Moving is such a pain!

HEY THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT MY BLOG BUT YOU CAN NOW FIND MY SHINY NEW ONE AT http://motorsportbts.wordpress.com/

Full of the same F1 news, views and opinions and now including many more fun, four-wheeled sports! See you there!!

The class of '09...

And so, with last weeks fantastic announcement about Brawn GP, we have the completion of 2009's starting line up. Sébastien Buemi may be the only rookie but he certainly isn't the only driver out there with something to prove -

Buemi's team-mate Bourdais has to perform this season but, with the allure of Champ cars still strong, I would not be suprised to see replacements in the Torro Rosso camp mid-season.

Button and Barrichello will be looking to repay many people's faith with strong performances although, in a replay of Renault last year, I wouldn't expect big things until around Germany (round 9).

The Force India drivers will be looking to move on from the teams rookie season and, with the dramatic rule changes, Sutil and Fisichella's combined experience may prove them worthy adversary's to the middle-pack.

Williams, on the other hand seem to be feeling the pressure from the drivers instead of the other way round. Reports arising in the last few weeks have shown Rosberg isn't happy to tread water for much longer (perhaps he fears being tagged as the new Button).

Red Bull's drivers have painted nothing but good pictures of each other over the winter however both have pressures. Vettel will be looking to show 2008 was not a flash in the pan and, after a solid '08 performance, Webber will be looking to show it takes more than a bike to slow him down.

Check back next week for an update on the pressures the rest of the pack are feeling, can last years top performers raise their game to meet the new challenges? Will the season end with a new constructor in the top 5? Who will face relegation? and, most importantly, will I stop sounding like a football commentator?!

In the meantime there has been official (Twitter!) confirmation that the BBC will be bringing back Fleetwood Mac' s classic The Chain and so, to get everyone all hyped up, enjoy this original version of the hit. Sorry Moby, it was fun while it lasted!

It's time to start the countdown...

No not just a Pink lyric, the countdown (to the new season) really is on and bringing with it a lot of other deadlines.

Firstly the deadline for the ex-Honda team who still have yet to announce a new buyer. Correct me if I'm wrong but, for all Max Mosley's reassurances, I thought the deadline was January and if my surname was Button or Barrichello I'd be getting very worried. Hearing the news that Torro Rosso have extended Sebastien Bourdais's contract wouldn't exactly make me feel better either...

I heard rumours a few weeks ago that Michael Schumacher was interested in joining old stomping buddy Ross Brawn to try and raise interest in the Brackley-based team. Let's hope they succeed. Honda's struggle is one that, like all F1 fans, I'll be following closely with all fingers crossed! (well all the fingers not already crossed for Renault to get a grip of this year's car design, ahem, 'issues'!)

It seems however it's not just teams up against it, but the tracks. Donnington may have it's problem but Donnington is not holding, what is sure to be, the nail-biting conclusion to this years championship. That honour is going to Abu Dhabi, who have people working incredibly hard to complete work on the Yas Marine Circuit in time for the always spectacular end race. Recent pictures in F1 Racing look promising but until the final tarmac is laid (hopefully not Canadian style!) I'll be secretly holding my breath.

Finally on the subject of 2009 the general consensus is that it will be a close call. I'll be assessing each drivers chances in detail in the following weeks but, after the first round of launches, who do you in blogger-land rate? Will Massa atone for his heartbreaking near miss? Can BMW make up last season to Kubica by delivering him a championship? How will Alonso fare if Renault continue to splutter? Is the 1 on Hamilton's car a safe bet for 2010?

As always let me know your opinions, I love hearing from you all!

Round and round it goes, where F1 will stop...who knows?

F1 has a long and proud tradition of racing around the world, across the years races have been held in Casablanca, Las Vegas, Mexico and...erm Leicestershire.

Having said that, think of F1 and you immediately think Europe - From the historic races (Monaco and Silverstone) to the team bases (Woking, Oxford etc) to the driver home countries (Britain, Switzerland and Finland to name a few) the continent has become synonymous with the world's greatest motor sport.

As we move into the new season however it looks as though international races will outnumber their European counterparts 9:8 and, aside from Brazil, America will this year play no part in the calendar. Instead countries such as India and Korea are looking to get a slice of the action, the world, it seems, is Bernie Ecclestone's oyster.

Personally I think it's a great thing that more countries are looking to bring the F1 circus to their own backyard. Sponsors are happy are being offered a wider audience, fans are given more opportunities to visit a track and the teams get to do more of what they love...racing!

It seems more races, in an increasing array of exotic locations, has no downside, bar Europe potentially seeing it's proud tradition being relegated to the history books as sport's 'Jet Set' truly begin living up to their reputation.

How do other fans feel? Would 20+ races in a variety of countries be good idea or is there such a thing as too many races? Which countries would you like to see host a race? Should the current season be extended or should 2 weeks between races be shunned in favour of more action?

As always let me know what you think!

WOW WOW WOW

OMG! Having only just got my breath back, after what was a stunning end to the season, I must offer heartfelt congratulations to a driver more than worthy of a championship trophy, a driver with dignity and passion who has, in his actions, gained a large new army of fans and silenced many of the critics he had...congratulations Felipe Massa.

Massa may not have won the championship (and congratulations to Lewis) but in his actions he has gained a league of new fans. The driver, who for many years seemed content playing second fiddle to some of the sport's greatest, showed his worth in the second half of the season, ending with a fantastic drive at his home circuit and an even better press conference performance.

2008 has been a great year for the sport..and there are more than a few highlights -

The emergence of Vettel the performances of Kubica, the re-emergence of Renault and the spectacle of Singapore have all helped ensure a vintage year topped with a finale straight from a Hollywood film and the crowning of F1's newest, and youngest, champion.

It seems the years of one or two drivers dominating is over and, without any major development disasters, I can think of at least 6 drivers with a good shot at the title next year...exciting stuff!

The Brazilian Grand Prix also brought 12 years of ITV coverage to an close. I know I've had more than a few criticisms of the team since beginning this blog, and Sunday proved no exception (we're not supposed to be biased but you know we are...understatement!) however they have had many high points and I couldn't help but chuckle at the montage video. I've decided to end this post by sharing it with you all and hope you join me in saying 'Goodbye ITV, thanks for the memories...'