In the last 24 hours this blog has received around 1,000 messages, which is an unprecedented number. I have read as many of them as I can and I am really touched by the support. It is extraordinary and I found that my “batteries” were very quickly refilled. I’d like to thank everyone who went to the trouble of sending a message. I really appreciate it. There is no doubt in my mind that the silent majority has spoken and the “trolls” have been trampled. There were only eight people who wrote unpleasant messages and I have taken the advice of everyone else and blocked their access to the comments. I have been told many, many times that I am far too patient and should not engage with these people.
The Internet gives the sport the opportunity to bring the fans closer in to the action and I don’t want that to change. I want to keep the comments open because it is my desire to explain the sport, as much as I possibly can, to the curious, the intelligent and the appreciative.
So, onward and upward…
The best possible news, and a remarkably fast turnaround.
I would have thought you needed longer to be refreshed. Shows how much I know…
Hi Joe
I see Pitpass have decided to attack someone who actually has a pitpass. I hope it doesn’t dampen your spirit too much. I was hoping someone would notice that the Force India story doesn’t add up with the numbers and of course it had to be you who would shed some light to it. As a very small act of support I’ve stopped thinking of buying a GP+ subscription and actually done it.
go joe and all the real motorsports writers. Your knowledge and understanding allows us mortals enjoy our beloved sport more. good to hear that my fellow bloggies are behind you against others with an agenda or without the full story – keep doing what you doing.
e
May I ask why I’ve been blocked?
I posted a comment earlier thanking you for deciding to continue writing yet it has completely disappeared. Not even waiting for moderaiton anymore.
Am I an aparent trouble maker or have I been inadvertanently blocked from posting messages?
I know JAonF1 has a bug that sometimes blocks message then you repeat and it works… but didn’t know this had the same problem?
BRAVO JOE!
Joe, the work you do in Grand Prix journalism is amazing. I enjoy reading your posts, and listening to you on Sidepodcast immensely. Any who think otherwise are only demonstrating how totally clueless they are about top quality journalism.
I’m glad you decided to carry on. Your blog is by far the most interesting F1 site on the net in my opinion and you cover the stuff no one else seems to bother with, bring a unique spin and look under the rocks to get to the truth rather than just regurgitating paddock gossip.
Joe — Glad to hear you won’t be letting folks like this silence you. It is disappointing that an organization claiming to cover the sport would dedicate so much space to lies and distortions about your background and professionalism. As a journalist, I find that behavior reprehensible.
In this sport we love, we are overwhelmed by organizations that claim to have the inside scoop, that translate third hand accounts in foreign newspapers as fact, and armchair quarterbacks who claim to be something they are not. For the truth you need to read the words of the journalists at the races. Your blog, and a handful of others, are my primary reads every day, because you have the insight and contacts. Keep up the good work.
Joe,
I’ve mentioned elsewhere, but just the fact that, as all comments/posts are subject to moderation, you’ve until now allowed the trolls to appear in the dialogue – rather than just ignoring/deleting them – makes you the gentleman of the piece. Giving one’s “critics” voice is the sign of true democracy.
Well played, and long may it – and you – continue.
(Unfortunately, I can’t get a CC in my alias name, otherwise I’d subscribe)
YS
Joe, that website is an absolute joke. The previous articles and comments they used to make were always laughable due to their blatant bias and I’ll feeling towards those in the sport. It seems a haven for journalists novother sites want anything to do with.
It could be argued that you show a lot of anti group lotus bias but I find it hugely enjoyable to read F1 comment from someone not afraid to say what they feel or toe the line so they keep their paddock pass.
The joke that f1 racing became due to their editor using every single opportunity to gush over his favourite drivers and chums in the paddock for example! Then after a typically as far as possible up the backside Ron Dennis article and love in with Mika and Pedro De La Rosa he gets a job at McLaren!
Please don’t change a thing about your site, or worry what such idiots comment. In my opinion your site is the only one worth going to.
You have a lot of fans, please keep up the great work, it makes the days stuck in offices more bearable!
I just read the article. Pretty sure the writer will soon be cringing that he posted it. It’s like the ranting email you send to a colleague in the heat if the moment that you later realise makes you look small and unable to cope with criticism.
On the plus side, pretty sure it will bring you some new readers who hitherto didn’t know this site existed.
Joe,
Your insight and knowledge of the sport is unmatched and your writing often a joy, I just feel you need to accept that others may not share your opinions. It happens.
Steve
Just seeing if mine was “one of the eight”
unocAPAS,
same thing apparently happened to me. I don´t recall writing a negative comment ever about Joe, in fact I go here to make sure I got the facts right. I posted a comment yesterday, basically hailing you and cheering you on. So, is it a bug, Joe?
Wow, Joe! I just went thru the latest posts and comments.
Like most readers, I only comment when I have a position that is different from the rest. So it not unusual that you get the kind of stuff that you get.
It shouldn’t bother you. All these people are here because they love your knowledge, insight and writing. You need got get upset when other disagree and make negative or even disrespectful comments. Just ignore them.
I don’t think it is your responsibility to reply to every stupid post. Just like it is not your responsibility to walk thru the stands, picking up chatter and informing all the fans what the real story is.
I think if you just continued to do what you do so well, you could leave the comments to the commentors. Your readers are capable of defending good positions and calling foul on others. You need not be the referee.
We are appreciative of your information, reporting and opinions – which is why we’re here in the first place. Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Glad you have decided not to let the illegitimi get you down. It’s always interesting to read your pieces – keep up the good work!
And always remember – don’t feed the trolls!
Ruari McCallion
I hope I am not one of those trolls, as it was not my intention.
Your blog and “an audience with Joe” add to the efforts of FOTA with the fans forums in bringing the fans closer to F1 and gives the fans a greater voice. To have such a direct contact with one’s readership is brave and worthy of respect.
Thanks a lot Joe for this brilliant, insightful and addictive blog. The attack from Pitpass was both viscious and badly reasoned. As an MBA with many years experience as a CFO I’d like to think I know a little bit of finance, and I don’t find Chris Sylts interpretation of the Force India dealings particularly impressive.
I don’t know Pitpass’ agenda but it might be as simple as envy. I think you a little while ago commented on Sidepodcast that the irony of Pitpass is that they haven’t got one. I thought this was hillarious, but the people at Pitpass probaly don’t.
I have been a irregular reader at Pitpass, and have often enjoyed Mike Lawrence’s (somtetimes incomprehensible) ramblings, but not any more. Keep up the god work Joe!
Hans V, Norway
Joe,
I may be a bit late with this, but as one of the ‘silent majority’ I want to thank you for the service you provide in giving us race fans an insight into what goes on in F1.
I used to work as a freelance journo in the world of rally driving, and whenever something like this happened to me (at a far, far less serious level, admittedly) it was always seeing the silent majority coming out of the woodwork in support that kept me going. So – without meaning to gush – I sincerely hope you’re able to carry on providing such a unique, refreshing and above all interesting look at F1 that none of us punters would otherwise have. Oh, and belated congratulations on 400 GPs not out!
Great news! Don’t let those guys blow you off, you have a lot of (silent) followers!
Wow. I’ve read your stuff since about January and now my connection was out for a couple of days so I couldn’t follow you. I wasn’t able to be one of the thousand who said this on time, but I want to say that you are doing an amazing, outstanding job. Never quit! Oh and by the way, as a sign of support I am planning to buy the grand prix+ sub as soon as I have some spare euros.
Greetings from Finland.
Your a legend Mate. Ignore the fools and embrace your fans, which is now obvious to you out number the said fools.
Joe
Whilst I may not post here too often, I do read almost every article. I find it quite ridiculous that a site with less than a sterling track record themselves, especially for those that ever dared to voice a different opinion via the forum, should consider it clever and wise to take such a stance. They are perfectly within their rights to disagree with your opinion, as are we all, and indeed even to voice it, politely and in the appropriate manner. However, it seems journalistic [and indeed simple human] good manners have completely passed them by. I am not remotely surprised. The site has always been run to their own tune yet consider it somehow reprehensible that you should dare to do the same. As I read I was expecting Godwins Law to come into force – it didn’t, they opted for the other crowd instead, how very original.
Keep up the good work, walk round the paddock today with an uplifted chin, a spring in your step and the comforting knowledge that you are there and they are not!
Onward, Upward & Joe Saward!
Great to have you back, Joe and sticking it to the haters and idiots! Keep up the great work.
Peter J