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| F1 Bahrain Blog: The first press conference |
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| Written by Kate Walker | |||
| Thursday, 11 March 2010 14:12 | |||
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I didn't find the room till after the press conference had started, so I'm watching it on telly in the media centre. But about 85% of the media centre is journos watching the conference on telly, so I don't feel so bad. It's air-conditioned in here, which probably explains why more people can be found in front of their laptops than chatting to drivers. The circuit staff have been very helpful and friendly, but only up to a point – when asked where things are, they direct you via landmarks that I've been unable to find. As a result, I am starving! Apparently there's catering for the media, but all the directions I've been given have been different, so there's been a lot of wandering around in circles and absolutely no food. But back to the racing. Not actually much of interest to report from the press conference – it began with a group hug, and predictable comments along the lines of 'hope you're all still friends in Abu Dhabi'. The drivers have all given pretty standard quotes on being excited about the start of the season, wanting to race again, and finding new challenges. It's the same stuff we here every year, so I won't repeat it here. Massa'a glad to 'be back in business – nice to be back'. The Brazilian wants to start racing again, and wants to start the 2010 season with a bang. Not a bad bang, mind you – a good start that will enable him to compete for the championship throughout the season. Like teammate Alonso and countless Tifosi, Massa is excited about this year's Ferrari. Schuey's just said he thinks he can make it three wins at Bahrain, but fellow two-time Sakhir winner Alonso also wants to see his third Bahraini victory this weekend. Should be a good competition, even if the race does come down to a tussle between Ferrari past and present. The Schumacher-Alonso on-track are likely to provide some of the season's racing highlights – the Spaniard beat the German legend in the latter's last two seasons in F1, and there are definitely some old scores to settle. From the sounds of it, the drivers are as curious about the season to come as we are – no one knows quite how the racing will pan out under the new regulations. Schuey thinks there's now more scope for strategy, which is never a bad thing. Alonso wants to wait and see before making judgements, much like teammate Massa. Lewis has called the new season a new challenge, and thinks the drivers will put on a good show for the fans. Jenson's excited about the new qualifying regulations, but thinks that the performance differential between qualies and race will be greater than it's been in recent memory. The biggest shocker of the press conference so far – insert sarcasm here – is that everyone wants to hear Schumacher's opinion on everything from the racing to come to the price of milk. I'm beginning to feel sorry for the other four – despite being some of the grid's big hitters, they're not getting much attention from the floor. Possibly they should have had a separate press conference just for Schuey – that his return is the big story can't have been a surprise. Ooh, a McLaren question, all about the team dynamic! Jenson and Lewis stop joking with each other in the back row and start joking with the press. Button and Hamilton are teasing the media for ignoring them, and claiming that the good relationship we see before us is all acting. Apparently they start throwing spitballs as soon as the cameras stop rolling. Sounds pretty tongue in cheek to me, but that could change once the racing starts... Jenson just burned Schuey – 'it's great having Michael back, it makes me feel young again'. Everyone laughed, but Schumacher cringed a bit. I don't blame him. The Michael-mania seems to have calmed down a bit now – we're having questions addressed to the other drivers for a change. A lot of them alluding to the challenge of racing Schumacher, but still – it's about time the McLaren and Ferrari boys got a decent chance to talk. I know it's old news now, but I still can't get over seeing Schuey in silver. In fact, he's the only driver at the press conference not wearing any red – Jenson and Lewis have got red hats on, and the Ferrari boys haven't decided to break with tradition and turn up in purple. Although it would be pretty funny if they did – aren't Shanghai qualies on April Fools' Day? Methinks I smell a brilliant joke... Award for dumbest question of the press conference: 'If Michael keeps winning and winning, will it be bad for the other drivers?' Ummm... Lewis didn't know how to answer that without being sarcastic, and the others were having problems. It's almost as good as 'what colour is your blue dress?' and 'do sad things make you unhappy?'. And now it's over. Fingers crossed I can make sense of the directions to the food this time! Kate Walker Girlracer Magazine http://www.girlracer.co.uk
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 11 March 2010 14:13 |
