JACKIE STEWART Criticizes Lewis Hamilton For Not Joining GPDA

ohw come one, let the boy race...

 

I did not know that Kimi was not in and believe it is selfish of both not to belong to a group advancing their interests yet with no commitment or responsibility.

 

THE GPDA's mandate of advocating driver safety was made a mockery of when its chairman, Michael Schumacher, created that debacle at Monaco in 2006.

 

I hate to say it, Jackie Stewart being one of my favorites from his racing and commentary days, but --

It is sad to see these old men wandering around in the street with their pants unzipped and trailing toilet paper from their shoes.

PS, yes I know he did a lot for the safety issues in the old days, but this plus his impromptu remarks on FIA/scandal/cheating (they all cheat!) last year seems like sour grapes politics to me.

 

He still has my respect and will have it when he's in a wheelchair staring at the wall.

 

Well, yes, me too - just for the history. But still --

 

Stewart should keep his comments in the Pub, where he belongs.

 

I wonder if racing will ever meet the same dilemma that is starting to affect military aircraft design -- want the best possible safety? -- use a remotely-controlled unmanned vehicle.

Total non-safety-issue IMO -- only a political one for the GPDA.

 

Well, it seems to me that there must be far more to this organization than just safety. In point of fact, I somehow doubt that just a driver's group could do much about safety in today's climate of design and regulation. It was far different back in the old Jackie Stewart safety issue days; back when the sport had the general attitude that safety was for weenies and real drivers usually got killed eventually.

And I agree with you - this group has more to do with politics than safety. Safety is the sacred cow set up for public worship with various petty rivalrys, rules lawyering, and contract grubbing simmering away underneath it all.

Just my uninformed opinion, of course - James

 

I call that humility. I don't get where people bash LH as arrogant. I have only seen humility and professionalism. I guess haters will twist this into something.

 

So does anyone know why JH hasn't joined? Can't learn the secret handshake?

 

He already gave his reason, it's in the first post, at least read the thread next time.

 

+1

 

Jackie's comments are understandable. He raced in an age where drivers were true warriors, not knowing whether they would survive a practice session, let alone an entire GP weekend and see Monday morning! Thanks to the efforts JS & his peers, drivers now enjoy a much longer lifespan. Deep respect to Jackie Stewart, Prof Sid Watkins and the rest of the GPDA for their constant campaigning. LH, KR and co. are now enjoying the fruits of their relentless efforts.

 

Sorry Bud, I guess I didn't read the last sentence. Thank for being so kind. FAO.

 

Funniest thing I've read all day.

I can see where he is coming from, but let the kids (lewis,Nico,Sebastian etc.) live it up if they want to.

 

sometimes people forget that achievements outside of the cockpit are just as important

 

Having had a glass or two of fine Chianti while sitting at the workbench and looking at the red Ferrari -

(last night, not this morning my friends) -

I have discovered an IRONY here: If anything, Jackie Stewart was sort of the archtypical "rebel driver" in his day. Just re-read that semi-autobiography FASTER from his racing history. A wonderful book, and it does reveal a lot about his thoughts on driver safety, organization, etc.

The irony is this - the former "Rebel Leader" is now criticizing the "New Young Turk" for "not conforming".

 

I wonder what the Hamilton critics have to say about this?

 

Apparently Kimi isn't a part of the GPDA either. Disgraceful for all three drivers considering that their very lives have been saved multiple times already by the advancements forced by this organization.