F1weekly podcast # 345
Gilles
Press on regardless: Very few drivers have remained in the hearts of racing fans worldwide as Gilles Villeneuve. The French speaking Canadian was making waves in Formula Atlantic series in North America when he was noticed by a fellow competitor, James Hunt, who recommended Gilles to his team boss, Teddy Mayer.
Spins and off-track excursions, which remained the hallmark of his exciting career, marked his debut in the 1977 British Grand Prix. But what was not lost on that day at Silverstone was the fact he out qualified his teammate, McLaren’s regular number two driver Jochen Mass. Ironically, it would be the same driver who would touch his career on that tragic day at Zolder, 27 years ago today.
Gilles Villeneuve came from humble backgrounds and, in the words of famous Ferrari engineer, Mauro Forghieri, “had a rage to win”.
Villeneuve’s maiden win came in Montreal in 1978. His final victory was an epic struggle against numerous competitors in the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama.
But nothing will ever eclipse the spirit of car # 27 and its little driver than the giant duel at Dijon in which he battled and exchanged second place position again and again with Rene Arnoux in the closing stages of the 1979 French Grand Prix.
The battle for second place even eclipsed the historic first turbo-win in Formula 1 by Arnoux’s Renault teammate Jean-Pierre Jabouille.
The Circuit de Catalunya: built in 1991 and is often referred to as ‘Barcelona’ in the racing community, despite the fact that it is located in Montmeló. The Circuit de Catalunya should not be confused with the Montjuïc circuit, which hosted the Spanish Grand Prix four times between 1969 and 1975 and, unlike the Circuit de Catalunya, is actually located within the city of Barcelona.
Because so much testing is done at this circuit, Formula One drivers and mechanics are extremely familiar with it. This has led to criticism that drivers and mechanics are too familiar with Catalunya, reducing the amount of on-track action.
When first used, overtaking was frequent as cars could follow closely through the last two corners and slipstream down the long straight. As aerodynamic balance became more critical, this overtaking method ceased as the cars were unable to follow each other through the fast final corner due to turbulence created by the leading car. This made it almost impossible for a car to get close enough to the car in front of it to attempt a pass at the first turn, which is the only obvious overtaking point on the circuit. The 2007 F1 Season saw the 1st of the 2 final sweepers replaced with a slow chicane in an effort to improve overtaking. However, the redisign did not noticeably increase the amount of overtaking.
Podcast number 345 in Post production.
Vettel focused on fighting for the world championship.
Brawn GP to promote the new Terminator Salvation film in Barcelona.
Rosberg and Nakajima give Williams a one-two in second free practice.
Scuderia Toro Rosso to become a full constructor in 2010.
Motorsports Mondial with Nasir Hameed.
Friday second practice.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.588 43
2. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.740 + 0.152 40
3. Alonso Renault (B) 1:21.781 + 0.193 36
4. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:21.843 + 0.255 39
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.027 + 0.439 37
6. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:22.052 + 0.464 35
7. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.082 + 0.494 45
8. Piquet Renault (B) 1:22.349 + 0.761 26
9. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:22.571 + 0.983 17
10. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:22.599 + 1.011 40
11. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:22.615 + 1.027 30
12. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:22.670 + 1.082 32
13. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.809 + 1.221 31
14. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.876 + 1.288 29
15. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:22.878 + 1.290 35
16. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.948 + 1.360 40
17. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:23.173 + 1.585 39
18. Glock Toyota (B) 1:23.360 + 1.772 46
19. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:23.623 + 2.035 47
20. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B)