Saturday March 22nd, 2003
Married Men Go Faster
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya believes he has started this season with more vigour than before - and has put it down to his winter marriage to long-term girlfriend Connie Freydell. Montoya's new bride is rarely away from his side at Grand Prix events - she has been since he arrived in Formula One in 2001 - and even at most press conferences her husband keeps her clearly within eyesight. But while many believe drivers' girlfriends are an unwelcome distraction, Montoya says she spurs him on.
"Probably one of my best races in Formula One was this year in Melbourne - and I was married," the 27-year-old said. "If anything, I am trying harder than before...I am happily married and I am probably quicker on the track because of it." Whether his team bosses at Williams-BMW will be happy to hear he is quicker now or angry that he was "not trying" as hard before he tied the knot, however, will no doubt remain a secret.
A Taste of Speed
The Malaysian government is trying their hardest to get people on the rails in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur this year. The high-speed rail link between the city and the airport, which is right next to the track, is underused because most locals and visitors alike just jump in their cars and drive to the circuit, one hour out of town. But in a bid to entice people to use the more environmentally friendly way of getting to the track, the service operator has provided special packages for passengers attending the three-day event as well as a shuttle coach between KLIA's main terminal building and the Sepang track.
"These packages are extremely economical when compared to the cost of petrol, toll and parking charges for those who drive to the SIC. Catching the train will be a lot less stressful as you do not need to worry about traffic jams," said Dr Aminuddin. It is just a shame the event everyone is going to see is not as environmentally friendly as the way to get there.
Three Wheels on My Wagon
Minardi driver Justin Wilson lost his left-rear wheel in practice when the retainer clip just came off - but his team boss Paul Stoddart was quick to insist it was not another strange new tactic from his Italian outfit. In Melbourne they shirked the regulations and decided not to set a qualifying time so they could work on their cars overnight. But Stoddart joked: "I'm sure you can do some story on slowest team using three-wheeler. I don't think we gained an advantage!"
There were cruel suggestions that the cash-strapped Minardi, who are currently using Bridgestone tyres from last year, would be as quick on three wheels as they would on four and they might as well reduce their costs by using fewer tyres. But Stoddart added: "Contrary to what people are saying, we weren't trying to save money on tyres."
Tall Order
Formula One giant Justin Wilson always knew he was going to be one of the tall men on the Grand Prix grid and he is already fed up of talking about how he has managed to fit his 6'3 frame into the Minardi car this year. But he admitted even he did not realise just how big he is - until he stood next to diminutive Toyota driver Cristiano da Matta in the official pre-season rookie drivers' photo in Melbourne two weeks ago. "I got used to my height after a while but I found it very amusing when a picture of all four rookies were taken at the Melbourne GP. Cristiano was so tiny!"
Not So Fast
David Coulthard is in a hurry to extend his Championship lead this weekend - but he rushed a little too much in practice when he drove his McLaren out of the pits at 61.2km/h. The Scot had exceeded the 60km/h pitlane limit and later found himself fined $500 by the FIA - but it seems no price is too great in his bid to achieve his goal this year.
Published at 10:25:20 GMT
(03-11-2005): 
