Ari Vatanen
 

Why did Bernie not let Ari Vatanen onto the grid at Monza?

Because he's nothing to do with F1 anymore?

Let's face it. Screaming Lord Such had more chance of being elected.

Just sums Bernie up - a second hand car salesman telling a FIA World Champion he's not allowed on the grid......

....yet all the hangers on he loves to allow on the grid.

Indeed. Depressing, isn't it. Still, Bernie will probably die before Vatanen. At least that's something.

I have this scary dream that Bernie will be with us forever as a talking head in a jar - Futurama-stylee http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/frown.gif

Now you say it, that doesn't seem so fanciful.

Bernie is the boss. He made f1 into what it is today and many in f1 became extremely wealthy people as a result. If he does not want Vatanen - a man that is hostile to the f1 structure on the grid then thats it. Tough.

How do you describe Bill Gates then? As a college drop out?

And Vatanen was only a rally champion anyway.

Exactly the problem.

Because Bernie is the King and F1 is not motorsport any longer - after al thus scandals.

But maybe F1 needs a "Vatanen" - the question is how many more scandals people are going to stand with.. however in my mind we are pretty close a limit..

"Only" http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...s/confused.gif

You say that like its hardly an achievement http://www.motorsportforums.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

The FIA is in charge of rallying too, not just F1.

You could do. I take great delight in labelling Richard Branson a former VAT fraudster.

That sort of remark deserves to be treated with contempt.

Yeah, it seems Siant Devote likes to be degrading rallying as a sport, as he already notified us in the "Loeb in F1" thread. Probably just a lack of knowledge.

http://rallybase.motorsportforum.com...d.php?t=134120 (post #7)

Actually I just put the comment in at the end just to get a rise out of people - I did not mean to offend just intended to "poke a stick about" http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...es/biggrin.gif

I have great respect for Vatanen - I dsiagree with his position that opposes Bernie - and people such as the great Walter Rorhl and remember happily Michelle Mouton, Roger Clark and of course the late Henri Toivonen.

I do think the rally cars are ugly [and look like midget cars yech!] - the f1 cars of the aero attachments were also unsightly - and remember the power cars of years ago.

If Kimi switched I would watch and support him! http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...ies/smokin.gif

And I look forward to see Sebastien Loeb in the Torro Rosso - maybe he is as special as people think.

It better be last time you do that, as I don't have time to play babysitter in here http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

How very mature! http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

Sincere apologies allround - I promise not to do that again.

Although I do consider f1 to be superior to rallying!

:-]

Max, in his normal way, is doing his bit for Jean Todt's campaign:
"[Vatanen] came to lunch on July 3 and said he was going to stand, and asked me if I would support him. I said I couldn't support him as I promised to support Jean. I said, 'I will be very honest. I think Jean is a much better candidate. You have no experience, you have never run anything, you've not been in charge of even the smallest organisation, you have no concept of what it is like. You didn't even run your own rally car, you had a co-driver to do that.'" http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78802

He also makes clear why, after announcing his resignation as FIA President in 2004, he stayed on:
"I completely wanted to stop in 2004 which is why I resigned then," he said. "But it became clear that the most likely replacement was going to be someone totally unsuitable...I had it in mind since before then to suggest to Jean Todt that he should do it, because he is the only person on the horizon who has got all the necessary experience, knowledge and great managerial ability. But he was, at that point, becoming CEO of Ferrari, so he had a day job. So I really had no alternative but to continue, although it was against my will."

I like the way he says he stayed on against his will. Well we all know he likes being made to do things against his will don't we.... Naughty, naughty slave..http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...es/monster.gif