All posts by Robin

Podcast 156: Grand Prix of Canada 2014

We talk about the Mercedes qualifying pace verses the other front runners, and the simmering team tension that continues between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. We discuss the higher than average attrition as well as Montreal’s ability to consistently provide great racing. Pit Reporter Jamey Price tells us more behind the scenes insights from this memorable grand prix. Visit http://funwitchcars.com for blog posts, feedback, and more.

Podcast 153: Spanish Grand Prix 2014

In this week’s show we discuss the Spanish Grand Prix and F1’s return to Europe. Hamilton and Mercedes refuse to get off the freight train of success. Does a GP2 car deserve more of your attention? Pastor Maldonado yet again shows us why he chose lucky number thirteen. Kimi gives Alonso a wake-up call. And solutions to the new formula’s “noise complaints” get tested. Visit http://funwithcars.com for more!

Claire Williams. Best Deputy Team Principal, Ever!

Claire Williams, daughter of Sir Frank, and the Deputy Team Principal of Williams Martini Racing was just awarded the coveted title of: Best Deputy Team Principal of all time, ever! And the reason is simple. Through her leadership, one of the most storied F1 teams in history is as competitive now as it was in the days of Juan Pablo Montoya. What’s more, she led a turn around of the team in short order. Only last year Williams finished a shameful 9th in the contractors championship with only 5 points. Now, with only three races complete they’ve collected 30 points, sit in 6th in the championship, and have momentum on their side to catch 5th place Ferrari.

That is impressive as hell!

Just last week we wrote about intra-team politics that caused the drivers consternation. Boo. But that was quickly handled, issue settled. Then less than a week later both drivers made it to Q3, 3rd and 7th respectively, and then went on to finish 7th and 8th for another fantastic result. Clearly many people deserve credit for this, but it’s undeniable that a fresh face, with fresh ideas has proved revelatory.

And here’s the best bit. I like Williams. Jim likes Williams. Everyone, just about, likes Williams. They’re a plucky never-give-up team that always finds a way to preserver. Ever since BMW left Williams, they struggled as a privateer team with no manufacturer backing. But now, with new rules and an even more complicated power train, they thrive. I love it. And I wanted to take a moment to recognize the brilliant mind behind it.

The Best Deputy Team Principal in the freakin Galaxy, Claire Williams.

-Robin Warner

The Intra-Williams battle-gate!

    Massa v. Bottas. Team Strategy v. Honor. Who wins? Who was right?

Felipe Massa did the right thing by disobeying his team. With less than ten laps to go Williams told Massa to get out of the way of teammate Vatteri Bottas because Bottas ran on fresher tires, lapped faster, and caught him. Fair enough. Furthermore, both Williams drivers caught the lead McLaren of Jenson Button, and Massa couldn’t find a way around. Williams figured give Bottas a chance.

Simple. Logical. Why not try it?

Well…Maybe Bottas could close on Button, execute a pass, and score more points for Williams. But if that’s the case, why not prove it by letting Bottas execute a pass on Massa and then go on to attack Button. In other words, no team orders. Let them race! Let the drivers make their own decisions and deal with the consequences. Williams decided not to do that. Instead they tightened the leash on Massa. Massa decided leashes are stupid and ignored them.

They raced, Massa came out on top. Williams saw both drivers finish in the points; a great result. So in my view: no harm, job done. But many folks lamented that Massa ignored his team and made a mistake. I disagree. Massa did the right thing for himself and showed the team his tenacity as a driver and how sensitive he is to any kind of team orders. Williams knew this when they signed him and hence should have known better.

Massa earned all the points he deserved, and accomplished something much more important. He showed Williams not to presume acquiescence from their lead driver. He showed Bottas to never think radioing the team will move him out of the way. Most importantly, Massa showed the F1 world his number two-driver status is truly dead and buried. For that I applaud him.

After all what is ideal? Eleven teams racing for the win, with one driver submissive to the other? Or twenty-two independent drivers all fighting to maximize their own results? Put it another way, I like racing. So, for goodness sake, kill the team orders and let them race.

-Robin Warner

Why you should buy a Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

The new Camaro Z/28 is outlandish and crazy. I mean this thing shouldn”t exist. The tires require warm, dry weather; the front splitter will scrap on any driveway; and the suspension will shake teeth out on a bumpy road. It”s a silly, single-purpose machine for hooligan where is justin bieber right now AND SELENA LOOKALIKE AT MOVIE DATE?These links show that it’s very obvious that Asians can read minds!!!. nonsense.

In other words, it”s fantastic. I was one of a lucky few to try it out, including some time at Barber Motorsports Park. Below is my review for roadandtrack.com.

Read here on roadandtrack.com/Z28

-Robin Warner

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Two movies to watch during the off-season

As the 2014 Formula 1 pre-season tension continues to build, Jim and I took a break from the headlines to watch a couple movies. What did we watch? Why Formula 1 movies, of course. And, since Jim and I tend to agree on nearly nothing (ice cream is better!) we decided to argue with each other about which movie is better and share our debate with the world. First we watched the feature film Rush, dramatizing the 1976 season and the rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt. Then we saw the documentary simply titled 1 that covers a wide span of F1 history; focused mainly on the evolution of safety between the deaths of Jim Clark and Aryton Senna. So what did we think?

Really, we picked a great combination of movies to while away a Saturday. We liked them both! Of course I prefer one and Jim the other. And, duh, I’m right. If you happened to miss either of these we have links to them below.



Podcast 148: Pre-Season Update 2014

– What do 1.6 liter V6 turbos sound like?
– Who built the sexiest car within the new rules?
– Pastor Maldonado takes the number 13! Brilliant, so morbidly brilliant!
– Thimbles are great! It’s a two tusk affair.
– Listener feedback.
– Take a moment to check out http://www.youtube.com/fwcars
– Visit http://funwithcars.com or email feedback@funwithcars.com

Five Impressive Cars at the 2014 NAIAS in Detroit

I love the Detroit Auto Show. Less than 40 miles from home, all the major manufacturers come and showcase their latest and greatest. Having the honor and privilege to see the sites during the media days, I wanted to share a few of my favorites.

But first, notable highlights. I wrote about two cars on roadandtrack.com

The Cadillac ATS Coupe: here
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And the Lexus RC F: here
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Okay, On to the main event.

#5: Porsche 918 Spyder
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This isn’t brand new. But for the first time I laid eyes on a production car. What you see here is what will rocket past you, maybe silently, on the road. The big news is the hybrid powertrain that combines to make 887 HP! For me, the single best feature is the high mounted exhaust “tailpipes” of the 4.6-Liter, 608 HP V8, how cool is that?

 

#4 Jaguar F-Type coupe
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Look at it. Stare. Let it memorize you. Take in the euphoria. It is the prettiest car here. How does it drive? The F-type roadsters are a touch soft for my tastes, but plan on a harder edge for the coupe. Besides, who cares? It’s stunning!

 

#3 Acura TLX GT
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Acura partnered with RealTime Racing to compete in the Touring class of World Challenge racing before, so it’s no surprise that they aligned again to test the mettle of another sedan. What’s new this time is that the TLX GT goes against Porsche, Ferrari, and Corvette in the GT class! A twin-turbo V6 powers this Accord based monster and I, for one, cannot wait to see it in action.

 

#2 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6
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625 HP. Awesome!

 

#1 Cadillac Elmiraj
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Cadillac continues to transform itself into a proper luxury brand. It’s exiting to witness. The ATS out handles the latest 3-series and the 2014 CTS really turns heads. The Elmiraj concept highlights their evolving design language and I like it. No. I love it! Its fantastic lines, aggressive profile, and impressive size all communicate one simple message: Out of my way, I’m a Cadillac!

 

For all the coolest insights and coverage of the NAIAS head to roadandtrack.com

-Robin Warner

Podcast 147: Get Well Michael

– My Article: http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/web-originals/warner-head-injury-schumacher
– My Injury
– The media nonsense
– Best of Luck to Michael Schumacher
– All of the Love to Corinna and the rest of the Schumacher family