Ferrari must learn from Mercedes

Chris Balfe

09/10/2018

At a time headlines talk of an "implosion" at Ferrari, it is worth taking a look at the recent history of its title rival.

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Time for Ecclestone to go

Chris Balfe

18/10/2015

Ecclestone's latest comments to the media are damaging to Formula One.

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It's not the rules that need changing

Chris Balfe

15/02/2015

Only people who have experienced that shiver of excitement will know how to create a sport that will similarly inspire others.

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F1 soul-searching must begin

Chris Balfe

06/10/2014

"After Suzuka questions must be asked," writes editor Chris Balfe, "and they must be asked of those at the very top of the sport."

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We don't need to talk about Michael

Chris Balfe

18/06/2014

Editor Chris Balfe calls on the media to end the sensationalised speculation and give Michael Schumacher his family and those treating him some space.

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So good they postponed it twice

Chris Balfe

05/12/2013

It's not the wording of the press release from Grand Prix of America regarding the postponement of the 2014 event that frustrates but the timing.

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Hamilton: The Boy In The Bubble

Chris Balfe

09/07/2013

Following Lewis Hamilton's remarkably frank interview with Martin Brundle at the weekend, and a race in which he crumbled along with his tyres, Pitpass editor Chris Balfe suggests that it is time for the youngster to make changes.

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Doomed?

Chris Balfe

29/09/2012

As he contemplates yesterday's announcements, the Pitpass editor is minded of Spanish philosopher George Santayana, who famously warned: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".

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The thing is...

Chris Balfe

21/01/2011

For many years Julian Cottam walked the line between the commerce of the F1 paddock and the boardrooms of the corporate world. He has worked as sponsorship principal for some of the biggest names in the sport.

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It was forty years ago today.....

Chris Balfe

05/09/2010

It was on 5 September 1970 that Jochen Rindt was killed whilst practicing for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, subsequently becoming Formula One's first - and thankfully only - posthumous world champion.

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Other features by Chris Balfe

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BIOGRAPHY

When Chris took command of his previous Formula One website it could claim a mere 333 readers, within a year over 100,000 F1 fans were regularly logging on.

In 2002 he founded Pitpass, which soon became a firm favourite not only with race fans, but also many leading members of the F1 community.

His passionate, often controversial, yet always honest and informed articles for a whole range of publications and websites have given him a dedicated following, while his interviews even have the interviewees clamouring for more.

Having attended his first Grand Prix in 1966, Chris has seen almost all the true legends of the Formula One World Championship in action. Though he remains a 'purist' and, much like his taste in music, tends to "live in the past", he admits that he still gets "that special tingle" when he hears an F1 engine burst into life.

The Hills to Hamilton, Stewart to Schumacher, Andretti to Alonso, Lauda, Brabham, Senna, Prost... Chris has seen them all. However, over a beer he'll happily recount the story of the greatest drive he ever witnessed... and it didn't involve a Formula One car, just a crazy Mexican in a Porsche 917 at Brands Hatch way back in 1970.

In 1998 Chris began an internet campaign to preserve the banked section of his beloved Monza Autodrome a campaign that gained the support of numerous racing legends including a number of World Champions, all, like him, fans of the legendary circuit. Later that same year he and his partner Gillian were married at the Villa Reale in Monza.

Chris lives with his wife and their numerous cats in Essex... but asks that you don't hold that against him.

Email: editor@pitpass.com