Monday March 4th, 2002
Minardi Podium
There was an unexpected visitor to the Melbourne podium on Sunday when the crowd's hero of the day, Australian Mark Webber, was sensationally invited to join the top three on the hallowed steps.
Webber drove the crowd wild during the race, and they were delighted to see the Minardi driver having a champagne moment on the rostrum. But after the race he admitted the euphoria around the Albert Park circuit made him both proud and confused. "Every time I came down the pit straight I could see the crowd in the grandstand rise," said Webber. "I wasn't sure whether the race was over or not."
Record Miss
After setting record crowd throughout the Grand Prix weekend, the Albert Park circuit saw a drop of 1,500 compared to last year's total turnout for raceday. The threat of rain appeared to put the fans off, but 127,000 people still traipsed through the gate on Sunday and the increase in attendance throughout the other three days ensured the circuit wracked up a total of 371,800 visitors for the Fosters-sponsored event, some 2,300 up on last year.
In a Flap
Mark Webber's sensational Minardi debut in Sunday's Australian race was almost ruined when he found his team was unable to top him up with fuel when he pulled up at the pump. Software problems sent the team into a panic, and to prevent a total failure, they instructed Webber not to use the pitlane speed limiter, which keeps the car down to the 80kmh limit as it moves through the pits.
Unfortunately for the team, the limiter also opens the fuel flap, and with it switched off there was no way of fuelling the Aussie's car. But a quick thinking mechanic used the skills of the trade - and prised the flap open with a screwdriver.
Boxing Bernie
Bernie Ecclestone appears to be preparing for a fight for the right to cover Formula One - by sending his Croatian wife Slavica to kickboxing classes. Grand Prix supremo Ecclestone is expected to make a bid for the share in the sport's television rights held by collapsing media giant Kirch. And he may be up against Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch, so it appears his wife's plans are perfect timing.
Super-fit Slavica, who apparently runs around a London park dragging a tyre behind her to make it more difficult, is keen on keeping in shape and her enrolment in the class will certainly firm up those all-important reflexes.
Schu Delay
Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher has been forced to delay the building of his new Swiss mansion again because appeals by local environmentalists mean this weekend's vote on planning permission will now take place in April. The champion's villa plans include a swimming pool, gym and stables but because the land would have to be re-classified as residential it requires a referendum, which cannot be voted on until next month.
Published at 06:18:06 GMT
(03-11-2005): 
