Sebastian Vettel limps back to the pits after his blowout at Spa Photo: Reuters
Rosberg’s family values
Becoming a father or a mother, I am told, changes your outlook on life. What impact it will have on Nico Rosberg – competing in a sport where there have been two tragic reminders of the dangers in recent months – is unclear. Does it change how a racing driver approaches risk? The answer from most is no.
our full moon baby girl was born yesterday afternoon. We are overwhelmed and totally in love. Best wishes, V + N
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg)
August 31, 2015
More broadly, it could provide Rosberg with the extra inspiration to raise his game, something he needs to do urgently if he is to catch Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings. After a crash-prone couple of seasons, Romain Grosjean admitted becoming a father settled his mind and allowed him to drive to his true potential. Rosberg will be hoping the birth of his daughter does exactly the same for him.
Does Formula One need closed cockpits?
It is the debate that will not go away. After Justin Wilson’s fatal accident – the Sheffield-born racer was hit on the helmet by a piece of debris from another car – it has been thrust centre stage once more.
Felipe Massa, who himself experienced a similar accident back in 2009 but was able to return to racing, is in favour of closed cockpits to protect the driver’s head. Increasingly, there is a groundswell of opinion in concurrence with that view.
For some, the argument of ‘tradition’ (a tired one if you ask me), means that the sport should keep the cockpits open because it is a ‘fundamental’ part of the sport. But with more accidents and injuries, that position is becoming harder to sustain.
The FIA, motorsport’s governing body, are planning more tests this month, but any solution remains a way off. Engineering something which helps the driver but does not impede their vision or risk them being trapped in the car is not an easy task. The FIA has the best brains in the business on the case.
British IndyCar star Justin Wilson dies after being struck by debris
Justin Wilson died after being hit on the helmet by a piece of debris from another car
F1’s winter in the wilderness
Some interesting comments from Red Bull boss Christian Horner on F1’s enormous winter break at the end of the year (with the 2016 season starting in April, December, January and February will all be clear).
“For me, it would be better to have some running in February, at least a test or something, because it will be a long time with no news about F1,” Horner told Sky Sports. “Unfortunately we were out-voted on that.”
Of course, there is some self-interest involved. Red Bull need plenty of testing to catch up and may by then have switched to Mercedes engines at the last minute.
But Horner has a point. The breaks between races this season have been bad enough, with F1 often falling off the radar. Imagine what it will be like in the winter. Good for tired Formula One journalists (as a quick disclaimer, that will not include me, as I’m sure my employer will find something else for me to do), but bad for the sport’s profile.
Monza’s place on the calendar
Calendar stories have a general weariness to them, going round and round in circles, but the place of the Italian Grand Prix is of the utmost importance. Monza is a race Formula One cannot afford to lose.
Evidently trying to extract more money from the Italians, as well as improvements to the facilities, Bernie Ecclestone is continually talking down its chances. But hopefully everyone will see sense and come to an agreement in the end.
