Strong words from former F1 Doc
Discussion
I think this is an utter disgrace. Todt ought to be hugely embarrassed about it. He has been praised in some quarters about his low-key approach to his FIA stewardship. It's now time for him to make a stand about this, but as we know, he is in an awkward personal position over this. A quiet word and a change in role for Saillant might be in order... Character assassination of this order is down there in the gutter with red-tops
Not one to stick up for the FIA but there are two sides to every story.
Understandably Hartstein has little good to say about Todt and the current FIA after he was let go, but there must be something behind that original decision ? From the way he writes I can imagine he could be a very awkward person.
I also find it a bit odd that he was writing lots of "ifs and maybes" about Schumacher when he openly admitted he didn't know what the situation was. IIRC he was at one point somewhat critical of the care Schumacher received - not quite sure how you can do that if you don't actually know the full details ?
Either way its a strange way of going about getting Hartstein silenced and why is Todt getting involved (other than being a friend of Schumacher) ?
Understandably Hartstein has little good to say about Todt and the current FIA after he was let go, but there must be something behind that original decision ? From the way he writes I can imagine he could be a very awkward person.
I also find it a bit odd that he was writing lots of "ifs and maybes" about Schumacher when he openly admitted he didn't know what the situation was. IIRC he was at one point somewhat critical of the care Schumacher received - not quite sure how you can do that if you don't actually know the full details ?
Either way its a strange way of going about getting Hartstein silenced and why is Todt getting involved (other than being a friend of Schumacher) ?
Weird world we live in.
I appreciate his perspective, he does come across as though he might be a slightly difficult individual at times - people who achieve much often are, this stinks though.
I appreciate his perspective, he does come across as though he might be a slightly difficult individual at times - people who achieve much often are, this stinks though.
m444ttb said:
Seems like the FIA overstepping the mark somewhat. Do we presume that the doc's boss told Gérard Saillant to jog on?
It does seem as though his boss wasn't having much of it. I know where Crafty is coming from; the reasons for Gary's firing were never made public. But I don't recall him ever making fuss of that decision. And let's not forget Prof hired him. His blog never sought to be anything other than the perspective of an expert in head trauma.
I come into contact with many experts on their specific field in the medical profession and their specialist knowledge of those areas is quite frankly astonishing. They are so tuned to the nuances of the telltales that identify the conditions that they then seek to treat that surprises are rare.
The extreme view of Saillant's actions might be that Todt has allowed his personal feelings to get in the way of his professional position. In other words, it could be construed that he has overstepped the mark. I guess we may never know the truth?
I come into contact with many experts on their specific field in the medical profession and their specialist knowledge of those areas is quite frankly astonishing. They are so tuned to the nuances of the telltales that identify the conditions that they then seek to treat that surprises are rare.
The extreme view of Saillant's actions might be that Todt has allowed his personal feelings to get in the way of his professional position. In other words, it could be construed that he has overstepped the mark. I guess we may never know the truth?
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Speaking as someone who hasn't met him in person, I can only opine that the good doctor comes over as a complete arse at times.
I tend to agree. Whilst he clearly knows an awful lot of stuff, his communication skills are sadly lacking.Personally, I found his 'coverage' (I use the word deliberately, for it came across with all the sensitivity of a 24 hour news channel) ofSchumacher's accident terrible to read. Whilst it was interesting to learn about how the potential scenarios could pan out, it was all mere conjecture based on nothing but his interpretation of the official statements or at some times his interpretation of why nothing had been said at all!
It all seemed inappropriate.
However, I don't see how anything he did was illegal, so for the FIA to be acting as they are seems an utter nonsense.
Then again, his response reads almost as an exact example of how not to deal with a potential upcoming legal dispute.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Speaking as someone who hasn't met him in person, I can only opine that the good doctor comes over as a complete arse at times.
+1 He does have a huge level of Dr Doom with his blog, especially with his insensitive updates during the Schumacher stuff. He seemed very happy to stick a view in without actually knowing the facts of his condition at that time. Fair to say he didn't endear himself to many people.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
We'll that's one way of looking at it. Another way might be that if someone appears to be an arse they might just be one. I repeat again, I've never met him in person but I don't like an awful lot of what he writes on the internet.
It would appear others don't either.
I often think people on the internet are arses, but I don't intend to visit their boss to tell him that he should fire them for what they say on the internet...It would appear others don't either.
Edited by rubystone on Sunday 21st December 22:31
DanielSan said:
+1
He does have a huge level of Dr Doom with his blog, especially with his insensitive updates during the Schumacher stuff. He seemed very happy to stick a view in without actually knowing the facts of his condition at that time. Fair to say he didn't endear himself to many people.
Check out his followers on Twitter and you'll see that on that venue at least, he endeared himself to a lot of people. And let's face it, no one has piped up to contradict what he has said about the type of head trauma Schumacher experienced. Never did he claim that he had an inside view of Schumacher's condition.He does have a huge level of Dr Doom with his blog, especially with his insensitive updates during the Schumacher stuff. He seemed very happy to stick a view in without actually knowing the facts of his condition at that time. Fair to say he didn't endear himself to many people.
rubystone said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
We'll that's one way of looking at it. Another way might be that if someone appears to be an arse they might just be one. I repeat again, I've never met him in person but I don't like an awful lot of what he writes on the internet.
It would appear others don't either.
I often think people on the internet are arses, but I don't intend to visit their boss to tell him that he should fire them for what they say on the internet...It would appear others don't either.
Edited by rubystone on Sunday 21st December 22:31
As of yet, only one side of the argument has been put out there but I do wonder one thing....
If someone was trying to ruin my reputation and career, I wouldn't be posting on the internet about talking to my lawyers, I'd be instructing them.
I think Hartstein's blog is fantastic. He is brutally candid and whilst he may stray close to the bone at times, his candour is a refreshing change compared to most of the utter nonsense and game playing that surrounds F1.
I can imagine his previous blog update where he lays into the FIA about their conclusions after the investigation into Bianchi's accident are why this visit occurred.
Hartstein is probably a nightmare to manage given his outspoken nature, but we're I to be in need of the skills of a neuro surgeon, he'd be top of my list.
I like people who are intolerant of bullsh## and aren't afraid to speak out when they see something wrong. It means they have standards and morals. Since the corporate world is full of flim flam artists and anodyne, slopey shouldered, spineless wonders who make careers out of making noise, but saying nothing, then someone like Hartstein being willing to give their opinion and insight is fantastic.
The FIA should be ashamed of themselves, but I suspect the only annoyance is that Hartstein's boss obviously told them to do one. It speaks volumes for the way the FIA operates though, which is to say that the supposed regulator and moral centre of motorsport is actually nothing of the sort. Hardly surprising, but still depressing when it's confirmed in such a blatant way.
I can imagine his previous blog update where he lays into the FIA about their conclusions after the investigation into Bianchi's accident are why this visit occurred.
Hartstein is probably a nightmare to manage given his outspoken nature, but we're I to be in need of the skills of a neuro surgeon, he'd be top of my list.
I like people who are intolerant of bullsh## and aren't afraid to speak out when they see something wrong. It means they have standards and morals. Since the corporate world is full of flim flam artists and anodyne, slopey shouldered, spineless wonders who make careers out of making noise, but saying nothing, then someone like Hartstein being willing to give their opinion and insight is fantastic.
The FIA should be ashamed of themselves, but I suspect the only annoyance is that Hartstein's boss obviously told them to do one. It speaks volumes for the way the FIA operates though, which is to say that the supposed regulator and moral centre of motorsport is actually nothing of the sort. Hardly surprising, but still depressing when it's confirmed in such a blatant way.
speedster986 said:
Hartstein is probably a nightmare to manage given his outspoken nature, but we're I to be in need of the skills of a neuro surgeon, he'd be top of my list.
Might be an issue as he is an anaesthetist The point still stands though, were I in a smash up and needed keeping away from the pearly gates, then I'd like him to be first on scene.
IforB said:
I like people who are intolerant of bullsh## and aren't afraid to speak out when they see something wrong. It means they have standards and morals. Since the corporate world is full of flim flam artists and anodyne, slopey shouldered, spineless wonders who make careers out of making noise, but saying nothing, then someone like Hartstein being willing to give their opinion and insight is fantastic.
Absolutely spot on. 
sunnym3 said:
IforB said:
I like people who are intolerant of bullsh## and aren't afraid to speak out when they see something wrong. It means they have standards and morals. Since the corporate world is full of flim flam artists and anodyne, slopey shouldered, spineless wonders who make careers out of making noise, but saying nothing, then someone like Hartstein being willing to give their opinion and insight is fantastic.
Absolutely spot on. 
I'd be inclined to agree..
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