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HindustanTimes Wed,19 Jun 2013

The 'bonkers' business logic of Formula 1 teams

The primary goals of any normal business are to be successful in its field; to add value to the company; and to make a profit. Other strategic goals include building a brand, becoming the market leader or expanding the business into new areas. Joe Saward writes.

F1 needs America to complete global jigsaw

If all goes to plan, this will be a big week for Formula 1 as it returns to the United States for the first time in five years. F1 has failed to break into the US market in the course of the last 30 years, having blown the foundations that were built at Watkins Glen and Long Beach in the 1970s.

No rough ride this time around

If reaching the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) last year was a Herculean task, this time it was a smooth ride, literally. Sharmistha Chaudhuri reports.

Vett and wild again

After all the build-up, it was finally time for the real thing. Race day had arrived at the Buddh International Circuit and despite some issues in qualifying, I was looking forward to a good finish. Narain Karthikeyan writes.

Honestly, it’s one big yawn trackside

First sound of the cars and everyone gets excited. Eventually, the race starts and the cars begin to zip by. It's all quite deafening and honestly, all quite boring. HT reports.

All it takes is a little push...

Growing the audience for F1 in India is all about giving fans that initial kick of adrenalin, writes Joe Saward.

Is Force India really an Indian team?

India is a massive potential market for F1 and so having Indians interested in the sport is a great idea. One needs only to look back to see the interest that a successful driver can generate, Joe Saward writes.

Bulldozing the opposition to front row

Vettel and Webber may have sealed a qualifying one-two for Red Bull, but on a track with many overtaking opportunities it will be an open race, Narain Karthikeyan writes.

In The Flesh: II

Yesterday, HT brought you the title contenders. Today, meet the former champions, as well as those who’ve always been in contention but missed out on the big prize

Damon of the past delves into present

The F1 great, Damon Hill, revisits his fiery rivalry with Schumi, holds no grudges. Vinayak Pande reports.

The agony of being Karthikeyan

The Formula 1 world first became aware of Narain Karthikeyan in the summer of 1999, when the first rumours drifted in that "an Indian chap" had won a British Formula 3 race at Brands Hatch. Joe Saward writes.

Practice unplugged

Gutted after a hydraulic leakage but looking forward to a good qualifying at the Indian Grand Prix come race weekend. Narain Karthikeyan writes.

Man who gave Schumi a start

Just goes to show you that anything is possible when a man, who quit school at the age of 15, designed the car that allowed Michael Schumacher to shine at Formula 1's best circuit (Spa in Belgium). Vinayak Pande reports.

Fasten your seat belt... it's here

The Formula One circus arrives at the BIC as tons of equipment is readied for the show. Vinayak Pande writes.

Surrounded by glitz, grounded in ‘realty’

Run into Sameer Gaur on the street and bet you won't figure that this unassuming man is the managing director of Jaypee Sports International. A fancy watch aside, there are hardly any swanky embellishments that scream: 'F1 circuit owner'. Sukhwant Basra & Vinayak Pande report.

It’s not that simple

When I was first asked to describe the experience of driving a Formula 1 car for this column, I was at a loss for words. How can you put down something so surreal, thrilling and scarcely believable --- the feel of driving an F1 car --- in black and white? Narain Karthikeyan writes.

How the F1 pie is shared

Formula 1 does not like to talk about money. The sport is wallowing in greenbacks but it is not considered good form to discuss such things. Joe Saward writes. Graphic: The evolution of the F1 car(1950-2012)

Long and winding road

India’s motorsport trailblazer tells you all that you need to know to make it to the rarefied air of the F1 paddock.

New engines set to be scrapped

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that controversial environmentally-friendly new engines which are due to be introduced to the sport in 2014 are likely to be scrapped. Christian Sylt reports.

Room for improvement at an already tremendous event

The Singapore Grand Prix is a tremendous event - but it is not always a great race. In five years it has somehow managed to establish itself as a classic F1 venue - even if the races are a little processional.

Goodbye to ‘the prof’

The last week has seen the death of Professor Sid Watkins. He was 84 years of age and had been suffering from cancer for some time.

Celestial speedway

The oldest track on Formula One calendar should feature on the wishlist of every motorsport fan. Joe Saward writes.

Why it is right to punish Romain Grosjean

Romain Grosjean has been banned from racing at the Italian Grand Prix, his punishment for causing the first corner accident at Spa. The Frenchman is young and is a man under pressure. Joe Saward writes.

Topsy-turvy season a treat

The 2012 Formula 1 World Championship season has been one real topsy-turvy affair. I’d like to think I’m pretty good with my F1 history, and even I can’t recall a season so wide open where every single weekend there are atleast 16 drivers who could realistically snatch a place on the podium. Karun Chandhok writes.

Hamilton's future keeping F1 rumour-mongers busy

It has been a very quiet summer for the Formula 1 world, without too many wild stories kicking about. This is probably because the people who are really involved in the sport have all been on holiday, and so there has been nothing for the rumour-mongers to get their teeth into. Joe Saward writes.

Good for brand value, but is it good for cars?

It is worth noting that US automotive giant General Motors has just announced a major new sponsorship, which should serve to remind F1 that looking into the mirror from time to time to see whether one is still attractive is not such a bad idea. Joe Saward writes.

It's time to have an Olympic Grand Prix

Formula 1 has gone on holiday for the next month, mainly because the world is now going to be focused on the Olympic Games, and in more practical terms because members of the F1 circus have been on the road for quite a long time now. People are tired and want to spend time with their families, during the school holidays. Joe Saward writes.

The silly season begins

The 2012 Formula 1 "Silly Season" has finally kicked off with the re-signing of Mark Webber by Red Bull Racing. Joe Saward writes.

The importance of catching them young

McLaren are leading the way in an area where Formula One’s short-sighted promoters are paying little heed to. Joe Saward writes.

The final nail in Bernie's commercial coffin?

The real story in Formula 1 in the last few days has been the conviction last week in a German court of Dr Gerhard Gribkowsky. He was once a big shot in the F1 world, as the main representative of BayernLB, which used to own the Formula One group.

Manufacturers off the mark

The 3rd edition of the Mughal Rally drew interest from three of the largest vehicle manufacturers in India. That in itself is exciting. After all, rallying in India had been confined to two tyre companies till now. Sukhwant Basra writes.

Safety should be the top priority

It is unfortunate that two participants in the Mughal Rally — Jatinder Shukla and Ashish Mahajan — lost their lives when they had come to experience the thrill of rallying in one of the most picturesque places in the world. Musa Sherif writes.

A sport where promoters make over 50%

The European Grand Prix in Valencia was great entertainment and while the sequence of different winners came to an end, Fernando Alonso's great drive kept us on the edge of our seats until the chequered flag. Joe Saward writes.

A new formula for a better Formula One

Regulations to come into effect in 2014 have faced some opposition but have been drafted in F1's best interest. Joe Saward writes.

Nine hours of racing and just four hours of sleep

What a weekend that was! I've done hundreds of races in my career in various cars across several countries but nothing can compare with what I experienced over the last 24 hours here at Le Mans. To give you some stats, through the race, I was on track for 9 hours and slept for 4, which isn't a very relaxing ratio I can assure you. Karun Chandhok writes.

Big build-up to the big race

Along with the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix it is widely recognised as one of the crown jewels of world motorsport. Karun Chandhok writes.

Who could ask for anything more?

Seven different winners in seven races, from five different teams and there are still a number of teams and drivers that could, without any great surprise, be winners as well.

Rumours, hard questions abound at Monaco GP

Speculation on F1 and other matters lands Mallya in a spot of bother. Joe Saward writes.

Hard work and ability see Indian rise in F1

Dehradun-born Monisha Kaltenborn is handed the reins at Sauber F1 after quietly climbing up the ladder at the Switzerland-based team. Joe Saward writes.

The ups and downs of the game

In motor racing in general, and Formula 1 in particular, reality is often stranger than fiction… and that was certainly true at the weekend in Barcelona. Joe Saward writes.

Reading between Webber's lines

Far too much of the Formula 1 media these days is headline-based and that often leads to people being led astray. Joe Saward writes.

Fancy a piece of F1 pie?

Formula 1's second attempt to go to the stock markets is anything but a done deal. Joe Saward writes.

Bahrain not as wild and chaotic as thought to be

Formula 1 went to Bahrain and lived through a quite extraordinary weekend. I certainly have never had a race meeting like it in my 29 year career.Joe Saward writes.

On a wing and a prayer, F1 makes a risky pit stop

Sport risks safety of competitors and its reputation by insisting on Bahrain GP. Joe Saward writes. Formula 1's flirtations with real-world politics

Ecclestone looks West to solve Yankee riddle

They used to tell all the immigrants in the United States to "Go West" to make their fortunes. Many did. Now the sprightly 81-year-old Bernie Ecclestone looks like he is about to follow the same advice. Joe Saward writes.

Vettel, Germany and the curious case of gherkins

Whatever the details, what Vettel was saying was that Narain was "silly" to have collided with him, an incident which damaged the Red Bull's rear tyre and dropped him out of the points. Joe Saward writes.

Figure that one out!

An exciting yet intriguing Malaysian GP raised many questions. Joe Saward writes.

Optimism all around

If opening GP is anything to go by, this season's title race will be an open one with new contenders emerging to challenge Red Bull's 2-year reign. Joe Saward writes.

If not F1 power, then not a dream worth living for Narain Karthikeyan

On paper, Narain Karthikeyan may have signed for the same HRT F1 team that he drove for last year, thus ensuring the sort of continuity that drivers in the fickle world of Formula One crave for to advance their careers. A closer look reveals there is little about the Spanish team that is the same as the 2011 season, writes Vinayak Pande.

Indian GP showing swung it for me

Narain Karthikeyan explains how his performance in the home race last year helped him retain his slot on the F1 grid.
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F1 Pundit
The 'bonkers' business logic of Formula 1 teams

The primary goals of any normal business are to be successful in its field; to add value to the company; and to make a profit. Other strategic goals include building a brand, becoming the market leader or expanding the business into new areas. Joe Saward writes.

F1 Pundit

F1 needs America to complete global jigsaw

If all goes to plan, this will be a big week for Formula 1 as it returns to the United States for the first time in five years. F1 has failed to break into the US market in the course of the last 30 years, having blown the foundations that were built at Watkins Glen and Long Beach in the 1970s.

more »

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Coughlan keeps Williams on the move

Mike Coughlan's arrival as chief engineer at Williams in June 2011 was a crucial step, if controversial given his chequered past, in turning around the fortunes of Formula One's faded former champions.
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