Nationalism question

I've thought about that as well. Would people change their buying decisions if BMW didn't have a German driver? Is it just the pride of upper level execs in the company? It hasn't hurt Ferrari with a highly non-Italian team. At least the most visible members. As long as MS is still German the German people have something to be proud about...

 

Ralf is going to Toyota any time soon

 

what u say makes rational sense, but some of the older codgers on boards have some antiquated ideas about nationality of drivers. at the end of the day they will b outvoted by those who want just the best driver they can get, since that is what puts the car on the front line and garners advertising and sponsorship money.

 

Deep down inside, I've always longed for see an Italian driver racing (and winning) for Ferrari. However, the reality of F-1 is that, it's a global community. Where you're from is irrelevant, just as long as you get the job done.

I know for a fact, that the older generation of Italians (that lived through WW II) were somewhat miffed when MS (a German driver!!) won Ferrari its first championship after 21 years.

To be proud of one's country is noble, to be a fierce nationalist can be destructive.

 

If there's any truth to this report, then the whole nationalism thing doesn't seem to matter very much at all to Mr. Williams: http://www.f1central.net/news/?action=viewstory&newsid=1084521618

The reality is that a winning driver will fruit more sponsor money than a losing one of aligned nationality ever will.

Also, for some reason, and this is complete heresay until I can find out where I actually heard it from, Ferrari are not 100% keen on having an Italian drive for them. No idea why, so like I said, it's just a rumor.

 

Yeah, not sure how nationality plays into the whole marketing thing nowdays.

However, I remember reading in magazines how back in '64 or whatever when Honda first entered F-1, they specifically picked an American driver (R. Ginther?) to complement the company's foray into the US market. Then again, this is what they say, and not sure how much of it is folklore.

As for V. Rossi getting Ferrari tests, lots of folks think that not way in hell it would of happend if he wasn't Italian, though I think it makes lots of sense from his noteriety as a dominant GP rider and marketing appeal.

I can't honestly see how people could care... (winning races? yeah pretty good marketing. Nationality of driver? not sure..)

-art

 

yes, i remember hearing something about how ferrari thought it was actually bad luck for them to have an italian driver, and hence they haven't had one in a very long time.

 

MS and Heinz-Harold F may not have got where they are today if Mercedes hadn't fired all the foreigners and had a German drivers only policy at Sauber in it's later Group C days.

 

I think it's a bigger deal to Europeans. I follow the marque and don't really care about the driver's nation of origin.

 

Yes, President Montezemolo said something about the pressure that Italian media could put on an Italian Ferrari driver. However, the greatest Ferrari champions weren´t Italians, excepting Ascari.

The Ferrari legend was born in Italy, of couse, but I think that today it´s something "universal"; nobody really cares about the nationality of the team members, IMO.

 

And Mario Andretti (not a Ferrari champion but a champion) who was born in Italy.

Most Italian drivers suck, and this is simply because there is TOO much passion and they loose themselves in emotion. You have to be a hard nut to win at motor racing, tears running down your face has no place in any form of racing (why RB will also never be great ... again).

The Ferrari legend has little to do with the drivers ...

Pete

 

It's not solely an Italian thing, Alesi was a shining example of this also. For instance, Melbourne in '97, when he ran out of fuel after refusing to pit despite the crew's warnings.

Although they did call him the French Sicilian..... hmmmm

 

Yes have to agree, RB is Brazilian and he is way too emotional when he senses victory. And as for Alesi running out of fuel, I was there that year ... and I would have kicked his arse out of my team if I was the team manager.

Pete