LEWIS HAMILTON has leapt to the defence of F1’s pre-race razzmatazz, saying it’s good new issues are being tried to draw followers.
Plenty of drivers have been essential of the introductions from rapper LL Cool J at Sunday’s Miami GP, whereas music producer will.i.am carried out an orchestra on the grid.
Lewis Hamilton believes new concepts to draw new followers are an excellent factor for the gameCredit score: Splash
will.i.am conducts an orchestra forward of the Miami Grand PrixCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
It was over-the-top and some drivers complained about standing round within the warmth for too lengthy — and followers blasted the stunt as cheesy.
However Hamilton, 38, mentioned: “It’s cool the game is repeatedly rising and evolving and never doing the identical stuff.
“They’re making an attempt to do issues to enhance the present. I imply, I grew up listening to LL Cool J and now he’s there.
“You look over and you’ve got will.i.am, who’s an unbelievable artist. I believed it was cool.”
I really like the concept of a driver introduction. Followers not often get to see them with out their crash helmets on.
Plus, I don’t actually get the fuss when it’s made a part of the schedule. The drivers can not complain they didn’t understand it was occurring.
But when that is to be a brand new a part of the present, then it must be utilized to all races.
As Fernando Alonso identified in his post-race feedback, why ought to Miami followers be handled any otherwise to these in Mexico Metropolis or Silverstone?
F1 wants to interact extra with the spectators and provides drivers a profile, and this can be a good alternative to try this.
I’m much less a fan of the ridiculous tune and video from will.i.am and Lil Wayne which F1 have commissioned.
Known as “The Formulation” it options laughable lyrics reminiscent of “you a small fry, want ketchup, fall behind or you possibly can catch up” — however then it isn’t geared toward me.
As for the entire Miami GP expertise? It appears as if organisers realized from the earlier yr and made substantial adjustments to reinforce the occasion, which was a 90,000 sell-out on each Saturday and Sunday, so that they should be doing one thing proper.
Mitch Clemence had a memorable Miami Grand Prix — however don’t worry when you have not heard of him.
An ESPN digital camera crew quizzed six followers on the race how they thought the “rookie” would do. 4 of the six predicted an excellent efficiency for the fully bogus identify the crew had made up.
NICE JOB
ALEX ALBON left his cell phone in Good airport earlier than flying to the Azerbaijan GP.
The Williams driver discovered a pal to fly from the UK to Good after which again once more to retrieve it.
His cellphone was then placed on the F1 constitution flight to be reunited with its proprietor in Baku.
Alex Albon managed to get his cellphone againCredit score: EPA
BRAKING BRAD
THERE was a number of discuss concerning the new F1 movie with Brad Pitt — who’s studying learn how to race on the monitor utilized by the French Grand Prix.
I await the cliffhanger ending the place we sweat for 4 hours whereas FIA stewards examine a minor guidelines breach then resolve the winner.
MIAMI HEAT
RACE bosses may set up floodlights to beat Florida’s warmth by turning the Miami GP into an evening race.
Miami Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel, who additionally oversees the race, mentioned: “Clearly presently of yr, the climate’s somewhat unpredictable.
“The breezes have helped quite a bit this yr however final yr was unseasonably scorching.”
TICKING OFF OVER
DAN TICKTUM has cooled his row with Formulation E rival Jake Dennis.
The 2 clashed on the Sao Paulo E-Prix, the place Dennis labelled his fellow Brit a “plonker” for punting him out of the race.
Talking on the Monaco E-Prix, Ticktum mentioned: “It’s not as beefy because the web is making out.
“We’re each grown males — and we don’t actually wish to have these feuds any extra.
“It’s prior to now, I made a mistake, that’s it, I wish to transfer on.”
CAN’T BE TOP MAN
FABIO QUARTARARO has dominated out the probabilities of Toprak Razgatlioglu becoming a member of MotoGP as a result of “he is aware of” he can’t win.
The Turkish World Superbike rider just lately examined for Yamaha however the staff have been underwhelmed, lowering the probability of him swapping collection.
Yamaha ace Quartararo mentioned: “I don’t suppose he’ll come. He’s a rider who desires to win and, for me, he is aware of that if he comes right here he can’t do it.
“So I believe he prefers to struggle in Superbike.”
– COLIN TURKINGTON reached a victory milestone at Manufacturers Hatch along with his sixty fourth profession win.
It moved the four-time British Touring Automobile champ, 41, into second spot on the all-time winners’ listing — passing Matt Neal however behind Jason Plato’s 97 wins.