Michael Fassbender: Road to Le Mans
Discussion
I was a bit disappointed by series 4. The overriding feeling I got from it is that Michael Fassbender is just not quite cut out to be a racing driver. Don't get me wrong he is bloody impressive and can put in some great lap times. However there is just something missing in the psyche.
Having the team radio out to you what is coming up behind you in the dark is not a good place to be. For starters it is placing an unreasonable responsibility on other people in the team plus it is a distraction. As the driver you have to be 100% totally focussed on the job in hand and that includes managing the traffic. Yes its bloody scary when an LMP1 car blows past you about 3MM away but its up to you to manage the situation not the team. I was reminded of an earlier race, Monza I think, when it started raining on the warming up lap. He was straight on the radio asking the pro driver how to drive the car in the conditions. Christ man the only person who can do that is you, just feel for the grip, feel how the car reacts and drive accordingly.
When he got shoved into the barrier during the LeMans race he just sat there for god knows how long cogitating the inequities of life. Real racing drivers hit the start button and drag the car back to the pits, on willpower alone if necessary. The team actually had to tell him to give it a go.
I think there is quite a bit of over analysis going on and not enough relying on just how it feels. I suppose that is Hollywood for you.
Having the team radio out to you what is coming up behind you in the dark is not a good place to be. For starters it is placing an unreasonable responsibility on other people in the team plus it is a distraction. As the driver you have to be 100% totally focussed on the job in hand and that includes managing the traffic. Yes its bloody scary when an LMP1 car blows past you about 3MM away but its up to you to manage the situation not the team. I was reminded of an earlier race, Monza I think, when it started raining on the warming up lap. He was straight on the radio asking the pro driver how to drive the car in the conditions. Christ man the only person who can do that is you, just feel for the grip, feel how the car reacts and drive accordingly.
When he got shoved into the barrier during the LeMans race he just sat there for god knows how long cogitating the inequities of life. Real racing drivers hit the start button and drag the car back to the pits, on willpower alone if necessary. The team actually had to tell him to give it a go.
I think there is quite a bit of over analysis going on and not enough relying on just how it feels. I suppose that is Hollywood for you.
bigmowley said:
I was a bit disappointed by series 4. The overriding feeling I got from it is that Michael Fassbender is just not quite cut out to be a racing driver. Don't get me wrong he is bloody impressive and can put in some great lap times. However there is just something missing in the psyche.
Having the team radio out to you what is coming up behind you in the dark is not a good place to be. For starters it is placing an unreasonable responsibility on other people in the team plus it is a distraction. As the driver you have to be 100% totally focussed on the job in hand and that includes managing the traffic. Yes its bloody scary when an LMP1 car blows past you about 3MM away but its up to you to manage the situation not the team. I was reminded of an earlier race, Monza I think, when it started raining on the warming up lap. He was straight on the radio asking the pro driver how to drive the car in the conditions. Christ man the only person who can do that is you, just feel for the grip, feel how the car reacts and drive accordingly.
When he got shoved into the barrier during the LeMans race he just sat there for god knows how long cogitating the inequities of life. Real racing drivers hit the start button and drag the car back to the pits, on willpower alone if necessary. The team actually had to tell him to give it a go.
I think there is quite a bit of over analysis going on and not enough relying on just how it feels. I suppose that is Hollywood for you.
Its easy to criticise but I can see it would be very easy to get overwhelmed. He’s been on a pretty fast track.Having the team radio out to you what is coming up behind you in the dark is not a good place to be. For starters it is placing an unreasonable responsibility on other people in the team plus it is a distraction. As the driver you have to be 100% totally focussed on the job in hand and that includes managing the traffic. Yes its bloody scary when an LMP1 car blows past you about 3MM away but its up to you to manage the situation not the team. I was reminded of an earlier race, Monza I think, when it started raining on the warming up lap. He was straight on the radio asking the pro driver how to drive the car in the conditions. Christ man the only person who can do that is you, just feel for the grip, feel how the car reacts and drive accordingly.
When he got shoved into the barrier during the LeMans race he just sat there for god knows how long cogitating the inequities of life. Real racing drivers hit the start button and drag the car back to the pits, on willpower alone if necessary. The team actually had to tell him to give it a go.
I think there is quite a bit of over analysis going on and not enough relying on just how it feels. I suppose that is Hollywood for you.
Okay, guys like Chris Hoy did very similar, but the gap, from Olympian to endurance racer is much less, IMHO, than from Hollywood.
I’d agree Fasbender had needed an awful lot of moral and emotional support, but I can fully appreciate how easy it would be for self doubt to take over.
Schuey_911 said:
Richard Lietz is a legend, what a driver and humble too.
Only other guys I see this in is professional cyclists. Saw my mate earlier today; was a world champ and Olympic athlete and I’d say at least half the people who know him have no idea. Modesty is a gift.Lietz is a hero.
Speculation that Fassbender will be alongside Harry Ticknell this year in the #88 Proton Competition Porsche.
https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/01/11/fia-wec-...
https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/01/11/fia-wec-...
Leithen said:
Speculation that Fassbender will be alongside Harry Ticknell this year in the #88 Proton Competition Porsche.
https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/01/11/fia-wec-...
I understand that the amount of talent and experience at this level is very elevated. I recognize that compared to an average street driver Fassbender is at another level and would like to have the same ability. https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/01/11/fia-wec-...
However, I do wonder if he would be there if he were not a celebrity. He is clearly a sincere hardworking guy but he appears to be the weak link in any team, and I would be surprised if he survived if he had been more obscure.
RDMcG said:
I understand that the amount of talent and experience at this level is very elevated. I recognize that compared to an average street driver Fassbender is at another level and would like to have the same ability.
However, I do wonder if he would be there if he were not a celebrity. He is clearly a sincere hardworking guy but he appears to be the weak link in any team, and I would be surprised if he survived if he had been more obscure.
Where do other Am drivers come from? Do they buy their way in? However, I do wonder if he would be there if he were not a celebrity. He is clearly a sincere hardworking guy but he appears to be the weak link in any team, and I would be surprised if he survived if he had been more obscure.
To be honest, the only reason I watch it, is because it's Porsche Motorsport and love seeing the stuff that happens in the background that we normally wouldn't see watching the racing on Eurosport.
But as far as Fassbender is concerned, I just find him a bit of a whinger and find that quite annoying. Clearly he's a physically fit guy but don't believe he has the racer mindset.
But as far as Fassbender is concerned, I just find him a bit of a whinger and find that quite annoying. Clearly he's a physically fit guy but don't believe he has the racer mindset.
Schuey_911 said:
To be honest, the only reason I watch it, is because it's Porsche Motorsport and love seeing the stuff that happens in the background that we normally wouldn't see watching the racing on Eurosport.
But as far as Fassbender is concerned, I just find him a bit of a whinger and find that quite annoying. Clearly he's a physically fit guy but don't believe he has the racer mindset.
I think, given his celebrity status, it’s perhaps been easy for him to suffer acute imposter syndrome. The fact the whole team have his back seems to suggest they believe he has what it takes, if only he believed it too. What he’s done so far is no mean feat.But as far as Fassbender is concerned, I just find him a bit of a whinger and find that quite annoying. Clearly he's a physically fit guy but don't believe he has the racer mindset.
Well it was a nice project for both sides…
- Porsche get loads of marketing, and new A-list brand ambassador that is actually accomplished and has a proven track record in their field (which IMO can’t be said for Raducanu, I’m sick to the back teeth of seeing her everywhere and pushed so hard by Porsche… Flash in the pan!)
- Michael pays his money and gets to try his hand at something pretty special with motorsport royalty, Porsche @ Lemans?… it doesn’t get higher… only maybe Ferrari @ Monza is comparable.
My interest in his journey waned quite significantly as I actually feel like he WAS acting and over-dramatic this season tbh, to the point where I was fed up of his whining and whinging, as he was pulling himself downwards with self flagellation. Now, of course this can happen…I’m pretty hard on myself when I don’t think I’m running very well on a track day… but then I have a cup of tea, and decide to go out, drive slow, pick a couple of corners to work on and build back up. But that’s because I want to enjoy and maximise the very few days of circuit time I have per year, because tomorrow or the day after, I have to go back to regular work, with bills to pay.
The imposter syndrome affected him, because he lost perspective IMO, and really that’s what you were hearing from all of those around him, including the Pro drivers; He just started to take himself too seriously as ‘a racing driver’, and then found himself short.
What I’ve loved this series for, is the behind the scenes of Porsche gong endurance racing, how they operate, how they work on the cars etc etc.
It was a great follow up to the original…
- Porsche get loads of marketing, and new A-list brand ambassador that is actually accomplished and has a proven track record in their field (which IMO can’t be said for Raducanu, I’m sick to the back teeth of seeing her everywhere and pushed so hard by Porsche… Flash in the pan!)
- Michael pays his money and gets to try his hand at something pretty special with motorsport royalty, Porsche @ Lemans?… it doesn’t get higher… only maybe Ferrari @ Monza is comparable.
My interest in his journey waned quite significantly as I actually feel like he WAS acting and over-dramatic this season tbh, to the point where I was fed up of his whining and whinging, as he was pulling himself downwards with self flagellation. Now, of course this can happen…I’m pretty hard on myself when I don’t think I’m running very well on a track day… but then I have a cup of tea, and decide to go out, drive slow, pick a couple of corners to work on and build back up. But that’s because I want to enjoy and maximise the very few days of circuit time I have per year, because tomorrow or the day after, I have to go back to regular work, with bills to pay.
The imposter syndrome affected him, because he lost perspective IMO, and really that’s what you were hearing from all of those around him, including the Pro drivers; He just started to take himself too seriously as ‘a racing driver’, and then found himself short.
What I’ve loved this series for, is the behind the scenes of Porsche gong endurance racing, how they operate, how they work on the cars etc etc.
It was a great follow up to the original…
Top athletes:
(1) Are strong analysts of their own technique;
(2 ) Are open to constructive criticism /. feedback;
(3) Are constantly seeking self improvement;
(4) Do the analysis;
(5) Decide on the appropriate actions or technical changes;
(6) Practise the refined technique;
(7) Then through visualisation encode the new approach into their mindset so that it becomes instinctive / automatic.
My feeling is that Michael is struggling with step (7).
(1) Are strong analysts of their own technique;
(2 ) Are open to constructive criticism /. feedback;
(3) Are constantly seeking self improvement;
(4) Do the analysis;
(5) Decide on the appropriate actions or technical changes;
(6) Practise the refined technique;
(7) Then through visualisation encode the new approach into their mindset so that it becomes instinctive / automatic.
My feeling is that Michael is struggling with step (7).
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