Who should be on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist? Part 1

By Steven Oldham

It's almost that time of year again. A month today, we will know who has succeeded Andy Murray as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. 

Pleasingly, there is no shortage of contenders this year, with standout performers in big sporting occasions including the Winter Olympics, Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games and continental championships in a number of sports.

While the award is seen as old fashioned and irrelevant in some quarters, it still manages to attract A-list stars from all sports to the ceremony and remains a strong ratings winner among the general public.

The official shortlist of contenders is not due til late November, but here I look at who could and should be in the running.

Jo Pavey (Athletics)

European 10,000m champion Jo Pavey
 

The distance runner from Devon should be a certainty for this year's shortlist - and among the favourites to win. She was crowned European 10,000m champion at the age of 40 after a memorable victory in Zurich earlier this year. What's even more is impressive is she gave birth just ten months earlier. That she is still competing at such a competitive level is an inspiration to other athletes - both elite and amateur - who retire or think they are past their best. For this alone she should be included as one of the award's criteria is the impact the athlete has had beyond their achievement. As well as her European title, she also picked up a Commonwealth bronze in Glasgow in the same event just ten days later.

Rory McIlroy (Golf)

2014 has been a standout year for McIlroy
 

Rory McIlroy's stunning year is the perfect antidote to an off-par 2013.  He won the Open Championship for the first time, PGA Championship for a second time and helped Europe to a third consecutive Ryder Cup win. In addition to this he has already been named PGA Player of the Year and returned to number one in the world rankings, a position he has held since May. Rather than affecting him negatively, his romantic split from tennis star Caroline Wozniacki seems to have invigorated his form on the green.  He also settled the debate on which country he will represent at the Olympics in 2016 should he qualify. He'll play for Ireland rather than Great Britain as golf returns to the Olympic programme for the first time in over a century.

 

Claudia Fragapane (Gymnastics)

Fragapane has burst onto the international gymnastics scene in 2014

 

The teenager is eligible to win the Young Sports Personality trophy, but her achievements in 2014 are worth a nomination for the main award.  In her first year of senior competition, she has represented her country at European and international level. She was one of the stars of Glasgow 2014 - taking four gold medals in both team and individual events - all at aged 16 - she only turned 17 in October.  This made her the most successful English female competitor at the Commonwealth Games in over 80 years. She also scored European and British silver medals and if she continues her current rate of progress, could be a leading star for Team GB in the Rio 2016 Olympics.

 

 

Lewis Hamilton (Motor racing)

 

Lewis is one race away from being a double champion

 

 At the time of writing Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is one race away from winning his second world title. Should he triumph, he will become only the fourth Brit to win more than one world title at motor racing's highest table. He now owns the record for most British victories, with 32 surpassing Nigel Mansell's previous best which has stood for over 20 years. In every race he has finished, he has stepped onto the podium. A crucial five straight victories in the latter part of the season has helped him catch and overtake Mercedes team mate and title rival Nico Rosberg. The pairing have both contribute to their dominant team racking up the most points by one constructor in a season in history with a hefty 86 points still available in the final race in Abu Dhabi, where double points are controversially awarded for the first time.

 



 

 Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton)

 

Team GB's sole gold medallist in Sochi: Lizzy Yarnold

 



Lizzy Yarnold continued Team GB's proud record in the skeleton event at the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February as she won the same title as compatriot Amy Williams did four years earlier. Despite not being an atypical winter sports country, this was the fourth consecutive Games a British woman has stepped onto the podium in this event. Her triumph was the highlight of a successful Games for Britain, who enjoyed their best Games since 1924 with four medals. Largely down to her success, UK Sport funding for skeleton was almost doubled for the next Olympic cycle to the Pyeongchang Games in 2018, as part of a record level investment in winter sports following the British Olympic and Paralympic teams outperforming targets with a total of ten medals. And Yarnold? She wants to defend her title in Korea.

 

You can read part two of this blog HERE

 

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England's Helen Clitheroe not retiring after Commonwealth Games...but risks being 'strung up' if she guns for Rio 2016!

 

Who will be the next driver to win his first F1 race after Daniel Ricciardo's Montreal success?

 

"Legacy? What legacy?" ask British basketballers, weightlifters and water polo players as UK Sport funding withdrawn

 



Who will be the next driver to win his first F1 race after Daniel Ricciardo's Montreal success?

By Steven Oldham

Yesterday's breathtaking Canadian Grand Prix ended with a very popular first win for Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, the first driver to secure a maiden victory since Pastor Maldonado in 2012.

It seems much more likely for the Red Bull driver to add to his success than the Venezuelan who continues to endure a dismal season at Lotus.  His star continues to rise in no small part due to outperforming his four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel all season.

There are now nine race winners on this year's grid - Rosberg, Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Raikonnen, Button,  Massa, Ricciardo and Maldonado - so who will be the next to break their duck at the highest level?

It may not happen this season, but surely it's only a matter of time for the following men to take the top step on the podium.

(nicohulkenberg.com)

Nico Hulkenberg Force India
Best all time result: 4th (Belgium 2012,Korea 2013)
Best 2014 result: 5th (Malaysia, Bahrain, Monaco, Canada)

The nearly-man of Formula 1 so far this decade. The German has the talent to take him to a top team but in hindsight must be glad Lotus plumped for Maldonado's sponsorship money with their troubles this year, and the genuine competitiveness of Force India's latest machine.  They continue to outperform bigger, more established teams and Hulkenberg is enjoying his most profitable season to date.  He only needs six points to match his season-best total from two years ago just seven races into the season.  He showed both speed and smarts to take pole position in his rookie year at Williams in Interlagos and continues to impress with both his defensive and attacking driving. It's surely only a matter of time before he moves on to one of the big four and that may mean his wait for victory goes on a little while longer.




(sergioperez.mx)

Sergio Perez Force India
Best all time result: 2nd (Malaysia 2012, Italy 2012)
Best 2014 result: 3rd (Bahrain)

Force India's impressive season is the result of smart driver choice for 2014. Eager to prove he was not just a flash in the pan success at Sauber, Perez has rediscovered the sort of form that was so evidently absent at McLaren last year. The Mexican has proved his doubters wrong this year and has already claimed a podium finish in Sakhir.  His aggressive driving style does sometimes come in for criticism - former teammate Jenson Button and Pastor Maldonado are just two of the drivers he's had numerous scrapes with.  However this steel is evident in all the top drivers, although it's often more controlled. Perez is no longer a newcomer to the sport and will want to overcome the disappointment of yesterday's last lap crash with Felipe Massa, which he has been punished for.  Force India may not find themselves so near the front again this season but he has shown he has the skills to drag a midtable car to the front of the field.



(pitpass.com)

Romain Grosjean Lotus
Best all time result: 2nd (Canada 2012, USA 2013)
Best 2014 result: 8th (Spain, Monaco)

The Frenchman appears to still be a positive and friendly racing driver this year despite testing times for both Lotus and engine supplier Renault.  He must be frustrated deep down at the step back Lotus have taken this year though.  Last year he redeemed himself from the many nightmares of 2012 in some style, taking an impressive six podiums, pushing more illustrious teammate Kimi Raikonnen close and gaining the upper hand on many occasions.  He's always had pace but now is a more complete driver.  It's fast approaching 20 years since we last had a French racewinner (Olivier Panis' memorable Monaco win in 1996) and if Lotus sort themselves out next year, Grosjean could open his account.  Sadly he will have no chance this season, and may need to move out of his comfort zone and switch teams to further his ambitions.

 There are many more talented young drivers on the grid this year who I think will go on to be racewinners - drivers such as McLaren's Kevin Magnussen, Williams' Valtteri Bottas and it will be interesting to see if Jules Bianchi can capitalise on his undoubted talent when he eventually leaves Marussia.

Who do you think will win a race first? Hulk? Checo? Or am I selling the young blood short - will Magnussen beat the lot of them to a maiden win? Let me know here on on Twitter.

Jules Bianchi shines as Marussia score first ever points in Monaco Grand Prix

By Steven Oldham

Frenchman Jules Bianchi put in a star turn by scoring both his and Marussia's first points in Formula 1 in an action packed Monaco Grand Prix today.

Bianchi finished eighth, but was classified ninth to score two points after receiving two penalties, one which was applied after the race.

He was given two five second stop and go penalties - the first for being out of place on the grid - and the second for taking the first penalty in a safety car period which is not allowed under FIA regulations.

Despite this, he managed to avoid the numerous accidents and spins and record his best result in a race with many retirements. Kimi Raikonnen and Kevin Magnussen's coming together no doubt helped him but he kept a clear head and got the car home ahead of the much more established Lotus car of Romain Grosjean.

Bianchi has impressed in his Formula 1 career so far. His hands have been tied somewhat with the lack of resources Marussia have to drag themselves away from the back of the grid but his two points today will be invaluable in the title battle with Caterham this year.  He's had the better of Max Chilton in race pace more often than not, if not the reliability of the British driver. 



Jules and Marussia celebrate (@Marussia_F1Team)

Main rivals Caterham were also close to gaining their first points as Marcus Ericsson eventually came 11th, and Marussia will be grateful Magnussen managed to recover his McLaren to claim the final point.

If Bianchi does leave after this season - he looks destined for bigger things and his place in the Ferrari Driver Academy confirms he is well thought of in the biggest teams - he looks likely to have secured  Marussia a top ten championship place for a second season running.

There are a lot of races left to go obviously, and it's not impossible either Ericsson or Kamui Kobayashi will match or eclipse Bianchi's points scoring exploits. But races like today are few and far between, with the attrition rate so high and narrow tracks like Monaco a rarity in modern Formula 1.

Bianchi however was in a class of one in the battle of the smaller teams today.  His determined, rugged overtake of Kobayashi, following Raikonnen through seemed to be the catalyst for his best performance in an F1 car to date.

It's because of his performance Marussia sit ninth in the constructors table - ahead of Sauber - on merit - with two points.  It's also one of the reason he won't be with the team next year. But what a brilliant early leaving present he's given his team.

Caterham and Marussia need to up their game with Haas Racing and another new team joining the F1 party in 2015

By Steven Oldham

The announcement that Nascar team boss Gene Haas' entry to Formula 1 has been accepted by the FIA should act as an incentive for Caterham and Marussia to up their performance.

Haas - whose estimated $740 million personal worth dwarfs budgets up and down the grid - is set to lead an American team to the grid for the first time since the ill fated US F1 outfit went bust before the season opener in 2010.

Both Marussia and Caterham debuted in that year under different names (alongside the now defunct HRT) but have still yet to score a point. 

The battle between the two teams to finish tenth in the constructors table - and the extra funds unlocked for doing so - has been an interesting side note in recent seasons - but finishing tenth this year could be more important than ever.

With the Haas entry and the as yet unconfirmed 13th team, the chances of either outfit coming in the top ten next year are reduced - either by outright performance, reliability or sheer pot luck.

Caterham's 2014 car (thanks to Autosport for the photo)

Caterham boss Tony Fernandes has been outspoken about the sport's failure to implement a budget cap since the last intake of teams and is unlikely to relish the thought of a cash-rich new entry leapfrogging his team in their first season.  The lack of a cap has undoubtedly hindered both backmarker teams as the likes of Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari continue to pour vast amounts into their budgets.

Talented American racer Alexander Rossi - and Caterham reserve driver - may also have his head swayed if Haas takes the patriotic route new teams often do with a home driver in a race seat.

Marussia and Caterham are not the only pointless teams after the opening races but, as bad as Lotus and Sauber have started the year, they are surely more likely to collect points, so it's imperative they hit the ground running from the European season onwards when the first new upgrades to their cars are likely to arrive.

Max Chilton's ability to get his car to the end of a race - he has still yet to retire over a year into his F1 career - could prove critical and his pair of 13th places in Australia and Bahrain have given Marussia an early lead, with Caterham's Kamui Kobayashi finishing in the same place in Malaysia.

More teams in F1 can only be a good thing - more cars means more overtaking and more interesting racing - but the existing strugglers need to be able to hold their own or face a further slide down the rankings and maybe into total non-existence.

Marussia MR03 in testing (thanks to Getty Images for photo)

Red Bull's fuel sensor argument needs to be investigated after Ricciardo's Australian Grand Prix disqualification

By Steven Oldham

Following Daniel Ricciardo's disqualification in today's Australian Grand Prix, it is important that Red Bull's appeal leads to the problematic fuel sensors installed in all Formula 1 cars being tested ahead of the next race in two weeks.

Ricciardo was disqualified after post-race scrutineering found his car had consistently exceeded the maximum 100kg/hr fuel-flow limit throughout today's race.

The stewards followed the letter of the law and excluded the new Red Bull driver from the results,  who, for a few hours at least, was the first Australian to finish on the podium in his home race.

On the face of it, the decision to exclude Ricciardo can't be argued with - a clear break of the regulations leads to disqualification - indeed the FIA had pre warned teams there would be no leniency.

However, the way Red Bull and team principal Christian Horner have come out fighting are not the actions of a team who have knowingly broke the rules.  Their intent to appeal citing faults with the fuel sensors is one that will be interesting and perhaps vital for this season's championship, even at this early stage.

Horner points to problems with the sensors in free practice, and that the replacements installed by the FIA in time for Saturday qualifying, failed completely.

The result of Red Bull's appeal could have consequences for the entire field.  Now doubts have been raised about the capability of the fuel sensors, it is the governing body's responsibility to assure teams, drivers and fans that they work properly.

If they are faulty, Ricciardo was the unlucky one this weekend - who next? These sensors are not optional extras.  Any one (or more) of the drivers could fall foul of breaking regulations due to equipment giving false readings.

This is why all teams should back Red Bull's appeal and push for the equipment to be tested to ensure it's working properly.  It would be easy for teams to turn their backs and quietly accept the extra points gained by their cars today, but it is in all their interests to make sure there is a level playing field.

As for Ricciardo, it's a great shame he lost his place.  He put in a superb performance all weekend and looks to have made the step up from Toro Rosso to the senior team with ease.  An encouraging sign for the rest of the season, it's important he doesn't let today's events knock his confidence ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix in two weeks.

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Successful winter tests should give Williams cautious optimism for new F1 season

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Successful winter tests should give Williams cautious optimism for new F1 season

By Steven Oldham

While winter testing times are notoriously unreliable in gauging teams' real competitiveness come race day, the consistently quick laps put in by Williams should give the team renewed optimism ahead of the season opener in Melbourne in two weeks time.

After a poor ninth place finish in last year's constructor's championship, it is heartening to see Williams back at the top of the timing screens, even if it is only testing.

Never far away from initial pacesetters Mercedes and Force India, Williams have racked up an impressive amount of running in testing this year - only the Silver Arrows have put more km on the clock than Williams' 4,645km.

Bearing that in mind, it is no surprise to see the Mercedes and Williams near the front of the field - there is no such thing as too much mileage - every lap will give the teams more information.  By contrast, the recently all conquering Red Bull team lag way behind after a nightmare preseason, some 3,000km of valuable data behind their main contenders Mercedes.

A major factor in Williams' upturn is their switch from Renault to Mercedes engines.  It appears to be a canny decision to move engine suppliers - it is no coincidence that the Renault-engine teams have struggled as the French supplier struggles to adjust to the new regulations.  Red Bull and Lotus in particular have suffered in steep contrast to their success last year.

Meanwhile, the teams using German-badged engines have flourished.  A lot can change on race day, but it seems certain the popular team have turned a corner and will improve on last season's dismal showing.

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