Lewis Hamilton defends F1 Miami GP glitz… but why should it be treated any differently to Silverstone and Co?
LEWIS HAMILTON has leapt to the defence of F1’s pre-race razzmatazz, saying it is good new things are being tried to attract fans.
A number of drivers were critical of the introductions from rapper LL Cool J at Sunday’s Miami GP, while music producer will.i.am conducted an orchestra on the grid.
It was over-the-top and a few drivers complained about standing around in the heat for too long — and fans blasted the stunt as tacky.
But Hamilton, 38, said: “It is cool the sport is continuously growing and evolving and not doing the same stuff.
“They are trying to do things to improve the show. I mean, I grew up listening to LL Cool J and now he’s there.
“You look over and you have will.i.am, who is an incredible artist. I thought it was cool.”
I actually like the idea of a driver introduction. Fans rarely get to see them without their crash helmets on.
Plus, I don’t really get the fuss when it is made part of the schedule. The drivers cannot complain they did not know it was happening.
But if this is to be a new part of the show, then it needs to be applied to all races.
As Fernando Alonso pointed out in his post-race comments, why should Miami fans be treated any differently to those in Mexico City or Silverstone?
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F1 needs to engage more with the spectators and give drivers a profile, and this is a good opportunity to do that.
I’m less a fan of the ridiculous song and video from will.i.am and Lil Wayne which F1 have commissioned.
Called “The Formula” it features laughable lyrics such as “you a small fry, need ketchup, fall behind or you can catch up” — but then it is not aimed at me.
As for the whole Miami GP experience? It seems as though organisers learned from the previous year and made substantial changes to enhance the event, which was a 90,000 sell-out on both Saturday and Sunday, so they must be doing something right.
Mitch Clemence had a memorable Miami Grand Prix — but do not worry if you have not heard of him.
An ESPN camera crew quizzed six fans at the race how they thought the “rookie” would do. Four of the six predicted a good performance for the completely bogus name the crew had made up.
NICE JOB
ALEX ALBON left his mobile phone in Nice airport before flying to the Azerbaijan GP.
The Williams driver found a friend to fly from the UK to Nice and then back again to retrieve it.
His phone was then put on the F1 charter flight to be reunited with its owner in Baku.
BRAKING BRAD
THERE was lots of talk about the new F1 film with Brad Pitt — who is learning how to race at the track used by the French Grand Prix.
I await the cliffhanger ending where we sweat for four hours while FIA stewards investigate a minor rules breach then decide the winner.
MIAMI HEAT
RACE bosses could install floodlights to beat Florida’s heat by turning the Miami GP into a night race.
Miami Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel, who also oversees the race, said: “Obviously at this time of year, the weather’s a little unpredictable.
“The breezes have helped a lot this year but last year was unseasonably hot.”
TICKING OFF OVER
DAN TICKTUM has cooled his row with Formula E rival Jake Dennis.
The two clashed at the Sao Paulo E-Prix, where Dennis labelled his fellow Brit a “plonker” for punting him out of the race.
Speaking at the Monaco E-Prix, Ticktum said: “It is not as beefy as the internet is making out.
“We are both grown men — and we don’t really want to have these feuds any more.
“It is in the past, I made a mistake, that’s it, I want to move on.”
CAN’T BE TOP MAN
FABIO QUARTARARO has ruled out the chances of Toprak Razgatlioglu joining MotoGP because “he knows” he can’t win.
The Turkish World Superbike rider recently tested for Yamaha but the team were underwhelmed, reducing the likelihood of him swapping series.
Yamaha ace Quartararo said: “I don’t think he will come. He is a rider who wants to win and, for me, he knows that if he comes here he can’t do it.
“So I think he prefers to fight in Superbike.”
– COLIN TURKINGTON reached a victory milestone at Brands Hatch with his 64th career win.
It moved the four-time British Touring Car champ, 41, into second spot on the all-time winners’ list — passing Matt Neal but behind Jason Plato’s 97 wins.