Celebrating a double

What a week! Flavio flew straight back from Brazil (he looked jetlagged) to a champagne toast (after the whole factory had a 2 hour lunch). Fernando came in on Wednesday to say thanks and goodbye, which was good of him.
Celebrating back-to-back Double World Championships – fantastic!

Celebrating

What a week! Flavio flew straight back from Brazil (he looked jetlagged) to a champagne toast (after the whole factory had a 2 hour lunch). Fernando came in on Wednesday to say thanks and goodbye, which was good of him.

Celebrating back-to-back Double World Championships – fantastic!

Celebrating double Double World Championships

What a week! Flavio flew straight back from Brazil (he looked jetlagged) to a champagne toast (after the whole factory had a 2 hour lunch). Fernando came in on Wednesday to say thanks and goodbye, which was good of him.

Celebrating back-to-back Double World Championships – fantastic!

Celebrating a double DOUBLE

What a week!! Flavio flew straight back from Brazil on Monday to talk to us (he looked very jetlagged) and a toast over a glass of champagne (after the whole factory had a 2 hour lunch). Fernando came in on Wednesday to say thanks and goodbye, which was very good of him. Just about everyone I know has been in contact this week.

Back-to-back Double World Championships to celebrate, fantastic.

DOUBLE F1 WORLD CHAMPIONS

WOW. What a race, what a season, what an achievement. The feeling at the factory today is amazing. Retaining our Double F1 World Championships is just fantastic. Fernando and Giancarlo did a great job this year to earn both championships. I was close to tears as Fernando spoke on the radio as he crossed the line, wishing us the best for the future, as that was his last race for Renault. We'll miss him for sure. But now we have to pause to enjoy our achievement and then get on with preparing a car for Fisico and Heiki that will allow them to challenge for race wins.

On the IT front it was the race of the year with only the dodgy Brazilian comms letting us down.

So farewell Fernando and thanks, it's been a blast! A little champagne and then all the hard work starts again!

Spare a thought for Michael Schumacher, who drove the race of his life and has now retired the most successful F1 driver of all time - what a man!

Pre Brazil GP

I don't know what to say, even now, a day before the race, I am extremely nervous. We stand on the brink of greatness (a slight exaggeration but you know what I mean). I think the team have a done a great job this year to battle through adversity and controversy to be in a position to win one or both championships tomorrow. Everyone has to perform at their peak for one last time this year (Race 18! it's been a long season) - it's in our hands - TOMA!!

Barcelona Event

As soon as Fernando crossed the line on Sunday, I was in my car and heading for Birmingham airport. How ironic the computers were down and they had to check us in manually and then type it all in at the gate, leading to a delay. The pilot's explanation was that they were moving from one data centre to another and something went wrong - ouch! Hope our data centre move next year goes better than that!

I like Barcelona, although it was a flying visit this time, so I didn't see much. The customer panel for this Symantec event was very enjoyable.

Post Japan GP

What a difference a race makes. From the misery of two cars on the podium in China to the ecstasy of two cars on the podium in Japan (oh yes and Michael had an engine failure)! Of course we have won nothing yet (except another race win bonus), and if Fernando finishes second or better in Brazil…. although there are numerous other permutations. So what an amazing end to the season – it’s back in our hands! TOMA!

Pre Japan

I sit here typing with emotions the opposite of last Saturday. We looked so strong and Ferrari were going to have to be extremely lucky to get anything out of the race. I still believe we will win at least one championship, in a little over 9 hours, we will probably know whether this is likely.

Post China

I should never be disappointed to see both our cars on the podium after an extremely difficult race, however with suck a dominant car we should have won. To see a Ferrari on the top step means we and the other Michelin runners let ourselves down. Intensely frustrating. But we regain the lead in the constructor's championship (by a point) and Fernando is level with Michael - all to play for and 2 races to go. From an IT perspective, quite a difficult race and a very public display of our failing when the pitwall went down due to water in the power supply, which has never happened before (despite being in heavy rain many times).

So this weekend it is on to Japan. Not sure if I will see the race as I have an early flight for Barcelona where I am speaking at a Symantec event.