Bahrain International Circuit Celebrating 10 Years

"What a shame", that's how I felt. How could I have missed these stamps released in 2014 ? May be due to my waning googling skills. I don't know but indeed it was an interesting find nevertheless. A big thanks to Bahrain post for these wonderful commemorative stamps. A Formula One circuit holding races for 10 years is a miracle now-a-days. In fact these commemorative could have come earlier if the 2011 race was not cancelled due to political reasons.

A set of five stamps were issued by Bahrain post to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Bahrain International circuit. But, why 5 stamps ? Yes, Only 5 drivers have won the Bahrain Grand Prix during these 10 years. Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa, Jenson Button & Sebastian Vettel were those who belong to this prestigious list.

Michael Schumacher won the inauguration race in 2004 and Fernando Alonso has won the most number of races ( 3 - 2005, 2006 & 2010 ) here. Felipe Massa won in 2007 & 2008, Sebastian Vettel won in 2012 & 2013 with Jenson Button in 2009.

It's time to keep an eye on Bahrain post. :) 

Stamps on Michele Alboreto, Graham Hill from Monaco Post 2015

Monaco post is something that I can count on every year for a new release of Formula One related stamps. It is not a disappointment though, in fact it is a double delight this year.

Two stamps, one on Michele Alboreto and another on Graham Hill were the surprise release.

Michele Alboreto - An Italian racing driver whose career in Motorsport is very diverse. He participated in championships such as Formula One, Le Mans, Sebring, IndyCar,  European Sportscar, Formula Two, Formula Three. He started his career in Formula Monza, without much success he then moved to Formula Three and finally to Formula One in 1981. His best finish in Formula One was 2nd in 1985 F1 drivers’ championship. He retired from Formula One in 1992 after racing with teams Tyrrell, Ferrari, Larrousse, Footwork, Scuderia Italia, Arrows and Minardi.  He also had a good time in Le Mans racing winning the championship in 1997 for Joest Racing. He died in a crash in 2001 while performing a test drive for Audi. The only other country to release a stamp on Michele was Italy in 2009. 

Graham Hill - He was a British racing driver who holds the record of winning Triple Crown of Motorsport - 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championship. He won the Formula One Championship twice - 1962 and 1968. His son Damon Hill won the Formula One Championship in 1996 and they were the only "father and son" to win the Formula One championship. He was popularly called as "King of Monaco" as he has won 5 Monaco Grand Prix races ( 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969 ). He is part of elite list of 10 Brits who won the Formula One Drivers Championship. He was the second Brit to win the Formula One Championship after Mike Hawthorn. He also won Indy 500 in 1966 and Le Mans in 1972. Graham Hill died in 1975 in a plane crash while piloting his private plane. 

25th Anniversary of SPORTEL, Monaco 2014

Rarely a stamp featuring anything related to formula one goes unnoticed from my attention. This one has a picture of formula racing cars with few other sports featured in the side. This stamp is no way related to commemoration of any racing track or a driver but it is associated to the media which brings all the action to our homes. 

Sportel is a global media event for sports rights owners and buyers, broadcasters, marketing agencies, new media, telcos to trade sport content and programs for television, mobiles and internet. The 2014 event marks its 25th anniversary and since Monaco being the host country, its postal administration released a commemorative stamp to mark this key international event. The release features individual stamp, a sheet of 10 stamps and a FDC.

BTW, the blog has redesigned for a sportier look.