Discussion
StevieBee said:
entropy said:
Flavio Briatore got slagged off for being a clothing salesman who ran an F1 team and for all his faults hardly interfered with the technical side.
Only the races. One in particular that earned him a life-time ban from the sport.Read JH's autobiography in May.
TheDeuce said:
I'm going off what I have heard Toto say about his methods, and how that tallies with the teams results and also what other team members say.
To me, when he speaks I have no problem believing he's earned complete control and respect of his team - I can't back that up with PH acceptable evidence... But it's my conclusion that he's a key part behind the most together team on the grid.
In the end, he seems to understand people and business in equal measure. Quite a formidable combination given that often one precludes the other.
Toto has only known good times so far at Merc. Managing drivers' egos and team orders were good problems to have than turning around a massively underperforming team. How far will he go to fight for his team to gain a competitive edge? Is he willing to have public spats?To me, when he speaks I have no problem believing he's earned complete control and respect of his team - I can't back that up with PH acceptable evidence... But it's my conclusion that he's a key part behind the most together team on the grid.
In the end, he seems to understand people and business in equal measure. Quite a formidable combination given that often one precludes the other.
He has never had to build up a team, improve its infrastructure, climb the competitive ladder and manage the expectations of attaining and retaining success.
TheDeuce said:
As for McLaren... I think he wouldn't have gone there. Part of the skill is knowing how to improve something, the other part is recognising a bus when you see one, and not chucking yourself beneath it! I'm not saying McLaren were impossible to save, they're clearly in the ascendancy right now, but it took a long time and Brawn were a safe bet to make fast progress.
Precursor to taking over Merc he brought a share with Williams and was seemingly groomed to takeover.My distant relation , the late Jimmy Somervail , who, although also a Scot , is not to be confused with the Bronski Beat popster .
A member of the Border Reivers , mate of the Stewarts , Jabby Crombac and Clark, He was a gentleman racer in the fifties in Cooper Bristol and ERA . Quick, but rarely at the sharp end of the grid , but a lovely man whose stories entranced me . From the halcyon days when you could turn up to the British GP and race as a privateer .
A member of the Border Reivers , mate of the Stewarts , Jabby Crombac and Clark, He was a gentleman racer in the fifties in Cooper Bristol and ERA . Quick, but rarely at the sharp end of the grid , but a lovely man whose stories entranced me . From the halcyon days when you could turn up to the British GP and race as a privateer .
Mr E said:
Roofless Toothless said:
Alex Zanardi.
Is a hero. I’m sure he has some bad days, but he’s certainly not let adversity get in his way.
Also another driver to mention: Heinz-Harold Frentzen. Patrick Head himself said he was too nice to be world champion.
CanAm said:
I can't recall ever reading a bad word about Chris Amon or Richie Ginther. Nor Denny Hulme, although he apparently did not have a lot of time for reporters.
I recall reading ( think it was an Aussie car mag, maybe "Wheels" ) an article about Denny ( The Bear) winning Monaco in '67. Nobody knew who he was when he, unexpectedly won ( beating his boss - Jack Brabham). When, about to be introduced to Princess Grace on the winner's podium, he was asked for his name, he replied: Fred Pisswinkle.He died, of a heart attack, whilst at the wheel during the Bathurst 1000, 1992. Managed to bring it to a gentle stop against the fence without involving anyone else.
Agree with your nomination of Amon & Ginther, too.
GB4 JEV FFS said:
CocoUK said:
Ross Brawn (...) he comes across very honest, articulate, sincere and a thoroughly decent gentleman.
Wasn't he the one who (co)designed Benetton B194?Brawn is a man who has been able to take a rule book and often found the holes able to exploit - Benetton, Ferrari & Brawn - which is fine, but those early years have raised many questions...
Teddy Lop summarised perfectly;
Teddy Lop said:
(...)but by God you know his is a smile that's hoping you won't fire up the spotlight and demand to know where the bodies are buried.
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