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Robert: Hello
Jackie: And you've been a fan of Formula One for a long time, haven't you?
Robert: Um... since the mid fifties really.
Jackie: So a lot of changes since then.
Robert: Oh tremendous changes, yeah, it's a completely different world really.
Jackie: Right. Let's start with the cars.
Robert: Oh the cars originally, if you go back to little small Coopers, four wheels...
Jackie: But they have four wheels now.
Robert: There was a Tyrell with 6 wheels.
Jackie: Oh right, okay.
Robert: Four front wheels. It didn't last very long but it was an idea that was thought it might have possibilities. And now of course they're so sophisticated with wings and little bits of metal to guide...
Jackie: What, sorry, wings... what do they have wings for?
Robert: The wings basically increase the downforce.
Jackie: Right
Robert: They can adjust the wings so that it enables them to corner faster because the car's being pressed down on the ground and the tyres adhere to the surface more readily.
Jackie: Safety has changed a lot as well, hasn't it?
Robert: Oh, safety has changed tremendously. Um... one can't forget Jackie Stewart.
Jackie: The Scottish... the Scottish driver.
Robert: The Scottish driver who won the world championship but saw so many of his friends killed.
Jackie: That's in the eighties?
Robert: Seventies, eighties, yes.
Jackie: Right
Robert: Um... and he was determined that things shouldn't stay as they were, that a lot could be done to make it safer and still be exciting and he persevered with that and now... now you see the most horrific accidents taking place and the driver gets out and shakes his head and walks off.
Jackie: It's amazing, isn't it? I mean no one has died since Senna in 1994.
Robert: That's right.
Jackie: Which is fantastic, isn't it?
Robert: Yes, it is. Yes, it is.
Jackie: Robert, have you actually seen a Grand Prix yourself?
Robert: Yes, er... I went to the Monte Carlo Grand Prix.
Jackie: Oh wow! When was that?
Robert: Er... that was 1979.
Jackie: So some time ago.
Robert: Yes, it was.
Jackie: Was it exciting?
Robert: UM... I think my main impression of that... because Mont Carlo is what it is, it's a built up town circuit and if you're anywhere near... amongst the buildings and the cars are coming round, it is one horrific noise.
Jackie: Yeah, so it's a fantastic spectator sport then?
Robert: Oh yes, yes. Got to be in the right place of course, you know, but some... some of the circuits offer... offer wonderful, exciting times to watch a race.
Jackie: Now of course it's in the Middle East as well, Bahrain has a circuit, it's very popular in Asia.
Robert: Yeah that's right. It's spreading worldwide um... Bernie Ecclestone, um... as... as the big chief for... for motor racing, he's a money- grabbing man...[both laugh]
Jackie: Well, it's an expensive sport.
Robert: It's a very expensive sport and therefore countries like the Middle East have got the money and they're willing to invest in building a complete circuit in the desert from scratch.
Jackie: And... and he can see those possibilities.
Robert: He can see them indeed.
Jackie: So a truly global sport that's here to stay.
Robert: Assuming the petrol doesn't run out, yes.[both laugh]
Jackie: Robert, thank you very much.
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