Pre-race 1 min silence - minority of drivers shame

[Phoenix1]

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/story_20234.shtml

I was watching the pre-race and even though it may not effect you when you are in a country it does effect and the world it watching was it really good for Whatever it was that the likes of Montoya, Villeneuve, Massa, Monteiro, and even Max Mosley found so amusing, Planet-F1 would love to know."

There were a few others too. I hope that they feel ashamed when they look back. It seemed whilst Marshalls and fans bowed their heads and kept quiet some of the grid kept on moving and making an effort that was worse than not making one at all.

Utter shame and embarrassment.

[Kicking-back]

I think, to be fair, there was no announcement about when the silence was over, which led to a lot of awkwardness.

[Hip Priest]

It did make for uncomfortable viewing, but there did appear to be a lot of confusion on the grid around the time of the silence.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

I think, to be fair, there was no announcement about when the silence was over, which led to a lot of awkwardness.

As it happens, there was an announcement. We heard it where we were, so i'm sure the drivers did as well with all those tannoy's along the start/finish straight.

I have to say though, not that i timed it or whatever, but it did seem a very long minute.

[Hugh Jarce]

Originally Posted by Mr V

As it happens, there was an announcement. We heard it where we were, so i'm sure the drivers did as well with all those tannoy's along the start/finish straight.

Agree with Mr V - we were a few seats in front. There were plenty of air horns as the anthem finished before they could get a chance to communicate the silence. But they did - on a tiny speaker in front of us - and we all heard.

The place was quiet and while we stood respectfully for those who also work in London who were blown to smithereens last week, the big screen showed a number on the grid chatting and nudging each other.

It didn't look good.

In some ways ITV were also to blame for cutting to those images - I think if that wewre going on, the Director should have kept images 'on air' that were appropriate.

[f1atic]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

I think, to be fair, there was no announcement about when the silence was over, which led to a lot of awkwardness.

This may be correct, but there certainly was an announcement of when it began (at least for all but some of those on the grid). I was appalled to say the least. It was no less than disrespectful and looked bad for F1!

[forzaf1]

I think it was pretty obvious when the silence was as the crowds when quiet. However Monteiro and Coulthard were busy chatting away.

Alex

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by forzaf1

I think it was pretty obvious when the silence was as the crowds when quiet.

I was there not all the crowd was quiet. Lots of those sirens.

Shame there.

I haven't seen the driver bit yet (got to watch the Rugby first!). I suspect it is a minor point, I'll see!

[Phoenix1]

I agree at the end it was hard for sure. That was an honest problem, but at the start even then it was not totally quiet from them. Just a shame really that was all. Not angry though just disappointed that's all. Needed more organisation really.

[JeremySmith]

I am sure that must have been due to poor organisation. If people on the grid were talking then they were not aware of what was taking place, plain and simple.

[Testure]

That's a pretty stupid article in my opinion. It seemed obvious that the timing of the silence wasn't communicated properly to either the people on the grid or anyone in the stands. The minute silence lasted about 2 minutes on ITV and people started blowing airhorns half way. Not their fault. Silly article.

[Menelaos]

yes, I doubt even if one didn't care about the whole that he would just chat, in front of all the cameras.

[+ its a Chevy]

I think the words in this post sum up alot of what F1 looks like from outside at the moment. I enjoy motor racing a great deal but have lost interest in f1 of late due to the childish arguing and the processional races of the past few years.

From the outside, all involved seem to think that they are above everyone else, a simple thing like a minutes silence cant be organised or followed and half of the drivers probably thought about 'pulling out as there was such a strong chance of terrorist activities' or some other silly excuse, stand there laughing and giggling away. you cant use an excuse that they didnt know there was a minutes silence. If thats the case, how comes i knew yesterday???
sad to see thats how they think at the moment.

[BootsOntheSide]

They knew there was a minute's silence, but who knew when it started or finished? I noticed Button silently shaking hands with a few other drivers during it (and JV refusing....), but I don't think anyone was actually talking during the first minute of silence, other than Jim Rosenthal who was seemingly thrown by the imrpecise timing.

[Testure]

Well, of course they knew there was a minutes silence - that's why they were all lined up together! The timing just wasn't communicated properly to anyone, including the crowd in the stands blowing airhorns thinking it was over (was it?).

[Logrence]

Is this even an issue? Is it relevant? You can't force everyone to take in part in a minute's silence anyhow.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Logrence

Is this even an issue? Is it relevant?

Yes

and

Yes.


IMO.

[Dutton]

Originally Posted by Logrence

Is this even an issue? Is it relevant? You can't force everyone to take in part in a minute's silence anyhow.

This is the bottom line of the matter. Judging peoples' morality is a rather messy task, as evidenced by the world we inhabit.

I guess, as seems to have been said in this thread, all one can say is, basically: "A pity it wasn't organised properly."

Nothing else you can do.

[Hip Priest]

Originally Posted by Logrence

Is this even an issue? Is it relevant? You can't force everyone to take in part in a minute's silence anyhow.

You can't force people to participate in a silence, but if you deliberately talk through one it shows you are a classless buffoon. I'm no royalist, but i remember observing a minutes silence for the Queen Mum, simply because to break it would show a lack of dignity and respect.

The only qualm i have about criticising the drivers, is that they may not have known it had started.

[Hazard]

Well, if they can't organise a one minute zip lip...what chance did they ever have of sorting out the Indy tyre issue

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Hazard

Well, if they can't organise a one minute zip lip...what chance did they ever have of sorting out the Indy tyre issue

Very well said

[Don K]

Originally Posted by Hazard

Well, if they can't organise a one minute zip lip...what chance did they ever have of sorting out the Indy tyre issue

Why should the organisers ot the race at Silverstone try to sort out the Indy tyre issu?

[santori]

I didn't notice any of those drivers chatting (Villeneuve looked very grim to me). Jenson did smile at someone but that was after that person touched him on the shoulder. I'd have probably done the same, just automatically.

[ascarmarshal]

I heard the track commentator annouce the start of the silence over Jim Rosenthal's comments. ITV should be ashamed of Rosenthal. He knew it was coming so why didn't he shut up.

[Ralf's Girl]

The Planet-F1 article is just a little bit too high and mighty, because it was a poorly organised silence and nobody knew when it was over, but some of the drivers - who were all lined up and therefore knew that it was taking place - did seem happy to ignore it, Button especially; you'd think he could wait a minute before he started shaking hands with people.