Though I've only just posted and intend just to write every week or so, I thought I would kick off, however, with something a little more substantial than a mere explanation of what this blog will come to be.
One of my greatest enthusiasms is Formula One. An avid fan for as long as I can remember (Mansell driving the streets of Monaco, virtually nudging the gearbox of - and failing to beat the victorious - Senna, in 1992, being my earliest memory of the sport), I await with great anticipation the start of the 2014 season and have been keeping a keen eye on the winter testing.
The changes to be introduced for this new season are among some of the most dramatic to be imposed in quite a number of years. New turbocharged engines; ERS systems (to replace KERS) and radically different aerodynamic regulations that have already been interpreted in number of ways (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25946895). Consequently, the coming season is being hotly anticipated with some perhaps hoping that it will knock Vettel off his perch and inject a little more spice and variety into the sport.
Signs from winter testing are interesting in this regard ... AMG Mercedes, McLaren and Force India (both Mercedes powered) are coming to the end of what has been a largely successful testing programme. Long stints managed with few reliability problems and constantly quick times suggest these teams (and others) have adapted to the changes well. Red Bull, by contrast, have been receiving a lot of coverage in the media as having a great deal of problems and difficulties (just this morning Vettel's car, in testing, made it through just 4 corners on the first stint and the end of the pit lane on the second try; before it came to an abrupt stop). The opening weekend of the season (15 / 16 March) will be interesting.
As a firm fan of the Brits - Hamilton and Button, it's reassuring to see them doing well in testing and I hold out hope that this will translate to results come the season. And Vettel? Well, the German is often criticised with suggestions rife that he only wins because he has the best car. And that might be true; but it was equally true of Schumacher, Senna, Prost and pretty much every other World Champion. He's done well. Very well. Four World Championships and he's only 26 years of age. His hard work has been justified and his spoils deserved. And for his sake I hope the gremlins of testing are resolved.
Equally, though, I hope for an action packed season with some good racing and genuine competition. Only two weeks 'til lights out in Albert Park.
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