Posts Tagged ‘motor sport’

How Britain dominates Formula One

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 | Distractions, Thoughts

Given our recent blows in the sporting world (we’ve just lost at the European Cup, and by the time I publish this I’m sure Andy Murray will be out of Wimbledon too), it’s easy to think that we’re just rubbish at sport (as a nation).

But there is at least one sport were Britain dominates the world – Formula One. Although a lot of the key names thrown around are people like Vettel and Schumacher, when you look at the figures, Formula One simply revolves around this country. Here are some key figures.

  • 8 of the 12 manufacturers are based in Britain
  • 9 of the 14 technical directors are British
  • 2 of the 4 engine manufacturers are based in Britain
  • Britain has 3 drivers – only Germany has more (with 5), everyone else has less (Finland, Australia, Spain, France and Brazil have 2)

Here is a full breakdown of each team and where they are from. I’ve highlighed the British connections in yellow, though with hindsight, I probably should have highlighed the non-British connections!

Team Nationality Key people History Engine
Caterham Malaysian, but based in British Mike Gascoyne (technical director) and Mark Smith (technical director) are both British Originally British, until Tony Fernandes bought Caterham Cars Renault
Ferrari Italian Pat Fry (technical director) is British   Ferrari
Force India Indian, but based in Britain Andrew Green (technical director) are Paul di Resta (driver) are British. Buy out of Eddie Jordan’s team. Mercedes AMG
HRT Spanish     Cosworth
Lotus British James Allison (technical director) is British Originally Toleman Motorsport (British) Renault
Marrusia Russian, but based in Britain John Booth (team principal) is British Founded by Manor Motorsport and Wirth Research (both British). Taken on by Virgin Racing (British). Cosworth
McLaren British Martin Whitmarsh (team principal), Neil Oatley (technical director), Jenson Button (driver), Lewis Hamilton (driver) are all British. Founded by New Zealander Bruce McLaren. Mercedes AMG
Mercedes German, but based in Britain Ross Brawn (team principal), Nick Fry (CEO) and Bob Bell (technical director) are all British. Mercedes AGM is a separate company – a buy out of British engine manufacturers Ilmor. Mercedes AMG
Red Bull Austrian, but based in Britain Christian Horner (team principal) and Adrian Newey (technical director) are both British. Originally Stewart Racing, founded by British driver Sir Jackie Stewart Renault
Sauber Swiss     Ferrari
Toro Rosso Austrian, but based in Italy     Ferrari
Williams British Sir Frank Williams (team principal) and Mike Coughlan (technical director) are both British. Founded by Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head. Renault

…and this is before I’ve even founded Worfolk Racing.

Karting

Monday, April 30th, 2012 | Distractions

Recently, I went indoor karting with work.

I was rubbish at it, almost everyone was faster than me, but it was never the less a lot of fun. It’s definitely the kind of thing I could get into with a bit more practice. I don’t quite have the money to buy my Formula One team yet, but a kart, well that’s a whole different matter…