I saw the Charles in the Ferrari 312T4 film clip on my large TV screen last night, brilliant little film and what a joy it is to hear Charles speak so eloquently about Gilles and the T4. Also lovely to see René Arnoux talking about Gilles as well; René " I love Gilles".
Reading between the lines I think that Charles much preferred the feel of the T4 to what he drives now, he mentioned that in the T4 he could feel everything the car was doing and that the rear end needed constant correction as it had so little grip.
Pity the film wasn't longer.
Just imagine if he could have tried the car the way it was meant to be driven with the skirts down and sticky Michelin tyres instead of the stone hard Avons!
I suspected the tyres were less than ideal and by stopping the recording several times, confirmed they were Avons. One observation by Charles was how easy modern transmissions are to shift compared to the challenge in the past of changing gears. I still recall James Hunt approaching the second hairpin at 190mph during practice/qualifying at Long Beach when his McLaren had a seven speed gearbox, demonstrating another lost skill by downshifting through the gears and blipping the throttle each time. So quick and amazing to hear!
It might be on purpose - to save the car - that Ferrari mounted a set of hard, "undriveable" tyres. I think that Avon do produce some good tyres for the historic racers - one just has to look at how hard and much they "go for it" at historic GP's (like in the video below).
As to the evolution through the years in F1: MotoGP has done so many things right where - it can be said - F1 got it wrong, like keeping the mechanical gear shift, avoiding the introduction of radio communication, etc.
It would have been very simple to, yes, keep in simple in F1 - but now it's definitely too late ...
It might be on purpose - to save the car - that Ferrari mounted a set of hard, "undriveable" tyres. I think that Avon do produce some good tyres for the historic racers - one just has to look at how hard and much they "go for it" at historic GP's (like in the video below).
As to the evolution through the years in F1: MotoGP has done so many things right where - it can be said - F1 got it wrong, like keeping the mechanical gear shift, avoiding the introduction of radio communication, etc.
It would have been very simple to, yes, keep in simple in F1 - but now it's definitely too late ...
Oh you’re right of course about Avon. Without these custom made vintage style tyres there would be no historic racing. And they do race hard, those historic racers!
My remark about the tyres was based on a paragraph in the article I linked to: ‘Bertolini advises Charles on how to handle the single-seater: “You have to engage the gears decisively, be careful with the tyres; they’re very hard and the grip is limited.” Charles listens and studies the few controls present on a car built 18 years before he was born.’
’On the first lap, Leclerc is careful not to slip up, but then gains confidence and soon starts enjoying himself with power slides that thrill the people in the pit, especially Villeneuve’s mechanics: “It’s like seeing Gilles again.”
A wonderful little archive film from Canadian television. Short interviews with Gilles and Joanne and unique footage from the 1978 Canadian GP. And rare footage of the Ferrari factory in the 1960s. Never seen any of this before.
It’s in French but you can activate automatic translate in Youtube if you want.
I am not sure Mikael I do know when Stirling was asked who would be in his dream team and this surprised me, Tony Brooks and Jimmy, not sure when that was and why he didn’t include Fangio is puzzling
I am not sure Mikael I do know when Stirling was asked who would be in his dream team and this surprised me, Tony Brooks and Jimmy, not sure when that was and why he didn’t include Fangio is puzzling
why he didn’t include Fangio is puzzling. Professional jealousy. For some reason I never warmed to Stirling Moss.
I think Stirling was always quite clear who he thought was the best: Fangio. I think his statement was also a snapshot during a press conference in Canada shortly after Villeneuve's death. I wouldn't overanalyze this.
When I briefly 'met' Stirling Moss at Goodwood FOS 2009, it made an impression on me almost comparable to when I met my heroes in the Zolder paddock as a young boy. A hero from times long past.
yes that was what made it puzzling for me, I do think it was made a long time after Stirling retired and regret my poor memory which would have made it include Ayrton and Jackie as well.
If my ageing memory serves what Stirling did say was the Fangio was better in F1 and he [Stirling] was better in sports cars,
I agree Rob, you just have to look at the German GP in 57 to know just how good Fangio was, mind you Fangio always said Jimmy was better,
I found a wonderful documentary while shanghaied into watching FP1...
Thanks Carl. I have seen the complete documentary. It was broadcasted a while ago on Belgian tele. It is never easy to watch this story but it is really good, worthwhile watching.
I found a wonderful documentary while shanghaied into watching FP1...
Thanks Carl. I have seen the complete documentary. It was broadcasted a while ago on Belgian tele. It is never easy to watch this story but it is really good, worthwhile watching.
René,
A well done documentary, but as you say, not at all easy to watch.
I learned more about Gilles, the only equal of Jim Clark and possibly the best of all time. I remember your story of running up and asking for his autograph in French. Well done!
I was very impressed by his parents and the wonderful woman he married. Her intuition about his new teammate was tragically accurate.
I learned nothing about Pironi, the only driver despised by Doctor Sid Watkins
Last Edit: Apr 20, 2024 15:24:38 GMT by Carl: Edited for clarity
