Sebastian Vettel on the Circuit of the Americas

On the Jules Bianchi Crash at the Japan Grand Prix

During the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Jules Bianchi, the 25 year old Marussia driver from Nice, France,   was critically injured in a crash on the 43th lap on the Suzuka Circuit.  The race was subsequently red flagged and declared over at 44 laps with Mercedes driver Lee Hamilton placing in first.  

Weather conditions had wrecked havoc, as the race was red flagged after two laps because of the rain.  When racing resumed twenty minutes later, it was under a safety care for eight laps before conditions were suitable for regular racing. 

The chronology of fateful events had driver Adrian Sutil following Bianchi on the 43rd lap.  Sutil started to aquaplane and spun out into the tire barrier on turn eight as the rain intensified.  As recovery vehicles were in process of removing Sutil's vehicle from the track, Bianchi's car struck a tractor and careened into a barrier.

Bianchi was unconscious when he was removed from the wreckage. He was suffering from severe head injuries and then underwent an operation to reduce swelling on the brain.  This was the first serious crash on the F1 circuit since Felipe Massa's crash at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Those closely associated with Formula One racing expressed profuse concern over Jules Bianchi's condition.  Many noted how the race results were secondary to how their racing comrade was doing.  This humane attitude was a marked contrast to New York Giant co-owners Steve Tisch's crass comments about the chances of ebola effecting the Dallas Cowboys. 

F.I.F.A.'s Red Card for Formula One Helmet Celebrating German World Cup Victory

Formula One driver Nico Rosberg had a grand plan to honor his native Germany winning the World Cup.  The German Grand Prix will be held in Hockenham, Germany.  The 29 year old driver for Mercedes Benz "Silver Arrow" team planned to sport a helmet which celebrated Germany's fourth World Cup victory in Rio de Janeiro.

Unfortunately, trademark troubles threw a spanner in the works for this Formula One tribute.  F.I.F.A. gave a red card to the design as the trophy's likeness was protected.  F.I.F.A issued a firm but friendly denial to Rosberg's design.

"We appreciate Nico Rosberg's desire to congratulate the German team and have therefore been in discussions with the Rosberg team, who have now found a solution whereby he will still be able to show his support for Germany without using FIFA's intellectual property in a commercial context."

If only the international football organization was consistent in protecting its trademark from Formula One racers.  In 2006,  Jarno Trulli raced in the French Grand Prix with an image of the trophy on his helmet celebrating Italty's victory, and he suffered no sanctions. 



Rosberg tweeted that he understood F.I.F.A.'s trophy trademark prohibition. 

 Rosberg tweaked his helmet design to include four gold stars marking Germany's World Cup wins.

Vijay Mallya on Formula One