Discussion
This shows why Bruce McLaren and Dan Gurney have been nominated.
During their all-conquering 1969 CanAm session, Bruce lent Dan their spare car for the Michigan International race, after his own McLeagle broke down in practice. Not having qualified in the car, Dan had to start from the back of the grid and stormed through the pack to finish third behind Bruce and Denny.
When asked by a reporter where he thought he'd have finished if he'd been able to start from the front of the grid, he smiled, "Third!"
During their all-conquering 1969 CanAm session, Bruce lent Dan their spare car for the Michigan International race, after his own McLeagle broke down in practice. Not having qualified in the car, Dan had to start from the back of the grid and stormed through the pack to finish third behind Bruce and Denny.
When asked by a reporter where he thought he'd have finished if he'd been able to start from the front of the grid, he smiled, "Third!"
Muzzer79 said:
HTP99 said:
slipstream 1985 said:
Jackie Stewart comes across as a bit of a dick to me.
Agree, can't stand him and he has a major chip on his shoulder regards Hamilton. It’s the sanctimonious attitude that bothers me.
I asked him to sign his book once - I was 17 and obviously an enthusiast, he told me he didn’t do autographs to which I replied “but it’s your book” - he snatched the book and signed it (which I’m grateful for) but the whole time was just having a go at his personal security for letting “a member of the public approach him”. The actual drivers were nice though
Petrus1983 said:
I asked him to sign his book once - I was 17 and obviously an enthusiast, he told me he didn’t do autographs to which I replied “but it’s your book” - he snatched the book and signed it (which I’m grateful for) but the whole time was just having a go at his personal security for letting “a member of the public approach him”. The actual drivers were nice though
I am sorry you didn't have the same experience as me. I thought he was a real gent.
To add three more names to the discussion that haven't yet been mentioned...
John Surtees
Martin Brundle
Johnny Herbert
TwentyFive said:
I am sorry you didn't have the same experience as me. I thought he was a real gent.
Indeed. I was lucky enough to get some "hot laps" with Stewart in a Escort Cosworth at a GP Mechanic's Charity day at Silverstone some years back. Lap 2, the pace picks up noticeably (but still super smooth) as I see there's an identical car driven by Michael Schumacher in the mirrors. We pull into the pits after two memorable laps with Schumacher still behind us. JYS says calmly "We weren't racing, you understand. I just didn't want to let him past!"
I've met quite a few current/recent drivers at work and most of them have been very pleasant guys. A few are maybe surprisingly nice and approachable, such as Kimi (I think he's just not a fan of the press) and Kevin Magnussen. Without a shadow of a doubt though, the nicest of the lot has been Nico Hulkenberg.
Not really surprised there are any votes for "Our Nige" !
Perhaps the story about him when there was a wedding on at one of his establishments. the Brides Father asked if he could pop into the "do" to make the couples day - Which he did. Cue an invoice being delivered sometime later for a personal appearance (seen this mentioned somewhere on PH before)
Perhaps the story about him when there was a wedding on at one of his establishments. the Brides Father asked if he could pop into the "do" to make the couples day - Which he did. Cue an invoice being delivered sometime later for a personal appearance (seen this mentioned somewhere on PH before)
covboy said:
Not really surprised there are any votes for "Our Nige" !
Perhaps the story about him when there was a wedding on at one of his establishments. the Brides Father asked if he could pop into the "do" to make the couples day - Which he did. Cue an invoice being delivered sometime later for a personal appearance (seen this mentioned somewhere on PH before)
I'd say the invoice makes it more of an 'impersonal' appearance!Perhaps the story about him when there was a wedding on at one of his establishments. the Brides Father asked if he could pop into the "do" to make the couples day - Which he did. Cue an invoice being delivered sometime later for a personal appearance (seen this mentioned somewhere on PH before)
Petrus1983 said:
I asked him to sign his book once - I was 17 and obviously an enthusiast, he told me he didn’t do autographs to which I replied “but it’s your book” - he snatched the book and signed it (which I’m grateful for) but the whole time was just having a go at his personal security for letting “a member of the public approach him”. The actual drivers were nice though
I worked at Stewart GP so was a nice keepsake.
Jackie is a lovely bloke. He invited all the ex Stewart guys around his house for a big reunion about 6 years ago. Laid on a great party for us. Was top host.
What makes a genuinely all round 'good bloke'?
Some guys were difficult to work with behind closed doors. Graham Hill was one of them and seemed to have a persona for the camera as he never liked giving autographs according to Lord March's experience as an eager young boy.
In the right environment Senna gave articulate, thoughtful interviews in a second language, used his fame to better his country and no wonder wonder Frank Williams thought he had the makings of politician for his country. Similar qualities could be said of Schumi who rarely gave bad interviews with petulance yet both drivers had skewed moral compasses in a sporting sense.
JYS who as a boy was repeatedly told he was stupid who used his fame to move up the echelons and mixed with Middle Eastern royalty and became apologists to the Bahraini royalty and initially saw no wrong in receiving money from RBS as an ambassador
To me, they're human beings. Ross Brawn included - arguably complicit in Team Schumacher and toeing the party line.
Some guys were difficult to work with behind closed doors. Graham Hill was one of them and seemed to have a persona for the camera as he never liked giving autographs according to Lord March's experience as an eager young boy.
In the right environment Senna gave articulate, thoughtful interviews in a second language, used his fame to better his country and no wonder wonder Frank Williams thought he had the makings of politician for his country. Similar qualities could be said of Schumi who rarely gave bad interviews with petulance yet both drivers had skewed moral compasses in a sporting sense.
JYS who as a boy was repeatedly told he was stupid who used his fame to move up the echelons and mixed with Middle Eastern royalty and became apologists to the Bahraini royalty and initially saw no wrong in receiving money from RBS as an ambassador
To me, they're human beings. Ross Brawn included - arguably complicit in Team Schumacher and toeing the party line.
TheDeuce said:
He's pretty much credited with turning Franks Williams team in to what they became, a dominant force. But is that his genius or Frank's genius to partner with him recognising the effect he could have? Could question the same about many F1 characters no doubt.
For me personally, I don't see mostly positive lasting memories from Head. I think he got the job done in a fairly crude way, which is fair enough - it was after all his job. I have no doubt he got an improved result out of a several drivers and engineers, but to get the 'best' result I think requires more the Toto method.
And just what is the Toto Method? Make your driver sweat over his contract by making them wait for a vote of no confidence every year?For me personally, I don't see mostly positive lasting memories from Head. I think he got the job done in a fairly crude way, which is fair enough - it was after all his job. I have no doubt he got an improved result out of a several drivers and engineers, but to get the 'best' result I think requires more the Toto method.
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