RENAULT CHEATING IN F1

He races because he loves that the most, I agree.

He is a team player and that's a good thing. And winning in F1 is a team effort, no question.

But let's be honest here for a moment: A racer wins because he wants to beat everybody else. Don't bring in this "kumbaja let's make everybody feel good and group hug" into racing. It is a competitive sport and should be. MS wins for himself. He wins with the help of his team, but he wins for himself. Not for Ross Brawn, not his wife, not his kids and not for Todt. He might say that because it is politically correct and the PR folks want him to say that and it sounds humble, but I doubt it is what makes him tick.

And that is perfectly fine. It should be that way.

PS: Michael has often said he doesn't care about the statistics. In fact he said that so often, that people who know him started to disbelief it. He wanted to beat Fangio's record, but he was PR correct not to say so openly. He does count his titles and gets pleasure out of that. Which he should.

 

I agree with you completely on this. As you correctly said, there's nothing wrong with it, it's what makes him the competive talent he is.

I just got the mistaken impression from your previous post that he was racing solely to toot his own horn, to glorify himself as if he had anything left to prove. Now this is something I disagree with, especially since he doesn't have anything left to prove.

I do hope his hunger to win will outweigh the fact he is getting a bit old for the game. It's always a lugubrious moment watching a sportsman (Or woman!) retire because of age. But historically in F1 the other alternative used to be much, much worse!

 

My mistake for not making that clear then: We are on the same page. I just wanted to point out, that I totally disagree with Imperial's statement about Michael racing and winning for his family and his fans and his team. He might dedicate his victories to them, but he races because of the fire in him.

And no he doesn't have to proove anything.

 

Turning into an interesting thread ... thanks.

Tifosi, yep we are on the same page and thanks for your reply to my team orders post.

I also believe that first and foremost ANY sports person has to be doing it for THEMSELVES. You cannot give it your ALL for somebody or something else ... real motivation only comes from deep within.

That is why paying professional sports people makes little sense ... other than they need to eat and have shelter.

If you took MS's salary away and he did not turn up for the next test session and race ... well I'd be very surprised. The guy lives and breathes motor racing ... he needs it. Witness how he shortens holidays to check in on the new car, etc.

Man I wish I had his job! ... my family would be lucky if I ever left the factory (bit like my engine builder in the past that would get called by his wife at like 10pm at night ... asking him to come home . I knew which was his first love. Sad maybe but 100% true).
Pete