Comments on: It’s hard to dislike drivers once you’ve met them

By: Number 38

Number 38 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:35:27 +0000

I’ve met and chatted with Jackie Stewart, Derek Bell, Stirling Moss, John Surtess, Colin Chapman, Mario Andretti, all were superb even to a lowly serf like me, Bell and Andretti were particularly personalble but one name that EQUALED those greats and never made it big was Antonio Pizzonia!

By: Steven Roy

Steven Roy — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:50:14 +0000

“alan Says:

I would love to see him in the job as he has had the driving experience – where’s Max’s -”

Max did a bit of racing and made it as far as F2. His first F2 race was at Hockenheim in the race Jimmmy Clark got killed. Max’s family had been against him racing but he persuaded them that he knew what he was doing and wasn’t taking any stupid risks. After Clark died Max’s family asked him if Jimmy knew what he was doing and was he taking stupid risks. Even Max couldn’t lie that much so he had to give in and stop racing.

“Ollie Says:

And really, what can you achieve in four years? You need eight to have any kind of impact.”

I am sure Jackie could re-structure the FIA and put in proper procedures etc in 4 years. Besides 20 years ago people were asking him how long he could go on at the rate he did and he is still doing it. I have visions of someone sticking a microphone in front of a 120 year old JYS and asking him how long he can keep the pace up.

By: Ollie

Ollie — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:44:03 +0000

Jackie Stewart is 68 years old. Now while he is certainly in very good health, I’m not sure he would be able to commit to the job. The post of FIA president is now limited to two four-year terms, but even if the Scot did just one term, he would be nearing is mid-seventies a tthe end of the term (elections are in 2009). And really, what can you achieve in four years? You need eight to have any kind of impact. For the record, Mosley is one year younger than Stewart.

Jackie would have been great as the FIA president ten years ago, and the sport would have been better off for it. But I’m afraid I feel he is too old now; he relinquished his BRDC post after all.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:39:06 +0000

I met Fernando in Oviedo. He was very kind, had the chance to take photos with him and had a little chat. Can’t really understand why most of the people thinks he is rude, he is just shy, definitively a nice guy. So Vertigo, don’t understand your statement…

By: bob pearson

bob pearson — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:28:38 +0000

The old saying like father like son whilst I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Damon. I met his dad on three occasions at ford club ( defunct these many years) he was my hero and proved to be fantastic company, just the sort to have a night out with. I remember coming home at midnight and hearing a news flash that he had died in a plane crash I cried like I had lost one of my parents

By: Pink Peril

Pink Peril — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:08:11 +0000

Steven Roy Says: I wonder if this is Jackie starting to wind Max up to generate evidence for a court case and/or to provoke a coup.

*rubbing hands together with glee*

By: AmericanTifosi

AmericanTifosi — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:46:12 +0000

Damon Hill for president! You guys are so lucky. I’ve never even been to a race.

By: Pink Peril

Pink Peril — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:45:36 +0000

Owing to some shameless groupie behaviour (and a lot of persistance) Mr Pink & I managed to get all 22 drivers autographs at the Melbourne GP last year, as well as a few other big names such as Sir Jackie, Sir Stirling & Sir Jack Brabham.

Some drivers we managed to have a chat to, others just signed & ran – although to be fair they were under seige to sign as many autographs as possible.

I would have to say that I thought that Sato, Ralf Schumacher, Button, Hamilton, Vettel, Rosberg & Webber were the nicest drivers – all gave plenty of time to the fans and acted as though it was a pleasure to be signing autographs. They also managed a joke & a laugh and Ralf even gave someone his hat. Others gave the impression they were doing only because they had to (I won’t name any names ).

I had previously met Alonso back in 2005 & thought he was really nice then – this time he didn’t seem as friendly. Although he was probably under a lot less pressure back then ! Conversley, I had met Sir Jackie back in about 1996 in a non race related setting and was not very impressed. I liked him much more the second time around – but then whose to say I didn’t just catch him on a bad day initially?

In regards to replacing Max (God, will we ever see that day – fingers crossed) I think either Damon Hill or Alex Wurz would be great candidates. I also like the idea of Sir Jackie, but he is getting on a bit and I couldn’t blame him if he wasn’t prepared for that sort of commitment.

By: milos

milos — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:28:04 +0000

I was lucky to meet quite a few of them. Kimi, Hamilton, Massa, Rosberg, Michael Schumacher, Button, Barrichello, Vettel, Liuzzi, Kovalainen, Davidson, Wurz

Kimi is definitelly a guy you want to meet when he is at his best casual self. Sharing a bottle of vodka with that guy will remain the highlight of my F1 experiences forever

hamilton is a good DJ …

By: alan

alan — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:06:27 +0000

Unfortunately i haven’t met any current F1 drivers – but as far as Jackie for president – has a familiar ring too it?? – 10 years or so ago would have been a good time for him to give his best to the job – but as for Damon – definetly a good candidate – but is that just from a british perspective? – Iwould love to see him in the job as he has had the driving experience – where’s Max’s – apart from driving us round the bend? – also Damon has a good idea on both organisational the drivers sides