Investigative Journalism at its Best
Atlas F1 Correspondent
As this is my 1,500th Fuel Stop, it is considered prudent to take a deep breath and look back at what one has accomplished. I pride myself to have always been the first with breaking news and to have written about subjects that other motor racing journalists have been simply too afraid to even talk about.The 1990s was an exciting decade not only in the history of motor racing, but also in my professional life, as that was the time when I began my now successful beehive farm.
With that in mind, I would like to present a selection of some of my best-known news items published in the first half of the 1990s.
Take care, my dear readers,
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Gerhard Berger Throws Jean Alesi Out of Ferrari Helicopter
French Sicilian driver plummets 3,000 feet to the ground
Latest antics from pitlane clown amuse Ferrari mechanics and journalists
Gerhard Berger - who last week barely survived an attack from a vicious Bengal tiger released into the paddock area by Alesi - seized the opportunity to play a small practical joke when the Ferrari test team was being transported by helicopter from Mugello to a Fiorano session.
In a scene described by Ferrari mechanics as "hilarious" and "a great joke", Berger grabbed Alesi's shoulders and pushed him out of the helicopter in spite of screams for help and pleads of mercy from the comical French Sicilian.
Alesi, who broke every single bone in his body upon impact onto the concrete tarmac, has been instructed by new Ferrari team manager Jean Todt to show up at a Fiorano test next week.
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Nelson Piquet to Teach Young Teammate Michael Schumacher the Ropes at Benetton
"Work hard and Michael might start winning races in 10 to 15 years" predicts Piquet
Monza, Italy, 12 September 1991. Triple World Champion Nelson Piquet announced at a press conference today, prior to the Italian Grand Prix, that he expects young Michael Schumacher to be able to fight for victories as early as 2003.
"Young Michael is enthusiastic and with my tutoring and guidance he will probably manage to reach the front of the grid next century," said Piquet.
According to Benetton insiders, Piquet has introduced Michael to a 25-step/10 year learning program that should hopefully allow the young German to become competitive around the year 2003.
"Young Michael will learn in the coming seasons how to cope with a strong teammate like myself," said Piquet finally. "But I will of course go easy on him for the first few years while he fights through pre qualifying."
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SIDEBAR
 J. Herbert Tests Benetton sweaters and socks at Jerez, car later
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Senna Pole Lap at Monaco Grand Prix Disallowed
Senna admits to "not being in car" while setting record time
Monte Carlo, Monaco, 11 May 1991. FIA stewards disallowed World Champion Ayrton Senna's pole lap at the Monaco Grand Prix earlier today, when the Brazilian admitted in an interview that he had not been in the car.
"With your mind power, your determination, your instinct and your experience as well, you can fly very high," said Senna in the interview. "When you reach the limit you are not in the car but above it."
The comments about flying and being above the car raised eyebrows with the stewards of the race who deduced that Senna had probably been in his private airplane above the circuit, remote controlling his McLaren race car, and promptly disqualified him.
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Fiorano, Italy, 2 September 1993. Ferrari driver and legendary playboy Gerhard Berger pulled his latest hilarious prank yesterday when he hurled teammate Jean Alesi out of the Ferrari team helicopter, hovering at 3,000 feet above the Fiorano test circuit.
About the author:
Reginald Kincaid was born on 30th November 1912. Following graduation from the Royal Military College in Sandhurst he was commissioned in the Forth Hussars in February 1931. While stationed in Egypt with his brigade in 1934, he led the famous "Elgar" high speed camel expeditions that explored and documented the vast sand seas of Libya. In his own words he soon after became addicted to the "fine art of travelling fast" but exchanged camels for cars. Kincaid's exploits in European motor racing became legendary after being documented in his best selling biography "Racing with a stiff upper lip". Reginald Kincaid retired in 1991 and has been covering motor racing ever since. He now lives in Surrey, England, and tends to his hobby of beekeeping.
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Volume 9, Issue 45
Atlas F1 Special
The Knock on the Door
2003 Season Review
The Season of What If
How Would F1 Score in Other Series
Columns
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Rear View Mirror
Bookworm Critique
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Elsewhere in Racing
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