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F1 teams have live telemetry data that allows their engineers in the pits, and even back at the factory, to see what is happening to the racing car while doing a lap. McLaren last year broadcast some of their data live online too for people to see. Some clever chaps have then scrapped this data and produced all sort of things, including this:

http://www.thekmz.co.uk//GEPlugin/pathtour/v1/path_tour_v1.htm

Its a lap of Silverstone projected on Google Earth. Note the terrain effects on the track and the fairly clean line around the track. Hope you like …

Note: If it doesn’t play automatically, then when its loaded click “initialise”. Then when you see the car at the track, click “start”. Both buttons are on the left panel.

Jenson Button driving to win the 2009 World Championship

It seemed like a long time ago that Lewis took the F1 title in last gasp fashion.

This year it was Button’s turn to win the title that has only ever been his to loose, since the first race of the season.

He had a disastrous quali (14th with his team mate and primary title rival on pole).  The race was another matter.  Storming through the field with some awesome over taking moves, in a series that is not used to such things (the TV cameras didn’t know where to look!)  He finished 5th, ahead of his team mate and just behind Vettel.  This was enough to take the crown and he is now world champion.

I am happy for him and the praises and congratulations have been coming in from all over.  I just can’t help feeling that something is not quite right.  He clearly made best use of a faster (often the fastest) car during the year.  However, there is something that leaves me feeling quite ‘flat’ by the whole experience. Can’t quite put my finger on it; will let you know when I do.  Perhaps it is just that the season is coming to a close and the drama is over for another year.  I hope so.

Sebastian Loeb has won a 6th straight World Rally Championship title and Valentino Rossi a 7th World MotoGP title (celebrating with a chicken randomly!?).  Congratulation to them all.

The scene is now set for the summer months ahead.  The days of sitting in the lecture theatre are now a pleasant memory.  As I near the end of my last assignment, International Business on joint ventures in emerging markets, it is an exciting time ahead again.  Time to put all this theory into action!

My dissertation will be on developing and evaluating the reasonable prospects for a new venture.  The subject: Motorsports.

It was a brave step to take this route as I had a confirmed offer from a successful multinational company in the technology sector.  However, opportunities only come along so often and I decided to take this one.  More details will appear through the summer, as I can tell you about them.

The world of motorsports is in some turmoil. If you have missed it in the news, it is not because of the recession but because of political things.  The fighting is a shame because the F1 season is shaping up to be a classic.  Jenson Button is out in the lead but his rivals have caught up in terms of machinery.  Looks like we will have another good fight until the end; although not to the last corner of the last lap, please Jenson!

Wimbledon also started today.  Murray is through, having dropped one set. He has a very solid game and is more emotionally stable than Henman.  This doesn’t make it so on the edge of your seat, but great to see the Brit’s doing well in sports.

The chilli are looking good and we had our first home grown strawberry today!