Can you hear the yells, Fernando?
Posted: Wednesday 17 November, 2010
Keredy Andrews
I usually write about work related things but Fernando Alonso’s 2010 Formula One world championship title, or lack of it, is worth a scribble in my eyes seeing as motor racing is one of the only sports I care about. Like most bets I say I’m going to lay it did not get placed but obviously I’m glad I still have my tenner rather than it being in the bookies. When Fernando (also my cat’s name!) and Ferrari announced their partnership at the end of September 2009 I made my case to all who would listen and said that they would win together. However, by the time bets were being taken the odds were pretty poor at 7:2 and I kept my cash but clearly not my reputation for reliable predictions.
It was a struggle at the Yas Marina circuit this weekend just gone (a Mario Kart track name?) for poor Fernando and through the race the title seemed as if it was going to go to a Red Bull driver, despite my yelling at the TV. I have a soft spot for Mark Webber because, like Fernando, I worked with him in Formula 3000, when he came third in the driver’s championship, just ahead of Fernando. He was always happy to have a chat but only after qualifying or the race because he was so focused the rest of the time and I also remember having long talks with Mark’s Dad, Alan. Fernando was pretty sullen and often still seems to be but I think he’s really cute so that, and the fact that Ferrari has always been my team, outweighs the Mediterranean temperament!
I also like Sebastian Vettel so am genuinely happy for his title win. He has shown himself to be a quality driver from the outset in F1 but I hope his winning doesn’t mean Mark doesn’t get another shot because at 34 Mark doesn’t have many years left. I won’t even try to predict who will win next year but I do hope it’s Fernando and Ferrari and with some interesting Kers power boosting technology returning to the cars I hope to see a bit more overtaking - to all F1 fans, we can but dream; to all F1 teams, do you need a PR agency?
I usually write about work related things but Fernando Alonso’s 2010 Formula One world championship title, or lack of it, is worth a scribble in my eyes seeing as motor racing is one of the only sports I care about. Like most bets I say I’m going to lay it did not get placed but obviously I’m glad I still have my tenner rather than it being in the bookies. When Fernando (also my cat’s name!) and Ferrari announced their partnership at the end of September 2009 I made my case to all who would listen and said that they would win together. However, by the time bets were being taken the odds were pretty poor at 7:2 and I kept my cash but clearly not my reputation for reliable predictions.
It was a struggle at the Yas Marina circuit this weekend just gone (a Mario Kart track name?) for poor Fernando and through the race the title seemed as if it was going to go to a Red Bull driver, despite my yelling at the TV. I have a soft spot for Mark Webber because, like Fernando, I worked with him in Formula 3000, when he came third in the driver’s championship, just ahead of Fernando. He was always happy to have a chat but only after qualifying or the race because he was so focused the rest of the time and I also remember having long talks with Mark’s Dad, Alan. Fernando was pretty sullen and often still seems to be but I think he’s really cute so that, and the fact that Ferrari has always been my team, outweighs the Mediterranean temperament!
I also like Sebastian Vettel so am genuinely happy for his title win. He has shown himself to be a quality driver from the outset in F1 but I hope his winning doesn’t mean Mark doesn’t get another shot because at 34 Mark doesn’t have many years left. I won’t even try to predict who will win next year but I do hope it’s Fernando and Ferrari and with some interesting Kers power boosting technology returning to the cars I hope to see a bit more overtaking - to all F1 fans, we can but dream; to all F1 teams, do you need a PR agency?
