling “Race of World Champions” unfolded over 56 laps, leaving the Driver Title open until the season’s final event next Sunday in Brazil.
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Korean Grand Prix 2012: Red Bull Rising

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Red Bull Rising...

By Philippe Defechereux
Photos by Ferrari Media and Planet F1

Coming four days after a strong performance in Suzuka the previous weekend, and in parts thanks to a new “Double DRS” device, the Red Bull team arrived in Korea on Thursday as the favorites. Fans of the three other leading teams, especially Ferrari and McLaren, were hoping for a magic aero trick out of the proverbial magic bag. It was not to be. Still, the Korean race had plenty of intense moments.

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A Fine French Tradition: Citroëns Invade Manhattan on Bastille Day Weekend

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Story by Philippe Defechereux
All photos by Philippe Defechereux

“Bastille Day,” which marks the official beginning of the French Revolution, is celebrated each July 14 in Paris along the Champs Elysées with great fanfare and a military parade. In the large cosmopolitan centers around the world where, often, sizeable French communities thrive, the commemoration varies according to the whims of the local French expatriate groups.

In New York City, this celebration of the French revolutionary spirit is conducted with particular audace and flair. In an event called “The Annual Bastille Day Rally and Rendez-Vous,” up to 40 vintage French cars and their owners gather up in the early morning in Grant’s Tomb Park, on Riverside Drive and 122nd Street. As the event’s key organizers are also the founders of the “Greater New York Citroën and Velosolex Club,” a majority of the cars are Citroëns, though you’ll find an occasional Peugeot or Renault.
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Manhattan Skyline unites all in favor of New Jersey “Grand Prix of America” Formula 1 Race in 2013

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Strategic placement: You feel you’re in New Jersey and New York all at once!

By Philippe Defechereux
Photos courtesy Maria Jannace of Maxim Sports Management, Inc. unless othewise noted

It was a glorious June Monday ceilinged by a cloudless blue sky; perfect for a first ride from Manhattan’s West 39th Street US Waterway Ferry Terminal to its counterpart across the river at Port Imperial. The pleasant eight-minute trip took us to the official press presentation of the developing Grand Prix of America site, starring the promoters, local elected official and, most important, Sebastian Vettel – due to drive several preview laps on the actual street course, then share his impressions.
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Monaco: The Principality of Ultra-Precision

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Mark Webber driving his Red Bull. He dominated the race in Barcelona from start to finish.

Exclusive Formula 1 Preview
By Philippe Defechereux

Ok, Ladies and gentlemen: we learned a lot in Barcelona, and Monaco arrives just at the right time. The Monte Carlo casino is exactly that: one blink at the wrong moment, and you hit the barrier, losing any chance to even finish. “Rien ne va plus.”
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Europe Beckons. Starting with Barcelona.

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Button at speed. The one to beat?

F1 Preview by Philippe Defechereux

Here we are, after a three-week hiatus, waging our reputation at the game of forecasting once again. Barring rain in Barcelona –somewhat unlikely in May- it should prove a little easier this time.

Perhaps not. Those three weeks were, in fact momentous, off the track. First, the volcanic plume from Iceland left a lot of F1 people ashen-faced in China (pardon the pun), as they wondered how or even whether they could get home to Europe. Good news, after a few stressful days, it all calmed down and everybody got home early enough to plan new tricks. [Read more…] about Europe Beckons. Starting with Barcelona.

Formula 1 Pre-Race Preview: Shanghai

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Petrov with the Renault a bit off line. Still, Renault is definitely back in business. Photo PlanetF1

You might know Philippe Defechereux by his books—”Watkins Glen, 1948-1952, The Definitive Illustrated History,” and “James Dean: From Passion for Speed to Immortality”. Oh yes, and the three part look at the D.B. at Sebring in VeloceToday. Since 2010 is turning into a thrilling F1 season, and Defechereux is literally chomping at the bit to express his considered predictions, we have asked him to craft regular pre-race articles (a high-risk occupation). Note that Erik Nielsen will cover the race for us and see how far off the saddle Philippe falls every week.

Ok, ladies and gentlemen, I might just be the way my mind works.

The Editor-in-chief of this fine online magazine has now asked me to write the Formula 1 “Pre-Race Preview” for the Formula 1 races to come. Imagine if I had started doing this before Melbourne and Sepang… I would already look like a total fool.
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