2012 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix Preview

After the thrilling and slightly incident-filled Singapore Grand Prix, Formula 1 moves swiftly on to Suzuka for what will be the 37th running of the Japanese Grand Prix. First held unofficially back in 1963 at Suzuka, and officially in 1976 at the Fuji Speedway, the Japanese Grand Prix has become a firm favorite throughout the F1 paddock.

Due largely to Lewis Hamilton’s surprise switch from McLaren to Mercedes for the 2013 season, the atmosphere within the paddock throughout this weekend will undoubtedly be electrifying. With the Drivers’ Championship still amazingly wide-open, the Japanese Grand Prix will most certainly once again produce some sensational action as the season draws to a conclusion.

Damon Hill won his one and only World Championship in an epic race in 1996.

First officially held in 1976 around the Fuji Speedway, when James Hunt clinched his one and only Drivers’ Championship in the unbearably wet conditions, the Japanese Grand Prix has seen some of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport. From Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost’s controversial collisions in 1989 and 1990, to the emotional crowning of Damon Hill as the first driver to follow in his father’s footsteps and become World Champion.

The Japanese Grand Prix has been held on only two circuits throughout its long and vibrant history, with Suzuka and the Fuji Speedway unquestionably producing some of the most exhilarating racing seen in Formula 1. Fuji hosted the first official Japanese Grand Prix, however in 1978 the race was removed from the calendar until 1987 when Suzuka brought Formula 1 back to Japan. From 1987 to 2006, the Japanese Grand Prix was held solely around Suzuka, and saw the likes of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen crowned Champions.

However, in 2007 the race was moved back to the Fuji Speedway, in what turned out to be one of the wettest races in the history of the sport. Lewis Hamilton took a memorable victory for McLaren, however a year later the Briton endured copious amounts of bad luck when the Japanese Grand Prix returned once again to the Fuji Speedway. This time Fernando Alonso took victory, before Suzuka once again became the sole host of the Japanese Grand Prix in 2009.

Michael Schumacher is unquestionably the most successful driver at the Japanese Grand Prix, like with many races on the F1 calendar. The once dominant German has won six times at Japan (’95, ’97, ’00, ’01, ’02 and ’04), his first coming with Benetton which enabled him to clinch only his second World Championship. McLaren are the most successful team in Japan, having won nine times with the likes of Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen behind the wheel (’77, ’88, ’91, ’93, ’98, ’99, ’05, ’07 and ’11)

The DRS zone for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix has remained in the same location as last season, albeit shortened slightly by 20 meters. The detection zone will be situated 50m before turn 16, and if a driver is lucky enough to be within a second of the driver in front at this stage, he may open his DRS flap at the Control Line which is after turn 18. Last season saw many overtaking maneuvers into turn 1 with the assistance of DRS, and the slightly modified overtaking zone should once again produce some thrilling action throughout the race.

Former F1 driver, Derek Warwick, will reprise his role as the FIA representative steward at this weekends Japanese Grand Prix, a role the Briton last carried out at the German Grand Prix earlier in the season. Warwick raced in 146 Grands Prix during career, racing for the likes of Renault and Lotus before moving to Sportscars and then the British Touring Car Championship in 1995, 1997 and 1998.

The Japanese Grand Prix has become renowned for producing some of the most exciting racing in Formula 1, and therefore is regarded by many fans and drivers alike as one of the best venues on the calendar. In this highly entertaining and still slightly unpredictable season, it’s likely that Suzuka will produce yet another exhilarating Japanese Grand Prix as this unique Formula 1 season finally draws to an epic conclusion.

Picture(s) Copyright © Pirelli & Williams F1 Team

Martin Brundle Officially Announces Move To Sky Sports

Former Formula 1 driver and current BBC Commentator, Martin Brundle, has today officially answered speculations about his 2012 plans by stating in his Sunday Times column that he will join the new Sky Sports F1 HD channel next season.

The former Tyrrell and McLaren driver first commentated on the sport at the 1989 Monaco Grand Prix when he retired from the race and was asked to join Murray Walker in the commentary box as James Hunt failed to appear. His next appearance as a commentator was partially throughout the 1995 season as he shared a drive at Ligier with Aguri Suzuki, however for 1996 he gained a full racing seat with Jordan and didn’t commentate again until 1997 when he officially joined ITV as co-commentator alongside the legendary Murray Walker.

He continued this role as co-commentator at ITV all though the channels running of the sport, which included commentating alongside James Allen once Murray had retired in 2001. When, in 2008, it was announced that BBC were set to get the rights back, Martin Brundle (along with Ted Kravitz) were part of the ITV team to move to the BBC for the 2009 season. For this season Brundle was once again co-commentator alongside Jonathan Legard, who was replaced in 2011 by another F1 driver in David Coulthard. This promoted Martin Brundle up to the lead commentator role, a role which the BBC must now try and replace, and rumors are circulating of Ben Edwards joining the team for 2012.

It has yet to be announced who will be joining Martin Brundle as Sky Sports F1 Commentator for 2012, however there are strong rumors that Sky have signed another BBC commentator (this time of Radio 5 Live origin) in David Croft. Whether this information is true or not time will tell.

Martin Brundle said in his Sunday Times column that the key factor for him joining Sky was his need to commentate on all 20 live races, not delayed broadcasts. Another key factor, he said, was the fact that Sky will not show any adverts during the race, something which the British public grew frustrated over with the ITV broadcasts between 1997 – 2008.

Many BBC fans will greatly miss him, many will simply migrate with him to Sky. Whatever the outcome, it is undeniable that Sky have secured simply the best commentator there currently is for their 2012 Formula 1 coverage.

Martin Brundle Off To Sky Sports For 2012?

Next year the broadcasting of Formula 1 in the United kingdom changes as the BBC will co-broadcast F1 alongside major sporting TV company Sky Sports. Sky have almost monopolized sport over the last decade as popular sports such as Football, Cricket and Golf have made Sky their new home and as of 2012, Formula 1 will be added to the growing list of sports covered by the company.

The BBC will still broadcast F1 next year as they plan to show 10 races live and the other 10 in a delayed highlights format that has yet to be announced whereas Sky Sports will show all 20 races live next year including all three Practice Sessions and Qualifying.

The highlight of this slightly controversial decision has now switched to who Sky Sports will sign up as their presenters, commentators and pit lane reporters. It has been highly speculated over the last few months that former ITV and current BBC commentator, Martin Brundle, is in talks with both companies over his future with the sport. He has tweeted saying that he has received offers from both companies and that he will be taking the weekend to decide on his future.

If Martin Brundle does join Sky Sports, how will that affect the BBC F1 Team, who have produced some of the best F1 coverage the sport has ever seen in their long and colorful years covering the sport, their first race coverage being the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix which was won by local hero Gilles Villeneuve and featured commentary from Murray Walker before being joined a year later by former World Champion James Hunt. Will the BBC take the offer of using Sky’s commentary, an opportunity that must be offered to them as part of the deal with Sky or will they continue with their own commentary minus probably the only true heir to Murray Walker’s throne in Martin Brundle? If this decision is taken it is understood that David Coulthard will be joined by Speed TV’s Australian commentator Leigh Diffey. If Martin Brundle does join Sky it is believed he will be joined by current colleague and BBC Radio 5 Live commentator David Croft who is renowned for his colorful and sometimes explosive commentating style. 

It is also understood that Sky are keen to have ex ITV and current BBC pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz and current ITV Sports presenter (and ex BBC and ITV F1 presenter) Steve Rider on their team, meaning that if this does become a reality that the BBC F1 Team will also be a pit lane reporter down, leaving only Lee McKenzie and Natalie Pinkham remaining.

Of course there are two races remaining in 2011, and there is a whole winter off season in which these various contracts will be flying ever other way before Sky can reveal their 2012 F1 Team Line-Up.

Indian Grand Prix Circuit Plagued By Teething Problems

The Buddh International Circuit that will see the first ever Indian Grand Prix race on it this weekend has been plagued by a number of teething troubles, most of which have come in power cuts that seem to have disrupted all events that have taken place today.

A short while ago there was a power cut right in middle of the FIA Thursday Press Conference that caused a slight delay. To add to the stack of teething troubles of intermittent power-cuts, a lack of signs outside the circuit culminated in more confusion as the press and team personnel battled their way to the track.

Another poor aspect of the track is the commentary booth in which BBC’s Martin Brundle and David Coulthard are expected to commentate from for this weekends Indian Grand Prix. But as the picture shows, the commentary box has no windows, and seems to be no-where near the track judging by the disconsolate tweet by Martin Brundle which accompanied the picture. It is hard to imagine Murray Walker and James Hunt excepting such poor qualities compared to other tracks where the commentary box generally looks out onto some part of the track in question.

 

Still, let the incomplete buildings, poorly designed commentary box and intermittent power-cuts not deter from what will hopefully be a highly successful, and exciting inaugural Indian Grand Prix.