Tuesday, August 5

Hungary 2008!

One has to feel sorry for Felipe Massa: an extraordinary start, late, late braking in a cloud of smoke, and into the lead from third on the grid. On the Hungaroring, it's the recipe for victory. Alas for the speedy little Brazilian, another cloud of smoke, from his engine, ended the dream three laps from the end. Racing can be cruel and frustrating... So Heiki Kovalainen won his first ever GP, and his joy on the podium was simply heartwarming. The Kovalainen-Hamilton relationship will be a good one I believe, as Heiki with Lewis reminds me of Berger with Senna: there cannot be two roosters in the same henhouse...

 

Hungary 2008 GP

Monday, July 14

Bernard Cahier

Bernard Cahier was larger than life.
He was so close to the heroes he photographed that he became a hero himself, and in the end, a legend. He was that close because he was a profoundly humane person, and his deep sense of empathy was what allowed him to catch that magic photographic instant so well.
Let us remember the legend, and the treasures he left us with.
Here are a few photos of my father, for everyone's viewing pleasure.
Yours, with sorrow,
Paul-Henri Cahier

 

Bernard Cahier

Sunday, July 13

British GP 2008!

It always works: comes the rain, and F1 becomes magic again. Low tire grip is the key of course, and thus the wheel spins, in more ways than one... Prior to the British GP, Lewis Hamilton looked like a has been for the Championship crown. But in those slippery, treacherous conditions, Hamilton once again proved his mastery, leaving no one a chance. Lucky us, as we now have three leaders tied for the title!

 

British GP 2008

Monday, July 7

Silverstone 2008 Incident -- Press Release

Following the incident involving Kimi Raikkonen and Paul-Henri Cahier on the starting grid of the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, that saw the finnish driver assault the photographer, we decided that it was necessary to clarify a few points.
There never was any contact between the two men, nor did Paul-Henri ever touch Kimi's equipment. Furthermore, the distance at which Paul-Henri Cahier was taking a picture, although close, was completely standard. The photographers who take pictures at Grand Prix races are all professionnals who have been accredited by the FIA, and as the dozen other photographers who were standing next to Paul-Henri Cahier prove, there was nothing unusual or unethical about this situation.
Finally, Paul-Henri Cahier has been an F1 photographer for almost fourty years and has been close to the greatest champions, but none of them has ever behaved in such a rude manner. It is understandable that drivers might get irritable because of the pressure they undergo, but Kimi Raikkonen never even attempted to express his discontent in a non violent way. Paul-Henri Cahier luckily did not suffer any injury, and so does not intend to take any action, but he regrets the arrogance with which Kimi Raikkonen treated someone who was merely doing his job.

 

Raikkonen 2008 England

Wednesday, June 25

France 2008!

When my wife saw the drive-through penaly inflicted upon Lewis Hamilton in Magny Cours, she told me she simply turned off the TV... and I suspect she was not alone. Some obviously think that the race track should be considered as an extension of the public road, and Formula 1 drivers threatened with losing their racing license, lest they conform strictly to a growing number of rules and their strict application. I believe that Formula 1 should be all about racing, about risk taking, audacity, courage. I love it when the smell of racing is in the air, and I hate it when cops with big sticks are beating upon race drivers doing what they should be doing, racing. Been around too long I guess. Otherwise, everyone cheered for Felipe Massa's victory, the speedy little Brazilian now leading the Championship; the first time a driver from Brazil is in such a position since Ayrton Senna in 1993...

 

France 2008 GP

Wednesday, June 11

Canada 2008!
Yes, red lights are red lights... But an F1 Grand Prix race is not a journey on public road. And that's precisely why people watch races, because for an hour and a half they are part of a world where speed reigns, and driving rules are simple; hard to understand why F1 machines should be waiting at a red light... The interesting part was the karmic aspect of the story: Kimi ran into Sutil in Monaco, while Hamilton won; two weeks later Sutil sets off the safety car procedure in Canada, the leaders pit, and Hamilton, who is Sutil's buddy, runs into Kimi! Does anything happen by chance in life? Maybe, maybe not... Anyway, it turned out to be a great day for Robert Kubica, and a well deserved first victory for the likeable Pole and the Bimmer Team. Congratulations!

 

Canada 2008 GP

Tuesday, May 27

Monaco 2008!
The intense and pure joy expressed by Lewis Hamilton after winning his first Monaco Grand Prix brought us back to the fundamentals of what racing should be all about: passing and winning. It's that simple, really, and some drivers should try to remember that... In that respect, Lewis' subsequent reference to Ayrton Senna was more that fitting: indeed the young Englishman seems to have it all: sheer speed, risk-taking, exhilaration...and the yellow helmet! Too bad this rejoicing was slightly spoiled by Kimi Raikkonen's driving mistake which deprived Adrian Sutil of a fourth place reward after a sublime race at the wheel of the modest Force India! Regardless, in Monaco Adrian Sutil's talent shone through, and that will be remembered.

 

Monaco 2008 GP

Thursday, May 1

Spain 2008!
The Barcelona race track is famous for staging boring F1 races, and this year's event was no exception. An enthusistic crowd cheered for local hero Fernando Alonso, but their hopes went up in smoke... Meanwhile, Kimi the Iceman kept his Ferrari in the lead in metronomic style, once again giving the impression that the Championship will be his. Unless...

 

Spain 2008 GP

Thursday, April 10

Bahrain 2008!
It is funny how stability really never is stable... With the very foundations of the FIA being rocked to the core, the talk of the Bahrain paddock was unfortunately not about racing. Under the circumstances, and with no correlation but the mysteries of synchronicity, the fragile trend which emerged from the first two races (a Lewis versus Kimi battle) was shattered, first by Robert Kubica's pole (no play on words) and then by Felipe Massa's convincing victory. The dice of destiny are rolling again, and all bets are up for grabs; it won't be boring...

 

Bahrain 2008 GP

Wednesday, March 16

Malaysia 2008!
Sure enough, the retaliation came: the Red Brigade was dominant in the tropical moisture of Malaysia, and the Iceman danced to victory! So far, it's one each for Lewis and Kimi, and that's the trend for this year. Having said that, the BMW's are impressive as well, and no doubt victory will be rewarding the Munich boys in a near future for all their excellent work.

 

Malaysia 2008 GP

Tuesday, March 18

Australia 2008!
They said Ferrari had an edge, and that Kimi would fly away. But motor racing is not an exact science, and in the scorching heat of Melbourne, it is Lewis Hamilton who launched the 2008 F1 Championship with pole and victory. The stage is set for a new battle of titans, and no doubt the Prancing Horse will retaliate soon...

 

Australia 2008 GP