DC, the Gentleman racer of F1?

After reading a lot about him and watching him on TV I think I have to say that DC must be the nicest guy in F1, maybe closely followed by Barichello.

Anyone noticed when, a few races ago, he crashed into a tire barrier and a lot of fans came rushing up to the wall to ask for autographs. After just crashing out of a race he took the time to sign all of these people's autographs...even on Ferrari and McLaren hats! That is sportsmanship.

In Hungary he crashed on the second lap and rather than storm off back to the pits he took the time to help the marshalls get the car out of the way. He didnt push or shove them. Even after that he stood by the fence and watched most of the rest of the race...Seems to me like someone who genuinely loves the sport!

So has anyone here actually me DC? Know anything else about him? I have to say I have a lot of respect for the guy.

As a side note, one of my favorite moments in F1 was at the Indy GP on race day before the cars went out on track. A bunch of Indian fans flew out from India to watch the race and they all had matching shirts and Indian flags, etc. They stand beneath the grandstands directly across from the Jordan pits and start cheering and chanting. A few minutes later NK emerged and waved. The fans cheered even more and NK walks out of the pits, across the track, jumps the fence, and shakes each one of the fans hands and poses for a few pictures. That is another great gesture of sportsmanship in my opinion

 

I was in Goodwood a few years ago and talked to a professional F1 fotographer, who said DC is the nicest driver of all of them. Incidentally at the same event DC was signing children's book for a good health cause for children (I believe the books were written by Ron Dennis' wife). He is a nice chap, no doubt.

Once DC drives the Red Bull Ferrari I'll be on his side.

 

I actually had the priveledge to meet DC a couple of years ago at the Indy GP. It was saturday after watching one of the last races of the day. It actually might have been the Porsche supercup...anyways. I was just coming over the bridge that crosses the back straight and was walking through a parking lot behind the paddock. As I am passing, I see DC walking by himself to a silver s-class in the parking lot. I spent a couple minutes speaking with him and he even let me get a picture of me and him. I was wearing a ferrari hat and shirt as well. I agree though that he is a complete gentleman. It's always good for sport when athletes take the time to meet with thier fans.

 

No doubt, he is a class act and I really look forward to seeing him drive LeMans prototypes or something like that. I think he would make an excellent endurance driver because he can set consistent times and takes good care of the car.

 

More than likely we'll see DC in an Aston Martin DBR9 which should be very interesting.

BHW

 

He should be on Top Gear like Damon Hill and Mark Webber.

 

I think he'd make the best #2 driver Ferrari could pick up until Schumi retires. He consistently performs well, and at Red Bull has done a lot of sharing setup info, etc. to help make them quick out of the box. You hear nothing but good things about the guy. And, his girlfriends are about 1000% hotter than anyone that frequents the Ferrari pits currently.

 

TE=Turner]I actually had the priveledge to meet DC a couple of years ago at the Indy GP. It was saturday after watching one of the last races of the day. It actually might have been the Porsche supercup...anyways. I was just coming over the bridge that crosses the back straight and was walking through a parking lot behind the paddock. As I am passing, I see DC walking by himself to a silver s-class in the parking lot. I spent a couple minutes speaking with him and he even let me get a picture of me and him. I was wearing a ferrari hat and shirt as well. I agree though that he is a complete gentleman. It's always good for sport when athletes take the time to meet with thier fans.[/QUOTE]

Must have been the same year that we were there chatting with him too in a very similarly described location. There was a gal from Holland and myself that probably didn't wash our faces for awhile - she was wearing bright red lipstick and "left her mark" on his face - I don't wear the stuff so couldn't leave a visible sign (I was in Ferrari garb too.) I am sure this happens to him quite often. He spent much time chatting to those around him - in discussion found out that at time he was driving (in Europe) an SLK 350 which hadn't hit the US yet. He even signed two of my yellow Ferrari flags without any hesitation. (Best was Eddie Jordan - asked him to sign my flag (horsey not visible) to which he did then I promptly thanked him for signing my Ferrari flag - his response was "Oh my God".

Great guy is DC.

Carol

 

Yes to all.
His companions are always 11's, he survived a really bad plane crash and a emergency landing, he doesn't crash people out. DC is the best sportsman in F1.

 

I used to dislike him for his constant assertions that it was "his year" but he does seem like a really gentlemanly driver. I was impressed that he signed autographs immediately after crashing and when he helped the marshalls - class act all the way. He would make an excellent ambassador to F1 and probably a good team manager with his cool collected demeanor.

 

My manager was David's race mechanic during his days in junior Formula in the early 90's. The relationship started when DC was racing for the ZIP Kart junior team in England. He was also present when David tested a Zip Eagle 250cc Formula E International Superkart at Silverstone for Autosport Magazine in '94, while a Formula 1 test driver for McLaren at the time. Incidentally, McLaren almost didn't let the test go ahead because of a conflict with differing sponsors.

He says that even in those early days DC had a great sense of humour and a quick wit.