Ecclestone Expresses Disappointment in F1’s Drivers
To a blogger there are certain personalities associated with auto racing that are a god send. Without them the search for subject matter would entail more effort.
It wouldn’t be the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack, but having them around to drop their nuggets of wisdom in your lap are a gift that keeps on giving.
Bernie Ecclestone recently announced the Gulf Emirate of Abu Dhabi would hold World Championship events starting in 2009. As part of that event an F1 street fair was held that reportedly included the largest contingent of F1 show cars, drivers and hangers-on than any other event not associated for an actual race.
That gave Bernie Ecclestone the opportunity to step to the forefront to, once again, assert himself as F1’s most accomplished bloviating buffoon. (always a tight race between Bernie and Mad Max)
Ecclestone expressed his “disappointment” in F1’s drivers, after three of them - Sakon Yamamoto, Scott Speed and Michael Ammermuller - stalled their cars during their Saturday street runs to celebrate the announcement of the ‘09 race.
“This was an appetiser for the main course, but to be honest I didn’t think the appetiser was that good.”
Lets set aside for the moment Bernie, to my knowledge, has never sat in an F1 car with any pent-up anger forcing him to press the go peddle in anger. Even if he did a couple NYC sized phone books would be required to boost his ass high enough to see over a Ferrari’s cowl.
That said, why be critical? This wasn’t the start of the Monaco GP where a stalled car at best may create a restart and at worst a pile-up of very expensive machinery with the mandatory Safety Car period.
It was an exhibition, nothing more nothing less. A dog & pony show for people who have never had the chance to see, hear or be in close proximity to anything closely related to F1. I highly doubt the three stalled cars sat like beached whales waiting to be disposed of, they would have been restarted and the show went on as planned.
Bernie may think Yamamoto, Speed and Ammermuller weren’t very appetizing but the “dessert” he provided was off the mark and uncalled for.
And yes, I agree, so what else is new.
F1, Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One, Abu Dhabi, Sports, FIA, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
Bernie DNQed for a few races in the 50s.
Thanks Don, always good to add to my knowledge base.
Do you know if Bernie had to sit on a phone book to see the view down the track?
Don beat me to it, I know he tried in Britan once & dnq’d @ Donnington? & dont quote me but i’m nearly certain he tried to qualy at Monaco under strange circumstances (a driver had gone missing/refused to try. I will check the bible tonite because there is a chapter covering this part of his career.
He qualified at Silverstone 1958 (dead last - 1 min off pole/40 secs from the car in front), but didn’t start. And he failed to qualify at Monaco the same year - forix don’t have a time recorded for him.