Grumpy old men

neilap · 26 Jul 2002, 15:54 (Ref:343482)

What is JV's problem? I thought he would be happy that young talent is coming to the team. Instead he is cynical and a bit condesending. Some of his remarks http://www.dailyf1.com/en/news/news.php?id=1842 sound like he really needs a sabbatical. He is too distracted by the trends in F1. I bet OP would have said it is great to have someone new who can offer fresh ideas and a different point of view. I am neither here nor there as far as JV is concerned. He is fun to watch but makes mistakes too like any aggressive driver. Personally I dont think JB is blindingly fast but still he is a good driver and this year he has been better than Trulli. Maybe the better team would be OP and JB! In racing your greatest obstacle on the track is your teammate but off the track he needs to be the greatest asset. Maybe what we are seeing is a grumpy old man who is feeling a bit insecure about his future in F1. The interview can be heard on http://www.hondaf1.com/english/fans/audio_video.php

paul-collins · 26 Jul 2002, 16:12 (Ref:343490)

Interesting (?) slant from dailyf1. planet-f1 and itv/f1 both interpret his comments as JB boosterism and slagging of Flavvio. Earlier reports were that JV had a hand in bringing JB on board (ie he encouraged David Richards to pursue him).

Jordi · 26 Jul 2002, 17:36 (Ref:343526)

I don't see him as a grumpy old man. He's just telling it like it is....

AndyF · 26 Jul 2002, 22:08 (Ref:343666)

Sorry, I saw this thread and thought it was about Mansell

djb · 26 Jul 2002, 22:15 (Ref:343671)

I thought it was about Eero, Moffat and Stephan Green

djb · 26 Jul 2002, 22:32 (Ref:343679)

oops, forot Neil C, and Peter M and let's throw in Tim D just because he's always been older than his years......

Mr V · 26 Jul 2002, 22:38 (Ref:343682)

Interesting that he thinks that had DC been ahead of TGF last weekend, that he (DC) wouldn't have slipped on the oil!

mac · 26 Jul 2002, 23:29 (Ref:343726)

I cannot see ONE bad thing about what Villeneuve said in that article. I thought he was actually sticking up for Bunsen, re: Renault.

I think some people are clutching at straws.

djb · 27 Jul 2002, 03:19 (Ref:343805)

Yes Mac, got carried away with being a smartass. I too, read only JV's sticking up for Button's driving abilities.

RWC · 27 Jul 2002, 06:12 (Ref:343829)

Actually he was saying that new drivers are a good thing-then turns around and bags kimi.Reading bettween the lines one can see that on one hand he's anoyed at flabio's sacking of good drivers(the injustice of it) + anoyed that HE didn't get a maclaren seat instead of kimi(oh,the injustice of it!)

Total-F1 · 27 Jul 2002, 13:27 (Ref:343977)

I just think Daily F1 were a bit desperate for news! They've completely manipulated and twisted what Jacques says!

neilap · 27 Jul 2002, 13:39 (Ref:343982)

The other link that I posted was streaming audio from the official Honda F1 site. JV was openly critical of the younger drivers and again seemed to blame KR's mishap on inexperience. He is begining to remind be of RS more than anything else. Yes he is entitled to his opinion but sometimes if there is nothing good to say then dont say anything. He does like JB but seems reserved when it came to him being an asset to the team. Again it it better to portray a positive attitude in life not the pessimistic one he has adopted.
One thng that I should not overlook though is that BAR has pretty much ruined him. Maybe that is why he is bitter. He sees young inexperienced drivers come in and do better than him because of the teams not talent. He knows he is every bit as good a RS, KR, maybe even JPM but they all have youth on their side.
F1 drivers forget that they are living the dream of millions of people. They are not construction workers nor sanitary workers. They are known all over the world for doing what they love to do. There no reason to be so negative towards other racers especially not ones teammate.

**Peter Mallett** · 27 Jul 2002, 14:08 (Ref:343996)

Quote:

Originally posted by djb
oops, forot Neil C, and Peter M and let's throw in Tim D just because he's always been older than his years......

Mr V · 27 Jul 2002, 14:53 (Ref:344012)

Quote:

Originally posted by neilap
One thng that I should not overlook though is that BAR has pretty much ruined him.

JV's pretty muched ruined himself imo, he had the oppertunity of a seat at Benetton a couple of seasons ago and decieded against taking it.

Maybe he doesn't want to see Jenson gaining from the effort he and Panis has put in the last couple of years? But he's gotta show Jenson who's number 1 (if he's able to) and together take the team to new heights.

Jordi · 27 Jul 2002, 17:33 (Ref:344053)

Well, BAR seemed on the up after 2000... that's why he didn't go to Benetton.

djb · 29 Jul 2002, 04:18 (Ref:344970)

Mr Mallett ---------

(hadn't heard from anyone, so I figured I'd offended you all!)

Mania · 29 Jul 2002, 05:27 (Ref:344979)

Well, Jacques has always had a pretty strong opinion of young drivers joining the sport. When Raikonnen got his super license, JV was furious claiming that he and the other F1 guys had slogged their butts of for years in different series to make it to F1 while a rookie with barely an experience was automatically getting a license. He was also not happy when Button got into F1, he said that the only reason Frank hired Button was because no one else would go to Williams BMW at that point of time!

In a way, I understand what Jacques is saying,...he obviously believes that most of the guys have come up the "hard way" whereas with the recent focus on young and inexpensive drivers - a lot of blokes are getting an easy ride.

Tough one - I agree and disagree with Jacques on this one. I do think it may be a touch unfair for people to waltz their way into F1, but on the the positive side its brought people like Kimi, Massa etc into the sport and thats only going to be goof for F1 and the fans alike.

**Stephen Green** · 29 Jul 2002, 07:26 (Ref:345030)

Moi, a grumpy old man DJB? Oh dear, time to grab the hanky and have a quiet weep to myself.

djb · 29 Jul 2002, 16:44 (Ref:345519)

actually, I think the only grumpy one of you guys is Eero, he evens admits to being cantakerous. The rest of you are just older than I, so as with my wife (who is 4 up on me) I'm just being annoying.

Neil C · 29 Jul 2002, 17:35 (Ref:345563)

deej, shouldn't you be out riding your bicycle or something?

djb · 29 Jul 2002, 22:16 (Ref:345791)

yes, to home very shortly, safely knowing that all of your cars in Boston, Detroit, and here and there in Great Britain are far, far away.

**Stephen Green** · 30 Jul 2002, 07:17 (Ref:346007)

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