To busy working for a Respectable Financial Institution to do much of anything here anymore I'm afra...
To busy working for a Respectable Financial Institution to do much of anything here anymore I'm afraid.
Member since:16.07.2000
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* The Track *
I’ve been there! Silverstone is the only F1 track I have actually stood at breathed air at. And at Silverstone, a flat circuit in the middle of a flat area – there’s an awfully large amount of air moving around to be breathed. The start finish straight at Silverstone is actually one of the moor dull places to watch from. Standing by Copse is an experience though, I was only there for a Super Touring race but the commitment and speed was breath taking, just don’t take a breath when a car goes off or you will inhale stones. Another good place is either side of Maggots. Finally, the grandstands near Woodcote offer a good view of quite a large portion of the track.
If you’re taking your homebrew F1 car down the motorway to Silverstone, you’ll want a medium downforce to reach a compromise between the fast corners and the fast straight. Tires could be a problem though, due to the oh so British weather.
* The Results – DC fans weep *
Sad but probably true, but Coulthard’s title chances went into the gravel early on in this race. I’ll still be there cheering him on, hoping at each race. But it will be a tough slog.
1st – Mika Hakkinen
(McLaren) - Qualified 2nd 2nd – Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) – Qualified 1st 3rd – Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) – Qualified 6th 4th – Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams) – Qualified 8th 5th – Kimi Raikkonen (Sauber) - Qualified 7th 6th – Nick Heidfeld (Sauber) – Qualified 9th
Ten none point scoring finishes.
* The Race – Mika Walks It *
David Coulthard made a fairly average start while Jarno Trulli made a pretty good one. Although of course, when I say ‘good start’ what I really mean is ‘pressed a button’. This ended up with the pair of them going into the first corner side by side. David on the outside, Jarno somewhat obviously on the inside. As they progressed through the corner Jarno, for whatever reason decided to back out of the fight just as Coulthard for whatever reason decided to turn in. The pair clipped wheels, ripping Jarno’s front left off and pitching him into the gravel. Meanwhile Coulthard span to the inside eventually ending up in the pitlane and rejoined at the tail of the field. However, David was to be denied even a chance to charge from behind as his rear suspension expired a few laps later.
This left Mika Hakkinen free from the possibility of team orders so he set about harrying Michael Schumacher with a passion rarely seen from him this season. After a few stabs Mika, dispatched Schumacher in a drag race down the main straight, leaving him to fall into the hands of Montoya. Who himself soon muscled his way past.
Fuel though would play a part though as both Montoya and Hakkinen would both have to stop twice whereas Schumacher and Barrichello would have to stop one less time. Hakkinen had such a blistering pace though that he never dropped behind the Ferrari’s again whereas Montoya fell in behind Barrichello and was unable to pass him – relegating himself to fourth. Although it has to be said, for a time Montoya was behind his one stopping team-mate Ralf Schumacher who for the second race in succession didn’t move over to allow his team-mate a chance to make the most of his stratergy. We know last time Ralf ‘didn’t hear’ team orders but what happened this time?
* Heroes and Villains *
* Heroes *
Mika Hakkinen: It’s nice to be given an excuse to give Mika a hero (Obligatory apology to Mika Hating Lou) as he’s had a long streak of not getting them. Not since Spain I believe! From the start Hakkinen drove a balls out of the cockpit drive and did some OVERTAKING. Always nice to see, it’s why I watch CART. Plus Mika’s “I wanted to be far enough ahead to make a cup of tea” jibe at Michael’s expense went down well with me.
Juan Pablo Montoya: A great drive from 8th partially spoiled by his team-mate and a general loss of pace towards the end of the race.
Sauber: Another strong performance from last years Ferrari leftovers. Expect this lot to be ‘best of the rest’ behind Williams, Ferrari and McLaren.
* Random Mixed Feelings Award *
Jordan: Again mixed feelings towards Jordan – they were brilliant on Saturday and yet it all came to nothing on Sunday – surely one day the yellow cars will get it right!
* Villains *
David Coulthard: I don’t always get DC. Sometimes he’s doing incredible moves like France and yet other times he’s talking about a style of racing that pretty much overrules overtaking. Today, after his tussle with Trulli he was at it again. You’re one of my favourite drivers David, but remember that qualifying ends on Saturday and you are supposed to race on Sunday.
* Rubens Barrichello Award for Dumbest Moment of the Race *
And the award goes to… Tarso Marques. I’ve been expecting him to fail to qualify for a race all season (And indeed, he did it in the first race). Tarso is not long for Formula One I feel, don’t expect to see him still in that seat at the end of the season.
* Murkey Talker *
Awww – Murray’s last British GP. Starting with a classic Murray moment, rivalling his lumpy throat in ’96. Murray was being asked about how emotional a weekend it was going to be on Saturday by Jim. His reply “Well Jim, I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t get to me before the end of the weekend.” Only his voice began breaking up before the end of the sentence, never mind the weekend!
Other classic Murrays…
“Not only is Schumacher a great racer he uses his head piece” “You're saying no Martin, but I was thinking yes”
More in two weeks.
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Good, detailed op. I've only been to Knockhill myself which is a bit like Silvertsone only smaller, wih shorter straights, a bit hilly and continually raining...oh well, maybe not.
Clove 16.07.2001 19:28
you owe me a packet of BBQ pringles Mr Burilson :)
Connoisseur_Haggler 16.07.2001 03:10
another great race analysis with circuit info too! I have just finished a first review too, but it is more Silverstone circuit based! Too bad for DC..Easy cruise for Ferrari team even when allegedly the car was not at its best set up!
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Advantages: Britain’s Best, Great Track, Okay Facilities, Good Transport Routes, The History Disadvantages: A Bit Old, Rocky Car Parks, Long Walks, Expensive Experience
Modena 24.05.2001 (24.05.2001)
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Review of Silverstone, Britain
Jul 15th, 2001
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