53 replies to this topic

[Doughnut King]

Doesn't anyone else hate it when celebrities attend GPs when they have little interest in F1?

I know that it's all a public relations deal, they attend so team X can say Y attended and celebrity Y can get some air time but still it annoys me none the less.

Take for example that guy on the Sky One ad for that James Corden show, he's gone to a GP and yet says "I wouldn't say i like it, what kind of sport is that?"

I know it's the least of F1's problems but still every time a celebrity is interviewed before a race i cringe.

Edited by Doughnut King, 05 May 2010 - 02:17.

[Spa One]

Doesn't anyone else hate it when celebrities attend GPs when they have little interest in F1?

I know that it's all a public relations deal, they attend to team X can say Y attended and celebrity Y can get some air time but still it annoys me none the less.

Take for example that guy on the Sky One ad for that James Corden show, he's gone to a GP and yet says "I wouldn't say i like it, what kind of sport is that?"

I know it's not the least of F1's problems but still every time a celebrity is interviewed before a race i cringe.

I don't so much hate them attending, but I hate it when that get excessive camera time during coverage. Very frustrating when the race grid all of a suden resembles an E News update.

[Ram20]

I actually look forward to them I think it's great for the sport. I never knew there are people that are annoyed by their presence.. interesting.. :well

[Eff One 2002]

Yep it's idiotic. It's fair enough if whoever it is actually has an interest in the sport, but when they are just there to get themselves seen and remind everyone they exist by flouncing around in the paddock and getting pics taken with divers it's embarassing and extraordinarily fake..

Edited by Eff One 2002, 05 May 2010 - 02:54.

[demoing]

why should anyone hate them attending after all what harm does it do you, and it adds glamour to the occasion for those attending.
Yes we have seen more of them recently due to drivers having their spat over the teams not providing grid passes for their personal coaches.
But when the cars and drivers are doing their thing we dont get distractions from celebs being shown rather than the action.

[Captain Tightpants]

I don't so much hate them attending, but I hate it when that get excessive camera time during coverage. Very frustrating when the race grid all of a suden resembles an E News update.

The Australian Grand Prix was rubbish like that. Rather than interview the drivers - as they have done in previous years - they kept cutting to various local celebrities (all of whom came from programs hosted by the channel with broadcast rights so they could plug their own programs) and asking them about the race. I had to stifle a laugh when one of the judges from So You Think You Can Dance? kept talking up Mark Webber to the point where it became apparent that Webber was the only driver he could name. Still at least he tried. Half of the 'celebrites' that were interviewed admited they had no interest in the race and ere only there for the social side of things. I admit, it's nice to occasionally see how things work behind the scenes - they were talking with a professional chef who had been flown in at the last minute for a corporate event - but not when the nameless and faceless socialites upstage the actual event.

[Eff One 2002]

The Australian Grand Prix was rubbish like that. Rather than interview the drivers - as they have done in previous years - they kept cutting to various local celebrities (all of whom came from programs hosted by the channel with broadcast rights so they could plug their own programs) and asking them about the race. I had to stifle a laugh when one of the judges from So You Think You Can Dance? kept talking up Mark Webber to the point where it became apparent that Webber was the only driver he could name.

That was truly painful.

[bourbon]

Sometimes they end up liking F1 and attend more GPs without shining as "celebrities". Granted, they aren't sitting with the general populace on subsequent visits, but they are in attendance without noteriety. They usually bring an entourage of sorts also, so it is good for F1.

[primer]

It depends on the type of celebrity. Motorsportsmen from other disciplines, athletes, businessmen I do not mind. But these hollywood and TV whores, "musicians" etc ...yuck.

[Captain Tightpants]

But these hollywood and TV whores, "musicians" etc ...yuck.

What if it's an actor who's right into Formula 1? Or someone who is making a film with racing in it, like Robert Downey Jnr. in IRON MAN 2?

[whitewaterMkII]

Not really.
Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and James Garner just off the top of my head became big race fans, and actual talents solely through a meet and greet at the track.
The Long Beach Grand Prix, the closest race to the heart of Hollywood has had a celebrity race now for over 25 years, and it's been a key race, and a huge crowd pleaser every weekend they have done it. Believe it or not, it was one of the better races I saw there a few weekends ago for track action, it made the irl race look like a parade.

[monaco]

Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd ( who were doing a movie together then) attending a race ( not F-1) that Ashley's husband Dario Franchitti won way back --

[klyster]

How do you gauge whether they have an interest in F1 or not?

It's a little presumptuous to assume they have no interest, sure, the race director could show them a little less but who really gives a **** who attends a GP?

[Mika Mika]

Dude - don't let it bother you - seriously

[The July Plot]

It doesnt really bother me that much.....but James Cordon is a total bellend!

[byrkus]

I remember a race in Austria, when before the race local politicians & co. made their walkthrough. And there was DJ Ötzi, walking two meters behind, probably thinking to himself "What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here" (quoting Radiohead's 'Creep' is quite deliberate);)

Not to mention a race in Magny-Cours... On the run from 180° to Imola, every single billboard said "Naomi Campbell". I mean, really... I know it's marginal stuff, but I'm pretty annoyed with things like that.

It's a good thing, that our TV station doesn't show much of pre-race procedures.;)

[Rob]

It doesn't get to me quite as much as it used to, but it's a slap in the face to those fans who pay to attend and are genuinely interested in the sport, but get stuck miles away behind a huge fence.

[Garagiste]

It irks a bit, but OTOH if they didn't attend we wouldn't get to enjoy gems like this:


Liz Hurley: “We’re going up to the first corner for the take-off, whatever they call it here.”
Brundle: “It’s called the Start.”

[Gyan]

I don't mind them.They can be annoying though,if they just are chased around the whole place.It adds to the "glamour" though.

[Grenada]

Doesn't anyone else hate it when celebrities attend GPs when they have little interest in F1?

I know that it's all a public relations deal, they attend so team X can say Y attended and celebrity Y can get some air time but still it annoys me none the less.

Take for example that guy on the Sky One ad for that James Corden show, he's gone to a GP and yet says "I wouldn't say i like it, what kind of sport is that?"

I know it's the least of F1's problems but still every time a celebrity is interviewed before a race i cringe.

No, I like it and think it adds to the glamour (although I personally loathe James Corden and don't think he should be classed as a "comedian" or a "celebrity").

I can't stand the po-faced attitude that says "never film friends and family inside the garage, and no celebs". It all adds to the glamour and personal interest.

Edited by Grenada, 05 May 2010 - 13:47.

[Atreiu]

Not really.

[aditya-now]

How do you gauge whether they have an interest in F1 or not?

It's a little presumptuous to assume they have no interest, sure, the race director could show them a little less but who really gives a **** who attends a GP?

Same here, if they have a real interest in the sport, it's great.
If its just to be seen and to see, that's a form of PR prostitution.

[Don_Humpador]

Er.. Does Johnnie Walker (that's the DJ, not the whisky.) count as a celebrity? He spent an entire session at Silverstone talking to the 5 live guys during a practice session and was very knowledgeable and clearly a true F1 fan.

But yeah, on the grid, it does add glamour, but I wouldn't say I hate it. Provided they don't get too much attention (cough Richard Branson cough) and the focus is on the sport, I don't have a problem with them publicising themselves or just genuinely enjoying the experience.

Heck, if I was famous I'd love to be on the grid before a race, F1 fan or not. It'd be pretty cool.

[Henrytheeigth]

Ashley Judd should always be on the grid! Heck I even thought, years ago, that Bernie's wife was hot lol...

[ArnageWRC]

Bernie loves it though.

Would be intertesting to know how many turn up at other less high profile Motorsport events, i;e anything not F1.

[DLaw]

Non-issue.

[Eff One 2002]

How do you gauge whether they have an interest in F1 or not?

Quite easily. When, as has been previously mentioned they are asked and admit they couldn't give a **** about the race and are just there to be in the spotlight.

Same here, if they have a real interest in the sport, it's great.
If its just to be seen and to see, that's a form of PR prostitution.

Precisely.

Edited by Eff One 2002, 05 May 2010 - 10:57.

[andy-i]

Take for example that guy on the Sky One ad for that James Corden show, he's gone to a GP and yet says "I wouldn't say i like it, what kind of sport is that?"

He's not a celebrity, he's the retired cricketer Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff who is a sporting legend in England.

I guess he went to one GP and didn't really like it. He's just expressing an opinion.

[DisruptioN]

That was truly painful.

The coverage that asshole John Travolta got made by blood boil. Die Channel Ten!

Edited by DisruptioN, 05 May 2010 - 11:17.

[sumpthy]

As long as Mickey Rourke doesn't show up at Monaco we should be fine.

[demoing]

The Australian Grand Prix was rubbish like that. Rather than interview the drivers - as they have done in previous years - they kept cutting to various local celebrities (all of whom came from programs hosted by the channel with broadcast rights so they could plug their own programs) and asking them about the race. I had to stifle a laugh when one of the judges from So You Think You Can Dance? kept talking up Mark Webber to the point where it became apparent that Webber was the only driver he could name. Still at least he tried. Half of the 'celebrites' that were interviewed admited they had no interest in the race and ere only there for the social side of things. I admit, it's nice to occasionally see how things work behind the scenes - they were talking with a professional chef who had been flown in at the last minute for a corporate event - but not when the nameless and faceless socialites upstage the actual event.

its easy to put forward only 1/2 of the truth, lets not forget there were almost no drivers on the grid to be able to talk too so would you rather they just walked up and down the grid and said nothing?

Lets not forget a number of celebs have become followers of F1 after attending races and how can any real supporter of F1 say thats a bad thing?
surely the more supporters the better or is it more about people with sour grapes because they are not on the grid walk?

[primer]

lets not forget there were almost no drivers on the grid to be able to talk too so would you rather they just walked up and down the grid and said nothing?

Were the drivers in the pitlane with their physios/assistants since they had been banned from track to make room for C grade celebrities?

[kismet]

I don't care what people I have no interest in have no interest in. So I guess that would be a no.

[Hypnotise]

I got really angry when I saw P.Diddy at the 2008 Monaco GP . He doesnt give horsedick about F1

[ensign14]

How do you gauge whether they have an interest in F1 or not?

Make them do a test. Unless they get 75% they have to eff off.

[Garagiste]

Well that's Murray banned then!

[Szoelloe]

I don't care what people I have no interest in have no interest in. So I guess that would be a no.

+1 something like that, yes.
On the other hand, I know some "celebrities" are attending because it really interests them. Plus, they supply some extra work for journos. or "journos" if you like.
but as kismet says wtf cares????

[Grenada]

I got really angry when I saw P.Diddy at the 2008 Monaco GP . He doesnt give horsedick about F1

How do you know?

[Mika Mika]

I got really angry when I saw P.Diddy at the 2008 Monaco GP . He doesnt give horsedick about F1

Maybe he wanted to see how the properly rich live ;o)

[Buttoneer]

Were the drivers in the pitlane with their physios/assistants since they had been banned from track to make room for C grade celebrities?

[Longtimefan]

Yes it annoys me greatly!!

If a Celeb is there and they actually like F1 and follow it then thats fine I have no problem

But 99% of them dont have a clue and when interviewed they come across as morons as they
barely know any of the drivers and most dont have a clue about F1 in general.

I'd rather Brundle interviewed drivers, technical people or hell even the tea lady at Hispania.. anything
but some so-called 'Celeb' who knows zero about F1 and cares about it even less and is only there 'to be seen'

Fume..

[Fastcake]

It's only annoying if they get in the way on the gridwalk, otherwise I really couldn't care, it's all publicity.

[OwenC93]

I like it, I miss seeing Pharrel Williams and the possy at GPs.

[FonzCam]

Much as I hate James Cordon in his defence he was there to shoot a piece with the Brawn team for a not particularly funny sport relief film.

There do seem to be quite a few genuine car and race fanatics in the celebrity ranks and I think athletes going to observe how other sports work close up is both fun and great for sponsors as well as educational and my actually help them by exposing them to new and different approaches they could use in their own sport. It's the people who seem to have no interest in the event and no sponsorship ties requiring them to be there yet for some reason accepted the invite that bother me, wouldn't they be happier at an event they might actually enjoy?

[Ducks McTeeth]

Because I rarely watch TV and never glance at rag mags, I don't know who at least half of today's "celebrities" are, so in this case, ignorance is golden.

[Mr.Fiasco]

I like it, I miss seeing Pharrel Williams and the possy at GPs.

Yes , although IIRC he only attended the US grand prix in 2007. Sad, he actually owns and SLR and Enzo.

[Don_Humpador]

But 99% of them dont have a clue

Let's be green and recycle a post ;

How do you know?

[Kooper]

Because I rarely watch TV and never glance at rag mags, I don't know who at least half of today's "celebrities" are, so in this case, ignorance is golden.

That sums my situation pretty accurately - I could care less who shows up on the grid.

[Fastcake]

And get those ****ing prince sheikh away from any camera.

Passes to all celebs or any other idiot that dont know **** are wasted, give it to someone that would give his/her arm for it

Not allowing the country's head of state, the guy who went and organised F1 to come to his country a pass? Yeah that's real clever