F1 REAL AND IMAGINED
I took myself off to see F1 the Movie last week, starring Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former racer, and Damson Idris, as the talented young upstart. It got off to a great start, you can never go wrong when the heavy riffs of Led Zeppelin open the show and get the adrenaline pumping which set the scene for a rollercoaster ride of highs, lows and everything in between. The old footage of actual F1 races was well merged within the movie adding an interesting, if at times disturbing, dimension to the show. They also used footage of present day races and again it was well done but I knew they were never going to be able to pass Max Verstappen!!
As a fan, I was well versed in the technicalities of tyre types and DRS which you never get on the first lap by the way, and parallels with real F1 characters.
Kate McKenna who played the role of first female technical director was surely a nod to our very own Bernie Collins (born in Fermanagh) who began her F1 career as a strategy engineer for Aston Martin, and is to be seen now providing expert opinion and analysis for Sky TV.
Overall, a solid movie without any obvious ‘woke’ politics being shoved down our throats, (someone has learned a lesson from Top Gun: Maverick) and a relief to be able to just sit and enjoy the thrills while spotting present day F1 talent and showing off your knowledge. The plot is as obvious as expected (grizzly oldster gives young upstart a few life lessons and gets some in return) with no real surprises but the strength of the movie is that it does it well. So overall, very enjoyable and highly recommended even if you’re not a fan.
So how did it compare with an actual F1 race? Well, I had the absolute pleasure of being at the Monaco Grand Prix in May. It was everything I hoped it would be, and more, it was such a privilege to be where so many greats had raced before. I was in the straight just after the chicane, coming down around the harbour in Area Z which is really close to the track. It was incomparably one of the most thrilling experiences of my life and one which I intend to repeat in the future. Monaco was pumping, between the sound of the cars, the atmosphere and a crowd that was in party mode, it really was something everyone should try and experience at least once in life! We were also lucky with the weather and enjoyed sunshine and blue skies not just for the race, but for the entire week of our sojourn to France.
On the journey to Monaco, at the changeover for the train in Nice, we met Brian and his son, who had driven over from Yorkshire. They had been to the race last year and although they did not have tickets for this year’s race, they came to enjoy the atmosphere. They told us that there is a fanzone in the centre of town, which is free, and were hoping that there would be screens up for them to watch the race which I’m sure there were.
Prices were as expected but €65 for a team cap was a bit too much I thought.
Monaco itself is precipitous, clinging to the side of a cliff and the speed of the cars and the ability of the drivers isn’t fully appreciated until you see it up close. It is a miracle that anyone can drive at even half those speeds through the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, and gave me a new found respect for every driver that does so. Sadly, Max Verstappen who led for most of the race was pulled in on the penultimate lap for a tyre change and finished 4th overall. I still can’t figure out why they didn’t chance one more lap when it is so difficult to pass!! (and don’t even mention Barcelona!!)
There have been a few dodgy decisions recently in the Red Bull team which I’m sure didn’t do anything to help Christian’s position but I have to say I was sorry to see him go. The team rivalries with Toto and others were all part of the fun. But, c’est la vie, nothing stays the same forever, so good luck to Christian and his replacement Laurent Mekies, and, hopefully, a Red Bull resurgence after the summer break.