Friday May 7th, 2004
Crowding In
Barcelona is a dream for Mark Webber. The Australian driver, who believes in 'Formula One for the people', is always keen for the fans to get a closer look at the sport - so the Circuit de Catalunya must be one of his favourite places. On Thursday, literally thousands of fans packed into the track just to get a look at the cars as, for the second year in a row, the organisers opened up the pitlane to holders of a three-day race pass. The eager visitors filled the tarmac in front of the cordoned-off garages as they flocked in to get a look at the cars and, hopefully, to catch a glimpse of the stars themselves.
Despite Fernando Alonso's assertions that 95 percent of the fans were his, however, the crowd appeared to be chanting "Co-lom-bia" rather than "Es-pa-ņa" and it appeared they were rewarded for their patience when a cheer roared out to herald the arrival of their South American great Juan Pablo Montoya.
Glum Klum Baby
Renault boss Flavio Briatore brushed off questions about his new offspring after his former partner, German supermodel Heidi Klum, gave birth to a baby girl last week. The flamboyant Italian seemed to care little that 3.75kg Leni had been brought into the world and, when asked in a press conference how he felt to be a father, he simply replied: "I don't think we discuss these things. We are talking about Formula One." Klum, a guest of Briatore's in Monaco last year, is unlikely to be attending the next race at the glittering principality.
Dish of the Day I
Barcelona was packed with hospitality events for the Grand Prix weekend and in the first event journalists were invited to the Jaguar motorhome to tuck into a rare dinner treat from the team. The outing was a unique occasion to join the hallowed Racing Green team, which has become a little aloof after its open door days of the past, but some visitors used the evening as a chance to jibe at the mid-grid team's struggling rivals. One journalist remarked: "It was an excellent evening, and a great chance to see where McLaren will be next year. I can confirm they will have nice neighbours and if Ron ever wants some sugar I am sure he will be welcome here!"
Sala O'la
Former Minardi driver Luis Perez Sala, one of four Spaniards in the last 15 years to score a Formula One point (the others being Pedro de la Rosa, Marc Gene and Fernando Alonso), turned up at the Circuit de Catalunya this weekend to make a guest appearance in the Porsche Supercup. The 44-year-old driver, who competed in 26 races, never raced at the Barcelona track during his two-year career and claimed his solitary point at the 1989 British Grand Prix.
Published at 11:06:08 GMT
(03-11-2005): 
