Pilots disagree about presentation ‘show’ in Miami

he F1 Miami GP This is an example of what Formula 1 aspires to be, an event that takes place in the middle of the world’s major cities, a ‘show’ from start to finish on the track, the most eye-catching event. VIPs Instant viewers and viewers with high purchasing power.entrance to Miami Paddock Club Sold Out Despite Costing Over $12,000. And despite being the second most expensive ticketed event after Las Vegas on average for the entire season, the track was packed. The cheapest grandstand ticket was $1,200 for him. Almost nothing.

others, F1 tried to re-Americanize pre-show with official drivers presentation In the purest WWE style, in front of dozens of VIPs like Kun Aguero, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Roger Federer, Vin Diesel, Irina Shayk, Tom Cruise, Shakira, J Balvin, Becky J, Maluma, will.i.am and long, etc.

At the last ceremony, 20 pilots departed one by one through the aisles. “Cheerleaders” by LL Cool J and orchestra conducted by will.i.am himself, the pilots didn’t like it, or were in favor of doing it a few times at most. Not so for Lewis Hamilton, who found it “great”.

“I think it’s great that the sport is constantly growing and evolving and that it’s not limited to doing the same things as in the past. It’s working and I fully support it,” said the seven-time world champion.

“I grew up listening to LL Cool J and now LL Cool J is here. Standing there are Serena and Venus Williams, I thought, that was great, it didn’t matter to me.”Hamilton added in a statement released by the portal Racefan, not all pilots think the same way.

Russell: “It’s distracting”

One of the most critical of the preview presentation was George Russell, Mercedes driver and president of the Drivers’ Association.

“Friday night we talked about this as drivers. I think people have different personalities and that’s how the sport is done in America. Maybe it’s not for me. That’s my personal opinion. But I’m here to compete, I’m not me” I’m here to show, I’m here to drive, I’m here to win is. But I think we have to move on. ”

In order for this presentation to take place, the FIA ​​changed the sporting regulations before the Miami event to require drivers to arrive on the grid 10 minutes earlier than normal, but at the time drivers were trying to: didn’t like it. concentration.

“We are distracted because we are on the griddle in the sun for half an hour in overalls. And I don’t think there’s any other sport in the world that does a little show, and the entertainment world appreciates that, but like I said, we only want the best for the sport. We are open to change, but you don’t want to see this every weekend.”

“I don’t think it happens every weekend. I think it only happens at the big races. I respect the countries that are doing it, but I have mixed feelings about the additional programs.”

Alonso doesn’t think one race should be emphasized over others

“It’s a matter of the pilot’s personal taste. Personally, I don’t like it,” Fernando Alonso said of a special pre-start ceremony for the Miami Grand Prix, betting on race-to-race equality. Either it is all done or it is not done at all. He added that if such ceremonies had to be extended, F1 should remove, for example, the ‘drivers’ parade’ to give drivers and teams more time to prepare.
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“I understand your point of view, but I don’t really like doing things like that right before a race. I think we should remove some of the stuff, because we’re actually in the process of getting ready with the engineers and the team at that point.

“If you do it, you have to do it everywhere, because I don’t think the fans in Miami are better than the fans in Imola, Spain, Mexico, Italy in Japan. Everyone should have the same rules and the same show before the race. think.”

Verstappen: ‘No need for that’

“I had enough time to prepare beforehand and talk to the engineers before the race. I don’t like it, so for my part, I don’t think it’s necessary what they did today, I just talk to the engineers, walk to my car, put on my helmet and get in my car But of course I understand the entertainment value,” Verstappen said.

“I hope something like this doesn’t happen every race. The season is so long that we don’t need to do this kind of presentation every time,” concluded Max.

Perez: “Unless it’s done all the time…”

“I think it’s good to do it once, unless you do it many times,” commented Czech Perez. please prepare. We have a few minutes left before the race starts, but as long as this doesn’t happen often, I think we’ll be fine. ”

Gasly: ​​’Too long’

“I don’t know how other drivers feel, but I feel like sometimes you need to be in your own world right before you get in the car. But I’m glad I did it and next time I do something similar. will surely tweak it,” said Pierre Gasly, who said the presentation was “too long” and left him little time to prepare. car.