Grapevine: Final News from the Paddock

Moans, Groans and a Bundle of Emotions

The astonishing decision to force Rubens Barrichello to move over for Michael Schumacher left the media centre aghast and full of expletives as the chequered flag was waved at the end of the Austrian Grand Prix. Fingers stopped tapping frantically on laptop keyboards and all eyes moved up to the television screens as the quiet and concentrated room suddenly erupted into roars of astonished disapproval. The heated personal discussions, most of which were against Ferrari's decision, did not calm down until the drivers arrived in the large desk-filled room, where they were greeted by a roar of boos. Such a reaction is rare, even more rare, in fact, than the decision that provoked it.

What followed was, quite frankly, an astonishing experience and something sensational to behold: A barrage of hugely aggressive questions, several that those asking did not even really expect to be answered. "Is this a sport?" was one hard hitter, brushed off by the main target, Schumacher, with simple silence. If you can't say anything positive then don't say anything at all, his PR head clearly told him. But so the barrage continued. Fair play to him and Barrichello, for both gained respect and even applause from the emotional crowd of journalists, long-serving and fresh-faced alike, who were, mostly, shocked by the farcical conclusion to a race the Brazilian should have won.

The aggressive views continued to hum around the paddock, from drivers to team owners and even some Ferrari mechanics, although one sponsor of the team said: "Most of the mechanics seem just happy to have scored a one-two." For them, maybe, the passion is for Ferrari, not for either of the drivers. But for the sport, for the millions of viewers around the world, and even for the Ferrari-loving Italian journalists, it looked as this has been just a step too far.

Miserable Mothers

It was very kind of the Austrian Grand Prix organisers to invite the drivers' mothers to the race to celebrate mothers' day, but unfortunately most of them at best had little to cheer about and at worst had to witness a frightening crash involving their own precious children. Only Juan Pablo Montoya's mother had a smile on her face after the race, as her son made it onto the podium, but she was the only mother to see her child score points. All the others either finished out of the top six or did not finish at all, while the mothers of both Takuma Sato and Nick Heidfeld were more concerned over their babies' well being than anything else after the shocking 28th lap crash.

Mistaken Identity

Ulsterman Eddie Irvine stood confused in the Jaguar garage as he prepared for the pre-race warm-up on Sunday morning when he got a case of mistaken identity - because he was wearing Pedro de la Rosa's spare overalls. The confused Brit had climbed into the Jaguar Racing green garment in a rush to prepare his car, and the only tell-tale sign was that the name slapped across his waist was that of his Spanish teammate. They fitted a treat, however, proving that choosing drivers that are of similar height is not only a good idea for car set-up but also for driver preparation.

Motorhome Buddies

Austria is a notoriously difficult place to find good lodgings that are close to the circuit, so it provides the perfect opportunity for some of the clever drivers to exploit their special 'homes away from home'. Regular motorhomes David Coulthard and Jacques Villeneuve, however, were squeezed for space this year when they parked their personal 'hotels' on a side road just outside the circuit - because Toyota new boy Mika Salo wanted in as well.

The three motorhomes, blue, white and burgundy, looked a tight squeeze in the little area cleared for their location, and there was even a security guard standing by the large fence as the trend seems to be growing in popularity.

Hill of a Time

D'ya wanna be a rock 'n' roll star? Former World champion Damon Hill is certainly trying. The ageing, long-haired driver, who has in the past been mistaken for the late George Harrison (in looks alone) is slowly moving into the world of music after starring alongside his old boss Eddie Jordan at British Grand Prix concerts. This time his band "The Conrods" joined him at the A1-Ring in Austria on Saturday night, in the entertainment centre on the Castrol curve. There, he played his guitar in front of a packed crowd on Saturday night and the programme insisted: "He makes the fans go wild all over the globe."