New readers may wonder why I go quiet on the Thursday before each race. This is simple. It is because I am travelling to the race in question. As you will gather if you read this column on a regular basis, there are an awful lot of Formula 1 websites that give the impression that they have people present at races and in the know, but the reality is that there are only a few that have real paddock access and can talk to the people involved. So, be warned, the websites that you are reading may simply be regurgitating news from material that is being published elsewhere, and they often put their own spin on the stories to make them look new and different. There are, would you believe, even agencies that make a living selling the regurgitated news that they have simply trawled up from the Internet, written by people who have rarely, if ever, been into an F1 paddock.
I get accused of elitism and such things when I write these facts, but this could not be further from the truth. I am always willing to help young journalists who try to be get into F1 and do it the right way, which is to get off their backsides and go and learn the job, make the contacts and not pretend to be doing it, while sitting at home. When I was a youngster going from race to race with a tent and a typewriter there were many people who helped me and I think we owe it to the sport to help develop new generations. I have no time at all for all the fraudsters who sit at home and complain that no-one will give them a pass.
You have to earn a place in F1 and precious few have the gumption to do it.
I am telling you all this just so you know that you need to be careful with the news sources that you read. There are some websites that trawl and analyse very well. There are an awful lot that do not. There are some publications and blogs that you might assume have people at every race, but you need to be very careful with that, because once again there are a lot of people who give the impression that they are present when they are not.
Anyway, so I spent today driving across from Paris, by way of Reims and Verdun and Metz. I did not rush and took a few side trails along the way, looking for odd details for books from the past and the future. I had a decent lunch as well, but not the stuff of legend. For those who love the old racing tracks of France, I passed close to Reims, but did not stop off on this occasion, I also went around a part of the Argonne road circuit that was used over 100 years ago for the elimination races for the Gordon Bennett Trophy. As I was passing Reims, I remembered a story that I once heard about a race that actually took place in the champagne cellars, which if totted up come to around 100km of tunnel. I wonder if anyone can furnish any further information about this legend?
It’s almost scary that I’ve been in the F1 paddock more often than some of these people.
I think you’ve every right to make the point about the fraudsters at every reasonable opportunity. At the risk of ‘promoting’ your competitors, could you perhaps give us a list of those web-sites/publications that you feel are generally beyond reproach? I understand you wouldn’t want to list the converse, but feel it might help all of us readers if we had an idea of which outlets DO only publish articles and reports generated by you and your travelling peers.
As for racing through the champagne cellars, don’t let the Top Gear trio get wind of that one…
Friday and Saturday forecast to be wet, but race day should be fine and sunny. Enjoy the weekend and drive safely.
Joe,
What is your view of Chris Sylt’s “business” journalism?
Anyone can read Company House reports and have lunch with a bloke who is leading one around by the nose.
The skill is to know what you are reading and to know when you are being led.
…or, perhaps, to even care.
I 100% agree with your article. I’m still a student who tries to report on feeder single-seater series with my partner. Whenever we can, we go to race meetings and try to get the contacts you were talking about in your article.
I think it is very important to get that sort of reminder once in a while. We have always considered that it would be so complicated to get into this motor racing world millions of people dream about, that for a very long time we haven’t believed in our ability to do so. Now that we have seen other people try to dig into the same world just because they want to show they are there – in short, without taking the time to deliver the work for which they get their passes – we understood that, if we do this the right way, then we would never regret not having done it.
I must say that reading your blog, alongside others (Will Buxton, Adam Cooper to name but a few) really gives food for thought. The knowledge of the sport you all have is inspiring, and since I live in France, I must admit that what we sometimes read or hear about the series is of poorer quality than on these brilliant sources. There are few journalists who know well what they write or speak about, but we feel that the quality is not as high as, say, in British media.
Lovely story about the Champagne cellars… And thinking about the recent piece on a London G.P.,
“Super-Colossal Transport Solutions Inc. wishes to announce that it has a fully worked-out plan for an underground F1 race at Reims; all enquiries: C/O Mrs Mopp, 1c Dirty Buildings, Filthy St, Soho”
As a Canadian who has to rely on the Internet’s for almost all his information about F1, it has become glaringly apparent that there are few “news” organizations that actually put boots on the ground to cover F1. I came across Joe’s blog by reading a blog by Toronto Star writer Norris MacDonald. He said that if people wanted to know what was happening in F1 they should read an “odd, but most reliable chap” named Joe Saward. He didn’t give an address for Joe, figuring if one was passionate about racing, they would find Joe on their own. Norris is an odd duck unto himself, but very knowledgeable. Think Crazy Professor. I found Joe’s blog, read the rules, thank god, and started to read. I commented a few times, sometimes got replies, sometimes not. I was “smacked” down on occasion, told to be a fool, which was accurate, but also encouraged to source knowledge out for myself. That was a year ago, and I can honestly say, that Joe knows more about what is happening in current F1, but with a deep reverence for the past, than any current F1 journalist I know. I would trust his hunch before anyone else’s fact 100% of the time now, because he has proven himself to be reliable and accurate, without any of the hyper-boll. If you are new to the site, which I still consider myself to be, keep reading. In a sport where lying, and smoke and mirrors are 20% of the budget, Joe is not Kris Angel, he is Harry Houdini. Oh, also, don’t make fun of the Spanish.
It was in Epernay.
Eugene Mercier established his champagne house in 1858 at the extraordinary young age of 20. He set about bringing champagne to the people as previously it had been confined to the aristocracy. Publicity stunts abounded, the foudre being just one.
In 1871, Mercier launches the construction of the largest lightning ( barrel ) in the world. It will take 16 years to complete construction of this object can contenir160 000 liters, more than 213,000 bottles of Champagne and weighing over 20 tons. In 1887 , the seal is tested with the harvest of the year.
He regularly took clientele up in a hot air balloon over his vineyard and offered them a glass of his finest champagne. Notably, back in 1875, he was the first to invite people in for cellar tours.
So his Grandson Jacques felt he had a reputation to uphold. So following in the fine footsteps of his grandfather stunts, Jacques Mercier teamed up with the French car manufacturer, Renault, to organise a rally. A large part of the race took place right inside the cellars.
Allegedly they all got round without breaking a single bottle.
One of the cellars I went round about 40 years ago, used to have a little train for visitors in it, a bit like a modern Disney ride – might have been Veuve Cliquot. Given the quality of car lighting 100 years ago (oil or acetylene) a race in the cellars would have been quite interesting. I think the drivers would have needed to refuel before the start!
Wilson
champagne rally 1950 Mercier cellarshttp://www.champagnemercier.fr/en/#/the-mercier-story/a-media-genius/an-underground-rally
What is your opinion of the ‘GP Update’ website? It always seems well informed and well written to me.
I have seen it. I think it is Dutch. There are a few regular Dutch F1 journalists but I do not know who works for what, I think most are newspaper people. I am not aware of having been impressed or otherwise by it.
Joe: In my humble opinion, you are and will ever be, for as long as you wish to do so, the best & most trusted source of F1 information, nuggets of wisdom and sage opinion on many matters of consequence (and some of lesser consequence!). Thanks for all that you do and have a great week-end at Hockenheim!
Lawrence
I read 3 F1 sites, Autosport, James Allen and Joe’s, I’ve tried many others but IMHO none are as good, so I’m more than happy with just these 3.
Thanks for all your hard work Joe
I read the same three – Autosport frequently writes rubbish, JA often and Guiseppe never.
Hi Joe,
I’m a youngish Journalism student, and would have absolutely no idea how to get into Formula One. What would be your best advice to an aspiring Formula One journo? I hope it will allow me one day to produce the same pure and impartial Journalism i find here.
Get out there are learn the trade properly and meet people. There is always reporting work to be found in the UK if you keep at it.
Samuel, I agree with Joe. I didn’t start reporting on F1 until I’d been a working journo for about 15 years. I’m not suggesting you should wait as long as that, but get a solid foundation in general or sports journalism first before you try to break into F1.
You do the job better but it also gives you another advantage over people who as basically fans who started F1 journalism because they want to get nearer the action. With a working non-F1 background, you spot stories they don’t, as well as the ones they do, and you learn healthy scepticism.
It’s easier to get started than when I began in F1, because there are nearly three times as many races, and transport in much easier and, in relative terms, much cheaper, at least in Europe. It is infinitely harder because of the controls on the F1 media, but there must be a way in, because people do it !
While I can see why you would refrain from pointing out the fraudsters, I wonder if you would tell us the F1 websites/blogs you have some respect for or enjoy reading yourself. On the web it’s not always easy to tell who’s producing good information vs. those that just regurgitate what they see elsewhere. As one who does know the difference, it would be very helpful to hear your thoughts on trustworthy sources of F1 information or whose analysis you value.
I do not have regular F1 websites that I go to. That may seem odd, but it is the truth. I read a great deal, but there is nowhere I go every day.
Point well made and I’m sure all would agree that only few bring about quality news with consistency time and again.
That aside, the point I wanted to put out there is about the news that follows the debate on the vascular/greener side of the sport. I’ve come across almost no material other than the aforementioned ‘regurgitations’ about how not-friendly the sport is (sincere apologies if I’m wrong). I think there is a lot that can be voiced in this respect- more about the amount of fuel used by the sport at each venue, flight usage etc., so that we have a lot more context while looking at the situation from outside. Further, there has been no real long term statement from the FIA (V6s excluded) about ‘green technology’ as opposed to ‘greener technology’. I think the move towards the future would be much more sought after if the discussion was a lot more inclusive and informed, especially with the supporters.
It must be really irksome for you Joe, but just sail on like an iceberg, and ignore the pretenders.
You don’t even need to tell us. For the discerning the difference shouts out; not merely between those who go, and those who stay at home; but between those who go because they are sent by their editors, and those who go because they choose to.
Don’t worry, it shows.
And we thank you.
I fully understand why you’re making a point about absent journalists, but there is another side to the coin. There are journalists who’ve had their access to the race paddock terminated because they’ve told stories that have upset FOM, FIA or teams. I believe they continue to write articles about F1, but from the other side of the fence.
Following the changes at the FIA, do journalists still have to be careful about what they write ?
In all case that I can think of the journalists in question did not qualify for the passes that they were trying to claim. The gates cannot be thrown open to everyone, there is simply not enough space. So one has to qualify, based on the number of readers one can show. There are a few people with honorary passes, but they have earned them over time. The others may claim that they were kept out because they annoyed people, but the truth is that they did not qualify for accreditation. Producing a publication about F1 and selling 150 copies is not deemed to be acceptable, even if you call it “the industry standard”.
Would it not be better to help young journalists who try to be get into F1 and do it the WRONG way? Surely they are the ones who need your help?
I give advice to people who ask. Beyond that I am not a charity for lost journalists. Getting something requires action. If the action is wrong then that will become self-evident and one must try another action.
I have always wondered if ESPN has someone at every race, or any major sporting news source in North America. I know Canada’s TSN has sent Gerry to races and he phones in for chatter pre race, but they stopped doing live broadcasts and simply tune in the world feed with BBC/itv announcers. I think this is one of a few reason the sport hasn’t caught on here as much as it should have. Speed makes an effort but they do it from a studio. We NA viewers get poor coverage. TSN only turns on at the formation lap so we don’t get any build up or what I refer to as magazine coverage. The BBC and itv do a good job of this, but sometimes they allot too much time for their magazine type coverage. But your job makes it so you would rarely see what the tv coverage is anyway, right? Perhaps I have turned this into a rant, but I noticed that ESPN does good coverage on their website, having bought F1-live a couple years ago, but I can tell that they don’t send people to each race, their stories are also a lot of press release regurgitation. I just like that there is little spin. A lot of filler but little opinion to sway one way or another. Thanks again for giving us your time, life, perspective, stories!
I freelance for ESPN, and attend all of the races. However, I don’t do so as an ESPN journo – the bulk of my work for them is features and interviews. But they do send a staffer along to about 4/5 races a year, and they have a number of people in the paddock keeping them up to date with developments when they’re not around.
It’s not ideal, and they should have someone at every race, but you know what corporate budgets are/can be like.
I actually rate ESPNF1 quite highly, they have driver columns Karun Chandook, Sam Bird from GP2 series, Maurice Hamilton. the main stories can be press releases etc but they also have a guy (sorry can’t remember name) who can quote stats, and appreciate the history of the sport with driver profiles etc so i think a good mix of press releases, Feature reports etc James Allen i like (not as a commentator though), PlanetF1 is ok but a lot of the comments on the comments page are just ridiculous so i mainly ignore them and seems very pro-Sky site
What I like about PlanetF1 is their silly stuff – Schumi’s Sekret Tageblog, and the Secret Diaries of Adrian Newey Aged (whatever). But yes, the comments are probably best ignored…
I wasn’t trying to slag off ESPN in my previous comment – I think they do great work. I just wish they were here all the time!
PlanetF1 is under the Sky umbrella which many don’t seem to know. Jusk look who their partner sites are on the bottum right hand side of their home page. The clue is also all the skybet advertisements all over their site.
I rate ESPN very highly. Top quality.
Vis-a-vis, I believe that Kate Walker and Dan Knutson are responsible for that. I can vouch for them. One is sitting to my right, the other to my left.
Great job then by Kate and Dan!
Very well said Joe about the journalism, always huge respect for your knowledge, insight and writing, almost as much as your comeback comments! (even agree with ur opinion sometimes from my armchair)
Quant aux caves Mercier, creusées de plain-pied avec le sol extérieur, elles sont si larges que les usines Renault y organisèrent une course de voitures, en 1950, à l’occasion de la présentation de la 4 CV !
http://www.maisons-champagne.com/bonal/images/moet_voiture_cave.jpg
Un sacré embouteillage !
Of course you don’t want to be calling names, joe, but do you have any particular blogs in mind?
Imagine being forced to watch every race commentated by broadcasters who never attend a race, punctuated by Will Buxton’s occasional insights from the paddock or pit lane. If Buxton can be there, I’m not sure why Speed can’t do the same for its entire crew.
Now, I like Speed Channel’s team. Often I’ll watch them in preference to the Beeb (or now, Sky). The (now) Sky team cream their pants whenever Hamilton does anything, and that gets a bit irritating, and I’m a McLaren guy.
Ka-Blamo on the klag!
I don’t mind the individual commentators, but I find the entire practice to be somewhat odious. I don’t set Speed’s budget and I’m not aware of its constraints. That said, it seems to be if you’re going to cover a sporting event you ought to at least try to actually witness it.
They are not there because of MONEY and possibly the need to find a credible team that is willing to live out if a bag for most of the year.
On a broader point I think FOM will need to find a way to get its US broadcaster to to a better job if F1 is to grow in the USA.
I don’t have to imagine, I watched F1 in the early 1990s. Murray and James did a brilliant job in the circumstances, but it always made me laugh when they “couldn’t see the pitlane from their position”…in Television Centre
From the web (someones tour of the Mercier facility):
“He described how in the 1950s, the Merciers sponsored a racecar rally – in the tunnels of their cellars! Just thinking about how much all those bottles are worth, and how much damage a racecar twice the width of our poky little train and a zillion times faster could have done … that woke me right up.”
Maison Eugene Mercier, 68-70 avenue de Champagne
Epernay
47 tunnels with a total of 18km’s total length.
By the way: the idea that Vettel had a pre-contract with Ferrari, which was basically all over the place, also with normally “trustworthy” sources like the BBC, has been completely denied by Vettel in an interview. Makes me wonder how this rumour became so persistent? Of course often when there is smoke there is often fire as well, and he probably talked to Ferrari, but still… Probably it was regurgitated so often it must have seemed to people to be true. I guess that is how news on the internet works I guess.
a pinch of salt, anyone??
I wouldn’t necessarily say that Vettel denying it means there is no contract or agreement. It was the same with Raikonnen and Alonso and at the end, they becameSo Ferrari.drivers. So there might habe been an some sort of agreement which prompted the reports, and Vettel might decided to stay at Red Bull like Webber did or is just not ready yet to fully commit to Ferrari.
The race was in the cellars of the Mercier house in Epernay. When you go on he tour, the guide does mention the race. Was it in the 50′s?
….to celebrate the launch of the Citroen 4CV I think…..
Joe, is there anyone in particular you are referring to with this warning …? There aren’t that many F1 blogs that people actually read, so far as I know, it’s a very select handful and I am sure you know each other very well.
But those tunnels in Rheims. How did champagne tunnels escape the first world war? you would think that all combatant armies would have drawn up plans centred on Rheims, even if they made little military sense [not much did in that war]..just so they could tap that supply.
In some places tunnels were bricked up and camouflaged to hide the bottles inside.
With the cloud of libel ever present, would you be able to tell which sites are reputable, instead which are not?
You can tell by just reading. The difference between informed comment and insight and cut and paste “news” is beyond obvious.
Joe,
in the 70′s my wife and I were on our honeymoon on Cypress (the Turkish side) sitting in the shade, in a park on the Green Line sipping a cold Efes Pilsen. A gentleman came over to us and engaged us in conversation in English. He claimed to be Dutch, but who knows. It was from him I heard of a Citroen rallye in 1950 in the wine cellars of Mercier (?). I didn’t even realize the wine cellars were so extensive! I’m not a big consumer of alcohol, champers on special occasions, that’s it. I just webbed a search and there is indeed a Mercier Champagne. I couldn’t log-in ‘cuz it wanted my age (no prob, I’m north of you in that department), but it only listed a dozen or so countries and the U.S. was not one of them.
Hope this helped & good luck on your search.
Tim
Where did the F1 Mole go to? He’s not even on the sidebar anymore. Thanks!
Great discussion with sidepodcast. Thanks for the real inside news.
Haven’t heard from ‘The Mole’ since 2/May. Where is he? Has he gone underground?!
Yes
Well Joe it didn’t take long to get there (mind of course we don’t know what time you left) or wherever you are writing from, assuming it to be a Hotel with WiFi near the track.
I have often wondered whether a certain sedimentary writer actually attends the races.
Just goes to show how very much easier it is to drive about Europe as opposed to the uk.
I was helped by my elders and betters from the age of 17. I held my 18th birthday party at the company where I worked, then, champagne and all. There is no way I can repay that trust and friendship, except to pass it on. Some are still with me, on occasional deals, and in friendship.
This post of Joe’s ought to be linked in the Blog Rules section. To all those out there, whatever age, because I got complacent and arrogant, one time, get bloody going, get off your bums. THINK and do something. Much love to all the tryers and doers of this world ~ j
F1Fanatic is probably the biggest regurgitator of news, with a daily roundup which amounts to reading some RSS feeds and selecting the highlights.
However, it’s a fan blog, and not a news site. He’s a blogger and not a journalist.
I used to support the site, but he’s pretty rude and obnoxious occasionally, and I’d rather support someone who shows a bit more kindness to his readers.
There are a few original articles on there from time to time, but precious little from the tracks themselves.
I have seen the site but I don’t know much about it. I have met the guy who runs it, once or twice at functions in the UK.
I’ve actually offered to supply him with coverage from the races in the past, and been told he’s not interested. WTF?
I do look forward to your travel stories, and can relate to a few of them, mostly the airports – airlines and there service or lack of…
So hold on to the domain name don’t sell it to Bernie, just let, and acquire that private jet with the major wonga that Bernie likes to shell out, as we know a Airbus A319 might just be on the market very soon….one careful Indian owner.
So how did one spend their birthday, given that you have been very quiet on that front? Will the new President and his tax grab have on any effect on you, as we seem to be acquiring some new French speaking neighbours around me?
Trying to get out to the Hungaroring, very tired of all the bloody liquid sunshine we are having here. Plays havoc with the tan, so might see you there.
Have a good safe trip.
Ps.
One trusts you’re aware of that third division site that has put you and David back up in print.
Ouch!
You can see who is actually there from the questions at the F1 press conferences. I have to wonder is Fred Ferret (L’Equipe) an assumed name and does he wear a pork pie hat with a ‘gutter press’ card stuck in the band?
You cannot see things from this, because some people do not ask questions in public. Ferret is a good guy.
You certainly would not know everyone who is there, but I think it would be safe to assume that anyone asking questions in the press conference actually is present!
Joe,
the 3 sites I mentioned in your previous post titled “A Grand Prix in Stratford (not upon Avon)”, when I was making a point about eccle$tone’s obfuscation, were the BBCF1, JAonF1 & The Telegraph’s Mr. Cary. I’ve assumed these are fairly reliable. Do all of these people attend each and every GP with paddock passes. Am I being naive? Just want to end with a big thank you for your candor.
The BBC obviously has people at each event, but is not always represented with a jorunalist. James does most (but not all) of the races. Tom Cary has been at every race for the last few years.
Sincerest thanks.
Joe – I’ve said this before when you’ve made a point about the industry. Its no sense being all things to all people. You have a niche and an angle. THere will always be people who just want the basic “news” for free. Whilst the internet provides a this for free, there is still a place for a “premium” service like yours for the “hard core” fans. Sky is doing this now.
Had it not been for management issues, it would have been great to have had you host an F1 function for me in Melbourne. I think, whilst ensuring your continued independence, this sort of function is something that would be a good avenue for you. The best comparison is that contemporary musicians, thanks to the internet changing their business model, make money from concerts not their album sales.
Thank you for your career advice
contemporary “musicians”?
Baffled
So here’s a couple of questions Joe: how much would it cost a newcomer willing to put in the hours/miles/effort to follow the F1 circus for, say, one year? How does a newcomer gain access to sources relevant to what’s happening? How long you reckon it takes to make it as a half decent F1 blogger nowadays? Once you become a half respected independent F1 blogger, what are your potential sources of income?
I take that those who do it, like yourself, do it first and foremost for the love of the sport, though I also reckon you will have to agree that a considerable amount of money needs be there in the first place to be able to follow F1 around the planet for most of the year.
Would love to hear your views in that respect. My last name isn’t Maldonado…
It is not easy. But if you want it enough, you find a way.
I spent my first year working a full-time job and travelling to as many races as I could using my annual leave. I basically stopped eating, or spending money on anything that wasn’t F1, and my social life went to hell. But it was worth it – that was 2010, and I’m now making a living from the sport as an F1 blogger (and as the smallest minnow in a very impressive pond).
If you travel like I do, staying in youth hostels and taking a lot of public transport/overnight trains and coaches, you can do a full season for around £20k. If you did what I did in my first year and only hit the Euros plus five fly-aways, you can do it on the money left over from a £25k annual salary, assuming you don’t have any credit card or loan debts to pay off.
As for gaining access to sources, it’s all about putting your face out there. It’s a very long, slow process, and I’m still only at the beginning.
Thanks very much for that Kate. I guess Joe is not about to start sharing his knowledge with newcomers, is he?
Yes, he is actually. Ask Kate…
It’s because of Joe’s knowledge that this newcomer was able to get in! You will not find two journalists more willing to give a helping hand to the next generation than Joe and DT – the support the two of them have given me in my efforts, and the endless questions they’ve answered for me, defies belief.
The thing is, getting into F1 is something that changes all the time, as the FIA alters accreditation guidelines to account for new forms of media. So when it comes to how to break in, you’re better off asking a recent incomer like me. When it comes to all the other stuff, you need someone with Joe’s wealth of experience.
But my advice for breaking in is perseverance – I applied for accreditation with three different outlets before I found one that met with the FIA’s approval. If you’re the sort of person who hears ‘no’ and listens, then F1 is not for you. If a no means you’ve just not found the right way of asking the question, you’re in the right sport. Stubborn doesn’t even begin to cover it.
I just found your site! I’m on my phone, so I’ll really dig in when I get home. Are you coming to Korea? We are finally going to the race-I live in Incheon-because I suspect it may be the last… Any chance of getting to meet the likes of you and Joe?
I will definitely be in Korea – I’ve already booked my flight. I don’t know Joe’s plans, but depending on time (and interest) I might organise a tweet-up in Mokpo.
So enjoyed the French GP of ’63, held at Reims. Robert Van den Enden, a teenager like us, ran errands for Ferrari. He was very knowledgable and stayed with us late into the night, at the Shell garage, before we returned to our hostel.
Next AM was neat, seeing a mechanic driving a red F1 out of the garage and down public roads to the track.
Joe, have you ever been tempted to plant a bogus story on your blog just to show up these lazy ‘journalists’ ?
I have done it a few times. Barium meals. This is why people do not copy me as much as others.
Any examples for our amusement?
And that is why this is the only F1 blog I read on a daily basis. Keep up the good work!
Me too.
Well Joe, I Look at YOU & JAMES ALLEN & that is it If the two of you do not know what is going on I really do not care!! ALL THE BEST TO YOU !! PLEASE KEEP IT UP!! All the best from Antigua!!!
Iain
It pains me to read James Allen, he can tend to sensationalize a bit.
To be honest Joe…I’m just grateful you don’t publish endless stories about X driver saying X pointless statement…
I mean just look at what the big motorsport magazine has published lately…
Horner: Off-season refreshed Webber
Massa unfazed by Ferrari/Webber talks
Schumacher expects German GP upturn
Button: McLaren update could be pivotal
Hamilton: ‘Abnormal’ to leave McLaren
They’re all non-stories.
I don’t see nowadays why folk rely on such sites. My process is quite simple. I read a snippet or roumer on Twitter, wait to see if the basic news is confirmed on Autosport.com, then head to the “proper” bloggers for their analysis.
I’ve come to realise that whatever I miss using this approach probably wasn’t worth knowing anyway!
I completely understand what you are saying and do this myself. If I want a story and follow up on it, it usually starts on Twitter or some relatively obscure website. Happens all the time. I then use a lot of time and effort trying to establish of this is anything, decide it is and write the story.
Every one does this, it´s simply a matter of who gets the story first. If Joe is first, then every one who comes after him, simply copies the article, using their own words in some cases, as do I. No biggie.
But what is a proper blogger? My problem is that I don´t have a shiny website or a magazine behind me, but have been doing this for a long time. I am not considered a proper blogger, simply because my options are limited by the two issues I just stated. No matter whan I try and what I dot, no matter how many stories I broke, and I broke quite a few I might add, I will always be a scurrilous website, as Pitpass calls me, or a magpie blog.
Not if you start turning up at races and doing it properly…
Guess so. I did that in 2007 with a lot of races in Europe. Burned a lot of money I saved up, and nothing. I even managed to made agreements to meet certain people, but no matter who I spoke to, I was on “on the list”.
Frustrating as hell. Anyway, I really enjoy reading your blog, always have and hope you keep doing this for many years to come
I would like to second Joe’s comment. I started blogging out of my living room but through careful relationship building I can now obtain press credentials for most of the events at my closest circuit (IndyCars, Historics etc.). It started by covering an open IndyCar test, making connections with circuit media relations people, and covering the first event professionally (key). By being unobtrusive, appreciative and friendly, you can achieve a lot. Media people are overwhelmed and overburdened by people wanting freebies and access. Prove you have something to offer – and are not wasting time – and they will welcome you.
Hi Joe.
I read some time ago, that only about ten people actually manages to make a living by writing about F1, if that. There is no doubt that it is very exclusive, and I for one, have been trying to get involved for the last 8 years. Phoning people, writing to teams, getting a quote from a mechanic from a GP2 team, who´s older brother is driving a truck at Williams, Standing by the fence, hoping to get a comment – not being able to financially get into the paddock seriously impacts my endeavours – and have done this for years. I love your blog and what you do, but it´s not just as simple as you suggest.
It´s not just a matter of getting up and be there and try, try, try. F1 is extremely closed and it took me 18 months to be able to ask Martin Whitmarsh 2 questions in one of their phone-ins last year.
I have been appliying for official race credentials, have been told I fulfill their demands, but after almost 2 years, I was denied. No reason, other than I wasn´t linked with a printed magazine in Denmark. Which we don´t have. So the fact that Denmark never had a printed magazine devoted to F1, is the reason that I cannot even get a single race access.
Sorry Joe, but it´s not quite as simple as this. It´s not a question of “you guys” and the rest of the internet which regurgitates news. There are those in the middle, those who make interesting features and thought-provoking articles that challenges the readers.
I will agree that by far the majority of websites and blogs are nothing but copiers of news, many of these employ freelance writers to scour the internet.
I have broken several news stories, I had agencies contacting me, and even teams asking me to remove articles, when I came to close to the truth. I refused and turned out they were true.
Anyway, what I am saying is that after been doing this for a decade and a half, it´s harder than ever to get my own news. They just don´t exist for me, because there is a lot more to it, than just getting up in the morning.
My suggestion to the young man who wants to be a racing journalist: Call every single team once a week, and ask them questions, if possible, go to their headquarters. And if the money is there, go to the races and glue yourself to the paddock wall. I have a full time job and a family, so I cannot just take out a weekend doing this, even though I want to and spend more than 40 hours on my hobby.
Thanks for a great blog, Joe
This is not true. There are plenty of professional journalists working in F1. There are around 300 Permanent Passholders. Most are not freelance. Their expenses and salaries are paid by the publications for which they work. In terms of freelances, there are probably 30 or 40 who pay their own way, raising money by whatever means they find possible.
Then I stand corrected, Joe
To become a permament passholder is naturally what I am hoping for some day, but as I said, the main reason I cannot get one is because there are no publication in Denmark. There is one that comes close, your friend and colleague Peter Nygaard knows this one well, Bilmagasinet, but they report on road cars, and only links to their F1 website, which is very narrow and not that big. In 2007 I had saved up in the region of £3,000 to spend on somehow getting in and had been told by the FIA that I just needed to do this and that and I should get my one-race pass. Never happened. When I called them the following week, all the communications between them and me were deleted and the person I had been speaking to for a long time, said she didn´t knew me at all. Seriously.
I have no chance, despite being involved for a long time but even though I work for myself and my own blog, I can´t even get close to the paddock. No matter what I do. I see tweets from 21 year old girls who “just started writing about F1 and it´s SOOO excited” and they get in, or how about when a 13 year old boy asked McLaren if he could interview them. He send them the most sugar coated letter ever written, brown nosing like no one has brown nosed before and was not only invited to a race, but full access. For a weekend. With transport paid. And accomodation….
You’re shooting too high. As Kate has rightly said, she attended the Euro GPs and 5 fly-aways in 2010. Kate correct me if I am wrong, but I doubt she had a permanent pass at this point. Just ask for a race by race pass and ask for Mon-Fri. Don’t be greedy.
I do about 5 or 6 races a year and always have my own paddock pass. Maybe you are asking in the wrong way? Maybe you come across as a wanton fan?
I don´t know what I am doing wrong. It took me 4 months just to be able to speak with the person in charge of the race passes, and then I was told I needed to fill out a form. It then took three more months to get an answer, which was negative. The reason? I don´t have a publication behind me, which I cannot as we don´t have F1 mags in denmark. I even tried to ask them very politely if a race by race pass was possible and the answer from three different people was that they didn´t just throw them at people who weren´t serious about it.
This seems obvious to me, but why haven’t you tried publications from other countries? If there aren’t any in Denmark, cast your net further.
You need to be with a reputable website or magazine. If you’re limiting yourself to applying to Danish outlets when there aren’t any, it’s no wonder you’ve not been granted a pass. There’s no rule that says you can only write for publications of your nationality.
No of course not. I know that I shouldn´t let the geographical location of myself be the limit to my aspirations, but one thing is to apply to be acolumnist or writer on a website, it´s quite another to be able to access races. But I´ll keep trying
Sorry to be replying to the same thread as before, just noticed something.
Kate is one of the people I follow constantly on Twitter and always enjoy her tweets and her style. But correct me if I´m wrong Kate, but you aren´t a journalist are you? How did you manage to get where you are now?
Of course she’s a journalist.
Wow, sorry for me asking a question, I didn´t mean anything by it, just out of curiosity.
A journalist needs to have the ability to soak up information at a vast rate and then process it correctly. If you are a regular reader of this blog and have not picked up the fact that Kate is an F1 journalist, then one might argue that you are not suited to become an F1 journalist yourself. If you DID know the answer, then the question was malicious, which is how I read it, because I assumed that you would have had the nous to have known exactly what Kate does. Hence the response.
I only got to hear about Kate about a year ago and for some reason never thought it necessary to search for the information about her journalistic credentials. I like what she writes and appreciate all her work, I just didn´t know. Regular reader, yes, but not all of the posts. If the fact that I didn´t know if Kate was a a journalist is enough for me to not fit into the F1 world, then that is not really you´re problem. I only write what I do here out of respect for you, and Kate, but if I am being disrespectful simply because I didn´t have certain information, then again, not my problem. UNtil recently I had no idea how close the moon was to the earth, so I am not ad liberty to discuss the moon.landings?
My post was not malicious, but an attempt to start up a conversation and also uncover who is what in F1. I know that some of the reporters, bloggers, columnists attending races, haven´t got any access at all, other than a ticket, some do, but some are not ducated journalists. That was what my question was about.
You’re right – this is my first season with a permanent pass. I spent the first two years on race-by-race.
Hi Jakob (and of course Joe),
why does Jakob complain about not getting in the F1 Paddock ? For all of us Freelancers it took years (and maybe even mor years) to get finally F1 Race by Race Access. We all started with the Support Race Paddock and coverage of Porsche Events and other Series.
When you can not get through the front Door (F1) you should also try the Back Door (Support Races). Why not writing an interesting and investigating Story about Porsches Future at F1 Races (or Audi, or Volkswagen or whatever). I bet, if you write honest, investigative and serious staff, you can manage it even to the big Magazines with Millions of Readers.
And be prepared with a 12 hour working Day in the Paddock, from Thursday morning to Sunday evening.
Twelve hours? I just got back after a 16 hour day… and it’s only Friday
That’s why so many think you are the best!
Sorry but no. As I mentioned elsewhere I have been writing about F1 for over a decade and a half, ama seasoned professional, but my limitations are such that no one hires anyone. In my first years I contacted every F1 mag I could find, no luck, then kept contacting them again and again. I also said that in denmark we don´t have F1 magazines, they don´t exist because the audience is not there. Online mags are of course the way to go, but as I just said, no one is interested.
By the way Jakob,
did you ever attended the F1 Testing Days ?
This year you should have been at Mugello.
Why ?
Because many of the permanent Pass Journalists where there either. And almost every Driver had enogh spare time for Interviews. Of course we were only doing Press Photographs, but a lot of young Journalists where there, asking a lot of questions to the Drivers. And all of us Media People were welcome in the Motorhome. So you should get your much sought after inside Stories even in the Test-Day-Paddock.
And as i mentioned, even a lot of permanent Journalists where there for all of the 3 Days of testing (and the wrote a lot).
So come and join us next time.
Coincidence and bad luck has prevented me from being there during the test sessions lately. I would like to go next year, but honestly have no idea what to do or how to approach it.
Of course if one can just show up at the front gate and enter, then I´m there, but the times I have tried that approach I was denied access.
You don’t know how to get access to a testing session but you say you’re a professional at F1 journalism? Getting testing access is very easy, but if you can’t figure that out then you’ll never get a pass for a GP weekend.
It sounds to me like you want a step-by-step guide on how to get into the paddock. And that’s precisely why you’re not in – you need to think outside the box, contact existing journalists for advice (not just complaints about your lack of access), and keep pushing until someone says yes.
I’m sorry if this sounds harsh, but I think your biggest stumbling block is your attitude. F1 is for people who see solutions, not problems. Your comments on this article are all about problems.
Well I should correct myself. I am as professional as I can be, without the proper journalistic education. I treat the material with respect and never ever copy a story, flat out.
That said, I understand what you are saying and yes I can come across as a little negative. But let me assure you, that after spending a full year, calling and writing FIA to apply for access to the Italian GP in 2007, and never heard back, talked to six different people and send countless emails, all I got was nought. That and the constant wall I face because I haven´t a publication or website behind is probably the reason I am a little moody. Attending test sessions is great and easy, yes, but even though every one I speak to say I just need to show up and try my luck, it just doesn´t work.
I wish we could continue this private, so we dno´t clutter Joe´s fine blog.
Jakob, you come across as a fan. A total billy! Your problem is that you are no more than an amateur fan writing about generic topics. Have you considered that publications are turning you down because your content is simply no good? Have you truly evaluated its quality against the competition?
Not only is that a problem but your are stumbling at the most basic hurdles. When I was 15 there was an all teams f1 test at Silverstone. My dad drove to the main gates. We told security that we were guests of Jordan and were collecting passes in the paddock. They let us through and when we got to the paddock entrance I simply walked in and then spent the day inside the Williams garage stood next to Jacques villeneuves car. Even today, I never get car passes for any grand Prix or passes for any other motor race in the uk. It’s always a fantastic challenge to blag myself into the circuit and then park with no accreditation. This is half the fun. If you can’t be confident and blag a bit here and there – well…….
I should clarify, because of the way that reads. For F1 I always take the proper accreditation, but I always still try and blag it into the venue anyway and only when necessary will I show that I have the correct passes. However for the likes of British GT and BTCC, I turn up with no passes.
Try it to build your confidence, go and see some up and coming stars, get to know them and learn what it takes to rise to the top. You will learn invaluable insight and also how motor racing really works, what goes into running a circuit, a team, a driver, etc. Only then can you begin to write about current stories and what goes into making them happen.
You say you have written articles which have broken news stories. I doubt this. More likely you have made a correct guess which has turned out to be correct, but the way you have written it is potentially damaging to future contracts teams are putting in place and would limit their earning potential etc. Big businesses do tend to take seriously their earning potential and whether someone has facts or not, if that someone is publishing a potentially harmful article then they will and have every right to take action.
It’s a tough world.
Jakob – got to agree with the other posters and Journo’s here – sounds like you’ve never really tried.
I’ve never written about f1, but this is a very similar situation to what I faced 10 years ago when writing for a website about Scottish football. getting access to players and media centers was next to impossible. Calls would go unanswered. texts and emails would be met with a No. Your an internet journalist – go away, would be the reply.
It took me 1 year of turning up at grounds, asking for different people, researching for different clubs who was in charge of the press area’s until I finally got one club to let me in the press area. I used that opportunity and made more contacts with journalists and lo and behold doors started to open and before I knew it I was able to phone up any Scottish ground and get into the press area without a hassle.
But it was hard work and I got told NO hundreds of times. I just kept asking. Talking to different people. Turned up at reserve games and youth games. Like Kate said above – I thought outside the box.
In short… I made opportunities. Phoning and emailing will get you nowhere. Anyone can do that. Show your serious and camp out at the press entrance or paddock entrance for a european season and you’ll probably get somewhere…
Hi Joe, there’s only one F1 blog i visit….
Since when did Ron Dennis live in Lelystad in Holland?
Joe, do you think that the reporting of F1 is better written by internet only media or those who write for newspapers? If you can look at this with an impartial view I am interested to hear the answer. Does the medium matter now and are they considered the same in F1? I see that there are many journalists who write about F1 or broadcast about it for prestigious networks. I work in the City of London and my preferred source of news is Bloomberg. They have a reporter called Alex Duff (http://www.businessweek.com/authors/35048-alex-duff) who gives great analysis of the issues facing F1 but I see no evidence in his reports that he is a member of the paddock. For newspapers I read the Financial Times, the Times, the Telegraph and CityAM (it is what is known as a free sheet no cost newspaper). I think some but not all of these newspapers have paddock representatives but the time I see this is in the statement of reporting from a race. Otherwise how do you know? If it gives me a good analysis of the race that is what I want to read on the way to the office. The importance of the hierarchy is not relevant to the outside but I understand the importance on the inside. For the same reason it is important to me that I am department director and no longer an account manager but our clients don’t care – they just want their job done (for the quickest time and cheapest price)
A good reporter is a good reporter, no matter what the subject matter. However, a general reporter will never have the same level of insight as a specialist with contacts.
What wrecks my brain is the mindless questions asked in the driver’s press conference. The people there I assume have as Joe says “earned the right to be there” but the drivers press conference always seems to be very awkward and I think it has got to a point where the drivers now just dont take it seriously anyway.
Late to the party as usual, however, here are my two cents. I have had the honor and pleasure of meeting both Joe Saward and Kate Walker and I can honestly and sincerely say that you would have a very challenging task to find two more honest or genuine people.
Having chatted with several real F1 journalists, I have a very good idea of how difficult it is to do what they do. There are litterally thousands of fake and wanna be journalists out there but a small few have taken the steps to get there and busted their butts. Joe made it very clear that if you really want to do it, you have to really go for it. Sleep on couches, bum a ride, tag along and write, write, write. Joe has helped many along the way, if you want it bad enough, it is possible.
Sadly, I’m not in a position to follow my dream which leaves my between a rock and a hard place because I love F1 and I love to write about it and other things. So I have a blog, but I don’t try to pretend I’m a journalist or reporter. I post mainly my opinion on things for what it’s worth and I write F1 poems.
However, if I want to know what’s really going on, I come here, and follow people like Kate Walker and Jon Noble among very few others. You need only minutes to chat with Joe or Kate to really understand that they don’t think they know what’s going on, they actually know what’s going on.
I’m blushing! Thanks for the kind words, Ernie.
Ernie, that was a bery good and kind post. I feel you, and know what you mean when you want to do something, but there are obstacles that block you. I also try to write about it, and hope it gets noticed. We can only hope I guess
Joe; have been visiting your blog daily since January and it’s the best. Appreciate your work greatly and now I don’t really go anywhere else. OK, sometimes Peter Windsor, occasionally James Allen but very rarely. I’ve heard that there’s a book to be published soon about The Messiah of Motor Racing. Although I was and still am a huge admirer of AS, I accept that he wasn’t perfect (who is?!) and of course, I’m all for balance and learning about the not-so-good-bits; the moments of brilliance versus some extreme behaviour on track during his career; these have all been well documented by such eloquent people as Nigel Roebuck and David Tremayne both of whom I admire greatly for their work over the last few decades. However, just what is the point of a book like this? OK, I can hear some people say, how can you judge a book by it’s title (as well as its cover) without actually having read it? Ummm…..I suspect that the clues are there and that my time (and hard-earned cash) would better invested in a copy of, say, ……the Grand Prix Saboteurs?! Any thoughts?