Comments on: Video: Kimi Raikkonen hits Adrian Sutil and denies Force India a points finish

By: Alianora La Canta

Alianora La Canta — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:41:50 +0000

pSy, the “commentator’s curse” thing dates back at least as far as Murray Walker. Often he would talk at considerable length about how well a certain driver was doing in a race (most often Herbert, but pretty much everyone except Michael Schumacher was at risk if Murray latched on to them). Since then, whenever a driver is talked about positively at length and then has some disaster befall them, the matter has jokily been attributed to “commentator’s curse”. Of course in reality there is no recorded instance of any driver having actually been taken out by a commentator’s words, but this has not stopped drivers from asking commentators not to discuss them during races if they’re doing well.

I don’t think James will try it for Lewis’ benefit because he’s too obsessed with talking about Lewis himself, and in any case Lewis is following in Michael Schumacher’s wheeltracks in the sense of being completely immune to the “curse”.

By: Rory

Rory — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:09:26 +0000

The way Raikkonen went into the crash reminded me of Coulthard’s crash in qualifying. He brakes and the rear gets out of shape and Sutil had no chance….

By: DG

DG — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:45:35 +0000

the limit – I see the video and wonder if Kimi kept it out of the armco by hitting Sutil, unlike DC who only broke one car!
I agree its good of Kimi to apologise, the nice man he is, but how long after the incident? And who prompted him?
And even if the Stewards (ie Old Charlie) had decided on a penalty, it would have been to Sutil for being in the way.
Yes, i am biased on this, and would much prefer to see better driving – even by World Champions!

By: Pink Peril

Pink Peril — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:45:38 +0000

Actually pSy, I was relating an observation that I’d had at the time – and for your information the telecast I was watching was delayed so the incident had already occured way before I had commented on it.

So no, of course I don’t beleive my observation in any way affected the race outcome – I was just relating a funny story. Which, correct me if I am wrong, is what a blog is for? Opinions and observations? And humour.

And as regards to the comments about the curse, well that has oft been discussed on this blog and others I frequent – so perhaps if you dropped in a bit more regularly you would know which context I was using. If it makes you feel better though, you can go on thinking that I really do beleive I ‘have the power’ to influence race results.

Now, how can I rig it so James Allen manages to curse avery driver except Alonso?

By: theRoswellite

theRoswellite — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:03:30 +0000

Well, that was it wasn’t it! Not a procession, but a three ring circus; wet and dry, failed pit strategy and the luck of the Safety Car.

Sutil raised my hopes like they haven’t been since D. Hill led the Hungaroring, ’97, in an Arrows…..same outcome! Fate steps out of the shadows and whacks us all upside the head. At least Sutil doesn’t have to live with losing it into the armco on the last lap, or having his result taken away for the yellow flag infringement.

Aforementioned Fate shouldn’t be cursed too loudly, she (sorry for a non-gender neutral word choice) doesn’t only show up when we are all under a rainy cloud without an umbrella. I saw her at Australia last year, standing in the bright sun shine, watching Coulthard’s Red Bull pass centimeters from Wurz’s head; and we all know she was at Montreal with Robert. So, you won’t hear me complain too loudly about the slings and arrows of…………well, you know.

By: pSy

pSy — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:02:47 +0000

What’s all this nonsense about ‘a curse’ and the like. I seriously hope you are joking?
So in future for example if Lewis isn’t leading, all Allen/Brundle have to do is say that whoever is ahead is definitely going to win easily. Hey presto, they have a problem and Lewis goes on to win…
Strange way you world works.

Consider then the possibility that the commentators are simply voicing a concern that many viewers/spectators are likely to also be thinking. Such as “Oooh, I hope Kimi doesn’t crash into Sutil!”, I know I was. This then actually happens! Was that me thinking it that made it happen or James Allen spouting his usual bllox. Maybe all of us willed the event into existence!

Ooooh, spoooky…

By: Alianora La Canta

Alianora La Canta — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:01:11 +0000

Keith, I hadn’t thought of that – for some reason I’d assumed that Massa would have been further ahead due to a Ferrari being naturally faster than a Force India, but what exactly was Raikkonen driving?

By: Sush

Sush — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:07:00 +0000

the Limit, i think the reason i don’t see eye to eye with you is because you actually make me rethink my own opinion.

and i’m stubborn, but i enjoy your comments the most

ctm, i hope your right, either that or force india give him a faster car.

anyone remember last year at Spa?, Sutil bringing his Spyker up to fight with Ralf in his much faster toyota?

By: ctm

ctm — Mon, 26 May 2008 08:09:51 +0000

I think Sutil’s performance has been watched closely by other teams. As allways, rain is an equalizer when it comes to machinery. A drivers skill will shine through. So, how long before rumors that Sutil will replace Piquet?

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Mon, 26 May 2008 07:48:55 +0000

Alianora, to take your hypothesis one step further, if Sutil had been penalised then when Raikkonen lost his car he would have crashed into… Felipe Massa!