The condition of Michael Schumacher has improved slightly after a second operation to relieve pressure on his brain, his doctors say.
The seven-time Formula 1 champion suffered head injuries on Sunday in a skiing accident in the French Alps.
He remains in intensive care at a hospital in Grenoble.
Doctors say Schumacher, who is being kept in a medically induced coma, is still "not out of danger".
An initial scan on Monday night showed "an improved situation" and indicated a window of opportunity for a second operation, doctors said.
The family took the "difficult decision" to give consent for the procedure, and surgeons operated on Schumacher for about two hours.
"We can't say he is out of danger but... we have gained a bit of time,'' Dr Jean-Francois Payen said on Tuesday. "The coming hours are crucial.
"All the family is very much aware that his state is still sensitive and anything can happen."
Doctors said it was impossible to give a prognosis for his condition in the coming days and months.
Michael Schumacher is continuing to be monitored and assessed hour-by-hour after his skiing accident on Sunday.
A press conference was held this morning (30/12/13) and in it doctors in Grenoble said he remains in a 'critical condition'. The 44-year-old has been put in an artificial coma in a bid to reduce inter-cranial pressure.
Schumacher hit his head on a rock while skiing off piste in the French resort of Meribel yesterday morning. He was airlifted to a local hospital in Meribel, before being transferred to a larger one in Grenoble, where he was immediately operated on to remove a blood clot. There had been reports he had a second operation overnight, however, officials said this was not the case and that currently they do not intend to operate for a second time.
Asked about his future, doctors added that it was 'far too early to say anything as far as prognosis is concerned'.
“We cannot tell you what the outcome will be yet,” reporters were told. “All we can do is wait.
“We are working hour-by-hour, we cannot say anything more, we cannot speculate. He is in a critical situation, and we can say he is fighting for his life.
“We will update you more as soon as we feel it will be useful.”
The injury suffered was described as a 'typical' skiing accident, something that occurs on a 'frequent basis', although it was acknowledged that the fact he was wearing a helmet did help protect him and that without it he would not be here now.
Michael Schumacher is in a critical condition after a skiing accident, says the French hospital treating him.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, suffered serious brain trauma, was in a coma on arrival and underwent a brain operation.
He was skiing off-piste with his son in the French Alps on Sunday when the accident occurred.
Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he fell and hit his head against a rock, his manager Sabine Kehm said.
Early reports had said his condition was not life-threatening and he reportedly walked away from the accident complaining only of feeling a bit shaken.
The accident took place in the French ski resort of Meribel on Sunday morning.
Professor Gerard Saillant, a close ally and friend of Michael Schumacher who oversawhiss medical care when the German broke his leg in the 1999 British GP, and his former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt are at the hospital tonight.
My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher, his family and friends tonight.
Basically the last post for 2013 as I am off for a few weeks with family. All that means is a Happy Christmas/Holidays to you all and see you in 2014.
Bye.
Last month, I did a posts on the Top Six Gordon Murray race cars. However, a former chassis design engineer at McLaren and a few of my friends quietly stated that my number one choice the McLaren MP4/4 was not designed by Gordon Murray but Steve Nichols designed the McLaren MP4/4, so basically my error.
So this post is the top six Gordon Murray race cars (Re-altered), starting with number six:
Number 6: 1978 Brabham BT46B – aka the "fan car"
Story: Brabham BT46B was powered by 3 litre Alfa Romeo Flat-12 engine that that produces 500 bhp. And the story goes that once Lotus had introduced the concept of ground effect to the Formula One with the Lotus 79 in 1978. Gordon Murray who designed the Brabham BT46 could not put ground effect technique onto the car due to Alfa Romeo flat-12 engine used by Brabham that season was too wide to permit the venturi tunnels needed for really significant ground effect. So, the Brabham BT46B was inspired by the Chaparral 2J sticking a fan at the rear of the Brabham BT46B to dubbed the car to many as the "fan car". It only managed to do one Grand Prix and winning its only Grand Prix, the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix with Niki Lauda. Afterwards the Brabham BT46B 'fan car' never raced again. It is popularly thought that it was banned, but it was actually voluntarily withdrawn by Brabham themselves. All in all a legendary car none the less.
Number 5: 1984 Brabham BT53
Story: The Brabham BT53 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT53 was powered by the BMW four cylinder 1.5 litre turbocharged engine which in 1984 produced about 850 bhp in qualifying, detuned to around 600 bhp for race spec. Brabham BT53 took two victories in 1984, all of them for Nelson Piquet. It did took Brabham to fourth place in the Constructors championship in the 1984 season behind McLaren, Ferrari and Team Lotus in the standings.
Number 4: 1974-75 Brabham BT44
Story: The Brabham BT44 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT44 was powered by the 3 litre V8 Cosworth DFV engine that produces 430 bhp. Brabham BT44 took five victories between 1974 and 1975, four for Carlos Reutemann and one for Carlos Pace. Although the Brabham BT44 never took a drivers' championship in those two seasons. It did took Brabham to second place in the Constructors championship in the 1975 season behind Ferrari in the standings.
Number 3: 1983 Brabham BT52
Story: Brabham BT52 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT52 was powered by the BMW four cylinder 1.5 litre turbocharged engine which in 1983 produced about 850 bhp in qualifying, detuned to around 600 bhp for race spec. Brabham BT52 took four wins in 1983, three for Nelson Piquet and one for Riccardo Patrese. While Nelson Piquet driving the Brabham BMW BT52 took the drivers championship in 1983 and winning his second of his third F1 drivers championship. And took Brabham to third place in the Constructors championship that year.
Number 2: 1979-82 Brabham BT49
Story: Brabham BT49 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT49 was powered by the 3 litre V8 Cosworth DFV engine that produces 490 bhp. Brabham BT49 took seven wins in two and a half years, six for Nelson Piquet and one for Riccardo Patrese. While Nelson Piquet driving the Brabham BT49 took the drivers championship in 1981 and winning his first of his third F1 drivers championship. And took Brabham to second place in the Constructors championship that year.
Number 1: 1995 McLaren F1 GTR
Story: Basically the McLaren F1 GTR developed from the McLaren F1 road car. Designed by Gordon Murray, the McLaren F1 GTR had 600 bhp from a BMW 6.1 litre V12. The McLaren F1 GTR was a grand touring race winning machine, winning races in series such as the BPR Global GT Series, FIA GT Championship, JGTC, and British GT Championship. But, It is most famous for its overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans where Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing team of Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya and JJ Lehto, won the race overall ahead of faster purpose-built prototypes. Also in that race, four McLaren F1 GTR finished inside the top five after 24 hours as-well(1st-3rd-4th-5th place). As this is the best Gordon Murray race car he has ever designed.
End of blog for now, new post soon. Bye.
Today (21/12/13), Sauber confirmed they will retain Esteban Gutierrez for the 2014 Formula 1 season.
This is a very good decision from Sauber to keep Esteban Gutierrez for another season at least in my opinion as he's a talent driver. Also, Sauber has confirmed that it has extended its deal with Telmex into next season, which cemented the deal even further.
Meanwhile Sergey Sirotkin has been appointed as Sauber's test driver for the 2014 Formula 1 season. Who was rumoured with the drive at Sauber next season, whose presence in the team is linked to an investment deal with Russian companies. However, he was too inexperienced to earn an F1 licence. Which, I believe its the right decision due to his inexperienced and I think another season in Formula Renault 3.5 series or GP2 series will help him more.
With Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil as their drivers at Sauber next season, Sergey Sirotkin as their test driver, sponsorships in place, and Ferrari V6 turbo engines for next seasons. Things are looking up for the Sauber team.
End of post for now, new post soon, bye.
Today, BBC has revealed its coverage plans for all F1 races in 2014. Nine races will be shown live on BBC One, includes these races:
- 30 March: Malaysia
- 11 May: Spain
- 8 June: Canada
- 6 July: Britain
- 24 August: Belgium
- 7 September: Italy
- 5 October: Japan
- 12 October: Russia
- 23 November: Abu Dhabi
While the other ten races, there will be extended highlights programmes on BBC One, of either 90-minute or two-hour duration depending on race location.
My only concern is that there is no Monaco Grand Prix and no Brazilian Grand Prix live on the BBC, due to its the Monaco Grnad prix and the history behind it, and the Brazilian Grand Prix usually a great race to watch; and Brazil next season is round 17 of the championship and not the final round might be a reason. But apart form that, all and all, good choices from the BBC for next season.
End of post for how, new post soon, bye.
