It has been busy since the end of the race in KL. Having crashed out GP+ in five and a half hours, we took off to the airport (right next door but a 15 minute drive around the airport) and we were soon in the Emirates lounge at KLIA, still writing words until the 02.00 take-off, but doing it in more comfort than in the media centres of the world.
The flight was absolutely chock-a-block with people (oddly not as many F1 folk as one might expect) and working once onboard became difficult. I was seated next to an ample Malaysian lady and her body mass seemed not entirely under her control and kept leaking over (or under) the arm rest, and attacking me, which meant that I was pinned between her and the window. To add insult to injury the man in front was one of those people who HAVE to have their seat in full extension for the whole flight (because they can) so I had the back of his seat in my face. I could only just open the laptop, but a vertical screen and nowhere to put one’s arms meant that I was basically in an aviation straitjacket and being unable to work further, so I took the next best option and went to sleep for a bit. It is only a short flight (six or seven hours) and we arrived in Dubai at a horrible hour that began with a four. It is always nice to have a brisk walk through the airport to get the blood circulating again and we arrived at immigration at the same time as the amblers from First Class, which allowed us a quick chat with Christian Horner and Adrian Newey. Oddly, they were supposed to have super slick service but we got to the baggage carousel ahead of them and then after another chat grabbed our bags, and left them waiting for their airline helpers to find their stuff…
By the time the sun came up we were down in a hotel near the Dubai Marina, where all the necessary deadlines were rapidly hit. There is no rest for the wicked, nor for the F1 media of today, and so I soon launched into work that is deadlining shortly, notably stories for monthlies about Ayrton Senna, as the 20th anniversary of his death is now fast approaching. And then, of course, we have a whole new GP+ to do this week… All the good intentions of doing paperwork and good deeds evaporated and, suffering from offset hours meant that when the body said “Hmmm, lunchtime”, the clock said “Tiffin” and so I cruised through to dinner with an emergency nap. There followed a pleasant moment spent with various crustaceans (recently departed) and some chowder. It was a pleasant cool evening in Dubai, very welcome after humid Malaysia.
Having now had the chance to look back at the Malaysian GP, it strikes there were two things that stood out: neither of them on the racetrack, where the action had been pretty interesting if one was able to look beyond the top three. Maybe it is just me, but I find every F1 race fascinating, even if on the surface it may seem dull. The first point in Malaysia was the crowd, or rather the lack of it. The official figures showed that the spectator numbers were down 30 percent on 2013, which was a big hit. The key point is why. While no doubt people with an agenda will turn this into a discussion about noise, I am still not convinced. It could be that pushing the race back a week had an impact as it no longer coincided with the school holidays in Singapore (these things are important). It could be that the promotion was worse than in previous years or the economy meant the prices were higher. Perhaps there might even have been an effect of the local angst following the disappearance of Flight MH370. Someone needs to analyse the numbers…
The other point of interest was the idea of using a movie star to conduct the post-race interviews with the drivers. The concept of interviewing the drivers straight after the race, when they are still pumped up, is a good one but using old drivers was rather lame on occasion and so someone came up with the VIP idea. Fortunately Benedict Cumberbatch, the British actor who is currently starring in a number of films, did a pretty decent job and gave the impression that he knew what had happened in the race. The key question is whether or not those who follow in his path do as good a job and whether having a non-racing star will actually add to the spectacle, or whether it is just a worthless gimmick.
joeblogsf1 
So you think it’s refreshing to have Sherlock rather than John Watson!?
Elementary… very droll.
Geri Halliwell for Silverstone …?
Benedict Cumberbatch did OK, but clearly did not listen to the drivers answers. A professional interviewer is always better, after all its about the drivers not the interviewer.
The numbers are down because the website says the tickets are sold out (until December tickets were reduced 50%). So are the seats empty because the circuit provides huge numbers of corporate tickets to people who have zero interest in putting their bums on a hot sticky seat, and genuine fans who are willing to pay are shut out. Or have people just stopped going because they think the race will be washed out and are waiting for the race to be put back to its original date, or, are people waiting for real common sense when the Singapore and Malaysian GP’s are ran back to back which would mean a great 2 GP holiday for many Europeans.
When Benedict rolled up onto the stage, I was thinking ‘what the hell ….’ , but I was pleasantly surprised I have to say. As you say Joe, question about will others do a similar job, but it certainly worked this time round.
And really don’t understand why delay of a week for Sepang. Seems daft to me. Be better to have two week gap between that one and Sakhir insted.
Something to do with Petronas… or (a conspiracy theorist would say) that Bernie wanted to hike the costs of the schedule this year to make teams agree to more races in 2015 and/or to make everyone talk about the F1 economy and bring down the value of the shares, so he can get back again.
I know you’re just theorizing but it makes you really look forward to a day when such thoughts aren’t tossed around. Bernie may have done great things for the sport (20+ years ago), but the sport badly needs new leadership.
Old drivers I know and some respect. Some young actor who I don’t know and don’t respect was a problem for me.
I’m happy they show celebs, but let’s keep them as eye candy rather than analyst.
Whether they be celebrities or former drIvers, people who interview should know the sport and the race. Mr Cumberbatch obviously did a great job, but Alan Jones after the Aussie GP did not do that fine a job. In fact we had the feeling that he did not know what to ask…or did not have anything to ask rather.
I would prefer the interviews to be insightful and not just a tradition so it should be done well. The post-race press conference interview was better, if u ask me, although I understand that it won’t be a spectacle.
I am unable to recall any ex F1 driver who has done a half decent job at podium interview. They all struggle and add absolutely nothing to the ceremony. As PT and Joe have both said Sherlock had a pretty decent shot at it (not helped by a couple of interviewees not knowing when to shut it).
You’re right. I think Nico Rosberg is the most PR-oriented driver F1 has ever seen – praising Petronas to the extent that everyone found it extremely boring, not to mention Mr. Cumberbatch himself 🙂 The Petronas top brass would have been amused for sure…and perhaps the crowd.
The only ex-F1 drivers who, I think, conducted great interviews were Martin Brundle and David Coulthard last year and that’s expected since they are in the broadcasting field. If I remember correctly, Damon Hill was pretty good too…
I thought Jacky Ickx did pretty well in Spa. But of course he’s still involved in racing today thanks to his daughter.
Otherwise I though Khan did pretty well. You could at least tell throughout the weekend he has some interest in car racing, so I thought this was a refreshing new idea.
I’d say let’s see how it goes for another number of races… And if we’re going for celebrities, it should be Jay ‘The Chin’ Leno in Texas. He’s vry much a car freak!
And someone from Top Gear in Silverstone pretty please?
How about someone sensible?
The Stig it is then 😉
Brundle at Silverstone?
Bravo Benedict Cabbage Patch, he did a bloody good job! Just thought I’d mention that I’m available for this gig if they want me. I know a fair bit about F1 and come pretty cheap these days, 1st class ticket and 5 star accomodation not withstanding. Oh and I have a pass… Leo Sayer
Which publication do you represent?
Yours, if you buy me a beer…
Perhaps we could start a new trend: Interviewers being people after whom Nigel Mansell named his kids.
Actually Leo – you would do a far better job as you do know a lot more about F1 and be a hell of a lot funnier. Not sure celebs add anything unless they can ask insightful and informed questions.
Would rather hear Joe ask a pointed and gnarly question that would not garner a “the team did an amazing job today” response….
Should be a shoe in for Aus GP 2015 Leo…
The US talk show hosts would be great for the NA races – there’s a lot of them these days too.
They just need a regular face – Coulthard has always done well. Maybe another racer like him who doesn’t turn the whole thing into a boys club or a personal media op.
You’ve got a cute way of talking…
(Could be an asset on the podium)
How about Ron Howard? He seems to know a thing or two about F1.
Joe, firstly I enjoyed your event in Melbourne, it was the first time I had attended & it was a lot of fun – I hope to be back next year.
In relation to the “noise” discussion, I don’t believe it’s only those “with an agenda” that will turn to that arguement. I had a ticket for the race in Sepang, but decided not to go, after attending the race in Melbourne.
Although the race in Melbourne was enjoyable, I felt that F1 had lost it’s edge (or maybe gimmick?) for the average trackside viewer. I could have been watching GP2 or Formula Ford, both of which also provide great trackside viewing, but the noise was a big part of the spectical that made F1 stand out. Having been lucky enough to attend quite a few races around the world, you could guarantee that you would always see people around the track everyday of the weekend, calling somebody on their phone to say “listen to this”.
Actually the “noise” sounded much better watching the Malaysian GP on tv, instead of being at the track. I know you will say that is where the money comes from, but surely bums on seats at the track should also be a priority.
I’m sure people will get used to it over time, but in my view F1 has lost a big part of it’s image for the race goer, which in my case, lead to me not attending a race thatI had a ticket for, for the first time ever.
Bums on seats are not a priority to the Formula One group.
That’s a mistake.
Here we go again. “Bums in the seats are not a priority for FOM”, except that “bums in the seats” are a priority for race promoters, and the sanction-fees paid by said race promoters are a material priority for FOM.
Q.E.D.
Yes, I am aware of the connection but there is a significant offset in terms of time and if races fail there are other promoters so it does not ultimately affect the FOM business model unless all the races tank.
I agree there is a time lag, and the relationship is not homogeneous with respect to geography, e.g. “bums in seats” less important in China, Bahrain, Russia, etc., while quite important in USA, UK, France (well, in the past), Germany, etc.
The value of a business is not fully determined by this year’s earnings, or next year’s earnings, or even the next five years’. Rather, a company’s (e.g. FOM) equity is worth the present value of 50 years of cash flow to capital, less the market value of debt. So for that reason I am quite confident that CVC understands the importance of “bums in the seats”. That said, they may not always like they do…
You are, in part, correct. Although my view is that it is the quality of the sound that makes the difference, not just how much noise there may or may not be. Where F1 loses out, and has done for the last 20+ years, is that Bernie chose to make it remote from the spectator, to the extent that the spectator has become, almost everywhere excepting Monaco, divorced from the action and the cast. I went to Rockingham for the Indycar race, and to Lausitzring for the other race in 2001, they were back to back, and apart from the awful accident with Zanardi in Germany, and the track problems at Rockingham, the actual fan involvement was far better than F1. At Rockingham, for a minor amount of cash, we went into the Pits area, and watched the mechanics close up, working on the cars. In fact we also spent 5 mins or so, chatting to Michael Andretti, it hasn’t been possible in decades, for any F1 fan to talk to a Team Principal at an F1 race. WRC rallying is the same, access to the drivers and teams is on a personal level. I’ve spoken to Loeb, Gronholm, Burns, McRae, Sainz, Petter Solberg and many others at 6 or 7am as they wait in Parc Ferme. Back in the day, I have chatted to Mansell, Senna, Brundle,Peterson and many others at the old F2 events. It is inevitable that if one keeps the public from the drivers, over time the interest in F1 for fans, will die out.
Bang on, you’ve summed it up perfectly. Spectators are kept at arms length at best.
It’s not just a public access thing Damian, many of the non-race-team employees get/have no access either. Freebie GP tickets? Access to pits, Yeah right.
Well, Damian, we’ve found something about which we agree…
Last time I was just passing through Indianapolis, I got a free chat plus an autograph on a free Smokey Yunick poster from one Mr. Smokey Yunick in his very late years… thick glasses, a bit hard of hearing, but the same hat… he was there for all, just sitting at a table in their museum… no reason, except they thought it would be nice for the fans… and that wasn’t on race day… or for qualifying… it was for that quaint thing they call(ed?) Carburetion Day… best $10 admission fee I ever spent, watching the cars go like bats out of hell… sitting right there at Turn 1 makes you think about what those guys are actually doing…
Why F1 doesn’t do things like this is beyond me. Yes, I understand F1’s biz model… but still… any biz model that doesn’t have room for building good will is insane.
p.s. IMO, any outfit who’s boss is called “Supremo” is suspect on those grounds alone… it’s amazing to me that no one stops the corruption… as best I can tell, the crucial trick is that it’s so out in the open (despite being done with secret contracts) that everyone calls it a business model…
I’m just finding no matter who asks the questions, the post race interview on the podium just doesn’t pass on as much information as the old sit-down press-room next to the podium with various questions from various journalists…
I actually liked the “innovation” of about 2011 (or so?) of them playing video replays that the drivers could see, and asking… so what happened there then?
Yes, me too. However I do think they are more open to say exciting things when the adrenalin is still high. And I think it gives the crowd some extra value too.
And ensures Rosberg gets a bonus from Petronas?
I wondered whether that kind of blatant promotion will get broadcasters like the BBC in trouble for containing product placement?
Maybe I’m just naive but I thought it was a nice gesture on Nico’s part… Nico trying to find something to make the locals freel good about something, given all the recent very-extended bad news… trying to help them feel that the 1-2 finish was somehow their victory too…
Only if the crowd understands English.
Used to have a drinking game during the studio post race interviews; “how many times Kimi reaches for his nose or scratches behind his ear”. While I miss the interviews done by Peter Windsor, or James Allen, I think the podium interviews are a good way for the fans at the track to help feel more involved. They get to stick around and listen, rather than the drivers being whisked away behind a door, out of sight from the paying punters. I like David Coulthard doing the interviews, but I preferr to see a quality journo, such as yourself, Joe, conduct them.
I rarely watched the post-race interviews, before the new format or after, but on the couple of occasions that I have (first year at Silverstone with the new layout etc) I wasn’t that impressed so haven’t bothered since.
Malaysia was a decent race, not a huge amount of racing per se but still worth watching which I did. Nice to have a different winner again and good to see Mercedes fulfilling the early testing promise.
Was I imagining it or was Lewis not in the Australia post-race team picture?
Red Bull rapidly becoming the ‘ l’enfant terrible ‘ of the pitlane, perhaps the gloss is starting to wear off for Vettel already?
Look forward to Bahrain GP, and the GP+ afterwards.
Do you think Williams will be able to repair damage to Massa relationship with Bottas is quicker messages? Also Jean Todt has been quoted as reporting they are in dire finacial problems and crying out for a budget cap. Is this just more lazy hack writing or is it founded?
2 things:
1. Who gets to chew out Felipe? Claire, Frank, or both?
2. Could the team possibly have used a worse choice of words? They might just as well have said, “Felipe, it’s Germany’10 all over again…” They might have at least blamed it on the tires, or said he had an engine fault requiring setting G28, or something… *anything* other than what they said…
Yes, I too felt the choice of words was inopportune. It would have been better if the engineer had said: “Felipe mate, look we need more points and Valtteri will probably be able to get past JB if you give him a hand. That would be really helpful. Thanks.”
Having said that, I think FW is a pragmatic fellow and would probably look at it and say that if VB could not pass FM, then he would not have been able to do JB before the finish. This is why I did not think the team orders thing was much of a story. FM needs to feel he is a number one and getting that kind of call will not help.
Those were my thoughts exactly Joe. If Bottas cant pass massa, how the hell is he going to catch and get Button in a few laps? Not going to happen IMO, and apparently in Massa’s as well.
With that logic, Williams constructers points would have been exactly the same, no matter the driver order. So why take the “team orders” PR hit so early in the season ? Not to mention pissing off you top driver.
Bit of a cock-up by Williams I think.
One of the cardinal rules of team-mates in F1 is not to take out your team-mate by a risky over-taking manoeuvre. Perhaps, therefore, VB was inevitably going to be more careful around FM than he might have been in trying to overtake JB.
And if it had all gone wrong around JB, at least FM would have been there to pick up the points, with McLaren loosing out too.
Joe, I certainly agree with your point about VB not getting by FM so how could be get past JB. Which in turn made me wonder:
1. Who made the decision? I don’t know who decides such things for Williams.
2. Who spoke to Felipe using that unfortunate phrasing? Was it Smedley or someone else who so rudely told him?
3. Might VB have been more willing/able to get by if it had not been his own team’s #1 acting wide? VB seems no dummy, and I wonder if he was a bit cautious about exceeding 9/10 if the cost would have been a fractured team and maybe both cars sitting in the grass. Frank may be understanding of Felipe’s situation, but how understanding would he be if neither of them got points due to his drivers banging non-existant fenders?
Smedley is not there yet. In any case, drivers are supposed to be big boys.
Bang-on Joe. I thought that Williams could have handled the ‘team orders’ (if that’s what they were?) a whole lot better. Great credit to Massa for keeping going. He’s a racer; he’d earned the right to be where he was and was entitled to hang on to his position like any true ‘racer’ would do. In any case, if VB WAS faster, then like any great racer, he would have simply ‘found’ a way past – just like Senna & Hakkinen used to do in the past (for example) and Hamilton now. It’s what separates the men from the boys….
I entirely understand the team orders bit and I think given that Felipes engine was supposed to be ‘running hot’ it would have been the logical thing to do but the words involved in making the request were incredibly insensitive given his history with both Schumacher and Alonso and hopefully they haven’t permanently soured their relationship already – perhaps Claire Williams should have a hand in tactful requests in the future – she seems like a diplomatic soul
That was my feeling
If I was Frank Williams I would be on the phone to JT to remind him that most of the F1 teams want cost control and that it is not the job of the FIA President to meddle in commercial matters by drawing attention to the problems of one team or another. This latest gaffe is entirely in line with the FIA’s current clumsiness in the field of communication. I am still utterly amazed that the federation did NOTHING about the launch of the new hybrid F1 formula and left a PR vacuum that was duly filled with negative reaction. What is required in Paris is not some supercilious leftover of France’s political elite waiting for the next election campaign, but rather someone who realises that motorsport is much more important to the FIA than the footling efforts that go on in the world of road safety and environmental issues. On a global scale, there are bigger and more powerful organisations dealing with these problems. If you want evidence to back up that argument, go to http://www.who.int/roadsafety/about/en/ and look for any reference to the FIA.
I also find it incredible that the race coverage does not seem to include any cockpit information any more, so we don’t see throttle/brake usage, nor any sign of how much power the various hybrid systems are supplying or regenerating. The only addition is the fuel consumed which is nice to know, but being a % is hard to tell if one driver is more frugal than another or if they just started with more.
Pie Man
I would like to see the fuel consumption information displayed as a graphic, similar to the way progression of gaps was shown for the Malaysian GP. Much easier than a load of figures for my ageing eyes (and brain?) to take in.
Martin
Thanks Joe. Spot on. I feel that with the FIA being based un Paris they are almost out of the loop for most motor sport that they govern. But as highlighted. Their view now is very central to their survival/coffers, which is never helpful to the Teams or promotion. Just look at how little is said about the WTCC or WRC outside of specialist press.
Quite agree, Joe. The FIA, for an (international controlling federation) is embarrasing in it’s inability to communicate properly.
‘On a global scale, there are bigger and more powerful organisations dealing with these problems. If you want evidence to back up that argument, go to http://www.who.int/roadsafety/about/en/ and look for any reference to the FIA.’
Spot on Joe! I’d like to see an audit of this program showing results against expenses. I’m willing to bet we would see a lot of 1st class tickets, hotels and fine dining attending world wide conferences and very little else to show for it.
Well, I don’t see how it’s the sanctioning body’s job to do that… it’s properly the job of the racing series itself, not those who give them permission to operate. In what other form of racing would we hold the sanctioning body responsible?
Face it, this is another case of FOM failing to uphold its responsibilities to the sport. And, no, saying it’s not part of Bernie’s biz model is not a valid excuse…
Who owns the racing series?
Go for it Joe. Great response telling it like it is.
When I heard that radio call to Massa, I just thought “what are they thinking?” Massa was never the same driver after “Fenando is faster than you….do you understand the message?” Do they not think? They have pinned their hopes on Massa and Bottas, and they couldn’t have done more damage if they threw tacks on the road in front of Massa. At that point in the race, the podium had been decided, and I began to really root for Massa to keep his position (of course it would have been for naught had he been able to get around JB). I would hope that Williams’ powers that be have words with the engineer first.
I thought Cumberbatch did a bl**dy good job of it – much rather him do it than Eddie Jordan!
I cannot say I disagree
Problem with Eddie is that he still has something of a personal interest (nay, even a conflict of interest) in F1, that Cumberbatch is unencumbered by.
I see what you did there, BenK 🙂 The only thing that could have made it more appropriate is if Cumberbatch was wearing a Cumberbund!
Let’s just say the post-race podium interview (when they air it in the US) is more for the moment than the substance. It’s not like the questions or answers will add much to the overall narrative of the race, but it’s fun to see the guys right after they get the trophies.
As far as the numbers, you could see on the broadcast that large chunks of the main grandstands were empty. It’s hard to get a feel for the overall crowd, compared to last year, via the images but it was pretty clear there were some unused tickets floating around.
At least the racing was eventful. I don’t care what the throwbacks say about the volume (lets be clear, it’s the volume and not the actual sound people are whining about – if you listen to the new frequencies of the engines they are far more nuanced and complex than just the ‘screaming V8′ of last year) the systems management and various methods of deploying the extra power allow for real driver choice and strategy.
Finally, how about the Williams’ fuel use? On the broadcast the displayed numbers for Williams were several points lower than everyone else on the grid. Team orders aside, and as a technical issue, I find it very intriguing that they were so far off everyone else. Of course, those are just the broadcast numbers but one wonders how they’ve managed a 2% lower fuel usage compared to the other midfield teams.
Could be that Williams started with more fuel.
For example, if they stated with 100Kg and another team started with 90, then if the second team used 45 kg they would have used 50% but Williams would have only used 45%, in fact they could use 49 kg and still appear to be 1 % more fuel efficient. I don’t think we know the starting fuel loads so this is pure conjecture.
This will be absurd. To start with more fuel just for the sake of it (and the weight of it) and not use it. In fact it will be the opposite, maybe Williams started with just 95 kg instead 100 kg as everybody else, to be lighter, and the 95% use would mean a 100% use of the 95 kg. Remember that the fuel flow sensor can measure the fuel consumed, but have not clue on how many fuel are on a whole
I’ve appeared in a number of amateur productions and have been award nominated by the Isle of Wight County Press. If Bernie is reading this I just want to let him know I’ll already be at Silverstone and am free for Monaco, Spa & Monza if they need someone to do the interviews…..
Nice try… no cigar.
Amazing to think it has been 20 years since Senna’s death. I remember it like it was last week.
Lol – I didn’t even realise it was an actor doing the interview, just thought he was a bit of a dill, I’ve no interest whatsoever in rock stars or actors getting in the way of the motorsport 🙂
In terms of the attendance, hasn’t Malaysia struggled to get a crowd for a few years now?
I would hazard a guess they are simply falling out of love with F1, especially with no local driver.
On a long bow you could claim a Malaysian team is winning with Petronas being the primary sponsor of Mercedes, but I don’t know if that would sway punters
I assume you have more reliable figures Joe (They seem to hide these figures when they aren’t favourable), but from what I can Google:
Weekend attendances:
2013 ?
2012 120,000
2011 105,018
2010 97,000
2005 105000
So what is 30% down, does it just mean back to pre 2012 levels?
Do Malaysian’s like the bikes more than F1? MotoGP was 126,917 in 2013
Has Singapore stolen Malaysia’s thunder, and taking away people who would go to that part of the world?
Overall attendance seems pretty small for an F1 race when a V8 race can get 95000 in one day 280,000+ over the weekend for Clipsal, 175000 for Gold Coast
It means 30 percent down on 2013, which was slightly down on 2012. I cannot find the actual numbers. They are written down somewhere but the paperwork is a disaster…
“I’ve no interest whatsoever in rock stars or actors getting in the way of the motorsport” With respect Paul, you seem to be overlooking the fact that F1 has become “celebrity culture” – LH, Mr. Bling himself, leading the way for the drivers. Get with it man ! 😉
hehe – well aware of the celebrity culture
What adds insult is I do love my music, but have a very clear alternative taste, so the big commercial stars they get like Katy Perry, Rihanna, Pink, and Jay Z are just torture to my ears
But even if it was my favourite band, I’m there for a motor race, and you never have time to get to the band event without missing on track action
Well, we don’t get to hear much of anything in the podium interviews regardless of who’s asking… although I must admit that Sherlock did perhaps the best job so far, in that he managed to ask a few non-standard questions… so, that’s a plus… surprised me, actually…
Nonetheless, I feel it’s less interesting to me than were the sit-down interviews… although they were pretty pro forma too, I suppose…
Sadly NBCSN schedules things such that we don’t get to see much of the post-race 1:1 interviews in the… what?… “media pen”? However, the bits we do see are more than FOX’s SpeedTV used to show… so, it’s another small step for USian TV… (too bad about the 3-rather-than-2-minute-long in-race commercials…)
By the time the drivers (and their handlers with recorders in hand) make the rounds of that media pen (what’s the right name for it?), are they all just repeating nearly verbatim what they’ve said to the previous 6 media people?
If any of them manage to give fresh answers as they make the rounds, who might they be?
Podium Interviews…… a worthless gimmick, irrespective of who conducts them…..
I disagree, they are much more value than the remarks made after they have had time to cool off a little.
To each his own… personally, I kinda liked to watch them after they’ve had a few moments to simmer and seethe 😉
Although, in keeping with your comment, I enjoyed seeing the interviews immediately after the Indycar St. Pete street race… Helio was smiling as usual… but nonetheless called his own teammate a wanker for causing the accordian crash at restart…
As is your right…. I have yet to hear anything other than the usual turgid one liners…. I hear too much from the drivers as it is, saturation doesn’t even begin to describe it…. less is more IMHO
Did you not watch Malaysia 2013?
The race, yes….. The podium & all that follows, nope
I find the discussions in the room before the podium to be more interesting (and the body language is often telling, such as after multi21) – shame they arent always mic-ed well enough to hear clearly. And clearly nobody told Vettel it’s rude to speak in a language that not everyone present understands – unless Hamilton knows German of course.
It’s in that room that you get a true response, before they put their public face back on for the podium.
Did you see the podium interview from Malaysia 2013? Multi 21, martynh, multi 21
Sit through 18 dull podium interviews just in case you get an interesting one…? I don’t care what the drivers think, I just like the racing…. Don’t get me started on the grid walk..!!
I would say the biggest reason for the decline in numbers is the success of the Singapore event.
I was sitting on corner 1. These are my thoughts:
– cars are very quiet, but I like the burble/crackle under braking.
– most of the english speaking fans near me complained about the lack of noise and said they wouldn’t bother coming back unless it changed.
– you can hear locks ups because the cars are quiet
– Kimi locked his left front every lap into this corner. Seems like he is having problems coping with the rear braking / energy recovery system. Alonso didn’t.
– Bottas was ALL over Massa. I saw some people saying that he wasn’t close enough, but he definitely was.
– more people from Scandavia (Fins, Danes, Swedes, Norwegians) than from Australia! Commitment!
– Crowd support for drivers in order of the level of cheers – 1. Kimi, 2. Hamo 3. Alonso 4. everyone else. 5 Vettel
– crowd support in terms of shirts – 1. RB 2. Ferrari 3. daylight. I was wearing my 2009 Brawn shirt and outnumbered the Williams fans.
– shirt sales – you could only buy RB, Merc, Ferrari, Mac and 1-2 Caterham shirts. I spoke to one of the managers (an older German fellow) to ask why there weren’t any of the smaller team shirts (even Williams!) – he said they don’t sell many, so they didn’t bother shipping any to Malaysia.
– support racing – **** all. Melbourne does this very well.
– food and drink – **** all.
– its really hot.
As to why there weren’t many people, I was actually very surprised by the amount of expats/tourists there were. A fair number of Australians I bumped into said it was cheaper to go to KL than the Melbourne GP for the long weekend.
My tips for making the race better
– More noise!
– Better food and beverage options – there was hardly anything available if you weren’t in the main stand
– More shaded/air conditioned area for spectators
– More to do before the race – look at Melbourne for example, which has things to do for the entire weekend
I think we’ve been spoilt by the fantastic UK facilities. I went to the Barcelona GP (albeit in the early 2000s) where you could not go anywhere except your specific stand – couldnt walk round and stand in other non-grandstand areas; no support races; no food except hot dogs & burgers (I’m veggie so all I got all day was a melting lolly sold by a kid doing the rounds); barely any merch to speak of (none worth buying) and the toilets had flooded with sewage on the floor.
Give me Silverstone any day…!
” A fair number of Australians I bumped into said it was cheaper to go to KL than the Melbourne GP for the long weekend.”
I have relatives who do the same things for the MotoGP, even though they live in Victoria
Since its dirt cheap to go over there they can have a big weekend, rather than go to Philip Island which is only just over 100km from their house.
I think your support race comment is quite valid, I found the same thing disappointing in Abu Dhabi, there just wasn’t enough on track action.
Quoting: “- most of the english speaking fans near me complained about the lack of noise and said they wouldn’t bother coming back unless it changed.”
I have to wonder if people are complaining because they’ve effectively been told to complain by the media regurgitating Bernie’s nonsense (and he hadn’t even attended a single 2014 session when he made his comments!).
How shallow a “fan” do you have to be of such a complex sport if just lack of a few decibels puts you off?
Would you be disappointed if you went to see The Who in 1979 and their amplifiers were turned way down low?
Would you say The Who were crap because the PA was quieter?
“How shallow a “fan” do you have to be of such a complex sport if just lack of a few decibels puts you off?”
Its just that noticeable – I’ve been to Melbourne every single year (18 years), and mates have been the same.
So we’re all long time F1 fans, and all found the noise extremely disappointing, its a big talking point at the track.
It wasn’t a minority talking about it – it was everywhere.
I also went to the Malaysian GP. Some of the hype and atmosphere in town was missing (understandably, such as the outdoor concert at the Petronas towers cancelled out of respect) and crowds did seem down on previous years. However I thought the criticism of the new engine sound is unfounded. The cars weren’t that quiet and you could actually hear the drivers struggle under braking with locking wheels, which was pretty cool. Previously you had to wear ear protection (unless you didn’t value your hearing), so you only got a muffled sound of the V8s anyway. And I don’t see the point of artificially increasing the sound for the sake of it. I’d rather teams and officials investing their efforts and resources in making faster, not louder, cars.
The date had to be pushed since the Malaysian school holidays finished on the 31’s of March. So the end of the Malaysian school holidays is the start of the Singaporean one.
If I am supposed to believe that this message comes from the Malaysian PM, I am afraid that you have failed. (If it is really you, I am terribly sorry, Your Honour).
Show some respect man!
No s**t, Sherlock… either you’re with us or you’re against us..
Let’s all sit down, have a Guiness, and just talk this out like grown ups, shall we?
That is enough donkeys and elephants, thanks…
It seemed to go quite well once, so let’s repeat it every time. Sounds like the lack-of-thought process that brought us the tyre rules.
I always thought that Peter Windsor used to do a great job and through his long history with F1 always knew what he was talking about. Asking VIP’s to do it seems a good idea now, as Cumberbatch did a good job but there will invariably be faux pas and we’ll all wonder why they didn’t ask someone “in the know” to do the interviews.
Celebs doing the interview is not a new idea.. I seem to recall Placido Domingo for one.
Massa: Fact is, his engine was overheating whereas Bottas’s was not. It could have ended badly. But yes, Botts should have been able to pass Massa, he had the potential to do so and was told to do it by the team.
If you want to be heartless you could say two failures to maximise in two races.
Joe,
1. FYI – “Knee Defender” is a set of rubber grips that attach to the seat-back tray in front of you and these stop the seat from reclining and allow you to work. (I haven’t used them but I believe they are available via the Internet and do as stated.)
2. Would love to see Niki interview the drivers after the race – Don’t think you’d get any fudging of answers then !!
I do not think it is right to stop someone else reclining. That’s not right. If I want to work I need to make more money and travel business!
how big would the cost difference be when travelling to all races in the business class?
More than I wish to pay
you need to practice the puppy dog eyes at check in!
Not if business is already full… Ian’s there is no availability…besides things are more regulated these days. The girls don’t have the right to upgrade unless the computer tells them they can.
I can understand that Joe. The business class flights to Brisbane return were 4.5 times the economy class price, I expected 3 times but not almost 5. Until I can afford that, economy will have to do *sigh*.
Uh OK ! but it was just a FYI and you did say “To add insult to injury the man in front was one of those people who HAVE to have their seat in full extension”
I’d have had a word Joe… seriously. Lack of awareness like this pisses me off
Re: Knee Defender:
Thanks for that. At 6ft 2in I struggle when people recline their seats even thought I take steps to maximize the room I have. It might seem a little inconsiderate to use them but then so is reclining the seat in a lot of circumstances.
Robert – (Not that this is a blog about Aircraft seats … respect to Joe) At 6’3″ and legroom forever shrinking then a reclining seat can actually give immense pain for extended periods, (I believe they are adjustable so still allowing some degree of recline. 🙂 )
Mr Cumberbatch popped up several times over the weekend, seemingly always poking around a different teams garage. If the podium interview must be conducted by celebrities then I hope they continue to use ones as interested and knowledgeable as he seemed to be.
Travelling ‘Cattle Class’ is pretty miserable if you are a decent size say 5ft 10″ or more. I can just about tolerate it to California, but going longer can be pretty uncomfortable.
Business and First are another world altogether, fortunately we get the occasional trip in ‘Crumpet Class’, paid by others I hasten to add!
Airbus seating seems better to me than Boeing, almost irrespective of aircraft, we flew to Australia on an Airbus 340 and have also flown Virgin on the same type, that seems better than the 747/767/777 seating.
British Airways do the best First Class, they really spoil you!
Have to agree. Flew London > Singapore on A380, bags of room in economy, (Rush was on the film list..) then Singapore > Brisbane on A330, again loads of room and the seat was pretty comfy. We flew to Melbourne for the GP on the new 737, really good interior and comfy seating, return from Sydney to Brisbane was an old 767, with ipads as video screens !
Right.. back to the F1 ! (Sorry Joe 🙂 )
Love this sentence, made me chuckle ! 😀
“I was seated next to an ample Malaysian lady and her body mass seemed not entirely under her control and kept leaking over (or under) the arm rest, and attacking me, which meant that I was pinned between her and the window”.
I do my best to amuse (and be positive!)
Just flew Gatwick to Sydney yesterday on Emirates on both 777 and A380, cattle class unfortunately. While I think they have slightly more leg room on A380 it still sucks particularly if you get someone who puts their seat all the way back as I did from Dubai to Sydney. Joe, I’ve lost all enthusiasm for air travel. I don’t know how you do it.
Boring race with a boring winner. The new podium ceremony is still garbage. I bet in 10 years from now you can produce a whole F1 weekend costing only a fraction of the real thing with CGI.
Why would you do that?
Imagine connecting your Sony Playstation to the internet during a live F1 race and have the ability to race your CGI F1 car against real drivers in a virtual setting.
To make your experience more intense wear a pair of Sony’s virtual reality headset ‘project morpheus’ for a total immersion, bodily present simulated environment.
Imagine connecting your Sony Playstation to the internet during a live F1 race and racing your CGI F1 car against the real drivers in a virtual setting.
For the total immersive experience you can wear a pair of Sony’s virtual reality headset ‘Project Morpheus’ bodily present, simulated environment.
Sorry Joe, accidentally posted this twice!
Everyone can be a hero in a virtual world…
I thought there was a sim somewhere that already allowed you to lap against ghost laps of a live race, cant remember which category it was though
You could do it now, just video capture a full length race on the latest F1 racing games! I doubt anybody would watch it though!
Why?
Why did Walt Disney produce an animated feature length Motion Picture in the 1930´s ? It had no real life stars for the public to identify with and did cost three times as much as doing it with real actors on sets. You would never get an autograph from a hand drawn Snowwhite or her supporting actors the seven dwarfs, would you, never be able to read gossip about anyone in the picture and nobody could win an award for best actress. It was a sure flop, a waste of time and money as nobody would want to see that, right ? And how did it start. With primitive 5 minute short movies mostly about humanized animals as a filler between the real thing and before you knew it there was a 90 minute version looking more appealing than the real thing could have ever been. Fast forward to the 1990´s and a bunch of toys made entirely with computer software revolutionize the cinema screens. Yes CGI is great to morph an actor with iron bars in “Terminator 2” for a few seconds or so but to sit through a full 90 minutes and watch soulless toys without any personality bore everyone to death in the theatre. No Chance, this concept has no future because it lacks the human touch that only hand drawn animation could accomplish, right.
The digitalization = virtualization of sports has already begun years ago with computer games and they are more interesting and generate more revenue than the the real thing now. Then advertising panels who arent really there and soon the empty seats in the grand stands will be filled with virtual spectators to make it look more lively for the TV viewer. So step by step it will go virtual and once it has swallowed the real thing there is no end to the possibilities. So instead of having rules to let Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari fight it out on a real race track, F1 Inc. can sell the the right to win to the highest bidder. Its no cheating anymore because its not real anyway. So lets say in 2055 F1 championship Starbucks outbids BMW, Starbucks will get the most favourable coverage and win with a digital chinese female driver followed by BMW. Female drivers might be the standard because they generate better PR and thats why F1 Inc. will charge twice as much for a virtual female driver. In reality of course the male drivers would be stronger and Starbucks doesnt build engines but this isnt based on reality anymore. So you see the possibilities for story lines, customer involvement and income generation are infinite and its all eco frendly to boot.
I know your arguments re F1 is here for engine development and stuff but its 2055 and apart from some oldfashioned romantics longing for the smell of motor oil and loud engine noise its no longer relevant because the typical F1 app subscriber couldnt care less about it all. He has not grown up with Fangio, Clark or Schumacher risking life and limb on sunday TV but with XBOX 8 Flatrate, Netflix Flatrate, WWE Flatrate… Everything 24/7/365 on demand. F1 is a digital media company first of all, when did it matter the last time if the corporate customers are car manufacturers or not related with the car industry at all. Why should it matter in a virtual F1 ?
And by the way digital drivers never ask for an earnings raise, they will never grow old, never get hurt, never say the wrong things, they can be brought back years after retirement and they can lead virtual lives on social media networks. And yes i know it sounds all pretty dreadful. LOL
That sounds so grim that if Bernie reads it, he will surely try to go that way! It’s gone too far for me already.
Are those actual thoughts or simulations?
I never really watch the podium interviews anymore so I can’t really comment, when I did they were a bit hit and miss depending on who was doing them. I did used to watch the more formal press conferences, but I found I generally get more from the press pen interviews (if thats the right term?).
It will be interesting to keep tabs on the attendance figures for races, although I’m sure if any circuit can’t make the numbers work anymore then there are plenty to step into the breach. I very much doubt the engine noise has anything to do with people attending or not, but then I’m very much of the opinion that people will get used to it and soon enough there will be something else to complain about!
Cumberbatch’s success notwithstanding, they should just get a proper interviewer or F1 journo.
No thankyou. “Proper interviewers” and F1 journos (w/ one exception that I can think of) are why FIA F1 press conferences are interminable!
Would be very interested to read your view on Ferrari Joe. They really do seem to be stuck in a rut. I wonder whether, given their current performance, they are considering if they are extracting maximum value out of the situation or if there is scope to extend the programme to another brand with fundamental historical and re-emerging ties to capitalise on the exposure where it would be useful, especially considering that V6 engines are now being used…
They are working to get out of the rut. The problem is that the standard in F1 is now so high that being great is not good enough…
Just got BBC player, and watched their version of the race broadcast. DC does an excellent job of knowing what to explain and who to ask questions. I’ll tell you right now, If NBCsports wants to get more eyeballs, they really REALLY have to up their game. It seems to make a big difference having the commentators actually commentating from the venue, instead of a studio now I think in LA. To give NBCsports credit, they did send Leigh, David, and Steve to Monaco last year.
On the topic of post race interviews, I can not remember when i last watch them. As a serious fan I now turn the tv off when the unprofessional interviews commence, return to a press room and well conducted questions please!
Regarding the crowd (lack thereof) at Sepang: I drove through KL twice in the days leading up to the race and saw not a single shred of advertising or even mention of the race. Even in Petronas (prime sponsor) filling stations I don’t recall seeing anything.
Hi Joe , ref the the Cattle class seating recline issue . I suggest that if flight is one where cabin staff offer to supply food and drink ? Ask the Flight Attendant to request the occupant of seat forward of you to please raise their seat back,as a courtesy to dining passenger behind them! The company I worked for, would often announce this request over the PA prior to serving meals. Also I would advise against Any tampering on seat , food tray ,or recline mechanism as the seat back is an essential part of a system to alleviate passenger injury In the event of a sudden deceleration. ie hard landing etc. Note some seats fwd of E Exits have restricted or locked out recline mechanism and some seats aft. of E/E have locked “break over” callout on blueprint. If a person wants to get arrested and famous then go ahead fool with the seats! Have a nice flight.
Investigate the said “Knee Defender” and how they are used and how ALL aircraft get set to land before you add a crazy “arrested” statement. They are legal ! just not too social as Joe says.
Not being impressed with modern F1 I made myself try one more time. So instead off a recorded version I watched live at a painful local time. Reactions:
Noise on TV. To me it is a non issue. In person probably an adjustment worth making.
Racing. Fuel and tire strategy are not apparent even to a knowledgable viewer and destroys the excitement of racing. Racing used to revolve around drivers skill more than engineering and software skill. Those are to difficult to market or get excited about during an event (I still do not call it racing).
Perhaps more strategy sharing by teams to the media and then to fans during events would make the show better. After all F1 has sold out to entertainment over historical bravery so why not focus on the gimmicks?
It’s funny you say the figures are down I was in a KL the week before the GP and had a talkative Malay Indian driver who used to do a lot of limo work for the teams for many years.
He said that much of the interest has past in Malaysia for the race by the locals it’s becoming old hat..
That opinion resonates with me from my experience in KL in the days leading up to the race and until yesterday (Wed 2 Apr). The race is small beer amongst the hoi polloi and, I think, amongst the heavy hitters.
BTW, as one of apparently many Australian residents who have come to the view that the product concocted by Messrs Walker and Ecclestone represents poor value, may I say the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend was not only cheaper (accommodation, food prices, air travel cost [for those not resident in Melbourne] and ticket prices) but Malaysia is, as ever, a most agreeable place to be so long as one can deal with the humidity.
Oh yes, the engine sound. First time I’d heard the new engines directly through my lug ‘oles…. it’s fine, people. It’s interesting, it’s ‘technical’ and it has sufficient volume unless sheer bloody minded volume is your only criterion.
When I read the press conference, I usually ignore the stock corporate answers at the top, and scroll down to the questions from the floor, where the questions are a bit more probing and the answers are a bit more spontaneous. Using Mr Cumberbatch was a worthless gimmick, but he was fine. Joe would be brilliant, but somehow I’m not holding my breath. Please, anyone but Eddie chuffing Jordan.
Joe; I noticed in your post that you were “working on stories for monthlies about Ayrton Senna, as the 20th anniversary of his death is now fast approaching”. Where will I be able to find the finished articles? (GP+ I imagine will be one?). Also, last year, I remember that you supplied a link on a response to a post which took us to 2 articles you had previously written on Senna, one of which was written at the end of the 1994 season, and the second, at the start of 1995. (I hope I’ve remembered correctly?). I regret not keeping a copy for personal reference as they were both superb. When (if!) you get time, could you supply the link again; I’d be grateful. Thanks. (I’m sure others would also find the pieces to be of value).
Learn Japanese or read GP+
As I’m nothing if not fair, I wanted to note my appreciation for your raising this observation and commenting on it.
Cumberbatch did the best job by far, for whatever reason, but probably having something to do with the fact that he’s a natural showman (being an actor), isn’t mind-controlled by countless incestuous years of life inside F1 (and so possesses at least the appearance of a fresh perspective), and is arguably more famous and more of a star than the grungy athletes he was interviewing.
Hopefully they won’t have any women like Suzi Perry asking questions in the future tho!