I think it would be unfair on Hamilton to say that ever since he was promoted into Formula One by the McLaren team, controversy has followed him around, as much of what has happened to his team is by no means entirely his fault. The issues facing the team in 2007 when McLaren were found to have confidential Ferrari data in their possession had very little to do with Hamilton and more to do with those running the Woking-based team. Again in 2009, the FIA have made it clear that they feel Hamilton was put in “an impossible situation” in Melbourne.

However, while Lewis isn’t to blame for all the headlines that seem to only do damage to McLaren and the sport, I feel that the current world champion is being overshadowed in the efforts of appearing friendly and engaging with those people who keep the sport alive; the fans. As a world champion, extra pressure is placed on you by the sport and race promoters to speak highly of Formula One, involve yourself in more interviews and generally become a puppet at the end of the strings being clutched by Bernie Ecclestone. And it isn’t just Hamilton who struggles with this.

Kimi Raikkonen is another driver who is often seen to be stand-offish. When interviewed in the post-race press conferences, Raikkonen almost refuses to show emotion, he will rarely acknowledge those sitting with him and will fail to add that extra 10% that would make the difference between merely answering the questions and coming across as enthusiastic.

In Shanghai last week, BBC commentator Martin Brundle described Raikkonen as rude and inconsiderate of his team after the Finn appeared to not want anything more to do with the race following the early stoppage. Raikkonen was shown changed out of his overalls and wandering around the garage eating an ice cream while his team were on the grid getting wet. The image and associated words that were broadcast around the world are perhaps not what the image of the sport needs. Humorous it certainly was, but for a respected commentator and former racer to describe another driver as essentially not bothering to continue, well…

However, now that the front of the grid has been shaken up and some new faces are gracing the podium and post-race press conferences, it almost feels as though Formula One has been given some fresh air and the breeze has blown all the corporate cobwebs away. Gone are the standard script-read and monotonous phrases and in are the jovial and engaging comments from the new order. Jenson Button, now enjoying greater success, appears relaxed and actually speaks to the cameras and to the audience behind them, all over the world. Mark Webber is comfortable in teasing his team mate and even Timo Glock was all-smiles after his podium finish in Malaysia.

The interviews FOM and FIA insist upon are so much more welcoming thanks to those now being interviewed. To see a driver actually smiling after winning a race is pleasant, and hear him voice that emotion is even better. As Lou mentioned to me last night on Identi.ca, it’s like they actually want to be there. And that makes all the difference.

So while I understand that it is far from easy for the Hamiltons and the Raikkonens to always appear joyous and enthused, I am pleased that Brawn, Red Bull and Toyota have managed to change the scenery. How long it lasts is anyone’s guess, but for now, I might just have to start watching the press conferences again.

Original article by BlogF1.

Blowing Away The Corporate Cobwebs

Currently and for the future as well, as soon as the leading driver has taken the chequered flag, the following pack must follow him around one more lap and pull into the pitlane. The FIA mandate that there should be no delays in this as the weigh-in and podium ceremony need to be completed as soon as possible. The drivers aren’t even allowed to collect a flag from a marshal to wave on the victory lap, and doughnuts are considered a no-no.

As soon as the podium celebrations are complete the top-three are ushered into the press conference room and asked a slew of questions from Peter Windsor, and then from journalists speaking in their native tongue. After all this, and only after all this are the top-three finishers allowed to retire to their motorhomes for a shower, a change of clothes and a sit down.

This past year we have seen more footage from the holding area, just after the drivers have been weighed and are waiting to walk out onto the podium. We have seen the drivers look tired, flushed and sometimes utterly deflated after a 90 minute workout. Of course, they pump themselves up for the podium and put on a good show, but it is clear that they are not always in the mood for jumping around and answering questions.

However, for 2009 their duties are about to increase. For a start, the retiring drivers can’t slope off as they may have done in the past. The memory of Kimi Raikkonen stalking off to his friend’s yacht after retiring from the Monaco Grand Prix in 2005 or 2006 will not be repeated. Instead, he and all the other drivers must remain at the circuit and present themselves to the media after finishing their race and returning to the paddock.

Also, the teams must elect a senior spokesperson who will be the media’s first point of contact during and immediately after the races. On that note, can someone at McLaren please send Matt Bishop to a public speaking class. While Bishop is a lovely and talented man, and likely to be elected (I can just see it), he didn’t do particularly well when Lewis Hamilton was involved in the Spa incident last year. Just saying, as a complete aside.

The addition of a spokesperson for each team will hopefully mean we the viewing public will get further insight into the teams, and hopefully it will be from a consistent face at each grand prix. Also being added to the schedule are mandatory autograph sessions for the drivers, who must present themselves in their designated pitlane areas on the first day of practice. As another aside, can Bernie make his mind up where that is for McLaren and stick to it for this year.

Perhaps more important for the TV-viewing fans will be the availability of more data. After qualifying the weight of the cars will be made public, allowing us to understand how much fuel is on board, and therefore what the strategies are for each individual driver. From this we can immediately tell how well they actually did in qualifying, and what they may do during the race the following day. Of course, so will the other teams, but the cars are still impounded in Parc Ferme and cannot be altered between the two events.

Also being added to the TV feed will be more graphics explaining a variety of things that happen during a grand prix, like driver lines and pitstop predictors. Access to the team radios has also been made mandatory. This means years of encryption from the likes of Ferrari and McLaren has ended and the television race director will be able to add in the driver’s and team’s thoughts as when. Let’s just hope the delay between the message actually being relayed and when we get to hear it is reduced, significantly.

And finally, wet weather tyres and extreme wet weather tyres have been reverted back to their original names: intermediate and wet respectively. What was it I was saying about things not being broken earlier…?

Original article by BlogF1.

The Future Of Formula One – More Data & More Access

Hamilton believes he is fitter than his fellow-countryman and Jenson invited Lewis to take part in a triathlon later this month. As an incentive, Button offered £10,000 to a charity of Lewis’s choice should he finish behind the McLaren driver. Hamilton agreed.

The biggest incentive is, if I do beat you, then you’ve got some money for a charity which is great. However, you do have an advantage as you’ve already done one, and I already know that by doing one you’re better the next time. But man, I’m up for it, I’m up for it… It’s a date. Lewis Hamilton.

However, a short time later Lewis’s manager and father stated that he would not allow the contest and withdrew Hamilton from the challenge.

Lewis accepted the challenge like the good sport he is, and in the spirit with which he accepts things. Unfortunately for Lewis, we are withdrawing him from this. We are in the middle of a championship and that is the focus of our attention. Anthony Hamilton.

In my honest opinion, Anthony Hamilton has made a pretty poor decision. I certainly understand the need to protect his son, primarily as his son and secondly as a professional sportsman in the middle of his season. If Lewis suffered an injury, the championship could very easily be over. However, two points come immediately to the fore.

Firstly, Button has introduced a substantial charitable donation into the deal and without wanting to shallow the challenge, the PR bonus points could prove invaluable to both drivers. Secondly, the deal was made in public and in boyish good humour. The challenge also relates to the sport (as we’re discussing the fitness of each driver) and it would be great fun to see the pair pitched against each other away from the race track. As David Coulthard remarked in the same conference (and was pipped to be the bottle-holder):

He’s throwing down a man challenge, you can’t turn down a man challenge. David Coulthard.

Considering Hamilton’s recent PR hasn’t exactly been the best, this could have been a shining redemption after being suspended above a stage for Vodafone. It is a shame that Anthony Hamilton cannot see good PR when it presents itself in front of his very eyes, and I fear that for as long as Anthony manages his son’s affairs, Lewis will become a stale and muted puppet being pulled around the sport and sponsors without care or thought.

Go on Anthony, let him go for a swim, ride and run with Button. What’s the worst that could happen?

Image © HondaF1. Story source: Autosport.

Original article by BlogF1.

Why Hamilton Should Do The Triathlon With Button

It was reported in The Daily Mirror that Lewis had parted with $30,000, approximately £15,000 and more than seven times the fee asked for by the GPDA to join. The Briton had stated that he hasn’t joined the organisation because, at the time in his rookie year in Formula One, wanted to concentrate on racing. A fair reason, many thought, but more experienced drivers like Jarno Trulli have been openly critical of those not joining recently, which may have prompted the goodwill gesture.

Skip forward 24 hours to the end of qualifying, in which Hamilton looked annoyed with himself, and the McLaren driver has now allegedly denied donating the money to the GPDA. And you know what, even if he hasn’t donated the money, he really didn’t want to openly say so! It’s called bad-PR, and whether or not you think any PR good PR, well, sometimes there’s not quite so good PR.

If the original reporting that Lewis has made a donation was a simple ruse to get the driver to donate, then maybe Lewis should have actually done that. I’m sure he can afford £15k, and it would have helped ease the criticism from other drivers and Formula One employees and reporters.

Oh, and to those that think any PR is good PR:

BBC video of Lewis Hamilton flying.

Lewis Hamilton really needs to hire a separate company to deal with his non-McLaren activities, like this embarrassing scenario which was concocted up by Vodafone. Even Hamilton himself has admitted to being slightly embarrassed by his on-stage stint.

Original article by BlogF1.

Lewis Hamilton Needs To Make His Mind Up (And Sort His PR Out)