The FIA, Bernie, and THEIR lack of ‘love’ for F1

Spa Francorchamps, the much loved but longest layout on the F1 calendar,
may have to be shortened for future editions of the historic Belgian
Grand Prix.

It is being reported in Belgium, including by f1-club.be, that a portion of the 7km circuit is proposed to be cut out.

The famous Eau Rouge section is safe, but the proposal for the new
shortened circuit in the Ardennes is to connect the current Pouhon
left-hand sweepers with Blanchimont.

Left out of the new layout, therefore, is the high speed Fagnes chicane
and Stavelot, and the existing Pouhon and Blanchimont are likely to be
altered.

The report said the modifications could take place prior to next year’s Belgian Grand Prix, or in time for the 2010 race.

That’s absolutely rubbish. The FIA never cease to do a great job at ruining existing classic tracks. And this time Kimi’s favourite track, possible the only reason he truly would love F1 for, is being changed, or stripped rather, of it’s character and most importantly the ‘essence’ of F1. One of the best corners, Blanchimont, will be completely ruined, from the current circuit layout to this monstrosity. In fact, the whole sector 3 will be modified. And all this, presumably, just for a parade lap. Drivers who love the place and the feeling for winning can always do what Kimi did last year, which was a celebratory donut of wheel spinning. But as usual, the FIA would rather have a restricted and manipulated parade lap. Sector 3 will be removed simply because the FIA feel there’s no overtaking opportunities there. Well, why don’t they just scrap all the races on the calendar then! Or how about they just stick to meddling with the aero/engine/tyre regulations for once and leave these tracks alone – afterall, it’s the current state of the cars and rules which are the problem for the lack of overtaking. AFCA from the Autosport forums gave us this bit of extra, and sad, information below, but just now a track official at Spa has denied the change proposals. Hurray for that!

Ecclestone: Kimi Not Doing Enough For F1
From Crash.net

 Bernie Ecclestone claims reigning F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen may never have been ‘in love’ with the
sport – as both the Ferrari star and title-winning predecessor Fernando
Alonso come under fire for ‘not doing enough’ as ambassadors.

Kimi Raikkonen is ‘not doing enough’ to promote Formula 1 as the sport’s reigning world champion – that is the assertion of Bernie Ecclestone, ordinarily a staunch defender of the Finn.

Raikkonen – famously averse to PR work and public appearances – has seemed increasingly lacklustre as the 2008 F1 campaign has progressed, having not now triumphed since the Spanish
Grand Prix in Barcelona all the way back in April and trailing
team-mate Felipe Massa – a man who he invariably had the beating of en route to the crown last year – eight-four in the qualifying stakes.

Ecclestone is convinced that the Ferrari star’s current slump is entirely out of character for the 17-time grand
prix winner, and tipped him to fight back soon. Raikkonen has triumphed
in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps – the next round on the calendar – for the last three races in succession.

“I mean, he is a super-talented driver, and I just can’t believe that the way he’s driving at the moment is Kimi,” F1 commercial rights supremo Ecclestone told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme. “He’s always been quicker than Massa. Massa’s quick, but [Raikkonen] shouldn’t be that far behind.”

The 77-year-old was also keen to criticise both Raikkonen and his world championship-winning predecessor Fernando Alonso for ‘not doing enough’ in their role as ambassadors for the top flight
on the back of their title successes, and disagreed with those who
suggest the former has fallen out of love with the sport recently.

“I don’t know if he’s ever been in love with it,” Ecclestone reasoned.

We can all agree that Kimi isn’t a PR robot like the majority of the F1 drivers but Ecclestone and his lot just can’t seem to get over it. When Kimi won the world title last year he said he had fallen in love with F1 again. This year however he’s going through a rough time in getting the most out of his car and we all know it has nothing to do with his motivation, he has even had to say so himself. Infact and shockingly he is still the same driver Bernie, Kimi is still Kimi you moron, but thanks to the restricting changes in F1 such as the unneccessary technical difficulties with tyres and engines rules and what not, Kimi was always going to be be restricted in his performance and held back unfortunately. A few years earlier, Kimi was driving like a bat out of hell before these changes came into the sport so we only have the FIA circus to thank for this apparent ‘lack of love’. Hamilton recently claimed he’s willing to settle for second places now as long as he keeps bringing home the crucial points for the title. Most critics found this odd because it’s not Hamilton’s ‘style’. But we don’t hear Bernie whinging about that because Golden Boy Lewis is every PR’s dream and has done a lot for F1 in terms of media attention and rallying new fans to the sport. But at least we Kimi fans appreciate the pure love and talent Kimi has inside eventhough he may not flaunt it, simply because he doesn’t want to rub it in people’s faces as mentioned in an interview. Brilliant! And it’s so ironic that these statements come out in time with with Spa Franchorchamp track change proposals. Kimi is slumping in his performance due to a lack of love is it? Well they’re doing a bloody good job of rubbing that in by ruining the best tracks ever made and adored by true F1 drivers and fans. But thanks for tipping Kimi to win at Spa this weekend Bernie, I’m sure he’ll be even more motivated now to be the final victorious driver there, as that you’re going to let the sport mess it up afterwards!

(Sorry for the rant.)