DVD Review: ‘Clarkson – The Italian Job’
The Italian Job, by Jeremy Clarkson
DVD, © 2010 BBC Worldwide, 82 minutes
The Italian Job is Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson’s first-ever double-disc documentary film.
The premise of this particular feature is simple: Clarkson has never before driven in a competitive motor race. Lacking the experience and the fitness to jump straight in, he takes advantage of the time that his classic touring racer is being built to build his fitness in the only way he knows how: by driving some very fast cars very quickly.
Cue a trip to Italy – hence the title – where ‘Jezza’ and the team gain unprecedented access to Ferrari’s Fiorano headquarters and the Imola Grand Prix circuit where he is afforded the opportunity to really be let loose in some of the most iconic sports cars going around.
Lotus finally confirms what we all knew…
While the High Court decision over the Lotus naming rights dispute is seemingly days away from being made public, one could argue that Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes may have already moved on from the matter, irrespective of whether they win or lose.
Fernandes has instead made the big announcement – one reported on our site as a rumour last week – that he (or rather, his company, Team Lotus Enterprises) has purchased the British sports car maker Caterham.
Karthikeyan: Don’t dismiss the stragglers!
Narain Karthikeyan has refuted some of the recent criticism heaped on the backmarker outfits on the Formula 1 grid, and argued that struggling outfits like Hispania Racing deserve their place in the sport.
Japanese crisis could affect Grand Prix
The Japan’s earthquake in nuclear crisis could be far reaching with reports claiming that the attendance at this year’s Japanese Grand Prix could be affected.
Despite there being no damage at the Suzuka circuit as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami, there are grave fears that the usually popular event could see fewer spectators at this year’s Grand Prix.
Birthdays for Bondurant and Marko!
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Former Grand Prix drivers Bob Bondurant and Helmut Marko are celebrating their respective birthdays!
COMING SOON! Our next exclusive interview!
We have some very exciting news to share with our readers!
We are thrilled to announce that our next exclusive interview is with none other than the First Lady of the pit lane, former ITV-F1 pit lane reporter Louise Goodman!
Now a leading presenter on the British Touring Car Championship scene, Louise kindly accepted our interview request, and the full interview will be published on our website soon!
To read our other exclusive interviews on Richard’s F1, click here.
A new Canadian driver on the horizon?
Could Formula 1 see a new Canadian join its driver ranks?
That certainly could be the case, with there now apparently being a vacancy at Virgin Racing after Sakon Yamamoto’s three-race reserve driver deal – which didn’t seem to involve anything, really – came to an end.
Toronto’s Globe & Mail newspaper claims that Robert Wickens, a 22-year-old now competing in the formula Renault 3.5 championship, is linked to the new role.
DRS to be banned for Monaco?
Formula 1’s governing body is reportedly considering banning the adjustable rear wing (DRS) for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Before They Were Famous #6
It’s 2002 and the midfield Sauber team has managed to attract a handful of photographers to its end of the pit lane to snap a prepubescent kid sitting in the cockpit…
Little would the motorsport world yet realise just what a talent this young man – none other than a certain Sebastian Vettel – would become…
[Image via F1 Nostalgia]
Book Review: ‘The Mechanic’s Tale
The Mechanic’s Tale, by Steve Matchett
Paperback, © 2000 Orion, ISBN 9780752827834
The second of three books penned by former Benetton mechanic Steve Matchett, who went on to work as the technical editor for F1 Racing, and he continues to dovetail this with work as a commentator on America’s SPEED channel alongside Bob Varsha and David Hobbs.
While his first, Life in the Fast Lane, covers the full 1994 season – the first in which Benetton won the Drivers’ Championship title – Life in the Fast Lane looks at Matchett’s entire motorsport career, starting out with his days as a BMW and Ferrari dealership mechanic.
Four drivers’ birthdays today!
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Four former F1 drivers are celebrating their birthdays today: Gus Hutchison and Jean-Pierre Beltoise (both 74 today), Tom Jones (68) and Johnny Dumfries (53).
It’s been ten years…
 Remembering Michele: The last Italian to win for Ferrari |
It seems almost surreal to consider that former Grand Prix winner Michele Alboreto was killed ten years ago today.
More details on changes to Abu Dhabi circuit
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The Yas Marina Circuit management has apparently revealed several proposed changes to the layout of its Hermann Tilke-designed circuit to improve the racing spectacle at the Abu Dhabi venue. The two Grands Prix held at the circuit to-date have hardly set the bar in terms of on-track action and overtaking, prompting FIA President Jean Todt to declare these types of races as “unacceptable”. But race chiefs have been quick to respond… |
 The proposed changes to the Yas Marina circuit |
DC caught speeding in Singapore!
Singapore’s incredible Orchard Road shopping Mecca was brought to standstill on Sunday afternoon when Red Bull Racing took to the boulevard for a demonstration run in its F1 show car.
Over 50,000 spectators lined the streets of a makeshift circuit, and over the course of an hour were treated to a series of demonstration runs from the Grand Prix winner turned BBC commentator.
The Scot was also joined by former Grand Prix driver Alex Yoong, who performed demonstrations in a GP-spec Audi R8.
[Video via kohanson]
Book Review: ‘Lewis Hamilton – The Story So Far’
Lewis Hamilton – The Story So Far, by Gareth Rogers
Hardcover, © 2007 History Press, ISBN 9780752444802
Unofficial biographies – as we discovered with Jacques Villeneuve’s one (reviewed here) – can sometimes turn out to be hit-and-miss affairs.
The title The Story So Far – a book written midway through Hamilton’s maiden season in Formula 1 – might indicate that the book could be worth reading, given Hamilton’s outstanding pedigree in the junior formulae before he cracked F1 with McLaren and came within two points of taking the championship on debut…
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