on air diary...
Horsepower and Interlagos Magic
posted by Lee McKenzie on 14/10/2009
I can’t believe it’s almost 2 weeks since I was writing the last diary from Japan! It is almost the same scenario but this time I have switched continents and am now in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This was my first race for the BBC last year when I worked for Radio 5 Live. Could it be that I am about to see another British driver crowned champion in the wonderful amphitheatre of Interlagos?
Since I last wrote I have been filming for an outdoors show for BBC Scotland – it really has been the perfect (and probably the most tiring) month in the world of Lee!
I came back from Japan on Monday night and headed to Scotland on the Tuesday where was filming “Horsepower” for Landward. It runs in the show from November 13th for 5 weeks and basically combines my love of cars and horse riding, a sport and hobby which I love. You can follow me spending a day with the Mounted Police, trying to prevent equestrian crime and even swapping the fantastic Knockhill circuit for a trip up Knock Hill on the circuit owner’s ex-racehorse!
More immediately though and it is back in the world of F1! There is the very real chance that one, if not two championships could be wrapped up this weekend. It is up to Rubens Barrichello and the boys at Red Bull to spoil Jenson Button’s party! This is the 5th year in a row that the Driver’s Championship has come to Brazil, of course if things are not sown up here it could carry on to the last round of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Sebastian Vettel did all that was asked of him in Japan and put in a performance that showed why it will only be a matter of time, it could be races or seasons, when he will become a worthy F1 World Champion.
It is a shame that Timo Glock missed Suzuka after that horrible accident which saw his leg cut badly. I have known Timo for quite a few years and worked with him a lot through Panasonic stuff and other motor sport series – I spoke to him for a while on the Sunday morning and he was in good spirits all things considered. It is a real pity that he cannot race here in Brazil due to a cracked vertebrae – Toyota though have another driver who I have worked with too – the likeable little Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi (comes from Japan, lives in Paris, drives for a German-based team and owns a Yorkshire Terrier called Alfred – very cosmopolitan!) It is good to see young drivers coming through, even if he has had a pretty tough season in GP2.
So what’s in store for you all at home? Well, we have a pretty packed programme for you on BBC 1 this week - exclusive interviews with the title challengers and a sneak preview at the Abu Dhabi circuit.
Finally if the championship is won on Sunday then the party for Brawn will be on hold. Like me, Jenson and the team are flying back on the Sunday night - unlike what most people did in Japan where the (in)famous Log Cabin Karaoke rocked with a variety of drivers showing there wanna-be pop star credentials. Some should really just stick to the driving – and I should definitely stick to asking the questions. No singing this weekend!
Enjoy the weekend
Lee x
