Mark Webber says “It’s just not easy to have complete friendships” in F1.
Links
We drive in teams but F1 is for lone rangers, says Webber (Sydney Morning Herald)
“It’s just not easy to have complete friendships. I think you have closer friends from outside of your profession. You pick up the odd one or two along the way for sure, but [they’re counted] on the one hand. ‘You think there’s a camaraderie, but in the end you know you’re on your own.”
Mercedes-Benz.tv: TV-Spot ‘Sunday Driver’ (Youtube)
Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in a Mercedes advert.
I haven’t seen this advert on television – it was on Mercedes’ F1 website yesterday. Apparently the lady at the end is a model called Zoe Hobbs, but the German version of the ad has Franz Beckenbauer instead.
Showdown in Lapland – Nico vs. Keke in a Family Duel (Youtube)
RBR denies overspending in 2010 (Autosport)
Christian Horner: “Contrary to speculation, we completely adhered to the RRA within 2010 – and Red Bull Racing had only perhaps the third or fourth-largest budget in Formula 1. We’ve achieved great efficiency in reducing the headcount versus our external spend.”
Comment of the day
I’m always jealous of those who got to see the old greats driving. Here’s a comment from Jeffrey:
I had the great honour of watching Jim Clark in all but Indy Cars. At the time it seemed some magic force was pulling his cars along. Check out his performance in a one of drive of a works Lotus Cortina in the RAC rally.
It is almost impossible to compare drivers from different eras, but knowing how Jackie Stewart thought of Clark – and having watched Jackie’s destruction of other drivers, even his great mate the super quick Jochen Rindt – if Stewart thinks Jimmy was best who are we to differ?
Jeffrey Powell
From the forum
Tom L. asks who is the best driver never to have won a Grand Prix?
Happy birthday!
Two birthdays today so all the best to Romulo Shortback and Del Boy!
On this day in F1
Two years ago Pedro de la Rosa told us all about the Motorland Aragon facility in Spain he’d helped design. The question is, with a track this cool, why are both of Spain’s F1 races at such dull circuits?
Image © Red Bull/Getty images
Hamish
9th January 2011, 0:11
On the topic of videos… don’t know if this has popped up in the past but I did enjoy this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9QH8-lKEYY
BasCB (@bascb)
9th January 2011, 12:55
It beautifully captures the spirit of both Senna and his rivalry with Prost. Thanks for putting in the link.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
10th January 2011, 1:42
Loved it!
Hamish
9th January 2011, 0:42
Oh and also I think you’ve (you have) got your “you’re” and “your” mixed up in the headline.
Calum (@calum)
9th January 2011, 1:13
Yeah, if my fluked English pass tells me anything – it is meant to be: “you’re (you are) on your own”
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
9th January 2011, 0:47
James
9th January 2011, 1:38
Nope. I would say this is yet another dig at Red Bull. Webber knows that his career is in its twilight and most likely has a fairly water tight contract for 2011.
What does he have to lose?
Ben
9th January 2011, 3:44
I think you’re reading too much into it. This isn’t a dig at RB, if it was he would say it was. This is Webber we’re talking about, he doesn’t leave much to interpretation.
jimscreechy (@)
9th January 2011, 4:58
I agree, I think he is just reflecting at a point in time when he has a fairly knowledgable perspective how how things work in general in the sport. Probably not just F1 either as it happens. Besides, he isn’t the first driver to iterate opinions of this nature.
I wouldn’t want to generalise too much but I have certainly held this notion to be true based on the opionos of drivers who have spoken about f1 friendships and relationships.
Scribe (@scribe)
9th January 2011, 23:25
I’m not sure about that, there have been friends in F1. Often the friendships are of a mentor student nature but friendships nonetheless
Fangio and Moss, Stewart and Cervert, Schumacher and Massa.
Not sure about Button and Hamilton but they seem to be perfectly happy as mates, which is nice.
Ben
10th January 2011, 5:19
which is exactly what he’s saying. You may become friends with a handful of people (and notice how every example you said was 1+1), but certainly its not as if the whole grid go down to the pub together.
Stephen Jones (@aus_steve)
9th January 2011, 13:32
Webber’s almost turning into a decoder or translator for F1.. he always speaks his head.
and on this situation, he’s right. Theres no friends on the racetrack, and its very hard to stay friends with someone you’ve crashed into (which will happen)
Calum (@calum)
9th January 2011, 14:02
He’s becoming an after F1 DC!!
Pinball - roadography.com (@)
9th January 2011, 7:30
I think Webber is just saying that you won’t see him catching up down at the pub with the other drivers on their days off. I don’t see it as a dig at anyone. He’s pretty much just stating the obvious – respect your competitors but don’t fool yourself into thinking they are your best mate.
BBQ2
9th January 2011, 14:23
Yeah, what do you expect from a man managed by Flabio? … SSDD :(
macahan
9th January 2011, 4:57
almost sounds like a country song. Add some twang on it and there you go a cheesy country song.
BasCB (@bascb)
9th January 2011, 12:45
It would be a pretty interesting theme to play when Webber wins his next GP, wouldn’t it?
Interesting insight in Webbers motives.
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
9th January 2011, 2:05
Remember peeps: anyone who fancies racing in the F1 2010 championship later should let Magnificent Geoffrey know asap. There’ll be at least two spots free- and possibly more https://www.racefans.net/forum/topic.php?id=900&page=8#post-16551
Tim
9th January 2011, 4:46
Nico needs to keep the beard for next season
BasCB (@bascb)
9th January 2011, 12:10
Makes him look a lot more mature, doesn’t it? I would love it if he grew himself a moustache to match his fathers though, that would be real canny.
Did you notice the car in that video is a BMW? Nice detail.
A shame they did not ask Kimi or Heikki to join in, those guys might have beaten both of them.
Fixy (@)
9th January 2011, 16:58
Neither Kimi nor Heikki have a contract with Mercedes, so that would be impossible, sadly.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
9th January 2011, 19:38
It might propel him to win the championship! A moustache that big works kind of like the fan on the Brabham fan car in my estimation. It certainly worked for his dad, as well as Mansell.
Matt(UK)
9th January 2011, 4:56
Fernando Alonso Bahrain 2010 lap on slide guitar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9V8oAOUMSs&feature=related
Matt(UK)
9th January 2011, 4:59
Check out his other efforts @
http://www.formula1guitar.blogspot.com/
robbiepblake (@driftin)
9th January 2011, 9:58
Who’s the girl who overtakes Hakkinen in the video?
BasCB (@bascb)
9th January 2011, 12:02
It’s mentioned in the text (a model called Zoe Hobbs). The German one with Beckenbouer would be fun to see as well.
Very nice advert!
bananarama (@bananarama)
9th January 2011, 16:04
The ad is shown in Germany occasionally. I must admit I enjoyed it and for the first time realized that Hakkinen and Schumacher are now ‘in the same team’. Who would have believed that a couple of years back.
Gridlock
9th January 2011, 11:10
Not sure why they bothered with a UK version of the MB ad seeing how you can’t buy their 4wd system on RHD e class and the G class I think is predicted to sell about 50 this year…
Wish I was bored and talented enough at CGI to stick Damon Hill in a Range Rover and have him run MSC off the road..
BasCB (@bascb)
9th January 2011, 12:15
Real shame, you did not bother. I would also love to see Jacques Villeneuve jumping in some toyota NASCAR Truck and drive him off the road.
David-A (@david-a)
9th January 2011, 13:45
Well, Hill already had plenty of occasions where he ran MSC off the road in 1995, don’t you worry.
BasCB (@bascb)
9th January 2011, 12:56
Happy Birthday wishes for both Romulo Shortback and for Del Boy.
Have a big party to celebrate!
Mike
9th January 2011, 13:04
I love that ad…..
I miss Mika in F1. Hey, if we get $120 together, maybe HRT will take him!.. Hell, He might drive it in a straight line as well.
BBQ2
9th January 2011, 14:38
Hmmmm, referring MSC as a “Sunday Driver” could be seen as a dig on him by his fans ……. having done unexpectedly badly this season, I would have expected MSC to be the one in the GLS not an unknown “Model” ….. jm2p and Iam not one of his fans …
james_mc
9th January 2011, 18:23
Yeah but it was a joke, i.e. “Sunday Driver” normally = Dozy elderly person, “Sunday Driver” = F1 Driver :-D
alexf1man
9th January 2011, 15:45
It’s nice to see Mika and Michael working with, instead of against, each other for once. :-)
sw6569 (@sw6569)
9th January 2011, 16:08
Great video of the Rosbergs. Nico looks odd with a beard though
Icemangrins
9th January 2011, 21:33
”You have to respect your opposition” hah ??
That’s the man who said “boy, that felt good” when he passed Michael in Hungary.
what a jerk ??
Steph (@)
9th January 2011, 22:14
I actually think it was his respect for Michael that led to that comment. Getting a chance to lap a 7 time world champ who used to previously lap him a bunch of times must have felt very good.
Funkyf1
10th January 2011, 6:48
Omg!! Are you experts ever going to work it out, Webber like most Australians is only speaking his mind and being honest, there is NO science to it!!
Derek
10th January 2011, 13:06
Down to the 50’s now!! 59 and counting.
Snobeck
11th January 2011, 18:21
Am I seeing things, or is Keke wearing a Washington Redskins beanie!?