Formula 1 Sochi 2017

[msmob]

If you can get to Sochi I have two free Main Grandstand tickets for :

Thurs - Pit lane access - you get close to the teams,

Fri - 1 and 2nd Practice sessions

Sat- Practice 3 and qualifying

Sun - The Race and associated support races.

I have already offered another 1 to a member - but these tickets are for FANS.. if you want to bring a loved one - let me know I'll try to get a promotional / staff price. The free ones are for members only

Your GP tickets double up as a Free rail ticket on race day ( return for free all the way to / from Krasnodar ) and accommodation isn't THAT expensive - if you stay in Sochi and get the train direct to the circuit - the stop after the Olympic Village. The F1 media circus, teams and drivers stay in the Olympic Park bed factories.


S.C went with friends last year and pronounced it boring - so won't be coming:)

I won't be in the Grandstand - as I'm the UK rep for the organisers and will be in the stand opposite.

IF you are a fan - it's one of the best value F1 events and Thursday is one of my fav days as the crowds can get really close to the cars and drivers.

IF anyone is interested - I'm sure you'll find a way to contact me

[msmob]

Arrived in Sochi for the preparations for the F1 show - it was beautiful weather - snow-capped mountains in the distance and S.C. waiting to pick me up and get out of the airport



Sadly, one just can't just tip up - one must 'register' one's visa. Years ago this involved wasting hours of one's life with the Federal Migration Service - now ... 20 mins at the Post Office !

 

Then off to YOTA to kick my data sim into life - I use it in a Mi-Fi router and it allows my UK based mobile ( cell) to call the UK as if I'm there - not bad - considering it's 4 USD / minute roaming ... 1000 roubles / month for unlimited data at min. 20MBs is preferable.
 

[msmob]

This year, yours truly is doing all the English PA announcements for the event  - so you will hear my dulcet tones on the PA system - if you tune in over the race weekend.))

Got stopped by the Russian Traffic Police - AGAIN, on the way to the circuit... )  This time madame was at the wheel and had taken the wrong motorway exit and sent us 5 km up the motorway spur  to the Mountain resorts.. She was late leaving the motorway and her erratic driving - naturally attracted the attention of 'Mr DPS Policeman'...She had been driving down the middle of both lanes -  'indecision'

 I shut up - but when it looked like he was going to issue a fine - I heard the word 'straf' - I introduced myself as her 'guide' - pointing out the 'navigator' - sat nav was in front of me - and I had told her left - meaning right. really - so it was 'my fault' - and that we were late for a meeting at the F1 circuit.  S.C proudly told him I was the 'voice' of the weekend )

He cracked - let her off with a warning to " listen to me - but only if I spoke better Russian "  and off we went !

Got a great shot of the Airport runway - looking out to sea, though - so was 'glad' of the diversion.





We arrived at the ticket office and Maxim - a student of Sochi University - whom I knew from last year - handed me over my accreditation and off we headed to the Media Centre

My desk is in a huge office that overlooks the Start / Finish straight and I had Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen for 'company'





Took the bus back - 55 Roubles  - and it dropped me off near home.

I will drive tomorrow as although it was 23C and sunny, today - it will only be 11C and rainy, tomorrow  
 

[msmob]

So, today I was recording the English PA announcements... BOY  getting the emphasis on some Russian Pop / Rock stars names - who will be appearing during the F1 weekend - HARD

Andrey - who is in charge of AV Media techie stuff  - took me to the 'Cooldown Room' - where the Podium drivers take on fluids, check their times and positions of other competitors and prefer their sponsors' caps - before appearing on the podium - after the race.



I'm not a  shy person - but it was scary using profession kit, wearing headphones and reading from scripts ....

[msmob]

It's fascinating to watch the kit arrive and erected, so quickly and even MORE impressive how quickly it is packed away ! FOM ( Formula 1 Management ) and the Sports governing body (FIA) guys are now on the ground erecting temporary buildings and large cargo aircraft are delivery huge boxes of kit  - in addition to that arriving by sea .




S.C. is NOT into F1 and yesterday the weather was good - so it was time to hit the beach )  They rescued a Cormorant that was clearly injured - and exhausted - following a storm 36 hours early. There is an elderly that rescues sea birds and it was too big to fit in the lady's normal shopping bag.  They walked to the local park - where there is a zoo and delivered the bird to the vet, there




On the way back from the zoo, she stopped and posed - many FSU ladies like to pose - amongst the greenery and flowers that make Sochi so beautiful



Note the 'Irish content' - an Aran Sweater ! It is just about sunset and the temperature is falling to 16C / 61F

Meanwhile, one of the volunteers - a student from Portugal - was doing a passable rendition of Fernando Alonso ..



He took this photo of a team garage - before it is 'taken over' - and filled with kit

[msmob]

It's the Monday that marks 4 days until the 'stars of F1' start arriving. From Thursday, the general public can start using their tickets to visit the pit lanes.

The weather has been DREADFUL - wind and driving rain - this would make for a great GP - but Svetlana - who formerly worked for the LADA PR team in PR - now responsible for digital content at Sochi's circuit- was more concerned if she could wear a 'summery outfit' !   You will see her and many of the team - later this week... It is forecast to be warm  - 24C  - so Svetlana WILL be pleased




The track is full of the pallets of kit for the team and over the weekend the Safety and Medical cars arrived

[msmob]

Drove through pouring rain to the circuit and wondered when the promised sun would arrive !

I made a short video from one of the media rooms - where the world's press gather to edit photos



Svetlana, with the dark hair and light jumper is writing content for the circuit and speaks great English - having been part of a Russian team in the World Touring Car Championships - she has 'seen the light' and arrived in F1

[ML]

I don't see any dark haired woman wearing light jumper . . . or dark jumper . . . or no jumper.

[Anotherkiwi]

I don't see any dark haired woman wearing light jumper . . . or dark jumper . . . or no jumper.

You weren't looking closely enough - she's right at the end of the clip, at the desk nearest the camera.

[msmob]

Well spotted, AK !

Yesterday, the rain stopped, the sun came out and  my 'children' - volunteers - who are from the Sochi Olympic University -  became 'actors- for an idea of mine .....  We got a male student - who looks like Spanish 2-time World Champion - Fernando Alonso -  and a Finnish lass - to be his 'mystery lady' and we did an interview in the Pit-lane and on the track

So... meet 'Fernaldo Alfonso'...

[msmob]

Today, 'Fernaldo Alfonso' and his mystery Finnish companion took a walk in the Sochi Paddock on the Wednesday before the 4 day 'weekend programme' kicks off tomorrow - with the fans arriving to see their heroes in the pit-lane previews.



It seems our Alfonso is being confused with the McLaren Honda driver - who will complete in the Indy 500, in May !

[pokerintherear]

What is the average ticket price for race day?

[msmob]

Min, gen.admission - no grandstand is 5000 Roubles a 4 day Grandstand ticket is 386 USD ....Paddock stuff 2000 dollars plus

[msmob]

Yesterday, Thursday - was day one of the official F1 long weekend

I was tasked to escort winners of a competition to 'meet and greet' the Toro Rosso team - where Daniil Kvyat is at his home Grand Prix



At the request of a board member - I asked Carlos NOT to take out Stroll - the Canadian - his reaction was PERFECT !




We were taken to the teams hospitality and garage. I am not allow to publish photos of the car's rear


The 17-year old winner stopped and posed / got the autograph of all drivers save Hamilton, Alonso and Vandoorne. But she DID get 'Fernaldo Alfonso' in a selfie !  The student - who looks like the Spaniard.

Here with the most polite F1 driver: Valtteri Bottas ..



We also stopped Bernie Ecclestone - he put his fingers to his lips - to stop us talking - and sneaked up to Daniel Ricciardo and kissed him on the cheek as he gave an interview.... I asked him not to use his tongue and he spun around to find the source - with a smile ... I hope someone got the grin on his face ..


He arrived wearing a sports jacket and carrying a briefcase and left wearing a VTB Bank F1 jacket ..was he making a deposit or a withdrawal ?

'My' guests day was made by Ekaterina of Toro Rosso - it is her first year with the team:




She went out of her way to make them feel special

PS I'm not really 'in' to selfies... I'm just the guy in the blue shirt that appears in the reflections ))

[msmob]

Nothing like the sound of a Mercedes engines revving in the pits below me - just before practice 2 at Sochi's F1 GP - to wake one up

The Media Centre is directly over the Merc and the Red Bulls' Garages.

Here we see the start of Practise session one... Sveta - from Tolyatti -  is used to covering World Touring Car racing and this is her first F1 session ... She likes Hamilton and Alonso - and is hoping to get good shots of them leaving the pits


We are behind one-way glass and I'm trying to zoom in on the Main Grandstand as another of our board members is rumoured to be here also.

[msmob]

This guy just 'bought a programme' from me ...



- Just after Practice 3 - before qualifying on Saturday 29th April 2017

His glasses are less loud than mine !!

If you aren't into Formula 1 -  never mind ....   

He is the only person I'll bother for a selfie.

[msmob]

Race Day !

VVP and the Deputy PM turned up - along with Bernie and the top brass of Liberty Media...

BORING...

I was first in the press conference - grabbing my 'daughter', Raija - who is Finnish and studying at the Sochi Olympic University to translate his VERY first words to the press - in Finnish

Fernardo and Fernaldo 'met' at last



Loads of action and I DID say Bottas was a guy to be reckoned with ...

[msmob]

Well, the F1 circus has moved on and I have over-indulged myself in the action.

SC has been so tolerant  - as I was leaving early and coming back so late.

The night before the race we met up with a fellow board member - who had come to see the race and we went to an Uzbek restaurant in Sochi

SC ordered food for me and I had a ''Live Beer", Nut paste wrapped in Aubergine ( Egg-plant) - Hachapuri - ( if someone could remind me of the Uzbek - rather than Georgian name )  very cheesy 'pie slices' and Lamb Shashlik to DIE for ...

This picture says it all .... me after 15 hours on the go and SC after a day on the beach



Our guest had an unexpected treat ... I heard the owners announce that they had a VERY special guest - a former Soviet Gold medal winning Ice Hockey player who has also won the Stanley Cup ...Alexey Gusarov



I didn't catch the name of the guy and folks on another table told us who he was and he was HUGE and very kind

Hopefully, t'other member can regale the tale, better

I shot a vid of the band performing what - initially - sounded like a very eastern piece....then realised it was Michael Jackson....   K who was one of our party - found the lyrics and I TRIED to 'sing' along )

I'll spare you THAT video ..

[mhr7]

Gusarov played for my hometown team, the Avalanche. I remember watching him play.

[Bounder]

Gusarov played for my hometown team, the Avalanche. I remember watching him play.

Yes, he won the Quebec Nordiques' stolen cup there.

[LAman]

Yes, he won the Quebec Nordiques' stolen cup there.

Actually, they HAD to move to win a Cup. The Cup winners now usully reside in the States ( so much for the Canadian hold on hockey). What year was the LAST Canadian team to win a cup???? I am not sure, because I ran out of fingers and toes!!!!

[Bounder]

Actually, they HAD to move to win a Cup. The Cup winners now usully reside in the States ( so much for the Canadian hold on hockey). What year was the LAST Canadian team to win a cup???? I am not sure, because I ran out of fingers and toes!!!!

I believe it was 1994, but your assertion about the Nordiques is incorrect. They were a miserable team in the 80s and 90s and through all those trials and tribulations had eventually built up a very strong team through draft picks. In their final year in Quebec, they finished the season first overall in the league, but were eliminated in the playoffs. Next year they moved to Denver and won the cup with the team that Quebec built.

[msmob]

Svetlana - who I mentioned before - wanted a photo taken - I tried to get in the mountains and the finish line :


We have one-way glass so I was able to see Bounder in the main Grandstand !

Sveta - is Russian Motorsport Promoter / Journo - decided that she wanted to be 'closer to the action' ... As you can hear at the end of the video  - I am ' scared ' We have 'go anywhere' passes, but during the run-up to the start we are not allowed on the track



But, if she wasn't scared - why should *I* be frightened - so I follow her ...  We knew the Security guard and he allowed us access to a temporary media photo point in the pit lane - provided we didn't go onto the track. From there we observed the drivers returning from a parade lap on the back of a truck


I started by zooming in on MY seat and then got the drivers as they returned from their parade lap on the back of a truck ..

Near the end - we think the roar of the crowd is for Daniil Kyvat - but it transpires Hamilton decided to milk the crowd ..



We went back to the Media Centre - where I observed the GP - with all the info that the commentators have - the TV feeds  and screens showing who is on a hot lap - purple and who might have a penalty - or should be getting out of the way.

I filmed Bottas rounding the last corner and beating Vettel - and headed off to the Press Conference room as I was asked ( by Sveta ) to record Bottas' - the winner -  first words in Finnish - as he had never won a F1 race, before.  She wanted to view the Podium ceremony.

[ML]

Svetlana - who I mentioned before - wanted a photo taken

Why is she so fat ?

[msmob]

Why is she so fat ?

It's a hormone only FSU can women produce ....makes happily married blokes believe they are looking at grossly overweight women ...   

[msmob]

While Sveta rushes off to get the podium ceremony, I walk to the Press Conference Room - which is close to the 'Cool Down Room' where the top three drivers go - after being weighed - to take on water - and get their sponsors' caps.

I never understand why more press don't pour in for this moment - as the funniest driver comments  / behaviour - often come out

The entrance to Press Room at Sochi overlooks  'the pen' where the non podium drivers get interviewed by the world's press. The podium drivers go there after the post race press conference.

This GP -  the initial questions put to the drivers were being asked by BBC's Tom Clarkson. In the vid you'll see him rush to the PC -and a security girl belatedly try to stop him. ... she was trying to check his pass!

I follow him in and you'll see how empty the place is. The podium ceremony is taking place 20m away. If you aren't in within 5 mins of 'kickoff' the doors are locked.  I sit in the second row - as I'm only there to record Valtteri Bottas.



Two lasses from the press centre hold mics and Matteo - FOM - Formula 1 Management 's 'compere' - tells them which journo should get the mic to ask a question.

When the drivers come in - they first speak in their home language - and this being VB's first win ... it might have been interesting.

[msmob]

SC truly was a 'brick' indulging me as she did.  She spent the 4 GP days either on the beach - swimming in the still chilly Black Sea - doing aquarobics or - and this is HILARIOUS ... running around a track.

I watched the London Marathon and it inspired HER !!  She watched the closing stages of the Ladies race

I knew many people from the team at Sochi Autodrom from last year and - if anything- this year was better.

How many of us can say we stood on the winner's rostrum of a F1 race ?







This is the view of the podium from the press centre and the seats above and closer  - you can see it the bottom of the terrace - are where Bernie and VVP sit - on the finish line - opposite Bounder's seat in the Main Grandstand .







Having met Valtteri Bottas - in the flesh - thanks to my Finnish 'daughter'  - I can say I was really pleased he won his first race. He is a v.intelligent lad and a perfect replacement for Nico Rosberg - as an opposite to Lewis Hamilton in character. Seeing him handle difficult questions in the first press conference of the event  - before he started to blow Lewis away in most sessions- I knew he would surprise and had him down to beat Hamilton  - but not Seb Vettel.  In the press conference after qualifying - Bottas did say it was a long way to the first serious braking zone- a chance to get a tow - and overtake..we should have listened.

The staff at Sochi Autodrom are very young and diligent and one of their highlights was the visit of Jean Todt - who is the President of the FIA - the governing body of World Motorsport.

[msmob]

I made a 'goodbye' to Sochi vid and watched the race on my SKY TV sat receiver back in the UK using Slingplayer to control the TV in Sochi - using my mobile as the remote control !  My village in the UK finally got half decent internet - allowing a decent upload speed for one device .... Markje could handle 500 times more GRRRR

Jess - one of the Student volunteers at the Media Centre - who is the selfie-queen - having got one with just about everyone other than VVP ( she got one with Bernie Ecclestone) wanted to accompany me.

I make a habit of wearing  a bright pink shirt so  'me Ma' can tell her friends - "there's my boy, in Russia" and on viewing Ted Kravitz dissecting the race with Johnnie Herbert ( a former F1 driver) the bright pink shirt - plus bright blue glasses on top of head - was spotted  approaching with Jess.



The video is at http://vimeo.com/215904334#at=412 6mins 40 secs


Here's the good bye to Sochi vid as I leave the Press Centre and we see the kit being packed up



It was a pleasure to meet another board member and meet smart students from all over Russia and other EU nations - one of the volunteers works in Shanghai and comes back every year to help !

I met some F1 fans who camped out at the hotel to get autographs of the stars they'd missed at the track and hopefully introduced some new folk to the fan club.

SC ?  Well, she just worried that I would be eating too much food in the team's / media hospitality suites )

I arrived in Sochi weighing nearly 94 Kg - fattest ever - and am down to just over 89 this morning ... We have bikes and are cycling 10km a day / climbing mountains in 24-26C ...no chocolate biscuits  - just bee pollen and lots of tasty, healthy meals with loads of garlic and nuts.

It's only when I'm with SC that I find this 'motivation'

This weekend I'm helping out at the Russian Cup - a series of yacht races - for those who aren't considered good enough to be racing in the championships currently being held in La Rochelle, France ... I consider myself a useful helm - but all of these 'second raters' can blow me away   My Royal Yachting Association Powerboat qualifications have been deemed as good enough to help lay the courses as part of the crew in a powerful inflatable. 

[LAman]

Msmob.....please put the bottle down, at least for a little bit.

Seems you are having problems putting a post in right thread........


BTW- I do see you in a pink shirt with SC in background of vid !!!! Yes you are 'packing' a few pounds and I am NOT talking about $$$$.

[2tallbill]

Msmob.....please put the bottle down, at least for a little bit.

Seems you are having problems putting a post in right thread........


BTW- I do see you in a pink shirt with SC in background of vid !!!! Yes you are 'packing' a few pounds and I am NOT talking about $$$$.

That's definitely not SC, she skinny enough that she has to run around in the shower
just to get wet!

[msmob]

Thanks Beel ..

'LaMan' must be either bored or the true 'secret sauce' drinker - if he thinks Jess was SC... )

[LAman]

Thanks Beel ..

'LaMan' must be either bored or the true 'secret sauce' drinker - if he thinks Jess was SC... )

You can't take a joke, msmob???? :-))  Was it a coincidence 2 men wearing 'pink'??? Was it the Pink Ladies weekend in Sochi???

[msmob]

You can't take a joke, msmob???? :-)) 

You mean like a comment you made on one of SC's photos, once: " Was it cold when you took those photos?" ..   

Was it a coincidence 2 men wearing 'pink'??? Was it the Pink Ladies weekend in Sochi???

Ah, so you are 'one of those guys' who's worried about their sexuality?     

[msmob]

Spent half the day at the Yacht Club. The Hon.Commodore - who was a skipper of the only Soviet entry in the Whitbread Round the World Race in '89 had his leg amputated - since I last saw him to hear his stories. Boris - who is now in charge of maintaining the fleet of boats owned by Russian Railways - told me he had a good sense of humour about it ... So, the first question I asked on seeing him in a wheel-chair was, " Bog moi ! Bil bolshoi akula?"  My God, was it a big Shark ? ...  He roared with laughter and confirmed, " It was a Great White !"   Undeterred, he tips up every day - encouraging the Olympic hopefuls.

Boris had a signed poster of the first Olympic medal winner since Soviet times - Stephina Elfutina - a direct result of the Sochi training regime - in his workshop.




The Olympic Catamaran class - the Nacra 17 - has had a rule change and Boris - who is now responsible for ordering new craft had to order the hydro-foils requested by the rule change - 14,000 Euros    I have not seen a foiling Nacra in anger, yet ... but the std one's were flipping quick ...

Even if you aren't into sailing try and watch this video  ( pre foiling ) :



It is the Gold Medal race at Rio 2017 and 54 year old Cancer survivor, Santi Lange starts in Gold Medal position and takes TWO penalties during the race - must stop and do a 360 - before continuing. each time ....

In the afternoon SC demanded more cycling and we went to the town centre. We had a large credit card bill to settle and it falls during the 9th May Celebration bank hols - so we suddenly realised that a bank transfer from the UK might not arrive in time....   Panic ensued as I had to use 4 different cards to over-come the daily limit for cash withdrawals.  I thought we were screwed and would have to pay interest - then tried a card that SC has as a signatory on one of my accounts with paypal .... Although I had used my daily limit - it allowed her to draw on available funds .... Moral of the story ... you can never have enough cards when abroad ..

Then off to another bank - and we deposited the money into a bankomat (ATM) and got confirmation the account was cleared -  a day early and a msg to call into the bank as the limit was being increased )

We cycled out to the Ferry Terminal - which is large and modern - but, sadly underused .... there used to be car ferries to Ukraine, Turkey and Georgia..... all suspended   It is our dream to be able to take a ferry to Northern Turkey - and drive to our favourite- the  Lycian ( Emerald ) Coast of Turkey .... where the water is so clear - or even onwards to Cyprus

There is a newish shopping / leisure mini mall by the port and we stopped for fresh juices.




In my case, SC has cut my hair, I've got a tan and the weight is falling off.. 10km or more each day on the bike - involving plenty of carrying two bikes up flights up steps.




We ate out with some of the F1 team -  food was GREAT - Dom Restaurant - but the Russian attempts at Feta cheese in a Greek salad - are still more like soft sour cream blobs ) 

I was 'allowed' a Napolean cake !








 



 

[msmob]

Yesterday, there was no chance to watch the racing / lay courses. The weather was too windy and WET...One of our friends - Sergei -  had gone silent - after the GP and I was wondering why....  I had even thought him rude....

While I was having my nails done ( SC is fussy that my feet - which were awful - are maintained with anti-fungus treatments... This being a wet day - and socks weather - it was time for treatment ) we received a call to say Sergei had been admitted to hospital - having had a heart attack ..... He had been there for 7 days



Our wonderful neighbour - who cooks most of my meals ( SC being so 'talented' ) was off to N.Siberia - and dislikes planes - so I drove her to the railway station and she will be travelling 4.5 days !!!

I returned to collect SC and we went to look at some furniture and bought food in a large supermarket .....  SC prefers to buy her fruit and veg in a large market .  I wanted some MEAT ...  I miss the 'deli' selection when I'm back in the UK - 'risking' something new - as often as I can.  I suggested we buy Sergei grapes - but 'No' - SC pointed out EVERYONE would do that - so he got Fresh Mandarin Juice, Various fish and 'healthy' salads:)

Then, we went to the Hospital - which is largely modern - to visit him.

As with most shopping malls and public buildings - one is searched and then enter the hospital... As with most things Sochi - the signs are in English, too !



One has to pay 5 rubles for the blue shoe covers to be allowed access to the wards - which were spotless - even the older wings of the hospital were very clean.  MAJOR PLUS - Car parking is FREE

Unlike UK hospitals - which don't ask for the shoe covers - there were no alcohol hand sanitiser dispensers.


Sergei, had lost weight and showed us the healing wound in his wrist - used to route to his heart for surgery ! Many locals and I were surprised to see this less intrusive method of surgery was in use

We had bought Sergei the provisions - which he claimed he didn't need as the Canteen ( stolovaya) was so good !

On leaving, the rain that had been incessant all day had stopped  - the sun was out - as we headed home.

SC pronounced she wanted Beer - which is RARE and we bought 3 varieties of 'home made' beer from the local brewery.  I was judging who had designed the best program at a local computer class and I did not want to have alcohol on my breath even though I was cycling there.



SC chose the best flavour - knocked the beer like it was 'bad medicine' and within minutes I watched her eyes glaze over and she started giggling..

When I got home, she was drowsy and I was relieved to note the beer had been further sampled ...  0.5 litres and she was GONE )

Nearly 11 hours has passed and she is STILL sleeping ?!...


I am due to go to the Yacht club....  should I wake her up ..or just sneak out ?

[Boethius]

Let her sleep. If she's not a drinker a litre of beer is a lot. 😱

[msmob]

Let her sleep. If she's not a drinker a litre of beer is a lot. 😱

0,5 litres ! But she is tiny - so that is a lot

I woke her up and she is fine...  She would have been upset if she woke up and I hadn't wished her 'Good Morning'  She claims she has no idea why she craved beer - but I reckon she needed Vitamin B

[msmob]

In recent days 'we' ( Sochi residents)  have had Merkel, Erdogan and today the Palestinian leadership visit  (Abbas)  ...How do I know?

The traffic is stopped - for ages - to allow the convoy speed through the centre - rather than use the motorway / highway.

This is a Spetsial'nyy  proyezd (Специальный проезд) - literally Special Travel

As I cycled back from the Yacht Club I wondered why the road was clear of traffic and a Policeman waved his 'wand' to suggest I moved off the road onto the pavement / footpath

Whistles started and I stopped to see who it was ....  many cars sped south to toward the airport - one  Merc flying a flag I recognised as Arabic - the cars zoomed past at 60 MPH ( 90 Km/hr) or greater

Thank you Mr Abbas - I got home, really quickly