Sunday July 4th, 2004
Hasty Retreat
With the British Grand Prix following hot on the heels of the French Grand Prix, teams were forced into a hasty retreat at Magny-Cours. The dismantling of the paddock came seconds after the chequered flag had been waved to conclude the 70-lap race and Michael Schumacher's victory. Cars and equipment were loaded onto transporters and motorhomes packed up as a race between teams to reach the last ferry crossing to England began. With Williams and McLaren two of the first to load up they could well be tasting victory by reaching Calais ahead of their rivals.
Tour de Jordan
With the Tour de France starting on Saturday in Liege, Eddie Jordan was seemingly staking his own claim to entering cycling's most prestigious event. The team boss was seen entering the Magny-Cours circuit in a novel way on Sunday by riding his bike through the rear entrance to the paddock, where stewards allowed him through the gates without swiping himself in, and into the Jordan motorhome. Quite whether he has the abilities to take on some of the climbs the riders face in the Tour de France remains to be seen, but at least he could claim to have the yellow jersey on, which is traditionally worn by the leader of the event.
Swiss Wind-Up
With England having been eliminated from the Euro 2004 football tournament last week, McLaren-Mercedes' mechanics were at the centre of a wind-up from their Sauber counterparts. Swiss referee Urs Meier disallowed an England goal in the last minute of their quarter-final with Portugal, a goal which would have secured a place in the last four of the competition. Meier has been vilified for his decision to rule out Sol Campbell's header and he has been told by Zurich police to return to his home in Switzerland. But the Swiss Sauber mechanics could not miss the opportunity to taunt members of the McLaren team and informed that Meier is to be a VIP guest of the team at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Even Meier would not contemplate facing the baying English public.
Published at 17:15:36 GMT
(03-11-2005): 
