Past drivers were “more genuine” than current field – Alonso

46 comments on “Past drivers were “more genuine” than current field – Alonso”

1. 

   pastaman
   12th July 2024, 1:41

   Who can blame the drivers for not being outspoken with the rampant tribalism seen here and all over social media. Coupled with the PC police it better serves the drivers to just be media robots.
   1. 

      Jay
      12th July 2024, 2:21

      I’m outraged at this comment!
   2. 

      James
      12th July 2024, 8:19

      You gon’ get cancelled like last week’s stale spaghetti bolognese.
      1. 

         Coventry Climax
         12th July 2024, 13:29

         You blaming the Italians for this?
   3. 

      MoogleSlam
      12th July 2024, 20:00

      The PC police? Yeah, it’s easy to not get in trouble with them, it’s called be a good human.
      1. 

         Jay
         12th July 2024, 22:17

         Censoring opposing views is not being a good person, in fact it’s the opposite. I think a lot of people live in societies that don’t value free speech. As this gets worse, the window of acceptable speech shrinks. People who live within this window think everything is fine and nobody should be outside this window.

         Please watch Black Mirror episode Nosedive for a perfect example of how this could be ‘problematic’. We don’t need less opinions/ideas, we need more!
2. 

   Constantijn Blondel
   12th July 2024, 6:12

   Your outrage offends me ;)
3. 

   Jere (@jerejj)
   12th July 2024, 6:48

   The Auto Action article is interesting & if the claimed internal issues are indeed true, no wonder the Sainz group hasn’t accepted Audi’s offer & that Ocon seems to prefer Haas over the Audi project.
   None of the drivers named are really viable options, though, other than those already competing in F1, while Zane Maloney has zero association with Audi but is solely a Sauber Academy driver like Pourchaire.

   Nice trophy collection.

   Good point & suggestion in the COTD.
4. 

   Retired (@jeff1s)
   12th July 2024, 6:49

   Alonso makes think he’s from the 70’s, talks about past drivers but he’s an F1 millennial, racing with the likes of « more genuine » pilots such as Mazzacane, Ide, Marques, Enge, Yoong, Bernoldi, Burti…

   He’s always running for a narrative.
   1. 

      Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
      12th July 2024, 7:01

      I don’t know why it’s strange to you that he made that comment. He shared the track and meetings with people like Coulthard, Villeneuve, Montoya, Hakkinen, Raikkonen, Alesi… It’s obvious there’s a generational difference with today’s crop.

      It’s been more than 20 years! He’s now competing with people thtlat weren’t even born when he was having those meetings…
      1. 

         Nick T.
         13th July 2024, 15:59

         For some reason @jeff1s is part of that crew that hates Alonso as if he had wiped out his village with an AK47 rather than just being an F1 driver.

         BTW, how dare Alonso say something that F1 fans and media have said forever with their constant “lack of colorful characters” line, which is just another way to say what he said. But like many said, I don’t think it’s possible to be genuine as a celebrity in any sport today.
   2. 

      baasbas
      12th July 2024, 7:40

      @jeff1s
      To be fair, I think what he sees is just him getting older. I’m the same age and I can see the same things. Except not in F1 cars obviously. I have 2 new colleagues who were born after the millennium. Of course they will approach everything with a different frame of reference. They’re simply less confident because they lack the experience. You can’t hold that against them.
      And these days drivers enter F1 at a much younger age as well making the difference even greater
      1. 

         bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
         12th July 2024, 8:52

         @baasbas Yeah, I think that’s a very good way of looking at it. The Fernando that walked into the paddock for the first time is very different to the Fernando that walked in last weekend. His confidence and the lense in which he views the world is very different to the one which first laid eyes on Michael and Mika calmly doing their duties with confidence.

         If Oscar seems a bit shy or reserved to Fernando, yeah social media will be a small part of it, but more that F1 is still somewhat new to him. If Oscar walked in and started flicking the backs of peoples ears whilst making jokes, nobody would be calling him ‘genuine’. Probably something far worse.

         I’m sure the way the others act around Fernando is as genuine as he was when he first met a man with such a history (which many in the grid will have learned about later, rather than having memories of it).
      2. 

         RobinT
         12th July 2024, 22:27

         If you were to make the same generalization based on race or gender, you’d quickly be booted from this, and every other forum. But it’s fine to assume that someone acts/thinks in a certain way because ‘they’re getting older’. Personally, I respect Fernando Alonso enough to believe that his opinions are based on his vast experience, and intelligence, whether I agree with them or not.
   3. 

      Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
      12th July 2024, 10:38

      Alonso is one of the last romantic drivers in modern racing, a true descendant of a lineage of champions tied not only to F1 but to the entire world of motorsport. Like Jim Clark, Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Graham Hill…, Alonso embodies the spirit of an era when F1 was just one of many racing disciplines, not even the most important one. Although he may not have raced alongside these legends, those who are still alive, like Andretti and Fittipaldi, see him as a legitimate successor to their legacy.

      You may not like his character, but the man is a beast. Born and raised in the Ecclestone era, which aimed to suppress drivers’ personalities in favor of PR-friendly figures and promote F1 as the pinnacle of motorsport, Alonso stands out. Now, with the rise of social media, it’s even worse. Fernando still carries that rebellious streak, unfazed by the entire paddock’s reaction to his opinions.

      Alonso is one of the old time greats, a true maverick, the last samurai of motorsport.
      1. 

         FrankT
         12th July 2024, 11:10

         You probably don’t realize it, but you’re describing Verstappen.

         ‘’You may not like his character, but the man is a beast. Born and raised in the Ecclestone era, which aimed to suppress drivers’ personalities in favor of PR-friendly figures and promote F1 as the pinnacle of motorsport, Verstappen stands out. Now, with the rise of social media, it’s even worse. Verstappen still carries that rebellious streak, unfazed by the entire paddock’s reaction to his opinions.’’
         1. 

            Nick T.
            13th July 2024, 16:01

            A couple days ago I said “the only I really like about Verstappen is that he’s F1 only young star that has a genuine old school attitude. I doubt he likes this new red flag for gravel, investigate for every little technicality, tattling to stewards F1.
      2. 

         David BR (@david-br)
         12th July 2024, 13:54

         @tifoso1989 The last samurai, that made me smile.
         Actually I kind of go with that image but think it contradicts Alonso a bit. Samurai are renowned for saying little and doing precisely what needs doing, suddenly, swiftly and with full commitment. That’s Alonso racing, sure. But he’s also calculating and quite content to sit back and maximize points if he thinks there’s too much risk. For me, that’s the wisdom side – not always what’s needed though to win championships.
         Are the new generation that PR-tamed? I’m not sure really. In terms of opinions, they even say more than past drivers – I mean, take Raikkonen… I suspect Alonso is really saying drivers are now too protected or coddled by the teams (including with the technology).
         1. 

            Nick T.
            13th July 2024, 16:08

            He really doesn’t talk much. He stays out of the spotlight In his off time. He doesn’t live a flashy lifestyle. He doesn’t post on social media about F1. He doesn’t go on long radio rants. “GP2 engine” isn’t a rant, but a complaint even if you think it was the wrong thing to do. It’s more of a case that when he does say something, F1 media goes wild. And like all the drivers, he gets his quotes taken out of context all the time. His biggest quote this season was him questioning the neutrality and consistency of stewards. And considering they’re not consistent at all, it’s hard to question that statement.
            1. 

               David BR (@david-br)
               13th July 2024, 18:19

               I agree with all that, I’m just trying to make sense of what he’s saying about younger drivers: “off-track or with the helmet off, maybe they are a bit the same and more shy in the way they approach things. They have people who talk for them, for management, for media, for fitness. They’re well prepared, but maybe they lost a little bit their own character”
               I guess he’s talking about teams micro-managing drivers even off track? I don’t know. There’s no doubt Alonso does seem like one of the old brand of drivers, a survival from an earlier era, while Hamilton, almost the same age as FA, is more like an archetype for the multi-media PR friendly new era. Which is better? I kind of like both, though I get Alonso’s aversion to corporate speak. Worth pointing out, though, that he’s just as adept at using the media to boost his own image as Hamilton is at playing the media when he wants to get at a rival team or driver (even a team mate).
            2. 

               Nick T.
               13th July 2024, 21:00

               @david-br

               I agree with all that.
      3. 

         greasemonkey
         12th July 2024, 14:22

         You have to cite Foyt on that list too. Foyt is the reason he chose #14.
5. 

   Esploratore (@esploratore1)
   12th July 2024, 8:52

   I think I agree with alonso: senna, prost, mansell, schumacher, they definitely had more character back in the 80s, 90s, or even 2000s.
   1. 

      Esploratore (@esploratore1)
      12th July 2024, 8:53

      Meant to only post once, but my mouse gives some double-clicking issues, and this website on occasion doesn’t prevent double posting, other times it says “duplicate comment found”.
      1. 

         Coventry Climax
         12th July 2024, 13:38

         A quite decent mouse can already be bought for much less than 15 Euro/Dollar/Pound, don’t tell me you’re that tight on finances?
         ;-)
         1. 

            AlanD
            12th July 2024, 21:40

            Maybe, like me, he is using a trackpad “mouse” on a laptop. The trackpad isn’t that bad, but there are no actual buttons to click, just tap gestures on the mousepad, and they are so prone to double taps, or left clicking when you tried to right click, etc. I think what I’m saying is that past mouses were more genuine than the current crop,…..
   2. 

      David BR (@david-br)
      12th July 2024, 14:00

      Senna and Mansell, yes. Prost and Schumacher? Kind of bland outside of a car. I think this is a lot of retro-projection. They were just different from this generation.
   3. 

      AlanD
      12th July 2024, 21:57

      The problem with looking back is that we only remember the characters. Out of a couple of hundred drivers from that bygone era, we remember three or four and conclude that all drivers in the past were more momorable. Try this. Pick a golden age yesteryear at random, go look at the driver line up for that year, and chances are there will be names which you have no recollection of, and others where you remember the name but wouldn’t be able to pick them out of a photo line up. I’d also question whether people like Prost were really much of a character. We remember him because he was a successful driver, and that meant he got the few minutes of fame in front of the cameras when he was out of the car, but I can’t remember anything notable he ever said, or anything he did away from the track. I expect it will be the same forty years from now. People will be saying “back then we had peopel like Hamilton, Verstappen, Vettel, all real characters,… today’s F1 drivers are so bland and boring”
6. 

   Esploratore (@esploratore1)
   12th July 2024, 8:52

   I think I agree with alonso: senna, prost, mansell, schumacher, they definitely had more character back in the 80s, 90s, or even 2000s.
7. 

   SteveP
   12th July 2024, 9:10

   I have 2 new colleagues who were born after the millennium. Of course they will approach everything with a different frame of reference. They’re simply less confident because they lack the experience.

   Mixed. At work, some I find to be more confident, but unfortunately without any basis for the confidence.
   Some have the sense to ask questions, like I did when I was their age. Learn from other people’s mistakes.
   Oh, and questions are only “stupid” when they are repeated many times, usually because the millennial can’t be bothered remembering. It’s a common failing.
   I think it’s the latter group that Alonso is referring to.
8. 

   Patrick (@paeschli)
   12th July 2024, 10:01

   New F1 drivers grew up in the age of social media where they can get cancelled for the slightest mishap. They are just a product of our time. I’m sure they would be as outspoken as the previous generations in an environment without cameras or audio recording devices.
9. 

   Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
   12th July 2024, 10:09

   Like pretty much everyone here I’m of the opinion that it’s a generational thing Fernando.

   Todays younger drivers are far more focused on their Social Media image and doing what the PR people tell them to do than the old timers who were just employed to drive cars fast and kept away from the press if they were offensive or embarrassing.

   As an oldy I think it’s a shame for sure.
   It seems like peoples personalities are being crushed and controlled these days so that everyone thinks and says the same bland/beige things with no passion. I never know if I am hearing what they really mean or if it’s total PR speak.

   I’ll go to the supermarket and moan about the prices now I think ;)
   1. 

      Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
      12th July 2024, 10:46

      I disagree. Verstappen, despite being a social media influencer himself, has proven that it’s possible to maintain your own opinion and strong character while standing up to anyone when necessary.
      1. 

         FrankT
         12th July 2024, 11:13

         I just replied to you, with the same answer. Verstappen is an oldschool character in that regard.
      2. 

         Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
         12th July 2024, 11:27

         It’s a fair point.
         There will always be exceptions to the rule (thank goodness) but it seems to me that overall we are becoming more homogenised with each passing generation.
         1. 

            bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
            12th July 2024, 16:32

            Yeah, there’s plenty to give Max credit for, but that he’s almost cultivated a space for himself to be himself publicly, I think is good.

            I doubt it was done with any planning or strategy. But unlike, say, ‘brand Beckham’ Max can get upset, fail, make jokes, even call people names and it’s largely accepted. Which is healthy. He has thoughts, opinions and like the rest of us probably a couple of regrets.

            It’s okay to get things wrong occasionally, it’s just learning. Even if that includes getting chastised by the Mongolian Ambassador. He’s in the public eye, but laregely I think he deals with it well without blunting his personality. I doubt Fernando was referring to Max with these comments.
            1. 

               David BR (@david-br)
               13th July 2024, 18:25

               @bernasaurus Yes and no. My impression is that Verstappen Sr still has a lot of sway over his son and it tends not too bring out the best in him. Including in relation to the recent Red Bull in-fighting. Away from that influence, I suspect he’d be easier going and more media-friendly in the sense of expressing himself more. He seems to be popular with a lot of fellow drivers, including from his generation (Russell, Norris etc.). In that sense, he’s maybe less different than Fernando Alonso might be implying?
10. 

    Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
    12th July 2024, 13:01

    We won’t see the like of Alonso again, once he’s gone (he said sounding about 100) ;-)

    Some of the current crop do seem a bit dull and unwilling to mutter anything of significance. But I guess it’s usually the way they are managed/guided by their agents and the teams. There are one or two exceptions. Vettel was less so and I think Max will become more outspoken the older he gets.
11. 

    dot_com (@dot_com)
    12th July 2024, 13:12

    I can’t understand what Carlos Sainz is doing, to be honest. I think Williams would have been a good option for him, given the limited seats available, but they seem frustrated by his uncertainty. Audi/Sauber seems like a mess at the moment, and Alpine will soon be no more. Unless he knows something that we don’t (which is, to be fair, is highly likely) his ongoing hesitation is confusing. Before long these teams will get nervous waiting around and sign someone else, and Carlos could find himself without a seat, which would be a massive shame for everyone.
    1. 

       Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
       12th July 2024, 15:35

       Unless he’s got some kind of stonking deal or assurances from Alpine I think Carlos should just sign on with Mercedes for a year. If he still has the opportunity. Things may look different in a year’s time and I didn’t see either Williams or Sauber/Audi as great choices. Why go to Williams when you can go to Mercedes? He will still be in the hunt for podiums at least at Mercedes (I assume).
       1. 

          dot_com (@dot_com)
          12th July 2024, 19:24

          It doesn’t sound as though Mercedes is an option for him. Unless that’s what he’s holding out for? It would certainly be the preferable choice – although I can’t imagine he wants a one year deal at this stage in his career. I think a two plus two at Williams would be his best bet – but I guess that’s because I’m a Williams fan :-)
    2. 

       Nick T.
       13th July 2024, 21:06

       Vowles can threaten and complain, but the truth is he’s not going to make any moves until he’s positive the chances of Sainz going to Williams is remote at best. I’m a Williams fan and hope he goes there, but he’s doing the right thing waiting. Just by waiting, things are opening up, with Alpine willing to ditch their own engine, Perez probably on the outs at RBR and Mercedes is looking less certain on Kimi. Likely cause they never thought the car would develop so well and because Kimi is fast, but inconsistent and wants to see him doing both before he decides to skip an apprenticeship ship at Williams or a second F2 season.
12. 

    Coventry Climax
    12th July 2024, 13:46

    That’s exactly why all companies are attracted to youngsters; They don’t have any life experience yet, therefor no matured, balanced and weighed opinions of their own, are easily moulded and influenced, cheap and willing, have the least chance of medical issues, but are very willing and determined to have a go at it all.

    That about sums it up with regards to character building.
13. 

    PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
    12th July 2024, 21:19

    Do you think Alonso has had that “them youngens” moment?…
14. 

    MichaelN
    13th July 2024, 14:26

    Don’t agree with Alonso. There are a lot of different characters on the grid, fun ones, inspiring ones, endearing, charming, you name it.

    But at some point people, Alonso included, just grow older and more distant to the rookies. He’s old enough to be the father of some.

    That matters a lot. As much as I respect the achievements of a Verstappen, it’ll never be the same as how I, as a kid, looked up to Schumacher when he went to Ferrari. It’ll soon be 20 years since their last title, and when Schumacher won in 2000 it had been 21 years, and names like Schekter were like ancient history to me. Now, I can still recall most of the 2007 season. That changes how we perceive things. My colleague has a young daughter who loves Norris and Verstappen. She still sees them as these somewhat otherworldly figures. It’s just age.
    1. 

       Nick T.
       13th July 2024, 21:15

       Exactly. When you’re a kid, sports stars are heroes and seem so different and it’s also harder to see their flaws. When you get older, you can’t idolize some kid who is 20 years younger than or even just your age for that matter. When I first started watching F1, I disliked Alonso. But I think that was because he was only a year older than me and I was still racing and I think I was just jealous. F1 was a lot cooler back then too. I’d be less envious now.

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