For a while now, the regulars in the F1 paddocks have had a penchant for a game of poker. Good to hear, it’s a great game! It appears that their game took a higher profile last weekend though at the Hockenheim race circuit.
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone accidentally walked in on drivers including Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil and the retired Michael Schumacher playing the card game in the Force India motor home. Not missing a beat, Ecclestone is believed to have told the group that they should also play a game in the Hockenheim Paddock Club, no doubt mindful of possible PR benefits.
The Paddock Club poker game did indeed go ahead, and Robert Kubica and his manager Daniele Morelli, Nick Heidfeld and his manager Werner Heinz, Flavio Briatore, Giancarlo Fisichella, Vijay Mallya and Bernie himself all put down $1000 apiece and also took part.