16 replies to this topic

[Konsta]

Next weekend in Turkey Mr. Mustakari attends 300th consecutive Grand Prix. Apparently no-one has that amount of back-to-back races attended. Congrats to him

He´s been more thatn just a journo for Finnish MTV3 - apparently he´s played a somewhat pivotal role in the beginning of both JJ Lehto´s and Mika Häkkinen´s careers.

[e34fanatic]

And yet after 300 races Mr. Mustakari is able to amaze the finnish audience with his ability not to recognize cars on track, not remember important races and most importantly not to understand the essence of f1 racing. Maybe he´ll learn way around those problems in next 300 races.

[glorius&victorius]

What a lucky guy!

[jokuvaan]

Mustakari is getting old and senile. Last time I heard him commenting live race he was simply pitiful. He's like old furniture that nobody dares to throw away, he's just dragged along.

[COUGAR508]

This guy sounds like the Finnish equivalent of Murray Walker!

[Julli]

Congrats to Erkki. I think he reads these pages as sometimes he refers to here when he is talking about fan feelings.

And all in all, I think he is doing pretty decent job, and he does have very nice knowledge bank of the F1, so some fans here should learn some respect. It's much easier to spot a car in a sofa than be commenting live about something while looking at 3 different things at the same time. After having said that, I do prefer Kekes commenting over Erkkis. Keke is more sharp and knows what goes through the drivers head.

But anyway, well done Erkki.

Julli

[e34fanatic]

I guess I was bit harsh on Mr.Mustakari on my earlier post. Off course he has been tremendeous help in Finland lifting the F1 hype up.

It is interesting to read his writings, he is not shy to gave his view on things, always got to respect that. Havin g said that, I quite often disagree with him. Last season he was writing off Schuey after Canada, but yet he bounced back. This season he has written off Kimi´s chances on winning WDC. I also suspect that Kimi won´t win the title, but there is all the possibilities he may come close to it.

[mikabest]

Originally posted by e34fanatic
This season he has written off Kimi´s chances on winning WDC. I also suspect that Kimi won´t win the title, but there is all the possibilities he may come close to it.

Strictly speaking you actually agree with Mustakari what comes to Kimi's chances to win the title:)
So also in that detail there's no disagreement between you and him.

yours,
mikabest

[e34fanatic]

I´d say there is a big difference when one writes off Kimi´s chances by mid-season and if I believe that Kimi can fight for the title. First claim is implying that there is no chance in hell for Kimi to win the title, second claim is merely saying it is possible but not terribly likely. I´wouldn´t be writing of Kimi´s chance, albeit Ferrari needs few one-two´s and one DNS for Hamilton. But it´s all what is needed to this WDC to be wide open again. It´s not professional to write off this scenario as miracles aren´t needed.

[Julli]

Originally posted by e34fanatic
I´d say there is a big difference when one writes off Kimi´s chances by mid-season and if I believe that Kimi can fight for the title. First claim is implying that there is no chance in hell for Kimi to win the title, second claim is merely saying it is possible but not terribly likely. I´wouldn´t be writing of Kimi´s chance, albeit Ferrari needs few one-two´s and one DNS for Hamilton. But it´s all what is needed to this WDC to be wide open again. It´s not professional to write off this scenario as miracles aren´t needed.

If I recall correctly Mustakari has said that it is very difficult for Kimi to win and he thinks its very unlikely for McLaren to start to have mech gremlins and/or driver error for both of their drivers and in the same time Ferrari start to be mistake free as the season so far has proved out to be the opposite. So that is not a "there is no change in hell" statement. And I agree with MKari, it is very difficult for Kimi to win the WDC this season.

Julli

[slapstick]

I'd have thought this is his 3rd GP not 300th. :

[mikabest]

Originally posted by e34fanatic
I´d say there is a big difference when one writes off Kimi´s chances by mid-season and if I believe that Kimi can fight for the title.

If you refer to my tongue in cheek comment about you and Mustakari actually agreeing on Kimi's WDC-chances I have to point out that 1) my remark was made more or less tongue in cheek and because of the fact that twisting the words and their meanings is part of my profession and 2) as you stated: "I also suspect that Kimi won´t win the title, but there is all the possibilities he may come close to it." - which more or less means that you believe that best Kimi can get this season is "he may come close to it". Saying so also you have de facto written off Kimi's chances.

yours,
mikabest

[lustigson]

300, that's a lot. So what was his 1st race? Somewhere late 80s or early 90s, I guess.

[LB]

if Istanbul is 300 - Portugal 1989 should be #1

Come to think of it I've either been at or watched live (if I could, the odd few weren't broadcast live) every one since oh 1979 or so, well until I missed Suzuka 2006 thanks to work.....

[lustigson]

Originally posted by LB
Come to think of it I've either been at or watched live (if I could, the odd few weren't broadcast live) every one since oh 1979 or so, well until I missed Suzuka 2006 thanks to work.....

I've only been watching since late 1990, but have seen or been at every GP since 1992, give or take a few, too.

[Cinquecento]

I heard his ex-wife once gave him the choice: Formula 1 races or marriage. Wonder if it was a tough call for the man.

For all the good work he's put in, I can't remember a single time Mustakari had reported anything about F1 I wasn't able to figure out myself. Either he dumbs down his comments for the average viewer, or he's not into investigative journalism. To me he seems more like a Finnish fan-become-journo than a professional. The same goes for Mr Heikki Kulta.

[The Kanisteri]

Mr. Mustakari's 300th GP is nothing when compared Murray Walker's 30 000 GPs.