100 replies to this topic

[ivanalesi]

I just read Autosport's Edd Straw so called blog article: http://www.autosport...ne.php/id/70482
Big thumps up to Edd for being man enough to write what the majority of his colleague are afraid to admit!

Simply yet again, way too much emotions! It was obvious from day one, Lewis got advantage and I guess most journalist know that many times, at the drivers' briefing there are some specific instruction beside the FIA sporting rules. These instructions should be respected - otherwise you earn penalty. I've never seen a press release from a drivers' briefing, it was obvious the stewards' judgement was based on something very specific which we see for the 1st time!

Now, why on earth none called some F1 or GP2 driver(I guess even FBMW drivers would know that) and ask, Look, if you have watched the news, tell me what do you think about the Lewis-Kimi incident?
The job of journalist is to get to us an objective view, not emotionally disturbed view of the events. I don't care how shocked you were, it's vital in every single job in the world to control your emotions and carry on doing your job properly!

Now the general public thinks there's some huge scandal again, and you couldn't find a single driver to be on McLaren's side!!! 18 F1 drivers see Lewis' error, and there are some threads with 1000's of posts claiming they see conspiracies and whatever stupid crap...

That really reminds me of the yellow press, making scandals out of nothing and trashing people's reputation. That's not good for F1's image or the image of anyone in F1 and it creates uncomfortable atmosphere. No sponsor wants to get associated with a sport which according to media is governed by some secret "conspiracy group"! It's time to realize your potential to do damage to the sport that pays your wages, and start acting in more responsible way.
I know the current approach may yield more revenues in the short-term, but I'm sure it won't in the mid-term and 100% sure it wouldn't in the long-term. F1 will simply loose fanbase.

On top of it, I can't understand the comments in some other websites about the stewards being old bureaucrats and so on, have they even thought of making the effort to look how old Nicolas Deschaux really looks like?

P.S. It's not to Autosport exclusively, I know there are a lot of journalist from other media reading and posting here.

[jokuvaan]

When races are so boring, you have to write from something else.

[dutra]

I think that a big part of the press is "scandal seeking" as you said and not only "F1 press". In their opinion headlines make good sales...
But to me the discussion is valid.

[Enzo#1]

It's just natural that british media supports Lewis and try to bad-mouth the FiA and call them biased towards Ferrari. I just ge a bad taste in my mouth when legends like Moss and Stewart join in without actually thinking abouth their actions. Afterall, F1 is a british sport and they haven't had a WDC since Damon Hill. So of course they will do everything to try and sway all possible factors in Lewis' favour and direction. The entire Lewis package is something new and F1 has got thousands of new fans thanks to him. Nobody is denying that. But media has the power to still keep some boundaries. They need to make sure fair play is maintained. F1 is still a sport. It's not a popularity contest.

[prxty]

Originally posted by ivanalesi
On top of it, I can't understand the comments in some other websites about the stewards being old bureaucrats and so on, have they even thought of making the effort to look how old Nicolas Deschaux really looks like?

Spot on. Your entire post and the article of Edd Straw.

I quote here one of your sentences. The guy is 37 years old. Younger than Barichello or Coulthard.
A really old bureaucrat.

[undersquare]

It's natural that everyone gets used to it as time goes by. But the big shock was because most people as they watched the end laps of the race felt it was a fair race won by Hamilton. So did the stewards, apparently, or they weren't even watching.

The drivers compete with each other, they don't like to be dominated the way Lewis is threatening to. They are more afraid of the tiger than the kitten Massa. So I am a bit wary of their opinions, and we haven't heard from all of them by any means.

There's a lot to be dissatisfied with about the decision, so I'll go with Symmonds and Gascoyne, and the scandal version. Scandal was inevitable the moment Max put Donnelly the Ferrari PR consultant in charge.

[ivanalesi]

Yeah, Nicolas is quite old by the 15th century standards. Actually I thought he's younger than 37 ;)

undersquare, it's quite clearly written - the press couldn't get any driver to support McLaren's case! DC said the GPDA is going to issue a clarification, so there's unity, on the press conference Bourdais was quite outspoken and said there's no scandal. Also this Donnelly guy has nothing to do with it, I didn't see his signature.

Anyway, it's not down only to Lewis, if Heikki was fighting for the championship it would have been the same. It's down to approach - never digging too much into details, and pure scandal seeking, nationality plays big role for sure, but it didn't start with that. Actually the British press have quite a role in other national press articles, most ppl know English, so they read the British press. But it wasn't only them and the others have heads on their shoulders, so any excuses "we read that, so we wrote it" are invalid.
It's been like that forever...

Annoyingly, just some calls could have saved this pointless scandal. I think Jarno commented right after on Monday or Tuesday, but it wasn't enough:(

[pingu666]

they do seek scandel, otherwise it would be basicaly, not much happened.

from what ive read, the drivers say he didnt give back the advantage, but they dont/cant say what, in quantifiable terms he should of given back, and why should he have been generous (by dropping even back more) to the guy who had hit him forcing him off the road?

some said you dont get overtaking into la source, which is true, but u got it in the past, weve had entire grand prix's without a single overtaking move aswell.

I think the offtrack guys have the point of view that, it was a fantastic, fantastic battle, for the lead, it was amazing to watch, was as good as it gets, it was exactly what F1 needed, full on classic moment. it got me buzzing, and not much does!

then the FIA goes in and ruins it.

and to losely sumerise pat simmons, kimi got the lead back later, and any "advantage" (atleast 4x the advantage actully), so why bother with the penalty.

[Raelene]

But no one could get one of Hamilton's 19 fellow drivers, for example, to say that he shouldn't have been penalised. And despite the best efforts of the media, the best we could get was that the punishment didn't fit the crime

....as I've been saying all along..

[pingu666]

wonder if theyve been spoken too by someone...

IMO u should put yourself in the shoes of kimi, and lewis and think how you would feel about the penalty/incident

both would probably feel abit miffed

[ivanalesi]

It's sport, sadly it's generally not very "human" or "fair", but rules are rules. Think about footballers, they may have 30 goal scoring opportunities and bad luck, the other team has 1 lucky one and scores... it's must be so cruel.

About the Kimi pushed him too much point, by the FIA sporting rules seems valid and 2 years ago I would have said Kimi should be penalized too. But there seems to be some consensus amongst F1 drivers, and actually down to F3 level, you can push the guy as much as you want to the outside, especially if it's racing line - it's to down to him to decide to lift off or not. It's against the "you should give him enough room" rule, but I haven't seen anyone penalized. Some time ago, I thought the same for Nico pushing JPM too wide in Canada, but it seems I've been wrong.
That's another gray area, hopefully we'll be enlighten on it. Yet I think there're sometimes too much specific instructions for some tracks and if they are press released, none would read them. You need them only if you race, at Magny Cours this year there was some instruction to do with the white lane on the exit of the last corner - it's not really headliner and the public may not understand it properly, so it will add to the confusion. Motor racing is complicated to watch even without this, that's why media should seek clarification from those involved, not trying to interpret rules.

[undersquare]

Originally posted by ivanalesi
undersquare, it's quite clearly written - the press couldn't get any driver to support McLaren's case! DC said the GPDA is going to issue a clarification, so there's unity, on the press conference Bourdais was quite outspoken and said there's no scandal. Also this Donnelly guy has nothing to do with it, I didn't see his signature.

Anyway, it's not down only to Lewis, if Heikki was fighting for the championship it would have been the same. It's down to approach - never digging too much into details, and pure scandal seeking, nationality plays big role for sure, but it didn't start with that. Actually the British press have quite a role in other national press articles, most ppl know English, so they read the British press. But it wasn't only them and the others have heads on their shoulders, so any excuses "we read that, so we wrote it" are invalid.
It's been like that forever...

Annoyingly, just some calls could have saved this pointless scandal. I think Jarno commented right after on Monday or Tuesday, but it wasn't enough:(

The media have been far too quiet about the way the FIA is run, some scandal is a good thing. It would have bolstered Hammy's case to have some support from the drivers but it's not conclusive IMO, I bet many of them have hardly watched it, and it seems to me half have chosen not to comment. I don't think they care that much, except perhaps they're fed up with all the attention he gets.

Donnelly is Max's representative and the stewards do what he says, otherwise they won't be stewards again. But they're only stewards in the first place because they're Max's cronies. It's a club.

[pingu666]

its a climate of fear isnt it?

[Chui]

Originally posted by ivanalesi
I just read Autosport's Edd Straw so called blog article: http://www.autosport...ne.php/id/70482
Big thumps up to Edd for being man enough to write what the majority of his colleague are afraid to admit!

Simply yet again, way too much emotions! It was obvious from day one, Lewis got advantage and I guess most journalist know that many times, at the drivers' briefing there are some specific instruction beside the FIA sporting rules. These instructions should be respected - otherwise you earn penalty. I've never seen a press release from a drivers' briefing, it was obvious the stewards' judgement was based on something very specific which we see for the 1st time!

Now, why on earth none called some F1 or GP2 driver(I guess even FBMW drivers would know that) and ask, Look, if you have watched the news, tell me what do you think about the Lewis-Kimi incident?
The job of journalist is to get to us an objective view, not emotionally disturbed view of the events. I don't care how shocked you were, it's vital in every single job in the world to control your emotions and carry on doing your job properly!

Now the general public thinks there's some huge scandal again, and you couldn't find a single driver to be on McLaren's side!!! 18 F1 drivers see Lewis' error, and there are some threads with 1000's of posts claiming they see conspiracies and whatever stupid crap...

That really reminds me of the yellow press, making scandals out of nothing and trashing people's reputation. That's not good for F1's image or the image of anyone in F1 and it creates uncomfortable atmosphere. No sponsor wants to get associated with a sport which according to media is governed by some secret "conspiracy group"! It's time to realize your potential to do damage to the sport that pays your wages, and start acting in more responsible way.
I know the current approach may yield more revenues in the short-term, but I'm sure it won't in the mid-term and 100% sure it wouldn't in the long-term. F1 will simply loose fanbase.

On top of it, I can't understand the comments in some other websites about the stewards being old bureaucrats and so on, have they even thought of making the effort to look how old Nicolas Deschaux really looks like?

P.S. It's not to Autosport exclusively, I know there are a lot of journalist from other media reading and posting here.

This is all rubbish and is merely one more incident that should make it obvious to any with a soul the problem with this "sport".

[holiday]

Originally posted by prxty

I would definitely feel uncomfortable standing beside Max seeing him wearing a long cloak...a walk in the park, a step in the dark.

[skinnylizard]

the press everywhere is scandal seeking. its what gets us the people interested we like scandals.

[stevewf1]

Originally posted by Enzo#1
F1 is still a sport. It's not a popularity contest.

F1 is a business, not a sport...

[Perigee]

Press coverage on Spa has largely been appallingly one-sided, and despite the unbalanced press coverage, it is no suprise to some of us that the other drivers believe that Hamilton was correct to be penalised.

Autosport has certainly fallen below it's usual standards, but it's like many things these days, a "majority" is taken to be "everybody", so they just suck up to what they think their readers "must" believe. A significant, largely silent, minority however, still make up their readership and they have done themselves no good with the ill-balanced reporting we have seen from many parts of the press.

I think I'll trust the drivers on this one....

[wiligates]

Originally posted by Perigee
Press coverage on Spa has largely been appallingly one-sided, and despite the unbalanced press coverage, it is no suprise to some of us that the other drivers believe that Hamilton was correct to be penalised.

Here here, can't have any of this overtaking business going on in F1 .What will the chattering classes want next !

[kar]

To answer your question, yes.

After all, one only would probably need to see Autosport.com's page impressions stat between the week following Valencia and the week following Spa. I would bet a weeks' pay that they were massively higher this past week than after Valencia. Look at Ed Gorman's blog and the number of comments to the stories following Valencia. Bugger all. Post Spa - off the reservation!

Indeed forum post counts have gone through the roof. Sad as the fact may be, it's still a fact that at the moment controversy drives a lot of interest in F1.

For the media, interest means money. So while cretins like Allen Henry may sanctimoniously pontificate about the latest 'arrow through the heart of 'our' sport', he's rubbing his hands together in glee, it means eyeballs on copy.

One thing that has emerged though is a degree of self-awareness in the media. This week's autosport journal is remarkable in just how clear it is that the journalists are much more aware of public opinion (whether on forums, or radio etc) and indeed of themselves and their role in breaking stories.

I find it rather fascinating actually.

[Galko877]

A very interesting article. It seems the paddock doesn't think Hamilton has been wronged. With that "general consensus" I don't see much chance for McLaren's appeal to be successful now.

[ensign14]

They're not scandal-seeking ENOUGH. The first I heard that Vic Lee Motorsport had been financed by wacky baccy was when he was banged up for four years. There have been drug smugglers, money launderers, sanction-busters, even murderers participating in high level motorsport but you'd never know reading the contemporary press.

It's not surprising, if you want to get quotes or stories about Johnny Hotshoe you don't want to mention his father's "good friends", but God knows what's going on right now that journos know on a lobby correspondent basis and won't report.

[Galko877]

Originally posted by undersquare


The drivers compete with each other, they don't like to be dominated the way Lewis is threatening to. They are more afraid of the tiger than the kitten Massa. So I am a bit wary of their opinions, and we haven't heard from all of them by any means.

Nico Rosberg is Hamilton's friend, for example. But even he said Lewis gained an advantage there.

I don't think everybody is jealous of Lewis. Maybe it's just that they tell their honest opinion...

[bankoq]

The easiest way to sold the story is to have some scandal-like material so it's normal. Look at some headlines in major F1 websites and read the articles - in many cases the title has nothing to do with the content (planet-f1 are masters in bias and this kind of articles imho).

[Perigee]

Originally posted by wiligates


Here here, can't have any of this overtaking business going on in F1 .What will the chattering classes want next !

I think you've missed the point entirely. Who has argued for less over-taking? Is that what you think this is about?

I just prefer to see my overtaking done cleanly, not through having taken a short-cut at the previous chicane. Like the drivers.

[Galko877]

Originally posted by ivanalesi
I just read Autosport's Edd Straw so called blog article: http://www.autosport...ne.php/id/70482
Big thumps up to Edd for being man enough to write what the majority of his colleague are afraid to admit!

Simply yet again, way too much emotions! It was obvious from day one, Lewis got advantage and I guess most journalist know that many times, at the drivers' briefing there are some specific instruction beside the FIA sporting rules. These instructions should be respected - otherwise you earn penalty. I've never seen a press release from a drivers' briefing, it was obvious the stewards' judgement was based on something very specific which we see for the 1st time!

Now, why on earth none called some F1 or GP2 driver(I guess even FBMW drivers would know that) and ask, Look, if you have watched the news, tell me what do you think about the Lewis-Kimi incident?
The job of journalist is to get to us an objective view, not emotionally disturbed view of the events. I don't care how shocked you were, it's vital in every single job in the world to control your emotions and carry on doing your job properly!

Now the general public thinks there's some huge scandal again, and you couldn't find a single driver to be on McLaren's side!!! 18 F1 drivers see Lewis' error, and there are some threads with 1000's of posts claiming they see conspiracies and whatever stupid crap...

That really reminds me of the yellow press, making scandals out of nothing and trashing people's reputation. That's not good for F1's image or the image of anyone in F1 and it creates uncomfortable atmosphere. No sponsor wants to get associated with a sport which according to media is governed by some secret "conspiracy group"! It's time to realize your potential to do damage to the sport that pays your wages, and start acting in more responsible way.
I know the current approach may yield more revenues in the short-term, but I'm sure it won't in the mid-term and 100% sure it wouldn't in the long-term. F1 will simply loose fanbase.

On top of it, I can't understand the comments in some other websites about the stewards being old bureaucrats and so on, have they even thought of making the effort to look how old Nicolas Deschaux really looks like?

P.S. It's not to Autosport exclusively, I know there are a lot of journalist from other media reading and posting here.

When somone gets stripped of his win, that's a big thing. Especially that it was in a controversial way. I can see why it's such a huge story. But I agree the press was a bit one-sided on this, at least in the first few days, now they seem to back off a bit seeing that the paddock doesn't really go along the FIA and Ferrari bashing "conspiracy" and "scandal!" line.

You can have the opinion Lewis has been wronged or not - even as a journalist. What I found more sad is the mindless accusastions of conspiracy, the old jokes about "Ferrari International Assistance" and so on. In worst case it was three stewards penalizing Hamilton maybe bit harsh. It's not worse than when in football a referee gives a dubious penalty. It happens in football all the time. You criticize the referee, but you don't talk about a deliberate World conspiracy, do you?

[ivanalesi]

Originally posted by ensign14
They're not scandal-seeking ENOUGH. The first I heard that Vic Lee Motorsport had been financed by wacky baccy was when he was banged up for four years. There have been drug smugglers, money launderers, sanction-busters, even murderers participating in high level motorsport but you'd never know reading the contemporary press.

It's not surprising, if you want to get quotes or stories about Johnny Hotshoe you don't want to mention his father's "good friends", but God knows what's going on right now that journos know on a lobby correspondent basis and won't report.

Are you interested in racing or rumours? If you're in the later, then watch Hollywood reporter or smth.
It's the same in every sport. How do you think Abramovich got rich? Do you want to know how you win from privatization in ex-communist countries? Well, I'm certain he's responsible for quite a lot of highly illegal acts, but it seems press loves him. Does other businessman respect him as someone like successful hedge fund investor? NO! When they deal with him, to do they have fun screwing with him? HELL YEAH! In fact, in my country the whole of football and partly racing is funded by such people, it's obvious to anyone - but again, you prefer these dumb ****s to spend their money in sport! Only problem is when they want control, then you screw them and they walk away or they stay until money runs out - which happens rather fast. Anyone in sport would rather stay quite and take their money, instead of - ooh, you've got dirty money, get out! It would be great such dumbsters to spend the whole of their fortunes in something worthy, not gold polished Porsches. Actually one of our most famous mobsters, he spends his money on buying historic Bulgarian artifacts from foreign collectors! It's great, is he respected? Don't make me laugh, some years ago he asked the CEO of Hyundai to meet because he planned to buy the enormous amount of $2mln in stocks... and I would love to see him finance racing ;) Those in the categories know about them, but you only care about racing, you can't prosecute and there are no such characters in F1 - up until GP2 - yes, actually one's kid got kicked recently from his seat. Autosport doesn't care much about quotes from backmarker GP2 runners ;)

[rolf123]

It's mainly the fault of Lewis. The British media will always back their boy.

But when Lewis consistently whines and has this VICTIM mentality, then the press will jump and swarm like flies to ****.

If Lewis actually kept his mouth shut and hid his smug side of him away and let his driving do the talking, he would have the utmost respect.

But sadly, he doesn't.

The best thing for Lewis to do after Sunday is to be a man and respect the "ref". But instead, he helped the press and their "everyone's against Lewis" BS.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by ivanalesi


Are you interested in racing or rumours? If you're in the later, then watch Hollywood reporter or smth.

Well, it might be relevant to find out that a certain driver did not get his drive because of his talent but because his father was the chief importer of a product in a very good country.;) And perhaps if anyone else benefitted as a result. Brabham were able to run Piquet for a couple of years by getting Rebaque to pay for it for example. Otherwise Piquet might have ended up somewhere else sooner and could have snuck an extra title or two. Why did Teo Fabi get a drive in 1984? Because he betrayed the other drivers at the Kyalami sit-in in 1982 to Bernie's advantage? To screw over CART as Fabi had suddenly shown pace there hitherto undiscovered? These things were never reported at the time. The CART/IRL split? NASCAR's role in it? The pre-Stepneygate spying scandals? Why weren't Toyota REALLY dragged over the coals for their incident? The media practically ignored that. Sub judice? Fear of not getting access to Toyota? Worried about boring their readers?

Originally posted by ivanalesi

It's the same in every sport. How do you think Abramovich got rich? Do you want to know how you win from privatization in ex-communist countries? Well, I'm certain he's responsible for quite a lot of highly illegal acts, but it seems press loves him.

Don't get me STARTED on that... Cockney press.

[sensible]

I think its partially to sell papers and partially a perceived outrage. The british press as a whole (not excluding other national press from this - i only read the british ones so thats all I know) - are always pretty quick to jump on perceived injustice to "their boys". cf how they still go on about the "hand of god" goal by maradona but hardly mention the goal that never was in 66. This is just another example. "How dare they rob Lewis of 4 points" they scream with indignation (conveniently forgetting that he did actually break the rules); and yet I dont recall any equivalent horror when Michael Schumacher was stripped of 10 points for overtaking on the parade lap at silverstone, even though the actual race started in the correct order. Plus ca change.

[undersquare]

Originally posted by Galko877


Nico Rosberg is Hamilton's friend, for example. But even he said Lewis gained an advantage there.

I don't think everybody is jealous of Lewis. Maybe it's just that they tell their honest opinion...

OK not all of them, but they're inevitably being wise after the event, saying how they'd have made sure and taken the conservative safe approach. But in the heat of battle they would, or should, have been making sure they got the place. He did get "an advantage", probably, but then what, is the question. Was the advantage decisive? He gave the place back, Kimi lost ground with his move left across the track and braking early. The rules aren't written down anywhere and so nobody knew what was supposed to happen.

He did gain an advantage, of whatever size, but the right guy won the race. There's no written rule about the next corner or anything concrete, the stewards could perfectly well have used their discretion and let the result stand. Some of the drivers think this, others think the penalty was OK.

My reaction after the race when the penalty was announced was exactly in line with the scandal versions of the story, I was scandalised. And now all the more so as it seems the stewards didn't notice a thing at the time, but just responded to Whiting afterwards, or even just blindly obeyed Donnelly.

[Buttoneer]

The F1 fails to properly address the 'scandals' actually. They all clamour over the public events and feuds because, well, they won't lose their press passes over them. But they don't probe in any real depth for the stories that are no doubt there.

Best Autosport article for many years? Bira's interview with Pierre DuPasquier when we found out that Michelingate tyres afterwards were exactly the same as before. IMO with the right reporting we could have found this out immediately afterwards, but I just don't think anyone wants to talk.

So it's not all about the reporters of course. I think they probably have a difficult time with the constant threat of having their pit passes revoked if they ask the wrong questions, though i know some here think this is a valuable and important control to help limit free reporting.

[ivanalesi]

The real interesting stories aren't told in the Paddock, you need personal relationship or just being great listener at the pub ;) And probably the press isn't much interested in them, because they are for the hardcore fans who know the details and can appreciate how important is this story.

But that's not the point. The point is that such "scandals" as Sunday's, apparently pointless, do no good to F1!

Originally posted by ensign14

Well, it might be relevant to find out that a certain driver did not get his drive because of his talent but because his father was the chief importer of a product in a very good country.;) And perhaps if anyone else benefitted as a result.

Yeah, this kind of stories are welcome and I agree with you. Especially the story behind the Indycar split. Just the criminals, the press usually do enough when someone enters big sport - they publish his biography, who is intelligent enough would see the marks:) Afterwards, we need your money Roman, come win in F1 I guess it's big pleasure for Bernie to squeeze such people Right Mr. Schaider?

[chesterfield]

The press seek any scandal. F1 is just the latest bone they have been thrown. Next week it will be something else.

Scandals, perceived or real, sell papers. I would doubt that the owners of the papers give two hoots whether they think the decision is wrong or not, as long as their editors whip up enough of a story to get their paper to sell more copies they couldnt care less.

[Galko877]

Originally posted by bankoq
(planet-f1 are masters in bias and this kind of articles imho).

I often wonder if they think of themselves as a serious F1 site or are they well aware of their bias for everything that is British and they deliberately choose this way?

[Tenmantaylor]

Scandal-gate?

[Wingnut]

Originally posted by pingu666
I think the offtrack guys have the point of view that, it was a fantastic, fantastic battle, for the lead, it was amazing to watch, was as good as it gets, it was exactly what F1 needed, full on classic moment. it got me buzzing, and not much does!

then the FIA goes in and ruins it.

and to losely sumerise pat simmons, kimi got the lead back later, and any "advantage" (atleast 4x the advantage actully), so why bother with the penalty.

I have huge respect for Pat Symonds comments, he is about the only person within the paddock who speaks his mind without the fear of repercussions, and he was right. For the first time ever my wife watched some F1 and thought it was great and then she suddenly realises that what she was watching was not real, the real action was in the Stewards office. Will she feel compelled to watch the next GP, nope, and I'm sure that many other non-aficionados are the same.

[chesterfield]

I agree, thats the problem. True F1 fans will not be turned away by this decision, or at least those that do leave will be a distinct minority.

The real problem is ensuring that new fans continue to be found, the decision on Sunday did nothing to encourage new fans to the sport, which is the most unfortunate aspect of the whole debate, whether you think it was right or wrong. Those with no prior experience of the sport will just see it as interfering and be turned away. Or at least some will.

As for the British Press supporting Lewis - of course they do, it sells papers. British boy does good, British boy gets harsh penalty from FIA, conspiracy against British Boy, British Boy crashes... They will all sell papers to the British public.

Im fairly certain that the press in other countries exhibit a certain level of favouritism to their own nationality too. Ill bet the Spanish papers didnt have a bad word to say about Lewis when Alonos left Mclaren did they?

What if Ferrari win at Monza, will the press not use a Ferrari win in their home country as a way of selling papers... Of course they will.

Its just how the press operate, their goal is to sell papers. If supporting Lewis sells papers then they will do it, whether all involved agree with it is a different matter though - but publishing an opinion doesnt make the money, publishing what the buyers want to read does.

[ivanalesi]

My points were not only to the British, it happened everywhere from what I can see. The problem is, many papers/websites in the world wrote as a headline "The day F1 died". I'm talking about probably all countries except Italy, Spain and may be Brazil. And I'm not talking about newspaper press, hardcopy press is on the decline, I don't remember when was the last time I've bought a newspaper, or have seen someone below 30 to carry one! So I don't care the slightest bit about them, though so called marketing specialists seem to think I read newspapers. What they write and what not, I don't know what they write. I care only about websites and I'm only talking about based on website headlines I've seen.
The British press tag is used for excuses a lot, but when you're targeting international audience as the majority of websites - this excuse isn't valid. It's even less valid when your target are knowledgable fans who would understand the motives, if they are properly explained. Sadly, such websites put scandal headlines - the journos from newspapers and TV, who most of the time are responsible for sport in general, read these headlines and put the same headlines!
Now here comes CEO Brian Deskman who wants to expand his business and reads the article on WSJ or Ad Age about the latest scandals, calls Maggie Marktman and asks her why on earth she has put forward him a proposal to start partnership in a scandalous sport which is about to die?
Here we have several mlns in damage and here we have less interest in F1, less $ for sending journos to GPs and less motorsport journos needed. It's that simple, you simply have to think from time to time about tomorrow.

[equality]

http://www.sportwere...n_zat_fout.html

Here in Holland the British media manipulation hasnt gone unnoticed. The Dutch newspapers say the British media plays a dirty game by more or less saying the FIA is Ferrari biased. They also say the bias was noticed last year, when alonso was made to be a whiner when the actual whiner was lewis. The conclusion is the British journos are gasping for a new world champion and do whatever it takes to get a new one. Every attack on lewis is an attack on the crusade to that world title. A very selfish reason only to make money.

I have been a long time subscriber to Autosport and cant deny the bias even in a once respected magazine like that. The bias at the BBC website, also once renowned for quality coverage, is more like tabloids these days. Its a shame that the quest to seek a new Nigel Mansell seems to cloud professional reporters. The opinions of ex drivers like stewart, watson and moss border on th line of insanity. I really think they all should lay back a little.

Back in 96 autosport made fun of luca di montezemolos claim ferrari was gonna go for the championship. This, because it had been so long ago. If the FIA really was biased that would never happen.

[Tenmantaylor]

I can fully believe this outside perception but its like complaining about BBC or Sky for being pro-bias for the English football team. Why doesnt that happen?

The only reason there is a huge whoo-haa about the british media in motorsport is because a majority of F1 teams, not to mention FOM (Bernie) and the FIA (Max) are based in and made up of British people (even if not funded by the British).

[ensign14]

So the British media are playing a dirty game by complaining when a penalty is applied uniquely to a British driver? When the penalty was not applied to Spanish and Finnish drivers who did exactly the same? Looks a bit like swiftboating to me.

[equality]

I think the difference is the bias is okay and understandable, but in football there is still a lot of respect for other teams. Guys like Lineker and Hansen have more dignity in their left toe nails than the entire ITV crew.

The British motorsport journos are spouting a lot, a whole lot of venom lately and it hasnt gone unnoticed. That Dutch newspaper says they play a dirty war and it goes too far. I think they have a point.

[lukywill]

Originally posted by ensign14
So the British media are playing a dirty game by complaining when a penalty is applied uniquely to a British driver? When the penalty was not applied to Spanish and Finnish drivers who did exactly the same? Looks a bit like swiftboating to me.

man you need a lot of guinness. the beer.

if hamilton wants to show his balls he is not invited to show it cutting chicanes.

[lukywill]

Originally posted by ensign14
When the penalty was not applied to Spanish and Finnish drivers who did exactly the same?

it was applied to spanish alonso in suzuka 2005. that's why he lost the race for raikinen's mclaren.

but what about portuguese? has parente also like to win cutting chicanes and shoe his balls in public aftwards?

don't think so. but he is for sure no son of the island you were born in.

[chesterfield]

Yes, the British Press favour Lewis - it sells papers.

As Ive said, the Italian press will always want to favour Ferrari, and why shouldnt they - its a sense of National pride. The home land of Ferrari, with the possibility of a Ferrari winning the Italian Grand Prix, of course they should be favouring Ferrari in the Italian press, why not allow them a sense of pride?

Will there be cheers for Ferrari at Italy, and boos for Hamilton or others - Yep. and why not - its in Italy, they should be allowed to show their patriotism and Ferrari following, it would be sad if they didn't.

What about Alonso in the Spanish Press? Its like the second coming of Jesus Christ, anyone seen to be interefering with that are alll but branded heretics, they are certainly booed and dare I say it in the case of Lewis, subject to racist jibes (thats taking it too far though). But they are favouring a Spanish sportsman, and why not, he's good and he is Spanish. Let the Spanish cheer for Alonso and boo the others, they want to see a driver from their nation win, just as others want either drivers or constructors from theirs to win too. Its just the press playing to the national pride of the countries.

If the media in Holland dont want to take advantage of and encourage a national sense of pride, then that is unfortunate.

[lukywill]

basically f1 is on the head news if there's major incidents. mainly disasters or scandals.

nobody asks why is f1 so boring and publicity free.

[ivanalesi]

Didn't I try to make a point it's not down to British/Spanish or whatever nationality?
Just think about it, autosport.com is read from all over the world and quite probably far less than 50% of the visitors are Brits.

It's about the incentive of the press in F1 in general, trying to seek for scandals! Making scandals out of nothing.

Remember that F1 Racing is owned by the same company, and they have magazines almost everywhere in Europe, so in fact Russian champion would boost their sales the most.
There's big bias for sure in the Daily whatever newspaper, but none gives a sh*t what they write about F1. The specialized websites are those who helped starting this scandal, instead to help stopping it.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by lukywill


it was applied to spanish alonso in suzuka 2005. that's why he lost the race for raikinen's mclaren.

The stewards admitted they made a mistake. Even then the "penalty" to be applied was just letting Klien through again, so that Alonso had been passed by Klien as many times as Hamilton was by Raikkonen. I.e. not a drive-through.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by ivanalesi

There's big bias for sure in the Daily whatever newspaper, but none gives a sh*t what they write about F1.

I agree as far as the tabloids are concerned, but some of the heavies have very respected writers at their helm (David Tremayne, who was utterly scathing, in the Independent, Maurice Hamilton [Irish] and Alan Henry in the Grauniad, and Simon Arron in the Telegraph). And at least one other Eminent Historian has also weighed in on the idiocy of the stewards.