Okay. Question #1.
I notice that after the race, before the Top 3 drivers go on to the podium, they take their helmets off after being weighed in parc ferme, and then make their way to a small room behind the podium itself; and usually grab a drink or slap each other on the back or whatever.
Then, someone from the FIA (or is it a team member?), usually grabs the drivers' helmets. Any reason why? Do they take them somewhere? Give them back to the team?
Question #2: How come drivers don't take their helmets onto the podium like the MotoGP riders?
regards,
doohanOK.
FIA and Helmets post race
Started by
doohanOK
, Sep 24 2009 05:14
3 replies to this topic
Advertisement
#2
Ross Stonefeld
-
- 70,106 posts
- Joined: August 99
Member
Posted 24 September 2009 - 05:58
The teams arent allowed near the cars in parc ferme or near the drivers immediately after the race until everything is checked over, so that's why they usually aren't the first people to get their hands on the helmets. Except Monaco, which as far as I've ever seen has no immediate post-race weigh in. If anything the drivers gear usually ends up in the hands of the mechanics almost immediately stepping out of the car, but this is of course Monaco.
Under normal circumstances I think it's more to do with the drivers being rushed out of the cars, to the weigh bridge, and onto the podium as fast as they can. Even when the winner is celebrating in parc ferme and congratulating 2nd and 3rd you can see the FOM people rushing them along. The opposite of MotoGP where they mill around in parc ferme for literally 15 minutes doing various TV interviews before they're anywhere near the podium. The guy who grabs the helmet in the 'waiting room' behind the podium may weigh them seperately afterwards, but I think it's more to hold on to them until they can give them back to the team (the drivers continue on to a live televised press conference, and then a full open press conference after the podium). It's probably more to make sure they don't go missing.
Why don't they bring them onto the podium like MotoGP? I think a better question is why is MotoGP the only series that has the winners bring their helmet on the podium? Could it be because motorcycle racing is the only form of motorsport where the entrants safety gear is directly sold to the paying public? How many of us are going to buy an Arai F1 helmet or nomex firesuit anytime soon? How about a motorcycle helmet or gloves?
Under normal circumstances I think it's more to do with the drivers being rushed out of the cars, to the weigh bridge, and onto the podium as fast as they can. Even when the winner is celebrating in parc ferme and congratulating 2nd and 3rd you can see the FOM people rushing them along. The opposite of MotoGP where they mill around in parc ferme for literally 15 minutes doing various TV interviews before they're anywhere near the podium. The guy who grabs the helmet in the 'waiting room' behind the podium may weigh them seperately afterwards, but I think it's more to hold on to them until they can give them back to the team (the drivers continue on to a live televised press conference, and then a full open press conference after the podium). It's probably more to make sure they don't go missing.
Why don't they bring them onto the podium like MotoGP? I think a better question is why is MotoGP the only series that has the winners bring their helmet on the podium? Could it be because motorcycle racing is the only form of motorsport where the entrants safety gear is directly sold to the paying public? How many of us are going to buy an Arai F1 helmet or nomex firesuit anytime soon? How about a motorcycle helmet or gloves?
#3
zac510
-
- 1,713 posts
- Joined: January 04
Member
Posted 24 September 2009 - 08:34
But we may buy an Arai non-F1 helmet. I'm sure Arai would love the exposure of their helmet up on the podium step!
#4
Ross Stonefeld
-
- 70,106 posts
- Joined: August 99
Member
Posted 24 September 2009 - 09:09
It's not a market for them, which is why there is BIG money in motorcycle racing to have world champions wear your helmet/suit/gloves, etc. Alpinestars dumps millions into MotoGP, hundreds of thousands into F1.
