Formula One and April updates

In the motoring world generally, and the world of F1 specifically, all eyes as I write this weekend are on Miami, FLA, and the return, after an enforced five-week break, of the F1 World Championship brought about by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi GPs due to the effects of the Iran war.

Just about every team has worked flat out to produce upgrades for their cars to try to improve things for their drivers. Ferrari has eleven upgrades, McLaren has brought seven and both these teams seem to be producing measurable improvements.

So much so that the ‘Status Quo’ from 2025 was restored in McLaren’s favour as they immediately took first and second places in the 19 lap Sprint race with Glastonbury boy, Lando Norris, taking the top spot. That came only a few hours before the all-important qualifying for the Grand Prix proper. What happened next is anyone’s guess but both cars seemed to lose some deployment and dropped to fourth and seventh, respectively.

Ferrari seems to be ‘in the mix’ with excellent performances from Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, although, at the end of the period, they didn’t quite achieve the best places on the grid order created by Qualifying. Sadly, Aston Martin, even with their huge budgets and financial backing are still very much in the doldrums as they struggle to find the root of their problems. Mercedes dominated the opening races and put their young Superstar, Kimi Antonelli in pole position for the Grand Prix but UK teammate, George Russell was uncharacteristically a few places further down the grid.

The Race itself started late Sunday night (Spanish time) and, by the time you read this, the winner will be known. Sadly, not quite in time for our copy deadline! If I have to guess, I’d say Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes but, we’ll see!

The Classic & Sportscar Club

Always busy and always organising events, this past month has been no exception!

The April Classic & Sportscar Run

After good attendance at the Club’s monthly lunch at La Sierra Restaurante in Cerros del Aguila attention tuned to the Club’s classic and sports car run the following Saturday, which was centred on the 5-Star InMood Hotel in San Roque. A number of members and participants stayed at the Hotel on the Friday night and were greeted with rather damp and windy conditions at the Start on Saturday morning. Thankfully, no rain came and a beautiful route was enjoyed by all, heading out through the countryside towards Castellar and Jimena de la Frontera and via San Pablo de Buceite before heading for coffee near Gaucin and another stop in Sotogrande Port. Lunch was taken at the InMood Hotel which sadly met with rather a mixed response from participants but an enjoyable day nonetheless.

Track Day at Guadix

As if the Saturday run was not enough, organiser Ian Giles and a number of members, set off Saturday evening for the Alpujarras and a night-stop at the Hotel Senorio de Nevada where an excellent dinner was enjoyed along with a good night’s sleep before departing Sunday morning for the fabulous Circuito MikeG Guadix which is about 80 Kms east of Granada. An early start was necessary to be in time for the drivers briefing at 9.30am and a full day of ‘open pit-lane’ motoring until 5pm that day.

There must have been about a dozen Porsches from the POCA (Porsche Owners Club of Andalucia) and a half dozen or so TVR’s over from the UK that combined with a mix of other cars from the Classic & Sportscar Club. Probably the quickest car on track was a stunning Porsche GT3-RS, much enjoyed by this writer. Surprise of the day was the capabilities and sheer speed of the all-electric Porsche Taycan, also tried by your correspondent and which proved to be quite astonishing. It changed my view of electric cars completely. But, don’t worry, I’m not about to head down the electric road just yet- there’s too much fun still to be had from the internal combustion engine!

The Track Day was all about introducing enthusiastic drivers to the disciplines of track driving and I think all agreed that they learned a lot and that the day was incredibly worthwhile. Thanks to all at Circuito MikeG Guadix for making it all possible.

Cars and Coffee Meeting, April

Continuing unabated, the Club then organised a Cars and Coffee meeting the following Sunday at YANX American Diner in Centro Plaza, Puerto Bánus. Over 100 cars turned up, giving owners and spectators alike the chance to enjoy socialising, coffee and/or breakfast whilst wandering gently around looking at some fabulous cars.

Many stayed on after the 1.00 PM ‘closing’ time to enjoy a great lunch at YANX. And all in the warm sunshine!

The next ‘Cars and Coffee’ meeting takes place on Sunday, May 17 at the same venue. All are welcome. Membership is not necessary. The cost of entry is only €15 which includes €10 to spend in YANX. Don’t miss it, Start time is 10am.

The CSCC May Classic & Sportscar Run

The CSCC organises at least one single-day event each month. A different start and finish point and a completely different route each month. These events are really popular and are a great way to relax, enjoy the driving but, most importantly, to enjoy the countryside, the scenery and the many panoramic views on quiet, almost traffic-free roads in this stunningly beautiful part of Spain.

Information on these events can be found on the Club website, which is www.csccspain.com or by email to csccspain@gmail.com.

The May event will Start at 11am from Venta Perejil, on the A-7 coast road between San Pedro and Estepona and will Finish with lunch at the fabulous Le Papillon Beach Restaurante near Elviria.

New members are welcome but membership is necessary to enjoy participating in the monthly Runs.

The Summer Party

Lastly, the CSCC has its famous ‘Summer Party’ at the Tamisa Golf Hotel on Mijas Costa on Saturday, June 27.  Always great fun with good food and live music for dining and dancing. Contact the CSCC for more information and to book your place!

That’s about it from me for now, happy motoring, I’ll be back next month.