The Blog of G

A while back I posted about an upcoming event where Nick Heidfeld and BMW were arranging to do some laps of the Nordschleife in a modern F1 car and I was thrilled by the prospect but also concerned that the parties involved wouldn’t have the cohones to give it a lash.

Well surprise, surprise there’s no new lap record, not even close, you can read about it here.

I’m thoroughly disgusted, I consider it a missed opportunity of gargantuan proportions, a tragedy, I’ve managed a faster lap than that in a Ferrari 355! (approx. 7 minutes 40 seconds from memory) All be it a virtual one in PGR3

I think so! That’s why we’re planning a three week european tour!:D

So far on the schedule we have, Stonehenge, Dunkirk, Nurburg, Amsterdam, Wiesbaden, Innsbruck, Monza, Maranello, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Aix-en-provence, Troyes, Maastricht, Spa Francorchamps, Gouda, back to Amsterdam and then home. We intend to drive this! I think it’s about 6650km before we drive around any of the places we’re visiting. Are we mad? Ask me in October

Some of the more astute readers will have recognised that a few of these places would have significance to Formula 1 fans like myself and Elly. Yes, we are taking in not 1 but 2 Grand Prix. What’s more there the last 2 european races of the 2007 season, add to that the fact that Monza and Spa are 2 amazing circuits which have always had amazing races and your starting to get a picture of why were calling this a holiday of a lifetime!

We were at the european GP in Nurburg last year, so why are we returning? Well, were actually heading for the old Nordschleife circuit. We have managed to get a ticket for the Ring Taxi. Which if your not familiar is basically 1 Lap of the old circuit in a BMW M5 with 1 of 3 possible ex- BMW test-drivers at the wheel, a guaranteed sub 10 minute lap. Who knows I may be inspired to take my own car round and see if I can manange a sub 10 minute lap on the fiercest race circuit ever.

We’re also planning to spend a few days in Maranello, the home of Ferrari but also the birthplace of the performance car, where the legend that is Italian Sports cars was born. Were hoping to do a tour of the various manufacturer’s one of the days this covers Ferrari, Lambourghini,
Pagani and more.

For now, I think that’s enough details but don’t worry, I will be talking more about this as we get more details tied down.

OMG! This is simultaneously the greatest and worst thing ever!

Greatest because I’ve wondered for a long time just what a modern F1 car could do on the old Ring. I mean it’s nearly 30 years since the last F1 car had a lap. The current lap record is held by a Radical, for those who don’t know that basically a Rollerskate with a very well tuned motorbike engine.

Worst because, well lets face it Nick Heidfield ain’t exactly renowned for pushing limits, hell his change of teammate midway through last season saw him improve dramatically, because his new team mate was pushing him harder than Jaques Villeneuve ever did. That and the rather disappointing quote at the end of the article are making me think that Nicky ain’t gonna even try. I really hope I’m wrong.

In fact if I were in Nick’s shoes I’d be thinking “well I’m never gonna beat Schuey’s records but I could be the last F1 driver to set a Lap record around the Nordschleife.” I’m calling you out Nick, if you’ve got a pair, to hell with doing a demo lap for the masses, make a mark on history and go for it. Go on, I dare you!

Mixed emotions but what a race Felipe, I saw a spark of genius early in your Sauber days, your style then reminded me a little of a young Villeneuve (Gilles) maybe that’s what Ferrari saw as well but that style does not suit modern F1, so you have tempered that raw talent with a clear focus on the goal. I was in Nürburg when you had your first podium and today I watched you take your place on the world stage.

Don’t let anyone take anything from that victory, remember 3 things, first, you beat the class of the field, second, the title fight was in your mirrors for the whole race and third, you didn’t need half the front runners to drop out of the race, for you to win.

The real question is not if your next win will come but what seat you’ll be sitting in when it comes, Me I’m hoping it’s gonna be a Red one.

Congratulations on a fantastic drive and an inspired win.