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F1’s original Flying Finn was a chap named Keke Rosberg, champion in 1982 He sported facial hair that current drivers could only dream of growing.
Decades later, a Finnish company called Rovio decided to pay tribute to Rosberg. Looks familiar? :-)
Decades later, a Finnish company called Rovio decided to pay tribute to Rosberg. Looks familiar? :-)
And now for something totally different - the world of F1 advertising.
The first team to have advertising were the British Racing Green Lotus. Now logos and ads are commonplace in this glitzy, glamorous world.
The first team to have advertising were the British Racing Green Lotus. Now logos and ads are commonplace in this glitzy, glamorous world.
Some brands next levelled things.
For instance, to create a buzz ahead of the launch of Ocean’s 12, the promoters chose the flamboyant Monaco GP and decided with the Jaguar team (now Red Bull Racing) to run the two Jaguar F1 cars encrusted with....wait for it...
For instance, to create a buzz ahead of the launch of Ocean’s 12, the promoters chose the flamboyant Monaco GP and decided with the Jaguar team (now Red Bull Racing) to run the two Jaguar F1 cars encrusted with....wait for it...
...a literal diamond set worth $300K into the front nose of each car.
The car crashed on the first lap.
Christian Klien crashed his diamond-encrusted F1 car before he ever finished a lap around the circuit, creating a frenzy as excited spectators went looking for the diamond.
The car crashed on the first lap.
Christian Klien crashed his diamond-encrusted F1 car before he ever finished a lap around the circuit, creating a frenzy as excited spectators went looking for the diamond.
And here’s the really crazy part:
Track safety regulations prohibited Team Jaguar from searching for the diamond until after the race ended two hours later.
Looks like someone didn't think things through fully.
Track safety regulations prohibited Team Jaguar from searching for the diamond until after the race ended two hours later.
Looks like someone didn't think things through fully.
Jaguar team spokesman Nav Sidhu was honest in saying: “At that point, I probably should’ve been worried about the car or the driver. But, I must admit, my immediate thought was for the diamond.”
No thread on F1 can ever be complete without showing my love for Schumi.
Did you know?
Schumacher made his debut because his manager Willi Weber made statements that draw parallels to "Ashwatthama is dead".
Did you know?
Schumacher made his debut because his manager Willi Weber made statements that draw parallels to "Ashwatthama is dead".
When Jordan racing needed a replacement driver mid-season for the Belgian Grand Prix, 22-year-old Michael Schumacher was drafted overnight because Willi Weber claimed that Schumacher had raced in Belgium several times before.
The truth of course, was that Schumacher had never seen that track and only tested an F1 car a few days before.
Schumacher qualified 7th on his debut, having studied the track on a bicycle, and the rest is truly history.
Schumacher qualified 7th on his debut, having studied the track on a bicycle, and the rest is truly history.
Racing drivers are expected to be fit.
Along came Schumacher.
He simply did not get tired and his rivals had no choice but to adapt.
The current drivers attribute the fitness revolution to the almost impossible fitness standards set by the champion.
Along came Schumacher.
He simply did not get tired and his rivals had no choice but to adapt.
The current drivers attribute the fitness revolution to the almost impossible fitness standards set by the champion.
F1 drivers have only their necks to hold their ten-pound heads upright and in an 8-G corner their heads can have effective weights of 88 pounds.
That is the average weight of a 12-year-old. In 2007, Lewis Hamilton had a 14-inch collar size, today he’s got an 18-inch collar.
That is the average weight of a 12-year-old. In 2007, Lewis Hamilton had a 14-inch collar size, today he’s got an 18-inch collar.
And that's typical of all drivers these days, their necks go straight down from their jawlines.
Fernando Alonso exemplifies this neck strength with a party trick that is a fan favorite - he can crush a walnut between the side of his head and shoulder.
Fernando Alonso exemplifies this neck strength with a party trick that is a fan favorite - he can crush a walnut between the side of his head and shoulder.
Still not as gangsta as the Vicco Vajradanti ad grandpa breaking walnuts with his teeth. #BMKJ
Here's how insainz Carlos Sainz is training to improve his neck muscles. Looking at this gives me a headache.
Drivers sweat out almost 4kg in body fluids thanks to dangerously high cockpit temperatures, often north of 55C (even higher in Bahrain and Singapore).
This results in a 40 percent decrease in brain function, which is critical when you're driving at speeds over 350kmph.
This results in a 40 percent decrease in brain function, which is critical when you're driving at speeds over 350kmph.
This also means that when it's time to wave the chequered flag, drivers are so weak that F1 has rules about how heavy trophies can be!
Extreme braking situations produce such great force that the tear ducts of the driver automatically squirt water (like wtf) https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/28189/modern-formula-1-cars-braking-forces-so-brutal-itll-extract-tears-from-your-eyes-report-says
There are all the fun stories I had. Here's three recos from me for F1 fans (or aspiring ones - come join us, we're fun!)
The chain by Fleetwood Mac. My ringtone forever!
The instrumental section is the theme tune for BBC and Channel 4's coverage of F1
The chain by Fleetwood Mac. My ringtone forever!
The instrumental section is the theme tune for BBC and Channel 4's coverage of F1
Read: I just Made the tea – Tales from 30 years in F1
Di Spires spent three decades serving up tea, sympathy and a lot more to some of F1’s legends. Her memoirs are packed with amusing stories about drivers like Schumacher and Senna.
Di Spires spent three decades serving up tea, sympathy and a lot more to some of F1’s legends. Her memoirs are packed with amusing stories about drivers like Schumacher and Senna.
Watch:
- Rush
- Senna
- Drive to Survive
- Fangio: Life of Speed
- Rush
- Senna
- Drive to Survive
- Fangio: Life of Speed
