Horrified of Doha

The news that BA and other airlines will be reporting losses this year comes as no surprise. Indeed the recession/depression in world markets must surely impact tourism and therefore the travel plans of many people. Here in Doha I have noticed a slow-down in the new construction projects such as the Shangri La hotel and the Marriott Garden, both of which book end the City Centre shopping mall. Likewise I’m told things are progressing slowly at the Hilton which is close to my home. If evidence were needed that the travel industry is suffering, there it is.
However, many of us still need to travel and that means we need to get on a plane. Just such a circumstance arose over the weekend. Having had some issues in my racing car the previous weekend we decided to make a few changes and then get some track time in. This means testing on a non race day. Looking at the calendar it seems a good day would be 8th May at Silverstone so having confirmed it with the team I set about booking flights etc.

This is where I believe BA has targeted me in an effort to reduce those losses of which we spoke earlier! Apparently to travel from Doha to LHR on a Thursday evening and return on the following Saturday morning costs twice as much as the same flights but four days apart! Having looked around for alternatives it seems there’s no flights that meet the timing so either I book it or look at alternative dates.

Seems to this simple person that this kind of pricing is exactly why BA and others of that ilk are suffering. Time for a rethink perhaps?

Brawn displays brains.

Good to see that the revived Honda team is showing what its potential really was. With Button and Barrichello they have two good drivers and now a car that, based upon the limited testing, and yesterday’s qualifying, is equally good. Protests about the interpretation of the rear diffusers may have created a bit of intrigue but ultimately the three teams (including Williams and Toyota) have shown that by using their brains they’ve created a sea change in the Formula One Championship and let’s hope it lasts. Going back some years; it was 1977 when Colin Chapman produced his first “wing” car, the Lotus 78 which used airflow to suck the car down to the track surface, and it seems to me that these teams are reflecting that same spirit of ingenuous design approach.

Unfortunately I’m at work so cannot watch the race but I sincerely hope the result reflects qualifying because if ever a team deserved a debut win its one that has shown such fighting spirit.