tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12386200854662001552024-02-08T10:17:47.033+00:00Formula 1 FabulousFormula 1 Fabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785836291396398586noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238620085466200155.post-68767494310049726192012-03-24T15:02:00.001+00:002012-03-27T13:17:06.203+01:00McLaren Deliver Another 1-2 Punch<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I usually love back-to-back race weekends. Not this time
though, but only because I will be unable to watch the race live this weekend and
thus, will likewise be unable to use my (non-existent) telekinetic powers to
influence the race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Familial Obligations- 1, Me- 1.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Consolation is I got to watch qualifying live. Yay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">McLaren notched up another 1-2 with Lewis again ahead of
Jenson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktwAqH_Ajd0/T3GubbaxlZI/AAAAAAAAAE8/eZzxC4U4zJ4/s1600/LewisBubble.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktwAqH_Ajd0/T3GubbaxlZI/AAAAAAAAAE8/eZzxC4U4zJ4/s1600/LewisBubble.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Don't burst this bubble.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was kind of nice to see LewHam smile after he relived
some of his teenage angst in front of live television last week. I think he
became even more thrilled when the legendary Michael Schumacher joined him at
his side after qualifying 3<sup>rd</sup> on the grid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kocjggUn8Uc/T3GSWgUhIQI/AAAAAAAAADQ/0_CxacE4GDc/s1600/McLarenWall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kocjggUn8Uc/T3GSWgUhIQI/AAAAAAAAADQ/0_CxacE4GDc/s1600/McLarenWall.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Yeah, Michael. Feel that Hammy love right there.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the Kaiser’s first appearance in the Top 3 since
2006. This is also the first time since 2006 that my mom tuned in for the
presser. Happy woman, she was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In other breaking news, <a href="http://www.lotusf1team.com/We-Didn-t-Start-the-Fire.html" target="_blank">a fire broke out in the Lotus hospitality unit</a> due to a blown fuse from one of their refrigerators. This is
what the team had to say:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Our sympathy goes out to those who were first into the
fire-damaged facility, as they will be rather smoke-fragranced for the
remainder of the day. We may also see a few hungry looking Lotus F1 Team
members wandering around the paddock, and possibly a certain driver hunting
down alternative ice cream resources…”</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOxi_uui9mo/T3Gf8a4JnoI/AAAAAAAAAEE/oMGss4yTWRU/s1600/LRGPFire.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOxi_uui9mo/T3Gf8a4JnoI/AAAAAAAAAEE/oMGss4yTWRU/s1600/LRGPFire.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Lotus says: "<a href="http://www.lotusf1team.com/We-Didn-t-Start-the-Fire.html" target="_blank">We Didn't Start the Fire</a>." He did though.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The loss of all those Magnum<sup>TM</sup> ice cream bars and
cans of Coke<sup>TM</sup> must have been more disheartening to Kimi than the
five-place grid penalty he incurred for a gearbox change, which pushes him down
to P10.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8H3Sih9cng/T3Gl2Aq42bI/AAAAAAAAAEY/uwH93UNcARk/s1600/CryingKimi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8H3Sih9cng/T3Gl2Aq42bI/AAAAAAAAAEY/uwH93UNcARk/s1600/CryingKimi.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">It's not too often that you see the Iceman show such a display of emotion.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wait 'til he sees this:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iaO3tyhIgo/T3Gr_2-7unI/AAAAAAAAAEs/U4EPvA7A6Mc/s1600/WhitmarshIceCream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iaO3tyhIgo/T3Gr_2-7unI/AAAAAAAAAEs/U4EPvA7A6Mc/s1600/WhitmarshIceCream.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Martin enjoying his loot.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first of those to move up a place because of the Iceman’s
penalty is reigning double world champion Sebastian Vettel. Seb V is two-for-two on P6 qualifying but will start the race
5<sup>th</sup> behind teammate Mark Webber.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yooTyfY2c9I/T3Gq3t-n_4I/AAAAAAAAAEk/ULSTKrI9IGk/s1600/SebSix.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yooTyfY2c9I/T3Gq3t-n_4I/AAAAAAAAAEk/ULSTKrI9IGk/s1600/SebSix.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Look at this gem. Not even photoshopped.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seb is also the only driver in the top ten to qualify on
hards. If he’s still got some luck leftover from Melbourne, it shouldn’t rain,
at least not until he’s taken advantage of what should be a longer first stint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this moment, that looks unlikely. Then again, Malaysian
weather is a shady she-dog and for all we know, the race could get cancelled
altogether.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Onto the Ferrari camp, it was another dismal display from
Felipe who qualified 12<sup>th</sup> whilst Fernando moves up to 8<sup>th</sup>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know something’s wrong when Rob Smedley praises a driver
for being three to four tenths off his teammate’s pace. Either Rob is just really
nice or he has already received orders to simply baby Felipe until he is
abruptly let go in the not too distant future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wouldn’t bet against the latter especially when Sergio
Perez, one of the candidates for the No. 2 seat at Ferrari, put in another good
performance in his Sauber by qualifying right behind Fernando.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://formula1fabulous.blogspot.com/2012/03/blog-post.html#Checko" target="_blank">Another check for Checo</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And as we reach the end of this post, we reach the end of
the grid. Both HRT cars have made it inside the 107% window. Huzza!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was quick. Not them obviously, but the life of my
betting pool. I expected it to go on for longer. Alas, pay up bishes!</span><o:p></o:p></div>Formula 1 Fabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785836291396398586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238620085466200155.post-39904301539558003792012-03-18T21:34:00.001+00:002012-03-24T22:26:26.785+00:00A Tale of Six Champions— and Eighteen Other Drivers<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twenty-five.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is the percentage of the grid made up of world champions. For the
mathematically challenged, that’s six drivers out of twenty-four with at least
one shiny star to their name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twenty-four is, of course, counting the HRTs who didn’t start the season-opener
in Melbourne. When they will get to start a race remains a matter of mystery.
Someone should start a betting pool for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wouldn’t miss those (slow and sometimes
stubborn) moving chicanes though, especially if we have races like today’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jenson was on the button throughout the entire race. Good start, quick
overtake of Lewis for the lead, skillful tire management throughout the race.
Very Zen from Jenson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In fact, it was quite Vettel-esque, right down to the celebratory
finger-wagging.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_g41tzRb040/T2iJCEKsDSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/RoAnF4BOj_w/s1600/JensonFinger.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_g41tzRb040/T2iJCEKsDSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/RoAnF4BOj_w/s1600/JensonFinger.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">"I tried to think of something new but I just can’t beat Seb’s finger."- Jenson</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even with such a dominant victory however, there’s hope that the
championship won’t be as one-sided as last year’s, especially since Lotus
Renault and Mercedes didn’t really get to maximize both their qualifying and
their race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One team that did maximize its race was Red Bull, the defending champions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mark gave the Aussies something to cheer about as he challenged Lewis for
the last step on the podium during the closing stages of the race. But If I
were Lewis and I planned to sulk in public after finishing third in the first
race of a 20-race season, I would rather have ceded the position to Mark for
the following reasons:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Mark can finally have a podium in a decade of
racing in front of his home crowd (and they would love me for it),</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;">I can minimize the scrutinizing my facial
expressions and body language will be subjected to (seriously, it gets analyzed
far more than the Red Bull’s underside), and</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can run straight to the loving arms of Nicole who,
by the way, was looking very fresh… I noticed because the director was very
generous with the WAGs coverage</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> like I tuned in for them, but that’s F1.</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuXnr8ohyng/T2c0PyUzUAI/AAAAAAAAAB8/FpDLyG41DbE/s1600/SadHam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuXnr8ohyng/T2c0PyUzUAI/AAAAAAAAAB8/FpDLyG41DbE/s1600/SadHam.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">There, there.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel looked high as a kite after bringing his RB8 up
to 2<sup>nd</sup> after starting 6<sup>th</sup>. At times, he even looked
happier than the race-winner. Conducted himself like one during the press
conference too with answers approximately 150% longer than Jense’s (and 300%
longer than Ham’s).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some find it annoying. I find that, if you dig amongst the rubble, it’s a
source of pure gold. Ones like:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“They said we were in the shit, then other
people behind us, they were at the back of the shit.”</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know who found himself in the shiz, though? Michael Schumacher with a
gearbox problem. Baby Schumi even touched on it, albeit erroneously:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“… he was
very kind, he did exactly the same mistake I did a couple of laps earlier, so
that was good.”</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Déjà vu, I tell you. Didn’t Schumi bin it in Free Practice 3 a few
minutes after Seb too? Only this time, Seb was lucky it wasn’t a race-ending
excursion. He was likewise lucky with the Safety Car as he jumped the Hamster
while avoiding what could have been a very, very messy tussle on-track. Can you
imagine, Crash Kid 2010 vs. Crash Kid 2011 (one of them, at least)? Crash Kid
2012 nominee I’ll get back to later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrkk73C_kUo/T2csYctI9bI/AAAAAAAAAB0/yA6DKVxCVcw/s1600/LuckySeb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrkk73C_kUo/T2csYctI9bI/AAAAAAAAAB0/yA6DKVxCVcw/s1600/LuckySeb.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">They're magically delicious!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">But to be fair, champions make their own luck. He made what was arguably
the overtake of the race. I know some people won’t believe that, so here’s the
video:</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dI1cM5E-iyE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my best David Croft impression: NOTHING LUCKY ABOUT THAAAAAT!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of champions, two of the six made very commendable drives
through the field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First up is Fernando who showed again why he is considered one of, if not
the best drivers on the grid by literally hauling his F2012 to 5<sup>th</sup>
from 12<sup>th</sup>. El Nano put in a gutsy drive to save Ferrari’s face
somewhat, unlike Felipe baby who just couldn’t stay cool. Instead, he opted for
a steaming hot Brazilian tango with Bruno Senna that ended both of their races.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next is Kimi Raikkonen who made up ten places to finish in 7<sup>th</sup>.
I especially enjoyed the little Kimi vs. Kamui battle. Maybe Kimi should
deliberately screw up qualifying in the following races so we can have more of
that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Didn’t I tell you Kimi’s fight back would be interesting? And that wasn’t
the only interesting bit from him. See, unlike his Badminton buddy Vettel, the
Iceman is a man of few words. The good thing about that is you don’t have to
dig as hard to find gems like this one:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4JrQAebmBz0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or <a href="http://jalopnik.com/5806620/the-ten-funniest-things-kimi-raikkonen-said-in-his-nascar-nationwide-series-debut" target="_blank">these</a> from his NASCAR stint. Deciphering them must be a pain though,
and on top of all the cuss words I would be getting, I wouldn’t want to be on
the other end of that radio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, on to the guys who haven’t been F1 champions, haven’t been close to
being F1 champions, and perhaps, will never be F1 champions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Harsh, I know, but not even four percent of drivers who make it to this
level get their signatures engraved on the championship trophy. Doesn’t mean
they can’t give us a good show. I mean, how crazy was that last lap?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just with the two Toro Rosso drivers, it was already a battle, not just
for track position, but already for Webber’s seat it seemed. Boy, those two are
hungry. For a while, it looked like Jean-Éric Vergne, in his first-ever F1
race, was going to finish ahead of teammate Daniel Ricciardo. But Dan the Man,
in front of his home fans, said yes he can. And he did put it in P9, two places
ahead of his teammate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sauber was very solid as a team today with both drivers finishing in the
points. Ferrari take note. Scratch that, I’m sure they already have seeing as
the former outscored them by two points and is currently third in the
standings. If this keeps happening, Ferrari might get tempted to supply them
with B-grade engines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Special mention to Sergio for a controlled drive to 8<sup>th</sup> after
being handed that gearbox grid penalty that saw him start the race 22<sup>nd</sup>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a name="Checko" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPjhAVYVn0o/T2ciLl7WPtI/AAAAAAAAABs/xOujJPh2cCM/s1600/Checko.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPjhAVYVn0o/T2ciLl7WPtI/AAAAAAAAABs/xOujJPh2cCM/s1600/Checko.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">A Ferrari paycheck would be nice too, no?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe the Ferrari Driver Academy member should already swap places with
Felipe but I’m not sure Peter Sauber would agree to that arrangement; and as a
Sauber fan, I say “Do not want!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<hr />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And finally, drum-roll please.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first nominee for Crash Kid 2012 is…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Pastor Maldonado!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know this may be a bit premature but yes, I am still bitter from RoGro’s
early exit after I made up that cheer for him yesterday. I couldn’t even
properly use it, except to will him out of the gravel trap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And no, it’s not like Pastor crashed into Romain. In fact, Pastor raced
very hard today and was on course towards a 6<sup>th</sup> place finish that
would have earned him three points more than what Williams achieved throughout
last year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was until he decided to bin it. On the last lap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I imagine he had his angry face on afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swkGL8LX-IQ/T2cfMSAYJDI/AAAAAAAAABk/C6deOmADMsk/s1600/PastorRage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swkGL8LX-IQ/T2cfMSAYJDI/AAAAAAAAABk/C6deOmADMsk/s1600/PastorRage.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">That is NOT a good look.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">To be frank, the entire Williams garage and everyone else back in the
Grove factory must have looked like that too.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Formula 1 Fabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785836291396398586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238620085466200155.post-60853832204172462622012-03-17T22:33:00.001+00:002012-03-19T13:29:50.102+00:00A Four-Horse Race— Unless You’re The Prancing Kind<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First off, congratulations to Lewis Hamilton for claiming
the first pole of the 2012 season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a good chunk of Q3, I was actually going “WTF?!” at the
seven-tenths advantage he had. I just thought that that was, to use one of the
Hamster’s favorite adjectives, “massive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That did go down to a 0.152 by the end of the
session thanks to Jenson’s efforts to give Macca their first front row lock-out
since the 2009 European GP, but still, Lewis put the hammer down around
Melbourne Park today.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5c1tNM-49Q/T2T80e1P1AI/AAAAAAAAAAc/8SBwCwNkgjA/s1600/HammerTime.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5c1tNM-49Q/T2T80e1P1AI/AAAAAAAAAAc/8SBwCwNkgjA/s1600/HammerTime.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">U Can't Touch This</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go, go, RoGro, go!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is to be my new cheer for this season. Has a nice ring
to it, doesn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Romain Grosjean was the surprise of the session for me today
after putting his Renault/Lotus/Lotus-Renault(???) into P3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have been more supportive from the get-go had he kept that awesome
nest-hair he used to have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keLfJN5u-Xw/T2T-feC1OEI/AAAAAAAAAAk/1Zn8y2BfuSg/s1600/RoGroFro.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keLfJN5u-Xw/T2T-feC1OEI/AAAAAAAAAAk/1Zn8y2BfuSg/s400/RoGroFro.png" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The RoGro 'Fro</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean, how awesome was that? He was like a non-knife-wielding
Sideshow Bob!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk_HdU0H3XA/T2UBLQNtJ5I/AAAAAAAAAAs/z20UkF4XgtQ/s1600/Romain&SideshowBob.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk_HdU0H3XA/T2UBLQNtJ5I/AAAAAAAAAAs/z20UkF4XgtQ/s1600/Romain&SideshowBob.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Romain & His Evil Cartoon Counterpart</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I suppose it added a couple of kilos too though, which
probably explains his poor showing in 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But this is 2012, and he is quickly showing that he is not
to be overshadowed by his champion teammate, the ever-eloquent Kimi Raikkonen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of which, remember how Kimi was asleep 30 minutes
before his first race way back in 2001?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I honestly believe he was still asleep 30 minutes INTO today’s
qualifying session to end up in 18<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-oqC6k1MYg/T2Xb3uXbW3I/AAAAAAAAABc/F9LtxNGBeuw/s1600/KimiSleeping.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-oqC6k1MYg/T2Xb3uXbW3I/AAAAAAAAABc/F9LtxNGBeuw/s1600/KimiSleeping.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Look at all the flocks Kimi gives.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember also, however, Suzuka 2005, when the Iceman started
17<sup>th</sup> and fought his way to victory. I’m not saying he’ll do the same,
but this should be very interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for the Bulls, a third row lock-out it is, with Mark
ahead of the defending champ. Seb just wasn’t on it today, and I guess it must
suck to not be on the front row, which was practically his home away from home last
year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m blaming it on the very plain-sounding name he gave his
RB8. After the likes of Kate's Dirty Sister, Luscious Liz, Randy Mandy and
Kinky Kylie, we have, wait for it… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abbey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abbey?! It sounds nice, yeah, but given this year’s car with
its beautifully sculpted nose, I’d have gone for Barbra, Buxom Barbra.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The Ba</span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">RB</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">ra</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, Seb, please consider that when a chassis change goes
your way. If you do use it, I will accept donations in return (even a tour of
the garage will do).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, a time for reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back when I started watching F1 as a kid, I remember being
exposed to countless Michael Schumacher victories. I could then already
recognize the German and Italian national anthems because of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh how times have changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the one hand, with Michael and Nico starting tomorrow in
4<sup>th</sup> and 7<sup>th</sup> respectively, I’m glad that Mercedes seems to
have finally produced a car capable of challenging for wins. I was never really
a Schumi fan (don’t tell my dad or it’ll break his heart), but I can’t deny how
beautifully nostalgic it would be to see the old guy on the top step of the
podium again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the other hand, Ferrari’s current state is just…
unfortunate. And that’s putting it mildly for such a prestigious team. There’s
Williams, yes… but that was a bit more gradual, like that Angela Bofill song, the
one that goes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<o:p></o:p>Break it to me gently,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If ya have to, then tell me lies</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Break it to me gently,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least leave me with my pride"</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fernando qualified in 12<sup>th</sup> with Felipe a further
four places down. So far this week too, both have already parked their cars’
shaky butts on the kitty litter; which is funny, because the F2012’s a dog. Get
it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, bad joke aside. Would it be premature to suggest a new
logo, like a 2012 special edition logo?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JTzidmya1o/T2VrUo6tP2I/AAAAAAAAAA8/MAXjlpnh0uQ/s1600/FerrariDog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JTzidmya1o/T2VrUo6tP2I/AAAAAAAAAA8/MAXjlpnh0uQ/s1600/FerrariDog.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">It's a dog, and not in a Randy Jackson kind of way.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if those pictures still don’t make it obvious how
frustrating it must be to drive the F2012, let Fred show you:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In fact, I reckon a swap of helmets is in order. Heikki’s
for Fernando’s. It would go well with the Ferrari Red and what must be the
general sentiment of the Tifosi at this moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See, even the thickness of their brows is the same.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Formula 1 Fabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785836291396398586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238620085466200155.post-2652289600527580012012-03-17T22:32:00.001+00:002012-03-19T18:35:45.018+00:00Hello World!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know you’re crazy for F1 when your body wakes up just in
time for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s exactly what happened to me mere minutes before Free
Practice 1 and then Free Practice 3. I should thank a higher being but to keep
this blog PC, I’ll thank my body clock instead. See, I did not set any alarms.
I just woke up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1t5WBiKddHc/T2d7NyuBuoI/AAAAAAAAACw/Obsf5KhZsxQ/s1600/TruStory.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1t5WBiKddHc/T2d7NyuBuoI/AAAAAAAAACw/Obsf5KhZsxQ/s1600/TruStory.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Greetings from yours truly!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then after Qualifying today, I had some familial obligations
to get to that felt like they took forever because I would rather be checking
out the forums. My mind was in Melbourne Park, mulling over the events of the
day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that is how this blog began: as an act of whimsy, and
perhaps a release too after being dragged away from F1 for several hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also
like long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners and manipulating people… in
photos.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Formula 1 Fabuloushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785836291396398586noreply@blogger.com0