Zanardi drives 14 laps
11-27-2006, 08:43 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
AZ was (is) always one of my favorite drivers, whether in CART or F1; just didn't do too well in F1, and CART was deep into its death dive when he returned. I was horrified by his crash in Germany; a true miracle he lived at all.
So cool to see him back in an F1 car, even if it's just testing. Don't see how he could be competitive again unless FIA allows him some automation other teams couldn't have (automatic tranny and ABS come to mind). Just too busy with two hands and some kind of prosthetic for the brakes (how did they do that, anyway?)
Thanks for sharing, and have a good one,
Mike
So cool to see him back in an F1 car, even if it's just testing. Don't see how he could be competitive again unless FIA allows him some automation other teams couldn't have (automatic tranny and ABS come to mind). Just too busy with two hands and some kind of prosthetic for the brakes (how did they do that, anyway?)
Thanks for sharing, and have a good one,
Mike
11-27-2006, 09:34 AM
#2
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St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Zanardi drives 14 laps
Nice to see him back in a car again. He ran some good lapbs, but wonder if he can be competitive over a full raqce.
Originally Posted by http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=2678627&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
VALENCIA, Spain Nov 25, 2006 (AP)— Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs in a crash five years ago, completed his return to Formula One on Saturday by becoming the first double amputee to test drive an F1 car. The 40-year-old Italian drove 14 laps in a modified BMW-Sauber C24-B car at the Cheste circuit.
"It's fantastic," Zanardi said. "When I dropped my visor, the emotions were very heavy. It was pure pleasure being back in a fantastic race car.
"I do understand this is about much more than just driving a race car. To put a guy with no legs in an F1 car is something very special."
Zanardi, who last drove an F1 car in 1999, lost his legs in a racing crash in September 2001 in the CART series, now known as the Champ Car World Series.
His smiling eyes were matched by the grin on his face when he drove into the garage. He was helped out of the car and immediately embraced by BMW Motorsports director Mario Theissen.
"It's a wonderful day, I'm very happy that we were able to make this happen," Theissen said.
The former Williams, Minardi, Jordan and Lotus driver improved with each lap, dropping his time on the 2.5-mile circuit from 1 minute, 27.2 seconds to 1:21.6.
"We gotta go under 1:20," he told the pit crew upon hearing his final lap-time.
As the weather and his tires became warmer, Zanardi managed it in his second session just.
He brought his time down to 1:19.9 on his fifth, and final, lap of the afternoon.
"I told you I would show you how fast your car can go," Zanardi said to Theissen. "The guys in the shop did an unbelievable job. I'm sure 90 percent of people watching can't believe we didn't do a test previously."
Zanardi praised the work of his crew after only three prior meetings and four test laps on Thursday.
"Everything was absolutely working to the best like a Swiss watch," he said. "I'm a little disappointed I can't push it as hard as I like because I'm not conformable sitting in the car."
Zanardi said the main problem had been using only his right hand to steer through corners, as his left operated the throttle.
"The steering wheel is practically on my lap, which is why I can't push as much as I would like to," he said.
Though Zanardi had an unspectacular F1 career, he holds the modern CART record for points in a season 285 in 1998. He also holds the CART record for most consecutive poles (six), front-row starts (11) and top-three finishes in a season (15).
For his wife Daniella, it was just another day at the track.
"Yeah, this is OK," she said. "This is normal for me."
"It's fantastic," Zanardi said. "When I dropped my visor, the emotions were very heavy. It was pure pleasure being back in a fantastic race car.
"I do understand this is about much more than just driving a race car. To put a guy with no legs in an F1 car is something very special."
Zanardi, who last drove an F1 car in 1999, lost his legs in a racing crash in September 2001 in the CART series, now known as the Champ Car World Series.
His smiling eyes were matched by the grin on his face when he drove into the garage. He was helped out of the car and immediately embraced by BMW Motorsports director Mario Theissen.
"It's a wonderful day, I'm very happy that we were able to make this happen," Theissen said.
The former Williams, Minardi, Jordan and Lotus driver improved with each lap, dropping his time on the 2.5-mile circuit from 1 minute, 27.2 seconds to 1:21.6.
"We gotta go under 1:20," he told the pit crew upon hearing his final lap-time.
As the weather and his tires became warmer, Zanardi managed it in his second session just.
He brought his time down to 1:19.9 on his fifth, and final, lap of the afternoon.
"I told you I would show you how fast your car can go," Zanardi said to Theissen. "The guys in the shop did an unbelievable job. I'm sure 90 percent of people watching can't believe we didn't do a test previously."
Zanardi praised the work of his crew after only three prior meetings and four test laps on Thursday.
"Everything was absolutely working to the best like a Swiss watch," he said. "I'm a little disappointed I can't push it as hard as I like because I'm not conformable sitting in the car."
Zanardi said the main problem had been using only his right hand to steer through corners, as his left operated the throttle.
"The steering wheel is practically on my lap, which is why I can't push as much as I would like to," he said.
Though Zanardi had an unspectacular F1 career, he holds the modern CART record for points in a season 285 in 1998. He also holds the CART record for most consecutive poles (six), front-row starts (11) and top-three finishes in a season (15).
For his wife Daniella, it was just another day at the track.
"Yeah, this is OK," she said. "This is normal for me."
11-27-2006, 10:00 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
I did read though they moved the brake pedal to accomodate his right leg which is stronger so I guess he is using his legs for something 
That's another reason I don't think you'll ever see him in a race; there's no way I can see he could get out in time if the thing caught on fire.
BTW, don't know what's up with CF, but the time sync seems to be messed up and is getting the posts out of sequence.
Have a good one,
Mike
11-27-2006, 10:09 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
Nice to see him back in a car again. He ran some good lapbs, but wonder if he can be competitive over a full race.
To see him race again would be a another victory for him. I also applaud BMW for giving him this opprotunety!
11-27-2006, 10:45 AM
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St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by VetteDrmr
So cool to see him back in an F1 car, even if it's just testing. Don't see how he could be competitive again unless FIA allows him some automation other teams couldn't have (automatic tranny and ABS come to mind). Just too busy with two hands and some kind of prosthetic for the brakes (how did they do that, anyway?)
I would like to see the cockpit of the car and see how everything comes together. Figure with a button they could do shifting so that could be part of a hand device for acceleration or braking.
I did read though they moved the brake pedal to accomodate his right leg which is stronger so I guess he is using his legs for something
11-27-2006, 12:34 PM
#6
That's too bad that the engine blew for the afternoon session. I would've liked to have seen him get some more seat time and improve on his time. That said, he did a fantastic job coming within 1.1 seconds of Vettel's time. Vettel is fast too.
Alessandro would've been successful in F1 if he would've had the right opportunity. You can't do well when you're not in a good car.
Alessandro would've been successful in F1 if he would've had the right opportunity. You can't do well when you're not in a good car.
11-27-2006, 01:01 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by VetteDrmr
That's another reason I don't think you'll ever see him in a race;
there's no way I can see he could get out in time if the thing caught
on fire.
there's no way I can see he could get out in time if the thing caught
on fire.
case of fire there, too. Here is an article about his WTCC win in
Istanbul 9/24/06
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
I would like to see the cockpit of the car and see how
everything comes together.
everything comes together.
in the BMW. It has a crescent-shaped 'eyebrow' inside
the wheel diameter from 10 to 2 that serves as the throttle.
He writes that a year after his accident he decided to attend
a kart race in Monaco as a spectator. He was asked why he didn't
compete, too - his reply was that he would if a kart with
hand-controls was provided. It grew from there.
CART president Chris Pook contacted Zanardi to invite him to 'finish'
his race at the Lausitzring. Zanardi determined that he could
exert >200 lbs braking pressure and working with team technician
Adam Schaeckter and Dr. Franco Ferri they overcame the obstacles.
A prominent issue was interference between the prosthesis and
Mr Zanardi's 'privates' - from what I know of his character,
I am not in the least surprised
Buy his book, it is truly inspirational
My Sweetest Victory, Alex Zanardi
Bentley Publishers
ISBN 0-8376-1249-7
As for the F1 configuration, here is a link to photos, drawings andBentley Publishers
ISBN 0-8376-1249-7
descriptions of the F1 wheel and other hardware for Zanardi.
.
11-27-2006, 07:04 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Well, he raced competitively in BMW sedans and was at risk in case of fire there, too..
How cool would that be seeing him compete again?
Have a good one,
Mike
11-27-2006, 07:35 PM
#10
Originally Posted by VetteDrmr
I was thinking more about how tightly the drivers are secured in the OW cars. OTOH, they might not even be able to use their legs to extricate themselves either, so AZ could even have an advantage.
How cool would that be seeing him compete again?
Have a good one,
Mike
How cool would that be seeing him compete again?
Have a good one,
Mike
Maybe he could go to NASCAR?
What is Mark Martin now? 68?
11-27-2006, 07:55 PM
#11
Team Owner
Originally Posted by xsiveone
It would be awesome, but they'd never do it. Handicap aside, he's 40 now and out of the prime for F1 unfortunately.
Maybe he could go to NASCAR? What is Mark Martin now? 68?
Maybe he could go to NASCAR?
What is Mark Martin now? 68?no he just looks like 68 but still flips better than a pancake
11-27-2006, 09:03 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by xsiveone
Handicap aside, he's 40 now and out of the prime for F1 unfortunately.
Maybe he could go to NASCAR? What is Mark Martin now? 68?
Maybe he could go to NASCAR?
What is Mark Martin now? 68?(Scary for me if accurate.)
In 2006 between his Cup, Busch and truck races, Martin
had 33 top ten finishes in 60 starts.
If we extrapolate from JPM's experience so far, it might be wise
not to be smug about the capability required to run NASCAR,
relative to other series. Perhaps Martin should take a shot at
F1 when he decides to step it down a notch?
Originally Posted by xsiveone
It would be awesome, but they'd never do it.
It is not a simple matter of man, machine and the checkered flag.
Marketing has a lot to do with what is happening.
Zanardi is no doubt VERY aware of this. It plays in his favour for
them to use him - he wants to drive, they want publicity.
Personally, I think he is playing catch with a very sharp blade.
But I believe that he will only leave the sport 'feet first' so to speak.
.
11-27-2006, 09:57 PM
#13
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Martin appears to be nearly 48 (Birthdate January 9, 1959).
(Scary for me if accurate.)
In 2006 between his Cup, Busch and truck races, Martin
had 33 top ten finishes in 60 starts.
If we extrapolate from JPM's experience so far, it might be wise
not to be smug about the capability required to run NASCAR,
relative to other series. Perhaps Martin should take a shot at
F1 when he decides to step it down a notch?
Do not discount the forces at work here.
It is not a simple matter of man, machine and the checkered flag.
Marketing has a lot to do with what is happening.
Zanardi is no doubt VERY aware of this. It plays in his favour for
them to use him - he wants to drive, they want publicity.
Personally, I think he is playing catch with a very sharp blade.
But I believe that he will only leave the sport 'feet first' so to speak.
.
(Scary for me if accurate.)
In 2006 between his Cup, Busch and truck races, Martin
had 33 top ten finishes in 60 starts.
If we extrapolate from JPM's experience so far, it might be wise
not to be smug about the capability required to run NASCAR,
relative to other series. Perhaps Martin should take a shot at
F1 when he decides to step it down a notch?
Do not discount the forces at work here.
It is not a simple matter of man, machine and the checkered flag.
Marketing has a lot to do with what is happening.
Zanardi is no doubt VERY aware of this. It plays in his favour for
them to use him - he wants to drive, they want publicity.
Personally, I think he is playing catch with a very sharp blade.
But I believe that he will only leave the sport 'feet first' so to speak.
.
Mark Martin is not even 48? He's not a very young looking 48.
If Zanardi were five years younger I might be able to see it. I just don't think that he realistically has a shot now that he's 40. That really pains me because I just turned 40 myself.
That's another reason why I mentioned NASCAR. If NASCAR and F1 are one and two in the world of motorsports, why not try NASCAR if he can't get the opportunity in F1? JPM left the door wide open for him.
That would be one hell of a NASCAR team, wouldn't it? JPM and Zanardi driving for Ganassi.