The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 31

It was looking like we wouldn't be able to get a show in this week, but we had so much to talk about after such an eventful Russian Grand Prix that we juggled things around and got something recorded. As a bonus, we're even up earlier than we normally would be.

Once again Formula 1 surprises us.  After a pretty dull Russian GP last year and a rather run of the mill Japanese GP just two weeks ago, we didn't really expect much from last weekend's race - but even FP1 had things to talk about.

However, some things haven't changed, like Red Bull still trying to figure out what engine they're going to use next year - maybe even a Renault.  Although Bernie Ecclestone says "everything is sorted" as well as a few other questionable things...

There was also one of the strangest grid walks in a while on offer from David Coulthard, and a terrific cold open to last week's race coverage on BBC - head over to our Facebook page to check it out.

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 30

We admit it, this year's Japanese GP was rather...  dull.  Thankfully after the race there was plenty of other things happening to distract us.

This week we're talking about Fernando Alonso and his future with McLaren, Jenson Button and his future with McLaren. Engines - again.  Tires - again. Lotus getting bought by Renault - again, and next year's calendar.

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Posted on October 4, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 29

This year's Singapore GP was definitely one of the odder races of the year.  From Mercedes stunning lack of pace, Ferrari's win and Red Bull's second it was a result that nobody would have expected going into the weekend.  But the strangeness didn't end there, there was also the guy who went for a stroll down the track, unnecessary team orders given to Max Verstappen with just two laps to go - and Max refusing those orders, and a rowdy Ferrari got in trouble for their post race celebrations.

Things are looking like they're getting back to normal for Japan though, including Lotus' financial troubles continuing, and more drivers finding seats.

Keep an eye out this week for the Haas F1 driver announcement on Tuesday.

Read more …
Posted on September 27, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 28

We started off our weekend this week with a trip to the racetrack...  Not the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore but the Nelson Ledges Road Course in Garrettsville OH, with full access to the track from Race Control to the paddock and event the start/finish tower with The Boy throwing out the checkered flag at the final Moto Series practice session of the day.

This week we were treated to another Bernie Brainwave with Mr E telling us that Mercedes is scaring away new teams (and potentially calling Mercedes cheaters too).  It's looking very likely that Red Bull will be running Ferrari engines for the next two years - and then possibly being taken over by... Volkswagen?  

But the big question this week?  What happened to Mercedes in Singapore?  It looks like everybody, from the drivers, to the teams to even the press are trying to figure out just how Mercedes got everything so wrong this weekend...

Read more …
Posted on September 20, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 27

Has it been a little quiet around here is it is just us?  No worries, we're back after a week away with plenty to talk about.

While as a race, this year's Italian Grand Prix was a little tame, there were plenty of stories around the edges to get our attention, and plenty to keep our eyes on in the coming weeks...

Honda's leadership should consider not boasting to the press about the performance of their engines, sadly we're still talking about tires, and while there may not be many drivers in play this year, it seems that teams and engine constructors are in play...

Read more …
Posted on September 13, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 26

The big story coming out of Spa this year - tires.  We thought we were done talking about them, but between Williams' bizarre pitt lane error that resulted in Valteri Bottas driving on a mis-matched set of tires to Sebastian Vettel's post race comments, we can't ignore the tires this race.

Was Ferrari's tire strategy in Spa too aggressive, or was it something else?  Could the drivers' failure to obey the track limits be the issue?

The other big story - Lotus.  Romain Grosjean had a fantastic race, earning the team their best podium in a long time.  We think that the team has sorted out it's legal issues with Charles Pic, but everybody's been quiet on the matter, and it's looking more like Renault will be buying the team - and making things a lot more complicated in the process.

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Michael and filed under Podcast.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 25

Racing is back!  Although we had a lot to talk about before we got to the race - and as we recorded we still hadn't had a chance to watch the race...

But Phil asked us over on Facebook how we watch the races, because he's hit the breaking point with NBCSN's coverage, and we share what we do to get better coverage of Formula 1.  As a bonus you can also use that method to get other UK programming as well...  And BBC, if you're looking, if you came up with a way for us to subscribe to iPlayer or pay the BBC License Fee to get your programing in the US - we'd gladly do it...

We had plenty to talk about this week, Kimi will be racing with Ferrari in 2016...  Monza may be gone after 2016.  Red Bull and Renault could be divorcing this year instead of next, and McLaren...  their endless nightmare continues.

Read more …
Posted on August 23, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 24

F1's summer break is almost over, and as we'd expect the stories from Formula 1 are getting weaker and weaker.

Mercedes has looked at their poor starts and concluded that there are a lot of reasons why things went badly in Hungary.

Patricia is following F1's "dream teams"

And we're waiting to see the latest iteration of Force India's 2013/2014/2015/2016 Formula 1 car.

Since it's a slow week, we step away from Formula 1 for a bit and take a look at the Wink home automation system.  It's a very simple and highly capable ecosystem that starts fulfilling the promise of a smart home - although it's not perfect.  Check it out over at www.wink.com.  

And have you liked us over on Facebook yet?  If not, get to it! Our 100th fan will get a special prize, like us and listen to the show for more information!

F1's summer break is almost over, and as we'd expect the stories from Formula 1 are getting weaker and weaker.

Mercedes has looked at their poor starts and concluded that there are a lot of reasons why things went badly in Hungary.

Patricia is following F1's "dream teams"

And we're waiting to see the latest iteration of Force India's 2013/2014/2015/2016 Formula 1 car.

Since it's a slow week, we step away from Formula 1 for a bit and take a look at the Wink home automation system.  It's a very simple and highly capable ecosystem that starts fulfilling the promise of a smart home - although it's not perfect.  Check it out over at www.wink.com.  

And have you liked us over on Facebook yet?  If not, get to it! Our 100th fan will get a special prize, like us and listen to the show for more information!

Read more …
Posted on August 16, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 23

What did you do during your summer vacation? Williams shared with us a video of what they've been up to.  Head over to our Facebook Page to check it out.

Even though there's not much happening right now, there were a few things to talk about, like a possible deal for future races in Monza, the future of Valteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton in another Race series, Bernie Ecclestone on Carmen Jorda and women in racing, and a robbery at Jenson Button's vacation rental.

Read more …
Posted on August 9, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 22

First off - an apology.  This week our sound quality isn't what we like it to be.  This is the second show we recorded with our new podcast rig, and without realizing it an important setting was off resulting in a show that doesn't sound as clean as we want it to be.  But we know what happened and that we need to watch out for this in the future so we don't expect to have this problem again.

Last week's Hungarian Grand Prix certainly gave us a lot to talk about. The only way this result could have been more unpredictable is if the McLarens and Marussias ended up on the podium (spoiler alert - they didn't).

Once we again we ask - how does Pastor Maldonado bring value to a team?  And silly season is a little sideways this week - with the focus not on drivers, but on engines....

Read more …
Posted on August 2, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 20

A long show for your this week - first a little Formula 1 talk and then some talk about our recent trip to Bermuda.

Unfortunately we start off with some sad news as the F1 community mourns the loss of Jules Bianchi 8 months after his crash in Suzuka which left him in a coma.  Jules' death is a reminder that despite the comments that F1 is too easy, or that there's not any risk in the sport - that the opposite is actually the truth.

We also discuss the latest Silly Season rumors, and a recent article from Autosport comparing the costs of being an F1 fan to the costs of being a fan of other sports - in short, F1 is more expensive than the rest.

Then it's on to Bermuda, and if you go (and you should go) make sure you book a tour with our friend Ashley at Hidden Gems Bermuda (http://www.bermudahiddengems.com) and visit Patricia's favorite Bermudian artist Jennifer Rodriguez (https://www.jrdesignsbda.com). 

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Posted on July 19, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and a Bird Show Episode 19

This week the Aston Martin/Red Bull story gets another twist...  And we have to wonder is Jenson Button staying at McLaren for 2016, or is he going?  Ron Dennis says he's staying, but does that make it a done deal?

Everybody is second guessing Williams' strategy calls last week - and we've got some great audio from Williams as those calls were being made....

And Mercedes causes everybody to get a warning from the marshals...

Read more …
Posted on July 12, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 18

If you just looked at the results of this week's race, it looks like everything went exactly like many expected it, and that this was a pretty dull processional race.  The truth is, this week's British Grand Prix will be one that will be talked about for years.

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Posted on July 5, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 17

The hills were indeed alive last week as the Formula 1 Circus came to Austria, and as it left it was clear that Silly Season has definitely begun.

And apparently it just wouldn't be a 2015 season discussion unless we talked more about the rules - and found yet another thing that modern Formula 1 seems to be missing.

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Posted on June 28, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 15

Thank you folks at topgear.com for giving us a new Pastor Maldonado focused game to play.  Going forward, we'll be playing Maldonado Bingo every race!  You can get your playing card by going here...

We're still talking about Monaco this week because - well there wasn't much else to talk about.  However, we do have a bit of audio from the race that wasn't included in the global TV feed, some audio that paints a little bit of a different picture to what we initially thought happened under the safety car last week...

Read more …
Posted on May 31, 2015 by Michael.

The Bloke and A Bird Show Episode 13

Ok, so the Spanish Grand Prix this year wasn't that thrilling, unless you were a mechanic.  Specifically a front jackman for either McLaren or Lotus...

The F1 Strategy Group did meet this week and there may be some big changes coming to F1 in the next two years.  We'll see where this goes.

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Michael.