F1 way back when...

This is a poem i wrote just before the 2013 F1 season started...Its a VERY long one but just wanted to know what you thought...

 

F1 way back when...

Way back when,
Fangio was king.
F1 was a new concept,
and they raced round a 14 mile Nurgburgring.

Real men raced at speed,
wearing cotton shirts.
No seatbelts
and, helmets made out of tweed.

If you crashed,
it was unlikely you'd walk away.
Which is completely different
from the men that are racing today.

Then came the 60's
Lotus and Colin Chapman caused a spark.
Signing a young Scottish farmer,
by the name of Jim Clark.

Over the next few years,
Chapman and Clark took glory and fame.
But, Chapman's designs killed man,
which tarnished his reputation and name.

In 1965, BRM signed Jackie Stewart,
another young Scott.
In years to come,
he would change Grand Prix racing a hell of a lot!

A year later in '66,
Bruce McLaren, from New Zealand would arrive.
Becoming a race winner at 22,
In Belgium, what an amazing drive.

The big boys Ferrari,
were getting left behind.
F1 was quick becoming a development race,
faster cars, and quicker drivers signed.

In 1986,
Jackie Stewart lost his best friend.
Jim Clark died tragically,
while going round a Hockenheim bend.

1969 Graham Hill won his last Grand Prix,
he was the 'Master Of Monaco'.
Bruce McLaren was killed in 1970,
He inspired people more than he'll ever know!

A safety campaign,
shortly after begun.
With Jackie leading the way,
because he was the world number 1.

A bigger rule book was formed,
on what you could and couldn't do.
Helmets, overalls, and seatbelts made compulsory,
and rightly so too!

Stewart became three time world champ,
but, a new battle was to rise.
Between party animal James Hunt, and Nikki Lauda,
in 1976 with McLaren, Hunt took 1st prize.

The 80's came,
McLaren began its rise to the top.
Their progress hindered slightly by Williams and Ferrari,
but, that would soon all stop.

1984 saw a true talent arrive,
from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A guy named Ayrton Senna,
and WOW could he drive.

Ron Dennis signed Senna in 1988,
along with Alain Prost.
McLaren won four titles in a row,
As you may imagine not many races were lost.

1992 saw McLaren's dominance fade,
Mansell took his first title.
With Williams,
all be it with the help of electronic aid.

The '93 season,
was to be Alain Prosts last.
Standing on the podium with Senna,
a sad moment was cast.

As visits to the podium,
it was the last for both of them.
On 1st May '94 Senna was killed,
a legend, a hero, the greatest of men.

This created a path,
for another young star.
Germany's Michael Schumacher,
hell, would he go far!

He won his first two titles with Benneton,
in '94 and '95.
In the years to come,
a move to Ferrari would see him thrive.

1997 saw Damon Hill,
win his one and only title.
To live up to his dad Graham,
this was absolutely vital.

A year on Jacques Villeneuve,
did what his dad failed to do.
Claiming his first title,
however, there was never title number two.

The two years following,
a doubled champion was hailed.
Mika Hakkinen,
seemed he had the F1 balance well and truly nailed.

For the next 5 years,
it was the Ferrari show.
Schumacher took his title tally to seven,
winning five more in a row.

But in 2005,
F1 fans were in for a big shock.
Fernando Alonso racing for Renault,
Schumacher, off the podium he would knock!

'05 and 06'
was Fernandos big chance.
His two titles claimed,
but over his shoulder he should glance.

As, in 2007,
everything was changed.
A certain Lewis Hamilton tuned up,
thinking the grid needed to be slightly rearranged...

Driving for McLaren,
he was quicker than most had seen before.
Winning 4 races that year,
making it the best rookie season of all.

It was Fin Kimi Raikkonen,
who claimed the crown that year.
A man of few words,
but even he'd admit its the highlight of his career.

The following year,
Lewis was strong once more.
Fighting with Massa for the title right till the end,
but as he crossed the line he got what he'd waited his whole life for.

Lewis won that year,
so in '09 McLaren were expected to be strong.
However, with a new team Brawn entering,
people couldn't be more wrong.

With a car livery,
of white and lime green.
Ross Brawn and Jenson Button,
would create a year of F1 racing,
that was very rarely seen.

Claiming his first of 6 wins,
in Australia that year.
It was Brazil where he was crowned champion of the world,
he'd made his talent and skill extremely clear.

McLaren were the first to notice this,
and gave Button a drive.
But, it was Red Bull you should watch out for,
as, to the front of the field they would dive.

2010's championship was close,
out of 5 drivers Vettel took glory and won.
Little did anyone know,
a sporting icon he would become.

It was Vettel again,
in 2011.
A dominant display gave him title number two,
would he challenge Schumacher's seven.

A more competitive field,
emerged a year after.
A fight between Fernando and Vettel
got serious, there was no time for laughter.

Thanks to Adrian Newey's genius,
and quite a lot of luck.
Vettel was victorious,
and rewrote the record book.
Its all change,
for 2013.
Lewis Hamilton moves to Mercedes,
one of the biggest moves F1 has ever seen.

One thing for sure,
is that there's no time to rest.
car launches to be done,
and teams need to be ready for the first winter test.