figbat
Slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
Not the swearing, but the reaction to the penalty, which all of the drivers agree is stupid.
Motorsports Thread
- Thread starter Reynard
- Start date
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Not the swearing, but the reaction to the penalty, which all of the drivers agree is stupid.
matticus
Guru
Why is the penalty stupid? (Please remember in your answer that you are no longer 12 years old.)
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
TBH, I don't think there should be a penalty at all.
Sportsmen/women at the top levels are preforming at the limits of their strengths and abilities, and it is hardly surprising if tat sometimes results in them swearing.
It annoys me when commentators at football or rugby matches apologise for any offence caused when the microphones pick up bad language from one or more of the players.
And part of his defence was that he thought it was a normal part of speech, with English not being his first language. I would say the same, even with English being my first language. The f-word is in pretty common usage, even in many regular workplaces.
matticus
Guru
In a press conference?!?
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
Yes, that is a bit different than doing so while actually competing.
Though the response is still a bit disproportionate for one single word.
matticus
Guru
They're all
matticus
Guru
I thought it was farking perfect.
I agree. Big difference between swearing in a press conference and swearing over the team radio whilst trying not to crash at 180mph.
I'm not buying the "I thought it was a normal part of speech" bit either. I get the "can we be professional in press conferences" - that's pretty consistent across all sports. You don't get footballers, golfers and tennis players f'ing and blinding in press conferences.
What I thought Hamilton et al were backing Verstappen on was swearing during a race over the team radio. I'm sure Hamilton said something along the lines of "you don't have to broadcast it".
Just read this on the BBC:
So Verstappen likely swore deliberately in response to Ben Sulayem complaining about swearing and sticking his size 12s in where they weren't wanted.
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Tom B
Guru
- Location
- Lancashire
I have to say I agree. The childishness and petulance is amusing.
But its not good for F1 and its not professional.
If Max was my lad, I'd a agree with him, find him a tiny violin, pat him on the head and tell him pay his penance and then complain about it after.
I am not someone who is bothered by swearing, or hurty or naughty words. However it is just not professional.
I would not let my staff swear like that "on the shop floor" and nor would I as a sponsor be too happy about it. On the Radio or in the garage in private is one thing, but in a press conference sensible, polished head and mouth comes out. The driver is representing the brand and just as they wouldnt really come out and say "That redcow drink tastes of &1#@" or "the brembo brakes are &*!# or that honda engine is %#*! * and always breaking down - even if they was they wouldn't and shouldn't say that.
* of course Fred made similar comments about his power unit but that relationship didnt work out too well in the end.
Tom B
Guru
- Location
- Lancashire
I'd suggest like a lot of new bosses do, Ben has come in, and found something that he wants to stamp his feet about to show hes in town and hes the boss.
In my current job supervisors last around 9 months. Its now sport to decide what they'll stamp their feet about after the first couple of months. Some folk even do things to try to give them something to stamp about so they can then revert and "fix" the problem - i'd never do that!
That said i'm no fan of Ben. The FIA are no strangers to kicking up with drivers for little reason or purpose.
Jody
Stubborn git
He's right. The "rapper" comment was uncalled for and had a racial element.
matticus
Guru
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
My favourite one is boxing. Usually shown after the 9pm watershed.
The TV crew stick a microphone in the corner to listen to the coaches pep talk. Which is usually f****** hit him.
Then we get an apology for anyone offended by swearing whilst watching two men trying to knock each other out.
As for F1, the drivers have obligations concerning the press conference and their availability for interviews. They also have to wear certain clothes, hats and jackets. It really isn’t hard to avoid swearing for a shirt interview.
Yes but when Ben Sulayem said "rapper" do you really think he was thinking of Eminem as the typical stereotype of a rapper?
