Discussion
F1 like many sports is being ruined by many aspects of pr, many drivers / sportsman not able to allow they're personality show through in case it has the potential to upset or offend.
So I must say how well in various interviews this weekend some drivers came accross, Seb springs to mind most. Really warmed to him this weekend, plus Lewis made for some good viewing too. Are we seeing the start of entertaining personality's once more or will it be short lived?
So I must say how well in various interviews this weekend some drivers came accross, Seb springs to mind most. Really warmed to him this weekend, plus Lewis made for some good viewing too. Are we seeing the start of entertaining personality's once more or will it be short lived?
I liked Murray Walker’s point to Christian Horner on the F1 Forum post-race: Walker basically said that since Red Bull are an energy drinks company with a high-profile love of extreme sports, surely it was completely off-brand to play it safe and give team orders.
Horner had no comeback to that and quickly changed the subject …
Horner had no comeback to that and quickly changed the subject …
Maybe the BBC are more willing to button-hole drivers outside of the formal settings of press conferences. ITV were too wary about upsetting the commercial interests so played the corporate game - which kept everything pretty banal. The BBC team seems to be more willing to scout around the paddock and catch people off guard and ask the odd unwelcome question.
Which is a good thing.
Which is a good thing.
homer3uk said:
F1 like many sports is being ruined by many aspects of pr, many drivers / sportsman not able to allow they're personality show through in case it has the potential to upset or offend.
So I must say how well in various interviews this weekend some drivers came accross, Seb springs to mind most. Really warmed to him this weekend, plus Lewis made for some good viewing too. Are we seeing the start of entertaining personality's once more or will it be short lived?
Vettel came across very well on TG later in the day too, and my opinion of him has been influenced as a result.So I must say how well in various interviews this weekend some drivers came accross, Seb springs to mind most. Really warmed to him this weekend, plus Lewis made for some good viewing too. Are we seeing the start of entertaining personality's once more or will it be short lived?
Lets face it. The days when someone with god like driving talent, and zero PR value and charisma (let alone some personal sponsorship), would secure an F1 drive are long gone.
mat205125 said:
Vettel came across very well on TG later in the day too, and my opinion of him has been influenced as a result.
Lets face it. The days when someone with god like driving talent, and zero PR value and charisma (let alone some personal sponsorship), would secure an F1 drive are long gone.
Disagree. They have people to work on you're 'TV Persona' now and the bulk of the F1 grid are made up of corporate drones with little TV charisma.Lets face it. The days when someone with god like driving talent, and zero PR value and charisma (let alone some personal sponsorship), would secure an F1 drive are long gone.
mat205125 said:
Vettel came across very well on TG later in the day too, and my opinion of him has been influenced as a result.
Not wishing to pick on the poster I quoted here but I am seeing a lot on this site that people think Vettel was nice on TG but previously they disliked him - this is something I don't understand as he's always come across on the F1 stuff as being very nice, charming, funny and a good sport (as in can take a joke as well as dish it out - I am thinking of flags on his car for example). mat205125 said:
Vettel came across very well on TG later in the day too, and my opinion of him has been influenced as a result.
Lets face it. The days when someone with god like driving talent, and zero PR value and charisma (let alone some personal sponsorship), would secure an F1 drive are long gone.
He did, I know everythings going well for him at the mo but he looks happy to be in the sport and enjoying the oppotunity he has at redbull.Lets face it. The days when someone with god like driving talent, and zero PR value and charisma (let alone some personal sponsorship), would secure an F1 drive are long gone.
Un-like other drivers, he seems to be more at home with his F1 image, rather than searching for some sort of PR image accross other areanas.
Jasandjules said:
Not wishing to pick on the poster I quoted here but I am seeing a lot on this site that people think Vettel was nice on TG but previously they disliked him - this is something I don't understand as he's always come across on the F1 stuff as being very nice, charming, funny and a good sport (as in can take a joke as well as dish it out - I am thinking of flags on his car for example).
I think I can sum up the cause in three words - "The arrogant finger".He may be a nice guy - but the way he brandishes that finger makes him look like a stereotypical arrogant german t
tmaybe it's just the trademark finger - why would a pretty non-arrogant guy have an arrogant finger?
people just get pissed because they see it so much, if he made a fist instead he would probably be nicknamed fister instead of finger!
i've always liked vettel, i was working at BMW sauber when he first came to the team and he's always been an absolutely top guy imo with his feet firmly on the ground
people just get pissed because they see it so much, if he made a fist instead he would probably be nicknamed fister instead of finger!
i've always liked vettel, i was working at BMW sauber when he first came to the team and he's always been an absolutely top guy imo with his feet firmly on the ground
skinny said:
maybe it's just the trademark finger - why would a pretty non-arrogant guy have an arrogant finger?
people just get pissed because they see it so much, if he made a fist instead he would probably be nicknamed fister instead of finger!
I agree. i don't understand the vettel hatred. ok he's german. ok he waves his finger about when he wins. Having spent years getting to the pinnacle of a world sporting competition, living in a high pressure environment and having quite a lot of adrenaline flowing i expect he gets quite excited when he wins. if i was winning the premier racing events in the world i hope i would be british about it and just give everyone a firm hand shake and a polite smile - i suspect however i would be rather more jumpy and shouty.people just get pissed because they see it so much, if he made a fist instead he would probably be nicknamed fister instead of finger!
I'm not sure if it's a 'hatred' of Vettel as such, I think people react badly to the way Red Bull treat Webber who is also very likable and someone people can relate to. This seems to be then turned against the one who is receiving all the favour, as if he is orchestrating it in some fashion.
This is probably not the case, and simply Red Bull making management mistakes which reflect badly on the team and their drivers. Lets not forget, people generally tend to side with the underdog, or someone they see as being treated unfairly.
This is probably not the case, and simply Red Bull making management mistakes which reflect badly on the team and their drivers. Lets not forget, people generally tend to side with the underdog, or someone they see as being treated unfairly.
Let's not get carried away here. Vettel hatred is a bit strong. He has however, sulked on a number of occasions when the race hasn't gone his way and certainly got on his high horse when he collided with Webber last year.
He seems to be getting better with his PR but he is certainly at least somewhat to blame for some of his less favourable press.
He seems to be getting better with his PR but he is certainly at least somewhat to blame for some of his less favourable press.
PR is only partly to blame for the blandness we see in many drivers.
There is an expectation that anyone in the public eye should be interesting, engaging or whatever but like 'normal life' some are and some aren't.
Two factors that have changed F1 is the speed at which drivers these days seem to arrive with the average age of the F1 grid become younger year by year. Consequently, they have no life experience outside of the sport. Compare the drivers of today many of whom became professional before they even left school with the likes of Damon Hill - who worked as Motorcycle Courier in London, Mansell who worked at Lucus, etc, and thus had a bit of real worldness about them.
The second factor is that we see an awful lot more of the drivers on telly, so any personal blandness becomes that more apparent.
There is an expectation that anyone in the public eye should be interesting, engaging or whatever but like 'normal life' some are and some aren't.
Two factors that have changed F1 is the speed at which drivers these days seem to arrive with the average age of the F1 grid become younger year by year. Consequently, they have no life experience outside of the sport. Compare the drivers of today many of whom became professional before they even left school with the likes of Damon Hill - who worked as Motorcycle Courier in London, Mansell who worked at Lucus, etc, and thus had a bit of real worldness about them.
The second factor is that we see an awful lot more of the drivers on telly, so any personal blandness becomes that more apparent.
Jasandjules said:
mat205125 said:
Vettel came across very well on TG later in the day too, and my opinion of him has been influenced as a result.
Not wishing to pick on the poster I quoted here but I am seeing a lot on this site that people think Vettel was nice on TG but previously they disliked him - this is something I don't understand as he's always come across on the F1 stuff as being very nice, charming, funny and a good sport (as in can take a joke as well as dish it out - I am thinking of flags on his car for example). Initially I had little to go on with SV, his racing was clearly excellent but he drove for teams I had no natural sympathy with.
Apart from the fingers thing and the whole 'yes, baby, yes, that's what I'm talking about' which is probably genuine emotion but comes accross as a bit strained there's nothing to dislike about SV.
The TG interview cemented somethign uncomfortable that's been growing for a while: he's a nice bloke and a very worthy F1 champion. He's bloody quick and talented.
With luck (i.e. staying in a very fast car) he could well see many more WDCs.
Much as I'd like McMerc and one of 'our' drivers to win I really don't mind SV winning.
Still can't warm to Alonso even though, IMO, he's the best driver on the F1 grid.
Drivers personalities sure will vary...but, of course PR is going to be a part of their lives in the context of how they appear in a public arena.
No matter how much PR is shouldered onto them, their personalities are going to poke through from time to time.
Alonso, for example, like others it seems , I have problems relating to him in a positive way, all that dummy spitting he comes out with from time to time does rattle cages , makes him a figure of fun. Personally, it does not help that he drives for Fiat, who I loathe , but he is a superb driver..just do not like to see him win.
As for JB ,I have it on good authority, that the JB we see, is basically JB. Thats him. I really admire him, like to see him do well. I was amazed at the recent race, just how many people were wearing Jenson hats etc...seemed far more than any other driver. I got the impression he is HUGELY popular.
I don't really like Lewis, to be honest, comes across as far too cocky, only has shoulders to stop himself going up his own arse , that kind of thing. To me personally, what he came out with comment wise in the past few weeks came as no surprise to me, seemed in type. He's young though, hopefully he will mellow out a little . He's a brilliant driver, he just needs to reign his neck in a little.
Seb Vettel astounds me, no age ,yet, a head of age, astonishing driver.W/C once already, looking like he will do it again this year...Its impossible not to admire and like him.The consumate professional with a good dollop of seeming naive young kid poking through. I just hope he does not win too many championships, a Schumacher like score will not do F1 any good at all, cannot help but wonder if that's why the formula has been changed, this diffuser issue, help stir up competitiveness.
We have to remember though, that all F1 drivers are quite somebody. You do not get behind the wheel of one of those things by being an idiot.
Hopefully, the huge amount of money involved in the sport and its imagery , will still allow individuals true character to show through from time to time.
No matter how much PR is shouldered onto them, their personalities are going to poke through from time to time.
Alonso, for example, like others it seems , I have problems relating to him in a positive way, all that dummy spitting he comes out with from time to time does rattle cages , makes him a figure of fun. Personally, it does not help that he drives for Fiat, who I loathe , but he is a superb driver..just do not like to see him win.
As for JB ,I have it on good authority, that the JB we see, is basically JB. Thats him. I really admire him, like to see him do well. I was amazed at the recent race, just how many people were wearing Jenson hats etc...seemed far more than any other driver. I got the impression he is HUGELY popular.
I don't really like Lewis, to be honest, comes across as far too cocky, only has shoulders to stop himself going up his own arse , that kind of thing. To me personally, what he came out with comment wise in the past few weeks came as no surprise to me, seemed in type. He's young though, hopefully he will mellow out a little . He's a brilliant driver, he just needs to reign his neck in a little.
Seb Vettel astounds me, no age ,yet, a head of age, astonishing driver.W/C once already, looking like he will do it again this year...Its impossible not to admire and like him.The consumate professional with a good dollop of seeming naive young kid poking through. I just hope he does not win too many championships, a Schumacher like score will not do F1 any good at all, cannot help but wonder if that's why the formula has been changed, this diffuser issue, help stir up competitiveness.
We have to remember though, that all F1 drivers are quite somebody. You do not get behind the wheel of one of those things by being an idiot.
Hopefully, the huge amount of money involved in the sport and its imagery , will still allow individuals true character to show through from time to time.
I think that there has been a lot less corporate PR from the drivers recently,and see this as a good thing. I doubt we will ever get back to the style of discussion we saw from James Hunt but with the changes in the UK tabloid media which are likely now it can only improve things further. There weren't too many real complaints about Lewis making the comment he did after Monaco, and there have been others. I agree that Vettel is probably not liked as much as he could be due to the finger, sulky reaction (particularly in Brazil when Jenson clinched the championship in my view) and also favouritism to him over Webber. Have to give him credit, however, for picking up a guitar and playing Smoke on the Water almost as badly as I could on stage at the after race party on Sunday. That plus his TG appearance certainly made me more favourable to him. Now if only he would fight from a few places back in a race and do some really good on track overtaking!
The drivers we see aren't a million miles from the person off camera, well most of them anyway
they are all told what to say, big up the team, not slate anyone particularly, although some do when frustrated occasionally, they all have their conversation recorded by the PR witch to make sure they don't say something stupid and if they do to give the team some defence later, and are all honed a bit.
The ones I know aren't too different though, but its the same in the corporate world or any other business place to be fair, you say the right stuff in the meeting, walk out and call the bloke you met a tt to your collegues.
they are all told what to say, big up the team, not slate anyone particularly, although some do when frustrated occasionally, they all have their conversation recorded by the PR witch to make sure they don't say something stupid and if they do to give the team some defence later, and are all honed a bit.
The ones I know aren't too different though, but its the same in the corporate world or any other business place to be fair, you say the right stuff in the meeting, walk out and call the bloke you met a t
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