Kimi shuts down Sky reporter
Discussion
For anyone who missed this on Sky the other night, ask a stupid question...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8NVv4xLrn0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8NVv4xLrn0
Derek Smith said:
Despite his age he's looking as fit as I've seen him.
And relaxed - I think Lotus are handling him well. They seem to be letting him be himself and get on with it; marketing that and reaping the benefits of chilled Kimi on track, rather than trying to get him to do 'traditional' PR and making him come across as surly and difficult, which I don't think he is.
DynoDad said:
It wasn't that stupid, he was after a soundbite, it's telly.
Kimi was rude and unprofessional, the guy was just doing his job. Chances are the producer told him to ask it anyway.
I would not employ Kimi as I think he is a PR nightmare, but I thought the withering look was about 10-times more polite than the stupid git deserved. If your producer wants "a story" then at least get smart with the question.Kimi was rude and unprofessional, the guy was just doing his job. Chances are the producer told him to ask it anyway.
rdjohn said:
I would not employ Kimi as I think he is a PR nightmare, but I thought the withering look was about 10-times more polite than the stupid git deserved. If your producer wants "a story" then at least get smart with the question.
That question was a horrible cliche, and as you quite rightly said it got what it deserves. We know what Kimi does when he doesn't want to race in F1 - he stops racing in F1. If he's racing, he wants to be racing. However, I think Kimi is a PR genius. He brings a lot of cachet to Lotus just by being Kimi.
Can't agree more. The Lotus team had far more focus last year because Kimi was driving for them than if he hadn't been there and it'll be the same again this year. He's one of a small number of F1 drivers that you'd want to go for a beer with, along with Button and Webber. Purely because they seem to be the only ones who don't just tow the PR line and say what they're thinking.
What most drivers would have said is:
"After two years out I've proven I'm still quick and I'm now even more focussed than ever to prove my championship wasn't a one-off"
With an answer like that it doesn't sound like such a stupid question. Pretty standard stuff really.
I don't understand all the fawning over Kimi - "what's he gonna do next.....he's eating an icecream!!! ....an ICE...CREAM......LOOK LOOK.... this guy is classic"
"After two years out I've proven I'm still quick and I'm now even more focussed than ever to prove my championship wasn't a one-off"
With an answer like that it doesn't sound like such a stupid question. Pretty standard stuff really.
I don't understand all the fawning over Kimi - "what's he gonna do next.....he's eating an icecream!!! ....an ICE...CREAM......LOOK LOOK.... this guy is classic"
rdjohn said:
I would not employ Kimi as I think he is a PR nightmare,
I am going to disagree with that one. I actually think that it makes him a more interesting (thus newsworthy) character. The fact that he is a former champion entitles him to be a bit irreverent to journalists without coming across as too arrogant and I reckon that it probably plays well with a lot of demographic groups that would appeal to advertisers (from the youth/energy drink brigade to 30 somethings who hate their boss). If someone gets involved in violence, racism, sexism, adultery, homophobia, drink driving or any other legal trouble - then you have a PR nightmare. Someone who likes an occasional party, doesn't really seem to care what people think, doesn't pander to daft questions and provides quotable quips - well, frankly a lot of brands positively clamour to sponsor tours with rock stars. It is something that will sell things...
I have never been a particular fan of the Finn - particularly during his inconsistent phase before he left Ferrari. However, I am actually starting to warm to him now as actually I think that F1 is better when there are personalities out there contesting it in our 'how many hours' coverage of today.
I think he's a bit of a prick to be honest, my mates 4 year old lad doesn't sulk as much as Kimi does.
Like it or not the whole PR thing is a big part of the driver's job nowadays, Kimi should consider himself very lucky that Lotus let him get out of doing it.. I very much doubt any other team wouldd.
Like it or not the whole PR thing is a big part of the driver's job nowadays, Kimi should consider himself very lucky that Lotus let him get out of doing it.. I very much doubt any other team wouldd.
DiscoColin said:
I am going to disagree with that one. I actually think that it makes him a more interesting (thus newsworthy) character. The fact that he is a former champion entitles him to be a bit irreverent to journalists without coming across as too arrogant and I reckon that it probably plays well with a lot of demographic groups that would appeal to advertisers (from the youth/energy drink brigade to 30 somethings who hate their boss).
If someone gets involved in violence, racism, sexism, adultery, homophobia, drink driving or any other legal trouble - then you have a PR nightmare. Someone who likes an occasional party, doesn't really seem to care what people think, doesn't pander to daft questions and provides quotable quips - well, frankly a lot of brands positively clamour to sponsor tours with rock stars. It is something that will sell things...
I have never been a particular fan of the Finn - particularly during his inconsistent phase before he left Ferrari. However, I am actually starting to warm to him now as actually I think that F1 is better when there are personalities out there contesting it in our 'how many hours' coverage of today.
Spot on.If someone gets involved in violence, racism, sexism, adultery, homophobia, drink driving or any other legal trouble - then you have a PR nightmare. Someone who likes an occasional party, doesn't really seem to care what people think, doesn't pander to daft questions and provides quotable quips - well, frankly a lot of brands positively clamour to sponsor tours with rock stars. It is something that will sell things...
I have never been a particular fan of the Finn - particularly during his inconsistent phase before he left Ferrari. However, I am actually starting to warm to him now as actually I think that F1 is better when there are personalities out there contesting it in our 'how many hours' coverage of today.
There are far too many "corporate clone" drivers these days. Kimi may not be everybody's cup of tea but at least he allows his own feelings about things to show.
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