Silverstone, Britain > Reviews > Gladiators, Are You Ready.

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Full review

The British Grand-Prix dawns, and the steely-eyed warriors stride forth to engage in battle once more.

There are two schools of thought concerning Formula 1 racing; on the one hand are those who have no intention of watching twenty-two idiots drive around in a circle for two hours, on the other are the people who believe they are watching a unique and challenging sporting contest, where death occasionally attends as more than a spectator.
I belong to the second school.

This is one of the last remaining sports where the competitors actually put their life on the line.

Think about it, what’s the fastest that you’ve ever driven? One hundred and ten, one hundred and twenty, maybe a little more; and I would bet it was on a dry, clear road. How do you think it feels to race, at nigh on two hundred miles per hour, wheel-nut to wheel-nut with a rival? To corner at ninety with the nose of your car up someone’s exhaust pipe? In the wet.

Give them the credit that’s due, even the worst Grand-Prix driver is more skilful, more professional and probably braver than you or I.

The British G.P. has been held at different venues down the years, Brooklands, Aintree, Donington Park, Brands Hatch and Silverstone. Silverstone is the permanent home now, and has been since 1986. It’s not the most exciting circuit in the world as overtaking chances are limited, but has produced great races, such as when Mansell defeated his teammate Nelson Piquet in1987.

British drivers have a healthy record in this event. Past winners include Tony Brooks, Jim Clark (an astonishing five times), Peter Collins, Mike Hailwood, Johnny Herbert, Damon Hill, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell (four times), Stirling Moss (twice), Jackie Stewart (twice), John Watson and for the past two years, David Coulthard.
So can a British driver win this year? It’s possible and I’ll treat you to my opinion of the likelies, the possibles and the no-hopers.

# FERRARI #

Michael Schumacher.
If he were British we’d worship the ground he walks on. He’s the best driver of his generation and, possibly, of all time. He’s won races in good cars and bad cars, in the dry and in the wet, leading from the front or coming through the field. Seems to have that indefinable quality that separates the very good from the great. He has his share of luck too; the gods have looked down and selected Michael for special attention. He will, however, never be forgiven by the Brits for running Damon Hill off the road in 1994 and so securing the championship.
Favourite to win here and join Prost on the all time winners list with 51 GP victories, he will probably do so; if it rains, sell your house and put the money on him.

Rubens Barrichello
Once touted as a future world champion (who hasn’t been?), Rubens made a mistake when he replaced Eddie Irvine at Ferrari. As Eddie discovered, there is only one driver at Ferrari. Good driver but seems to have accepted he’ll only be second best. Could win here if some others have problems.

# McLAREN #

Mika Hakkinen.
Double world champion and super fast when things go his way. Likes to lead the race and seems unable to cope when under pressure, if it rains he will slow to a crawl. Strange that he is managed by ex world champion Keke Rosberg, as their driving styles are so different. Mika is so precise, demanding that the car is set up just right so that he feels comfortable. Keke ‘s method was to floor the accelerator and not lift off until he had won; or the wheels had dropped off or the engine had blown up. I know which one that I prefer. Mika could well win this if he gets a good start.

David Coulthard.
Showed great promise when he began his career at Williams and was touted as a future world champion (see Rubens B.). Has seen his career eclipsed by team-mate Mika Hakkinen at McLaren in recent seasons, but has won this race for the past two years, will be fired up for this and could make it three in a row.

# WILLIAMS #

Ralph Schumacher.
Living under the shadow of his brother, has a mountain to climb to ever equal Michael’s achievements. Having his best season in a car that can compete with Ferrari and McLaren, but is prone to make silly mistakes. Could win this.

Juan Montoya.
Few drivers make the transition from Indy to F.1., but anyone who saw Montoya race in the U.S. last year will know that he’s aggressive and talented, and at his best under pressure. Began this season looking like he intended to make his mark, and he will. Only a matter of time before he wins his first race and this could be the one.

The winner of the British Grand-Prix should come from these six drivers, but a few others deserve a mention.

Eddie Irvine.
The epitome of the play-boy racer, Eddie truly loves his job. An aggressive, risk taking driver, often pushes too hard and comes a cropper, but never content to sit at the back and go through the motions. His Jaguar does not have the performance of other teams and it would be a major surprise if he were to win this.

Jenson Button.
Began his first season last year with Williams and looked the business. This year he has been farmed out to Benneton and is driving a piece of scrap that I would fancy my chances against in my aging Ford Granada. No chance of even getting a point unless it hisses down with rain.

Keke Raikkonen.
Another Finn, in his first season with Sauber, drives more like Rosberg than Hakkinen, certainly not over awed by the company and is exciting to watch. Touted as a future world champion, and this time they could be right.

Nick Heidfeld.
Raikkonen’s team-mate at Sauber, Nick had a dreadful time last year with Prost, but it seems to have done him no harm and he’s showing himself to be a talented and able driver. Future world champion?

No one else has a prayer of winning this race, including Frentzen and Trulli (both touted as future world champions) at Jordon, unless it rains. It could well be decided by strategy or the best pit-stops. If it rains then M. Schumacher takes the chequered flag followed by A.N. Other, three weeks later. That’s what should happen. But with rain, anything could happen.

Pray to the Thunder God.

The race, as always, will be enlivened by the calm, soothing, dulcet tones of Mr. Formula 1, Murray Walker; so if you wish to enjoy it, turn the volume down.