Feature - Cooked goose for breakfast

By Joe Saward

The worst case scenario which I suggested would happen a while ago has come to pass. At least today.

The Hack looks back - at lost races

By Mike Doodson

Unlike The Editor of this site, I haven't yet had the privilege of being charmed out of my socks by the cock-eyed optimist who's promising to run the British GP at Donington Park next year and for 16 years thereafter.

The Mole - Our American cousins

That morning as The Mole was savouring a cup of tea and three chocolate-topped Digestive biscuits, he received a phone call from his friend The Mandarin, at the Old Admiralty Building, overlooking Horse Guards Parade. "They must be Trooping the Colour soon," said The Mole.

The Hack looks back - at Monaco Grands Prix

By Mike Doodson

A couple of weeks ago my mate Dan Knutson and I were reflecting on the delights of the Monaco GP. It is an utterly ridiculous race usually involving processions and no racing at all, but it is also the only circuit in the world where everyone can get close enough to an angry single-seater to remind ourselves why motor racing is such a viscerally wonderful sport.

The Mole - Accentuating the negatives

The Mole has been unable to keep up with his duties as chronicler of the slightly demented world of Formula 1 motor racing because of the government's lack of interest in the subject.

The Man in the Pub - Momentous times

By Robert Sinfield

These are momentous, historic times. No, I am not talking about Jenson Button, coming from the hell of earth car obscurity to world champion elect, BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The hack looks back - at Spanish Grands Prix

By Mike Doodson

Looking back over the 40 years that I've been writing about F1 racing, I have discovered that many of the really terrifying moments happened at Spanish GPs.

Globetrotter - What on earth is Formula 1 doing in China?

By Joe Saward

Formula 1 folk do not much like the Chinese Grand Prix. This is unfortunate because as everyone knows that China is a country of great importance these days in the world economy - and offers the greatest opportunities for the future for the major global corporations involved in the sport.

A Hack looks back - at racing in the Far East

By Mike Doodson

Here I am in the Peoples' Republic of China, en route to the Grand Prix That None Of The People Will Pay To See, and the more eagle-eyed readers among you may well recall some hackery from this column not too long ago in which your correspondent said he would never set foot in this particular socialist paradise.

A hack looks back - at Australia

By Mike Doodson

As a regular reader of this column (as well as an occasional contributor to it), I have become thoroughly jealous of The Mole. My labours in Formula 1 would have been much lighter had there been a bevy of Penelopes to do my research for me, and it would have been so agreeable to have had a Mrs Batty around to ensure that my breakfast kidneys were properly devilled and the kedgeree correctly spiced.

The Mole - When vice is the spice of life

You could have heard a pin drop at Mole Manor. The only sound was the gentle rustle of The Mole's FT as he turned the pages. Mrs Mole was sitting at the breakfast table, nibbling on a piece of toast without making a sound and one needed very good ears to have heard a low chuntering noise emanating from the kitchen, where Mrs Batty, the somewhat eccentric cook, was fussing over some sauteed kidneys.

The Man in the Pub - At last, something on the telly

By Rob Sinfield

Now it may not quite have the attractions of a Jerez or a Portimao, but Kemble Airfield in Gloucestershire is currently the UK's F1 test venue of choice (showing what little choice there actually is) and that's a good enough excuse for us to leave the haven of the pub now and then.

The Mole - Hope springs eternal

Miss Pringle-Featherby (of the Berkshire Pringle-Featherbys) was all in a twitter, as the members of the Motor Racing and Trade Development Department of the Secret Intelligence Service drifted into work at Vauxhall Cross. It was a dull overcast day but she was excited.

The Mole - Choosing the right battlefield

The Colonel had got bored with seducing little old ladies in Surrey and had abandoned his blazer, his medals and his tall tales and had decided to expand his horizons and took a train from Dorking up to London, to take The Mole out to lunch at the In and Out Club in St James's Square.

Globetrotter - Clever men

By Joe Saward

Benjamin Franklin was a clever man. One of the founding fathers of the Unites States of America, he was an author, a satirist, a political theorist, a politician, a scientist and an inventor. He was a diplomat too. And he coined the expression "nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes". Of course, he had not met any Grand Prix drivers at that point...

The Mole - Saving private Honda

"I am a bit worried about Honda becoming a private team," said The Mole. "The last thing they need right now is people inside the time going off and complaining to Members of Parliament and obscure government departments getting involved." "Oh," said Penelope (Roedean). "Have they asked us to get involved?"

Interview - Kimi talks about Kimi

By Joe Saward

Kimi Raikkonen is not a man who gives away much in his interviews. It is, by all accounts, a calculated decision. His friends will tell you that he is not at all like his public persona. That he is a funny and interesting guy, when he is not in the spotlight. But put him in front of a journalist or in a press conference and he clams up. It is a means of defence.

Interview - The thoughts of Felipe Massa

By Joe Saward

Felipe Massa came so close last year to winning the Formula 1 World Championship. His victory and defeat in Brazil last year was one of the most extraordinary stories in the history of the sport, and the way Massa handled it defined him not only as a great sportsman, but also as a remarkable human being.

Insight - Formula 1's virtual reality

By Joe Saward

The decision to ban all circuit testing in the Formula 1 season was designed to save the teams money. For the big teams, however, the battle has simply moved from the race tracks to the factories where advanced simulation technology will take over from actual running.

The Mole - If the cap fits

The Mole trudged through the freezing darkness towards the glow of the village pub. He could hear the distant laughter and a quiet tinkle of glasses and he knew that in a moment he would be out of the bitter cold and into the warmth of an English tavern. A fire would be burning in the hearth and the bar would be filled with the eccentric sort of folk one finds in such places.

The Mole - As the world winds down for Christmas

"Oh my God!" said Penelope (Roedean). "Do you realise Mole that you have not written for www.grandprix.com for several months." The Mole looked rather sheepish and pretended that he was busy with a dull file marked: "Defunct Russian Grand Prix plans".

Insight - Donington Park's plans for the British GP

By Joe Saward

Simon Gillett, the chief executive of Donington Park, has not said a great deal about his plans for the British Grand Prix in 2010, arguing that it is best to let his actions speak for him. He understands that there is much cynicism in F1 circles and scepticism that the idea will ever come to fruition.

The Man in the Pub - Fantasy Formula 1

By Rob Sinfield

In these straightened times a Pound will not buy very much. In the pub it's a third of a pint of beer or two bags of crisps, which is not much of a night out by any stretch of the imagination.

Globetrotter - Ouch, this economic crisis thing is hurting...

By Joe Saward

The world economic crisis is not good news for Formula 1, but it may be a catalyst for change that will improve the way things are done in the sport.