Saturday, March 12, 2011

F1: Paddock Notes – March 12th Edition

Otay, just a very quick recap of some tidbits gleamed recently in the run-up to the fast approaching Australian GP...

Glock’s Tummy-ache getting better
In case you haven’t heard, The Glockster, nee Timo Glock has been sidelined for this week’s final F1 test session at Barcelona due to recently suffering from appendicitis and having his appendix removed in a routine operation on March 1. Therefore Timo’s absence has left all the driving to rookie Jerome d'Ambrosio. But the 28yr old German was on hand at Barcelona Thursday as a “JAFO;” Check out Blue Thunder if you’re missin’ your secret decoder ringy... It’s a certain type of Observer; Hya!

Glock was apparently moving very slowly, saying everybody’s (including Grandma’s...) beating me on the bike at home right now as I can only do light workouts, claiming even laughing is painful. Yet timo has returned home to have his stitches removed and is adamant he’ll be ready to go in Melbourne...

Tonio Bags Second Hispania Seat
With less than 3-weeks ‘til GO-time, Hispania finally confirmed Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi as the team’s second race driver, who’ll hopefully bring some much needed development skills to the Spanish outfit, especially since The Speediest Indian Narain Karthikeyan hasn’t race in Formula One for five years now...

De la Rosa In – Dennis Out
Not surprisingly, Pedro de la Rosa has returned to the McLaren fold, with the 40yr old Spaniard being named as an official test & reserve driver for the Woking based squad. Hmm? I’m sure it has something to do with Pedro’s recent stint as Pirelli’s rubber tester, eh? De la Rosa will be partnered by Gary Paffett, who’ll also contest this year’s DTM championship.

Meanwhile, apparently The Ronster, a.k.a Ron Dennis has been trying to emulate India’s Narain Karthikeyan, by going for the handle of The Speediest Brit? (Which I’m certain the McLaren Boyz would challenge...) As Messer Dennis seems to have also missed out upon the very same memo that his charge Lewis Hamilton failed to read last year, you know the one ‘bout Road Safety from Jean Todt and the FIA, right? As word comes that Ron has had his Driver’s license taken away from him for six months in England after being caught in his fourth traffic offense, allegedly for running a red light; OOPS!!