Russian Grand Prix 2016

[rosco]

Great photo's BTW Moby....keep em coming in.

[msmoby]

Free Practice 2 ..

I am forbidden to take photos - as TV companies and other media companies have the rights to take photos in the pit lane ... but not me 

So, I roamed the Paddock looking for 'celebs' ...sorry - if you aren't an F1 fan - this might be meaningless..

Ex F1 driver, turned TV pundit DC..David Coulthard... he looks a little 'angry' that some 'pleb' is taking his photo ..


McLaren Honda Racing Director - Éric Boullier

Carlos Sainz Jnr- talking to David Coulthard


Media Centre staff

[msmoby]

After free practice 2 - where Lewis Hamilton came out on top - and Seb Vettels' Ferrari died on the main straight - just after setting the - then - fastest time, I went down to the Paddock to listen to the interviews ...Unlike most circuits - you can get RIGHT up close ... Nico Rosberg - bumped into me when dashing to the TV interview session - were Lewis was already chatting to the TV companies 



Lewis Hamilton



'Checo' Perez

[Jerash]

I would have come to Russia two weeks later and then headed to Sochi if I knew my romantic adventure there was going to end in failure, with me back in Moscow killing time for a week.....

The lady from Izhevsk was not to be, is that correct?

If so, never mind, there are many others I would suggest..

Maybe you should take a summer vacation in Crimea, would think that will become a "Nest" area..

Luck for the future...

Thanks Gipsy. Indeed, Izhevsk did not work out and I flew back to Moscow a week early. A little disappointing as this was our second meeting and things had been going well.

Something tells me that a potential suitor is always going to have an uphill challenge when there is an 11 year old involved, as the child will be naturally biased against anyone he or she perceives to be competing for their mother's attention. So, I'm still on the hunt for Miss Right and I hope you're right about the many others out there.

[msmoby]

So, today was Free Practice 3 and Qualifying for tomorrow's race.

I went to my 'secret' VIP place - but the 'secret' had got out ... lots of Russians started taking photos - this is counted at pit-side and we haven't paid for such rights.... so the inevitable happened when they ignored security men asking them to stop - we all got kicked out .... 

I went to the Press cafe and watched the qualifying, there - but as I wanted Jenson Button to get in the top 10...He got 11th - and Hamilton will start 10th - as he had another engine problem - second in a row - he will start 10th 

I rushed to the press tv room and was one of the only guys allowed in before the doors were locked to the press... there were only 4 reporters in the room. 

Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel was larking about as Valtteri Bottas was interviewed by SKY's Ted Kravitz and he missed them shaking hands - as if confirming a bet ... I wish some of the reporters had noticed it ...I'd love to know what they said / agreed.



I met an interesting Thai lady - I hoped she would buy the Thai Bhat I can't change in Russia - but she was more interested in promoting her product - Coconut Milk - and gave me a can ... She is modelling her own product.






I am ready for tomorrow, I practised with the Podium girls ...



Lastly - and this will have certain posters falling about with ironic laughter... I was asked to do announcements - in English for the spectators tomorrow on the P.A.

So, listen out for,  '' Dear guests! Soon, the twenty - sixteen  FORMULA ONE Russian Grand Prix will commence . Please, return to your seats - to be ready, to be upstanding for the Russian National Anthem at 2.45.''   :shock:

[Ste]

Should have said "Give Crimea back to the Ukrainians. Or Turks, Allahu Akhba, Allahu Akhba...."

[rosco]

Scarcely believable but you seem to have got the golden ticket.

Quite amazing Moby & id be loving the access you've enjoyed..make the most of it!

[Ste]

Scarcely believable but you seem to have got the golden ticket.

Quite amazing Moby & id be loving the access you've enjoyed..make the most of it!

Doesn't beat my free access to the Shell Beer Tent during a one day Cricket Test at Old Trafford, England vs. New Zealand, about 1983 rained off whole day (cos it was Manchester) so it was beer tent 10:30 am until about 18:00, I was so drunk near the end I was refused service, so I made my own concoction from whatever was left on the tables, sort of beer/wine/vodka special, don't remember getting on the mini-bus, but I do remember getting off it, and discovering my legs didn't work anymore.

That was the last time I was truly arseholed, spinning room etc, vomit everywhere, crawling to loo on hands and knees, head down toilet, psychedelic yodel etc...

'The Follies of Ones Youth..' as GK Chesterton once said, though he did add '..are in Retrospect Glorious compared (by Eddie Waring) to The Follies of Old Age', as we see on here lol!!

[msmoby]

That was the last time I was truly arseholed, spinning room etc, vomit everywhere, crawling to loo on hands and knees, head down toilet, psychedelic yodel etc...

Mine was the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 - end up at the wrong house, wrong bed - and was escorted home - by the Dad of the 16 yr old lass - whose bed I had tried to get into - and her brother - who had plied me with Vodka and - apparently - dared me to kiss his 'sis goodnight ...

Those familiar with 'snowcem' can imagine how I 'decorated' my bedroom wall during the night .... Let's just say  - it sets quickly and has a non smooth finish... Finished me off binge drinking for life ...

[msmoby]

Scarcely believable but you seem to have got the golden ticket.

Quite amazing Moby & id be loving the access you've enjoyed..make the most of it!

Thanks Roscoe, I'm an F1 nut and this is 7th heaven for me.. SC has been a real 'brick' and allowed me to be a little boy..

Next week should be a downer - but I am competing in a yacht regatta .....

[Gipsy]

Scarcely believable but you seem to have got the golden ticket.

Quite amazing Moby & id be loving the access you've enjoyed..make the most of it!

Doesn't beat my free access to the Shell Beer Tent during a one day Cricket Test at Old Trafford, England vs. New Zealand, about 1983 rained off whole day (cos it was Manchester) so it was beer tent 10:30 am until about 18:00, I was so drunk near the end I was refused service, so I made my own concoction from whatever was left on the tables, sort of beer/wine/vodka special, don't remember getting on the mini-bus, but I do remember getting off it, and discovering my legs didn't work anymore.

That was the last time I was truly arseholed, spinning room etc, vomit everywhere, crawling to loo on hands and knees, head down toilet, psychedelic yodel etc...

'The Follies of Ones Youth..' as GK Chesterton once said, though he did add '..are in Retrospect Glorious compared (by Eddie Waring) to The Follies of Old Age', as we see on here lol!!

So long back... Slacker..   

[rosco]

Scarcely believable but you seem to have got the golden ticket.

Quite amazing Moby & id be loving the access you've enjoyed..make the most of it!

Doesn't beat my free access to the Shell Beer Tent during a one day Cricket Test at Old Trafford, England vs. New Zealand, about 1983 rained off whole day (cos it was Manchester) so it was beer tent 10:30 am until about 18:00, I was so drunk near the end I was refused service, so I made my own concoction from whatever was left on the tables, sort of beer/wine/vodka special, don't remember getting on the mini-bus, but I do remember getting off it, and discovering my legs didn't work anymore.

That was the last time I was truly arseholed, spinning room etc, vomit everywhere, crawling to loo on hands and knees, head down toilet, psychedelic yodel etc...

'The Follies of Ones Youth..' as GK Chesterton once said, though he did add '..are in Retrospect Glorious compared (by Eddie Waring) to The Follies of Old Age', as we see on here lol!!

Ahhh...the glorious dirty pint!!

[Anteros]

You go Mobster! Steveboy's desire to have you arrested or some such by the FSB has so far failed. 

[msmoby]

Race day...

To be honest it was a little disappointing - not big fights at the front - just a big incident involving Kvyat and Vettel - AGAIN - JUST after the start.

But pleased that LH got up to 2nd and JB got his first point - despite nearly being screwed up in the second corner pileup

SC was opposite to me in the stands and we were banned from making photos from our box ... I hope my friend Andrei got some from the stands.

I saw Grosjean coming to the circuit,  Hermann Tilke - who has designed many modern F1 circuits - incl this one, Niki Lauda and  a load more F1 celebs - incl. Bernie Eccelstone - BUT --- that was when we weren't allowed to take photos..







UK C4 - ex F1 driver Karun Chandhok






I saw Jos Verstappen 'sweet talking'  Dr Helmut Marko  - probably suggesting Max could do better than poor 'ol Daniil Kyvat





I wasn't interested in seeing the Poduim - I expect Andrei or SC got those photos... I waiting in the press office and was one of only 5 reporters allowed in - before the doors were locked..

Hamilton looked cool, with Rosberg 'rosy' and Kimi ooking KNACKERED.




Finally,

All the pit-lane gals



I've got quite few vids that I will upload to youtube over the next few days... need to edit out boring bits ..

Off to the end of GP concert in the Park ...

[Ste]

Reminds me of that old joke from the seventies;

"What's that Austrian racing driver's name, the one that got burnt; Nikki....?"

"Lauda"

"WHAT'S THAT AUSTRIAN RACING DRIVER'S NAME, THE ONE THAT GOT BURNT; NIKKI....?"

Coat located, exit located.......

[Gipsy]

Reminds me of that old joke from the seventies;

"What's that Austrian racing driver's name, the one that got burnt; Nikki....?"

"Lauda"

"WHAT'S THAT AUSTRIAN RACING DRIVER'S NAME, THE ONE THAT GOT BURNT; NIKKI....?"

Coat located, exit located.......

До свиданья   

[msmoby]

Went to the concert - was taken from one end of the park to the other by golf buggy driven by Souren - I have an Armenian, Cypriot friend - so recognised the name - and he drove in the dark like he was Daniil Kyvat  - luckily - he didn't hit any one - though he saved battery - by turning off the head lights when there were fewer pedestrians 

SC and her friends were gyrating to electronic music and I drank a beer and felt tired and drunk within seconds  I just got up and danced and had a great time..


SC took our proper camera and - as requested -  got some good photos - Andrei and Olga who were sat with them - took a group selfie







In the picture above - taken from the 'gods' in the main grandstand - overlooking the start / finish lines - I was trying to call SC to say I can see her..I was behind the one way glass to the left of her left hand ..above the red Ferrari Pit Wall - where the left hand DHL ad runs along the building... She never could see me ...even if I pressed right up to the glass.


Too 'cold' in the grandstand ...  :





The post race concert stage


The Torch






When I started to flag - I suggested going home and was pleasantly surprised to hear no objections....  The trains were still running, but Vita - the blond lady - insisted that her husband - Vitali - was a 'taxi driver' and would give us a lift home... that he was waiting for us - and had been 'working ' in the area...OK, I thought  - but I wondered how we'd all fit in ...

The 'taxi ' turned out to be a new Mercedes S-class ''7 million roubles'' = 100k USD - and Vitaly had been taking VIPs back to the airport from the circuit - only 7km..I was watching Ted Kravitz ''notes from the pit-lane on UK SKY Sports F1 -this morning- and saw Vitali's taxi parked up at the Paddock exit - '222' in the reg... 




SC suggested to Vitali that I had some good music on my phone - and we 'bluetoothed' it to the audio system and were having a great time - when the traffic police pulled us over for a check ..... I expect the 'night club music level' bass booming might have been a magnet...  Documents produced and cleared - we were on our way home...We crashed into the sack..

WHAT a DAY ...

[rosco]

To be fair, I understand what Andrew is suggesting. Going by moby's methodology, Kvyat's the third best driver in F1 and Haas is now a power house because they sit 5th in the constructors championship.

Interesting, IF you were more observant ... I reckon Kyvat's stunning move was because Dr Helmut Marko is already ready with his axe. He has been unlucky with breakdowns - and he beat the more fancied team mate, last year... I reckon DR is the best driver in F1 - he's certainly the fastest F1 driver in the reasonably priced car...   

As for Haas - they started off with Ferrari help and as the season develops we'll see how they cope with in-season improvements- without such help... Do not dismiss Haas' billions, lightly


As for the Rugby 7'S ... May be you missed  - my link was a series  - there's already been 8 out 10 rounds

It's my opinion that the merc boys, possibly both ferraris, the toro rosso boys, the mclaren boys, Danni R, maybe Weirlin, the Willian's boys, Grojean and The hulk are all better than Kyvat so that's just the 14 ahead of him from 22. My opinion of course.....but I can't see him in f1 next year unless a big Russian backer buys him a seat or Verstappen goes elsewhere. If so, it's likely  Sainz will be at red bull and Kvyat will join Buemi, Alguersusri & vergne on the scrap heap....

And I didn't miss your link....to this season. Leicester are top of the league but that doesn't make them a big club like Man U or Arsenal....maybe you missed the point?

The US are much improved and I expect that to continue. A world power in 7's.....not yet! World powers in any sport win wars not battles.

Well Moby, what did I tell you?

Pre Russia, I suggested that McLaren would have a better package than Haas and your old pal Kvyat's just been dumped by Red Bull and shoved into the junior team.

Just saying.....

[AvHdB]

Moby, thanks for posting. Personally not much a F1 or NASCAR fan, but it makes an interesting read. I would ignore the grumpy souls who reside in Russia and post away.

[msmoby]

Well Moby, what did I tell you?..your old pal Kvyat's just been dumped by Red Bull and shoved into the junior team.

Taken post race .. My comment on the photos was ''Well Dr Marko - is my boy doing OK ?'' - I think you'll find the deal was done before they left for home....

IF you check back - you'll find I had stated Marko had warned Kyvat that he was on a last chance and his 'aggression' at China and Russia was probably over trying.

So, No.. you were agreeing with me ..

Pre Russia, I suggested that McLaren would have a better package than Haas

..and Kyvat's howler permitted Alfonso to obtain a higher placing through being in the right place to benefit from the accidents... Grosjean's Haas out - qualified McLaren, remember...

I do not expect McLaren to do so well in Barca.... even with their mods - the engine is too thirsty.

You also told us that the 'cool down room' was not so named - and for some reason the proof of your folly hadn't been 'approved'








I feel sorry for Kvyat, but Verstappen and Sainz seem better..... Marko puts immense pressure on the junior drivers and I think he got it wrong with J-E Vergne.. who was just as quick - if not quicker than Daniel Ricciardo.









Pre Russia, I suggested that McLaren would have a better package than Haas and your old pal Kvyat's just been dumped by Red Bull and shoved into the junior team.

Just saying.....
[/quote]

[Steveboy]

I'm lucky enough to have a Pass for the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi - in addition to tickets for Grandstand tickets for the whole event.

Tuesday sees the teams setting up their garages and hospitality centres - for Sunday's race - but the practice sessions start on Friday.

I live about 25 km - 15 miles from the circuit and a train drops us off 200m from the entrance to the circuit

Security is VERY tight and I saw THREE warships stationed off the coast on the beautiful train ride home. Putin will be here......

I'll be taking photos of the event and posting them here - if you aren't interested in F1 - then I'm sorry ... I expect I'll have some photos of the staff - sooner or later - they are smart - mostly speaking perfect English and single young men  would be in heaven..

Is that a Tesco sandwich board you are walking about with? they have Tesco's in Sochi?

[msmoby]

Is that a Tesco sandwich board you are walking about with? they have Tesco's in Sochi?

Perspective... the 'sandwich board' is 10cm x 13cm

[AKA Luke]

I'm lucky enough to have a Pass for the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi - in addition to tickets for Grandstand tickets for the whole event.

Tuesday sees the teams setting up their garages and hospitality centres - for Sunday's race - but the practice sessions start on Friday.

I live about 25 km - 15 miles from the circuit and a train drops us off 200m from the entrance to the circuit

Security is VERY tight and I saw THREE warships stationed off the coast on the beautiful train ride home. Putin will be here......

I'll be taking photos of the event and posting them here - if you aren't interested in F1 - then I'm sorry ... I expect I'll have some photos of the staff - sooner or later - they are smart - mostly speaking perfect English and single young men  would be in heaven..

Is that a Tesco sandwich board you are walking about with? they have Tesco's in Sochi?

When I see that all I can think of is this scene.

https://youtu.be/edc9wyBCGCQ


When are the photos going up Smite?