57 replies to this topic

[Podium]

Louise Goodman: What’s the reaction been back home about your F1 debut and the fact that you’ve now become Poland’s first ever Grand Prix driver?

Robert Kubica: I don’t think a lot of people in Poland understand Formula One.

There is much more interest about it at the moment, but Poland doesn’t have much of a history in Formula One or motorsport.

A lot of the media, and the people there, still have to learn and to understand how it all works but I’m not sure they want to. They think they know everything already.

One start and he is already looking down on his fellow countrymen?

link

[KABA]

It makes more sense in the german version, the original statement was more along the lines that there was not a big interest in F1 until now. I'm sure the BMW PR people will refine his english.

Kubica shows to be quite level headed in his statements, in particular compared to some ex F1 drivers.

[Leyser]

Originally posted by KABA
Kubica shows to be quite level headed in his statements, in particular compared to some ex F1 drivers.

He was practically kicking himself after Hungarym which I found rather refreshing and adorable.

His criticism of himself was out of line.

[Podium]

Did he essentially call the fans ignorant and lazy in German too?

I wouldn't be quick to form an opinion on him from the little we know. Just days after it was announced JV would not be racing at the Hungarian grand prix due to his "injury", an article surfaced in which Kubica blasted JV. At a recent test JV asked him to have lunch with him. Kubica replied: "I'd rather eat alone." Then he essentially called JV a hypocrite for "pretending to be his friend now." If there is an early indication, it is that Kubica is very arrogant, especially for someone who has achieved zero in F1 thus far, based on his comments on Polish fans and his attitude toward a former World Champion.

[Leyser]

I'd say he's simply an honest bloke who says what's on his mind. A good replacement for Jacques?

[Podium]

Did JV damage his team's marketing efforts by criticizing fans, especially a fan group among which he is very popular? Did he ever call Canadian fans lazy and ignorant.;)

[BorderReiver]

Originally posted by Podium
Did JV damage his team's marketing efforts by criticizing fans, especially a fan group among which he is very popular? Did he ever call Canadian fans lazy and ignorant.;)

No and Kubica hasn't called Polish fans lazy or ignorant either. The subtext is in your head.

All he's done is described, fairly accurately, the mood and attitude of the general populace when their country gets it's first Formula One driver.

I remember when Alex Yoong turned out for Minardi, and was asked by the Malaysian press when he was going to start winning races. What can the poor lad say to questions like that?

The Malaysian Press therefore went away and wrote their own articles, and I don't doubt the Poles will do the same thing.

You really are reading far too much into this, Kubica comes across as a self effacing, decent bloke who's already acknowledged any and all mistakes he's made.

That hardly fits the profile of an arrogant man now does it?

[BorderReiver]

Ah, I see looking at your profile you're a Villeneuve fan.

So it's "bash the new guy, simply because he exists" time is it?

Kubica didn't get Villeneuve sacked, Villeneuve got Villeneuve sacked.

[fastlegs]

Originally posted by BorderReiver
Ah, I see looking at your profile you're a Villeneuve fan.

So it's "bash the new guy, simply because he exists" time is it?

Kubica didn't get Villeneuve sacked, Villeneuve got Villeneuve sacked.

Don't paint all us "Villeneuve fans" with the same brush.

I would like for Podium to show me where Kubica called Polish fans lazy or ignorant.

By the way, I like Kubica and I wish the guy all the best. It's not his fault that JV was let go.

[Chuck Skowron]

Last year, the World Series by Renault posted an interview with Kubica just after he won the WSR in 2005. Link below:

http://www.renault-s...news=20934.html

In a couple of paragraphs, he sheds some light on the relationship with the Polish media, (pretty similar to what he said with ITV)...

I hear that you have become really popular back in Poland…
In Poland, motorsport has never really had much of a popular following. Motor racing is not very well developed there. I think that the World Series by Renault and my success in the Championship had helped a lot to make the sport more popular back home. Daniel Morelli (my manager) and the people that work with me in Poland are doing their best to educate people about motor racing. Now you can watch the World Series by Renault races on TV and the newspapers are talking about something else than just football. There is also a growing interest in single-seater racing.

And last week your office organized a Press Conference in the capital, Warsaw, and there were more than 80 journalists in attendance!!!
Yes!!! We organized something similar three years ago and only 15 journalists attended. My results and winning a championship like the World Series by Renault has helped a lot. To some extent, it has been a question of us raising media awareness. In Formula One, they only know about Schumacher and maybe now Alonso. They asked some strange questions, but overall I was very happy with the situation.

It is true about Poland not having much of a following of F1 as other nations, keep in mind the only international presence this country has had in motorsports before Kubica was basically in Motocross, Speedway Motorcycle Racing, and Rallying. Any international closed-circuit racing was confined within the boundries of the former Iron Curtain. Robert is entering previously uncharted waters for his home nation, of course they're not going to have as much knowledge about F1 as those countries that happen to be located west of Berlin.

[petri]

I think he is just honest. When Keke started in late 70's the situation in Finland was very much the same. The press didn't understand the technical side of F1 then, calling Rosberg a driver who always drops out (as if was his fault). Keke took it hard and his relationship with finnish press was not so good during the rest of his career.

[xype]

Originally posted by BorderReiver
Kubica didn't get Villeneuve sacked, Villeneuve got Villeneuve sacked.

Dude, we'll never really know what went on between Kubica and Theissen....

;)

[repcobrabham]

Originally posted by BorderReiver
You really are reading far too much into this, Kubica comes across as a self effacing, decent bloke who's already acknowledged any and all mistakes he's made.

That hardly fits the profile of an arrogant man now does it?

sounds like he's gonna be the next mark webber... can't wait to see what flames that remark will fan!

[gregoff]

Hello to everyone:) I'm polish fan and i'm new here (sorry for me english) and i want to tell why Kubica told this in his Interview.

He is racing for nine years and the Poland press and most of the citizens know him for about a month, when he started his first race in Hungary. He never had a major sponsor from Poland and he always had to fight for money. I'm interest in F1 for about 12 years (1994-2006) and i know well that this sport how very few REAL FANS in Poland. The fans of F1 in Poland are about 300.000 (that much was watching the transmision in TV) but the transmision of Hungary watch about 2 milion and everybody is F1 Fan and know everything about this very complicated sport, that is very frustrating not only for Kubica but for the real fans too. Kubica see this and telling the truth the the press. For Poland media is a Hero but they have no clue what is F1 all about. This will change but that will take time. The true fans of F1 in Poland know that Kubica wasn't telling about us. We are proud of him but we know that is only the beginning his career in this sport, we hope a very long and succesfull career:)

Ps: He isn't second Webber, Alonso, Prost, he is the First Kubica:)

Ps2: Once again sorry for me english:/

[Gemini]

I am Polish. I followed Kubica's carrer since 1999. I first posted his name on this BB in 2003 I think.
And I follow F1 since late eighties. So for the record: I don't feel offended by his comments .

If there was a slight criticism/dissapointment in his words it was directed at local media. You can't believe what kind of crap they are talking/writing.

And it only shows he is more mature than his age means and he wants to cut that crap out. I just think he must have felt embarassed reading headlines like "Kubica quicker than Schumacher and Alonso!" after his debut in Friday practices this year. As much as I felt embarrased reading for years, things like "Michael Schumacher, famous rally driver who won many F1 championships"

You have to remember that 80% of the press that is now going to cover Kubica, never watched F1 race prior to 2006. I doubt they ever watched any form of motorsport. Now they are going to cover Kubica because this will sell paper/airtime.

Kubica lived abroad since his 14th, among people who were 'breathing' motosport. Now he will be covered and judged in Poland by breakfast televisions that will think that downforce is some kind of driver's depression :

[united]

I can tell you Robert is a big hit even in the neighbouring Belarus, significantly increasing the level of F1 awareness among local people.

[Gemini]

welcome gregoff

[Buttoneer]

Good to have you poles on the board for a true indication of the popularity of F1 in your country. It is interesting that the loudest voice against Kubica is someone who doesn't actually understand the full background to the situation in Poland.

Welcome to Atlas and I hope Kubica and you will all be around for some years to come!

[gregoff]

Correct Gemini. They only want to sell a sensation no real judgement of F1 and Kubica. This is sad but i hope they learn a lesson from Robert

Welcome Gemini

We are fans of F1 not only Kubica:) I like Alonso and Renault (and from the next season McLaren:) ) and in second place is Button:). The F1 was before Kubica and we all know that very well. But the Pole in F1 is a something new for us, it's completely new emotions hard to describe for me. My brother wait 20 years for Pole in F1, i wait only 12 but i know a fans that wait for 30, 40 years for that and is fantastic for them to see him on the track :!:

[Gemini]

Originally posted by Buttoneer
Good to have you poles on the board for a true indication of the popularity of F1 in your country. It is interesting that the loudest voice against Kubica is someone who doesn't actually understand the full background to the situation in Poland.

Welcome to Atlas and I hope Kubica and you will all be around for some years to come!

I am around here since 1999

[Red ITC]

If you are going to call a driver on the subtleties of a statement made in a second language and reported third hand, it would be better to check your own vocabulary before typing the thread title. Otherwise you might look a bit of a würst yourself.

[jokuvaan]

With my english understanding Kubica talks about local media.

[Voy]

Big thanks to Polish F1 fans here. I am Pole too and F1 fan as long as I remember and mind that I am 43 now. I have been able to follow the sport more closely on TV since I could afford to buy satellite gear in 2001 and pay for DSTV subscription (77 USD monthly at the moment - but I would pay anything to be able to watch GPs - luckily [bar the James Allen level of commentary] we get the feed from ITV - delayed Fri practices, live sat practice, qual and race with press conferences and without ads! ) and on internet since I got it here in Tanzania 3 years ago where I live and work since 1991 (thus being able to become F1 forums member and daily F1 websites reader). Add to the picture online racing in F1C and rFactor, GTR or Toca 3 - you will get the idea. Still, everyone here think I am total cuckoo with my hobbies. Everyone here (africans, I say) is Chelsea (before that ManU).

Before that it was newspapers (foreign mostly) and glimpses of races here and there. An occassional Ferrari sticker or a poster to put on the wall in my bedroom etc (I've always been Ferrari tifoso and always will).

I feel great relief reading fellow Poles comments on F1. I've always felt lonely and misunderstood among my own folk. Frankly, I've known personally only one Polish F1 fan in my life - and, unfortunately ;) - he's been always and always will be Ron's boy. Noone to talk to, noone to watch F1 races, noone to share my lifetime passion for it.

Back at home, in Krakow (btw, Kubica was born and lived just a couple of hudred meters away from my place - and though I've never met him personally, I know bunch of people who always say he's a good and humble guy, hard working and down-to-earth), during my not-so-frequent holidays with my parents, I watch GPs alone. And always switch to RTL tv coverage as I cannot stand those ignorant commentators who know **** about the sport and feed the few who care to watch with that ****. I record on dvd every GP weekend since I got satellite, so I dont wangt that crap on my disks.

With Kubica now, the huge army of ignorant fans turned their eye on F1, but if you try to read what those people post on public websites, it just makes my blood stop circulating and run away scared.

I wish Robert all the best, but I cannot say that I cheer for him more than for Ferrari and for Kimi who is my second best hero after Schumi (now, this is not to start another debate; I just state what I like, period).

So, welcome to the Lonely Planet of Polish hardcore, lifelong, devoted F1 fans.

[Levike]

Originally posted by gregoff
Hello to everyone:) I'm polish fan and i'm new here (sorry for me english) and i want to tell why Kubica told this in his Interview.

He is racing for nine years and the Poland press and most of the citizens know him for about a month, when he started his first race in Hungary. He never had a major sponsor from Poland and he always had to fight for money. I'm interest in F1 for about 12 years (1994-2006) and i know well that this sport how very few REAL FANS in Poland. The fans of F1 in Poland are about 300.000 (that much was watching the transmision in TV) but the transmision of Hungary watch about 2 milion and everybody is F1 Fan and know everything about this very complicated sport, that is very frustrating not only for Kubica but for the real fans too. Kubica see this and telling the truth the the press. For Poland media is a Hero but they have no clue what is F1 all about. This will change but that will take time. The true fans of F1 in Poland know that Kubica wasn't telling about us. We are proud of him but we know that is only the beginning his career in this sport, we hope a very long and succesfull career:)

Ps: He isn't second Webber, Alonso, Prost, he is the First Kubica:)

Ps2: Once again sorry for me english:/

Hello !

I'm from Hungary and I see your points. The only thing is, that You Polish people at least have an F1 hero from now on, while we don't have.. Yes we had Baumgartner but he wasn't exactly who i call an F1 driver..
We have Talmacsi at MotoGP and that's all (and he did a hell of a work and it took for years to be a little bit recognised). Everybody loves motorsports here, but our big companies simply doesn't helping with money...


Levi

[Oachkatzlschwoaf]

nice thread
i guess it's not like that's a lot different in other countries either.

[prty]

People also critised Alonso a lot for saying something similar about the Spanish press. But very few wanted to admit he was right. As an example:

The text says: "Schumacher adjusts the central mirror of his new Ferrari F2002 in practice

[Hiatt]

Originally posted by Gemini
Now he will be covered and judged n Poland by breakfast televisions that will think that downforce is some kind of driver's depression :

[Gemini]

Originally posted by Voy
Big thanks to Polish F1 fans here. I am Pole too and F1 fan as long as I remember and mind that I am 43 now. I have been able to follow the sport more closely on TV since I could afford to buy satellite gear in 2001 and pay for DSTV subscription (77 USD monthly at the moment - but I would pay anything to be able to watch GPs - luckily [bar the James Allen level of commentary] we get the feed from ITV - delayed Fri practices, live sat practice, qual and race with press conferences and without ads! ) and on internet since I got it here in Tanzania 3 years ago where I live and work since 1991 (thus being able to become F1 forums member and daily F1 websites reader). Add to the picture online racing in F1C and rFactor, GTR or Toca 3 - you will get the idea. Still, everyone here think I am total cuckoo with my hobbies. Everyone here (africans, I say) is Chelsea (before that ManU).

Before that it was newspapers (foreign mostly) and glimpses of races here and there. An occassional Ferrari sticker or a poster to put on the wall in my bedroom etc (I've always been Ferrari tifoso and always will).

I feel great relief reading fellow Poles comments on F1. I've always felt lonely and misunderstood among my own folk. Frankly, I've known personally only one Polish F1 fan in my life - and, unfortunately ;) - he's been always and always will be Ron's boy. Noone to talk to, noone to watch F1 races, noone to share my lifetime passion for it.

Back at home, in Krakow (btw, Kubica was born and lived just a couple of hudred meters away from my place - and though I've never met him personally, I know bunch of people who always say he's a good and humble guy, hard working and down-to-earth), during my not-so-frequent holidays with my parents, I watch GPs alone. And always switch to RTL tv coverage as I cannot stand those ignorant commentators who know **** about the sport and feed the few who care to watch with that ****. I record on dvd every GP weekend since I got satellite, so I dont wangt that crap on my disks.

With Kubica now, the huge army of ignorant fans turned their eye on F1, but if you try to read what those people post on public websites, it just makes my blood stop circulating and run away scared.

I wish Robert all the best, but I cannot say that I cheer for him more than for Ferrari and for Kimi who is my second best hero after Schumi (now, this is not to start another debate; I just state what I like, period).

So, welcome to the Lonely Planet of Polish hardcore, lifelong, devoted F1 fans.

Voy, my brother in pain (and joy). Thank you. I would not write it better.

I am just 5 year younger than you. I do the same with RTL. And I am hardcore simraces too on GPL, F1C, GTR, RBR, rFactor GTL, GTR2. So , You are not alone

The only difference is that I have managed to infect few pals with F1. One of them is already hardcore F1 follower. He and others travel to races with me since 1999.

If you will ever be in Warsaw...

[skonks]

Originally posted by prty


The text says: "Schumacher adjusts the central mirror of his new Ferrari F2002 in practice

incredible

but still, Spain has a HUGE motorsport tradition (even if not F1) with multiple WorldChampions in Bikes and Rally, it's strange to see that photo

[Edited]

[BRG]

Polish members can take comfort in the fact that Kubica must have really arrived in F1 - he already has his very own bashers, and after only one race!

Britain is one of the leading motor racing countries but still our main stream media don't have a single clue what it is really all about. They just seize on Mansell, Hill, Coulthard, Button or whoever is the British driver of the day, and wave the flag as hard as they can. So just how bad the situation must be in countries with no significant motor racing culture is hard to imagine.

[prty]

Originally posted by skonks


incredible

but still, Spain has a HUGE motorsport tradition (even if not F1) with multiple WorldChampions in Bikes and Rally, it's strange to see that photo

[Edited]

In bikes yes. But even if we had Sainz and now Sordo, there's hardy any coverage about rallys.

[Marcin]

I'm from Poland too, and I have a similar view on this comments as my polish colleagues.

In this interview Robert was speaking about polish media, not fans. He is completely right. Some journalist don't have a clue what they are writing about. Of course not all jouralists are like this. There are a couple or more who were following his career from Formula Renault or even karting.

This crap in polish biggest media was very fanny at first, but now is very depressing. Imagine that some pople who started watching F1 since last race would read this **** and then belivie in it, because papers and TV can't be wrong.

I'm following F1 since 2000 and I have never got so much emotions as watching race from Hungary. Suddenly F1 is not boring ;) . I had to watch the race again to know who actually was on the podium

People who know Robert personally says that he is not arograt or somethink like this. He is completly oposite, modest and friendly.

PS Hello polish fans

PS 2 I'm sorry for my english

[armonico]

Originally posted by skonks


incredible

but still, Spain has a HUGE motorsport tradition (even if not F1) with multiple WorldChampions in Bikes and Rally, it's strange to see that photo

[Edited]

As prty said, it was more about bikes.

I don't know in other countries, but in Spain, the "journos" who are currently written about Alonso and F1 has little knowledge and no interest on F1. All their work consists of making Alonso a hero in order to sell newspapers or increase their website hits. They read, translate and copy and paste news from other sources or simply invent news to fill the gap between races. It seems the editors choose whoever to cover Alonso and F1 news unrelated to his F1 knowledge. Sometimes they write very funny articles. The latest come from El Mundo after the Hungarian Grand Prix:

Definitivamente un error humano en boxes fue la causa del abandono de Fernando Alonso del Gran Premio de Hungría. Y la prueba se encuentra en una fotografía en la que se muestra cómo uno de los mecánicos de Renault utiliza la mano en lugar del el sistema eléctrico de atornillado (que tiene en la otra mano) para apretar la tuerca a la rueda del monoplaza. Esto explicaría un cambio de ruedas tan espectacular, de solo 6,5 segundos.

Al poco de acabar la carrera, la escudería francesa afirmó que fue la rotura del palier la causa del abandono del piloto asturiano. Sin embargo, horas después aseguraron que fue una tuerca mal apretada en el repostaje la que provocó el fallo en el coche. La escudería reconoció que pudo tratarse de un error humano, pero lo sorprendente es que el problema se produce porque el mecánico usó la mano incorrecta. La imágen (ver diario El Mundo, página 38, hoy) fue tomada por Javier Pérez, que llegó al GP de Hungría invitado por la firma Mclaren y estuvo disfrutando de un fin de semana poco habitual para la mayoría de los mortales.

En Almería, Pérez comenzó a ver todas las fotografías que había hecho durante el fin de semana y se dió cuenta de que había algo raro en la que realizó cuando Fernando Alonso se dispuso a cambiar las ruedas en el último repostaje: "Me sorprendió ver al mecánico de la rueda que, posteriormente se salió, con la mano metida junto al tornillo, sin que estuviese la manguera que se utiliza para apretar" declaraba a este diario.

In a summarized translation (the best parts), it said that a Spanish guess invited by McLaren took lot of pics and in one of them it shows the hand of the mechanic touching the nut of the right wheel that later fell off. The article from the newspaper and journo is good from start to finish:

Finally, a human error was the reason of Alonso's retirement in Hungary. The evidence is in a pic that shows how one of the mechcanics of Renault uses his hand instead of the gun (that holds in his other hand) to tighten the nut of the wheel. This would explain a tyre change so spectacular, only 6.5 seconds.

[...]The team recognised it could be a human error, but the surprising thing is that the problem is caused because the mechanic used the incorrect hand. The image (see paper El Mundo, page 38, today, was taken by Javier Perez, [...]

After developping the pics, Javier Perez realised something extrange in the pic he took on Alonso second pit stop: "I was surprised to see the mechanic of the wheel, that later fell off, with his hand touching the nut without having the gun it's used to tighten" comented to this paper.

[Gemini]

Welcome Marcin

To be honest this was one of the most exciting races of last few years, regardless of RK's debut. The fact that my cardiovascular system survived that means that I am fit to race ;)

[Buttoneer]

What you long time Polish fans need to remember is that while the audience figures might go from 300,000 to 2,000,000 while Kubica is driving, the numbers will drop down again when he stops. But they won't drop back to 300,000 because alot of fans will stick with it and will watch because the sport is good to watch. Well, it is sometimes good to watch.

So while you might have to put up with a few ignorant new fans for a while, eventually you will be left with a new bigger hard core of fans that might even result in your own TV coverage.

The same happened in the UK with Mansell. I only started watching F1 because he was doing so well in 1992 but I stuck with it.

Welcome again to all you newbie Poles.

[prty]

Yeah armonico, I was when saw that one.

[armonico]

Originally posted by prty
Yeah armonico, I was when saw that one.

I'm always asked myself how on earth these journos can make up such as blunders but even more surprising how their articles could be printed. As long as the article looks good and convincing and helps to increase the circulation figures of that day, the truthfulness of the story seems to be of a secondary matter. But certainly, it makes a good lauhg to read them.

[512 TR]

Poland understand motorsport alright!

They've had Tomasz Gollob in the Speedway GP series for years. Infact Poland is the biggest Speedway country in the world.

Kubica - don't make it seem like there aren't any Polish F1 fans. There are more than you'll ever know!

[Dragonfly]

Being Bulgarian, I'm very happy that a driver of Slavonic origin has found a place in the very top of motorsport. And I'm sure many Bulgarian fans feel the same. What's more, Robert at his debute found himself in very complicated race conditions and IMHO performed very well. I hope he'll keep focused on what he does and draw the right conclusions for himself.

P.S. As for the media, here we have only a couple of journos who really know what they write and speak.

[skylark68]

Originally posted by Gemini


If there was a slight criticism/dissapointment in his words it was directed at local media. You can't believe what kind of crap they are talking/writing.

Kubica lived abroad since his 14th, among people who were 'breathing' motosport. Now he will be covered and judged in Poland by breakfast televisions that will think that downforce is some kind of driver's depression :

Originally posted by gregoff
Kubica see this and telling the truth the the press. For Poland media is a Hero but they have no clue what is F1 all about. :

Well, we have two Polish citizens/fans (and another I see) but please fill us in - just what is the media saying? Do you have some reference points for us? I would like to hear them and I am sure others would as well.

Thanks and look forward to the news.

[GrzegorzChyla]

It is second time that Kubica's comment make me feel hurt...
First was before Hungary, when he stated something like he has no support from Poland.
Later he explained that he was mistranslated and he did not mean fans but sponsors and perhaps media.


Of course Poles do not know a lot about Forumula One. I bet most of them would stall the car trying to drive it.

I feel hurt by his comments.

Let me instroduce because I am new here.
I am Polish.
I think I can call myself a Villeneuve fan.
But I mean Gilles...
I have been wathing F1 when it briefly appeared on Polish TV in late 1978 to early 1980.
I was at two first Hungarian Grand Prix in 1986 and 1987.
I watched and I made lapcharts of every polish championship race between 1983 and 1996.

I somehow lost F1 interest in recent years - somewhere after Senna's death...
But of course now I have a reason to return to my youth...

Grzegorz Chyla

[scheivlak]

Originally posted by GrzegorzChyla
I have been wathing F1 when it briefly appeared on Polish TV in late 1978 to early 1980.

Interesting!
How was it presented?
Like genuine thrilling sport? Strange capitalist extravaganza? Maybe dry as a bone? Or as opium for the people?
Just curious!
Was Poland the only country behind the Iron Curain where it was shown at the time?

[gregoff]

Polish press tell something like that:

Kubica has won with Schumi, Alonso, Raikkonen about a 2 seconds (they don't tell that was in friday training, adn even they will 90% of people don't understant what is friday training)

Kubica has got seven place in Hungary. He beat Schumi, Alonso... and others. But they don't understantd that this race was unike (Rain, slow Bridgestone tyres) and Kubica make too mistake.

And the disqualification was a something that the press told very well but the understanding of that problem was difficult.

Ps: But the disqualifciation was very similiar to the disqualification of Adam Ma³ysz before he started to win in skijumping (Adam Ma³ysz is Polish Hero of the 21 century)

[GrzegorzChyla]

Originally posted by scheivlak
Interesting!
How was it presented?
Like genuine thrilling sport? Strange capitalist extravaganza? Maybe dry as a bone? Or as opium for the people?

I remember it as a sport. Especially the 1979 French GP. Last three laps.
It was a very interesting time, in 1978 Andrzej Jaroszewicz (a very good rally driver) drove F1 Wolf on Poznan Circuit.
I beleive the transmissions were sponsored by Marlboro. Usually there was a one hour broadcast in the evening of the race. Not from every race...

Then the fuel crisis came, then the everything crisis came and showing such expense on TV was not welcome...

Originally posted by scheivlak
Was Poland the only country behind the Iron Curain where it was shown at the time?

I know for sure that Czech TV transmitted (on the same evening way) every GP durinng 1980s. I am not sure about 1970s.
It was commented by Lubos Pechacek and from the rare occasions I saw it I remember he addressed his listeners as people who know what is it all about. It wasn't like that on Polish TV.

Generally in Czech republic motorsport were treated as sport, while in Poland rather as a rich man play.

Grzegorz Chyla

[scheivlak]

Originally posted by GrzegorzChyla

I remember it as a sport. Especially the 1979 French GP. Last three laps.
It was a very interesting time, in 1978 Andrzej Jaroszewicz (a very good rally driver) drove F1 Wolf on Poznan Circuit.
I beleive the transmissions were sponsored by Marlboro. Usually there was a one hour broadcast in the evening of the race. Not from every race...

Thanks Grzegorz!
I don't think many people here knew that a Wolf F1 car ever drove on a Poznan circuit!

That the transmissions were sponsored by Marlboro explains a lot and at the same time makes it even more remarkable - in those years here in the Netherlands sport events, however important, were not transmitted if there was too much advertising or if the sponsorship was too blatant......

[Hiatt]

Originally posted by GrzegorzChyla
Then the fuel crisis came

Sorry, I could not help laughing at that. What a great scam it was

[KubaK]

Originally posted by GrzegorzChyla

I remember it as a sport. Especially the 1979 French GP. Last three laps.
It was a very interesting time, in 1978 Andrzej Jaroszewicz (a very good rally driver) drove F1 Wolf on Poznan Circuit.

Then in 1991 Polish TV re-transmited (full lenght, but 1 or 2 hours late) F1 races. That was the time when I got interested in F1

But back to the topic: Grzegorz - it's sad, but true - most of people in Poland don't know much about F1. And they learn about it from media, that have no clue what is really about! Yes, we're watching Robert's career for few years now, but most people heard of him few weeks ago for the first time... :

Kuba Kozal

[JForce]

Originally posted by BRG
Polish members can take comfort in the fact that Kubica must have really arrived in F1 - he already has his very own bashers, and after only one race!

Britain is one of the leading motor racing countries but still our main stream media don't have a single clue what it is really all about. They just seize on Mansell, Hill, Coulthard, Button or whoever is the British driver of the day, and wave the flag as hard as they can. So just how bad the situation must be in countries with no significant motor racing culture is hard to imagine.

That's actually very interesting. Here in NZ, we have a huge tradition in motorsport, and I would say the mainstream media cover everything very well. Could be a population thing of course.

[Gemini]

Originally posted by scheivlak

Thanks Grzegorz!
I don't think many people here knew that a Wolf F1 car ever drove on a Poznan circuit!

Actually Poznan circuit (after upgrades) was meant to be the first F1 race behind Iron Curtain. Bernie was meeting with Andrzej Jaroszewicz (mentioned by Grzegorz) big motorsport enthusiast, rally driver and most importantly... son of communist Prime Minister of that time This fact and his expensive hobbies gave the guy a nick "Red Baron" or something like that, if I remember correctly.;)

I read, years after,that talks with Bernie were pretty advanced and considering Jaroszewicz enthusiasm and his father's influnce it was set to happen. The government at that time was trying hard to prove that economy was great, country was cool and we could have had all that toys that entartainted the West...

At the same time economy collapsed. With Solidarity movement being started and Marshal Law being brought in 1981, Formula One understandably dropped from anyone's agenda and we could watch tanks 'races' on the streets

Bernie moved to Hungary that was at much better shape at that time.

[Gemini]

Originally posted by GrzegorzChyla
It is second time that Kubica's comment make me feel hurt...
First was before Hungary, when he stated something like he has no support from Poland.
Later he explained that he was mistranslated and he did not mean fans but sponsors and perhaps media.

I happen to work in advertising/media industry in Poland. Trough my work I had opportunities to talk with some marketing executives of large companies. Over last few years, without even having in mind any interest for myself or my company, I was privately mentioning to them the young driver that is going through the ranks of jurior motorsport without sponsorhip and decent budget. I was always laughed. Their response was: Football!!! Volleyball!!!, Ski Jumping!!!.

One or two of them even admitted that Kubica's father and/or manager have seen them already, asking for help, without success.

I saw TAKT company logo on his F3 cars, so credit to them for that support, but believe me, none of the big marketing spenders presented interests in supporting him.