TOP 1ST LAP BLOOPERS IN THE F1

An F1 standing start is one of the great spectacles in sport. But it doesn’t always go according to plan, quite similar to Indian political scenario. First lap collisions are an occupational hazard for F1 drivers. Keeping a cool head and staying out of trouble during the hustle and bustle of the opening lap is an essential skill that all successful drivers must possess.

STAND UP & RACE

When it all goes wrong, it goes wrong in a big way. Then there is no turning back.  Barely a race goes by without some form of contact between cars on the first tour of the circuit. Imagine a novice driving down the crowded lanes of old Delhi. Anger management put to sword!!!

I will give a few examples of how things can take a terrible turn on the track.

2002 Australian Grand Prix

Eight retirements, race not stopped

The 2002 Formula 1 season began with a bang. Ralf Schumacher, who had started brilliantly from third on the grid, was caught out by the early braking of pole sitter Rubens Barrichello on the approach to turn one and was launched over the Ferrari into the air( somewhat similar to the bollywood masala stuff),  Both were out on the spot.

The instant elimination of more than a third of the 22 starters led to a fairytale debut for Mark Webber. As they say someone’s loss is someone’s gain.

  

2002 ralf schumacher crash!!

1998 Belgian Grand Prix

Four retirements, race stopped

Spa Francorchamps has seen its fair share of accidents since it was created 90 years ago, but few could match the sheer scale of the infamous first lap pile up of 1998.

ERROR CAN CAUSE FIRE

The race began in the type of biblical deluge which regularly affects the Belgian Grand Prix. But race control called for a normal standing start instead of commencing the race behind the safety car.

Initially, all went well, as all 22 cars negotiated the tight La Source corner successfully. But on the run down the hill towards Eau Rouge, all hell broke loose. David Coulthard’s McLaren snapped sideays into a barrier.

On the narrow track, shrouded by a wall of spray, the consequences were inevitable – all but a lucky handful of drivers behind Coulthard escaped from the clutches of the multicoloured mass of carbon fibre sliding down the hill.

In total 13 drivers were caught up, but some managed to start again.

98 belgian gp crash

1998 Canadian Grand Prix

No retirements, race stopped

In its 32-year history, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal has developed a reputation for causing chaotic races. The 1998 Grand Prix was no exception. The race saw numerous accidents and overtakes, four safety cars and even a long overdue penalty for reckless driving for Michael Schumacher.

But many fans will remember the race for one thing – the sight of Alexander Wurz barrel-rolling into the gravel trap at the first corner of the race.

THESE ARE THE 80,000 PIECES

The Austrian started well from 11th, but tried too hard to squeeze down the inside of Jean Alesi and ended up on the grass. Their wheels connected and Wurz was flipped upside down, taking Johnny Herbert andJarno Trulli with him.

Fortunately for these four, the race was red-flagged and all four were able to take the restart in their spare or repaired cars. Incredibly Wurz finished 4^th. Now that’s a kind of skill Narain needs to incorporate.

alex wurz canadian Gp antics

2006 United States Grand Prix

Seven retirements, race not stopped

After the disaster that was the six-car 2005 United States Grand Prix, the onus was on Formula 1 to put on a good show at Indianapolis the following season. (Remember the same race at which Narain won his only points) The elimination of more than a third of the field in two separate first lap accidents was hardly a ideal start.

ONE ON ONE

At the back of the field, Mark Webber, Franck Montagny and Christian Klien retired after the latter clipped Webber’s rear wheel going into Turn 1. He spun into the path of the oncoming pack and almost tipped Webber’s Williams. Though the events seemed comical, they were really serious.

Yet this incident appeared tame in comparison to the shenanigans just up the road at Turn 2, as Juan Pablo Montoya unwittingly set off a devastating chain reaction. Fortunately no-one was hurt, and the spectators were at least left with a slightly less depleted field than the one they’d seen the year before.

US GP 2006 CRASH

Thank God the security arrangements are not as slow as the police in India; otherwise we would have lost our drivers. So it’s not always hunky dory at the F1 circuit.

RECESSION: WHAT’S THAT?? JUST ‘F’1 IT.

CHAMPAGNE MOMENTS 

The race for The2011 F1 championship crown is over. Sebastian Vettel, the 24 year old German brushed aside the likes of Alonso, Schumacher and Hamilton to become the youngest double F1 champ.  Apart from the records to brag of “Baby Schumi” is also the possessor of some notorious ones.  He was quickest driver to get a penalty barely 9 seconds into his first F1 race in ’08. I doubt if anybody will be interested in taking this way from him.

I WANT SOME TOO!!

The world is in tatters over the next recession knocking on the doors. But does recession affects F1? Considering that 

it’s the hottest selling sport in the world, I doubt that it does.

The total budget of 10 teams in 2010 was close to $ 4,000 million!!! Yes I got the figures right. Wow, this would have made it one of the richest countries in Africa or may be Latin America. (Wanted to say Pakistan for the audiences, but can’t as I want to remain apolitical).  By the way it doesn’t include teams of Karun Chandok and Kartikeyan, as they hardly exist.

Toyota is the clear winner in terms of budget with close to $600 million in their kitty. Though in terms of winning races and points there is still a long way to go for them as they partner the underdogs on the circuit, rather the laggards. Ferrari is considered the cult, at least during the schumi era. But they also had to pump in $ 2 million to capture a single point in 2008. Only Indian, I can think of who can afford this is Bappi Da. Imagine how much can be done if the money is utilised for welfare. There is no use of imagining, as this would have been gulped down by khadi ‘Angels’

.

I PIPPED YOU HERE TOO

There is a huge buzz about the salary packages of elite institutions. The drivers at F1 are one of the richest people. Now that Vettel is the champ, he must be the highest earner. But that’s not true. The grand old daddy of F1, Michael Schumacher is still the highest paid, even though he’s not setting the track on fire. He takes home $ 34 million, not to count the countless bonuses. Next comes Alonso with $24 million and Hamilton with $22 million. Now take that IIMs. But Vettel still has some catching up to do at $6 million. Schumi took home $1.8 million for every race and poor Jenson Button sulks on just $800,000. No wonder he had to sell his Bugatti Veyron. It will be interesting to note that the salary of Indian drivers is equal to their points that is zero.

The grid gals don’t come cheap either. Especially when they are handpicked by the owners like Vijay Mallya. They go for millions of dollars too. Most of the team owners are in their mid and late 60’s. That’s hard labour. Viagra anybody!!!!