AUTOSPORT International ASI 2014 Live - Saturday
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Good morning and welcome to AUTOSPORT Live's coverage of day three of AUTOSPORT International 2014.
Martin Brundle and John Surtees opened the show to the public an hour ago, and crowds are already flooding in.
Martin Brundle and John Surtees opened the show to the public an hour ago, and crowds are already flooding in.
Martin Brundle and John Surtees
Today's line-up of star guests is spectacular. Over the next seven hours we'll be welcoming...
Martin Brundle, David Croft, Pollyanna Woodward, Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen, Jason Plato, the KX Akademy graduates, Matt Neal, Gordon Sheddon, Andrew Jordan, Colin Turkington, John Surtees, Petter Solberg, the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award finalists, Gary Paffett, Toby Moody, Max Chilton, Graeme Lowdon, Rob Austin, Silverstone chief Richard Phillips, Sam Bird, Tom Ingram, Dave Newsham, Lea Wood, James Cole, Glynn Geddie, Adam Morgan, James Nash, Tom Chilton, Jon Lancaster, Nick Yelloly, Dan Cammish and Will Stevens.
So you can catch up on everything that has happened at the world's biggest and best motorsport show so far...
AUTOSPORT Stage with KX video highlights
AUTOSPORT International live blog day one
AUTOSPORT International live blog day two
AUTOSPORT Stage with KX video highlights
AUTOSPORT International live blog day one
AUTOSPORT International live blog day two
AUTOSPORT International
There are also six chances today to catch the Live Action Arena show.
Highlights this year include an indoor demonstration of the Lotus 49 and Lotus 79 classic Formula 1 cars, the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award finalists taking each other on in Caterham, plus spectacular stock car racing, stunt driving demonstrations and performance cars.
Twitter
2012 BTCC champion @gordonshedden is here today:
Looking forward to @Autosport_Show today. Great way to start the season @hondaracingbtcc @MattNealRacing
Shedden is scheduled to be interviewed on the AUTOSPORT main stage at 11.15 and 14.15 today, with several of his frontrunning BTCC rivals.
Looking forward to @Autosport_Show today. Great way to start the season @hondaracingbtcc @MattNealRacing
Shedden is scheduled to be interviewed on the AUTOSPORT main stage at 11.15 and 14.15 today, with several of his frontrunning BTCC rivals.
Twitter
The Lotus 79 has caught Allan McNish's eye:
"One of the beauties @Autosport_Show in the live action arena."
"One of the beauties @Autosport_Show in the live action arena."
The AUTOSPORT Stage with KX is up and running for Saturday.
Racer turned commentator Martin Brundle has joined our host Henry Hope-Frost.
Racer turned commentator Martin Brundle has joined our host Henry Hope-Frost.
Brundle defends the excitement level of Formula 1 2013 with a comparison to 2004, pointing out that while Sebastian Vettel dominated, there was plenty of action in the races and down the field.
He also has no doubt that Vettel is a once-in-a-lifetime talent.
"I'm not sure there's any point in my career when I would've fancied Mark Webber as a team-mate: he's so fit, so fast and so on it. And Vettel smashed him."
He also has no doubt that Vettel is a once-in-a-lifetime talent.
"I'm not sure there's any point in my career when I would've fancied Mark Webber as a team-mate: he's so fit, so fast and so on it. And Vettel smashed him."
Sky F1
Brundle reckons the team behind Sky's F1 broadcast each weekend is bigger than some F1 teams.
And he says he's "never been happier" than at his current TV station, the third he has worked for after ITV and the BBC since beginning his full-time commentary career in 1997.
Within his TV role, Brundle has had a chance to test plenty of current F1 cars.
Now he wants a go in a 2014 machine as soon as possible - but on track, not in a simulator. "Those things make me feel sick. The young drivers like them..."
Now he wants a go in a 2014 machine as soon as possible - but on track, not in a simulator. "Those things make me feel sick. The young drivers like them..."
Quote
Brundle is worried about the potential for the field spreading out under the 2014 rule changes:
"I think we're going to see bigger disparity. I hope we don't see a three-tier championship across the three engine suppliers."
He expects a hugely unpredictable championship, and says even F1 team insiders "don't know where they're at" compared to the competition at this stage.
He also says that however Lotus presents its absence from the Jerez test, it will be "a massive negative. They'll be hoping it gets rained off."
Analysis: Why missing Jerez will hurt Lotus
"I think we're going to see bigger disparity. I hope we don't see a three-tier championship across the three engine suppliers."
He expects a hugely unpredictable championship, and says even F1 team insiders "don't know where they're at" compared to the competition at this stage.
He also says that however Lotus presents its absence from the Jerez test, it will be "a massive negative. They'll be hoping it gets rained off."
Analysis: Why missing Jerez will hurt Lotus
F1 fans have been vociferous in their response to the likely aesthetics of the 2014 F1 cars, and Brundle shares those fears.
"One of the team bosses said to me a few months ago that he hated the look of the front of his new car. I can't use the words he described.
"We can't seem to get them elegant at the front. I really hope we don't get those appendages hanging off the front, but I think that's the way it's heading."
AUTOSPORT reveals the controversial 2014 F1 look
Video: How 2014 F1 cars will look different
"One of the team bosses said to me a few months ago that he hated the look of the front of his new car. I can't use the words he described.
"We can't seem to get them elegant at the front. I really hope we don't get those appendages hanging off the front, but I think that's the way it's heading."
AUTOSPORT reveals the controversial 2014 F1 look
Video: How 2014 F1 cars will look different
Martin Brundle
Brundle doubts he'll be sharing a sportscar with his son Alex again in the future.
"It's taking off for him now, he's becoming the real deal. I think he'd rather be sharing a car with anyone other than his old dad."
Alex Brundle's 2014 season kicks off with a Daytona 24 Hours drive in the Muscle Milk Pickett ORECA-Nissan later this month.
Martin Brundle had a famous rivalry with Ayrton Senna in British Formula 3 in 1983 when both were on the cusp of F1.
Intriguingly, Brundle reckons Senna would've thrived under the 2014 F1 format.
"An intelligent driver who works hard with his team is going to get an early edge.
"If you can understand the technology and what's under your right foot... Ayrton Senna would've been brilliant at it."
Intriguingly, Brundle reckons Senna would've thrived under the 2014 F1 format.
"An intelligent driver who works hard with his team is going to get an early edge.
"If you can understand the technology and what's under your right foot... Ayrton Senna would've been brilliant at it."
Anthony Reid
Former BTCC star Anthony Reid is in Birmingham this weekend, and AUTOSPORT's Features Editor Kevin Turner has a Super Touring challenge for him.
We reckon the Super Touring pole at Oulton Park this year could be quicker than the main BTCC pole.
"I reckon it's doable in something like a late Nissan Primera," said Reid, who then requested special tyres!
Now to find him a car...
Next up are this weekend's Live Action Arena hosts Pollyanna Woodward and David Croft - who makes one of the more unusual starts to an interview by performing a version of the Poznan celebration.
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Croft is full of praise for the Live Arena, but less so for this year's new-look F1.
"The stock cars in the Live Arena are mad, you have to see them, but my particular favourite is the Lotus 49 - sometimes you have to say Colin Chapman got it so right.
"With this year's cars, I've just said on the F1 Racing stage the nose looks a bit like Nigella Lawson's nose.
"I don't think it's ugly by any means, just unusual - but then you get used to it."
"The stock cars in the Live Arena are mad, you have to see them, but my particular favourite is the Lotus 49 - sometimes you have to say Colin Chapman got it so right.
"With this year's cars, I've just said on the F1 Racing stage the nose looks a bit like Nigella Lawson's nose.
"I don't think it's ugly by any means, just unusual - but then you get used to it."
Tom Kristensen
Sportscar legends Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen are now on stage.
The Dane - who was swapping notes with Petter Solberg earlier today - nearly missed his cue to walk through the curtain as he was busy checking his phone.
We weren't going to mention it, but his fellow World Endurance champion McNish made sure the audience knew.
Twitter
From our Live Action host Pollyanna Woodward: "1st show down just taking 5 mins break with @CroftyF1 & @maxchilton @Autosport_Show :D"
Surtees Ferrari
AUTOSPORT features editor Kevin Turner has just had a great chat with legend and AUTOSPORT International star guest John Surtees about his 1964 Formula 1 world title.
Talking of his Ferrari 158, which is the star of this year's Surtees display, he said: "It suffered from being a bit late, but after Le Mans we did some testing and got better regulation to the injection system.
"That made the car more driveable and it was quite a good handling car.
"It's a very pretty car too."
It certainly is.
See it and an array of other cars and bikes from Surtees' career in the special exhibition at ASI.
Surtees is due on the AUTOSPORT stage with KX at 1145.
Kristensen reveals his relationship with McNish dates back to the 1980s.
"I remember the first time I saw Allan - he was this tiny kart racer," says the Dane. "He could barely fit in the kart but he was very fast."
"I remember the first time I saw Allan - he was this tiny kart racer," says the Dane. "He could barely fit in the kart but he was very fast."
Tom Kristensen
Time for a trip down memory lane, as McNish and Kristensen discuss their best days as team-mates (including Le Mans 2008), but also one of their fiercest battles, when Kristensen got the better of the Scot thanks to some canny pit strategy.
According to Kristensen, their Dads decided after that scrap that it would be safer if Audi paired them up from the following season!
Twitter
It's proving hard for the BTCC stars to keep up the AUTOSPORT International pace, this from Dave Newsham:
"Drinking tequila at 4:00am is not clever! Need to get my arse to #ASI14 pronto! Thanks @BTCCDanWelch @RobertoAustini"
"Drinking tequila at 4:00am is not clever! Need to get my arse to #ASI14 pronto! Thanks @BTCCDanWelch @RobertoAustini"
Overheard in the AUTOSPORT Stage bunker: "do you want me to chase Jason...?"
Yes, it's time for double BTCC champion Plato's interview but all is quiet backstage.
With Plato and five KX Akademy graduates rapidly rounded up, it's time to get the show back on the road.
Yes, it's time for double BTCC champion Plato's interview but all is quiet backstage.
With Plato and five KX Akademy graduates rapidly rounded up, it's time to get the show back on the road.
Now AUTOSPORT Stage with KX host Henry Hope-Frost is setting the graduates a 'get the word ... into your banter' challenge.
Let's see if they succeed.
Let's see if they succeed.
Stage
Upstairs in the hospitality area, this is AUTOSPORT columnist Toby Moody's view.
Toby will be on the main stage talking MotoGP at 1315 today.
Ash Hand describes his opportunity with the KX Akademy as "thunderous".
So he immediately wins Henry's challenge.
So he immediately wins Henry's challenge.
Sam Tordoff definitely praises MG team-mate and KX Akademy mentor Jason Plato's contribution to his career more when they're sharing a stage.
When Tordoff's on stage without Plato he tends to talk about how he's going to blitz him in 2014...
When Tordoff's on stage without Plato he tends to talk about how he's going to blitz him in 2014...
Plato reveals that the graduates were also challenged to mention 'blancmange' in their stage interviews. They failed.
Plato is in demand today - he's back alongside fellow BTCC stars Andrew Jordan, Matt Neal, Gordon Shedden and Colin Turkington. The five have a bit of fun at Henry Hope-Frost's expense first though, hiding backstage as he introduces them to the crowd.
Formula Ford
Some British FFord driver noise. Harrison Scott, the 2013 runner-up, is returning with Falcon for his sophomore car racing campaign.
The team could field four cars. Sam Brabham, of family name fame, is also looking to return. The single-seater rookie has raced in the MRF Challenge in the off-season and took a best finish of fifth in Bahrain (beating European Formula 3 ace Harry Tincknell).
Other potential returnees FFord include race winners Juan Rosso and Jayde Kruger.
As expected, there's a lot of banter flying about between this quintet.
Plato is quick to remind Shedden that he wasn't second in 2013, he was the first loser - and then jokingly concedes that means he was second loser.
Jordan meanwhile is his own censor, admitting his thought process after his race two exit at the Brands Hatch finale "probably can't be repeated out loud."
Plato is quick to remind Shedden that he wasn't second in 2013, he was the first loser - and then jokingly concedes that means he was second loser.
Jordan meanwhile is his own censor, admitting his thought process after his race two exit at the Brands Hatch finale "probably can't be repeated out loud."
That continues when the floor is opened to fans' questions, and one asks what each driver's favourite crash was.
"Stupid question, send him out," Plato laughs. It seems each other's was the obvious answer across the board.
"Stupid question, send him out," Plato laughs. It seems each other's was the obvious answer across the board.
BTCC
The next question from the floor is each driver's favourite moment from 2013.
Jordan has the obvious answer of his title triumph, but adds: "Silverstone too was great - Jason actually beat me, but that was good, clean, hard touring car racing, really enjoyable."
Neal's is a split decision: "I enjoyed Brands, to get the first win, and then Thruxton because that has always been my bogey circuit. Driving past Jason and then Andrew, who both had punctures, made it all the sweeter!"
Who is the most competitive?
"We all just have a bit of fun, we don't care who wins," Plato smiles. And then all five claim the honour of that title...
Except Plato has an answer the others aren't arguing against - series chief Alan Gow seems to be the winning answer.
"We all just have a bit of fun, we don't care who wins," Plato smiles. And then all five claim the honour of that title...
Except Plato has an answer the others aren't arguing against - series chief Alan Gow seems to be the winning answer.
Our first guest of the morning was Martin Brundle.
Here is the full video of his AUTOSPORT Stage with KX interview, including his thoughts on F1 2013 and '14 and how covering the sport on television has developed:
Here is the full video of his AUTOSPORT Stage with KX interview, including his thoughts on F1 2013 and '14 and how covering the sport on television has developed:
John Surtees is now on the AUTOSPORT main stage, reminiscing about his career 50 years on from his Formula 1 world championship win.
John Surtees
Talking about his switch from two wheels to four, Surtees admits that when he first raced a car he was aiming for gaps in traffic that were only wide enough for a bike!
"I had to interpret the message from the machinery differently," he adds. "The main thing was I didn't know anyone in racing, and you have to know the people in the sport to get the most out of it."
Surtees, the only man to win the world championship on two wheels and four, reckons someone could still make the switch today if they wanted.
"I don't see why not," he says. "Thanks to the electronics the performance of bikes and cars are getting closer.
"The main problem is the scheduling. I could race in a car one week and then on a bike the next. I don't think that could happen now."
"I don't see why not," he says. "Thanks to the electronics the performance of bikes and cars are getting closer.
"The main problem is the scheduling. I could race in a car one week and then on a bike the next. I don't think that could happen now."
3M
Want to get a first look at the livery M-Sport's Mikko Hirvonen and Elfyn Evans will carry in the 2014 World Rally Championship?
It's being put together at AUTOSPORT International right now on the 3M stand, where the vehicle wrapping firm's men have begun to apply the colour scheme to a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
By: Matt Beer, Glenn Freeman, Sam Tremayne
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