Op Ed: “If you no longer go for a gap …”

Negative CamberOct 12, 2010

As I shared in this week’s #F1Chat Preview column and during the chat yesterday, I appreciated that much of the television coverage of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix centered on the midfield battles and not so much on the race leaders. It was a refreshing change, one that I think was noted by broadcasters and fans alike.

Once the literal dust and debris settled after the start, and the Red Bulls once again charged to the front, we were then treated to Nico Rosberg versus Michael Schumacher then Kamui Kobayashi versus anyone and everyone in his path. Kobayashi did not disappoint his home crowd, nor did he disappoint this F1 fan. Everyone around the world took notice.

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Along with the race this weekend, fans at Suzuka were treated to the world premiere of “Senna: The Movie”, the much-anticipated documentary about the late Ayrton Senna. Senna is perhaps admired and revered as much in Japan as in his native Brazil, so it was fitting that the movie debut there. With the release of the movie and the marking of what would have been his 50th birthday this year, there is a renewed appreciation of Senna and his career – a career filled with amazing skill, talent and controversy at the same time.

Perhaps the look back at Senna and his era makes each of us wish for the return of true racing and some new classic moments for Formula 1. With perhaps a little controversy thrown in for good measure. No, not controversy from team orders or the latest “-gate” but from drivers “going for a gap”, “taking the risk” and “racing to win” as Senna so aptly told Jackie Stewart in the now-famous interview.

Maybe Formula 1’s occasional predictable processions and lack of overtaking should not be blamed on circuit design. That’s too easy. As fans, why should we pray for rain just to keep things interesting? True racing seems to rarely happen at the front of the pack anymore – and that’s where it should always happen.

I miss racing drivers.

It was fun to watch the brief battle between Mercedes’ Rosberg and Schumacher Sunday and think back to other teammates squabbling at Suzuka. And, for the first time since Red Bull “gave Mark wings” at Valencia, I held my breath –

— as I watched Kobayashi race.