My big, fat F1 team review.

Hey all. 

It really has been a while. (That's my fault. Apologies)

But I do hope that you all had lovely Christmas and a great start to 2013. 

Now to ease back into Female Formula Fun posting, I have decided to start with a 2012 team review. 

So a few weeks ago. I did some YouTube videos for the FanFormula website. 

Now some of you clever readers will eagerly spot that I didn't film all my videos at the same time. 

Leading to some very interesting scenarios.

(Mainly of the changing hair colour, wet hair and no make up variety. )

All I will say is that I do pull out the big guns in the last review and I do actually look half decent. Hoorah.

So without further ado, here is my 2012 team season review. 

Video One

Red Bull, Lotus, Force India and Caterham 

Video Two

Ferrari, Williams, Mercedes and Marussia

Video Three

McLaren, Sauber, Toro Rosso and HRT

Don't forget you can also follow me on Twitter @squiffany and this Saturday I am at the Autosport show in Birmingham. So I hope I can see some of you there. (Just be aware of my uber fangirling and severe photo taking. IT WILL HAPPEN :S

Hello. Is it me your looking for?

Now for anyone expecting a Formula One post. I do apologise in advance. Because today is not about F1. It's about me. (Selfish I know.)
But because of the amount of time I have been away from the blog. I feel like it is time to set the record straight.
But be warned it's not pretty. (But it will probably be a bit rambling and full of nonsense. Standard really.)

I used to say to anyone who would listen that Formula One is a major part life.
Lately though. I feel I have lost my spark.
Both for writing and Formula One.
This however is not Formula One's fault.

It's my fault.

The blog has been neglected mainly because life has got in the way.
Work, illness, moving house and trying to juggle life.
It's all been a bit too much.
And I've struggled to cope at times.

Formula One for the past few months reminded me how much I haven't achieved over the last few years. In career and in life. So I started doing what I always do when I'm down.
I gave up on it all.
The one thing that makes me happy and I just dropped it.

I've stopped watching races, I stopped recording FanFormula's and I stopped writing.
The three things that make me the most happy and I just gave up on them. Because I was terrified.
Terrified because over the last three months my confidence has nose dived.
And I just shut myself away. From everything.

So after a lot of time spent soul searching in the past few of weeks and lots of chats with the boyfriend.  I know that 2013 is my last proper chance to make the blog work and to really try to improve myself and my confidence, but I know in order to make it work that I have to sort my shit out. Properly.

So over the next few weeks I'm going to reintroduce more blog posts and build up my confidence slowly. I would like to promise the world straight away but I know it's wise to start slow and see how things go.

This is probably my most honest post but I like to think that most bloggers have these kind of thoughts at least once in their blogging career. So I'm hoping not be completely mauled for my thoughts.

So before I go and start writing again. I would love to thank all the people who have been reading my blog posts whilst I haven't wrote. You are all amazing.

And thank you to everyone on twitter for being so kind when I've been down. It's lovely to think that people you don't even know can care so much.

And the biggest thanks has to go to David. The boyfriend who makes me believe I can do anything. You rule.

And now before this turns into an Oscar speech worthy of a pack of tissues.
I'm going to exit the building.

Thank you for listening.

You can also follow me on twitter @squiffany. If I'm around of course. :P

FanFormula. Week 7. Melbourne.

So in this week's FanFormula, instead of saying words wrong. I get complete whole facts wrong. Hoorah.
(See if you can spot which ones I bugger up.)
I also get a little bit too excited and also may have ended up having a small rant to myself.

So cock up's and rants.
Just another typical FanFormula video then. :)

So on to this week's questions which of course were about Melbourne.

Question One.
Williams have appeared to have come back strong with a great battle with Maldonado but what did you make of the midfield teams today battling between the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes?

Question Two
What do you make of the move that lets back markers unlap themselves under the safety car, does it just prolong the safety car or is it fairer on those that would be out of place due to lapped cars?

Question Three
If you watched via Sky what is your overall opinion on their team and the coverage?

If you watched via BBC how did you find watching the highlight show rather then race coverage? Did it lack the excitement knowing that the race was already over?

Bonus Question
What was your favourite moment of the weekend?



Don't forget if you want to see this week's full FanFormula or to join in yourself. Then you can see all the info you need at  http://fanformula.weebly.com/

And if you want to hear more ramblings about the Grosjean Giraffe or why I think Alonso's eyebrows look slimmer. You can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula. Week 6. Spain, Liveries and HRT/Marussia

It's scary to think that I have been doing FanFormula posts for just over a month and a half now but I have been loving every minute.
Plus my confidence at being able to look in to camera has improved as well. Result.
(See how little I look away from the camera now compared to my first FanFormula video.)

Anyway back to this week's FanFormula, which concentrated on 2012 and beyond.

Question One.

HRT/Marussia have finally passed all the crash tests with just days remaining until the start of the season. What do you think of the delayed start and will this have an effect on 2012 and future seasons for the teams?

Question Two

With several teams completing several 'filming days' before the season begins, should this be allowed or is this a way for teams to get sneaky test laps in without being at a session?

Question Three

2012 is rumoured to be the last year on the calendar that both Valencia and Catalunya will feature in the race calendar. What is your view on this and will this bring the end of the European GP?

Extra Question

Now that all of the liveries have been revealed, which is your favourite and which do you hate?

Don't forget if you want to see this week's FanFormula video or want to join in. Then you can go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/2012.html

And if you want to hear more of my F1 perving over the GP weekend. You can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO F.F.F.

It's a day I thought I would never see.
After 366 days, Female Formula Fun has turned the ripe old age of one.

A lot has happened in the last year.
From an idea about posting about fit drivers to teach non F1 fans a little bit about the sport.
Female Formula Fun has ended up growing into something more then that.

It's become a part of my life.
I love checking everyday how many people have read my blog, seen my videos and how international F.F.F is really becoming.

From interviewing Aussies and the creator of one of biggest comedy F1 websites.
To seeing my blog translated in Portguese, Spanish and Russian.
To me not being to pronounce any words on videos.

It's all happening and it's all down to you. My loyal readers.

This will sound like an Oscar speech.

But the main thing I want to say is a huge thank you to all of you who have read the blog posts.
It means A LOT.
It's always nice to know that the time and effort I put into the posts doesn't go to waste.

I also want to thank people who have helped and supported the blog from the beginning, whether it's by retweeting it/promoting it or by helping me out with interviews and guest posting.
You are literally the best.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

Tiff.
x x x

And of course you can always follow me on twitter @squiffany
(Psssh. You can too Fernando. Just don't tell anyone.)

Scottish pride. Jim Clark.

Lately the name on everyone's lips at the moment seems to be Jimmy Clark.
Mainly because Sir Jackie Stewart did an interview on Sky F1 and talked about the great man.


Funny enough this post was actually going to be a Retro F1 fitty of the week post.
But half way through, I realised that it just didn't feel right.

When I do any Fitty of the week, I always do some research (It's a hard life). Mainly looking at pictures and video footage.
This time though.
When I did that for Jim Clark, it seemed a bit wrong.

Whilst watching old youtube footage. I just wanted people to remember how great a driver he really was and when he died in tragic circumstances how devastating it was to the sport.

So from now on. If I do a Retro F1 Fitty of the week it won't involve anyone that we have lost.

But I still feel like Jim Clark should be honoured. Even if it is just in this blog post.

So in honour of the great man.
I'm going to hand you over to another legend.
Murray Walker.

To remind us all and to keep remembering the one and only.
Jim Clark.



If you want to see more F.F.F posts you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

STR's choice.

So this week after much speculation both Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi have been given the push by Toro Rosso after two years in the team.


The thing is. Someone asked me a few months ago. If you could only keep one driver out of Toro Rosso who would it be.
And I couldn't have given an answer.

Both Jaime and Seb have given stellar performances at times and were both quite evenly matched on pace and performance in the Toro Rosso
It was a bit like an F1 of version Sophie's choice. Only with two drivers instead of children.

So I can understand why Toro Rosso have given both drivers the push.
It was the easiest if a little slightly cowardly thing to do.

F1 moves so fast and with only 26 places it's so competitive.
(Unless you have money and can buy your way in. *Nudges Pastor Maldonaldo*)
Seeing Jaime and Sebastien drive I never once thought. They are something special. They are going to be champions of the future.
So far I have only done that with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel on their F1 debuts.

I would like Jaime and Sebastien back in F1 at some point. They weren't awful drivers, they just weren't that memorable.

But with Jaime and Sebastien gone.
New blood can come to the fore.
In the form of the Red Bull junior team programme.

With Daniel Ricciardo finally getting a drive with a better team then HRT and new boy and former Toro Rosso test driver Jean-Eric Vergne also taking the second seat at the team.


I'm hoping that 2012 should be a brighter year for the sister Red Bull team.

You can also follow my ramblings on twitter @squiffany

The Libran and the Bahrain GP.

So lets start from the top.

What does a Libran have to do with the Bahrain GP?

Well if you haven't worked it out.

It's me.

I was born 29TH September 1987.

Smack bang in the Libra star sign.

One of a Libran's traits is this.

"In personal relationships they show understanding of the other person's point of view, trying to resolve any differences by compromise, and are often willing to allow claims against themselves to be settled to their own disadvantage rather then spoil a relationship."

This is exactly how I feel about the Bahrain grand prix.

I'm pretty much on the fence.

There are many reasons why it shouldn't be reinstated and many reasons why it needs to be on the calendar.

Lets get to the nitty gritty.

The main reason why the Bahrain GP worries me. Is because if (And if is the big word) the situation there hasn't calmed down by October. How safe really are the drivers, teams, journalists and fans going to be?

Now I know the emergency law has been lifted but who knows what is going to happen in the next few weeks?

I'm not good with politics. Especially anything related to civil unrest.

I just think Bahrain is not ready for an F1 race in 2011.

There are other reasons why we shouldn't go to Bahrain.

Some drivers like Mark Webber don't think it's right.

Webber is far from convinced.

"My opinion is unchanged since I was first asked about this in late February. Even though a decision has been made, I'll be highly surprised if the Bahrain GP goes ahead this year" Webber said on his website. "In my personal opinion, the sport should have taken a much firmer stance earlier this year rather than constantly delaying its decision in hope of being able to reschedule it in 2011. It would have sent a very clear message about F1's position on something as fundamental as human rights." Formula one's ruling body, the FIA, gave the green light for the race to be reinstated for October 30 after a visit by a delegation to Bahrain this week.
(Taken from brisbanetimes.com)

Personally the Bahrain track has never been my favourite and again it's making F1 about politics and not about racing.

However there is several good reasons why Bahrain would be good.

After putting on my twitter page that I was on the fence with the Bahrain decision.

I received this reply.

"People here are so happy with the news, it gave us hope that Bahrain will be fine, it gave us a thing to look forward and move forward"

Now this makes me happy.

I know there are plenty of fans who can't wait for F1 to come back to Bahrain and I wouldn't want them to miss out on having a home race.

I also know that it pumps money into small businesses and into the economy who gain from F1 having a race there.

And after the unrest Bahrain have had.

They could do with the tourism and money to help rebuild the country and its reputation.

So after all that.

I'm still on the fence.

Only time will know if Bahrain 2011 will be a success.

For once I really hope it is.

Comment below or you can follow my F1 related tweets on twitter @squiffany

Geek girl's guide to F1.

Hello bloggers.
Hope your day was lovely.

With the start of the championship literally days away. It's time to get gadget girl Tiff up to date.

What I mean by that is, I work a lot of the time and sometimes work or life will clash with a practice, qualifying or a race.

So I need to be gadget-ed up.

Now with more technology then ever I need to be sure not to miss a moment of F1.

Now I don't have a HD telly (Though if anyone would like to send me a free one I wouldn't turn it down) so F1 coverage for me will still be in standard definition. Not a bad thing but the Tv and laptop are ready for an F1 showdown.

I have my twitter ready and waiting. Last year I only used twitter on the web. Now with my Samsung Galaxy smartphone so I have twitter on the move. Perfect for catching up with F1 jokes, up to minute reports and trying to talk to F1 related celebrities.

Now this week Android have finally released an F1 timing app. and the best thing is that it is free.

So I can even catch up to the minute timings from every race.

Can even check the weather, wind speed and humidity too. Result.

Now for entertainment purposes I have joined the F1 Badger fantasy F1 league.
Picking F1 teams and driver with fantasy money.
Fun but also exciting trying to beat F1 friends.

FemaleFormulaFun has a friends league too.
So if you join F1 badger you can enter my friend league.

Join here and when you have signed up
http://badgergp.com/fantasygp/

Go onto friends leagues and add yourself to FemaleFormulaFun and use password HMvAdE

So with technology just about covered, the only thing left to do is to get things ready for a ^am start.

Coffee, sweeties and maybe some matchsticks.

Follow me on twitter @squiffany

2011 F1 Season begins...with bets.

Hello

Hope you having a nice day.

Just thought I would talk to you about the 2011 F1 season.

Now last year I was talking to my friend about New years resolutions.

One of these was to meet an F1 Driver by the end of 2011.

Three months in.

I'm nowhere near, so whilst that stays a pipedream.

I will just have to look to my telly box instead.

Now the last couple of years I haven't really supported a team and I don't support one main driver.

Well I do.

Nick Heidfeld but every year he always get replaced or forgotten about (Always the bridesmaid...)

So I am very excited for Occasionally Quick Nick to have a drive this year.

Even if it is by default.

So apart from OQN.

How do I make F1 exciting for me, when I don't support a main driver with a top team.

Simple.

I place bets.

Last year was interesting where bets were concerned.

I placed money on Massa or Vettel to win the championship

and for Alonso to win exactly six races.

Lets just say that I did make a profit on these bets.

Just.

Alonso won five races.

So no money there but it made the last race even more interesting to watch. I was more gutted because if he had won. I would of made a huge bit of cash.

Massa was never gonna win me any money.

I don't know what I was thinking at the time.

but Vettel saved me from being down money wise by winning the championship.

Now this year I want your help.

I always bet with William Hill.

So I'm gonna leave the link with you and I would love to hear your tips about what I should pick.

I always pick two drivers for championship winner.

I also always pick a special, which this year are...

Jenson Button number of GP wins in 2011

Lewis Hamilton number of GP wins in 2011

Michael Schumacher to win at least one race in 2011.

Lewis Hamilton to fastest lap, Qualify and win race at Silverstone

Michael Schumacher to retire during the season.

I will pick one championship winner.

The one with the most votes by you will be my other choice.

Here is the link to odds and drivers for championship

http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/g/479212/Drivers-Championship-2011.html

As for the special you can also decide which one I should pick and which outcome I should take.

This is here for you to look at.

http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/g/540971/2011-Specials.html

I'm making the bets next week. Pay day :)

So comment on the blog what you think or you can twitter me your comments @squiffany and use the hashtag #FFFF1BETS

Formula One. When girls do win.

Hello.

Hope you are all OK.

One thing I love about being a woman F1 fan is the amount of arguements and disagreements you get into when Formula One is mentioned.

Mainly when you know more about F1 then the bloke you are arguing with.

These tend to occur more often then you think.

Tonight for example I was talking to my male work colleague about F1.

We were talking about how much F1 drivers get paid, when my friend said.

"When Coulthard left in 1997, he was paid loads and he won 12 races that year."

Ahh.

Then my big gob opened with.

One Coulthard didn't leave F1 till 2008

and two he only ever won 13 races in his whole career.

So that can't be true.

It turns out nothing makes a bloke shut up faster, when then realise they have no comeback.

Because you know more about the subject then they do.

Facts are always a winner in an F1 arguement but what happens when the F1 disagreement is about opinion and not fact.

Sadly these are the arguements that you tend to only win by being the loudest or even the mardy-est.

To this day me and my brother in law still argue about Schumacher in his glory days of 2000-2004.

It turns out my Italian Brother in law Ferrari fan and me (Who changes teams and drivers more then my shoes) can just never win because opinion is always a hard arguement to adjudicate.

So you just have agree to disagree

But if you wants to win an F1 fight.

You just need to remember the facts.

:):):)

New blog. New start.

Hello.

I'm Tiff.

This me looking a little bit retro.

You may know me a little bit better from the Make Up blog, Get your glitter out.

Where I ramble about Make Up several days a week.

What you may not know is that I also have another passion.

I love Formula One.

It's not a secret either.

But it is hard talking to people about it.

Mainly because people stereotype liking Formula One to men.

At times my opinions and comments are seen as too girly but what's wrong with being too girly about F1 now and again.

I know enough about the sport. (I have been a fan for 13 years now) To know the technical and even the mechanical side of it.

But sometimes I just want to talk about how fit/beautiful/dumb or crazy F1 people can be.

So this blog may have a serious and maybe a little bit of technical talk some of the time but most time I just want to appeal F1 to more women and have a laugh and girly giggle at the same time and why not?

So Female Formula Fun is going to be the blog that does just that.

So with the F1 season just a week and an half away.

Join me for fun, fitty's and female views on F1.

You can also see my F1 opinions on twitter @squiffany

And you can also email any photos, ideas or requests about the blog to squiffany87@gmail.com