7 replies to this topic

[tony]

Many are wondering if RB and/or MS will be punished for their incident on the podium and at the press conference. Just what are the rules here? I find it absurd that the FIA would try to govern peoples emotions. The podium is a celebration...why should anyone be constrained to act a certain way in these circumstances. It wouldn't surprise me if the FIA has rules about how the champagne must be sprayed.

1) Are the drivers required to attend the podium and press conference? (excluding injury or illness). If so this means if a driver were mad or felt betrayed (as JPM did when he was penalized for having MS understeer into him), he would not be allowed to skip the podium in protest?

2) If the drivers and the rest of the world clearly feel a certain way shouldn't they be allowed to demonstrate this? What possible harm is there in swapping positions on the podium and at the press conference?

[bira]

2002 F1 Sporting Regulations say:

PODIUM CEREMONY
170) The drivers finishing the race in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions and a representative of the winning constructor must attend the prize-giving ceremony on the podium and abide by the podium procedure set out in Appendix 3 (except Monaco); and immediately thereafter make themselves available for a period of 90 minutes for the purpose of television unilateral interviews and the press conference in the media centre.

Apendix 3 says:

APPENDIX 3
PODIUM CEREMONY
1. MASTER OF CEREMONIES
A master of ceremonies will be appointed by the FIA to conduct the entire podium ceremony.
2. PODIUM
a) ROSTRUM AND DAIS
The dimensions of the dais must follow those found in the FIA graphic design manual.
The distance between the edge of the winner's dais and the retaining barrier of the podium should be a minimum of 120cm to provide a walkway.
The place where each person presenting a trophy should stand must be marked on the floor of the podium.
Trophies must be laid out on a single table on one side of the podium. The champagne must be on the dais.
b) FLAGS
Olympic Games style "flat flags" should be used. There must be a minimum space of 50cm behind the podium structure for the flag men.
c) FLOOR
The podium and steps should be covered in green or dark blue carpet.
3. ANTHEMS
a) A suitable sound system should be installed to ensure that national anthems, (initiated by the master of ceremonies) are clearly heard with an audio link to the TV broadcast.
b) When the champagne shower begins, music should be played. This should not start until the presenters have left the podium.
c) A commentary of the podium ceremony should be broadcast to the general public from the platform erected for the TV cameras.
4. TROPHIES
Only 4 trophies will be presented during the podium ceremony:
a) winning driver
b) a representative of the winning constructor
c) second driver
d) third driver.
The trophies, which must be in the form of traditional cups, will be provided by the ASN and must show:
a) the FIA Formula 1 World Championship official logo
b) the official name of the event
c) the driver's position.
The height of the trophies shall be:
a) winner's and constructor's trophies - no less than 50cm and no more than 65cm high
b) second and third drivers' trophies - no less than 35cm and no more than 45cm high
The maximum weight per trophy must not exceed 5 kilos. Trophies must be of a design that is capable of being handled and transported without damage.
5. SCENARIO (See attached designs)
a) Only three persons should be on the podium to present the trophies. In exceptional circumstances, the master of ceremonies may increase this to four.
b) No police, bodyguards or persons not authorised by the master of ceremonies are allowed on the podium.
c) The master of ceremonies will inform the TV and public address commentator of the names of the persons presenting the trophies.
d) The master of ceremonies must be on the side of the podium where the trophies are located. The persons presenting the trophies will be on the other side. The master of ceremonies will hand the trophies to those presenting them.
6. TELEVISION
The ideal position for the TV camera is immediately opposite the podium and at the same height. Under no circumstances must there be a TV camera man on the podium.
7. PARC FERME
The parc fermé must be positioned as close as possible to the podium, preferably immediately below, with direct access.
As soon as all the cars have crossed the Line, a course car must go round the track to collect any driver who has finished in the first three but is stranded on the circuit.
The drivers must not be delayed in the parc fermé. One person, nominated by the master of ceremonies and in radio contact with him, will be responsible for moving the drivers from the parc fermé to the podium without delay. Only persons authorised by the master of ceremonies may make contact with the drivers before the end of the TV unilateral interviews.
8. UNILATERAL ROOM
The unilateral room must be adjacent to the podium. The master of ceremonies will see that the drivers proceed there immediately after the podium ceremony. The room should be suitably ventilated (or air conditioned if the temperature is above 25°C).
9. PRESS ROOM
Immediately after the TV interviews, drivers must go to the press room for interviews.
10. WATER + TOWELS
3 bottles of water must be put in the parc fermé
(no identification)
3 bottles in the unilateral room (no identification).
3 towels must be available in the unilateral room
No other drinks are permitted in the parc fermé or unilateral room.
11. PODIUM PROTOCOL (except for Monaco)
The winning driver's award will be presented by the head of state or the prime minister of the host country or the FIA President. If such a person is not available, a comparable person within the host country, or a dignitary of international status should be invited. Should neither of these be available, the
President of the ASN will be invited to present the winner's trophy.
The constructor's award must be presented by the official representative of the naming rights sponsor of the Event. In the absence of a naming rights sponsor, the master of ceremonies will select a suitable person.
The second and third drivers' awards must be presented by the President of the ASN, unless local circumstances require an additional dignitary to be present. In this case, the latter will present the second award and the ASN president the third. Should the ASN president be unavailable or presenting the winning driver's trophy, the master of ceremonies will select a suitable replacement.
An invitation will be issued to each person attending the podium ceremony, with clear instructions as to the procedure to follow.

[BuonoBruttoCattivo]

Addendum to non-Italian Ferrari driver:

APPENDIX 3B

Section 12:

Do not EVEN think about 'conducting' the Italian national anthem.

[SlateGray]

Don't see anything saying the 1st place driver has to stand on the top the 2nd place driver next and so on.

Must their shoes remain tied durning the presentation?

Perhaps the FIA can get a Drill sargent to drill the drivers in the proper method for doing the podium. left, left, left, right, left,halt, right face, aim champagne away from face, ready... fire.;)

[tony]

Just as I thought....These protocols on how to celebrate are absurd...

[Goggles]

The trophies, which must be in the form of traditional cups...

I guess those steering wheel prizes should be banned...

[random]

I think the detail of the regulations is really designed assist the local organizers when dealing with local politicians. Some politicians see the F1 podium as a way in which to be get free publicity on the world stage.

After the Portugal debacle and subsequent loss of their grand prix, the organizers now have a piece of paper to show these politicos and keep them at bay.

[nigel red5]

The part about no authorized persons (police, bodygurads etc.) i think ws brought into the regulations after a policeman found himself / invaded the podium during the 1997 European GP @ Jerez.