Schumacher's fight: When we see you again...

"Bernie Ecclestone refuses to visit Michael Schumacher" has been written quite a lot the last few days. The first thing I think when I read something like that is "Yes, our crazy F1 grandfather strikes again!". But this time I completely agree with the old man. If you have known Schumacher as long as Mr E has known him, seeing him in this state must be heartbreaking.

Ecclestone was there in the glory days, the good years, the back-to-back victories and titles. Like must of us, when he thinks of Schumacher he thinks about the legend, the phenomenal driver, determination, driving on the limit and sometimes over that limit. That was Michael Schumacher. No, that is Schumacher. And I understand that this sounds very naive but this way it is easier to keep faith.

And it's clear even Ecclestone needs to be naive to deal with this situation. "I don't want to see Michael like that. I remember Michael as he was. That is how I want to see Michael. If he comes back, that is how I want Michael to be", he was quoted in a French magazine. Many negative reactions came after the words of the F1 boss, saying that he isn't a good friend for the German and his family and only thinks about himself and his emotions. But I understand Ecclestone, the image he and most of us have of Schumi is so much better than the image we would have if we could see the state he's in now. I honestly think we don't even want to see him the way he is now because it would ruin everything. From that moment on, Schumacher would be a patient, not a driver or a champion.

As like most of us, Ecclestone just keeps hoping Schumacher will recover and will be back the way he was.
Realistically? Probably not. I'm not a doctor but even I realize that after 18 months, chances of a full recovery are limited. But even then, staying positive and keeping faith is the most important thing. And remembering Michael as he fighter he was, he still is and he will always be. Keep fighting legend, and hopefully see you again someday.

Just as a little extra, this story made me think about the Furious 7 soundtrack "See you again". You can find the video clip  here

 It's been a long day without you my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again



Catya Leroux

F1: The difference a year can make...

May 25 2014, the legendary Grand Prix Formula 1 in the streets of Monte Carlo. Nico Rosberg wins ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo. But there is only one undoubtedly driver of the day: Jules Bianchi. The Frenchman finishes 9th in his Marussia and takes the first points back home for his team. A year later and the F1 circus is back in Monaco, but Jules isn't with them. The horrible difference a year can make..

Monaco was the perfect example of what Bianchi was capable of. That Marussia wasn't a fast car, not by far. But he did it anyway, he dragged the thing to the finish and when he crossed the line huge celebrations started. It was as if he just became worldchampion instead of finishing 9th. Thinking back at the glorious day makes it even harder to except the current situation of the Frenchman. The young man who was celebrating as if he won the worldtitle just a year ago, has been fighting for his life for months now. It has been over 6 months since his accident at Suzuka but the fact that his situation hasn't improved enormous still hurts. It's a tragic story and another black page in the history book of F1. Bad luck and coincidence is all it took to turn the lives of Jules, his family, friends and fans upside down.

Even over half a year later it still bothers me how some people can say "That's F1!". No, that's not Formula One, that's not racing. It's not normal that we should accept death in the sport. F1 is a risky sport, no doubt about it, but it should not be lethal. In the past it was but that doesn't mean we have to go back to the time we lost 3-5 drivers each season. We have evolved and we will never accept death as part of our sport again. If you do think so, you don't love the sport but you just want excitement.

Back to Monaco and how hard being may be for the Manor (then Marussia) team, there is only one thing they can do to honor Bianchi and that's giving it everything they've got. For their champ. Jules will be in the minds of everyone in the paddock and we'll keep waiting for some good news on his situation. Positive vibes all the way!

#ForzaJules

Catya Leroux

MotoGP: There is only one Doctor

'Are Valentino Rossi's best years over or can he still win?'. It has been a question MotoGP-followers asked every new season. And every time again, the 36-year old proves everyone there is only one Greatest Of All Time. Hail to The Doctor!

There is no rider who is more popular than the Italian and at every race the #46 flags dominate the grandstands. So losing 'Vale' would have a huge impact on the sport. To be honest I thought he would have quitted by now. Already in 2012 even. Not because his Ducati was a piece of s*** but losing his good friend Marco Simoncelli has been very hard for him. And I thought, especially because unfortunately he saw the tragic accident happening, that it would be the end of his career. What was there more to prove? He is the ultimate champion: 9 titles and over 100 victories.

But #46 did have something to prove: that he wasn't over his top, that there is more to come. That his years with Ducati didn't break him and that he can still win and fight with the new generation. That he can still do that, he has proved already after only three races. Two victories, third place in Austin and leader in the championship. That is above everything his fans could have dreamed of at the start of the season. He's back and he's better than the past years. This is his year and I know he can still count on the  support of millions of his fans worldwide who are already dreaming of that 10th title. Because after all, he's still the Doctor. The one and only.

Catya Leroux

Let Lance ride! (even in the Tour de France)

Oops, he did it again! Lance Armstrong has found himself in the middle of a media storm again. And for once he was just trying to do the right thing. But hey, we hate Lance remember, so whatever he does, it will never be ok.

'Lance Armstrong back in the Tour de France' was stated in different news papers last week. Say what?! Don't worry, the American just plans to join former footballer Geoff Thomas in 'Le Tour-One Day Ahead'-event to raise awareness and money for the cancer fight. When I heard the news, my first thought was that it was a great thing. Lance finally found something good to do. When they fired him from his Livestrong, he was hurt. People seem to forget that he still is the man who raised billions in the fight against cancer and that the disease is still something close to his heart. So when Thomas asked him, I don't think he needed a lot time to consider the offer. This is something he had to do. For him but even more for the cancer community.

But of course most cycling-minded people reacted a little bit different to this news. Armstrong riding on the roads of the Tour de France? “Completely inappropriate” and “very disrespectful”. I can understand that the organisation of the Tour would like to keep Armstrong as far away as possible but hey, he's still a free man (kind of). They don't mind him taking part in a charity ride but why does it have to be the one linked to the Tour? Well, because Thomas started the ride inspired by Armstrong, who was at that time dominating the race. The idea of the ride is what it is, why change it to please the UCI?

And no, I'm not stupid enough to think Thomas didn't thought of the media impact this invitation would have. He knew very well that the news of Armstrong joining the ride would make the news and that if Lance is on the bike in July, many people will come and watch him. And donate. I would lie if I said I don't consider going myself. But there is one thing Thomas and the rest of the organisation has to watch out for: this is not the 'Lance Armstrong Support Ride'. Of course fans of the American will make their way down to support their hero and see him on the bike again. But keep the focus, for once it's not about Lance, it's about fighting cancer. And who's better to support that than the man who dedicated years of his life to the fight. Yes, also that is Lance Armstrong.

Catya Leroux

The ridiculousness of female F1 drivers

Did that title shock you? A female F1-fan who is against female F1-drivers? No way! 

 

Let's be clear: I'm not against female racers. I think it is a great thing and there should be a lot more showing the world that racing isn't an all men sport (anymore). But what has happened now is that female drivers are chosen because of their gender and not their talent. Just look at Carmen Jorda who has just been announced as development driver for the Lotus F1 team. 

I can honestly say I have never heard of her before, what isn't a bad thing but then I started looking for what she had won and how good she was. And where I thought to find an impressive record of achievements, I found nothing. In 2008 she became 21th in F3 with one point to her name while her team mate Germán Sánchez became world champion. Bad year? In Silverstone 2012 she became the first F3 driver not to qualify because she failed to get within the 107%-rule. She ended as 28^th in the championship. Still not impressed? In 2013 she became 30^th with a 17^th place as her best result. But last year she did better. Not much, 29^th place it was. In eight years of different Formula 3 championships, she hasn’t won any race or pole position. So if you just look at her results, there is no reason whatsoever why she got the place of development driver. None.

But there is one. Only one. She's a woman. And teams are doing what they can to show the world they are supporting female drivers. So they sign them, even if they are no good. Jorda is no contribution to the team. I honestly think Lotus is better off without her. But now they can use her in promotional activities. And that is the main reason why they want Jorda, who is more seen on red carpet events and in front of the camera than on circuit.

Even though you probably think I would defend female drivers, I actually feel sorry for her male rivals. Jorda, who finished 28th is now part of a F1 team, the male rivals who beat her race after race are still in F3 or if they are very lucky GP2. Gender equality? Let’s be clear: F1 doesn't need women. But it doesn't need men either. It needs racers. People who have an extraordinary talent and are there because they have every right to be there. It doesn't matter if they are male or female but it matters whether they are good or not. And Carmen Jorda is just not good enough for F1.

Catya Leroux

Karma is a bitch, but so is Lance Armstrong

I have been cruising through the thousands of tweets about Lance Armstrong after he was ordered to pay back 10 milllion dollar to SCA Promotions. As always, the opinions are very split. Whereas many tweet about "Karma is a bitch, Lance!" others keep it simple saying "LA won seven!".

"Lance Armstrong is a f****** criminal and an international fraud" or "Can't believe he is still not in jail!" Many people make very clear that they have no sympathy with the American at all. This is just the bill he has to pay for being an arrogant bully all those years. For sueing every single one who had the nerves not to do what he wanted. Was it a mistake when Lance sued the company in 2004 when they didn't want to pay his bonus for his Tourvictories? Probably. But at that time Armstrong never considered that he would ever admit he doped. So why not sue? He wanted the money he deserved and he got it. It's as simple as that.

I know you might think "No Cat, he didn't DESERVE that money, he's a goddamn cheater.' Yes he is. Like 95% of the cyclists during those years. So should Landis, Hincapie, Ullrich, Beloki,... pay every bonus back they ever received during their career? If you want to be completely fair, they should but that's impossible. And what's the point? Well, the companies probably want their money back they have put in a sport revolving around doping. But on the other hand they seem to forget what that dirty sport did to their companies. Trek, Nike, Oakley, they lived from Lance and Trek especially is even based on Lance. Without him they wouldn't be where they are now. So shut up, he made you.


But going back at the SCA Promotions case: they haven't got that much back from their connection with Armstrong and that's why they were one of the first to ask their money back. And it worked so I'm afraid for Lance many more cases will follow now. Will the American go bankrupt? Probably not yet but it sure will make him even more frustrated than he already is. He is the black sheep. Again. The only one who has to pay such an amount of money back. Poor Lance? (pun intended)

Should you feel sorry for former King Lance? Actually you should. In a way. There was one tweet that struck me: "This is the man who had everything and might end up with nothing". Armstrong had it all, he was invincible, on top of the world...until they pushed him down. And now, he has nothing. No, even less than nothing. Because he doesn't even deserve nothing according to some. This is the man that ten years ago millions looked up to and now most get a nasty taste in their month just saying his name. Is it his own fault? Partly. But the people spreading hate about Lance right now, are doing exactly the same as Lance did. And the companies that were sued by Lance are now sueing him back. Karma? Might be, but they better watch out, cause Lance doesn't wait for karma, he will hit back. He's a bitch as well.

Catya Leroux

Schumacher: A year later, the fight continues

A year ago German racing champion Michael Schumacher made his annual skiing trip with family and friends. No one knew that their lives would change so drastically. And even now, a year later, it hasn't become easier. Not for Michael's relatives and for us, his fans.

In the last 365 days there hasn't been even one day that Schumi didn't cross my mind for some reason. And it's difficult. It's something I just can't let go because Schumacher means too much for me. The fear is the worst part, the constant fear that he won't win the battle for his life. We have to be realistic and accept that chance, even a year later. Michael might be at home but the word "home" is actually way too positive. Home is a private hospital with a medical staff of over ten specialists who monitor him around the clock. Home in this case is still a hospital, just on his own estate.

It's the truth, as far as we know, and we have to accept that the road is still very long. But that doesn't mean we should just give up because neither will Schumacher. "If there is one man who can win this battle, it's Michael", is a thought many fans and family hang on to. Including myself. Schumi is a fighter, he has always been and he will always be. Failure was never an option and it still isn't. Der Kaiser is physically and mentally extremely strong and with the constant support of his family he can win this thing. I still believe in that very much. It won't be easy and will still take years probably but he will win. Like in the good old days.

Michael Schumacher's fight and later in 2014 also the accident of Jules Bianchi has taught me a valuable lesson. Multiple lessons even. The first is that even Formula One champions, who race on the edge their whole life, who take risk no ordinary person would ever consider, even they are human. It would be nice to think that they are not and that they can survive whatever may happen to them. That if they crash, they just jump out unharmed and already impatiently wait for the next race. In most cases it goes like that but when it doesn't, it goes terribly wrong. As with Jules.

For that reason my respect for every single racer has enlarged a lot. What they are doing and the risk that they are taking time and time again is incredible. Another thing I learnt in 2014 is that you never know what's around the corner and waiting around is not the solution. We should get most out of our lives, friendships, passions and professions because you never know what tomorrow might bring. Take a chance, follow your heart and do what you want to do, say what you think even when you don't know what response you will get. Because I know it would be one of the first thing Michael and Jules would say if they wake up, "I'm sorry I haven't told you this before". I hope they can still say everything they wanted to say to their family and friends. But maybe they'll never get the chance. We have. And with that message I wish you all the very best for 2015 and may this be the year we get some better news from Michael and Jules. Keep fighting guys and know that we support you through this horrible fight.

Catya Leroux