77 replies to this topic

[SophieB]

An interesting exchange from the race day thread, inspired by Hamilton saying in the podium cool down room how Verstappen was a 'dickhead' for his move near the start of the race.

 

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Vettls 's words also here:
 

Formula 1: Vettel defends Hamilton over rude Verstappen remark

 

"Can I answer that?" Vettel said. "It's not fair - I don't know what Lewis did, we've all been in that situation.

"We fight someone and sometimes we go wheel-to-wheel, and it's close, and we have a lot of adrenaline going.

"Do you think, if you compare it to football, if you have a microphone on a footballer's mouth that everything he says is something nice, and it's a nice message when the guy tackles him and sometimes he fouls him?

 

"I don't think it's justified to give us this kind of s--t question and making up a story out of nothing."

Vettel said it was normal for a driver to react emotionally in high-pressure situations.

"We are just racing, we are full of adrenaline and we say these things," he added.

"If I hit you in your face, you are not going to tell me, 'Sebastian, that wasn't nice'.

"It's a human reaction, and sometimes I feel it's all a bit blown up and artificial if we have these questions trying to make something out of nothing."

 

I think driver comments in the podium room are a really weird area of etiquette. The commentators all go really quiet to try and hear the un-media trained natural reactions so if nothing else, I think making too big a thing of every little thing stuff said is ultimately just going to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs as drivers learn to get ever blander. But am I wrong? Should drivers show more respect? Should the podium room be seen as entirely on the record? The drivers know what they say is probably going to go out live, after all.

 

 

[CountDooku]

The cool down room is one of the most awkward places in the whole track because the people in them are generally sporting rivals who don’t have too much to chat about. I’m surprised Lewis even spoke, he’s the worst culprit for creating the awkwardness. And Max is a massive ******** so the statement was perfectly appropriate!

[MensRea]

In this over-sanitised microcosm that F1 wants to be today , a little whiff of fresh air surely cannot hurt.
Heat of the moment , adrenaline , high stakes ... part of the game .

[P123]

Danny Ricciardo labelled Bottas a "********" due to being held up in FP. Gave me a laugh.

[phrank]

C'mon the comment was made more than an hour after the actual incident. Its legitimate to ask if you call someone that in a public room in front of the camera's. Sebastian '**** you Charly' Vettel's remarks are nonsense

[Marklar]

Danny Ricciardo labelled Bottas a "****tard" due to being held up in FP. Gave me a laugh.

Well, Ricciardo has the Jester's privilege anyway. So never ever will anyone make a big deal out of something he does   

I dont find it a big deal to be honest. Sure, there should be some respect, but calling someone in passing ******** shortly after you saw the incident sounds not like a big deal to me.

[Risil]

I think the top drivers have been given instructions from F1 management to try and stir up some controversy. But I suppose acting like energetic and contentious children beats acting like sulky children.

[Risil]

Well, Ricciardo has the Jester's privilege anyway. So never ever will anyone make a big deal out of something he does 

 

"How ill world titles become a fool and jester", as Shakespeare almost said. 

[MensRea]

I think the top drivers have been given instructions from F1 management to try and stir up some controversy. But I suppose acting like energetic and contentious children beats acting like sulky children.

Well ... if that's the case one cannot but long for the days when top drivers didn't need to try to be something to result controversial ....

[Jazza]

Well, Ricciardo has the Jester's privilege anyway. So never ever will anyone make a big deal out of something he does

Plus he is Australian. “Hey ....tard” is just our way of saying hello.

[Nonesuch]

Of course it's a fair question, it's been an issue in F1 because the FIA made it its business to tell drivers how they should refer to competitors and officials - and even said it would bring such cases to its Tribunal. That they failed to do so when Verstappen called a steward a ******, when Grosjean called another driver mental, when Ricciardo went on one of his many curse-filled rants, or when Hamilton complained the stewards' decisions were bullshit makes it an interesting question: does it still matter?
 
Vettel's response is also fair enough, even if the 'adrenaline' is a bit of a dull story given the time between the incident and the discussion - but whatever.
 

Hamilton may have had a sudden case of 'I don't remember!' yesterday, but he made a pretty general - and still applicable - statement about drivers' behaviour last year when he said: "Imagine all the kids watching Formula 1 today and seeing that kind of behaviour from a four-time world champion."

 

Let the drivers say what they want. Everyone can decide for him- or herself how to respond to that, or how to view a driver because of it. It doesn't matter; different strokes for different folks. It's all good.

[JeePee]

I like the cool down rooms more with Putin and Bernie in it too.

[statman]

I'm not sure what the problem is, or the newsworthy thing here? Almost every driver calls another driver something, either during the race or after the race. Magnussen and his bleep button, Grosjean whining on the radio every other race, Ocon/Perez, Ricciardo and his traditional c-word outbursts

[LiftAndCoast]

I agree this is a non-issue.

 

In truth, is anyone at all bothered by the drivers swearing, other than a certain Dutch journalist?

[phrank]

I agree this is a non-issue.

 

In truth, is anyone at all bothered by the drivers swearing, other than a certain Dutch journalist?

Think its not about the swearing, but getting a response from Hamilton about the Verstappen move and why he was so upset about it

[Mosrite]

Here we go, we will never hear the end of Max vs Hamilton and Max vs Vettel rivalry now, I can just see them doing a 5 minute segment on it in China.
This sort of BS is the thing F1 journalist live for, now every word, look, and move between the 3 drivers will be talked about in that context.

I think Vettel is totally right though, those guys have a right to any word, racing at those speeds, leave them be, and find a real story

[Nonesuch]

In truth, is anyone at all bothered by the drivers swearing, other than a certain Dutch journalist?

 

Yes, the F1 race director and FIA president.

 

Or well... at least they were when a Ferrari driver did it.

[NixxxoN]

Max should realise he's not playing in Assetto Corsa anymore, he's no longer entitled to everything for free

[TheFish]

I missed the cool down room, what did Lewis say?

[hdsport82]

Yes, the F1 race director and FIA president.

 

Or well... at least they were when a Ferrari driver did it.

 

When a Ferrari driver did it towards the race director yes it did matter.  In most sports telling an official to **** off will merit some form of sanction.  

Edited by hdsport82, 09 April 2018 - 09:33.

[P123]

In a way Vettel is right- tennis players rant away on court, football players mouth off constantly. Unless totally OTT it's a non-story. These snippets are all the journos have to go by when it comes to F1, so it's what they live off in order to create a story.

[Mosrite]

When a Ferrari driver did it towards the race director yes it did matter.  In most sports telling an official to **** off will merit some form of sanction.  

It did matter, that's a real stupid thing to do and Vettel is very lucky to have gotten away with it without a punishment. The only reason none of the other drivers said that is because they're smart enough to know not to.

[Clatter]

When a Ferrari driver did it towards the race director yes it did matter. In most sports telling an official to **** off will merit some form of sanction.

You only know about it because FOM choose to broadcast it. Until then it was just the driver venting to the team.

[monolulu]

Isn’t the cool down room exactly that, a chance to cool down mentally & physically, collect their thoughts before podium interviews? They shouldn’t have mics in there if they’re worried about what might be said.

Edited by monolulu, 09 April 2018 - 09:42.

[hdsport82]

You only know about it because FOM choose to broadcast it. Until then it was just the driver venting to the team.

 

Drivers use the radio to pass messages to race control all the time and they know it is monitored by everyone even if it's not on chosen for TV.  Yes FOM do pick and choose to create a narrative but that doesn't excuse Vettel, if a footballer turns around to his bench and says 'this ref is an effing cheat' and the fourth official overhears it not sure he can use the excuse he was just venting to his manager.

Edited by hdsport82, 09 April 2018 - 09:43.

[Boing 2]

Drivers are interviewed in the paddock at the start of the weekend for pre-recorded stuff across the weekend, they're interviewed in the FIA press conference, they're interviewed after free practice in the paddock, they're interviewed before qually, they're interviewed after qually on the grid, they're interviewed after qually in the pen, they're interviewed after qually in the paddock, they're interviewed on race morning in the paddock, they're interviewed on the grid before getting into the cars, their team radio is broadcast, they're interviewed after the race on the podium, they're interviewed after the race in the pen, they're interviewed after the race in the paddock.

 

Now, I don't think they're putting cameras in the cool down room because they don't reckon we're hearing the drivers enough.They're doing it specifically to capture some raw emotion after the race and that might mean a few naughty words but this isn't an accident, this is exactly why the cameras are there for, so let's not suddenly get all Mary Poppins about it, let's just relax and enjoy adults calling each other a w*nker without getting pissy about it eh?

[EthanM]

I missed the cool down room, what did Lewis say?

 

"such a ********"

 

as the Hamilton/Verstappen incident was replaying on the video wall

[CountDooku]

I think the top drivers have been given instructions from F1 management to try and stir up some controversy. But I suppose acting like energetic and contentious children beats acting like sulky children.

 

 

"How ill world titles become a fool and jester", as Shakespeare almost said. 

 

You're on fire today.   

[A3]

I missed the cool down room, what did Lewis say?

 

https://streamable.com/vndze

 

If I'm not mistaken he says "He's such a ******** out there"

Edited by A3, 09 April 2018 - 09:48.

[statman]

I'm not sure what the problem is, or the newsworthy thing here? Almost every driver calls another driver something, either during the race or after the race. Magnussen and his bleep button, Grosjean whining on the radio every other race, Ocon/Perez, Ricciardo and his traditional c-word outbursts

 

Oh, and to add: why does any, ANY, item involving Verstappen always get a special topic? 

[Piif]

I like the cool down rooms more with Putin and Bernie in it too.

 

More dictators ftw. When North Korea dismantle their nuclear warheads, we can even have Kim Jong-Un there as well. Would go well with the others.

[A3]

Oh, and to add: why does any, ANY, item involving Verstappen always get a special topic? 

 

Yup, this topic is about Verstappen. 

[Kao18]

I think part of Vettel defending Hamilton was out of self interest to be honest.

 

Vettel is probably most guilty of these type of 'offences'.

Edited by Kao18, 09 April 2018 - 09:54.

[Nonesuch]

When a Ferrari driver did it towards the race director yes it did matter.

 
That's not a distinction the FIA made (emphasis added).
 

The FIA will always condemn the use of offensive language in motor sport – especially when directed at officials and/or fellow participants – and expects all participants in its Championships to be respectful and mindful of the example they set for the public and the younger generation in particular.

The FIA takes this opportunity to advise that, in the event of any future incident similar to the one that occurred in Mexico, disciplinary action will be taken by bringing such incident before the FIA International Tribunal to be judged.

 

Also, Hamilton labelling FIA stewards decisions "bullshit", and Verstappen twice (!) calling an FIA steward a "******" and vowing to "never forgive" a penalty got all of....

 

Nothing out of the FIA. 

Edited by Nonesuch, 09 April 2018 - 09:59.

[IceSpeed]

https://streamable.com/vndze

If I'm not mistaken he says "He's such a ******** out there"

It's funny (looks at vettels expressions) he knew right then and there that was going to be picked up so probably had an answer ready

[jjcale]

I think the top drivers have been given instructions from F1 management to try and stir up some controversy. But I suppose acting like energetic and contentious children beats acting like sulky children.

 

Give me back my tin foil hat .... 

[hdsport82]

 
That's not a distinction the FIA made (emphasis added).
 

 

Interesting as it doesn't seem to have stopped the swearing over the radio but speaking generally I think most people myself included have more of an issue when it's dissent towards and official than another competitor (with the caveat that it's not racist etc. in nature).

[jjcale]

Shows how sad things are that this is even a story .... sad that the journo decided to do some bottom feeding and sad that the drivers even felt the need to dignify it with a considered response (....times like that you get a bit of sympathy for KR's childishness) and sad that we feel the need to discuss it - to the point of having a thread about it. 

 

What was the question anyway? was it "why did you call him a ********?" .... I mean, seriously, how do you work the word "********" into a question and expect it to be a sensible question.

 

BTW - does anyone remember in 2010 when an Aus govt minister called LH a ******** after he was busted for "hooning" leaving the track .... the minister got endless questions from journos querying his use of such bad language ..... and in all of their questions to him they repeated the word "********" .... for journalistic purposes of course.

Edited by jjcale, 09 April 2018 - 10:05.

[Nonesuch]

Interesting as it doesn't seem to have stopped the swearing over the radio but speaking generally I think most people myself included have more of an issue when it's dissent towards and official than another competitor (with the caveat that it's not racist etc. in nature).

 

Sure, it's just another case of the FIA causing problems. Their habit of making broad statements and/or regulations and then leaving the enforcement of it to people whose influence thrives on being able to arbitrarily decide who to investigate and who not to is a terrible way to run a sport. And of course FOM is not innocent in all this, as they pick and choose what to broadcast to create drama and stories.

 

If these guys decided to make it clear that there was to be A) no swearing at officials and B) no broadcasts of curse-filled rants, then there'd be no need for the language police to get all excited every time someone vents his frustrations in somewhat crude terms.

[Clatter]

Drivers use the radio to pass messages to race control all the time and they know it is monitored by everyone even if it's not on chosen for TV. Yes FOM do pick and choose to create a narrative but that doesn't excuse Vettel, if a footballer turns around to his bench and says 'this ref is an effing cheat' and the fourth official overhears it not sure he can use the excuse he was just venting to his manager.

FOM shouldn't ease drop then.

[Burtros]

I missed the race but saw the post race coverage.

 

In the pen, Hamilton needed a lot of help to remember the Verstappen incident. Which makes no sense if he had called him a ******** over it all 20 mins earlier having seen the footage. The Vettel comments may have come later I guess.

 

Was on C4.

 

All very odd. 

[TomNokoe]

I missed the race but saw the post race coverage.

In the pen, Hamilton needed a lot of help to remember the Verstappen incident. Which makes no sense if he had called him a ******** over it all 20 mins earlier having seen the footage. The Vettel comments may have come later I guess.

Was on C4.

All very odd.

Hamilton pretends to forget things a lot post race, simply his way of getting out of discussing it. Happened very often with Rosberg.

[kosmos]

I think part of Vettel defending Hamilton was out of self interest to be honest.

 

Vettel is probably most guilty of these type of 'offences'.

 

 

My thoughts exactly, Vettel has a very dirty mouth but at the end of the day I agree with him, he is right with this one.

[scheivlak]

It was fair question which got a fair answer.

[AlexPrime]

I don't get the puritan mentality. To be civil during podium ceremony and press conference OK, but immediately after the race or on team radio? Weird.
I agree with Seb... and with Lewis.

Edited by AlexPrime, 09 April 2018 - 10:43.

[SilverArrow31]

Vettel was 100% correct, look at what the F1 news world is talking about right now? It's either Vettel saying this, or about the Hamilton and Verstappen crash and subsequent fallout, there is very little about Vettel or Bottas who actually fought for the race win, why? Because their is no controversy, and that is what nearly all news journalists tend to look for.

Edited by SilverArrow31, 09 April 2018 - 11:14.

[Lights]

The headlines of Vettel 'defending' Hamilton, very cute. It's just self interest.

[AnR]

 I don't think Vettel got involved in Hamilton - Verstappen just talking about the right to express some feelings..

[Ellios]

I agree, as above posters have said Vettel was most likely serving self interests first rather than defending HAM. What goes around comes around, fair play to him for putting out there and closing down a potential sh*t-storm  

[Burtros]

Hamilton pretends to forget things a lot post race, simply his way of getting out of discussing it. Happened very often with Rosberg.

 

But it didnt get him out of discussing it.