Mark Webber not pleased with the new podium procedure – Formula 1 news
Red Bull’s Mark Webber has expressed his unhappiness with the podium procedure that was changed half way through the current season.
The previous podium procedure has been altered since the British Grand Prix of this season and Webber certainly does not agree with it.
“I think it is a new format obviously.” he said in the Austin paddock. “I certainly wasn't impressed in Silverstone with 1000 dignitaries up there. I think the podium should be for the drivers, no one else. A clear shot of celebration of the drivers and
what they have achieved. Not having everyone stand in front and having their five minutes. That pissed me off.”
Before the new procedure was introduced, winners were televised in unilateral press conferences after the races, but they are now interviewed live on the podium. The interviewers include former F1 title holders like Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart, even the
opera singer Placido Domingo.
Webber commented, “Drivers [interviewed] on the podium? I am 50/50 on that.”
The new procedure also includes digital flags of the countries of the race winners instead of raising the real ones.
“You need real flags. The electronic flags look rubbish,” Webber added. “You need real flags waving in the wind.”
During the live interviews of the drivers in the recent Abu Dhabi GP, the race winner Kimi Raikkonen and third place holder Sebastian Vettel were careless enough to slip swear words. The FIA has warned all the drivers against using bad language after the
particular incident.
Webber thinks it is normal for the drivers to become careless of their speech in the excitement surrounding their victories. He is of the opinion that it will be difficult to eliminate the swearing entirely. The drivers are so full of adrenaline after winning
that sometimes it is hard to find the right words but he advised about still being careful.
Vettel, who is also Webber’s teammate at Red Bull, has immediately apologised for his lapse but he thinks that the whole issue has been exaggerated since the race in Abu Dhabi. He said that the fans should not be so sensitive and the mistake was unintentional.
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