Let’s Talk: Some of F1’s More Unusual Moments

In motorsport nothing is set in stone. And, Formula One is no exception to this. In fact, there have been some unusual and bizarre moments that have occurred in F1 history. From the infamous United States Grand Prix in 2005 to the suspension failure on the Toro Rosso during practice at the 2010 Chinese Grand Prix. These are just two of many moments that have us saying or thinking "wtf?!" So, grab your coffee and cake because we're about to delve into some of F1's more unusual moments.

United States Grand Prix 2005

The most notorious race in the history of F1 and motorsport. Surely you've heard about it?

The race took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on 19th June 2005 on a weekend where tyre failures were the main talking points. Two tyre manufacturers, Bridgestone and Michelin, were the tyre suppliers for that season and new rules for 2005 meant that tyre changes were forbidden during race conditions.

After several large accidents at Turn 13 during practice sessions, Michelin advised it's customers that they would need to reduce their speed in that particular corner due to increased tyre loading. If not, the tyres would become unsafe and would end up with a relatively low lifespan of around 10 laps. Michelin could not understand why the tyres were acting like they were in that specific turn so decided to fly in a different compound. In fact, the new compound was used earlier in the year at the Spanish Grand Prix. This tyre also failed at Turn 13.

On race day, all 20 cars who were entered into the race lined up on the grid, as per usual. But, at the end of the formation lap, all cars running Michelin tyres peeled of into the pits leaving the six sole Bridgestone runners. Only six drivers, Schumacher, Barrichello, Montiero, Karthikeyan, Albers and Friesacher, completed the race with the only overtaking being that of lapped cars. Schumacher was the eventual winner with Barichello and Montiero joining him in the podium.

The tyre controversy had a negative impact on Formula One, especially within the US where the race was labelled a "farce" and fans were extremely unhappy. Even teams went as far to tell the FIA to "sort out the sport before there's no sport to sort out." Later findings then suggested that teams were to be "found guilty of not being in possession of suitable tyres" and "failure to allow their cars to race." This decision was later overturned. Fans were eventually reimbursed and F1 returned to Indianapolis the following year. Michelin ceased its partnership with F1 in 2006.

Driving With Two Wheels

Car failures are a regular occurance in motorsport. Whether it's the engine, gearbox, hydraulics etc; failures happen. But during a practice session at the Shanghai International Circuit for the 2010 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix, all was not what it seemed down at Toro Rosso.

Then Toro Rosso driver, Sebastien Buemi, was out on track collecting data, as one does during a practice session. While thundering along the main straight at 190mph, both suspension rods at the front of the car seemed to snap as Buemi hit the brakes. Buemi tried to control the car with just two wheels intact but as you would expect he had no luck. However, a cameraman behind the barrier was probably counting his lucky stars after one of the run away tyres hit the barrier and flew over the fencing just missing him.

After an investigation into the very rare occurance, it was concluded that the failure was caused by the "front right upright," a new design that had been introduced for that particular race weekend. The team then reverted to an old design for the rest of the Chinese GP event.

Everyone Runs Out of Fuel

Fuel saving always seems to become a talking point within a Formula One season and it was no different in 1985.

At that years San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, a track notorious for fuel consumption, the FIA decided to enforce new regulations in regards to fuel. A limit of 220 litres had been introduced meaning that teams would have to modify their race strategies dramatically. However, only one team and one driver got it right with almost everyone else running out of fuel before the end of the race.

With only three laps to go, Senna ran out of fuel and was soon followed by Johansson who had inherited the lead from the Brazilian. After a number of other changes for the lead, Prost was the eventual winner. But in true F1 style, the results at the chequered flag were not the official results. Prost was disqualified due to an underweight car. Elio de Angelis was the only driver to make it back to the pits with fuel and therefore inherited the win. Second and third placed drivers, Boutsen and Tambay, both ran out of fuel on the start-finish straight of the last lap. They pushed their cars across the line. Ten out of twenty six drivers were classified at the end of the race with all but one out of fuel. The sixteen classified DNFs were not to do with fuel consumption.

Everybody Wanted A Tow, So No One Got A Tow

Back in 2019, the final qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix was a bit of a mess.

With only 6 minutes left out of the 12 minute session, Raikkonen spun and hit the barrier at Turn 11 causing a red flag and taking himself out of the session. Once the session resumed the track lay quiet with not a single driver appearing to put in a fast lap.

Why?

Well, Monza is one of the best circuits for gaining a tow of another driver. The simple answer is that no one wanted to be first out.

There were only two minutes left when Hulkenberg took to the track in his Renault causing a chain reaction with the other teams and drivers. He went straight on at the first chicane and was accused of purposely trying to let other drivers through so he could get a tow. However, the two drivers behind, Stroll and Sainz, slowed enough so that they would stay in position.

With the drivers squabbling their way around the track, time was starting to disappear and soon things got desperate. Sainz and Leclerc were the only two drivers to finish their out laps in time. Ultimately, everyone behind missed out.

After the qualifying session, which saw Leclerc take pole, there was a lot of criticism on how the session was handled. With numerous team principles labelling the session as a "junior class" and "not F1 worthy." Hulkenberg, Sainz and Stroll were all called to the stewards for unnecessary slow driving and all three drivers received a reprimand. The stewards concluded that these three particular drivers "played a significant role in the backing up of cars at a critical stage of the final out lap for Q3" and that "the stewards strongly recommend that the FIA expedite a solution to this type of situation".

So there you have it with just a small glimpse into some of the more strange and unusual moments that can happen in Formula One. There are plenty more out there so maybe, one day, I'll do a part two. What are your favourite bizarre F1 moments? Let me know in the comments! I'll be looking forward to reading them!

5 Things I’d Like To See Happen in F1 in 2023

The 2022 Formula One Season is nothing but a memory. Another season written into the F1 history books. Now all eyes are reigning down upon 2023. Can Max Verstappen win a third consecutive championship? Can Ferrari provide their drivers with better strategies? And, will anyone emerge as a surprise title contender?

In no way, shape or form is this any kind of a prediction. I'm not gifted in that way. But, I'd like to look back on this post at the end of the 2023 season and see which of these actually happened.

Below, I have listed five things I'd like to see happen in the 2023 Formula One season. I've tried to keep them as realistic as possible but sometimes you just can't help one's imagination!

Carlos Sainz World Champion!

It's not impossible.

But, with the likes of Leclerc, Hamilton and Verstappen on the grid it wouldn't be an easy task. That's not to say Carlos isn't capable of it. Of course, he would need to up his game a bit, have more luck and, most importantly, have Ferrari on his side, which may be difficult with Leclerc being the supposed "number one driver" and the younger protégée in the team. But, anything can happen in motorsport. Just look at Interlagos in 2008 when Felipe Massa won the championship on home soil for a mere 30 seconds before a slow Timo Glock allowed Lewis Hamilton to pass giving him the championship instead. Heartbreak. But that's motorsport.

We all love the element of surprise in motorsport and it's about time that an underdog took the crown. As a Carlos fan, you may call me biased, but I'm all for him to win the 2023 Formula One World Championship.

More Winners!

Remember the 2012 season? It was one of my favourites, for sure. What stood out for me that year was the amount of drivers to win a race in the first half of that particular season. There were seven different winners in the first seven races including Williams' and Pastor Maldonado's infamous and surprise win at that year's Spanish Grand Prix.

To see this in Formula One again would be magnificent. At times the sport can be too predictable and although some rules and regulations were changed for 2022, as a way to help induce more competition, it hasn't exactly worked as everyone hoped. Red Bull and Max Verstappen ran away with both championships in 2022. They got everything right. From car development to strategies. Maybe, in 2023, other teams will have learnt from their mistakes in car developement and strategies amongst other things. Maybe they could challenge Red Bull. Maybe, just maybe, we could have seven different winners in seven different races?

End of the Sprint?

It's been nearly 2 years since the Sprint Race format first replaced qualifying at some F1 events and I STILL can't understand why it's a thing.

Like a lot of things in F1, qualifying became too predictable and the sprint was drafted in as a way to make it more exciting and create a more mixed up grid for the main race on the Sunday. But again, like a lot of things in F1, it hasn't worked as everyone hoped. The majority of sprint races haven't been exciting and the final grid has remained pretty predictable. I say the "majority" because the 2022 Sprint Race in Brazil was fascinating. With a Haas on pole and overcast weather, it was a good one but still, what was the point? I'd rather have seen the main race with overcast weather and a Haas on pole.

For me, the sprint isn't about the racing. It's another piece of the entertainment puzzle and another money maker. And, looking on social media, a number of F1 fans agree. Even Max Verstappen has been vocal about his doubts. Will F1 and their management finally listen? Could this be the last season of the sprint race?

Less Controversies, Please!

Controversies have ALWAYS been a thing in Formula One. They include the 2007 espionage controversy (or Spygate) - where teams such as McLaren, Ferrari and Renault were passing confidential, technical information between one another. There was also "Crashgate" at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Here, Renault driver; Nelson Piquet Jr, deliberately crashed on lap 14 in order to aid his then teammate; Fernando Alonso, to victory. And then, in more recent times, we have the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where a controversial safety car restart decided who won the that years championship. The list of controversies is pretty much endless.

However, controversies in F1 are starting to become more frequent. In 2022 alone there were at least 3 different controversies compared to the years between 1999 and 2001 where zero were recorded. (Information from Wikipedia.) Surely, social media has a play in this? Somewhere, somehow? The sport is more prevelant on social media than ever before and people like drama. But still, you cannot dismiss the incompetence of the FIA at times.

It, in my opinion, would be great if the controversies were kept to a minimum in 2023. A lot of the racing had been overshadowed by such events in 2021 and 2022. I just want to enjoy racing without the drama. But then again, sometimes it's fun.

Nail-Biting, Gripping, Unpredictable Races!

This one is pretty self explanatory. And, in all fairness to F1, in recent times, we've had some pretty decent races. Take the 2022 British Grand Prix for example. No one had an idea as to who was going to win that one after a late safety car. Would it be home favourite; Hamilton? Or underdog, Perez? Sainz was the eventual winner. As a Sainz fan, this race stressed me out but that is racing and it's the adrenaline that fuels us and keeps us hooked. This is what we need more of!

Unfortunately, with the amount of new tracks that seem to be added every year, I don't think will be getting many "nail-biting, gripping, unpredictable races" often. Why? Because they're badly laid out street circuits and my expectation on them is quite low. I hope I'm wrong.

So, there we have it. The five things that I would love to see happen in the 2023 F1 season! The likelihood of any of these happening is probably quite low but you never know! Do you agree with me, or, do you have different opinions or expectations? Let me know in the comments below!

Opinion: Mick Schumacher. Goodbye Haas. Hello Mercedes.

Mick Schumacher. I’m sure you’ve heard of him? 2018 Formula 3 champion, 2020 Formula 2 champion, has been driving for Haas in Formula One since 2021 and is son of seven time F1 World Champion; Michael Schumacher? Yup, that’s him. Unfortunately for the young German, his career in Formula One hasn’t been quite as pristine as his F2 and F3 campaigns. Or that, of his father’s career. In fact, just before the last race of the 2022 season, one of the worst kept secrets of F1 was confirmed. Schumacher would lose his  seat at Haas leaving him without a race seat in 2023. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the 23 year old. Seeing that Schumacher was now free from any contracts, Mercedes AMG F1 Team jumped at the chance to replace their departing reserve drivers, Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, with the young ex-Ferrari protege that is Mick Schumacher. So, what do I make of this new signing? Is it a good move or a bad one? And, was Haas right to let Schumacher go in favour of the, more experienced, Nico Hulkenberg?

As mentioned before, Schumacher never had it easy in Formula One. His difficult start was, somewhat, expected, but still, expectations were high for him to perform well. He’s a Schumacher, after all. However, this never came to fruition and the German driver ended his first F1 Championship season in 19th place with zero points. On the plus side, he did beat his then teammate, Nikita Mazepin.

After a successful pre-season test in Bahrain and the return of Kevin Magnussen to the Haas team, things were looking up for Haas and Schumacher in 2022. But as with 2021, things were still not coming together for the 23 year old. It took him until the British Grand Prix before he scored his first points in F1. Towards the end of the season, the likelihood of seeing Schumacher in F1 in 2023 was starting to look bleak with his fate confirmed just before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It was obvious the relationship between Haas and Schumacher was starting to break down from mid-2022. For that reason alone, I think it was time for him to leave. However, I don't particularly think that Schumacher is/was a bad driver. He's a very capable driver and F1 is a completely different ball game to the likes of F2 and F3. Unfortunately for Schumacher, I believe he was hindered by his name. People expected too much and became too critical when he couldn't emulate his father's success. They would forget Mick is not Michael. Even TV pundits would call Mick Michael every now and again. That was the issue. People struggled to differentiate the two.

Mercedes, however, have recognised Mick's capabilities by signing him as reserve driver for 2023. The likelihood of a race seat with the team in the near future is quite unlikely. However, I think a reserve seat at a top team, such as Mercedes, is the next best thing for him. So, although Schumacher isn't racing, he's still involved in F1 and still gets the experience to help him in the future. Plus, there is always the possibility that he can get a seat with a team that runs a Mercedes engine.

I'm quite undecided over my opinions of Haas replacing Schumacher. Of course the signing of an experienced driver, like Nico Hulkenberg, will be a benefit to the team, but should they have kept Mick? I really don't know. I am, however, under the impression that a reserve role in a different team will do more good than harm to him. He can start afresh and watch from the inside, building on his experience. Only time will tell if we'll see Schumacher in F1 once again. I think it'll be a shame if we don't.