An ordinary life in an extra-ordinary place
Forza Ferrari!
This was sitting in the Emporium on Tuesday:
It looks exactly how a car should look (although the colour is not quite how I remember it), and if my son is reading this, I would be happy to receive one for my birthday. Twenty five million baht should cover it. Thank you.
Ferrari were in the news for all the wrong reasons over the weekend when Felipe Massa was hit by a suspension spring and suffered a fractured skull. Thankfully he is now up and about again and is going to be OK, but it was a very nasty accident. Being hit in the face at very high speed by a 1 kilo piece of metal is no fun, and his $30,000 helmet clearly saved his life. He would have done less well with a locally supplied 300 baht helmet from Tesco’s.
Surprisingly, Michael Schumacher has been coaxed out of retirement to take Massa’s place until he recovers. Schumi can be an cold, arrogant shit, but he can drive and it will be interesting to see how he performs with the likes of Button, Hamilton and Vettel; and how he gets on with Kimi.
All this reminds me that I am off to the Singapore GP in September, so I book my flights. A weekend of racing, shopping, eating and drinking with my friend Tic; great. Might even take some photos.
about 2 years ago
going to be very interesting to see how michael handles the car, it’s a very different beast to when he was driving (grooved tires, TC, ABS, SC etc).
now he’s got less downforce, slicks, kers, and the rest, i dont expect him to be as fast as kimi especially with the stupid testing ban, but it should be good none the less.
that’s really his main issue, a testing ban, if he could at least get 2 days in the car before hand to come to grips with it all it’ll help a lot.
regardless, something people aren’t thinking of yet is that by putting michael in the car, he’s going to be able to help develop it more. he’s very technical and understands how the car should feel, help with the traction and setup issues and the rest.
more than anything that’s worth having him in the car. it’s better to have in him there debugging and helping develop the car than putting someone in to grab points.
f1 aside, you seen this? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/manufacturers/ferrari/5931105/Ferrari-458-photo-gallery.html
about 2 years ago
I will be surprised if he is fit enough. These guys are super-athletes, and he isn’t, not any more. Excellent publicity for the sport though.
Nice car, although I prefer my Ferraris with the engine in the front (this observation from a man who can only afford a truck).
about 2 years ago
your selection is limited then!
about 2 years ago
…off to the Singapore G P …..
Another example of the penury to which you have oft referred?
about 2 years ago
I will admit that this is not a good example. But it’s not the cost of the travel or the GP ticket that is worrying me, it’s the almost inevitable gadget shopping that will accompany the trip.
about 2 years ago
Michael is a natural… Always has and will always be the consummate driver… I doubt he will have much problem getting back up to speed as he is still very fit and has been active racing bikes and karts since his departure from F1… Even at 40 years old..
What’s really going to be interesting is if he’s quicker than Kimi… If so, Kimi better line up that rally driving position he’s been yearning for as this will be his last year with the Scuderia…
about 2 years ago
There some vision of this car featured on this youtube clip at about 1 minute 21 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS2UuyFxQbY
I’m guessing the male subject of said clip doesn’t drive a Mitsubishi Pickup.
about 2 years ago
Well, it certainly isn’t me!
about 2 years ago
I have to admire the camera work despite its stalker aesthetic, I was half expecting the cameraman to join them at a table in Fuji by the end of it. If it was you a prudent course of action would be to head to the airport asap whilst booking some plastic surgery in some far away land being married and all.