ExigeExcel
Does anyone but me find it pointless when people earning millions a year are fined a few thousand bucks?
First off, I find it entirely pointless to fine mutli-millionaires what amounts to a scant few dollars.
ExigeExcel
I find it pretty stupid that Speed showed such little respect in a sport that is so dependant of others being respectful (read getting too close to open wheels).
It's funny, I "see" respect in the paddock, but on the track all I have seen is the equivalent of hyenas swarming upon lame beasts. In reality it comes down to massively egotistical (and in most repects massively talented) people flying around circuits trying to acheive personal glory. Not a single person in this world can convince me that if a driver had a chance to legally pass another, he would not pass due to respect.
Now granted what happened in the stewards meeting did not happen on the track, but it was a direct result of something that did. Speed has said since the race that to him (and STR) this was the equivalent of winning a race. Speed is pumped to be in the circus, pumped to be competitive for points, pumped to alive at this point directly after the race and is now looking at something that means so much to him being (rightfully) sumarily stripped away. I can fully understand the anger and frustration of his situation. Once again, cannot condone his outburst, but still must applaud him for fighting his own fight.
ExigeExcel
IMO, telling someone to F-off (or in similair terms) is not putting up a defence in an argument (or showing a back bone). IMO that's just saying something pointless because you have no argument to back yourself up.
How does it take courage to tell someone to F-off? Especially in this instance.
Perhaps it's a question of point of view. As I have mentioned several times earlier, I do not in any way condone what Speed has said, just that when confronted with the situation, his flight or fight tendency showed through. And from what I'm seeing this kid is scrappy, not mature in the way he handled hisself, but self assured enough to, from my perspective, defend (although poorly) his position. To me this is a good indicator of what to expect from him on the track. Hopefully some of the self-control (read:maturity) he has shown in his earlier races through other series will show through when bogged down in the middle of a good fight on track, but I look forward to seeing him battle his way the ranks of F1 to hopefully become a high ranking driver.
As far as everyone going on about how it's unfathomable that it was DC he tore into, I have to stop and ask, what has DC done that is so esteemable as to "demand" respect on a level that for all intents and purposes seems to rank directly DC below directly below a head of state? Yes, the man is a marvel in setting his chassis, and true assest for any team due to his technical inclinations, a dedicated tester and an all around quality pilot, a strong proponent for increased driver safety, but a World Champion? no. Which in reality is the measuring stick for what makes a pilot a pilot in F1.
Once again, it is perhaps my perspective, but I have never really seen much out of Coulthard that makes me rank him in the highest of the high. Do I think he could be an absolutely astounding Tech Director? With out a doubt. Is he doing an acceptable job as head of the GPDA? From what I can see, yes. Is it smart for Speed, or any driver for that matter, to go and tell someone, specifically another driver, to "F off"? Not particularly. However, this is now the reality of the grid, there is a scrappy, hungry, young driver (more than one in reality) out there looking for points and victories. I say as long as the racing is entertaining, with safety as the primary focus, bring on the new breed. Not specifically looking to put the old guard out to pasture, but just as something new to infuse some excitement into the series to truly turn it back into a race spectacle. Hopefully with better officiating than what was seen at Australia. Not looking at the Coulthard/Speed incident, which was handled correctly, but rather Ralf in particular.
ExigeExcel
It's not like DC would have just turned round and beat the crap into him.
I doubt he would have, although it would of given the folks over at SniffPetrol something entirely new to go on about with Ol' Crazy Dave.
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