Well who’d have believed it ? Looks like Renault are guilty of race fixing and willing to risk human life to do so. With the news that Briatori and Symonds have both quit the team it seems to add wieght to Piquet’s claim that he was ordered to crash into a wall to allow Alonso the win at SIngapore.

The question is why on earth would Piquet risk his own life in this, I know Briatore is probably difficult to say no to but he is risking injury and possibly death to himself and others in this manic act.

It’s another dark day in what has become a very bad year for F1

I don’t think we know half of what goes on behind the scenes in F1or any major sport for that matter.  I have no difficulty in separating F1 politics from F1 racing.  What about the Italian GP last week, for example?  A fabulous race and the fact that Lewis H crashed out in pursuit of Button just demonstrates that Lewis is a racer - through and through!

And anyway, if you’re turned off by F1 politics you can always watch Historic racing - like the Revival or the summer Silverstone event or numerous other events in this country and abroad. Historic racing is tremendous and for those brought up in the 50’s and 60’s the sight and sound of those cars is like stepping back in time.

Two year suspended ban - that’ll teach them !

At least Briatorie is joining the queue at the Knightsbridge Job Centre for his sins.

Hi Tim,

Briatore + labour exchange.  Doesn’t seem to go together, somehow. People like Briatore are smart and are not likely to hide themselves away for long.  He’ll bounce back and resurface in due course in some role.

Like I said before, separate F1 politics from F1 racing.  We now have a real battle for the Championship in prospect.  Barrichello has nothing to lose and everything to gain whereas Button has everything to lose.  With years of frustration burning away inside Barrichello and the end of his F1 career on the near horizon he must be absolutely fired-up and ready to give it his all.  And if his nerve holds he could take the title.  I hope he’s not hampered in any way.  I wish they could both share the Championship this year. 

Here’s a question for you and anyone else who cares to answer.  Is Lewis Hamilton today’s Stirling Moss?  In 50 years time will people say “Lewis Hamilton, the greatest living Englishman today”, in the same way that Lord March described Sir Stirling last Sunday?

All the best,
NickB

I’m just hoping that Flav is also thrown out of football, I want him well away from my team,  Q.P.R.

Hallo Lotus 72.

I don’t know much about football but I do know that the Lotus 72 is one of my favourite Grand Prix cars of all time - especially in JPS colours.  Mind you - and to be a bit anorak-ish, I did watch Emerson Fittipaldi race the Lotus 72 in Gold Leaf colours.  Does that date me? Yes.  Do I care? No.  And it was at Brands Hatch.

All the best.

NickB.

p.s. At the Capri gathering yesterday at the Museum there was a Capri in JPS colours with a huge bonnet logo. - Terrific!

Very nice Nick!  I had better introduce myself, I’m Gary Critcher, I produced the Motorcycle Centenary DVD for the Museum. One of the other projects I’m currently working on….................is the story of the Lotus 72! (my favourite F1 car). So far we have interviewed drivers John Miles and Emerson Fittipaldi, along with Lotus team manager Peter Warr and a few of the Lotus mechanics. Go to my website and get a little more info :  http://www.yesterdaysracers.com
  cheers

Hi Gary,

I’ve had a look at your website and it’s struck all the right chords with me;  Ronnie, Emerson Fittipaldi, Peter Warr the Michael Oliver books.  I spent a lot of time at Brands in the 70’s and have slides of the 72 along with drivers of the day - paddock and track shots.  Let me know if you’d like to see them.

All the best,

Nick.

p.s. Can you imagine having a 72 in the GP exhibition in the Museum.  Unreal!

hi Nick, please feel free to e-mail me, I’m, always on the lookout for un-published pictures to use in the videos, especially of the 72 !
Also, take a look here : http://www.legendsfilmfestivals.com  it’s another film festival I and Michael Oliver are organising for next year.

Nick, just making sure you received 2 private messages from me?

Hello Gary.  Yes, I got your messages.  I’ll phone tomorrow.  (I don’t look at my messages everyday).

Best regards,

Nick.