Grand Prix Notes

I had a great time at the Formula One GP.  Despite Australia's new "hero" Mark Webber describing the race as boring; I thought the race was awesome, and was on the edge of my seat during the whole 57 laps.  The strategies, skill and race craft of some of the teams and drivers like Rubens Barrichello, (who stormed home to finish second) and Spanish young gun, Fernando Alonso (third) was superb.  I am sure most of the huge crowd gathered at Albert Park agreed.  (Granted many of them were well lubricated courtesy of the GP's sponsor).

So it was a shame to watch the whole Paul Stoddart/FIA bunfight unfold,  casting a cloud over Melbourne's marvellous event  that was caused by Stoddarts decision to use our local laws and courts to bypass the rules of the sport.

In the end, he did what he had known for months he was supposed to do – worked overnight to make his cars conform.  Why he didn't do it before the cars were loaded on the Melbourne bound plane, is anyone's guess.  Silly dill.

But I reakon that the response by motor racing's international governing body, the FIA, was a bit on the excessive side.  It made silly threats to strip Australia of its two world title events – the F1 Grand Prix and Rally Australia in Perth.   But the FIA's quarrel is with Paul Stoddart, not Melbourne...

Not that it si really surprising, the arrogant clowns at the FIA and Formula One (Bernie Eccelstone) like to ignore lots of local laws in the places that they visit with their F1 Circus.  But to resort to strong-arm tactics aswell as ignoring that fact that in Australia anyone, no matter how misguided, has the right to go to court to redress a situation that they consider is wrong or unjust, shows them at their pompous best.

Maybe they should stick to going only to places where there are no laws.  Or bans on tobacco advertsing.  Or Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.  Or noise restrictions.

But then I wouldn't have as much fun!