I have the opportunity to interview a former F1 world champion and will need to read up about him before the interview takes place. My story angle will be ''the F1 champion then... and the man he is today'', what motor racing has 'taught' him, what would he do differntly, etc.
I'm afraid to say I have no interest in motor racing and know nobody that is but still I need some advice! Then I happened upon this forum.
Could I ask YOU what you'd like to know about a former F1 champion? What would you like to read?
I do realise this is a very general question... but this should give you an idea of how stranded I am.
I thank you in anticipation.
ThisOldHag
Interview of a former F1 champion
Started by
ThisOldHag
, Mar 27 2005 13:50
76 replies to this topic
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#2
The Kanisteri
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 14:00
It depends a lot who you are interviewing.
#3
SeanValen
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 14:03
Pretty weird you have no interest in motor racing, what are you doing this for if I may ask.
And who's the former champion you gonna interview. We need these answers to help you.
And who's the former champion you gonna interview. We need these answers to help you.
#4
Kooper
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 14:09
Ask him if he is privy to Rubens Ferrari contract ;)
#5
johnnythunders
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 14:31
Hi,
I suggest you stick with your own line of questioning and don't even seek the assistance of people with an interest in F1. Chances are, you'll have a different angle and that could make the resulting interview more interesting for everybody.
Cheers,
Mike
I suggest you stick with your own line of questioning and don't even seek the assistance of people with an interest in F1. Chances are, you'll have a different angle and that could make the resulting interview more interesting for everybody.
Cheers,
Mike
#6
fasttrack
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 14:47
Hey, that's quite an assignment. Many drivers are quite introspective, and may be very difficult to get anything from them. One interesting possibility is to open the interview asking about the human side of the competition. A racing driver life is intense. He must have seen tragedy and loss of life in his career, and this does affect people in different ways. From this point, your interview will probably lead to either one of two different directions:
Motor racing is a competitive business. Some drivers carry this 'ruthlesness' to their private lives. They are caustic and horrendously competitive. Of course, being a former driver and World Champion, this may have softned a bit, but still, some drivers are dry persons and will still be so. Interviews with these people tend to be boring and dry, with a few exceptions.
On the other side, there are some real gentlemans in this sport. They are still competitive -- it's part of their business -- but they have a fantastic ethic sense, and usually a different view of human life. Some of these drivers seem to be teletransported directly from a medieval tale, quite literally -- Gilles Villeneuve is a famous example of this kind of driver.
Of course, there are also pay drivers, many with a wallet as big as their ego, but as you are interviewing a F1 champion, I assume that this isn't the case.
As you may have seen, I didn't mention any name here, except Gilles, which is dead and was never a F1 champion... so it's up to you to make up your mind!
Motor racing is a competitive business. Some drivers carry this 'ruthlesness' to their private lives. They are caustic and horrendously competitive. Of course, being a former driver and World Champion, this may have softned a bit, but still, some drivers are dry persons and will still be so. Interviews with these people tend to be boring and dry, with a few exceptions.
On the other side, there are some real gentlemans in this sport. They are still competitive -- it's part of their business -- but they have a fantastic ethic sense, and usually a different view of human life. Some of these drivers seem to be teletransported directly from a medieval tale, quite literally -- Gilles Villeneuve is a famous example of this kind of driver.
Of course, there are also pay drivers, many with a wallet as big as their ego, but as you are interviewing a F1 champion, I assume that this isn't the case.
As you may have seen, I didn't mention any name here, except Gilles, which is dead and was never a F1 champion... so it's up to you to make up your mind!
#7
Racecar
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 15:01
Some champions are more interesting than others. Who is it?
#8
David McKinney
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 15:06
If I was doing the interview, my approach would vary enormously depending on two factors, first, who my audience was and, secondly, how long ago the subject was Champion. Formula 1 has changed enormously over the years, and the questions I would like answered by someone from the 1960s would be very different from what I might ask a champion of the '90s or even '80s.
#9
David Beard
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 16:03
I get the impression that famous drivers get annoyed when a journalist asks a "fit all racing drivers" type of question. And I agree with David McKinney: it depends so much on the audience and the era.
If the driver in question is of the vintage that suits TNF, just name him, and you will have a dozen very special questions put forward in the space of a few hours.
I would love it if you were interviewing Mike Hawthorn....
If the driver in question is of the vintage that suits TNF, just name him, and you will have a dozen very special questions put forward in the space of a few hours.
I would love it if you were interviewing Mike Hawthorn....
#10
Racecar
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 16:06
I would love it if you were interviewing Mike Hawthorn.... [/B]
The journo wouldn't. Too busy crapping his/her pants ...
#11
jcbc3
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 16:17
Keep your 'innocense'. Don't get loaded by s.
If you named the champion you'd get a list of what some old(ish) fans would like to ask this specific driver. Why he didn't let his team mate pass in this or that race. If his team manager was really shagging his wife. You get the drift. Muuuuch to specific to be of any interest.
Interest from what must be your readers. And giving you the assignment of making the interview lead me to believe that the intended audience is NOT in any way motorsport minded.
So ask the questions YOU as a complete novice would likely ask. Even if many champions are grumpy and short-fused, the fact that he has agreed to let himself be your subject indicates that he has an interest in the general audience rather than the specialised world he (and we) live in.
If you named the champion you'd get a list of what some old(ish) fans would like to ask this specific driver. Why he didn't let his team mate pass in this or that race. If his team manager was really shagging his wife. You get the drift. Muuuuch to specific to be of any interest.
Interest from what must be your readers. And giving you the assignment of making the interview lead me to believe that the intended audience is NOT in any way motorsport minded.
So ask the questions YOU as a complete novice would likely ask. Even if many champions are grumpy and short-fused, the fact that he has agreed to let himself be your subject indicates that he has an interest in the general audience rather than the specialised world he (and we) live in.
#12
RJL
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 17:22
Ask him about the time a rental car wound up in a hotel pool.
#13
David Beard
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 17:24
Originally posted by jcbc3
Keep your 'innocense'. Don't get loaded by s.
If you named the champion you'd get a list of what some old(ish) fans would like to ask this specific driver. Why he didn't let his team mate pass in this or that race. If his team manager was really shagging his wife. You get the drift. Muuuuch to specific to be of any interest.
Interest from what must be your readers. And giving you the assignment of making the interview lead me to believe that the intended audience is NOT in any way motorsport minded.
So ask the questions YOU as a complete novice would likely ask. Even if many champions are grumpy and short-fused, the fact that he has agreed to let himself be your subject indicates that he has an interest in the general audience rather than the specialised world he (and we) live in.
Utter tosh.
ThisOldHag has already moved along from that sort of nonsense. She (assumption) has managed to find TNF.
#14
Zmeej
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 17:57
ThisOldHag 
Congratulations on your opportunity!
Excellent advice from both fasttrack and johnnythunders.
With all due respect to SeanV, I don't think it's weird that you might want to do an interview with a champion driver even though you have no interest in racing.
First, ask a few questions of yourself:
What's the audience you're trying interest in this man's life and experience? Are they adults, teens, kids?
What do you want to learn about human nature from this man?
How do you think he's different from all of us, and how do you feel that he is basically the same?
Do you think that the sport he was engaged in is a waste of time and money?
Do you think that a quest for greatness is important or overrated?
Go from there.
As far as what I'd ask a former F1 champion, it would, as Sean suggests, depend on of whom it was I was asking questions.
In terms of general interest, I'd ask:
Would he want a child of his to go into F1?
What was his favourite book when he was growing up?
Does he read now?
What kind of music does he like? Did he listen to music to get himself "psyched" for driving?
Does he think the sport is too much like a business now, is it just a fact that one has to accept, or is this the way it should be?
Was it a relief to retire (if he's not Jacques Villeneuve ;))?
Why did he suddenly want to make a comeback with Williams (if it's Mika Hakkinen ;))?
Cheers
Congratulations on your opportunity!
Excellent advice from both fasttrack and johnnythunders.
With all due respect to SeanV, I don't think it's weird that you might want to do an interview with a champion driver even though you have no interest in racing.
First, ask a few questions of yourself:
What's the audience you're trying interest in this man's life and experience? Are they adults, teens, kids?
What do you want to learn about human nature from this man?
How do you think he's different from all of us, and how do you feel that he is basically the same?
Do you think that the sport he was engaged in is a waste of time and money?
Do you think that a quest for greatness is important or overrated?
Go from there.
As far as what I'd ask a former F1 champion, it would, as Sean suggests, depend on of whom it was I was asking questions.
In terms of general interest, I'd ask:
Would he want a child of his to go into F1?
What was his favourite book when he was growing up?
Does he read now?
What kind of music does he like? Did he listen to music to get himself "psyched" for driving?
Does he think the sport is too much like a business now, is it just a fact that one has to accept, or is this the way it should be?
Was it a relief to retire (if he's not Jacques Villeneuve ;))?
Why did he suddenly want to make a comeback with Williams (if it's Mika Hakkinen ;))?
Cheers
#15
Lotus23
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 17:59
I should think that a question on the perceived future of The Sport would be of interest.
Something like: "Given your perspective, where do you see F1 in 10 or 20 years?"
I've asked this sort of "future forecast" question on a number of occasions over the years, and have received thought-provoking answers from everyone from politicians to neurosurgeons.
Something like: "Given your perspective, where do you see F1 in 10 or 20 years?"
I've asked this sort of "future forecast" question on a number of occasions over the years, and have received thought-provoking answers from everyone from politicians to neurosurgeons.
#16
swintex
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 18:36
As soon as I read this, I immediately thought of Jody…
I think I'd want to know if he'd cut me a good deal on some of his organic produce
I think I'd want to know if he'd cut me a good deal on some of his organic produce
#17
ThisOldHag
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 18:47
Thanks for all your responses!
As much as I'd like to publisize the name, contractually I'm zipped shut... but feel it would be relatively safe to say that he was known as the wild man of motor racing, was disliked by many, and was the world champion some 25/30 years ago.
The interview would actually extend far beyond motor racing and as such will also be placed with other diverse magazines (obviously with totally different story line). It's only the motor racing questions I have a problem with... as said earlier, I know nothing about it. Darn, I can't even change a wheel :-( and before anyone makes a smart comment about that, no, thats not a hook for the article... that's why God made mechanics.
I hope this gives you all a better idea.
Many thanks.
As much as I'd like to publisize the name, contractually I'm zipped shut... but feel it would be relatively safe to say that he was known as the wild man of motor racing, was disliked by many, and was the world champion some 25/30 years ago.
The interview would actually extend far beyond motor racing and as such will also be placed with other diverse magazines (obviously with totally different story line). It's only the motor racing questions I have a problem with... as said earlier, I know nothing about it. Darn, I can't even change a wheel :-( and before anyone makes a smart comment about that, no, thats not a hook for the article... that's why God made mechanics.
I hope this gives you all a better idea.
Many thanks.
#18
KJJ
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 18:53
Assuming the old hag is female and the champ comes from the era when "sex was safe and racing was dangerous" how about exploring the relationship between driver and wife? So many of those 60s racers, for example, where married, and to be realistic a lot of their wives must have felt like widows in waiting.
#19
ThisOldHag
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 19:09
Which wife should I approach -- no. 1, 2, 3 or 4?
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#20
Racecar
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 19:10
If it's who I think it is - ask him if he enjoyed being passed by me at Kyalami because his tyres were shot? 
#21
paulhooft
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 19:16
the wild man of motor racing, was disliked by many, and was the world champion some 25/30 years ago.
sure it is:
John Mc In Tyre??
BLURP?
BAHWOE???
PcH
sure it is:
John Mc In Tyre??
BLURP?
BAHWOE???
PcH
#22
pkenny
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 19:21
Someone from that era (even a champion that you say was not universally liked) would have lost a lot of friends. Ask him if he thinks, with the benefit of hindsight, whether it was worth the risk.
Also ask him if he were again 15 would he pursue the same goals (many of the champions from that era now have kids in the business so you might get an interesting response).
Also ask him if he were again 15 would he pursue the same goals (many of the champions from that era now have kids in the business so you might get an interesting response).
#23
fines
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 20:26
With all due respect, but I think this is the wrong place to ask, if ever there was one! Do you do an interview for a Historic Racing Magazine?? What sort of readers would be interested in our questions???Originally posted by ThisOldHag
Could I ask YOU what you'd like to know about a former F1 champion? What would you like to read?
Sorry, but this smells of a very silly idea...
#24
swintex
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 20:31
Nelson, is Nigel still on your Christmas card list?
#25
JohnS
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 20:34
A bit OT, but for some reason this reminds me of Alan Partridge interviewing a famous French racing driver "Michel Lambert", not having a clue what he's talking about, and ending up by asking him a whole series of banal questions like "What's your favourite colour car?".
If you haven't heard it, it's very funny.
John
If you haven't heard it, it's very funny.
John
#26
ThisOldHag
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 20:43
Originally posted by fines
With all due respect, but I think this is the wrong place to ask, if ever there was one! Do you do an interview for a Historic Racing Magazine?? What sort of readers would be interested in our questions???
Sorry, but this smells of a very silly idea...
Why is this the wrong place... I thought it the best place to ask? I know who will be reading the magazine, so there is no need to yourself with that. I am wanting to angle to article in a certain direction, and so far I've received some great feedback, suggestions and ideas.
Apologies if the smell offends you :-)
#27
ThisOldHag
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 20:46
Originally posted by JohnS
... ending up by asking him a whole series of banal questions like "What's your favourite colour car?".
If you haven't heard it, it's very funny.
John
This is exactly why I need some direction from you guys...
I sure as hell don't want to end up looking like a ****.
#28
Ray Bell
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 20:48
Questions about how the cars are today compared to his time... and also to the times prior to his involvement might get some good answers...
Questions about today's circuits compared to the circuits on which he raced. And the level of spectator involvement... how today the drivers are shepherded away from their public... would he have liked that?
Favourite circuit and favourite car he drove... and maybe the one he would have liked to have driven too. There could be some good responses to those questions.
And if he was disliked, ask him why he thinks this is so, and assuming that later changed, why did it change? Who, in particular, might have been his early allies?
And how did he get into the sport at a level that led to becoming champion?
Questions about today's circuits compared to the circuits on which he raced. And the level of spectator involvement... how today the drivers are shepherded away from their public... would he have liked that?
Favourite circuit and favourite car he drove... and maybe the one he would have liked to have driven too. There could be some good responses to those questions.
And if he was disliked, ask him why he thinks this is so, and assuming that later changed, why did it change? Who, in particular, might have been his early allies?
And how did he get into the sport at a level that led to becoming champion?
#29
jimm
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 22:02
Originally posted by The Kanisteri
It depends a lot who you are interviewing.
Why did he not just say who? it would be easier. Is it a modern (post 80's) or older or classic (pre 67)
Possible drivers? I think the list is small:
Mika H
JV
D. Hill
Prost
Mansell
Piquet
Lauda
Rosberg
Jones
Schecter
Andretti
Fittapaldi
Stewart
Phil Hill
Did I miss any that are still alive??? (note: cannot be MS cause he is not former he is current)
#30
Schuting Star
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 22:24
Doesn't that just say so much about journalism. No interest, but I'll do the interview anyway. I suppose I should say well done on trying to do your homework.Originally posted by ThisOldHag
I'm afraid to say I have no interest in motor racing and know nobody that is but still I need some advice! Then I happened upon this forum.
#31
Twin Window
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 22:30
No problem, we've all been around a few old hags in our time so we're used to it.Originally posted by ThisOldHag
Apologies if the smell offends you :-)
If you really want to tap into the communal well of knowledge here, you'd do better by letting a little more info slip out. For example, nationality. We know us onions, and as such could fathom it from there - and then you'd have to don the scuba gear as the floodgates would be open!
Seriously; if you want to be armed with some hardcore (and I mean that in the knowledgeable, but not 'fan-like' sense) then that's the way to go.
We could also advise you as to the topics to avoid, in all likelihood...
#32
jorism
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 22:39
Why should a non racing magazine want to keep quiet who it is? Readers of the magazine will not buy it for the reason that there is an interview in it with Baby Bear........you could better ask for information about the man's carreer and not what kind of questions you should ask.Originally posted by ThisOldHag
As much as I'd like to publisize the name, contractually I'm zipped shut... but feel it would be relatively safe to say that he was known as the wild man of motor racing, was disliked by many, and was the world champion some 25/30 years ago.
#33
canon1753
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 22:43
Talk about your teammates. If it is who I think it is, (Jody) ask what it was like to be a teammate to a world champ when you were starting out and to be paired up with your "successor" as the wild man of racing.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#34
Pine
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 23:34
When I saw your first post I thought, like fines did, that this is not the right place to ask because most of the members of this forum would be interested in questions like "what was it like to switch from Hewland to ZF gearbox?"Originally posted by ThisOldHag
Why is this the wrong place... I thought it the best place to ask?
But later you made things more clear, and indeed there are some good ideas here. I like Ray Bell's suggestions a lot.
#35
FLB
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Posted 27 March 2005 - 23:56
I'd ask him who (and why... and how) helped him most along the way?
What he thinks about the way Bernie and Max run the show nowadays? Does he think the FISA/FOCA war of the early 1980's was healthier for the sport than what we see today, especially with the possiblity of the emergence of two different series (FIA F1 vs GPR)?
The influence of media in general and the explosion of television in particular on F1?
Which did he prefer, a balls-out lap of qualifying or the race itself? The Speed or The Hunt? Why?
What he thinks about the way Bernie and Max run the show nowadays? Does he think the FISA/FOCA war of the early 1980's was healthier for the sport than what we see today, especially with the possiblity of the emergence of two different series (FIA F1 vs GPR)?
The influence of media in general and the explosion of television in particular on F1?
Which did he prefer, a balls-out lap of qualifying or the race itself? The Speed or The Hunt? Why?
#36
ThisOldHag
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 00:45
Originally posted by jorism
Why should a non racing magazine want to keep quiet who it is? Readers of the magazine will not buy it for the reason that there is an interview in it with Baby Bear........you could better ask for information about the man's carreer and not what kind of questions you should ask.
Excuse me if I think you're a bit of a dick... but perhaps you should read with your glasses on and change feet before opening your mouth.
#37
ThisOldHag
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 01:16
Originally posted by Schuting Star
Doesn't that just say so much about journalism. No interest, but I'll do the interview anyway. I suppose I should say well done on trying to do your homework.
You should be careful what you assume without knowledge of all the facts... you may end up looking very foolish.
Unlike you, I've done my homework but hard as I try, I still have no interest in F1 racing.
#38
ThisOldHag
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 01:21
THANK YOU ALL for your responses, most of which have been extremely informative and helpful.
I am unsubscribing from this forum now so will not see any further replies.
Cheers
#39
275 GTB-4
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 02:05
Originally posted by jimm
Why did he not just say who? it would be easier. Is it a modern (post 80's) or older or classic (pre 67)
Possible drivers? I think the list is small:
Mika H
JV
D. Hill
Prost
Mansell
Piquet
Lauda
Rosberg
Jones
Schecter
Andretti
Fittapaldi
Stewart
Phil Hill
Did I miss any that are still alive??? (note: cannot be MS cause he is not former he is current)
annnnd....whilst Michael has been winning for what seems like 25 years ....it is not!!!
So without so much as a bye your leave the Old Hag exits stage left.....to me...it would have been manners to promise to pop back in post interview airing and let us know if we were of assistance or complete bollocks or.... something...anything :
#41
T54
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#42
LB
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 03:35
Originally posted by jimm
Why did he not just say who? it would be easier. Is it a modern (post 80's) or older or classic (pre 67)
Possible drivers? I think the list is small:
Mika H
JV
D. Hill
Prost
Mansell
Piquet
Lauda
Rosberg
Jones
Scheckter
Andretti
Fittipaldi
Stewart
Phil Hill
Did I miss any that are still alive??? (note: cannot be MS cause he is not former he is current)
Yes John Surtees and Jack Brabham, other than that this is a VERY strange thread....
#43
dbw
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 06:29
i'm looking forward to the interview in the july issue of Floor Coverings Monthly
#44
275 GTB-4
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 07:35
Originally posted by dbw
i'm looking forward to the interview in the july issue of Floor Coverings Monthly
LOL I wonder who the old hag is going to carpet!!?? treat like a doormat?? No! thats enough...
#45
paulhooft
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 14:28
Can this total nonsense tread simply be:
DELETED?
Paul
DELETED?
Paul
#46
condor
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 14:41
On the contrary - I think it's a useful link to provide someone else that storms in demanding help - without any social graces 
#47
doc540
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 14:52
"I never knew a social grace until I met one."
Jim Lauderdale
Jim Lauderdale
#48
Vitesse2
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 15:18
Almost makes you long for the halcyon days of Russian quiz questions
I wonder if samuelson, co@l or cat ever won anything?
I wonder if samuelson, co@l or cat ever won anything?
#49
jcbc3
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 15:42
Originally posted by condor
On the contrary - I think it's a useful link to provide someone else that storms in demanding help - without any social graces
dear social grace
#50
fines
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Posted 28 March 2005 - 17:15
Most bizarre thread ever?
