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allenonf1.wordpress.com 
Thank you for sharing your insights and insider knowledge with F1 fans around the world. I have enjoyed your TV coverage, articles on ITV-F1 website and now here on your website. I wish you the very best wherever the tide takes you – hopefully within F1!. Vancouver, Canada
Dear James,
Having just read your analysis on the Mclaren lying affair you opened it by comparing it with the Schumacher Monaco affair in 2006, stating boldly that ‘Schumacher deliberatly blocked the track’ I would like to know what evidence there is to support this other than circumstantial. The Stewards at that incident placed Michael Schumacher at the back not because they had evidence (and telemetery strongly suggesting something is not evidence), but because he was Michael Schumacher and they crumbled under pressure from people like Briatore and the public hysteria, there is no evidence he did anything wrong, all he is guilty of was making a mistake, there would certainly not have been such hysteria had it been a slower driver and car, and the stewards would have taken no action whatsoever.
James, I’ve been reading lots of amazing information on your website. To read the most up to date informative F1 information is so important – keep up the good work!
I will really miss the combined commentary you shared with Martin Brundle, and really hope that BBC do F1 justice.
Any thoughts of doing a podcast? I would really love to hear your insights and thoughts of the season as it progresses, it could be really popular….??
I’d like to second the above idea. A James Allen F1 Podcast would be a great idea, a good alternative to the views we’ll hear on the TV. Should definitely be given some consideration.
Glad I just found this. I live in the US and watched ITV broadcasts a day after the race rather than watch our domestic coverage. You guys are were so much more professional and knowledgeable.
I don’t know how you comment so well on the start of the race. I have to rewatch replays several times to notice all the action at the front and back of the field. Hope you get back behind the mic soon.
This is a fantastic website and a priority read first thing of the day. The detail, inside knowledge and journalism is spot on and makes other sites inferior. I’ll be very interested to read your comments and views post each race on information the humble viewer is not privileged to!
This is a great site, please keep it going!… it’s much better than all the other **** (Rubbish) that just copy each others stories and repeat old stories etc.
Twitter stuff is good as well, quick time from RB in the BGP today, I hope they’re not underweight.
All the best.
It’s a real treat to read your comments and insights on Formula1.
As you I’m thrilled for brawn GP, and their whole team. to spend an entire winter on pins and needles as they were forced to, and them to come out swinging, is wonderful.
I have a neighbour that knew Jens as a kid, and though he’s not a fi fan he’s,being British, is still very familiar with it.
I keep him posted on Button and how he’s doing, and he tells me that jenson is one of the most pleasant people that one could hope to meet.
I’d love to see him or Rubens take it all this year as I feel they both deserve it after all the greif and uncertainty of the last 2 yrs and this past winter.
I’m surprised McLaren isn’t quite up to snuff yet, but I agree with the people that feel it will be interesting to see how Lewis does with a less than top flight ride. I think he’s a great driver, but I do feel he provided some shenanigans during the last 2 yrs, although racing is racing.
I find that deny his talent ,or any F1 drivers talent are really just mouths with know brain in anywhere close proximity, let alone attatched. These guys (the F1 drivers) are the best there are, and who, that doesn’t run in the same race is really qualified to give some of these opinions that we so often see?
Any way ,this site is fantastic, at the top of my favorite F1 sites list. That’s about all I have to stay current with as I don’t watch TV, but youtube helps a little.
Have a great season, and best wishes.
you can tell its kers there’s a higher pitched tone just as the cars are about to get level if this is the case look out everyone who doesnt have it .People dont over analyse this you wont know till sunday afternoon they’le all probably smash those huge snow ploughs off at the first corner
Great site James, you’re the first call of the day for me now, even before I go to itvF1.com. The latest madness from Max drives me into print myself.
As I understand it, it seems that if you win more races than the next bloke it doesn’t matter how many points you end up with, so theoretically you could win 5 races, then stop racing and provided no-one else won 6, you would be champion even if others ended the season on 100 pts. Not a well-thought through system at all. A simple wider spread of points, as suggested by FOTA would have done the job much more sensibly, rewarding consistency as well as wins – and without changing F1 into something else, bordering on the unrecogniseable.
This proposed £30M cap which supposedly allows the little teams to run unrestricted engines with any materials in them, wings 10 feet wide plus anything else they can think of, is another nonsense. Where will such teams get the money to develop engines & systems like that and whose engines, anyway? They mostly get their engines from the big people, are Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari going to make specials for them at the guaranteed subsidised price recently agreed? It’s a complete mess. I see a lot of amendments ahead.
Re overtaking, remove both the wings and make the underbody and diffuser completely free. Maybe we’ll even see the cars getting sideways a bit more often like that, as well.
Keep it up James, looking forward to your insider news as it all unfolds.
The website looks great. Will definitely be following it. I watch every race with my dad and for what its worth be both really enjoyed your commentary and think its such a shame you wont be commentating this year. I was always amazed by the depth of your knowledge of the sport and your obvious passion. Look forward to reading more of your articles. Podcast would be great in my opinion too.
hi james, great blog, how come your not with us on bbc 1 for 09? confused .com. gona miss your views and more importantly, up to date and fact commentating, to me your the next murray walker. anyone join me in a petition to bbc studios?
Most definitely! Get that petition going!
James, I’m a “blog virgin” but I felt compelled to tell you – this is without doubt the best Formula 1 site on the net. I refer to most sites daily (PlanetF1, ITV-F1, BBC, Autosport, F1-Racing), and they’re all good but they just give a flavour of what’s going on. You give us detail, insight and analysis the others don’t – and at this you are one of the best.
In short, you’re the broadsheet to their tabloid.
The broadcasting changes this year must be a bitter pill to swallow, but you’ve responded with style. Please keep it up throughout the season and I’m sure tangible rewards will come. In the meantime though, I for one am grateful for your work.
James,
Congrats on this excellent website, you’re providing us with the inside information, analysis and amusement that the fan-sites can’t provide and the corporate sites won’t.
I wonder how the UK TV coverage will be without you. At times, people (including myself occasionally I admit) were critical of your style and delivery, however you added to the drama and the backstory for sure. Following directly in Murray’s footsteps could not have been easy either. Overall you did a top job and should be proud to be remembered as F1’s second ‘voice’.
So a new chapter begins for you and us viewers but if this site is anything to go by, I shall continue to look forward to being info-tained by you for many years to come.
Keep up the good work and enjoy the race.
Stu
What a fab site… Expertly written, intelligent comment, makes the other sites look like comics (sorry)…
Congratulations from a grown-up…
Thanks for all the good work you do in covering F1. Keep it up! A couple of questions for you as we head into the season. First, what’s the feeling at Ferrari about who the team leader is? Secondly, Bernie recently said that 2011 is looking good for a US race but ruled out Indy. Can you tell us anything about a potential race venue?
Re Ferrari – it’s up to one of them to get the upper hand. Massa starts the year looking more of an equal than this time last year. No info on USA, I’m afraid
I discovered today that indeed F1 can get better.!! With the start of the new year at Melbourne getting underway, I am absolutely thrilled to find out that James Allen will not be ruining the pleasure of wathching another F1 race. Thank goodness he has removed his feet from his mouth and used them to walk out of the commentary box.
Some fan you are when you only realised yesterday that James wasn’t our main commentator anymore! Unfortunately you are in a minority. If you’d check the BBC 606 motorsport forums you’ll see that pretty much all of us want James Allen to return as commentator alongside Brundle. Here’s hoping.
You know James, with not the slightest bit of offence meant, your written reports far outclass your spoken commentary and I must say, having followed your blog for a while and seen your initial reports on the Australian GP, I can say this is honestly one of the most insightful and excellent sources for F1 information.
I really hope you continue with this, or better yet, end up regularly in a publication!
It’s great having this inside information and that’s where the strength lies.
All the best with the blog and I look forward to reading more news as it comes in!
Just watched Australian qualifying. We miss you!!!! This new fellow is so dry! If it weren’t for Martin, we’d be snoring!
Hi. Am new to Twitter, but not able to bring it up, wonder what I’m missing. On your site http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/ in the right hand margin there are twitter topics listed. Clicking on those only yields a blank screen. And ditto when I click on “….follow me on Twitter about the service”. FWIW this is the twitter link that comes up with the blank screen:
http://twitter.com/Jamesallenonf1
Thanks for your help. Appreciate your F1 commentary—far more than Jake and Jonathan on BBC.
Twitter feeds are simple text updates limited to 144 characters. If you click on the links of the Twitter feed (right sidebar) you will be taken to the Twitter page showing that comment. There you will have the option to “log in” or “register” for the service. This will allow you to choose to receive the updates on your mobile phone. Hope that helps – Moderator
I agree with above, miss James comentating, this other fellow isn’t my cup of tea either – why does he always try and talk over marting brundle too – did anyone else notice that? He is very boring – i deffo think when we have a not so interesting a may fall asleep! Bring Back James!!!!
Hi, James, it’s quite intersting to reflect that if the diffusers are ruled illegal, Lewis will have 10 points and the win, Ferrari, BMW, Brawn & Red Bull will have none!
On the BBC effort, coverage was good, though commentators were a bit wooden, apart from Martin B. Hopefully, they’ll grow into the job. I wish they’d lose that intro though, let’s just go into Fleetwood Mac and get on with it. Do we need telling that tyres have air in them?
I find I can’t do without your frequent reports now, James. It’s the first time I’ve felt as though a webpage was a conversation. Proper journalism.
I’ve only just discovered your website, James, but I shall be dropping in on it frequently from now on. It’s informed, fair and independent -the last of which isn’t always a required characteristic of a TV commentator, I imagine.
I thought the BBC’s performance at Melbourne was fine – a bit tense, but that’s understandable. I was pleased that Ted K. was still in there.
Now you’re a free agent I shall look forward to reading your thoughts and impressions on F1 even more.
By the way, I just read your second book on Schumacher. Very good, I enjoyed it, but why two? Are you thinking of writing any other F1 driver’s biog? May I suggest one?
Miss ITV’s f1 coverage and your commentary. BBC’s commentary and race coverage(the coverage was not live(delayed by atleast 5 minutes) on TSN in canada midway through the race, just before the second pitstops started.) was horrible.
Once again the results of what used to be the prime motor racing formula, is governed by interpretation of the rules and then only wel after the race has been concluded.
The dithering over yesterdays racing was not a good advertisement for F1 – or the sponsors.
There are far too many rules nowadays and I speak as someone who has followed F! since my first GP at Aintree in 1955. I understand with the advance of technology that restrictions have to be made but I understood that the current legislatin was to slow the cars down. Now we see the top group rotating with almost identical times. Last year saw the ridiculous Singapore GP run in darkness and we also saw the entry to the pit lane casuing problems to the other competitors who were not entering the pit lane. Surely the FIA should have forseen this problem before the race.
The “Safety car” problem is distorting the conduct of the race to an inordinate extent. I accept that the race must take on a different aspect when there is dangerous debiris but why not pull ALL the cars off the track and put them back on the grid., releasing them on the time intervals tey wre occupying when the race was stopped. Problems with cooling tyres etc are the same for all cars – so everyone is in the same boat.
Also starting the races in the Far East late so that TV audiences can be maintained is a nonsense and only servies to fill one person’s pocket. Problems – compounded yesterday by the rain – were apparent last week when the low sun was making driving relatively dangerous.
Can you James, or someone with a very cogent argument please coment on my suggestions and comments ? Life in the current F1 regime is becoming more and more frustrating.
I tried to post this on the about James allen page but it does not load a box like this.
Now look, I don’t know the history but we miss you doing the commentary with Martin B.
I am really getting FED UP with Jonathan Legard who just keeps on interupting, could not predict a strategy out of a paper bag and keeps getting things wrong.
Is there a campaign to bring to back, if the BBC are worried they can send Jonathan Legard back to radio 5 and people who want him on TV can listen via the red button.
I am serious here, I don’t know if I can manage another race with Legard, poor Martin does not get to speak and the chemistry is crap.
Let me know.
First off the bat, I want to say that I was not a fan of your commentating style and so will not be joining the clamour for your return to our screens.
However, I must say that this blog is EXCELLENT and your journalistic style is first rate. I sincerely hope you find a wider outlet for your undisputed writing talents in the specialist or mainstream media. Maybe you’re already talking to Jenson about his autobiography that I am sure will be flying off the shelves come the end of the season?
All the best for the season ahead.
I only discovered you website James, towards the end of last year. I really miss your commentary, any chance of you joining the BBC?
I’m really enjoying your blog and Twitter feed – they are adding immensely to my enjoyment of following F1 and really making me feel like I know what’s going on and when it’s happening.
I would say that you should not try to commentate on qually/races with Twitter. It’s just too hard to follow, and we have the TV coverage anyway. For me, your value comes from the behind the scenes snippets and observations that the TV commentators don’t tend to talk about.
I have one final question, which I hope is not too personal. Who is funding your attendance at the events? Is it the Financial Times?
Please keep your blog and Twitter feed going – they are really great and are in my list of home websites!
Great website, just seeing have you got any information on the moveable front wing. Apart from being shown a button on tv, there seems to be no visual footage showing how the wing moves/works.
Im curious to find out if it is all a hoax? if not is there any footage? and finally how does the FIA police the use (2 times per lap) and the penality?
I think it would upset the balance of the car to much and forces that are generated on the components would make it extremely difficult for the wings to move back and forth during max loads when you would want the change? A story on this would be good.
A delicious rumour floated in the Finnish tabloids that BOTH LH and Heikki will leave McLaren, Heikki to BMW and LH to Brawn to form a Superteam with Jenson and already being called Virgin John Bull Racing. You must admit it has a ring to it!
Furthermore, there is a suggestion in some quarters that Mercedes might take over the team and re-name it, either under Norbert Haug or with Ron D. back at the helm. All pure speculation, of course, but it shows the way people are thinking.
Myself, I can’t help thinking that the recall before the Stewards was the time for the big apology, not sticking to the lie until it was exposed. I don’t think Dave Ryan carries the whole responsibility either.
Hello James,..without people like you!!-F1 would be aboring sport-i always read your articles on the itv site!!-i do enjoy your the way you write and dig deep into topics!!
Agood fan
After only two races it seems several top line teams have such little faith in their own engineering skills and technical departments they need to get three teams banned from using a years developements. They were given the chance a year ago to ban these areas from exploitation and just laughed at the idea, one of these teams Renault) even insisted on the area being left open to developement (but only for their own use it would seem) Where is the smile now.
Even if you have to retro fit a new rear diffuser and learn how to make it work you should be on the pace by mid season and well able to put in a challenge for more glory than you rightly deserve.
They say that kers is worth a second a lap and Brawn are not running it so ferarri renault and bmw have a distinct advantage over them on that front alone. Get their difusers sorted and I understand they all have a version in the making already they should be leagues ahead of the feild without need to keep whinging and whining.
Ferarri are so good for F1 they say yet they win more championships in the court of appeal than on the track these days the fans see confusion and farse with all these appeals changing what results they see and will stop watching if they dont reduce the frequency of these claims and counter claims.
The race stewards should have more control and power to make a final ruling there and then with no appeal decisions should be made before the race ends with more stewards take evidence for the overseeing stewards to decide on.
James, your website is so much better than either ITV or BBC’s efforts….
i wasn’t a fan of your commentating style but after listening to that other chap on BBC, whats his name again….legard? all is forgiven and plead with you to come back, i can’t stand it any longer….he thinks he’s still on radio and clearly doesn’t look at the pictures we are seeing…aaarrhhhhh
for the chinese GP i’m going to be switching to the red button and listening to radio 5 commentary.
keep up the good work on here
ps…wheres louise goodman gone? i liked her.
A pity that the best season in decades is being spoilt by protests about insignificant occurances. Mclaren should not be punished further. The diffusers should be left alone, the other teams can follow suit, this should not be too hard with the resources Mclaren, Ferrari and BMW have. I don`t think that these are the only advantages that the Brawn GP car has, it is a beautiful looking car, it looks fast standing still. Renault ,on the other hand looks slow even on track. rgds John
What a pity McL. didn’t go into the Steward’s and simply say what happened. Jarno left the track, so lost his 3rd place. The McL. team didn’t grasp the situation properly and instructed Lewis to let him past – in error. If they had simply stated the facts they must have been re-instated in 3rd. Instead, through sheer bl**** incompetence, they went in there and perjured themselves.
After the last two races being messed up by the TV schedules and the MotoGP also being spoiled last weekend, I have a revolutionary suggestion; let’s run the races in full daylight, so they are all under the same conditions. People who care will get up to watch, or set their video recorders, or watch the repeat. Is this so hard to grasp?
Of course, there will have to be changes to accommodate the bright visibility to be expected, even sunshine sometimes. Somehow, drivers/riders will have to cope with being able to see where they are going again without the help of the arclights shining off the road surface, but I am confident these problems can be overcome.
Being a resident of Canada, I rely on the web to satisfy my thirst for F1 (the amount of F1 coverage here is pathetic) information and watch the races on TV (but not like I used to).
The most recent news regarding Ron Dennis leaving F1 can only be good. McLaren have dominated the headlines (mostly negative) in the past couple of years and in my opinion are the most corrupt team in F1. I can’t imagine why any reputable corporate sponsor would want to be associated with them. I can’t understand why the Mercedes board of directors hasn’t pulled the plug on McLaren and gotten as far away as they can, but maybe they will come to their senses (given the form of Brawn this year).
I truly wish F1 will achieve some tangible results on cost control and keep teams, race promoters and fans all happy with the show. I still think F1 is too focused on electronics (don’t get me started….). However, my biggest wish for F1 is for the racing to improve so the news headlines are about racing and not the off-track shenanigans which have tarnished it’s reputation as the pinnacle of motorsport.
After today’s race, can we once again req
After today’s race, can we once again request that you, James, return to the commentary team? It may be completely out of your hands and I respect your slience on the matter but Mr Legard is starting to sound like the ex BBC man MW who used to talk in lists and forget that we could see what is happening (unlike the radio) commentator.
I also see from previous posts that we are still referring to the
McLaren/Stewards/deceipt business. We don’t know what what went on the stewards interview with Lewis and his Ops manager. We only know (it seems) what was said at the Press conference – so was all of the speculation really warranted?
Going back to my personal hate – safety cars – why, may I ask the better informed, did the race go for almost 8 laps behind te safety car in conditions which did not seem to change from the time of the start of the TV coverage to the final press conference?
Was this really necessary? Even Alonso said that the sooner we start racing the better.
Oh for the days when the best man won with the better car and there was no interference from regulations and seemingly amateur stewarding.
Press your red button, then the blue and select the audio option radio 5Live.
Do this as soon as the grid walk is over, then change back afterwards. The radio 5Live commentary is much better with David croft and Ant Davidson.. The gridwalk was ok on tv commentary with both DC and MB and the forum was ok afterwards though they should dig a hole for that tall guy and get a box for Mr Gascoigne to stand on, looked like an old Alan Ladd film. 🙂
Can’t help with the stewarding, they all must have super licenses according to the regs, so supposedly they have experience, though one must wonder what at sometimes, avoiding logic perhaps.
hey james i thought u were annoying when u were commentator 4 itv cos of tthe lewis hamilton thing… but now i honestly feel bad, co s i joined this facebook group last year hoping that u wud b replaced as commentator….. at the end of last year though it hit me that u r infact a great commentator who is very ethusiastic and stufff and i realised i like ur commentary alot, i jst wish i wud have recognised it earlier cos u did make the races exciting dude, man u r miles better than j leggard i hope u return. ur blog i sgreat as well and u shud definatly do a podcast that wud b a great idea if u gt the time.
Well there you go, be careful what you wish for…..
Just as a balance to ‘fisicosam’ comments, I was also one of the ones that wanted to see you replaced, but unlike fiscosam, I don’t regret it, sorry. It’s nothing personal, it was just time for a change. Though I have to admit to never being a fan of your commentary style, I think your written work is excellent. This is a view shared by a lot of the people who didn’t like your commentary, it doesn’t me we’ve all come to our senses and seen we were wrong about you all those years, but we appreciate your skills are in your writing ability and knowledge of the sport.
On Legard, surely James you’d agree from your past experience that it is unfair for Legard to be judged at this early stage, as, in a similar way to yourself, he may improve over time. It doesn’t look big of you to seemingly be against Legard as I would have assumed you’d be in a position to understand the rough time he’s having settling in, maybe I have judged your character incorrectly.
Of course, there’s only one person that should have been considered for the main commentary role, Ben Edwards, but it seems that the BBC don’t appreciate his obvious status as one of the best motorsport commentators ever…
(I expect my post won’t be allowed to get on to the site, so I’ll just say this to you James, keep up the good work. 🙂 )
Hi James – Do you not feel any sympathy towards Jonathan Legard? I know it’s years since Murray retired now, but comparisons with his commentaries will be made for decades to come. The poor guy’s in exactly the same boat as you were.
I’m just disappointed that people judge so early. Three races simply isn’t enough time. I enjoyed what I heard when Legard did the 5 live commentaries and I’m sure there’s much more to come. He needs to relax and settle into the lead commentator role.
You improved as a commentator over the years. Hopefully the same will happen with Jonathan – though TV is a very different kettle of fish to radio. The pressure really is on (and Legard doesn’t have a load of three-and-a-half minute tea breaks during the race to catch his breath).
Please don’t bait the mindless attacks of the minority. It’s disappointing to see.
Have a nice weekend in Bahrain.
Starting off on a positive note, this season is starting to look very open with several teams going for honours and that is good for Formula One. The days of dominance by one team have hopefully been addressed but I see a big “however” on the scene.
The problem is that Bernie Ecclestone is starting to vioce opinions in public (TV0 which really should be kept to himself. Let us look at his position in the sport.
He is the President and CEO of F1 Management and F! Administration therefore he is the prime authority in F!. A person in his position should really keep his personal thoughts to himself not as witnessed yesterday when talking to Martin Brundle. He (BE) almost choked when he referred to “that car”, Martin helpfully said the word “Brawn ?” and the body language from BE was …..well, it said a lot.
Bernie is only interested in his media involvement and that overrides all other considerations.
Asking for opinions from others, I was reminded of his obvious bias towards Ferrari and his dislike of McLaren. His proclaimed support for one driver against another is another example.
Couple this with his support for Donnington against Slverstone for the British GP, it appears to us that he is not the man for the job in that he should not go public on matters such as these. For him to say that Silverston had its chances and did not take them is flying in the face of the facts. I understand (correct me if I am wrong) that the taxpayer paid for a massive improvement in the road system surrounding Silverstone, all done in the guise of keeping Silverstone as the home of the British GP. Have you sen how the traffic backs up on the M1 when there is a big race on at Donnington?
Did you not James, in an earlier blog give us many reasons as to why Donnington was a most unlikely venue for the GP. The problems of the radio frequences used by the teams interfering with the radio aids at nearby East Midlands Airport spring to mind.
I might be out on a limb here but I go back to the positioning of the pit lane entry at the Singapore GP. Why was this not seen before it created a hazard to drivers who were suddenly confronted with a slow car entering the lane. What about the late start times for recent races presenting weather and poor light problems for the drivers. Where was Bernie then???
Oh Yes – of course. Maximising the TV audience.
You are right in saying that the injustice meted out to Webber is wrong. Just like a government, the more you try to legislate the more problems you bring to the surface. The business of qualifying needs to be looked at in detail. Who will do that? Please not Mr Ecclestone.
The plain daft safety car rules should be amended immediately to bring some comon sense and pure racing back in to the sport.
i could go one but I need more space. Let us hope for an accident free and a racers race today in Bahrain.
James
You are a motorsport enthusiast, so may I ask if you watch MotoGP? I know it isn’t the focus of this site, or blog, but it is motorsport of the highest quality, with the highest level of unfettered development, unlike our beloved F1.5.
Furthermore, as a sporting spectacle, I submit that it has no equal, where the riders race each other at speeds often in excess of those of F1.5 cars with their downforce-limited maxima and indulge in overtaking manoeuvers many times per lap within inches of each other.
I am sure that none of this is new to you, James and I would love to hear your comments on it. All I am trying to do here is inform any bloggers who don’t already watch, that this the sort of racing we care about and they should give it a look. Apologies to those who already know.
Yes, I wouldn’t say that I never miss a race, but I love bike racing. I was at Silverstone in the Sheene/Roberts days etc.
have always been a huge fan of Valentino Rossi, since I saw him in 125s, years ago. He’s very special. I’m a big fan of all kinds of motorbikes, have always ridden them since I was 13 years old and both my sons ride Moto X.
congtratulations to yor blog, its amazing! i’m started to read a few hours ago anda i dont want start to read ! Congratulations!
I miss you from the f1 comentry… it hasnt been the same.. however i like to read your itv-f1 feature and find it very enlightning… please some how take over legards job and be back in the comentating seat!!!!!! there are facebook groups already wanting you back… and there are quite a few people in those groups (Y)
Hi James
I am a big fan of F1 and a McClaren Fan. I am so annoyed and angry with McClaren because it seems there wasting Hamilton’s talent,Hamilton deserves a fantastic car after wining the f1 last year. I have been watching the car in the races and l am sorry to say the McClaren car looks terrible what is going on this can’t be happening. I am so disppointed and l feel for hamilton because l am sure hamilton was not expecting button to get of to a flying start. I am sure the car will get better in the season.. On Button he is a show of l do not like him and l hope he does not win the championship because he does not deserve it in my opinion and also it would not suprise me if the brawn team have cheated l am sure there is a flaw in their spanners.Button should shut up and leave F1 altogther because he is a absoutley disgrace to F1. My comments hear are harsh but its the way l feel at this moment. come lewis show button up in the next few races go on my boy.
Unfortunately Brian, there is no guarantee that a World Champ will have a flyer of a car to defend his championship with the following season. Examples, Schumacher 2005, Villeneuve 1998, Hill 1997, Senna 1992 etc.
Do you have any evidence for your suspicion that Brawn are cheating? Those cars are scrutineered at every GP.
Why so down on Button? Hasn’t he suffered enough with poor cars? Can you not grant him a little pleasure at finally winning some races?
Hamilton has to learn that a great car is not guaranteed every year, he will end up a better driver as a result.
Hi James.
Any chance of doing an interview with Anthony Davidson?
Would be really keen to hear his thoughts about working in Brawn GP & his plans for the future in F1.
We can take a look at that. Ant is a good bloke.
Hi James
Just a quick note of thanks really. It only in the past few months that I have found this site, and now reading it is a daily ritual. Your tone, knowledge and level of detail throughout each of your posts is fantastic – and throughly enjoyable to read.
The perfect mix of news and opinion.
Thanks
Steven
James,
I thought I understood F1 till I started reading this site. JamesAllenF1 has become, for me at least, the go to site to understand what is really going on….
Keep it straight and interesting (exactly as it is now). None of the blurb and fancy stuff on ITV F1 and BBC sites. Your gut feeling, say it how you see it…. Warts and all.
Only 1 things better about the BBC coverage… The lack of adverts and obvious dislike that DC and EEEEJaaay have for each other. EJ just seems such a [moderated].
Keep it up.
P
Hi James.
I live and watch F1 in the United States on the Speed Channel. You’ve worked with Bob Varsha and David Hobbs in the past earlier in your career when F1 was on ESPN.
Anyway, I wanted to throw an idea out to you. As you know, Peter Windsor will be starting his own Formula One team for next year. As such, his pitlane reporting duties will likely end, and Speed Channel will need someone on site to bring us paddock reports.
I’d like for you to throw your hat in the ring for that job! The team of Varsha, Hobbs and Steve Machett are excellent, but we need another strong voice that can give us the inside scoop with the on track (and off) goings on.
Love your work on this website. Please keep it up!
Best regards,
Adil
not much moderation seems to occur, is it possible to allow regular posters to post directly onto the site. Speeding up posting will make this more interactive and user friendly
James Allen,
It is beyond me how you can make Jenson Button the Star of Qualifying in Turkey . Sebastian Vettle topped all 3 sessions .
I guess you sleep too much on your English Passport
You and Martin Brundle have a lot in common.
Wolfgang Decker
Vancouver
Canada
Read the story, Button’s lap was faster when you take the relative fuel loads into comparison.
Would it surprise you if Barrichello does something on the foolish side at some point with Button in the heat of the moment in a race? His comments suggesting he and Button are not treated equally and his overtaking tries in Turkey strike me as one a bit out of balance.
Thanks for all your postings. I appreciated the thought posted by one of your fans here of how great it would be to see you take Peter Windsor’s place on Speed TV.
I love the GP specific banners, any chance of a gallery to see them all?
James
The fans will not quickly forgive either the FIA or FOTA – or perhaps I should just say Max & Luca – if it all blows up this Friday. This is the stuff which starts wars, a couple of people who are supposed to be acting in our best interests digging their heels in. There will eventually be a solution, as there is to all wars once enough people have died, why don’t they talk each other to death instead? There is obviously a middle ground, they should be locked in a room on bread & water until they stumble onto it.
I wonder how Bernie feels, watching these people dismantling his business?
The way things look, we won’t even know on Friday what will really happen; we have to wait for this FIA/Ferrari contract business to be settled, probably in court, before we know who will be racing where. It seems that your suggestion is the likeliest, McL. & Brawn having to enter, the other three leaving. Certainly, some rules need to be agreed soon, how will anyone know what they need to build for next year otherwise?
Anyway, there is hope for all real racing enthusiasts in MotoGP. If you didn’t see the race from Barcelona last Sunday, I beg you all to go to BBC iPlayer and watch it, though I should warn that the last lap in particular is not for persons of a timid disposition!
Hi James
As a long time F1 fan I feel that the time has come for the teams to strike out on their own. The vision of F1 offered by Bernie and Max is one of race being held only at venues where there is no tradition or history of F1. The only requirement will be for the host country to pay an exorbitant fee to cover the biblical debt paid for F1’s commercial rights. The net result of overtime will the loss of the traditional fan base. In addition, many fans have grown tired of having their race being constantly threatened – whether that is in the US, Canada, Britian or France. The time has come for the teams to leave the current commercial arrangement. Some stability and hard-racing please. Lets leave all of the wrangling over rules and hosting fees behind us.
James,
Before I make my point/question I would like to say I am a huge fan of yours, you provide a graphic insight into what happens behind the scenes of F1.
You said that the “real deadline” will be in march just before next season. But surely it will be well before this as the teams need time to prepare and design for next season’s championship(s) (though they don’t know the rules yet).
I would say the deadline will be in the next 7-10 days, because FOTA need time to arrange their series which would take about 6-7 months, while FIA need roughly the same time to allow the teams to design based on the rules next season.
James,
I’ve just found your blog.
Your articles are fascinating and apparently insightful. Or going by some of the replies, inciteful.
I only hope there’s an F1, FOTA and/or FiA, available for you to enlighten us on next season.
Given your history, your lack of apparent bias is remarkable.
Thanks for your efforts. I really appreciate them.
Do you remember a flyer that used to do the rounds back in the days of Brabham? Was it called The Cobra? Scurrilous to an extreme. It inspired me to start one at the nick I was working at but after issue four I got disciplined following a comment about the Lord Mayor of London’s movements (firm and regular was my guess). Is there an online reincarnation of similar flyers on current teams?
Regards,
Derek
Thanks for that. Not as far as I know
James,
You know a lot about the US Open Wheel series of the 90s, I remember you used to present a show when Mansell went over ther.
Remember how brilliant it was in the 90s? Then the manufacturers formed CART we had the split. IRL/CART. The damage let NASCAR dominate US racing and open wheel has never recovered.
Mosley is like Tony George, FOTA is CART and FIA is the IRL. We have the warnings please do your best to remind people of this.
Hi James,
Huge fan, love the website; it gives a different angle to usual news articles. I’m not a big reader but find myself enthralled by your opinions etc.
I’m a huge Mansell fan and really enjoyed his autobiography, which i know you co-wrote so thank you for that.
Anyway, the reason for my blog entry is because i’m intrigued by the fact that i heard you asking questions during the post race press conference – can we look forward to that as a permanent fixture or was it a one off?
Cheers
Steve
Yes I have been asked to do it regularly
Just a couple of points to ponder. It seems that many times I have heard drivers etc say that “there is no overtaking here” We heard it from Jensen at Silverstone and many others at at Monaco. I know the performance of the top cars is such that overtaking is not easy but surely the circuit is also responsible. I used to go to Silverstone in the 50’s and 60’s when overtaking was always possible. Yes – I do understand the arguments but……..perhaps this is something that needs to be taken into consideration when discussing the points raised by Mr Moseley.
Looking at the current problems of F1 from a distance it does appear to me that the problem is not the finance etc alone but the gradual realisation that the autocratic managment of F1 by messrs Ecclestone and Moseley is the fundamental reason for the current situation. Ecclestone must realise that he cannot hold people to ransom with his own business plans (at the expense of the public)and Moseley must soon be replaced by “hands on ” management with a proven history of good “judgement”.
Need I say more.
David D
Hi James – I live in Derby, so anything to do with the move of the British GP to Donnington is big local news. I’ve not seen anywhere other than our local paper report that Simon Gillett believes that they have the right to renegotiate, and possibly drop the contract to host the British GP if the FOTA breakaway goes ahead. He is already commenting that the current unrest is affecting his ability to raise the cash he needs to ensure the site is ready on time. Do yo have any insights or information on this? I’m surprised it’s not being more widely reported.
Hey James,
Should FOTA have gone for a more immediate soulution by asking for Max to resign straight away because there was always going to be a chance of the “stab in the back” taking place a few months down the line?
P.S. hope we’ll hear more of you in the post race drivers press interviews!