Press release Monaco GP – Qualifying – Saturday, 28.05.2011   Further update on Sergio Pérez     Weather: sunny and dry, 23°C air, 45°C track     After Sergio Pérez‘s heavy accident in the final minutes of qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, of course, the relief that the 21-year-old Mexican didn’t suffer any serious injuries is the overriding emotion inside the Sauber F1 Team. He was taken to the Hospital Princesse Grace in Monaco where he underwent an extensive examination. The medical staff informed the Sauber F1 Team that he escaped the shunt with concussion and a bruised thigh. Pérez will remain in hospital at least overnight and will definitely not start the race on Sunday.   Until the accident Pérez had shown his strongest qualifying performance so far in what is his first Formula One season. He made it into Q3, the qualifying session for the top ten drivers. In Q2 he had finished ninth on a fresh set of super soft tyres (1:15.482 min). The accident happened when he was on his final fast lap in Q3 on another fresh set of super soft tyres. He crashed into the barrier in the fast section after the tunnel. According to the current information, the team has no indication there was a technical failure, but it is investigating the accident further to find the reason for it.   For his team mate, Kamui Kobayashi, qualifying was over after Q2. With a lap of 1:15.973 min on fresh super soft tyres he qualified 13th. The Japanese said: “Sergio’s accident was, of course, a shock and I’m obviously happy he has no severe injuries. In the beginning I didn’t know about the accident because I had been taken for a doping test. In qualifying I still had difficulties with my car, which kept bouncing too much despite some further set-up changes we did in the third free practice. Nevertheless, from my grid position points are within reach and this is what I’m heading for tomorrow.”   Team Principal, Peter Sauber, said: “Of course we are very relieved that Sergio wasn’t seriously injured. Up to the accident he was doing very well in qualifying, and also better than expected as he had outperformed all his direct competitors. For Kamui it didn’t go too well in qualifying, but we know what his skills are and expect them to play a role in tomorrow’s race.”   The team’s Technical Director, James Key, said: “First and foremost we are obviously relieved with the reports that Sergio is okay. It’s always very worrying for a team when you see an accident of that magnitude, so it’s good to hear that he is fundamentally okay. We are looking into what happened. There is no indication at the moment from the data we have seen that there was a problem with the car. But we have to talk to Sergio to investigate further what happened.”

Delusions of grandeur

When Michael Schumacher and Ferrari made the long awaited announcement back in 2006 that the seven-time world champion would be retiring from the sport he had dominated for many a year, the consensus was that the German had been pushed out via the imminent arrival of Kimi Raikkonen from McLaren.

The shoddily handled announcement came immediately after the chequered flag fell at the end of the Italian Grand Prix and in the post-race press conference, Michael was as uncomfortable as I had ever seen him. Despite his best efforts to deny it, it was clear the Maranello hierarchy had decided to announce the deal with Raikkonen and that Michael – who ideally wanted more time to finalise a decision, would have to like it or lump it.

The team was, correctly, looking after the interests of itself and it’s investors. One couldn’t help but feel that the man who had helped transform the once limping horse into a prancing one that galloped all over the record books, was being forced into early retirement.

The following years saw Michael unable to prevent the urge to ‘race’ from rearing it’s addictive head and before long the German was competing once more, albeit on two wheels rather than four. An accident in a minor bike race in 2008 resulted in a hairline fracture of the vertebrae and apparently a lucky escape from more serious damage.

After Felipe Massa’s unfortunate crash in Hungary 2009, Ferrari needed a replacement and immediately the rumour mill went into overdrive suggesting Schumacher would make a comeback. Initially, it seemed as likely to happen as seeing the Pope come out of a brothel but within days it was confirmed that yes, the red Barron would don his helmet once more. Ultimately however, the neck hadn’t healed sufficiently to permit a return and so with a heavy heart, Michael confirmed he would not, after all, be seen in a racing car once more.

Fast-forward six months and with Jenson Button leaving the Brawn GP which had just been bought outright by Mercedes – previously only the engine supplier to the team, there was now available a potentially race-winning seat. While the rest of the world was asleep, Schumacher and former partner-in-crime Ross Brawn quietly came to a deal for the German to return to the sport via a 3-year contract.

While many questioned the move, most were anticipating the prospect of seeing how the old master would compare with the likes of new team mate Nico Rosberg and more importantly, the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Inevitably, much fanfare accompanied the German at the start of last year’s return to action but it was in essence, a disaster. The MGP-01 held not a candle to it’s predecessor which had taken Button to the title and Michael was emphatically out performed by his team mate in most areas.

Many have begun to wonder if the German will put himself through another winless year and perhaps more poignant, for the first time in his career, sorry, careers, his employer is contemplating a replacement for the seat he occupies.

Back in 2005, the BAR team - and in particular Jenson Button, were prevented from reaching the top step of the podium several times courtesy of Michael Schumacher who was enjoying another year of driving the best car in the field.

Despite being one of the main reasons Button had to wait a further year before his first win, the 2009 world champion is convinced that these days, grand prix racing is more competitive and thus, Schumacher’s end goal is all the more harder to achieve.

“Michael is in a very different situation to the one he was in before he retired,” Button declared during a recent McLaren Mercedes teleconference. “When he was at Ferrari he was in a competitive car and he knew that at almost every race he went into, he had a chance of winning.

“It’s a very different situation now and for me, over the last twelve years I’ve raced in the sport, it has got more and more competitive in terms of drivers and teams that can fight it out at the front.”

There is little doubt that with age comes a gradual decline in performance. Ok, yes Nigel Mansell was 39 when he strolled to the F1 title in 1992 and yes, Andretti was still racing competitively in Indycars at the age of 53 two years later but the fact still remains that performing at the level of your immediate competitors in the hardest championship in the world, is not easy for a man of 42.

At the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix, Niki Lauda casually informed Brabham owner Bernie Ecclestone that he was retiring from the sport with immediate effect; declaring that he no longer wished to "drive around in circles" and that he had simply had enough.

His charter airline Lauda Air was in need of his attention and so it was that the then double world champion hopped on his plane – literally, and turned his back on the sport, returning home to Austria.

Fast forward three years and Lauda, now requiring additional funds to stabilize his business, was back, now a McLaren driver intent on winning a third title. Despite initial concerns about his speed having lost some polish from team sponsor Marlboro; the Austrian promptly won his third race back on the streets of Long Beach before winning that elusive third crown in 1984.

Granted, having John Watson as team mate was never going to be a problem for Lauda and the fact that in McLaren, he had a car at his disposal that was usually there or thereabouts in terms of pace. For his title winning year and his final one in 1985, a young Alain Prost arrived and immediately out-paced his more experienced team mate. Aware that on speed alone, Prost was untouchable, the calculating Austrian won the championship through strategy and stealth before limping out of the sport for the final time a year later – annihilated by the younger Frenchman who picked up the first of his four titles.

“I think that today, it’s a lot tougher for a driver that’s spent three years out of the sport to then come back,” Button says. “I don’t know if Michael is as good as he was in his twenties but I think it’s more competitive now and he has a competitive team mate in Nico. I think he’s doing a pretty good job but he’s not setting the world alight because he is racing against some very talented drivers.”

The trouble for Michael though, is that because unlike Lauda before him, he has returned, then quickly won a race, his reputation as a race winner is being devalued with every passing grand prix.

The German Grand Prix is scheduled to be the 278^th start of his illustrious career and what better way to celebrate it than by announcing his retirement. At least this way - and unlike the façade that was Monza five years ago, he could bow out under his own terms, safe in the knowledge that the employee was dictating proceedings, not the employer. 

Thursday's press conference - Monaco

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 19:16 GMT

TEAM REPRESENTATIVES - Graeme LOWDON (Marussia Virgin), Vijay MALLYA (Force India), Adrian NEWEY (Red Bull), Peter SAUBER (Sauber F1 Team), Martin WHITMARSH (McLaren)
PRESS CONFERENCE
Q. Graeme, what do you feel about this race. Is this going to be your best chance for points here?
Graeme LOWDON: Monaco always has the potential for an unpredictable race and with the best will in the world that is our best chance at the moment until we can move the car further forward. We had a good run here last year until we had some car problems and I think now we are on top of the reliability problems that we had as a new team last year so we are looking forward to the race.
Q. You talked about bringing the car forward which is basically upgrades. Is there now going to be a regular flow or has there been a regular flow?
GL: There has been although we kind of went on hold a little bit in Barcelona. We were developing a blown exhaust system on the car and then following the directive from the FIA we decided that we would have to hold until the meeting next month when there is going to be a clarification of what direction to go in. We won't, in terms of pace... I don't think we will be moving much forward in this race but certainly we plan to keep moving forward as you have to of course. We will see what this clarification looks like and then determine then the direction we are going.
Q. Is there any technical contribution coming from Marussia?
GL: Marussia were sponsors of our team last year and then moved into an investment ownership element towards the end of last year so they are now gainfully integrated with the team and certainly in the future I think we will see information going in both directions. They have some really exciting road car plans for the long-term future and we are looking forward to playing our part in that as well.
Q. Vijay, in some ways again perhaps your best chance here. We saw (that) a couple of years ago when you really were looking on course for points until Kimi Raikkonen ended your chances. Is this race a good chance for points as well?
Vijay MALLYA: Yeah, absolutely. Since the beginning of the season we knew that at least for the first few fly-away races we would still be in the development mode. We were hoping to launch a serious aero package in Barcelona. We haven't got everything together quite yet but certainly there are improvements that are already showing during free practice here in Monaco. This is a fantastic race, my favourite, I would love to score points here.
Q. We always tend to see you as a representative of your nation. How is the Indian Grand Prix coming along?
VM: Coming along really well actually. The track is almost ready and will be ready well in time. The recent press reports apparently quoting Bernie (Ecclestone) saying that if Bahrain is re-instated then the Indian Grand Prix may actually be pushed back to December obviously raised a lot of questions at home. But whether it is October 30th, as scheduled, or later in the year we are ready and quite happy with the progress the promoters have made.
Q. What's the reaction at home especially now that Narain Karthikeyan is back in a race seat?
VM: Well when Narain and Karun (Chandhok) were both on the grid there was a lot of joy and celebration in India. But as you may know Force India have launched the "One In A Billion" hunt. It is going very well. We have had a few rounds already and we hope to identify some talented Indian kids in the not too distant future.
Q. Is there going a lot of interest in that?
VM: Huge amount of interest, absolutely. In fact, people contact me directly saying 'my son or daughter is one month less than the prescribed age of 14 of a few days older than the limit of 17 and can we please get them in'. There is a huge amount of interest.
Q. Peter, tell us about the contribution James Key has made to your team?
Peter SAUBER: The C30 is James Key's car and the car is a clear step forward. He is doing a good job and thanks to him we were able to move forward.
Q. Tell us about the modifications and the programme of development. How great is that? And, modifications for this race?
PS: Small modification to the front wing, rear wing, brake ducts and we have a modification on the front suspension.
Q. And then in terms of general developments. Are you expecting something every race?
PS: General development is on the aerodynamic side. I think that is the same for all the teams. We tried very hard on the exhaust side but it doesn't work.
Q. When you are looking ahead at your next team to overtake as it were, which team is that? Which is your target team?
PS: The target is to go forward and to keep the gap to the team in front of us and especially to keep the gap to the teams behind us.
Q. You don't want to catch and overtake Renault, for example?
PS: If it's possible, why not?
Q. Adrian, just tell us what the problem was with Mark's car this morning?
Adrian NEWEY: It was a cut wiring loom, a gearbox wiring loom, which meant he lost one of the potentiometers on the gearbox barrel.
Q. Is that a major setback for him to lose the whole session?
AN: I am sure it's a pain. The question is whether that will have any affect on his qualifying, come, hopefully, Q3.
Q. Interesting the situation with the pit-stop procedure change. What has accelerated that?
AN: Sorry, I am lost here.
Q. We understand that Christian (Horner) mentioned after Spain that because of the way Ferrari were stopping and were mirroring your stops, you were changing your procedure.
AN: We suspected that Ferrari were able to judge when we were going to stop before we went on the radio to the drivers to say stop, so we made a small change based on what we thought they were spotting. Whether that was correct or not who knows?
Q. Is it just being a bit paranoid?
AN: Depends whether they were doing it or whether it was just one of those co-incidences. I cannot comment really.
Q. KERS seems to have been a recurring problem right from the start of the season. Give us some indication of how difficult it is to get it right as perhaps we just don't understand in the media?
AN: KERS is a complicated project. It needs a lot of research, lots of development. The packaging route that we have chosen, whilst the system has its roots in the Renault Marelli system that was run a couple of years ago, it has been altered in various ways to suit the package we want for our car. That has caused some problems. It's not proving easy to completely eliminate it. We have hopefully learnt how to change it, but it is challenging for us. It is not really our forte, KERS development. We are an aerodynamics and, sort of, chassis composite engineering group rather than a KERS group.
Q. Have you had to establish an entire new department?
AN: Yes we have, but the department is quite small. With hindsight probably a little bit too small and there is quite a lot of inertia to these things. It is not easy to react quickly to a problem.
Q. One of the things about this race is using the super soft tyre. Can you give us a little bit of information about how the super soft tyre performed. Did it perform how you expected or better or worse this afternoon?
AN: It seemed okay this afternoon. Difficult to know exactly what to expect of it. This circuit is one of the lightest, or even the lightest, on tyres that we go to. Hence Pirelli's choice to bring a softer range than we have had to date and it seems to be coping well with that.
Q. They have suggested 10 laps, even less than 10 laps, per stint on the super soft. Is that pretty much confirmed or can you not say until Sunday itself?
AN: Certainly the indication from today is they should last longer than that. But it is difficult to be concrete and as have seen in the first five races what happens on Friday can change in either direction on Sunday.
Q. Martin, that is the most extraordinary thing about this season. It is just unpredictable except for the fact that Red Bull are going to be fairly close to the front and probably on the front row.
Martin WHITMARSH: Certainly, that is not too unpredictable at the moment. I would like it to be a bit less predictable. I am very happy if you keep asking Adrian questions. I would like to ask him a few myself. We made some progress in Spain. I think our guys were able to race with Adrian's and that was a step forward for us. We were not quite quick enough in qualifying. Had we had a better track position I think it would have been an even greater race but nonetheless it was exciting and encouraging. This circuit is very different from one week ago and from where we are going afterwards. This is a very specialist circuit. I think it is one which the drivers, the competitive drivers, believe they can go out and win so that makes it exciting. I suspect, I hope, it is going to be a bit closer this weekend. I think the strategy here is challenging. We know how difficult it is going to be to overtake here. I am not sure if DRS is going to be that helpful in my opinion but I can understand why people didn't want it going through the tunnel. But clearly the new chicane has been the overtaking place on the circuit so to not use DRS prior to that is a little bit of a shame in my view but we will see. Hopefully we will have a good weekend.
Q. You mentioned in the preview how important your performance through sector three was in Barcelona and it encouraged you for here. Has that been borne out today? MW: I think we have, like Adrian and all the guys here, had Friday as a learning day. During the first session this time we only had one set of tyres, I am sure Adrian had some aero bits to try. We had a few aero bits to try. You are getting that information. You are doing some fuel heavy runs to see how durable the super soft is and also the soft tyre. The super soft tyre looks very consistent on all the cars. We are getting a lot of data and now the strategists and engineers can work hopefully to improve the set-up for tomorrow and also try and make sure we get it right in the race.
Q. We mentioned the pit-stop concerns that Red Bull Racing have. Do Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have similar pit-stop concerns?
MW: No, we don't. I don't know anything about that particular issue. I think you call the stops and try and make them as quick as you can. Inevitably, sometimes it is nice to know when others are making them but you judge that by where you see their tyre performance. It is very clear this year that if the driver goes longer than his tyres should have done then he lost lots of time so you can generally see just by looking at lap times when somebody is about to come in.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q. (Alberto Antonini - AutoSprint) Coming out in the paddock yesterday, you could see that there was still a lot of action going on. Some of the facilities hadn't been completed, they were still being set up. So, I just wondered whether it's sensible, given the size of the current infrastructures, to have back-to-back races, coming to a place like this? Is it turning into a sort of logistic nightmare?
MW: Well, it's incredibly tough. Back-to-back races have always been tough on the crew and the team. Clearly because Monaco starts one day earlier, it's just that little bit tougher. There was a lot of action here, now there's a lot made of a forklift incident with Jenson but I think Jenson's probably done more dangerous things here in his life, both in cars and out of cars in Monaco, so I think it was probably a little bit overstated. It's tough. I'm sure that we're grateful – just as all the teams are here – to the people who build garages, build hospitality units, rebuild the cars to make sure we can be here racing.
GL: We've probably got the smallest motorhome of anybody here but dare I say, one of the friendliest. We tend to have to wait until all the large structures are put together before we can put ours together but I think we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that Formula One and the finances of Formula One are very complicated nowadays and these structures do actually play an important part in servicing the requirements of sponsors and guests. So it is an important part of the whole show, and the people who put them together do a tremendously professional job under very tight circumstances. I take my hat off to them.
VM: Well, we sometimes pay the price for our own enthusiasm. We wanted to create a sort of Taj Mahal out of our motorhome. In the process we created a pretty heavy and complex structure that requires a lot more time to erect and disassemble but that's life, we're used to it. We know that they're going to be back-to-back races and the guys coped pretty well.
PS: Yes, it's tough but we have done it in the past many times.
Q. (Pierre Van Vliet – F1i Magazine) Martin, what is FOTA's position regarding the 2013 engine rules following the Barcelona meeting last week?
MW: I think FOTA's view is that this really is a decision for the engine manufacturers, not for the teams themselves. I think teams want to have affordable engines and they've made those points to the engine manufacturers and to the FIA and I have to say that those views appear to be respected. I think that with any rules changes, it would have been great if we could have introduced more engine manufacturers into Formula One but unfortunately, we're perhaps coming out of a recession, we were a little bit too early with these changes, but at the same time, we have to move forwards in Formula One, we have to be seen with developing technologies that are relevant to the needs of society, so there will always be an emotional pull to the past. Lots of us speak about 'wasn't it great when we had V12s', 'wasn't it good when we had V10s', isn't it great that we've got V8s?' And I think we must be careful that we don't get emotional about those things. What we need is Formula One to be the pinnacle of motor sport, to have the most advanced powertrain and they've got to be affordable for all of the teams. I think also, we need as many engine manufacturers in Formula One, we need independent manufacturers like Cosworth. We need to make sure we don't lose any of the engine manufacturers we've got now. We're very fortunate as a sport to have Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault with us. We'd like to make sure that we've still got them in 2013 and beyond and I hope, in time, find ways in which other automotive companies find this sport attractive to invest in it.
Q. (Ian Parkes – Press Association) Vijay, could I ask you on what basis you took the decision to allow Adrian to continue racing after his incident in Shanghai. And secondly, you've just launched your own driver development programme, I think for 14- to 16-year olds; is he still a good role model for the team?
VM: As far as my position is concerned, there has been a press release issued which describes an incident. We have not heard of any formal complaint being registered in any country for any sort of misconduct by Adrian. So it would be highly inappropriate for us to presume that he did something. It would be equally presumptuous that he would guilty of wrong-doing and take action against him. So my position is very clear: if at all we receive a formal complaint or there is some form of formal legal enquiry in any country, we'll take appropriate action at that time but we can't be presumptive.
Q. (Edd Straw – Autosport) Adrian, there was a lot of talk in Spain about the legality of the exhaust-blown diffuser operating while the driver is off the throttle. What's your interpretation of the legality of that, specifically relating to article 3.15 and could you explain your reasoning behind the position you take on this technology?
AN: Well, I think the key to 3.15 is that it talks about 'driver over-run then the throttle should be closed' then in brackets 'idle speed' so it seems to be implying that the throttle should be closed at idle, which it clearly is. What the throttle does on over-run at other times is not clear in the regulations, not as expected. Certainly, in the case of Renault, then they open the throttle to full open on the over-run for exhaust valve cooling, and that's part of the reliability of the engine. It has been signed off through the years for dyno testing and for them to change that would be quite a big issue, because the engine's not proven that it would be reliable if the throttle remained closed in that situation. Obviously if other people are going further and perhaps firing the engine on the over-run then clearly exhaust valve cooling is not part of that and that would be something that presumably they would need to explain to keep Charlie (Whiting, technical delegate) happy.
Q. (Alan Baldwin – Reuters) Vijay, you mentioned the Indian Grand Prix and Bernie's comments about it but I was wondering if you've spoken to Bernie or talked to him about it and what is your personal position on any possible re-scheduling of that race?
VM: There are no issues on whether the track will be completed or not. That track will be ready well in time. There's a huge amount of interest. I can tell you that people are already clamouring for tickets and it's a major step forward in Indian motor sport and sport in general in our country, so everybody is looking forward to it. Whether it's October 30th or December 4th - I believe that's what the media report said – really doesn't matter to us. In fact, in December the weather is cooler in India and Delhi in particular so it shouldn't impact the race in any way.
Q. (Alan Baldwin – Reuters) Can I just ask the other team bosses whether it would impact on them at all, to be racing in December?
AN: Makes for an awfully long season, doesn't it? It is for the people involved.
MW: I think it's tough on the team, simple as that. I think the teams will go to the races that are on the calendar, that's for sure, but I think it makes it a very long season. The guys started working very hard in mid-January, building cars to go testing and it will make it a very, very long season for them.
PS: I think first we have to wait for the decision about Bahrain.
GL: I agree with Martin. I think it does make it quite tough on the teams. I think one of our guys is getting married on December 4th as well, so we might have a problem.
Q. (Rodrigo Franca – VIP Magazine) Question for all of you: what kind of advice would you give for a teenager who is beginning to study and one day wants to work in Formula One? What piece of advice would you five guys give?
AN: I guess the first question is where he or she wants to work, so is it technical, is it in marketing and so on and so forth? In my own area, on the technical side, I think by and large, academic studies help, so going to a good university, if that's possible, is clearly useful. At that point the person probably needs to decide which area they are going to specialise in, is it mechanical, aerodynamics, electronics, maths etc? Try and get some experience as well, even if it's working with a very small team, then anything that helps to build your CV and show that you are a committed, dedicated to motor racing and have both an academic flair and a real enthusiasm is mainly what we're looking for.
MW: I don't have much to add to what Adrian said. I think you have to be realistic. Those of us who are working in Formula One or in motor sport, are very, very lucky. It's a great career but it's massively competitive, it's still a relatively small industry so I think if anyone sets their sights on a career within motor sport they should also have a Plan B because however good you are, you might not be fortunate enough to get in.
VM: A lot of Indian technology companies are already supporting established Formula One teams but I represent a country that is full of aspiration, with 500 million youngsters under the age of 18, aspiration levels run really, really high and everybody wants to be part of Formula One because of the image that Formula One has. But I'm not just very, very pleased with the level of response in our one-in-a-billion hunt for a driver, the number of CVs and applications coming through from people who want to be involved in engineering and design is quite incredible. There's a lot of talent out there. In the technology industry per se, India has been in the forefront for many decades and there is talent out there and we can use that talent as well, as we go forward. We have some internships already running for young Indian engineers so yes, there's a huge amount of opportunity.
GL: I agree with Adrian, it's a mixture of experience but also knowledge. There's a remarkable number of people who look to get into a racing team who haven't prepared themselves with either and it constantly amazes me. I'm sure like all the other teams, we operate internships as well, with SMT University – I'm sure the other guys work with various universities and have close links with them, with education, which is important and there is no secret, it's hard work and application, and if you're prepared to put in the hard work and apply yourself, then anybody can get into the sport. But as Martin says, whether they stay in is a different matter.
Q. (Ian Parkes – Press Association) As you know, the state of emergency is due to be lifted in Bahrain on June 1, two days ahead of a decision being made about the Grand Prix, but I was wondering if any of you have made representations to either Bernie or the FIA that it is arguably morally and ethically wrong to still be going to Bahrain after what has happened there this year and is still going on?
PS: I think it's important that we be safe and the other point is that if we have three back-to-back races; that's really crazy.
VM: Well, I understand that there's a team principals meeting at 5pm to discuss this and after that I'm sure it will be debated at the World Motor Sport Council of which I'm a member, and I think it would be rather inappropriate for me to pre-judge the issue here, so let's wait for all the team principals to meet and to discuss it at the FIA level and see where we go.
GL: I think you asked 'have we made any representations?' Certainly I haven't and John (Booth) hasn't but that's more because the situation so far is not clear in terms of what the recommendations would be from the FIA and from FOM etc and so we just have to wait and see what develops. As a company, we want to play an important role in this sort of decision as well, but I don't think we necessarily have all the information.
MW: No representations, but I think, as Vijay said, I think it's probably something that's best discussed with the FIA and amongst the teams rather than via a press conference in any case.
Q. (Byron Young – The Daily Mirror) Could I ask Doctor Mallya: are you in the situation with Adrian Sutil that regardless of what he has or has not done, you're obligated to put him in the car for the year? If he's got a contract, he's got a contract.
VM: You know, contracts do not supercede misconduct so unless I'm convinced that there is misconduct the contract shall prevail. And I'm not willing to jump to any conclusions, based on a press release that has been given out by a potentially or supposedly aggrieved party. I don't know what happened there, none of my people know what happened at that particular incident so there's a due process of law. So if Adrian is to be charged with misconduct, let him be charged. If and when he's charged, I will assess the situation.

When is a tyre not a tyre?

I find Lewis Hamilton's assertion earlier today that the new super-hard Pirelli tyre debuting this weekend for the Spanish Grand Prix a totally unhealthy viewpoint.

For some reason, many involved directly within the teams, to say nothing of their multi-million pound darlings that sit in the cockpit, have seen it fit to criticise the new rubber on offer rather than try to adapt their driving skill. the result is that their is now a wider differential in lap performance between the hard and soft tyres which should allow the teams a chance to explore the use of more attacking race strategies.

 

"The super-hard tyre is a disaster," Hamilton declared after the first day  of running at the Circuit de Catalunya. "It wasn't nice to drive and I don't know why they (Pirelli) have brought that tyre because the previous one was pretty good. This looks pretty difficult to get it to switch on, and we're now about two and a half seconds off the pace. We were thinking 'Wow! This is insane to drive'. Then you go out on the soft tyre, and boom. There is such a huge difference between the two tyres. The soft is fantastic, so I  see most people driving that for the weekend, using as short a stint as possible with the new tyre in the race. It's not good." 

Me thinks the double world champion doth protest too much... 


As usual, his McLaren team mate Jenson Button has confirmed that while the tyre is certainly different to the previous spec, there is a job to be done nevertheless: 
"The tyre is seriously hard, and a little bit of a shock but we've all got to work with the same tyre and make the best of it, but I don't think you'd want to do more than one stint (in the race) on that tyre" 


The bottom line is that while not everyone is bound to find them much to their liking, the drivers are all in the same boat and need to just get on with the tyres they have been provided with. Sure they may be a shock to the system but for those who can manage their tyres, chances are that Sunday's race will prove more eventful than the previous four rounds so far.


If Hamilton fails to win in Fernando Alonso's back yard though, there is much to suggest whatever happens,  he could lay the blame for a poor result soundly at the door of Pirelli and given that the company has done more than the Drag Reduction System to promote overtaking, that would cast a negative light over the 2008 world champion.


Hamilton is prone to throwing his toys out of the pram and while no-one can criticise his confidence and commitment in the car, I for one am growing a little tired of his negative attitude towards the tyres. For too long F1 fans have been crying out for entertaining racing and courtesy of Pirelli, we now have the basics of what could and should prove to be a healthy future for the sport in terms of on-track excitement.


Don't tell Mr Hamilton though, otherwise who knows who he'll hit from the pram...

Turkish GP Report - Vettel takes 3rd win of year in style!

In a race that housed more pit stops since the one that cemented Ayrton Senna’s place in the pantheon of Formula One at Donington Park back in 1993, Sebastian Vettel took his third win out of four starts in 2011 to win the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.

With a back drop of cloudless skies (something that was not assured as the weekend began) and empty grandstands that gave little hope of Formula One making a return to the country next year, expectations were of an entertaining race but no-one expected it to deliver one of the most exciting in the history of the sport.

While Vettel maintained Red Bull’s dominant start to the year, there was overtaking a plenty all the way through the field. Yes the DRS system still needs a little work on as the majority of passing was a little too easy but in the main, this was a motor race to savour.

At the lights, Vettel made the cleanest getaway of his year so far and easily led into Turn 1. Also starting on the clean side of the track in third, Nico Rosberg was past Mark Webber into second place while Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso got the jump on the Australian too. Now on the gearbox of the Red Bull ahead, Lewis Hamilton made a move into Turn 3 but was a little too late on the brakes, got off line and allowed Massa and McLaren team mate Jenson Button ahead.

With the DRS system not applicable for the first two laps of the race, drivers were mindful of the fact that patience was the order of the day and as a result, the opening lap was largely contact-free, Sauber’s Sergio Perez being the only exception and had to pit for a new front wing after a minor collision further back down the field.

Lap 2 and Vettel was already starting to pull away to lead Rosberg by 1.2 seconds with Alonso, Webber, Felipe Massa, Button and Hamilton chasing hard heading into the first turn. Up the hill and through turns 5,6 and 7, a frustrated Hamilton sought a way through before settling on a crazy attempt heading into the daunting Turn 8. Determined to hold his ground, Button slammed the door firmly shut while further back, Michael Schumacher and Renault’s Vitaly Petrov weren’t quite as professional.

Under braking for the hairpin, the German moved left to defend but the Russian was unflinching in his determination to pass and the two made contact with the Mercedes damaging it’s front wing on the right rear tyre of the Renault, necessitating a pit stop to repair the damage and dropping down the field. It was unnecessary for the German to place his car in the position he did and one had to wonder if the old ‘race-savvy’ Michael would have acted differently.

“The incident with Petrov kind of dictated my race,” Michael declared afterwards. “We were very close and I was surprised that we touched but it was mostly my mistake.”

In the midst of the battle in front of him, Massa squeezed through and was now up into seventh, ahead of Petrov while next time by, Hamilton tried to pass Button once more on the outside of Turn 12 but was still unable to pull off the move.

Since first practice on Friday, Barrichello was driving with a renewed sense of purpose in a Williams that finally appeared to be more to his liking. This was admirably demonstrated as the Brazilian forced his way past Heidfeld for ninth under braking for the first turn while behind them, Adrian Sutil was up to 11th with Force India team-mate Paul di Resta in 12th, with the Toro Rosso of Buemi 13th.

Into the sixth lap and now Webber was on a charge, keen to re-establish a Red Bull one-two at the front. Into the slipstream out of the Turn 9 and 10 chicane, the Australian deployed his DRS and breezed past the Mercedes of Rosberg as if he were standing still. While the move to using the new-for-2011 device has undoubtedly added to the race action, when drivers are able to overtake this easily, it becomes a little artificial and unquestionably, the system needs tweaking further still.

Two laps later and while Vettel’s lead at the front was up to 4.4s, the McLarens were really at it. Opting to tail his team mate out of Turn 8 and into the DRS activation zone, Hamilton was soon alongside Button heading into the Turn 12 hairpin. Now ahead but offline, the two former world champions took their charge onto the start-finish straight as Hamilton got too much wheel spin out of the final turn and in doing so, gave Button enough to get alongside and back in front under braking for the first turn.

This overtaking disease was now catching fast as Heidfeld re-passed Barrichello for ninth and a DRS-assisted Alonso flies past Rosberg and takes third in the process while at the back, a recovering Schumacher passed Hispania’s Narain Karthikeyan for 21st.

Mirroring last year’s near-miss, Hamilton eventually dived ahead of Button into Turn 1 and immediately opened the gap and set off after Rosberg’s Mercedes while Massa – who had caught up the McLaren pair during their intense battle, began to seek a way past Button which he managed to do a lap later.
"I got a pretty decent start,” Hamilton said. “But I made a mistake on the opening lap and lost a lot of ground out of Turn 3 when I was trying to go around Webber and the battle with Jenson was good and fair, as always.”

His tyres now ruined, Petrov was the first of the front runners to stop on lap 9 with Massa and Hamilton next in a lap later. Having seen the Ferrari overtake him into the hairpin, Hamilton no doubt raised a wry smile after seeing the Brazilian drop back once more as they raced to the pit lane exit.

Driving like a man possessed, Kobayashi - having started dead last, was now up to 13th while Webber, Alonso and Rosberg all piled into the pits, soon followed by the trio of Heidfeld, Barrichello and Sutil.
Lap 12 and race leader Vettel was in for his first stop, thereby promoting a three-stopping Button into the lead momentarily. Next time by the Brit was only a second ahead of Vettel with Webber third and Alonso fourth before pitting for new rubber two laps later.

While Barrichello was busy putting a forceful move on his nemesis Schumacher into Turn 1, at the hairpin, Hamilton was passing Rosberg for fifth while Vettel continued to pull away and Alonso began to keep Webber honest by matching the Red Bull for lap times over the next few laps.

The battle for sixth intensified as Massa continued to chase Rosberg’s Mercedes before getting a good run on the German exiting Turn 8 and sending down his Ferrari under braking for the following chicane. Not to be undone by the Brazilian’s pass, Rosberg was immediately on the throttle and now with the benefit of his DRS system, managed to re-pass the Ferrari into Turn 12.

So much overtaking already and we were still not even at half distance…

The battle ahead resulted in Button closing the gap in seventh while Hamilton pitted the other McLaren – having clearly spent the best of his tyres.

Two laps later and still the Massa/Rosberg/Button duel wasn’t over with the Ferrari passing the Mercedes into Turn 12 and Button pulling an impressive pass on the outside to slot in behind Massa. Rosberg was soon into the pits though leaving Button to pass Massa a few laps later before both drivers stopping a second time.
Alonso continued to slowly close the gap and by lap 30, was close enough to make a move into the regular overtaking zone at Turn 12.

Lap 35 and with it came Hamilton’s second pit stop. What should have taken around under 4 seconds took over 6 as the right front wheel nut cross-threaded before the Englishman was on his way again, wheel spinning his McLaren in frustration; only to emerge behind his team mate once more.

Back at the front, Alonso was in on lap 37, covering Webber who had pitted a lap earlier with both now on the hard tyres with the Ferrari jumping ahead of the Red Bull in the process.

Also on a charge now, Rosberg – who had already run the harder tyres earlier and was now on soft rubber, was quickly ahead of Barrichello for seventh and looking strong for another points finish.

Now realising that his three-stop strategy was a mistake, Button pitted two laps later and was now being asked to ensure his tyres would last 18 laps – a mammoth task, even for one with Jenson’s silky-smooth style.

Having pitted for the third time on the 40th tour, Vettel’s lead on lap 43 was up to 7.1s with Alonso and Webber trying to work out if they should try to go the distance or pit for new rubber.

Reliability of contemporary grand prix cars has impressed in 2011 and Sunday was no different as Paul di Resta became the second mechanical retirement on lap 46, Timo Glock’s Marussia Virgin being the first to falter after failing to take the start.

 “When I was leaving the pits after my final stop, the team came on the radio and instructed me to stop,” confirmed the Scottish rookie. “There was obviously a problem so I pulled up as soon as I could. It was unfortunate because the final part of the race would have been interesting on the fresh tyres."

Meantime, Alonso was in for his stop, comfortably resuming in second, ahead of Webber in third while a lap later, Rosberg's fresh rubber was beginning to pay dividends as he passed Massa at Turn 12.
Covering his nearest challengers, race leader Vettel decided not to gamble and came in for a fresh set of rubber and a fourth stop on lap 48, ready to maintain the gap on the run to the chequered flag.

Hamilton, now on fresher rubber and clearly quicker, received no competition from Button on lap 51 as he went by under braking for the hairpin and into fourth place. Now aware of Button’s plight, Rosberg was given the message to push on the radio while the battle for second became just as intense with Webber all over the gearbox of Alonso.

At this point, everywhere you looked there was action with Schumacher versus Massa for 12th, and Barrichello versus a chasing Sutil for 14th.

Webber was still on a charge and made a move on Alonso at the braking zone for Turn 12 and despite the Spaniard fighting his Australian rival every inch of the way, Webber was quickly ahead. It was firm but fair, with both men giving each other plenty of space. This was racing at it’s very best and a delight to observe.

 “It was a good fight,” Webber confirmed. “Both of us used the DRS to get the moves done, so that was part of it, but the tyres play a huge role. In the end I had a fresher set of tyres from qualifying and got the job done on Fernando.”

The overtaking addiction was still prevalent through the field with Massa making a phenomenal late breaking pass on Schumacher into Turn 12, but Schumacher completed the switchback in Turn 13 to retake 12th. Schumacher then made a great move on Alguersuari at Turn 13 on the next lap to take over 11th, but almost immediately Massa sensed an opportunity and passed both of them as they squabbled amongst themselves.
As the flag fell, Vettel did his usual side-to-side car shake to take the applause from his team who were hanging over the pit wall and the German was delighted that his Friday crash in free practice had been forgotten.

“Throughout the race I had this cushion and we were able to react rather than act, so I’m very pleased,” a beaming Vettel declared. “This one is for the guys, as I wrecked the car on Friday, but they got it back together and everyone played his role. Not only my mechanics, also Mark's mechanics helped a lot to fix the car and get ready for Saturday. I have to say, when I walked in on Saturday morning every little worry was gone immediately, as the mechanics gave me the impression that nothing happened, nothing is wrong and we will continue as usual. It was a very good race and I am obviously very, very happy.”

A content Webber was third in the second Red Bull with Alonso a content third.
“The guys did a great job all weekend, maximum result for the team, so we can't do much more than that as a team,” Webber confirmed. “Yeah, wasn't a bad car race, I think. I'll have a look at it on telly and see what it's like.”

 “I am very, very happy with the result but this is only the first step,” Alonso added. “We want to win races and first we need to be on the podium as we were today and now we need to keep moving forward.
Fourth was the recovering Hamilton with fifth going to Rosberg who had breezed past the ailing Button on lap 56 who finished a disappointing sixth.

"It's a pity to finish so far back after everything in the first stint seemed to go so well,” a disconsolate Button said. “Strategy-wise, I don't think we got it right today. My battle with Lewis was great fun and there was a lot of excitement on the track, but I was disappointed to finish where I did: the car felt very good but we just went the wrong way on strategy.”

Heidfeld was a disgruntled seventh for Renault – having been hit by his eighth-place finishing team mate Petrov earlier in the race.

Buemi finished an impressive ninth but unquestionably, the driver of the day was Kobayashi whose bravery seemingly knows no bounds after a sterling drive from 24th to 10th and a single point.

Eleventh went to Massa while another lackluster performance in 12th from Schumacher will not have gone down well with the bosses at Mercedes. Force India’s Adrian Sutil was 13th, Sergio Perez 14th in the second Sauber, Barrichello a disappointed 15th and Jaime Alguersuari 16th for Toro Rosso.

Pastor Maldonado was 17th for Williams, ahead of the Team Lotuses of Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen and the Marussia Virgin of Jerome d'Ambrosio and the Hispania pairing of Narain Karthikeyan and Vitantonio Liuzzi.

The Formula 1 circus now heads to the land of Alonso-mania and the passionate Spanish faithful will no doubt embrace the performance of their Ferrai-powered hero in Istanbul. Can it continue once the drivers hit the track in Barcelona in two weeks time and will it be enough to help the former double world champion to a home victory?

Not if Sebastian Vettel has anything to do with it.

Mike Coughlan Appointed as Chief Engineer

With the scent of the 2007 'spygate' scandal which rocked Formula 1 now swiftly removed, Mike Coughlan has returned to the sport as Williams Chief Engineer and I for one am pleased to see him return. 

Here's the full press release from Williams:

Williams F1 today announced that Mike Coughlan will join the team in June 2011 in the role of Chief Engineer.

Mike Coughlan undertook his training and education at Rolls Royce and Brunel University. He began his Formula One career at Lotus where he worked his way up to Chief Designer. He subsequently worked for Tyrell, Ferrari and Arrows before joining McLaren in 2002 as Chief Designer. Mike left Formula One in 2007 as a result of his role in the ‘Spygate’ affair. Since then, Mike has applied his skills principally as Chief Engineer in the development of the Ocelot Light Protected Patrol Vehicle. He joins Williams F1 from NASCAR competitor, Michael Waltrip Racing.

Frank Williams, Team Principal, said: “Mike Coughlan is a fine engineer with extensive experience across Formula One and both civil and defence engineering. He left Formula One in 2007 because of conduct which he acknowledges was wrong and which he profoundly regrets. His two year ban from the sport expired some time ago and Mike is now determined to prove himself again. Williams is delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to do this and we are very pleased to have one of the most talented and competitive engineers in the sport helping us to return to the front of the grid. This is the first step in re-building and strengthening our technical group. We will announce the next steps as they develop.”

Mike Coughlan commented, “I am grateful to Williams for giving me this opportunity. My experience in 2007 was life-changing. Since then, I have endeavoured to put my skills to good use in the design of the Ocelot vehicle whose purpose is to transport soldiers in safety. I have also enjoyed my time with Michael Waltrip Racing: they are an excellent race team and I wish them well for the future. Now, I am looking forward to returning to a sport which I love and to joining a team that I have admired for many years. I will dedicate myself to the team and to ensuring that we return to competitiveness while respecting the ethical standards with which Williams has always been synonymous.”

Williams F1 Announces Technical Department Restructure

Interesting to see developments at Williams this morning. We did see it coming as there had been murmering of unrest at Grove since the team has been unable to convert pre-season testing form into tangible points finishes in 2011.

Here's the full release announcing the departure of Sam Michael and Jon Tomlinson:

Williams F1 today announced that Technical Director, Sam Michael, and Chief Aerodynamicist, Jon Tomlinson, have resigned from their positions within the company, to take effect at the end of 2011.

Frank Williams, Team Principal, said: “Both Sam and Jon are talented and driven people who have worked hard for Williams over 10 and five years respectively. Nonetheless, they have recognised that the team’s performance is not at the level that it needs to be and have resigned in order to give the team the opportunity to regroup and undertake the changes necessary to get back to the front of the grid. Both will continue to work in their present positions through until the end of the year to ensure that the team maintains focus and momentum during the 2011 season. We are very grateful to Sam and to Jon for their professional approach.”

The Real Obama Speech on the death of Osama Bin Laiden...

Good evening. 

(Hello you total fools, wait till you hear this...) 

Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

(Tonight I can report that the man we decided should be seen as the perpetrator of the murder led by the American government, is dead - again.)

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory - hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

(We certainly did not, did not, allow FOUR commercial aircraft to go totally unnoticed for many minutes and without military intervention! The twin towers were brought down via controlled demolition, there was no wreckage in Shanksville, but hell we're gonna keep telling you they didn't! Our heroic citizens didn't actually do what we say they did but shhh, who cares...)

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child's embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

(Which your own government was responsible for but you idiots will keep thinking we weren't)

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

(Doesn't matter who you are, your all gullible and let us get away with murder - literally!)

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. 

(Despite having a pre-planned programme to go to war)

We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al-Qaida - an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaida to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

(Despite assuring the American public and the world that proof of Al-Qaida's guilt would be forthcoming in the days after it was announced, we forgot to honour that pledge and decided to attack anyway...)

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides in that effort. We've disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. 

(We have made it look like we have spent years looking for him but we actually haven't but who's listening...)

In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al-Qaida safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al-Qaida terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

(There were definitely NOT named terrorits of 9/11 who were later reported and confirmed as still being alive.)

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al-Qaida continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

(We let bin Laden go before 9/11 and a month after it but you don't need to know that so we won't tell you)

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al-Qaida, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

(I instructed the head of the CIA to make me look good by letting me confirm to the world that we had killed bin Laden so we can provide momentary relief from the financial strife blighting our country...)

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

(Do you really think we would spend MONTHS just watching him? Ha, you fools! Of course we wouldn't but that's sure as hell what we're gonna tell you we did!)

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al-Qaida's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al-Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must - and we will - remain vigilant at home and abroad.

(We will keep raising the alarm every time we see fit but will continue to release proof to back up our claims of increased threats.)

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not - and never will be - at war with Islam. I've made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al-Qaida has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

(Our actions have brought an Islamic-led hatred against us because our war efforts were unjust back in 2001 and we had to blame him after our American government was responsible for the mass murders on US soil nearly ten years ago.)

Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done. But it's important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

(Even though he died a few years ago...)

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al-Qaida and its affiliates.

(if they do  not, we'll impose sanctions against them so it is in their interests to join the rest of the world and jump when we tell them too.)

The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. 

(We let those planes crash into the towers, brought down the towers and fed you gullible fools a story you still believe is true!)

After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who's been gravely wounded.

(I hate having to sign these letters because I know what really happened and to be honest, it wastes much of my time)

So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. 

(And we won't wait for clear-cut evidence to prove our 'enemies' guilt)

We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al-Qaida's terror: Justice has been done.

(We will be relentless in the slaughter of innocent women and children abroad to kill a man already dead and therefore we take great pleasure in announcing his 'death' as Justice being done. Even though bringing the previous government to trial would be the true case of justice being done.)

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

(Not that I'm assuming anything but you fools are stupid enough to believe me so I'll say it anyway)

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

(We haven't  forgotten your loss but do you really think we're going to let the real perpetrators meet justice? Ha, as if we would!)

And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to standity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

(we can do these things because no-one will stop us due to the propaganda machine being in full flow and we're being billed as the crusaders and not the murderers we are)

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. 

(Thank you for listening and believing it you total gullible people)

TAMBURELLO


Just another ordinary Sunday
May the first of ninety-four

San Marino was the place where

We got shaken to the core

Born into his world a leader

Showing everyone the way

Heading out into the distance

When our minds got blown away

He was the one

The one true champion

Then lap seven

Came and heaven

Called his name

Goodbye our friend

We’ll never see you again

We all cry together

Senna Forever

When the realisation kicked in

And we knew that it was real

Didn’t want to stop believing

That his fate God couldn’t seal

He was the one

The one true champion

Then lap seven

Came and heaven

Called his name

Goodbye our friend

We’ll never see you again

We all cry together

Senna Forever

He will always be here with us

Still in our hearts is left a hole

We’ll find peace of mind in knowing

With the angels lies his soul

He was the one

The one true champion

Then lap seven

Came and heaven

Called his name

Goodbye our friend

We’ll never see you again

We all cry together

Senna Forever

1999 Copright Max Davies