The fun of being an F1-driver

NiceGuyEddie · 29 Jun 2002, 08:40 (Ref:324135)

Just finished playing some GP4 (the Prost and the Minardi look amazing!) and come to think that in fact it is no fun at all to be an F1-driver. Here's why.

Out of 17 WC-tracks, there are actually 2 that the drivers admit to find somewhat enjoyable to drive. Being Spa and Suzuka. Maybe even Canada and Silverstone, but thats just by lack of something better. Two out of seventeen aint much. It means they spend 15 weekends on driving at tracks they don't really get any pleasure out off.

Most of them also never get to stand on the podium, let alone win.

Be that as it may, most of their time is spent on testing anyway. Testing takes days of much sitting around and less driving around, and almost never takes place on an 'enjoyable' track.

When their not driving at all, chances are they have to be part of some sponsorpromotional. Well, you know there isn't a single driver who ever admitted to do these things with pleasure. Sure, a visiting a childrenshospital can bring at least some fulfillment, but handing out caps and autographs can never be interesting for more than a minute.

And just when you think you're life aint that bad, and you shouldnt whine -coz after all you are part of the best global motorsport has to offer-, you open up a magazine, or visit an internetforum, just to discover that modern F1 isn't all that it is cracked up to be, and neither are you!!!

Surely, you have to feel sorry for those poor *******s...

MGF · 29 Jun 2002, 08:59 (Ref:324143)

Yep.... Earning $50 million a year, owning luxury yachts, Helicopters, Jet's and mansions can be a real bummer sometimes......

NiceGuyEddie · 29 Jun 2002, 16:54 (Ref:324267)

That whole list applies to ..uhm... two or three drivers. Two of them complaining like hell these days (Villeneuve and Irvine, the other one being Michael Schumacher, he seems to be rather enjoying himself).

Inigo Montoya · 29 Jun 2002, 17:25 (Ref:324271)

Nice guy, this is a bit off topic, but which would you recommend: GP4 or F12002?

NiceGuyEddie · 29 Jun 2002, 17:29 (Ref:324275)

Couldnt tell you. Didn't install F12002 yet. Too busy with GP4

Inigo Montoya · 29 Jun 2002, 17:31 (Ref:324276)

Well I've got F12002 installed, and I can't imagine a sim being any better, but I guess I'll wait until I acquire GP4 and then I'll make a direct comparison.

Nicholas · 29 Jun 2002, 17:37 (Ref:324277)

Makes me wonder, especially in Villeneuve's case whether his obvious dislike of just about every other track affects his driving. But he still keeps racing so it can't be that bad can it...for a limited time.

Total-F1 · 1 Jul 2002, 13:16 (Ref:325128)

Villeneuve's disdain for everything is going to turn him into a very bitter individual when he retires and has nothing to do.

Are we expected to cry now for these poor sad millionaires!?

If they don't like their jobs, they can always give it up for a Saturday job at Safeways and a second hand Metro!

freud · 1 Jul 2002, 13:26 (Ref:325135)

Quote:

Originally posted by NiceGuyEddie
Just finished playing some GP4 (the Prost and the Minardi look amazing!) and come to think that in fact it is no fun at all to be an F1-driver. Here's why.

Out of 17 WC-tracks, there are actually 2 that the drivers admit to find somewhat enjoyable to drive. Being Spa and Suzuka. Maybe even Canada and Silverstone, but thats just by lack of something better. Two out of seventeen aint much. It means they spend 15 weekends on driving at tracks they don't really get any pleasure out off.

Most of them also never get to stand on the podium, let alone win.

Be that as it may, most of their time is spent on testing anyway. Testing takes days of much sitting around and less driving around, and almost never takes place on an 'enjoyable' track.

When their not driving at all, chances are they have to be part of some sponsorpromotional. Well, you know there isn't a single driver who ever admitted to do these things with pleasure. Sure, a visiting a childrenshospital can bring at least some fulfillment, but handing out caps and autographs can never be interesting for more than a minute.

And just when you think you're life aint that bad, and you shouldnt whine -coz after all you are part of the best global motorsport has to offer-, you open up a magazine, or visit an internetforum, just to discover that modern F1 isn't all that it is cracked up to be, and neither are you!!!

Surely, you have to feel sorry for those poor *******s...

I wouldnt mind doing all that sh1t for a million per year, seriously..

Jay · 4 Jul 2002, 13:20 (Ref:327052)

lol...I don't think there are any F1 drivers that don't completely love what they do. Even some of the tracks that drivers don't like, they often enjoy the city. Also, you say there are only 2 or 4 tracks that are enjoyable when many F1 drivers have said they enjoy driving tracks like Melbourne, San Marino, Sepang, Hungaroring(believe it!) and just about every other track. Every driver is different...

Also, many of the F1 drivers do very little testing, leaving those duties to test drivers. A lot of the other work has to do with promoting their team and sponsors. When they're not doing that they train in the gym or on bikes.

..and ALL F1 drivers are very rich! Every single one of them. Only one might make 50 million dollars or whatever, but they are all millionaires that would not have trouble financing their own yachts or jets.

**Bononi** · 4 Jul 2002, 14:03 (Ref:327071)

I really can't see how this cannot be fun. I doubt that any driver in the whole history of F1 wasn't there because they love what they do.
As for the tracks, as Jay said, is not just two the drivers like most. In fact almost all of them has the preferences of the drivers.
As for the money, apart from 1 (Yoong), all of them make good money, more than any of us could ever get in a bank account.

Yoong Montoya · 4 Jul 2002, 22:11 (Ref:327354)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bononi

As for the money, apart from 1 (Yoong), all of them make good money, more than any of us could ever get in a bank account.

Actually there are 2 more besides Yoong - Webber and Bernoldi.

**Bononi** · 5 Jul 2002, 13:13 (Ref:327688)

Well, I don't know about Webber, but Bernoldi is really sponsored by Red Bull, so no money from his own pocket.

Sodemo · 5 Jul 2002, 21:45 (Ref:327936)

Dont shoot me for this, but ive been playing GP4 and really love racing at the Nurburgring, I think its cus of the feeling how late you can brake into that bottom hairpin.

For some reason I have to use a massive front wing at this track, 16 front, 7 rear, as I had a skip load of understeer to dial out.

Kex · 5 Jul 2002, 22:41 (Ref:327956)

All the F1 drivers are bloody well lucky.

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