Love You Barcelona !

La Rambla

Park Guel

 It's been almost two weeks since i've came back from Spain to Turkey. It has been such a journey for me. It was my second time in Barcelona. I haven't been any other foreign city actually, not counting connecting flight which i very enjoyed in german airports. But Barcelona's got something magical, i know it.

 First of all Spanish, Catalan people are great, very kind, welcoming and funny. 'Hablo un poco espanol' means 'i can speak a little spanish' was the phare i used there most. Unlike me they 'hablan mucho espanol'. Spanish&Catalan people love to talk and they talk so loud like they always tell something so excited. This can be tiring after a day at circuit, but i love their energy. They just love to live , this may sound stupid but you feel like you really breating there.

Port Vell

 I live in İstanbul which is a city with almost 20 million populated so after 20 million, 2 million Barcelona is like a heaven. There are lots of tourist out there of course but still heaven. After all the hurry of İstanbul, Barcelona took all my stress, worries and everything. I'm sure people there also have problems but they just don't let this ruin their daily lives.

La Boqueria

 Last year i was there on Wednesday so i didnt't have so much time left from GP to travel around. This year i've done every thing on book of 'tourist at Barcelona 101'. İstanbul is already a very historical city. But Barcelona brings history, art and fun together. I really enjoyed the places i've been there. Gaudi's works took me another level of admiration. Need to also mention 'La Boqueria'. A open market at La Rambla, i lost myself there to Catalan chocolates, sweets and fruits. They were like out of this world. I was purely happy after having few strawberries there.
 My mom's hometown is İzmir as Spanish would get 'Esmirna'. I love İzmir so much and Barcelona reminds me there only palm trees are missing in Barcelona. As İzmir people Barcelona people also loves to live their lives full.
 Barcelona is a city where everyone would love to visit like Paris,NY or Londan kind. So when a city like this have a Grand Prix , it becames heaven for a fan like me. You can both enjoy the city and GP.
 Last year was my rookie year at Circuit de Catalunya but this year everything went smoother. I was more calm before i went there. I guess first times always more special and scary. Circuit is a little bit outside of the Barcelona center but with trains it's easy to go Montmelo where circuit located.
 There were few changes compared to last year. Weather was sucked this year. It wasn't so bad but for Barcelona standarts it was cold , it rained in some periods but weirdly or unlike İstanbul even rain was warmer.

 There were so many Alonso fans this time. This can sound odd but last year main stand where i watched my race was full of British people who supports Mclaren. That's not the view you expected when you go to home of Alonso. But this year there were so many Ferrari/Alonso fans. The man who talks through speakers were also trying to make a fire of 'Alooonsoooo' song to cheer fans up. Also he was screaming like crazy as 'Primeroooo' when Alonso gets the P1 in any part of weekend. But i enjoyed it even thougt i support Vettel. That was what should happen excatly 'to have Alonso fans mostly in Spain'. No need to mention Raikkonen also have huge amount of fans there i mean he has fans in all around world like Pitbul would say 'Mr.Worldwide'.
 Some fans tackled me being 'Seb Fan' but that was fun. Defending Seb in spanish was a new experience for me. In the end it's F1 and fans are generally kind and respectful. So i had a great time with Alonso fans. But i expected a bit more from them when Alonso wins. Actually i also expected a bit more from Alonso too.

Seb receiving my 'Teddy Bear' Gift

  I also met Mr.Vettel again. Gladly he remembered me as always. I think some team members also recognize me now which is normal as the amount of talking i made. Seb was so kind as always, thanked me in my own language. Even though all the people are there he interested with me so well. I'm always thankful for his kindess and effort to remember me. He was a bit down when he came to autograph season and i was like 'damnnnn what happened to him.' but i think i managed to cheer him up. Maybe he knew that the car wasn't be able to kick the podium or win so he was a little bit upset.

 Also i gifted to team 'turkish delight' which i hope they enjoy again this year. I can say this million time but the current Red Bull Racing crew is the best. I know almost all of them, not all with the name which i'm sorry for, but the success of Red Bull lays down there. They are working with almost same people there and they look like they are having fun, they enjoy to be work there. Plus as always it's the only pit with a music on. That music helps a lot when i'm waiting at pit for Seb to come out.
Another change this year was the shopping area. Last year i was like crazy, i shopped like crazy but this year there wasn't so much merchandise or not different ones. According to mom that because i've got already everything. It was a little bit frustrating. I didn't even find a new Seb tshirt. They didn't even sell the 'V3TTEL' tshirt there. Gladly i bought that online.
  I again had a amazing time in Barcelona, i've already missed to be there. I really would love to continue my education in Spain. They are like us, very warm, welcoming people but our better version who are enjoying their lives. Maybe it comes from Mediterian Sea. Can't wait to go back to Barcelona and a F1 circuit again with better, greater and much more memories :)


 Also met with other drivers again, here are my favorites from them :)

And with the some team members i really want to meet from RBR :)

McLaren 50

  A history,a legacy  was born in 1963.Bruce Mclaren Motor Racing was founded in 1963 by Bruce Mclaren.He was head of the team till his death in 1970.
  Wokin based team made debut in F1 in 1966.They are the greatest part of Formula 1 history with 8 constructor championship and 12 drivers championship. 
 This what Bruce Mclaren did 'Leave a mark that can't erase neither space nor time so when the director yelss ''cut'',I'll be fine,I'm forever young' as it says on the song.
 Mclaren put a little show on their Formula 1 car launch for the remind us this mark and now they are keep going with the Commercial kind short films.

 They launched the first video out of three for celebrating their 50th year.These shorts films will make the longs story short and tell their legacy. 

You May also visit these links to enjoy these celebreation;

Mclaren's Top 50 Drivers for 50 Years
Share Your Ayrton Memories
Exclusive Wallpapers for 50th Year

2013 Season Starts…

  The moment of the champion of 2012 has been learned is like yesterday…After just 7 weeks from now on Australian GP will start with the 5 start lights off.But after Lotus’s launch on 28th 2013 season will start.New rules,settings,news and photos to follow will be on the internet soon.

   Teams had a moment to breath after the hurry of last year’s championship with the X-mas.All the employees of the teams backed to work at 1st of January.Drivers also had their holiday.They were under pressure all the season and this holiday gave them time to may be forget last season or the enjoy the last season but the prepare for the next.

   Obviously they were trying to relax as mental but that dosent mean they stopped their work outs.Im sure they kept working after to foods that they’ve ate at X-mas.

  Launches of the teams will start with Lotus on 28th of January and finish with the Williams on 19th of February.Test season will start on5 of  February at Jerez circuit at Spain and will keep going with the circuit which helds the Spanish GP Circuit de Catalunya on 3rd of March.New season again came with new assets.

   Car weights will increase 640 kg to 62kg  with the increase of Pirelli tyres.Also Stepped Noes wont be around with the common decision of the teams.RBR took to much criticisim about flexibitly pieces so FIA will make tests much more hursh.For the safety reasons DRS can not be used at Pracitces and qualifying but the DRS Zone.Team’s working hours have changed too.Working on Thursday extended 2 hours but the work in emergency cases discreased 2 hours.

 To make the long story short,season again starts with new changes.But if we count the last years as meause races have been so excited so that means FIA is often making the right calls.

   Latest seasons have been such excited season but the Button’s 2009 and Vettel’s 2011 which are dominated by them.We’ve seen 5 different champions  since the begining of 2000’s.We’ve also seen young talents who come and go or stay around here. 

  Especially with 2011 season Pirelli backed to our lives.Their effect on the excitment can not be uncounted.I can’t wait the new deal of Pirelli.

   Let’s get to new season expectations.Obviously waiting again great,excited and competitive season.In theory there are lots of people who can be competetive but we will see who can fight till the end.

    I will start with launch dates of Teams so starting with the Lotus.They will be with the same drivers.So im waiting them to be more storonger this season.,they should be better.Last year with the arrival of Raikkonen team had the guy who knows how to win and who attractices the sponsor mosts.With the money winning come should come and a driver at the level of Raikkonen must keep Lotus at the way of championship.If Grosjean left the stress of crashes behings Lotus can give a show to us.Raikkonen had not have the champion car even though he became 3rd in the championship and expressed everyone.If Lotus get that car to Kimi championship can be more competetive.

  Mclaren is candidate for the have all the eyes of the Paddock for this season.I’m not saying this because I’ve got doubts on Button or Perez’s talent  but because im wondering about how these two will race together.Mclaren always behing of their ‘2 champions or 2 high talented driver’ motto,it’s always easy to say something that to do it.2007 and the leaving Hamilton from team are the proof ,it hasnt been smooth as silk always.Mclaren always had ‘the car’ that is competetive enough since 2008 but still couldnt have the championship crown is also  another issue.But ım wondering most about how will Button react if Perez beats him after his attitudes about ‘Hamilton’s leaving the team’.It sounds to me things will go up side down at Mclaren but we will wait and see.

   Force India is the team for me that got my heart from the young  and less bigger teams.Their Driver seat’s still avalianbe which is not so good for the team.They’ve always got talented drivers at the team,earned a Indian GP for their coutry and a driver.With all these  in count whatever happens i will always respect to Mallya .Even though losing Hulkenberg is not a ideal start they can always use new and young drivers.

  And now for the time of the one and only of F1,Ferrari.They’ve made too many changes in team but still couldnt have the championship since Raikkonen’s championship since 2007.Team started to give promises to be better again at the season start.Best asset of this season is might be the come back of Massa.At the end of last season Brezilian driver showed he still got that magic,if he can keep up that it can make Ferrari’s job easier.But obviously Ferrari fans want the most Alonso’s championship.Alonso has already knows to be a champion,Ferrari is a team who wrote the book of how to be a champion b ut will Ferrari  can posses what they want with dictatorship of Montezemolo which brings Ferrari a hard times?

  I will expecting Sauber with excitment by their woman team boss and two young drivers.Last season they’ve been pretty good.Kaltenborn’s leadership can lead Sauber to make fantasti jobs.I always count on Hulkenberg’s talent with his seat at Sauber he will show his quality more.

  And now for the team who has the wings since 2005 and has been competing for championship rac for four years.Sometimes change needs but not for the things who are going well you only need to develope that good things to better.RBR who got used to taste of championship will obviously do that.Newey’s not finishing ideas,solutions  and the growing Vettel will be hard to stop.But I’m not saying things will be easy.Winning is hard but to win year after year and maybe doing better is harder.Dont cross out Webber also he does not put a sugar in Vettel’s tea but team has learned not to have issues in 2010 Turkey.If  Webber would able to get constient other team’s job will be harder.Awards has been earned,good memories, the number 1-2 on the cars and the first spot at pits the only stuff that RBR will have as extra from the start of the season.New page will be open.

  Season’s most curious kombination is the old friends Hamilton and Rosberg.Let me be clear commenting on that is even hard.Rosberg is such a good drivers but it’s hard him to beat Hamilton.But obvioulsy for that Hamilton must be commited.He need to set his prioarities and push till the end for them with that only he can be unstopple on circuit.I’m sure Mercedes is made a right changes to create a chance for Hamilton.

  Red Bull’s second winged team Torro Rosso also keeping the same drivers.Torro Rosso is more likely a team for driver develop for Red Bull but haven’t made that happen since Vettel.Nor Vergne Neighter Ricciardo are bad drivers but can they find a chance to show us some tricks and maybe podiums?

  Grid’s greens Caterham biggest mistake would be not to keep Kovalainen as their driver.He still ambitious and got the experience which can lead team to better places.

 Another legend of F1 williams is another team that i expect more for this season.Maldonado had been a trouble guy but he showed us he knows how to roll with the win of Spanish GP.For Bottos im wondering if he is fitting ‘if you wanna win get finn’ class,if so he Williams will have lots to smile this season.Every season they’ve got little better maybe this season they can put the last deatly punch on this season?

 For the Last Marussia,I’m okay with the having more team on the grid but I’m just seeing them as more likely to Virgin Group’s owner Sir Richard Cranson’s wish to stay on F1.Clearly they are so young team but need to see more dedication.

  I just try to wrote my expectations.Of Course everyone want to see their team or driver to win but common wish to watch excited,delicious races which you want more.Car Launches start this week so enjoy it Season is already starting.

Enjoy the Flight ;)

'When Punishment Dosen't Fit The Crime'

  I've never thougt that FIA is favoring Ferrari,Mclaren or any other team.But lately i also can't think that FIA is making the right calls.
  When i first heard about a some ex,legend drivers will involve to investigations,it felt like a good idea.Because in the end they were drivers and once a driver always driver so they should be the ones who understand racing better than everyone else.But it seems like this theory does not work so smoothly in real life.
  Investigations are deciding after races even there is a time for that in race.I know races are so excited this year but stewards are there for making the decisions not for the watching races.Why they wait? Even drivers are human and they deserve second chances.A pit pass penalty can be fix in race,but after race there is nothing to do for that '20 secs penalty'.
  F1 is a sport we want to see drivers doing their job on circuit;Racing,isn't it? or It's just a become sport of waiting the decision making after a race is over?
  Also that '20 secs penalty' isn't so fair while pit loss is 15-16 secs in Canada ır 22-23 secs in Abu Dhabi.
  Isn't too harsh for some situations while some drivers can break the rules over and over again and ruining other driver's races with stupid mistakes? or they seem like they don't even care the start lights anymore? Just 5 place penalty enough for Maldonado's early start?
  I Don't know about FIA's favoring but Belgium GP must be a wake up call or something for them !