Those Santander trophies are rubbish and probably break the F1 rules
The rules say trophies should be 'traditional'. These don't look it to me
After the Italian Grand Prix Todd was unimpressed with the Santander logo trophies that were given to the drivers:
F1 trophies I would have thought would be a very special thing, usually events have a very well designed trophy to commemorate the victory, but now – and for the rest of his life – Sebastian Vettel has a logo to commemorate his first every victory in F1.
Thing is, according to the rules F1 trophies are supposed to be “traditional”. So should Santander logos be used as trophies?
On the Live Blog during the podium ceremony I posted this excerpt from the Appendix 4, article 4 of the sporting regulations (emphasis added):
The trophies, which must be in the form of traditional cups, will be provided by the ASN and must show:
a) the FIA Formula 1 World Championship official logo
b) the official name of the event
c) the driver’s position.
Are Santander logos “traditional cups”? Here’s Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt with their trophies at Monza two years ago:
Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt with their trophies at Monza in 2006
Monza wasn’t the first time we’ve seen these tacky Santander ‘trophies’ in 2008 either. They were handed out at the German Grand Prix as well.
Todd reckons:
What a way to ruin it. Not a trophy bathed in Monza history, a ******* logo from a company that will probably be bankrupt and shrouded in scandal by the time Vettel is retired and telling the story of the logo on his shelf to his kids.
Bernie has been too greedy there in my opinion.
And I have to say I agree with him.
Yesterday we were discussing how the FIA struggles to apply its ‘unwritten rules’ consistently. It’s hardly surprising when they can’t get the written rules right either.
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Oliver said on 17th September 2008, 16:04
Shashi,
When you have the trophy of all circuits looking exactly the same, then imagine a driver like Schumacher with 91 GP wins(if I’m correct), then imagine his, trophy shelve. How does he know what race he worn, without reading the inscription. And why also would one bother putting up the exact same thing from display.
Ollie said on 17th September 2008, 16:07
I agree with most people dislike of the Santander trophy – it does look terrible and not very ‘award-like’. But flipping the coin on the traditional point, I like the Australian Steering Wheel one. And to be fair, I think it’s been handed out in that form since 1996 when Melbourne forst took over the race. So arguably the rules have been broken for over ten years now. If FOM or FIA haven’t noticed yet (or bothered to care), it isn’t really likely they’re gonna start now!
todd said on 17th September 2008, 16:09
@Shashi – i’m a consumer whore and i love capitalism.
GO! big corporations…
however, a trophy is a trophy, not a logo.
these trophies are the kind of things that get auctioned off in 50 years after a great driver has died or something..
can you imagine bidding on and winning one of Senna’s trophies if it was a basic logo – like keith said, if it actually had some design to it, it’ll be great, like the vodafone one, but the santander one just looks horrible and a blatant marketing tactic.
f1 is all about branding and companies. the battle between Ferrari and Mclaren Mercedes is as much about the brand as it is the car, but come on, make a trophy at least look like a trophy.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 17th September 2008, 16:09
Todd – yeah I saw that on F1 Live and had a look for that other write-up, but it doesn’t mention the rules thing.
As far as the “traditional cups” thing goes I think “traditional” is the important bit, rather than “cups”. I like the Australian Grand Prix steering wheel too. Isn’t it modelled on Jack Brabham’s wheel from ’59 or something?
Tengil said on 17th September 2008, 16:25
Another blog reminded me of Donington ’93, look at 8:20 in this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts6oQ2TK9vw
At least Senna got a regular trophy besides the Sonic the Hedgehog one :)
SuperKarateMonkeyDeathCar said on 17th September 2008, 16:27
Have you ever seen the trophy for winning the NASCAR race at Martinsville?
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/tools/med/2008/04/ipt/1207105264.jpg
A driver always remembers where they won that one.
racingtier said on 17th September 2008, 17:27
Dan wrote:
“I hate them. The Abbey/Santander logo looks like a steaming pile of poo (it does!)”
Haha. And i thought i was the only one who sees the steaming poo pile :)
donwatters said on 17th September 2008, 17:45
If Max has his way all the trophies will be exactlly the same!
Brar said on 17th September 2008, 17:48
Strapping a corporate watch is something unbelievable. Innocent people may thing that he is fast driver and always want to have the perfect time (It seemed to me something like that at the firsts times I saw the strapping ritual).
The worst thing about Santander trophy is that is simply ugly.
When appeared the Gold Leaf Lotus 72 was the nicest formula 1 with that read, white and Gold leaf colors. There after one may kill for those John Players sticks.
ajokay said on 17th September 2008, 18:09
Tengil: “At least Senna got a regular trophy besides the Sonic the Hedgehog one :)”
But, come on, lets be honest, who wouldn’t want a huge gold Sonic trophy? I’d love me one of them!
beneboy said on 17th September 2008, 18:30
I think this represents what can only be thought of as the bad side of F1 commercialisation.
I’m not against sponors, in fact I’m happy they’re putting their money into the sport.
It’s the lack of imagination that bothers me because it just ends up looking ugly and/or silly whereas when it’s done well it becomes loveable & timeless.
The Marlboro branded McLaren, the JPS branded Lotus & the Camel branded Williams are some of my favourite cars and the corporate branding added to the beuty of the cars.
I also liked the Vodafone trophy, it looks like a traditional cup unless you look at it from above.
It shows a degree of effort & respect for the sport & isn’t just a quick cash in.
The Santander trophies are sadly rubbish & I hope Vettel is given something nice from the team to remember the race by.
Would it have been so hard for Santander to get a proper designer to design something memorable & unique that would make them stand out from the crowd ?
Giving the same trophies for different races should never be allowed, that’s just obvious.
I suppose this has given Santander what they wanted though, loads of people talking about them.
verasaki said on 17th September 2008, 18:57
was it david coulthard who killed sonic?
Pedro Andrade said on 17th September 2008, 20:24
Agree with the majority here, the trophy looks rubbish. For me it’s not so much about the rules being broken (I didn’t even know they existed!), but more about the history and identity of the Grand Prix. Every race should have it’s own trophy, and it shouldn’t change significantly from year to year.
And if they really have to change the rophies, at least keep the victor’s trophy the same, like at Silverstone. I was appaled to see Hamilton being given the Santander logo at Hockenheim, instead of the traditional trophy (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/1587851021_9631df04f5.jpg?v=1192546925).
Sassan said on 17th September 2008, 21:26
So why doesn’t get the FIA clarify the rule. Why have the FIA just stood back? I don’t understand.
Gman said on 17th September 2008, 21:29
First off, I’m very happy to see that I wasen’t the only one who noticed- and was not pleased by- the Santander logos as the trophies for several of the most recent GPs. I have no problem with corporate sponsorship in F1- It’s prevalaent in many other sports around the world, in many different forms- but to throw away the traidtional trophies and award something corporate-based is a bunch of rubbish IMHO.
Second, if any of you think the title sponsor should be allowed to have their logo as the trophy design because they pay a boatload of money to sponsor the event, don’t forget that- just at the podium ceremony alone- they get….
- Their corporate logo all over the backdrop, as well as their name of that official sign directly behind the drivers on the podium.
-One or more of their corporate bigwigs handing out the trophies
- their name on the microphone stand in the post-race press confernece, as well as in Peter Windsor’s official introduction to the confernece.
In my book, that’s plenty enough- leave the trophies alone and stick the sponsorship to better use.
Third, I know many of you- for various resons- like to rip on Indianapolis as a GP host, but if you take a look at their trophy- with the globe on top of the pillar- I think it was one of the best designs in recent F1 history. Along with it I really like the Melbourne steering wheel, Hungary’s golden pottery, and the glass/crystal vase in Canada. All of these show that trophies don’t need to be in the shape of cups per se, but should be non-corporate and give the event a taste of history and culture unique to that nation and venue.
Lastly, while I would never seriously want the Sonic trophy on my podium if I was a race official, I did crack up at the sight of it on that video- I was amused as well to see the SEGA livelry all over the start/finish straight in a recent issue of F1 Racing. Having grown up playing Sonic games, it gave me quite a laugh!