Openly before the race, the 1996 champion told viewers on ITV with whom he was the guest commentator that Lewis Hamilton would win the championship.

However, after a resurgent race Raikkonen seems to be the title winner in his eyes.

"If you had asked me before Sunday who I'd put my money on, I would have said Lewis." Hill commented

"But I would want my bet back now. I'd be saying, 'Wait a moment, that Ferrari looks strong'. I'd put my money on Raikkonen."

To the untrained eye, a rock concert but in truth what you are looking at is a band performing a concert style of church service for hillsong.  This new style of service is designed to attract the younger generations into getting off the streets, or away from their televisions and computer games into a new world of worship respect for god. Around the world this fairly new style of church is being introduced to many and old churches, after years of minium turn out for their services they made the change to update and enter the txt msg era. The leading provider of services to suite this new generational genre is a world wide group called hillsong, their mission statement is as follows

"To reach and influence the world by building
a large Christ-centred, Bible-based church, changing mindsets
and empowering people to lead and impact
in every sphere of life"

Part of that caught my attention changing mindsets

Which i think is what sparked this whole new revolution in worship, to take what the general public (in this case the youth) changing mindsets.

Along side normally services some have "youth groups" i spoke to one of the members of one and she gave me the following description

theyre are session to connect with other christians of all generations and cultures to have a good time and praise god

So there you go, the idea of a boring old church service maybe a think of the past, in some venues for now at least

E così, proprio mentre Lewis Hamilton, ex candidato numeri uno, si “gode” la mondanità di Montecarlo, l’identità del fantomatico The Stig viene infranta: la tuta ignifuga bianca e la visiera a specchio salvano finché un cocciuto fotografo non decide di “armare”il teleobiettivo e usare l’indice destro.

Si scopre quindi che sotto le spoglie del misterioso collaudatore di Top Gear si celerebbe (sempre che non abbia altre personalità con ulteriori colleghi) Tim Schrick, test driver dall’indubbio “manico” e dalla vasta esperienza come tester presso alcune trasmissioni tedesche.

Questa soluzione, per quanto “ad effetto”, lascia l’amaro in bocca, soprattutto perché la caratura del personaggio, per quanto spiccata, non può competere con l’alone di magia suscitato dai due mostri sacri finora in cima al toto-scommesse: Damon Hill e, appunto, Hamilton. Nel seguito gustatevi un paio di video di Tim in azione per la televisione tedesca.

[via: autoblog.com]

El Príncipe Felipe, en la ceremonía de los premios Príncipe de Asturias.

Michael Schumacher, tras la carrera en la que logró su segundo título mundial.

Lewis Hamilton, poco después de que el asturiano ganara en Mónaco.

2¿Cómo se llama la pareja actual de Fernando Alonso?

Carmen del Rosario. Raquel del Rosario. Raquel del Sagrario.

3El rítmo cardiaco normal de Fernando Alonso en carrera es de…

160. 90. 180.

4¿En qué desaparecido circuito de karts comenzó su trayectoria el piloto asturiano?

La Llama. La Colladiela. La Manjoya.

5¿Cuál de estas tres manías era propia de Alonso al llegar a la Fórmula 1?

Siempre usa los mismos calcetines en los grandes premios.

Llevarse una estampa de la virgen de Covadonga para el monoplaza. Mantener el mismo número de habitación en todos los grandes premios.

6Alonso es un gran aficionado al ciclismo, deporte que suele practicar. ¿Cuál de estas tres frases dirías que es cierta?

Fernando Alonso ha corrido una París-Roubaix.

 Fernando Alonso ha participado en pruebas de pista.

Fernando Alonso ha subido al Angliru.

7¿Cuando fichó por el equipo de Adrián Campos?

En enero de 1995.

En diciembre de 1998.

Nunca ha corrido en algún equipo de Campos.

8De estos tres productos, ¿cuál no ha promocionado el asturiano en anuncios?

Un colchón. Unas gafas. Una cerveza.

9¿En qué barrio de Oviedo vivía Fernando Alonso en su niñez?

En La Tenderina. En Pumarín. En el Barrio de Otero.

10¿Qué familiar de Alonso dijo en una ocasión que al seguir sus andanzas le daba “a mí mucho trabajo, y me quita horas de sueño”?

Su representante, Luis García-Abad.

 Su abuela Luisa.

 Su padre, José Luis.

11Edoardo Bendinelli y Fabrizio Maganzi, sus preparadores físicos en Renault, señalaron que Fernando Alonso tenía una marca en los 400 metros de…

57,5 segundos. Un minuto y diez segundos. 50 segundos.

12¿Cómo llaman cariñosamente a Fernando en su casa?

Magic. Alonsito. Nanín.

13Durante su examen de conducir, a Fernando Alonso le pusieron una falta leve por…

Ir muy lento. Hacer un trompo. Pisar una continua.

14Su primera victoria la octuvo en la localidad de…

Mieres. Langreo. Pola de Laviana.

15A qué deportista le arrebató, por 19 votos frente a 4, el Príncipe de Asturias de los Deportes:

A Sete Gibernau. A Yelena Isinbayeva. A Rafa Nadal.

16¿De qué organismo es embajador Fernando Alonso?

Del Principado de Asturias. De ninguno. De Unicef.

17¿En qué bar se creo la primera peña alonsista?

En el Casa Paulino. En el Casa Juanito. En el Mesón Palomeque.

18¿Cómo se llamaba el preparador físico de Alonso cuando éste corría en la F-3000?

Benito Ochágate. Fernando Azurmendi. Michele Paolini.

19¿Qué restaurante regentado por José Soto le enviaba a Fernando jamón serrano envasado al vacío a cualquier lugar del mundo?

El Punto y coma. El Yantar de Cangas. El Refugio de Arriondas.

20Un gran campeón de la Fórmula 1 ha criticado últimamente a Alonso. ¿Quién?

Damon Hill. Ricardo Patrese. Niki Lauda.

RESPUESTAS: 1-1, 2-2, 3-1, 4-3, 5-1, 6-3, 7-2, 8-1, 9-3, 10-2, 11-1, 12-3, 13-3, 14-3, 15-2, 16-3, 17-1, 18-2, 19-1, 20-3.

Naquela época vivia na Alemanha e curtia, já que tive que encerrar a carreira de piloto, relatar sobre carros de rua e de competição que testava com freqüência para algumas revistas. Além dos test drives fui chamado também para escrever avaliações de pré-temporada sobre uma variedade de campeonatos. Já que o meu estilo parecia agradar, resolvi aproveitar os meus contatos e inventei entrevistar o Nelson Piquet – na época ainda um amigo – e o Ayrton Senna, ex-adversário na Formula Ford 2000. O Nelson tinha se recuperado mais ou menos da horrível acidente em Indianápolis, mas não falava nem à paulada com a imprensa. E o Ayrton estava em uma fase de descobrir o mundo dos negócios e tinha até lançado a sua empresa, promovendo a marca Senna.

Já que ninguém tinha como oferecer estas matérias foi moleza vendê-las para uma revista especializada alemã. Liguei então para a FIA em Paris e pedi informação sobre o procedimento de credenciamento. Conversei com uma moça bastante atenciosa, acho que o nome dela era Sally, e que me concedeu uma credencial de free lancer para um evento, mesmo com o prazo de pedido já vencido, mas que teria que enviar cópia do trabalho para eles em seguida. Beleza, fiz reserva do vôo pra São Paulo, fiz a mala e me mandei rumo a minha cidade natal. Com a ansiedade de estrear como jornalista de Formula 1 cheguei a Guarulhos cedinho na manhã da sexta-feira do GP. Peguei um táxi para o Hotel Transamérica, onde a FIA entrega as credenciais aos jornalistas até hoje. Só que não havia credencial alguma para mim. Pior: Ninguém se empenhava para descobrir por onde a minha credencial, oficialmente concedida ale do prazo. Não tinha como imaginar que este seria o primeiro golpe de muitos deste tipo que certo personagem da FIA aprontaria comigo dali pra frente. Mas essa eu conte em outra ocasião.

Lá estava eu no saguão do Transamérica, pensando no que fazer agora. Nisto encontro o Willy Weber, empresário do Schumi e que conhecia desde a época em que ele pilotava um Formula 3 com banco de couro (...), e o Harry Hawelka. Sobre este ultimo já relatei por aqui, era o nutricionista/fisioterapeuta da Benetton e se tornaria um grande amigo. Resolveram me dar carona até o circuito e que deveria resolver as coisas por lá. Havia um amigo do Michael acompanhando, então chegamos de carro lotado no portão do autódromo, onde todo mundo tinha que mostrar o passe da FIA. Os outros estava com os passes da Benetton e foram mostrando e eu... acabei mostrando o meu cartão de milhagem da empresa aérea. E quando o cara olhou mandei o Harry descer a bote e... tchum, tava dentro. Jeitinho brasileiro, sabe? Uma vez na área do paddock faltava o portão que dava acesso ao. Ali parava cada personagem conhecido, jornalistas, fotógrafos, membros de equipe e pedia para entregar uma notinha ao Martin Whitaker na sala de imprensa. A época o Martin era o assessor de imprensa da FIA nos GPs e F1 e quando a mesa dele se encheu daquelas notinhas minhas, resolveu descer ao portão para ver que raios estava acontecendo, quem seria este Mario Bauer.

Uma vez relatada a história ao Martin, ele foi pegar uma credencial de imprensa oficial da FIA e me entregou o passe sem rodeio. O Martin me salvaria a pele várias vezes durante a temporada, aplicando sensatez onda a FIA costumava demonstrar falta da mesma. Enfim, meu primeiro compromisso profissional começava ali e a primeira coisa que pesquisei foi a retirada oficial da equipe March de F1 do Mundial. A ex-equipe de Max Mosley tinha ainda embarcado para a etapa de abertura em Kyalami, mas faltaram os trocados para pagar os motores da Ilmor e, em conseqüência do suíço recusar levar calote, a equipe não teve outro jeito senão desistir. Depois da Brabham, da Pacific e da equipe espanhol Bravo, cujo projeto foi realizado pela Simtek de Nick Wirth, mas não foi adiante, a March tornou-se mais uma vítima da recessão da época.

As Williams-Renault de Alain Prost e Damon Hill pareciam – como na etapa anterior na África do Sul – imbatíveis e ocuparam devidamente a primeira fila com o francês marcando a pole. Atrás destes mísseis azul-amarelos e de motores V10 alinhavam as equipes sem-oficiais da Ford e seus V8s. Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Ford) e Michael Schumacher (Benetton-Ford) na segunda fila, Michael Andretti (McLaren-Ford) e Riccardo Patrese (Benetton-Ford) na terceira. Logo atrás JJ Lehto com a Sauber e Jean Alesi e sua Ferrari. O Outro Sauber de Karl Wendlinger e o Ligier de Mark Blundell na fila seguinte.

Senna largou muito bem e conseguiu passar por Hill na primeira freada, tentando não perder o contato com o Prost. Mais para trás o Andretti e o Berger se estranharam, os dois batem no muro e a McLaren sai voando por cima da Ferrari. Conheço dois fotógrafos alemães que comemoram esta data como segundo aniversário. Por sorte ninguém se feriu. Na ponta o Prost abre vantagem ao Senna que faz de tudo para manter o Hill atrás dele. Mas na 11ª volta não temos como resistir à superioridade da super-máquina, o FW15C. O tricampeão é obrigado a ceder ao piloto novato, agora ocupa a 3ª posição na frente de Schumacher. Pior: recebe uma penalidade de 10-segundos por ultrapassagem sob bandeira amarela e isto parece o fim das esperanças de Senna enquanto subir ao pódio.

Mas feito encomenda, um temporal desce em Interlagos, a começar pelo retão, e surpreende Aguri Suzuki e o compatriota Ukyo Katayama. Ambos perdem controle e batem no muro dos boxes. Senna parou para trocar pneus e só após disto veio receber a "multa". Enquanto isto os boxe já estavam em caos, e a Benetton de Schumacher cai do macaco atrasando o alemão. Christian Fittipaldi e o líder Alain Prost, prestes a colocar uma volta no brasileiro, ambos não entenderam as chamadas das suas equipes e Christian acabou rodando, parando de contramão após a elevação da freada da primeira curva. O francês é surpreendido tanto pela quantia de água na pista como pela Minardi que de repente surge no trajeto e acaba escorregando ao encontro do carro do brasileiro. Um momento histórico, pois pela primeira vez entre em ação o Safety Car – a versão F1 do carro madrinha - em um GP. Momento de confusão para os pilotos, pelo que parece, já que o Alesi passou vários carros atrás do carro madrinha. O que não pode, Jean!

A equipe Lotus foi a primeira a reagir assim que o sol voltou a brilhar e chamou o Johnny Herbert logo após a re-largada para trocar de volta aos pneus slick, mesma coisa para o Alex Zanardi. Senna no entretempo levantou a galera nas arquibancadas passando por Hill na freada da Ferradura ainda no molhado e o inglês parecia conformado em conquistar pelo menos o seu primeiro pódio. Estava de bom tamanho, afinal era somente a sua quarta corrida de F1. Alesi, advertido pelas maluquices atrás do carro madrinha, e Schumacher ambos passam pelos boxes para pagar as devidas penalidades com um stop-go cada. Mas o alemão ainda consegue arrancar mesmo assim no finalzinho o 3º lugar do Herbert que acabou em 4º à frente de Blundell e Zanardi.

A galera no autódromo nem prestava mais atenção a estes detalhes e fez o maior carnaval pra celebrar a 2ª vitória de Senna em casa com uma invasão de pista que parou a volta de honra do tricampeão. A McLaren também tinha motivos de sobra para celebrar. Foi a 100ª vitória da marca em GPs de Formula 1. Mas já na 2a-feira fui encontrar o Ayrton lá na rua Olávo Egídio, o prédio onde hoje continua o Instituto Ayrton Senna. Mesmo com pouco tempo disponível o Ayrton foi antecioso como sempre, assim como e toda a sua equipe. E como seus familiares vem me recebendo desde então. Do "amigo" Piquet não posso dizer a mesma coisa, mas isto conto numa outra.

Grande Prêmio do Brasil de Formula 1, São Paulo.

Pole Position: Alain Prost, Williams FW15C-Renault, 1m 15.866s, 205.230 km/h de média.

Resultado: Vencedor – Ayrton Senna, McLaren MP4/8-Ford, 71 voltas x 4,325 km = 307.075 km distância total em 1h51m15.485s.

2) Damon Hill, Williams FW15C-Renault + 16.625s
3) Michael Schumacher, Benetton B193-Ford + 45.436s
4) Johnny Herbert, Lotus 107B-Ford + 46.557
5) Mark Blundell, Ligier JS37-Renault + 52.127
6) Alessando Zanardi, Lotus 107B-Ford + 1 lap

Melhor volta: Michael Schumacher, Benetton B193-Ford, 1m 20.024s na volta 61 = 194.567 km/h de média.

Destaques entre os pilotos:

- Ayrton Senna liderou um GP pela 80ª vez (novo recorde)

- Ayrton Senna liderou por 2723 voltas em GPs (novo recorde)

- Riccardo Patrese largou pela 243ª vez em um GP (novo recorde)

- Ayrton Senna vence pela 2ª e ultima vez em casa.

- Damon Hill conquista o 1º pódio em um GP.

Destaques entre as equipes, construtores e fornecedores:

- McLaren conquista a 100ª vitória em GPs

- Renault conquista a 75ª pole position como fabricante de motores

In those days I lived in Germany and having enjoyed writing for a couple of magazines, mainly testing road and race cars as well as season previews for all sorts of championships, I had made up my mind that my old pal Nelson Piquet and former Formula Ford 2000 grid mate Ayrton Senna would probably be happy to concede exclusive interviews. Nelson had smashed his feet in Indianapolis, mind you, and wasn’t talking to the media at all. And Ayrton went about to establish his businesses away from motor racing. Good stuff, I guessed.

Having already “sold” the story to a German sports publication, I checked with the FIA media accreditation bureau in Paris and a lovely lady, I think her name was Sally, would allow me to do my first work on a single race accreditation but commiting mytself to send them a copy afterwards. Deal done, I booked a flight to São Paulo and on my way I was to my debut as a Formula 1 journalist. Arriving in Guarulhos International Airport early Friday morning I took a taxi to the Transamérica Hotel, where the FIA runs the accreditation center for decades now, only to find out that no-one knew anything about my media pass. And no-one seemed interested to check what had gone wrong. Turns out it was only the beginning of my hardships with the FIA media office. But I’ll tell you more about that one some other day.

While I was contemplating what to do now, I bumped into Willy Weber and Harry Hawelka, Schuey’s manager and Benetton's health guru. They gave me and another friend of Michael’s a lift to the race track and once we arrived at the gate you were supposed to show your FIA pass. The other three guys showed the correct passes, I held up the Air Miles card of the carrier I flew in with... and it worked! Once I was at the outer paddock aerea I stopped each and every single person I knew, journalists, photographers, team members at the gate. Each delivered a little note at Martin Whitaker’s desk in the media center. At the time Martin was FIA’s on-site Media Officer and once he got flooded badly enough with those little stick-on memos, he came down to the gate to find out who the hell Mario Bauer was.

It didn’t take long for Martin to come back with an FIA media pass, apparently forfeited by another journalist, and handed it out without much ceremony. Martin would become my guardian angel throughout the year, applying common sense whenever the FIA seemed to lack any of it. Anyway, my first professional commitment in Formula 1 had begun and the first thing I learnt was that the March F1 team was now definitely out of business. They had made it to the opening round in Kyalami, but were somewhat short of money to pay for the Ilmor engines and as a consequence they withdrew from the World Championship. After Brabham, Pacific and Bravo, March became the latest victim of the recession.

The Williams-Renaults of Alain Prost and Damon Hill seemed – as in the opening round in South Africa - unbeatable and duly filled the front row with the Frenchman on pole. Behind the two V10 powered blue-yellow missiles were the fastest Ford V8s, Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Ford) and Michael Schumacher (Benetton-Ford) in row two, Michael Andretti (McLaren-Ford) and Riccardo Patrese (Benetton-Ford). JJ Lehto's Sauber, Jean Alesi's Ferrari, Karl Wendlinger's Sauber and Mark Blundell's Ligier-Renault lined up behind those.

Senna got away with a perfect start, squeezed past Hill into the first corner and tried to keep up with Prost. Further back Andretti and Berger collided, both crashing into the outer wall with the McLaren flying over the Ferrari. Prost was opening up a gap and Senna was doing his best to keep Hill behind. On lap 11 the Brazilian had to give way and was now third ahead of Schumacher. But a 10-second stop-go penalty for overtaking under yellow flags seemed to be the end of all of Senna’s hopes.

But then a massive downpour flooded the main straight and a surprised Aguri Suzuki and fellow countryman Ukyo Katayama both lost control of their cars crashing into the pit wall. Senna came in to switch to rain tires and only after that he stopped for his penalty. Chaos broke out in the pits, Schumacher’s car fell off its jack. Back marker Christian Fittipaldi and leader Alain Prost, about to lap the young Brazilian, both didn’t hear their crews’ call to come in and so first Christian spun over the brow of the first corner and then a surprised Alain slid helplessly into the stalled Minardi. A historic moment, as the new F1 Safety Car was sent out for the first time ever. A confusing moment, too, as Alesi overtook a number of cars behind the SC. Which is not allowed, Jean!

The Team Lotus was spot on to bring in Johnny Herbert very soon after the re-start in order to switch back to slicks, same for Alex Zanardi. Senna meanwhile had the public roaring as he went into the lead past Hill under braking into Ferradura on the still wet track and the Brit, on his way to his first ever podium, seemed content with what seemed within reach for him in his only fourth Formula 1 Grand Prix. Alesi, penalized for his antics behind the Safety Car, and Schumacher were summoned to the pits for stop-go penalties but the German still grabbed 3rd place away from Herbert who finished 4th ahead of Blundell and Zanardi.

That didn’t matter much to the Brazilian fans as carnival broke out on the grandstands and a massive track invasion meant the post race party began right there on the back stretch as Ayrton scores yet another home win and McLaren's 100th GP victory.

1993 Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix, São Paulo.

Pole Position: Alain Prost, Williams FW15C-Renault, 1m 15.866s, 205.230 km/h (127.551 mph) average.

Race Result: Winner – Ayrton Senna, McLaren MP4/8-Ford, 71 laps x 4,325 km (2.688 miles) = 307.075 km (190.848 miles) total race distance in 1h51m15.485s.

2) Damon Hill, Williams FW15C-Renault + 16.625s
3) Michael Schumacher, Benetton B193-Ford + 45.436s
4) Johnny Herbert, Lotus 107B-Ford + 46.557
5) Mark Blundell, Ligier JS37-Renault + 52.127
6) Alessando Zanardi, Lotus 107B-Ford + 1 lap

Fastest Lap: Michael Schumacher, Benetton B193-Ford, 1m 20.024s in lap 61 = 194.567 km/h (120.924 mph) average.

Milestones among drivers:

- Ayrton Senna led a Grand Prix for the 80th time (new record)

- Ayrton Senna has led 2723 laps in a Grands Prix (new record)

- Riccardo Patrese started into his 243rd Grand Prix (new record)

- Ayrton Senna’s second and last Grand Prix win on home soil.

- Damon Hill’s first podium finish at a Grand Prix.

Milestones among teams constructors and suppliers:

- McLaren’s 100th F1 Grand Prix Win

- Renault's 75th Pole Position as engine manufacturer

The statue was placed back in the hands of British Motorsport bosses, by Police who are investigating the robbery.  The ceremony was attended by Damon Hill and the artist, Amy Goodman.

The bust is valued at around £10,000 and a 47 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.

"It is very special to have the bust back in the BRDC Clubhouse. As a racing driver and champion he [Graham Hill] was a very special and inspirational person, so it is great that the police have been able to track the bust down and bring it back to its rightful place after all this time. They have done a fantastic job.

Detective Chief Inspector Tricia Kirk of Northamptonshire Police said: "We recovered the bronze bust in December following a joint investigation with Greater Manchester Police. We are happy to now be able to put it back where it belongs at the heart of the county and back with the British Racing Drivers' Club."

These are the ten men and one woman we've suggested might be Top Gear's Stig.

Who do you think is the Stig? Have your say below.

Damon Hill
Ellen MacArthur
Jeremy Clarkson
Russ Swift
Ben Collins
Tiff Needell

Read about the first six in Who is the Stig?

Lewis Hamilton
James May
Mark Blundell
Julian Bailey
Simon Cowell

Read about the last five in Who is the Stig? II

GP de Gran Bretaña -Silverstone- (1994). Michael es sancionado con una bandera negra (descalificación),  por haber hecho la vuelta de formación por delante de los demás pilotos. No respeta la bandera negra, por lo que es sancionado con dos carreras de suspensión.

GP de Bélgica (1994). Michael cosigue la victoria, pero es descalificado, en este caso por un problema técnico del fondo plano de su monoplaza.

GP de Australia -Adelaida- (1994). Última prueba del campeonato, donde Damon Hill y Michael Schumacher se jugaban el campeonato. Michael choca contra el muro y vuelve a pista, colisionando posteriormente con el monoplaza del británico, al cerrarle la trayectoria. Los pilotos tendrían que abandonar, por lo que Michael conseguía su primer campeonato. Años después Hill, escribiría en un libro de memorias: "hay dos cosas que diferencian a Michael Schumacher del resto: su talento y su actitud".

GP de Europa -Jerez- (1997). Una situación parecida a la del campeonato de 1994. En este caso eran Jacques Villeneuve y Michale Schumacher los que se la jugaban en la última prueba del año. No le salió bien esta vez. Además por la acción fue descalificado en esa temporada y le retiraron todos los puntos conseguidos. Tuvo suerte, porque pensaron en descalificarle también la temporada siguiente.

GP de Bélgica -Spa Francorchamps- (1998). Después del "toque" con David Coulthard, Schumacher entraría al Box de McLaren para pedirle explicaciones; viendo la cara de Michael en la foto, no creo que saliera muy satisfecho...

GP de Austria -A1-Ring- (2002). En este caso el otro piloto protagonista fue su teammate Rubens Barrichello. No hubo toques ni nada parecido, simplemente al pobre Rubens le hicieron frenarse en los últimos metros del Gran Premio, dejando pasar a su compañero. Posteriormente en el GP de Estados Unidos -Indianapolis- (2002): Michael le devolvió el favor a Rubens. El escándalo que se organizó, y no solo en las gradas del circuito austríaco, hizo que la FIA modificase su normativa: se prohibieron todas aquellas órdenes de equipo "que interfiriesen el resultado de la carrera".

GP de Mónaco (2006). Durante la sesión clasificatoria, Michael obtenía el mejor tiempo. Cuando a escasos segundos de que terminara la Q1, Fernando Alonso venía mejorando sus tiempos, Shumacher hacía un trompo en La Rascasse, con calada del coche incluida, obligando a los pilotos que venía por detrás de él a reducir la velocidad. Se  llevó una dura reprimenda de sus compañeros de la GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers´Association), de la que era presidente. La sanción impuesta por la FIA fue salir el último en la largada; Michael no se rindió y adelantó a 17 monoplazas, terminando 5º en aquel Grand Prix.

Os dejo un vídeo con la acción en cuestión, las opiniones de los protagonistas y un resumen de la gran actuación de Michael en aquel GP (en la carrera, quería decir...).

DAMON HILL has written off Lewis Hamilton's chances of becoming Formula One world champion today as a dramatic 2007 season finally draws to a conclusion in the London offices of one of the world's largest law firms, Sidley Austin.

It is there a four-man Court of Appeal panel will assess McLaren's complaint that BMW Sauber and Williams used illegal "cool fuel" during the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Oct 21. If found guilty, the team's drivers could have their race results expunged, which could lead to Hamilton being handed the title won by Kimi Raikkonen. The 1996 world champion Hill feels the result will be allowed to stand. "I think it's very, very unlikely that Lewis will be champion. We know who the 2007 world champion is. But I think it’s worth a shot, having a go, at least just to establish a principle."

McLaren say they are mystified by the stewards' ruling and puzzled as to why the regulations in place were not upheld. It comes at the end of a year when McLaren were punished on several occasions for irregularities, notably in the "Spygate" saga that resulted in the team being fined 100 million and stripped of all constructors' points.

Max Mosley, the president of the sport's ruling FIA, has said it is "very unlikely" Hamilton will be made champion, while Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has joked he will resign if such a scenario unfolds. – The Independent

Source: www.sun2surf.com

Michael conseguiría aquella temporada 3 victorias y 5 podios más (3 segundos y 2 terceros). Finalmente llegaría a  ser tercero del campeonato. El compañero de carrocería fue el irlandés Eddie Irvine. Éste también fue fichado para la temporada 1996 y acompañaría a Schumacher en Ferrari hasta 1999.

Schumacher e Irvine pareja de Ferrari

(1996-1999)

Damon Hill (GB) y Gilles Villeneuve (CAN) eran los pilotos de la escudería de Frank Williams. Entre los dos ganarían 11 de los 16 Grandes Premios. Damon Hill sería el nuevo ganador de la corona de Formula 1, con 97 puntos, seguido en la clasificación por su coéquipier.

Saludo de Schumacher al campeón 1996, Damon Hill

La gran pelea de ese año fue con el británico Damon Hill (Williams), que conseguiría 6 victorias, frente a las 8 del alemán, sobre un total de 16 pruebas (las otras dos victorias del año fueron para Berger y Manssel). La tensión se mantuvo hasta la última prueba del año (en Adelaida), donde un incidente de carrera confirmó a Schumacher como campeón del mundo. Ambos llegaban a la prueba con tan solo un punto de diferencia (Michael: 92; Damon: 91). Cuando Schumacher comenzó a tener problemas para controlar su monoplaza, ocurrió lo que podéis apreciar en el siguiente video:

Incidente de carrera en el GP de Adelaida 1994

Finalmente el campeonato fue para Schumacher, con tan solo el punto de diferencia que traía desde Japón. Un gran inicio de temporada, con 6 victorias en las primeras 7 carreras, y su actuación en el último Grand Prix, le sirvió para consolidarse como campeón del cetro mundial.

Como curiosidad, podemos apreciar en la foto que Damon Hill lleva el número 0 ("cero"). Esto fue así, porque en la temporada anterior (1993) el ganador fue Alain Prost, que se retiraría al termino de esa campaña; las normas de la Formula 1, indican que el número 1 solo lo pueda llevar el piloto que fue campeón en el año anterior.

Michael Schumacher campeón de 1994. Flavio ni se lo creía...

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Just in case you aren't fed up to the teeth already on hearing about how Lewis Hamilton is the paragon of all good virtues, his success seems to be some sort of a cue for former F1 world champions to suddenly spring out of the woodwork, each more eloquent than the other in waxing on about his numerous sterling qualities. While Stirling Moss considers it an honor to be compared with young Lewis, Jackie Stewart thinks Hamilton was kidnapped from Krypton as a child. Prost thinks he is no less than a boon to F1, and Damon gets so overcome by emotion when asked about Hamilton that he can merely gape and look like a goldfish. And the man has done just 7 races. God help us when he wins his world championship (which he is bound to soon, given his current display of talent). Is he a Schumacher or a Senna already? Its too darned early to tell (and that's just my opinion).

So what is Michael Schumacher going to do after giving Zidane a ride in his shiny black FXX during the French grand prix? If you were hoping the answer is - "drive back to Maranello and work day and night in assisting car development - F1 and otherwise", you couldn't be more mistaken. He is apparently off to Stuttgart to play in a re-enactment of football World Cup 1982 final between Germany and Italy. Though why he would want to, considering Italy beat Germany 3:1 in the final, is beyond me. Anyway that aside, 3 days to go for the French GP...will Kimi, Felipe and Ferrari turn it around this time? Keeping fingers crossed.

Che sia l'anno dello Slam?

E già che ci sono, segnalo questa bell'intervista a chi sembra proprio essere una bella persona.

Getting back to the racing, Ferrari still looks very much on top - floor modifications or otherwise. Felipe set a blinding pace in both sessions, and both on track as well as in the pitlane (collecting a 4800 EUR fine for the same). The good news is that for once we might get to see both cars start out in the front of the grid, with the team confirming Kimi Raikkonen's engine will not be changed. "We are going to keep it, there is no reason to change it" says Kimi, and we will take his word for it. McLaren continues to look very competitive, with Lewis Hamilton still providing stiff competition to Fernando Alonso - this will be another interesting teammate battle apart from the one unfolding in the Scuderia camp. Renault had a very encouraging second session after a rather disastrous first one, while BMW had 'many problems' according to Robert Kubica and they are apparently struggling a bit with car balance. Honda seems to be progressing in the wrong direction at a rather alarming rate, with Button opining that the RA107 needs some 'big changes'. One idea for a 'big change' would be to just scrap the car altogether and start all over again - whatever they build can only be better. I hate to admit this, but maybe Damon Hill was right after all. Jenson Button should do what he has been threatening to do for years now and skip to Williams when he still has the chance, after all as Damon says - 'the clock is ticking', and Jense certainly deserves something better than this earth liveried cucumber.

Keeping fingers crossed for a Ferrari 1-2 tomorrow.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and ...(Is it a car? Is it a bus? No...it is Multipla!!)

Felipe Massa has of course landed Kimi a bit in the soup by consistently outpacing him in the pre-season testing, and BRDC president Damon Hill thinks it could be an embarrassing situation for Kimi if this trend continues in the races taking into account the salary differential between the two. Hill hinted that it might not be long before Ferrari starts wondering why they are paying Kimi so much more to finish behind Massa. However former F1 racer Marc Surer thinks there is nothing to worry about and has said "Kimi never plays all of his cards in tests". The Ferrari engineers might not be pleased to hear that considering they were trying to evaluate the car's performance during the same tests ("You mean you were sandbagging?!! Why in heavens didn't you say so?"), but we think the pre-season form just shows Massa's potential rather than undermine Kimi's. Ferrari might just have stumbled upon the best driver pairing in recent times. And Massa has the added championship advantage of being Schumacher's good friend (at least according to Bernie Ecclestone). If you are wondering why being Michael's good friend constitutes a championship advantage...so were we. Kimi Raikkonen has urged the tifosi to wait till the racing starts before drawing conclusions. We can barely wait.