Q1) What is it about F1 as a sport that you love and what do you hope this season will bring?
A: There's two things that make me love Formula 1 as I do. Firstly, the rate of technological advancement in the sport is just phenomenal. Even though I'm not a sciency person at all, it's hard not to appreciate the creativity, hard work and dedication each team member puts into making each hand-made car as perfect as possible, and it's great to know that some of these innovations are being applied outside the track to make a difference for those less fortunate.
The main thing that makes me love the sport so much is that no matter who you support we're all here to appreciate these drivers and team personnel, who are potentially putting themselves in great danger, to entertain us. The sport has its fanboys and fangirls of course, but the vast majority of fans treat each other with the upmost respect and can have a laugh with each other. Unlike with some sections of other sports, it's extremely rare to see drivers/teams and fans being abused for their views and performances, with any criticisms largely being conveyed in a thoughtful manner or as cheeky banter. It's this mutual respect between us that I think makes Formula 1 different from other sports and which makes it such a pleasure to be involved in. As @AilishCatherine* once said, "we're all one big, happy family united by our love for Formula 1" and it couldn't be more true.
For what this season will bring, obviously I'd love Red Bull to get the World Drivers' Championship and Constructors for the third season in a row. Though I'd like the competition to be closer this time around, as even I was getting a bit bored of Seb running off into the distance by the end of the year. If that doesn't happen then Jenson Button winning another WDC would be brilliant, just so he could prove to everyone that 2009 wasn't a fluke.
(*Ailish is a regular #FanFormula contributor who's aspiring to work in Formula 1 as a PR consultant. She's had many lucky run-ins with drivers and teams, which include work experience with Force India and various invites to the Grand Prix Paddock and testing sessions, all of which she writes about in her blog. If you're interested in this part of the Formula 1 world then take a look, it's a great read!)
(*Ailish is a regular #FanFormula contributor who's aspiring to work in Formula 1 as a PR consultant. She's had many lucky run-ins with drivers and teams, which include work experience with Force India and various invites to the Grand Prix Paddock and testing sessions, all of which she writes about in her blog. If you're interested in this part of the Formula 1 world then take a look, it's a great read!)
Q2) What team/driver do you support and why did you choose to support them?
A: I have mentioned this before, but for those of you who are new I'm a Red Bull fan, supporting both Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. Though I've been developing a soft spot for Jenson Button lately, because he seems like such a lovely guy and I like his smooth driving style. I was quite a big Jaguar fan when I was little, at first because I liked their livery (as you do when you're a kid), but being a British team and being British myself, there's just something about us that makes us want to support an underdog. As Mark drove for the team back then, and now that Jaguar are Red Bull Racing, it just seemed natural to continue supporting both of them. I've followed Sebastian Vettel since his drive back at Indianapolis 2007, because I felt I had to keep an eye on him after scoring points in his first ever race! Nearly five years down the line and it's been a good ride up to now. Not sure how I'd cope if he ever went to Ferrari though...
Q3) If you could be in charge of F1 for the day, what three rules would you put into the sport? (This can include the removal of any rules you dislike)
A: Ban team orders, unless a driver is mathematically out of the championship and his team-mate is still in contention - this might be a controversial opinion, especially with me being a Red Bull fan. In fact having our fair share of team orders and favouritism controversy is what really annoys me when supporting them! But the fact is that I've hated team orders ever since I watched Rubens Barrichello have to give up his win to Michael Schumacher, back at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix. It was the first time that I'd ever gotten truly angry over a sporting moment and it's one that I don't think I'll ever forget. Everyone who I watched the race with just felt cheated out of seeing what would've been a great win for Rubens. Putting emotions to one side for a moment, however, Formula 1 is fundamentally a team sport and if there's a time when a driver has been mathematically ruled out of the championship, but his team-mate is still in contention, I don't have a problem with team orders then as it's for the greater good of the team. But only then.
Remove the rule making the top 10 start on their qualifying tyres - this is a particular gripe of mine. Not because of how it affects the race, but how it makes qualifying such an anti-climax for those of us watching. By definition the Q3 shoot-out should be just that - the best drivers on the day pushing everything to try and get the best out of their cars, until the chequered flag drops. As it is, too often we've seen a lot of them putting in one or two laps and then pitting to save their tyres. I can understand why the FIA brought the rule in and it does save rubber, but as a spectacle for the fans it's backfired badly! If money truly was no object I'd probably bring in special qualifying tyres, so that we could see what the cars were truly capable of and make Q3 the exciting, nerve-inducing finale it should be.
Bring back V10 engines - again, if money was no object, there'd be nothing better than hearing the V10 singing again. Here it is along with the current V8 to compare:
BONUS) If you were a team principal, which two drivers would you want to drive for you and why?
A: Wishful thinking, but if he ever got into the shape he was pre-crash Robert Kubica would definitely be in there. Despite the terrible bad luck Bobby K's had over the last few years he's shown that he's quick as well as consistent; he claimed a maiden win and fourth overall in the 2008 championship with a car that got gradually weaker as the season progressed, while he was regularly fighting for higher points and the odd podium with Renault in 2010. Here's hoping that his ongoing recovery is a speedy one and that if he ever gets back to full fitness, he gets to have a good shot at the championship one day.
The other driver I'd pick is Fernando Alonso. For those of you who know me on Twitter this may come as a shock! I do take the mick out of him a lot and I don't like the way he's gone about things in the past (qualifying at Hungary in 2007 comes to mind), but you can't deny that he's one of the best drivers on the grid at the moment. The results he achieved with Renault back in 2009 are proof of his talent, finishing in the points 8 times in a car that was nowhere near competitive, and he's achieved good results in his current stint at Ferrari despite them being off the pace compared to their rivals. How he'd cope with a fully-fit Kubica as a partner in a front-running team, however, would be interesting to see...
That's a wrap for this time, don't forget that you can always head over to the Fan Formula homepage if you're interested in getting involved. Hope anyone that comes across this has a lovely week as ever, and remember, just 12 more sleeps until Formula 1 is back. Until next Sunday, much love.
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