Formula 1(F1) season is back in Singapore again, to the joy of many F1 fans, myself included. However, in recent seasons, F1 has seen many setbacks, from the withdrawal of BMW Sauber and Honda, to the latest F1 scandal, ‘Crashgate’, involving Renault, Nelson Piquet Jr., Flavio Briatore and Patrick Symonds.
In the article “F1 veers towards madness” by Rohit Brijnath in The Straits Times on Friday, September 18 2009, the author picked out, summarized and interpreted certain information about the CrashGate scandal. Many readers would also have done the same given the widespread coverage of CrashGate.
F1 in recent years have more negative than positive news and CrashGate is just the latest in a series of scandals. Following SpyGate and LieGate, CrashGate is set to be, if it is already not, F1’s biggest news in the 2009 season. Within the past two to three weeks, hardly a day goes by without an article in the newspaper commenting on CrashGate. With such bombardment of information by the mass media, even non-F1 followers would have developed their own perceptions about the sport.
F1 is a fairly new sport to Singapore. 2009 is the second year that Singapore is hosting the race, at the Marina Bay Circuit. It is a novelty for local fans who are unable to attend races held at other circuits and for Singaporeans in general. But with such scandals, it is a matter of time before the novelty runs out. Fans follow F1 for the excitement, the speed and the technology, not for scandals that drag the credibility of F1 through the mud.
What made the Renault team do what they did? To give Alonso his podium finish? For the team to get constructor points? Why did Piquet Jr. do it? Was it for an extension for his contract so he could stay in F1? Alonso got his podium finish, Renault got their points and Piquet Jr. got a one-year extension for his contract with Renault (for your information, Briatore sacked Piquet Jr. after the Hungarian Grand Prix, which some speculate was what caused the leak of information that brought CrashGate to light). It is understandable that winning was the driving force behind it, but why a crash? Taking such a drastic step with such high risks.
If it is true that F1 teams have to resort to underhanded methods in order to win, then it is a sad thought that this sport, where we expect the highest level of sportsmanship, would have sunk so low. Winning may be the goal of all sports, but it is not worth risking a life for the sake of winning one race. In the future, people may look back at F1 and CrashGate will be one of the scandals that will marr the history of a sport that enthralled millions.
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Another F1 fan? hahah. Sportmenship is essential for all kinds of sports, inculding F1. People who used underhand methods to win are going against their moral values (and may lightning strike on them.) However, scandals may not necessary be true if they were baseless claims without any evidence. Thus, it may be better if we as the consumers to know how to filter out the truth. Of course, this requires much practice and the amount of information that we can access to for verification.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Crashgate happened here in Singapore made it all the more worth reporting, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteSince F1 is so new to Singapore, having a scandal take place on the country's track was a novel and possibly 'exciting' event for many local fans. It's no wonder that the mass media here placed such significance on it. Even when the truth behind Crashgate had not been revealed, the media would want to report about the incident frequently as it is currently what people are interested in & want to find out more.
Scandal, Scandals, this is always part of sports. To be the Numbr One, one needs to have the luck, the opportunity and alot of patience. However, this may still not make you the Number One. If situation arise where one can be the Number One with a bit of manipulation, would One take it? Look at the glory, the moment at the podium, your face being shown to the worl, would you want it?
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck, take it. It's not so easy to prove it. Get the glory and still get away. Look at the East German Sports personality.
It is sad but the reality is many sportsmen (and women)are out there for the prestige, money, fame, etc..that come with winning.
ReplyDeleteTo tell the truth, too much emphasis is put into the outcome of a competition. Often we lose the real value of holding such competitione. And that is to gain valuable experience. In fact, it is this unhealthy emphasis on the wrong values that bring about problems such as gambling and scandals.
ReplyDeleteThe behaviour is a what we will continue to see if we value our sports man and women based on their winnings. Winning is important but it must be fair.
ReplyDeleteThe high price of rewards given to the winners will continue to promote cheats to come into the sports. Look as Agassi, the one that got away and come back to tell.
I agree that this sport will need to look at the mirror and see how it is going. With the current financial crisis, the world of F1 probably will need to take a breather. BMW, Honda and Toyota have announced their withdrawals. Renault is holding its meeting soon and may announce their withdrawal. Where does this lead to in relation to F1 future?
ReplyDeleteLets hope that the people who is running it will forcus onto the sports and not on the millions that they can made from the sports.
I have been watching the Singapore F1 Grid Girls series on TV. Although the show is about F1, in my opinion, the show should not emphaise so much on women. Is the sport about women or cars? Further more the promotion has been marketed as a rich person sports. Is this for man (old!!) who have money and looking for beautiful young women to walk them around and to be noticed.
ReplyDeleteF1 should not be projected as :
"This is a sport for success man (old and young). If you are successful, it's okay for you to hang out with sweet young girls who are scantily dress".
Is this the message we want to tell our children?
Ok, so interesting story - but for someone who doesn't read the papers or watch the news, "crashgate" means nothing to me...
ReplyDeleteMaybe a bit of an expansion on the subject?!
I definitley like a scandal :)
Do you think the incident will have an impact on peoples opinions of Singapore? Why do you recon they chose Singapore as ther location for this?