20 years ago - Derek Warwick's thoughts post-Monza

[PhillT]

Was just perusing the web ahead of the Italian GP this weekend and came across this post-race interview with Derek Warwick. It really shows how much F1 has changed - can you imagine a present day driver giving an interview like this?

http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ft00046.html

[Fire99]

Very true.. These days it'll be concerns that they managed to roll the sleeve up of their fire suit fast enough so their big sparkly watches get enough media coverage.

Not that it would be likely they would crash. These days, they're more likely to get lost on the tarmac run-offs than hit too much.

[Eric Mc]

Fire99 said:

Very true.. These days it'll be concerns that they managed to roll the sleeve up of their fire suit fast enough so their big sparkly watches get enough media coverage.

Not that it would be likely they would crash. These days, they're more likely to get lost on the tarmac run-offs than hit too much.

What is the run-off situation at that corner today? Has it been changed much?

[72EuropaTC]

It's only 20 years ago, and not like the days of Stewart or Moss before him, but reading through the roll-call in that interview is sobering nonetheless

Gugelmin, Capelli, Patrese, Mansell, Alesi got through pretty much intact.

But

Boutsen - accident (Le Mans), retires
Bernard - accident causes 2 seasons off, switches to other motorsport
Donnelly - accident, retires
Senna - RIP

Include Mr Warwick himself and it shows how high the odds were in coming a cropper in motorsport in those days.

[MG511]

72EuropaTC said:

Include Mr Warwick himself and it shows how high the odds were in coming a cropper in motorsport in those days.

As Derek's brother Paul so sadly did.

[Fire99]

72EuropaTC said:

It's only 20 years ago, and not like the days of Stewart or Moss before him, but reading through the roll-call in that interview is sobering nonetheless

Gugelmin, Capelli, Patrese, Mansell, Alesi got through pretty much intact.

But

Boutsen - accident (Le Mans), retires
Bernard - accident causes 2 seasons off, switches to other motorsport
Donnelly - accident, retires
Senna - RIP

Include Mr Warwick himself and it shows how high the odds were in coming a cropper in motorsport in those days.

Strangely not as likely to come a cropper as Golf or Fishing.

edited to add - Or Bowls but that's probably down to the age of the 'competitors'

Edited by Fire99 on Thursday 9th September 10:26

[Rouleur]

The way that DW dealt with his accident is beyond my comprehension - to be thinking about getting into the spare car as he was sliding along the track shows that top level drivers are in a different league to the rest of us...

This is how he ended up:

[Fire99]

Rouleur said:

The way that DW dealt with his accident is beyond my comprehension - to be thinking about getting into the spare car as he was sliding along the track shows that top level drivers are in a different league to the rest of us...

IMO this is what differentiates between a fast driver and a true out and out racer. The man wanted to win.

[Rouleur]

Fire99 said:

Rouleur said:

The way that DW dealt with his accident is beyond my comprehension - to be thinking about getting into the spare car as he was sliding along the track shows that top level drivers are in a different league to the rest of us...

IMO this is what differentiates between a fast driver and a true out and out racer. The man wanted to win.

He had to win!

[VladD]

I could be getting facts wrong here, but I think it was Mark Webber that flipped his Merc twice at Le Mans. The first time he was airborne he thought to himself "This is going to hurt", but then he landed and walked away without a scratch. The second time he was airborne he knew he'd be alright and he thought to himself "we haven't got any more spare cars". As has been said, they're a different breed.

[paulmurr]

VladD said:

I could be getting facts wrong here, but I think it was Mark Webber that flipped his Merc twice at Le Mans. The first time he was airborne he thought to himself "This is going to hurt", but then he landed and walked away without a scratch. The second time he was airborne he knew he'd be alright and he thought to himself "we haven't got any more spare cars". As has been said, they're a different breed.

They're wired up differently from the rest of us

[emicen]

Rouleur said:

Fire99 said:

Rouleur said:

The way that DW dealt with his accident is beyond my comprehension - to be thinking about getting into the spare car as he was sliding along the track shows that top level drivers are in a different league to the rest of us...

IMO this is what differentiates between a fast driver and a true out and out racer. The man wanted to win.

He had to win!

I might have to watch some old F1. My only racing experience of Warwick was when he switched to the BTCC in 95 with Alfa and could only be described as a slow, moany "also ran".

[woof]

Here's the BBC's coverage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3D1OLGOlBo

[indigorallye]

If a team prep'd a third/ team car would a driver be able to do what Warwick did and get in that car should there be a first lap red flag this weekend?

[_dobbo_]

indigorallye said:

If a team prep'd a third/ team car would a driver be able to do what Warwick did and get in that car should there be a first lap red flag this weekend?

Spare cars have been banned since 2008, another of Mosely's cost cutting measures.

[emicen]

Indeed, however, they used to be able to do it.

I remember a first corner pile up years back resulting in a red flag and a handful of drivers all jogging back to the pits to get in the spare cars, some team mates arguing over who got it

[Fire99]

paulmurr said:

VladD said:

I could be getting facts wrong here, but I think it was Mark Webber that flipped his Merc twice at Le Mans. The first time he was airborne he thought to himself "This is going to hurt", but then he landed and walked away without a scratch. The second time he was airborne he knew he'd be alright and he thought to himself "we haven't got any more spare cars". As has been said, they're a different breed.

They're wired up differently from the rest of us

Personally, I like a bit of competitive spirit. Doesn't always make you a bundle of laughs at a 'friendly' event.

[SlipStream77]

emicen said:

Rouleur said:

Fire99 said:

Rouleur said:

The way that DW dealt with his accident is beyond my comprehension - to be thinking about getting into the spare car as he was sliding along the track shows that top level drivers are in a different league to the rest of us...

IMO this is what differentiates between a fast driver and a true out and out racer. The man wanted to win.

He had to win!

I might have to watch some old F1. My only racing experience of Warwick was when he switched to the BTCC in 95 with Alfa and could only be described as a slow, moany "also ran".

Your opinion requires amendment. He is a very talented driver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Warwick

[F355GTS]

I was at Monza for that Weekend and super lucky to have an all areas pass. I was standing on the inside of the pit entrance for the start and seeing the remains of DW's lotus sliding down the main straight was a chilling site. IIRC he was right to be concerned about fire as the bag tank had been damaged in the accident coming. THere's a few pics below from the weekend, I'll try and dig out some more, I think I've some of the wreck in parc ferme. Before the restart we wandered down to watch the spare car preparation and ended up watching much of the rest of the race on the screens in the Lotus pit

Edited by F355GTS on Saturday 11th September 10:24

[Rouleur]

Thanks for the photos, they're excellent! It's amazing how close the public could get in those days.