Female Formula Fun

Healthy the breakfast of champions

2014-05-08T19:46:00.000+01:00

A couple of decades ago, this article would not of have needed to have been written. You would have a story like this in a copy of Woman's Own then in a Formula One blog.

Today I'm talking about diets. Well really more about being slim. Too slim. In fact just being unhealthy.

When I first got into Formula One. I used to always buy the F1 Racing magazine's season preview, which had all the drivers vital statistics. Mainly weight and height. Now me being a very geeky math loving child. I used to work out the BMI of all the drivers to see if they were in the healthy range. Most of them were in the healthy range and only the odd one were on the low range of normal BMI. Even though BMI isn't the best way of working out health, it is a good indictator.

But now a story has come out about Adrian Sutil starving himself for two days to test his limit. Although Sutil admits that he did this of his accord and I know the Sauber team couldn't do anything about that. It turns out that Sutil did drive the Malaysian GP without a water bottle in the car in 50 degree heat and in a race where you can lose upto 3kg even with fluids on board. I find that absurd that the Sauber team didn't take matters into their own hands and protect the safety and health of their driver.

But the Sutil malnutrition thing sadly isn't something new in Formula One. In the last few years the taller drivers have had a massive disadvantage when it comes to weight and because they can carry more weight they have to be even more careful in a career where weight can cost time.

We've seen this with Mark Webber in the past and even now with Jenson Button and Nico Hulkenburg where they look incredibly skinny (and in my opinion ill) at the start of the season. Something which doesn't sit right with me.

To combat this problem this year the car's weight was increased by nearly 50 kg, which should of worked out better for the drivers. Unfortunately though roughly 45kg of this was the brand new hybrid system leaving only a narrow margin for drivers weights.

Meaning that in even in 2014 with the amount of information we have on fitness and nutrition. A driver's health could be suffering just for the sake of a few tenths. It's completely dangerous.

A driver at the end of the day should be healthy because a healthy driver will have a higher level of concentration then a driver who is weak from dehydration/malnutrition and that is surely worth more in time then in the mistakes that could occur.

A story like this shouldn't be anywhere in today's society. Not even in Woman's Own.

If you want to you can follow my ramblings on Twitter at @squiffany.

Anonymous no more. Yes, maybe.

2013-07-22T01:33:00.001+01:00

So hello. It has been a while since I've wrote on the blog. It feels like coming home after a really long holiday, only you can't get through the door because of all the mail blocking the door.

So from my really bad analogy to the real reason I'm now starting to write again but first you need to know the reason I stopped writing in the first place.

It is simply because I'm not sure where my loyalty lies with Formula One anymore.

After fourteen years of splitting weekends and missing out on life adventures due Formula One. Something had to give, turns out it was me.

I've noticed in the last year or so that my love for Formula One is dying. I know personally I can get it back, but I'm not sure how long it is going to take. It's nothing Formula One has done to me. I just got lazy.

When Formula One was on I would sleep because it relaxed me so much and then I wouldn't get time to re-watch it, then when I moved house last year to back home I lost my access to Sky, so I had to rely on the BBC coverage, which is sketchy at times and I started becoming a casual viewer.

Then I started feeling sorry for myself because I felt so out of the loop, so I hid away from Twitter and from my own blog because I was worried that without Formula One, what would I really have to talk about? When I was down in the dumps last year the blog, Twitter and Formula One kept me going. The people I spoke to kept me going. It was knowing I had a purpose with my writing and feeling like my opinion and myself personally were wanted.
Basically I have a crippling need to feel good at something and when I feel low. I make myself feel bad by telling myself I would be better off shutting myself away. So I hide away and writing is never the first thing on my to do list. The first thing on my list is mainly eating chocolate and watching really bad films.

In short I withdrew myself from the world (and by world I mean social media and even my own friends) because I thought it would be easier.

But I know that in retrospect that is a silly thing to do.

I know my posts may not be as frequent and I'm not on Twitter as often as I would like to be but like a bad relationship, I think I can change.

So I'm hoping this will be my last personal post on Female Formula Fun and it will be back to Formula One times again. I mean who hasn't missed my posts on Eddie Jordan's shirts...

You can also follow me on Twitter @squiffany if I'm ever there..

Female Formula Fun. The Oscar speech.

2013-01-21T16:50:00.000+00:00

So this is only a little post.
Promise! (No boring videos this time...Well at least till next week-ish...)

But I digress.
What I actually want to say is a massive thank you.
Yes. To you. My lovely readers.

For keeping Female Formula Fun a float, even when I was actually busy or more likely hiding under a duvet waiting for life to change.
Because of you just before New Year's day I hit the 25,000 mark of readership.

Now for someone who has only been writing the blog for 21 months as a respite to the big wide world. This to me is HUGE.

And I am so grateful that you still continue to read my blogs. Even when I haven't posted for months.

You are all amazing.

And I literally can't wait to tell and show you some of the things that are happening for Female Formula Fun in 2013. All I will say is that. Your mind will be blown*.

And thanks again to everyone who talked, shared and mocked the blog. I love you all.
Except the mockers. I only like you when I have a decent comeback to your words.

So keep your peepers on Twitter/Facebook and YouTube for more posts in the near future.

So you can follow me on Twitter @squiffany. Sometimes I post food pictures. Because I am greedy with no self control. True story.
*Ps. Mind will probably not be blown. I aim for mildly amused instead.

My big, fat F1 team review.

2013-01-10T23:47:00.000+00:00

Hey all.

It really has been a while. (That's my fault. Apologies)

But I do hope that you all had lovely Christmas and a great start to 2013.

Now to ease back into Female Formula Fun posting, I have decided to start with a 2012 team review.

So a few weeks ago. I did some YouTube videos for the FanFormula website.

Now some of you clever readers will eagerly spot that I didn't film all my videos at the same time.

Leading to some very interesting scenarios.

(Mainly of the changing hair colour, wet hair and no make up variety. )

All I will say is that I do pull out the big guns in the last review and I do actually look half decent. Hoorah.

So without further ado, here is my 2012 team season review.

Video One

Red Bull, Lotus, Force India and Caterham

Video Two

Ferrari, Williams, Mercedes and Marussia

Video Three

McLaren, Sauber, Toro Rosso and HRT

Don't forget you can also follow me on Twitter @squiffany and this Saturday I am at the Autosport show in Birmingham. So I hope I can see some of you there. (Just be aware of my uber fangirling and severe photo taking. IT WILL HAPPEN :S

F1 in pubs: #JBAS

2012-12-11T23:49:00.001+00:00

So... many moons ago. And I mean many moons ago.
A running joke occurred on Twitter.
It may of also seeped on to the blog. (And for a trip down my childhood memory lane you can see said in- joke here.)

This running joke involved getting said Mr Button on Twitter.
Not Jenson. Oh no. But his Dad John.
Now sadly even after months of trying we are still nowhere in getting the plant hiding, drink loving and pink shirt wearing John on Twitter.

But something magical did occur from it.

F1 in pubs is pretty much what it says on the tin. It's watching Formula One. In a pub. In various locations.

And it's a great way of interacting with other F1 fans. Or it's just a great excuse to have several drinks and not have to pay the Sky fee. Either way I have been twice this year to the event in Birmingham and I always have so much fun, even if some of the races I went to wasn't the most exciting. Monaco and Monza anyone?

So for third time lucky. Me and some of the FanFormula gang decided to go to the Brazil F1 in Pubs. And we all decided months previously to dress up as someone we loved, admired and would happily go for a drink with anytime.

Yep. The one and only John Button. Or #JBAS as it was known on Twitter which stands for the 'John Button Appreciation Society' but that takes up too many characters on Twitter. So #JBAS it is.

Well the first now annual #JBAS meeting was a roaring success.

Mainly due in part to the mix of different colour hues of pink shirts and the difference in our F1 tastes.

Dom @domcovkid, Vicky @F1_Obsessive, Me, Dean @DeanAJMaiden, David @PAIGE03, Ailish @AilishCatherine (Not pictured), BES (Cardboard Seb) and Emma @EmTheEmu

But what also made #JBAS so fun was the excitement that was of course BRASILILILIL.

Now whilst the race was on I did keep notes of what happened.
But I think you just need to read them in note form rather then in full.
Mainly for comedy amusement.

Bum pinching
Safety car
Vettel yellow flags issue
The I love Rob Smedley manly voice. (Yeah two weeks on. I still have no clue what I mean by this.)
Drinking and wee trips.
Perez Tooned.
Vettel spinning
Hulkenberg leading
Raikkonen overtake on the old man. (I of course meant Schumi.)
Kimi and the case of the long way round. A.K.A. The best moment EVER...
Hamilton out. LOL.
Button wins
Good times.

There was also some beautiful photos taken of the gang.

The vast majority of the #JBAS being social media gurus and superglued to their smartphones. Thanks to Vicky for the caption and photo.

Codemasters also come along for the ride. So we got to have a play of F1 2012 and the new F1 race stars

Dom predicted the winner well before the start.

Ailish with Bes. #F1SMUT as per.

But the best thing about F1 in pubs is quite simple.

I don't remember the Formula One races I sat by myself with.
I remember these ones.
For the people, the banter and above all the memories.
I mean who else can say they have sat in a pub, watched a Formula One race, whilst being John Button.

Except for John Button of course.

If you want to follow my ramblings on Twitter you can at @squiffany.
If you also want to badger Jenson, McLaren or Jess to get John Button on Twitter. You can do that too. But remember don't go too far because it could count towards a restraining order...

Hello. Is it me your looking for?

2012-11-06T20:40:00.000+00:00

Now for anyone expecting a Formula One post. I do apologise in advance. Because today is not about F1. It's about me. (Selfish I know.)
But because of the amount of time I have been away from the blog. I feel like it is time to set the record straight.
But be warned it's not pretty. (But it will probably be a bit rambling and full of nonsense. Standard really.)

I used to say to anyone who would listen that Formula One is a major part life.
Lately though. I feel I have lost my spark.
Both for writing and Formula One.
This however is not Formula One's fault.

It's my fault.

The blog has been neglected mainly because life has got in the way.
Work, illness, moving house and trying to juggle life.
It's all been a bit too much.
And I've struggled to cope at times.

Formula One for the past few months reminded me how much I haven't achieved over the last few years. In career and in life. So I started doing what I always do when I'm down.
I gave up on it all.
The one thing that makes me happy and I just dropped it.

I've stopped watching races, I stopped recording FanFormula's and I stopped writing.
The three things that make me the most happy and I just gave up on them. Because I was terrified.
Terrified because over the last three months my confidence has nose dived.
And I just shut myself away. From everything.

So after a lot of time spent soul searching in the past few of weeks and lots of chats with the boyfriend. I know that 2013 is my last proper chance to make the blog work and to really try to improve myself and my confidence, but I know in order to make it work that I have to sort my shit out. Properly.

So over the next few weeks I'm going to reintroduce more blog posts and build up my confidence slowly. I would like to promise the world straight away but I know it's wise to start slow and see how things go.

This is probably my most honest post but I like to think that most bloggers have these kind of thoughts at least once in their blogging career. So I'm hoping not be completely mauled for my thoughts.

So before I go and start writing again. I would love to thank all the people who have been reading my blog posts whilst I haven't wrote. You are all amazing.

And thank you to everyone on twitter for being so kind when I've been down. It's lovely to think that people you don't even know can care so much.

And the biggest thanks has to go to David. The boyfriend who makes me believe I can do anything. You rule.

And now before this turns into an Oscar speech worthy of a pack of tissues.
I'm going to exit the building.

Thank you for listening.

You can also follow me on twitter @squiffany. If I'm around of course. :P

F1 (Team) Fitty of the week. Rob Smedley

2012-08-15T18:19:00.000+01:00

In a slight change to the F1 fitty proceedings.

I won't be concentrating on a driver this week.
And have decided to move slightly further a field.

To instead, one of the most famous and probably the most fancied race engineer Formula One has ever had.

I am of course talking about the Northern God that is.
Rob Smedley.
(I can already feel some ovaries twitching even from here.)

Rob makes it on to the list for many, many reasons.

(And it hasn't been the constant badgering from my followers on twitter. Honest)

The first smexy (Yes I put sexy and Smedley together) reason is of course.
SMEDLEY FM.

The one radio show we wished was on 24 hours a day.
It might be the sexy Northern accent.
It is the sexy Northern accent.
Phwoar. Smedley could read the phone book and I would want it on audio.
And it would probably sell better then 50 shades of Grey. True story.

Angry Smedley is a sexy Smedley...

Secondly.
It has to be the constant love story of Smedley and Massa.
A bromance that can even rival Brokeback Mountain.

I mean they even buy each other presents.
Muchos Love.

Thirdly.
It has to be Rob's consistent dedication to his charity work.
He holds fundraisers for the charity SANDS which supports Stillbirths and Neonatal deaths. After his wife Lucy lost their daughter Minnie in 2007.
For someone who travels the world pretty much every other weekend. To find the time to organise these events is pretty special.

So in short.
Pretty, funny, clever and Northern.
My kind of F1 fitty.
Hoorah.

You can also follow my ramblings on twitter @squiffany but to be honest. Don't expect the world.

Simon Lazenby.

2012-06-26T18:42:00.000+01:00

I know that what I have to say will divide opinion but sometimes a blog just has to do that.

I don't want to start a debate. I don't want to get nasty.
I just want to say how I feel about this situation.

Now you may of heard the story in the Daily Mail about Simon Lazenby being drunk and disorderly on an EasyJet flight back from Valencia.
But that's not what I want to talk about.

But I do want to talk about Simon Lazenby.
I do feel very sorry for Simon. He really does divide opinion in the F1 community.
"Oh he's just a poor Jake Humphrey"
"He knows nothing about F1"
Blah blah blah.

Funnily enough I realised that some people seem to have extremely short memories. Because I remembered that when it was announced that Jake Humphrey would be hosting the BBC F1 coverage.
There was uproar. ACTUAL UPROAR.
"How can a children's TV presenter host a major sporting event?"
"Jake who?"

Yet now Jake is so loved by the F1 community he's deemed a bloody national treasure. (Not in my eyes though. You can see why here)

Yes Simon may of made some mistakes since hosting the Sky F1 coverage and yes he may of said the wrong thing at times. But he's always admitted them and ALWAYS said sorry.
People seem to forget that he's human. He's only nine races into a new job and in the last few races, seems to have really settled into the role. Especially with people like Ted, Natalie and Johnny.

What people seem to miss about Lazenby is that he is bloody funny (He really is. Hence why he has the nickname Lolzenby to his loyal subjects.), witty and a seemingly nice bloke.
What I like about Simon is that he actually tweets to his fans. He may not post many status tweets but he does talk to some us, gains our opinions and actually wants to improve how he is on screen.
He cares about what people think of him. He wants to impress us. The F1 fans. The F1 community.
That to me makes him all the more human and all the more endearing.

So maybe at times he tries too hard and gets it a little or even all wrong.
Who else hasn't done that at some point in their lives?
I know I have.

As for the alleged drunk and disorderly plane incident.
I would like to point out that Georgie Thompson does have a drink drive conviction under her body con dress. Yet no one seems to be mentioning this when it comes to her presenting skills and so they shouldn't.
A private life is a private life. It doesn't affect her work. She does a good job.

So will Simon keep his job next year?
I don't know, but I for one hope he does.

The Spanish GP for me showed how good Simon really is.
He was cool, calm and collected when the fire broke out in the Williams garage.
He took charge. Tried to give us the fans as much information as he could possibly get, whilst trying to talk to and find influential F1 figures and make sure that they were all okay.
Spain proved that Simon and the whole Sky F1 team had class and compassion.
Something that a sport like F1 always needs.

So you can get your poison pens out for Simon Lazenby.
Bring it on.

The Simon Lazenby fan club may only be small.
Be we are mighty.

You can also follow me (Or send your abuse which ever floats your boat) on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 17. Monaco.

2012-06-04T21:53:00.000+01:00

So after a pretty dry Monaco.
Grace decided we needed a glam theme to the FanFormula video this week.
But me being the organised one, didn't actually think about anything glam until two minutes before the video was being made.

So in my state of panic. I found the only slightly glam thing in my wardrobe.
Yep. A feather boa.
Rock and roll.

So in this week's FanFormula I argue about the F.I.A consistency again, I get sadistic about Lewis Hamilton injuries and a feather boa + extreme English heat = PAIN.

This week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
In FP3 we saw Pastor Maldonado bump tyres with Sergio Perez and in response was awarded a ten place grid penalty. What was your view on the incident and the resulting penalty?

Question Two
Qualifying saw Sebastian Vettel not set a lap time and through this benefited from a choice of tyres in the race. Do you think this rule should be changed with penalties enforced if a driver/team do not set a time in Q3?

Question Three
A slow pit stop for Hamilton, being hit on the head by numbers falling off his pit board and a lack of communication regarding Seb's pace left Lewis Hamilton frustrated in the race. Do you think this will affect his upcoming contract renewal and what do you think his options would be aside from McLaren?

Bonus question
Do you think we should still be racing at Monaco when overtaking is clearly more important in modern F1?

If you want to get involved with FanFormula you can by going to the website at http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or if you want to follow my F1 ramblings you can also follow me on Twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 16. 25 percent.

2012-05-21T22:33:00.000+01:00

So this week's FanFormula is about hitting the first quarter of the season.
(Already? Eeep.)
Well actually the questions are about Monaco.
One of the most exciting and most loved tracks.

So in this week's FanFormula. The words I can't say this week are suggestion and strategy, I do some product placement and I accidentally get dirty minded. F1 smut there.

This week's FanFormula questions.

Question One.
The tight and twisty nature of the Monaco circuit is known for difficult overtaking. Do you think we will see drivers take more risks like Hamilton did in 2011 or will it be more about strategy and pitstops?

Question Two
What is it about Monaco that makes it so special or do you not feel the excitement for Monaco?

Question Three
What is your favourite corner on the Monaco circuit and why?

Bonus Question
Which Monaco race that you have watched is your ultimate Monaco GP and why?

If you want to get involve with FanFormula then just go to the website to find out more. http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or if you want to hear more of my twitter ramblings you can follow me @squiffany

F1 Lefty watch

2012-05-19T00:14:00.000+01:00

So hello.
I just want to let you know that I'm right handed.

A random way to start a post but I will explain.
Since the age of about six. I have always been fascinated with which hands people write with. Especially anyone who wrote or did anything with their left hand.
I was always jealous of the kids who got to use the green and yellow scissors whilst I, being a boring right hand soul. Ended up with the generic red handed scissors. Boo, hiss.

This is something I thought I would grow out of and not notice anymore.
But as I got older, it started to get worse.
Every class I ever studied in. I knew who all the left handers were.
(So if anyone from school, college or university is reading this. I wasn't staring at you. I was just staring at your hands. Honest.)

Most people who are either left or right handed. Usually do something with the opposite hand they write with.
My sister is right handed but eats left handed.
My friend can throw right handed but is actually left handed.

I thought I couldn't do anything left handed until at the age of eighteen whilst playing a game of pool. My friend told me that I played left handed.
I never even noticed. I just thought that was how everyone played.

And since then my left handed obsession seems to have got a little bit out of hand.
To the point where I even started the hash tag #Leftywatch on twitter.
(Still immensely proud of this achievement)

So lets get this post back to F1 and not my life and its boring ramblings.

So F1 has had some amazing 'Southpaws' over the years.
These aren't all of them but here is a small sample of the best ones.

Jenson Button.
The only left hander on the grid in 2012.
He may be in the minority in terms of dexterity but not in terms of driving.

Johnny Herbert, David Croft and Anthony Davidson
These three together are a winning F1 commentating/presenting combination.
They also make up a third of the Sky F1 presenting team. How many left handers do the BBC F1 team have? None.
Hoorah for lefties.

Giancarlo Fisichella.
Remember him. Seems like so long ago since he was about in F1.
But he's also another lefty to add to the bunch.
In fact along with Jenson Button in 2001 they also have the title (I think) of being the only both left handed team mates.

And on to the last lefty F1 driver for this post
Probably the best ever left handed driver ever.
I am of course talking about.
The one, the only.

Ayrton Senna

Need I say anymore.

So to all the left handed people out there.
I support and salute you.

And if you see and F1 left handed-ness about.
Remember folks. Hash tag #Leftywatch on twitter.

If you want to hear more of my love for lefties or for Giraffes even you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 15. Spain.

2012-05-14T20:58:00.000+01:00

So this week's FanFormula video is of course all about Spain.

I thought it was a pretty boring race myself.
I mean controversy, a new winner and then fire with added bravery.

Standard race really.
(Haha of course I jest)

So in this week's FanFormula. I do some more singing, I teach you all a new hand gesture and I get angry that I can't say the word incident.

This week's FanFormula questions.

Question One.

Qualifying saw Hamilton's penalty and Karthikeyan's qualifying outside the 107% rule. What do you make of both incidents and the resulting steward decisions?

Question Two
In the Senna vs Schumi crash, who did you think was at fault?

Question Three

Maldonado took his first victory in Spain (The first Williams win since 2004). Do you think this signals the return of Williams to the top of the grid or is this just another topsy turvy result for the 2012 season?

Bonus Question

Who would you say drove the best race at Catalunya and why?

If you want to get involved in future FanFormula videos you can by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

And if you want to hear more of my rambling then you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 14. Mugello Testing.

2012-05-10T00:55:00.000+01:00

So this week's FanFormula video is all about the Mugello test.
So good was the Mugello test, that I didn't even really know it had even occurred. :(
This FanFormula video really shows that the one talent I should be putting on my C.V is the art of the blag.

Also in this week's FanFormula video. My new phrase seems to be "At the end of the day", I call the Mugello test "Dry" and I start to accidentally sing the classic Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe song Barcelona in honour of this weekends race. Badly.

And so on to this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
Did you take much interest into the test at Mugello or would you rather just wait and see the developments which have been made when the teams bring them to Barcelona?

Question Two
Do you think it was a mistake by the McLaren team to not use either Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton over the test especially seeing that Hamilton stated a particular need and interest to go?

Question Three
What do you make of Petrov's comments about the Mugello circuit and do you agree and why?

Bonus Question
Do you think that because the teams use Barcelona to test that there isn't as much excitement about set up as the teams are quite aware of how their car performs at that track?

If you want to get involved with FanFormula. You can by going to the website. http://fanformula.weebly.com/

You can also follow me on twitter where I will proceed to play this video at least three times a day over the GP weekend. @squiffany

The Heidfeld missing screensaver. An update.

2012-05-07T03:30:00.000+01:00

So exactly a year ago. I wrote this blog post about a missing screensaver in my life.
http://femaleformulafun.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/missing-screensaver-in-my-life.html

So a year has passed and this amazing photo still hasn't been found.

*Major sad face*

I thought that since things change in a year and by that I mean I have more readers of F.F.F and more followers on twitter. (You poor things)

I may be able to find someone who knows where this amazing photograph could be.

Don't get me wrong. I have still been looking.

The other day I ended up finding a picture that had been taken at the same photo shoot but is not the actual picture I have been searching high and low for.

Because we know from my lifelike art work, the photo looks like this.

I feel like I am getting closer to the best screensaver to EVER exist... In the world.

But I still need your help.

I need to know that I never imagined this.
So if you happen to find or even know where this picture may exist. Apart from seemingly in my imagination of course.

Then comment below or tweet me @squiffany.

Please spread the word.
I need this in my life...
And on my computer.

FanFormula: Week 13. In season testing.

2012-05-05T22:00:00.000+01:00

After my crazy hair video of last week. I decided to embrace it by going wild with it and ended up dyed it pink.
I may even start dying it to match F1 teams.
All I will say is that I'm grateful that Jaguar don't race anymore.
Green is so not my colour.

Also in this week's FanFormula video I do a poetry wheel, end up sitting on the fence and I accidentally let slip my F1 perving tendencies.

And so on to this weeks FanFormula questions.

Question One

In-season testing returns this year after being banned in 2009. Are you glad to see an official in-season test return to F1?

Question Two

Do you think it is a mistake for HRT to not attend the test?

Question Three

Do you think that by having the test after only four races in that it makes the test slightly less effective then if it were held later on in the season?

Bonus Question

What do you make of the young drivers test potentially being brought forward and being held at Silverstone this year?

If you want to get involved with FanFormula then you can, by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or if you want to hear my daily ramblings you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

F1 Fitty of the week. Romain Grosjean.

2012-05-05T03:30:00.000+01:00

I realised lately that it has been a while since I did a 'F1 Fitty of the week' post. Either retro or current.
And at this rate I will start having to call the posts 'F1 fitty when I can be arsed'.

So. To get back into the swing of things I have made a huge list of F1 Fitties to keep us going till at least June. Hoorah.

So on to this week's F1 Fitty of the week.
Now this fitty holds a special place in my heart now.
In fact I seem to be talking about him on a consistent basis.
(I may need to get out some more.)

He may like to confuse us by pretending to French, when in fact he is actually Swiss.
He may also look like a Jenson Button doppelganger who's accidentally mated with a giraffe.
But don't let that put you off.

Because he is the most happiest, most smilest Formula One driver I have ever seen.
And that helps make him even more attractive.

This week's F1 fitty is Romain Grosjean.

Now this former banker (Easy. I said banker) hasn't always had it easy in the Formula One world.
A replacement drive for Nelson 'Crashgate' Piquet in the 2009 Renault half way through the season didn't exactly set the world on fire.
In fact no one really noticed that he even left. Maybe he was hiding behind his huge, man bush hair do.
*Shudders*

So when it was announced that Romain would be driving for Lotus in 2012. I didn't think too much of it.
In fact I thought it was a terrible decision.
"Not him again" were words that did come out of my mouth.

But then Australia came and it turns out three years of being out of the F1 spotlight has done Romain a world of good. His driving at the moment is superb (If you forget the crashes and slight technical failures) and his hair is even looking pretty marvellous as well.

And did I mention Romain's accent.

PHWOARRRRRRR.

So a beautiful face, accent and smile.
And that makes me in the words of Grosjean himself 'Very 'appy' indeed to have him as this week's F1 Fitty of the week.

You feel the need to hear more of my daily F1 ramblings. You can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 12. Bahrain.

2012-05-04T22:00:00.000+01:00

So this weeks FanFormula video ended up being the case of the big hair monster.
Along with my pretty much unmade up face.
I'm hoping you will see past the lion hair and unkempt-ness and hopefully the F1 related words out of my mouth are a good distraction.

This week I also reference a past FanFormula video, blame Bernie and do plenty of hand swishing.

And so on to this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
Friday saw Force India pull out of FP2 due to an incident involving their team personnel on the Wednesday night. What do you make of their decision and the controversy around FOM showing no coverage of the team during qualifying?

Question Two
The stewards reviewed the two incidents between Rosberg and Alonso/Hamilton and have decided not to penalise him. Do you agree with their decision? If not what would you have done?

Question Three
Bahrain was our first dry race of the season, which saw the first race win for RBR and a double podium of Lotus. Do you think that this indicates that even without the weather intervening that the grid is a lot closer this year and that we will continue to see a variety of drivers and constructors on the podium for the rest of the season?

Bonus Question
Who was your driver of the day and why?

If you want to get involved with FanFormula then you can by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or to hear my daily ramblings you can follow me on Twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 11. China.

2012-05-03T23:17:00.000+01:00

So this week's FanFormula is back to Female Formula Fun standards.
By this I mean... I can't talk properly on my video.
This does happen on a regular basis, but I'm sure if still watching my videos after 11 weeks.
Then you must be liking my silly little slip ups.

This week I also talk about money, do the Vettel finger and try to remember when Fisichella actually won a race.

And on to this week's FanFormula questions for China.

Question One.
There seemed to be three incidents of unsafe release in the pitlane: Schumi, Lewis vs Kimi and Alonso vs Lewis. Mercedes have been fined 5000 euros with the other two incidents unpenalised. What are your views on the mentioned moments and the penalty for Mercedes?

Question Two
The 2011 Chinese Grand Prix was said to be marred by too many 'DRS' overtakes; What is your view on the effectiveness of DRS in this years event and do you have a favourite battle for position for the race?

Question Three
With unexpected cold conditions in China do you think that Mercedes race pace is better in colder conditions with both McLaren drivers believing the warmer temperatures will positively affect the McLaren car in Bahrain and will this bode well for Mercedes in the upcoming European leg?

Bonus Question
After an incredible pole win conversion making it 6 different winners for the past 6 GPs do you think we will see a 7th different in Bahrain?

(6 winners. Rosberg, Alonso, Button, Webber, Hamilton and Vettel)

If you want to get involved with FanFormula you can by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

You want to hear more of my daily ramblings you can by following me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 10. Easter & Who to follow.

2012-04-18T17:39:00.000+01:00

So this week's FanFormula was my longest video yet.
Mainly because I got all hi-tech with the cardboard again to bring you my twitter and blogging recommendations. I did also answer some questions too even with my chronic hayfever.
So now I have stopped moaning.

Here is this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One.
It has come to light that Lotus formerly known as Renault is no longer supported by Group Lotus due to financial difficulties for the company. However the team will be known as Lotus for the forseeable future. What is your view on the situation and what impact do you think this will have on the team?

Question Two
With less then two weeks until the Bahrain Grand Prix, speculations and rumours have gone into overdrive. Do you think the event will go ahead and what do you see the resulting circumstances to be?

Question Three
It appears that a French Grand Prix return is imminent for 2013 but which track (Magny Cours or Paul Ricard) would you like to see return and why?

Bonus Question
During the long break between Malaysia and China have you found any blogs/twitters/people that have been interesting to read and that you would recommend to others.

Just in case you couldn't read my handy work.
Leave a comment and I will link you up with anyone on the hi-tech carboard.

If you want to get involved with FanFormula then go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or if you like tweets about biscuits then you can follow me @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 9. Ten percent.

2012-04-18T15:27:00.000+01:00

This week's FanFormula involved an early morning start, some huge hair and a piece of cardboard.
With all that going on.
I'm surprised a video even happened really.

But on to subject.
Here is this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
In the past two races we have seen four different constructors on the podium. With the recent break do you think that any teams in particular will have made a large improvement or will this only occur by the European leg of the calendar?

Question Two
This weekend has seen the kick off for some of the lower series including BTCC, Clio Cup and during the race weekend IndyCar. Have you watched any of these series and if so why and how?

Question Three
With the Crazy Chinese grand prix fast approaching it will be the first grand prix that the BBC will be showing live and will be in direct competition with Sky. Who do you think the majority will choose and which will you be watching live?

Bonus Question
Vettel referred to Karthikeyan has a cucumber post the Malaysian GP but if you could represent a driver of your choice as a food, which food would it be and why?

If you want to join in with FanFormula, then you can by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

You can also get on the John Button On Twitter movement by hash tagging at #JohnButtonOnTwitter

You can also see my F1 ramblings on twitter @squiffany

EmBRACE your inner geek.

2012-04-16T23:18:00.000+01:00

So eight years ago. I finally finished school.

Much to my relief.
For five years, I pretty much counted down the days that I could walk out the school gates and NEVER return.
Why?

Quite simply.
I was a geek.

People at school didn't understand me.
They couldn't work out why I didn't wear skirts, why I spoke about Formula One and why I listened to Green Day's Dookie on loop.

Some people at school didn't act geeky, but they just looked geeky.

Glasses, braces (teeth and on trousers) and wild haircuts.

It was a bad time to be a geek.

But in the last couple of years something amazing happened.
Geek became cool.

Formula One is one of those sports that has had its fair share of the geek community.

In looks and in mind.

The mind because of the engineering/technical side.
And in looks, well just see for yourself.

Pastor Maldonado

Though this is now an old picture because much to the amazement of twitter.
Pastor now only has the bottom brace on.
Yay to perfectly straight teeth.

(Though this may qualify for the world's most creepy photo)

Does it matter that Pastor has braces, bad skin and a creepy photo face.
No. For two reasons.
One. Did anyone see his drive in Australia.
Two. Have you seen how stunning his girlfriend is?
Case closed my friend. 1-0 to the geeks.

Daniel Ricciardo.

This is how Daniel Ricciardo looked last year.
Still good, but he obviously wanted to improve his smile.
Cut to the 2012 Australian GP.

And hello braces.

Now from moving from braces to glasses.

Now when I think of glasses in F1.
A couple of people spring to mind.
The first though has to be.

Sebastien Bourdais.

The Frenchmen didn't make much of impression in F1.
But he did make an impression with his eyes.
Most F1 drivers who wear specs, tend to take them off for racing and wear contacts.
Not Sebastien.
He bucked the trend and chose to wear his glasses when he drove.

For some people. Contacts just don't work.
They can get too irriatated by them or they can move causing discomfort.
At least with glasses. There is less risk of that happening.

Several drivers in the last couple of years do wear contacts for racing. This includes: Robert Kubica, Timo Glock and Giancarlo Fisichella.

Ralf Schumacher spoke in 2001 of wanting to wear glasses whilst racing, (A big news story in 2001. Slow F1 news week) but sadly I couldn't find any photo proof .

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns05276.html

And this leads me very nicely to probably my favourite F1 geek.

Jacques Villeneuve.

So what if he wears glasses, has unruly hair and wears overalls that are three sizes too big for him.

Jacques is the best F1 geek I know.

And as we all know. Geeks need love too, so show your support to the geeky F1 community.

Get your glasses on, mess up your hair and get your braces on...Your trousers.
Embrace your outer geek. With the already inner geek you already have.

Well because if you like F1. Then your inner geek is already sorted.

To hear more of my F1 ramblings you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula. Week 8. Malaysia.

2012-04-03T23:40:00.000+01:00

So this week's FanFormula was one of the most stressful I have ever done.
After THREE attempts. Yes you heard right. Three.
The FanFormula was up.
Though in dodgy lighting.
Because by the time I got to film, it was nearing 8 at night.

Plus I have new hair. (The excitement of my life is up there at the moment)

Anyhoo let's get on to this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
We saw two incidents involving the HRT of Karthikeyan and a 'front runner' during the race today, none of which appeared to be the HRT's fault. What is your view on these incidents? Do you think that the front runners were over confident that the HRT would be easy to pass and that's what caused the incidents or was it purely driver error?

Question Two
With Perez completing an incredible race and battle with rumoured future team mate Alonso, do you think this adds extra pressure to Massa and do you think we will see a mid season driver change at Ferrari?

Question Three
The mixed weather played into the hands of the constructors with several constructors making up the top ten. Do you think this trend will continue across the season or do you think the 'top teams' will pull away from the pack?

Bonus question
Who was your driver of the day and why?

Don't forget if you want to see the full FanFormula or want to join in. Then you can go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/index.html

Of if you want to hear more of my ramblings, you can also follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/squiffany

Twelve years on: A letter from a young fan, all grown up.

2012-03-31T21:45:00.000+01:00

Dearest Jenson Button,

Many years ago, when I (Tiff) was only twelve years old, I wrote a letter to you.

My letter proudly proclaimed that I was your biggest fan and might of mentioned that I loved you a little bit. I think I even did a drawing as well. (My artistic prowess was, of course, unparalleled.)

Now twelve years later, I am again writing you a letter. Except this time it's not in felt tip and I don't have to save up for a stamp with my precious pocket money.

We're still your biggest fans, but this time our reason for writing is this:
We want... the man, the myth, the legend, your dad on twitter.

We've been lucky to see him in action alongside you over the years, through the highs...

...And the impossibly-adorable lows...

It's moments like this that made us realise just how cool your dad is. Basically, we think the world needs more of your dad's charm, wit and wisdom and we're sure Twitter is the place to spread the joy.

We've even got a brilliant idea for a TV show called- 'Drinking with John Button'. We're sure you'll agree that your dad would be the perfect person to follow around the pubs, bars and clubs of the world during an F1 season.

But aside from that, what we really want is the man himself sharing his thoughts in the Twitterverse. So please, on behalf of us, your fans and the whole F1 community, help us get #JohnButtonOnTwitter

Signed
Tiff Fletcher (Then aged 12 and a half, now aged 24 and a half - @squiffany) &
Vicky Selwyn (Then aged nine and one third, now aged 21 and one third - @F1_Obsessive)

Diary of a F1 weekend: Malaysia

2012-03-27T00:28:00.000+01:00

So after an exciting Grand Prix weekend in Australia.
We hardly have time to blink before it's the turn of Malaysia and the start of another early morning race.

So expect blurred vision and tiredness throughout my weekend diary.

Thursday/Friday
2am

Hoorah. I am actually up ready for FP1 however it's fair to say I'm not feeling on top form.
I noticed that in the fly away races especially the back to back ones. My sleep patterns go completely awry.
Luckily I managed to stay awake for 45 minutes of FP1 before realising that I couldn't hang on.
So decided to go to bed and wake up instead for FP2.

Notes for FP1

Karthikeyan gearbox decided to fail.
Hamilton should good pace to top the table
Vettel showed that Red Bull didn't have the pace.
All the cars seemed to be close in terms of time.
#BOTTAS

Now instead of my alarm waking me up for FP2. It decided to let me sleep through.

So I missed all of FP2.
This is not the first time this has happened. Luckily I recorded FP2 for this very reason.

Notes for FP2

More woe for Karthikeyan
Vettel still struggling for pace in 10th
Vergne and Ricciardo show their hand. Top ten placings for both.
Then Karthikeyan has some more woe thrown in.
Hamilton quickest again

Friday/Saturday

FP3.

Ahhh. So I missed all of FP3.

This lately seems a F.F.F tradition.

There is no excuse for this.

But of course I was up for Qualifying. (Because I'm good like that.)
And even though it was 5am and I had to go to Sheffield later in the day.
I managed to not sleep through it.
I think the pack of fig rolls I brought may of helped, along with the copious amounts of coffee.

Notes for Qualifying

Bad starts for Heikki and Kimi with five place grid drops.
Massa still struggling for raw pace and dropping out in Q2
Webber out qualifying Vettel again.
Schumacher qualifying in the top three.
Hamilton and Button bagging a One-Two for Mclaren.

Saturday/Sunday

Race day. 8am.

With my alarm clock actually waking me up.

Even with the change of clocks. (Yes it gets lighter earlier but it meant a hour's less sleep. *Grumps*)

It was time to get my cup of coffee on the go, along with another pack of fig rolls. (I'm getting lardy because of this.)

Ready for another great race.

Now what I love about watching F1, is that comedy can come from nowhere.
Now I tweet has the race is on. So when 9 laps in the race the rain came down and the red flag came out.
So did best comedy moments.

All 50 minutes of non racing was filled with entertainment that consisted of Gazebo chat.

Who had the best gazebo?

Who was doing the BBQ?

Why did HRT only have a Tesco carrier bag?

Then it turned into a scene from the Carry On films because we started perving on the wet drivers/team members. Ooo Matron.

Then it came full circle back 2009 with a W.W.K.D.

Or the long version. 'What would Kimi do?'

We all secretly hoped he would get the ice cream back out. Sadly this was not to be. Even if Lotus did get the Ice Creams back out for him.

Luckily the race did start back up again but under the safety car.

When the safety car came back in. The fun could begin again.
And boy did it.
We had Button lose his front wing.
Then Vettel got a puncture.

I may of had some micro naps between all of this going on.
But I managed to stay awake when the fight for the lead was between Ferrari and Sauber. (Words I didn't really expect to say this year.)

And even though Perez had a moment off track and couldn't catch Alonso back up.
It was worth me having Horner jiggly leg for.

It was pure racing at it's best.
F1 is definitely back and it has come back swinging.

Notes for the race.

Rain
Red Flag
Gazebo's are entertaining
Grosjean failing in the race for the second week in a row.
Karthikeyan injuring several cars.
Pastor losing out on points on the last lap.
Hamilton still not looking happy after another podium.
Vettel coming up with a new insult system and raising a new finger. Twice.
Button's brutal honesty
The Perez and Alonso battle.

Today was a good day to be an F1 fan.

Remember if you want to hear more of my F1 ramblings. You can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula. Week 7. Melbourne.

2012-03-22T23:31:00.000+00:00

So in this week's FanFormula, instead of saying words wrong. I get complete whole facts wrong. Hoorah.
(See if you can spot which ones I bugger up.)
I also get a little bit too excited and also may have ended up having a small rant to myself.

So cock up's and rants.
Just another typical FanFormula video then. :)

So on to this week's questions which of course were about Melbourne.

Question One.
Williams have appeared to have come back strong with a great battle with Maldonado but what did you make of the midfield teams today battling between the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes?

Question Two
What do you make of the move that lets back markers unlap themselves under the safety car, does it just prolong the safety car or is it fairer on those that would be out of place due to lapped cars?

Question Three
If you watched via Sky what is your overall opinion on their team and the coverage?

If you watched via BBC how did you find watching the highlight show rather then race coverage? Did it lack the excitement knowing that the race was already over?

Bonus Question
What was your favourite moment of the weekend?

Don't forget if you want to see this week's full FanFormula or to join in yourself. Then you can see all the info you need at http://fanformula.weebly.com/

And if you want to hear more ramblings about the Grosjean Giraffe or why I think Alonso's eyebrows look slimmer. You can also follow me on twitter @squiffany