Jochen Rindt, Master of Oversteer

Exactly 40 years have gone by since on September 5th 1970, in the braking zone for the "Parabolica" at Monza, something failed on the front end of his Lotus 72 and Jochen Rindt lost his life. He was 28 years old and would become Formula 1 only posthumous World Champion.

You can read about his accident elsewhere, I chose this clip is from "Jochen Rindt, lezter sommer". Hochenheim 1970, RIndt in the brand new and revolutionary type 72 and Jackie Ickx, in the Ferrari 312B are neck and neck for 50 laps and end the race only 7/10 apart.

It's a great tribute to Rindt but also to the men of Formula 1 of the period. Listen to Ickx and then think of Schumacher in Hungary...



To add to the cool, RIndt an early multi media star, was that year doing his own reporting for a TV show called "Motorama". Right after the podium he would interview his rivals still sweaty from the race. in Monaco earlier in the season he interviewed Jack Brabham who he had pursued for the laps on end and finally forced into an error on the very last corner of the race when Black Jack locked up. "Very lucky for me" Rindt admitted to him.
Ickx, after Hochenheim simply says "I could not beat you , but I appreciate the way we raced", when was the last time you heard a Formula 1 driver say anything like that?

Red Bull's Red Bulletin has extensive feature on Jochen, "The First Formula One Pop Star". Have a look HERE
end of post

F1 Rumor Roundup: Ground Effects, Turbos, start-stop from 2013, Kubica, Red Bull engines.

Stuff that's floating out there:

Ground Effects, Turbos and Start Stop from 2013

Technical working groups headed by Rory Byrne,Patrick Head and Gilles Simon have, according to reports in Motorsport-Total leaked that while nothing is decided yet, they are leaning towards a 1.6 liter Turbo with 3.0 bars of pressure giving around 650HP and 30 second bursts of KERS worth an additional 150hp. The green fig leaf would come from regulated fuel flow and perhaps a requirement that the cars travel in the pit lane using only their KERS, with the engine off.

On the chassis side, the concept is to embrace the downforce made by diffusers, somewhat like on ground effect cars of the past, and rely less on front wings. This would mean sidepods would need to stretch forward with the added benefit of extra side impact protection.

Who is blocking the Mercedes Red Bull engine deal?

Bit of a mystery, Red Bull said it's Mclaren, Mclaren denies vetoing Merc engines for Red Bull. Helmut Marko claims Mercedes is the only FOTA member opposing Red Bull's request that the FIA allow the Renault engines be modified to match Merc and Ferrari power outputs....As F1 Turns.

Kubica at Ferrari rumor won't die.

Given Alonso was definitively not going to Ferrari a year early from Renault you cannot totally chuckle at this one.
It goes like this:

Ferrari was not super keen on signing Massa again but Massa's family is good friends with Santander Brazil's CEO, Fabio Barbosa. who then intervened with Santander marketing in favor Felipe. The Brazilian is naturally seen as a better promotional asset than a pole in the South American market where the Spanish bank is in the process of doubling its market share, with presence in Brazil, Mexico Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
While Santander's checkbook obviously prevailed, the story continues, this did not sit well with Luca di Montezemolo who does not believe 100 Million Euro a year entitles the sponsor to run the team and is out to prove the famous mantra that Ferrari comes first, and drivers only matter so much.

So the compromise solution would work out something like this, Ferrari would continue to pay Massa as a test driver and loan him to Renault. Being under contract to Ferrari would still mean Massa would have to appear at Ferrari PR events. Renault would then agree to sell Kubica's contract to Ferrari, the French team could use the extra 7.5 Million Euros for development.
Massa, the theory goes, would not mind too much since at 14 Million Euros he's the best paid, non world champion on the grid.

Of course this does not take into account the Alonso factor so make of it what you will (http://www.p1mag.de/downloads/P1_2010_issue11.pdf)
the end of post

Axis of Oversteer...

Awesome shot by Marcel Thomassen. of an old 2 liter swb 911 attacking the Eau Rouge- Radillon complex at Spa.

Not 100% sure but I get the feeling that may be the very same incredible driver we featured earlier in the year. Our regulars will remember Roman Caserani but perhaps some of the new readers missed Possibly the coolest 911 video ever!
end of post

The Stig is a state of mind, not a person....

That being said the BBC should probably have paid this guy better...



end of post

Porsche 908/3 tranny

We are not big fans of the 24 hour of Lemons at Axis, some of us actually having been banned for actually trying to race and all but that someone would turn a 914 junker into a 908/3 is pretty awesome!
(photo: Erdero)



end of post

Austin GP track, what do you think?

Click on the green overhead map for a detailed view.
(Austin Statesman)
end of post