McLaren want more openness in F1 – they should start with their own pit wall
2nd July 2008, 13:55 by Keith Collantine 36 Comments »
Martin Whitmarsh been banging the drum for more open communication between F1 and its fans:
I think for us to maintain and develop our fanbase we have to make better use of Formula One as an asset. Those of us that are involved in it have not yet done a good enough job to provide the fanbase with the information and insight to the complexities of our sport.
I certainly agree with the sentiment but the fact is McLaren along with Ferrari are one of the teams that are most guilty of putting up barriers between themselves and F1 fans – by not allowing their radio communications to be broadcast.
Mark Webber mentioned last month the reason radio broadcasts are only available from some teams is because some teams refuse to allow their communications to be used. Max Mosley has said the same.
McLaren are one of the teams that encrypt their broadcasts. As I mentioned in my F1 Pitlane column today, this caused them all kinds of problems at the Hungaroring last year.
Whitmarsh went on to say:
We have to overcome some of the delight that the technicians have in this secrecy. Inevitably we are right to try to retain some of this, but we are in the entertainment business and we have to credit our fanbase that they are interested.
I think what F1 has to get better at is providing the proportion of the fanbase that wants it with that extra data and information. Year by year you have to try to create more interest, and the more insight they have, the more they are intrigued, and the more they’re likely to come back next time.
Again this is a fine sentiment and I applaud it. But Whitmarsh should practice what he preaches and make McLaren’s team radio broadcasts open for fans to listen to at the track and on TV – and encourage the other teams that aren’t (which I suspect may only be Ferrari) to do likewise for the good of the sport.
Journeyer said on 2nd July 2008, 14:45
But Keith, I find this odd: Ferrari and McLaren are the two teams that have kept their radio broadcasts encrypted…
… and yet it’s these 2 teams that are the most supported by F1 fans. What’s with the disparity? :-/
Internet said on 2nd July 2008, 14:48
@1:
You are wrong. Ferrari by far dominates the fan support. BMW comes second and McLaren third. Ferrari/Kimi fans disklike McLaren since they are closest to Ferrari. Kubica/BMW fans dislike McLaren since they are closest to BMW. Alonso fans dislike McLaren because of the alleged bad treatment of Alonso last year. McLaren has only a few supporters at the moment.
Journeyer said on 2nd July 2008, 14:54
Where’d you get that info from, Internet? I’m sure much of Britain (and even certain sections of Lapland up in Finland) would disagree with you. Also, it’s Ferrari and McLaren that tend to have the most fan forums and fanclubs.
But even if your point is correct, the 2 encrypting teams are right up in the top 3 supported teams. Again, what’s with the disparity?
Keith Collantine said on 2nd July 2008, 14:57
Journeyer – it’s probably because they do most of the winning!
Ollie said on 2nd July 2008, 14:59
@Internet: I second Journeyer’s request to know where that information came from; it is interesting.
I have to agree with Keith in that McLaren should practice what they preach. It’s all well and good saying things to the press (and it’s worth noting that these words were apparently spoken to the winners of Autosport’s KangarooTV competition) but they have to back them up and offer the information in the first place.
Hello said on 3rd August 2010, 0:39
Mclaren will do it when ferrari does it.
Sush said on 2nd July 2008, 15:04
its quite clear since Whitmarsh got promoted and Dennis “kind of” stepped down that there is a conflict of interest in the upper echelons of Mclaren.
Dennis would have gagged whitmarsh last year for even thinking that out loud.
Robert McKay said on 2nd July 2008, 15:05
I’m not sure I understand your point, Journeyer. Are you suggesting Mclaren and Ferrari are most well-supported because they are most secretive, and the others are less well supported because they are most open?
That’s a red herring. Mclaren and Ferrari are most well supported because they’ve been most successful, have most personality and have long histories in the sport. I think closing off their radio transmissions neither helps nor hinders their popularity as an individual team.
Having said that, for the good of the sport, these transmissions should be open as a matter of course. As much data and info as possible should be open to the commentators and fans alike.
Becken said on 2nd July 2008, 15:07
“…McLaren has only a few supporters at the moment…”
Man, how can you say a insanity like that. I hope you have any data to support this assertive.
Ronald said on 2nd July 2008, 15:14
I’ve always thought it would be interesting to hear what ferrari say to their drivers when pit stops will make a difference to who of the beats the other.
remember the Barrichelo Schumacher incident, i’d reall love to have heard what was said.
but if us as fans hear what goes on on the inter-team airwaves so does everyone else. and that would compromise their tactics and strategy. i think a mute trasmission button should be applied with Ferrari and McLaren when sensitive communication is being passed on, and for normal stuff just keep the tunes coming.
i have a question, do you know if drivers listen to music while racing? i’m sure it would be cool.
what song would you want to be listening to while charging forward through the field with a Ferrari after having started from the pitlane, in Monaco lets say?
Kester said on 2nd July 2008, 15:26
@Internet
I’m a Kimi/Ferrari fan, and my distaste for Maclaren comes from partially the car they gave Kimi in 2006, and secondly Hamilton.
For information, I’m English.
Internet said on 2nd July 2008, 15:39
@Journeyer, Ollie: Just go to any forum like pf1 or autosport and you can see that the level of distaste for McLaren is pretty evident. For example on this poll
Kimi, Alonso, Kubica all have more votes than Lewis.
Keith Collantine said on 2nd July 2008, 15:42
In the last FIA survey (2006) the most popular teams were Ferrari (30%) and McLaren (21%):
What the FIA’s F1 survey really tells us
Internet said on 2nd July 2008, 15:52
@Keith: That was 2006. A lot has changed since then. Kimi has moved to Ferrari taking a lot of support with him. BMW has improved meaning a lot of Poles support them and dislike the closest team to them, i.e McLaren. McLaren-Alonso saga happened. At the moment there are only a few McLaren supporters. If I was to hazard a guess it would be Ferrari 50%, BMW 20%, McLaren 15%, Renault 10%.
Dan M said on 2nd July 2008, 16:25
For every Ferrari lover, there is a Ferrari hater which is by default, a Mclaren fan. They have the best chance to rain on the Red’s parade.
Chalky said on 2nd July 2008, 16:25
Internet – Does that 15% include the whole population of Woking (bar the one photocopier person)
?
I do not see why teams have to be secretive over the radio. Team strategy can be discussed and agreed prior to the race. Call signs can be used during the race. Then the fans can discuss what each call sign means if they want to get into that sort of stuff.
Watching the racing this year with a few teams allowing their radio transmissions has brought a new dimension to F1 this year for me. Bring more of it on. It not only helps the dedicated fans but also really helps the newcomers too.
Fan base is related to success. People like to follow successful teams. Man United are a perfect example with Football, so are Ferrari \ McLaren with F1.