 V8 Supercars, AGP. (C) Can anyone remember when the last V8 Supercar event was staged? Feels like an eternity ago doesn't it? The inconsistent timing between events has long been a major point of conjecture amongst the V8 Supercar faithful.
Recently it's been announced that the 2016 V8 Supercar calendar will on average stage an event every two weeks, thus guaranteeing ongoing momentum throughout the championship season. The exceptions being the Perth and Darwin rounds, which demand three weeks due to the tyranny of distance from the eastern seaboard. The will also be a winter break to refresh and recharge. The race weekend format is also coming under scrutiny with the Saturday 60/60 race format set to be reviewed for the sprint rounds. V8 Supercars have made a push for the Australian F1 Grand Prix to be included as part of the championship. Something we've lauded for a long time and long overdue. That decision is apparently now up to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation for approval. Overseas junkets are now back on the agenda with a six year deal struck with Malaysia to stage races through Kuala Lumpur on a purpose built street circuit. A select few will head over this August for showcase races for the test event. For those fans worried that the Malaysian round will be at the expense of current Australian rounds, V8 Supercars has given assurances that will not be the case. Why not a double whammy whilst in Malaysia? Does anyone like the idea of an event also at Sepang International Circuit, which incidentally is close to KL airport? That would be a fantastic circuit for V8 Supercars. Wishful thinking isn't it? Lastly, the final event, the Sydney 500 at Sydney Olympic Park is being moved forward into November. Discussion is taking place as to how the circuit can be opened up to improve spectating. Rumours persist that there could also be a circuit configuration change. We'll believe the circuit change when we see it, but despite being a great event, would sure be nice to see the fans' vantage points improve. Maybe reopen the outside of the turns 6 + 7 chicane again is a start. Skycity Triple Crown at Darwin's little treasure, Hidden Valley, this weekend. Will Prodrive's Mark Winterbottom maintain his championship lead? Cheers....
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 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, F1, AGP. (C) Mystifying. Mercedes decision to pit Lewis Hamilton for fresh rubber during a late Safety Car at last weekend's Monaco GP. Costing him almost certain victory, handing it to team mate Nico Rosberg, they inadvertently gave Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel a helping hand in the championship by way of inheriting second place with Hamilton relegated to third. Mercedes claim they misinterpreted the gap behind Hamilton with no GPS available at Monte Carlo, plus wanted to cover Vettel in case Ferrari pitted him for fresh rubber. If so, would Vettel have been able to overtake both Mercedes' around the tight confines of Monaco anyway?
The impressive element of the whole scenario was the way Lewis Hamilton conducted himself post race. Although clearly disappointed, his mature response was nothing short of exemplary. As he so clearly pointed out, to react negatively is not befitting of the current F1 world champion. Stating that he aspires to be team leader, he and his team win and lose together. Vowing to come back stronger in the next race, there's a lot to learn for all racers of all ages from Hamilton's classy behaviour. The happiest driver on the Monaco podium however, seemed to be Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. Imagine if Hamilton narrowly loses the championship to Rosberg by virtue of the points squandered at Monaco though. Ouch.... |
Will Brown, Red Bull Racing Aust., Supercars.
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Josh Buchan, HMO Customer Racing, TCR Aust. Series.
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