Crying on Live TV......

[freud]

especially by Celebrities is indeed a rare sight.

Although Michael was his 'usual' self on the podium the mood dramatically changed on the post-race press-conference while asked about how he felt on being compared with Senna. Suddenly he tilted his head down towards the microphone, the deutshe Wie.... cap displaying prominently and sounds of weeping and sneezing started. I, for one, was totally shocked and couldnt believe my eyes..... the "Iron man" choking completely? A unique blend of mystique and emotion, the question "Why did Michael cry after the Italian GP 2000?" will forever remain a mystery. The most logical explanation is probably Michael's high regards for the legend. A very unique sight in f1 or indeed sport history..... crying, weeping and sneezing on live TV with billions watching. Gosh, he was literally drained in emotion. A very special moment indeed!

[Liz]

The crash coming down from an adrenaline rush probably had something to do with it as well. But it is his own business whatever it is.

I wonder if Peter Mallett will jeer at TGF the way he did at Rubens?

I hope not.

[R]

I hope everyone respects that he is entitled to have emotions just like everybody else. It was just too much for him today, and that Senna question was the trigger. It's no shame to show your emotions.

[Minardi fan]

I can't believe I missed it - I turned over straight after the podium to Channel 4 just in time for the last Dawson's Creek of the series...

[TimD]

I shan't say too much into this, because I still don't think we needed that press conference to carry on.

But I'm with Liz - I'd love to know how Peter Mallett reacts to this one.

Anyone know how Peter did at Spa Francorchamps today?

[Bononi]

Hey MF ! I think Dawson's teenage problems has lost for TGF emotional show down ! I guess TV directors could not expect it !!!!!

[Valve Bounce]

I recall the Essendon ruckman, Barnes I think, crying after the final signal, after the Bombers (Essendon) thrashed Melbourne in the grand Final. These guys are very tense for the race and this is just where the emotion came out. I think Mika was about to crack up also, and he had to quickly divert the questions to Ralf. Ralf didn't look too pleased also, although he coped very well, but he also looked very emotional.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally posted by Liz
The crash coming down from an adrenaline rush probably had something to do with it as well. But it is his own business whatever it is.

I wonder if Peter Mallett will jeer at TGF the way he did at Rubens?

I hope not.

Uncalled for Liz. I didn't see it and can't comment. I will say that your version of the word "jeering" and mine would appear to be two different things.

[kuchi]

I didn´t saw it but a friend told me what happened, and I just couldn´t believe it, eventhough I don´t like tgf a lot, I felt really awkward, but still we can´t tell why he cried, happiness?, remorse?, anyway it´s going to be a timeless f1 moment.

[freud]

Well to all you of you who thought yesterday's drama was enough, my Italian friend Pedro informed me that a newspaper there carried out a story that:

"Michael shed crocodile tears to get back the support of tifosi & other f1 fans who were slowly getting into the Mika Club... the whole episode was a drama"

Now my question is does the Italian media has any character left whatsoever or is there a lobby in Italy against Michael? I dont get this???

[KC]

I think we all got a glimpse of the human being behind the facade of an excellent racer. So much of what MS does and is requires him to be cold, tactical and very shrewd and we all got just a tiny glimpse of the man who probably does not think he deserves to be compared to Senna. I also think that after so many DNFs and MH being overwhelming he was suffering from a just a little lack of confidence and now he knows that he can take the fight to MH.

[Dani]

I think Michael was very brave!
As 4 crying to get back his fans! Thats ridiculous! He doesn't need to do that! Obviously the italian press didn't hear thousands of fans shouting his name!!!
I thought it was awful watching him cry it broke my heart!!!

[AL Racing]

Actually I was stunned with Schuey braking down in tears, I really felt very emotional. It was a great gesture from Hakkinen to indicate to the interviewer to continue with him instead, and also for comforting Michael when Ralf spoke. There's a great clip of this http://f-1.sovintel.ru/00/monza/monza_pc.asf , with different camera angles during the press-conference where you can see a towel being given to Micheal from his brother and Hakkinen padding his back.

The reason for this reaction from Schuey IMO is all the pressure he has been under the last 5 Gp's. That combined with winnning in Monza, equalizing Senna victories, was just too much for him. It was I long time I saw Michael so happy on the podium, spraying the champagne. I was great to see that he was reluctant to leave to podium.

It's the first time I've seen him look really tired in the press-conference and it was strange to hear him say it as well.

When the season in over with Schumacher as champion he will probably give his thoughts about Senna and his feeling of his death.

[Nuvolari]

It was a totally unexpected moment that completely shocked me -- especially after the obvious delight Schu had taken in the parc ferme and on the podium. Several things struck me:

I believe various factors played into his breaking. He had won after a long stretch -- AND on Ferrari's home soil AND with his brother on the podium. Then, the critical factor, his awareness that he had equalled Senna's victory total -- his obvious feeling for the legend and his own place among the immortals.

On Fox, Mike Joy remarked that in the past several weeks there seemed to be a thawing of relations between Michael and Mika -- that their relationship had progressed beyond grudging admiration to one of real warmth. That seemed very apparent. Mika was first to congratulate Schu in parc ferme . . . he didn't avoid Michael on the podium and was quick to comfort him at the news conference. To me, it exemplified the very best between two old rivals.

It was also difficult to watch Ralf attempt to respond to questions while his older brother was in such obvious anguish at his side.

That brings me to the issue of the sensitivity of the reporter conducting the session. Bravo, Mika, for asking if they couldn't take a break. Had I been in his seat, I would have refused to answer another question until there had been a few moments for all of them to get themselves composed.

It is not easy for me to blast a journalist for doing his job, but in this instance it was patently offensive to push ahead relentlessly -- live television or no. This was a singular moment that should have been respected as such. From the standpoint of sheer drama, nothing -- no question, no response -- could have topped it. Yet, the interviewer pressed on, his tone the same, his attempts to deal with (at the moment) the mundanities of race strategy ringing completely off-key. A sorry performance, indeed.

This year's Monza, for me, was sport at its very best. No, the race was not particularly exciting; but the exhilaration of the tifosi, the joy of the winning driver, his emotional outpouring and the genuine comfort offered by his fiercest competitor were among the finest moments I have ever experienced watching motorsport or any athletic competition.

We're not likely to see its equal again soon.

[Peter Mallett]

Having taken time to ponder this a little more.

The media spent so much time talking about "the tears" and left out the really important items viz;

Verstappen not only failed to throw it at the wall, he finished a creditable 4th, followed home by Wurz (first points this year?) and Zonta (first points F1 ever?).

Surely that tells us what is more important to the media these days. Even this forum has spent more time discussing those tears rather than the excellent results achieved by those three drivers.

Or parhaps I'm missing something here?

[Nuvolari]

You are, Peter. And just as with your earlier condescending dismissal of Barrichello's emotion on the podium, you'll never get Monza.

[Peter Mallett]

OK then,

Being that some of you have taken it upon yourselves to have a "pop" at my opinions I will give you some examples of exactly what I mean by displaying a little stoicism in the face of emotion. These guys are paid seriously large sums of money to get out there and perform.

On Saturday I witnessed a sickeningly serious accident which destroyed a car (in a location and at a higher speed than that which killed a famous british driver five years ago) which had been lovingly and rigorously prepared for racing by a good friend of mine. All his own money and time. Nobody had paid him for the work, he did it for the love of the sport and now he has to start again.

On Friday a similar thing happend to another racing colleague who was innocently punted off the circuit during practice. He apparently spun down the hill towards Eau Rouge bouncing off the pit wall one side and the armco the other. I was practising at the same time so did not witness it. Both of these guys shrugged their shoulders (albeit rather stiffly) smiled and proclaimed their return next year.

Now, I'm not suggesting that they didn't find a corner somewhere and kick the cat. Nor am I suggesting that their problems are worse than that of our professional friends. They just would not bring themselves to show emotion of that kind in public.

I have tried to point out to my fellow forum members that IMHO I don't need to see emotion (at least tears) nor do I need to dwell on it when there are far more important things like the sad loss of the marshal (please don't try to convince me that this was the reason for the tears), or the magnificent acheivements of Verstappen, Wurz and Zonta.

Now. Maybe in your haste to pick on me you missed my statement in another topic where I expressed my deepest sympathy for the marshal and his family.

If you don't like that fine just stop taking unnecessary pot shots at me for my views.

And no, I apparently have missed nothing. We are still falling into the trap of talking about the media topics and not about the race.

[TimD]

Point taken, Peter, and exposition accepted from this humble person.

I am sure you would be the first person to acknowledge that the Rubens thing a few weeks ago did rather put you in the firing line this weekend, rightly or wrongly.

I confess to being one of those interested in your personal response to these most recent pictures, but that was genuine curiosity in the light of your previously expressed opinion, and certanly not designed for "having a dig".

But I agree with you wholeheartedly about the focus of the media and F1 fraternity. I don't know that poor old Michael was in a position to show stoicism at that moment, but the cameras had no business lingering on him. The interviewer, also, had no business pressing him to talk.

I wonder if a lot of the talk we have seen over the last couple of days has to do with the media demonisation of Michael Schumacher. It's as though a lot of people have been caught on the hop by the realisation that he is a young man of flesh and blood, and hopes and fears.

Hence the fascination.

Oh, how I would have loved to see Mika and Ralf scoop Michael out of the press conference and out of sight of the journalists.

As for your Spa experiences, no doubt I shall learn all on other forums. Suffice to say that I am profoundly relieved that all concerned were able to walk away. Metal can be replaced or hammered back into shape, people can't. I assume that the incident you referred to concerned a ghastly accident in the Dunlop Rover cup a few years back. In which case, your friend can indeed count himself fortunate to come through a bigger, faster incident. I've grown very fond of the CSCC crowd over this season, and I am dreading finding out which of the familiar cars won't be back for Snetterton.

I'm just supremely relieved that the drivers are in a position to spend the winter in the race prep workshop, albeit nursing a bruised wallet.

[Peter Mallett]

Fair enough Tim, but as I didn't see the race or the interviews I can't comment on Mickey-the-Shoe's discomfiture. I have just responded to the personal questions aimed at me which are not really relavent to this topic.

[Nuvolari]

Then, Peter, the questions beg: Is there no public forum where tears -- of joy or sorrow -- are appropriate? Must reaction always amount to little more than the coldly dispassionate dissection of the race?

Certainly, my criticisms are not meant to in any way denigrate your heartfelt sympathies for the family of the dead marshal. We all join you.

[freud]

Pardon me for jumping in between an enchanting discussion. Two days after the drama at Monza, I guess the emotional factor for most should be over now and I for one am thinking on lines with Peter Mallet. Previously, I dismissed the article in the Italian newspaper but I decided to look at the press conference a bit more closely. So I put in the cassette of the recorded race and watched the post-race press conference carefully. I rewinded it multiple times and noticed every second and every expression on Michael's way. I've got to say that it was indeed strange...the way he sobbed. OK dont think I am emotionless but :

1. Why didnt Michael cried on the podium in front of the tifosi? There wasnt a single tear in his eyes while on the podium infact he was jumping and euphoric as he always is, on the podium.

2. Michael's sobbing at the press conference COULD be pre-planned. Before the MS fans get angry, just think of the probability. I mean Michael was in a real bad situation before the race for ultiple reasons....1) He was outclassed by Mika at Hungary & Belgium. 2) Rubens made the tifosi's season after winning at Hockenheim and demonstrated the emotion that tifosi always wanted all these years from Michael but failed to get. 3) Michael was increasingly being criticized for his race conduct and skill by renowned drivers and critics alike.

NOW I MAY BE WRONG, but all that stuff could be pre-planned by Michael's advisors. Michael needed the momentum and life for sustaining his bid for the title and to rekindle his dwindling support, he displayed "emotion" that his fans always expected from him.

Any way all this may be wrong or right but Imo Michael succeeded in getting back the support of his true fans by his gesture.

[Roy2]

I don't need to see tears either, and either does any true racing fan. But we got them whether we needed it or not. And when they came they weren't exclusively a media topic. The media can be counted upon to exploit this for all they are worth, but that has nothing to do with us.

If a Barichello or a Schumacher are moved to tears it asks a question of us. Are we tough guys who respond with scorn or derision, or are we ordinary people who are filled with compassion when a genuinely tough guy cries (whether we need it or not)?

If there was even a hint that Barichello or Schumacher were faking I think I'd be disgusted. I saw Barichello on the podium and at the post race interview, and it looked like uncontainable joy to me. I saw Schumacher, and I have only the profoundest respect for the man.

[freud]

THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED.....


All these years I have been following one man very closely. Vivid imaginations.... a dark blue car at its limit being followed by a light blue vehicle. Both cars are so near it seems both men are on a mission. It looks horrifying and dangerous....they are just inches apart. Suddenly the dark blue car goes of the track and hits a concrete wall at speeds incomprehensible to us ordinary mortals. A helpless and breathless man in a brilliant Yellow helmet lies on the track while the othe man in lighter blue car goes on to win the race. You feel the chemstry between both men....you feel the man in the lighter blue car got his prey!!

Imaginations.... This time the driver in light blue cars takes off another driver from the track and wins the World title. Imaginations,.... the same guy is in a red car now. He's a strange strange man. Sometimes he's so fast that nobody can catch him, other times he's being passed on outside on flat-out corner. Sometimes he's totally un-forgiving and dominating and at other times he compromises and let others go by.... strange man indeed....

All these years I fail to understand the real Schumacher... The german driver whom you can either love or abhor, there's just two-way emotion associated with him..... What goes on inside his head?...what does he want?

Imaginations...Sometimes he's cold like ice and other times flames burst out of his eyes. At times he pretends he's the most composed and cool guy on the track and at other times he hits his contender and stands on the wall beside the track to watch the fate of the car he's just hit at 100 mph.... like a lion watching his missed prey.

"He's emotionless, cold, calculating NO he's a hot-headed man with KILLER instinct..."

Imaginations.. a red car hits the back of a silver car at 200 mph on a wet track.....a man going towards his prey like a fanatic willing to kill somebody...anger bursting from his eyes. Imaginations.... a man breaking down like a child on live TV... billions watching watched in horror with yes wide open... They couldnt believe their eyes. the Iron man choking like no one has ever before...It feels as though the cold Iron man finally wants the love of the world... What is Schumacher? Why does he need to do all this? What goes through his head?

He's a strange man indeed.

[Roy2]

But not as strange as your imaginations.

[freud]

I warned this is not for the faint-hearted! Its a dissection of Michael's psychological make-up which may look strange to many. Indeed Psychology is a difficult subject.