Grapevine: News from the Paddock - Chinese GP

Not So Fast Ant

The sale of Jaguar Racing was greeted with dismay and despair by many in the paddock but one particular person was more affected than most. It is understood that BAR-Honda test driver Anthony Davidson had actually signed a contract to race for the Milton Keynes team in 2005 only to find that the team will not exist in current guise and, more than likely, he will have to continue in his current position with his current team next season.

London Paddock

London became the venue for an impromptu Formula One paddock ahead of the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix as many regulars of the circus gathered at the last minute to collect their Chinese visas. The problems encountered in getting access into the country left many people, particularly journalists, whose access to the country remains exceedingly difficult, without visas as the clock ticked down. Fortunately, it all went right in the end but the race to get the prized passport ticket saw a steady stream of Formula One representatives, from journalists to top team members and driver managers, all heading to Portland Place just days before their flights headed off east.

Intergalactic BAR

BAR gave a pre-race hint at their team livery change when they turned the media booklet they give out at each race from the red and white of Lucky Strike to the blue and yellow of 555 for the Chinese Grand Prix edition. They depicted the excitement and expectation of Formula One in Shanghai by declaring the race "a dimension beyond" and noted it as the first Formula One race on mainland Asia. Well, it is all very exciting, but what about Malaysia?

BAR Blushes

The new uniforms chosen by BAR-Honda this weekend have been noted for their resemblance to a pair of pyjamas and they have forced many of the team to skulk in the shadows to avoid embarrassment. Those who had to brave the outside world were left apologetically denouncing their new garments declaring "okay, get it over with, laugh away" when meeting their media colleagues in ill-fitting trousers and overly baggy tops. The team have been desperate to change colour for the Chinese race to make the most of the 555 branding but even team boss David Richards is understood to be going off the idea of the blue and yellow attire he is wearing this weekend.