Formula 1

McLaren’s long road back to the F1 podium

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Above Image: Getty Images

Brendan Lines

November 22, 2019

At last Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix McLaren secured its first podium finish in 2,072 days locking away fourth place in this year’s constructors championship, after a post-race time penalty handed to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton promoted Carlos Sainz on to the podium, so just how has McLaren risen from the ashes of its past woes?

It hasn’t been a straight road by any means for McLaren after the failed rekindling of the Honda partnership, departure of Adrian Newey, loss of Lewis Hamilton and the infamous ‘Spygate’ saga that caused instability on and off the track — McLaren have finally turned the tide toward a brighter future.

Team Principle Andreas Seidl said to McLaren.com it was a team effort pulling off the great result in Brazil.

“P4 in the Constructors’ World Championship for McLaren secured. First podium for Carlos in his F1 career and first podium for McLaren since 2014. What an amazing achievement for the entire team back home in the factory plus here at the track, and for Carlos and Lando after putting in so much hard work throughout the year.”

Winning on their own terms is very much accustomed to the Woking based team, who over their 56-year history have seen dominant eras gilded by silverware from 12 Drivers’ and eight Constructors’ World Championships.

There has almost been an expectation that McLaren would always be a winning team. Yet not to have won a race in seven years, that being Jenson Button at Interlagos in 2012 — is unprecedented. McLaren’s last taste of ultimate success came when Lewis Hamilton won his first Driver’s World Championship in 2008.

But the cracks were just appearing at McLaren in 2007 during the fallout of the ‘Spygate’ espionage controversy. Off the track, ‘Spygate’ signalled there was instability in McLaren’s ranks.

It was a tumultuous time that exposed alleged theft of Ferrari technical data and a rift between then Team Principle Ron Dennis and Fernando Alonso, as Alonso accused the team of favouring Dennis’ young protege Hamilton.

Dennis retired as team principle in 2009 and eventually parted completely in 2017 after his 37 year association with the McLaren Technology Group. During his time Dennis oversaw McLaren’s most successful period across the 1980s and 1990s.

In 2015 McLaren went back to Honda engines for the first time since 1992, in what began as a hark back to the halcyon days of the Honda powered MP4/4 winning 15 out of 16 races and Ayrton Senna’s first world championship in 1988.

But the ‘McLaren-Honda 2.0’ partnership ended in an unmitigated disaster as the team slumped to ninth in the constructors’ championship in 2017.

Yet like any good comeback story there has to be a pivotal point where the fight back to the top begins.

That began when motorsport marketing guru Zac Brown took over as McLaren CEO, Brown said to McLaren.com he took over at the most difficult time.

“I definitely joined in probably the most difficult period in the team’s history, but to me that’s the exciting part. That’s the challenge. What we needed to do was provide clear leadership and direction, and ensure the right people were in the right places. I think we’re now going in the right direction. The decisions we have made are paying off, but there’s still a long way to go.”

The first milestone on the road back success came when Brown divorced McLaren from its partnership with Honda in 2016, striking a new engine supply with Renault.

Brown also oversaw the increase of sponsorship investment and was instrumental bringing Seidl to the team along with James Key as Technical Director.

Brown also attributes the teams renewed stability from retaining the services of drivers Sainz and Lando Norris.

“We’re currently in a period of rebuilding and we want stability. Both Carlos and Lando are performing well and we’re very happy with them, therefore we wanted to confirm them early. I’m sure there are many teams that would love to have either of them in a race car and by confirming them when we did, we avoided getting caught up in ‘silly season,” he said.

It was quite fitting that Sainz’s P20 to P3 drive at Interlagos very much echoed McLaren’s fight back to the podium, but despite the much welcomed success, Seidl said to McLaren.com he is now looking for success on the teams’ own terms.

“We keep our heads down and now focus on securing our positions in the Drivers’ World Championship. The achievement this year together with the podium today is the perfect motivation for all of us to keep working hard in order to score podiums again in the future for McLaren based on our own outright performance.”

With great results in the bag for 2019 and a revitalised partnership with Mercedes as their new engine supplier in 2021, the team as a collective appears now to have their heads in a good space for the challenges ahead, to finally get that elusive win they so desperately hunger.

A curious look: How Lewis Hamilton is creating a Formula 1 masterpiece

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Brendan Lines

As Lewis Hamilton adds his sixth Formula 1 World Championship to his impressive career, amongst the celebrations, his unbound success and Michael Shumacher — just how is Hamilton’s journey this season helping him create a Formula 1 masterpiece?

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Image: Associated Press

As the champagne flowed at the US Grand Prix on Sunday, the immediate reaction for most was ‘who would have thought?’ anyone would come this close to Michael Shumacher’s seven world titles.

But with all the comparisons and a plethora of statistics drawn between Hamilton and Schumacher aside, are we witnessing a champion more happier in his own skin to face his challenges along the way than simply to beat Shumacher’s record.

Buried in the magic of the moment we heard post-race at the US Grand Prix a side of Lewis Hamilton that reflected upon a more human element to his world championship success, in terms of; the effect from the loss of Nikki Lauda, to battling his demons and his journey towards a masterpiece.

At Sunday’s press conference Hamilton said to www.formula1.com that the loss of Lauda was a great loss to him personally and the team.

“No way has it been the easiest. It’s been the hardest year for us as a team. We lost Niki this year. A crucial member and a real pivotal member of our team and the emotional rollercoaster that we’ve been on with losing him,

“I would say this year that losing Niki, I didn’t think that was going to hit me as hard as it did. It really was upsetting and I miss him dearly today and I didn’t realise how much I loved the guy.”

Yet beneath Hamilton’s cheerful demeanour and all the success, the loss of Lauda and sometimes languishing speed of the Mercedes this year, forced Hamilton to face up to what he says is to be ‘battling certain demons.’

“There’s always the darker side that’s always trying to pull you down and you’re constantly having to wake up… I don’t know how you guys wake up in the morning but I look in the mirror and I’m trying to lift myself up and say ‘yes, you can do it. Yes, you are great. Yes you can be fit if you go and put that time in. Yes, you can win this race if you do the right steps and you continue to believe in yourself, and no one else is going to do it for you,” he said.

Hamilton has become a person who wears his ‘heart on his sleeve,’ speaking more candidly about what it takes to remain successful, wether that’s just maturity alone is debatable.

Clearly Hamilton’s motivations since 2007, as a rookie who was simply hungry for that first win have changed. As Hamilton now draws a more philosophical approach to how he sees his F1 journey unfolding.

At Sunday’s press conference Hamilton said to www.formula1.com he is creating a masterpiece.

“I’m working on a masterpiece and I haven’t quite finished it yet, so I’m trying to understand, I think it takes a long time to master a craft, while I feel like I am mastering it there’s still more to master, there’s still more to add to it, theres still more pieces of the puzzle to add, there’s going to be more ups and downs along the way but I feel like I’ve got the best tools now, at this point at least to deal with those.” 

There is no doubt the biggest part of that masterpiece is his relationship with Mercedes. Where out of Hamilton’s six world titles five of them have been won during Formula 1’s turbo-hybrid era from 2014 under team boss Toto Wolff.

On Sunday Wolff said to the Daily Mail  there maybe no lid on Hamilton’s success.

“I think there is no limit to what he can win. He is still very motivated and you can see he wants to win every single race. As long as that is the case, he can go for more.” 

Later, Wolff said to www.formula1.com there is however a role the team must play.

“If we’re able to provide the drivers with a good car next year, that is competitive, we continue to work on the gaps we still have, try and minimise the mistakes and he has a good season, there is no reason why he couldn’t go for a seventh title,” he said.

If we now pause after all this and ask how does this dominance continue?

We immediately think Hamilton just needs to have the fastest car to capitalise on the current stable regulations, that maybe true — but there is one condition.

As the new ‘game-changing’ regulations for the 2021 season were locked in over the weekend, does it potentially limit Hamilton’s window to 2020 in order to match Shumacher?

The answer to that is anyones guess, but if we look at success the way Hamilton now sees it  — is there really an end date on a masterpiece? Which leaves the possibility to suggest Hamilton’s trajectory of success could well continue despite Formula 1’s shifting regulations, writing a truly unique piece of Formula 1 history next to the greats.

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Winning a family affair

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Above: Craig Jaensch with Sheza Black Rose

http://www.arclightphoto.com/

LAST Tuesday’s racing at Gawler was very rewarding for South Merbein trainer Craig Jaensch, with his greyhound Sheza Black Rose notching her maiden win.

Starting from box two in the open maiden series over 388m, Sheza
Black Rose jumped early with the leaders to find third position.

After fighting with fourth-placed Lilliputian (4) for most of the first section, Sheza Black Rose pulled away on the rail in pursuit of leaders Viscount Vane (1) and Senni Jay Jay (3).

Keeping her position on the rail, she shot through to take the lead down the straight, after the leaders went wide on the home turn, and win in a time of 23.17 seconds.

Viscount Vane ran second for Two Wells’ Karen Bearpark, while Senni Jay Jay took third for Lewiston trainer Tim Ieraci.

Sheza Black Rose was bred on Jaensch’s Merbein property, where she was part of a litter shared with his father, Chris.

Trialling over 388m at Angle Park and Gawler, her good times gave Jaensch the confidence to start her racing.

True to predictions, she has taken to South Australian tracks with great zeal, as they are similar to the tracks at which she was broken in.

The Jaensch family has a long history in greyhound racing; Jaensch’s parents Chris and Kaye have been involved in the sport for 30 years, with his brothers Trevor, Michael and Patrick also now involved.

His partner, Leanne Smith, does a lot of crucial work behind the scenes that allows him to balance his racing and work commitments.
“I really could not do it without her,” Jaensch said.

Travelling to SA to find success is nothing new for Jaensch as, before its closure, Barmera was a ‘home’ track for the Victorian.

Jaensch also added the recent increase in SA prize-money has also made travelling to Gawler more lucrative.

Other notable efforts for the day’s racing included a division one win to Evanston trainer Aarte Verhoef’s veteran, Cash Or Credit.

As a result of some final essential works being carried out on the new track complex, racing at Gawler will take a short break.

Featured article at the link below

http://www.bunyippress.com.au/racing-success-is-a-family-affair/

Teamwork pays off

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Above: Alex Zurafski and Lady Xanthe

http://www.arclightphoto.com

In race three’s 388m open maiden stake at Angle Park last Tuesday, Lady Xanthe found the rail early to shut out any challenges and storm home to a five-length win.

Lektra Dave, for Murray Bridge trainer Wendy Mattcott, and Smashed Dip, for Lewiston’s Rebecca McCauley-Fry, filled the minor placings.

So far in his greyhound racing career Wudarczyk has trained and ran his own racing team.

However, on this occasion, he chose to diversify the ownership of Lady Xanthe to a syndicate in an arrangement he believes can help make the sport more inclusive to new participants and draw upon some extra experience from people already in the industry.

Wudarczyk has even introduced his next-door neighbour to greyhound racing this way.

Lady Xanthe, who was purchased from local breeder Peter Luxton, noted for his ‘City Strike Rate’ award in the 2011 Greyhound of the Year awards, is the syndicate’s first winner since its formation in 2011.

Wudarczyk identified her straight away as a natural runner and decided to run her over 388m.

He usually prefers 500m runners, however the shorter distance has favored Lady Xanthe and Wudarczyk plans to run her over the 400m at Gawler on the completion of its redevelopment.

When asked about racing at the soon be completed new Gawler facility, Wudarczyk said that is was a “good step forward” as it would make for a more comfortable and happier experience for trainers.

This is a good sign that the new development will not only benefit local trainers, but be attractive to city and interstate trainers also.

Trainer’s honors went to Oswald Chegia, from Sellicks Beach, who managed two winners for the day in Elira Jane and Ritza Tiger.

Featured article at the link below

http://www.bunyippress.com.au/teamwork-pays-off/

Butcher Lays Down Challenge

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Brendan Lines

November 5, 2015

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Above: Cameron Butcher and Dodger I Am

http://www.arclightphoto.com

Recovering from a recent metacarpal injury, Dodger I Am has had a remarkable winning run from box five, with good results from less-than-favourable positions seeming to be a recurring trend.

He has a great ability to find the lead from middle and wide starting positions, over 300m and 500m races, with the most recent at Angle Park on December 30.

Butcher puts much of it down to good luck, but also pointed out that Dodger I Am was never rushed back from injury, which has since seen him return to the track with more focus.

After returning to greyhound racing in the past five years, Butcher has struck up a connection with Cheltenham-based breeder Alan McCulloch.

From here, Dodger I Am was picked from a litter out of the brood bitch Little Looper, with the pairing spawning other notable successes, such as the 2012 Greyhound of the Year Hope’s Up.

Seeing this promising form, Butcher has expressed plans to see Dodger I Am enter the St Ledger Series at Gawler.

He has confidence that this series will be an opportunity for Dodger I Am to race competitively against runners in its class.

Despite Butcher’s location at Meningie it has not stopped him participating at tracks across the state, particularly Gawler, where he has had success with Regal Looper taking out the 2014 Gawler produce series – a result he is hoping to emulate with Dodger I Am in the St Ledger.

Adelaide Alive

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Brendan Lines

November 5, 2015

Motorsport

The first time Adelaide heard the the screech and shrill sounds of Formula 1 was in 1985. Thirty years later the original bespoke turbo charged machinery of the era has returned to Victoria Park.

In conjunction with the return of the Classic Adelaide Rally and the Victoria Park sprint event. Both have combined to create the S.A Motorsport Festival. A three day event that sees racing drawing upon South Australia’s rich motor sport history.

The event saw reportedly 20,000 fans attend over the three days taking in a variety of cars racing in various categories.

But the events biggest draw card, was of course the presence of the legendary Formula 1 turbo era cars. Which originally competed in the first Australian Formula Grand Prix for world championship points.

These included three time world champion Ayrton Senna’s Lotus 97T, the car which secured the first ever pole position at the Adelaide circuit. Also appearing was the car of Australia’s 1980 F1 world champion Alan Jones, the Lola TLH1. Which was the first F1 car to lap the Adelaide Street Circuit.

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Above: Ayrton Senna’s Lotus 1985 97T
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Above: Alan Jone’s Lola Hart TLH1

Other notable entries were the 1986 Benetton B186 which was brought to the event by Australian owner Les Wright. Just one of the many local and interstate owners of classic racing cars brought to the event.

Above: Les Wright’s Benetton B186 pursued by the Lola HartTLH1

Event organiser Tim Possingham from the Sporting Car Club of S.A said that the “Highest ownership of classic cars is here in Adelaide.” Commending the enthusiasm of classic car owners support of this event.

Participants not only raced at the various venues across the state holding stages of the rally. But also did bring their machines to display at the unique city side hub at Victoria Park.

The Victoria Park site made the city side event unique to anywhere else in the world just as it did in 1985 combining tight city streets and parkland section.

Given this years success Mr. Possingham has already expressed that next years event will aim to have up to twenty F1 cars that have previously raced at the Adelaide Circuit over the period of 1985 to 1995. This will also be coupled by celebrity drivers whom have previously raced them.

Mr. Possingham also confirmed Classic Team Lotus International who brought Ayrton Senna’s cars to the event. Have committed two cars next year – however it is yet to be confirmed what models they will be.

Winner out of the Ashes

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Brendan Lines

October 12, 2015

S.A Greyhound Racing

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Above: Rob Harnas with Zafonic Grace

http://www.arclightphoto.com/

TWO years ago trainer Rob Harnas’ Lewiston property was destroyed by fire in a near tragic event that saw he, his family and greyhounds escape alive.

Left with only the clothes on his back, it has been a true triumph over adversity to rebuild his property and re-establish his place in the greyhound winners’ circle.

Harnas described the chilling experience as something he would not wish upon anyone; the sudden realisation that everything he owned was gone was a ‘surreal’ feeling, and a reminder for him to never again take things for granted.

Harnas made no surprise admissions in outlining that full-time training is a demanding game.

Following the loss of his property, he considered ending his affiliation with greyhound racing, but with the support of his family and love for the sport he decided to keep going.

Getting back to racing was part of the recovery to move on from the fire.

Racing has been part of his family since the early 1980s.

He is well-supported by his wife, Tricia, who assists amongst full-time work commitments, and also his two young sons Jackson and Samuel.

Harnas rebuilt a new house for the family and a 14-kennel facility for his team of greyhounds.

This year he has produced 17 winners from the new Lewiston facility, the most recent coming from his maiden winner Zafonic Grace, which stormed home in race three on the Gawler program at Angle Park.

Harnas believes that upon receiving her from the
Adelaide syndicate owners it has helped her mature in confidence as a race dog.

His ability to recognise a dog’s potential has, over time, seen him approached by syndicates to take on their training duties.

In the case of Zafonic Grace, she first came to the Lewiston property some 16 months ago and, despite being a little slow to start with, has showed improvements.

With his property rebuilt, and family now settled in, Harnas could not be happier – Zafonic Grace’s win means there are “no complaints from his corner”.

In other greyhound news, Gawler favourite Aarte Verhoufe’s Cash or Credit has been unfazed by the change of venue, coming home first, in race 11 last Tuesday, six lengths ahead of Uno Oscar, for Christopher Jaensch, of Merbein, and Jarrad Murray’s Cosmic Wild.

Gawler racing returns to Angle Park next Tuesday.

For more information go to gawlergreyhounds.com.au