Tuesday, May 14, 2002
Business as usual. – Austrian GP, May 12, 2002.
Formula One racing is the pinnacle of single seater motor sport. I have followed F1 since 1983, watching and spectating at most of the races since those heady times of Piquet and Rosberg, through the battles of Prost, Senna and Mansell. I thought that I had seen everything that F1 racing could muster both on and off the track. I was wrong, the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1 Ring developed one of the more thrilling races of the season into a race that between the last bend and the finish line proved to be anything but a race.
It was very much business as usual - and every F1 supporter, including the many fans who booed and whistled from the grandstands in Austria need to recognize this simple statement.
F1 is a business, big multi-million dollar business. From the teams, the sponsors and the circuits. The F1 machine generates millions and effects many businesses not least through the ticket sales, TV deals and sponsors. Yet when push comes to shove it is all about points and prestige. Michael Schumacher won in Austria because the team, Ferrari and the sponsors supporting the team have a financial stake in Schumacher winning the championship and Ferrari winning the constructors championship than anything or anyone else.
Rubens who had just signed an extended two-year contract to driver for Ferrari as their number 2 driver, was inspired that weekend through his winning pole position on the grid and leading the race with the exception of time during his pit stops, but with his teammate in second place, “someone” made the decision for Barechellio to pull over reportedly at between 8 laps from the end of the race and the chequered flag.
The fact this maneuver was completed within feet of the finish line only added to the disgust of the moral majority. To say that this was poor PR on behalf of Ferrari, is a huge understatement, but would the same group have complained so loudly if Schumacher took the lead 7 or 8 laps from the finish line? We will never know.
I appreciate my views are in a minority here. Without the skill of predicting the total points Schumacher may accrue to his championship tally in future races this season, Ferrari, the sponsors and the team who have much invested in the titles were simply looking to protect their investment and to do this needed Schumacher to win the race.
It was obvious from the actions on the podium, with Michael placing Rubens on the top spot of the podium and handing him the winners trophy together with the body language at the post race interviews from both drivers that this was not a victory Michael either wanted or believed needed while Rubens was attempting to keep a composed posture through his personal devastation, as he spoke fluently about what was best for the team.
Before posting this blog to Wheeltracks I have read the many internet reports, pundits views and fans comments that have been written. Large numbers of fans have overwhelmingly made it plain and simple that F1 racing cannot be controlled from the boardroom. – But the fact is that it will continue to do so.
The FIA have called the drivers and team to account at a special meeting in June. This type of strategy does not carry a jail sentence. Although in some countries fixing a race so that a driver wins is against the law, especially if there is a financial advantage through for instance gambling. The biggest penalty that the FIA may pass out is a large fine to persons unnamed and possibly loss of points.
Other teams and drivers have joined the ranks to complain, but if the racing boot were on the other foot, would they not do the same. Both Frank Williams & Ron Dennis have similarly given their drivers team orders in past seasons. They simply could benefit from Ferrari losing a few points to benefit their own team objectives. So with business as usual, it is in their best interests to make a fuss.
I have read reports that Ferrari fans burned their flags in disgust following the race, and that it is not inconceivable that ticket sales could be down at next weeks race in Monaco. – I think not. This jewel in the crown of the F1 season is a sell-out and there is nothing better than a little controversy in the sport to create a little additional interest. Besides Monaco is something of a gamble for the drivers as the best bet is to be the first out of the first turn, keep away from the barriers and avoid incidents which at Monaco there are always more than at a typical F1 race.
So who won on Sunday? Not racing, as the FIA deem this behavior to have brought the sport into disrepute. Ferrari did not win today in the hearts and minds of many. Schumacher did not score a victory. While the paying spectators did not win today, at $500 per grandstand seat, these spectators obviously believed they were robbed of something.
Perhaps a championship has been saved today - but this is something we will not know for some time.
Loyalty and racing is the last thing F1 is about. It is all about return on investment and big business. - If you want pure racing look elsewhere.
Many race fans will disagree with my viewpoint, this is evident from knee-jerk reaction polls on-line. I fall within an 11% minority that the result was justified. For the last couple of years I have not supported any particular team or driver, but remain a devoted follower of the sport and the politics! Through my contribution to the organization of many motor sport events in the past and as a competitor, I believe I am qualified to offer this viewpoint.
What happened in Austria was simply business as usual, and that is just what we can expect in the future despite personal expectations of this global sport.
This Wheeltracks postings is free from Copyright and may be copied and reproduced free of charge.
Comments please to MalcolmFriend1@aol.com
Formula One racing is the pinnacle of single seater motor sport. I have followed F1 since 1983, watching and spectating at most of the races since those heady times of Piquet and Rosberg, through the battles of Prost, Senna and Mansell. I thought that I had seen everything that F1 racing could muster both on and off the track. I was wrong, the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1 Ring developed one of the more thrilling races of the season into a race that between the last bend and the finish line proved to be anything but a race.
It was very much business as usual - and every F1 supporter, including the many fans who booed and whistled from the grandstands in Austria need to recognize this simple statement.
F1 is a business, big multi-million dollar business. From the teams, the sponsors and the circuits. The F1 machine generates millions and effects many businesses not least through the ticket sales, TV deals and sponsors. Yet when push comes to shove it is all about points and prestige. Michael Schumacher won in Austria because the team, Ferrari and the sponsors supporting the team have a financial stake in Schumacher winning the championship and Ferrari winning the constructors championship than anything or anyone else.
Rubens who had just signed an extended two-year contract to driver for Ferrari as their number 2 driver, was inspired that weekend through his winning pole position on the grid and leading the race with the exception of time during his pit stops, but with his teammate in second place, “someone” made the decision for Barechellio to pull over reportedly at between 8 laps from the end of the race and the chequered flag.
The fact this maneuver was completed within feet of the finish line only added to the disgust of the moral majority. To say that this was poor PR on behalf of Ferrari, is a huge understatement, but would the same group have complained so loudly if Schumacher took the lead 7 or 8 laps from the finish line? We will never know.
I appreciate my views are in a minority here. Without the skill of predicting the total points Schumacher may accrue to his championship tally in future races this season, Ferrari, the sponsors and the team who have much invested in the titles were simply looking to protect their investment and to do this needed Schumacher to win the race.
It was obvious from the actions on the podium, with Michael placing Rubens on the top spot of the podium and handing him the winners trophy together with the body language at the post race interviews from both drivers that this was not a victory Michael either wanted or believed needed while Rubens was attempting to keep a composed posture through his personal devastation, as he spoke fluently about what was best for the team.
Before posting this blog to Wheeltracks I have read the many internet reports, pundits views and fans comments that have been written. Large numbers of fans have overwhelmingly made it plain and simple that F1 racing cannot be controlled from the boardroom. – But the fact is that it will continue to do so.
The FIA have called the drivers and team to account at a special meeting in June. This type of strategy does not carry a jail sentence. Although in some countries fixing a race so that a driver wins is against the law, especially if there is a financial advantage through for instance gambling. The biggest penalty that the FIA may pass out is a large fine to persons unnamed and possibly loss of points.
Other teams and drivers have joined the ranks to complain, but if the racing boot were on the other foot, would they not do the same. Both Frank Williams & Ron Dennis have similarly given their drivers team orders in past seasons. They simply could benefit from Ferrari losing a few points to benefit their own team objectives. So with business as usual, it is in their best interests to make a fuss.
I have read reports that Ferrari fans burned their flags in disgust following the race, and that it is not inconceivable that ticket sales could be down at next weeks race in Monaco. – I think not. This jewel in the crown of the F1 season is a sell-out and there is nothing better than a little controversy in the sport to create a little additional interest. Besides Monaco is something of a gamble for the drivers as the best bet is to be the first out of the first turn, keep away from the barriers and avoid incidents which at Monaco there are always more than at a typical F1 race.
So who won on Sunday? Not racing, as the FIA deem this behavior to have brought the sport into disrepute. Ferrari did not win today in the hearts and minds of many. Schumacher did not score a victory. While the paying spectators did not win today, at $500 per grandstand seat, these spectators obviously believed they were robbed of something.
Perhaps a championship has been saved today - but this is something we will not know for some time.
Loyalty and racing is the last thing F1 is about. It is all about return on investment and big business. - If you want pure racing look elsewhere.
Many race fans will disagree with my viewpoint, this is evident from knee-jerk reaction polls on-line. I fall within an 11% minority that the result was justified. For the last couple of years I have not supported any particular team or driver, but remain a devoted follower of the sport and the politics! Through my contribution to the organization of many motor sport events in the past and as a competitor, I believe I am qualified to offer this viewpoint.
What happened in Austria was simply business as usual, and that is just what we can expect in the future despite personal expectations of this global sport.
This Wheeltracks postings is free from Copyright and may be copied and reproduced free of charge.
Comments please to MalcolmFriend1@aol.com
