Future of Formula 1 - Where to Next?

Formula 1 has never had it better as a sport with growing and glowing TV ratings worldwide. Never in its history has it had such a following from fans and the media from all corners of the globe.

And never has a Formula 1 season has been so prolific and long as the 2012 season - with a record 20 seasons, 2012 will be the longest F1 season yet.

But given how many countries and places are bidding to host a GP, could there be more F1 races in the future?

Yes, Jean Todt, FIA president, has said that 20 races is probably the most teams can take part in but then again a couple of years ago, Max Mosley said that 18 was the most.

To be honest, I can actually see them going as far as 25 especially if it means that the Formula 1 World Championship will go to places like South Africa, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, thereby becoming a truly global world championship.

Furthermore, with the FIA now trying to enforce rules on teams that will cut costs, i.e. less testing, shorter race weekends, etc., this could enable F1 teams to be able to go to more places.

As it stands, the 2014 F1 season could be the longest in history judging by this potential schedule:

The soon to be finished Austin F1 track

March - Australia, Malaysia, South Africa
April - China, Bahrain
May - Spain, Monaco
June - Canada, New Jersey, France
July - Britain, Germany, Hungary, Russia
August - Summer break
September - Belgium, Italy, Singapore
October - India, Korea, Japan
November - Brazil, Austin, Abu Dhabi

*Russia will host a GP on the streets of 2014 Olympic host city, Sochi from 2014.
*South Africa is rumoured to be hosting a GP on the streets of Cape Town around Green Point stadium and could host a race as early as 2014.
*New Jersey will join the F1 circuit from 2013.
*The French GP could be back in 2014 after a brief hiatus, returning to the wonderful Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France.  

Spa could potentially be lost to F1 in demand for races from Asia

As we all know, F1 started originally in Europe and remains firmly rooted there, even if the number of races in Europe has slowly diminished. The days where countries like Italy, Germany, Spain and even England could host more than one grand prix annually, rebadged as the San Marino, European, Luxembourg GP are about to go with Barcelona and Valencia now likely to share the Spanish GP just like Hockenheim and the Nurburgring share the German GP.

Yeongnam, Korea

In fact, Asia and Europe will eventually share the same number of grand prix per season - the money for F1 is clearly in Asia, with governments there seeing the massive dollar signs and potential publicity as a result of having a global sport like F1 in their country for just that one weekend and more willing than most local Western European governments to pay the exorbitant fee that Bernie Ecclestone demands - that's the reason why we're not going to the wonderful Istanbul circuit in 2012 by the way.

Potential background for New Jersey GP?

And then there's the USA, still easily the world's largest consumer market and will be for a while yet. F1 has always struggled to gain a firm footing and respectability in the States due to the politics there and competition with NASCAR and Indycars but now could be the time for F1 to truly shine with the Americans slowly embracing the world's other delights - the Premier League for example has become quite popular in the USA with the likes of Man United and Liverpool set to tour there in the summer. In 2014 we will see two races in the USA with one in New Jersey around the same time as the ever popular Canadian Grand Prix and one in November in Austin in the middle of football season - I have a feeling the Texas GP could be quite popular.

Finally, there's Brazil, a place F1 will certainly not desert given the huge contribution the country has made to the sport with Senna, Fittipaldi, Piquet, Barrichello, Massa, etc. and a country where there is a healthy synergy between fans and teams. Furthermore, Brazil is slowly becoming one of the most important economies in the world and whether they're still racing at the charming Interlagos circuit or not, F1 will still be in Brazil.

But there could be further expansion into Latin America with Mexico and Argentina also talking up their chances of hosting a GP. Mexico's chances could be aided by the rise and rise of young Sergio Perez especially if he gets behind the wheel of a Ferrari. The only problem is the crime in Mexico but the same could be said about Brazil.

So F1 is on the rise and clearly a sport in demand worldwide. The trouble is is there enough of the drivers, teams to go around? And when is enough enough? Unfortunately we won't really know. At this stage I'd say 25 F1 races could be a reality much earlier than you think.

Best Non Premier League XI

Lionel Messi

So apparently most of the best players in the world are playing in the Premier League. Well, actually no, the best players in the world are still not playing in the Premier League - a few candidates for that mantle are but the real contenders like Messi, Ronaldo are playing in Spain.

Anyway, based on current form...

Going for a 4-3-3 system based on the talent on offer..

Holger Badstuber

GK - Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich

DF - Philipp Lahm, Real Madrid
DF - Carlos Puyol, Barcelona
DF - Holger Badstuber, Bayern Munich
DF - Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid

MF - Xavi, Barcelona
MF - Sami Khedira, Real Madrid
MF - Andres Iniesta, Barcelona

FW - Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich
FW - Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
FW - Lionel Messi, Barcelona

SUBSTITUTES -
GK - Iker Casillas, Real Madrid
DF - Gerard Pique, Barcelona
MF - Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern Munich
MF - Mario Goetze, Borussia Dortmund
FW - Mario Gomez, Bayern Munich

World Cricket XI

The Southern Hemisphere summer of cricket has pretty much ended now - South Africa's tour of New Zealand was the last active tour in the Southern Hemisphere, ending almost 5 weeks into the rugby season in New Zealand in fact.

However, county cricket is due to start shortly in England, heralding the start of the Northern Hemisphere's summer of cricket for 2012. In fact, England are playing a series in Sri Lanka as we speak.

So who would make the World XI for tests, ODIs and Twenty20s at the moment?

My tip:
Tests:

Pup had a summer to remember

Graeme Smith, South Africa
Mohammed Hafeez, Pakistan
Ricky Ponting, Australia
Michael Clarke, Australia (captain)
AB de Villiers, South Africa
Jacques Kallis, South Africa
Mark Boucher, South Africa (wk)
Dale Steyn, South Africa
Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan
Vernon Philander, South Africa
Morne Morkel, South Africa

What a summer to be South African. I placed Ponting over Sangakarra based on this summer and you've gotta pick that South African trio of Steyn, Philander and Morkel. No stand-out wicketkeepers for me this summer.

ODIs:

Ajmal: England's menace and best slow bowler at the moment?

Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka
David Warner, Australia
Kumar Sangakarra, Sri Lanka
Hashim Amla, South Africa
AB de Villiers, South Africa (wk/captain)
David Hussey, Australia
Dan Christian, Australia
Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan
Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka
Steve Finn, England
Morne Morkel, South Africa

AB de Villiers - the best all round player in the world?

Twenty20s:
Martin Guptill, New Zealand
Richard Levi, South Africa
Kevin Pietersen, England
Mahendra Dhoni, India
AB de Villiers, South Africa (wk/captain)
David Hussey, Australia
Graeme Swann, England
Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan
Stuart Broad, England
Tim Southee, New Zealand
Morne Morkel, South Africa

NB: Sri Lanka only played one Twenty20 so took only players who have featured in series this summer.

QB Scenario for 2012 NFL Season

With free agency open and the NFL draft drawing closer, the quarterback scenario in the NFL for the 2012 season is starting to become evident. The scenario will get clearer as contracts are cleared up but here is the picture of the quarterbacks at all 32 franchises at the moment.

*quarterbacks in italics - backup quarterback
*quarterbacks in bold - my tips to fill the spot

Why God why?

AFC
East
New England - Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett
New York Jets - Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow
Miami - Matt Moore, David Garrard
Buffalo - Ryan Fitzpatrick


North
Pittsburgh - Ben Roethlisberger, David Dixon
Baltimore - Joe Flacco
Cincinnati - Andy Dalton
Cleveland - Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace

South
Houston - Matt Schaub, TJ Yates
Tennessee - Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Locker
Jacksonville - Blaine Gabbert
Indianapolis - Dan Orlovsky, Andrew Luck

West
Denver - Peyton Manning
San Diego - Phillip Rivers
Oakland - Carson Palmer
Kansas City - Matt Cassel

NFC 

RG3 at Washington?

East
New York Giants - Eli Manning
Philadelphia - Michael Vick
Dallas - Tony Romo, Kyle Orton
Washington - Robert Griffin III

North
Green Bay - Aaron Rodgers
Detroit - Matt Stafford
Chicago - Jay Cutler
Minnesota - Christian Ponder


South
New Orleans - Drew Brees
Atlanta - Matt Ryan
Tampa Bay - Josh Freeman
Carolina - Cam Newton

West
San Francisco - Alex Smith
Seattle - Matt Flynn, Tarvaris Jackson
Arizona - John Skelton, Kevin Kolb
St Louis - Sam Bradford

Most Beautiful F1 Cars Ever

Arrows A21 of 2000 - just missed out on this list!

There's so much to love about Formula 1 but the one thing that surely gets people excited about a sport where the cars go round and round 50 odd times on a Sunday afternoon has to be those cars.

In fact, it is often a beautiful F1 chassis that is a winner especially in a sport where wind tunnels are mandatory and aerodynamic efficiency is nirvana. Of course the aero age only really took off in the late 1970s courtesy of Colin Chapman's ground effect Lotus cars, but there were some beauties well before that.

Here are 10 of the most beautiful F1 cars ever designed - and probably some of the most memorable and successful ever.

Mercedes-Benz W196
Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss won 9 out of 12 races in the so-called Silver Arrows, with Fangio winning the championship in 1954 and 1955. The W196 came in a streamlined body suited for the super fast tracks like Monza and a conventional open wheel version for twistier tracks like the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife. An early F1 classic.

Ferrari 156 F1
The iconic sharknose was designed by Ferrari to comply with the new rules for the 1961 season. Phil Hill drove the 156 to his one and only driver's championship as well as a constructor's championship for the Scuderia. The 156 raced on until 1964 before it was replaced by the 158.

Lotus 49
The first ever car to be powered by the longtime hit, the Cosworth DFV, the Lotus 49 was a winner from 1967 to 1970 in the hands of Jim Clark and Graham Hill. Sadly, the great Clark died before he would win a championship in the car but Hill won the car's first title in 1968.


Lotus 79

Another Lotus to define Formula 1, the Lotus 79 was the first ground effect car to really dominate the sport. While the Lotus 78 did pioneer ground effect in Formula 1 the season before, the 79 was the first ground effect car to win the driver's and constructor's championship with American Mario Andretti winning the 1978 title with four 1-2 finishes. The great Swede, Ronnie Peterson, was also a winner but sadly died after sustaining major injuries in a crash at the 1978 Italian Grand Prix.

Brabham BMW BT52
This wasn't the best car on the grid in 1983, but it made history by becoming the first turbocharged car to win the driver's championship courtesy of Nelson Piquet, cuing a turbocharged era that would last until they were outlawed for the 1989 season. The BMW engine was probably one of the most powerful ever producing up to 850 bhp for qualifying. My favourite Gordon Murray car.

Williams-Renault FW14
Quite possibly the most technologically advanced F1 car ever made as it featured all the automatic gearbox, traction control and active suspension tech which would at some stage in the future be banned by the FIA. Nigel Mansell swept all aside in 1992 with the first truly great Williams-Renault after a highly promising  1991 winning the drivers championship with 5 rounds to spare. Given the current stance on driver aids, Adrian Newey's FW14 along with its successor the FW15 might turn out to be the only ones of their kind.  

McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13
Another Newey classic and another silver beauty. McLaren's first championship winner since 1991 and Mercedes' since the 1950s was one for the aerodynamicists to cherish with its sleek nose and body. It swept aside its rivals early in the 1998 season and it was only Michael Schumacher's genius in the inferior Ferrari that ensured the championship would go down to the wire.

Ferrari F2002
The zenith of the Schumacher/Brawn era at Ferrari. 15 from 19 wins, 11 pole positions, 15 fastest laps, 9 1-2 finishes including 5 straight at the end of the 2002 season, this was quite possibly the most dominant F1 car in history. And it sure looked good too. The F2004 2 years later was similarly dominant but really was inspired by this defining design by Rory Byrne.


Brawn BGP01

A car that harked back to an era in F1 where privateers could still win races. The BGP01 may not have had many corporate logos as the other cars on the grid but it was a whole lot faster out of the blocks than all of them at the start of 2009, deservedly winning the constructor's championship at the end of the season along with helping Jenson Button win his first ever driver's championship. And to think we almost never got to see this beauty race when Brawn's predecessor, Honda announced it was pulling out at the end of the 2008 season.

Red Bull RB7
Probably the most dominant car since the Ferrari F2002 in the hands of an in-form reigning world champion, the RB7 is surely Red Bull's best ever car with 12 wins, 18 poles and 10 fastest laps. The RB7 also achieved 3 1-2 finishes but probably should have had more if Mark Webber was on top of his game. And the Red Bull livery has always looked so damn good on an F1 car.
 
And the one that never raced...

McLaren MP4-18
A story of what might have been. Designed to race in the 2003 season, the MP4-18 was supposed to be a revolution and take McLaren-Mercedes back in front of the dominant Ferraris. Alas, testing was a nightmare and the car failed the compulsory FIA crash tests. As a result, Kimi Raikkonen's title chances were stymied - amazing that he hung onto the finish in what was essentially an upgrade of the inferior MP4-17. Cues from the MP4-18 were passed onto its successors though, including the sleek thin nose.

New Zealand Cricket Summer Review

A common sight this summer sadly.

You wouldn't have noticed it given the lacklustre summer we've had but yes the summer of cricket in New Zealand will end at the conclusion of the 3rd test in Wellington.

It has been quite an eventful cricket season in New Zealand. But here are some of the highlights of the season.

Rookie of the summer: Dean Brownlie was quite a find in the middle order and it was a shame when he got injured halfway through the season. Tarun Nethula looks dangerous as our first genuine legspinner in years but it's surely gotta be Doug Bracewell for find of the summer. Bracewell has emerged as possibly the best of a whole host of young pace bowlers with his performance in Hobart against the Australians the highlight of what should be a tremendous career for the son of former international, Brendon Bracewell.

Find of the summer: Daniel Flynn as a viable opening batsman. I never thought I would say this but about the former number 5 batsman but he appears to have the technique to take on the fresh new ball and also has the courage to play some big shots as evident with the way he played Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, two of the best fast bowlers in the world at the moment.

Comeback of the summer: Mark Gillespie. From nursing an injured toe and looking for a job to getting 11 wickets in 2 tests. I didn't give him a chance either but Mark, you've proved me wrong and might force Boult and Southee to work on their technique and pace to match the performance levels the 33 year old is showing - what is it with New Zealand and 30-year-old plus fast bowlers? It's a bit like our props and hookers.  

Best player of the summer: Martin Guptill, the most consistent and prolific batsman in the New Zealand lineup. Originally considered a specialist of the shorter forms of the game, Guptill has improved leaps and bounds to the point that he is a defacto selection at the top of the order in the test team. Now he just needs a partner to support him to build a decent start for New Zealand.

Performance of the summer: Doug Bracewell's 9 wickets v Australia in Hobart to help New Zealand win its first test in Australia since the halycon days of Sir Richard Hadlee.

Farewell of the summer: Michael Mason's 41 off 19 balls to seal a quite miraculous victory for Central Districts in the Ford Trophy final. Granted it was Pukekura Park, a ground which the MCG would swallow 10 times over, and where sixes were landing in the zoo over the hill, but still it was pretty impressive for a player who has always been regarded as a rabbit with the bat. A brilliant way for the former New Zealand fast bowler to finish a fine career.

Prospects for the winter: A tour of the West Indies to come in July and August - I can't believe they still haven't announced the fixtures for this tour but yes this is the Caribbean. Daniel Flynn's development as an opening batsman.











Catch of the summer: Michael Mason off Bevan Small's athletic fielding in a HRV Twenty20 Cup game between Northern and Central Districts at Mount Maunganui.

Century of the summer: There was only one against South Africa for the New Zealanders but it came at just the right time and was exactly what the doctor ordered. Kane Williamson's dogged but determined 102 not out on the final day of the final test of the summer saved the test for New Zealand and was highly credible against a South African fast bowling attack that had been dominant all summer and had scared the other Kiwi batsmen in the test. It was the sort of performance that Williamson's talent had promised for so long and was what we hope will be the first of many.

Tourist of the summer: Zimbabwe's captain, Brendan Taylor stood out in the limited overs forms of the game while his young bowler, Kyle Jarvis was actually quite impressive - a Shane Bond lookalike too. South Africa's Vernon Philander could be South Africa's version of Glenn McGrath or a better version of Daryl Tuffey. However, the most impressive tourist of the summer was the big, lanky fast bowler, Morne Morkel who stood out in all forms of the game. People expected Dale Steyn to be the danger man for South Africa -which might have helped Morkel in a way as he bagged wickets in the green and white tops. In the last test against New Zealand, he was the only bowler who posed any threat to the New Zealanders.




NOTES: Domestic champions:
HRV Cup - Auckland Aces
Ford Trophy - Central Stags
Plunket Shield - Northern Districts

Chris Cairns: Not Guilty!

As you all know by now, one of New Zealand's greatest cricketers is currently in the middle of a major trial at the High Courts in London, fighting against allegations of match fixing by former Indian Cricket League (ICL) chairman, Lalit Modi. The sight of Cairns and his wife walking the cold spring streets of London to court has been a key feature of the nightly news bulletins.

The waters are rather murky with more evidence that Cairns may have been involved in match-fixing while he was captain of Chandigarh in the ICL. Even cricket commentator, Tony Greig has weighed in saying the former New Zealand all-rounder did in fact prevent the younger team members from playing for the team in order to please the bookies.

However, there are of course always two sides to the story as in all major court cases. But Lalit Modi's abstinence from taking the stand has certainly put a chip in proceedings, to the disgust of Cairns who had to be restrained after hearing the news.

So is Cairns really guilty of match-fixing or has he been framed by his teammates? Was that seemingly innocuous tweet of 150 characters by Modi in 2010 accurate or just defamation?

Firstly, New Zealanders, in general are from the least corrupt people on earth. In fact, New Zealand is often considered one of the most uncorrupt countries in the world and people are aware of things like fixing matches for money. Yes there are people alleged to have been involved in such practices like New Zealand lawn bowler, Garry Lawson but they would be given a very dim view by the media and become instant villains - as they should.

Cricket is certainly a sport that has been dogged by match-fixing in its history. Of course we've recently seen the three Pakistani cricketers spend time in jail for match-fixing during the 2010 tour of England. We've seen high profile cricketers who previously had clean reputations - and a Christian background to boot - have their careers ended by match-fixing, i.e. Hansie Cronje.

Chris Cairns is certainly a hero for all Kiwis although he has had his problems with alcohol in the past. However, Cairns is fondly remembered by all sports fans in New Zealand whether its for those big sixes and bowling exploits or for his philanthropy efforts, i.e. a campaign to stop Kiwi drivers speeding through train crossings following the death of his sister in Rolleston as a result of a train-car collision.

So if Cairns really did match-fix, it would be a major shock for the New Zealand sports community and I believe he should be exonerated from these very dodgy allegations. But then again, I don't know all the facts am not qualified to provide legal advice so it's really down to the courts. But I pray for the Cairns family that these allegations aren't true.

UPDATE: 26 March 2012, Chris Cairns has won his libel case against Latih Modi. More here: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cairns-wins-libel-case-4799151

All Blacks Exodus Watch

After getting off to a slow start, it appears that the exodus of All Blacks post Rugby World Cup time to more exciting pastures and adventures overseas has finally hit full swing. And who can blame them?

Those who were in the World Cup squad did what they set out to achieve and most who are going would have played all the top sides you could play against in the black jersey right now, and have won the accolades many players would have missed out. Most are also heading into their 30s and don't have that much rugby left in them in this day and age, meaning any opportunity to make a big buck to secure a comfortable after-rugby life should be taken seriously.

For until the New Zealand dollar is worth more than the British pound and Euro, we will see our best and brightest head off overseas. Even then, the fact that New Zealand is just little cluster of islands in the south Pacific away from the cultural buzz of Asia, Europe and America, and pretty much a terminus for all flights and ships, it's part of the Kiwi culture to go and experience life overseas for a bit - sorry to burst your bubble, John Key and Bill English.

Anyway, enough of my ranting, back to the main topic.

So we know the following "former" All Blacks have left since the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup, i.e. no longer contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union:

John Afoa, Ulster
Mils Mulia'ina, Japan
Luke McAlister, Toulouse
Stephen Donald, Bath
Brad Thorn, Japan/Ulster
Joe Rokocoko, Bayonne
Jerome Kaino, Toyota

The following players have been mentioned as likely to be heading overseas shortly:

Isaia Toeava, Japan
Jimmy Cowan, Gloucester







And finally there is plenty of speculation surrounding the following players who could be lost to New Zealand rugby maybe next year if not this year:

Richie McCaw - rumoured to be linked with Treviso
Dan Carter - Treviso link
Ali Williams - well he's always wanted to go on a sabbatical and he is getting on..
Andrew Hore - has only signed a one year contract with the Highlanders
Ma'a Nonu - has already gone to Japan over the summer but is still off contract at the end of 2013
Piri Weepu - similar situation to Ma'a Nonu
Keven Mealamu - contract finishes in 2013 but is over 30 now so might have one last contract overseas
Kieran Read - could possibly look at playing in Japan given the workload he currently goes through

But New Zealand rugby fans, don't fret. We've been here before and we turned out just fine. And again it'll all be about the timing. However, Steve Hansen may pick a side with plenty of youth especially for the end of year tour.

BBC or Sky: The War for F1's English Language Coverage

BBC's F1 team - Jordan, Humphrey and DC

Martin Brundle and Sky Sports' F1 team

Ben Edwards: lots of CART, BTCC experience

Most English-speaking Formula 1 followers outside the UK would have noticed quite a change in the commentary in the first two races of the season. Last season, you would have listened to the dulcet tones of Martin Brundle and David Coulthard as most networks including Sky NZ and Australia's Ten/One Network took the BBC's award-winning F1 coverage.

This season you can still hear both of them but albeit not together. That's because Martin Brundle, who has succeeded Murray Walker as Britain's voice in Formula 1 has gone to BSkyB leaving behind his former protege, David Coulthard at Broadcasting House.

David Coulthard is now courting the in my opinion, highly rated, Ben Edwards, who is now the main commentator at the BBC while the BBC's new face of sport, Jake Humphrey and Eddie Jordan do all the soft studio work. And yes the husky but excellent Scot, Lee McKenzie is still there. And if you can't get to a tele, there's the dulcet tones of James Allen and Jaime Alguersuari to listen to.

Dulcet? Maybe not based on this:

Meanwhile away from the impoverished British public sector, Martin Brundle, Ted Kravitz and David Croft have left the BBC to take charge of BSkyB's swanky and in-your-face F1 coverage. Croft and Brundle are your voices in the commentary box while Ted Kravitz is down in the pitlane with Natalie Pinkham. Anthony Davidson will provide expert opinion, something he last did at ITV. 

Now, just a reminder of why this has happened. Since heaps of Brits are out of work, David Cameron has capped the licensing fee for a couple of years meaning that the BBC is broke. Hence, why Bernie Ecclestone has decided to give part of the broadcasting rights to Rupert Murdoch's cash-rich British arm, BSkyB.  

It's been happening for years by the way. F1 in Germany is now on Sky Deutschland and in New Zealand, Sky took over from TVNZ in 2006 - and I must say that was the best move ever as TVNZ never even did qualifying while Sky has shown every session since 2010. Only Australia still has F1 on free-to-air although the television scene there is a bit more like America's with the likes of 7, Nine and Ten being pretty rich and far more powerful than the ABC.

Anyway, the BBC and Sky split has appeared to become a talking point amongst British F1 fans and even those overseas who listen to the English language feed - to be honest, these two are better than the dreadful Steve Slater who fronts the ESPN Star Sports F1 coverage in Asia. 

Sky New Zealand appears to have got the BBC feed for the year which to be honest is still par excellence. Call me biased about the BBC, but the world's most beloved public broadcaster is still numero uno at broadcasting top quality sport, especially F1 and the Edwards/Coulthard duo is actually quite entertaining. 

Mind you I would like to sit through an F1 race with Croft/Brundle to find out what the fuss is about.

Before we start writing off Sky, remember how they started off with the First Division/Premier League. Look where they are now. Furthermore, they have all the money to burn unlike BBC so could be the sole broadcaster of F1 in the near future.

Anyway, feel free to comment on who you prefer, BBC or Sky below. I'll leave you with some clips of intros of past F1 coverage just to get you nostalgic.

 

2 Minutes - 26 March 2012

Have the Highlanders lost too many teeth to have any more bite? Have Red Bull lost their wings this early in the F1 season?