You gotta see these

We have been a  bit "visual" on the blog recently - even if some of it has been about the wrong subject. Knowing how much you guys enjoy rubbish pics, I can only imagine you are going love these fantastic shots taken by Darren Heath at Valencia which he has kindly permitted me to publish here. Key moments, brilliantly captured and a cracking shot of Felipe at speed...(Click 'em to enlarge)

Comments

[El Ponso]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I finally got wind about what happened in Hungary with those fires during refuelling.
Not from any of you, knowledgeable armchair pundits (he, he), but from a casual chat between Lobato and Gonzalo, the commentators of spanish Telecinco.
You all know that the race was, lets say uneventful, and given the exuberance of these two talkative characters they had to find something to go on about so Lobato brought up the subject.
Perhaps I shouldn’t bother with this, maybe most of you don’t really give a damn about it, but my conscience dictates me that in order to abide with the spirit of this blog, that is generosity, graciousness, kindness et al, I feel but compelled to share my wisdom with the rest of you lot.
So, it was very hot and very dry that day in Budapest, although this in itself shouldn’t cause any problems, it helps. Apparently there were a lot of what Lobato called ‘harmonic waves’ in the air from the team radios, portable PC’s and specially mobile telephones which it seems they send very strong waves when in use, hence when you pull into a petrol station to refill your car they ask you to switch off the phone. As a result there was a high concentration of some sort of static electrity in the air so when you extract the hose from the car there are always a few drops of gas dripping and the minimun spark due to the static starts the fire.
But then Pedro de la Rosa, who’s usually holding the reins on those two, said that he knew nothing about ‘harmonic waves’ and that nobody in the garages had any idea as to why there were more fires in Hungary than at any other circuit.
So there you have it.
Don’t forget to read the next chapter of the saga on this misterious, amazing, most fascinating thriller of the century:

WHO PAYS THE HOSEMAN?

(Published by The Times in association with Gorman/F1 blog).

[IDR]

Really impressive Pics!

Congrats again, the "crap photographer" is not only improving his skills as photographer, but also making proper friends in the paddock!

In fact, when one visit Darren's site (I recommend), there is a section in wich one can buy some of his wonderful pics.

ps:

Poor mechanic, but knowing he's ok. (only an small toe's fracture) let me say he seems to be under the most typhical "Spanish Siesta" after having a wonderfull Paella well accompained with an excellent white wine of the local producers!

Just two problems:

1) As the most of them are really great, is difficult to choose only one. (there are two showing the Jaguar's letting one out of words)

2) The price. (well deserverd for sure, but quite expensive for a mortal)

So, many thanks for sharing those ones for free!!!!

[Liquid]

Wow... Awesome pics...!! Well captured! Aww... I so wish you'd strike a deal with Darren Heath to get you one photo every race Ed..!! :)

[Architrion]

This guy is really really good. I'd give my left arm to be so talented to take those photos. Congrats.

[Anon]

Beatiful. Nothing more (apart from racism, flogged prostitutes, horrifying accidents that didn't happen in the pitlane, Machiavellian pilots, arrogant Senna pretenders that we'll talk about in order to make this thread drown into an orgy of unpleasant things like we did to your race analysis, Mr. Gorman. Hope you don't mind).

[Anon]

El Ponso- sorry, I read your questions but thought you got your answer! THe only ting I came up with that it was exceptionally hot out there- at least that is what the commentators said.

[Zigor]

Hi Edward,
I am not fully again the waves theory that may cause fires in Hungary, but I doubt it.
It,s clear when the cars stop in order to refull the tank, there is ever a little volume of flammable gas in the air around the inlet of the hose. This volume is ever capable to catch fire if there is an ignition source strong enough.

But this ignition source in my opinion must be a hot surface of the car, or electrostatic discharge due to a faulty earth conection of the car.
When you have to turn off the mobile in a petrol station, I think is due to the electrical spark (source of ignition) that you can produce using it, more than the "armonics waves" the device may generate.
I like Lobato and company because they are fans of Alonso, but they are lost too much time in television when they discuss the GP,s. For example: "Kovalainen has had an accident....ah not, is not Kovalainen, is Hamilton".."Fernando is the second one now, ah no, is the third..."

[PTM]

Great pics. I love the first one. Look forward to your next post
Anon - Poor you, what a bitter existence.

[Anon]

PTM: actually I was just having a bit of fun. Not bitter, but just a chuckle at how fast we degenerate. Loved you rcomment on the other thread about how the drivers dads would fare in a fight. That of course will be followed by serious, in-depth coverage of who is the buffest driver in F1. Wchih actually is not that a stupid question, as fitness is involved. Mark seems tough to me. Unfortunately it seems he can't take his strength and wrap it around the wheel.

[David Murray]

Bernie Ecclestone might judge the Valencia GP a hit but for a good number of fans it wasn't.
A grandstand ticket only allowed you into the small area by your grandstand and nowhere else along the track. The area you were allowed in included, in our case, six revolting toilets, which leaked under the grandstand, and a ramshackle bar selling beer and dodgy meat rolls.

The usual "village" of stalls and stands didn't exist, and the track, while by the water, was in a pretty grotty area of the city. The litter was appalling.

While the mayor of Valencia was waving with Bernie at the glum Spanish crowds, who lost interest when Alonso retired, the rest of us thought the new F1 destination completely underwhelming.

The old town is wonderful, though. We should have stayed there for the day - as the circuit didn't look to me to be made for overtaking or even close racing.

[McCheets]

ANON

Bravo!

[Derek Smith]

David Murray,

Thanks for your insight. I think Bernie's toilets would have been a little more upmarket and there was probably a personal chef to delight his taste buds, hence the difference of opinion. Mind you, I wonder what race he was watching to suggest the weekend was a success.

Ron Dennis says (on f1live.com and other F1 websites) he's ashamed to be English because our government (although, as there is no English government it makes it problematical) refuses to build such a cicruit in this country. Whilst I sympathise with his comments I am a bit resentful that my taxes went to pay for the massive increase in roads and other infrastructure around Silverstone only for Bernie to have an epiphany and move the GP away. I'd be unhappy to have to pay the same for the Donington environs only for the GP to move to Algeria, or other such country where roads are needed to bus occupants for the stands into the circuit.

Spain has two circuits now and, if Alonso doesn't up his pace, there'll be empty places at both next season. Silverstone is one of the few circuits on the calendar that is full every year regardless of who is likely to win. So Bernie closes it. Even Monza was sparsely populated in those years when Ferrari wandered into the middle of the grid.

[mike hunt]

Not Bad seen better the blurred one nearly works!

[Anon]

Funny discussions about the calendar. My dream calendar would involve the chazmpionship being settled at a geat traditional European circuit like Monzo or Spa. My perfect F1 calendar:

Dubhai
Abu Dhabi
Australia
Malaysia
Spain (valencia)
Finland
Turkey
Nurbugring
Donnington
Canada
Brazil
BREAK
Singapore
India
Japan
China
Russia
Monaco
Italy
Belgium

With some changes: Dubhai doesn't have to open, Monaco could.

In my perfect world, Donnington should be able to get as much attention and care as Silvertsone. I don't like Silverstone because it is flat, flat flat. It makes it boring. That's why Magny Cours off the list (and France too, who cares about Prost). Donnington has only had one race, and already there is the famous picture of the start down the slope.

Close on Belgium. Very often wet, drmatic, great.

[Kathryn S]

Derek,

If Bernie used attendance as a guide to where to hold Grand Prix, the US would never have lost their race and there sure as heck wouldn't be one in Bahrain or Turkey. Until the fiasco in 2005 attendance at Indy approached 200,000 (or perhaps topped it as the Brickyard is privately held and doesn't release attendance)...the only other race the even comes close is Brazil.

Bernie only cares about the money that comes across the table when the venue pays the sanctioning fees...not about the number of fans who attend the races...or the fans, period.

[Verbal]

HOW MANY races has Raikonen won or started on pole in the last two years with SChumacher at the track ??? something is not right