Former F1 Champion Channels the “Devil”
It’s hard to be sure what three-time F1 Champion Niki Lauda was thinking in Melbourne at the season opening Australian GP.
As a commentator for the German TV station RTL he had every right to watch, and report on, the podium ceremonies that featured Ferrari’s latest wunderkind Kimi Raikkonen on the top step.
Lauda praised Kimi Raikkonen’s win from pole and observed that Ferrari has handled “the transition from Schumacher to Kimi perfectly”.
With visions of paychecks backed by German Marks in his head, and knowing he was speaking directly to a German audience, he chose to lash out at Ferrari team principal Todt accusing the Frenchman of feigning a close relationship with Raikkonen.
“I have to condemn his behaviour,” Lauda said, pointing out that Todt has often compared his relationship with Schumacher as fatherly, which was developed over more than a decade through handfuls of constructors’ and drivers’ championships.
“He was acting as if his best buddy Schumacher had just won.”
WHAT?!
Maybe Todt should have treated his newest driver, one who just took the first step towards reclaiming the drivers and constructors championships for Ferrari, as a “Finnish Pariah” to be shunned like a fly in a bowl of h
Ah those nefarious Austrians!
Marc, I’m assuming you have heard the Niki Lauda joke about the snake & the rabbit?
Well you know Lauda,always has to find something to criticise,Todt patting Kimi on the back was as much as he could find after a perfect performance from Kimi and Ferrari.
Peter, Rob. I read something about tV ratings in Germany that might not make Lauda so happy.
The AGP broadcast draw 1.7 million viewers in Germany, that’s 1 MILLION less than last year.
Somehow I doubt if Lauda’s pampering the Schumi fans will make up for that much loss in viewership.
So I take it you know the Lauda, snake, rabbit joke?
As for the Germans, they have Ralf to watch & cheer for……….the greatest driver after Michael, according to Ralf & Willi Webber.
Snake & rabbit?
Is that Willi and Ralf? Although a real rabbit would be quicker than Ralf.
Seeing how you asked (again) no I haven’t heard that joke.