f1 drivers

By Philippe Defechereux
Photos courtesy Planet F1

Well, well, well. This may be the first inter-season in a long time to prove more thrilling, exciting and dramatic than the racing season itself. Last month in Part 1, we used the words “staccato of events” to describe the early post-season events. Now, we need to use something much stronger like “major news releases at maximum revs.” And that’s 19,000 rpms as befits F1. Let’s hear these latest loud sounds of fury; we suggest wearing earplugs.

In order of amplitude:

* Schumi is back. Great blasts of trumpets and fireworks! Anybody who would have predicted this in writing six months ago would have quickly been taken to the loony house (next to Max Mosley’s favorite club). [Read more…] about The Inter-Seasonal Sounds of Fury

By Philippe Defechereux

The 2009 season has been over for more than a month, and yet a staccato of shock announcements keeps crossing the wires and two or three major developments are still pending:

The inter-season started early, hailed by a thundering and Wagnerian blast of organ pipes. It came from Stuttgart to announce the refounding of the famed Mercedes-Benz GP team of yore. M-B AG boldly absorbed the victorious and Mercedes-powered Brawn GP team and renamed it as its own. The cars will again be called “Silver Arrows” while Ross Brawn will stay at the helm and report to Norbert Haug. A strong relationship with McLaren will be maintained, especially as concerns engine supply. Enzo Ferrari shivered in his grave. [Read more…] about F1: The Inter-Seasonal Sounds of Fury