F1- Force India make it into points

Hello,

So Adrian disappoints again. But if you look at the fact that he jumped back to 12th after going low down to 21st you know that good news can not be far behind.
Liuzzi who started 12th came in 9th and earned the valuable 2 points for Force India.
People have already started noticing the speed of the car and good days seem to be round the corner.
In fact I will not be surprised that Force India (FI for F1) comes out with a podium finish soon.
Liuzzi is an excellent recruit and let us hope Adrian is able to get over his bad luck spell.
By the way, the most extraordinary result came from Filepe Massa, the guy who had the horrendous crash last season.
Karun Chandok did what can be expected from a rookie with an untested car. But these are early days for him.
Best regards,
Manoj

FORCE INDIA - READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD

Hello,

The Bahrain GP is going to start in a short while from now. Adrian Sutil is in 10th place and a disappointed Vitantonio Liuzzi is 12th. Adrian got in Q3 and it is a good start. Now counted amongst the best teams by none other than Lewis Hamilton the expectations are high and the guys seem to be ready.

The post qualification comments are as under:

Adrian Sutil (10th, Q3 - 1m 56.309s)

“I'm very happy. I think it was a great achievement to go into Q3 at the first race: our best start to the season for a long time. The team should be very proud of it, I am very proud of this, so let's see how it goes tomorrow. Our goal is now to finish in the points. At the moment I'm in tenth and hopefully we can make one or two positions up as I'm the only car on the hard tyre so it may be an advantage. I'm surprised that the others were on the soft tyres so our decision could pay off tomorrow. We are strong under heavy fuel loads but we were very fast in Q1 and Q2 when everyone was on soft tyres so there are a few more positions we could gain. We worked very hard over the winter and over the last four years and it's nice to see it giving dividends now.”

Vitantonio Liuzzi (12th, Q2 - 1m 55.653s)

“I am a bit disappointed as we didn't know what had happened to the car since free practice. In the morning it seemed to have a pretty good balance and we didn't change very much but then we went into qualifying and we had a problem with the traction. That was the main reason we couldn't go through to Q3. Now we have to work on this and understand what happened but we believe in the race that we should be really strong as yesterday we were quick on the longer runs.”

Dr Vijay Mallya, Force India chairman and team principal

“I think the whole team can be very proud of this result; it's a great start to the season and a mark of how much progress we have made over the winter. Last season we didn't get through to Q2 in this race and this year we've got both cars in the top 12. Of course that's not a precursor to getting points, which is what really matters, but it does give us a much better chance. Particularly positive is that Adrian is starting the race on the harder tyre, unlike the rest of the top ten, so should be well-placed to capitalise as the softer tyre degrades in the warm conditions. I can't wait for tomorrow's race now!”

The harder tyres of the Force India cars can really make a difference and I eagerly await for the race to begin.

The other India connection in the race is Karun Chandok. Can you believe that he went for the qualifying without a test run. Amazing.

His comments:

Karun Chandhok (24th, Q1 - 2m 04.904s)

“I still can't believe that we will be on the grid tomorrow. It was not looking good in the morning and I was not sure if we would make it to the qualifying session as well. I didn't expect to be driving the car for the first time in qualifying but as I have always said these are the circumstances and we made the best of it. For me it was just a string of installation laps and to finish just a second slower than Bruno is definitely a huge achievement. I think I might be the only driver in the history of F1 to go straight into a qualifying session of a race without even having done a shakedown of the car! Once again I think the team have done a brilliant job so am very grateful to them.”

Let's watch the Indian connection at F1 Bahrain.

Best wishes to Force India and Karun,

Manoj

POLITICS OF PAKISTANI CRICKET

Hello,

How many times have we seen Pakistani Cricket get caught in ugly controversies of infighting.

To some people the repetition of the same mistakes may appear shameful but it seems that they take these events in their stride in Pakistan.

While it is not rare to have conflicting interests, bloated egos and divided camps in a team, it does seem that the Pakistanis are the easiest to succumb to the consequences of such conflicts.

If we analyze the reasons for such drama in the team we notice one very important difference between the Pakistani and the other teams. The difference is in the knowledge of English.

Concidently when Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and to some extent Inzamamul Haque lead the teams the divisive forces were kept in check.

So does it mean that 'Language' plays a role.

The fact is that most of the players are literally picked off the streets and are mostly into the team without completing basic school education.

If you have seen this kind of street cricket you will know how easily the teams get aggresive and pick up bats and wickets for a fight to decide the winner will realize that what we see on the international stage is just a watered down version of what they are used to doing in their growing up years. Bowling and batting are skills they have but they cheat automatically to improve on these skills and get ahead of the rest.

While they get away with all this on home grounds where it is accepted as part of life they fall apart when they face international opposition and better umpiring.

Therefore if I were the selector of the Pakistani team I would select an English speaking captain and force the entire team to take classes on basic english manners. This will go a long way in curbing their wild ways and make the team cohesive and strong.

Best wishes,

Manoj

F1- Indian makes it to the starting grid

The new Hispania Racing F1 Team has been officially presented to the public in Murcia last Thursday, with the confirmation that GP2 Series race-winner Karun Chandhok will join former team-mate Bruno Senna on the driving strength for the Spanish outfit's maiden campaign of top flight competition – and in so doing become only the second of his countrymen ever to reach the very highest level in the sport.

Chandhok's recruitment means that all seats in the 2010 field have now been filled, whilst the popular 26-year-old will follow in the wheel tracks of groundbreaking compatriot Narain Karthikeyan, who made history when he became the first Indian to reach F1 by competing for Jordan Grand Prix five years ago.

Elena Dementieva - The Woman Tennis Player I am backing in 2010

Hello,

I think I'm a bit late with this post but the delay was caused by the expectations of having another good news and title win.

However things do not always go strictly as per plans and Elena lost 3-6 2-6 to #4 seed Alisa Kleybanova in a rain-disrupted final at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

This is her third finals in 2010 and with two title wins and one runners up position out of four tournaments she played in (I do not count the Dubai open as she retired hurt) it looks really good.

Now that the season is gathering steam we can hope for some big results that will take this player to the top - a position she aspires for but a position she has to work hard for.

I back her to be there.

Best regards,
Manoj

FORCE INDIA - READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD

Hi F1 Lovers,

Looks cool and raises hopes:

The 2009 season saw Force India set a fastest lap, take a pole position and finish second in Belgium. They ended with thirteen points and it is great progress over 2008, their first year.

This year Force India is expecting to improve on the performance of the previous year. The 2010 challenger, the VJM03 was unveiled on Tuesday 9th February 2010 and Vitantonio Liuzzi took it to the track. Adrian Sutil will take over for Friday and Saturday and reserve driver Paul di Resta is due to drive on February 17.

The design evolution involves getting a larger gas tank that makes the car a bit longer and wider and the double diffuser is now placed at the back of the car.

Along with McLaren and the new Mercedes GP team, Force India is powered by a Mercedes engine, an arrangement carried over from the 2009 season.

"2010 is a really important season and we are very optimistic about going well. I think this year it’s important to be consistent from the first race. I’d like to be in the midfield and be competitive from Bahrain," driver Adrian Sutil said.

"It’s the first time we have been completely on schedule so I feel this will be the first season when I can show from the beginning to the end what is possible with the car and what I can do. Of course we will have updates and performance packages from this point on but I hope we will be strong from the first practice session rather than compromising at the start."

ANDY RODDICK - BROOKLYN DECKER

Brooklyn Decker is the new model on the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover this year.
She is the wife of Andy Roddick.
Although she can never be categorized with the other sultry models that have made the cover in the past, she does have the credit of being part of the magazine since 2006 when she was just 18.
She also has the magazine to thank for her husband who traced her out after seeing her in the 2007 edition.
Some relations keep getting stronger.

Decker says she is an avid sports fan, and, as a teenager in North Carolina, ran hurdles for the track team, played soccer and participated in competitive cheerleading. She has no great diet or exercise secret, she said, other than to be active and eat sensibly.
"I still don't know the formula for the cover," she added. "It's luck, the perfect suit and perfect storm to get it."
Decker said, though, that because Sports Illustrated encourages a natural look -- less makeup, toned muscles, curvy shape -- it's easier to get a great photograph. "This celebrates the girls and their personalities. I think it's why they get such beautiful pictures."

Paper Tigers - Washed away

Hello,

The paper tigers show that they have claws of clay. When the actual fight happens the clay gets washed away.

An innings defeat at home! can it get more humiliating!

Sachin chalks up another useless century. So there is glory for the Tigers. This false sense of pride on performance of individuals when the team can barely keep its head above water is what has never made this team competitive.
As an ardent supporter I feel so let down.

I hope they pull up their socks and come up with something exceptional at Eden Gardens and give the ground something to remember.
Eden Gardens wil be hosting a Test after a long break and I hope that the ground gives the team a victory.

Best regards,
Manoj

Elena Dementieva - The Woman Tennis Player I am backing in 2010

Hello,

Elena lost to Justine Henin 5-7 6-7 in the second round at the Australian Open. As the score line suggests it was a close match. By now all of us are also aware that Justine Henin landed up with the runners up position.

The winner of course was Serena Williams.

Here is a short interview Elena did after the loss.

Q. How disappointing a loss is that?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Oh, for sure there is nothing good about leaving the tournament in the first week. You know, I feel like, you know, I was in a good shape coming here. You know, it is disappointing.

Q. Were you really crossed when you saw your draw, saw what bad luck it was to have to face Justine in the second round?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: No, I don't take it as a bad luck. There is never an easy draw. I came here not to pass the second round; I came here to be in the final. You have to be ready facing Justine if you want to win the whole title. So I don't take it as a bad draw.

Q. How did you find her on the court today?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I think she was playing very well. You know, she was moving well, hitting hard. You know, just doesn't feel like she had the break. Yeah, she was playing very well today.

Q. Did you feel like she was playing the same as the last time you played her?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I don't actually remember. It was long time ago. But she was as good as she was before.

Q. You had a chance to get back into the match late, a few chances. In the tiebreak, you perhaps picked a shot which wasn't the best choice. It was a volley which hit the net. Would you play that shot again if you had the chance?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, it's not about just one point. I think I just let her play that aggressively today. You know, I was not playing deep enough. So I just let her dictate the whole game. That's not the way I was planning to go, you know, on the court. I feel like I was not aggressive enough. I was not playing deep enough. You know, if you look at the statistic, I was not able to make a winners, which I usually do. I mean, she was playing well. But I feel like I gave her the opportunity to play that well.

Q. Is she in a way maybe a little bit intimidating in the way she puts pressure on you?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: No, I don't feel any pressure playing against her. Well, I just think it's really interesting to play against someone like her. She's a great player. Playing against her, you really can learn a lot and improve your game. I really need these kind of players to increase the level of the game. So it's great to have her back here on the tour.

Q. After the disappointment, what could you learn from her or this game?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Well, for sure, I'm going to take a DVD and watch again where I was not aggressive enough, just to see some moments of the match. I was at lead in the first and second set. I had some opportunity that I could really take it today. I mean, for sure, there are a lot of things to learn about.

Start of the 2010 Tennis Season

Hello,

The season is just started but Indian tennis fans have already heard some bad news.

Sania Mirza said that she will stop playing once she gets married.

So are we ready for the swan song from her.

Highly unlikely. Her performance in the beginning of the season does not appear promising.

This season the ladies event is likely to be dominated by the performance of the three stars who are on the comeback trail. Justin Henin, just started playing, Kim Clijsters, already into winning mode after making a comeback last year and Maria Sharapova, ready for the big guns again after a quiet last year.

These three are obviously going to be challenged in their quest for glory by the reigning queens, Serena and Venus Williams and Safina.

But for me the player who will reign supreme in 2010 is Elena Dementieva.

In the Mens wing the focus is already on four players. Roger Federer - for his ability to go beyond catching distance, Rafal Nadal - his ability to come back and get over the effect of the injury that has now made him a beatable player, Andy Roddick - his ability to get over the final chokes, especially as this time he may not meet Federer in the finals and Andy Murray - the perinnial England favorite. But it is 'Mr. Invisible' Nikolay Davydenko, who has the ability to upset the applecart.

All in all an appetizing feast for Tennis lovers.

Best regards,

Manoj

Start of the new season

Hello,

Two sports events - Cycling and Tennis are about to start their new season from Australia.

Cycling is starting with Tour Down Under, which starts tomorrow with the standalone Cancer Council Classic street race at Adelaide's East End. This is a six day tour and has a lot of sprint sections. This makes it tough for Lance, who had ended up 29th in his visit here last year but that was his comeback race and since then he has done enough for the world of cycling and sportslovers to stand up and take notice.

The confidence of Lance is such that a few days back talking of his thrid place finish in the Tour de France he said that when people were congratulating him on his performance and expressing surprise at his thrid place finish he was surprised. He was surprised because he was thinking that he would win.

The re-emergence of Lance has made the sport exciting again as not only has he brought the required glamour (5000 cyclist followed him at the trial run on the Adelaide roads this morning) but he also brings in a new team 'Radioshack'.

At 37, he is still a force to reckon with and gives joy to all of us who get inpiration from him to continue our active involvement with sports.

Best regards,

Manoj