Does Jackie Stewart talk too much?

[Graz]

Stewart was a great driver and his work on safety was amazing. He is truly one of the greats of the sport.

However, I have always been irked by his continued high level presence. He has an opinion on everything and he has built this almost regal aura about himself. The final straw for me hence this thread was reading in Autosport that he revealed he was asked to run for the FIA President's job. Two points about this; he chose not to so why tell everyone? I guess he feels he's so important that everyone should know.

The second point is, given he is so vocal about everything, why not put his money where his mouth is and go for the job so he can make his views count? Is he afraid of being beaten and feeling humiliated by this? Does he feel he wouldn't do any better a job and be seen as a failure? He seems to have quite an ego imo so this is plausible.

I'm looking for honest debate here, not a poster bashing thread! If everyone feels he is so great so be it but I can't believe that Max Mosely and I are the only people who find JYS tiresome at times.

[Stuart Hill]

the last time I saw JS frequently was when he was being sponsored (paid by) either Ford or The Royal Bank of Scotland. In either way, he did his job very well by getting airtime and being viewed by the masses.

but did I listen to him (in his tartan trousers and branded hat),.... NO.

I always thought that he was playing a corporate game and took his comments that way. Fair play to him if someone will pay him to do so but I never took any notice of what he said and haven't missed his being around.

I still think of him as "one-of-the-greats" but being an ex F1 driver does not always mean that I want to listen to what he has to say.

[TheMong]

he does rattle on abit

[zac510]

I think the problem is mostly rabid journalists that keep asking him questions.

[SWCRacing]

God yes!!! He should shut the hell up and give back some of the RBS cash he has been paid!!

[Knowlesy]

Why would he go for the FIA job though?

Mosely has already influenced the voting beyond reach of anybody other than his mate Todt. Not even Vatanen has a realistic shot, let alone someone who Max seemingly hates for daring to question his diabolical regime.

[nycuk]

In answer to the question - yes, of course he does...

But he's Jackie Stewart and that's his job - we still love him all the same.

[jab]

Ex-drivers just talk too much in general. JYS and Niki are the worst for it. Keke, Damon and Nigel have the odd word too. But the journos put the questions to them, although I suspect it's because they know they'll get a response, so swings and roundabouts

But it does make things a bit more entertaining - always fun when Niki chirps in about how woeful Raikkonen is and how terribly Ferrari's being run these days, or when Jackie criticises Mosley or Bernie or whoever

On JYS's latest revelation, I think he would've made a great FIA president, but 10 years ago. He's too old now, as he says

[Dutton]

I officially have no problem with the amount Jackie talks. There is nothing that says I have to read about it, or listen to it.

Sometimes what he says is interesting and worthwhile, whereas other times not so much. This isn't unique to him by any means: I would say this is the same as all people. It is clear he likes to be asked what he thinks, and so happily gives out his thoughts when asked. I don't see any great crime in this.

I can see, though, why people may get annoyed by things like this, but it just isn't something that bothers me at all.

Am I the only one that finds a thread on a discussion forum complaining about someone giving opinions out in public rather curious?

[Teretonga]

From Dutton

Am I the only one that finds a thread on a discussion forum complaining about someone giving opinions out in public rather curious?

No you are not and you are quite right.
We all have opinions, and in this case I happen to agree with yours.
Free speech in open societies is a priviledge we should all be grateful for....

Try living in a totalitarian society where everyone is afraid to say what they really think....

[Born Racer]

There is a certain irony in that Dutton, yes.

[raindog]

Surely, as someone above has mentioned, it's simply journalists asking for his opinion, when he gives it they print his answers. Hardly his fault is it?

[Graz]

Originally Posted by raindog

Surely, as someone above has mentioned, it's simply journalists asking for his opinion, when he gives it they print his answers. Hardly his fault is it?

So why don't we constantly hear from all other ex-GP world champions? I don't think we only hear Stewart when he asked for his view. I think he is always more than happy to offer it regardless.

Also, I find the posts by Dutton and Teretona typically amusing. Thanks for making me laugh guys.

[Flavio Galtieri]

Just saw Stirling Moss interviewed on the BBC1 breakfast show on the occasion of his 80th. birthday on Thursday and new book launch.

On the subject of current F1, I could not disagree with a single word he said. He talks total sense.

The man is a living legend as, to get back on topic, is JYS.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by Graz

So why don't we constantly hear from all other ex-GP world champions?

Not all former World Champions are paddock regulars.

Since retiring from driving JYS has been part of the circus as variously a TV reporter, a team owner and an ambassador for RBS.

[MrTTraces]

Could be worse, he could be like Jackie Stallone (My name's Jackie...)

Sure he can rabbit on a bit, but if he stopped then we'd have another thread complaining he doesn't talk as much as he used too.

For me I don't have a problem with it, in fact I welcome his opinions! he's entitled to
them.

My favourite Jackie Stewart moment was at British F3 at Silverstone several years ago, he was there supporting his F3 team and myself and some friends walked over to get his autograph (and to congratulate him on his F1 teams first win the week before) and he thought my mates girlfriend was a bloke! He quickly corrected himself after a brief pause but that pause was long enough for everyone to notice!

[strider]

Jackie is really only doing what he is paid to do and, because everyone knows he has an opinion about about everything, if they want a quote they go to him. Most of the time he talks good sense, perhaps with a different set of values from those that are prevalent elsewhere in the paddock.

I could probably do without the clothing, but I suppose that's part of the man.

[Lotusonpole]

Originally Posted by strider

Jackie is really only doing what he is paid to do and, because everyone knows he has an opinion about about everything, if they want a quote they go to him. Most of the time he talks good sense, perhaps with a different set of values from those that are prevalent elsewhere in the paddock.

I could probably do without the clothing, but I suppose that's part of the man.

Sorry Strider, I quite like JYS myself but I don't think I'd like to see him naked.

[Super Hans]

Yes, I was wondering which 'part of the man' Strider was talking about?

[Lotusonpole]

Assuming he's had a bit of costumic surgery...all for the sake of habidashery of course.

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by jab

Ex-drivers just talk too much in general. JYS and Niki are the worst for it. Keke, Damon and Nigel have the odd word too. But the journos put the questions to them, although I suspect it's because they know they'll get a response, so swings and roundabouts

But it does make things a bit more entertaining - always fun when Niki chirps in about how woeful Raikkonen is and how terribly Ferrari's being run these days, or when Jackie criticises Mosley or Bernie or whoever

On JYS's latest revelation, I think he would've made a great FIA president, but 10 years ago. He's too old now, as he says

I'd much rather have JYS yapping than Lauda. Of course, that may be my personal bias.

[davyboy]

I have a huge amount of respect for Jackie Stewart. He was one of the greatest drivers of all time, formidable in his era. However, it was when he retired that he made possibly the greatest contribution of anybody to this sport.

He made it his mission to rid motorsport of its grotesque ambivolence to loss of life and despite all the problems and difficulties he encountered along the way, Jackie succeeded in making it safer. Goodness knows how many drivers, spectators, officials etc... owe their very existence to the fact that Jackie spoke out. For that reason alone I feel Jackie deserves to be heard when he does speak.

[johntt]

No, because when he talks, 99% of the time he is talking a lot of sense.

Bernie however, is the opposite.

[steve_r]

I cannot believe I am reading this. Have people forgotten that him & his son started up a brand new team, and turned them into race winners as recently as the late 90's.

So he is a 3 times World Drivers Champion AND a former winning team owner of fairly recent time. I suggest he is better qualified to comment on F1 matters than nearly everone else on the planet.

[Graz]

Originally Posted by steve_r

So he is a 3 times World Drivers Champion AND a former winning team owner of fairly recent time. I suggest he is better qualified to comment on F1 matters than nearly everone else on the planet.

Eddie Jordan won more races as a team owner and a lot of people don't seem to think his views (that he's paid to give as a pundit with allocated airtime) are of any use. Jordan loves the media attention too so praise be he wasn't a 3 times champion too or he'd be vying with JYS for airspace.

Horses for courses I guess and I know I'm in a big minority but it's how I feel so there you go.