The 2004 F1 season starts in Australia tomorrow (or in the middle of the night if you watch it live on TV here in the UK) I'd very much like to see the the red cars defeated for a change, but I'm not sure it's going to happen. Local boys, McLaren had a dismal time in qualifying today, and the only other likely challengers, Williams didn't do much better.

And if you're wondering, or hard of seeing(!) no I'm not out in Melbourne with a 1Dmk2, this stunningly realistic pic (!) was made on our dining table at home. A little model of a McLaren on a greycard track, with a green throw for the grass. Much cheaper than an F1 photographers pass! Speed effect by turning the zoom ring during exposure. Well, it kept me out of trouble for a few minutes...