Today is another sad day for France (and for the world), and it pains me to see how many people are reacting with hatred on social media. To defeat terrorism one must first understand it and then address the problem, in an appropriate way. Voting for extremists and retaliation is absolutely not the answer. Revenge begets revenge, and the problem then goes on for generations.
Alas, I feel we are in one of those dangerous phases when the world becomes more extreme. History never repeats itself, but the patterns do and I think it is important to say it. Some point out that I’m just a Formula 1 journalist and that my opinions on anything else don’t matter. Does this mean that butchers can talk only of meat? Or paper-pushers should care only about red tape? No, we all have a right to an opinion, whether it is stupid or not. In theory, we elect intelligent people to make sure the right decisions are made. Often we are disappointed, as I am currently over the Brexit disaster.
Ironically, today, the head of the regional council of Nice, the former mayor of the city, Christian Estrosi, is playing a lead role following the attack. He used to be a racing driver, competing in a Mike Rowe Racing Ralt in the European Formula 3 Championship against the likes of Gerhard Berger, Johnny Dumfries, Davy Jones, Adrian Campos and other well known names in the sport. I knew him and wrote about him. He wasn’t a good enough racer, but then he went into politics and has held roles as important as France’s minister of industry.
Against a background like Nice last night, the world of motor racing may seem frivolous, but the sport is just as powerful a weapon as a truck or a gun. How? Because the fact that racing goes on is important. It is a middle finger to terrorism, telling them to go screw themselves and that we will not give in to their disgusting tactics. The best response to terrorists is normal life.
Thus, on we should go with the our silly rumours and quibbling over rules or whatever… And if we can bring some happiness to the world, then good. Let’s do it!
joeblogsf1 
Can we do something about safety car starts please?! I.e. not have them.
I agree with you. Sadly, there is a bit of a Nanny State problem at the FIA at the moment. They seem to be terrified about liability.
Wholeheartedly agree with this statement. The FIA ought to take a leaf out of the FIM’s stance on liability (and grow a pair).
Can’t think why…
Joe, I kept thinking the same thing when people criticized Rosberg in Austria. As DSJ used to put it, if your car still moves… Go! People like Tazio Nuvolari and Gilles Vlleneuve are revered because they never, ever gave up, even as their car was falling apart (EX: Villeneuve, Zandvoort 1979 and Montreal 1981).
With Bianchi’s family trying to sue them (even though I think it is a bad idea), I’m not surprised.
Joe, do you think once the FIA will be whitewashed from the Bianchi accident, they will allow proper racing in wet conditions again? I think Senna and Schumacher would really hate the current rules.
I don’t think anyone was to blame in the Bianchi accident
Thank you, I wholeheartedly agree. As for Todt, he was a good Ferrari president, but that doesn’t automatically mean he is a good FIA president.
There were a string of organiser errors plus Bianchi was not able to respond to a waved yellow so on balance I agree with you.
This is simply not factual
That’s not true Jules, bless his soul did not slow down after been shown double yellow flags .. Extreme caution !
Isn’t it the case that the main problem is that the cars and tyres cannot work in heavy rain now, nor even in a fair bit wet! You have to go back probably 15 years or more to a time when the chassis/wet tyre combination was good enough to be able to run in properly wet weather.These days a Senna start like Donington, nor even Senna’s first win, or Schuey’s Spanish win in ’96?…would not be possible, and yet it is those exhibitions of superb adverse weather driving that really sort the greats from the just very good ones….Hamilton at Silverstone 2008? If the cars are shut down for such conditions, then it begins to cast doubt on F1 being the top of the Sport. Cars/tyres need to be tuned to all conditions thrown at them.
Part of the problem is the Pirelli wet tyres, the displace about a 3rd less water than the old Bridgestone wets, which is shocking considering how long ago that was.
I’ll try and find the links to the Tech data later to back this up
Yes, the safety car start at Silverstone was a joke. When it was announced I assumed it was just a procedural thing, a way of making sure that everyone started the race on full wets, and that nobody was going to be silly enough to try inters. I remember thinking “Oh for goodness sake, can’t we have a new rule that the Race Director can insist on full wets, without having to pull a Safety Car to do it?”
So, imagine my surprise when the Safety Car not only didn’t peel in after the first lap, nor even the third or so when it definitely seemed dry enough…
As has been said, it seems the Bianchi accident has left them terrified to do anything else. How long before it becomes like America, where they simply don’t race if it’s wet?
Wise words Joe and you absolutely have the right to say what you like about yesterday’s awful events.
So much of the news these days, and populist reaction to it, reinforces what separates us as people/nationalities/faiths rather than what unites us, it’s such a shame.
We will be leaving for our summer holidays on Saturday and will be in the region of Nice although we were not planning to visit, now my wife has insisted we go there, have dinner on the sea front and show we are not scared and we stand with the people of that lovely city.
Dear Glyn,
Please present my respectful and grateful admiration to your wife. This is exactly the kind of response that is needed.
Funny, the people who make the loudest noise over who can and can’t have opinions are seldom experts themselves. They’re just annoyed you don’t agree with them. One of the positives of the internet is I can follow your blog and get a taste of what is going on in the sport I love from a true insider. A couple of the negatives are that it rewards the shouters and allows people to surround themselves exclusively with opinions that echo their own. Few people challenge their beliefs.
And it’s your space, anyway. You can say what you like. 🙂
“the fact that racing goes on is important. It is a middle finger to terrorism, telling them to go screw themselves and that we will not give in to their disgusting tactics. The best response to terrorists is normal life.” << Well said.
We went to our local Bastille Day fireworks last night and mentioned how great it was to attend an event like that with virtually zero Police presence. Everyone was just happy and in party mood. I guess that might change for next year.
We also had our regional city as a finish to Stage 4 of Le Tour. We were quite surprised at the seemingly heavily armed Police presence, the security messages, and how we routinely kept checking the waste bin nearby.
But I wholly agree with Joe, the day we stop attending such events is the day we lose our liberty.
I think you are more than a F1 reporter and have a far great grasp on history than many people and I still want to read what you said about the CIA in the south pacific region I think it was?
Personally I don’t like the word terrorism used in these instances. They should be called arseholes. I would use a stronger word and being an Aussie I know a few, but this is a pg type blog.
I do need a laugh though as I’m sure many others do, so I think I will watch one of the greatest movies about the French RivierArea, Morecambe and Wise’s The Riviera touch.
Cheers
As ” just a Formula 1 journalist” I think that you have a better view of the world than most people do, certainly better than many politicians.
Meeting people from different backgrounds and beliefs can only expand one’s horizons.
( Assuming, of course that you’re prepared to have those horizons expanded in the first place.)
The French are an example for all. After another horrific attack they have got up and gone on with their lives.
Vive la France
You’re a good man Joe.
Sadly, I have but two middle fingers to give to these terrorists.
Joe, I heard a rumour that Saraha Force India were going to renamed ‘Jailed Bankrupt Silverstone’ given the problems of their respective pair of owners and their current locales.
I heard a rumour that Kimi Rikkannon is being replaced by a emotionless robot fuel by ice-cream … wait, that’s just Kimi, isn’t it?
I heard a rumour that Williams, so impressed by the aerodynamics and wet weather performance of the Silverstone Wing, are planning to use it as a model for their 2017. Charlie is looking into it.
I heard a rumour that Button was going to Williams, Williams moving to Grove, Grove MP leaving Parliament, and the newly reformed Parliament playing the gig at the Singapore race.
And lastly, I heard a rumour that, to make more money, Formula E is re-branding as High Impact Formula Excellent Electricity. Given the increase of 4000% in joining costs, owners have noted the acronym is very appropriate.
Did any of those hit the silly spot?
They are all very silly
Joe, I agree with everything you said. This French president is no good. He says he will continue to wage wars in Syria and Iraq, meaning the killing will go on. He’s a failure. He learned nothing from the recent events in Paris. And he spends €10.000,- per month on his coiffeur. Taxpayer’s money wasted. That alone should be reason enough for him to resign immediately.
Agreed.
Joe – Your opinions are NOT stupid and they DO matter. Many of us are standing right there with you flipping the bird of freedom at terrorism. Penelope (Wycombe Abbey) and I are off Sunday to Argentina to go skiing as our gesture.
Be well my friend and keep doing what you are doing. I’d be lost without my daily Joe fix.
Your observation that a (historical) pattern of extremism is re-occurring is sad, but very true. But, as you say, we must go on with our normal lives (which is exactly what these terrorists do not want us to do).
Bravo, fully agree with your penultimate paragraph and for the need to better understand why someone would perpetrate such crimes.
Thank you, Joe. I am extremely concerned about the resurgence of the Trumps, LePens and Farages of the world in response to the troubles in the Islamic world.
Another reasonable voice is always welcome … necessary …
Spot on. What these lunatics really want is to start an all out war. To provoke the followers of Trump or Le Pen to snap and burn down a Mosque or steam in and attack the ‘Brothers’ at prayer. In turn the more moderate Muslims are incensed and retaliate and before we know it the powder keg is lit and an unstoppable escalation is underway. Calm heads are required on all sides right now. The last thing we need are idiotic so-called politicians stirring the pot and winding up the more suggestible elements in society. There is a fine line between civilisation and chaos at the best of times. Right now that line seems terribly thin.
History repeats itself when good men with platforms do not speak out.
You’re a good man with a platform, so thank you for speaking out.
Since you make no mention of this “appropriate way to address the problem”, let me present to you and your readers how to deal with this calamity:
First, don’t allow any immigrants into the country who are Muslim. The immigration officials can make this determination by rummaging through their luggage.
Second, deport all Muslims who have radical leanings. This will be determined by intelligence agencies.
Third, wage war and completely eradicate any filament of ISIS, Al Qaeda and all other radical Muslim groups. They must be defeated in a humiliating fashion to prevent further recruitment.
Only when the politicians carry out these three actions can we have faith in them and get on with normal life.
You don’t get the concept.
How about a fourth action: don’t waste time with unnecessary things like Brexit but improve the the intelligent service abilities to work together and share information in an attempt to prevent attacks like this one.
I just heard Boris Johnson on Radio 4, giving his official public response to the attempted coup in Turkey. I wish I’d counted how many times he said ‘umm’.
And, try as I might, I just couldn’t help myself; the whole time I was just waiting for the punchline. Does anyone else find it literally impossible to take him seriously even when they try?
Oh dear.
Hello Donald.
@CNSZU – I hope you’re a troll. If not, you’re going to need some bricks and mortar to build that wall (Mr Trump should have some going spare soon). Inclusion, tolerance and discussion is the only way that this will ever end (when there is no us and them).
Go try to be included in their group, see how that flies. The tolerance you offer may not be reciprocated, ever think of that? It’s nice to espouse idyllic viewpoints if it were only that simple. You may actually want to start with education, period. There is a real primitive mentality currently at work here, a century from now hopefully a decent percentage of these populations, that currently blindy follow their religious leaders and simply hate the sinning westerner for existing, get educated and individuals can think for themselves and start appreciating and reciprocating tolerance and stop being rallied by frankly, these shit disturbers.
There is a religious war brewing as witnessed by the ongoing assault against western culture. Social services and benefit cheque cashing strangely in host countries are not objected to however, odd how that is. Good to see that humanity has something in common.
In my view it’s high time for these so called peace loving religions to vociferously and highly visibly come out and criticize repeatedly this apparent minority of extremists. They!! need to be the loudest voice publicly ostracizing this group or there is an implication of tacit approval. In the mean time the rest of us can stop running to their defence, it’s high time for them to step up and it’s their turn. These attacks are happening far too frequently with no consequences to anyone but the unfortunate souls and the relatives involved. We have the luxury of debating while they live the nightmare and face their decimated lives.
At some point if they don’t police their own the law of the universe will provide them natural consequences – retaliation. Probably better if you fellas take care of it, tolerance is not infinite as can be witnessed with an element of western society tired of being used for target practice, and all too ready to start punitive measures. What’s that I hear crickets?
You don’t understand my post. I’m not saying tolerance is the answer. I’m saying we need to know why things are happening. It’s very different. A little more thought and less trigger-happy behaviour would be very useful, sadly the world is filled with dumb people with urges to be violent.
Or maybe just stop stealing from those countries and stop interfering? Yes, oil from libya is nice, but it came with a price… Why is france target of these terrorists attacks? All attacks have a purpose, whatis the purpose here?
Just checked in for my flight to Nice and a week in the Verdon Gorge region. Not letting this stop me. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends on those involved,
Heartily recommend Auberge du Teillon at La Garde, just near the road into the Gorges. Once had ravioli du fois gras there – sensational.
Excellent thanks. I have worked a bit at Cadarache (St Paul Les Durance) bu have never made it up to the Verdon. I know there are some really nice restaurants in that area.
Well said Joe!
Well said, Joe. Fully agree. Good to say hi at Silverstone last Friday evening – had a good catch-up with DT and must have more of a chat with you next time too.
What makes me read this blog is not just your knowledge and commitment to F1 and car racing. It is also your ability to place both in the larger context of the world at large. This is a rare ability that requires being able to take the blinders off and see the larger picture and saying screw it my interest is larger than a single thing, and also the ability to see that any activity can be used to explain life as a whole if one knows enough to do so.
The only way to stop hatred is with love & understanding….yes very hippie like but it is the truth….I am afraid we are all played out against each other by some of the powers that be. As more and more power/money is concentrated with a very small group of people who would do anything to retain that. Having people hate each other is a nice distraction….
Agreed Maarten.
Maarten. That is a very nice thought, but unfortunately it won’t work. Some individuals are just not friendly. It is not a case of just sit them down and talk it out. If it was that simple there would be no conflicts all around the Globe. However while it is not always Al Quaeda now, IS and Boko Haram and many other Islamist terror groups are spread throughout the World. It is simply not the case that America and the West is purely responsible for these groups ( apart from Al Quaeda ) and they would kill Westerners, Asiatics, Muslims, Jews,Christians etc etc….it makes no difference who you are or what colour your skin, what religion you may have, what age or which sex you are, none of that matters to those who are conducting these regular bloodbaths.
Being nice to them won’t wash. Trying to understand them isn’t possible, unless you have a very warped view of the World and Humanity.
They can only be dealt with on the ground, by professional soldiers and that is how to grind them down until they cease to be any tangible threat to World society. Only when Governments accept their responsibility to provide protection for their Citizens as being their Prime objective,and react accordingly, will this type of insane activity begin to cease. Alongside actually dealing with the Terror groups at source, we will all have to accept certain limitations and restrictions on our travels and also that there will have to be a lower tolerance of free speech being abused by some people.
Destruction like in Nice, should be met by swift and major counter attack. To tell Citizens that they will just have to get used to living with terrorism and accept their fate, is totally unacceptable and a complete abrogation of Governmental responsibility.
Very well put Damian, a sobering reality We may be forced into. If we had the luxury of a couple of centuries where education would drive a wedge between the radical religous leaders and the lemmings, there may be a realization that continuously poking a bear with a stick is not a good idea, and that UNIVERSAL tolerance in society should be reciprocal. We don’t have that luxury nor should we have to sit by and allow constant collateral damage. The concept of not taking the bait and taking the high road peacefully has it’s merits as there is a two fold issue, the need to reduce these attacks in the near term (force – fear of our reprisal) and cutting off the motivation of a future supply of gullible crack pots devoid of independent thought and discouraging them from carrying them out (reason – teach them tolerance) There is no simple solution, there has to be a combination of both approaches, otherwise we will end up with a police state and ultimately losing our way of life and liberty.
Fair point!
Perhaps the best way to convert these folk is to send them for an all expenses paid trip to Las Vegas.
Only problem is that history bears out that the majority of hippies that didn’t sell out are facing retirement broke and their views are ignored in our material society. The vast majority that became over consuming yuppies have probably ironically done more damage to the planet environmentally as well as benefiting financially from short sighted predatory exploitive foreign policy during their watch. Thank’s guys, anymore tips?
I have no idea what you are talking about
Dear Joe, thank you once again for your courage to speak up about the latest jihadist massacre in your adopted home country. You decency of spirit shines through as always.
But you are wrong about terrorism, because terrorism is not the enemy. The enemy is the cult of Sharia, and Muslim jihad, and the violent fanatics who subscribe to it.
We *already* understand the murdering Islamic fanatics. Their violent fanaticism is not caused by us at all. They teach themselves to hate all infidels, and that all the world must be conquered by the sword. Anyone who says different than this, is a liar.
The jihadists have always hated us infidels, they hate us today, and they are never going to stop hating us. They hate our culture, and our values – to the core. They have declared this openly, time and time again. How many thousands of years does it take for us to accept this simple fact of their religious cult of violence?
If we are not willing to kill them (and I completely understand that feeling), then we have no honorable choice but to deport them back to their savage lands and keep them there. That is the civilized, non-retaliatory minimum action that common sense and decency toward our own families and fellow citizens requires. Nothing less.
No “hate” need be involved, but simply love of our own and a willingness to protect and defend our families and our culture. Anyone who gins up fake outrage against such non-violent defensive action is a disloyal coward and a hypocrite. They are our real haters.
Let the Sharia-psychos murder and pillage amongst themselves. Let them eat their damned oil, if they like. And leave our Western civilization completely alone. Anything less is surrender to the jihad. And everyone reading these words knows it.
P.S Brexit was never a disaster. Of course, people are a bit nervous when major change is pending. But England will emerge stronger, safer, and much healthier as a result, assuming the sensible wishes of the people are not sabotaged by the amoral globalist bankster elites.
And hey, really looking forward to Hungary, and hoping that Ferrari can finally get their gearbox sorted out and give the Mercedes team a close run for their money!!
We disagree
History isn’t your strong point, is it?
Do you have a degree in history? BA Hons. I do.
I was replying to “Edward”, the poster above, and his misguided, but depressingly commonplace, views on the nature of Islam. I agree with you pretty much wholeheartedly regarding this (and Britain leaving the EU).
I know you have a degree in history, and yes, I do too.
Sorry. As you may know I don’t get messages in threads….
Edward is moderate, but his post is the Little England vote in a nutshell.
The Guardian recently published a fascinating – and touching – interview with the French philosopher Bernard-Henry Lévy. This is an extract:
“I belong to the French who would not be alive without Churchill,” he says. “I would not have been born without the greatness of this country.”
The outcome of the Brexit vote, not surprisingly, upset him. “For me, all my life, England has been really an example, a model. In dark times, this country has so often had the good reflex. I never saw in my lifetime, and I don’t find in my memory, a circumstance in which this country has gone through such a disaster with open eyes and such a popular fervour, left and right united in the same dishonour, nobody wanting to take the responsibility of going out. This is incredible. What’s sad is that England has added a little chapter to the history of the shameful comedy of bad politics.”
The referendum, he says, should never have been called. “A referendum is really the last option. It should not be a regular form of government. There is a great mistake in taking the option of referendum for personal reasons, for domestic reasons, in order to improve a career and so on. And when the destiny of a country is at stake, the destiny of a continent, it’s such a risk to play that with a tiny majority.
“You ask the people for a reply to a question. But democracy is not only a reply to a question. Democracy is first to shape the question, number two to reply, and number three to adapt to the reply with some laws and decrees and so on. Democracy means all three: to raise, to reply and to apply. A referendum is only number two, without the raising of the question and the application. So, even in the most traditional terms of political philosophy, you cannot say that a referendum is the embodiment of democracy. Not: ‘Are you for Europe or not for Europe?’ A question in democratic terms is something more sophisticated. Which can be the product of the will of the people, but not like this” – he snaps his fingers – “on one Thursday.”
And will the consequence of the British withdrawal be to solidify Europe, or to atomise it? “I don’t know. First of all, it is atomising the United Kingdom. Mr Cameron, Mr Boris Johnson and Mr Farage made a big achievement – they took the risk of destroying a great 60-year-old institution, and the many-centuries-old political whole that is the United Kingdom. This is the situation.”
Voilà.
If anyone is interested, there’s more at theguardian.com
Daesh are very quick to claim that every second Nutter with a Grudge is one of their “soldiers” but I doubt they have an accurate membership database.
Joe, surely normal life is what will get us going but don’t you think that, while we cannot prevent anything like this from happening, the current extremist feeling in the air around the world have a very concrete cause? Do you think this happens by chance? I mean, after all, maybe we COULD prevent things like this if we led easy, happy and less intrusive lives over people we don’t know nothing about. I think it is a bit convenient for the West to neglect its own behavior concerning these matters.
There will always be people willing to do what these murderers do in the name of something out of this world or whatever but something doesn’t feel right to me, at least for the last 15 years something is quite off.
To prevent we must understand
+ one million.
Well said Joe.
My best wishes to the injured, my sorrow to friends and families of the dead.
The “state of emergency” declared by the French government 18 months ago made no difference to a terrorist in Nice. People in Nice of all backgrounds gave compassion and aid to those injured and dying following the attack; that’s the sort of thing that matters.
The IRA planted bombs on mainland Britain over three decades but there was no “state of emergency”. Rubbish bins were removed from train platforms and city centres, simply creating litter problems because terrorists planted the bomb somewhere else. The IRA almost blew up the Prime Minister in Brighton but the Conservative Party conference continued the next day.
Red alerts and states of emergency are meaningless tags.
May I add my own compliments to the growing band of firm adherants
to the Joe Saward – Survival of Reasonable People Party.
Many of these latest posts are just brilliant.
We look at these malajusted monsters who really believe killing innocent
people will solve anything, and then we turn away and get on with the
business of living in harmony with other good people on this staggeringly beautiful planet.
Yes, lets fall out over who is the best F1 driver, the best F1 team, the
best F1 track…etcetera, etcetera and in our minds remember the absolutely
terrific roars of the F1 crowds at Silverstone and other great races.
We shall not be moved.
1 It puzzles me you questioning yourself about your right to have an opinion whatever it is, just because someone told you to stick with f1 on the Brexit post. Didn’t you ever hear that donkey voices don’t reach heaven?
2 Wise words. Terrorism just don’t spring out of nothing, it has a pletora of causes for it’s existence and if you don’t fight the causes, you surely and infortunatly feel it’s barbarian effects.
3 Last but not least. It wouldnt be their victory because they didn’t hamper our freedom of speach but media, specially television because of the level of audience they reach, should give the news, give updates if necessary and leave the subject like what some do about arsonists, not showing the flames so that they don’t get excited, and creating true reality shows, trying to as high sa they can in thr ratings.
Astute words as usual Joe. Walk into any F1 garage and you’ll see Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Anglicans, Protestants, and atheists all wearing the same uniform, working together toward a common goal – speed & engineering excellence. It’s inspiring.
But of course lurking around in the shadows you’ll find an occasional outlier (Bernie, Todt, Donald Mackenzie) who works only on his own agenda…..
Again, a sad and horrible event is carried out on your adopted homeland, by someone who has a mindset that I and any normal person, cannot fathom. The tragedy though continues for those left behind, and the others who are seriously ill in hospitals around Nice now.
I’ve driven down that road before, and it is such a pleasant place to be in Summer, I guess the fact that families and others were having such a nice, fun time also increases the pain and anger after these terrible activities.
For me, seeing a child’s sandal on the road, in one of the few photos i’ve seen of the attack, has left me profoundly upset and saddened that people feel it acceptable, and even helpful, to whatever cause they proclaim, that they cannot connect with the carnage they leave behind.
We do have to carry on, we do have to be evermore vigilant, and we have to hope our Government Agencies redouble their efforts to keep on top of Terrorism. My sympathies to your Wife too, and I hope that she did not have any relatives or friends involved in this massacre.
A few weeks ago I tried to start a rumour that the next release of Euro Truck Simulator 2 would check a user’s IP address and forbid BRITONS from using ferries and the Channel Tunnel, but the moderators of the forum thought it was too silly and pulled the post, the rotters.
A very insightful commentary, Joe. However it could be more inclusive to reference all sports. We survived the European football, and The Tour de France continues. Motor racing continues. North American ‘football’ and baseball go on, along with golf and tennis. And if spectator sports can bring some happiness to the world, then good. Let’s do it!
By all means… This outlook should be more widely circulated.. Thanks, Joe
Here Here Joe !
Here Here !
100% in agreement .
These sad dicks who do things in the name of religion are the lowest former of bacteria !!
I apologise to any good bacteria that maybe offended (for example gut bacteria). Even Ebola is a lot safer than these extreme religious terrorists.
RIP those who were lost in Nice .
First: This is your blog and (in my view) you can write about any topic you like!
Second: I find your writing is intelligent and I believe you put a lot of critical thought into what you publish. I actually enjoy your non-racing pieces very much – please don’t stop. Very rarely, I have found my personal opinion differs from yours, but I respect your opinion none-the-less.
Finally, I agree wholeheartedly with what you wrote today. What happened in Nice is a great tragedy. We must not let our fear turn to hate, and we must continue to live life.
You’re not just my favourite F1 writer, you’re one of favourite writers full stop
So sad that France has again experienced an atrocity. Haven’t the French suffered enough over the last 18 months?
They are the easy target.
Agree.
Genuine question though – had this occurred on the Thursday night before the Monaco GP, what do you think would have happened? Would the race have been cancelled or continued? Do you think the FIA would have been overly worried about the perception that the sport was somehow insensitive (millionaire speeding about hours after a tragedy a few miles away etc) in these politically correct times?
In the days of Mosley the race would have gone ahead.
We are not scared.
We will not give up.
We will not change our lifestyles.
Religions must return to mosques/churches/temples/synagogues and private homes.
Agreed
A crazy rumour claims Erdogan is on his way to Germany fleeing his county. It is not known whether he will meet Böhmermann to discuss his piece of poetry, though.
On the subject of F1 and world events, with all the shenanigans currently underway in Turkey, including the closure of airports and roads leaving the country I wonder whether there will be any issues with Pirelli supplying rubber for the upcoming races, since their F1 tyres are manufactured there.
Good point
Great screen name. Best looking car ever.
OK – agree, Joe! Budapest next for me, too!
Is Rio Haryanto the only muslim driver on the grid? Hope he marks a strong position…
The terrorists have a very long term objective, and will keep throwing the unbalanced into their criminal activities for many years to come. The out-cry from the rest of the world had an unfortunate hollow ring. M. Hollande has completely underestimated how France, and France more than any other EU country, is being targeted by insane international criminality.
Perhaps we should start by calling acts of criminality just that, and strip it of the ‘political struggle’ / ‘religious struggle’ dimension those who commit crimes claim. Above all we shall continue with our lawful way of life, where ever we live.
International motor sport does more than most to cut across different countries and cultures to present a unified joy of sport.
@Andrew Marsh
The label doesn’t much matter to the suicide bomber – they don’t care whether you think them criminals, terrorists or whatever you like. If your goal is to influence the potential suicide bomber into taking a different path then you need to understand what motivates them and challenge it in a way that doesn’t insult or ridicule.
Tour de France riders and officials held a very dignified one minute’s silence on the arrival podium yesterday, top three quietly put their flowers on the podium steps as a gesture of respect. The organisers had debated long into the previous night as to whether to continue, thankfully decided it was the right thing to do, after a minute’s silence also at the start.
Damn….Cannot disagree with a single word of that sentiment; well put.
I’m just too young to remember the Anarchists of the Belle Epoch, a similarly nihilistic approach, ( and reactionary backlash,) but, thankfully, fewer resources.
Good luck with healing this terrible wound to all the good people of and visitors to Nice.
This is what an Australian Muslim said after the 2015 Paris attack , well said .
@atef girgis, Excellent post. I applaud his courage for standing up and speaking out, he needs to be joined by a vast chorus of prominent Muslims worldwide delivering the same message in highly visible prime time broadcasts. Given recent history, this is a very dangerous group to criticize, so many voices rather than one would reduce his visibility. The message he is delivering by calling this group and radicals out is helpful in eroding their support. When enough of ones own community demonstrates disapproval it is bound to have a positive effect on marginalizing the primitives.
Great post Jo!
Your last paragrah rings very true. I was at the Lausitzring when 9/11 happened and mang were saying that the race should not go ahead there but this always eemed to be the wrong response to me. Instead, carry on and show the terrorists their efforts are having little effect.
Has Formula 1 had a narrow escape from whatever is happening in Turkey because they couldn’t afford to pay the race fees?
How about the driver line-up for WIlliams in 2017? Bottas-Wehrlein? Button-Wehrlein? Button-Bottas?