F1 in pubs: #JBAS

So... many moons ago. And I mean many moons ago.
A running joke occurred on Twitter.
It may of also seeped on to the blog. (And for a trip down my childhood memory lane you can see said in- joke here.)

This running joke involved getting said Mr Button on Twitter.
Not Jenson. Oh no. But his Dad John.
Now sadly even after months of trying we are still nowhere in getting the plant hiding, drink loving and pink shirt wearing John on Twitter.

But something magical did occur from it.

F1 in pubs is pretty much what it says on the tin. It's watching Formula One. In a pub. In various locations.

And it's a great way of interacting with other F1 fans. Or it's just a great excuse to have several drinks and not have to pay the Sky fee. Either way I have been twice this year to the event in Birmingham and I always have so much fun, even if some of the races I went to wasn't the most exciting. Monaco and Monza anyone?

So for third time lucky. Me and some of the FanFormula gang decided to go to the Brazil F1 in Pubs. And we all decided months previously to dress up as someone we loved, admired and would happily go for a drink with anytime.

Yep. The one and only John Button. Or #JBAS as it was known on Twitter which stands for the 'John Button Appreciation Society' but that takes up too many characters on Twitter. So #JBAS it is.

Well the first now annual #JBAS meeting was a roaring success.

Mainly due in part to the mix of different colour hues of pink shirts and the difference in our F1 tastes.

Dom @domcovkid, Vicky @F1_Obsessive, Me, Dean @DeanAJMaiden, David @PAIGE03, Ailish @AilishCatherine (Not pictured), BES (Cardboard Seb) and Emma @EmTheEmu

But what also made #JBAS so fun was the excitement that was of course BRASILILILIL.

Now whilst the race was on I did keep notes of what happened.
But I think you just need to read them in note form rather then in full.
Mainly for comedy amusement.

• Bum pinching
• Safety car
• Vettel yellow flags issue
• The I love Rob Smedley manly voice. (Yeah two weeks on. I still have no clue what I mean by this.)
• Drinking and wee trips. 
• Perez Tooned. 
• Vettel spinning
• Hulkenberg leading
• Raikkonen overtake on the old man. (I of course meant Schumi.)
• Kimi and the case of the long way round. A.K.A. The best moment EVER...
• Hamilton out. LOL. 
• Button wins
• Good times. 

There was also some beautiful photos taken of the gang. 

The vast majority of the #JBAS being social media gurus and superglued to their smartphones. Thanks to Vicky for the caption and photo.

Codemasters also come along for the ride. So we got to have a play of  F1 2012 and the new F1 race stars

Dom predicted the winner well before the start.

Ailish with Bes. #F1SMUT as per.

But the best thing about F1 in pubs is quite simple.

I don't remember the Formula One races I sat by myself with.
I remember these ones.
For the people, the banter and above all the memories.
I mean who else can say they have sat in a pub, watched a Formula One race, whilst being John Button.

Except for John Button of course.

If you want to follow my ramblings on Twitter you can at @squiffany.
If you also want to badger Jenson, McLaren or Jess to get John Button on Twitter. You can do that too. But remember don't go too far because it could count towards a restraining order...

FanFormula: Week 17. Monaco.

So after a pretty dry Monaco.
Grace decided we needed a glam theme to the FanFormula video this week.
But me being the organised one, didn't actually think about anything glam until two minutes before the video was being made.

So in my state of panic. I found the only slightly glam thing in my wardrobe.
Yep. A feather boa.
Rock and roll.

So in this week's FanFormula I argue about the F.I.A consistency again, I get sadistic about Lewis Hamilton injuries and a feather boa + extreme English heat = PAIN.

This week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
In FP3 we saw Pastor Maldonado bump tyres with Sergio Perez and in response was awarded a ten place grid penalty. What was your view on the incident and the resulting penalty?

Question Two
Qualifying saw Sebastian Vettel not set a lap time and through this benefited from a choice of tyres in the race. Do you think this rule should be changed with penalties enforced if a driver/team do not set a time in Q3?

Question Three
A slow pit stop for Hamilton, being hit on the head by numbers falling off his pit board and a lack of communication regarding Seb's pace left Lewis Hamilton frustrated in the race. Do you think this will affect his upcoming contract renewal and what do you think his options would be aside from McLaren?

Bonus question
Do you think we should still be racing at Monaco when overtaking is clearly more important in modern F1?



If you want to get involved with FanFormula you can by going to the website at http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or if you want to follow my F1 ramblings you can also follow me on Twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 16. 25 percent.

So this week's FanFormula is about hitting the first quarter of the season.
(Already? Eeep.)
Well actually the questions are about Monaco.
One of the most exciting and most loved tracks.

So in this week's FanFormula. The words I can't say this week are suggestion and strategy, I do some product placement and I accidentally get dirty minded. F1 smut there.

This week's FanFormula questions.

Question One. 
The tight and twisty nature of the Monaco circuit is known for difficult overtaking. Do you think we will see drivers take more risks like Hamilton did in 2011 or will it be more about strategy and pitstops?

Question Two
What is it about Monaco that makes it so special or do you not feel the excitement for Monaco?

Question Three
What is your favourite corner on the Monaco circuit and why?

Bonus Question
Which Monaco race that you have watched is your ultimate Monaco GP and why?



If you want to get involve with FanFormula then just go to the website to find out more. http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or if you want to hear more of my twitter ramblings you can follow me @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 15. Spain.

So this week's FanFormula video is of course all about Spain.

I thought it was a pretty boring race myself.
I mean controversy, a new winner and then fire with added bravery. 

Standard race really.
(Haha of course I jest)

So in this week's FanFormula. I do some more singing, I teach you all a new hand gesture and I get angry that I can't say the word incident. 

This week's FanFormula questions.

Question One. 

Qualifying saw Hamilton's penalty and Karthikeyan's qualifying outside the 107% rule. What do you make of both incidents and the resulting steward decisions?

Question Two
In the Senna vs Schumi crash, who did you think was at fault?

Question Three

Maldonado took his first victory in Spain (The first Williams win since 2004). Do you think this signals the return of Williams to the top of the grid or is this just another topsy turvy result for the 2012 season?

Bonus Question

Who would you say drove the best race at Catalunya and why?

If you want to get involved in future FanFormula videos you can by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

And if you want to hear more of my rambling then you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 14. Mugello Testing.

So this week's FanFormula video is all about the Mugello test.
So good was the Mugello test, that I didn't even really know it had even occurred. :(
This FanFormula video really shows that the one talent I should be putting on my C.V is the art of the blag.

Also in this week's FanFormula video. My new phrase seems to be "At the end of the day", I call the Mugello test "Dry" and I start to accidentally sing the classic Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe song Barcelona in honour of this weekends race. Badly.

And so on to this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
Did you take much interest into the test at Mugello or would you rather just wait and see the developments which have been made when the teams bring them to Barcelona?

Question Two
Do you think it was a mistake by the McLaren team to not use either Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton over the test especially seeing that Hamilton stated a particular need and interest to go?

Question Three
What do you make of Petrov's comments about the Mugello circuit and do you agree and why?

Bonus Question
Do you think that because the teams use Barcelona to test that there isn't as much excitement about set up as the teams are quite aware of how their car performs at that track?



If you want to get involved with FanFormula. You can by going to the website. http://fanformula.weebly.com/

You can also follow me on twitter where I will proceed to play this video at least three times a day over the GP weekend. @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 13. In season testing.

After my crazy hair video of last week. I decided to embrace it by going wild with it and ended up dyed it pink.
I may even start dying it to match F1 teams.
All I will say is that I'm grateful that Jaguar don't race anymore.
Green is so not my colour.

Also in this week's FanFormula video I do a poetry wheel, end up sitting on the fence and I accidentally let slip my F1 perving tendencies.

And so on to this weeks FanFormula questions.

Question One

In-season testing returns this year after being banned in 2009. Are you glad to see an official in-season test return to F1?

Question Two

Do you think it is a mistake for HRT to not attend the test?

Question Three

Do you think that by having the test after only four races in that it makes the test slightly less effective then if it were held later on in the season?

Bonus Question

What do you make of the young drivers test potentially being brought forward and being held at Silverstone this year? 

If you want to get involved with FanFormula then you can, by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or if you want to hear my daily ramblings you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany 

FanFormula: Week 12. Bahrain.

So this weeks FanFormula video ended up being the case of the big hair monster.
Along with my pretty much unmade up face.
I'm hoping you will see past the lion hair and unkempt-ness and hopefully the F1 related words out of my mouth are a good distraction.

This week I also reference a past FanFormula video, blame Bernie and do plenty of hand swishing.

And so on to this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One 
Friday saw Force India pull out of FP2 due to an incident involving their team personnel on the Wednesday night. What do you make of their decision and the controversy around FOM showing no coverage of the team during qualifying?

Question Two
The stewards reviewed the two incidents between Rosberg and Alonso/Hamilton and have decided not to penalise him. Do you agree with their decision? If not what would you have done?

Question Three
Bahrain was our first dry race of the season, which saw the first race win for RBR and a double podium of Lotus. Do you think that this indicates that even without the weather intervening that the grid is a lot closer this year and that we will continue to see a variety of drivers and constructors on the podium for the rest of the season?

Bonus Question 
Who was your driver of the day and why?



If you want to get involved with FanFormula then you can by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or to hear my daily ramblings you can follow me on Twitter @squiffany 

FanFormula: Week 11. China.

So this week's FanFormula is back to Female Formula Fun standards.
By this I mean... I can't talk properly on my video.
This does happen on a regular basis, but I'm sure if still watching my videos after 11 weeks.
Then you must be liking my silly little slip ups.

This week I also talk about money, do the Vettel finger and try to remember when Fisichella actually won a race.

And on to this week's FanFormula questions for China.

Question One. 
There seemed to be three incidents of unsafe release in the pitlane: Schumi, Lewis vs Kimi and Alonso vs Lewis. Mercedes have been fined 5000 euros with the other two incidents unpenalised. What are your views on the mentioned moments and the penalty for Mercedes?

Question Two 
The 2011 Chinese Grand Prix was said to be marred by too many 'DRS' overtakes; What is your view on the effectiveness of DRS in this years event and do you have a favourite battle for position for the race?

Question Three
With unexpected cold conditions in China do you think that Mercedes race pace is better in colder conditions with both McLaren drivers believing the warmer temperatures will positively affect the McLaren car in Bahrain and will this bode well for Mercedes in the upcoming European leg?

Bonus Question
After an incredible pole win conversion making it 6 different winners for the past 6 GPs do you think we will see a 7th different in Bahrain?

(6 winners. Rosberg, Alonso, Button, Webber, Hamilton and Vettel)



If you want to get involved with FanFormula you can by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

You want to hear more of my daily ramblings you can by following me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 10. Easter & Who to follow.

So this week's FanFormula was my longest video yet.
Mainly because I got all hi-tech with the cardboard again to bring you my twitter and blogging recommendations. I did also answer some questions too even with my chronic hayfever.
So now I have stopped moaning.

Here is this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One.
It has come to light that Lotus formerly known as Renault is no longer supported by Group Lotus due to financial difficulties for the company. However the team will be known as Lotus for the forseeable future. What is your view on the situation and what impact do you think this will have on the team?

Question Two
With less then two weeks until the Bahrain Grand Prix, speculations and rumours have gone into overdrive. Do you think the event will go ahead and what do you see the resulting circumstances to be?

Question Three
It appears that a French Grand Prix return is imminent for 2013 but which track (Magny Cours or Paul Ricard) would you like to see return and why?

Bonus Question
During the long break between Malaysia and China have you found any blogs/twitters/people that have been interesting to read and that you would recommend to others.



Just in case you couldn't read my handy work.
Leave a comment and I will link you up with anyone on the hi-tech carboard.

If you want to get involved with FanFormula then go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Or if you like tweets about biscuits then you can follow me @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 9. Ten percent.

This week's FanFormula involved an early morning start, some huge hair and a piece of cardboard.
With all that going on.
I'm surprised a video even happened really.

But on to subject.
Here is this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
In the past two races we have seen four different constructors on the podium. With the recent break do you think that any teams in particular will have made a large improvement or will this only occur by the European leg of the calendar?

Question Two
This weekend has seen the kick off for some of the lower series including BTCC, Clio Cup and during the race weekend IndyCar. Have you watched any of these series and if so why and how?

Question Three
With the Crazy Chinese grand prix fast approaching it will be the first grand prix that the BBC will be showing live and will be in direct competition with Sky. Who do you think the majority will choose and which will you be watching live?

Bonus Question
Vettel referred to Karthikeyan has a cucumber post the Malaysian GP but if you could represent a driver of your choice as a food, which food would it be and why?



If you want to join in with FanFormula, then you can by going to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

You can also get on the John Button On Twitter movement by hash tagging at #JohnButtonOnTwitter

You can also see my F1 ramblings on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula. Week 8. Malaysia.

So this week's FanFormula was one of the most stressful I have ever done.
After THREE attempts. Yes you heard right. Three.
The FanFormula was up.
Though in dodgy lighting.
Because by the time I got to film, it was nearing 8 at night.

Plus I have new hair. (The excitement of my life is up there at the moment)

Anyhoo let's get on to this week's FanFormula questions.

Question One
We saw two incidents involving the HRT of Karthikeyan and a 'front runner' during the race today, none of which appeared to be the HRT's fault. What is your view on these incidents? Do you think that the front runners were over confident that the HRT would be easy to pass and that's what caused the incidents or was it purely driver error?

Question Two
With Perez completing an incredible race and battle with rumoured future team mate Alonso, do you think this adds extra pressure to Massa and do you think we will see a mid season driver change at Ferrari?

Question Three
The mixed weather played into the hands of the constructors with several constructors making up the top ten. Do you think this trend will continue across the season or do you think the 'top teams' will pull away from the pack?

Bonus question
Who was your driver of the day and why?



Don't forget if you want to see the full FanFormula or want to join in. Then you can go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/index.html

Of if you want to hear more of my ramblings, you can also follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/squiffany

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

FanFormula: Week 5. Rules and Team bossing.

So in this week's FanFormula it turns out I can't speak.
In every FanFormula video I have ever done. There is always a word or sentence I can't say.
See if you can see what the word is this week.

Back to FanFormula and this week's topics were about Teams and drivers, made up rules and Team bossing.

Question One.
What is it about F1 as a sport that you love and what do you hope this season will bring?

Question Two
What team/driver do you support and why did you choose to support them?

Question Three
If you could be put in charge of F1 for the day, what rules would you put into the sport? (This can include removal of any rules you dislike)

Bonus Question
If you were team principal, which two drivers would you want to drive for you and why?



Don't forget if you want to see more FanFormula videos or want to submit one yourself then to go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/index.html

And if you want to hear more of my F1 ramblings then you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 4. Globe trotting and tiredness.

In this week's FanFormula video. I was pretty exhausted.
I had stayed up all night to watch the Oscars, which in the UK is broadcast at about 1am.

So it gave me good practice for Australia.
It sadly however didn't make me look good on video.
Sorry for that.
Next time I will sack my Make Up artist. (Oh that's me)

Back to the point. This week's FanFormula questions concentrated on Globe trotting.

Question One.
Which Grand Prix weekend do you most look forward to and why?

Question Two
If you could go to any Grand Prix where would you choose and why?
(Also are you going to any GP's this year?)

Question Three
What is your favourite corner out of all the F1 circuits?

Bonus Question
Out of all the countries that do not have race currently or planned (Eg Russia) where would you like to see a GP being held?



Don't forget if you want to see more FanFormula video's or want to submit one yourself then you can go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Also if you want to hear more of my ramblings about American TV, the weather or general F1 nerdy-ness then you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 3. The future.

So in the series of catching you up with my FanFormula videos.
We are now on week three.
(Don't worry only a couple more to deal with and we are back level. )

This episode deals with the future.
The questions for this week were.

Question One.
Now that the drivers race seats have been confirmed, which inter team battle are you most looking forward to watching develop and why?

Question Two
2011 saw the introduction of DRS and also the return of KERS, both which contributed to increasing overtakes at several races. However with drivers now having the experience with the innovations, do you think that they will play into the racing so much this year?

Question Three
With two races potentially in doubt this year, do you think that either Austin or Bahrain will go ahead this year?

Bonus Question
Which driver would you like to see win the WDC this year and which constructor do you think has the edge to top the titles for the WCC title?



Don't forget if you want to submit your own FanFormula video or want to see more then go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

Also if you want to hear my day to day ramblings about Sky+, the food I like or general F1 then you can also follow me on twitter @squiffany

FanFormula: Week 2. The importance of testing.

So over the next few days. I will be catching you all up on the FanFormula videos that I have done over the past few weeks.

This one is from a couple of weeks ago, but I'm sure it will appease the boredom until the F1 season starts.

The questions for this week were.

Question One
Do you think testing times will bear any relevance to how the cars will perform in Australia, with many teams saying that their cars will be different by Melbourne?

Question Two
Reports from testing are suggesting that Ferrari are still suffering with track performance and wind tunnel performance not correlating, do you think that Ferrari are sandbagging or are the team worried that their challenger is not at the level they thought it would be?

Question Three
With Jules Bianchi crashing at Jerez do you think teams should just be using their race seat drivers during testing to ensure they are up to speed with their cars?

Bonus question. 
With over a month to Australia what will I be doing to prepare?



Don't forget if you want to see any of the FanFormula videos or want to submit one yourself.
Then go to http://fanformula.weebly.com/

If you want to hear my F1 and day to day ramblings then follow me at twitter @squiffany

Fan Formula. Week One.

Since I started FFF. I have always wanted to branch out into making video blogs.
Sadly though, I never find a good subject to talk about.
That's why lately I have started to join in with FanFormula.

FanFormula was created by Grace Cunningham (@GraceF1Fanatic) to bring Formula One fans together.
Every week Grace sets a few questions which anyone can answer, either written or by video blog.
Grace then edits these combined video blogs together to create one video with many opinions.

For the last two weeks. I have been participating in FanFormula and not only enjoying it but finding more people talk to on twitter. Especially Female F1 fans. (That sounded more pervy then it needed to be)

So every week I will post my response on FFF
So it does mean you have to see my mug on a weekly basis. (You poor sods)

So here are last week questions and my video.

Week One. Feb 5th.
With the first session only a few days away. F1 in the news is gradually starting to build up hype and this edition of Fan Formula will focus on the latest headlines.

Question One
This week Adrian Sutil was found guilty of GBH against Eric Lux and has received an 18 month suspended sentence and a £160,000 fine to charity. However he has since said that his friendship with Hamilton is over and branded him a 'Coward'. What do you think of Adrian's sentence and also of his comments about Hamilton for not attending the trial?

Question Two
McLaren were the first team to hold a live launch event this week but do you prefer teams holding official launch sessions or teams using online/printed launch schemes used by Caterham?

Question Three
Rubens Barrichello has completed several testing hours in an IndyCar this week. Do you think that he will move into IndyCar and what effect will this have on F1 and IndyCar?

Bonus

Daniel Ricciardo joined twitter this week but which current non tweeting F1 driver (Racing in 2012) would you like to see appear on twitter before the new season begins?

So here is my first FanFormula video.
Sorry for being ill. 

To see the collective video for FanFormula for yourself you can go to.
http://fanformula.weebly.com/index.html

Feel free to comment below or tweet me @squiffany