Sidepodcast

• Length: 10:27 
• Size: 9.6 MB 
• File: digest52.mp3 
• Transcript: digest52.pdf 
• Torrent: digest52.torrent 

What could have been a dull race was saved by the last few laps. Hamilton vs Raikkonen, McLaren vs Ferrari, and guess what? It’s not over yet. Hear all about it in this F1 Digest recap.

The Race

The start was good, and the middle was okay, but oh how wonderful the last few laps were. A little bit of rain makes all the difference and we saw a fierce battle for the lead before Raikkonen ended up in the wall. It doesn’t end there though, as the controversies, penalties and appeals will continue long after the drivers leave Belgium.

Conclusions

Whilst some of the quotes are irrelevant given penalties and a change of order, we can get the idea from most drivers. Some had frustrating days, Webber and Coulthard aren’t that happy, and Trulli and Glock faced a difficult start. But some had a great time even with the adversities, Vettel in particular still has a smile on his face.

I don’t know about anybody else, but I don’t find personal pronouns that difficult. If you’re talking about yourself you say I, if you’re talking to someone, it’s you. If you didn’t learn this from speaking out loud your whole life, then you’ll probably have learnt it practicing some verb tables.

Whilst the action at Valencia kept us all talking about what happened in the pit lane, I was more interested in what those in the pit lane were talking about.

I’ve found something slightly fascinating about the personal pronouns the drivers used over the weekend. For the longest time, we have had to listen to the corporate line from teams and drivers. Sharing in the joy and the pain in equal measures.

Now it seems things are changing, and as the competition hots up, all this “It’s not you, it’s me” business seems to be over. My first example is Raikkonen, who is still bemoaning his lack of pace going into a Grand Prix.

We need to get things sorted in qualifying…

Yes, you do, Kimi. Okay, perhaps this can be excused because it may just be a mechanical problem that means he hasn’t qualified on pole since France. I think perhaps he knows that it is something he needs to sort out himself though. The team certainly believe that Raikkonen has his own issues to sort out.

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• Length: 9:40 
• Size: 8.9 MB 
• File: digest48.mp3 
• Transcript: digest48.pdf 
• Torrent: digest48.torrent 

Race day in Valencia finally took place then after weeks of anticipation. Unfortunately it didn’t live up to the hype and was marred by controversy rather than action. F1 Digest presents a full round up of events.

The Race

We were probably expecting too much, and as the field got further and further apart, it didn’t look like it was going to deliver. In the end, it was a couple of retirements and some pit lane incidents that caused the excitement.

Conclusions

Only a couple of drivers had a good day, Vettel and Massa in particular. Most people were frustrated with their performance, thinking things could have gone better, and everyone is looking forward to Spa.

• Length: 9:41 
• Size: 9.0 MB 
• File: digest44.mp3 
• Transcript: digest44.pdf 
• Torrent: digest44.torrent 

We were all expecting a dull race, so it’s nice to have a bit of a surprise waiting for us on track. Nobody said that all suprises have to be good ones.

The Race

As predicted, there was very little overtaking to be had, except perhaps off the line. All the excitement came from the tyres and from the pit stops, and the odd engine failure as well.

Conclusions

Those drivers having a good day had a supremely good day, count them, Kovalainen, Glock and Alonso. But for those who couldn’t make the end of the race, or who struggled every inch of the way there, they can only be glad there’s a three week break coming up.

• Length: 10:05 
• Size: 9.3 MB 
• File: digest32.mp3 
• Transcript: digest32.pdf 
• Torrent: digest32.torrent 

It’s been a while since the French GP has been eagerly anticipated, but with such a mixed up grid, today was one of those days. Tune in to F1 Digest for a recap of all the action, plus driver reactions.

The Race

A race of some serious fighting, Raikkonen battling his machinery, Hamilton trying to get through the traffic, Trulli holding off Kovalainen.

Conclusions

Whilst Honda and Force India seem to be feeling pretty low right now, Toyota and Toro Rosso are flying high. The others fall into various moods in between.

• Length: 10:05 
• Size: 9.3 MB 
• File: digest25.mp3 
• Transcript: digest25.pdf 
• Torrent: digest25.torrent 

After a week of politics, it’s time to get back to the serious business of racing. Canada will no doubt be a rollercoaster ride for all who turn up to race, so let F1 Digest prepare you for the event.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 8th June
• Circuit: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
• Length: 4.4km
• Laps: 70
• 2007 Winner: Lewis Hamilton

Preview

BMW hope to move on from last year’s accident, Honda are slightly worried about their lack of data, and there’s nothing from the Red Bull four.

• Length: 10:30 
• Size: 9.7 MB 
• File: digest21.mp3 
• Transcript: digest21.pdf 
• Torrent: digest21.torrent 

One of the most anticipated races on the calendar is the Monaco GP, and F1 Digest is here to preview the event and find out why.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 25th May
• Circuit: Monte Carlo
• Length: 3.3km
• Laps: 78
• 2007 Winner: Fernando Alonso

Preview

Vettel has already had a bad start to the weekend, Massa isn’t worried that he’s not a fan of Monaco, whilst everyone else appears to be. Both Jenson and Nico count it as a home Grand Prix.

• Length: 10:32 
• Size: 9.7 MB 
• File: digest20.mp3 
• Transcript: digest20.pdf 
• Torrent: digest20.torrent 

Some of the best overtaking we have seen in a long time took place in Turkey, and some fascinating strategy choices as well. Catch up with all the action, and the aftermath with F1 Digest.

The Race

Just the one safety car and only three retirees, but one of the best races for overtaking we’ve seen for far too long.

Conclusions

A controversy is stirring between McLaren and their tyres, and we take a look at what the other team’s thought of their various fortunes today.

You can imagine that researching F1 Minute means I read a lot more news now than I used to. In fact, quite often, I’ll be talking to the man and he won’t know what I’m on about. Did you read that right? I’m ahead of him. Brilliant.

Anyway, I was browsing Autosport.com today, and saw the return of their traditional posts headed up Preview Quotes: #Team Name#. You know what that means, don’t you? The season is truly coming back. I was excited, I may have even whooped out loud. But then I saw that Autosport didn’t just have one post about the Previews. They’d managed to stretch it out to three posts.

I know this isn’t unusual for Autosport, we’ve certainly picked up on it in the past. I know a lot of other bloggers find their site very frustrating. I’ve been giving them the benefit of the doubt, but it’s starting to get a little bit ridiculous.

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