54 replies to this topic

[Buttoneer]

A discussion started here in the Lewis Hamilton thread about drivers doing grid interviews. I don't want that thread to go off-tangent and the discussion might otherwise be missed by those who may have something to contribute simply because of where it is.

That post in full:

I like LH he is a proper racer, but when MB said he does not like being interveiwed before a race when did that start I bet he was never like that on his way up, now I know he's thinking of the race but I have just whatched the MOTOGP race and there are all the riders giving interview's on the grid and im pretty sure they had a race on there mind.

(MB=Martin Brundle who does the grid walk on BBC, but there are many others doing interviews at the same time)

But some have said that the grid interviews bring no value at all and should be scrapped.

My view is that because of the money involved, the public interest etc that drivers should be obliged to do grid interviews. They learn a few platitudes if they are uncomfortable with it, or occasionally refuse if conditions are tricky or there are other extenuating circumstances and send the interviewers off on their way. F1 is showbusiness as well as sport, and the showbusiness aspects are what bring in the cash so the drivers get to suck it up. Schumie 'sold' his grid interviews so even that works out in the end.

[Dunder]

The driver interviews are somewhat pointless, yes but I guess you could say the same about the post race PC and the post Quali PC too. There is the odd snippet of useful/noteworthy information but not much.

I don't think that anyone should be forced to do grid interviews. It is not about platitudes or being rude, it is that some of them just want/need to be in the zone mentally.

Edited by Dunder, 03 October 2010 - 15:21.

[Bloggsworth]

Totally, but it is amusing to see the Red Bull pastiche of The Great Wall of China enacted every couple of weeks............

[Longtimefan]

I like most of the grid walk and talking to drivers, & engineers is mostly entertaining but what I cannot stand is when MB talks to these idiotic so-called celebrities who a: know jack squat about F1, b: dont care about F1 and c: are only there to be see and because its a freebie.

Give their tickets to proper f1 fans who would relish being so close to a team on race day and ban these nobodies. (of course on a rare occurance a celeb is interested in F1, like good old George Harrison RIP but 99% of the time they know squat.)

[Crazy Ninja]

How many interviews with drivers over the course of the whole weekend are actually worthwhile listening to? If they've been sat down to do a feature in the race build up show then maybe, but those off the cuff interviews you see on the grid and after qualy, practice, etc dont really offer much insight. I dont think it's a big distraction for the drivers either (but how would i know eh?).

Edited by Crazy Ninja, 03 October 2010 - 15:36.

[goldenboy]

I like most of the grid walk and talking to drivers, & engineers is mostly entertaining but what I cannot stand is when MB talks to these idiotic so-called celebrities who a: know jack squat about F1, b: dont care about F1 and c: are only there to be see and because its a freebie.

Give their tickets to proper f1 fans who would relish being so close to a team on race day and ban these nobodies. (of course on a rare occurance a celeb is interested in F1, like good old George Harrison RIP but 99% of the time they know squat.)

[rabbitleader]

And one also gets a palpable sense of occasion with the grid walk even though one is not there.....

Edited by rabbitleader, 03 October 2010 - 15:58.

[P123]

A discussion started here in the Lewis Hamilton thread about drivers doing grid interviews. I don't want that thread to go off-tangent and the discussion might otherwise be missed by those who may have something to contribute simply because of where it is.

That post in full:

(MB=Martin Brundle who does the grid walk on BBC, but there are many others doing interviews at the same time)

But some have said that the grid interviews bring no value at all and should be scrapped.

My view is that because of the money involved, the public interest etc that drivers should be obliged to do grid interviews. They learn a few platitudes if they are uncomfortable with it, or occasionally refuse if conditions are tricky or there are other extenuating circumstances and send the interviewers off on their way. F1 is showbusiness as well as sport, and the showbusiness aspects are what bring in the cash so the drivers get to suck it up. Schumie 'sold' his grid interviews so even that works out in the end.

They aren't pointless at all, although I'm not sure the drivers should be 'obliged' to do grid interviews. They already do pre and post race interviews and most are accomodating to the media on the grid anyway. Post race interviews are always the most interesting.

[tkulla]

The drivers never say anything that is interesting to a knowledgeable fan, but the body language of a driver tells much more. It's interesting to see who looks relaxed and who looks tense.

[revmeister]

It's all part of the show. The broadcasters need to fill the time, and build anticipation for the audience. No harm in it as far as I can tell, and the question would be what else in stead?

[topical]

What is F1 first and foremost - sport or show business?
imo, despite all the so-called 'glamour' and commercial crap around it, when it comes to race weekends, it should be a sport. The day it stops being that is the day I'll stop watching. So fine, have Hamilton flying in over some stage to promote some nonsense for Mercedes if that's part of his contract, but if it's 5 minutes before a race start and he's fighting for the world championship, then leave him (or anybody else who doesn't want to talk) in peace. Psychology is an important part of any sport and the preparation rituals of the drivers need to be respected. If he or anyone is happy to talk - great, and it's interesting for the public. But I don't think it should be an obligation.
Nobody asks footballers to give an interview five minutes before the World Cup final starts...

Edited by topical, 03 October 2010 - 16:31.

[Sukhoi]

i wish i could catch BBC on my sat out here... in poland , i would LOVE to watch or atleast hear pre-race interview's in British language, you lucky bastards !!

i just can watch RTL here , and sometimes when interview is in English , i do everything to hear anything between bloody German Translation !

( not that i dislike RTL for that , thanks god i can atleast watch what's before the race - as polish TV pre-f1 studio freezed in soviet era , they just sit in little room talking about s#!& and acting like F1 professionals)


so .. to sum it up , DON'T COMPLAIN ! , i would pay huge money just for BBC F1 !!

Edited by Sukhoi, 03 October 2010 - 16:34.

[Haribo]

I really like the grid-walk and the pre-race interviews. It's always interesting to see the body language of the drivers just before they jump into the car, as you can sometimes sense what's going through their mind. I always like it when Martin Brundle talks to Jenson, as Jenson is always pretty frank about what he's going to attempt to do. Rubens is good as well, as he tends to wear his heart on his sleeve.

Let's face it - F1 is part show and part sport - and it's not as if any other formulae don't interview drivers before the start. From WTCC, BTCC, ALMS, IRL, NASCAR etc. etc. there are always pre-race interviews - don't see why F1 should be any different

[Lights]

They're not less pointless than regular interviews. I like to see Martin's gridwalk, except when he's interviewing people who have nothing to do with the race.

[kismet]

Most driver interviews are a waste of time and those conducted on the starting grid minutes prior to the race are no exception.

[Henrytheeigth]

I love the interviews and everything. It's brings us closer to it all. After all, we can't take place in the race ourselves, so we need as much entertainment as possible.

[King Six]

Yeah I never really pay attention to what the drivers actually say. It's pretty mundane stuff. They're all awful personalities when you think about it, although I'm sure that has more to do with contracts and such than them being like that.

[King Six]

I get the complete opposite of feeling close when they do their media interviews and such, it seems like they're putting on their media face. I just feel like an idiot by listening to them, it's like that with politicians too. You'll never find out anything if you listen to what people say in front of the media. It's so far from what things are actually like, there's no point.

It's all just done, because it has to be done.

[Jeag]

The grid walk is the only thing i turn on my TV to watch in the per race show.

[Coral]

As I said on the other thread, I think the grid walks are a total waste of time. I sympathise with Lewis for not wanting to do them, I couldn't care less whether or not a driver "hopes he has a good race today"...I mean what else is he supposed to say? The grid walk makes me glad that my television has a "mute" button. Oh for the days when F1 was a sport rather than showbusiness...but then, that is what nostalgia is for I suppose...

[Galka]

The drivers never say anything that is interesting to a knowledgeable fan, but the body language of a driver tells much more. It's interesting to see who looks relaxed and who looks tense.

Here in Russia we have only several minutes of footage on the grid before start - when the cameraman just shoots the drivers, their engineers etc.
And these "pictures without words" really say a lot.
That is why I was disappointed when I watched BBC gridwalk - I expected some insightful comments, but instead got the usual blah-blah about "I hope we get good points".
Just having a cameraman on the grid before the start would be enough for me.

Edited by Galka, 03 October 2010 - 17:11.

[Fastcake]

I quite enjoy the grid walks personally. Maybe it's more to do with the ongoing Brundle/Tanya saga, but it can be good hearing strategies for the race and the odd amusing interview. Anyway if it wasn't there we'll just get Jake and Eddie chatting in the pits for a few more minutes.

Drivers and teams are already obliged to do post-race interviews, and have other media commitments they must do.

[KateLM]

Honestly, my vote is for leave it as it is. Have them, but make it optional for the drivers whether they want to talk or not. Some drivers are fine to talk before a race, while others aren't so keen. I think thats OK as they are now all obliged to make themselves available to the media after a race or retirement. Media accessibility is important, but with the tense atmosphere in a build up to a race, I think that part should be optional.

It is always interesting though, seeing who is willing to talk and who isn't. Last year was great because all four of the drivers at the front had no problem talking to Brundle and were reasonably relaxed about it. The few years before that were a bit dire in that respect.

[rm111]

I like most of the grid walk and talking to drivers, & engineers is mostly entertaining but what I cannot stand is when MB talks to these idiotic so-called celebrities who a: know jack squat about F1, b: dont care about F1 and c: are only there to be see and because its a freebie.

Give their tickets to proper f1 fans who would relish being so close to a team on race day and ban these nobodies. (of course on a rare occurance a celeb is interested in F1, like good old George Harrison RIP but 99% of the time they know squat.)

I dont like it when Jordan or Coulthard tag along on the grid walk, with EJ we and his interviewees are subjected to his incomprehensable ramblings, and Brundle and DC when paired up become like giggling school girls.

[Buttoneer]

First a quick point; this thread is not intended to be 'about' Lewis Hamilton so no need for anyone to get all antsy about it. The initial discussion simply kicked off in his thread and I thought it was worth wider discussion.

We do occasionally heard the drivers say something interesting and for that reason I like the pre-race interviews. Whether they are conducted by Brundle, Tanya, or that RTL chap with the questionable taste in clothes, I think they can all potentially give us something extra.

In the past I think we have been given clues on setup (wet or dry), on track conditions, on strategy, psychology, and (memorably) toilet habits. I really do not blame drivers for occasionally shunning the interviewers, and Brundle will sometimes not even try to get hold of them knowing how it might be for them at the start of championship deciders or wet races etc. But at the same time they are public figures, and the grid is a relatively public environment, so they should expect to be disturbed by people and be ready for it.

[Bunchies]

They are not pointless. It's nice to see the person behind the helmet. It draws the spectator/fan further into the F1 fraternity, which let's face it, is sometimes more interesting than watching the race itself. It's part of being engulfed, engrossed and engaged.

[Watkins74]

If a driver doesn't want to be interviewed then that is OK with me. Every driver has their own way to get ready mentally for the race. I think the journo's should respect the drivers who want some "quiet time" before the start. I don't like it when a reporter like Peter Windsor who worked at Speed up until last year would say "so and so doesn't like to talk before a race and the team has told me to leave him alone but let's give it a go anyway" and then proceed to stick a microphone in that drivers face.

[Louis Siefert]

They are not pointless. It's nice to see the person behind the helmet. It draws the spectator/fan further into the F1 fraternity, which let's face it, is sometimes more interesting than watching the race itself. It's part of being engulfed, engrossed and engaged.

are you female?

[Bunchies]

are you female?

can i answer a question with a question?

This sort of stuff is interesting. If F1 was quiet between races and popping only on race weekends, it would be boring as hell a lot of the time. I guess you don't find people to be as interesting as I do. I like to understand the person/psychology behind the driver. It is something I can relate to.

[alan]

They are pointless to me. Most of the stuff is pretty sterile and you don't learn much. I prefer post race interviews or interviews arranged with the driver in advance.

[DontPanic]

First a quick point; this thread is not intended to be 'about' Lewis Hamilton so no need for anyone to get all antsy about it. The initial discussion simply kicked off in his thread and I thought it was worth wider discussion.

We do occasionally heard the drivers say something interesting and for that reason I like the pre-race interviews. Whether they are conducted by Brundle, Tanya, or that RTL chap with the questionable taste in clothes, I think they can all potentially give us something extra.

In the past I think we have been given clues on setup (wet or dry), on track conditions, on strategy, psychology, and (memorably) toilet habits. I really do not blame drivers for occasionally shunning the interviewers, and Brundle will sometimes not even try to get hold of them knowing how it might be for them at the start of championship deciders or wet races etc. But at the same time they are public figures, and the grid is a relatively public environment, so they should expect to be disturbed by people and be ready for it.

I think that they should be forced to talk. After all, these lazy bsards only have to work 19 weekends a year, plus a few weeks of off season testing. And they get paid millions for doing what we would all give our right testicle to do. IMHO, not only should they be forced to give pre race interviews, they should also be forced to do something original and interesting whilst giving the interview, like juggling whilst riding a unicycle, or a bit of sword swallowing.

[PayasYouRace]

I like them. Not necessarily for their content but because of what they are and what you can take out of them. There are very few sports where you can interview the athlete minutes before the event. It would be a shame for F1 to lose that. The other thing is that you can gauge how the driver is feeling before the race. That is true even if he doesn't want to be interviewed, because you can tell that the interview would be a distraction for them. Others appear relaxed and other times you can see a driver who has something important on his mind. Without that we'd have a poorer insight into what the drivers' moods are going into the race.

[MadYarpen]

Maybe they are a bit pointless. But they are a perfect build up for a race. They make some atmosphere, at least that is my impression after watching couple of races on BBC. This is something we don't have in poland, and I really envy you.

[Hairpin]

A discussion started here in the Lewis Hamilton thread about drivers doing grid interviews. I don't want that thread to go off-tangent and the discussion might otherwise be missed by those who may have something to contribute simply because of where it is.

That post in full:

(MB=Martin Brundle who does the grid walk on BBC, but there are many others doing interviews at the same time)

But some have said that the grid interviews bring no value at all and should be scrapped.

My view is that because of the money involved, the public interest etc that drivers should be obliged to do grid interviews. They learn a few platitudes if they are uncomfortable with it, or occasionally refuse if conditions are tricky or there are other extenuating circumstances and send the interviewers off on their way. F1 is showbusiness as well as sport, and the showbusiness aspects are what bring in the cash so the drivers get to suck it up. Schumie 'sold' his grid interviews so even that works out in the end.

Part of the problem is that there is many "grid walkers" apart from Brundle. I think that RTL have some deal with the German drivers and BBC could do the same with the British. A rule that made it mandatory would be very tricky since some drivers attracts a lot of attention and you can not expect them to talk to all reporters, thre is also some practical things they need to do apart from the pure concentration. Leave it to the broadcasting companies to solve, otherwise we will have a FiA person running around asking dry questions in twelve languages.

[Spillage]

The drivers don't give much away, but the gridwalk itself is great- builds the atmosphere and the interviews with team personnel and random celebrities are always interesting.

[Muz Bee]

Pointless only in as much as most of the current F1 drivers are pathetic interview talent. The last half hour is also the time many drivers want to withdraw into their protective shell but I'm happy to see MB interviewing team principles, Bernie and co. Maybe pre-recorded (from Saturday) driver interviews could be worked into the program.

[chuffbiscuits]

Grid walks are great IMO. You never know who Brundle will bump into, who he'll upset (him crashing other TV crews' interviews is always a good laugh), or which driver will be around for an impromptu chat (without the grid walk, we wouldn't have that classic Raikkonen moment among others). I respect the fact that some don't give interviews on the grid, but FOM doesn't insist on it unlike the autograph sessions and the press ring they have to appear in after every session. Yeah the odd freeloading celeb can be very annoying, but I la-la headphone them until Brundle moves on.

[PayasYouRace]

I don't mind the celebs if they seem genuinly interested in what's going on, even if they are total newbies and don't know much about it. A bit of enthusiasm or excitement is nothing to hate them for. I don't like the ones who don't know much about it but still feel they have to comment on the race or who they think will win.

[ktsayshi]

Pointless only in as much as most of the current F1 drivers are pathetic interview talent. The last half hour is also the time many drivers want to withdraw into their protective shell but I'm happy to see MB interviewing team principles, Bernie and co. Maybe pre-recorded (from Saturday) driver interviews could be worked into the program.

Many of the interviews Will Buxton does for Speed are pre-recorded well before the race and usually involve asking several drivers and team personnel a question about current F1 issues to see what kind of answers he gets. In a recent example, Will gathered reactions to the rules changes that take effect in 2011. It produced some interesting responses.

[LittleChris]

they should also be forced to do something original and interesting whilst giving the interview, like juggling whilst riding a unicycle, or a bit of sword swallowing.

Looks like we need Mika Hakkinen to make a return then given that unicycling was his party piece IIRC

[Mandzipop]

I don't mind the celebs if they seem genuinly interested in what's going on, even if they are total newbies and don't know much about it. A bit of enthusiasm or excitement is nothing to hate them for. I don't like the ones who don't know much about it but still feel they have to comment on the race or who they think will win.

I agree with you about the celebs that are genuine fans like Eric Clapton and Rowan Atkinson (total petrolhead who I would love to hear do commentary). Celebs who are genuinely there for the race I have no problem with. Those who know nothing annoy me.

The Brundle/Tanya situation is funny. The drivers themselves can often be boring, but when they are relaxed they are great. Kimi in 2006 provided a classic golden moment. Vettel and Kate's Dirty Sister was funny.

The psychology of the driver is quite noticeable too. When Brundle interviewed Vettel just before the Singapore GP, he looked more relaxed than he has all season.

It does build up the atmosphere and I think it is a good thing.

[Louis Siefert]

can i answer a question with a question?

This sort of stuff is interesting. If F1 was quiet between races and popping only on race weekends, it would be boring as hell a lot of the time. I guess you don't find people to be as interesting as I do. I like to understand the person/psychology behind the driver. It is something I can relate to.

I do, but most interviews seem to be an annoyance to the drivers and they repeat the same mantra week after week, and I don't feel anymore connected with the driver because of it.
then there are times that you will see a driver rush through an interviewer to get to the next one that he has a relaxed conversation with and seems to share insite with.
Perhaps the SpeedTV guys are just not popular as the RTL guy or the pretty female reporter
it is what is going on in the background that I find more informative and entertaining than the canned Q&A that I am accustomed to

[CaptainJackSparrow]

Grid walks are great (wish MB would talk to the Renault boys more though).

The best bit is usually MB arguing with that broad from Sky Germany, he sure does love getting her knickers in a knot, still BBC take priority over Sky:)

[rm111]

Celebs who are genuinely there for the race I have no problem with. Those who know nothing annoy me.

James Corden .....nuff said

[chrisblades85]

I like most of the grid walk and talking to drivers, & engineers is mostly entertaining but what I cannot stand is when MB talks to these idiotic so-called celebrities who a: know jack squat about F1, b: dont care about F1 and c: are only there to be see and because its a freebie.

Give their tickets to proper f1 fans who would relish being so close to a team on race day and ban these nobodies. (of course on a rare occurance a celeb is interested in F1, like good old George Harrison RIP but 99% of the time they know squat.)

That.

I hate it when they are asked "Have you been before?"
"No, it's my 1st time and I love, the noise, speed blah blah" et


The worst one was Tamara Beckworth or whatever her name is. At Silverstone, I think it was actually Silverstone TV. They interviewed her. I was pretty angry at what she was saying to the least.

I find the whole bustle of the grid walk more entertaining than the interviews, as they come out with pretty much the same stuff they always say. Like hoping to have a good race etc

Edited by chrisblades85, 03 October 2010 - 22:20.

[BullHead]

I love the gridwalks and pre race chats / interviews with drivers. It brings us closer to the pre race tension IMO. But as alluded if drivers are actually "selling" their chats to the media that is total bollocks. Drivers need to realise that they are drivers first, celebrities second. Drivers should not be allowed to personally sell any of their time whilst at a race event. Bad on Shumi and whoever else if this is true...

[BullHead]

As to 'celebrity' hangers on, I don't mind it, and actually enjoy it. If it helps wider public exposure / interest, then so be it. Hardcore fans, less face it, don't get mass media interest.

[robefc]

For me the gridwalk is geat in terms of feeling like you're in the middle of the action...but the driver interviews don't do much for me. Maybe that's because lewis doesn't do them (!) but usually nothing of interest is said. I'd be just as happy with the cameraman showing us what's going on on the grid and brundle providing some commentary.

In a way the interviews actually make the build up more false because you're not simply witnessing the drivers preparing for the grand prix.

As to whether they should do them or not - I like what a previous poster said about whether this is showbusiness or a sport. If a driver feels it gets in the way of their preparation then they absolutely shouldn't have to do them, imagine 100m runners being forced into an interview as they get psyched up before a race...

Edited by robefc, 04 October 2010 - 00:43.

[KateLM]

I love the gridwalks and pre race chats / interviews with drivers. It brings us closer to the pre race tension IMO. But as alluded if drivers are actually "selling" their chats to the media that is total bollocks. Drivers need to realise that they are drivers first, celebrities second. Drivers should not be allowed to personally sell any of their time whilst at a race event. Bad on Shumi and whoever else if this is true...

I don't think many actually are at the moment, the only known instance of that was Schumacher with RTL before. Whether he still does, I don't know. But none of the other top drivers (i.e. those who have enough clout to get that sort of deal) appear to talk solely to one broadcaster.

[KiwiF1]

I love the grid walks, I scour the internet to download the BBC build up just to get the Grid walk. Its not the drivers or the celebs, but when he talks to mechanics and engineers, and also to see some funny antics going on in the background when he is interviewing someone. For instance I think it was Brazil 2009, during one of MB's dash to find a driver he walks by Rod Nelson and Alan Permane who were talking to each other whilst performing some silly gig/dance. In Singapore 2009 whilst interviewing Nico Rosberg, Sam Michael in the background is on the phone to someone obviously watching him on TV and gets him to give them a wave. All this is far more funny, get to see the people behind the team.